Guardians of The Galaxy Trailer

I wouldn't call myself a Guardians of The Galaxy fan, I'll probably only ever read a couple issues of the early 90's comic, and never picked up any of the modern team's series which the film looks to be drawing from, but since the movie was first announced I have been intrigued in how it would turn out, and fit in the Cinematic Universe that Marvel Studios is creating. This is going to be the first Marvel movie I'll be going in to not knowing exactly what to expect from not only from the film standpoint, but also from each character, aside from a couple appearances in modern Marvel cartoons I've seen, or for that matter have much reference at all to compare how well the cosmic portion of Marvel is being adapted to the big screen. I am glad to see Nova Corps in the film even if simplified in to space policemen, a connection I hope that could led in to a live-action Nova movie or have him join the team in the sequel, which I hope they go with Richard Rider instead of the new kid Sam Alexander.

Real Grade Gundam Mark II Review

My very first Real Grade model kit, hell of an experience to build, starting with internal skeletal frame, and then from there adding on mechanisms such as pistons, tubing, and my favorite internal piece the cockpit sphere, essentially creating the Gundam from the inside out. Real Grade is adequately named, with all the smaller armor pieces coming together to make the outer skin it definitely gives this class of model kit a more realistically detailed military war machine look to them. The articulation on the complete model is amazing, he has double jointed knees and elbows, and with full range of motion for his shoulders and hip joints he can pull almost any pose imaginable, including holding his beam rifle with both hands, and being able to reach back for a beam saber.

The RX-178 Gundam Mark II comes with all of his weapons he has used the Zeta Gundam anime ranging from his trusty beam rifle, to his expanding shield, hyper bazooka, removable head vulcan gunpod, and two beam sabers, which the beam blades that come with him are way too long for a 1/144th scale mobile suit but are instead for the Master Grade 1/100th scale model kits, a weird choice for Bandai to include. Aside from the pair of hands with the articulated thumb and trigger finger, he also comes with 4 extra hands, a pair of closed fist for holding Beam Sabers, an open hand with fingers spread, and a closed hand shaped to hold the beam rifle. Other accessories include 3 additional energy cartridges for the beam rifle, which two can be stored on the back of the shield, a spare bazooka clip that can be attached to his hip armor, and a small unpainted pilot figurine of Kamille Bidan.

The coolest thing I love about this model is you can attach and store all of his weapons on him, like the beam rifle can either be in his hand, or pegged in to his hip armor, while the rear armor skirt has a fold out clasp to grip the hyper bazooka , and then with his head vulcan gunpod mounted he is fully armed and battle ready. Since Bandai made the Skygrasper with Launcher and Sword Packs for the Real Grade Strike Gundam, I’m hoping they’ll make the G-Defenser to combine with the Gundam Mk.II to upgrade him to Super Gundam. I’m looking forward to building more Real Grade model kits, a longer and more tedious build but turns out a stunning example of model kit engineering.

Temporal Flux Turns Three

Four days ago Temporal Flux turned 3 years old, I want to thank my 9 followers for sticking with me, I know I haven't posted anything since Dec. 5th. I have been extremely busy as of late, my job recently had me relocated to another property, with more responsibilities, and not long after that my mother became hospitalized, and since returning home needed help in recovering and in every day life. Then there's a certain MMORPG that's been taken up any free moment that did pop up, but I'll get to that and to new post soon enough, I've got review on figures, movies, and more just waiting to be completed and fine tuned. Welcome to Temporal Flux Year Three, with updates coming in the immediate future.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Trailer

Damn! Three villains in one movie, last time Sony did that it didn't turn out so good, but this time around it looks like they're actually part of the story, not three separate movie ideas shoved in to one. Did you see Doc Ock's tentacles and The Vulture's wings? Sony already has plans for the next two Spider-Man sequels, and it look's like Norman Osborn and Oscorp will be behind almost all upcoming villains or at less where they get their powers or tech from. Can't wait to see more about Peter's parents, you can see Richard Parker fighting someone and the plane crash in the trailer, and then there's the ever hanging question of when is Gwen Stacy gonna die?, this movie... or the next.

