ACTION FIGURE NEWS & TOY REVIEW Lees Toy Review 187 (May 2008), $5.95
DC COMICS Smallville Series 2 Aquaman Action Figure, AR Smallville Series 2 Clark Kent Action Figure, AR Smallville Series 2 Cyborg Action Figure, AR Smallville Series 2 Green Arrow Action Figure, AR Smallville Series 2 Impulse Action Figure, AR
IDW PUBLISHING Transformers Best of the UK Dinobots TP, $19.99 Transformers Movie Sequel Reign Of Starscream 1, $3.99
Wow, Lee's Toy Review and Tomart's both in one week? I guess they figured since everybody only really reads ToyFare anyway, there was no point in spreading out their ship dates.
Ah, we kid, we kid!
Merchandise Batman Dark Knight Basic Action Figure Assortment, AR Batman Dark Knight Figure & Vehicle Assortment, AR Fraulein Revoltech 003 Nge Asuka Langley Action Figure, $24.99 Fraulein Revoltech 004 Pocco Action Figure, $28.99 Godzilla Destroy All Monsters Battlezone Godzilla AF, AR Indiana Jones Adventure Heroes 2-pk Assortment 200801, AR Indiana Jones Basic Action Figure Assortment 200801, AR Mad Balls Classic Series 2, $5.99 WWE 14 In Maximum Aggression Series 1 Action Figure Assortment, AR
It's time once again to thumb through the toy section of this month's Previews, and see what goodies we can uncover. Scheduled to start shipping in July.
DC Direct is offering a Green Lantern Box Set with Hal Jordan, Tomar Re, Abin Sur and a damaged Manhunter robot. Tha's on page 142, along with Justice League International Series 1, which offers Black Canary, Batman, G'nort and Ice. The JLI figures are supposedly based on Kevin Maguire's artwork, but you wouldn't know it from looking at them.
DCD also lists a World of Warcraft Tauren Hunter figure on page 144. The delux figures are boxed by themselves, and pretty much never seen in stores - if you want this one, you'd bettr order it.
Halo Series 2 is listed on page 172. We get Master Chief, Master Chief, Master Chief, Master Chief, Master Chief, monster, monster and monster.
Page 175 brings us Spawn Series 34, a new Classics series featuring updates of three of McFarlane's most popular characters, plus Wings of Redemption Spawn.
Page 177, NFL Legends Series 4: Oilers, Steelers, Vikings, 49ers, Raiders and Redskins. That's the important info.
Page 178, a baseball two-pack of Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle.
Hey, a new Marvel Select figure! It's the new Captain America, the one who debuted in Captain America 34 last year. His base is some big gargoyle thing.
On page 271, Devil's Due Publishing is listing the GI Joe: America's Elite Vol. 5 omnibus, the tpb collection of their story-capping "World War III" event. This is the best Joe story in years, with Cobra serving up a real threat in a battle with real consquences, and definitely worth owning.
And speaking of GI Joe, a bunch of new 25th Anniversary Collection things are listed on page 447, including, figures, vehicles, dvd sets and 12" dolls.
Mattel has two listings on page 451: first we have the very nice DC Universe Classics Series 3 (the Solomon Grundy series), and then the very terrible DC Universe Infinite Heroes (the 3 3/4" pieces of crap).
Hasbro's listings on page 454 and 455 are a bit confusing - they show off some Incredible Hulk and Indiana Jones stuff, but i's all things that are already in stores.
Turn the page, though, to 456, and now we've got some good stuff. ML 2-packs featuring Elektra/Ronin, Wolverine/Forge, Captain America/Nick Fury and Mr. Fantastic/Thing. You can order ML2 variants, or even Marvel Transformers. There's even a listing for new Superhero Squad toys, including Spidey/Sentry, Spidey/Elektro, Blade/Punisher and Cap/Red Skull.
Battlestar Galactica fans will enjoy the Apollo and Dualla 2-pack on page 456, as well.
Was anybody on earth really looking forward to Desperately Seeking Susan Minimates? No. But they're on page 458 anyway.
Heroes Series 2 is listed on page 460, for those who want toys based on the surprise hit show.
Oddly, there's an ad for Living Dead Dolls Series 16 on the next page, but no actual listing for them in this month's catalog. Weird, huh?
Stargate Atlantis has a new series of toys on page 464. This time we're getting Col. Carter, Dr. Keller, a Wraith Drone, Garrison Unifrom Sheppard and the Previews Exclusive Quinlan Vos Ronon Dex.
Similarly, on page 474 you'll find Star Trek: Deep Space 9 Series 2. That's Dr. Bahir, Chief O'Brien, Klingon General Martok and the exclusive Kira Nerys.
Transformers listings begin on page 476, with Animated offerings, and continue with Classics and Robot Heroes on the next page.
Love videogame ninjas? Then the Ninja Gaiden: Ryu figure on 477 might be for you!
Lost, the show that didn't need toys in the first place but got them, is now being reduced in size for page 518's Lost Kubricks.
Looking for a new way to display your figures? Then look no further than page 530, with the Mini Mag Action Figure Disdplays. Tiered metal shelves with magnetic foot stands to keep your figures their verticalest!
