Mezco’s New Living Dead Doll Has Universal Appeal

Posted on February 2, 2015 by geelw

While Mezco Toyz has previously sold a cool 9-inch Creature From the Black Lagoon collectible figure in its Universal Monsters line, this upcoming Living Dead Doll version of the Creature blows that one out of the water. I’m betting a new penny this new doll sells out faster than the Universal Monsters one just because it’s cute and creepy perfection. Just look at it:

Featuring an all new body and face sculpt, this iconic scaled terror from the deep stands a full 10” tall and captures the intricate detail of the pre-historic gill-man; from his mysterious yellow eyes, to his claw tipped webbed hands. With nine points of articulation he is the most articulated Living Dead Doll ever, he’ll be able to take out any scientist who dares to come between him and his true love. He comes packaged in a full color, collector friendly window box.

This upcoming Creature From the Black Lagoon Living Dead Doll will cost $32 and ship out in July. Pre-ordering is highly recommended, as I can see LDD fans worldwide making room in a cabinet or on a shelf just for this new arrival. Yeah, that Gill-man will still slay you, man. But he’ll kill you with cuteness first before getting you with those fishy claws of his. “Dawwwww!” and “Gyaaaaaaah!” at the same time? I can do that.

Kotobukiya’s Zatanna Bishoujo Figure Will Make Your Wallet Mysteriously Lighter…

Posted on January 15, 2015 by geelw

Guess what? As soon as you looked into those eyes (or at those fishnets, yeah, I know some of you all too well!), you probably felt something light and drifty in your pants or other place you keep your credit card. Hey, now, this is a family show! Anyway, that was Zatanna up there making your purchase for you and kindly stepping into a big box that’s going to arrive one she’s all ready to ship. Hey, give a girl credit for being resourceful!

And don’t even try and send her back, either. She’ll turn you into a rabbit sized frog if you even go near that return shipping label. Just make a nice space for her on a shelf (she’s not going to conjure up a cabinet, you know), oh… about this high and this wide. What, you can’t see my measurements on your screen? I see. HERS you could check out okay, though. Yeah, I got your number, pal…

You’re still here? Okay, okay. The bad news first: Zatanna’s not up on the Kotobukiya website for sale yet (boo!). But expect some news about her availability soon as a pre-order. As in around Toy Fair next month.

Here are the vitals in the meantime:

DC COMICS ZATANNA BISHOUJO STATUE

A KOTOBUKIYA Japanese import! Continuing the lineup of beautiful bishoujo-inspired statues combining the super heroines and villains of DC Comics with traditional Japanese stylings is a truly magical lady, the sorceress ZATANNA! Daughter of the famous stage magician Giovanni “John” Zatara, Zatanna debuted in 1964 as a powerful addition to the mystical side of the DC universe. In addition to performing on stage like her father, the skilled magician has worked with various versions of the Justice League, Sentinels of Magic, and more with her unique backwards-English spell casting. Zatanna appears in this brand new Japanese Bishoujo (pretty girl) styled statue based on original character art by world famous illustrator Shunya Yamashita!

Using sleight of hand as well as her considerable beauty, Zatanna distracts you, her audience, as she prepares to pull something out of her hat. The magician looks like she is frozen in mid-performance, wearing her stage costume and sculpted in a unique pose. Zatanna balances on one foot with the other pulled up under her as she leans to the side, dramatically aiming her wand at her outstretched top hat. The beguiling sorceress wears her classic costume, a feminine version of a traditional magician’s outfit with high-heeled boots, fishnet stockings, white gloves, a black bodysuit, and a complex top with tuxedo elements. There is an incredible amount of sculpted detail in Zatanna’s intricate clothing as well as her long, flowing hair and captivating Bishoujo-styled face.

Sculpted by Takaboku Busujima (Busujimax), Zatanna stands just under 10 inches tall (1/7 scale) on her specially designed display base. Whether displayed on her own or with other DC Comics Bishoujo statues on your shelf, this enchantress is ready to work her magic!

srp $69.99

Available July 2015.

TM & © DC Comics.

National Toy Hall of Fame Inductees: Three Times the Fun!

Posted on November 6, 2014 by geelw

Image courtesy of The Strong, Rochester, New York.

Before you even ask, yes, there is a National Toy Hall of Fame. It’s part of the National Museum of Play up in Rochester, NY and I’d say it’s a bucket list trip for anyone with even the slightest interest in any sort of toy or game from their childhood. Today the Museum inducted a trio of all-time classics into the Toy Hall of Fame and some of you are already grinning at that photo above. This year’s inductees made me laugh out loud because as soon as I heard the news this morning, I was hoping to heck that someone at the Museum would have made a cool diorama with a few squads of Army Men on some alien or other landscape (maybe Washington D.C.?) fighting off an “invasion” by a giant Rubik’s Cube with Bubbles floating in the shot to give it the look of some low-budget sci-fi flick.

Courtesy of The Strong®, Rochester, New York

Hey, Mario Bava would have done it up right, I bet. That said, the Museum’s presentation was certainly creative and entertaining. Dancers from the Rochester City Ballet appeared in life-size Army Men outfits, there was a gigantic Rubik’s Cube mosaic (made up of 200 pounds of Rubik’s Cubes), and the Bubble Man himself, Doug Rougeux doing his amazing thing at the event. Okay, all that was MORE creative than my crummy diorama idea maybe two people would have gotten the joke about. What can I say other that I like obscure references only a handful of people would understand…

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