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Hong Kong Toy company Soap Studios appears to be developing a 6 inch scale Aquaman figure as seen in this prototype image that the company themselves shared on social media from the Toy Soul event 2018. The figure is not yet articulated or painted, but was displayed alongside other 6 inch / 1/12 scale figure. The Soap Studios figures are similar to Mezco with articulated bodies, sculpted head and soft goods tailored clothes. Aquaman would be more aligned to their Flash figure with a leather type bodysuit and then hard cast parts like boots and gauntlets. We await more info.

The Star Wars Black Series 6 inch Zuckuss figure has been one of the most sought after figures, in the UK in particular, since the line began. It was solicited as a Toys R Us Exclusive - and when they went bust earlier in the year - the figure was left in limbo everywhere but Canada where it hit their remaining Toys R Us stores as planned. Roll forward a few months and it was announced that Disney Stores would pick up Zuckuss and the other Toys R Us exclusives of the blast FX Stormtrooper and Captain Phasma. This news was soon followed by the news that this was for US DIsney Stores only and the UK stores would not be stocking this. To date a few have trickled few into UK independents, shipped direct from Far East and at a premium price. But this week the news we were all hoping for broke from Star Action Figures, that Zuckuss would now be released as a UK shared exclusive in 2019. The arrangements means pre-order prices are around the £20 mark and this new batch of Zuckuss will land around March 2019. You can of course pay more to get an imported version sooner. Pre-orders are now up at most independents

Hasbro have released these new images for the Marvel Legends Captain Marvel line. The shots are taken against a more dynamic planetary background - something we saw Hasbro do with the Infinity War figures, displaying them in a diorama situation. The wave is made up of five MCU Captain Marvel figures. There are two versions of Carol Danvers, one in her suit with alternative helmeted head and one with a bomber jacket. We also get Talos the Skrull, Agent Nick Fury and a Starforce Commander. There are then two further comic book figures of Genis-Vell, Grey Ghost and if you collect the full wave you can build the Kree Sentry BAF.

NECA have announced a new addition to their 8 inch retro line of action figures - a Friday the 13th "Corpse" Pamela Voorhees figure. This is Pamela as seen in the third installment when she returns as "the lady of the lake" in a dream sequence. The figure, like all 8 inch retro releases, will feature and articulated body, sculpted head and tailored soft good clothes. The figure will be released in the 2nd quarter of 2019 (April-June) "Friday the 13th - 8" Clothed Action Figure – Corpse Pamela The original killer from #Fridaythe13th is back! Jason’s mom, Pamela Voorhees, dies in the first movie but appears again in the third installment of the slasher series. The “Lady of the Lake” figure depicts Pamela as she appears in Chris’ dream: a nightmarishly rotted body emerging from Crystal Lake to pull Chris in. The detailed figure is fully poseable and stands 8” tall, featuring synthetic hair and distressed clothing. The resealable clamshell packaging has custom artwork created by Jason Edmiston just for this release! "

NECA continue to share behind the scenes images of the Assassin Predator action figure from the 2018 Predator Shane Black movie. This monster Predator will stand nearly 12 inches tall, dwarfing the usual Predator figures. He includes two head options as well as a wrist blade and a wrist cannon. "A special #prednesday gives us a chance to show off the upcoming Assassin Predator, 2 heads, blade, cannon, almost a foot tall and super articulated - even stands in all poses, including crouched. See for yourself!!"

Welcome to our BIG Christmas Switch On.... Over the past few months the Mephitsu Archives website has been completely overhauled. We've updated all the pages and launched a new Blog. I am happy to say that pending any minor snagging, the new site is now launched - and this also includes what we hope is a working Mobile Version. Thank you for your patience during the works Improvements include... New blog program - Ability to create a user account and comment / like / follow threads - Ability to search by key word - Ability to search by category New Convention & Event page where we will post all our key convention news New #SatTOYday newsletter Issuu reader with "also available" links below for previous 4 issues Easier way of locating older copies of #SatTOYday Newly formatted online stores segment with navigation buttons to scroll lists All "archive" pages of figure companies and brands are now formatted with an image grid and a text list of the figures. Some are full archives like Black Series and NECA Aliens. Others remain partial lists depending on what we have reviewed As always there will need to be tweaks and amends, so please let us know if you come across any broken links or obvious errors Now this big update is complete, check back tomorrow for our "12 Days of Christmas"

