New Podcast: Issue 127: Man of Steelbooks
With Captain America: The Winter Soldier and X-Men: Days of Future Past Marvel movie collectors have seen their share of variant covers and exclusive gimmicks. But for the hard core movie collectors the best versions aren’t available in the states. The collectible rage overseas is steelbooks! Exclusive, limited edition cases only available in Europe and Asia can cost a pretty penny for American fans, but it’s a price many are willing to pay. What makes these so sought after? From the UK, Star Wars Action News reporter and Marvel movie collector Steve “The Gingerprince”, reports in with a review of several of the best Steelbooks!
Also on this week’s episode Marjorie, Arnie, and Justin have been scanned–by 3D Plus Me! At San Diego Comic-Con the hosts had their heads imaged for custom statues putting their heads on Marvel characters from Black Widow to Iron Man to M.O.D.O.K. Now the company has partnered with Hasbro for Super Awesome Me–custom face scans put atop an articulated Hasbro Titan figure of Captain America or Iron Man. Marjorie and Arnie saw the figures in person at New York Comic-Con, and the hosts all have some of their SDCC statues in hand. Should you seek out 3D Plus Me at their next convention appearance? Listen for a detailed review of these statues!
With a report on a new Hot Toys X-man, a classic Spider-Man maquette, and so much more, it’s all in this issue of Marvelicious Toys!
And stay tuned next week for a bonus episode where the hosts run down all the reveals from New York Comic-Con!
We want you to join our team! We have openings currently for video editors, audio editors, and photo editors! Find out all the details in our forums!
: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT127.MP3
Category: Arts
Marvel Movie Pre-Order Alerts: Hot Toys Wolverine and Hikari Sofubi Groot
Fans of movies based on Marvel Comics characters have several pre-orders hitting today!
First, from the film X-Men: Days of Future Past Hot Toys and Sideshow Collectibles bring Wolverine! This figure has over 30 points of articulation, 3 pairs of swappable hands (with and without claws!), and an outfit representing Hugh Jackman as Wolverine in the dystopian future shown at the film’s opening. It stands just under 12-inches tall, and comes with a specialized Wolverine display base.
Now, it’s no secret that licensees have issues making toys and collectibles based on 20th Century Fox’s X-Men and Fantastic Four films. The last X-Men film to receive a big marketing push was X-Men Origins: Wolverine back in 2009. In 2011, covering New York Toy Fair for Marvelicious Toys, I interviewed one of the Marvel reps at Hasbro’s presentation. I was shocked at a lack of toys for that summer’s X-Men: First Class and I asked about that. I was told that Marvel would be marketing their X-Men: First Class comic books, not the movies. Indeed, in the past five years it has been hard to find any toys or statues based on the X-Men movies; only the comics. Only Diamond Select, with their Minimates lines, has covered all the Marvel movies regardless of studio.
In 2012 Hot Toys announced a licensing agreement for figures based on X-Men: First Class and Magneto and Charles Xavier figures were shown at various Hot Toys exhibits, but they never were released. It is more than likely pressure from Marvel has caused those figures to be indefinitely delayed, if not altogether cancelled.
Yet Hot Toys has persevered in releasing X-Men movie toys…if only Wolverine figures. Their first was from X-Men Origins: Wolverine released in 2009. That figure shot up in value and even had some high-quality bootlegs sold on eBay. As such, in 2012 Hot Toys made another Wolverine figure from X-Men III: The Last Stand. Then last year Hot Toys made another version of this character, showing his appearance in The Wolverine (still available to order, at a deep discount, from Sideshow Collectibles). This Days of Future Past Wolverine is the 4th version of this character.
Despite how much I really want Hot Toys to finally release the other X-Men figures (specifically the yellow-and-blue clad X-Men from First Class) Wolverine is the most popular X-Man. Each version of this figure has been distinct, and showing a likeness of Hugh Jackman appropriate to that film. This is an older Jackman likeness, and the future outfit is far different from any we’ve gotten before.
At $250 the figure is a bit more expensive than I’d like–with no large diorama pieces, excessive accessories, or swappable heads I’d prefer to see this around $200 like The Wolverine version, but it’s still a great version of the character.
I have it ordered already, both for the figure it is, plus I’m hoping that by “voting with my dollars” Hot Toys and Marvel realize high-end figures based on the X-Men films are profitable enough to continue beyond Wolverine.
(as an aside, X-Men: Days of Future Past came out on DVD and Blu-Ray this week, and the collector’s edition is almost half off at Amazon!)
If you prefer Marvel Studios’ own films, such as Guardians of the Galaxy, a new collectible is available for you as well! From Funko comes the Entertainment Earth exclusive Hikari Premium Sofubi Vinyl Figure of Groot!
While that’s a lot of adjectives, Funko’s Hikari Premium Sofubi Vinyl Figures are 11-inch soft vinyl figures. This one is limited to 5,000 pieces and only available from Entertainment Earth.
Funko is known for having several variants for each of their Sofubi figures, from color changes to translucent glittery versions. Several variants of the Groot Hikari Vinyl Figure were displayed at New York Comic-Con, but this Entertainment Earth version seems to be the most movie-accurate. You can order it now at EE.
And for Hikari collectors, Barnes and Noble just put up their exclusive black-and-white version of the Spider-Man figure, called “Dangerous Spider-Man” for $71. That is not a pre-order; mine has shipped already.
Pre-Order Alert: Spider-Man J Scott Campbell Maquette, Classic Colors, from Sideshow Collectibles
Up for pre-order right now is Sideshow Collectibles’ Spider-Man Classic Polystone Statue, part of their J. Scott Campbell Spider-Man Collection.
This statue stands over a foot-and-a-half tall, showing the wall crawler doing just that, ready to shoot his webs at an unknown enemy.
This statue is based on the same art and sculpt of their previous J. Scott Campbell Spider-Man statue, but features the web-head in his black-and-red coloring from the McFarlane era. More, the base is re-decorated showing a broken off, classic Spider-Man logo, resembling a comic book cover in three dimensions far more than the previous red and blue statue.
Sideshow Collectibles has been finding ways to reuse their sculpts for some time now. While this isn’t entirely new, they did a Gray Hulk and Negative Zone Spider-Man Premium Format Figures, it seems more prevalent now than before. In the past year they released the Storm Premium Format in white, the Gladiator Hulk redone as King Hulk, they used a new Hulk body to release three different Hulk statues, and then repainted their Deadpool Premium Format Gray.
On Marvelicious Toys I’ve usually railed against high-end repaints–it’s fine for a $12 or $20 figure, but seems excessive for a $300-$400 statue. In this case, however, it feels less like a cash-grab and more artistic. The exclusive version of the Campbell Spider-Man Maqeutte sold out, and this paint app has a totally different feel than the original. The different bases help differentiate the statue and make it feel like a nice option, or a chance for those who missed out on the original to get this new version of Spider-Man.
It’s up for pre-order now at $299, and a flex pay option is available. So place your order now at Sideshow’s site!
New Podcast: Issue 126: If You Squint…
It’s no secret that Marvel downplays any X-Men merchandise preferring to promote toys, statues, and comics featuring characters owned by their Marvel Studios movie branch. Yet, with the major release of X-Men: Days of Future Past, Hasbro was able to release a wave of Marvel Legends figures based on the comic incarnations for many of Marvel’s mighty mutants. Magneto and Wolverine, Stryfe and Storm, plus Cyclops all are in this Toys R Us exclusive wave, and with all the figures you can also build Jubilee. On this issue of Marvelicious Toys Marjorie, Arnie, and Justin review these six new releases and discuss where you can order a set now!
Also on this week’s show, the Guardians of the Galaxy merchandise is starting to hit hard. The hosts review Kotobukiya’s new Art-FX+ Rocket Raccoon and Groot statue, as well as the Rocket Raccoon Labbit from Kidrobot!
With Justin’s final decision on Sideshow’s 12-inch Deadpool, major sales at Walgreens stores, and more, it’s all in this issue of Marvelicious Toys!
And don’t miss Marvelicious Toys’ coverage of New York Comic-Con! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for pics and updates from Wednesday’s Hasbro event as well as the convention itself! And if you find Marjorie or Arnie on the floor they are giving away exclusive Marvelicious Toys buttons!
We want you to join our team! We have openings currently for video editors, audio editors, and photo editors! Find out all the details in our forums!
: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT126.MP3
Category: Arts
Hot Toys goes Solo, Han Solo, with the Star Wars license
Over the past six years Hot Toys has emerged as the superstar company for 12-inch highly articulated, collector-oriented action figures.
Their product lines in the past have ranged from Robocop to Predator to Terminator to even one-offs like Michael Jackson and Back to the Future. But where they’ve really shown is with their Marvel Movie Masterpiece Series figures. From Blade to Iron Man to Spider-Man to Ghost Rider, Hot Toys has amazed and astounded with their actor-accurate facial likenesses, the attention to detail, and the seemingly endless number of accessories, including interchangeable hands, feet, and heads, that come with their figures. Even the boxes each figure come in is a work of art.
I have covered Hot Toys figures for three years on the Marvelicious Toys podcast, and own every single Marvel Movie Masterpiece figure they have done–the only 12-inch line I am ‘all in’ on. Their quality and workmanship is unmatched. I’ve often wondered why Sideshow’s 12-Inch Star Wars line could not match the quality of Hot Toys’ Marvel line.
Sideshow and Hot Toys did partner once in the past, for Sideshow’s 12-Inch Bespin Luke Skywalker figure. But now Hot Toys has gotten the licence for their own lines of 1/6 scale and 1/4 scale Star Wars figures and collectibles.
Right out of the gate come not one but two sixth scale Movie Masterpiece Star Wars figures–Han Solo and Chewbacca. Available individually or as a set, these two smugglers are ready to join your collection.
- Interchangeable hair sculpt with headset
- Newly developed body with over 30 points of articulation
- Ten (10) pieces of interchangeable palms including:
– One (1) pair of relaxed palms
– One (1) pair of gloved relaxed palms
– One (1) pair of partially clenched gloved palms
– One (1) right palm for holding blaster
– One (1) left palm for supporting blaster
– One (1) right gloved palm for holding blaster
– One (1) left gloved palm for supporting blaster - Each piece of head sculpt is specially hand-painted
- Brown leather blaster holster belt
- One (1) blaster pistol
- One (1) droid caller
- Specially designed figure stand with Han Solo nameplate and movie logo
Plus if you order the Sideshow Exclusive edition you also get a Stormtrooper belt and blaster rifle!
- Authentic and detailed likeness of Chewbacca in Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope
- Brown fabric hair throughout whole body
- Movie-accurate facial expression
- Newly developed body with over 30 points of articulation
- Approximately 36 cm tall
- Two (2) pairs of interchangeable palms including:
– One (1) pair of relaxed palms
– One (1) pair of palms for holding bowcaster - One (1) bowcaster
- One (1) brown bandolier bag
- One (1) headset
- Specially designed figure stand with Chewbacca nameplate and movie logo
And if you order the pair together you get everything listed above (including the Stormtrooper belt and rifle) plus an additional accessory exclusive to the set–a heavy blaster for Chewbacca to wield.
Long time Sideshow sixth-scale figure collectors, there is no word yet on how the scale of Hot Toys’ figures will fit in with Sideshow’s long-running line. As Sideshow uses their own figure bodies for most of their figures there is a chance these figures may look slightly taller or smaller than their Sideshow counterparts. This is not an evolution of Sideshow’s figure line, but an entirely new sixth scale figure line from Hot Toys.
It is canny of Hot Toys to be out of the gate with Chewbacca–a figure Sideshow has long teased but never brought to market.
However, and this is ironic, the only authorized US seller of Hot Toys is Sideshow Collectibles. As mentioned, I have purchased many Hot Toys figures, but as with any detailed piece I have received a fair number of damaged and broken figures and accessories. Hot Toys will not provide a warranty on any product purchased at an unauthorized reseller. The one Hot Toys figure I purchased from a reseller other than Sideshow, Hot Toys would provide no repairs and the seller could not offer a repalcement. If you are interested in the Hot Toys Star Wars line, my strong recommendation is you only purchase from Sideshow Collectibles, or risk having a damaged or broken piece with no recourse.
As for these figures, you can hear my first impressions on this Monday’s episode of the Star Wars Action News podcast!
In the meantime, head over to Sideshow’s site and check out these new figures. If you order, please consider supporting our site and our podcasts by using our affiliate link!
New Podcast: Issue 125: Slot Machine
Marvelicious Toys is back!
Arnie and Marjorie have returned from Vegas, but on their trip they found plenty of Marvel goodies! From Iron Man slot machines to a Kidrobot retail outlet, and more, listen to find out that what toys are found in Vegas don’t necessarily stay in Vegas!
Also this week, Sideshow Collectibles new 12-inch Marvel figure line has debuted with their first offering–Deadpool! Justin runs down this new figure, as well as the upcoming Deadpool movie!
With a rundown of the Captain America: The Winter Soldier and X-Men: Days of Future Past exclusive Blu-ray releases, Sideshow’s new Thor – The Dark World Premium Format figure, Agent Venom at discount, and so much more in this issue of Marvelicious Toys!
: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT125.MP3
Category: Arts
The 40 Year-Old-Critic: X-Men: First Class (2011)
In The 40-Year-Old Critic, Venganza Media creator and host Arnie Carvalho recalls a memorable film for each year of his life. This series appears daily on the Venganza Media Gazette.
I didn’t really want to review the X-Men films for Now Playing Podcast.
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy discussing any movie in-depth, whether it’s Leprechaun in Space or Touch of Evil. But for X-Men I had a specific hesitation.
I had, in passing, already discussed these films with longtime friend and podcast co-host Stuart. It was clear we didn’t see eye-to-eye; he expressed a preference for Bryan Singer’s earlier, dour X-films; I actually enjoyed Brett Ratner’s third X-Men movie, The Last Stand, the most — finally giving the superheroes fight sequences they’d been denied on screen.
I hadn’t seen the X-Men films in a few years by 2011, when we started our Marvel Movie Retrospective Series, but I was fully prepared to stand alone with my minority opinion.
It wasn’t that I loved X-Men: The Last Stand. I felt all the X-Men films were lacking in some areas, and expressing my preference for Ratner’s vision didn’t mean I could champion it. I loved Marvel, especially the movies, but to this franchise I held no allegiance.
That is why in 2009 we took a pass on that year’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine. After the film was released we felt doubly justified.
But, as I discussed in my Howard the Duck article, in 2011 Now Playing was beginning its most ambitious endeavor; reviewing every Marvel-based movie ever released in theaters (U.S. or overseas). That meant Stuart, Jakob, and I would have to tackle the X-films, eventually.
How we approached this retrospective was the subject of some debate. I initially pitched doing all the films intermixed, in chronological order. Perhaps because it would have seemed odd to have 2002’s Spider-Man review immediately followed by 2003’s Daredevil and Hulk (both released before Spider-Man 2) Stuart wisely suggested breaking the series into a number of smaller sub-series; do Spider-Man as a unit, Blade as another group, and the X-Men by themselves. But then how would we order them? First-to-last according to release date? Or do we start with the most recent film?
Finally, realizing the interest listeners had in our theatrical release reviews, we decided to just shuffle all the series’ around to whatever order fit; but two rules presided. First, we would arrange series’ so that if they had a theatrical release, as happened for X-Men and Ghost Rider, we would tie into that release. Second, we would do all the movies in time for the ultimate Marvel crossover movie: 2012’s The Avengers.
(Sony then threw a wrench in that plan by releasing their The Amazing Spider-Man reboot in the weeks following Avengers, making Marvel’s most popular superhero the only one we hadn’t reviewed)
Would audiences accept an X-film without Wolverine?
This massive undertaking meant we could delay it no further; we had to review X-Men. More, while we had done three one-off Marvel movies — Howard the Duck, Man-Thing, and Kick Ass, in a loose group we called Marvel Misfits — X-Men was our first real series in the Marvel Movie Retrospective. This was demanded by the release of 20th Century Fox’s impending reboot/prequel of their X-franchise, X-Men: First Class.
I wasn’t terribly excited for First Class. It was the latest offering in a scattershot series. More, it didn’t have Wolverine. While his 2009 solo film was an over-the-top testosterone-fueled orgy of explosions, I still enjoyed the character and did wonder if his absence from First Class was a blessing, giving him a rest after Origins, or a curse, the new film lacking the series’ star.
It turns out all of this fear was for nothing. While Stuart and I did disagree over the merits of the first three X-Men films and Origins, the conversations were always fun. More, Jakob provided a great third perspective that tempered both of our points and prevented the conversations from following any preconceived pattern I’d feared. Also, revisiting the films with revised expectations allowed me to appreciate them more than I had in the past.
More importantly, though, in 2011 the X-Men got their first truly great film with First Class. I had feared not finding a film I loved in the X-series, but new director Matthew Vaughn delivered that in spades.
First, the film had a lead cast that was nothing short of amazing.
I knew James McAvoy from his earlier teen comedy Starter For Ten, a film funnier than its teen game show premise deserved. The actor was also a standout in Wanted, holding his own against Morgan Freeman and Angelina Jolie, and imbibing his character with personality that seemed lacking from the movie’s thin script.
Still, while I liked the man’s work, I had a hard time imagining him as Charles “Professor X” Xavier, the lead X-Man portrayed by Patrick Stewart in the earlier films. But with Vaughn’s direction and the script (co-written by the director) this was a young, cheeky Xavier, and McAvoy owned the part.
He was, however, overshadowed by co-star Michael Fassbender, who took the role of Erik “Magneto” Lensherr; previously occupied by Ian McKellen. X-Men: First Class took elements from a canceled X-Men Origins: Magneto script — and truthfully this film is Magneto’s. Like the original X-Men film, First Class opens in a Nazi concentration camp showing Magneto, still a child, discovering his powers. But it continues that story line and shows the Nazis grooming Lensherr and training him. Magneto’s quest for revenge is the true arc of this film, and, playing Erik as an adult, Fassbender commands the screen.
I can’t recall even hearing Fassbender’s name before First Class. I had seen him in only two films: 300 and Jonah Hex, and neither performance was memorable. From this role I knew Fassbender had amazing range. With the X-Men franchise under his belt Fassbender has picked a variety of mostly smaller films allowing him to demonstrate his range, but he was truly the best find of First Class.
Jennifer Lawrence joins the X-franchise as Mystique.
