Read last week comic here.
See Mr Topus in paper.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
FlatHeads Series 1 now available for download
It has been almost 2 years since I starting doing Paper Toys and finally I am able to share my templates with everyone.
My paper toys templates are in pdf.
My templates are not of the best quality and the measurements may be a bit off sometimes...:)
If you have difficulties making the paper toys do drop me a note at xiongatoz@gmail.com. I will try my best to help.
At the end of day, just have fun!
Now available for download is my FlatHeads Series 1.
My paper toys templates are in pdf.
My templates are not of the best quality and the measurements may be a bit off sometimes...:)
If you have difficulties making the paper toys do drop me a note at xiongatoz@gmail.com. I will try my best to help.
At the end of day, just have fun!
Now available for download is my FlatHeads Series 1.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
When did this happen...
I was out shopping last weekend when I came across War Machine from the Iron Man The Armored Avenger Legends series. This series of 6" figures features a mix of Iron Man 2 movie designs with comic-based designs.
I was excited as I had earlier missed out on the 6" War Machine from the Iron Man 2 series.
However...when I looked at the price tag, I got the shock of my life.
When did this happen?!?!
When did a 6" mass market toy become so expensive.
$49.90 Sing Dollar...OMG...Faint
Will you buy it?
I was excited as I had earlier missed out on the 6" War Machine from the Iron Man 2 series.
However...when I looked at the price tag, I got the shock of my life.
When did this happen?!?!
When did a 6" mass market toy become so expensive.
$49.90 Sing Dollar...OMG...Faint
Will you buy it?
Monday, February 21, 2011
DID 2nd Bn, 506th P.I.R. "Major Richard" Part 1
I was surfing the Internet when I found out that Major Dick Winters had passed away on the 2nd of Jan 2011.
He was the commander of Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. The exploits of the company in WW2 were made famous by the book and later, the HBO mini series "Band of Brothers".
In the series, Major Dick Winters was played by Damian Lewis.
Major Winters was a remarkable leader and soldier. He had guts and brains and took care of his men.
And yet he was very private and humble. When people asked whether he was a hero, he echoed the words of his World War II buddy, Mike Ranney: "No, but I served in a company of heroes."
After learning of his death, I immediately took out my DID Major Richard to do a toy review. This figure was supposed to portray Damian Lewis as Major Winters in the "Band of Brothers" mini series.
DID has given us the uniform and accessories to display Major Winters in 3 different ways. You can choose to display him in his jumpsuit (Operation Market Garden), what he wore during Bastogne or his dress uniform. Because of this, I have decided to break the review into 3 parts. This review will feature him in his dress unifrom.
Rest In Peace
Major Richard "Dick" D. Winters (January 21, 1918 – January 2, 2011)
The packaging is very similar to what DID has been offering. The front shows pictures of the figure while at the back you will see the picture of the accessories. Nice and simple.
This is where DID excels. The sculpting is seriously well done and captures the likeness of Damian Lewis perfectly. DID has been doing pretty great sculpts and at a much lower price point (as compared to Hot Toys). This is due to no extra cost for movie licenses hence the downside is that DID can't credit this figure to the mini series "Band of Brothers". But seriously for this kind of work at this price point, who is complaining. Not me.
The figure pretty much comes in his dress uniform. You can take him out of the packaging and display him straightaway. Just dont forget to tuck his pants into his boots.
One point to note, my dress uniform seem to be missing the Type 1 eagle patch which was supposed to be on his left arm. I can't seem to find it anywhere in the box.
The details on the uniform are good and it is very well made. It really fits the figure very well. I had every intention to display him this way but I really feel such a waste for all the accessories that came along with it.
The overseas or garrison cap looks nice on the figure but was a slight challenge putting it on the way it should be.
Hopefully, I will have the time to dress him up in the other 2 uniforms. But looking at the amount of accessories I have to put on him...it might take some time...
Right now he looks mighty fine displayed in his dress uniform.
