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Hasbro's PR team have shared with us details of two new Black Widow Marvel Legends action figures coming to stores in Spring 2020. The first of the two new figures is Black Widow in her white comic book outfit. This one is titled the Deadly Origin Black Widow. She is packed with a sniper rifle, suppressed pistol and a handgun. Also included are firing effects for the barrell of the guns and smoking barrel effects that look to slot in the barrels for an alternative effect. This figure is exclusive to Target in the US. Figure two is a 1980's inspired comic book Black Widow with shorter cropped hair. She is wearing a grey jumpsuit, with black widow spider logo on the chest and over this is a tan leather jacket. This widow is packed with a jetpack and firing FX pieces to slot into the jets. There are also multiple stinger versions for Widow#s wrists - two with firing effects and two with smoking effects. This figure is exclusive to Walmart in the US. Both figures go up for pre-order as of Thursday the 23rd of January, with delivery in the Spring. While they are exclusive to specific US stores, they should be available via the fan channel elsewhere in the world. Checkout our blog page for more action figure news, reviews and store reports action figure, news, toys, reviews, action, figure, blog, checklist, collectors, marvel , legends, hasbro, black widow,

Diamond Select have shared images of their 7 inch Tron deluxe action figures in their packaging ahead of their release in February 2020. Basic versions of these figures are exclusive to Walgreens, but these "Deluxe" versions come with additional packaging and will be sold via most stockists that carry Diamond products. The three figures look great, but it is sad to see the planned Recognizer, which was due to be split as a build-a-vehicle, has been dropped. When quizzed on Facebook, Diamond didn't elaborate on why the Recognizer has been cancelled, but stated than the RRP has been dropped accordingly to $19.99 in the US. The first series figures are Tron, Sark and Infiltrator Flynn. A fourth figure, a blue version of Flynn, is sold as part of the Walgreens line but remains exclusive to them so will not translate to these Deluxe releases. Halt, user! For the first time ever, the classic sci-fi movie Tron gets movie-accurate action figures! Each 7-inch scale action figure is based on the look of a character from the 1982 film – Tron, Sark and Infiltrator Flynn in his red infiltration disguise. Each features approximately 16 points of articulation and interchangeable disc accessories and effects, and comes packaged on a full-color blister card. Designed by Yuri Tming, sculpted by Gentle Giant Studios.

At the UK Toy Fair in London, Character Options have officially announced their brand new Doctor Who 5.5 inch action figures for 2020. The Doctor Who Site have shared the details direct from the show about the 2020 releases. I will update this thread when the full press release comes through with the high quality images. The relaunch of the line see's a return to single carded figures in waves priced at £12.99 each. The figures will be released in February and the indications are they will be general releases and not exclusive to a particular retailer. The figures confirmed are a new version of the 13th Doctor. This uses the existing sculpt but with an added "bum bag" and her top is the purple colour as seen in the recent episode Nikola Tesla's Night of Terror. She will come with her sonic screwdriver. To accompany the Doctor is a Graham (Bradley Walsh) that includes a new head scupt, but some re-used body parts from the older Character Primeval line. We then have the Reconnaissance Dalek from the 2019 New Years episode. This is a brand new sculpt and comes with a Dalek Mutant that can be inserted into the Dalek casing. A fourth figure of the Judoon - most likely from this weekends episode - will also be released. Images for this have not been released. I would assume this uses the older sculpt to a degree. Accompanying the four figures is a new electronic TARDIS. This uses the existing TARDIS mould with some updates to the colouring, top light and stickers. The new TARDIS will be £24.99 Figures of Jaz and Ryan are also planned and were teased back in 2019 in this image. These figures also re-use some Primeval parts. The indications are these two will be in a B&M exclusive 2-pack (or possible multi-pack). Checkout our blog page for more action figure news, reviews and store reports action figure, news, toys, reviews, action, figure, blog, checklist, collectors, doctor who, dr who, tardis, character, options, B&M