That is probably a somewhat unpopular opinion, especially for any Hunger Games fans reading this review, as First Class also featured Jennifer Lawrence, starring as the shape-shifting mutant Mystique (a role previously played by Rebecca Romijn). Unlike Fassbender, I knew of Lawrence before First Class due to her role in Winter’s Bone. Strong word-of-mouth brought that movie to my attention, and Lawrence earned an Academy Award nomination for her role. Still, while already an acclaimed actress, she was just beginning her career. Few could have predicted what her future held; becoming Hollywood’s biggest actress thanks to her role of Katniss in the aforementioned Hunger Games series, plus continuing to make critically acclaimed films, as well as winning an Oscar for her role in Silver Linings Playbook.
In X-Men: First Class it was clear she was as talented as her more seasoned co-stars. While not much more than a sexy henchman in the original X-Men trilogy, here Mystique’s dilemma is the heart of the film; she can do amazing things but her true form is scaly and blue. The film shows her path of self-acceptance and, as a by-product, her allegiance shifting from the more diplomatic Professor X to the more militant Magneto.
Even the smaller roles were stacked with great performances, with Kevin Bacon, Rose Byrne, Nicholas Hoult, and Oliver Platt being stand-outs. I felt the only weak link in the film was January Jones, the Mad Men star who played “White Queen” Emma Frost.
Yet while the cast was amazing, its director was even more so. I knew Vaughn only for his 2010 superhero parody Kick-Ass, and he brought that same visual flare and fast-paced storytelling style to First Class. Also, like Kick-Ass, this film had actual character development intermixed with a healthy dose of comedy.
Out of all the X-Men films, this was the first one that had been really, truly fun while also establishing amazing rivalries and human drama. It was the first great X-Men movie.
It was a delight to watch, and I was ecstatic while recording the Now Playing review when I discovered Jakob and Stuart had seen the same film I did. The only thing better than watching an amazing film is sharing that enthusiasm with other film lovers.
The movie, and that podcast review, were my personal high points of our X-Men retrospective series, and it kicked off our Marvel Retrospective with a huge bang. There were good times ahead.
In the three years since this film’s theatrical release I’ve seen it at least a dozen more times. I went back to see it in theaters even after Now Playing’s review, just for fun. I bought it on its Blu-ray release date, and watched it immediately. It’s a staple, any time it airs on television I turn it on again. On flights it’s the movie that gets the most play on my iPad.
Fassbender’s Magneto is the highlight of the film.
Yet this enthusiasm is tinged with sadness. While I did not share a dissenting opinion on the podcast, all three of us seem to be in a minority group for our love of this film. It became the lowest grossing X-Men film ever — audiences just didn’t turn out to see the movie. Perhaps they were put off by the lack of Wolverine? Maybe the 1960s period piece feel didn’t appeal to 21st Century moviegoers? Perhaps the summer was just too full of superheroes with Thor and Captain America also hitting screens? No matter the reason, the film failed to find an audience and made less money than 2000’s original X-Men, even with 11 years of ticket inflation taken into account.
More, it seems this movie didn’t catch on in home video. I thought it could have a second life in home theaters, but my anecdotal evidence suggests people simply preferred the movies with the original cast to this new vision.
If there is no greater joy than discussing a beloved film with others who share that sentiment, there are few feelings more depressing than feeling alone and wondering why everyone else can’t see in this film the great things I see.
Worse, lack of fan response ended First Class‘ run in the X-Men. Fox, knowing they have to battle Marvel (who are the creators of the X-Men characters, but don’t hold the film rights), decided a major course correction was needed for the studio’s premier superhero franchise. They had definite ideas for the next X-Men movie, and were prepared to spend more than they ever had before to ensure their mutants could stand their ground against the Avengers. Studio interference and demands, including bringing back some members of the original cast to appeal to fans, led to Vaughn abandoning development on the sequel film, and in his place Bryan Singer returned to the franchise.
The result of Fox and Singer’s work was this year’s X-Men: Days of Future Past. It was a very good movie — Singer’s best entry in the franchise by a mile. Yet it didn’t do as good a job juggling the characters, the story line wasn’t as tight, and it lacked the groovy, kinetic fun of First Class. It lacked Vaughn, who was the X-factor the franchise needed most.
But again I may stand alone in that opinion, as Days of Future Past became the highest-grossing X-film to date; besting X-Men: The Last Stand’s take in 2006.
I have no doubt that with the upcoming X-Men: Age of Apocalypse, the X-films will continue to get grander and mix in more cast members new and old. I just hold out hope that at some point they look back and see all that First Class did right, and bring some of that lighthearted humanity back to the X-Men.
Tomorrow — 2011!
Arnie is a movie critic for Now Playing Podcast, a book reviewer for the Books & Nachos podcast, and co-host of the collecting podcasts Star Wars Action News and Marvelicious Toys. You can follow him on Twitter @thearniec
The 40 Year-Old-Critic: Iron Man (2008)
In The 40-Year-Old Critic, Venganza Media creator and host Arnie Carvalho recalls a memorable film for each year of his life. This series appears daily on the Venganza Media Gazette.
We truly live in the golden age of Marvel movies. In the past six years Marvel Studios (and now Disney) have set the standard for comic-based films, and racked up some of the highest-grossing hits of all time.
This year, the company proved how golden it really is with Guardians of the Galaxy, a film featuring a talking raccoon and his friend, the tree. On paper, that’s laughable. This movie shouldn’t have worked; the concept is so far removed from The Avengers that it conjures up memories of Howard the Duck (who even made a cameo).
But as I sit here typing this, Guardians has the designation of being 2014’s top grossing picture in the U.S.
It’s a wild success story that no one could have predicted — certainly I didn’t — back in 2008 when Marvel Studios released its first film: Iron Man.
As I detailed in my reviews of Superman and Spider-Man 3, I was a Marvel Comics fan in my teen years. At my peak I had several thousand comic books; long boxes stuffed with popular titles like Spider-Man, X-Men, and The Incredible Hulk, as well as Darkhawk, Ravage 2099, and Fantastic Four. Conspicuous perhaps by his absence, I didn’t own a single issue of Iron Man.
The character did make appearances in many comics I owned. Massive crossovers such as Secret Wars prominently featured the Armored Avenger. Yet none of those appearances made me feel like picking up an Iron Man comic. A businessman who pretends to be his own bodyguard in a suit of armor? The concept sounded pretty cheesy. The suit’s design, a garish red and yellow, also was a turnoff. He could fly. He could shoot lasers from his hands. And? Why would I want to read about that?
More, why would I want to see a movie about that?
The arm-chair studio moguls online and in magazines like Entertainment Weekly seemed to agree with me. Phrases like “B-list superhero (at best)” were used to describe Iron Man. It is hard to believe now, but just seven short years ago Iron Man had virtually no name recognition among the common public. Marvel had sold the movie rights to many its most well-known superheroes, including Spider-Man, Hulk, Wolverine and the X-Men, and those characters had gone on to star in their own pictures. Even other B-listers like Daredevil, Blade, and Ghost Rider had been picked up by other studios. What did Marvel have left?
They had Captain America, a man out-of-time goody-two-shoes. They had Thor, a Norse god that may have been even less well-known in his comic incarnation than Iron Man. They had The Incredible Hulk, who had a good history but a recent box-office disappointment thanks to Ang Lee’s Hulk. And they had Iron Man.
Yet Marvel had a vision. More, they had a plan. They didn’t release one film in 2008, they released two. They let it be known immediately that they were going to do on screen what they had done in their comics: create a shared universe where characters would cross over. The end game was announced before Iron Man was in theaters, Marvel wanted to assemble The Avengers.
I thought it was crazy talk. While, thanks to Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings it had become more common to have sequels in production, or even entirely filmed, before the first film was released. Even those seemed risky though, with pundits noting Lord of the Rings could have bankrupted New Line Cinema. Yet here Marvel Studios was going this route for its first features.
Iron Man didn’t excite me, but Marvel’s strategy sure got my attention. It was audacious, it was bold, and it was risky. I admired them before I ever saw a frame of the film.
Even crazier — they hired Robert Downey, Jr. to play Iron Man/Tony Stark. If you’ll recall, in the late 90s and early 2000s, Downey had a fairly toxic reputation in Hollywood. His well-publicized battle with addiction and his prison stints had branded him as unreliable. Worse, he was uninsurable — no company would put up a bond for the actor lest he again be arrested and his filmed scenes became unusable.
Casting Robert Downey, Jr. was a risk, now where would Marvel be without him?
Despite his off-screen troubles, I had always been a fan of Downey. While I’d seen him in Weird Science and Back to School he first really caught my eye as someone to watch in The Pick-Up Artist, a film in which Downey is the only redeeming quality. I followed him for many years with Less Than Zero, Chances Are, Air America, hell I even watched Soapdish because he was in it. But two roles really defined Downey for me: his 1992 Oscar-nominated lead in Chaplin, and his role as a tabloid TV reporter in Natural Born Killers. But the more public his personal troubles became the more I felt he was an actor on the decline. I was really saddened by this — the man could act! From Two Girls and a Guy to U.S. Marshals to Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, I’d always been captivated by him.
That he was the star of Iron Man had me both worried and excited. On the one hand it seemed like on-the-nose casting — if I knew one thing about the Tony Stark character in comics it was that he was an alcoholic; if most people knew Downey for only one thing it was for his substance abuse problems.
The trailers with the rocking Black Sabbath track, Downey’s quick quips, the great action, and the effects — the film looked better than I expected; better than it deserved to look. Plus, rumors spread like wildfire that the film would include a cameo by Samuel L. Jackson as S.H.I.E.L.D. boss Nick Fury. By the time Iron Man was released, my curiosity was piqued.
Still, I was more interested in the second of Marvel’s one-two summer punch: The Incredible Hulk. I was a Hulk fan, he was the hero with name recognition; plus it had Edward Norton, an actor I believed was every bit as talented as Downey. But until Hulk came out I thought Iron Man could help me pass the time.
My expectations were low, but I was still there opening night to see Iron Man. I even drove 90 minutes to the closest new-fangled digital projector in the area.
The film, in short, rocked. I never expected to have so much fun in a superhero film. Movies like Blade, X-Men, and Batman Begins had seemed to say there was only one way to make a comic book movie, and that’s deadly serious. Iron Man eschewed that attitude with the flippant irreverence I’d expect from its main character. The movie did have its serious scenes, but the majority of the picture was filled with a kinetic energy and a constant sense of fun. I walked into the theater not getting Iron Man’s appeal; I walked out an Iron Man fan.
This was bolstered by Downey’s now-iconic performance. I couldn’t take my eyes off him. His jokes, his charisma, he owned this film. His line, “I am Iron Man,” was 100 percent accurate, for I couldn’t imagine this movie without him. Given the wide range of roles I’ve seen Downey portray I am hesitant to call this his best performance ever, but it is my favorite (with his 2008 follow-up Tropic Thunder a very close second).
Iron Man even brought Now Playing Podcast out of a brief retirement in 2008, and we followed up that short review with an even more extensive breakdown of the film for our Avengers Retrospective Series in 2012.
Yet, despite my love of the movie, I still thought Marvel’s overall strategy was ill-formed. Iron Man did well, Hulk did not. More, the only superhero film people seemed to remember from 2008 was Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight — a film that was more than a blockbuster, it was a cultural touchstone.
In 2008 it really seemed Marvel had lost the battle. More, they had no movies planned for 2009. Iron Man was a big enough hit to keep the wheels turning for Iron Man 2 in 2010 but I never thought Marvel could go the distance. Avengers seemed like a pipe dream.
Again, I bet wrong. Iron Man 2 built on the brand in 2010, and the following year saw two more Marvel films, Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger. Both did respectable business, but neither broke the $200 million domestic mark to be qualified as a blockbuster. They didn’t need to; Marvel was playing the long game, they were building a brand.
It paid off — big time. The Avengers took the world by storm. It almost seemed a rematch of Marvel versus DC as, that same year, Nolan returned with The Dark Knight Rises. Iron Man once again faced Batman, but this time Stark brought his friends and when 2012 ended it was The Avengers that had become the benchmark for comic book movies. Sorry, Batman.
Iron Man. He’s poseable!
Marvel Studios’ brazen gambit paid off in spades. Not only has the company become an unstoppable movie juggernaut, they have expanded their cinematic universe to weekly network television, to four different Netflix series’, and even drawn plans for up to three movies per year in the future.
Other studios now desperately try to ape Marvel’s success. After trying for 20 years to get Batman and Superman on screen together, next year finally brings us Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, with a list of superheroes that include Wonder Woman, Cyborg, and — according to rumor — Aquaman, the Flash, and others. DC is now playing catch-up to Marvel.
Even other studios with Marvel properties have tried to follow this formula, though to less success. The same year The Avengers was released Sony tried to build its own multi-chapter story with The Amazing Spider-Man. This year they announced that a Spidey universe of films is coming, including two spin-offs featuring villains — Sony is now grasping for whatever characters to which they hold rights. At 20th Century Fox, studio executives also bet big-time on their X-Men franchise, bringing back original director Bryan Singer to revitalize the series. The Marvel Studios tactic of ending each film with a “stinger” to tease the next picture is now so commonplace, audience members are afraid to leave the theater before the end credits are finished.
Yes, for the past 6 years movies have been following Marvel Studios’ formula. It all started with a big gamble that paid off: Iron Man.
As for me, Iron Man opened a door that had been cracked the year before with Spider-Man 3. The Marvel movies were really an exciting property to follow. My dormant comic fandom was back with a vengeance. Marjorie, knowing my love of Iron Man, bought me my first high-end Marvel collectibles: a Hot Toys “Mech Test” Tony Stark figure, as well as a Kotobukiya Iron Man statue. The door was opened and before long the podcast Marvelicious Toys was launched as a companion piece to Star Wars Action News, focusing specifically on Marvel collecting.
More, Marvel Studios’ films had me wanting to build up to The Avengers. Now Playing Podcast had been following, almost exclusively, the retrospective format in 2009 and 2010, but after seeing Iron Man 2 I pitched to co-hosts Stuart and Jakob the craziest, biggest retrospective yet: every Marvel movie ever. Up until then our series’ had all been of manageable length of a dozen films or less. It took a year of discussion. First, Stuart thought we should only do the six Marvel Studios films. Then he thought we should do the major franchises. Finally he agreed to all theatrical films, and we had started Now Playing’s Complete Marvel Movie Retrospective. Over time I was even able to find a back door — several 1970s TV movies had aired in theaters in foreign countries.
It put Now Playing on a path to greater success, as described in my review of Howard the Duck — our first review in that very long series.
Yet while I still ride the high Iron Man gave me in 2008, bolstered regularly by a new “fix” from Marvel Studios, I do wonder how long this will last. Movies are defined by trends; after Star Wars every studio fast-tracked their space films, but by the mid-80’s those had become passé; after Gremlins any script with tiny attackers, from Ghoulies to Critters was given the green light. The cases of Hollywood me-too-ism are legion, but they all have one thing in common: they end when the next big thing comes along.
I often ruminate on what that next trend will be, and when audiences will tire of the serialized cinema storytelling and prefer movies that provide a singular experience with no “to be continued…” at the end. I have no doubt that day will come, but I think we’re in for many more years of the Marvel Age of cinema before we get there.
Tomorrow — 2009!
Arnie is a movie critic for Now Playing Podcast, a book reviewer for the Books & Nachos podcast, and co-host of the collecting podcasts Star Wars Action News and Marvelicious Toys. You can follow him on Twitter @thearniec
The 40 Year-Old-Critic: Spider-Man 3 (2007)
In The 40-Year-Old Critic, Venganza Media creator and host Arnie Carvalho recalls a memorable film for each year of his life. This series appears daily on the Venganza Media Gazette.
See a list of all reviews
Earlier this week, when I discussed Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, I described how I tend to channel my excitement into creative venues. I’ve been doing it my whole life, whether that meant writing fan fiction, building model kits, customizing action figures — the point is, I like to build upon my imagination. In 2005 that drive led to the creation of the Star Wars Action News podcast.
Two years later, a near-equal level of excitement gave birth to an even larger idea that became Now Playing Podcast. The excitement was for Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 3; the first film Now Playing ever reviewed.
I had been a longtime Spider-Man fan, from the 1970s Spidey Super Stories on The Electric Company to Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends and even Stan Lee’s daily The Amazing Spider-Man newspaper strips, but even I didn’t anticipate my own hype for this sequel. I barely caught the first Spider-Man film in theaters (its release in 2002, directly against Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, and my wedding, was much of the reason). I was more excited for 2004’s Spider-Man 2, but I wouldn’t say I was “hyped.”
But the bug bit me in 2007 — Venom had gotten into my system.
I started reading comics in 1990. I never got into them as a child; I simply wasn’t exposed to comics through friends or media. My Star Trek fandom drew me into the comics culture, because I wanted to read the “official” stories taking place after the events of Star Trek V: The Final Frontier. The first time I stepped into a comics shop the clerk tried to sell me Spider-Man No. 1, from the highly-acclaimed Todd McFarlane series.
This tease ignited the fanboy in me.
I passed. I always thought the comics were just color reprints of the daily newspaper strip, until my longtime friend and Now Playing co-host Stuart started telling me stories about how Spider-Man changed his costume to one that was black-and-white. Incredulous, I didn’t believe him, especially when he told me the suit turned out to be an evil alien. In response, and to prove his point, he pointed me to a comic book store. I went back to read many of McFarlane’s Amazing Spider-Man back issues. Of specific interest were the stories that involved Venom, a muscle-bound baddie named Eddie Brock with whom the alien suit had bonded. Venom had all of Spider-Man’s powers, but none of his responsibility.
For years I read every Spider-Man comic, but I anticipated none as much as those that starred Venom. When Brock went from villain to anti-hero in his own series, Venom: Lethal Protector, I was even happier; I could now read about him every month!
I honestly wonder if I liked Venom even more than Spider-Man himself.
As a fan I read rumors about a big-screen adaptation of Spider-Man, but it languished in development hell for more than a decade. I remember reading a Wizard Magazine in 1992 that teased a James Cameron directed Spider-Man film starring Charlie Sheen as Peter Parker and using Terminator 2 special effects for the villain — Venom! I couldn’t have been more excited but, alas, that film never materialized. When Spider-Man did hit theaters in 2002 Sheen, Cameron, and Venom weren’t even under consideration.
Finally, after enjoying two Spider-Man films in theaters (as you can hear in the Now Playing Podcast Spider-Man Retrospective Series), word came that Raimi was finally getting to my favorite Spidey nemesis.
Venom was first teased at the 2006 San Diego Comic-Con. I wasn’t in the Sony panel, but friends excitedly described the scene of alien ooze landing on Eddie Brock (Topher Grace). That the scene took place in a church really upped my expectations — Raimi had been pretty loyal to the Spider-Man mythos thus far, and despite casting the wiry Grace as the muscle-bound Brock, it seemed he was continuing that trend with Venom.
