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Tesla’s Child-Size Cyberquad ATV Recalled Over Safety Issues

Mike Phalin
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0
Tesla’s Child-Size Cyberquad ATV Recalled Over Safety Issues

While Elon Musk is busy cleaning house at Twitter, Tesla is dealing with a recall issue involving a product aimed at children. It would appear that the company’s child-size Cyberquad ATV is currently undergoing a major recall, according to PC Mag. The US Government claims the product does not meet specific safety standards regarding maximum tire pressure and the suspension system.

The report from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission made the following claim:

The Cyberquad fails to comply with the federal mandatory safety standard requirements for youth ATVs, including mechanical suspension and maximum tire pressure.  Additionally, the Cyberquad lacks a CPSC-approved ATV action plan, which is required to manufacture, import, sell, or distribute ATVs. ATV action plans contain numerous safety requirements, such as rider training, dissemination of safety information, age recommendations, and other safety measures.  These ATV safety standards are in place to reduce crash and injury hazards, preventing serious injury or death.

While the Cyberquad is designed to look like a Tesla machine, the ATV was made in connection with Radio Flyer. The company did power information about the recall on its official website. However, within the FAQ, it is revealed that Tesla’s role in creating the product only went so far as the company consulting “on the overall appearance of the product.” Thankfully, Radio Flyer offers a complete refund of the ATV’s $1,900 price tag.

Customers must remove the vehicle’s motor controller to get a refund and send it back to Radio Flyer. Unfortunately, this will leave Cyberquad owners with a disabled ATV frame and a lithium-ion battery that they will have to dispose of on their own.

According to an archived page for the product on Tesla’s website, the ATV had adjustable suspension, read disk brakes, and could reach up to 10 mph. The battery would allow up to 15 miles worth of travel and was aimed at kids eight years old and up. It looked like a cool little toy. But, considering our questionable safety standards back in the 1980s, was the ATV that dangerous? A couple of injuries were reported but was that due to user error or a flaw in the vehicle’s design?

[Source: PC Mag] [Source: CPSC]

‘Venom’ Writer Kelly Marcel To Direct The Next Sequel

Mike Phalin
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‘Venom’ Writer Kelly Marcel To Direct The Next Sequel

The next Venom sequel officially has a director, and it’s someone quite familiar with the first two movies. Depending on how you felt about Let There Be Carnage, you’ll either be thrilled or disappointed to hear that Kelly Marcel will be directing Venom 3. Marcel previously had a screenplay credit on the first two films, and the upcoming sequel will mark her directorial debut next to Ferryman, also in pre-production. According to Deadline, Marcel will again work alongside Tom Hardy to craft the new script.

Venom: Let There Be Carnage had several issues. Woody Harrelson, who was the perfect choice for Cletus Kasady, felt stale, even though you can tell the actor was trying his best with the material he was given. Michelle Williams was there, but her character had nothing to do. Maybe she was contractually obligated to appear in the sequel, but her character of Anne Weying added nothing to the overall plot. Tom Hardy still brought his A-game, giving his version of Eddie Brock an air of strangeness that matches the situation he finds himself in.

Whether the shortcomings of Carnage were director Andy Serkis’s fault and how much of that burden fell on the script can be debated. Even the first Venom movie wasn’t a clever bit of cinema but delivered on the body horror front, and the dialog between Eddie and Venom was always entertaining. Is this enough to sustain a third film? Maybe if the villain is well executed, I guess.

Perhaps Marcel will bring a fresh take that makes good use of the symbiotic relationship between Eddie and his bloodthirsty passenger. Only time will tell. Who will be the next big bad, though? Scream, Phage, Agony, or Lasher? Or, take a chance and not pit Venom against yet another symbiote. Go all out and use The Jury and Knull in the same movie! They could even use this film to tie Venom further into the MCU with the Necrosword! Take a chance, ya’ll!

[Source: Deadline]

Hasbro Releases A Ghostbusters Proton Pack Unboxing Video

Mike Phalin
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Hasbro Releases A Ghostbusters Proton Pack Unboxing Video

After another long stint of silence from Hasbro regarding the full-funded Ghostbusters Plasma Series Proton Pack campaign, the toy company finally threw another bone our way. You’d think Hasbro would be better at delivering updates and products in a timely fashion; then again, those of us who pre-ordered the ALIENS Pulse Rifle a year ago are still waiting, while people who purchased the NERF gun online via GameStop already have them in hand…

For all of Hasbro’s questionable customer service, at least the company gave us a better look at what should be arriving at our doors in Spring 2023. Ghostbusters News reports that Hasbro has uploaded an unboxing video, showing off the supposedly final packaging for the Proton Pack and the replica. The unboxing includes a look at the items that were part of the stretch goals and the actual Proton Pack replica.