So that's all the toys, but befre you pitch out the magazine, turn it over and check out the (idiotically named) FLIPside for an article by one of OAFE's fans all about patriotic superheroes.
The OAFEnet Email Update is lined with dozens of razor-sharp teeth.
So, the Iron Man movie opens tomorrow - if the makers could have found a way to charge money based on anticipation, it would already be the top grosser of the year. To keep you occupied until you can get to the theatre, here are some reviews to help pass the time.
We hope you like YouTube videos, because not only is there one linked at the end of our Joe Friday review, there are actually two more videos in the related blog post. And all because there's no good, central site for GI Joe cartoon screencaps. Someone get on that.
Rather than a real Star Wars review this week, Saturday yo posted a new custom figure. Well, we assume it's new - the figures it's made from are old, but he never showed it off before. Considering how much recent SW toys are worth, you can probably get the materials to make this one for less than the cost of a new toy.
We stayed in outer space for Sunday's review. And honestly, it's still set in a galaxy far, far away. But this isn't just a retread or anything, it's a fully distinct property. Debate whether you should pronounce the letter Z "zee" or "zed" as you read this one.
Last week's email sneak peek was this week's Minimate Monday, but it's a figure that was, at one point, cancelled. Find out how this one got rescued from obscurity.
The Transformers Tuesday parade of shame just kept on a'chugging this week, with the wildly unexpected Part 4. Bet you can't guess how many installments in this series are left!
We closed out the week with two related reviews. The first is a relatively new character who seems much older than he actually is. And he uses the "mysterious background" thing that made so many characters so very popular in the '90s.
After that, it was an old character who seems much younger than she actually is. See, that's what we in the biz refer to as "symmetry." Or not. These last two toys even share an accessory, bringing them closer together.
And don't forget, the first Saturday in May is Free Comic Book Day - go to a comic store, give them no money, go home with a book. What could be better than that!
ANTARCTIC PRESS Neotopia Volumes 1-3 Color Pocket Manga (SILVER SPONSOR) by Rod Espinosa For Free Comic Book Day 2008, Antarctic Press is proud to present a selection of Eisner-nominee Rod Espinosa's thrilling saga of Neotopia! In a world where Man has finally learned to exist in harmony with Nature, the citizens of Mathenia live happily under their beloved Grand Duchess. Unknown to them, she is Nalyn, a commoner impersonating Nydia, the real Duchess. When Nalyn is kidnapped by an enemy country bent on bringing back the age of technological excess, she must lead her country to war! Share the wondrous, exciting, all-ages adventure of Neotopia in these gorgeously drawn and fully colored Pocket Manga volumes - each offered for FREE this year!
APE ENTERTAINMENT Cartoonapalooza 1 (SILVER SPONSOR) by Various Ape Entertainment proudly presents five new, all-original short stories featuring fan-favorites Go-Go Gorilla & the Jungle Crew and White Picket Fences, as well as the first appearances of Femme Noir, Monstroids and Ursula Wilde. Industry talents include: Joe Staton, Kevin Grevioux, Steve Bryant, David Hedgecock, Rob Duenas and many more in this spectacular "Free Comic Book Day" event!
ARCANA STUDIO Arcana Studio Presents (SILVER SPONSOR) by Various Arcana Studio presents Kade, Wendigo, Burn and 100 Girls - four of Arcana's iconic series - in one issue of all-new stories published just for Free Comic Book Day 2008! Kade, the enigmatic warrior who doesn't feel, but always hurts! Wendigo, the little critter lost in the Canadian North! Burn, a prisoner in his own body! Sylvia, one of 100 Girls genetically created for the U.S. government! Arcana Studio Presents features four all-new stories of action, adventure and intrigue in the way that only Arcana can!
ARCHIE COMICS Archie Comics Jughead (GOLD SPONSOR) by Craig Boldman & Stan Goldberg "Night At The Entertainment Museum!"-Jughead lands his dream job as a night watchman at the famous Geppi's Entertainment Museum in Baltimore, but some of the exhibits are not what they seem. Mysterious things happen after hours! And when the museum's one-of-a-kind items are replaced with identical look-alikes, it's up to Archie and friends to unravel the clues and set things right! Especially since one of those items is Jughead!
Archie Comics Sonic the Hedgehog 1 (SILVER SPONSOR) by Mike Gallagher & Dave Manak Sonic the Hedgehog has been speeding his way through video games, TV, and comic books since 1992! He is undoubtedly one of the biggest cultural icons throughout the world. Now, Archie Comics is paying homage to the blue blur by taking us back to where it all began. With the overwhelming success and popularity of the Sonic Archives reprint series, we are proud to bring you a reprint of the first-ever Sonic comic from the ongoing series: Sonic The Hedgehog 1! In honor of this year's Free Comic Book Day, Archie is re-releasing the classic stories from this prized issue, but with a special bonus: the cover will be completely re-imagined with a modern "spin" by current Sonic artist, SPAZ!