Mezco have shared a new promotional image of their One:12 Conan the Barbarian action figure. This "coming soon" promo begins a 24hr countdown to the full listing and preorder going live at 3pm (UK time) on Wednesday the 22nd January. Checkout our blog page for more action figure news, reviews and store reports action figure, news, toys, reviews, action, figure, blog, checklist, collectors, mezco, one:12, collective, conan, the barbarian

After a couple of weeks post-Christmas with some fairly sad looking shelves, Smyths are returning to full stock - including new items in some key ranges. After sitting on the very early Transformers Studio Series figures for so long, Smyths have now cleared out the Starscreams and have the new wave of the Deluxe Arcee Triplets, Bumblebee and Hotrod in stock for £19.99 each. I suspect Soundwave may have come and gone already. I also noticed a new section for Dragonball Z. I am not close to this property, but there seemed to be new figures here. There were collectors window box line of 17cm (6 inch) figures for £19.99 each which I think I may have seen before shoehorned into a corner of another section. There was then a smaller basic line at 12.5cm (5 inch). These basic figures were single carded at £9.99 and there was then a larger box set of 3 figures for £24.99 each. Apologies if these have been around for some time. Checkout our blog page for more action figure news, reviews and store reports action figure, news, toys, reviews, action, figure, blog, checklist, collectors, smyths toy superstore, superstores, transformers, studio series, hasbro, takara tomy, bandai, dragonball

As we enter the new decade I have decided to step on the site in 2020 with some new ideas, new content and new format of some old favourites. The overall goal is to increase traffic and site interaction. As a trial in the first quarter of 2020 I am going to be introducing "Guest Spot Sunday" where we will publish reviews, articles and videos from a guest each week. The post will be published on our site and shared on our social channels. The only caveat is that the guest shares the post and our site on their own social channels, website or group. If you are interested in some shared content and collaborative exposure then drop me a line at mephitsu.archives@gmail.com or contact me via Facebook. Some ground rules.... Content should be action figure related. We will both get more exposure if the content is close to our own content of 6-8 inch figures from TV, Movies and Videogames. Content can simply be a YouTube video which we will embed. But please include some brief background text to introduce yourself and your video. If you are submitting a written review with photos, please send in the full text and images at least one week ahead of a slot so it can be prepared. Content should be appropriate for children - so no swearing or any content considered adult. We will use our own logo on the title for the post and reserve the right to write a short introduction based on the information given.

Asda are reducing prices, to clear in some cases, some of their toy lines post-Christmas. I dropped into a larger Superstore (Horwich Bolton) this weekend to find the new Star Wars Galaxy of Adventures 5 inch action figures down to £4.99 each including wave 2 Han Solo and C-3PO. The droid 3-pack of BB8, D-0 and R2-D2 is £7.49 - although this store had sold out of these. The Marvel basic line of 6 inch figures was also reduced to £6.49 and they had the Captain Marvel figure as well as the first assortments of Iron-Man and Ant-Man in the Quantum suits. For Power Rangers, the basic Beast Morphers 6-inch figures were on a clearance end for £6.73 - down from their £8.97 original price tag. Bargain of the day in Asda though was the Jazwares Fortnite Loot Llama for the 4 inch Fortnite figures. This thing includes a figure (Rust Lord) and a load of guns and accessories for the game. These are usually £24.97 in Asda, and are now reduced to just £9.99 each. Checkout our blog page for more action figure news, reviews and store reports action figure, news, toys, reviews, action, figure, blog, checklist, collectors, asda, toy aisle, hasbro, marvel, star wars, jazwares, fortnite, power rangers

