It seems like the Masters of the Universe Origins line of action figures is coming to an end, but Mattel surprises us with another announcement. And no, we’re not talking about thatRevelation. This time, it’s a good one that will benefit He-Man, not something intended to defy our expectations.
Thanks to one of our readers for forwarding this link to Survey Monkey, where we learned that Mattel is planning another Masters of the Universe crowdfunding campaign. After the success Mattel found when backers fully funded a new version of the giant Eternia playset, it makes sense to go back to the well in order to get some of these less-than-retail-friendly ideas off the ground.
If this survey is legit, then it could mean we may finally see some pieces of MOTU’s past finally become a reality. Yes, we could see BOTH Attack Trak vehicles made into full-fledged toys!
However, if you’re wanting to see an old favorite playset return, you could always vote for the Fright Zone. Will it come with another snake puppet? I sure hope so … as long as it smells better than the original.
Other possibilities include the Snake Lair playset to go along with Castle Grayskull and Snake Mountain. Or how about Hordak’s Doom Tower or Crawler Tank?
Regardless, you’ll have until September 10th at 11:59 PM PST in order to cast your vote for your two favorite concepts. Click here to start voting.
Image Credit: Mattel
Image Credit: Mattel
Image Credit: Mattel
Image Credit: Mattel
Image Credit: Mattel
What are your thoughts on the Snake Lair playset? With the Origins line having been available for years now and the upcoming release of Snake Mountain, is there really a need for another unfolding playset? Perhaps it would be wiser to focus on more familiar items like the Attack Trak or Fight Zone to attract a greater number of campaign backers.
Please share your opinion with us in the comments section.
Marvel Comics is relaunching Captain Marvel in a new comic book series with a different creative team. Giving her a new costume, Carol Danvers gets an unexpected ally to help her against the Omen, a new terrifying villain.
“Following Kelly Thompson’s historic run, writer Alyssa Wong and Marvel’s Stormbreaker artist Jan Bazaldua are taking the reins and catapulting Carol Danvers into her explosive next era,” Marvel said on a website. “October’s CAPTAIN MARVEL #1 will be a parade of exciting debuts as Carol sports an all-new costume courtesy of artist Jen Bartel, gains an unlikely partner in a street thief named Yuna, and becomes the target of a dangerously fresh new archenemy known as the Omen!
They added, “The pulse-pounding first issue kicks off a saga packed with cosmic repercussions as a reality-devouring entity known as the Undone realizes that Captain Marvel is the only hero powerful enough to stop it from annihilating Earth. In the opening arc, witness the Undone’s bold plan to take Carol off the board and how it unleashes chaos for Captain Marvel, Yuna, and the entire Marvel Universe!”
They also released a “first look” at the cover from artist Stephen Segovia:
Wong expressed her excitement for the new series saying, “I’m so excited to be writing Captain Marvel!”
She continued, “Carol is such an iconic character with a rich history, and I can’t wait to add to her story. It’s an honor to work with Jan and I hope everyone enjoys what we’ve got coming!”
Carol Danvers made her debut comic book appearance in the 1968’s ‘Marvel Super-Heroes #13.’ She became Ms. Marvel in a self-titled comic book series. Later, she would take on the identities Binary and Warbird while working with the Avengers. Danvers would become Captain Marvel in 2012’s ‘Avenging Spider-Man #9.’
Brie Larson has portrayed Captain Marvel in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The name TAITO comes with a lot of history in the games industry. The company is one of the older pillars of the golden days of gaming, where many aspects of the medium were in their infancy. But many things have changed, with a large number of games fading into obscurity. This is why retro game collections that compile various titles from companies like TAITO are great to have. They give a new generation an opportunity to see what came before their time. But while TAITO Milestones 2 does this for 10 games from the company’s past, it’s a very shallow execution that underwhelming for everyone.
TAITO Milestones 2 is the second bundle of the Arcade Archives games from the late 1980s and early 1990s that were published by TAITO. Unless you’re a big fan of the company, chances are you’ve probably never heard of any of the games included in this collection. And what you see is exactly what you’re getting here, just the games. No bonus content related to any of them. If you managed to come across any of these titles back in the day, then you might have some nostalgia for being able to play them once again. But beyond that, this bundle is incredibly meager.