I’d seen the black outfit take Peter Parker to dark places in the comic…but never as dark as Maguire’s uncomfortable dance scene.
Venom, Raimi, and Spider-Man created a perfect storm of hype.
I am a collector by nature, and often I express my fandom through displays of movie memorabilia. It all started with my Star Wars toys in 1977, but from Superman to Gremlins to Ghostbusters to Star Trek, I’d always buy the trading cards, toys, and books for films I loved. Of course, Star Wars remained my primary focus — I bought every figure, vehicle, book, and game released.
By the year 2000 my townhouse was a crowded toy box, full of Star Wars toys, but also X-Men movie figures, Spider-Man toys, McFarlane Toys’ Movie Maniacs series’ Leatherface, Freddy, and many more. But in 2001 I quit my job and became a full-time student, and with that drastic reduction in income came a drastic reduction in collecting. I actually sold most of my toys and narrowed my focus down to my first love — Star Wars. Even as my career started to take off, my income increasing, I was never tempted to return to collecting anything but Star Wars until Spider-Man 3.
By 2007, Star Wars Action News was heard by tens of thousands of listeners every month, and hundreds congregated on our forums to discuss the toys. Surprisingly, many of those fans were also swept up in the excitement to see Raimi’s next Spider-Man film. When I mentioned on the podcast that I was drawn to — but couldn’t allow myself to buy — a particularly cool Venom figure sold by Sideshow Collectibles, these listeners came to the forums en masse to encourage my spending! Some even tried to take up a collection to buy the $80 figure for me; an act of generosity I could not possibly accept.
The flames of my Spider-Man 3 excitement were fanned by Star Wars Action News listeners, and that combination caused me to move on an idea I’d had for some time: a movie review podcast. The first movie we’d review would be Spider-Man 3, obviously.
It wouldn’t be a stretch, my wife (and co-host) Marjorie and I had already reviewed one movie together, Snakes on a Plane, the year before.
Coincidentally, another Marvel character first planted the seeds in my head that I should launch this show. Coming out of 2007’s Ghost Rider Marjorie had me almost doubled over with laughter as she lambasted the Nicolas Cage film. Not only were her observations on point, they were quite amusing. I knew many of our listeners loved Marjorie’s color commentary, and I thought that if I’d had a microphone on us walking out of Ghost Rider we’d break download records.
Despite the film’s numerous flaws, the CGI work on Sandman was impressive, and moving.
But I was daunted. Movie review podcasts were a dime a dozen. Anyone with a microphone seemed to be reviewing movies. With Star Wars Action News we’d made a big splash in the Star Wars community — a big fish in a tiny pond. Yet, even with that success I knew that we’d be out of our comfortable pond and thrust into an ocean of movie podcasts. I wasn’t sure how to make us stand out, and so I never acted on it.
More, SWAN had gone from a one-day-per-week hobby to a very time-consuming new career. Two hours of recording became 10 hours of editing, and then toy photography and travel — suddenly I was spending more time on podcasting than I was on teaching my college courses. Plus, teaching was my second job; I also had a full-time day job. With all of these commitments the thought of doing another podcast regularly was overwhelming.
Still, the seed had been planted, and my excitement for Spider-Man 3 turned it into action. Marjorie came up with the name, taken directly from the screen of her iPod that always said at the top, Now Playing.
It’s laughable now as I spend 30 or more hours per week on the show, but I originally thought Now Playing Podcast wouldn’t take much time. I figured we’d stick to my first idea and take the portable recorder (the one I’d purchased for the Samuel L. Jackson interview) to the theater and when the movie was over I’d have a microphone to capture our initial reaction. Marjorie and I went to the movies nearly every week, so we could have a spoiler-free review with just a few minutes of recording. I’d release it unedited, just add music, and be done.
As for the way to differentiate ourselves from the thousands of other podcasts? That would take me a couple more years to really figure out. In the meantime we had Marjorie and a built in audience for Star Wars Action News.
Deciding to launch Now Playing on the same day as Spider-Man 3’s release had two profound effects. First, my excitement for the next Spidey film had an outlet that didn’t involve buying collectibles. I was preparing our own launch of a podcast, so my time and money was spent getting domain names and setting up web pages (Though I was visiting Burger King more than usual to get their Spider-Man 3 kid’s meal toys — the Venom still eluded me).
Second, the anticipation for May 4, 2007 increased 50-fold — that was the day I’d get to watch Spider-Man and we’d launch our newest podcast!
My excitement level was so high we actually took that afternoon off work. There were no midnight shows, but we were there for the first matinee of the day. It was time to see Venom fight Spider-Man, and classic Spider-Man bad guy Sandman (Thomas Hayden Church) would be in there somewhere as well.
In my mind I felt I knew how the movie would be paced. The trailers had shown Spider-Man fighting Sandman while wearing his black suit. I thought for certain it would follow the structure of the original film, with the first half largely about the origin story, only this time it would be the origin of the black suit (again with Sandman in there somewhere). Then, I assumed the second half of the picture would be about our hero battling his arch-nemesis, only this time instead of Green Goblin it would be Venom.
The more I heard about Sandman being the main baddie in this film, though, I started to form a back-up theory. The trailers never showed Venom outside of the church, so I thought this entire film could be a setup for Venom, who would return as the main bad guy in Spider-Man 4.
No matter what, in Raimi I trusted. From Evil Dead to Army of Darkness, Darkman, and more, he had proven time and again to be a director with style and vision (that late 90s period including For the Love of the Game notwithstanding).
We got to theater early, after an obligatory trip to Burger King to try and get that damn Venom toy. No luck.
I can still remember being so excited I was practically vibrating in my seat. The film started, the score played over an opening credits montage reminding us of the first two films. Little did I know this would be the high point of the movie for me — thinking of the earlier, better films.
The introduction of the alien symbiote that became Spider-Man’s black suit was the opening scene, and completely convenient. It just happened to land near Peter Parker and take him over. No reason why, it just happened.
Faith was restored with the introduction of Sandman, Church having bulked up for the role and really looking like the comic book character come to life. The CGI effects during his transformation marked a new standard for humanity conveyed by computer animation.
But that was quickly lost by the contrived retcon tying Sandman to the death of Spider-Man’s Uncle Ben, and a subplot involving Peter Parker’s love life.
I won’t rehash the entire review again. You can hear our full, detailed, scene by scene review in the Now Playing Podcast archives. The disappointment you’ll hear in my voice mirrors my thoughts sitting in that theater. During that theatrical experience I realized not only was I watching a movie that was not very good, but that Now Playing’s first review would not be very positive. I had hoped for the show to be a celebration of Raimi’s film — the orgasmic climax after five years of build-up. Instead, we would have to be honest and discuss how everything — from the plot to the acting to the score — was not only far below my expectations, but also not very good at all.
No matter the quality of the movie, Now Playing Podcast had arrived. Star Wars Action News listeners and forum members were anxiously awaiting the review. So we went to the car and, raw from the experience, recorded our thoughts. We sat in the car, Spider-Man toys from BK in the back seat, and gave our initial reactions. I tried to temper my disappointment, but when I listen to that show I can hear the sound of a heart breaking.
In the years since I’ve come to focus on some of the better parts of the movie. The effects are mostly top notch, Topher Grace adds needed energy to the cast, and some of the jokes are winners. With the dour nature of The Amazing Spider-Man reboots, I even sometimes finding myself actually wishing for some of the spirit Raimi put in all of his films… even Spider-Man 3.
The tangled web that is Peter Parker’s love life would never straighten out; after Spider-Man 3 Sony decided to reboot without Raimi at the helm.
Yet from that bad movie experience something good did come — Now Playing. It would take years for me to realize that. Despite my best intentions, the show went from being recorded on the run to being done in the studio; it went from unedited to lightly edited to full edits. The time commitment was growing, and the listenership wasn’t. We were now one very tiny fish in an ocean so overpopulated that most shows suffered from listener famine. Without listener involvement the show became neglected, and the fewer shows we did the fewer listeners we had when we would put out new reviews. For a while we even gave up hosting altogether.
It wasn’t until 2009 when another movie, another hype machine, got me going: the Platinum Dunes remake of Friday the 13th. Then I had the idea of the Retrospective Series and a three-person rotating cast of hosts. The hype for that movie also ended in disappointment, but we had finally found the format that made our show stand out.
Today Now Playing is a regular show in iTunes’ Top 10. I’ve met hundreds of listeners in person and talked to thousands through social media. Each person with whom I interact is an experience I cherish, and it’s stunning to think none of this would have happened if it weren’t for Spider-Man 3.
And as for my resistance to collecting Marvel, Spider-Man 3 helped me stave that off… for a couple more years at least. As anyone who’s heard my Marvel collecting podcast, Marvelicious Toys, knows, I have now fully embraced it and enjoy it as a smaller side-collection to my primary Star Wars collecting.
Tomorrow — 2008!
Arnie is a movie critic for Now Playing Podcast, a book reviewer for the Books & Nachos podcast, and co-host of the collecting podcasts Star Wars Action News and Marvelicious Toys. You can follow him on Twitter @thearniec
New Podcast: Issue 124: I Am Electro Head
Marvel movies have had one of their best years ever in 2014. The X-Men were back with a vengeance in Days of Future Past. Captain America’s second film proved better than his first as he fought HYDRA and The Winter Soldier. A new franchise was launched, and now Guardians of the Galaxy is poised to become the year’s top-grossing film. Even The Amazing Spider-Man 2 brought in fans with its high action and final twist.
On this issue of the Marvelicious Toys podcast Justin, Marjorie, and Arnie give their thoughts on Guardians, from a dancing baby Groot to a mechanical arm! Plus they run down all the Amazing Spider-Man 2 exclusive releases, and the upcoming exclusives for Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
Also on this show, Marjorie and Arnie went to Wizard World Chicago where Marjorie met Winter Soldier stars Sebastian Stan and Anthony Mackie, plus Stan Lee, Dave Bautista, and others. Watch to find out about the artists, celebrities, and toys found at the con!
With a look at new Marvel Legends figures hitting stores, new Hot Toys and Sideshow statues up for pre-order, and more, it’s all in this new Marvelicious Toys!
: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT124.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 123: San Diego Comic-Con 2014 Coverage
Exclusives. New Product Reveals. M.O.D.O.K. Me! All of this and more were hot topics of conversation at the 2014 San Diego Comic-Con International! Now on this episode of Marvelicious Toys join Marjorie, Arnie, and Justin live on the convention floor as they discuss the exclusives and new Marvel toys and collectibles revealed at this year’s Comic-Con.
Plus watch for exclusive interviews with Hasbro, Gentle Giant, Kotobukiya, 3-D Plus Me, and Diamond Select Toys for even more news! Discover the fate of Diamond Select’s X-Men Days of Future Past Mystique figure. Hear Hasbro’s answer as to when Bulldozer will see the light of day. Find out what Koto has planned after their Avengers Art-FX+ series ends, and so much more!
It’s just like having a press pass for SDCC, but without the aching back and sore feet! So kick back and enjoy this episode of Marvelicious Toys!
: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT123.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 122: It’s Raining Gwen!
Sideshow Collectibles has been hitting Marvel collectors fast and hard with tons of new pre-orders, product reveals, and more in the weeks leading up to San Diego Comic-Con. Not only are new items on the site, they’re shipping too! Two of the most hotly anticipated statues from Sideshow are the J. Scott Campbell collection’s Gwen Stacey maquette and the giant Premium Format Apocalypse figure. Join Marvelicious hosts Justin, Marjorie, and Arnie in this issue for detailed reviews of both!
But if you prefer collecting items with articulation, this show has plenty of that as well! While not yet in most stores, Hasbro’s new Marvel Infinite Series figures have been shipping from online resellers and Justin, Marjorie, and Arnie got Waves 2 and 3 from DorksideToys.com! Watch this episode and see the video reviews of these new toys including Death’s Head, Ant-Man, Red She-Hulk, Ares, and more!
With a complete run-down of exclusives going for sale tomorrow at San Diego Comic-Con International, a report of new Marvel Legends hitting stores, and so much more, it’s all in this mega-sized, 2 hour Marvelicious Toys podcast!
: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT122.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 121: Marv-ILL-icious Toys
It’s like the plot of a comic book–a mysterious illness has infected the Marvelicious Toys staff. Two of the podcast hosts have had to go to the Emergency Room in the past two weeks. But the show must go on! There is just too much happening in the world of Marvel toy collecting to take a week off! So join Marjorie, Arnie, and Justin this week in Marv-ILL-icious Toys and find out about the latest Hasbro Legends and Infinite Series figures hitting stores and online!
In this podcast the hosts run down the latest exclusive information from San Diego Comic-Con including four variant statues from Kotobukiya and the new Hot Toys Iron Man Python Armor. Listen to find out how to get your hands on those!
Plus, in addition to a cold, the Guardians of the Galaxy fever is rampaging through the Marvelicious staff! After the IMAX preview Monday night the hype is in full effect. Watch the videos to see the new 2-inch Guardians figures, the Toys R Us exclusive Rocket Raccoon and much more!
And do you want the Guardians of the Galaxy Legends? Save 20% now through June 20th on your order of Guardians of the Galaxy toys at our sponsor DorksideToys.com! Use code MT20 to save on Guardians figures! (Discount does not apply to shipping; cannot be combined with any other offers).
All that and more in this issue of Marvelicious Toys!
: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT121.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 120: Guardians of the Podcast
Excitement is building for the Guardians of the Galaxy — Marvel Studios’ next cinematic adaptation of Marvel Universe superheroes. Trailers have raised awareness of rogue space criminals Star Lord, Gamora, Drax, Groot, and Rocket Raccoon. Now the toys are starting to hit stores, including the collector-focused Marvel Legends figures! Join Justin, Marjorie, and Arnie on this issue of the Marvelicious Toys podcast to hear their in-depth reviews of these five movie-based figures, as well as the comic based Iron Man and Nova figures.
Also on this show we look at Disney Infinity 2.0, the Marvel Universe installment. With characters like Captain America and Venom coming out as figures that unlock playable characters, it’s sure to be a hit with kids. But will adult collectors be drawn into this Infinity and beyond? It’s discussed on this show.
With new, exclusive Diamond Select Toys figures, Sideshow’s Iron Man Mk 42 Maquette, Black Widow sightings at retail, and more, it’s all right now in the new Marvelicious Toys podcast!
: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT120.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 119: Hot Toys, We Salute You
Pre-orders seem to be like plane crashes, they always come in threes. So with tons of new items arriving on their doorsteps Marvelicious Toys hosts Justin, Arnie, and Marjorie are here with a bonus episode of the podcast!First they look at Iron Patriot, the first Die Cast Hot Toys Iron Man figure released. Standing 12-inches tall, coming with a bevvy of accessories and light-up features, listen to find out why the hosts think this is a figure worthy of a sharp salute!Then the next Avengers Art-FX+ statue has been released from Kotobukiya: Black Widow. Based upon art by Adi Granov and crafted with Kotobukiya’s attention to detail, listen to find out if this femme fatale should find a prominent place in your collection.And finally for those who prefer their statues quite a bit larger Sideshow has released their quarter-scale 19-inch Black Widow Premium Format Figure. For this piece Sideshow gave the Russian spy a likeness more in line with her comic book incarnation, dressed in black leather with the trademark gold belt and stingers. On this show find out if you should get this statue in her sights, and hear a comparison with Sideshow’s Iron Man 2 movie-based Black Widow Premium Format Figure with a Scarlett Johansson likeness.With the latest from Marvelicious Toys sponsor DorksideToys and more, it’s all in this bonus issue of the Marvelicious Toys podcast!
: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT119.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 118: Ducks of Future Past
The third film based on Marvel Comics has hit theaters — X-Men: Days of Future Past. While toy tie-ins have been few, the movie itself has been a huge success becoming the top grossing X-Men film worldwide! On this issue of Marvelicious Toys Justin, Marjorie, and Arnie give their brief review of this film. So join them and then come to our forums to share your thoughts!But from the newest Marvel film to the oldest–Howard the Duck, the first Marvel Comics character to be featured in a live action feature. Recently some rare items from this film showed up on eBay, and Arnie went ducking nuts over them. Listen to find out about these one-of-a-kind collectibles!With new Infinite Series figures in stores and online, Guardians of the Galaxy Legends, a new wave of X-Men Marvel Legends figures and much, much more, it’s all in the new issue of the Marvelicious Toys podcast!And join us next week for a bonus issue of Marvelicious Toys where we review the Hot Toys Iron Patriot MMS figure and three Black Widow statues!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT118.MP3
Category: Arts
Pre-Order Alert: Hot Toys Electro from The Amazing Spider-Man 2
Before The Amazing Spider-Man 2 hit theaters in the US toy maker Hot Toys was teasing a giant Rhino figure, based on the character’s mech suit in the film. But now that the film is out and Rhino was little more than a cameo, I’m much happier that the second Amazing Spider-Man 2 Hot Toys figure released is Max Dillon himself, Electro!
Scheduled to ship in April of 2015, this figure is charged with features, such as a light-up translucent head based on the likeness of Jamie Foxx. (Though I may be mistaken, I can’t think of a single other Best Actor Oscar winner to have a translucent light-up head!) He also has over 30 points of articulation in the body, light-up wrists, 4 pairs of interchangeable heads, and the blue/black outfit Electro wore in the film’s climax.
Don’t hesitate, move at the speed of light and order your Hot Toys Electro today!
New Podcast: Issue 117: Flocking A Pop
Last year at San Diego Comic-Con Kotobukiya showed off the unpainted model for their Art-FX+ Hulk Statue. It has now been released and the Marvelicious Toys hosts have it in hand! Listen to find out why this is a smashing collectible you need to rush to own. Then head back to our San Diego Comic-Con podcast to hear our interview with Adi about the statue!Also on this week’s show, Marjorie, Justin, and Arnie have seen The Amazing Spider-Man 2. With the Legends, 3.75-inch, and Hot Toys all ordered…was the movie any good? Listen to hear their thoughts on the latest Marvel superhero movie, and their anticipation for this weekend’s X-Men: Days of Future Past!With a report from the Toy Man Toy Show in St. Louis, a new Diamond Select exclusive in Disney Stores, a Hot Toys release that’s really a bust, and so much more, it’s all in this Marvelicious Toys podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT117.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 116: C2-Tattoo
Last weekend was C2E2 in Chicago and Marjorie and Arnie were there to look at the new toys shown by Diamond Select Toys, show exclusives, toys on the floor, and more! Listen to this episode of Marvelicious Toys podcast to hear about Chicago’s biggest comic and toy convention!And from the biggest convention to the smallest Funko Marvel Toys — Mystery Minis have exploded into the marketplace. On this episode Marjorie reviews some Mini figures provided to us by show sponsor Dorkside Toys!With a Timely Review of Toy Biz X-Men teams, a chance to win a Marvel Infinite Series Wasp figure, some SDCC event news, and so much more, it’s all in this Marvelicious Toys podcast!