The video shows us the two light and sound sequences the pack comes with: 1984 mode and Afterlife mode. I was worried about this because the cyclotron effect in Afterlife is pretty cool, but could a toy pull this off? The answer is “yes.” The rumble, sound, and lighting effects are impressive, but the steps needed to swap modes look tedious. The drawback is where Hasbro decided to stick the switch that activates them. Rather than hiding the toggle switch somewhere on the pack’s exterior, you have to remove the bumper and cyclotron housing to reach the necessary controls. At least the engineers put the volume control in an easily accessible location (the hand crank).

The video isn’t an in-depth look at what all the pack can do, so there may be even more features hidden away, similar to what was found on the particle thrower. The included hose also allows you to control some functions of the pack directly from the thrower. However, the video only shows us that the handheld device can turn the pack on and off. I’d assume the wand will allow you to change the cyclotron’s volume and intensity and hopefully trigger hidden goodies like the various stream types from Ghostbusters: The Video Game.

I noticed that the stickers are already on the pack, but a sheet of new 1984-era stickers is included. Does this mean those who want an original pack will have to put stickers over the Afterlife ones? That sucks. Another question I have is regarding the modifications to the pack. For example, are the extra cables and parts removable? That was one of the original selling points, but we’ve yet to see the HasLab crew show us a stripped-down Proton Pack that matches the original movie. Also absent from the unboxing is the hardware needed to fit the pack to an ALICE frame.

Check out the unboxing video below. Be warned; the fake enthusiasm is a bit cringy to watch.

[Source: Ghostbusters News]

G4TV Stopped Playing: G4 Website Signals End of Network, $25 Million Studio Up for Lease

Steven Bubbles
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0
G4TV Stopped Playing: G4 Website Signals End of Network, $25 Million Studio Up for Lease

Even in death, G4TV can’t avoid controversy. The now defunct reimagining of the classic gaming video game network posted one final image on its website that read “We stopped playing.”

This is in reference to its tagline as they were getting ready to relaunch — “We never stopped playing.”

But oh, they most certainly have. Comcast suddenly shut the money-bleeding operation down last week, laying off the remaining staff after months of controversy and abysmal viewership.

This is how G4TV 2.0 started…

This is how G4TV 2.0 is going…

Apparently, whoever is left at G4 realized the mistake and changed the imaged to read “We never stopped playing.”

Comcast has made short work of the carcass of G4TV. Within a few days of the shutdown, the cable giant has already put the $25 million, 60,000 sq. ft. Burbank studio up for sublease.

At least one of the spaces marketed for sublease appears to be related to layoffs. Comcast earlier this month shut down its Burbank-based video game TV network G4, according to Deadline. Roughly $25 million had been invested into the livestream and broadcast studio space, according to a marketing flier. Comcast launched the channel in late fall 2021.

Yes, they spent $25 million to create a space that looks like a basement man cave.

With reckless spending like that, is it any wonder they folded as quickly as they did?

This likely isn’t game over just yet for the G4TV story. Once ex-employee NDAs are up, it’s likely that we’ll get a better picture of what actually went down behind the scenes.

G4TV’s $25 million ‘man cave’ studio in Burbank is being subleased by Comcast. (Image: CoStar)
[Source: Twitter]

‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ Ultimates Figures Announced!

Mike Phalin
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‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ Ultimates Figures Announced!

It was only a matter of time until Super7 added Star Trek: The Next Generation to the Ultimates line of high-end action figures. The initial wave has a couple of core characters but makes the bold move to include Locutus and Guinan rather than Picard, Worf, or Yar. I guess if you included the core bridge crew right out of the gate, you wouldn’t come back for waves 2, 3, or 4.

Wave 1 includes Commander Riker, Guinan, Lieutenant Commander Data, and Locutus Of Borg. Each character comes with several accessories, except for Locutus. The Borgified Picard only has three interchangeable heads and an alternate left hand. Meanwhile, Data and Riker come with several accessories from various seasons of TNG. Hell, we even get Data’s cat, Spot! While Guinan feels like a weird choice for the first wave of figures, at least she comes with enough accessories for you to start building your own 10 Forward bar.

