Injustice: Gods among Us Toy Wave 2

Hello all,

I received the second set of two packs from BBTS a while back and I've been meaning to review them, now I don't know if they are wave 2 and 3 or whatever, it really doesn't matter to me.
The sets are as follows:
1. Harley Quinn and Cyborg
2. Superman and Nightwing
3.Aquaman and Black Adam
4.Flash and Raven

I will review each set in the order specified above, looking at the good and bad sides as usual, there are things I discussed in my first review, which I don't want to go over again so feel free to check it our here.

Now, I am more of a Marvel fan than a DC fan, in particular the film universe that revolves around the Avengers. However, I've always been a fan of Batman and his Rogue Gallery. So it's great to see Harley Quinn and Nightwing, It really surprises me that we have yet to see Batman or the Joker! There is another set out now which is made up of Catwoman and Doomsday out now and I'll be getting that set as well.

That is not to take away from the sets I'm reviewing, it's great to see Superman and the Flash. It's also good to see Black Adam, but where is Shazam? I find it odd that they are not pairing Heroes with their respective villains, I get that it's based on the fighting game where you can fight anyone, but since my concerns over The Hobbit line, I'm worried I won't be getting these heroes in this scale any time soon. I love the 1:18th scale it's my favorite. I also have to add that these figures are shorter than the Marvel Universe modern G.I.Joe line, and I'm sure they'll be shorter than the upcoming Mattel 4" figures, so if this line ends it'll be incomplete and while Cyborg, Raven and Black Adam are great, I'd rather have Batman, The Joker and say Sinestro (Green Lantern is already available in another exclusive set, though it's not Hal Jordan).

Ok, I think that's enough of that... onto the reviews

1. Harley Quinn and Cyborg

Likes

-For their size, the sculpting on these figures is great, as is their appearance, they look like they stepped out of the game, this pretty much applies to all the figures
-The female figures, because of their size are particularly impressive, they aren't bulky and the level of articulation is very good
-Paint application is very good with relation to their size there is no paint bleed, well nothing major. The printed detail on Harley's clothes are very impressive, as I understand it the character's design is unique to the game.
-Cyborg's sculpt is very cool and there is a lot of detail in his armour, a lot of wires running here and there
Dislikes
-The lack of accessories is a real problem, particularly because of the nature of these two characters Harley Quinn should have a couple of revolvers, a cherry pie/bomb or a massive mallet, all three if possible. Unfortunately she has even less equipment than she does clothes!
-Cyborg's lack of accessories is also annoying, particularly when you see all the changes he goes through in the game during special moves, removable hands would have been a great option here so you could attach a few accessories like an arm cannon.

4/5 Behind the times for both

2. Superman and Nightwing

Likes
-The costumes look amazing, particularly Nightwing's, the paint applications look awesome, I think this is a great version of that character
-Nightwing comes with an accessory: His Escrima sticks!
-Superman's cape is cool it's sculpted to look  as though it's fluttering int he wind

Dislikes
-Superman is too 'small' in the game he is a much 'larger' figure, they should have bulked him up instead of using the standard body
-Although I am happy with the inclusion of the accessories, only one fits into his hand propely. While taking the photos, I almost lost it. In addition to this it would have been great to have a staff included as well, to mimic more battle scenes from the game.

Superman 3/5 Behind the times
Nightwing 4/5 Behind the times

A night out in Gotham

3. Aquaman and Black Adam

Likes

Comparison of the detail in the outfits

- Sculpting on both figures is great, the armour on Aquaman looks very realistic and the texture on Black Adam's costume looks amazing, it's a simple costume yet the detail makes it stand out
-The Sculpting on Black Adam's face is spot on
-Aquaman's face is impressive, but for different reasons, the sculpt is very realistic, which is different from all the other figures so far, his head is also larger
-Both of these characters are very 'bulky' that is to say, they are large so when you place Adam next to Nightwing you can see the difference int heir physique. This is something I wish had occurred with Superman
-Aquaman has a trident, which is ideal!

