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New Characters, Playset, and Vehicle Revealed McFarlane’s Batman ’66

The roster of villains in McFarlane Toys’ Batman 1966 toyline is continuing to grow! With so many rogues and variations of those characters, thanks to different acting taking up the role, the toyline has no shortage of potential for re-releases of the same baddies.
We learned today from Figures.com that we’re finally getting Mr. Freeze, as played by Otto Preminger; the Julie Newmar version of Catwoman is also on the way. The only difference between this one and the previously-released Eartha Kitt figure is the head. A couple of recolors are coming, too. In addition, black and white versions of The Joker and Batman will hit with this wave. Each figure is priced at $17.99.
There’s also a new playset and vehicle on the way. The Villains’ Lair lets you set up a diorama for the Penguin, Riddler, Catwoman, and Joker. It’s not a very exciting playset, but it matches the Villains United set and has a lot of tiny details. The playset will go for $29.99.
If you’re tired of the Batmobile and want a new way for Batman and Robin to get around, pick up the Batcycle! Like in the series, the sidecar does detach. Like other items in this toyline, the vehicle is affordable, coming in at only $29.99.

McFarlane Toys

Chill! During an altercation in his secret laboratory, Dr. Art Schivel was covered in an experimental chemical he had created. The chemicals bonded to his body, and suddenly his metabolism was reversed, and outside fifty degrees below zero could not survive. He created and wore a special suit that kept his body constantly at a freezing temperature and his lair was always Arctic in temperature. From then on, he referred to himself as Mr. Freeze. He vowed revenge on Batman and all of Gotham to suffer and freeze like he did. That is the way the ice cube crumbles!

McFarlane Toys

Along with Batman’s many gadgets and gizmos that help him and the Boy Wonder fight crime, one stands prevalent alongside the Batmobile to help our heroes get around. That is the Batcycle. Holy Ravioli! Trickled out with bat icons, and a sidecar for Robin, this handy vehicle allows the dynamic duo to get in and out places in a flash!

McFarlane Toys
McFarlane Toys
McFarlane Toys

“Tucked near the ocean, lies the secret lair of United Underworld. A haven for some of the most sinister villains, who stop squabbling long enough to try to defeat Batman. A section carved out for each prominent member, all sorts of dastardly gadgets, and images of their own evilness adorned on the wall, you would think some of the evilest minds could finally defeat Batman. You would think.”

What do you think of the new additions? Let us know below.
[Source: Figures.com]

Coming-of-Age Anime ‘Goodbye, Don Glees!’ Gets US Release Date

Writer and director Atsuko Ishizuka’s coming-of-age anime ‘Goodbye, Don Glees!’ made huge waves when it had its Japan release in February 2022. The movie was done by the animation studio Madhouse with Kadokawa Animation distributing the film theatrically. As D-Rezzed reported, GKids previously announced that they had acquired the rights to premiere the film in the United States.
After its premiere at the Anime Expo, GKids revealed on their website that they will give the film a limited theatrical run on Wednesday, September 14th with the original Japanese voice cast with the English dubbed version being dropped on Thursday, September 15th. It will continue in circulation on Friday, September 16th.
“Director Atsuko Ishizuka follows up her critically acclaimed series A Place Further Than the Universe with her first original feature film. With luminescent animation and lush backdrops, ‘Goodbye, Don Glees!’ is a tender coming-of-age story about the fearlessness of being young and the bittersweet journey of self-discovery,” GKids said.
You can watch the trailer below:

The movie stars famed Japanese voice actors Ayumu Murase (Shoyo Hinata,” Haikyu!!”), Natsuki Hanae (Tanjiro Kamado, “Demon Slayer”), Kana Hanazawa (Akane Tsunemori, “Psycho-Pass”), and Yuuki Kaji (Eren Jaeger, “Attack on Titan”).
GKids describes the synopsis as follows,
“Teen misfits Roma, Toto, and Drop call themselves the “Don Glees,” an informal name for their backyard adventures. One day, when the trio gets blamed for a nearby forest fire, they set off into the woods to prove their innocence. As disaster strikes their expedition, tensions flare between the friends as they realize that growing up has taken them on wildly different paths in life.”
Ayano Okamoto worked on the film as the art director while Takahiro Yoshimatsu handled the character designs.
The film received a manga adaption written and illustrated by Shinki that was published by Media Factory in their ‘Monthly Comic Gene.’