Thor: The Dark World Review

WARNING: SPOILERS! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! WARNING: SPOILERS!

Thor’s first movie gave you some good laughs, but in this sequel they really upped the comedy, it is downright hilarious most of the time between the awesome actions scenes and narrative drama. Director Alan Taylor beautifully combines royal family sociology, with grandiose sci-fi sights and highly riveting fantasy adventure, giving it a nice Star Wars meets Lord of The Rings feel. Chris Hemsworth returns as The Prince of Asgard and continues to bring that lovable yet fierce charisma of The God of Thunder he has perfectly established in his previous appearances.

I don’t have to tell you that Tom Hiddleston as Loki steals every scene he is in, cause you know going in that he’s going to, and this film continues his arc from enraged brother to would be conqueror to now prisoner then vengeful son to truly sneaky villain.Whereas the new central bad guy Malekith played by Christopher Eccleston I’m sorry to say was a very bland one-note antagonist, I don’t know if it was the make-up effects or the script or a combination of both, but he basically became a background character in the film up until the final fight, the writers really missed an opportunity to make Malekith an insane and threatening nemesis here. I am glad there was a secondary bad guy in the form of the henchman Kurse brought to life by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, it was nice seeing Thor trading blows with an equally strong opponent, I would love see him be made as a highly detailed Marvel Select figure. 

I've said it before, no other actor other then Anthony Hopkins could bring the proper gravitas to Odin, he just naturally gives off the right amount of that fatherly and kingly radiance you would expect from The All-Father. Natalie Portman’s Jane Foster is given a little bit more to do this time around, but only because they made her a plot device for over half the movie, while characters like The Warriors Three and Lady Sif each get a great moment to shine but still only appear on screen just as much as they did in the previous film if not less. Which leads me to the two things that really bugged me in the movie, which was Tadanobu Asano's Hogun was only seen at the very beginning of the movie and then never seen again, and that the actor for Fandral was changed from Josh Dallas to Zachary Levi, I understand Josh was busy with a TV series, but I think he was the perfect Fandral and is a real shame he couldn't return for the sequel.

Idris Elba’s Heimdall is given a particularly badass scene showing he can do far more than just stand around watching the universe that was fricking awesome to see on the big screen. Speaking of seeing and hearing epicness in a movie theater, seeing Benicio Del Toro as The Collector and hearing mention of the Infinity Stones in the mid-credit scene, a goddamn Elder of The Marvel Universe, and the movie version of The Infinity Gems blows the Tesseract reveal from Thor 1 out of the water. Marvel Studios is expanding their Cinematic Universe with every new film, starting with the Thanos tease at the end of The Avengers, now dropping in Infinity Stones, and the upcoming Guardians of The Galaxy movie I think they are starting to set up their Phase 3 plans with I’m starting to believe is gonna cumulate in a Infinity Gauntlet/Infinity War movie that’s going to replace The Avengers as every Marvel loving comic book geek's holy grail super hero movie.

X-Men: Days of Future Past Trailer

Holy shit! Holy shit! Holy shit! I am sorry an other movie coming out in 2014, but this movie is gonna be my movie of the year. This just might become my number one comic book movie of all time. My excitement and anticipation for this movie is astronomical, thank you Bryan Singer for coming back to the X-Men.

LVCE'13 Haul

I didn't count but I think I got around 100 comic books, knock off quite a few items off my want list. When it comes to conventions I always update and bring my want & needs list, but I have to say this year about half the haul is comics that weren't on my list, but cool issues or mini-series that caught eye, and the best part of conventions I love the most; I paid no more then a dollar for most of these books, sure a few at $2 or $3, but at the most $5 for a great trade paperback. Here are some of the real highlight items I am real happy I found this year.

