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NECA have shared some new promotional images of their Alien Resurrection figures of Ripley 8 and the Xenomorph. The figures are part of Series 14 arriving later in 2019. These two figures will be packed in the standard blister format. Ripley will come with two weapons, alternate hands and her basketball. The third figure in the Series, the Newborn Alien, is having to be packed in a window box and more info and images for him will be revealed in due course. #FacehuggerFriday 7″ Scale Action Figure – Series 14 Alien Movie UK Resurrection Assortment Series 14 of our bestselling Alien Movie UKs action figures is dedicated to Alien Movie UK: Resurrection, the fourth movie in the thrilling sci-fi series! It includes Ripley 8 and the Resurrection Warrior. Ellen Ripley Clone 8 stands approximately 7” tall, has over 25 points of articulation and features the likeness of Sigourney Weaver. She wears the clone’s futuristic ensemble and comes with Draco Double Burner and Lacrima 99 Shockrifle accessories, plus interchangeable hands and a basketball. The Resurrection Warrior stands over 9” tall and is faithful to the Alien Movie UK’s appearance in the movie. It features over 30 points of articulation, including a tail assembly which provides an additional swivel as well as having a bendable portion. Clamshell packaging Shipping Date: Q2 2019

I took a wander into a couple of Asda's today, and when I say wander I actually mean I went to buy new toys on the back of some reports of clearance prices being applied. Up first is the reason I went, Marvel Legends. Most Asda stores are now dropping these from the £19.99 to £9.98. The figures will be from either the first or second wave of Avengers figures from 2018. While you will be lucky to find Cap, Thor or Iron-Spider - there seem to be a few stores with a selection including Black Widow, Ant-Man, Wasp, Songbird and Malekith. The store I visited had Wasp and Widow - both of which I have already. What I was surprised to find just above these were Transformer Studio Series Voyager figures at £20. I've not seen this line in any Asda before, and yet they were marked as reduced. This might mean I have missed them previously - or they are a new line and coming in at a reduced price. The only two my store had were Optimus Prime (who I only reviewed this week) and Starscream. £20 for the Voyager class is about £10 less than RRP. In both these cases the product was security tagged which may pose an issue if you want to keep these boxed.

Hasbro have released the packaged images of the 2019 X-Men wave of Marvel Legends, the Caliban BAF wave. The wave, coming in Spring 2019, is made up fully of comic book based X-Men Characters. These are Gambit, Blink, Beast, Forge, Jubilee, Weapon X and Skullbuster. Collect the parts that come with the figures to build Caliban. Parts are included with all but Gambit. The Cajun will be packed 2 per case to even out to 8 figures per box. Pre-orders for the wave are likely to open very soon.

Following from the opening of our Transformers Category which will be a checklist of releases, with a few reviews thrown in - here is our next project as we launch our McFarlane Fortnite page of action figures. This will be the first of a number of figure lines we will catalogue on the site, but will not necessarily review. We would invite our readers instead to tell us and everyone else what they think about the figures - publishing their own thoughts and ratings / reviews using our comments section. To start commenting you simply need to use the sign in button at the top right of our blog pages to create an account.

NECA have shared the final packaged images of their Ace Ventura 8 inch action figure. Ace is due for a February release and is in the larger 8 inch scale complete with soft good tailored clothing. He will be packed in an Ace Ventura movie themed window box. Ace comes with three head options, a Monkey, a Parrot and a Dove. "From the 1994 comedy Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, this clothed action figure is based on Jim Carrey’s hilarious performance as Miami’s best/only pet detective. Ace stands 8” tall and is fully articulated. He comes with plenty of accessories, too: swappable heads, monkey, parrot, dove and more! Window box packaging."

Hasbro have shared an image of the packaged Star Wars Black Series General Grievous. Grievous will be released in the new larger size format and will retail around $30 in the US. Here in the UK previous larger figures like Moloch and The Gamorrean Guard have commanded a price around £40. Grievous however should get a direct release via Hasbro UK as per the new focus on the UK market for 2019 onwards. Grievous pre-orders are thankfully opening as low as £26.99 from some e-tailers.

