Random Toy Pic :: Apokolips Now

Steppenwolf, Darkseid, Mantis, and a Parademon from Kenner's Super Powers action figure line.

Secret Wars Wolverine

As a kid I had a whopping three Secret Wars action figures and I loved them all: Wolverine, Iron-Man and Dr. Doom. I would play for hours on end in the woodpile in the back yard, where I could build caves and buildings and other strictures for my superheros to battle around and within.

I didn't hold on to those Secret Wars figures past childhood, but did pick up an Iron-Man a few years back, and do have a rough Dr. Doom as well. And now I have a really nice Wolverine thanks to a random bag-o-toys from a local thrift store!

Wolverine actually had some wear around his mask, but since it's black, I was able to sharpie it up and make it look much better.

Sadly he doesn't have his claws but I can live without them. When I was a kid, this Secret Wars figure was my only exposure to Wolverine, so I though his claws were just strapped on to his wrists in the comics the way they did so with the toy. It wasn't until years later that I discovered they came out of his hands!

Additionally, since my first exposure to Wolverine was this figure, I am overly fond of the brown costume and think it's his best look.

This is basically the best Wolverine action figure ever and I am beyond stoked to have found him again.

Wolverine was in a three dollar bag of random toys, mostly junk, but I would have paid three dollars for Wolvie alone! But I got some great other pieces too, including...

...a Secret Wars Captain America! I already have a cleaner version of this guy, so I've promised this one to a fellow collector. Side note: I HATE when action figures have that damn nose-rub missing paint sitch. One of my major toy pet peeves. Anyone have a cure? Skin-tone model paint or something?

Anyways, Cap is in pretty good shape, all things considered. And finding TWO Secret wars figs for three bucks is a pretty damn nice find.

But wait, there's more...

Super Powers Flash! And again with the damn nose-rub. ARRRGH! Wolvie had the nose rub too, but again, I had a black sharpie. Sadly I don't have a skin-tone sharpie!

Regardless, Flash is a pretty nice example and I dig him. His actin feature doesn't work well but who cares.

Even though I'm a DC fanboy now, I never owned any Super Powers figures as a kid. I have a handful today, and love finding them in the wild on the rare occasions that I do. Still need a Batman though!

Empire Strikes Bossk

Brian of It's Trash Culture gifted me this sweet Bossk that he scored as part of an even bigger Kenner Star Wars score he, well, scored.

SCORE!

Bossk was one of my favorite Star Wars action figures when I was a kid. I also had a Y-Wing that I received for my birthday or Christmas around the same time I got Bossk, and I always used it as his go-to spaceship. The Y-Wing was one sweet vehicle, it even dropped a bomb, which is ridiculously impractical because, you know, they are in space!!

I got rid of all my original Star Wars action figures sometime in the mid eighties (stupid stupid stupid!) and although I've picked many up since then via garage sales, flea markets, trades etc etc, Bossk has for some reason always eluded me. Getting him again brought back a flood of joy and memories! I love him all over again - reunited and it feels so good!

And what's a Bounty Hunter without a Bounty? Bryan also sent along this super articulated Chewbacca who is apparently playing air-bass. Bring da funk, Wookie-o!

Thanks again Brian! You rock!

Batman Animated Batman Back in Black

This black and grey Batman Animated re-paint was released with a Toys R Us exclusive repainted Batmobile in dark blue with red trim a few years into the line. It was long after the original Batmobile was unavailable at retail, but I really wanted one so I settled for the red trimmed Batmobile because I could get it at retail - It was not the best looking re-paint of the original Batman Animated Batmobile and not the worst, but this is a gorgeous action figure re-paint to be sure and helped me take the plunge on a not perfect Batmobile.

This Batman is the same sculpt as the original 'Combat Belt' Batman, but with black and darker grey and a black bat symbol sans yellow oval. One of my favorite Batman looks of all time!

I had actually forgotten that I owned this Batman action figure. It wasn't until I started down this rabbit hole of looking at my Batman Animated toys again here on the blog that I came across a photo I took years ago which included this Batman. I then had to dig through a couple boxes to find him and through the internet to remind myself how he was released. I knew I owned the Batmobile he came with, I had just forgotten that the Batmobile came with a Batman at all! And since this Batman had essentially spent 99% of his life in the cockpit of said Batmobile (both on display and for the past few years in storage) his existence had completely slipped my mind.

I'd still like to own a Combat Belt Batman with his toon accurate costume colors, but lacking him in my collection hurts less knowing I own this guy. This figure reminds me of the scene in the cartoon where Bruce first dons the cape and cowl and Alfred reacts with a gasp, which is pretty much what I did when I found him again after all those years boxed away.

