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Gatchaman’s Ken The Eagle’s New Action Figure Arrives in October

Mike Phalin

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February 1, 2022

Gatchaman’s Ken The Eagle’s New Action Figure Arrives in October

G-Force, AKA Gatchaman, is a show that I feel gets very little attention these days. In fact, the last time we mentioned it was when Funko announced Pops based on the three of the lead characters.
We recently saw that Storm Collectibles, the company behind the newest Golden Ax figures, is going to tackle Gatchaman. So who are they starting with? Well, Ken the Eagle, of course!
Ken is a bit on the pricey side, though. The 6″ tall figure is priced at $119.99 at the Big Bad Toy Store. He does come with several interchangeable parts, including multiple heads and capes. If there’s an iconic pose of Ken’s you love, odds are you can capture them with this articulated action figure.
This initial figure from the anime is set for release in October 2022.

Science Ninja Team Gatchaman is a Japanese animated franchise about a five-member superhero team, the original anime series debuted in 1972. Ken the Keagle is the team leader & tactical expert whose Bird Style is based off of the eagle. When not in costume, Ken works as an aircraft test pilot and delivers parcels by air mail.

This 1/12th scale figure of the classic anime hero comes with the following:

2 Head sculpts
5 Pairs of hands
2 Bird boomerangs
3 Capes

The company producing this character has a good track record of delivering multiple characters from a franchise. So, if you were hoping for Joe, Jun, Jinpei, or Ryu, then give it time, and they’ll probably be added to the line. There may even be a chance that Storm Collectibles could produce a replica of the God Phoenix. You never know.
What do you think of Storm Collectibles’ crack at Ken the Eagle? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.
[Source: Big Bad Toy Store]

Samsung’s Acid Spill Eliminated All Aquatic Life In An Austin Tributary

Technology

Mike Phalin

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January 31, 2022

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Samsung’s Acid Spill Eliminated All Aquatic Life In An Austin Tributary

For over 100 days, sulfuric acid waste from a Samsung semiconductor plant leaked into a stormwater pond in Austin, Texas. PC Mag reported that 106 days passed before this significant environmental issue was recognized and halted.
CBS Austin stated that over 763k gallons of the waste had contaminated the tributary of Harris Branch Creek by that time. According to the Austin City Council, the result was that almost all aquatic life had been wiped out.
The Watershed Protection Department will be conducting an investigation. Still, it is unclear if there will be any way to remedy the damage done by close to a million gallons of acid waste entering that ecosystem. The WPD issued a memorandum detailing the initial discovery and findings. The department appears to be aiming for transparency with its conclusions:

“WPD is receiving daily updates from Samsung on the remediation process at the stormwater pond and will inspect the pond for integrity once the remediation is complete and before it is allowed to be put back in service. In addition, WPD will be performing weekly surveys of the affected tributary to monitor water quality parameters, including pH, until all remediation is complete.
Public access to this area is limited, and there are no nearby parks. WPD did not observe
indications of homeless encampments along the tributary. There is one apartment complex north of the tributary near Harris Branch Parkway, as well as an area with single family housing south of the tributary, also near Harris Branch Parkway. At this time, WPD must yield to TCEQ to perform and report on any assessments on impacts to human health.”

What could this mean for Samsung? Well, probably just fees, fines, and a slap on the wrist from local media. However, the affected area is not small. The image below is from the memorandum. Everything highlighted in red is the area affected by the acid waste leak in the Harris Branch Creek.

[Source: PC Mag] [Source: CBS Austin]

The Madballs Are Now Feuding With The Garbage Pail Kids

Mike Phalin

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January 31, 2022

0

The Madballs Are Now Feuding With The Garbage Pail Kids

During the Summer, we covered Premium DNA’s Madballs action figures. Well, it looks like the company now has the Garbage Pail Kid license and is putting it to good use. The Madballs are gross, and the GPKs are gross. So, let’s team them up for a battle to the death!
Each GPK is packaged with a classic Madballs character. This initial wave encompasses the following characters: Horn Head VS Sy Clops, Bruise Brother VS Mugged Marcus, Oculus Orbus VS Starin’ Darren, and Screamin’ Meemie VS Mouth Phil.
Each two-pack is priced at $89.99. The four pairs are set to launch during the first quarter of 2023. The figures stand at 6″ tall and come with various accessories and interchangeable parts. Pre-order yours now over at the Big Bad Toy Store.

