Recommended music: Paddy and the Rats – The Captain’s Dead
It’s time for another #WhateverWednesday post from the archives. This week, we’re checking out yet another figure from the Disney Parks Pirates of the Caribbean line: The First Mate!
Also known as “Old Bill,” this character was introduced in the 1973 Magic Kingdom version of the Pirates of the Caribbean (POTC) ride and was subsequently incorporated into the Disneyland version. Old Bill is characterised by his fondness for rum and his attempts to persuade a group of cats to join him.
The action figure captures Bill’s likeness and includes a pair of weapons, a pair of cats, a cup (for his rum, of course), and a lantern to complement the barrel-and-brick display. In addition to the cats, Bill has a unique peg-leg accessory for some reason (unlike the animatronic) that you can swap in for his right foot. Unfortunately, despite hip and knee articulation, he cannot properly sit down.😄
“Here kitty, kitty, kitty. Have a little tot of rum with Old Bill, aye? Come on now, be a nice little pussy cat. Oh, you be a feisty one, you be.” – Old Bill to a cat
Recommended music: Bob Rivers – The 12 Pains of Christmas
For this #TurtleTuesday, we’re checking out one more NECA Toys Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Raphael!
This version of Raph is based on his look in the 1987 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series. It’s also called “Baby Turtle” because NECA didn’t have a better name for these guys before they became teenagers. I’m not sure how Splinter acquired the baby-sized sai for Raphael’s training, but it’s probably better not to think about it. 😄
This younger version of the “cool but rude” turtle came in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Cartoon Accessory Set, along with fun items from multiple episodes of the show. The set included all four baby turtles with their tiny weapons, an extra head for Baxter Stockman, a baby pizza monster, the robot Mobile Armored Computerized Combatant (also known as Big Macc), a blowtorch, a painting of a piece of cheese, a pizza box, a personality modifying ray gun, Rocksteady’s helmet, the Star of Hoboken diamond, a tracking device, a turtle backpack, a TV, a VCR, some VHS tapes, and a video game console.
While the baby turtles were probably enough to sell on their own, I’m glad NECA included them and all these other add-ons for their cartoon series in one set. Cowabunga indeed!
Recommended music: Irma Thomas – Anyone Who Knows What Love Is (Will Understand)
On this #TurtleTuesday post from the archives, we’re taking a look at the NECA Toys Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Irma!
From the 1987 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon through the 2012 reboot, Irma appeared as a background character in over 50 episodes. As April O’Neil’s colleague and close friend at Channel Six, she added charm and humor to the shows.
Irma was exclusively available in the “The Catwoman from Channel 6” box set, which also included Burne, Cat April, and Vernon. Alongside Channel 6-themed accessories such as cameras and light stands, Irma features an alternate head and interchangeable hands and forearms to transform her into a Were-Rat. While I appreciate NECA’s inclusion of these well-crafted accessories, I prefer to display Irma in her original form, as depicted in numerous episodes of the series.
Happy Monday, MOTU fans! For this #MastersMonday, we’re taking another look at the Revolution figures from the Mattel Masters of the Universe Masterverse line. Tonight, let’s check out Emperor Hordak!
Hordak first showed up in the vintage Mattel Masters of the Universe toy line in the summer of 1985, but not in the original Filmation He-Man and the Masters of the Universe cartoon, which had already finished production. Luckily, the leader of the Horde made his animated debut in March 1985 in the He-Man and She-Ra: The Secret of the Sword film.
The film was based on the first five episodes of the She-Ra: Princess of Power animated series, which premiered the following fall. Though He-Man and Skeletor did appear in select episodes, the main antagonist during the 93-episode run of the series was Hordak. The character returned for the 2002 toy line and cartoon, but his story was cut short when the show was cancelled after 39 episodes, just before the Horde storyline could be further fleshed out.
Hordak has also appeared in many storybooks, mini-comics, and recent DC comics as another enemy of He-Man. He came back again in 2018 as the main villain in the She-Ra and the Princesses of Power reboot.
In the closing moments of the Masters of the Universe Revelation animated series, the Horde were teased as being in control of Motherboard while Skeletor was taken over by technology. This storyline continues in Masters of the Universe Revolution, with Keith David joining as the voice of Hordak. The character played into each episode, and his body was still present at the end, so hopefully his story will continue.