Cable #63, 73, 74, 76

Oh yeah, four issues of Cable off my list, now I just need one more issue and I have the complete run of Cable's first monthly series.

Death's Head II (1992 Mini-Series) #1-4

I will own every issue Death's Head II has appeared in, I have half of his monthly series, just need the other half and some one-shots to achieve that.

Machine Man (1984 Mini-Series) #1-4

I'm a huge fan of Aaron Stack a.k.a. X-51 a.k.a. Machine Man, so when I came across a mini-series I never seen before I quickly added to my buy pile.

New Avengers #54-64 and Finale

With these 12 issues I now with the complete run of New Avengers Vol. 1.

Onslaught Unleashed #1-4

Loved the the whole Onslaught event back in 1996 so I had to pick these up when I saw them. Just need the Onslaught Reborn mini-series that precedes this.

Punisher/Batman & Batman/Punisher

I have been looking for the Punisher/Batman book for a while now, the only time my favorite artist John Romita Jr. has ever drawn Batman. This was my star find of this expo, and was the most expensive I paid for a comic at $5.

Uncanny X-Men #508-510

Knock three issues of my Uncanny X-Men need list, and right where I left off.

What If... #47

SCORE! Finally got part 2 of the only 2-part What If story that start in #46 with "What If Cable Destroyed The X-Men?".

Wolverine and The X-Men #4-19

Didn't jump in to Wolverine and the X-Men during Regenesis instead got caught up and stayed with Uncanny X-Men and X-Men, so now I'm playing catch up with Wolverine and The X-Men.

Wolverine: Weapon X #1-6

Already had five issues, so with these six now I only need five more and I have the complete run. Love that I got four variant covers, especially that awesome #1 variant cover by Adam Kubert.

 X-Men: Schism #1-5

All five issues, all with the original first printing covers. The only way I wanted this mini-series, didn't want to have a mix of 2nd printing and variant covers.

X-Men Vs. Avengers #1-4

Before Avengers Vs. X-Men there was X-Men Vs. Avengers in 1987. This was a real surprise find, and I am amazed at the condition these four issues are in for a 26 year old comic, I'm talking brand spanking new like they just came off the printing line. 

Batman #452-454 "Dark Knight, Dark City"

Great three issue story I've been looking for, with covers by Mike Mignola, and a connection to Grant Morrison's death and return of Batman epic.

Brightest Day Aftermath: The Search fo Swamp Thing #1-3

Swamp Thing and John Constantine return to the DCU proper after Brightest Day just before the New 52 reboot. Now I just need to get Brightest Day Vol.3 hardcover so I can read these.

Final Crisis: Revelation #1-5

Loved the Final Crisis event which actually got me in to buying current DC Comics with the death of Batman in the main Final Crsis mini-series. Definitely gonna try and get all the other Final Crisis mini-series and one-shots. Great story to have if your a Batwoman fan like I am.

 Signed Neal Adams Art Print

It was a great honor to meet artist and writer Neal Adams. He had a wide array of art prints to choose from to sign, I went with the pencil sketch of Batman being shot at from Adams' Batman: Odyssey maxi-series.

Signed Peter Nguyen X-Men and Batgirl Art Prints

Can almost not believe I meet Peter Nguyen an artist whose Tumblr I follow. I highly recommend checking out his Tumblr, he is a phenomenal artist. Got the X-Men print for myself and my girlfriend picked out the Batgirl for herself.

 Signed Comics

This convention I decided to hit Artist Alley and actually get artist and writers signatures, so I brought my He-Man and The Masters of The Universe #1 to get signed by Philip Tan and my Red Hood and The Outlaws #1 to get signed by the writer, artist, and colorist, did get it signed by artist Kenneth Rocafort and colorist Blond, but sadly I didn't get writer Scott Lobdell's signature, he already left for the day when I got to his table.