The important part of a retro game collection such as this is that it gives everyone a chance to revisit these games and allow others to discover them for the first time. Having extra content that gives insight into the history of the games, as well as a behind-the-scenes look at them, adds value that newer players can be intrigued by. Without that, you just have a very underwhelming package that will only speak to those who know what these games are.
But are the games included here fun to play? That depends on whether you’re accustomed to playing primitive arcade games that were released during the era. The controls are basic for every game included, with little to no complexity in getting into any game. This is good because most arcade games of the era want you to get in and get out fast. The visuals and sounds are exactly how they were from back then, which is as authentic as you can get to the original arcade machines these games were on. The titles that are included in the collection are as follows…
New Zealand Story (1988)
Kiki Kaikai (1986)
Darius II (3 Screen Arcade Version) (1989)
Gun Frontier (1990)
Ben Bero Beh (1984)
The Legend of Kage (1985)
Liquid Kids (Mizubaku Adventure) (1990)
Solitary Fighter (1991)
Dinorex (1992)
Metal Black (1991)
At their core, they are all very simple arcade games that are designed to be somewhat difficult and eat up quarters. Luckily, you’re able to continue an infinite amount of times and keep playing to the end. So it doesn’t matter if you lose a bunch of times. But at the same time, you’re only getting the bare bone experiences from each games. Both the good and bad parts in full, nothing more or less.
The collection doesn’t have any bonuses to unlock for playing through any game. The few new features in this collection that add a layer of value are the online ranking leaderboards and interrupt save data. Every game allows you to submit your scores to the online ranking, which you can compare to others who have played the collection online. Interrupt save data lets you continue a game from just about any point you left off after booting it up. These are good features, but not enough to add more value to the overall package. Those hoping for something interesting to showcase why these games were so important will be incredibly disappointed.
For retro gaming fans and arcade enthusiasts, TAITO Milestones 2 will have some fun to experience. But everyone else who doesn’t have prior knowledge about any of these games will struggle to enjoy this collection. It’s very basic and shallow as a package, with little to no extra value beyond playing any of the ten games included. With such an important company to the games industry as TAITO, one would hope to see a better celebration of their legacy. For now, it still remains faded into the obscurity of video game history.
What do you think about TAITO? Did you grow up playing any of their arcade games from back in the late 80s or early 90s? Let us know your thoughts about TAITO Milestones 2 in the comment section down below!
‘My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999’ is a romantic comedy anime directed by Morio Asaka and produced by the Japanese animation studio Madhouse. Based on the manga by the creator Mashiro, the television show is written by Yasuhiro Nakanishi with thirteen episodes premiering during season one. Crunchyroll acquired the license to release it in the United States and has announced an English voice cast.
“After her boyfriend breaks up with her for another girl, college student Akane Kinoshita wrestles with a broken heart and the memories he left behind. Loading up Forest of Savior, the MMO they used to play together, she forms a plan to get back at her ex-boyfriend through an in-person event for the game. In the process, she runs into someone unexpected: Akito Yamada, a gaming legend who just happens to be her guildmate.
Desperate for support, Akane ropes the asocial Yamada into helping with her scheme and lending her a shoulder to cry on. The differences between Akane and Yamada soon become apparent as they spend time together, yet they cannot help but notice each other’s inner qualities. As the two gain more experience with one another in and out of the game, their tentative acquaintance may level up in a way neither expect.”
The series ranked sixth at the 2021 Tsutaya Comic Award and the series won the grand prize in the Tsutaya Comic Award in 2022.
As the Fantastic Four continue their travels, they enter a new parallel world where the dinosaurs evolved into the Avengers. Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch, and the Thing encounter giant counterparts to their allies on Earth 616.
“Imagine a world just like our own, with one tiny difference: all the humans have been replaced by dinosaurs,” Marvel said on their website. “That’s exactly where Marvel’s First Family ends up in FANTASTIC FOUR (2022) #12 by Ryan North and Iban Coello, and they won’t have much time to ponder when they mysteriously switch places with their dinosaur counterparts. As their worlds begin to merge, the (very human) Fantastic Four must survive these dinosaurs with super-powers long enough to prevent an Earths-shattering catastrophe.”
Ryan North previously worked on Marvel’s ‘The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl’ in 2017 for which he won the Eisner Award for “Best Publication for Teens.” Iban Coello has worked on ‘Venom.’