Queen Studios Reveals A Mjölnir-Wielding Captain America 1:1 Bust

Although Avengers Endgame was a little flimsy, one of the most incredible scenes in the entire movie was when Steve Rogers was found to be worthy of lifting Mjölnir. The man out of time who would sacrifice himself for his country finally had the power of Thor, and listening to the audience erupt in the theatre was fantastic.
Now you can capture that moment forever thanks to Queen Studios‘ latest life-size bust. The First Avenger’s 1:1 scale bust sees Rogers as he was on the battleground against Thanos’s army. A broken shield in one hand and Mjölnir in the other. Avengers assemble!

Queen Studios | Marvel
Queen Studios | Marvel
Queen Studios | Marvel
Queen Studios | Marvel
Queen Studios | Marvel
Queen Studios | Marvel
Queen Studios | Marvel
Queen Studios | Marvel
Queen Studios | Marvel
Queen Studios | Marvel
Queen Studios | Marvel
Queen Studios | Marvel
Queen Studios | Marvel
Queen Studios | Marvel
As is to be expected with busts from Queen Studios, Captain Rogers is made from premium materials that make him amazingly life-like. His face is made from platinum silicone. Although it is not explicitly called out, I’d wager his eyes are made of glass while the rest of the body is constructed from polystone. It’s hard to tell, but the straps on his back may be nylon and “leather.” The wrist strap on Mjölnir may also be leather.
What’s the best thing about this bust? We here in the US can order it! Yep! Unlike many of the company’s other statues, this one will ship to the United States. The release date is in the 4th quarter of 2023. Other countries that can receive Cap’s bust include South East Asia, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and South Korea.
Now for the bad news. The life-size bust of the greatest Avenger is $3,980, which does not include shipping. Is this something you’d be willing to throw over $4k at? Let us know in the comments section below.

New NECA TMNT Figures: Mirage Comics Utrom and Casey Jones!

More Eastman & Laird-inspired TMNT figures are on the way, along with the full-reveal of Splinter as Van Helsing! But, first, let’s look at the Mirage Comics versions of Casey Jones and an Utrom.
In the early days, Casey Jones was a mad man vigilante who liked using sporting equipment to fight crime. It was basic; he looked great and loved to yell nonsense while swinging a hockey stick at baddies. The figure comes with interchangeable hands and heads, including an unmasked Casey. The vigilante’s weapons include a golf club, hockey stick, and two bats, all stored inside his golf bag. Look for this guy to show up in October.

NECA
NECA
NECA
NECA

Based on the original Eastman & Laird Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic books from Mirage Studios! Masked vigilante (and sporting goods enthusiast) Casey Jones is on a mission to rid the streets of scumbags by any means necessary. You might think a slightly unstable guy with a golf bag full of “crime-fighting tools” would be a strange ally for the Turtles, but a wise man finds friends in the unlikeliest places!

The Krang predecessor is the following Mirage-related action figure from NECA. Known as Utroms, the ghastly little squid aliens construct robotic exoskeletons to move around more easily on earth. While not as iconic as the ’87 cartoon’s thick boy robot body, there’s still something unsettling about the Utrom and the exoskeleton’s eyes.
The Utrom has interchangeable hands and heads for the robot, along with weapon and tool accessories. Oh, yeah, and a friggin sippy cup. The little squid monster will show up in October, as well.

NECA
NECA
NECA
NECA
NECA

Based on the original Eastman & Laird Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic books from Mirage Studios! These robot exoskeletons look fierce, but the Utroms are peaceful aliens who crashed on Earth and have been hiding behind their shell corporation, T.C.R.I.

Finally, we’re getting a better look at Van Helsing Splinter. This Universal Monsters x TMNT mash-up figure was teased a couple of months ago. I’m impressed with what NECA has done here. NECA is using parts from the TMNT movie version of Splinter and giving him a coat, hat, and glasses. It makes sense, but he’s still missing pants.
What this makes me want to ask is, “Who is going to be Dracula?” My money is on Shredder because that would be the obvious choice. However, since the figures have been mainly based on the live-action Turtles characters, would this mean that Casey Jones could also show up? Maybe as Dr. Frankenstein or the Creature From the Black Lagoon?
Splinter comes with a crossbow, vampire-killing bolts, a knife, wooden stakes, and interchangeable heads and hands. Look for him to arrive this November.