ASPEN ENTERTAINMENT Worlds of Aspen 3 (SILVER SPONSOR) by Various Aspen celebrates Free Comic Book Day 2008 with the release of their third Worlds of Aspen title! This full-color, 32-page comic features the very best that Aspen has to offer, from the return of Fathom and Soulfire to everything else in between! Also including the hit series Shrugged and the premiere of Soulfire Volume 2, this incredible issue is not to be missed! With art and stories by Aspen's best, including Michael Turner, J.T. Krul, Peter Steigerwald, Micah Gunnell, Marcus To, and introducing new Fathom artist extraordinaire, Ale Garza, along with a host of others! Surrounded by a brand new cover by Aspen founder Michael Turner, make sure your Free Comic Book Day is a fun-filled, comic-filled, and Aspen-filled event!
BONGO Bongo Comics Free-For-All (GOLD SPONSOR) by Matt Groening & Various Sample The Simpsons and Futurama in the comfort of your own comic collection with this special pocket-sized Free Comic Book Day digest edition from Bongo Comics - boasting the best in humor comics!
BOOM! STUDIOS Salem Queen Of Thorns Preview (SILVER SPONSOR) by Kevin Walsh & Chris Morgan, & Wilfredo Torres Boom! Studios brings one of its flagship new series to Free Comic Book Day! Salem: Queen of Thorns, by Kevin Walsh and Chris Morgan (The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift), introduces Elias Hooke, witchhunter of Salem, who finds that magic and sorcery is very real - and more dangerous than anyone could have imagined! Cover and art by Comic Book Idol find and rising star, Wilfredo Torres!
DABEL BROTHERS PRODUCTIONS LLC Del Rey & Dabel Brothers Preview (SILVER SPONSOR) by Various The Dabel Brothers make their Free Comic Book Day Debut with a jam-packed issue that offers exclusive previews of Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files: Welcome to the Jungle, George R. R. Martin's Wild Cards: The Hard Call, and Dean Koontz's Frankenstein: Prodigal Son. But that's not all! The Dabels are also including some never-before-seen artwork and a preview of Del Rey Manga's upcoming graphic novel, In Odd We Trust, by Dean Koontz and Queenie Chan. It's hard to believe they've fit so much into one book!
DARK HORSE Hellboy/BPRD (GOLD SPONSOR) by Mike Mignola & Various To celebrate the release of Hellboy II: The Golden Army, Dark Horse Comics presents an all-Hellboy/B.P.R.D. extravaganza for Free Comic Book Day 2008! Hellboy creator Mike Mignola teams up with Hellboy: Darkness Calls artist Duncan Fegredo for a look into Hellboy's nightmares; Mignola also teams with his B.P.R.D. team of John Arcudi and Guy Davis for a breathtaking twist to recent events at the Bureau - a preview of the events in the upcoming series The Warning; and Hellboy Universe newcomers Joshua Dysart (Swamp Thing) and Paul Azaceta (Grounded) team with Mignola for another look into the world of their B.P.R.D.: 1946 series for an adventure from the early days of both the Bureau and its most famous member! A perfect jumping-on point for new readers and a terrific treat for seasoned fans of the rich Hellboy mythos!
DC COMICS All Star Superman 1 (GOLD SPONSOR) by Grant Morrison & Frank Quitely Two of the comic industry's biggest superstars, writer Grant Morrison and artist Frank Quitely, the acclaimed team behind JLA: Earth 2 reunite to redefine the Man of Steel for a new generation. The first issue of the Eisner Award-winning series that Entertainment Weekly and Time magazine named one of the best comics of 2007 features the World's Greatest Super Hero's rescue of a group of astronauts on the surface of the sun, where he's exposed to massive amounts of solar radiation. No one could have anticipated how he would be affected - except Lex Luthor!
Tiny Titans 1 (SILVER SPONSOR) by Art Baltazar and Franco Awwww yeah, Titans! Join us for the exciting first issue of Tiny Titans, the comic series that is perfect for kids of all ages! See what life is like at Sidekick Elementary and meet the new staff. Follow the madness that ensues when Beast Boy gets a puppy friend. Witness what happens when the girls meet a pink stranger with a melted ice cream cone. Find out what makes Wonder Girl such a trendsetter. All your favorite Titans, in their cutest possible form, are here and waiting for you!
DEVILS DUE PUBLISHING INC Drafted (SILVER SPONSOR) Jerusalem lies in ruins, and the war humanity must fight in the wake of its destruction is like nothing anyone on Earth could have anticipated. When an alien race begins plucking swarms of people from everyday walks of life, they are told to brace themselves to fight in a battle to decide the fate of Earth. Your training begins today…
DRAWN AND QUARTERLY Gegika A Drawn & Quarterly Manga Sampler (SILVER SPONSOR) The D+Q 2008 Free Comic Book Day issue brings together excerpts from new releases by two early masters of Japanese comics: Yoshihiro Tatsumi's Good-Bye and Seiichi Hayashi's Red Colored Elegy (both shipping from D+Q in May). Both drawn in the early '70s, in the aftermath of a politically turbulent and culturally vibrant decade that promised, but failed, to deliver new possibilities, these comics are still as remarkable as ever and will be brought to North American readers for the first time this May. Tatsumi's short stories expand the prolific artist's vocabulary for characters contextualized by themes of depravity and disorientation in twentieth-century Japan, while Hayashi's landmark full-length poetic masterpiece beautifully captures the quiet melancholy lives of a young couple struggling to make ends meet. This FCBD version will be all-ages.
