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Toys! Toys! Toys! My Top Favorite Figure Purchases Of 2023

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Admittedly this is the kind of thing you’d come to expect at the beginning of the year and not a whole month later. However, I have been dealing with health complications and a sheer bout of laziness, which caused the delay. Last year was a fantastic year for me in terms of toy collecting, and there were so many incredible releases. Honestly, it would be a sin not to take a moment to comment on some of the best of the best releases that I picked up in 2023.

Besides, I have a passion for discussing toys whether they be old or new. I’ve also been tinkering with the idea of creating toy reviews for some time now, and this is simply a fun way to showcase some of the most prized possessions in my ever-expanding collection. This list is comprised of items that I’ve personally picked up, so if some more popular items are not mentioned here (Like Warduke by NECA), it’s not from a lack of interest but is simply because I can’t collect everything I see, no matter how much I may want to.

So without further ado here are my top favorite figures from last year

Ultimate Dracula by NECA

NECA did an impeccable job with their Universal Monsters line, and we’re particularly impressed with their work on Dracula. Universal’s Dracula stands as the first talky horror film and quickly transformed Univeral Studios into the macabre House of Horrors. The role made Bela Lugosi a household name and has invaded the nightmares of generations. It’s appropriate that NECA put so much into bringing this iconic character -that means so much to so many horror fans worldwide – to thrilling (un)life.

Dracula is my favorite gothic horror. However, at first, I passed on this guy. Somehow the figure in-box wasn’t doing much for me and I almost let this one slip through my fingers. It took a little convincing from my best friend at the time but finally, my iron will caved in thanks to relentless peer pressure and – since Best Buy only had one left – I wound up buying the figure.

Glad I did too because this figure looks way better out of box. He instantly became a prime set piece during Halloween and I found myself going back to the shelf to check out the Prince of Darkness.

Overall Dracula is home among his brethren and enhances my horror collection

Megatron – MDLX

I love what MDLX is doing with the Transformers line. Of course, I also recognize how controversial that is to admit. I’ve gotten some slack from my fellow collectors (and especially from Transformers fans) over my thundering hard-on for the MDLX line. Those who criticize the line justify their irritation because the toys do not in fact transform. ‘That defeats the purpose’ they say.

Well, I don’t give a flying fuck through a rolling Fruit Loop about that. I already owned a pretty sweet Megatron that does transform into an intergalactic battle tank.

What I love about the MDLX line is all the amazing points of articulation their figures come with. Seriously, Megatron stands as a dominating work of art on my shelf thanks to all the many (and imposing) stances the figure can take. Not to mention how the metallic sheen of the figure gives him an intimidating adamantium presence. Also, this guy has some serious weight to him and doesn’t feel all flimsy and loose.

The battle between the Autobots and Decepticons continues on.

Serpentor – G.I. Joe Classified

When I was a little kid, I wasn’t a die-hard G.I. Joe fan, but I always thought the characters looked cool. It wasn’t until I saw Serpentor at a local Hills store that I became interested in the series. Serpentor was dressed in golden armor that resembled a cobra, and I was instantly drawn to him. At the time, I had no idea what his role was, but I knew that I had to have him. Fortunately, I was visiting my Granny, and she saw how mesmerized I was with the figure and bought it for me.

When I used to play with Serpentor, I didn’t know who he was, so I pretended he was an evil sorcerer. His appearance suited the role. It wasn’t until I became an adult that I discovered that Serpentor was, in fact, the EMPEROR OF COBRA! This imperial threat to all mankind was brought to life by combining the DNA of the world’s most ruthless warriors and tyrants from throughout history. Genghis Khan, Attila the Hun, and Alexander the Great are just a few of the historical figures that make up the genetic code of this badass villain

Last year, I was floored when they announced the return and intended update planned for Serpentor. The cruel leader of Cobra was making a comeback and, just like before, I couldn’t help but be captivated by him. He’s the nostalgic figure I remember but masterfully detailed now. Honestly, I never thought I would own this guy and couldn’t believe my luck when I found him at a toy show. However, I have to admit, that even if this wasn’t in my personal collection, it would still be one of my favorite toys released last year.