Each figure is priced at $55. Expect these toys to beam down during the Summer of 2023.

Super7
Super7
  • 2x Interchangeable heads
    • 1x Neutral head
    • 1x Smiling head
  • 6x Interchangeable hands
    • 2x Gripping hands
    • 2x Expressive hands
    • 1x Trigger hand
    • 1x Weapon gripping hand
  • 1x Pyramid Game
  • 4x Glassware
  • 1x Tray
  • 1x Rifle
Super7
  • 2x Interchangeable heads
    • 1x Neutral head
    • 1x Smiling head
  • 8x Interchangeable hands
    • 2x Open hands
    • 2x Gripping hands
    • 2x Trombone hands
    • 1x Phaser gripping hand
    • 1x Card hand
  • 1x Captain Picard Day Doll
  • 1x Trombone
  • 1x Trombone Mute
  • 1x Card deck
  • 1x Phaser
  • 1x Ace Card
Super7
  • 3x Interchangeable heads
    • 1x Borg head
    • 1x Alternate A Borg head
    • 1x Alternate B Borg head
  • 3x Interchangeable hands
    • 1x Claw
    • 1x Open hand
    • 1x Gripping hand
Super7
  • 3x Interchangeable heads
    • 1x Neutral head
    • 1x Visor head
    • 1x Alternate plug head
  • 5x Interchangeable hands
    • 2x Open hands
    • 1x Violin gripping hand
    • 1x Phaser / Tricorder gripping hand
    • 1x Card hand
  • 1x Spot the cat
  • 1x Violin
  • 1x Violin bow
  • 1x Poker chip stack
  • 1x Poker chip pile
  • 1x Phaser
  • 1x TriCorder
Super7

 

[Source: Super7]

Super7 Announces Critical Role And New Beastie Boys Figures

Mike Phalin
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Super7 Announces Critical Role And New Beastie Boys Figures

More Beastie Boys figures from Super7? Yes, please.

After announcing the ReAction Sabotage action figures, Super7 has released a 2-pack featuring 3.75″ tall versions of the Intergalactic Robot and Squid Monster. These two characters from the group’s 1998 album Hello Nasty never had official names. Screw it; it doesn’t matter. The set is pretty barebones, with the Squid Monster being the only one with an accessory. There are no tiny Beastie Boys figures, cars, or buildings.

The set is available now for $50. Collect this set along with Super7’s Toho ReAction Figures and let the absurdity flow.

 

Super7
Super7
Super7
Super7

Critical Role is moving beyond streaming RPGs and into the world of action figures. I may not be a fan of CR, but these figures are pretty impressive. The blister cards are some of the best I’ve seen come out of Super7. It’s too bad all this is going towards such a niche as Critical Role. I’d love to see Game of Thrones figures or other fantasy properties get these highly detailed packaging die-cut cardbacks.

This initial wave consists of the following characters:

  • Beauregard Lionett
  • Yasha Nydoorin
  • Fjord Stone
  • Veth Brenatto
  • Caduceus Clay
  • Caleb Widogast
  • Jester Lavorre

Each figure is around 3.75″ tall and packed with an accessory. Unfortunately, these ReAction Figures are a bit pricier, coming in at $25 each of $175 for all seven.

Super7
Super7
Super7

From a ragtag group of ne’er-do-wells to a united band of heroes, the Mighty Nein are ready for all manner of fantastic adventures!

For more info on Critical Role, check out the 38th episode of the group’s 3rd campaign below.

It’s been a couple of decades since I played a tabletop RPG, and I never thought there would be a market for people who want to watch others act out a fantasy adventure. Personally, it’s not my thing, but obviously, there’s an audience for it. So now, when will Critical Role start a Mechwarrior campaign?

[Source: Super7] [Source: Super7]

Apple Caves, Will Switch iPhones To USB-C … In Europe

Mike Phalin
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Apple Caves, Will Switch iPhones To USB-C … In Europe

While many tech companies has gotten on board with USB-C as a standard for power and data transfers, Apple has been the major holdout. Why use a connector you can get inexpensively anywhere when you can pay more for Apple’s proprietary cable? Well, that all may be coming to an end, at least in Europe.

According to PC Mag, the EU’s regulations regarding standardization have beaten Apple into submission. In order to continue to sell their products in Europe, Apple must ensure that the iPhone 16 (and maybe the 15) must with a USB-C port as standard. The change must be implemented before the end of 2024, but will the change finally be put in place in the rest of the markets?