And hear Arnie’s reviews of The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and Captain America: The Winter Soldier at nowplayingpodcast.com
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT116.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 115: See the New Figures in Infinite!
Hasbro’s new MARVEL INFINITE SERIES of figures are here! A rebrand of the Marvel Universe figure line that ran from 2009 to 2013, these highly articulated, comic-inspired, collector-focused figures are back with new black cards. Three waves have already been put up for order, and the hosts of Marvelicious Toys have the first wave in hand. Grim Reaper! Hyperion! Marvel NOW Hulk! And the infinitely hard to find Wasp! Listen to find out if these is the same figure line 3.75-inch collectors have come to love! Plus you can win an Infinite Series Wasp figure! Details are on this show!Also in this episode, Marjorie and Arnie have just come from Wizard World St. Louis and are preparing to go to C2E2 this weekend. Listen to find out about the shopping, the sketch covers, and Arnie vs. The Hulk himself, Lou Ferrigno!With two new Sideshow Premium Format figures, a swinging new Hot Toys figure release, a review of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, discount Marvel Legends figures and more, it’s all in this jam-packed issue of the Marvelicious Toys video podcast!If you have seen Captain America: The Winter Soldier hear Arnie’s full review at nowplayingpodcast.com
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT115.MP3
Category: Arts
Pre-order Alert: EXCLUSIVE Amazing Spider-Man 2 Hot Toys Figure
He’s spectacular. He’s superior. He’s sensational. He’s The Amazing Spider-Man!
Up for pre-order now from Sideshow Collectibles is a brand new movie-based Spider-Man figure, showing the comic icon as he appears in the upcoming film The Amazing Spider-Man 2. It’s a look much closer to the web-slinger’s original comic appearance. As director Marc Webb put it, “…in the first movie, when we designed the Spider-Man suit, I wanted a suit that a kid could make out of materials he finds himself. That’s why the goggles were made of sunglasses. But they were too small; I didn’t quite understand how important those big iconic eyes were to people. This time, I threw away the idea that it had to be super-real. I thought, ‘It’s got to invoke the iconography of Spider-Man that people love.'”
Now that iconography is available to add to your collection in 1/6 scale! Standing almost 12 inches tall and with 6 pairs of hands and 30 points of articulation, this Spider-Man figure can strike all the poses you need him to! Plus he comes loaded with accessories, including multiple web props to shoot or swing from, a backpack, and a megaphone.
But if you hurry you can get your hands on the exclusive version of this Hot Toys figure, which includes an additional accessory (a plutonium canister) and an additional figure stand specifically designed with some awesome Spider-Man artwork!
And if you want to complete your Amazing Spider-Man movie figure collection, the Hot Toys figure from the first film is still in stock at Sideshow!
As always, using the links from our site or this post helps support our show, so head on over and order Spider-Man now!
New Podcast: Issue 114: Captain America — [BLEEP] Yeah!
Did you see Captain America: The Winter Soldier last weekend? Along with Cap, Black Widow, and Nick Fury, new screen hero The Falcon spread his wings and showed he has the right stuff to be an Avenger! But Marvel toy collectors who want their favorite flying Falcon in figure form won’t find him in 6-inches, Hasbro has only made that figure in the smaller 3.75-inch Captain America movie line. On this week’s show Marjore, Arnie, and special guest host Jerry look at the first two waves of Captain America: The Winter Soldier movie figures. From Cap to Falcon, Winter Soldier, and Red Skull, are these kids toys or great collector items? Listen to find out!Plus we’re barely off Captain America when the hype hits hard for the next Marvel superhero hitting the big screen: The Amazing Spider-Man 2! On this show the hosts also review that movie’s 3.75-inch figure line with a light-up Electro and a tangled web of Spider-Man costumes.With a look at Hot Toys’ newest pre-orders, Sideshow’s Hulking entries in the Premium Format Figure line, and the one-of-a-kind Phoenix Five Cyclops Marvel Legends figure that sold for over $1,000 on eBay, we run down all the latest Marvel toy news on this issue of Marvelicious Toys!Note: This podcast is 100% spoiler free. There are no Captain America: The Winter Soldier spoilers, so feel free to listen! If you have seen Captain America: The Winter Soldier hear Arnie’s full review at nowplayingpodcast.com
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT114.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 113: Don’t You Know That You’re Toxin
Boomerang. Spider-Girl. Toxin. The three figures together make up the new offerings from Hasbro’s second wave of Amazing Spider-Man 2 Marvel Legends, and they are hitting pegs now in force! On this Marvelicious Toys episode your hosts Justin, Marjorie, and Arnie provide in-depth reviews of each of these new swap-out figures and compare them to their previous versions!Also on this episode Marjorie and Arnie recount last weekend’s Planet Comicon in Kansas City. With Marvel guests like Skottie Young and Dave Johnson, as well as tons of vendors, listen to find out about the going rates for figures, as well as some unique and rare finds!With a look at Hot Toys’ new Captain America Movie Masterpiece Series figures, excitement over The Avengers 2–Age of Ultron, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and so much more, it’s all in this episode of Marvelicious Toys!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT113.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 112: A Glutton for Punisher
Sideshow Collectibles latest Marvel Comics Premium Format Figure is arriving on doorsteps–The Punisher in his Classic Costume! It’s the second version of this comic killer in Sideshow’s quarter scale line. How does it compare to the original release and should you order one? The answers are in this week’s podcast.Also in this week’s show, the second wave of Captain America Marvel Legends are hitting pegs, and selling out. The Black Widow is going for as high as $80 on Amazon and eBay. What would make this figure so valuable to collectors, and are they worth the hunt? Marjorie, Arnie, and Justin review Captain America, the Winter Soldier, Black Widow, and the Mandroid on this show!With a look at the Thor: The Dark World home video release hoopla, Geof looking at EZHobi’s Marvel Cinematic Universe collectibles, and more, it’s all in this week’s Marvelicious Toys video and audio podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT112.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 111: Toy Fair 2014 – LEGO, 3A, Kotobukiya, Funko, and more from Javits!
LEGO MODOK. Need we say more? Okay, LEGO Guardians of the Galaxy! Three A Dr. Doom figures! Kotobukiya’s Avengers Assembled. Ghost Rider Labbits. So much Marvel goodness was on display last week at New York City’s Javits Center for Toy Fair International, and on this issue of the Marvelicious Toys podcast Justin, Marjorie, and Arnie run down the hot new items you’ll want to collect!Note: Marvelicious Toys’ enhanced podcasts are now full HD video podcasts! The audio version of our show is also still available. Read all about it in Arnie’s blog post.
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT111.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 110: Toy Fair 2014 – Hasbro Reveals!
What new Marvel comics action figures will we be drooling over in 2014? Hasbro tells us in their 2014 Toy Fair presentation! Marvel Legends and 3.75-inch figure lines based on the comics and movies will be coming out this year, plus tons of other toys for kids and collectors alike! Spider-Man, Captain America, Guardians of the Galaxy, and so much more, hear about it all in this week’s special edition of the Marvelicious Toys podcast!Note: Marvelicious Toys’ enhanced podcasts are now full HD video podcasts! The audio version of our show is also still available. Read all about it in Arnie’s blog post.
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT110.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 109: To Infinite and Beyond!
Collectors of action figures based on the Marvel Universe comics and movies have a reason to be excited. After an ominous tease at last year’s San Diego Comic-Con, the Marvel Universe figure line replacement is revealed–it’s the Marvel Infinite Series figures. With no Avengers subtitle, no restriction on character selection, and even Marvel Universe figures repacked, it’s a continuation of the line collectors have loved for years. On this issue of the Marvelicious Toys podcast, Marjorie, Justin, and Arnie run down this news and give their thoughts.Fans of 6-inch figures can be excited as well, the new Infinite Series Legends figures are amazing, and nearly impossible to find! As the second wave of Spider-Man Legends start to hit store pegs, watch a review of the first wave of Captain America Legends. With troop builders like the Hydra and A.I.M. soldiers, baddies like Baron Zemo and Red Skull, plus two different versions of Cap himself, all are reviewed this episode!With a review of Kotobukiya’s new X-Force Psyclocke Bishoujo statue, a reason to put up with K-Mart’s foul stench, and a charity auction you won’t want to miss, it’s all in this week’s issue of the Marvelicious Toys video podcast!Note: Marvelicious Toys’ enhanced podcasts are now full HD video podcasts! The audio version of our show is also still available. Read all about it in Arnie’s blog post.
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT109.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 108: There’s Something About Mary Jane
Face it, podcast listener, you just hit the jackpot! On this massive, movie-length issue of the Marvelicious Toys video podcast the Marvelicious hosts have received the brand new J Scott Campbell Mary Jane Comiquette from Sideshow Collectibles. Campbell is one of the hottest Marvel cover artists around right now, and his line of Spider-Man statues has a lot of buzz. Watch this week’s episode to see tons of pictures of this sexy redhead and find out if she needs to join your collection!But this latest statue is only the most recent Mary Jane representation in polystone. For a non-powered love interest Mary Jane has been represented in several statues. Also in this issue Marjorie, Arnie, and Justin look at three previous Mary Jane statues: one from Kotobukiya, one from Bowen, and the infamous Adam Hughes Comiquette from Sideshow. Hughes’ statue caused quite a stir when it was originally released, and in this issue you can hear an exclusive interview with the legendary pin-up artist discussing this and his other statue work!With an eBay peek at Hasbro’s second wave of Amazing Spider-Man legends, a Guardians of the Galaxy report from CES, and oh so much more, it’s all in this brand new Marvelicious Toys!Note: Marvelicious Toys’ enhanced podcasts are now full HD video podcasts! The audio version of our show is also still available. Read all about it in Arnie’s blog post.
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT108.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 107: Carnage in the Toy Aisle
Note: Marvelicious Toys’ enhanced podcasts are now full HD video podcasts! Read all about it in Arnie’s blog post.
Marvel action figure collectors, we hope you didn’t spend all your cash on the holidays because Hasbro has started shipping tons of new figures! 6-inch Marvel Legends figures tying into The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and Captain America 2: The Winter Soldier are now hitting pegs, months before the corresponding movies will come out. Plus the 4-inch figure lines for both movies are also showing up! On this issue of Marvelicious Toys Marjorie, Justin, and Arnie run down all the new toys being released. Plus you can hear in-depth, hands on reviews of the first wave of Amazing Spider-Man 2 Legends including Superior Spider-Man, Black Cat, Carnage, Beetle, and the movie-based Electro and Spider-Man!
But not all the new Hasbro products fit the existing figure lines. Also showing up en masse are Hasbro’s Marvel Superhero Mashers. Want a Spider-Man head on a Hulk body with Hawkeye’s arms? This toy line allows you to mix and match the body parts and accessories of your favorite heroes. The hosts give a review of these items and say if they are fun for kids, adults, or anyone!
With a rundown of clearance sales, new blind boxed Marvel toys from Funko, high end releases from Sideshow, and one last release of figures from Hasbro’s cancelled Marvel Universe line, it’s all in this jam-packed VIDEO issue of the Marvelicious Toys podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT107.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 106: Toys of Future Past 2013 Part 2 – From Low to High End
Note: Marvelicious Toys’ enhanced podcasts are now full HD video podcasts! Read all about it in Arnie’s blog post.
In the past year Iron Man fans have had a decision to make, as Play Imaginative, Hot Toys, Sideshow Collectibles, Bandai, Kotobukiya, and so many other companies have released lines of Iron Man figures. On this issue of the Marvelicious Toys podcast Justin, Arnie, and Marjorie, joined by team members Shane and Geof, look back on the year that was for high end toy, statue, and bust collectors. From a 3-foot Galactus to Diamond Select Minimates to the Funko bobbleheads, plus the surprise Marvel Licensee of the Year, we discuss it all in this first video podcast of Marvelicious Toys!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT106.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 105: Toys of Future Past 2013 Part 1 – Hasbro
2013 has been an exciting year for Marvel toy collectors, and Marjorie, Arnie, and Justin are joined by some other Marvelicious co-hosts to recall it all! On this first episode of the year in review the hosts look at the year in Hasbro toys. From Iron Man Assemblers to Thor: The Dark World the movie lines have been varied, plus with a return of Marvel Legends and the end of the fan favorite Marvel Universe 3.75-inch line all Marvel fans had something to celebrate, and something to frustrate. Including the San Diego Comic-Con exclusives and the return of Nick Fury, we discuss all the year’s toys, and look forward to 2014’s offerings, in this new Marvelicious Toys podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT105.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 104: God of Thunder & Rock and Roll
Avengers Assemble! It’s not just a battle cry–it’s now a cartoon, and to tie into the Disney XD show Hasbro has a line of 3.75-inch Marvel characters. The second wave of Hasbro’s Avengers Assemble figures have been online for some time. On this issue of Marvelicious Toys you can hear reviews of the new Hawkeye, Nick Fury, Thor, and Leader figures. Listen to find out if these are these worth hunting down for your collection.Also in this show, Geof returns with Super Hero Fun Time and a hands on review of the Bandai Figuarts Iron Man and War Machine. These 6-inch figures may be scaled the same as Marvel Legends, but listen to find out why the much higher cost is justified.With reviews of Kotobukiya’s Fine Arts Daredevil statue, Sideshow’s Premium Format Hawkeye, and Arnie tells of receiving his second Galactus Maquette from Sideshow Collectibles, it’s all in this Thanksgiving-stuffed issue of the Marvelicious Toys podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT104.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 103: Black Friday and Sweet Christmas Gift Guide 2013
It can be hard to shop for a Marvel collector. If they love action figures or statues, video games or movies, finding just the right gift can be difficult. Never fear–just listen to the Marvelicious Toys 4th Annual Marvel Holiday Gift Guide and Black Friday shopping companion!
In this issue of the podcast Marjorie, Justin, and Arnie look back at all the Marvel items out there and pick only the absolute coolest to go on the Marvelicious gift list. With a focus on retail or discount priced items readily available, you can find the perfect object to put under the tree to give your Marvel collector a SWEET CHRISTMAS!
And also on this podcast the hosts look at all the Black Friday and Cyber Monday bargains. Should Marvel collectors brave the crowds for discounts on LEGO, Hasbro, and other items, or should you just shop online from the comfort of your home or office? Listen to find out!
With an update on Sideshow’s orders of the Hot Toys Iron Man in MIDAS armor and a Deadpool Premium Format in X-Force colors, it’s all in this jam-packed Marvelicious Toys podcast!
And don’t forget to sign up for the 2013 X-MAS Gift Exchange! Sign-ups end December 2nd. Get and give some Marvel joy this season by joining this Secret Santa gift exchange! Find out all the details.
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT103.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 102: The Puck Stops Here!
Rocket Raccoon, Scarlet Spider, The Wrecker, Black Panther, Hawkeye, Jean Grey, Emma Frost, Wolverine, Sabretooth, Cyclops, and Puck–no, it’s not a new Marvel Event team-up but the last two waves of Hasbro’s Marvel Legends figures! On the latest issue of Marvelicious Toys Justin, Arnie, and Marjorie review these 11 new releases. Some of them are very hard to find, listen to find out if they’re worth the hunt!
Also in this week’s show, listen to be enLIGHTened about three new Iron Man 3 Assemblers, the final wave of Marvel Universe, including Black Knight, showing up in stores, and how to get a Quinjet and Helicarrier for half off!
With new Disney Store exclusive Diamond Select figures and a brief review of Thor: The Dark World it’s all in the 102nd issue of the Marvelicious Toys podcast!
And join us next week on Thanksgiving for our annual Black Friday sale guide and Sweet Christmas shopping list!
Dont’ forget to sign up for the 2013 X-MAS Gift Exchange! Get and give a Marvel themed gift this holiday season! Find out all the details.
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT102.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 101: Super Thor Bros!
Tomorrow the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to grow with Thor: The Dark World. With the mighty Avenger back on screen he is also back in toy stores with Hasbro’s new line of 3.75-inch Thor figures. This line features two versions of Thor, plus Loki, Kurse, and a Dark Elf. On this week’s Marvelicious Toys podcast hosts Marjorie, Justin, and Arnie provide hands-on reviews of these figures. Is this a figure line collectors should pay attention to? Listen to find out!
Also on this week’s show the hosts discuss the two newest Marvel movie trailers – Captain America: The Winter Soldier and X-Men: Days of Future Past.
With a review of the new LEGO Marvel video game, an update on some Uncanny Marvel Universe figures, a run-down of new figures in the latest two waves of Marvel Universe figures, and more, it’s all in this week’s Marvelicious Toys podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT101.MP3
Category: Arts
Scary Savings on Marvel Mini-Busts at Gentle Giant through Nov 4
Gentle Giant just posted a new sale on Marvel mini-busts, and they have some deals so good they’re scary!
First, if you’re a Deadpool fan, you can really save on the Deadpool Bundle! If you get the Deadpool Corps Boxed Set you get Lady Deadpool free! I only bought Lady Deadpool because of the Deadpool Coprs, and I paid full price, so this is some considerable savings (given that Lady Deadpool likely should have been part of the Corps to begin with). Or you can get the Lady Deadpool Mini-Bust (formerly an AFX Exclusive) for only $39.00–almost half off.
Next, if you’re a fan of the Wolverine/Black Cat: Claws series, this is a deal for you… buy one of the Wolverine mini-busts (Brown or Yellow) and get the Black Cat mini-bust free! Or you can get the Black Cat Mini-Bust alone for just $39.00
There’s even more, such as the White outfit Black Widow mini-bust for $39.00 (down from $70), and 20% off all in-stock merchandise orders of over $100 (Exclusives, Pre-Orders, and a few select items excluded).
Best still, Gentle Giant has finally updated their shopping cart software so you can order more than one in-stock item per order to increase the savings and save shipping!
These deals are only good until November 4th, 2013 so check them out now at Gentle Giant’s Sale site.
Arnie is co-host of the Marvel toy & statue collecting podcast Marvelicious Toys which can be heard at marvelicioustoys.com
New Podcast: Issue 100: Our Marvelicious 100th Episode — LIVE!
Welcome to Marvelicious Toys’ 100th podcast! Recorded live October 17th the Marvelicious Toys hosts Marjorie, Arnie, and Justin got to chat with podcast listeners and give away over a thousand dollars in prizes from sponsors Gentle Giant, Sideshow Collectibles, Kotobukiya, eFX Collectibles, Diamond Select Toys and more!