Dislikes
-Aquaman's head is bigger than all the other figures, and while I like the sculpt, it doesn't fit in with the rest of them
-Aquaman's left hand snapped off as soon as I tried to turn it,

it's a real issue with these figures, well some of them, at first you're terrified of moving them because they may just snap. However, once you have loosened the joints they're fine. The issue is, I hate having to put extra work into toys I paid for, I mean they're not customs so why do I need to drill them and add pins? Why do I need to use steam to loosen joints? This is not an issue with other toy lines I've been collecting lately, even the bridge direct which is a new company do not have these issues.

Aquaman 2/5 Behind the times
Black Adam 4/5 Behind the times

4. Flash and Raven

Likes

Stand not included

-This is a set I really enjoyed, both figures look amazing, Raven is menacing and Flash's costume is very detailed
-Their size is great in comparison to some of the larger character's whose physique is very muscular
-You can put the flash in a running pose, one of his hands is sculpted as an open palm

Dislikes
-Like some of the other characters, Raven could have used some accessories, like a raven or some purple 'magic' effects or attachments
-These figures, most of them, would benefit from figure stands, I've put all my DC stuff up on a shelf formerly reserved for the Bridge Direct's Hobbit line and some of the female figures can't stay standing and create a Domino effect, this never happens with my G.I.Joe's as they are always on stands.
-This is more of a thought than anything else, some figures should come with swap-able hands, this would be great for the Flash.

Flash 4/5
Raven 4/5

Well, that's all guys, now I just need to get the Catwoman/Doomsday pack and I think there's a few good ones coming up, there is a photo of a prototype 3 3/4" Joker out there. I've also got most of the latest Bridge Direct Hobbit stuff, which I hope to review, some day...

Behind the Times: Injustice Gods among Us

Hello all, did ya miss me? I'm back for yet another behind the times so read on if you're interested in the figures.

I love Injustice: Gods among us is an awesome game, I've really enjoyed it! I've also downloaded all the skins and extra characters including the Scorpion add on. It's the first game of this type that I have ever really enjoyed. I found out about the toys before the I had heard about the game. I love the idea that there are finally going to be some 'good' 3 3/4" scale DC based figures. I ordered the first two sets from BBTS, the other two Cyborg and Harley Quinn and Raven and the Flash are on their way here as you read this. The first two sets are made up of Solomon Grundy and Wonder Woman and Green Arrow and Deathstroke There are some great in depth reviews on these characters on the web. I will give a general overview, likes and dislikes etc for each set and a score for each at the bottom.

Solomon Grundy and Wonder Woman

Likes
-The scale, this applies to both sets obviously. However, this is also an issue... read on later. To be honest all other attempts at this scale by Mattel have ranged from O.K. to terrible, I just saw some of the Superman figures at K-mart and they demonstrate exactly what I mean. Unfortunately, they focus too much on the 6" line, neglecting the 1:18 scale collectors. Unfortunately, it seems like Hasbro is following in their footsteps... These figures are not by Mattel however, they are by DC collectibles
-Speaking of scale: Grundy is huge! he towers over all figures in his scale

-Articulation is great, definitely competes with the best Hasbro has to offer
-The costumes the characters wear are based on the game and aren't the traditional costumes they are known for, this may be a downside for some people, but to me it's great, I'm not a fan of Wonder Woman's traditional outfit

-The knives sticking out of Grundy's back are all pretty straight, I heard in another review that they came bent, but the package the figure comes in is designed so that they maintain their shape. maybe it's a running change?

-Grundy also has a 'hole' in his back where you can place his knife, which is the only accessory which comes with the set.

-I mentioned Wonder Woman's costume, it's really cool. I much prefer the 'armoured' look

Dislikes
-I absolutely hate it when I purchase a figure and it breaks as soon as I take it out of the package, particularly when it's a figure that isn't available anywhere I have easy access to. Wonder Woman's foot snapped as soon as I took her out of the package and tried to move it around, it may have something to do with the fact that the their joints are made up of 'clear' plastic which seems brittle. The same thing happened to my first Voltron Lion. I'm going to have to glue it back on!

Fatality! Or maybe a total... Injustice?