Horn Head figure
- 4 Pairs of hands
- Interchangeable bloody bandages
- Breakaway horn
Sy Clops figure
- 4 Pairs of hands

Bruise Brother figure
- 4 Pairs of hands
- Goggles
- Knife and sheath
Mugged Marcus figure
- 4 Pairs of hands
- Trash can

Oculus Orbus figure
- 4 Pairs of hands
Starin’ Darren figure
- 4 Pairs of hands
Toxic waste barrel

Mouth Phil figure
- 4 Pairs of hands
- 3 Heads
Screamin’ Meemie figure
- 4 Pairs of hands
- Baseball glove attachment
- Baseball hat

For over 3 decades, they’ve been the wackiest of the wacky and the grossest of the gross. Now, at long last, the worlds of Madballs and GPK have come together to face off in epic action figure 2-packs!

Given that these are nearly $100 each, I’d have to say that the Screamin’ Meemie pack is the one that’s worth the cash. Mouth Phil has three heads, and the level of details Premium DNA got into those is impressive.
What do you think of this mashup of decades-old gross-out franchises? Let us know in the comments section below.
[Source: Big Bad Toy Store]

See Bela’s Action Figure Return as Murder Legendre in White Zombie!

Mike Phalin

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January 31, 2022

1

See Bela’s Action Figure Return as Murder Legendre in White Zombie!

Bela Lugosi is back in action figure form. This time his character Murder Legendre from White Zombie is getting his chance to shine. There are no coffins, bats, or tuxedos this time, just amazing eyebrows and a devilish goatee!
Murder Legendre stands at 11.81″ tall and features an amazing sculpt capturing Bela’s memorable face. The figure itself has 30 points of articulation and has a seamless body. Since the figure is totally clothed, you’ll probably never see it … unless you’re naughty.
We spotted this X-PLUS figure over at the Big Bad Toy Store. The Deluxe Murder Legendre comes with a display base featuring a light-up street lamp. To power the light, you’ll need a single CR927 battery which is not included, unfortunately.

Here’s what you get with the Deluxe Version of Murder Legendre:

Murder Legendre figure
Alternate hands
- Pair of open hands
- Pair of hands for hypnosis gesture
- Left hand for holding candle carving
- Right hand for holding a knife
- Right relaxed hand
White shirt
Tie
Tuxedo
Pair of trousers
Cloak
Pair of socks
Silk scarf
Pair of boots
Hat
Wax zombie doll
Knife
Crow (Small)
Crow with Flying pose
Diorama base

The last item we covered from X-PLUS was the Talos statue replica from Jason and the Argonauts. If that same level of craftsmanship goes into this 1/6th scale, Bela, then my money is already on the table!
White Zombie was released in 1932. Directed by Victor Halperin, the film starred Bela Lugosi in another iconic role but sadly overshadowed by his legendary turn as County Dracula from a year earlier. Bela plays Murder Legendre, a man who uses voodoo for his own nefarious purposes.
What do you think of Bela Lugosi getting some attention that isn’t strictly Dracula-related? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.
[Source: Big Bad Toy Store]

Conker’s Is Ready For War With This Bad Fur Day Statue

Mike Phalin

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January 31, 2022

0

Conker’s Is Ready For War With This Bad Fur Day Statue

Conker is having a really bad day.
We spotted these new Soldier Conker statues over at Figures.com. When we checked out First 4 Figure‘s website, it turned out there are actually three statues. The Standard and Exclusive Editions are almost identical, except the Exclusive’s base flames, gun effects, and Conker’s cigar light up.
The Definitive Edition has a different base, with Conker standing atop a mound of massacred stuffed bears. However, the lighting effects are still the same as the Exclusive Edition.
First 4 Figure is currently having a sale on the statues. The prices range from $524.99 to $699.99. There are 11 days left to pre-order these works of art featuring Conker. The estimated release date is in the fourth quarter of this year.

The highly detailed Conker statue is inspired by the eighth chapter in the game, “It’s War”, where Conker is taken to the war-torn Tediz Base Beachhead. Conker undergoes a costume change fit for war and dons a combat helmet whilst wielding two guns to protect himself against his enemies, the Tediz, hostile teddy bears attempting to take over Conker’s world.

When are we going to get a new Conker’s game? It’s been over a decade since Bad Fur Day got an upgrade on the original XBOX. The foul-mouthed squirrel originally made his debut on the Nintendo 64 in 2001. It was both notorious and a hit. Unfortunately, you could never find it to rent at Blockbusters. Sales-wise, it fell short.
The XBOX version improved the graphics while also neutering some aspects of the game. At least this release gave us an awesome multiplayer mode. Ah, the height of XBOX Live when everyone was screaming slurs at you with voice filters on. I miss those days.
What do you think of the two Soldier Conker statues? Which one would you get? Should Conker be resurrected for a new, potentially watered-down adventure? Let us know in the comments section below.
[Source: Figures.com]

Tinder May Start Providing Background Checks Based On User Reports

Technology

Mike Phalin

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January 31, 2022

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Tinder May Start Providing Background Checks Based On User Reports

