Update!

Yes! I'm still here!

Just thought I'd update you on what's going on with me:

1. I've been real busy, so much so this is literally the first time I've checked on my blog. I'm as popular as ever...

2. I've been cherry picking Masters of the Universe classics for a while. But I finally decided to spring for a subscription in 2014!  I'm not completely sure that was such a great idea...

3. Got a few customs in the works, a 'beast form' Catra and my version of an oliphaunt.

4. I've also got a few more injustice figures, which I may review...

5. In game news... Haven't had the the time to finalise the zombie version of the game. Well time's one reason... Lack of interest, the second.

6. I'm hoping the Bridge Direct continues to release 3 3/4" figures. Otherwise I've cleared a lot of shelf space for nothing!

Anyways, nice chatting to you all!

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!

Update

Hello all,

You're probably all dying to know what I've been up to... Yeah I didn't think so.
Anyway, I've gone tmnt mad, I've spent quite a bit on the new figures, playset etc. when I get some time I may put up some photos or reviews, keep in mind I never finished reviewing the Voltron lions so, my reviews are called 'behind the times' for a reason. What I will write is that of all the new figures the turtles are the best! I'm so happy with them

I've also ordered two of the attacknids (see videos below) I think they look awesome and I look forward to customizing one, I can't decide if ill make it a Cobra vehicle or a Kraang vehicle? Speaking of customs I'm working on a Harad Mumak, which I'm calling a scout as it is considerably smaller than the film versions, I may add WIP photos at some point.

All the best

-JAC

Armies: Easterlings and Haradrim

Hello all,

Below you'll find images of my 'middle earth' Easterling and Haradrim armies. The figures all come from different lines and it won't be hard to tell where! However, they represent either allies or enemies of Allatar and Pallando. Mr E and I have played a few trial games now for a version of the game set in this theatre for the war of the rings, we've had some fun and I may post a battle report in the future.

The way we see it: is that Allatar and Pallando made one last stand agains Sauron by using the good  people of the east and south, some were mentioned in the Silmarillion, I imagine some forbidden city far to the east based on Japanese and Chinese culture, they'd be protecting a giant wall against the forces of evil. I imagine this city to be at the foot of the Orocarni mountains and it'd be allied to the Dwarves that dwelt there. In the South I'd imagine a more guerrilla style opposition.

Here are the images:

You can see more Dwarves here

Now for some evil Easterlings from outside the wall:

I hope that the Bridge Direct release some warriors of Rhun in the future.

The Haradrim:

The Hobbit: Custom Dwarves

Hello all,

Just finished a few more Dwarves and I thought I'd share them with you, I really loved the armoured Dwarves from the film, so I thought I'd make my own. As for back story, I figured I'd continue with my East and South Middle earth theme, these can be some Orocarni Mountain Dwarves.

Dwarf Blacksmith (left)

I also added two more Orcs and repainted a couple of Wargs.

Mr Frodo?

As always I appreciate any feedback.

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 Customs

Custom Orcs

Hello all,

Here is my latest custom, it is another 'pale' Orc, he's the tank of the group. I went for a more 'savage' look with this one, adding more bones as decoration. This is one of the first times I have attempted to add articulation to a figure, I think it came out ok,  but in future I will try harder to 'hide' the seams.

Custom Orc

Savage Orc

Apart from that I wanted to show some more pictures of Alatar and Pallando, fighting some Haradrim and Easterlings.

Pallando with new staff

I also included an eastern 'hero' to go with Pallando. I think that like Gandalf, the Blue wizards would have recruited heroes for their quests. I may add some more later, I think I may use more 'stand ins' like this Hogun. I'm also thinking of using some figures from the prince of Persia line. You can also see some more Marvel universe and Indiana Jones figures to represent 3 3/4" Haradrim and Easterlings.

Pallando