And on this episode Marjorie and Arnie ran down the latest news from New York Comic-Con, including Hasbro’s off-site press event where they showed figures from the 2014 toy lines–including Captain America: The Winter Soldier and The Amazing Spider-Man 2!
With new Bishoujo and Art-FX+ statues from Kotobukiya, a review of eFX’s NYCC exclusive Phil Coulson badge, and more, it’s all in this IGOR-sized recording of Marvelicious Toys LIVE!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT100.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 99: It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Xavier!
Action figures! New action figures are shipping from Hasbro in the Avengers Assemble, Marvel Universe, and Iron Man 3 toy lines! On this week’s Marvelicious Toys podcast Marjorie, Arnie, and Justin give you the run down on what’s new, and where you can find it!
Also this week, with the holidays coming, and by holidays we mean Halloween though the stores think Christmas, stores are full of cool swag Marvel fans can use to show their love of their favorite heroes. From Spider-Man Jack-O-Lanterns to Avengers lawn inflatables, the items range from uber-cool to ultra-tacky. On this week’s Marvelicious Toys we tell you about the items you’ll want, and want to avoid, for your house this season!
An announcement–our next podcast will be Marvelicious Toys’ 100th episode! To celebrate we’re having a LIVE SHOW on Thursday, October 17th at 8:30pm EST. If you join us live at marvelicioustoys.com you can listen to our show and have a chance to win one of the following great prizes:
A Ghost Rider Statue donated by Gentle Giant Ltd. A Hot Toys Captain America – Star Spangled Man figure donated by Sideshow Collectibles An Iron Man Mark 42 Art-FX statue donated by Kotobukiya The Avengers Phase I Blu-Ray Box SetPhil Coulson Agent of SHIELD NYCC Exclusive Badge donated by eFX Collectibles Kotobukiya Bishoujo Black Widow StatueThe SDCC Exclusive Old Man Logan Marvel Universe Figure Pair of Unmasked Wolverine POP Vinyl Variant Bobbleheads Diamond Select Storm Figure Diamond Select Deadpool Figure Marvel Legends Scarlet Spider Figure
To win you must attend the live show at 8:30pm EST on the 17th at MarveliciousToys.com. (International winners are responsible for all taxes and shipping costs, please see all official rules here)
We hope to see you there!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT099.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 98: Earth’s Mightiest Handwipes
AVENGERS ASSEMBLE! It’s not just a battle cry, it’s a toy line! Tying into the new Disney XD animated series, and picking up where Hasbro’s Avengers movie line left off. Are these figures that 3.75-inch Marvel collectors need? Listen to this issue of Marvelicious Toys as Marjorie, Justin, and Arnie review Wave 1 of this new toy line, with Red Skull, The Falcon, Captain America, Iron Man, Black Widow, and Hulk!
Also in stores are tons of other Avengers items. Micro Muggs, Diamond Select figures, T-Shirts, shoes, and even HAND WIPES! Listen to this week’s show for a run down of the new stuff.
With SDCC Exclusives on sale at Entertainment Earth, a hands-on review of the Marvel Unlimited Plus gold Ultron figure, and a look at two new educational and fun items from Uncle Milton, it’s all in this issue of Marvelicious Toys!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT098.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 97: The Iron Man Blu’s
Iron Man 3 had a high bar for success. After The Avengers made over 1.5 billion dollars in the box office, could a solo avenger fly nearly so high? But the armored Avenger delivered, becoming the number one movie for 2013 and getting over a billion dollars in worldwide box office. Now it’s time for Iron Man to fly into your home video collection! The movie comes out in the USA tomorrow! But where are the exclusive versions? Listen to this issue of the Marvelicious Toys podcast where Marjorie, Arnie, and Justin discuss this.
Also in this issue, Hasbro’s Marvel Universe figures are hitting fast with three new case assortments shipping in the past two weeks! There are now 22 figures released in the 2013 line. Arnie has them all in hand, so listen to find out which are new, which are “new enough”, and which are difficult to tell.
With a final review of Sideshow’s Deadpool Premium Format Figure, the coming of the Sideshow Galactus Maquette, a report from Project Comic-Con 2013 in St. Louis, and a Mego birthday to remember, it’s all in this issue of the Marvelicious Toys podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT097.MP3
Category: Arts
Doc Ock Is Back – Your First Look At INDESTRUCTIBLE HULK SPECIAL #1!
The Doctor is in this October as the Arms of the Octopus crossover event continues inIndestructible Hulk Special #1 – and the Hulk has something to say about it! From the dynamite creative team of Mike Costa and Jake Wyatt, comes the return of one of the Marvel Universe’s most nefarious super villains. But how is Doc Ock alive?! The Superior Spider-Man can’t be happy about that, and what does Ock want with the All-New X-Men? Bruce Banner is going to help them get to the bottom of this!
But not before coming face-to-face with the shocking return of another believed-dead villain – the dreaded ABOMINATION! Between Banner’s brain and Hulk’s brawn, is it enough to take on the combined terror of Doc Ock and the Abomination? Don’t miss Indestructible Hulk Special #1for the answer!
INDESTRUCTIBLE HULK SPECIAL #1 (AUG130804)
Written by MIKE COSTA
Art by JAKE WYATT
Cover by ALEXANDER LOZANO
FOC- 09/23/13 On-Sale – 10/16/13
To find a comic shop near you, visit www.comicshoplocator.com
For comics anytime, anywhere check out comicstore.marvel.com and www.marvel.com/mobile
Marvel’s Ultimate Spider-Man and The Howling Commandos to Make Halloween History on Disney Channel
Special Halloween Event Features the Voice Talents of Disney Channel Star Ross Lynch
Los Angeles, CA—September 20, 2013 – Marvel’s Ultimate Spider-Man makes its Disney Channel debut in a special one-hour Halloween event, Saturday, October 5 at 9pm/8c. This brand new prime time animation special features a never-before-seen team-up with Blade, the fan favorite vampire hunter; Jack Russell aka Werewolf by Night; The Living Mummy; Frankenstein’s Monster and Man-Thing. United together in animation for the first time, Spider-Man and his monstrous allies take on one of the biggest Halloween villains of all time, Dracula!
This landmark Marvel event also features a star-studded voice cast, including Disney Channel star Ross Lynch (Austin & Ally, Teen Beach Movie) as Jack Russell; Terry Crews (The Expendables) as Blade; and Oded Fehr (The Mummy) as The Living Mummy.
“This is the biggest event in Ultimate Spider-Man history,” said Jeph Loeb, Marvel’s Head of Television. “We’ve brought Spidey together with our greatest Supernatural heroes and some of the hottest names to voice them. We’re hoping families turn down the lights and turn up the volume for our spookiest special yet, courtesy of Ultimate Spider-Man!”
The episode will re-air the following week within the weekly Marvel Universe block on Disney XD, on Sunday, October 13at 11am/10c.
Fans can get a sneak peek at part one of the one-hour Halloween special with free download on iTunes beginning Monday, September 30.
New Podcast: Issue 96: FIGURE-ing Out Hasbro
Could Hasbro make Marvel action figure collecting more complicated? Currently at many toy stores there are three distinct toy lines, two current and one peg warming. More, the Marvel Universe toy line, once Hasbro’s flagship Marvel brand, is being retired and coming in 2014 in its place is a new line named, you guessed it, AVENGERS! Add to that 3.75-inch figure lines for Spider-Man, Wolverine, Thor, Iron Man 3, and more, keeping track can require a spreadsheet.
Or a podcast! On this week’s Marvelicious Toys Marjorie, Justin, and Arnie run down all the current and future Hasbro Marvel toy lines. They look at the last four waves of Marvel Universe figures–all shipping in the next two months! Plus they outline what has been revealed of Hasbro’s future figure plans.
With a Sideshow Premium Format quality update and more, it’s all in this issue of the Marvelicious Toys podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT096.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 95: Exsmellcior!
The Marvel Universe is winding down but some great characters are still to come in the line’s final waves. On this issue of Marvelicious Toys Justin, Marjorie, and Arnie look at the newest Hasbro Marvel Universe figures showing up on pegs with Elektra, Mysterio, Rhino, and Captain America! Plus also reviews of the new Avengers Assemble All Star and Iron Man 3 All Star figures from Hasbro. Also on this week’s show, Arnie has received two new Sideshow Collectibles Premium Format figures, but what does it mean when both are damaged out of the box? And what is Sideshow doing to make it right? The Marvelicious hosts examine a sharp decline in service and quality from one of the best-known Marvel collectible makers on this week’s show. With a new Stan Lee scent and so much more, it’s all on this week’s Marvelicious Toys podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT095.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 94: The Vonner Files
From 2006 to 2012 David Vonner was a Senior Product Designer at Hasbro, and the face of Marvel Universe action figures. Arguably, no other single person had as much influence over the creation, character selection, and design of Hasbro’s flagship 3.75-inch Marvel figure line. Even figures just now hitting retail were made due to Vonner’s passion and direction for Marvel. But as announced at San Diego Comic-Con International the Marvel Universe line is ending, replaced with the stylistically similar Avengers Assemble figure line. On this issue of Marvelicious Toys Vonner sits down with Justin, Marjorie, and Arnie to discuss his passion for Marvel figures. Everything is discussed, from figures he’d championed that never got made to figures he would never make. Which real-life starlet was the model for Ms. Marvel’s bust? What does David think of the change in direction for Marvel action figures? Are smart phones and internet killing action figures? And do collectors really need Hyperion in two figure scales so close together? Listen for an unprecidented look behind the scenes of action figures from the man who saw it all unfold!
We want your feedback! Please take a few minutes and take the Marvelicious Toys listener poll and tell us what you’d like to hear on the show!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT094.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 93: Hot Toys — Feelin’ the Burn!
If you thought the build-up to The Avengers was heavy with Hot Toys pre-orders, the recent few weeks make Spring 2012 actually seem calm. With three new Marvel Hot Toys going up for preorder in one day, including two exclusives, the Mandarin put up shortly thereafter, and the tease of the Midas armor Iron Man, even Tony Stark would have to question the expense of buying them all! On this week’s Marvelicious Toys podcast, Arnie and Marjorie, back in the studio, join Justin to discuss this frenzied release schedule and what it means for the Hot Toys collector.
Also on this week’s show, Marjorie and Arnie no sooner got back to the states before they went to Chicago for the Wizard World convention. Full of toys, cosplay, artists, and more, listen to find out if you should attend the next Wizard convention in your area!
With new toys showing up in stores, including exclusives, and more, it’s all in this week’s Marvelicious Toys podcast!
We want your feedback! Please take a few minutes and take the Marvelicious Toys listener poll and tell us what you’d like to hear on the show!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT093.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 92: SDCC 2013 – That’s a Wrap!
Arnie & Marjorie are off exploring Europe, but the show must go on! Join Justin, Jerry & Geof as they discuss the highs and lows of San Diego Comic-Con 2013. They try to bring some clarity to changes coming to Marvel Universe & Marvel Legends and try not to drool too much on Play Imaginative’s Super Alloy Iron Man offerings. Plus news on pre-orders for Hot Toys best pair of shoes to date!
We want your feedback! Please take a few minutes and take the Marvelicious Toys listener poll and tell us what you’d like to hear on the show!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT092.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 91: Hasbro Panel & Marvel Studio Press Conferences SDCC 2013
Note: Starting in May, 2013 with version 11.0.3 an Apple iTunes update changed the iTunes Miniplayer. This update changed what must be done to view enhanced podcast images in iTunes. To view these images:Start playing the podcast in iTunes. At the top of iTunes you will see the player bar with a small icon of the show cover art.
In Windows hold down Ctrl and click the cover icon. In Mac hold down Command and click the cover icon. This will pop up a new window where you can see enhanced images. (if you just click on the icon it only shows a larger icon, no enhanced images).In the universe of Marvel collecting the center is Hasbro. From Marvel Legends to Marvel Universe, movie tie-in figures and more, Hasbro holds the exclusive license to Marvel action figures. With all the changes lately, from lower articulation figures aimed at children to Iron Man Assemblers, fans and collectors were anxious for news on what Hasbro will do next. You heard a brief recap in our last issue, but now hear the entire Marvel brand presentation. And view the slides from the show on our web site, or the enhanced podcast!
Plus hear the press conferences for the upcoming Marvel Studios films Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Guardians of the Galaxy!
We want your feedback! Please take a few minutes and take the Marvelicious Toys listener poll and tell us what you’d like to hear on the show!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT091.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 90: Marvelicious from SDCC 2013
Note: Starting in May, 2013 with version 11.0.3 an Apple iTunes update changed the iTunes Miniplayer. This update changed what must be done to view enhanced podcast images in iTunes. To view these images:Start playing the podcast in iTunes. At the top of iTunes you will see the player bar with a small icon of the show cover art.
In Windows hold down Ctrl and click the cover icon. In Mac hold down Command and click the cover icon. This will pop up a new window where you can see enhanced images. (if you just click on the icon it only shows a larger icon, no enhanced images).San Diego Comic-Con International has the largest gathering of celebrities collectibles, comics and pop culture in the world. And for the third year in a row Marvelicious Toys was there to cover it all! Join Marjorie, Arnie, and Justin as they come to you from the show floor and report on the new statues and figures revealed, and the chaos of the exclusives. They are joined by several special guests this episode. If you couldn’t make it to the con, this issue of Marvelicious Toys is the next best thing! And if you were at the con, take a listen and relive the memories!
We want your feedback! Please take a few minutes and take the Marvelicious Toys listener poll and tell us what you’d like to hear on the show!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT090.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 89: SDCC 2013 Preview Night
Note: Starting in May, 2013 with version 11.0.3 an Apple iTunes update changed the iTunes Miniplayer. This update changed what must be done to view enhanced podcast images in iTunes. To view these images:Start playing the podcast in iTunes. At the top of iTunes you will see the player bar with a small icon of the show cover art.
In Windows hold down Ctrl and click the cover icon. In Mac hold down Command and click the cover icon. This will pop up a new window where you can see enhanced images. (if you just click on the icon it only shows a larger icon, no enhanced images).San Diego Comic-Con International opened today with Preview Night! The Marvelicious Toys Podcast hosts were there and standing in lots and lots of lines. Listen to their reports now that they have purchased the Deadpool Corps Taco Truck figure set, the Thunderbolts Marvel Legends sets, a handful of Old Man Logan figures, and so much more! With reports on new high end collectibles to drool over, it’s all in this short live report from Preview Night! And stay tuned with Marvelicious Toys on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest SDCC Marvel Collecting news, and next week we’ll have our full recap!
We want your feedback! Please take a few minutes and take the Marvelicious Toys listener poll and tell us what you’d like to hear on the show!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT089.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 88: Prepare For a Ducking Good Time
Note: Starting in May, 2013 with version 11.0.3 an Apple iTunes update changed the iTunes Miniplayer. This update changed what must be done to view enhanced podcast images in iTunes. To view these images:Start playing the podcast in iTunes. At the top of iTunes you will see the player bar with a small icon of the show cover art.
In Windows hold down Ctrl and click the cover icon. In Mac hold down Command and click the cover icon. This will pop up a new window where you can see enhanced images. (if you just click on the icon it only shows a larger icon, no enhanced images).
The countdown to Comic-Con is on! Now join Marvelicious Toys as Marjorie, Arnie, and Justin run down the final exclusives, from glass coasters to bust banks to Betsy Ross, listen to find out what’s for sale and where! Plus find out about a celebrity attending the con that is sure to fit the bill!
Also on this week’s show, did you know of the Marvel Universe comic pack paint variants? This subtle running change has gone under the radar of most collectors, including the hosts! Find out which comic packs you need to complete your MU variant collection.
With a hands-on review of the second wave of Iron Man Assemblers, a POP Vinyl that is nothing to shake your head at, and so much more, it’s all in this week’s Marvelicious Toys!
We want your feedback! Please take a few minutes and take the Marvelicious Toys listener poll and tell us what you’d like to hear on the show!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT088.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 87: The Marvel Shop
Note: Starting in May, 2013 with version 11.0.3 an Apple iTunes update changed the iTunes Miniplayer. This update changed what must be done to view enhanced podcast images in iTunes. To view these images:Start playing the podcast in iTunes. At the top of iTunes you will see the player bar with a small icon of the show cover art.
In Windows hold down Ctrl and click the cover icon. In Mac hold down Command and click the cover icon. This will pop up a new window where you can see enhanced images. (if you just click on the icon it only shows a larger icon, no enhanced images).
After nearly a year of speculating it has been confirmed that the Hasbro Marvel Universe Old Man Logan figure will be released at San Diego Comic-Con. it is but one of the many Marvel exclusives that will be available in Marvel’s new SDCC presence–The Marvel Shop. With limited edition statues, comics, figures, iPhone covers, shirts, and so much more, Marvel has single-handedly changed the scope of Marvel toy and statue collecting at SDCC. On this week’s Marvelicious Toys podcast Justin, Arnie, and Marjorielook at the announced exclusives and help you decide which you should get right away!
Also on this week’s show the hosts look at Funko’s two new unmasked Deadpool POP Vinyl bobbles, as well as several other collectibles that POP out at you!
With more news on shirts, a totally tubular figure from Diamond Select, and so much more, it’s all on this countdown-to-Comic-Con issue of the Marvelicious Toys podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT087.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 86: Too Many Titles to Choose From!
Note: Starting in May, 2013 with version 11.0.3 an Apple iTunes update changed the iTunes Miniplayer. This update changed what must be done to view enhanced podcast images in iTunes. To view these images:Start playing the podcast in iTunes. At the top of iTunes you will see the player bar with a small icon of the show cover art.
In Windows hold down Ctrl and click the cover icon. In Mac hold down Command and click the cover icon. This will pop up a new window where you can see enhanced images. (if you just click on the icon it only shows a larger icon, no enhanced images).
San Diego Comic-Con starts 3 weeks from today, and there are so many Marvel Comics collectibles exclusives even Galactus couldn’t carry them all! Join this week’s Marvelicious Toys podcast as Marjorie, Arnie, and Justin run down the latest exclusive collectible announcements from FunKo, Diamond Select, Gentle Giant, and an especially shocking announcement from Sideshow Collectibles.
Also on this week’s show, the second wave of Iron Man Assembler figures have shown up online. Are they worth a look? The hosts review the pre-release photography and share if they are all in or all out on these 3.75-inch movie figures.
With Marvel Vinylmations from Disney, discounted Marvel Universe multi-figure packs, and so much more, it’s all in this week’s Marvelicious Toys podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT086.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 85: Right on the MUNNY!