Apple didn’t go out without sass, though. Apple’s Senior VP of Marketing, Greg Joswiak, said that moving towards USB-C as a standard for all electronics would cause “more electronic waste.” How? I don’t know. I have far fewer USB-C cables than frayed OEM Apple Lightning cables, that’s for sure.

Apple has always been a holdout when it comes to matching customer-friendly standards found in the competition. Remember, for the longest time, the iPhone and the media you purchased for it was locked to Apple software. So it was also odd to see major news outlets running defense for Apple in the past, saying that no other company could make a less-expensive lightning cable because of the technology found in the connector itself. Yes, really. I think it was a CNN article.

The forced standardization could mean Apple will cut back on the small things you expect to be included in a new iPhone. Expect the iPhone 16 to be a bare-bones affair. I wouldn’t be surprised if Apple ditches the boxes altogether and ship customers the phones in little biodegradable plastic baggies.

[Source: PC Mag]

Hi. I’m Troy McClure. You May Remember From Such Toys As…

Mike Phalin
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0
Hi. I’m Troy McClure. You May Remember From Such Toys As…

It’s no secret that the best Simpsons characters are always the ones who make repeat guest appearances. Where would the long-running animated family sitcom be without Dr. Nick, McBain, and, of course, the fish-loving Troy McClure? Homer and Bart are fine, but I can quote more dialog from one of Phil Hartman’s characters than any of the main cast.

You may remember Hartman’s Troy McClure from such educational films as Fuzzy Bunny’s Guide To You-Know-What, Meat And You: Partners In Freedom, and Someone’s In The Kitchen With DNA. The faded celebrity turned pitchman is getting three action figures based on those classic clips, thanks to Super7. Each of Troy’s ReAction figures comes with a second figure from whatever informational film strip he appears in. Not a bad deal for $20 each.

It appears that the figures are available now. The set of three can be picked up for $60. So now, can we get Lionel Hutz figures based on his various jobs or mental states?

Super7

When a sensitive topic needs to be addressed, there’s one man to call on, and that’s Troy McClure! This 3.75” scale articulated The Simpsons ReAction Figure of Troy McClure in “Fuzzy Bunny’s Guide to You-Know-What” features your favorite educational video host and also includes Fuzzy Bunny.

Super7

This Troy McClure features him decked out in cowboy gear and accompanied by Jimmy.

Super7

The Simpsons ReAction Figure of Troy McClure in “Someone’s in the Kitchen with DNA” features McClure wearing his protective hazmat suit and removable helmet, accompanied by Billy.

Super7

 

Speaking of side characters or one-offs, there needs to be a ReAction Hank Scorpio figure. Sure, he’s getting his Ultimates figure sometime next year, but give us something a little more affordable.

Which characters from the Simpsons would you like to see in ReAction Figure form? Let us know below.

[Source: Super7]

Holiday Specials Legend Jules Bass Passes Away At 87

Mike Phalin
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0
Holiday Specials Legend Jules Bass Passes Away At 87

The journey of Rankin Bass Productions has ultimately come to an end. Jules Bass, the man who co-directed and co-produced many of the greatest animated Christmas shorts and movies of the 20th Century, has joined his creative partner Arthur Rankin Jr. in the great beyond. Variety reports that Jules’s passing was confirmed by publicist Jennifer Fisherman-Ruff. Bass had been at an assisted living facility in Rye, New York, just about 30 miles North of NYC.

Jules Bass was 87. He and Arthur left behind decades of fond holiday memories for millions.

While the story of Rankin Bass Productions didn’t start with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, it did jump-start the popularity of the team’s particular brand of music and storytelling. Thanks to Bass and Rankin, every Christmas season is filled with familiar stop-motion and cartoon classics. From Rudolph’s tale, narrated by Burl Ives, to Jack Frost and Frosty the Snowman, it is impossible to go through the month of December without seeing what these two worked on.

Over the years, Jules and Arthur broke from the festive season to make other classics such as Mad Monster Party, The Last Unicorn, and a charming animated adaptation of The Hobbit. Each production had a style instantly recognizable, whether it be the songs or the character designs. In the case of hand-drawn animation, that was thanks to artists who went on to work for Studio Ghibli.

The last project Rankin and Bass worked on was an adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows. While it was not their strongest work, it had many of the hallmarks we’d expect from Rankin Bass Productions’ cel-animated films: catchy songs and unique character designs.

