Transformers Generations Sky Shadow

Sky Shadow or Black Shadow as he was known in Japan in a episode of the Transformers: Victory anime and toyline, who has the distinction of not only being a veil Decepticon but also a Space Gangster as he was listed under function on he's original bio. I have been wanting this guy for a long time, ever since I saw he's original boxart picture well before Hasbro ever made a modern rendition of Thunderwing of which the original Black Shadow was also a repaint and retooling of. So when the new Thunderwing did come out I of course got him, but continued to hope Hasbro would pay homage to their shared legacy, and for one am overly glad that they did.

Sky Shadow just looks like the perfect evil example of a Decepticon, and he's new black, silver, and red deco and new head and chest pieces awesomely create a new character different from Thunderwing. There is one thing about the figure I am not pleased about, on the back of he's card and in press release photos he's shoulder pads and forearms are painted black, on the released figure they are not, leaving he's entire arm all the same color gray, WTH Hasbro. If your a huge Transformers fan, or just have a few cool Transformers you need Sky Shadow.   

Centurions & Skeletons: Sweet!

 

Hell yeah, anyone that watched Cartoon Network between 1994 and 1996 watched Centurions, and now coming out on DVD December 6th. 3 guys each with specialized weapon system battle suits beamed down to them from a fricking space station, yep my 10 year brain was hooked. Definitely can't wait to get this DVD and then the whole 60 episode series, Man and Machine, POWER XTREME!

Here's one from '94 I use to watch on Saturday mornings also coming out December 6th, living skeletons battle guys with speeder bikes, and laser guns, oh yeah I was there. I love seeing cartoons from my childhood coming out on DVD for today's kids to see, to stop them from watching some of the weird crap that's called children's entertainment these days. Now where's my Spider-Man animated series on DVD Disney?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone, enjoy the 1989 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Marvel Float.

Justice League Movie: How I Would Make It

So director George Miller was recently talking about the Justice League movie he almost made that was cancelled before production started, and that got me thinking about who would I like to see portray the heroes and villains, and what kind of story I think would made a great film. First I'll start off with would play who:

Superman/Clark Kent = Matt Bomer: He's the only actor I haven't seen in anything besides "Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning" which I try not to remember, but he was on the shortlist of actors considered to play Supes in the currently filming "Man of Steel", and he looks the part too, that's enough for me.

Batman/Bruce Wayne = Jim Caviezel: I have been watching Mr. Caviezel recently in the TV show "Person of Interest", and if you've watched it too then you know this man has the acting, the voice, and physical training to be a great Batman, I even believe he was in the running to be The Dark Knight back in 2005. He is my #1 choice not just for a Justice League movie but also for the next solo Batman film.

Green Lantern/Hal Jordan = Ben Browder: If you've seen "Farscape" and the last two season of "Stargate SG-1" you know he would be the perfect, PER-FECT, Hal Jordan. Ben can masterfully portray seriousness, cockiness, quick wit, and action hero interchangeably on the fly. Ryan Reynolds wishes he had half the talent Ben has, Ben proves you don't need to be a comedian to be funny.

Wonder Woman/Diana = Tricia Helfer: Yes, I think the beauty that played Cylon Model 6 on "Battlestar Galactica" would make the perfect regel, and at the same time furious Amazon warrior princess the screen has been waiting for.

Flash/Barry Allen = Alan Tudyk: A truly under-appreciated and under-used actor, I love this guy he's been in tons of TV shows and movies and each is better for having him in them so I know he could fantastically pull off shy crime lab scientist and fast thinking and funny super hero.

Martian Manhunter/J'onn J'onzz = Chiwetel Ejiofor: After seeing him as a creepy assassin in the Firefly movie "Serenity" I saw that Chiwetel is a phenomenal actor that can play the lost soul using he's abilities to help he's new world that is The Last Son of Mars.

Aquaman/Arthur Curry = Jesse Spencer: Aquaman may not be everyones favorite DC Superhero, but I think a JL movie would be the best place to get him on the big screen and after seeing Spencer for 8 years on "House" I think he can handle the some times fierce loner, sometimes wise King, and sometimes swashbuckling Atlantean.

Vandal Savage = Viggo Mortensen: Look at that pic, make he's hair longer and he's beard thicker and you got your self a live-action Vandal Savage, and we all know Viggo could pull off an immortal warlord.

Maxwell Lord = Christopher Waltz: The movie "Inglorious Basterds" break out surprise was Waltz's amazing scene stealing acting, and I think this is the guy to play the double-crossing hero-hating S.O.B.

If you've noticed I have chosen actors that are in their late 30's or 40's cause this is what I think a Justice League movie needs, that the team comes together for a crisis but before hand they were each already veterans long into their own heroic careers around the world and universe but never actually worked together, heard of each other but never made an effort to meet one another (except Batman, of course Batman has information on them all). What the movie doesn't need is a bunch of new to Hollywood 20-something actors just looking pretty and either under or over acting because "it's a comic-book movie". See Marvel it making a movie for each Avenger before the team movie, but DC needs to do the opposite and make the team movie first to generate interest in their other heroes and that will lead to new fans to want to see the other heroes in their own individual movies.