Like many other items on this list, the packaging really drew me in and proves to be half the value of the figure itself. This is nothing short of a work of art. I mean it’s so good it’ll stomp your face into the ground. It’s something I want to frame on the wall and make every guest who walks in bow down to it.

Overall the figure lives up to its imperial title and even comes with his infamous air chariot shaped like a divine cobra. Otherwise, you’d have to buy that stupid thing separately so I appreciated the fact it was included. I hadn’t bought anything G.I. Joe-related in decades, but after purchasing Serpentor, I was compelled to then go get Cobra Commander and a few other members of the Cobra organization. Anything that impresses me enough to suddenly build upon its franchise out of the blue has really done its job a little too well. Way to go, guys.

Edgar Allan Poe’s Masque of the Red Death – Figure Obscura, Four Horsemen Studios

I’m currently obsessed with the amazing holiday-inspired figures released by Figure Obscura over the past few years. Their Krampus figure, released a few Christmases ago, really caught my attention and since then, I have been eagerly waiting for their annual special figure releases for Halloween and Christmas. I already got my hands on the Headless Horseman figure that was released for Halloween in 2022 and it is one of the top 10 figures in my collection

I couldn’t resist when they announced that their Halloween 2023 release would be based on my favorite Edgar Allan Poe story. The figure itself is both macabre and beautiful. The haunting Red Dead is a thin ghoul draped in a blood-like shroud, standing upon an issue of flowing blood that spreads from beneath an obsidian grandfather clock. The figure awaits to carry the damned away in his scarlet embrace. I particularly like how a raven adorns the crown of the clock, which is yet another nod to the great writer’s dark imagination. Anyone familiar with this gothic horror tale will recognize every reference included here.

It’s worth noting that the figure comes with a beautifully illustrated copy of the Masque of the Red Death, which might be new to you if you’re unfamiliar with the story.

The artwork on the packaging of the Red Death is exceptional. There are several backdrops available that you can use as a background, including one that I personally use for Dracula. Figure Obscura is a game changer and I’m excited to see what they release this Halloween.

Eastman and Laird’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by NECA

When NECA does something right they really, and I mean really, do it right. One of the best things to come out last year was their insane four-pack release of the iconic heroes in a half-shell inspired by the Mirage comics.

Wow… just WOW! This is a must-have for any TMNT collector. Especially if you love that retro look. Each of the four figures is high quality and comes with their signature weapons as well as a set of ninja stars and other weapons just to really kick it to the Foot.

NECA is well-known for its various Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles lines. They’ve released TMNT movie-inspired figures, cartoon-inspired figures, and even video game-inspired figures. NECA and TMNT are symbiotic at this point. However, out of all the turtles they’ve released, the only set I had to buy was the Eastman and Laird release seen here. Maybe I’m biased, but in my opinion, nothing NECA’s released beats this radical four-pack

I originally bought this four-pack as a birthday gift for my cousin but ended up loving it so much that I had to buy one for myself as well. NECA did an excellent job with this product, and it was worth spending my money twice for it

Regarding the topic of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, two other NECA figures deserve an honorable mention: battle-damaged Shredder and The Last Ronin armored figure. In my opinion, the turtles’ diorama wouldn’t be complete without Shredder as their main adversary. Moreover, The Last Ronin figure represents the future of the turtles, which makes it an essential addition to the collection. All these elements tie in to create a cohesive storyline.

Deluxe Skeletor – Mondo

It should honestly come as no surprise that my favorite figure of 2023 is Skeletor, my all-time favorite villain. To think I almost missed the opportunity to purchase it, but thankfully my best friend helped convince me to secure a pre-order just in time.