Batman Animated Ra's al Ghul

When the Batman Animated Ra's al Ghul action figure was first released I was conflicted. There had never before been a Ra's al Ghul action figure, so I figured I really needed him. But The Demon's Head action figure was clad in this non-canonical armor and not in his typical green suit with cape, so I didn't really like the look of the figure.

The need for a Ra's al Ghul ended up winning out, and I picked him up off the shelves and never regretted it. A later TRU four figure set did come out a few years later and it included a suited Ra's, so fortunately I do have a proper Ra's as well, but over the years this version has grown on me and I now think it's pretty great.

The armor isn't canon, but it isn't absurd or neon purple so I can dig it. He came with a cool sword and a lame projectile launcher, but the launcher is easily ignored and the sword is the right accessory to go along with an armored Ra's, ready for battle!

I believe the Demon helmet did appear in the cartoon, and it does look pretty menacing. I am a huge fan of masks/helmets for action figures when the work well with the figure, and this one does. In fact, even though I didn't like the armor, it was probably the helmet that pushed me back into the 'pro' camp for picking up this action figure. The helmet just looks too cool, fits snugly over Ra's head and can also...

...be flipped up to reveal Ra's stoic visage before he plunges that sword into the heart of his enemies.

While I prefer the later suited Ra's, I really love this al Ghul action figure and am happy that I got over my distaste of the armor back when I could pick him up off the toy store shelf.

There have been dozens of Ra's al Ghul action figures released over the years by now, but the first is probably still one of the best. It's also pretty amazing to think of how many Batman characters got their first toy release ever thanks to the Animated Series: Ra's, Harley Quinn, Clayface, Poison Ivy, Man-Bat, Talia, Alfred, James Gordon and the list probably goes on but that's all I can think of at this moment.

Clay Lady Clay, Clay Across My Big Brass Bed

Clayface had never before been better represented than when he was re-imagined for the Batman Animated cartoon series. Who can forget that iconic animated moment when Batman bursts forth from Clayface via his grapple hook after being absorbed and presumably suffocated by the big brown mass of malleable mud!?!?

Clayface the action figure is a big rubber guy, he comes across as a bath toy in his makeup. But he's a perfect representation of his cartoon counterpart! One of his hands is transforming into blades, and the other...

...is morphing into a mace ball which is supposed to 'launch' when you squeeze Clayface's left arm. Mine never quite worked but I got it second-hand, so perhaps he worked well right out of the package. I was lucky to find my Clayface with his mace ball attached at the flea market many years ago. I also have a lighter brown version which came in a TRU exclusive four pack late in the line, and his left arm is different and does not include the mace ball feature. I will have to dig him out soon for a review too!

Super Powers Mantis

I know I blogged about my Super Powers Mantis years ago when I found him at the flea market, but he was in that random box I mentioned where I unearthed my Rumble Ready Riddler, so I figured he deserved another shot at stardom here on Toyriffic!

I didn't follow the Super Powers line back in the eighties, but it has been fun gathering together the odd figure now and then in my adulthood. I now own Aquaman, Steppenwolf, Joker, Robin, Darkseid, Parademon, Brainiac and Mantis. And the Batmobile! Still no Batman though. Sure, I could jump on eBay and pay inflated prices for one, but the fun of not technically collecting a line is that I only pick them up on the super cheap when they pop up randomly. Sure they may not be complete or mint but did I mention I like them cheap? I like my action figures like I like my women: incomplete, play worn and cheap.  JUST KIDDING!

Anyways Mantis is a great looking robotic Fourth Worlder. He was completely redesigned for the Super Powers line and looks like he may have been inspired by Star Wars. His 'action feature' is ridiculous but also invisible and doesn't require any special knobs or buttons: squeeze his legs together and his arms sway back and forth. FUN!

Random Toy Pic :: Batman Meets...Batgirl?

'Hello, sexy. Want to find out if the Batmobile has a back seat?'

I picked up this Star Wars alien Kabe from the flea market the other day. Kabe was originally released as a Power of the Force Star Wars fan club exclusive along with Muftak (a version of which I already own.) Kabe is a girl, and a bat-headed Chadra-Fan girl at that, who appeared in the original Star Wars Cantina scene! How could I pass on her for just a dollar? I couldn't, that's how.

I Ain't Afraid Of No Ghost! :: Real Ghostbusters Peter Venkman

Halloween is over, but the spooky fun never stops around here!