He was the commander of Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. The exploits of the company in WW2 were made famous by the book and later, the HBO mini series "Band of Brothers".
In the series, Major Dick Winters was played by Damian Lewis.
Major Winters was a remarkable leader and soldier. He had guts and brains and took care of his men.
And yet he was very private and humble. When people asked whether he was a hero, he echoed the words of his World War II buddy, Mike Ranney: "No, but I served in a company of heroes."
After learning of his death, I immediately took out my DID Major Richard to do a toy review. This figure was supposed to portray Damian Lewis as Major Winters in the "Band of Brothers" mini series.
DID has given us the uniform and accessories to display Major Winters in 3 different ways. You can choose to display him in his jumpsuit (Operation Market Garden), what he wore during Bastogne or his dress uniform. Because of this, I have decided to break the review into 3 parts. This review will feature him in his dress unifrom.
Rest In Peace
Major Richard "Dick" D. Winters (January 21, 1918 – January 2, 2011)
The packaging is very similar to what DID has been offering. The front shows pictures of the figure while at the back you will see the picture of the accessories. Nice and simple.
This is where DID excels. The sculpting is seriously well done and captures the likeness of Damian Lewis perfectly. DID has been doing pretty great sculpts and at a much lower price point (as compared to Hot Toys). This is due to no extra cost for movie licenses hence the downside is that DID can't credit this figure to the mini series "Band of Brothers". But seriously for this kind of work at this price point, who is complaining. Not me.
The figure pretty much comes in his dress uniform. You can take him out of the packaging and display him straightaway. Just dont forget to tuck his pants into his boots.
One point to note, my dress uniform seem to be missing the Type 1 eagle patch which was supposed to be on his left arm. I can't seem to find it anywhere in the box.
The details on the uniform are good and it is very well made. It really fits the figure very well. I had every intention to display him this way but I really feel such a waste for all the accessories that came along with it.
The overseas or garrison cap looks nice on the figure but was a slight challenge putting it on the way it should be.
Hopefully, I will have the time to dress him up in the other 2 uniforms. But looking at the amount of accessories I have to put on him...it might take some time...
Right now he looks mighty fine displayed in his dress uniform.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Toys to excite you for 2011
Thanks Juliana for the update!
Over at ASMzine.com, we are able to see all the great toys at the Toy Fair 2011.
Something to look forward for 2011!
Over at ASMzine.com, we are able to see all the great toys at the Toy Fair 2011.
Something to look forward for 2011!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Hot Toys Chris Taylor Platoon
I have a love hate relationship with 12" figures.
I love the sculpting, details, articulation, cool accessories and cloth clothing but what I really really hate is putting those accessories onto the figure.
This is made worse for military figures which have many small accessories.
Hot Toys Chris Taylor figure in particular really pushed my threshold.
Sometimes I wish that the figure will just come packaged with all the accessories on.
On the positive note, I am glad that Hot Toys got the license for Platoon so I can get better and updated figures from what Sideshow had previously offered.
Hot Toys has produced Chris & Barnes and I hope they will continue the line with Elias.
The packaging is interesting and actually has some texture to it. The front of the box shows a picture of Taylor. At the back, the famous scene where Elias is gunned down after being betrayed by Barnes.
The packaging has a wrap around cover secured by magnets.
This is a very good sculpt of Charlie Sheen as Chris Taylor. I particularly like the expression used in this sculpt. It shows the "blurness" of Taylor as a newcomer to a platoon of battle hardened grunts!
An interesting feature of this figure is the interchangeable hair. You get the "spiky" hair which is the look we associate Taylor with and the flat hair meant to be used when you want to put the helmet on. Funny thing is, the helmet can't fit well when using the flat hair. In the end, I just did away with the hair. I think the fit is much better but less stable.
I also like the idea that the bandana is made of cloth and not sculpted on. It is glued on so my advise is not to try and take it out.