Note: Starting in May, 2013 with version 11.0.3 an Apple iTunes update changed the iTunes Miniplayer. This update changed what must be done to view enhanced podcast images in iTunes. To view these images:Start playing the podcast in iTunes. At the top of iTunes you will see the player bar with a small icon of the show cover art.
In Windows hold down Ctrl and click the cover icon. In Mac hold down Command and click the cover icon. This will pop up a new window where you can see enhanced images. (if you just click on the icon it only shows a larger icon, no enhanced images).
The next big super hero movie is just around the corner — The Wolverine! Hugh Jackman returns to his career-defining role as Logan this July, and to capitalize on this Hasbro’s Wolverine toy line has started to show up in stores and online. On this week’s Marvelicious Toys podcast Justin reviews one of these figures. Listen to find out if 3.75-inches of Wolverine is enough or if you should wait until the 6-inch Legends figures are released later this year.
And while Wolverine is in theaters, Marvel movies are also dominating home media. Sony has released new Blu Ray releases of Spider-Man and The Amazing Spider-Man. There are no bonus features on the discs but they tout a clearer video mastered from a 4k video source. On this podcast Marjorie and Arnie share their view comparing the 4k Blu Ray and last year’s Blu Ray release of Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man. Arnie also reviews Shout Factory’s new Blu Ray of Captain America — the 1990 version!
With a new segment dedicated to international toys based on Marvel Comics characters, new lines of vinyl collectibles, and oh so much more, it’s all in this Galactus-sized Marvelicious Toys podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT085.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 84: Thunderstruck
San Diego Comic Con is just a month away and Hasbro’s must-buy convention exclusives have been announced–A Marvel Universe Deadpool Corps figure pack and a Marvel Legends Thunderbolts figure pack! With tons of new characters to each scale, they’re sure to top many collectors’ wish lists. On this week’s Marvelicious Toys hosts Arnie, Marjorie, and Justin give their first reactions to these figures, as well as other Marvel exclusives from NECA, Funko, and more!
With a review of the Diamond Select Gambit and Colossus and a recap of the Marvel Superhero charity walk, it’s all in this week’s Marvelicious Toys podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT084.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 83: 15 Bucks a POP!
Iron Patriot, Iron Man Mark 42, and Ultron–these are the figures in Hasbro’s second wave of Iron Man Marvel Legends 6-inch figures. With collectors collectively disappointed by the 3.75-inch Iron Man Assemblers line, do these new Legends make up for it? Listen to Justin, Arnie, and Marjorie’s review to find out!
Also on this week’s show the Marvelicious Toys hosts review two new X-Men figures from Diamond Select: Storm and Nightcrawler!
With a look at more San Diego Comic-Con exclusives from FunKo, a Timely Review by Jerry, and a striking new Thor from Bowen, it’s all on this week’s Marvelicious Toys podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT083.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 82: Arnie’s Law
Marvelicious Toys is back! Hosts and Marvel collectors Marjorie, Arnie, and Justin are back in the studio and on the road bringing you news and reviews of Marvel Comics action figures and collectibles!
On this week’s show you can hear about upcoming, still unannounced, Hasbro action figures. They’ve been showing up on eBay–listen to find out which characters they are and where you might be able to find them! Plus information on how to find the elusive Thor Heimdall figure at a great bargain!
Also on this week’s show, Marjorie and Arnie went to the latest Toy Man Toy Show in St. Louis. Listen to find out what Marvel bargains were had big and small, plus a report from the Star Clipper sale event.
With a review of a chromed life-sized Thor’s hammer, your voicemails, an update on ThreeA Marvel collectibles, and more, it’s all in this jam-packed issue of Marvelicious Toys!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT082.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 81: House Party Protocol
Iron Man 3 continues to blow up at the box office as Marvel fans old and new watch the armored Avenger’s latest adventure. On last week’s podcast Marjorie, Arnie, and Justin gave their thoughts on the movie and its toys. This week, it’s a House Party! Justin is joined by Jerry, Jen, Geof, Berent, Jayson, and Chris to give their thoughts on the movie. Listen to find out what they plan on collecting now that they’ve actually seen the film!
Plus listeners give their thoughts on Iron Man 3, all on this week’s Marvelicious Toys podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT081.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 80: Iron Man 3–This is Getting Expensive
It has been a year since Avengers blew us all away with it’s action, effects, and wit. Finally last Friday (in the US) the armored Avenger has returned for his fourth big-screen outing. Iron Man films have always been accompanied by toys and collectibles, but after Avengers made more than a billion dollars, Iron Man 3 has more than ever before. There are, of course, the Hasbro figures, but also the Micro Muggs, Superhero Squad, Kotobukiya Statues, Sideshow Life-Sized Figures, and the Hot Toys, oh lord, the Hot Toys.
On this week’s Marvelicious Toys podcast, Justin, Marjorie, and Arnie give their reactions to the film. They also look at the collectibles and discuss exactly how many suits of armor is too many.
And we want you on a future Marvelicious Toys podcast. We want your thoughts on Iron Man 3, as well as on high-end Marvel statue collecting for a future show! Leave us a voicemail at 803-MARVEL4 or send an MP3 to show@marvelicious.com so we can record your thoughts!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT080.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 79: C2E2 2013
The Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo, more commonly called C2E2 convention, happened at Chicago’s McCormick Place last weekend. It was the fourth C2E2 convention and thousands of people filled the show floor looking for comics, toys, autographs, collectibles, and a great time with friends. Marjorie and Arnie were at the con and you can hear their report on the toys and art they found at the show. Joined by Marvel collectors Sarah and Chris, they look at secondary market prices for Marvel Universe figures, discuss the new toys shown at the Diamond Select booth, and discuss new information revealed by Kotobukiya at the con.
Back in the studio with Justin, the Marvelicious hosts look at some hard to find figures that are hitting stores and online at bargain prices, and not one, not two, but four new Hot Toys Iron Man figures. All this and a disco cup on this week’s Marvelicious toys podcast!
And we still want your thoughts on high-end Marvel statue collecting for a future show! Leave us a voicemail at 803-MARVEL4 or send an MP3 to show@marvelicious.com so we can record your thoughts on Sideshow, Bowen, Koto, Diamond, and others!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT079.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 78: Is That Iron Man In Your Pocket Or Are You Just Happy To See Me?
Hasbro’s Marvel Universe line was an in for many Marvel collectors, at the more affordable and shelf-friendly 3.75-inch scale, but news of Marvel Universe figures had been scarce. Fear not, true collectors! On this week’s Marvelicious Toys podcast Marjorie, Arnie, and Justin run down a new wave of figures just put up for pre-order including Mysterio and Elektra! Plus some of the hardest to find Marvel Universe figures, the Marvel DCU mail-away figures, have been going up for sale for $15 each online! Listen to find out all the details!
Also on this week’s show, we run down several new Iron Man collectibles. From the 86Hero iPhone 5 Iron Man case to the Nendoroid Iron Man Mark VII to the three new Iron Man armors coming from Hot Toys. And a spatula! All this and more on this week’s Marvelicious Toys podcast!
(Note: This episode was recorded before Sideshow Collectibles put up the Red Snapper armor for pre-order yesterday. You can check it out at sideshowcollectibles.com
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT078.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 77: A Combination of Awesome and Awful
There’s a new Hasbro 3.75-inch Iron Man figure on shelves and online, and it’s not a poorly-articulated Iron Man 3 figure. No, out of the blue a new Avengers figure 4-pack has appeared at Kohls and online retailers. On this issue of the Marvelicious Toys podcast Justin, Marjorie, and Arnie review these figures to see if they are worth assembling for your collection.
And also this week they look at some blind bagged collectibles from Zags Toys, the Grab Zags Collect-A-Balls and Nog’nz, and Arnie talks about the Master Replicas Thor Comic Scene Replica that has been showing up on eBay at a deep discount. All this, and a new Die Cast Hot Toys Iron Man, on this issue of the Marvelicious Toys podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT077.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 76: Stan Lee is Classy
Wizard World conventions are a staple for sci-fi and comic book fans. In 2013 they have added a new convention in St. Louis, MO with Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee as a featured guest! Marjorie and Arnie were at the con, shopping and attending several Stan Lee events, and on this issue of Marvelicious Toys they report to tell you if this is a trip you should make when it returns next year!
Also this week, as we ramp up for Iron Man 3 even more new Iron Man products are being announced. For Hot Toys collectors the latest armor upgrade is to die cast, as a Die Cast Hot Toys Movie Masterpiece Iron Patriot was put up for preorder, and a Mark 42 Die Cast Iron Man yet to come. Justin, Marjorie, and Arnie take a look at what this means for Hot Toys fans…and their wallets.
And as Iron Man 3 toys start to already go on sale in stores, a legendary Iron Man 2 pack was released in the UK–the Iron Man Undercover Assault pack with unmasked Iron Man and War Machine as well as the only Iron Man 2 Black Widow figure! Arnie has this set in hand and reviews it this show.
All this plus limited art prints from J.K. Woodward in this issue of the Marvelicious Toys podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT076.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 75: Iron Man ASSEMBLED
Have you seen all the latest Iron Man advertisements with the 42 awesome different armors Tony has built? There’s the Mark 38 Heavy Lifting “Igor”, the Mark 33 Enhanced Energy “Silver Centurion”, the Mark 40 Hyper Velocity “Shotgun”. Then for collectors there’s the Heartbreaker…breaking our hearts to know that none of these cool armors will be translated into well-sculpted, painted, articulated toys like we got for Iron Man 2. Instead, for Iron Man 3, Hasbro has given us the Assembler’s lines of toys, and in this issue of Marvelicious Toys Justin, Arnie, and Marjorie discuss the toys we want while reviewing the toys we’re going to get. Are the Assemblers passable 3.75-inch toys to go with your Iron Man 2 figures? Listen to the review to find out.But not all Marvel collectibles are disappointing. Also in this week’s issue, Arnie and Marjorie review two high-end items recently added to their collection. The first is Sideshow Collectibles’ Exclusive Premium Format Storm statue, limited to 500 pieces, standing 20-inches tall, and coming with two interchangeable heads. Next is a strange, cute, deformed Iron Man figure found in a toy shop in Manhattan–the Tideway Iron Man Mark III.With a look at Marvel’s new audiobook adaptation of Stuart Moore’s Civil War novel, figure stands that make your figures fly, and something to knock your socks off, it’s all in this week’s Marvelicious Toys podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT075.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 74: Going Rogue
Hasbro’s Marvel Universe is an exciting line for action figure collectors. Offering the articulation and detailed sculpts collectors crave at a much lower price point than the 6-inch Marvel Legends, this 3.75-inch line has drawn in tons of new Marvel collectors. But in 2012 distribution of Marvel Universe figures was spotty, with the Professor X wave barely seen at retail. Now, though, there are a dozen new Marvel Universe figures hitting stores! First is a new wave of single-carded figures with such fan favorites as Puck, Nova, and Angel. More, there are 3 new team packs shipping now with the West Coast Avengers, the Inhumans, and a classic X-Men pack! On this week’s Marvelicious Toys podcast Justin, Marjorie, and Arnie give hands-on reviews of these new figures.With a look at the recent Toy Man Toy Show in St. Louis, Marvel’s reveals at SXSW, and more, it’s all in this week’s Marvelicious Toys podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT074.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 73: Double Blind
With all the new Marvel collectibles hitting stores it’s hard for a collector, a budget, or a podcast to keep up! In Issue 72 Marvelicious Toys podcast hosts Marjorie, Arnie, and Justin updated you on all the new toys being found in stores. With Issue 73 they start their detailed reviews of these products. Listen to hear a review of the first three Iron Man 3 6-inch Marvel Legends figures. With some reuse of old molds and no movie based sculpts, hear the Marvelicious Toys review to see if these are worth your money.Arnie also has a hands on review of Diamond Select’s new Venom figure. With a classic sclupts and multiple heads and hands, hear his thoughts on if this is a good buy for a Select-ive collector.Then Marjorie indulges in her favorite collecting niche of blind bagged items as she literally tears into Ultimate Spider-Man Fighter Pods and Iron Man 3 Micro Muggs! There are even some blind packaged Spider-Man toys in the Easter candy aisle at Target. Listen to get a hands on review of these products!With some PJs that make you say pee-yew, an new entry into 12-inch Marvel figures, and more, it’s all in this jam-packed issue of the Marvelicious Toys podcast!
(Correction: On the show the hosts refer to the Fighter Pods as “Spectacular Spider-Man”. The Fighter Pods are actually “Ultimate Spider-Man”)
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT073.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 72: Super-Size Store Report
At New York’s Toy Fair the new toys of 2013 were revealed to press and corporate buyers. But for collectors don’t have to go to the web to see the new toys, they can just head to their local toy aisle! New action figures from all of Hasbro’s major lines are hitting stores including Iron Man 3, Marvel Universe, Iron Man Marvel Legends, Iron Man Micro Mugs, Spider-Man& Fighter Pods, Chibis, Pop Vinyl, and so much more! Listen to this week’s podcast to find out which stores have new toys to buy!Not only are there new toys in stores, but online preorders for new collectibles have hit as well. From Sideshow there is a new Bronze Spider-Man and an exclusive Ultron comiquette. And Hot Toys offers up a Power Pose Iron Man Mark 42. The hosts give their impressions of the new offerings on this show.With a long lost Iron Man 2 figure set hitting the UK and eBay and a patch of Potato Heads, it’s all in this week’s Marvelicious Toys podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT072.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 71: Toy Fair 2013 Part 3 – Statues, Toys & More!
While Hasbro is the core of many Marvel toy collectors, there was much shown at Toy Fair 2013 for fans of LEGO, high end statues, Diamond Select figures and Mini Mates to be happy about! Previewing the products that will consume your wish list in 2013, Marjorie and Arnie bring you reports recorded live from the floor of Toy Fair, including exclusive interviews with Uncle Milton, Kotobukiya, and more!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT071.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 70: Toy Fair 2013 Part 2 – Hasbro Marvel Brand Presentation
Hasbro had lots of news and reveals for Marvel collectors at this year’s Toy Fair 2013. Several new waves of Marvel Universe and Marvel Legends figures, figure lines typing into the releases of Iron Man 3, The Wolverine, and Thor 2, toys for the animated Avengers Assemble and Ultimate Spider-Man cartoons, and more!But you’ve heard Justin, Marjorie & Arnie’s thoughts, now hear from Hasbro themselves as we present their entire Marvel Brand Fan Media presentation! Then when you’re done listening, let us know your thoughts! Leave us a voicemail at 803-MARVEL4 or send an MP3 to show@marvelicious.com so we can record your reaction to all the Star Wars Toy Fair collecting news!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT070.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 69: Toy Fair 2013 Part 1 – Hasbro
Toy Fair 2013 is here and Marvelicious Toys is your podcast source for Marvel comics collecting news coverage! On this podcast, Justin, Marjorie and Arnie recap and review the Hasbro Fan Media presentation. From the Marvel Legends, Marvel Universe, Ultimate Spider-Man, Wolverine, Avengers Assemble, Thor 2, Fighter Pods, Micro Muggs, and more. Listen in for some astonishing news of X-Men figures to come, a run-down on new figures, and Hasbro’s plans for all three Marvel comics based films this year! With an exclusive interview with a member of Hasbro’s Marvel brand team, it’s all this and more in the first part of Marvelicious Toys’ 2013 Toy Fair Coverage!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT069.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 68: Would You Like To Touch My Hit Monkey?
It’s not in stores, but the first new Marvel Legends figures of 2013 have been shipping from online vendors. Now Marvelicious Toys host Justin has the wave in hand, and he joins Marjorie and Arnie to review the six new figures in this wave, as well as the smallest build-a-figure yet–Hit Monkey! Listen to this week’s podcast to find out which variants are shipping first, and if this is a wave worth ordering.
Also on this week’s podcast, as the hosts await the new toy news coming out of this weekend’s Toy Fair they scour the web to find some of the oddest Marvel collectibles online.
With a chance to win a Diamond Select Barbarian Hulk figure and more, it’s all in this week’s Marvelicious Toys podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT068.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 67: Official Bootleg
New York Toy Fair, where toy makers reveal their 2013 products to wholesale buyers and press alike, is just a week away. But over the past week, due to Toy Fair in the UK, Marvel toy makers of all types have announced their 2013 plans. From Hasbro to Hot Toys to Diamond to totally new companies entering the Marvel market. Die cast figures, statues in every scale, four inch figures, six inch figures, eight inch figures, twelve inch figures, and so much more, and on this week’s Marvelicious Toys we try to make sense of all the exciting new collectibles coming in 2013!
But while there are new high end products coming in many scales, the announcements from Hasbro have been met with a more tepid response from adult Marvel collectors. It seems Hasbro is focusing on play features and low cost rather than articulation, paint apps, and sculpts. Justin, Marjorie, and Arnie review all the news for the Hasbro 3.75-inch and 6-inch lines and discuss the future of Hasbro and Marvel collectors.
With a chance to win a Diamond Select Barbarian Hulk figure and so much more, it’s all in this week’s Marvelicious Toys podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT067.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 66: Iron Man 3 — Fall of Armor
While still five months away, Iron Man 3 promotion has begun in the toy store aisle. Hasbro’s 10-inch and 15-inch figures have started to show up at Toys R Us, but what collectors really wonder about is the upcoming 3.75-inch line of figures. While Hasbro is keeping mum until Toy Fair in February, Marvelicious Toys has gotten three of the upcoming figures! The Iron Man Mark 47, War Machine, and Iron Patriot War Machine are reviewed in this issue of Marvelicious Toys!
Also on this week’s show, Justin, Marjorie, and Arnie review two SMASH-ing figures from Diamond Select, the Unleashed Hulk and Barbarian Hulk figures. How do these two figures compare, and which parts are reused from figure to figure? Listen as the Marvelicious Toys podcast hosts give a detailed review.
Plus YOU CAN WIN a Barbarian Hulk from Marvelicious Toys and Diamond Select! Listen to find out how. All this and more in this week’s issue of the Marvelicious Toys podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT066.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 65: Buy Less Trash
It’s a new year and Marvelicious Toys is back looking forward to all the new toys that are coming! From the Hit Monkey wave of Marvel Legends, the Angel wave of Marvel Universe, and even Iron Man 3 figures, join Marjorie, Arnie, and Justin as they reveal their collecting resolutions of the new year, and review new additions to each of their Marvel collections obtained over the holidays! With new preorders from Sideshow, Hot Toys, and more, it’s all on this week’s Marvelicious Toys podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT065.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 64: Toys of Future Past 2012 Part 2–The Comic Toys
It’s been a tremendous year for Marvel fans and collectors. Marvel Legends returned in a big way, Marvel Universe continued to fill out the ranks of Marvel heroes and villains, and Avengers came out and was a movie that actually lived up to the hype.