-While I'm discussing Wonder Woman's flaws, I'll have to add the fact that she has her fingernails 'painted' but it just looks like she has blood on her fingers. I couldn't get a good picture of that.
-The next major dislike are the lack of accessories, the only accessory is Grundy's knife, but both characters could really benefit from more for example, Grundy could have a tombstone, like the one he uses in the game. Wonder Woman should have a sword, shield and her whip note that I wrote should, because these are necessary accessories.

I give Grundy a 4/5

Despite the fact that I think Wonder Woman is a great figure, I give her 3/5 'Behind the times'

Green Arrow and Deathstroke

Likes
-Deathstroke looks awesome!

Weapons not included

-So does Green Arrow!

-The detail on each figure is amazing!

-Green Arrows bow is really cool and includes a 'string'

-Articulation for these figures is great allowing for many cool poses


Dislikes
-I am afraid to move one of Deathstroke's feet, there is too much paint caked on and I'm afraid it'll snap like Wonder Woman's. I have tried all the boiling water tricks etc...

-Lack of accessories is really a problem here, Green Arrow has his bow which is cool, but he could use an arrow or something. Deathstroke really needs accessories, the guns he has holstered are sculpted on, the rifle included is too big, like a cheap G.I.Joe rifle and too big for his hands. The guns and sword you see in the pictures are those I added from my bits box. Weapons are Deathstroke's thing... especially in the game, most of his special moves include a gun, pair of guns or a sword.

-The scale shows up here as well, with Grundy it's fine cause he's huge, with Wonder Woman it wouldn't be a problem if she were an 'average' height woman, but since she is an amazon, she should be bigger. Deathstroke and Green Arrow look tiny next to other figures of a similar scale. This is a problem for me as I like to display all my figures together, the only reason I really wanted DC figures in the 3 3/4" scale was so I could display them next to my Marvel Universe figures, as you can tell by the photos, this doesn't turn out so well... I'm going to need a whole different shelf for these!

I give Deathstroke and Green Arrow a 3.5/5 

'Behind the times'

Final Thoughts

I'm really enjoying this line and though I've spend some time on the negatives it's because I have to 'import' these and I always judge these figures a little harder. I'm really looking forward to Harley Quinn, Catwoman and Superman and I really want to see a Batman vs Joker pack (fingers crossed)! The one fear I have is that all the figures are all readily available at BBTS, does this mean they aren't very popular? I'm really concerned that this line won't last!

Behind the Times: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Hello all and Happy (belated) New Year!

First thing first: my customs have been posted at the Hobbit Central, go an check out their site it's awesome and it has a lot of cool news especially about upcoming bridge direct figures. Thanks guys for putting up my work!

Second thing: Currently working on some more Dwarf and Orc customs: they should be up by next week

If it's your first time here I suggest checking out the customs section and go over and check out Dr Syn's Blog The Smuggling Cove there are some awesome Hobbit customs there too as well as some cool G.I.Joe Stuff!

On to the review:

I have officially now watched The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey three times! Each time in 2D and I found that very interesting, because every person I watched it with preferred to watch it in that way! I did want to check it out in 3D in the 48 fps, but I’m not really a big fan of 3D anyway, maybe for the Desolation of Smaug.  Apart from the Likes and Dislikes section, I have added two other sections ‘predictions’ and ‘Toys I want’. But more on that later, I found the film very entertaining and the changes in these films did not bother me anywhere near as much as those made to the Lord of the Rings, I wonder if this will remain the same for the other two films. On to the Likes and Dislikes!

Likes

- The inclusion of chapter titles straight from the text

-The mention of the Blue Wizards, though I would have thought Gandalf would remember their names!

-Radagast was great! For years I’ve been  wanting to see him on film, I always thought he might make an appearance in the LOTR films. I think he crossed his eyes one too many times and he really could have gone without the bird poo on his face!

-I really enjoyed the white council scenes except for the fact that  Galadriel seemed to outrank Saruman, which I found weird as he’s a Maia and she’s an elf, a Valinor elf, but an elf none the less. I thought Saruman was overshadowed a little too much after all he was the leader of the group. I really hope that the next film shows the white council clearing out the Fortress at Dol Guldur sending Sauron to Mordor. It would have been good to see Cirdan and Celeborn but this would have extended the scene too much. What about Elrond’s sons?