They added, “Meet Brachiosaurus Iron Man, Lambeosaurus Captain Marvel, Quetzalcoatlus Black Widow, and more in a special first look at FANTASTIC FOUR (2022) #12. One page finds the Fantastic Four investigating a mysterious phenomenon in the woods, only to get sucked inside. In another page, they find themselves trapped in a glowing cage as the dinosaur Avengers descend on them. Elsewhere, the human Avengers face four extremely angry and confused dinosaurs with fantastic—and very familiar—super-powers.”
Celebrated artist Alex Ross will draw the cover with Marvel releasing a “first look” at it:
The comic book will be released in print and digital on October 4, 2023.
Ross has won several awards including Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, Harvey Awards, and Comics Buyer’s Guide’s CBG Fan Award where his covers have been highly acclaimed. CBG named him the Best Cover Artist for eleven years in a row from 1995 to 2005.
So many new Super Powers toys have been announced recently. However, something has been missing: vehicles. While the original Kenner line only had eight during its lifetime, McFarlane Toys’s version is quickly catching up.
Sadly, the only Batman vehicle in the relaunched line is an updated Batmobile. Well, that’s all changing thanks to a new version of the Batcoptercalled the Whirlybat!
While it may not be as slick as the Kenner Batcopter, it’s compact and has play features you’d expect from a retro-inspired line like Super Powers. The Whirlybat’s rotor blades spin with a press of a button at the vehicle’s rear.
Photo Credit: McFarlane Toys
Photo Credit: McFarlane Toys
Photo Credit: McFarlane Toys
“When villainy is afoot, BATMAN™ and ROBIN™ take to the skies with the WHIRLYBAT. Lightweight and remarkably agile, this single-seat helicopter is the perfect pursuit vehicle for maneuvering through the tightly-packed skyscrapers of GOTHAM CITY™.”
Product Features:
Continuing the legacy of the beloved DC SUPER POWERS™ line comes a brand new batch of your favorite heroes and villains
Compatible vehicles to complement new and vintage DC SUPER POWERS™ action figures
The WHIRLYBAT™ features free-spinning rotor blades and tail rotor
The WHIRLYBAT™ is showcased in DC SUPER POWERS™ themed closed box packaging
Collect all McFARLANE TOYS™ DC SUPER POWERS™ figures and vehicles
The first batch of vehicles had been available at Walmart, but it seems like McFarlane Toys is choosing to favor online retailers like Amazon, Entertainment Earth, GameStop, and the Big Bad Toy Store.
You can always pre-order straight from McFarlane Toys, but the price is the same everywhere: $19.99. The Whirlybat is expected to ship in October.
What do you think of the updated Super Powers line of action figures and vehicles? Let us know in the comments section below.
The Batman toy line almost ended too soon after Tim Burton’s 1989 blockbuster. Toy Biz made various weird design decisions, but Kenner picked up the license. We then got the Dark Knight Collection, which delivered far superior toys and vehicles. This classic toy line seems to be getting a nod thanks to McFarlane Toys’ Super Powers next Batman figure.
McFarlane Toys is reissuing various figures with new paint in true Kenner fashion, but Batman is seeing the most significant change. Decked out in all black with a gold bat symbol and utility belt, there’s no doubt that this Dark Knight is honoring Crime Attack Batman. However, this isn’t the only member of the Bat Family included in this wave.
The Knightfall saga is celebrating its 30th anniversary, and more figures are being released to honor the time Bane broke the Dark Knight. One of the figures released in the Super Powers toy line is Nightwing, which is being re-released. Dick, like the new Batman, is wearing a darker outfit with gold paint.
Although he is not listed as part of the Knightfall line, Tim Drake’s Robin is also being reissued with a slightly darker costume. I hope we soon see Jean Paul Valley’s Batman and classic Azrael, too.
In its ongoing effort to showcase fresh faces from the Batman universe, McFarlane Toys has introduced Thomas Wayneas the latest addition. Unlike previous releases, the Flashpoint Batman figure boasts a brand new head sculpt and unique parts that have not been used before.
The “reborn” Superman is mostly the same as the previous release but with a modern belt and a slightly darker color scheme. You can even see the lines where Superman’s trunks are supposed to be. At least McFarlane is doing the same thing Kenner used to do back in the day.