For years people have been asking for a better way to stay safe while exploring the treacherous seas of online dating. In addition, some people have filed lawsuits after being assaulted by someone they’ve met on these matchmaking websites. Finally, after all this time, Match Group may be deploying some safeguards for users.
According to PC Mag, Match Group’s partnership with background checking website Garbo is gearing up to produce something of value. Employees of Match Group are now to undergo mandatory training. This effort will help those who sort through the abuse claims users file on Tinder.
Reporting abuse is not as simple as you may think. Survivors may not be willing to give out all the attack details. In a post on Tinder’s website, it was stated that this new training at Match Group will better inform employees on how to “understand how survivors might respond to sexual violence and describe those experiences, how to recognize serious reports that may use vague language, and how to respond in a trauma-informed manner to these types of reports.”
In addition to better preparing staff to take in and identify problems, users of Tinder will be able to; eventually, access background checks on users they are matched with via Garbo. This will only be available for US users, and the expansion of this service was not mentioned. The exact rollout of the background check program has not been announced:

Easier access to different support options: Not everyone will feel comfortable making a report, and there are a variety of different support options available in Tinder’s Safety Center, including Tinder’s dedicated Crisis Text Line (available to members 24/7) and, soon, members will be able to access background checks on matches through Garbo (US-only). The Safety Center is now accessible from virtually everywhere in the app, so help is always a tap away.

I’ve not used Tinder, but from what I can tell based on memes and photos found on Twitter, it’s a bit of a hellscape. When the app first launched, it was advertised, not exactly officially, as a way to find quick hookups. It may have evolved, but the stigma of the app’s original perception is still there.
I’m surprised that it took this long for Match Group to consider this. This company also runs OkCupid, PoF, and Match. If you want to see how hellish a dating site is for women, check out this video from BroTeam where my wife was used as the model.

What do you think of dating sites taking reports of abuse more seriously? Should reports be expanded into more areas like catfishing or serial daters? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
[Source: PC MAG] [Source: Tinder]

Ramen Toy’s SilverHawks Figure Looks To Compete With Super7

Mike Phalin

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January 31, 2022

0

Ramen Toy’s SilverHawks Figure Looks To Compete With Super7

SilverHawks may have been a short-lived science fiction cartoon, but the theme song and character designs have forever been attached to pop culture.
Super7 isn’t the only company getting in on the Silver Hawks franchise. Ramen Toy, a company I’ve never heard of before, has listed its first figure based on the 1980s Rankin Bass cartoon at the Big Bad Toy Store. As expected, the first member of the SilverHawks team is the leader Quicksilver.
Priced at $89.99 and arriving during the second quarter of 2022, this figure has many features as the Super7 Ultimates version but at a larger price tag. Quicksilver stands at 7″ tall, sports 25 points of articulation but has fewer interchangeable parts.

From the classic animated series SilverHawks, the leader Quicksilver flies into action as a 1/12 scale figure! Featuring 25 points of articulation, magnetic face plate and mask, and interchangeable wing parts, this action figure is jam-packed with accessories like his Weapon Bird Tally-Hawk that can be displayed mid-flight or resting on his arm. The set comes in collector’s window box packaging for display.

Where Super7 relies on swapping out heads and arms to get all of Quicksilver’s iconic looks, Ramen Toy uses magnets and snap-on pieces. His exposed and covered faceplates are magnetic, and the wings snap onto the arms. It’s not clear if Tally-Hawk rests on his arms with magnets, though.
Honestly, I like the updated look to the armor instead of providing a show-accurate body. If Quicksilver’s metal parts were all done in chrome, I’d pick one up.
Here’s what comes in the box:

Quicksilver figure
Alternate faceplate
3 Pairs of alternate hands
Pair of wings
Weapon system
Tally-Hawk figure
- Alternate wing parts

What do you think of this interpretation of Quicksilver? Let us know in the comments section below.
[Source: Big Bad Toy Store]

Iron Studios’ New ‘Lord of the Rings’ Statues Are Budget-Friendly

Movies

Mike Phalin

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January 31, 2022

0

Iron Studios’ New ‘Lord of the Rings’ Statues Are Budget-Friendly

Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy is still going strong as a franchise. From prop replicas to action figures, the film series based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy epic is so well-loved that I doubt it would ever be remade.
Well, we all know it will be remade with a bunch of current-day politics shoved in, whenever that may be. But, for now, let us all just be grateful that the cinematic cast of the Fellowship of the Ring is still showing up as collectibles.
Much like Gentle Giant’s mini-busts, these 1:10 scale statues from Iron Studios are easy on the budget. This initial wave includes several members of the Fellowship of the Ring: Aragorn, Pippin, Merry, Samwise, and Frodo. Unfortunately, Gandalf isn’t here yet, but in his place is the turncoat wizard Saruman the White.
Each statue is hand-painted and is considered a limited edition. As with most Iron Studios statues, these are made from polystone. Information regarding whether these figures were numbered is not available at this time. Each statue can be pre-ordered now and will arrive during the fourth quarter of 2022.