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT Project Superpowers (GOLD SPONSOR) by Alex Ross & Jim Krueger Dynamite Entertainment and Alex Ross unleash Project Superpowers for the 2008 Free Comic Book Day event! In this special FCBD Edition, the creative team of Alex Ross and Jim Krueger present a special tale that connects the threads begun in Project Superpowers 0 and the seven-issue opening story arc of the series! Featuring a new cover by Alex Ross, this special FCBD Edition will not only be an essential release to connect the pieces of the entire Project Superpowers saga, but will act as an excellent entry point for the superhero series to end all superhero series! Plus, special previews of such Dynamite series as The Lone Ranger, Brothers in Arms, and more!
EUREKA PRODUCTIONS Graphic Classics Special (SILVER SPONSOR) by Various Graphic Classics: Special Edition presents more tales by five favorite authors from the "Graphic Classics" series. Included are Edgar Allan Poe's "The Black Cat," adapted by Rod Lott and Gerry Alanguilan; Arthur Conan Doyle's eerie mystery "John Barrington Cowles," adapted by Alex Burrows and Simon Gane; and fantasy master Lord Dunsany's "A Narrow Escape," adapted by Milton Knight. Plus a one-page fable by Ambrose Bierce, illustrated by Mark Dancey, and "Frankenstein" author Mary Shelley's medieval romance, "The Dream," adapted by Antonella Caputo and Anne Timmons. With a dramatic cover illustration by Gerry Alanguilan.
FANTAGRAPHICS IGNATZ International Graphic Novels at Their Zenith 1 (SILVER SPONSOR) This full-color comic provides special exclusive advance looks at seven Ignatz releases slated for later in 2008: Zak Sally's Sammy the Mouse 2, Richard Sala's Delphine 4, David (Epileptic) B.'s Babel 3, Marti's Calvario Hills 2, Sergio Ponchione's Grotesque 2, Leila Marzocchi's Niger 3, and the as-yet-untitled third installment of Gipi's "Wish You Were Here" series of graphic novelettes. As a special bonus, I.G.N.A.T.Z. will include pages from the Japanese edition of series editor Igort's Baobab 3 unavailable anywhere else (well, except for in Japan). All the excerpts will be presented in the stylin' Ignatz two-color process, with the exception of Marti's fist-to-the-eye Chester-Gould-on-acid black-and-white. Kevin Huizenga (whose third issue of Ignatz best-seller Ganges is a little ways off) provides an original cover.
GEMSTONE PUBLISHING EC Sampler (SILVER SPONSOR) by Various Wally Wood's cover from Tales From the Crypt 26 wraps four classic stories from the EC Archives: Al Feldstein's "Spawn of Venus" from Weird Science 6; Alex Toth and Harvey Kurtzman's "Dying City" from Two-Fisted Tales 22; Johnny Craig's "Curse of the Full Moon" from Tales From the Crypt 17; and Wally Wood's "Under Cover" from Shock SuspenStories 6!
Walt Disneys Gyro Gearloose (SILVER SPONSOR) by Don Rosa, Carl Barks, & William Van Horn Scrooge and Launchpad join their gadget-man pal for a book full of inventive adventure! Gyro creates a super cheese in Carl Barks' and Don Rosa's "Pied Piper of Duckburg"; a money rescue system in "Cave of the Winds"; and several awesome - but not quite uncrashable - planes in William Van Horn's "All Quacked Up!"
YEN PRESS Maximum Ride Vol 1 (SILVER SPONSOR) by James Patterson Yen Press presents a sneak peak at Maximum Ride, the new manga series from America's 1 bestselling author James Patterson! Max and her "flock" are pretty normal kids… except for the fact that they're 98% human, 2% bird - and can fly! Now, the twisted scientists that created them want them dead. Who will survive?
IDW PUBLISHING Transformers Animated (GOLD SPONSOR) This special 2008 Free Comic Book Day edition celebrates the new Transformers Animated series. In this, their first official comic book release, readers will be treated to a special 30-page story featuring the debut episode of the animated series on the printed page! See the introduction of young Optimus Prime, veteran Ratchet, and newcomers like Bulkhead, as they go up against Megatron, Starscream, and the Decepticon forces!
IMAGE COMICS Broken Trinity Preview (GOLD SPONSOR) by Ron Marz & Stjepan Sejic Hot on the heels of last year's hit event First Born, Top Cow proudly unleashes Broken Trinity. The three-issue summer event will once more force the triumvirate of Witchblade, The Darkness, and The Angelus to collide over the fate of Sara Pezzini and Jackie Estacado's daughter, Hope. In the midst of all the chaos, a new Artifact will surface and alter the landscape of the Top Cow Universe! Brought to you by the First Born and Witchblade powerhouse creative team of Ron Marz and Stjepan Sejic, with a cover by Kenneth Rocafort!
