Warduke (NECA)

I've never been super big on Dungeons and Dragons. I tried, but pen and paper RPG just isn't for me. However, I've loved the old D&D cartoon since childhood. During it's time, I had a lot of fun with the toy line by LJN and the assorted kids books and stuff. I was actually quite disapointed that I couldn't get into the game itself despite multiple tries. The occasinal video game, sure, just can't do pen and paper RPG. That being said, how I've enjoyed D&D lead to me appreciation of one of the most badass villains of all time. Warduke.

I've actually spoken about my admiration for Warduke here before. This weird occult flavored cousin of Darth Vader who of course set off the Satanic Panic folks back in the day. My original action figure was destroyed thanks to a jealous cousin and replacing it hasn't worked out in my favor. There's various homages to him in independent toys (especially in the Glyos area), and I did luckily find his Funko Pop a while back. NECA recently has put out some premium D&D figures including the Duke of War here. Thankfully he was a birthday gift from my wife who absolutely spoils me on holidays.

NECA nailed it with this incarnation of Warduke. He looks 100% like you'd expect a 'serious collector' premium toy to look. All of his classic design is here with leveled up detailing and paint. I'm especially fond of the metallic pain on his helmet and the flame effect that can be attached to his sword. Warduke has his additional daggers and short sword as well as his trademark shield. They're all sorts of magical and NECA made them look it. The figure has a ton of articulation so the EVIL ACTION FIGURE can be put in all sorts of menacing poses. There's also a range of extra hands for this purpose.

Warduke is one of those characters that I keep on an untouchable high shelf. Thankfully this figure really drive home some of that prestige. He's pretty large, about 6 inches and scales pretty well with Masterverse figures from what I've seen in MOTU groups. Despite being from different series, he fits in nicely there. Warduke comes from that same 80's fantasy boom that He-Man came from, and both respective toy lines set off the Satanic Panic alarms of the time. This is an amazingly great figure of an all time favorite villain of mine. I'm definitely glad to have it and grateful of my wife for giving it to me.

Have a Magic New Week

 

It's Monday and you know what that means! It's a new week here on Planet Zone! This past weekend was pretty good. It was the Mrs's birthday and I took her out shopping to celebrate it. While out I picked up a Pop Warduke I'd been hoping to find. We also stopped by Rocket Fizz, a candy store, and while there I grabbed a giant bag of Pez. All unwrapped, all too perfect. Not to mention some other wonderful candy was bought.

I also grabbed the new Battle Cat from He-Man and the Masters of the Universe as well as the Core Class Snake Eyes. Still no luck on Studio Series Soundwave which might just be my white whale. I also got a pack of pens for work, I know you're excited about that. In the upcoming weeks my department at work will be moving into a new office space and I'm excited. Brand new cubicle!

I've got a fun week in mind. I know Zone Base isn't some big site, but the fact that you all continue to support it is really flattering. Thank you so much for reading my nonsense! Please don't forget to share with your friends! Y'all sure it's not Halloween yet? No... well... 

Warduke is everything

I'm not a Dungeons and Dragons guy. I've tried to play it, it seems awesome, I'm just not a role player. I've certainly enjoyed D&D in other forms. The cartoon (which was awesome), the old toy line, various books and the occasional video game. You know, stuff. The stuff is great. One character that I've always loved and held in high regard is Warduke. Warduke is good stuff.

I was first introduced to Mr. Duke by getting his action figure, then he'd pop up on the cartoon and other outlets (odd children's book via weekly reader and other stuff). Just pure bad ass. One day I'm going to replace my old action figure of him (his parts lay in memorial at my Mom's house). Though despite only getting that one action figure, I've kinda gotten him in other forms. It's a stretch, but work with me here, I'm going somewhere with this. Somewhere bad ass.

Warduke has a very distinct looking design. Know how you see a skeleton warrior and Skeletor just pops in your mind? A red and blue robot, that's nobody else than Optimus Prime. Warduke has that kind of design for me. Death Adder, Sideways, Powers of Pain... the list could go on, but I've made my point. If not, look I don't know what to tell you. I totally made it, ok? You fucking know I did.

I don't know if Warduke's design is based on an older thing, and really I don't care. Warduke is just my general name for that look. Every gelatin is Jello, every tissue is Kleenex, every kinda mid evil/bat wing head heavy metal looking dude is Warduke. I feel like every air brushed carnival ride has featured Warduke in some way. I know I've seen variations of his design on haunted houses in the shady parking lot carnivals a million times. That's how the old cartoon started, so you might want to be careful riding one of those. You'll either be transported to the world of Dungeons & Dragons, or catch some weird disease. The seats on those things man... what are those stains even from?

Is it poop?