In this issue of Marvelicious Toys, join Marjorie, Arnie, and Justin, as well as Marvel collectors Geof, Jayson, Jerry, and Dan Curto in this second part of the 2012 year in review as they look back at the comic based Marvel Universe and Marvel Legends figures of 2012 as well as the high end collectibles that made a dent in their wallet this year!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT064.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 63: Toys of Future Past 2012 Part 1–The Movie Lines
It’s been a tremendous year for Marvel fans and collectors. Marvel Legends returned in a big way, Marvel Universe continued to fill out the ranks of Marvel heroes and villains, and Avengers came out and was a movie that actually lived up to the hype.
In this issue of Marvelicious Toys, join Marjorie, Arnie, and Justin, as well as Marvel collectors Geof, Jayson, Jerry, and Dan Curto in this first part of the 2012 year in review as they look back at the Marvel Movies of 2012 and the toys and collectibles that they brought!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT063.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 62: Iron Monger — More Advanced In Every Way
They made Iron Man in every armor seen in the films, and some not seen. They made two War Machines, Whiplash, and even Black Widow. So for Hot Toys to continue the Iron Man figure line it was time to go big or go home, so they go big. Very big. Arriving at homes last week is the biggest Marvel Hot Toys figure to date–Iron Monger! As seen in 2008’s Iron Man and with a meticulously detailed head with Jeff Bridges’ portrait, it’s a big toy, but comes with a big price tag. Listen to this week’s podcast to find out if its worth it!
Also this week, from big to small, the Marvelicious Toys hosts also review the new Diamond Venom Through the Ages Minimates box set, and a new line of HeroClix figures released along with an iPad app to play HeroClix single player!
With new plushies and blankets, a blonde Black Widow Marvel Universe figure, and so much more, it’s all in this week’s Marvelicious Toys podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT062.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 61: X-Men 90’s Style
The holidays are in full swing and it’s a great season for Marvel fans, with new Marvel Universe figures hitting pegs and discounted items all around. On this issue of Marvelicious Toys, Marjorie, Arnie, and Justin tell you where you can find the latest figures and the greatest bargains. Plus we play some listener voicemails, hearing your thoughts on new figures and what you’ve been finding.
Also this week, your hosts run down the latest on line sales, from the most recent Avengers Hot Toys figure to a huge Bearbrick announcement and even preorders for upcoming waves of Hasbro Marvel Universe and Marvel Legends figures.
With a Timely Review of a 90’s X-Men enemy and more, it’s all in this week’s Marvelicious Toys podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT061.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 60: Sweet Christmas – Black Friday Sales & Holiday Gift Guide 2012
It’s Thanksgiving Day in America. Parades are on TV, and stores are opening earlier than ever before to bring you savings on all types of goods, including Marvel toys, games, and collectibles! So join Marvelicious Toys for the third annual Sweet Christmas episode, as Justin, Marjorie, and Arnie run down all the sales on Marvel goodies.
And then the Marvelicious hosts run down their suggestions for holiday gifts for the Marvel collector in your life. Toys, statues, books, games, and DVDs, listen in as they cover the entire gamut of gifts!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT060.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 59: Hasbro’s Future Imperfect
It’s early in November, but the stores want us to think it’s Holiday time, virtually New Year’s, so why not look towards the toys of 2013? Hasbro’s plans for 2013 have leaked, including a line of toys based on the Ultimate Spider-Man and Avengers Assemble cartoons, customizable Iron Man 3 figures, Spider Pods, and more! We run it down on this week’s podcast!
And did you buy The Amazing Spider-Man last week? We run down the retail exclusives and which are worth capturing in your web. And we also review more Amazing Spider-Man figures, this time the figure 3-packs found at TJ Maxx and HasbroToyShop.com. We even review the Build-A-Bear Amazing Spider-Man outfit!
With a hands-on review of two rare figures, Old Man Logan and unmasked War Machine, a sneak peek of Marvel Universe Wave 20, fashion accessories for action figures, and more, it’s all in this week’s Marvelicious Toys podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT059.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 58: The Marvelicious Spider-Man
Though the glut of Amazing Spider-Man figures hit early last summer, there are still plenty of new Amazing Spider-Man comic series figures to find–if you know where to look! On this week’s Marvelicious Toys podcast, Justin, Marjorie, and Arnie review the on-line exclusive Amazing Spider-Man Gift Set, the Miles Morales Ultimate Spider-Man figure, and a Spider-Man 3 pack you can only find down under!
Also on this week’s show, we give a cautionary tale of preorders gone wrong telling you where NOT to shop, and review all four Kotobukiya Bishoujo Black Widow Statues.
Plus hard to find team packs finally hitting stores and more, it’s all in this week’s Marvelicious Toys podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT058.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 57: Keeping Cool
Stores are ramping up for the holiday toy-buying spree, but for Marvel collectors new product can be hard to find. But there are toys to hunt for! Listen to this week’s Marvelicious Toys podcast to hear where Marvel Legend’s third wave of 2012 is showing up, as well as more variant 6-inch Wal Mart figures shipping and some TJ Maxx specials.
And there’s even more to be had online. Justin, Marjorie, and Arnie review two new comic packs available from Hasbro Toy Shop.com, including the Captain America and Falcon pack and the Silver Surfer, Dr. Strange pack.
With a new Japanese collectible to keep an eye out for, a Premium Deadpool you may be chicken to buy, and more than just the temperature cooling, it’s all in this week’s Marvelicious Toys Podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT057.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 56: The Variant Show
Variants! Love ’em or hate ’em, if you collect Hasbro’s Avengers figures you have to decide which version of the figure you want, or perhaps you want both! At Wal-Mart, there are variants of the six-inch exclusive Avengers figures. At Target there is a 3.75″ set of Avengers figures most of which differ from their single-carded counterparts. And at Costco there is a Quinjet set that not only has a repainted vehicle but also two repainted figures! On this week’s Marvelicious Toys podcast, Marjorie, Justin, and Arnie detail the differences between the versions of the figures and tell you if they prefer the regular release or the variant!
Also on this week’s show we bring more Marvel collecting news from New York Comic-Con! Mitch Hallock was in attendance every day of the con, and brings us his reports of what cool new toys he saw, as well as interviews with Kotobukiya and Comic Images!
With a new Bishoujo you can buy with Pryde, Agent Coulson’s trading cards, and more, it’s all in this week’s Marvelicious Toys podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT056.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 55: Oh man…LOGAN!!
Collectors always want what they haven’t got, and this week what you probably don’t have is an Old Man Logan figure. Initially stated to be released at New York Comic-Con to subscribers to Marvel’s Digital Comics Unlimited, many con goers waited in line to find out that Marvel had no Logan, but just the same Dr. Doom figure they had last year. On this week’s Marvelicious Toys, Justin, Marjorie, and Arnie run down the facts and the rumors surrounding this kit-bashed exclusive.
Also on this week’s show, Marjorie and Arnie report from the Toy Man Toy Show in St. Louis, and Fallcon in St. Paul, MN. Listen to find out about the toys from the 90s through today as toy show bargains!
With reports of two new exclusive items hitting shelves, some barware that is the best bar none, discussion of 3 new Marvel Legends, and more, it’s all on this week’s Marvelicious Toys podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT055.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 54: Stuart Moore’s Civil War
Civil War is one of the most successful crossover events in Marvel history. Pitting hero against hero, it both fulfilled fanboy fantasies answering the endless “who would win in a fight…” debates, and also providing an intelligent allegory for real-world American politics. Now, as part of the new Marvel prose novel series, the Civil War is being fought again–this time in a streamlined, novelized form. On this issue of Marvleicious Toys, Civil War prose novel author Stuart Moore discusses the genesis of the novel, what it takes to adapt an arc of Civil War’s size to a single book, and the future of the Marvel prose novels.
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT054.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 53: Lights, Camera, Action Figures!!
What’s cooler than a Lizard figure? A Lizard figure that GLOWS IN THE DARK! At least that’s what Hasbro thinks! A Toys R Us exclusive line of glow-in-the-dark Amazing Spider-Man figures has shown up in stores, and on this week’s Marvelicious Toys podcast Marjorie, Arnie, and Justin see if this is a bright spot for collectors, or a dim-witted gimmick.
Also on this week’s podcast, we take another look at the fourth wave of Avengers figures showing up coast to coast, discuss a Classic new line of Sideshow collectibles, and use our Nog’nz when looking at a new line of Marvel toys from the makers of Grab Zags. It’s all on this week’s Marvelicious Toys podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT053.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 52: Legends Accessorize
Hasbro has returned to 6-inch Marvel figures big time in 2012, and now shipping to stores is the third Marvel Legends wave of the year! With Deadpool, Mystique, Dr. Doom, Punisher, Iron Man, and U.S. Agent, we have them all and review them on this issue of the Marvelicious Toys podcast!
Also this week, Halloween is coming and with it come tons of Marvel costumes in different variations, plus Jack-O-Lantern kits, non-edible trick-or-treat items, and more. For both adults and kids, we discuss it on this week’s podcast.
With bargain Marvel dog toys, Build-A-Bears, the Avengers Blu Ray release, and more, it’s all in this week’s Marvelicious Toys podcast! Plus listen to win a copy of The Avengers on Blu-Ray and DVD!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT052.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 51: Straining the Lizard
It’s time for another weekly issue of the Marvelicious Toys podcast, and in this issue we discuss the tons of new figures hitting stores. We discuss the Wal-Mart exclusive six-inch Amazing Spider-Man figures, including Miles Morales as Ultimate Spider-Man, and the Toys R Us exclusive Glow-in-the-dark 3.75-inch figures, and the 4th wave of Avengers figures with Nick Fury, the Chitauri soldier, and a more articulated Iron Man!
With details on Amazon giving away Avengers Blu-Rays, a sale on Gentle Giant Marvel mini-busts, and a new Marvel licensee releasing 18-inch Marvel figures, it’s all in this issue of Marvelicious Toys, with Marjorie, Arnie, and Justin!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT051.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 50: A Brief Case for the Briefcase
The announcement of Marvel’s Phase One Blu Ray Collector’s Set was met with a mixed reaction. No one could doubt the coolness of the special artwork and the supplemental materials included with the set, but the high price, and the fact that most Marvel fans already own all the films leading up to Avengers, put off some buyers. But it turns out that Rimowa GmbH, manufacturers of the briefcase used in the film, didn’t give permission for Marvel to copy it for the collector’s set, and now the Blu Ray set is delayed until Spring. On this issue of Marvelicious Toys, Justin, Marjorie, and Arnie discuss this development, why it happened, and speculate on the set’s future.
But with one exclusive gone, two more pop up in its place! In a follow-up on the conversation from Issue 49, listen to find out about all-new exclusive items that you can get with the Avengers Blu-Ray.
And for toy collectors, we have a hands-on review of all the figures in Marvel Universe Wave 19. Kang, Scarlet Witch, Future Foundation Spider-Man, Punisher, and She-Hulk! Listen to find out if this wave was worth the wait!
With all this and a flying Helicarrier too, it’s all in Marvelicious Toys Issue 50!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT050.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 49: What a piece of Chit-auri
Hasbro is shipping tons of new figures right now. Avengers Wave 4 with Nick Fury and the basic Chitauri, the new Deluxe Chitauri, variant six-inch Avengers figures, a new wave of Marvel Legends, and two waves of Marvel Universe! All combined make it a great time to be a Marvel toy collector, and we run down all the new releases and where you can find them on this issue of the Marvelicious Toys podcast. New figures from this year, and hard to find figures from last year, Justin has the scoop on where you can get them yourself!
For the high-end Marvel collector new items are released as well. Hot Toys put up for pre-order their second Wolverine figure, this one from X-Men 3: The Last Stand. With a sentinel head and a leather-like outfit, listen to hear the hosts’ thoughts on this latest 1/6 scale figure.
Finally, Avengers was in theaters this past week, but the DVD is coming soon and every major retailer has an exclusive bag, print, disc, or comic to go along with it. We run down all the exclusives and rank which ones you have to have. It’s all this and more in this issue of the Marvelicious Toys podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT049.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 48: Beta Wave Bill
With the high profile launches of Avengers and Amazing Spider-Man figures, plus Marvel Legends returning in a big way, Hasbro’s core 3.75-inch Marvel Universe line has been stagnent, with collectors staring at the same white-outfit Iron Fist and Shadowlands Daredevil since Spring. But on this episode of the Marvelicious Toys podcast the spotlight is right back on Marvel Universe! Wave 18 has hit stores, Wave 19 is showing up as well, and there are seven new comic packs too! With all new sculpts, repaints of some old sculpts, and the return of some older figures, Marjorie, Arnie, and Justin run down 20 new Marvel Universe figures on this podcast!
Also on this show, we have a Hulk! A Hot Toys Hulk that is. The green giant that stole the show in The Avengers has finally gone on preorder from Sideshow and Hot Toys. We run down the figure’s scale, articulation, and features.
With Avengers Superhero Squad, MODOK Minimates, and a report on Wizard World’s Chicago Comic Con, it’s all in this Marvelicious Toys podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT048.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 47: Tanya Tate and Toys
Back from San Diego Comic-Con, Marjorie, Arnie, and Justin have finally had time to open the toys they bought! Marvel Legends Archangel, Marvel Universe Radioactive Man, and the Super Helicarrier! On this issue of Marvelicious Toys they review all the Hasbro SDCC exclusives, and also run down the new Superhero Squad and Marvel Universe figures hitting stores right now!
Also in this issue, the hosts are joined by toy blogger Tanya Tate! She discusses how she got started collecting, her first time at San Diego Comic-Con, and how fans of her adult film work meld with fans of her toy reviews.
With news on not one but three new Hot Toys, SDCC variant Comic-Cons showing up at discount stores, and a Ferrigno collectible that’s not FIT to own, it’s all in this issue of the Marvelicious Toys podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT047.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 46: Comic-Con 2012 — The Marvel Universe Grows…
Comic-Con International always brings an onslaught of news, but this year Comic Con brings the biggest issue of Marvelicious Toys ever!
First, the toys and collectibles revealed were too many to number. From Hot Toys, Sideshow Collectibles, Diamond Select, Hasbro Marvel Universe, Marvel Legends, and more, we run down all the highlights of the toys you’ll want to buy over the entire next year, as well as in-person reviews of many of these items.
And to dig deeper into the collectibles, we bring you an exclusive interview with Hasbro’s Marvel brand team, discussing Marvel Universe and Marvel Legends distribution, build-a-figures, and a Big Time problem with a certain figure. We also have exclusive interviews with Kotobukiya discussing their Fine Art Statues and Bishoujo statues, Hallmark looking at their Keepsake ornaments for 2012 and 2013, Gentle Giant talking about their upcoming mini-busts, statues, bookends, and more, and eFX Collectibles giving us on-sale and price information of their Avengers prop replicas, some of which you’ve seen and some of which you haven’t!
But if all that isn’t enough, we also look at Marvel’s information on their Cinematic Universe Phase II! Be bring you a private press conference with Marvel Universe mastermind Kevin Fiege, Iron Man 3 stars Robert Downey Jr. and Don Cheadle, and Iron Man 3 director Shane Black, talking about the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Iron Man’s place in it! And we run down the news and footage shown in Marvel Studios’ big presentation, including a look at the Mark VIII armor of Iron Man 3, and some test footage of Ant-Man!
Yes, true collectors, all of that and so much more is in this Comic-Con Special from Marvelicious Toys! So listen now, and head to MarveliciousToys.com to see pictures of all the items (and people) talked about on the show!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT046.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 45: A Toy Run That Paid Off BIG TIME
It’s another bonus issue of Marvelicious Toys!
While San Diego Comic-Con International looms large in the minds of collectors, some great new Marvel toys and collectibles are showing up in stores and on doorsteps! To bring you the latest in Marvel Collecting, Marjorie, Arnie, Justin, and guest reviewer Berent are here to review it all! The alternate versions of the four Marvel Legends Wave 2 figures have shown up, with Big Time Spider-Man, masked Dark Wolverine, Madam Masque, and Thunderball! Plus, a third wave of Amazing Spider-Man figures have hit with three new Spider-Mans and a new Lizard, and a special bonus–a variant of the first Lizard figure! With new Marvel pillows, Squinkies, and an Avengers 3-figure Battle Pack, we provide hands-on reviews of it all!
But for the high end collectors, an item revealed at last year’s Comic-Con has finally come home–the Iron Man Suit Up Gantry. With a re-release of the now-rare Iron Man Mark IV Hot Toys figure, and the suit-up gantry as seen in Iron Man 2, it’s an impressive piece that comes with an equally impressive price tag! Arnie and Marjorie have set theirs up. Listen to find out if this is a Hot Toy that you must own!
With a final Marvel novelization review, Peter David’s Spider-Man 3, a report from the St. Louis Toy Man Toy Show, and the latest on all the SDCC exclusives hitting in just 2 days, it’s all in yet another jam-packed Marvelicious Toys!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT045.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 44: Holy Ballz!
San Diego Comic-Con International is still 2 weeks away, but now you can order many of the exclusives to be delivered to your doorstep! Eschewing the common idea of “exclusive”, many companies including Sideshow, Gentle Giant, Kotobukiya, and Diamond Select Toys have Comic-Con exclusives up for non-attendee pre-order already. Click, add to cart, and get them in, and on this Marvelicious Toys podcast Marjorie, Arnie, and Justin tell you about all the exclusives up for pre-order for delivery, pre-order to pick up at the con, or that you have to physically be at the con and wait in line to get! From a bust of Thanos to Rescue Mission Captain America to a pair of mutants you wont want to miss, we run it down in this issue!
But not all collectibles are saved for the con, new Hasbro toys are shipping and we’ve got ’em! Arnie and Marjorie received the toy that’s been teased since Toy Fair — The Avengers Helicarrier! Over 3 feet long with a bevy of guns and play features, we have assembled it and are here to give you our hands-on review, as well as comparisons to the images released of the San Diego Comic-Con exclusive version, and an idea on how you may be able to build your own hella-big Helicarrier! Also shipping is a new variant of the Marvel Universe Fantastic Four Team Pack with a fully translucent Invisible Woman! Is the variant worth another purchase? Listen to find out!