KRAUSE PUBLICATIONS Impact University Vol 4 (SILVER SPONSOR) Creating stunning science fiction and fantasy art means focusing on challenging details such as anatomy, realism, coloring techniques and conveying a sense of motion in your work. This volume of IMPACT University shows you how! With top-notch instruction from artists like Doug Chiang (Star Wars Episodes I & II), E.J. Su (Transformers), Buddy Scalera (Marvel Knights, X-Men) and John Howe (The Lord of the Rings trilogy), you'll get a sneak peak into upcoming science fiction, comic and fantasy art instruction titles, and a jumpstart on creating your own amazing art!
MAERKLE PRESS Love and Capes 7 (SILVER SPONSOR) by Thomas F. Zahler When last we left them, the Crusader was going to propose to his girlfriend Abby over Christmas. Sounds easy, right? Too bad nothing's ever easy when you're a superhero. Check out comicdom's favorite super couple in the latest all new installment of this superhero situation comedy!
MARVEL COMICS Marvel Adventures Iron Man (SILVER SPONSOR) by Jeff Parker & Paul Tobin, & Alvin Lee Are you tired of paying for comics? Us too. That's why we're very proud to present a Free Comic Book! And just 'cuz you're not paying, doesn't mean we're not stuffing this puppy with the Marvel Adventures A-Listers: Iron Man! Spider-Man! Hulk! Ant-Man! The Mandarin! A Pony! (Pony may not appear in most copies of the book.) Marvel's Mightiest Merry Mugs vs. The Mandarin, the Minion of Mirthless Mayhem! Read it! It don't cost nothin'!
X-Men (GOLD SPONSOR) by Mike Carey & Greg Land The best things in life are free. Like comic books. In this gratis issue, the young mutant Pixie tries to save her town from a mysterious evil. But when the baddies prove too tough for any one hero to handle, Pixie calls in a little help from her friends. Guest-starring Cyclops, Wolverine, Colossus and the rest of Marvel's mightiest mutants! This spectacular (and free!) story features the work of acclaimed scribe Mike Carey (X-Men, Messiah CompleX) and fan-favorite artist Greg Land (Ultimate Fantastic Four, Ultimate Power) in a story that will usher in a new era for the X-Men! The future of mutantkind starts here, so be sure to check it out. Also, it's FREE!
ONI PRESS Maintenance 1 (SILVER SPONSOR) by Jim Massey & Robbi Rodriguez Doug and Manny are not your typical custodial crew - no, sir! They're the guys who keep things shiny and clean at TerroMax, Inc., the world's biggest and best evil science think tank! What should be a simple bit of screw-tightening and WD-40 becomes a time travel fiasco! It's Cro-Magnon madness as our pair try to figure out how to get home and how the heck a caveman got a jetpack!
PLATINUM STUDIOS Comic Book Challenge Showcase 1 (SILVER SPONSOR) by DJ Coffman & Jorge Vega, Coffman & Dominique Vivona This Free Comic Book Day comic showcases the best of the best in the Comic Book Challenge, including 2006 winner DJ Coffman's Hero By Night and 2007 winner Jorge Vega and Dominique Vivona's Gunplay. This jam-packed book is sure to inspire, entertain and inform!
RADICAL PUBLISHING Imaginary 1 (SILVER SPONSOR) Art by Imaginary Friends Studios Imaginary 1 gives you a sneak peek at the designs behind our first five major projects - Hercules, Caliber, Freedom Formula, Aladdin and Khrome - all designed and illustrated by the biggest creative powerhouse in the world, Imaginary Friends Studios! Take a look (it won't cost anything) and you'll become believers just like we did! Get a first look at the mash-up art event of the 21st century - 40 great artists, 40 amazing styles, 1 studio!
RED 5 COMICS Atomic Robo Neozoic and Friends (SILVER SPONSOR) by Various Beloved Atomic Robo is back! It's 1961 and the Russians have built a bomb capable of destroying the whole planet. Only Atomic Robo can enter the heart of Communist Siberia and take on deadly Combots to save freedom! An all-new 16-page adventure by Brian Clevinger and Scott Wegener! Then, in an all-new Neozoic adventure illustrated by J. Korim and Jessie Lam, a telikos - the world's largest meat-eating dinosaur - is snacking on the PDL horses... and protege dino-hunter Lilli Murko doesn't like that one bit! Plus, catch a glimpse forward at 2008 adventures of Red 5 favorites and new faces!
RENAISSANCE PRESS Amelia Rules Comics and Stories (SILVER SPONSOR) by Jimmy Gownley Hot on the heels of its success with Scholastic Book Fairs, Amelia Rules! returns with another stellar FCBD edition! Featuring a brand new Amelia story by Eisner- and Harvey-nominated creator, Jimmy Gownley, this issue also features a classic Amelia short story as well as brand new Amelia back-up stories - including the first-ever Amelia Rules!/WJHC crossover, with art by Joe Staton. With over a quarter-million Amelia books sold so far, it's the perfect time to bring the success of this hilarious series into your store!