-I enjoyed the difference between the Goblins Goblin town and the Moria Orcs/Goblins? I’m still not sure where they are from!

-The flashbacks were awesome! I’ve wanted to see epic Orc vs Dwarf Battle since I was a kid! Not to mention the Great Kingdom of Erebor and the coming of Smaug, of all the scenes in the film these are the ones I wanted to see over and over again.

- I really liked the Design of the Dwarves,  except for Thorin, a Dwarf of his status needs a better beard. It really served as a way to differentiate otherwise identical characters, not to mention the comedic elements presented by Ori,  Oin and Bifur.

-I liked the Green Wood (Mirkwood) Elves, and while I loved the armour and helmets, I couldn’t help but think that they were wood elves and they would be more lightly armed, then again they were marching to war. and what’s up with Thranduil’s eyebrows!?

- Ian McKellen as Gandalf is awesome and I’m so glad he decided to return to the cast, but the real stand out is Martin Freeman’s Bilbo. Riddles in the Dark was an awesome scene!

-The appearance of Figwit as Lindir. I love the Flight of the Conchords!

-I liked the inclusion of Songs from the text, they did it well without turning the film into a musical, especially with the Goblin King

Dislikes

-The battle of Azanulbizar was awesome! But I would love to have seen Dain Ironfoot there as well as having the other Dwarf kingdoms represented.

-The fact that Thrain’s story wasn’t explored or mention in depth. Gandalf found him in Dol Guldur a prisoner of the Necromancer. Maybe in the second film? Though I don’t see how as Radagast has had the first encounter with the Necromancer.

-The discussion of the Grave of Angmar, I’m not sure Angmar was ever killed, that’s why there’s a prophesy as to how he’ll be defeated.

-I’m not sure about Azog, wouldn’t Bolg  seeking revenge have been just as effective? Also was Bolg in the battle of Azannulbizar? I’m sure I saw him at least two out of the three times I watched the film

-I’m glad Azog comes from Moria and not Dol Guldur as I had earlier guessed. But I am confused as to what he is meant to be, an Orc or a Goblin? He is called the ‘Pale Orc’. But what about his followers? Are they Orcs or Goblins? And if they are Goblins why do they look so different to the Moria Goblins in LOTR? The Wargs were cool, but I actually liked the LOTR ‘Hyena’ Wargs! I think I need to get my hand on that ‘Hobbit chronicles’ book.

All in all I think the film was amazing, anyone comparing it to The Phantom Menace is flat out wrong, I am very much looking forward to the other two, but I fear that they may depart a lot from the source material.

I give it 4/5 Behind the times!

Predictions

I just wanted to leave a note on things that I think will happen in The Desolation of Smaug and There and back again.

1. I don’t think Smaug will be killed in the Desolation of Smaug, I think that film will end with Bilbo’s encounter with Smaug, There and back again will start with Smaug’s attack on Laketown.

2. Just an opinion, Legolas featuring in the second and third film makes sense, he is Thranduil’s son, I just hope that he doesn’t overshadow the other characters!

3. I’m guessing we won’t actually be seeing Bolg again, he was in the first film, very briefly. I think that’s it for him, there really isn’t any need for him if his father’s still alive!

4. If they feature the attack on Dol Guldur, I’m sure it’ll be in the second film, that’s when Gandalf disappears again.

4. I can’t wait for Beorn!

5. I don’t think the spiders will talk, however, we did get the talking Trolls so who knows?

Toys I want from the film (in order of Preference)

3 ¾” scale

Dwarf armoured warrior from Prologue and Flashbacks

Armoured  Green Wood Elf from Flashbacks (could be in a two pack with the Dwarf?)

Balin and Dwalin from Flashback

Thranduil on the Stag

Imladris elf on horse

Elrond in armour on horse

Soldiers from Dale (Prologue)

More army builder Orcs and Goblins

From the news that are coming from Toy fair UK it seems that we will be getting the remainder or the Dwarves as well as Azog and his wolf and Radagast.

The Hobbit: Toys and Customs

Hello all!