As a child growing up in the 80's my first love was Star Wars, and my second for quite some time was Transformers. Back then they were expensive compared to the Star Wars figures but I had some cool ones (and wish I still did) like Soundwave and Jetfire. Roll forward to now and my son and I have been revisiting the Transformers Movie Universe after seeing Bumblebee (which is excellent). From this I've discovered the Studio Series of Transformers. These are akin to the Black Series or Marvel Legends and of course are something that fits with our site ethos of mid sized, mid priced toys and collectibles from the movies and TV. Starting another line fully is not an option at present but I did indulge my childhood and picked up a movie Optimus Prime, a Transformer I never owned as a child. Our review of this is up - but I then had to think what to do then in terms of the site. The answer, I think, will open up a new avenue for us in 2019. The idea is to not get hung up with reviewing every figure in every line (or I will go broke very quickly) but to provide good quality easy to follow checklist guides of ranges of figures - like we currently have for NECA Aliens or Star Wars. Where we do not own a figure you won't get a full review, but you will get a breakdown using the company promotional images and descriptions. We can then use the new Blog process where other collectors can sign up to the site and then add their own comments / reviews and ratings in the content section. Transformers will be our first real stab at this and you can see our new Transformers home page here. Links are up already for the first 8 figures, and this includes a review of #05 Optimus Prime. We will expand the checklist to the full line over the coming weeks and if this format works we will expand to other lines (one already in the works).