NECA
NECA
NECA
NECA

Trouble with monsters? Call the rat with the hat! NECA’s newest release in its Universal Monsters x Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figure line is Splinter! This continuing line pays tribute to the world’s most famous turtles and Universal’s icons of horror. Splinter as Van Helsing reimagines the Turtles’ sensei as the famous vampire hunter, and he’s equipped with the tools for taming terrors!

In the comments section below, let us know what you think about these three new NECA TMNT figures.
[Source: NECA] [Source: NECA] [Source: NECA]

Captain America’s Assets Are On Display In This Future Revolution Statue

Captain America is one fit dude. Look at him. All that Super Serum gave him enhanced strength, bulging muscles, and a nice pair of glutes. Oh, you thought that little bit from Avengers Endgame was going to die? Nah. I’m not letting it go. They objectified poor Steve Rogers.
Now you, too, can bring home America’s Ass with this Captain America statue from PCS. If Cap’s uniform looks unfamiliar, that’s because this version of the Avenger is based on a game called Marvel Future Revolution. Apparently, the WWII soldier is trashing the hell out of a bunch of Ultron drones, and it looks fantastic. The entire statue measures 15″ tall and is going for $500. It will ship sometime between February and April 2023.
I was 100% unaware of Marvel Future Revolution. Well, it is a mobile RPG game where ” As members of the ‘Omega Flight’ team, players will work together to battle an onslaught of Super Villains, confront their nefarious behaviors and defend the universe.” Check out a gameplay video of it below. If you’re interested, the game is available on iOS and Android.

PCS
PCS
PCS
PCS
PCS
PCS
PCS
PCS

The fully sculpted Captain America Statue measures 15” tall as the Star-Spangled Avenger, clad in his signature red, white, and blue attire, defends a city from a horde of evil robots. Inspired by Captain America’s appearance in the open-world action RPG MARVEL Future Revolution, Steve Rogers delivers a crushing blow to his enemy. He stands atop a pile of defeated drones. From his determined expression to his strong stance over that metallic rubble, Captain America proves he is undoubtedly one of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.

Have you played the mobile game that this version of Captain America is based on? Is it worth installing? Let us know in the comments section below.
[Source: PCS]

Simpsons Ultimates Wave 3 Brings Kang Kodos, Mr. Burns, and Ralph!

Super7’s next wave of The Simpsons Ultimates figures has been announced, including some supersize figures! The line of premium action figures now includes the extraterrestrials Kang and Kodos, along with devious C. Montgomery Burns and the adorably dumb Ralph Wiggum. Each figure comes with various accessories straight from the long-running animated show.
Little Ralph‘s accessories include what you’d expect, but not the pyromaniac leprechaun, sadly:

  • 2x Interchangeable heads
    • 1x Neutral head
    • 1x Ice Cream head
  • 5x Interchangeable hands
    • 2x Open hands
    • 1x Glue stick hand
    • 1x Glue jar hand
    • 1x Banana hand
  • 1x Valentines card
  • 1x Computer
  • 1x Do Not Hug sign3

Mr. Burns is not a character I usually associate with props or accessories unless you count Smithers. Aside from Bobo and Blinky, I’d be hard-pressed to think of anything appropriate to bundle with him. So, what we do get are more interchangeable parts than props:

  • 3x Interchangeable heads
    •     1x Neutral head
    •     1x Smilling head
    •     1x Screaming head
  • 8x Interchangeable hands
    •     2x Open hands
    •     2x Wedge hands
    •     2x Excellent hands
    •     2x Gripping hands
  • 1x Bobo
  • 1x Magazine
  • 1x Trillion dollar bill
  • 1x Blinky

Unlike other Ultimates figures, Kang and Kodos are more expensive. This makes sense since they’re about twice the size. Each visitor from Rigel VII will be priced at $75 and should be landing on our planet during the Summer of 2023. Monty and Ralph are still the standard $55, though.