I am back! No game news, for the few of you that are interested. However, I walked into my local Big W, which I assume, is like a Wal-mart in the U.S.A. They had all the figures from the 3 3/4" line of the  The Hobbit from the Bridge Direct with the exception of the Goblin King and Thorin, Fimbul and Warg and Bolg and 'Battle Damaged' Gandalf. Since then I have aquired Bolg and Gandalf and am waiting for a Few Warg sets and the Goblin King from Bigbadtoystore. Oh I'm also waiting for the final three Voltron Lions, I'll put up a review when they arrive. If you want to see the previous reviews see behind the times.

Now I was going to do a Review of all of them (The Hobbit figures). However, I'm a little tired. I may do it another day. The few things I will say, is that:

Likes

-Great Detail
-Good Articulation, just as good or better as the first of the Toy Biz LOTR line. Still better, much, much better than Mattel's Voltron figures
-Removable weapons
-The scale, for years I wished that they would released LOTR figures in this scale!

Dislikes
- For some of them the 'clothes' are restrictive, which means that they can not use the articulation below, this is particularly true of Legolas and Kili, I had to make so 'strategic' cuts to remedy this
-Some of the paint application could be better
-a few of the accessories don't fit in their hands to well, again this is an issue with Legolas, his bow is too fat for his hands
-There aren't enough of them available at the moment!

Below you'll find some pictures of the figures themselves. However, what I am very happy about are some Goblin customs and Dol Guldur Orcs I've been working on. I purchased a few of the 'Grinnah' figures and decided to build up my Goblin army, I used some modelling putty to make a few changes, I modelled them after some images that I have seen online. The Dol Guldur orcs are based on Bolg and on a LOTR Sam in or amour. Keep in mind that the flash of the camera makes the figures look lighter than what they actually are: I would really appreciate some feedback as I'm not sure I'll be posting these any where else.

THE BRIDGE DIRECT STUFF

The Unexpected Party. Left to Right, Back to Front: Fili, Thorin, Kili (mini Aragorn), Dwalin, Bilbo, Gandalf and Balin

Legolas (see the chunky bow) and Tauriel

In battle

Riddles in the Dark

Invisible Bilbo (I'm told it's an OZ exclusive)

Two Bilbos and Two Gandalfs (battle damaged on the left)

THE CUSTOMS

GOBLINS

Now as far as I'm aware Tolkien pretty much stated that Goblins and Orcs were the same thing. I have always thought of them as different since my Warhammer days. I had hoped that the Goblins would look like those from The Fellowship of the Ring. But the more I see of these the more I like them. The Goblins below are all 'Grinnah' figures, I used some modelling clay and some paint to modify them, I added tumors and what not, where I could, some of them look really gross!

The Goblins! Note the one on the lower Left's head comes from a Toy Biz LOTR figure, I believe it came with Sam Gamgee.

Damaged ear and Tumors

DOL GULDUR ORCS

From what I've read on the web, the Orcs from Dol Guldur include Azog and Bolg. Oh the controversy this has caused! I'm actually looking forward to the whole Necromancer sub-plot. Anyway, so far these Orks (I think this is the plural form) are described as being pale. Now I've noticed that Orcs and Goblins in these films are on the 'lighter' side skin tone wise. I don't know if that's because of all the controversy of the Orcs being of 'darker' skin tone in the previous films. Either way, I like the idea of different types of Orcs existing in middle earth. When the Warg sets arrive I'll be making more customs. These Warg riders are confusing me, in the book they come from the Misty Mountain, so technically they should look like the goblins above, they set out to avenge their king. I think Jackson is making them servants of Azog, so they must come from Dol Guldur, even though Azog origninally ruled Moria and was replaced by Bolg when Dain Ironfoot decapitated him! See what I mean, confusing. I guess I'll have to wait 'til the film!

This Orc is based on Bolg (obviously)

The helmet is from the Sam in Orc Disguise figure

The body is from the Sam in Orc Disguise figure and the head is from a BBI Goblin figure

Well this is it for now, got a few more customs on the way, currently working on a Necromancer, not The Necromancer. Like I said before, I will appreciate feedback.