The same can be said of Opposites Attract Flash. The new blood-red speedster outfit looks way better than the vintage version, and the white-out eyes make the figure pop. Other than that, it’s the same figure.
Anime live-action adaptations have been a real struggle for many series. The biggest issue they face is trying to render the essence of the series being adapted, while trying to make things believable for an audience that loves unbelievable things. And while some adaptations have turned out decent, many are not successful for the audience they’re trying to appeal to. But that might have changed with Netflix’s take on the long-running manga and anime based on One Piece. What makes this series different than other adaptations is how much work went into making the heart of the series come together in live-action before everything else. Although it helps to have everything from the anime look good, it’s the story and how characters interact which make this show one of the good ones for anime fans.
One Piece is based on the manga and anime series created by Eiichiro Oda, who also had some influence in this Netflix series. The story follows a young pirate named Monkey D. Luffy, a dreamer who wants to become king of the pirates and sail to the Grand Line in search of the legendary treasure called One Piece. Along the way, he meets all types of characters and gathers together a crew that will help him fulfill his lifelong dream. But becoming king of the pirates is no easy task, nor is living during the golden age of piracy where so many people are trying to find their fortune.
The first season of the Netflix series adapts a number of stories from the beginning of the original manga, introducing viewers to the entire Straw Hat Pirates. Roronoa Zoro, Usopp, and Nami all have interesting stories that cross paths with Luffy and take the group on crazy adventures. Things appear to start off slow at first, but quickly get into crazy territory once we learn more about Luffy’s origins and see him in action. What works out very well for One Piece is how it’s not afraid to get into some of the more outlandish aspects of the original anime and manga, while still maintain a serious approach to the overall story. It acknowledges how over-the-top this world can be, with all of the powers and wild personalities, but treats it all with an element of reverence that makes it fun to explore. For One Piece fans that were hoping for a solid take that would respect the source material, this first season is definitely a step in the right direction.
Luffy is the heart of the group, played by Inaki Godoy. He has a cheery attitude that annoys some characters he meets, but quickly wins them over by his strong sense of morality and care for those he deems as friends. But when situations get serious, Luffy’s quick attitude change make him a force to be reckoned with that is great to watch. Inaki’s acting fits very well with Oda’s original vision for the character, bringing to life a beloved character that brings everyone together. His timing on jokes, conversations with the rest of the crew, and clashes with villains all fit together nicely and make Oda’s world feel real.
The rest of the Straw Hat Pirates are all very interesting for different reasons. Every member of the crew gets at least an episode that is focused around them, diving more into their backstory and having their past come back to haunt them in some way. Mackenryu plays Roronoa Zoro and looks fantastic in every action scene where he’s fighting, but also displays the guile and hard personality that feels pulled right out of the manga. His battles with various characters look very good and are even better when paired up with Luffy in some episodes.
At the same time Nami, played by Emily Rudd, brings a lot of wit and humor with her interactions with the cast. She has more emotional moments by the end of the season when he crew is faced with bad guys from her childhood, but can still scrap with the everyone else when the time comes. Usopp, played by Jacob Gibson, is another great addition to the crew. His humorous attitude and goofiness mirrors how the character is portrayed in the original story, but with an added level of charm that makes his appearance an added joy for One Piece fans.
He gets a few good moments towards the end of the season in the bigger fights, but has some great dialogue with various characters in the first episodes that he appears. And when Sanji finally arrives, played by Taz Skylar, it rounds off the Straw Hat crew. He also gets some great fight scenes where he teams up with Zoro that look really good. But it’s his escentric personality, love for cooking, and accent that make him an incredibly likeable character that audiences will enjoy seeing.
The one part of One Piece that might not work for everyone is how far certain elements of the world may go. Because this is an anime live-action adaptation, not everything translates great into real life. Inevitably, some things wind up looking too goofy when next to the serious tone the story is going for. Luckily, there aren’t too many examples that wind up like that in One Piece. The ones that do fortunately don’t bring down the episode, let alone the whole series. Some of the effects on powers for certain characters don’t look as good as others, with a few scenes that look low budget.
Luffy’s stretching powers look good for most of the show, with the exception of a few fight scenes that don’t have the best lighting and camera placement. The fishmen that featured prominently by the end of the season are probably the one aspect of the show that doesn’t look as good, with some of the fish thugs not looking as realistic as others. The rendering of their skin, as well as some of their unique features, don’t always match up to everything around them. For some viewers it won’t be a big deal, because of how faithful the show is to their characters in the anime and manga, but for others it will stand out.