Here’s the price breakdown:

Frodo $99.99
Sam $99.99
Marry $99.99
Pippin $99.99
Aragorn $149.99
Saruman $159.99

The Hobbits stand at under 5″ tall. Aragorn’s statue is 9.4″ in height, but that may include the sword. Saruman is the tallest of the bunch coming in at 11.4″. Unlike the others, the white wizard has a tall base replicating his tower at Isengard.
Since these statues are smaller and less expensive than the typical works of art we see come out of Iron Studios, don’t expect the level of details to be mindblowing. The promotional material doesn’t hide that the faces on these statues aren’t exactly screen accurate. Sam and Frodo look … interesting. Kind of like stunt doubles.
What do you think of these tiny dwellers of Middle-Earth? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comment section below.
[Source: Iron Studios]

Why, yes! The Tiny Adafruit QT Py Can Play DOOM!

Mike Phalin

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January 30, 2022

0

Why, yes! The Tiny Adafruit QT Py Can Play DOOM!

You can play the original 1993 DOOM on nearly any conventional piece of technology that has a screen, but would you want to? What if someone created a device specifically for playing the demon slayer game from id Software?
We saw this little marvel over at PC Mag. The folks over at Adafruit have crafted a tiny QT Py ESP32 Pico board with a screen and ten buttons to play the classic first-person shooter DOOM. You can rip and tear with your own version, thanks to all the parts, code and downloads being available right from Adafruit’s website.

This tiny console running DOOM isn’t all that impressive when considering the game has been loaded onto all manner of odd devices, including printer screens, sonogram machines, and ATMs. LGR got it running on an old Kodak DS digital camera!

As it turns out, the real trick is making sure that the device has enough inputs to reasonably play the game with.

I recently sold one of my last Raspberry Pi Arcade1Up machines. Now that I’ve seen this Adafruit QT Py, I almost want to create an entire cabinet that only plays the original DOOM. That’s it. Just ’93 DOOM with no mods, just stereo sound, and tight controls. No one would ever buy it, but I’d love it.
For more information on the QT PY ESP32 Pico board, click here. This little DOOM machine isn’t the only mini-console created with these boards. Check out the video below for another emulation project:

When will we get people trying to get Crysis running on everything? I want to see that challenge taken up. If you can get that hog of a game up and playable on a Nintendo DS, my jaw would drop.
What do you think of these mini emulation machines? Worth the time or just some niche stuff for programmers? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.
[Source: PC Mag]

Super7’s 4th Wave of TMNT ReAction Figures Features Mutagen Man!

Mike Phalin

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January 30, 2022

1

Super7’s 4th Wave of TMNT ReAction Figures Features Mutagen Man!

The ReAction figures from Super7 are known to be pretty simplistic. That’s their intent. They’re made to look like toys from the early ’80s. However, something is different about this 4th wave of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles figures. They look way more detailed than expected.
The 3.75″ tall figures based on the TMNT cartoon, comics, and Playmates toys are causing the line to evolve in a good way. Rather than being simple and narrow, the Turtles’ foes and allies are looking unexpectedly awesome.
Take a look at Wave 3’s Casey Jones and compare him to Slash, Ray Fillet, Mutagen Man, and Mondo Gecko. It feels like you’re getting more bang your 18 bucks now, and I’m all in! The figures still retain the same five points of articulation, but the overall presentation is far improved over the initial wave.

Sure, a pet is cute when it’s little, but once it grows up it can be a lot to handle. That is definitely true for Slash, who began as Bebop’s pet turtle, but once he grew up (thanks to Rocksteady’s super-mutagen experiments) he became a big problem.

Once a marine biologist, Ray Fillet mutated into the coolest sea creature to ever leap from the deep!

There are outfits that leave little to the imagination, and then there’s Mutagen Man. Comprised of a clear containment vessel holding his internal organs attached to mutated arms and legs, it is a strong warning as to the hazards of Mutagen exposure.

Mondo Gecko once lived a life of crime serving Mr. X, but thanks to the Ninja Turtles, he is now a fellow crime-fighter.

The only thing that ever held me back from collecting an entire series of Super7’s ReAction figures was the price. $18 is a bit much considering that Marvel Legends and Star Wars Black Series figures are around that same range. However, if Super7 continues to evolve the line into becoming more detailed while retaining the retro look, I may have to give in and start laying down those dollars.
What do you think of the latest TMNT wave? Let us know in the comments section.
[Source: Super7]

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