RUDE DUDE PRODUCTIONS The Moth Greatest Hits (SILVER SPONSOR) by Gary Martin & Steve Rude How does one follow up the return of Nexus?! With the return of… The Moth! A mere 5 issues old when Dark Horse stopped publishing it, The Moth has now been returned to it's rightful owners with Steve Rude and Gary Martin, who are just getting warmed-up! If you missed the first 5 issues - fear not! This Free Comic Day special brings any newcomers out there up-to-date! Sexy bearded ladys, ill-tempered smoking midgets, and a 24-year-old in a Moth costume in charge of running a circus all await you, dear readers!
SKY DOG PRESS Kids Love Comics Comic Book Diner (SILVER SPONSOR) by Gallagher, Sava, Faber, Gownley, & More! Kids Love Comics! - and here are some comics that love kids! Featuring fun stories, how-to's, and more, by some of comics' top all-ages creators! John Gallagher's Buzzboy! Scott Sava's Dreamland Chronicles! Patrick the Wolfboy! Roboy Red! Banana Tail - and more! All hosted by Jimmy Gownley's Amelia Rules! characters! Plus: A Super-Cool Guide and Recommended Reading List of the best in Kids' Comics! A great introduction (and helpful guide) to comics for readers of all-ages!
STARBRIDGE MEDIA GROUP INC Nascar Heroes 5 All Star Special (SILVER SPONSOR) by Diamond, Gallagher, & Cassan Introducing NASCAR Heroes - 800 Horsepower Comic Book Action with America's largest spectator sport as a backdrop! Jimmy Dash's super-powered race team is hired to help with stunts for an action racing movie, "Zoom Speedster" - but the production is plagued by the mysterious Driver Z ghost-car that haunts the set! This is a great jumping-on point for fans both young and old of super heroes, or racing, or both! Plus, How-To's, a mini-overview of the ongoing series, with character bios and a story timeline!
TOP SHELF PRODUCTIONS Owly and Friends by Andy Runton, Christian Slade, James Kochalka, & Corey Barba Top Shelf is proud to join the 2008 Free Comic Book Day celebration with not one, but four all-ages tales. In this FCBD edition, we'll not only present an all-new Owly adventure by Andy Runton, but also three other all-new, all-ages adventures from Owly's friends: Korgi by Christian Slade, Johnny Boo by James Kochalka, and Yam by Corey Barba! Perfect for everyone in the family... and be sure to keep an eye out for Owly Volumes 4 and 5, Korgi Book 2, and the debut of Johnny Boo and Yam, all in 2008!
TWOMORROWS PUBLISHING Comics Go Hollywood (SILVER SPONSOR) TwoMorrows Publishing presents Comics Go Hollywood, unveiling secrets behind your favorite on-screen heroes! Our regular magazine editors have assembled this special 32-page behind-the-scenes guide, where you'll learn what's involved in taking a character from the comics page to the big screen! It includes: Storyboards from DC's animated hit The New Frontier (courtesy of Draw! Magazine)! Jeph Loeb on writing for both Marvel Comics and the Heroes TV show (courtesy of Write Now! magazine)! Details on the unseen X-Men movie (courtesy of Alter Ego magazine)! A history of The Joker from his 1940s origins to his upcoming appearance in The Dark Knight (courtesy of Back-Issue Magazine)! And a look at Marvel Universe co-creator Jack Kirby's Hollywood career, with extensive Kirby art!
VIPER COMICS Viper Comics Presents Kid Houdini and the Silver Dollar Misfits (SILVER SPONSOR) by Dwight MacPherson & Worth Gowell In 1886, ten-year-old Harry Houdini runs away from home, only to find himself a prisoner in Professor Murat's circus. Using the circus as their headquarters, Harry and his new friends - Lydia the snake girl, Hans the legless boy, and Jacques and Joe the Siamese twins - form a unique detective agency that will brave any ghost, goblin or ghoul to solve a mystery... if you can pay their fee: one shiny silver dollar. Written and created by Dwight MacPherson (Edgar Allen Poo).
VIRGIN COMICS LLC Stranded/Dan Dare Flipbook (GOLD SPONSOR) What if your entire life - your childhood, your family, all your memories - was a lie? That is the question at the core of The Stranded, the inaugural title from the landmark collaboration between Virgin Comics and The SCI FI Channel! An epic adventure, The Stranded will be featured alongside Dan Dare in a special flip-cover edition for Free Comic Book Day 2008. An icon since the 1950's, Dan Dare has been pulled out of retirement and into the outer reaches of the galaxy in this new series written by Garth Ennis (Preacher, The Boys, Hitman, John Woo's Seven Brothers)!
VIZ COMMUNICATIONS Shonen Jump Sampler (SILVER SPONSOR) by Various The Shonen Jump Free Comic Book Day issue will be 32 action-packed pages all about the world of Shonen Jump. It will not only include manga previews of three of the most exciting series - Naruto, Bleach and Slam Dunk - but it will also include coverage of many Shonen Jump manga series, from One Piece to Death Note, designed to introduce new readers to all that Shonen Jump has to offer.