As for my overall toy collection, I primarily focus on Masters of the Universe (shocker there right?) and it’s not limited to the vintage line alone but also includes figures/vehicles/playsets from Origins, Masterverse, and Classics. Each line holds a special place in my heart and all for different reasons be it quality or nostalgia, but the stuff Mondo puts out there, in my opinion, is the best of the best. I keep saying that if Classics is the gold standard then Mondo is the platinum.

Even though I’ve never really been fond of the 1:6 scale, I make an exception for Mondo since their figures are of exceptional quality. The size of the figures enables you to appreciate all the intricate details that make them stand out above anything previously yet seen. I mean I was staring at the little details etched into the rings of the Havoc Staff.

I keep finding little details like that to awe over. I love that a metal vertebra is decorated on the back of Skeletor’s chest guard or how skulls adorn each of his leather straps.

This deluxe version of Skeletor is also highly versatile which basically makes him three figures in one. Firstly, you get the classic Skeletor look and a wired cape that offers your figure a more regal appearance. You can also remove his harness and give him that awesome Battle Armor assemble.

Alternatively, you can equip him with his dragon armor that comes with the lethal dragon which has the power to spit toxins at the Masters. The dragon is articulated (which he didn’t need to be so nice touch, Mondo), has real chains, and comes with attachable toxic fumes that can be fixed to the beast’s maul.

It’s also worth noting the figure comes with a pair of Terror Claws, so in essence, Skeletor offers four iconic variants in one figure.

This is as close to perfection as I’ve ever seen in a single figure. I’m amazed by the fact that MOTU’s celebrated 40 years and still to this day companies like Mondo can still floor fans like me with something as incredible as this single figure.

With 2024 just starting out the year’s already proving to be amazing for collectors what with the Turtles of Grayskull (a fusion of MOTU and TMNT) already on their third wave and Mondo’s deluxe Orko preorder come and gone. Who knows what will prove to be my absolute favorite stuff this year? Time will tell.

What about you? What did you add to your collection last year and what really stood out? Be sure to let us know in the comments. In the meantime happy hunting, fellow collectors!

Manic out!

Editorials

Necroscope – In Memory of Brian Lumley And The Dark Legacy He Left Behind

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The recent passing of Brian Lumley left the world an emptier place as loyal fans stand together with heavy hearts at the loss of a true visionary. A visionary, yes, and what he envisioned – and, in turn – shared with us all has become the thing of untold magnificent nightmares.

Lumely was a true master of the macabre and worthy successor of the eldritch terrors originally introduced by H.P. Lovecraft. Without a doubt, the man’s extensive legacy of written horrors shall unendingly sink their dripping fangs into the beating veins of new generations yet to come. Those who discover Lumley’s chilling works are never left the same as though a radiance cast in ebony takes hold and slowly consumes the imagination.

“Since reading Lumley’s “Necroscope” series, I know that vampires really do exist!” —H. R. Giger

Lumley’s vampires dropped the romantics and are the lecherous children of Satan, who became the first vampire upon his expulsion from Heaven at the hands of his Almighty Father. Satan, dejected, lost, and insatiable stood as lord and sovereign of all demons of the night and spread his malignancy across the cold, dark corners of space.

The saga opens with Necrosope. Harry Keogh, the Necroscope has the unique ability to speak with the dead, the Great Majority as they’re known. The dead are restless, their spirits linked to their abysmal graves and after many long and lonely centuries, they crave for a chance to speak openly with the living once more. For that reason, they revere the Necroscope and divulge vital information when needed. As Necroscope Harry also unlocks a way for the dead to speak with one another and divulge vital information they’ve been sitting on for untold years.  