With a hands-on review of Bonkazonks, a brand new body for a Black Widow, the new Amazing Spider-Spud, and a mismatched pair of Spider-Man Beanie Ballz, it’s all in this issue of the Marvelicious Toys podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT044.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 43: Secret Stores
Marjorie, Arnie, and Justin are back with a bonus episode of Marvelicious Toys! With so many new toy releases grabbing collectors’ attention, on this issue your Marvelicious hosts look at some older toys that have been found at antique stores, toy stores, comic stores, and elsewhere. Looking at the first dedicated Marvel figure line, Mattel’s Secret Wars, as well as Toy Biz figures from all eras, including a super-sized super-articulated Spider-Man! And when discussing these older Marvel toys no one knows more than Marvelicious Timely Review host Jerry, who joins the others to share the history behind some of these older toy purchases and share a couple unique buys of his own.
But not all the toys are old. Marjorie has also picked up some Japanese Ultimate Spider-Man blind boxed figures. Listen as she opens them live and gives her first-blush reaction!
With Arnie reviewing Peter David’s novelization of Spider-Man 2 to tie into Now Playing’s Spider-Man movie review series, and a run down of the Wal-Mart Amazing Spider-Man DVD, it’s all in this bonus Marvelicious Toys!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT043.MP3
Category: Arts
Amazing Spider-Man Episodes 2 and 3 – The Deadly Dust
A group of students steal radioactive materials as a sign of protest, but they learn a lesson in nuclear weapons when an arms dealer takes advantage of the situation.
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| The Deadly Dust (Part 1 and Part 2) |
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| Season: | 1 |
| Episode: | 2 and 3 |
| Air Date: | Part 1: April 5, 1978 Part 2: April 12, 1978 |
| Director: | Ron Satlof |
| Writer: | Robert Janes |
Recently I watched Spider-Man (1977), the pilot movie for The Amazing Spider-Man TV series, which you can hear us review at Now Playing. While I felt that movie was a bit slow, it was also so wacky and gonzo I could not look away. More, I couldn’t imagine how CBS would turn this concept as presented into a weekly series. I had to see more, so I eagerly jumped into the next episode, The Deadly Dust.
And man was that a mistake! I’ll get into why.
The Deadly Dust is a two-part episode that aired over two weeks. It was released internationally and on VHS and Laserdisc as a single movie. As it is a single story I will be reviewing both episodes here.
I was still excited during the opening credits sequence, and noticed the title has changed. While the movie was just Spider-Man, now the series is The Amazing Spider-Man, and the opening credits is no longer a tiny window of Spider-Man wall crawling–instead it’s a montage of the opening movie set to some generic 70s music. I was disappointed to see the more rockin’ disco music from the pilot movie replaced; this isn’t nearly as groovy.
In addition to the title, in the year that passed between the airing of the pilot movie and this first episode the series cast had changed. Peter Parker is still played by Nicholas Hammond, but gone was Dave the lab partner, as was Peter Parker’s Aunt May. Instead there is an entirely new supporting cast.
J. Jonah Jameson, editor of the Daily Bugle where Peter works as a photographer, was played in the pilot by Bewitched’s David White. White was replaced by Robert F. Simon (who had a recurring role on Bewitched), to whom I take an immediate dislike. His Jameson is far too quiet. Jameson should have a flaming temper and wild ideas about Spider-Man. That’s how the character is still written, but as acted by Simon the character just comes across as cranky, and perhaps a bit constipated.
In the role of the Daily Bugle’s token African-American, Robbie Robertson (Hilly Hicks) is gone and replaced by a new character, Jameson’s secretary Rita Conway, played by Chip Fields. Fields is the spitting image of Glory Grant, who was Jameson’s secretary at the Bugle, but inexplicably that’s not Fields’ character. Conway is shown to be a sassy woman who keeps Jameson in his place.
Though again in these opening scenes I’m not taken with her. She seems to have the temper Jameson should have, blowing up too easily at her grumpy boss. Plus the portrayal is a bit racist. When Peter tells Rita he’s afraid Jameson will fire her, and that he has friends that would make it hard for Rita to find another job, Rita replies that she has friends that could make it difficult for Jameson to keep the tires on his Rolls Royce. Why must the black character’s friends steal car tires? I suppose because it’s the 1970s and on television.
But I am happy to see the only returning supporting character, Michael Pataki as Captain Barbera. His Colombo-like persona was a highlight of the pilot movie. When this episode opens it’s with Barbera trying to stop a woman from jumping off a building. She says it’s her boyfriend’s fault and is ready to jump, but of course Spider-Man comes in and saves the girl.
I was immediately enthralled. Who is the girl’s boyfriend and why is he making her commit suicide? The title is “The Deadly Dust”–is that deadly dust Angel Dust and the girl is on a bad trip? I thought back to the controversial issues of The Amazing Spider-Man comic where Harry Osborne goes on drugs and thinks he can fly, and I’m really taken in. So you can imagine my disappointment when I discover this is just an introductory action scene that has no bearing on the plot of the episode.
The actual plot is about a nuclear bomb. Peter’s college professor Dr. Bailor is about to open a nuclear reactor on the college campus. Peter and his classmates are outraged at the thought of having radioactive materials on campus as the reactor will produce the titular “Deadly Dust”, also known as plutonium oxide, the byproduct produced from the nuclear reactor. Bailor refuses to relent despite the sutdents’ heated arguments, so three of the students decide to teach Dr. Bailor a lesson and steal the plutonium. When that doesn’t get enough press, they then take it a step further fashioning the plutonium into a makeshift nuclear bomb. Lacking only one ingredient, plastic explosive to use as a detonator, the students hope the bomb will strike fear into the university and make Bailor rethink his blasé attitude towards such dangerous materials.
This was a plot line I could get behind–extremist activists going too far to prove a point and a nuclear threat are concerns big enough to warrant a superhero’s attention yet real enough to relate to the fears of the audience. If that wasn’t enough to warrant Spider-Man’s attention, the masked vigilante is thought to have stolen the plutonium. Now his biggest supporter, Barbara, is partnered with the FBI to investigate Spider-Man for causing a nuclear threat. More, as Bailor said the only student capable of fashioning the plutonium into a bomb was star pupil Peter Parker, and Parker is known for his connection to Spider-Man, the feds think the two are in cahoots on the theft.
It’s a really good set-up that I enjoyed watching.
I was also enjoying the B-plot introduced. Barbera’s public praise of the vigilante gets the attention of Miami Beach supermarket tabloid The Weekly Examiner, who sends Gale Hoffman to get a cover story on Spider-Man, using Spider-Man’s photographer Peter Parker as a lead. Gale is sexy and smart and Peter is interested in her, but her refusal to leave Parker’s side hinders his ability to investigate the plutonium theft. Gale acts in this episode much like a Lois Lane to Peter Parker’s Clark Kent–she’s a good reporter aiding Peter in the investigation, but needing to be ditched when it’s superhero time.
There’s many good scenes between Peter and Gale, with Gale suspecting Spider-Man of stealing the plutonium. Here, for the first time, we get to the root of why Peter is a superhero. Gale rightly points out that no one asked Spider-Man to save the world, and if he doesn’t like it he can just hang up his blue tights. Peter responds very gravely saying “What about his conscience? What’s the point of having a special power if you don’t use it to help people?” He also says “I think Spider-Man does a lot of good but if people knew who he is it wouldn’t be the same thing?” He goes on saying how lonely it is for Spider-Man, and it’s hard because Spider-Man has to lie to everyone at work, his friends, and even his girlfriends. “People think it would be really wonderful to have Spider-Man’s powers. Let me tell you, I’m not so sure whether it’s a blessing or a curse.”
In the entire pilot episode we were never given these insights into why Peter dons an outfit and stops evildoers. Here, we get the reason and it comes because Peter is feeling close to Gale. It’s both character exploration and relationship development in one scene. I do wish there was more of a reason, though. Without the guilt of Uncle Ben’s death, Peter’s motivations are thin. More, his passionate speaking on the topic makes Gale suspect Peter may be Spider-Man, something she eventually asks him outright. Unfortunately Peter’s convenient lies put Gale’s suspicions to rest. I think I’d have preferred it if his partner was in on his secret.
All of this in the first hour made me think The Deadly Dust may actually be an improvement over the pilot film, but it did lack in one regard–there was no real villain. The students aren’t bad guys, they’re just misguided and not all that bright. Running from the cops and performing investigations into the nuclear theft is entertaining, but could not sustain a two-hour running length, so we are introduced to Mr. White (Robert Alda, father of Alan Alda and bad guy from two Incredible Hulk episodes).
Mr. White is a multi-millionaire record executive who enjoys his Los Angeles lifestyle, hanging out on the roof of his skyscraper, bikini-clad women surrounding him. But making money on gold records isn’t enough, Mr. White is also a…well having watched the episode I don’t know what he is. Mercenary? Terrorist? Gangster? Let’s settle on ill-defined baddie.
White reads about the plutonium theft and races to New York to steal the stolen nuclear goods. He, like the FBI, thinks Peter Parker stole it, and that if he can take it from the grad student he can then sell it to the highest bidder. Truthfully I liked the addition of this fourth faction to the story, but unfortunately Mr. White would come to dominate the story in its second hour.
By the end of what would have been the first regular episode of The Amazing Spider-Man I was really enjoying it. The cops, the rogue students, Peter and Gale, and Mr. White’s goons all chasing the nuclear materials had been a great bit of fun. I would have recommended the first of the two episodes. But after the midway point the episode loses its focus and leaves New York.
Parker’s name is cleared and the plutonium found all too quickly. One of the students making the fake bomb gets radiation poisoning and is rushed to the hospital. The hospital reports radiation poisoning and the real thieves are discovered, but not their bounty. Racing to the hospital, the students just left their near-complete bomb in the middle of the room, and Mr. White’s goons quickly steal it and take it back to Los Angeles. Peter, having put a spider-tracer on White’s white limo, wants to pursue. He tells Jameson about the bomb, but Jameson cannot run the story lest it cause widespread panic. To recover the bomb, and be the first out the door with the story once the danger has passed, Jameson agrees to go with Parker and Gale to Los Angeles.
This is where the story goes south. Literally. Once the three leads leave New York, every single aspect of the New York storyline is forgotten. The students who caused this whole mess? Never seen again. Barbera? Out of his jurisdiction. The FBI agent DeCarlo who was tracking the plutonium in New York? Disappeared. No, the only ones who can save us from a rogue nuclear bomb are two reporters and a grumpy newspaper publisher. Well, and Spider-Man, I suppose.
I learned after watching this episode that The Amazing Spider-Man series production was based in L.A., but the character is so closely identified with New York City they did not relocate the character. With that being the case, why then make a story where Peter must travel cross-country to follow a criminal? Was it so they could have their end action scenes outdoors, in the air, and not reveal that they are not in Manhattan? It’s confusing, as is the story.
In LA Spider-Man fights White’s goons several times, most comically on a Hollywood old-west backlot (literally an old-west backlot, not a backlot subbing for a real location) and White becomes nervous. Instead of selling the bomb he tries to extort the US Government, saying if his demands are not met he will “detonate the bomb in the place where it will do the most damage.” This phrasing confuses our newspaper reporters, who apparently only write for newspapers but never read one, because the headline of a newspaper in LA reads “President to speak in California”.
The entire second episode of “The Deadly Dust” is a jumbled mess. There are repeated fights that change nothing. Gale is taken hostage and then freed. Peter and Gale even visit Mr. White’s record studio, driving home the ridiculous nature of a record executive terrorist. At best any two-hour episode of a 1970s television series might start to wear out its welcome, but here it has devolved into nonsense.
I think the show runners thought the plus side of the second hour is there is a lot less Peter Parker and a lot more Spider-Man. Parker disappears more and more as Spider-Man fights goons and chases after the bomb, but honestly the Spider-Man fights in this episode are entirely terrible. The Spider-Man outfit looks even more silly in this episode than in the pilot, his gloves flapping in the wind and his red boots looking like he’s expecting a rainstorm. Moreover, the stuntman in the outfit is prone to grand, theatrical movements and cocking his head like a dog. Every time Spider-Man is fighting these same goons I am left shaking my head. More, it usually ends with Spider-Man running away! Why he chooses to flee rather than use the oversized web shooters on his wrist to trip up his enemies confounds me. There is no logic, it’s just there to stretch out a thin, silly story.
Not all the stunts are terrible. We do get some good wire work as he climbs down buildings or performs superjumps, but watching someone climb isn’t really all that fun. More, due to budget constraints, Spider-Man seems to wall-crawl only as a last resort preferring to run like any human on solid ground whenever possible. I understand why it is done this way, but that doesn’t make the show any more entertaining.
Strangely the high point of the second hour for me was Jameson. I couldn’t stand him in New York, being confined in his office and very low-key, but once out in LA he lets his cheap flag fly! He is constantly chasing after Parker and dismissing anything having to do with Spider-Man. He really starts to embody a version of Jameson as I imagined him. He still has nothing on J.K. Simmons, but it’s an improvement.
And I must give this episode credit for its climax. At the end, Mr. White and his goon have hidden the nuclear bomb on a rooftop near where the president is speaking, and it’s up to Spider-Man to stop it. He convinces a helicopter tour guide to give him a ride, telling the pilot it’s a publicity stunt, and then freefalls out of the helicopter. While the spider-suit flapping in the breeze shows clearly how poorly the suit fits the stuntman, it is cool to see Spider-Man actually perform death-defying feats.
And it gets better! Mr. White is in his own helicopter and flies after Spider-Man, who uses his webbing to latch on to White’s ride. White’s goon Angel pilots the chopper all around trying to shake the wall-crawler and we get to see practical stunt footage of the Spider-Man dangling from a helicopter. The point-of-view camera used in the pilot returns as well, and we see Spider-Man’s view as he hangs on the rope. It is really exciting. This is where all their money went, and it is money well-spent. Unfortunately it becomes a case of too-little-too-late in this episode as the poor writing and repetitive action had me checked out a good half hour before the money shot.
The poor writing continues as Mr. White just so happens to shake Spider-Man on the exact same rooftop where they stashed the nuclear bomb, and with Peter Parker’s scientific knowledge Spider-Man disarms the bomb, saving the president and Los Angeles, with two seconds to spare.
Peter Parker gives Jameson pictures of Spider-Man posing with the bomb, and he and Gale seem destined for a romance, but Mr. White escapes saying he will get Spider-Man another day. Why FBI Agent DeCarlo doesn’t just arrest the man based on the newspaper articles is a question never answered, and I don’t think the series lasted long enough for Mr. White to actually return.
The first half of “The Deadly Dust” had so much promise, the second hour devolved into brain-numbing action for action’s sake, and bad action at that. It’s a weaker not recommend as there are some things of value, but an easy not recommend.
Read my other Amazing Spider-Man Series Reviews
Amazing Spider-Man Series Review Index
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| The Amazing Spider-Man TV Series | |
| Seasons: | 2 |
| Episodes: | 13 |
| Air Dates: | 1977 – 1979 |
| Series Creator: | Charles W. Fries and Daniel R. Goodman |
| Stars: | Nicholas Hammond, Chip Fields, Robert F. Simon |
In anticipation of The Amazing Spider-Man opening in July, 2012, Jakob, Stuart, and I are doing a podcast retrospective series of all the movies based on the Marvel Comics Superheroes at Now Playing.
With Now Playing’s current Spider-Man Retrospective Series I will also be looking back at every episode of The Incredible Hulk TV series that ran from 1978 to 1982.
Pilot TV Movie
Spider-Man (1977)
Season 1
The Deadly Dust (later renamed Spider-Man Strikes Back)
The Curse of Rava
Night of the Clones
Escort to Danger
Season 2
The Captive Tower
A Matter of State
The Con Caper
The Kirkwood Haunting
Photo Finish
Wolfpack
TV Movie Finale
The Chinese Web (later renamed Spider-Man: The Dragon’s Challenge)
New Podcast: Issue 42: Let’s Go Bigger
Big news for Marvel collectors was revealed in the past two weeks from Hasbro, to the official announcement of Wave 4 Avengers figures to the news of the San Diego Comic Con exclusive Masters of Evil pack, X-Force Marvel Legends, and an even larger than usual Helicarrier with exclusive Maria Hill figure! On this issue of the Marvelicious Toys podcast, Marjorie, Arnie, Justin, and guest co-host Jerry run down all the news on San Diego Comic Con exclusives, large and small!
But new toys aren’t reserved for San Diego, they’re hitting your local Toys R Us, Target, and Wal Mart! Also in this week’s podcast, your Marvelicious hosts review all the new Avengers figures showing up in stores, including the 6-inch Wal Mart exclusive Avengers figures, the 3.75-inch Avengers Wave 3 with Black Widow, Hawkeye, and Skrull, the second wave of the comic-based Avengers figures at Toys R Us with the light-up “Avengers Assemble” bases, and even the 2-inch figures with no articulation seen at discount shops!
And from Avengers to Amazing Spider-Man toys, we also run down on this week’s show some of the less action-y figures showing up in stores. Including the new set of Amazing Spider-Man movie Squinkies, the Toys R Us released Mini-Mates, the 8-inch figures found early at discount shops, the 2-inch statues, the new movie-styled FunKo Pop Vinyl, and even the 10-inch talking Spider-Man with web shooting action!
With Jerry also providing an Action-oriented Timely Review, the hosts thoughts on Bonkazonks, and news of a new Marvel video game, hear it all in this super-sized Marvelicious Toys podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT042.MP3
Category: Arts
New Podcast: Issue 41: What the Helicarrier Is Going On?
Avengers 6-inch figures are showing up at Wal-Marts, but blink and you miss them…and if you head to eBay you’ll be paying a pretty penny if your target is Hawkeye. In the 4-inch line, Wave 3 is equally there and gone, and no sign when the Chitauri figures might be coming. Marvel Legends are equally enigmatic with an upcoming revision case that seems to help few, and certainly not get the variants out there. And yet Wal-Mart has 4-packs that no one knew were coming showing up on shelves, which just leaves Marjorie, Arnie, and Justin asking…WHAT THE HELICARRIER IS GOING ON?
On this week’s Marvelicious Toys podcast, your hosts run down the latest store reports, including an in-depth review of all the new Amazing Spider-Man movie line of figures and Super Hero Squad. Plus a review of the Avengers’ Skrull figure, and the Wal-Mart exclusive 6-inch Captain America.
Also on this week’s show, we catch you up on the Hot Toys assault from Avengers to Amazing Spider-Man, and the latest products from Diamond Select, Kotobukiya, Bowen, and Sideshow.
With a review of Peter David’s novelization of Spider-Man, a Fantastic Forum Poll, and fun big and small, it’s on this action-packed super-sized Marvelicious Toys podcast!
Listen Now: http://www.marvelicioustoys.com/Podcasts/MT041.MP3
Category: Arts
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