WILDCARD INK Gumbys Coloring Comicbook Special 1 (SILVER SPONSOR) Gumby snaps back! Courtesy of writers Mike Hersh (Rabid Animal Komix) and Bob Burden (Flaming Carrot), along with art from series favorite Rick Geary (Victorian Murder Mysteries) and fellow comic greats Phil Ortiz (The Simpsons), Ken Hooper (Aquaman), and Mel Smith (Dead Ahead) in this spectacular coloring comic edition! Infected by a computer worm our favorite bendable hero seeks help from the Mad Doctor. A mini-Gumby is created and embarks on a hilarious adventure inside his own body searching for the terrible worm. Will Gumby find the worm? What does the inside of a clay boy look like? Find out and join in the fun as you get to be the colorist in the wackiest Gumby tale yet!
WIZARD ENTERTAINMENT Wizard How to Draw Sampler (SILVER SPONSOR) Because you demanded it, Wizard: The Comics Magazine has collected 15 years of its award-winning art lessons into one "How to Draw" book series! Learn the basics with Heroic Anatomy; figure drawing in Character Creation; page layout and story tips in Storytelling; and covers, inking, coloring and more in Advanced Techniques! With this Free Comic Book Day sampler you get an inside peek at each one of these "How to Draw" books, each filled with art lessons from your favorite comic book creators. It's Wizard's ultimate resource for aspiring comic book creators, and the sneak peek is absolutely FREE!
games - WIZARDS OF THE COAST Bag O Star Wars CMG Figures (SILVER SPONSOR) Enter the exciting galaxy of adventure with Wizards of the Coast's best-selling Star Wars Collectible Miniature Game with one of three different figures available FREE on May 3rd! May the Force of FREE be with you!
games - WIZKIDS Marvel Heroclix Iron Man 2008 FCBD Edition (SILVER SPONSOR) Previously only available as one of the harder-to-find figures from the Armor Wars Heroclix set and depicting the most current version of Tony Stark's armor suit (as well as an all-new gameplay dial & character card), this piece will definitely appeal not only to new Iron Man fans but to current HeroClix players as well!
Remember, Gold books are available at all participating stores, while Silver books are only available at some. But still, you can get some free comics this weekend, so go out and find something new!
DC COMICS New Gods Darkseid Action Figure, AR New Gods Lightray Action Figure, AR New Gods Mister Miracle Action Figure, AR New Gods Orion Action Figure, AR
Merchandise Hellboy Animated: 10 Inch Roto-Cast Figure W/trenchcoat, AR Hulk Movie Action Figure Assortment 200801, AR Hulk Smash Hands, $32.99 Hulk Super Hero Squad Action Figure Assortment 200801, AR Marvel Legends Mighty Muggs Figure Assortment 200801, AR Spider-Man Trilogy Villains Action Figure Assortment 200802, AR Star Wars Mighty Muggs 6 In Figure Assortment 200803, AR Wwe Deluxe Figures Series 13 Assortment, AR
Now that you've enjoyed our GI Joe 25th Anniversary Tomax and Xamot (and if you haven't, it's no one's fault but your own), enjoy a couple of related videos.
The rap is so-so, but timing the old cartoons to it just makes things golden:
And second, the inspiration for the review's Alt tags. You did notice the Alt tags, didn't you? And you figured out what was going on? If so, good for you. If not, go read it again. Then come back here and watch this:
Choose your own adventure with the OAFEnet Email update!
If you remember the reviews we had for the past two weeks, then you might be able to guess what this week's Joe Friday was: after all, it's the same thing all over again. It's a trend. Or a theme. Or just plain old unoriginal. One of the above.
We didn't have a Star Wars review this week, but there was a good reason for that. See, it would have been posted on 4/20, and that just wouldn't do. Instead, we honored the date by reviewing something that's pointy and green - and we're not talking about Puff the Magic Dragon, either! After you're done, pass this one to the left-hand side.
To celebrate the much-awaited return of the best show on television, our unofficial "Minimate Monday" took a look at two of the most conflicted characters in the cast. If you've been looking for some civilians for your superheroes to save, here's your answer.
Would you like some "Bourne Identity" action figures? Matt Damon's mom tells you why you can't have them.
Are you growing weary of this pathetic excuse for a Transformers Tuesday review? Too bad! This trainwreck is going to keep rolling for another few weeks, unless stores start stocking more merchandise!
Artemis reviewed something new this week, an actual doll. Not an action figure with clothes on, an honest to goodness doll. No point in pretending. To make up for it, though, the review includes what is sure to be our most popular picture ever. Share it with your friends!
We had a new GI Joe Movie Watch for you this week, but it's sort of been undone. So to make up for it, here's a cool video.
Might as well let the next review load while you're watching that - with 20 photos, it's going to take a while for everything to show up.
Tomorrow we're going to be posting a Lego review, so now seems like a great time to share this video. It's ex-Lego-employee Jake McKee talking about how the company pulled its head out of its own ass and realized how out of touch it was with its customers - a lesson a lot more toy companies could stand to learn. Anyway, settle in for "How Lego Caught the Clue Train."