Hordak’s design was kept secret until the Masters of the Universe: Revolution series premiered on Netflix in January 2024. About eight weeks later, this Hordak figure was teased, and it was the only Revolution design in Masterverse wave 13. The sculpt and paint match the animated character well, with more silver in the design rather than the usual primarily black armor. He comes with a simple, soft-goods cape, extra fist hands, and an updated version of his classic staff. The figure is advertised as having a “removable head,” but this doesn’t add much since there isn’t an alternate head with a different expression.
Overall, I’m pleased to see this figure included, as Hordak played a significant role in the Revelation series. Still, a few more accessories, such as an arm cannon or an alternate head, would have made a considerable difference.
Masters of the Universe Revelation/Revolution turned four years old this year! I “figure” there’ll be a new figure from this series to share here for the rest of the year!
Happy Monday! On this #MastersMonday post from the archives, let’s have some fun with another vintage Masters of the Universe game and novelty items from 1983. Today, we’ve got the Golden Masters of the Universe Jigsaw Puzzle Featuring He-Man “Eternian Battlefield”!
This puzzle features some great early MOTU artwork featuring helmetless Battle Cat attacking Panthor, Skeletor with what appears to be He-Man’s Power Sword, Zoar chasing Screeech, Tri-Klops looking like he’s already taken Castle Grayskull for himself and is firing a laser at something unknown, and finally Ram Man looking to pick up a spinal injury by butting his head full force into the closed Grayskull drawbridge.
The artist responsible for the Golden puzzle remains unidentified; this information will be updated if discovered. The 63-piece format was typical for the initial series of Golden Masters of the Universe puzzles, with most later editions transitioning to a 100-piece format the following year. Fun stuff!
Recommended music: Sam Eagle – Chairman of the Board [Never filmed, but included on The Muppet Christmas Carol Soundtrack]
It’s #SomethingElseSunday, and we’re still celebrating 70 years of the Muppets! Today, from the Palisades Toys Muppets line, it’s Sam the Eagle!
Sam first appeared in the 1975 pilot, The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence. He returned later that year for the first Muppet Meeting Films, which were created to add some laughs to long, dull meetings. Sam made his official Muppet Show debut in the third episode of season one and went on to be included in the opening theme for the last four seasons of the show, and 46 of the series’s 120 episodes. Thankfully, the physical Sam puppet got an update for season two, with less wild eyebrows and matching blue on his head and body, a look he’s kept for most of the past 50 years.
On The Muppet Show, Sam acted as the self-appointed censor and often introduced or moderated skits. As an American eagle, he sees it as his job to stand up for American morals and values. Often written to mock political ideals, Sam always plays the straight man and is usually shocked by the silly things that count as entertainment. Basically, he’s always appalled by classic Muppets humor. 😜
Following The Muppet Show, Sam Eagle has appeared in every Muppet film to date, as well as in many Muppet books, TV shows, and video games. Frank Oz played Sam Eagle until 2000. After Oz, Kevin Clash and Drew Massey took on the role for a few productions, and then Eric Jacobson became Sam in 2005 and still plays him today.
Sam first appeared in wave four of the Palisades Toys line as Sam Arrow from Muppet Treasure Island. The regular Sam Eagle figure was added in wave eight about a year later. The figure is well-detailed and has eleven points of articulation, though there is minimal wrist movement and no tail joint. Sam comes with a book on Standards and Practices, a copy of the U.S. Constitution, a lectern, and three different seal options for the front.
A “shifty-eyed” variant of the figure was also released with left-looking eyes. It included four alternative lectern seals and a different book. Overall, it’s a great release and a must-have for longtime Muppet fans.
On this #SomethingElseSunday post from the archives, we’re playing some Tecmo Super Bowl 2024
When I originally posted this after last season’s Super Bowl, there was, sadly, no NFL football for the first time in about 24 weeks. Thankfully, I had a fun time playing the 1990s NES classic Tecmo Super Bowl with updated 2024 NFL team rosters all season long and ended up simulating some games for an interesting result.