I found a scaredy Peter Venkman from the Real Ghostbusters action figure line at the thrift store today, and my intern helped me with a Halloween Hangover frightening photo shoot!

Squeeze his arm and Peter's eyes bug out, his jaw drops and his hair pops up! AAAHHHHH!

Not surprisingly, Peter is a bit spooked by all those spooks above. 

Perhaps more surprisingly...

Peter was also spooked by a trio of Barbie's super pets...

...and Mr. Snuffleupagus too!

Peter Venkman, you're a bit high-strung. You need a vacation.

Random Halloween Toy Pic :: Lexington

I find Gargoyles action figures at the flea market all the time. Sadly, 99.9% of the time they are missing their wings, their tails, or both. More often, both.

But when I find them complete I have a hard time walking away from them, even though I only watched a handful of episodes.

This Gargoyle is named Lexington, and I was lucky enough to find him the other day with both wings and his tail too!

Happy Star Wars Day: Ain't No Party Like A Princess Party!

Today is May 4th aka 'Star Wars Day' due to the 'May the 4th be with you' pun. You need another reason?

I'm not big into collecting Star Wars action figures like I have been a few times in the past. Nowadays I pretty much keep my Star Wars collecting limited to LEGO (and a skateboard). But old habits die hard, and there are definitely plenty of Star Wars action figures hanging around the Toyriffic Cantina, both of the classic and more modern variety.

Today we take a look at four Star Wars princesses by Kenner. Or more accurately, one Princess in four different costumes from three different movies. By Kenner

Leia in Boushh Disguise was the only Leia action figure I owned as a kid. And I loved her. I've always had a bit of a mask fetish, so any toy or character wearing a mask is miles above your standard maskless character in my book. Plus, this was really the first time Princess Leia did anything interesting in any of the movies, and so there were actually some fun built-in ideas to run with when you set out to play Star Wars in your back yard or living room floor.

Next up is Cloud City Bespin Gown Princess Leia She originally had a vest/overcoat, but mine is missing hers. This figure is both boring and unattractive.

NEXT!

Hoth Outfit Princess Leia is at least a cool toy in that you can use her during your snow battles. But she's still pretty boring in that her role during the Battle of Hoth amounted to little more than Air Traffic Control.

Finally the first and arguably the best Princess Leia action figure from the initial Kenner line: Princess Leia Organa in her white gown (with seventies-action-figure-era vinyl cape.) This figure is actually pretty well sculpted and has a cute face too. This figure is both timeless and a product of her times, and for both of those reasons she's classic and beautiful.

When I was a wee lad collecting (aka playing with) Star Wars toys, I didn't want anything to do with Princess Leia. (Until six years into it and The Return of the Jedi and Boushh Leia came out.) For reasons equal parts 'icky girls' and 'she doesn't do anything interesting,' I avoided Leia for years. But today I have four of them (and probably a few more from later lines if I didn't purge them from my collection a few years back.)

I also have a three year old who likes to wear princess dresses, and whenever she put on a white dress she tells everyone she's Princess Leia. And if that isn't a reason to rejoice on this Star Wars Day, I don't know what is.

Robins of Toyriffic Past :: Robin Week Concludes

All good things must end, including Robin Week. But if you haven't had enough of that red, green and yellow kid's stuff, check out a sampling of  Toyriffic's past Robin posts!

Batman Returns Tim Drake Robin.


DCUC Robin and DCUC predecessor 6" Batman line Robin.



Toybiz Robin.

The New Batman Adventures Robin.


Redbird by Corgi.

Teen Titans Red X Robins.



DC Infinite Heroes Earth 2 Robin (with DCIH Tim Drake Robin.)

Three cheers for the original kid sideckick!

And where is the Batman?

He must be at home, washing his tights. because I cannot see him at all in the following totally random pictures of foliage.

If I did see Batman, he would probably be the 'Jungle Boogie' Batman from the Batman Returns action figure line by Kenner.

Actually I don't know what Batman this is, and really am not motivated to look him up at all. I mean, it's a Keaton Batman action figure with green/black camo. Do I need to know more to appreciate this guy?

No, I do not.

I found this Batman at the flea market and nabbed him for a measly dollar. He's in excellent condition, and unlike most Keaton Batmen I find at the flea market this guy has his cape!

The cape alone is worth the dollar, because now I can swap it over to a more accurate Batman I own that is missing his cape.

Or I might let 'Jungle Fever' Batman keep it. If I can ever find him again! Damn that effective Bat-camo!

FX-7 Medical Droid

Can we say 'scraping the bottom of the barrel'?

Listen, I loved Star Wars as a kid. LOVED it. I had tons of action figures, vehicles and playsets.