So imagine it this way. Upon dying Albert Einstein hasn’t stopped thinking but has had many long years to further compound his wisdom and theories but there’s no one to share his revelations with. The Necroscope builds the bridge to brilliant minds of the past and, in turn, learns from their wisdom. But the dead whisper of a terrible evil ravaging both the living and the departed

Set during the height of the Cold War both the East and the West have their ‘gifted’ agents and will stop at nothing to bring one another down. Unbeknownst to the paranormal high command in England the Soviets have their own type of Necroscope. A ghoulish man who torments both the living and (especially I might add) the dead, he tears the fetid guts from helpless cadavers to learn their coveted secrets, and, worst of all, the dead feel every single thing he does and are helpless to stop him. This Necromancer, Boris Dragosani, a ruthless KGB enforcer catches the attention of an ancient vampire, and the vampire, that Old Thing buried beneath an old Romanian ruin is ready to sink his evil seed into the Necromancer’s rotting soul as a way to spread his violent will from beyond the grave.

This is just the first book. As the series spreads out (and personally the 2nd is my favorite) we learn more about these demonic things, the vampires, and the hierarchy they exist in. How the vampires, the Vamphyri, come from a dark dimension outside of the world we know and hold dear. They’re compassionless, nearly unkillable, and hold their homeworld in an icy grip of unrelenting terror. They have invaded our world and with them brought the fell presence of their father Satan. Ok I’m gonna say it, these things are METAL AS FUCK!

As someone who consumes a lot of vampire lore (I grew up in Eastern Europe, friends, the very lands of the Vampyre!) I found the Vamphyri to be unlike any other kind of vampire we’re accustomed to. True, the classics are there such as the blood-drinking and aversion to sunlight. They also can morph … or maybe it’s just merely them letting down their masks, to reveal hideous faces with grotesque bat and wolf features. The other thing that really stands out to me is how damn near indestructible they are.  For example, cut the hand off one and it will sprout tentacles, eyes will suddenly bulge out and line it, and dozens of gnashing mouths ( filled with rows of fangs I might add) will start attacking you. It’ s not so easy to kill one of them. They are the children of pure evil and frankly take pleasure in that. They take, fuck, and eat whomever they so desire.

The series flows from the familiar roots of gothic horrors and gradually mutates into cosmic terrors. It grows and it builds like a fungal infestation and I found myself tearing through one book after another just to devour the next chapter in the saga. Lumely had a way of always hooking me. There were times I wouldn’t stop to eat until I finished a book. I would wake up at night thinking about the characters and worry for their safety.

One moment that really stands out to me is when a fetus calls out for help from a nearby cemetery and the whole fucking graveyard opens up as a legion of zombies march to protect the unborn child and his mother. Another one is when Harry raises a macabre troop of rotting Tartars, their bloodlust not satiated even after all these centuries in the grave, and they slaughter everyone in his way.

When it comes to vampire stories Brian Lumely certainly left his mark on the world. Necroscope’s been my absolute favorite vampire saga and I can’t imagine anyone coming close to the brilliance and imagination he possessed. I had the honor of meeting the man almost ten years ago. Got my copy signed that day and got to meet one of the few people who’ve sincerely inspired me to write. It’s with a heavy heart I write this but how could I not? The man will be missed but his legacy lives on.

Necrscope is only one of the many great contributions he made to the field of horror and bizarre tales. Lumley must also be praised for his extensive contribution to the Cthulhu Mythos, many of which I own. Some could argue few have worked more extensively in the eldritch world Lovecraft invented than Brian Lumley. If there’s anyone who has please let me know because I’ll be adding their work to my library soon. Fans also celebrate the incredible Titus Crow saga – that’s a whole article all on its own if we were to get into that.

Not to mention many fans hail Khai of Khem to be Lumley’s best work yet. Again, this is only the surface of his many darkly imaginative works.

What would these books be though without the awesome cover art? If you’re noticing a trend it’s because each of these covers were done by Lumley’s friend, the one and only Bob Eggleton. Both of these men brought us some amazing nightmares.

In closing, well what more can I say? He was a great man and one of the few heroes I was blessed to meet. I’m saddened his pen is now set aside and the typewriter that spelled vampiric horror for decades now sits in gray silence. Thank you for all the amazing stories, stories I got lost in. You took me on an adventure that started in my teens while I lived overseas and I’ve crossed the world with a copy of Lord of the Rings and a Necroscope book in my backpack. Who knew I would actually stand in your presence? Little ol’ me from St. Petersburg, Russia! What a world. Goodbye, kind sir, and again thank you.