Super7
Super7
 
Kodos comes with the following Treehouse of Horror-specific accessories:

  • 2x Interchangeable heads
    • 1x Angry head
    • 1x Laughing head
  • 6x Interchangeable hands
    • 2x Neutral hands
    • 1x Salt shaker hand
    • 1x Dinner tray hand
    • 1x Ray gun grip hand
    • 1x Cook book grip hand
  • 1x Ray gun
  • 1x Cook book

Kang also has some Simpson’s Halloween episode accessories:

  • 2x Interchangeable heads
    • 1x Angry head
    • 1x Laughing head
  • 5x Interchangeable hands
    • 2x Neutral hands
    • 1x Knife hand
    • 1x Fork hand
    • 1x Ray gun grip hand
  • 1x Maggie Alien
  • 1x Ray gun
  • 1x Earth Capital sign

In the comments section below, let us know what you think about the latest Ultimates figures.
[Source: Super7]

‘Call of the Night’ Vampire Anime Streaming To HiDive

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‘Call of the Night’ is an urban fantasy romantic comedy manga written and illustrated by Kotoyama. It is published by Japanese publisher Shogakukan through their Shōnen Sunday Comics imprint. The show was picked up by Tokyo-based animation studio Liden Films for an anime adaption that is scheduled for a July 2022 release.
As previously reported by D-Rezzed, Sentai Filmworks had picked up the rights to license the series in North America with HiDive planning to stream this summer.
“Who needs sleep when there’s anime to watch? Especially when you can watch Call of the Night (Yofukashi no Uta) on HIDIVE every Thursday starting July 7, 2022,” HiDive said on their website.
You can check out the trailer below:

The ‘Call of the Night’ fan wiki describes the plot as follows,
“Kou Yamori seems like a typical middle school student on the surface. Relatively good at studies and amiable with his classmates, he puts a lot of effort into maintaining this facade. One day, however, he decides to stop pretending and quits school, developing insomnia as a result of having no daytime outlet for his energy. When taking walks alone at night, he feels marginally better, though he is aware that his inability to sleep should be considered a serious problem.
On one such walk, Kou meets a weird girl, Nazuna Nanakusa, who diagnoses the cause of his sleeplessness: despite making changes in his life, he is still holding himself back from experiencing true freedom. She says that he won’t be able to sleep unless he is satisfied with how he spends his waking hours. When it appears that she has resolved his current worries, Nazuna invites him back to her apartment to share her futon. After a while, unaware that he is only feigning unconsciousness, she leans over him—and bites his neck!”
The manga has been released in the United States through Viz Media.

Eleven Arts Drops English Dub Trailer For ‘The House of the Lost on the Cape’ Anime Film

‘The House of the Lost on the Cape’ is a slice-of-life fantasy novel written by Japanese author Sachiko Kashiwaba. It was published by Kodansha in 2015. The Tokyo-based animation studio David Production adapted the novel into a feature film and released it into Japanese theaters in August 2021.
The film is directed by Shinya Kawatsura with Reiko Yoshida writing the screenplay. Hiroshi Shimizu, who has done animation for ‘Full Metal Alchemists,’ ‘Lupin the III,’ ‘Space Dandy,’ ‘Shingu: Secret of the Stellar Wars,’ ‘Sherlock Hound,’ and Studio Ghibli’s ‘My Neighbors the Yamadas, was behind the character designs.
Crunchyroll reports on their website that the distribution company Eleven Arts dropped an English trailer at the 2022 Anime Expo before revealing the cast.
You can watch the trailer below:


The voice actors for the cast include:

  • Madeleine Morris as Yui
  • Pam Dougherty as Kiwa
  • Risa Mei as Hiyori
  • Michelle Marie as Reiko
  • Alan Lee as Kappa of Kitakamigawa
  • Ben Balmaceda as Kappa of Toyosawagawa

Additional cast includes:

  • Ben Balmaceda
  • Brent Mukai
  • Brook Chalmers
  • Caitlin Glass
  • Casey Casper
  • Kaiji Tang
  • Laura Stahl
  • Lucas Schuneman
  • Mike Pollock
  • Sarah Wiedenheft

Michelle Rojas serves as ADR director with Studio Nano handling the production of the English version.
MyAnimeList describes the synopsis as follows,
“17-year-old Moeka, who lost her parents, and Yurie, seeking to escape her violent husband, got off at a Kitsunezaki station one day. The great earthquake and tsunami had changed their destinies. Their lives were saved, but they were perplexed when asked about their identities at an evacuation site. It was an old woman named Kiwa Yamana who lent them a helping hand. From that day, Yurie was known as Yui, Moeka as Hiyori, and together with Kiwa, the three women began a wonderful communal life together at the old house “Mayoiga” overlooking the sea.”
The music for the film is handled by Yuri Miyauchi.