IMAGE COMICS McFarlanes MLB Series 21 Figure Assortment, AR Spawn Action Figure Assortment Series 33 Age Of Pharaohs, AR TMP Military 3-in Series 2 Action Figure Assortment, AR TMP Military Series 7 Action Figure Assortment, AR
Merchandise Avp Series 2 8 In Action Figure Assortment, AR Cinema Of Fear Series 2 Action Figure Assortment, AR Cinema Of Fear Stylized Jason Vorhees Action Figure, $22.99 Doctor Who Action Figure 12 Pc Asst 02373c, AR Living Dead Dolls Series 15 Assortment, AR Spider-Man Trilogy Heroes Action Figure Assortment 200801, AR Spider-Man Trilogy Villains Action Figure Assortment 200801, AR Star Trek TNG 20th Ann Season 1 Riker In Command Chair Figure, AR Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Series 1 Action Figure Assortment, AR
Since last time, when images of Scarlett leaked online, the producers have revealed a bunch more of the movie costumes. To see all the pictures, hit up YoJoe.com.
When we compared the movie's "power armor" to Sigma 6's Sigma Suits and claimed that it looked like they were throwing everybody a bone, we didn't realize how that would extend all the way down to GI Joe: Reloaded, the short-lived "Ultimate"-style revamp Devil's Due did a few years ago - that's where the Baroness and Stormshadow's look comes from.
UPDATE: Sorry, everyone, Paramount has had the pictures taken down. Hope you saw them while they were available.
So GamePolitics.com has an article up about how Nancy Carlsson-Paige thinks it's okay for her son to be in violent movies because he has a strict "no action figures" policy.
Let that sink in for a moment: she seriously seems to think that there's a big demand for Jason Bourne action figures, and that kids would buy them.
Now, okay, if a Jack Bauer figure from 24 can sell, so could Jason Bourne. But lady, it's not kids who are buying 24 action figures. It's adults. The Bourne Identity isn't exactly what we call "toyetic." No lightsabers, no mutant powers, no missile launchers, no sales. In the interview, she says that iff Matt didn't have this stance, "there would be a whole line of Jason Bourne toys...." A whole line, huh? Yeah, I could just see it now: kids would be screaming and crying for Santa to bring them "short blonde guy in a dark turtleneck sweater." Or maybe "dark haired sinister guy lurking about." They could clip out the proof of purchase and send away for "decrepit old white man."
Not marketing violence to children is a fine goal. If we're going to freak out about sex, we should totally freak out about violence, too. But don't hold up Matt Damon's refusal to sign his likeness to NECA as a sign of fighting for the kiddies: if you think Jason Bourne appeals to kids, you're jut fooling yourself. This isn't The Matrix, where people mith magic powers run around fighting in superhero suits - this is an adult movie with an adult audience, so the only people Matt's taking a stand against are adult collectors.
Ayway, go read the article - it's interesting, and they make more fun of the statements than we have.
Depending on how you look at it, Joe Friday this week was either one new review, two new reviews, or no new reviews! Quite a range of possibilities, isn't it? To find out what's up (and to perform your own hand recount) just follow the link.
Here's another oddity: on Star Wars Saturday, we posted the second half of a review that most people didn't even know they were waiting for - especially since we posted the first half in February. It's like someone starting to tell you a joke, then withholding the punchline for a few days. By then you've forgotten the set-up, so it's just a random thing they're saying to you - in other words, a complete waste of time.
Poe found a cool bit of news this week, giving us a sneak-peek at some of next year's anticipated movie toys.
If we'd been thinking ahead, we would have posted Sunday's new review a day earlier. After all, this may not be a lolcat, but we still could have celebrated our own quaint little Caturday.
You may have thought we forgot Transformers Tuesday this week, or linked to the wrong thing. Nope. We assure you, this is indeed the proper link. If it looks familiar, maybe you just need to scroll down further.
It's been almost a month since our last GI Joe Movie Watch update, but now some new pictures have appeared. There's also a video there that may ruin one of the film's surprises, so if you crave big spoilers, dive right in.
Our final review is an old figure, and a rare one, but it was also a much-requested review. We were all just too lazy to post it before now. So read up, then run to eBay to beat the rush.
Remember, this Sunday is 4/20, so if you plan to celebrate the holiday, be sure you're fully stocked up on snackfood. Of course, if you are inclined to celebrate, your short-term memory is probably shot to hell; in that case, remember this Sunday is 4/20.
In our last installment, we saw the first pictures of Ray Park in the Snake-Eyes suit. Well today, completing the set, we offer you Rachel Nicols as Scarlett. Mmmmm.... shapely...!
That outfit, by the way, is the Joe team's "power armor" - sounds a lot like the Sigma Suits from Sigma 6, huh? Guess everybody will be getting thrown a bone with this one.
Oh, and just in case you missed it, it seems the spoliers about "Duke's best friend" are true. Watch at your own risk:
Entertainment Weekly has posted exclusive shots of DC Direct's movie-based Watchmen toys: specifically, Nite-Owl and Rorschach. Nite-Owl might be a bit too lean and fit, but Rorschach is looking nice. Too bad these are the typical under-articulated DCD figures - but that still means they'll have more movement than the 300 figures.