Welcome to our review of the Hasbro Transformers Studio Series Optimus Prime. Launched in 2018, the Studio Series is a range of screen accurate Transformers from the live action Transformer movies, produced to be in relative scale with each other. They are packed in collector friendly window boxes that also includes a cardboard fold out stand with scene appropriate backdrop. Optimus Prime is number 5 in the line, and is a Voyager class release - the next size up from the basic Deluxe releases. Packaging The Studio Series packaging does borrow elements from Hasbro's other collector series such as Star Wars Black Series and the Marvel Legends. The box is black in base colour with a large open window to see the figure. To the side of the window is a bold red TRANSFORMERS logo on top of which is the Generations badge and a Takara Tomy logo - these are produced in collaboration with Takara Tomy in Japan. Cut into the window is an image of the character, Optimus, and under this sits the numbering in a contrasting blue font, with Optimus number 05 in the line. The movie from which the character is taken sits to the side of this - with Optimus here as he was seen in Revenge of the Fallen. Under this is a blue band confirming this as a Studio Series release - and then we get the character name and a logo to confirm if this is a Autobot or Decepticon release. To the right hand side of the box the spine repeats the Autobot logo and a larger image of Optimus. The larger Autobot logo near the top of this side spine is actually a cut out from the outer box to display the inner tray onto which this image is printed. The other side spine is a combination of black and the electric blue. Here we see a larger number (#05) and a repeat of the Studio Series text. We have a head shot of Optimus and under this confirmation that this is a Voyager class release - the middle of the three sizes in the Studio Series (Deluxe > Voyager > Leader). The rear of the box moves to a red backdrop and shows Optimus in both Robot and Vehicle mode along with the "steps" count for transformation, 35 in total. There is some brief background text about the Studio Series and about Optimus - nothing in depth. "BIG SCREEN INSPIRED Scale, Detail, Backdrop" "OPTIMUS PRIME fearlessly takes on the DECEPTICONS, risking it all for freedom." The figure is accessed from the top or bottom flap. It slides out along with the backdrop diorama set. This is made in cardboard and includes a red plinth, complete with movie logo and Autobot symbol. The back of the card is the movie scene - for Optimus it is the Forest Battle scene from Revenge of the Fallen. The two sides fold out further to reveal a deep red frame to the piece. Studio Series and the number 05 - inverted in triangle so it is now red text on black background. The opposite side carries the Transformers logo and that Autobot symbol we saw earlier through the cutout in the box package. Optimus is securely strapped in to a further inner plastic tray with a cotton string type tie around his waist, and elasticated clear ties around arms, legs and the two sword arms. it is best to snip these with scissors. Also included is the instructions to walk you through all 35 steps of Optimus' transformation to vehicle mode and back. Sculpt & Decoration Optimus is a good likeness to his onscreen Revenge of the Fallen counterpart in terms of body shape and makeup. For example the windscreens are clearly visible as part of his chest and the wheels can be seen down the legs tucked out of the way. What is perhaps not as accurate is the colouring and the detail. Essentially each part of Optimus is cast in its base colour - predominantly blue, grey and burgundy. While there is a touch of decor on the flame effects on the arms - there is no real applied detail to enhance the metal parts to a glossy finish. Obviously this is consistent with all of Hasbro's Transformer lines, but is worth mentioning if you are considering this as your "go to" line for movie accurate Transformer figures. Optimus is armed with two sword arm attachments that clip into his hands. These are a very tight fit, and it is easiest - and I think designed - for them to go in the bottom of the fist so they are gripped the opposite way to what we may immediately think. Thee are metallised a little on the frame and the blades are a nice translucent plastic. Articulation Optimus is robot form is nicely articulated so that a variety of poses are achievable. The head can be turned slightly to either side but is probably the least mobile of the joints present. The arms are much more mobile and can be raised up on the shoulder joints as well as then rotating at the upper bicep and bending at the elbows. The hands are fixed in gripping position but these do rotate also within the arm socket. The legs are articulated at the hips, knees and with a form of ankle rocker to keep the large clawed feet planted on the ground. The two swords can be swiveled in the socket of the hand and then work with the arm movement for action stance and combat mode. When not in use they can be stowed on sockets on Optimus' back. Transforming Each Transformer released by Hasbro includes a step by step instruction for taking it from one mode to its alternative state. These instructions are not the easiest to follow as the moveable parts are not always clear and the movement needed, indicated by the red arrows, is sometimes even more confusing. Optimus has a whopping 35 steps to move him from Robot to Truck mode. Being my first Studio Series and having read issues with fragile parts, I took my time with this - exploring and tweaking each movement. The instructions are definitely not friendly and you may be best served seeking out Youtube help like this video from Toy Today. Getting the truck hood to clip together and wrap up all those arms pieces was the most difficult and there are very fine margins between a smooth change and mismatched parts. While my 40+ fat fingers found this difficult on the first round, it does become easier as you become familiar - and like my son I would probably hit a stage of being able to do this unaided at some point. It is also worth at this stage marvelling at the engineering and planning that has gone in to make this Transformation happen. Vehicle Mode The truck mode for Optimus is the Kenworth style truck we see him use in the movies. Once Transformed it uses the same coloured plastic, so is not as glossy and metallic as perhaps the real truck would be. You also see more obviously here the lack of paint or decor on certain items. The wheels for example are left black with no colouring on the rims which would be a nickel colour. The smoke stacks are also very plasticy and the windows very dull. Panels lines are disguised well in places such as the doors and windows. But others like the split down the hood are very obvious. Adding the swords to the rear is shown in the instructions but this does not add a great deal in the looks department for me. While the Studio Series is made to a scale, this is applicable only in Robot Form. While I do not have any other Studio Series to compare Optimus against, it is clear that in Truck form our Autobot leader will be small in scale when put alongside on of the cars like Bumblebee or Jazz. This is an acceptable compromise for me as my preference will always be to display these in Robot mode and I guess the engineering to make both modes scale was a bridge too far. Summary Before I sum up, the one factor we have not looked at in its entirety is the diorama piece. The idea is that fans can keep this cardboard part to display their figure. This just about works for Optimus in truck mode, although he does overhang front and back. The Robot mode is much more successful, filling the plinth and backdrop nicely. While this will expand the space needed on the shelf, it is an innovative way of presenting and curating a collection. This is my first Studio Series Transformer, and on the basis I wont be buying the full line I am going after the key characters I like the most from the movies - and from my childhood. Optimus is not necessarily an entry level into the line being of the more expensive Voyager class but he is a great centre point around which to build a collection. The first of any line does always pose the problem of where to lay down the marker in terms of scoring. As an amateur to Transformer toys I have to score as I see it, and for me that includes positives for the packaging, the sculpt, the articulation and the engineering of that transformation - albeit fiddly. Points I will take off are for the colouring with some big misses in terms of not painting the wheels and leaving a lot of the metal parts plain grey plastic. The instructions also leave a lot to be desired - for either collectors or kids. At an RRP of £30, the Studio Series Optimus represents a bigger outlay than usual for a 6 inch but of course you are paying for that intricate engineering, and therefore the comparison is a little unfair. After playing with him for some time and doing the Transformation a few times I am fairly pleased with the money spent here and will award the Studio Series Optimus Prime a benchmarking 3 out of 5 (subject to amendments when I've explored the line further) Visit our BRAND NEW Transformers Studio Series page