One Piece will definitely get a lot of attention from hardcore fans and those who have never followed the original manga or anime. It will definitely be seen as one of the better live-action adaptations that have a good grasp on its source material and world. The action in One Piece is very good and fun to watch, but the story will be intriguing for many unfamiliar with series because of all these other aspects working out well together. There can be a lot of great things in store for the Straw Hat Pirates going forward, which could lead to many fun times for anyone looking for another fun show to watch.
What do you think of the One Piece Netflix live-action series? Do you want to see the show get a season 2? Who is your favorite character in all of One Piece? Let us know everything down below in the comment section!
Toho looks to be going back to where it all began. Godzilla Minus One’s official trailershows us Japan’s first encounter with the King of the Monsters after WWII.
The initial synopsis is pretty simple: “In postwar Japan, a new terror rises; Godzilla. Will the devastated people be able to survive… let alone fight back?” What possible defense could a recovering island mount against a towering atomic-powered monster?
The tone of the trailer is similar to the grim feeling 2019’s Shin Godzilla delivered. However, this time Toho has decided to implement a more familiar design for the famous kaiju.
The giant stomping reptile looks like he is a mix between the Final Wars Godzilla and a little of the more recent Legendary Pictures version. We only get a brief glimpse of his head and a blurry full-body shot.
However, there are still plenty of shots of the destruction the monster causes throughout various cities. Yes, there’s even a shot of his feet stepping on people.
Godzilla Minus One is written and directed by Takashi Yamazaki. His other credits include helming Lupin III: The First and Dragon Quest: Your Story.
It’s unclear right now how much of the film’s runtime will be dedicated to the human drama, which Shin Godzilla had a healthy amount of. What we do know is that Godzilla Minus One will be in theatres on December 1st, 2023
I really need some proper Godzilla action to wash away the bad taste that Godzilla vs. Kong left in my mouth. The action scenes weren’t bad, but the human storylines were not only boring but almost entirely pointless.
Remember when Michael Bay’s first Transformers movie had a huge cast of people who ultimately didn’t matter to the plot because everyone wanted to see giant robots? Yeah, it was kind of like that.
Fans of once-obscure DC characters rejoice! Peacemaker, Vigilante, and Judo Master have officially joined McFarlane Toys’ version of the retro Super Powers toy line! Yes, these three are based on their DC Comics counterparts and not the James Gunn DCEU version.
Interestingly, McFarlane Toys has decided to pack the trio on one card rather than the typical individual blister packs. I’m unsure if I’m a fan of that because it means the comic book artwork usually seen on the front has now been moved to the back.
Peacemaker, Vigilante, and Judo Master come with no accessories. Peacemaker’s helmet is not removable. On top of that, McFarlane Toys continues not to include action features similar to the Kenner version of Super Powers.
This triple pack may be pre-ordered from Entertainment Earth for $29.99. They’re expected to be released this November.
Photo Credit: McFarlane Toys
Photo Credit: McFarlane Toys
Photo Credit: McFarlane Toys
The back of the packing gives you the characters’ bios, including their secret identities. You know, just in case this wasn’t the exact version of Peacemaker you were looking for:
PEACEMAKER™ Real name: CHRISTOPHER SMITH When diplomacy isn’t enough, PEACEMAKER™ loves peace so much he is willing to fight for it – violently, if necessary.
VIGILANTE™ Real name: ADRIAN CHASE A master of all forms of unarmed combat, VIGILANTE™ is also an expert in the use of firearms and knives. He is in superb physical shape and, combined with his superior skills in the martial arts, is a formidable opponent in almost any situation.
JUDO MASTER™ Real name: RIP JAGGER Skilled in all forms of judo, jujitsu and other martial arts, JUDOMASTER™ is an accomplished hand-to-hand combatant. He is also an above-average boxer and combines both disciplines to good effect.
If you’re new to this iteration of Super Powers, please remember that the figures are slightly larger than the Kenner run from the 1980s. The originals were 3.75″, and the new ones were 4.5″ tall. They look pretty awkward being displayed next to one another.
On the bright side, the old and new figures fit into the latest vehicles, including an excellent update to the Batmobile.