Manic out

Editorials

‘MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE: REVOLUTION’ spoiler-free review

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Many people have been asking for my opinion about Kevin Smith’s latest work on the He-Man franchise for Netflix. As a huge fan of He-Man, I am always excited to see new content related to my favorite fandom. I recently pre-ordered an Orko figure by Mondo and even took an extra job temporarily to feed my collector’s itch and expand my MOTU collection. He-Man was the first hero I ever knew and I’ve always been fascinated by the champions and evildoers’ conflicts across Eternia. As I looked back at my work, I realized (kinda shocked by) how much time I’ve dedicated to this subject alone. Fair to say I might be a little obsessed, to be honest.

A few years ago, when the trailers for Kevin Smith’s Masters of the Universe started appearing, I was excited to return to Eternia and enjoy new adventures. The show promised beautiful animation and had some great voice talents like Mark Hamil (The Joker, Batman Animated, and Arkham games series) and Tony Todd (Candyman, Hatchet, Venom in Sony Spider-Man 2). However, that enthusiasm quickly faded like a fart in the wind once the show actually streamed. I’m not one of the fans who hated it to the point of wanting Kevin Smith’s head on a silver platter, and I don’t think the show was as bad as festering hemorrhoid like many let on about. Frankly, I found the two MOTU Revelation shows to be sinfully boring. The biggest issue was the show’s blatant disregard for the established lore created by the talented and imaginative minds behind the legendarium.

So when MOTU Revolution was announced it was met by a very barren field with maybe an occasional cricket chirp. Maybe a yawn could be heard too. You follow? No one out there (but maybe a handful of folks) gave a single shit about anything more Smith’s team had to bring to Eternia. He already drove everyone off and, frankly, it would take nothing short of a miracle to bring back that offended fan base. Myself included. I was the target audience for a new MOTU series but not even I could dig deep enough to find one good fuck to give about Revolution.

I was completely surprised once Revolution finally streamed. I couldn’t stop watching it and found myself invested, excited, and even entranced by what I was seeing. It was like all that old magic came rushing back to me. Watching each episode back-to-back was a refreshing experience that felt like a return to the glorious days of high adventure. Swords and sorcery flowed across each consequential story, connecting them in a pattern that enhanced and deepened the lore and awe revolving around Castle Grayskull. The show joined both those who protect her and those sworn to take her by force in what can be nothing short of a true classic Ultimate Battleground – something that He-Man has always been known for.

Every episode is well-written, with magic vs technology, and good vs evil all woven together in a sovereign tapestry. Episode one sets the tone, and the series builds on it, culminating in an epic battle between the Masters and the Horde Empire, and, oh yes, He-Man battling none other than Skeletor. It’s a fantastic ending that lives up to the legendary comic runs.

I’ll do my best to avoid spoilers (and believe me I want to go over everything here) but Revolution is packed with throwbacks, homages, and plenty of Easter eggs. However, the show doesn’t rely on these nods to make the story work, and they aren’t just there to wink at the camera. Instead, they’re part of a larger tapestry that’s woven throughout the show and provide something new to discover with each rewatch, and it’s a testament to the show’s quality that I’ve rewatched this thing multiple times now. I also appreciate how Revolution not only respects the established He-Man lore but in fact, adds to it. That’s something not easily accomplished and they did so brilliantly.

Indeed the adventures continue and are a must-see. The team did their homework this time around (a sweet fan of mine said they must have read my articles…bless you for that) and set out to actually tell a genuine Masters of the Universe story worthy of Grayskull.

I would love to go over all the Easter eggs and surprises here so maybe that’ll be a new article. In the meantime do yourself a favor and watch MOTU Revolution.

Manic out!