I don't think the film should have one main character, I think it should show all the heroes equally and really show that they have to combine their abilities and work as a team, but the best character to start off the film and the one that brings the heroes together should be Martian Manhunter. As the only hero of the seven that has never been portrayed in live action either of film or TV (yes I know of the '97 JLA TV pilot, but it never aired) it's he's turn to be introduced to a larger audience. My story would start with J'onn as he is transported to Earth well before the infant Kal-El's arrival, and then later he'll be our guide that quickly through voiced-over inner-monolog introduces us to the other heroes and once getting them together informs them of what is endangering the Earth and that it will take all of them stop it.

Now with a movie with seven super-heroes it needs a great villain to be behind the civilization destroying threat, one that is both a physical and intellectual match for the League and I believe the over 50,000 year old immortal Vandal Savage is a perfect foil for the team but at the same time can be totally maniacal. In addition I would include Maxwell Lord to a be behind the scenes villain complete with he's mind-controlling power, while actively looking to be a regular guy helping the League is secretly helping Savage by misleading the heroes to make sure they find don't out who he is and what's he's up to. Hollywood when it comes to the costumes all you have to do is make them look exactly like they do in the comics just made out of realistic materials (the Spider-Man movies proved that), and Martian Manhunter's appearance has to be makeup not CGI for the love Jack Kirby, please I hope you learned from your mistakes (cough, greenlantern, cough), Warner Bros. I hope you read this.

Mass Effect 3 N7 Collector's Edition Trailer

I have never, NEVER wanted to play a game so bad. The wait for this is unbearable, I have already declared this game Game of The Year for 2013. I will own this collector's edition, so much exclusive stuff, thank you EA Games and Bioware.

Pic of The Day 11/20

Voltron: Defender of The Universe Video Game Trailer

Hmm, I'm interested. I'll see how much it's gonna cost, might give it a try. Thank you THQ for making it the original Voltron, and not the new ugly modern show, then I definitely wouldn't of even consider downloading it.

Top 10 Marvel Universe Wants

So now that I have started down the dark path of collecting Marvel Universe 3.75 inch figures, and Hasbro is starting to put better effort into their sculpts I have found myself starting to yearn to see some of my favorite characters released in future waves. So here is my top 10 wants I would like to see sculpted and released:

#1 Stryfe: Yes, now that he is close to becoming a Marvel Legend, I must also have Cable's nemesis in the 3.75in scale. I personally want he's classic look, but I wouldn't mind he's recent Messiah War appearance.

#2 Abomination: Hasbro has been doing the big guys really well, so I know their Abomination can not disappoint, especially if it'll were a all new sculpt instead if painted on detail.

#3 Ghost Rider II (Danny Ketch): I was really surprised we got Johnny Blaze's original Ghost Rider look before the leather jacket and spikes modern version the Danny Ketch started.

#4 Baron Zemo (Helmut Zemo): Still waiting for a Marvel Legend of him as well, and as a major Avengers and Captain America villain he demands to be made. Don't care if it's he's classic or modern look as long as I get Zemo.

 #5 Ultimate Thor: With Ultimate Captain America, and Ultimate Iron Man already in 3.75 scale we need Thor to complete the Ultimate Trinity, and hopefully start the trend of getting more Ultimate heroes made.

#6 Black Panther (Man Without Fear): I don't know if other fans
like T'Challa's new costume when he became Hell's Kitchen's guardian, but I love it and definitely can't wait to see it in articulated plastic. An easy paint variant would be American Panther.

#7 Omega Red: Classic essential Wolverine and X-Men villain just dying to be made, 'nuff said.

#8 Mephisto: Speak of the devil and he shall appear. You can display him menacing any one, from Ghost Rider to Silver Surfer to Thanos, and even Spider-Man.

#9 Annihilus: The Living Death That Walks, Lord of The, Negative Zone, and classic villain of The Fantastic Four would be a sweet challenge I would like to see Hasbro tackle.

#10 Deathlok: OK, he's a personal want I would like to see made. With Deathlok's reappearance in Wolverine: Weapon X and Uncanny X-Force he should have gain new fans, so it should a perfect time for a new Deathlok figure. I don't care which one is made, I'm a fan of all three.

Green Lantern: The Animated Series Premiere Review

Just look at that, Hal Jordan: Green Lantern of Sector 2814 in all he's CG animated glory, yeah that pic is gonna be my wallpaper for while. The one hour advanced sneak peek of Green Lantern: The Animated premiered today, and to my and other GL fans expectations is was awesome. After 4 seasons of John Stewart being a rather bland Green Lantern in the Justice League animated series, finally the greatest of emerald knights gets he's own show to show what a Green Lantern can really do with a Power Ring.

The basic premise of the first season is set up quickly as beyond The Guardians of The Universe known jurisdiction is Frontier Space where limitedly trained Green Lanterns are being killed. When Hal and Kilowog find out they disobey orders and commandeer a prototype A.I. equipped Power Battery powered spaceship to reach Frontier Space and find the murders responsible. Once there they immediately come to the rescue of a Green Lantern under attack from Red Lanterns, using Power Rings powered by the ruby energy of rage, now stranded away from home and back-up they must survive to warn Oa of this new deadly threat to the universe.