The works of Jules Bass will continue to live on as new generations discover Rudolph and the others. Even with all the cynicism surrounding the winter holidays nowadays, all that melts away with the familiar jingle jangle of a Rankin Bass song.

Thank you for the memories, Mr. Bass.

[Source: Variety]

Strange Academy Opens With Marvel’s New Pull List

Jacob Airey
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0
Strange Academy Opens With Marvel’s New Pull List

The ‘Avengers, X-Men, Eternals’ “Judgment Day” story arc is coming to an end and Strange Academy is now recruiting new students in Marvel’s Pull List. From the Marvel Universe to a galaxy far, far away, Marvel Comics is bringing us plenty of individual issues as well as some new collected editions with some plot lines coming to a close.

“Freshmen Year is almost over for the students of Strange Academy. From day one, people have wondered: who is the savior of Strange Academy, and who can bring it all down? Discover the answers starting with STRANGE ACADEMY: FINALS (2022) #1 by Skottie Young and Humberto Ramos. The future of Marvel Magic is going to be decided here, and it will take far more than the Sorcerer Supreme and his school if magic has a chance,” Marvel said on their website.

They added, “And that’s not the only Strange thing happening in this week’s comics! Clea and Wong have uncovered who is behind the zombie resurrections of the deceased heroes and villains. But they’re going to need all the help they can get in Jed MacKay and Marcelo Ferreira’s STRANGE (2022) #7, including from the Sorcerer Supreme of Death…the Harvestman!”

They revealed the pull list as follows:

New Comics

  • A.X.E.: JUDGMENT DAY (2022) #6
  • IRON CAT (2022) #5
  • MECH STRIKE: MONSTER HUNTERS (2022) #5
  • MOON KNIGHT ANNUAL 1 (2022) #1
  • NEW MUTANTS (2019) #31
  • STAR WARS: DOCTOR APHRA (2020) #25
  • STRANGE (2022) #7
  • STRANGE ACADEMY: FINALS (2022) #1
  • THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (2022) #12
  • THE VARIANTS (2022) #4
  • THUNDERBOLTS (2022) #3
  • ULTRAMAN: THE MYSTERY OF ULTRASEVEN (2022) #3
  • VENOM (2021) #12
  • WILD CARDS: THE DRAWING OF CARDS (2022) #4
  • WOLVERINE (2020) #26
  • X-MEN LEGENDS (2022) #3
  • X-TERMINATORS (2022) #2

New Collections

  • DEADPOOL EPIC COLLECTION: MISSION IMPROBABLE TPB (2022) #1
  • GHOST RIDER VOL. 1: UNCHAINED TPB (2021) #1
  • HELLIONS BY ZEB WELLS HC (2022) #1
  • MARVEL’S VOICES: HERITAGE TPB (2021) #1
  • MIRACLEMAN OMNIBUS HC DAVIS COVER (2022) #1
  • STAR WARS: BOUNTY HUNTERS VOL. 4 – CRIMSON REIGN TPB (2022) #4
  • STAR WARS: DOCTOR APHRA VOL. 4 – CRIMSON REIGN TPB (2022) #4
  • STRANGE ACADEMY: FIRST CLASS HC (2022) #1
  • THE MARVELS VOL. 2: THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY TPB (2029) #2
  • TOMB OF DRACULA: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION VOL. 6 TPB (2022) #6

Marvel Unlimited

  • A.X.E.: JUDGMENT DAY #1 [AXE]
  • ALIEN ANNUAL #1
  • AVENGERS #58
  • DEADPOOL: BAD BLOOD #3
  • DEFENDERS: BEYOND #1
  • IRON MAN #21
  • KNIGHTS OF X #4
  • MAESTRO: WORLD WAR M #5
  • MILES MORALES: SPIDER-MAN #40
  • MOON KNIGHT: BLACK, WHITE & BLOOD #3
  • NEW FANTASTIC FOUR #2
  • SAVAGE SPIDER-MAN #5
  • SHANG-CHI AND THE TEN RINGS #1
  • SHE-HULK #5
  • SPIDER-GWEN: GWENVERSE #4
  • STAR WARS #25
  • STAR WARS: DARTH VADER #25
  • STAR WARS: HAN SOLO & CHEWBACCA #4
  • THE MARVELS #12
  • VENOM: LETHAL PROTECTOR #4

These titles will be available on October 26th, 2022.

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