Bishoujo Harley Quinn Statue 

My girlfriend is a huge Harley Quinn fan, and this recently released collectible was on her wishlist of Harley wants, so we were both glad to find it for a great price at the expo.

Not Dead / Las Vegas Comic Expo 2013

I am not dead, I apologize for the lack of updates this month, but it's been a real busy month for me, been working extra days and extra hours to get extra money to save up to go the 2nd Annual Las Vegas Comic Expo which is tomorrow. I went last year for their first convention and thought it was great, just comics, artist and various exhibitors which reminded of the good ol' days of how San Diego Comic-Con use to be back when I started to go back in 1999, not the huge multimedia monster it has become. This year is looks like it has grown a bit bigger, more exhibitors, and even a hand full of famous guest celebrities like Neal Adams and Sylvester McCoy. I will be sure to post a review and pics of this year's adventure there, and show off my haul, hopefully I'll  have that up in a few days.

Robocop (2014) Trailer

Wow, I have to say I like it, I am amazed. They're kinda making him a cyborg superhero, like my favorite man overriding machine control Marvel cyborg Deathlok, he's almost like a Judge Robo-Bat-Dredd. Definitely gonna be seeing this in theaters February 7th next year.

Marvel Legends Heroic Age Captain America

When Steve Rogers was gunned down and left the Marvel Universe without a Captain America, who would take up the shield and mantle to carry on Rogers' legacy as the new Sentinel of Liberty? Only one man could, who had the same training, combat experience, and could properly use the shield in battle, none other then Cap's former sidekick and war partner Bucky Barnes. Thought originally dead during World War II at the same time when Steve Rogers fell in to the English Channel, but he too fell in the same waters only to be found by a Russian submarine barely alive and missing an arm and from there brainwashed and reconditioned as a cold-blooded assassin with a cybernetic arm used by the USSR under the codename Winter Soldier. After regaining his original memories of who he really was thanks to Rogers' use of a Cosmic Cube, now feeling remorse over the decades of assassinations he did under mind control, and wanting to do good for the world, he re-acquired Cap's shield and then learned that it was Steve's final wish to make sure the identity of Captain America was passed on to him by the then current Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. Tony Stark, Bucky become the new Star-Spangled Avenger.

Bucky Cap has an entirely brand new body mold that is sure to become the standard buck (ha-ha!) used for future characters that are physically fit but not overly buff, sporting 36 points of articulation which includes double jointed elbows and knees, a must have on any super articulated action figure if you ask me. Different from past Marvel Legends, instead of the ball shaped hip joints, now the hips are sculpted parts on the legs but now have a thigh cut for leg rotation articulation, not a fan the cut being through sculpted muscle, I think it should of been higher so not to be so noticeable. Love the additional wrist articulation, even if limited, but I wish they matched the color of the peg attaching the hands to the arms, the black stands out on the red gloves.

The metallic blue paint for his costume is pitch perfect, sitting nicely atop crisp bright red and white gloss stripes masterfully bringing to life Alex Ross's simple but patriotic costume design. Hasbro's shield design is different from Toybiz', where as Toybiz' was mostly smooth with thin grooved-in lines between the stripes compared to Hasbro's design that has the star and red stripes raised with the silver stripe and blue circle indented lower, odd but still looks visually awesome attached to New Cap's arm or pegged into his back. Barnes is also armed with a handgun shaped like a Desert Eagle and combat knife that is definitely a Ka-Bar which both can be held in his hands or snugly secured away on his very detailed glued-on belt.

The good Captain comes packed with the right leg of Arnim Zola the build-a-figure for Hasbro's Series of Return of Marvel Legends, fitting he's a villain Steve and Bucky have a history with. I do wish this figure had a variant with unmasked head like the Marvel Select release, cause I would of love to seen Hasbro's take on James' face, and the separate neck piece I know they could do. I love this figure, he has to be one of my favorite Marvel Legends to come from Hasbro since they took over from Toybiz, fun to pose, looks amazing from every angel, a top-notch must have indeed.