Spiky Hair
Flat Hair
Interchangeable hair
The helmet does not fit with the flat hair
A much better fit without the hair
Now we come to the accessories.
The accessories are really well made and the details are amazing. The only problem I had with them was getting them onto the figure. It was really hard work that it actually became unenjoyable after some time.
As this figure represent a character in a movie, I definitely wanted the accessories to be placed according to how it was placed in the movie.
I managed to find a forum with many screen shots to help me place the accessories in the right place. Do check it out if you want it to be screen accurate.
There are many accessories and I will group them into 5 main groups.
Group 1 - accessories for the webbing
Group 2 - accessories for the backpack
Group 3 - accessories for the claymore bag
Group 4 - Weapons
Group 5 - The rest
Group 1
2 large pouches, 1 small pouches, 2 canteens and the bayonet (not in pic)
There is a new way to attach the pouches onto the webbing. The method involves clips. At first glance, I thought that it would be very difficult to do. However after a few attempts, I got the hang of it.
Don't worry, there is an instruction sheet to teach you.
All done
Group 2
Machete and shovel & shovel pack.
The backpack is very well made and fits the figure very well. To me, it is the best accessory of the lot.
The machete does not fit very well into the sheath and keeps falling out.
The shovel pack can't be closed with or without the shovel. It might just be my figure (darn!)
In the picture, you can see the bayonet but it is meant to be attached to the webbing and not the backpack.
All packed up
Group 3
Claymore, trigger and wire.
In the bag, there is an instruction sheet on how to use the claymore mine. Talk about details!
Group 4
M-16, Rocket launcher with rocket, 2 grenades, 1 gas canister.
The M-16 also comes with some green tape for you to cut and wrap around the gun. This is to make it movie accurate.
The rocket launcher is amazing with lots of details. In the movie, the launcher is placed in the backpack. See pictures for group 3.
The 2 grenades and gas canister are placed with the webbing (see pictures for group 1)
Group 5
3 extra hands, 1 dog tag, the ankh, 2 red strings, helmet and his interchangeable hair.
The dog tag, ankh and red strings goes around his neck. However there is a smaller red string which I am not sure where it goes. In the screen shots, Taylor only wears 1 red string...maybe around his wrist. I am not too sure. I threw mine back into the box.
His helmet is cool and has the weathered look. It also has the cool inscription on the side - "When I die, bury me upside down so the world can kiss my ass".
The uniform is pretty well made but I felt that the pants could have been baggier which would have made it more screen accurate.
As for the towel that wrapped around Taylor's neck, I just could not make it flow like how it looked in the movie.
Overall, I am pleased that I got an updated and better version of Chris Taylor. I am looking forward to getting Barnes as I never got the Sideshow version of him.
I will end off this review with the ending quote of Taylor in the movie:
"I think now, looking back, we did not fight the enemy; we fought ourselves. The enemy was in us. The war is over for me now, but it will always be there, the rest of my days. As I'm sure Elias will be, fighting with Barnes for what Rhah called "possession of my soul." There are times since, I've felt like a child, born of those two fathers. But be that as it may, those of us who did make it have an obligation to build again. To teach to others what we know, and to try with what's left of our lives to find a goodness and a meaning to this life."
Taylor without his equipments
Taylor with his webbing
All geared up and ready for battle
I love the sculpting, details, articulation, cool accessories and cloth clothing but what I really really hate is putting those accessories onto the figure.
This is made worse for military figures which have many small accessories.
Hot Toys Chris Taylor figure in particular really pushed my threshold.
Sometimes I wish that the figure will just come packaged with all the accessories on.
On the positive note, I am glad that Hot Toys got the license for Platoon so I can get better and updated figures from what Sideshow had previously offered.
Hot Toys has produced Chris & Barnes and I hope they will continue the line with Elias.
The packaging is interesting and actually has some texture to it. The front of the box shows a picture of Taylor. At the back, the famous scene where Elias is gunned down after being betrayed by Barnes.
