There are a bunch of really great Mattel WWE pics at Figures and More, who went to Ringside Collectible’s RingsideFest in NYC a couple of weeks ago. I’m pretty psyched about Real Scale, which manages to stay as compatible with the JAKKS WWE scale as it can, while introducing relative heights for the wrestlers.
Mattel WWE Elite Collection Batista
Mattel is bound and determines to hit the ground running when their WWE line kicks off on January 1, 2010. Mattel has a ton of product planned for launch and they have concrete plans for the months to follow. At RingsideFest, I met the majority of Mattel’s WWE team, including their PR. Representative, Rob Novickas, and Marketing Manager for the WWE line, PJ Lewis. I also met Derek, Alex, and two men named Bill from the Design team. I apologize to them for not printing their last names, they never used them over the course of the day, and if they did, I did not hear them. These talented people have all come together to create one of the best action figure lines and DEFINITELY the best wrestling figure line I have ever seen. The figures are all one size and scale across the entire line, which means they all live in the same universe.
Critical Mess has posted a review of the DC Universe Classics 2-Pack that goes on sale December 15. Justice in the Jungle (I thought the name was still Animal Instincts, so I guess I didn’t get the memo) comes with two fan favorites – Animal Man and B’wana Beast. I’ve got to agree with the review – the figures look great. And Beast needs nipples.
First let me say that this is my favorite two-pack thus far. Not only does it contain two figures that I really want, but the figures are both done extremely well. These stand among the best figures that Mattel has done to date. I do have to admit that Animal Man is a little more impressive, if only because of the added complexity with his costume, but B’wana Beast is a solid figure with no obvious flaws. Come on cactus is our friend.
We got a First Look at Fwoosh’s King Randor yesterday, and we get the Goddess today. Randor is the Club Eternia figure – if you’ve got the subscription, he’s the last figure for this year. The Goddess is one of two bonus figures this month, the second being a reissue of Skeletor with “The Original” sticker added to the packaging.
Will I beat myself up if I skip her? It’s a big month for me on MattyCollector, with a 6-inch Winston from Ghostbusters and the Animal Instincts DC Universe Classics 2-pack, so I’ll have to think about it. I do like the look of the translucent plastic. Decisions, decisions!
I am going to let the pictures do a lot of the talking for this one, but, even though the Goddess is mostly the Teela figure, she is not really just a simple repaint. The reuse is spot on as it matches the source material perfectly. I also really like the color deco on her too, her body suit and armor really fit the overall theme of her character and it nicely done. Her eyes are very striking as well, though, I am sure some will notice that she does have pupils, something that the discerning fan is aware the original source material is lacking.
Another cool thing is that she comes with the same requisite Snake Armor that was included with Teela. The cool part of this for me (aside from being, you know, how the character was portrayed) is that I can now display that cool head dress. See, I like my Teela without the head dress better, but it is essential for the Goddess (in fact she does not include the alternate Teela head) so I now have a great way to have the Snake Armor on the shelf.
December is a huge month for MattyCollector.com – three Masters of the Universe Classics figures, the Animal Instincts 2-pack for DC Universe Classics, two Ghostbusters (Winston in 6-inches and Egon in 12), and a Dark Knight Movie Masters. Fwoosh is kicking off its First Looks with the MOTU Classics King Randor. Honestly, if I didn’t have a subscription I might be passing on Randor. He was a big guy on the show, but in the armor I think he’s a bit too thick.
On the plus side, VeeBee reminded me that the armor puts us one step closer to Jitsu! 😀 And stay tuned for more First Looks – I think the Goddess may be next.
The figure itself, as mentioned before, is very true to the original – he has a very detailed and stern look to him with his essential crown and kingly beard. I know a lot of people (even Toy Guru at SDCC 2009) have made reference to the fact that he closely resembles another king – a certain Highness of Hamburgers, but I would be too afraid to address him as such because he would probably kick your butt. Yes, He-Man is the dedicated Champion of Eternia, but if Adam never changed out of his purple tights and pink vest, Randor would probably be holding the line against any onslaught of evil.