I also made a custom marquee and bezel for my home arcade. It helps bring this classic football game into the present while keeping its retro vibe.
Thanks to sblueman.com for updating the game every year!
Recommended music: Limp Bizkit – Rollin’ (Air Raid Vehicle)
For this #StarWarsSaturday post, we’re taking a short break from The Empire Strikes Back, and taking a look at the Star Tours/Droid Factory R0-4L0!
You might be wondering, Dale, you’ve spent all year talking about The Empire Strikes Back, and we still haven’t left Hoth! I’m taking a quick break from the ice planet to celebrate the tenth anniversary of another Star Wars film: Episode VII, The Force Awakens. I didn’t collect as much from the sequels as I did from the prequels or the Original Trilogy, but I do have a few items from these films to share from the collection.
Known as ROLO, R0-4LO was an astromech droid serving in the Resistance approximately thirty years after the Battle of Endor. R0-4LO’s dome may be visible during The Force Awakens as Jessika Pava’s astromech droid aboard her T-70 X-wing starfighter during the assault on Starkiller Base; however, I could only find the whole body of this specific black and white droid appearing very briefly on D’Qar next to an X-Wing behind Han before they leave for the attack.
Even though R0-4LO only appears for a moment, the droid was included in a Disney Parks exclusive 4-pack in 2010. I happened to be at the parks for my own 10th anniversary a few months before the movie was released, so I didn’t realize how significant the character would be.
Just like Ric Olie from The Phantom Menace, The Force Awakens had random characters who got action figures before we ever saw them in theaters—looking at you, Constable Zuvio. 😄 Hasbro even doubled down on this obscure character by including a 12” version in a Target exclusive gift set with BB-8 and C-3PO, instead of the obvious choice of R2-D2.
The action figure is accurate to the film (no foot cables) and uses the Disney Build-A-Droid mold, allowing the dome and all three legs to be removed. Unlike the film, the dome has a hole on top so you can plug in Mickey Mouse ears or another silly hat.
The Force Awakens turns 10 years old next week. Happy 10 years of TFA!
For this #StarWarsSaturday post from the archives, we’re staying in the backyard on Hoth. From the Hasbro Star Wars Shadow Of The Dark Side line, it’s Han Solo’s Tauntaun!
When Hasbro released “The Search For Luke Skywalker” set in 2011, this creature introduced a completely new sculpt. This version of the Tauntaun includes a removable saddle, flexible reins, and articulation at the neck, shoulders, hips, and ankles. These joints are sufficiently sturdy to allow for stable posing. The tail is not articulated; however, to be fair, I am unsure about the original film miniature’s flexibility.
The Empire Strikes Back turned 45 years old this year! I “figure” there’ll be a new Episode V figure to share here for the rest of the year. Happy 45 years of ESB!
Recommended music: The Bangles – Hazy Shade of Winter
This #FourHorsemenFriday, we’re looking around and finding a hazy shade of winter with The Four Horsemen Studios Mythic Legions Clavian!
While the Mythic Legions All Stars 6 wave introduced new knights, a horse, accessories, and new skeletons, it also reissued older skeletons, such as Clavian. If you thought that this skeleton raider is just a skeleton legion builder with red bones, well, you’re mostly right.
According to the character’s backstory, Clavian differs from other resurrected skeleton soldiers because he and his crimson cohorts are reborn through lethal blood-infused magic. This sorcery grants them enhanced strength and the ability to remove their own bone limbs, wield them as weapons, and repeatedly regrow them like a starfish.
Clavian was part of the initial Kickstarter wave and has now returned a decade later. I initially chose not to purchase this figure, but acquiring Pelvicus and his red skull prompted me to seek an entirely red skeleton for my collection. Although I waited several years between pre-order and delivery this past summer, the figure proved to be worth the wait.
Overall, Clavian is a simple figure, but the scarlet skull and bones really stand out in the display. His shield is a dull red, which I prefer because bright red might have looked tacky or cheap. The rusty sword is another nice detail, making the accessory look more realistic and intimidating.
On this #FourHorsemenFriday post from the archives, we’ve got a human paladin figure to take a look at, it’s the Mythic Legions Gwendolynne Heavensbrand!