This Studio Series Deluxe Class lineup features premium figures, each with movie-inspired scale, detail, and backdrop. Figures stand at a scale relative to their character’s height in the movie and feature vivid, movie-inspired deco. Each package comes with a movie scene backdrop that can be removed to display the figure on shelf. Fans can use the backdrop and pose their figures in the scene with their own style. This Studio Series 04 Deluxe Class Movie 1 Autobot Ratchet figure brings the movie action from the Mission City Battle scene to new dimensions The figure converts between robot and H2 Hummer modes in 18 steps and comes with a detailed weapon accessory inspired by the movie Remove the backdrop included in pack to showcase Autobot Ratchet in the Mission City Battle scene. Reach past the big screen and build the ultimate Transformers collection with Studio Series figures, inspired by iconic movie scenes and designed with deco and figure scales that reflect the movie universe. Approaching in disguise as law enforcement, the fearsome Decepticon unit, The Dreads, convert into ferocious destroyers in the High Speed Chase from Transformers: Dark of the Moon. With optics dead set on Sam Witwicky, Crowbar charges ahead towards the Autobots and Sam as they race down the highway. Barreling into a freeway sign, the cunning Decepticon creates a ramp to propel his comrades forward—right on the wheels of their prey. Sign up and use our comments option below to share your thoughts on this release. If you haven't signed up, see the login button at the top of this post

Experience all the excitement and action of the Transformers movie universe with the Studio Series action figures. The Studio Series are made with an attention to detail and scale that reflect awesome big screen characters, like Stinger. Convert the Decepticon Stinger from sports car mode to battle ready robot by following the intricate, 21 step process and then arm him with the included weapon accessories. Use the backdrop display to recreate the Hong Kong Pursuit from Age of Extinction when Stinger joins the Decepticons and the KSI drones in attacking the Autobots. Sign up and use our comments option below to share your thoughts on this release. If you haven't signed up, see the login button at the top of this post

This Studio Series Deluxe Class lineup features premium figures, each with movie-inspired scale, detail, and backdrop. Figures stand at a scale relative to their character’s height in the movie and feature vivid, movie-inspired deco. Each package comes with a movie scene backdrop that can be removed to display the figure on shelf. Fans can use the backdrop and pose their figures in the scene with their own style. This Studio Series 01 Deluxe Class Movie 1 Bumblebee figure converts between robot and Chevrolet Camaro modes in 22 steps and comes with a weapon accessory. Remove backdrop from pack to showcase the loyal Autobot scout in the Mission City Battle scene. Reach past the big screen and build the ultimate Transformers collection with Studio Series figures, inspired by iconic movie scenes and designed with deco and figure scales that reflect the movie universe. In the Police Chase from Transformers Movie 1, Bumblebee faces off with Barricade as they fight to recover the map to the legendary Allspark. The loyal Autobot scout swerves into action, rescuing his new human friends from the Decepticon threat and taking off into a high-speed chase. When there’s no place left to drive, Bumblebee reveals his robot form and unleashes his skills in battle to stave off the evil Decepticon. Sign up and use our comments option below to share your thoughts on this release. If you haven't signed up, see the login button at the top of this post

DRIFT Brand: Fortnite Genre: Video Games Product Type: Action Figure Series: Fortnite Straight from the Rift and ready for anything, Drift enters the mix in pursuit of a Victory Royale! PRODUCT FEATURES: Design directly sculpted and painted from in-game assets Hyper-Articulated (22 points) – perfect for Emote posing Comes complete with the Pool Party Back Bling Ready for battle with the Legendary Assault Rifle. Harvest your materials with the included Party Animal Harvesting Tool Drift is showcased in premium glossy Fortnite themed window box packaging Drift stands tall on a Fortnite branded display base Sign up and use our comments option below to share your thoughts on this release. If you haven't signed up, see the login button at the top of this post