I can not wait to watch more episodes next spring, the creators really nailed the perfect balance and mixture of comic book lore with newly created situations and characters. The voice acting and characterizations were perfect, I am so glad they got the Guardians perfect from Appa Ali Apsa to Ganthet and them keeping stuff from their Green Lanterns. The best thing about this episode and what's also gonna be great about the series is the fighting and use of Power Ring Contructs, CONSTRUCTS!, not just energy blast and bubbles, along with knocking each other in to asteroids but still just plain socking each other in the face, this is the Green Lantern series I have always wanted.

Splinter of The Mind's Eye Review

Released in 1978 Splinter of The Mind's Eye is the very first expanded universe novel written by Alan Dean Foster who also wrote the novelization of the original '77 film. The story it set 2 years after the destruction of the Death Star and 1 year before the Battle of Hoth with Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia on their way to Circarpous IV to recruit underground rebels to their Rebel Alliance against the evil Galactic Empire. Engine failure and an unnatural planetary phenomenon crash-land Luke and Leia on the planet Mimban, a secret Imperial mining planet, where not only do they have to avoid capture and escape the planet but are also become enthralled in a search for The Kaiburr Crystal said to incredibly enhance one's power over The Force.

I loved this book, it was action packed and I have to say the most brutal Star Wars story I ever read in it's description of battles with Yuzzem ripping apart Stormtroopers, injuries after a Thermal Detonator explosion, and Lightsaber wounds. This story is unique being the only story that explores Luke and Leia emerging and confusing feelings for each other before they ever discover they are siblings, basically seeing the starting of their caring about each other and getting to know more about each other. My most favorite thing in the book is Foster's portrayal of Darth Vader, awesomely writing as the badass Dark Lord of The Sith who is both fearsome, deadly, and unforgiving, the Vader that definitely lives up to he's bold reputation referenced in the movies.     

I highly recommend this book to all Star Wars fans, not just for it being the first expanded universe story but also it's truly great story which was original written to be filmed as a TV movie if the original film didn't do well in theaters, the Star Wars 2 that could of been. The story didn't have Space battles or Han Solo and Chewbacca, but I think learning more about how the Empire operates, Luke and Leia's comradery, and the epic Lightsaber battle at the end more then make up for it. Also you've got to love the right out of the storyboards art by Ralph McQuarrie for the cover, makes me want to track down the first edition of the original film novelization Star Wars: From The Adventures of Luke Skywalker with he also did the cover for.

Pic of The Day 11/08

If I wasn't sold already on Cable's return being a Cable fan, this awesome pic would sell any comic fan on Avengers: X-Sanction. It's great seeing Cable with Cap's shield again, sorry Steve but your going down. Can't wait to read this in December. 

Crossbones Review

The elusively rare Crossbones, badass Captain America villain, and right-hand man and pupil of The Red Skull has added to my collection. I think I got all the comic character figures I wanted from the Captain America: The First Avenger line, the regular "Heavy Artillery" Cap I feel is little short to fit in with other Marvel Universe figure but I'm still on the fence about him, and I don't care for the WWII Ultimate Cap or New Excalibur Captain Britain who is also criminally short. Just like the comic figures in Iron Man 2 line, these figures in the Cap line are must haves, and fit in with the Marvel Universe figures great, it's strange the Thor line didn't have a comic character sub-series, I would of loved to been able to get other Thor costumes and villains.

Crossbones's height and build are perfect, even he's detail and colors are comic accurate, way better then the mismatched colored version that came in a two pack. CB comes equipped with two sub-machine guns and an assault rifle, their drab olive color is kinda of an odd though, it's a shame there's no holster for one of the SMGs or a slot or hook on he's back for the rifle so he could carry them all. I love that he's tactical vest is a separate softer plastic piece leaving the big shirted torso for future repaints as new characters.

"Goodbye Captain."

Deadpool: So that's a "no" to a team-up Merc buddy?

Blue Milk Speical

This will be a  day long remembered, today I found a hilarious Star Wars parodying web comic Blue Milk Special. They have set out to parody the original trilogy in chronological order, they started out doing A New Hope, then went on to some expanded universe stuff that happen afterward, and now their about a third in to The Empire Strikes Back. This stuff is gold written and drawn by true  understanding, dedicated, and loving fans that have just earned a be lifetime fan.

Here's a few hand picked favorites:

New Underworld: Awakening Trailer

I highly enjoyed Underworld 1 & 2, the prequel Rise of the Lycans was alright but without Kate Beckinsale and guns wasn't quite as good, did love seeing Bill Nighy as Viktor again though. Awakening looks good, and glad to see the humans coming in to the war, and definitly glad Micheal is gone and now Selene is looking for her hybrid daughter. Also I'm totally up for seeing actor Stephen Rea who's great acting I last saw in V for Vendetta, on screen again.