I still love Star Wars. Even after the knee-capping the prequels gave us, I admit I am as giddy as a school-girl for the upcoming Episode 7. Luke Skywalker with a beard? SQUEE!

But what the hell is this? Seriously? Please, if you were a kid during the OT and you got this RX-7 Medical Droid for a present, or (impossible to believe) pulled this nugget off the shelves and told your mom you wanted it...please comment and enlighten me. Because...WTF?!?!

Trust me, this is an action figure you will never find with 'play wear.' Because how the hell did you play with this thing?

Seriously. I'm no Star Wars wannabe. I know my stuff. I know my OT Star Wars. I know toys. But I had to look up the name of this guy for this post.

I did not know it.

Not only that, but I could not tell you where tyhis end table shows up in the films.

If I had to guess, I'd say the Bacta Tank scene, but that's just a guess based on the fact that he is called a Medical Droid (a fact I needed the internet to enlighten me of). If I didn't know his name, I might think he showed up in the Jawa scenes. Because those scenes were full of junky cobbled together nobody droids.

Regardless: who cares? He's a lamp with a shit-ton of arms. LAME!

Oh damn, his head pops up. I take back everything I said.

Watch out! Whew, that was close...you almost Steppenwolf!

Haha - get it?

Yeah, bad joke. It was either that or 'This action figure was Born to be Wild!' Or maybe an even more obscure 'Lookie lookie, this action figure is Sookie Sookie!'

Yes, I had a 'Best of Steppenwolf' cassette in High School. I was pretty cool that way.

What I did not have then nor have now is any knowledge of Steppenwolf the Jack Kirby New God character.

Okay, that's not entirely true. Off the top of my head: He's one of Darkseid's generals...yeah that's about it. He might not even be a General. Maybe he's a Lieutenant, or possibly a Private First Class.

He might even like to dream, yes yes right between my sound machine. No, that's the other Steppenwolf again.

Well, whatever he's into, he was made into an action figure back in the Kenner Super Powers line of the nineteen eighties, and many a decade later ended up in a pile of toys at the flea market, where I plunked down fifty cents for him.

Because you cannot simply pass up a Super Powers action figure, no matter how BDSM he looks. Just kidding, he looks cool, although the comic book version of Steppenwolf looks vastly different than this yokel. Seriously, in the comics he looks like Robin Hood with a mink stole an elf hat:

Well would you look at that...Steppenwolf is actually Darkseid's maternal uncle! I actually remember reading that issue now. He's like, the best hunter in the universe or something, right?

So as it turns out, I've forgotten more about Steppenwolf than most people know to begin with! Except, not now if they read all this. Unless they too forget!

Geez, this post got weird.

Hunter-Prey Superman by Kenner

Yesterday I re-posted my 1995 Kenner Doomsday action figure  as a 'Toyriffic Classic' post. What is a 'Toyriffic Classic', you ask? A 'Toyriffic Classic' is a very old post that you may have missed the first time around (for instance, the Doomsday post was originally from 2008!) that may be relevant again today. On occasion I plan to re-post something from Toyriffic's illustrious past, possibly with some editing to remove dated references or mistakes or bad jokes or whatever.

So what made Doomsday relevant again, you ask? Jeez, you're just full of questions today!

Well, my parents were doing some housecleaning and came across my Hunter-Prey Superman from the 1995 Kenner two-pack that included Doomsday!

Superman wasn't actually 'lost' or 'mis-placed' I had put him up on a shelf in my Dad's garage back in 1995 because he was not cool enough of an action figure to keep on display but he was too cool an action figure to get rid of outright.I had only really bought the two-pack for Doomsday, you see. And this Hunter-Prey Superman is all 'nineties', with leg belts and pouches and straps a-plenty.

But the figure does have his charms, especially now that the nineties are over and we can wax nostalgically about them.

I do like that the 'S' symbol is printed on the back of his cape. A silly design decision (hey, is that guy in the red cape in front of me in line really Superman, or just some other red cape clad superhero? Oh, I see an 'S', so it's Supes all right!) but something I can appreciate being done by the toy makers, since I am sure it's cheaper to skip altogether.

From what I vaguely remember from the toy's packaging or the comic included with it or wikipedia or my own fever-dreams, Superman had obtained a 'Mother-box' from New Genesis, which enhanced his costume (possibly integrating itself directly into said costume). Lacking any fashion sense whatsoever, the Mother-box created this costume for Superman to hunt down and defeat a resurrected Doomsday.

Hey, it could be worse. He could be sporting a mullet!