The packaging has a wrap around cover secured by magnets.
This is a very good sculpt of Charlie Sheen as Chris Taylor. I particularly like the expression used in this sculpt. It shows the "blurness" of Taylor as a newcomer to a platoon of battle hardened grunts!
An interesting feature of this figure is the interchangeable hair. You get the "spiky" hair which is the look we associate Taylor with and the flat hair meant to be used when you want to put the helmet on. Funny thing is, the helmet can't fit well when using the flat hair. In the end, I just did away with the hair. I think the fit is much better but less stable.
I also like the idea that the bandana is made of cloth and not sculpted on. It is glued on so my advise is not to try and take it out.
Spiky Hair
Flat Hair
Interchangeable hair
The helmet does not fit with the flat hair
A much better fit without the hair
Now we come to the accessories.
The accessories are really well made and the details are amazing. The only problem I had with them was getting them onto the figure. It was really hard work that it actually became unenjoyable after some time.
As this figure represent a character in a movie, I definitely wanted the accessories to be placed according to how it was placed in the movie.
I managed to find a forum with many screen shots to help me place the accessories in the right place. Do check it out if you want it to be screen accurate.
There are many accessories and I will group them into 5 main groups.
Group 1 - accessories for the webbing
Group 2 - accessories for the backpack
Group 3 - accessories for the claymore bag
Group 4 - Weapons
Group 5 - The rest
Group 1
2 large pouches, 1 small pouches, 2 canteens and the bayonet (not in pic)
There is a new way to attach the pouches onto the webbing. The method involves clips. At first glance, I thought that it would be very difficult to do. However after a few attempts, I got the hang of it.
Don't worry, there is an instruction sheet to teach you.
All done
Group 2
Machete and shovel & shovel pack.
The backpack is very well made and fits the figure very well. To me, it is the best accessory of the lot.
The machete does not fit very well into the sheath and keeps falling out.
The shovel pack can't be closed with or without the shovel. It might just be my figure (darn!)
In the picture, you can see the bayonet but it is meant to be attached to the webbing and not the backpack.
All packed up
Group 3
Claymore, trigger and wire.
In the bag, there is an instruction sheet on how to use the claymore mine. Talk about details!
Group 4
M-16, Rocket launcher with rocket, 2 grenades, 1 gas canister.
The M-16 also comes with some green tape for you to cut and wrap around the gun. This is to make it movie accurate.
The rocket launcher is amazing with lots of details. In the movie, the launcher is placed in the backpack. See pictures for group 3.
The 2 grenades and gas canister are placed with the webbing (see pictures for group 1)
Group 5
3 extra hands, 1 dog tag, the ankh, 2 red strings, helmet and his interchangeable hair.
The dog tag, ankh and red strings goes around his neck. However there is a smaller red string which I am not sure where it goes. In the screen shots, Taylor only wears 1 red string...maybe around his wrist. I am not too sure. I threw mine back into the box.
His helmet is cool and has the weathered look. It also has the cool inscription on the side - "When I die, bury me upside down so the world can kiss my ass".
The uniform is pretty well made but I felt that the pants could have been baggier which would have made it more screen accurate.
As for the towel that wrapped around Taylor's neck, I just could not make it flow like how it looked in the movie.
Overall, I am pleased that I got an updated and better version of Chris Taylor. I am looking forward to getting Barnes as I never got the Sideshow version of him.
I will end off this review with the ending quote of Taylor in the movie:
"I think now, looking back, we did not fight the enemy; we fought ourselves. The enemy was in us. The war is over for me now, but it will always be there, the rest of my days. As I'm sure Elias will be, fighting with Barnes for what Rhah called "possession of my soul." There are times since, I've felt like a child, born of those two fathers. But be that as it may, those of us who did make it have an obligation to build again. To teach to others what we know, and to try with what's left of our lives to find a goodness and a meaning to this life."
Taylor without his equipments
Taylor with his webbing
All geared up and ready for battle
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