Hasbro have announced a new Marvel Legends release for the upcoming Black Widow (MCU Phase 4) movie. The set is being badged as a Deluxe release in a larger size box as recently used on the Giantman repacked figure. This Deluxe format looks to be a new addition allowing Hasbro to bring larger figures to market. Or, as this set shows, a standard figure with an enhanced level of accessories. Black Widow comes in her white suit as seen in the Black Widow trailer. The figure looks to potentially use the Infinity War Widow head with a new hair piece - it certainly has a similar "smirk" and not the more sullen look of the Endgame Widow or the one we have in the Black Widow wave, although it may just be the angle of the promo shots. Said hairpiece is definitely from the Widow wave arriving at the same time, and the body looks to be a full repaint of that single release figure. Both Widow figures may also share parts with the Yelena Bolova figure. We will know for sure when the figure is in hand. Included in the set is a pair of hand guns, which seem to fit in working holsters on Widow's thighs, and a pair of what looks like Kusarigama's (a kama type blade on a length of chain). There are three sets of hands. We then move into some FX pieces, the largest of which looks to have come from the Star Wars Black Series Stormtrooper Set. The blast pieces are the Iron-Man pieces that have come with most modern MCU Iron-Man releases, most recently the Mk85. There is then a pair of electric blue stinger effects that look to wrap the wrists. The final addition is a brand new action stand which features adjustable waist clip for action and flight poses. The blast pieces are designed (with exception of the largest) to plug into sockets on the base. The set will retail here in the UK for £29.99 and pre-orders are live at most retailers. 6-INCH-SCALE COLLECTIBLE BLACK WIDOW FIGURE – Fans, collectors, and kids alike can enjoy this 6-inch-scale Black Widow figure, inspired by the character from Marvel’s Black Widow movie. MARVEL MOVIE-INSPIRED DESIGN – Black Widow figure with premium design, detail, and articulation for high poseability and display in a Marvel collection. Inspired by Marvel’s Black Widow movie. PREMIUM ARTICULATION AND DETAILING: The high quality, realistic, 6-inch Legends Series figure features multiple points of articulation and is a great addition to any action figure collection. MARVEL UNIVERSE IN 6-INCH SCALE: Look for other Hasbro Marvel Legends Series figures (each sold separately) with comic- and movie-inspired characters, including Captain America, Black Widow, Spider-Man, and Iron Man. (Additional figures each sold separately. Subject to availability.) INCLUDES POSEABLE ACTION STAND: Figure includes clear, flexible action stand which can hold figure in that perfect action pose. Stand also features peg holes to attach accessories. action figure, news, toys, reviews, action, figure, blog, checklist, collectors, hasbro, marvel legends, black widow, romanov

NECA have tweeted this image showing of the packaging for their Rhino Alien action figure. The figure will be in an enclosed box like the Ultimate Series figures, the front flap will open to reveal the figure int he window underneath. The box retains the Kenner homage design using the same layout as the original Kenner release - including the circular panel which replicates the figure in its blister. The Rhino Alien should arrive in May 2020 action figure, news, toys, reviews, action, figure, blog, checklist, collectors, neca, rhino, alien, aliens, xenomorph, kenner

After quite a barren run, Smyths are re-stocking their Jurassic World section with some brand new Dinosaur Releases Up first is the £19.99 Sound Strike Dinosaurs which include the Triceratops, Cryolophosaurus, Pteranodon and an Edmontosaurus (not found in the store I was in). At a £26.99 price point are the larger Massive Biter dinosaurs - the Tarbosaurus and Sarcosuchus These are all listed on the Smyths website too - so you can check stock in your store and sign up for these going live for home delivery. action figure, news, toys, reviews, action, figure, blog, checklist, collectors, smyths, toys, jurassic park, jurassic world, dinosaurs, massive biters, sound strikes

I dropped into one of my local B&M today, a larger "Home Store" and found a large aisle of clearance toys. The one price reduction of note was the 2019 Doctor Who B&M Exclusive 3-packs down to just £10 each (2018 were down to £8). The store I was in had a shelf full but only the Silver Nemesis and Sontaran sets. Those who are collecting the new Hasbro 5 inch Star Wars Rise of Skywalker figures can get their fix in B&M now too, and at £8.99 each. action figure, news, toys, reviews, action, figure, blog, checklist, collectors, doctor who, star wars, character options, hasbro, B&M stores