Google’s Sets Aside $90m Pot Just For Developer Class-Action Lawsuits

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Google was forced to stash $90 million specifically for a class-action lawsuit being brought forth by Android app developers. Much like the previous row developers had with Apple, Google is also accused of implementing anticompetitive policies affecting developers’ earnings on the Google Play Store.
ZDNet pointed us in the direction of a press release from the law firm representing the stifled developers. Developers who published apps on Google Play and earned revenue in the amount of $2m or less between 2016-2021 may be eligible to be part of a settlement lawsuit, according to the law firm Hagens Berman. Around 48k developers could benefit from the class-action suit per a statement from Steve Berman:

“Today, nearly 48,000 hardworking app developers are receiving the just payment they deserve for their work product – something Google sought to profit from, hand over fist. Following our win against Apple for similar conduct, we think this pair of settlements sends a strong message to Big Tech: the law is watching, and even the most powerful companies in the world are accountable when they stifle competition.”

The complaint was originally filed in 2020, where the plaintiffs alleged that Google:

maintains and reinforces its monopoly status in the field by banning the distribution of other Android app-sale clients in Google Play….As Google well knows, hardly any members of its enormous Google Play install base will go to this trouble, if they even know such a process may be available. And still others will heed Google’s security warnings and not go through with the installation.14 No wonder app developers feel bound to sell in Google Play, whatever the cost.

As with most class-action suits, the plaintiffs usually don’t make out with a lot of money in the end. Hagens Berman breaks down the settlement numbers stating that some members may receive $200k with the minimum payment being $250.
[Source: ZDNet] [Source: Hagens Berman]

Crunchyroll Reveals ‘Love Live! Superstar!!’ English Dub

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‘Love Live! Superstar!!’ is the fourth installment of the musical anime franchise ‘Love Live!’ The series was developed by the Lantis music label, Bandai Namco Filmworks, and Kadokawa Corporation which launched it in July 2021 about a fictional high school band Liella. After the first season of twelve episodes, the show has been renewed for a second season. Crunchyroll announced that they were producing an English dub.
They announced the cast on their website:

  • ARIA – Cat Protano
  • CHISATO – Maddie Matsumoto
  • KANON – Kristi Rothrock
  • KANON’S MOTHER – Luci Christian
  • KEKE – Julia Gu
  • KOKONO – Morgan Lea
  • MANMARU – Khoi Dao
  • NANAMI – Ryan Bartley
  • REN – Natalie Van Sistine
  • SUMIRE – Lizzie Freeman
  • YAE – Natalie Hoover

Jill Harris and Michelle Rojas serve as the ADR Directors.
You can watch the trailer below:

MyAnimeList describes the synopsis as follows,
“Everyone has a dream they strive to achieve, and so does the musically talented Kanon Shibuya. However, due to her stage fright, Kanon fails to make it into Yuigaoka Girls’ High School’s music program and instead ends up in the general curriculum. Even though Kanon makes the conscious decision to quit music altogether, her classmate Tang Keke rekindles Kanon’s passion for music with her own: a passion for school idols.
Although Keke and Kanon try to form a school idol group, their effort meets strong objections from Ren Hazuki, the daughter of the school’s director. Even so, the girls soon visit the director, who allows them to set up their school idol club under one condition—they must win first place at the Yoyogi School Idol Festival.
The resilience of these aspiring idols is put to the test as they face the challenges that come their way. Throughout their journey, the girls make new friends and meet new members that join them to become the dazzling idols others can only imagine.”
The anime’s band Liella has several songs available on the mobile game ‘Love Live! School Idol Festival’ and ‘School Idol Festival All Stars.’

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