The Mythic Legions Advent of Decay wave, launched as the second Legions Kickstarter in January 2017, introduced 43 new figures and became the most funded action figure campaign in Kickstarter history.
This wave introduced the first female characters to the line. Among them, Heavensbrand particularly stood out to me and integrated seamlessly with the ongoing Order of Eathyron storyline.
Commander Gwendolynne Heavensbrand leads the Order of Eathyron. She stands out in her purple-and-gold armor and a purple plume, making her look unique on the battlefield. She also carries a large two-handed Zweihänder sword, a weapon used mainly in the 16th century.
For this #TolkienThursday, let’s check out the ToyBiz Lord of the Rings The Two Towers Warg Beast!
In J.R.R. Tolkien’s books, Wargs are a type of wolf that lived in the Misty Mountains and served Sauron and his followers during the Third Age. They often worked with the Northern Orcs and were used as mounts by the Orcs of Isengard and Mordor.
In Peter Jackson’s The Two Towers movie (and also in Return of the King and The Hobbit), the Wargs look more like hyenas than wolves. The Orcs of Isengard and Mordor breed them, and a pack led by Sharku attacks the refugees of Rohan on their way to Helm’s Deep. Sharku fights Aragorn, and his Warg famously falls off a cliff into a river with Aragorn’s hand caught in its harness. This scene isn’t in the book, but it helps the movie’s story by separating Aragorn from the group.
ToyBiz released this Warg figure with a fun jaw-chomping feature as part of a deluxe set that comes with Sharku. The figure is detailed, with well-painted hair and mouth. If you press the button on the Warg’s hip, its mouth closes. The legs also have a good amount of joints, so you can easily pose the Warg at different heights—perfect for building an army of Isengard Orc riders.
Recommended music: Christopher Lee – Galadriel’s Messages
So on this #TolkienThursday post from the archives, we’re still with the Fellowship and an Elven Queen in Lothlórien. Today, we’re taking a look at the ToyBiz Lord of the Rings Galadriel (Entranced by The One Ring)!
Not to be confused with Transfixed Bilbo, this alternate version of Galadriel also hailed from the LOTR Trilogy line. While you may think the creepy lighting and mood change from the scene in the film could not be captured in plastic toy form, you may be right, but Toybiz produced a fantastic figure anyway.
The figure doesn’t look as much like Cate Blanchett as the regular version, but the colors stand out, and the sculpted gown is detailed and partly see-through. I also remembered there’s a button on her back that lights up her head. I should probably check if those 20-year-old batteries still work. 😄
Recommended music: The Jacksons, Mick Jagger – State of Shock
For this #WhateverWednesday, we’re still focusing on action figures that fit well between Halloween and Christmas. Today’s pick from the Funko ReAction The Nightmare Before Christmas line is Shock!
In the film, Shock is convincingly voiced by Catherine O’Hara and is one of Oogie Boogie’s three mischievous henchmen, alongside Lock and Barrel. This seven-year-old trick-or-treater, dressed as a witch, demonstrates her cunning by helping to “kidnap the Sandy Claws” due to Jack Skellington’s request.
Funko released Shock in the second wave of their Nightmare Before Christmas ReAction line in 2016. The figure has five points of articulation: a ball neck, swivel hips, and shoulders. Her hands are too small to hold her accessories: her signature mask, a bone slingshot, and a cat-in-a-box. I didn’t include these in the photo, but it’s a generous set for a ReAction figure, especially since later henchkids came with fewer extras. I do wish she came with a broom, but I am happy the face is accurate, and the mask stays in place when needed. The paint and sculpt are simple and fit the line’s style. There are larger, more detailed versions available, but this one complements the rest of the ReAction series.
It’s time for another #WhateverWednesday post from the archives. This week, we’re checking out another figure from the Disney Parks Pirates of the Caribbean line: “The Scalawag!”
Also known as “the Pirate With Pigs”, this mischievous guy is still seen on all versions of the POTC ride sleeping (passed out) with a few pigs just before the guests’ boats reach the prison scene with the dog.
The action figure closely replicates the character’s appearance and is accompanied by several accessories, including weapons, bottles, a mud-and-brick display, and two muddy porcine companions.
“Oink oink oink oink” – Pigs [In the tune of Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me)]
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