The First Order Jet Trooper from Star Wars The Rise of Skywalker was first released as a Carbonized exclusive - sold at Walmart in the US and Smyths Toys in the UK. The figure was then released in wave 23 in its standard colouring in the standard phase 3 packaging. Packaging 4/5 THe First Order Jet Trooper is number #99 in the Black and Red Phase 3 packaging. The design of the box remains unchanged with the figure presented against a red card back which works really well for white armoured figures. The artwork by Gregory Titus is well executed and this is repeated on the back of the box with the usual background text. "Specialised Stormtroopers of the First Order, Jet Troopers soar into battle equipped with agile rocket packs" Both versions of the Jet Trooper uses the same size of box and the same artwork. The colouring is different and the Carbonized version has the cut in round panel on the window confirming it as part of the Carbonized Collection. There is a slight different on the rear of the boxes with the artwork on the standard release sitting higher and being cut off more at the bottom with a larger "Attention" segment. Both of my versions were UK releases. Paint & Sculpt 4/5 The Jet Trooper design borrows a lot of elements from previous First Order troopers, but the figure does not appear to re-use any parts. The helmet is a cross between a Snowtrooper and a Stormtrooper with sleek flared lines and black painted panel lining and visor. The body is covered predominantly by a large chest piece, complete with some decal work. The jet pack sits on the back of this section with a wide vent area at the top. A further red decal sits underneath this. The figure is cast in a white plastic for most of the armour but there is a section under the main chest piece which is cas in black plastic and then painted. That can look mismatched in very strong light. The bright white armour is screen accurate and matches other First Order Troopers in shine and colour. There is no difference on sculpt for either Jet Trooper, only the finish. The Carbonized version is still cast in white plastic like the standard release, with the pearlescent paint applied on top. The decals remain the same and the only key difference is the jets and vents on the Carbonized Trooper being blue, while they are gun-metal grey on the standard release. Accessories The Jet Trooper comes with a single blaster pistol. It is a new three barrelled affair with sights that do arrive warped. It is cast in grey with white and gunmetal silver paint applied. It fits into the Trooper's right hand, but the fit is not all to secure and the hands are very stiff and difficult to manipulate to have the trigger finger slot in place. There is a socket on the right thigh and my first thought was that this allowed the Trooper to holster his weapon. It does not! There is no corresponding peg on the weapon. The leg is not the same as the Storm Trooper or Sith Trooper so the inclusion of a non-working holster slot is an odd one. The blaster from the Sith Trooper does slot in the hole, and I wonder if the original plan was for this figure to have a secondary weapon? Both weapons are identical in sculpt, with the standard version getting extra paint apps with the addition of silver round the barrel and sights which do improve the look. Both suffer from warped sights, but the standard version less so. Both are tight fitting into the figures hand, and neither fit in the thigh socket. Articulation Our Jet Trooper has 16 points of articulation in total Head : ball joint neck Body : torso ball joint Arms : ball joint shoulders, single joint rotating elbow, wrist pivot Legs : ball joint hops, thigh swivel, double joint knee, ankle rocker The upper body mobility is good with a lot of range on the torso joint under the armour. Arms can do most poses and can be raised fully with the shoulder armour withdrawing under the chest as the arms are raised. The elbows give enough for a rudimentary two handed weapon pose, but only at a carry position - no real firing options. Like a lot of armoured figures the legs are a bit restricted by the thigh armour. You won't get the legs to raise into anything other than a wider action stance. As a "flying" character the figure does look awesome when placed onto an aftermarket flight stand Summary The standard version of the Jet Trooper is a brilliant release and another Troop type to add for the First Order, and potentially army build if you wish. It is well sculpted, and has crisp white armour and well applied decals and paint apps where needed - the only niggle being that slightly different shade of white on the midriff. The gun is OK, but is a tough fit in the hand and it doesn't go into the socket provided on the thigh which is odd? I score the standard release First Order Jet Trooper a 4 out of 5. See More Star Wars Black Series Figures