After showing off the card backs over the past few weeks, NECA have now revealed the clamshell card design for their Future War Terminator figures. The figures are inspired by the Kenner Terminator 2 toys and come with various "play features". The Power Arm T800 ha a grabbing claw and missile launcher. The Metal Mash Endoskeleton has working pistons. And the White Hot T1000 changes colour in water. "Enjoy a blast from the past with three figures dedicated to the classic Kenner Terminator 2 toys of the early 1990s! Taking inspiration from those designs, our team has transformed these Kenner classics into modern versions with all of today’s detail and articulation. Power Arm T-800 features a detailed weapons arm with interchangeable missile launcher and grabbing claw attachments. White Hot T-1000 changes color when dunked in water, just like the original version. Metal Mash Endoskeleton features working pistons and comes with a plasma rifle accessory. Each figure stands approximately 7” tall and is fully articulated. Clamshell packaging."

The NECA Twitter account has announced a further Ultimate release of the 2017 Pennywise the Clown from IT. The set, titled Pennywise the Dancing Clown, will include four head options, three of which are brand new - "Judith" painting head, emerging head and deadlights head. There will be a battery operated LED light up feature on the deadlights head. The emerging preying Mantis type arms are included so you can replicate that scene. There are other arm options too with open and closed hand forearm pieces. The set is scheduled for a 2nd quarter release in 2019 (April-June) and will be packed in the Ultimate format with movie artwork and opening front cover. "From the acclaimed 2017 horror IT Movie, drawn from the pages of Stephen King's original novel, NECA presents #Pennywise: The Dancing Clown! Based on Bill Skarsgård's portrayal of the nightmare-inducing clown, this 7" scale figure has been painstakingly detailed to be as accurate to Pennywise's ornate costume as possible, and is presented in an Ultimate format with special packaging and LED lights inside one of the heads. This version features 4 head sculpts, 3 of which are all-new heads: "Judith" Painting Head, "Emerging Arms" Head, and Light-Up "Deadlights" Head with LED light inside the mouth. The figure also includes interchangeable articulated insect arms, interchangeable forearms, and 2 pairs of hands. The special window box packaging has a fold down flap in homage to the Dancing Clown scene from the film. Uses button cell batteries, included."

NECA's new Twitter profile picture seems to show they have even more product in the works for their IT licence. This is what looks like a other new head for the Pennywise the Clown figure from the 2017 movie. We will have to wait and see how this will manifest itself, most likely as a variant figure like the 'I love Derry' release.

Obtainer of rare antiquities Alongside the other 80's classic movie's represented in my collection, a suitable Indiana Jones figure was always going to be a must. Ignoring the 3.75" from a few years ago and without going all out for Hot Toys or Sideshow, the 2014 Figma Indiana Jones looked the ideal solution. The issue was always going to be getting it at a reasonable price in the UK. That opportunity arose via an Amazon seller recently direct from Japan and I grabbed the figure for just under £30 delivered to the UK inc customs. You can certainly see why there is such excitement for the recently announced Mafex and Bandai 6" Star Wars figures when you see this thing in the flesh - it truly is an action figure on steroids. Firstly the sculpt is very strong, albeit maybe an older Indiana perhaps between Crusade and Crystal Skull. Poseability is just ridiculous, if I posed this once a week I still couldnt find all the great poses this thing can do. The figure comes with 10 different hands (5 left, 5 right) to hold the various accessories which include a curled whip, cracking whip, Sankara Stone, Holy Grail, Golden Idol and a Pistol. It even comes with a 2nd set of eyes so Indy can look a different way. It's all this detail that makes it obvious why these figures command the price they do and why the upcoming Japanese Star Wars figures will be very sought after. In fact the only downside of this figure and any figure from these Japanese ranges seems to be depth in terms of how many characters they will end up putting out. I doubt I will ever get a Mola Ram or Henry Jones to pose alongside Indiana, but that is fine in this case. Looking forward to seeing the 6" Star Wars figures and see if they live up to this one. Indy... you get 5/5 from me.

Review : Yellow Jacket 1:1 scale figurine King Arts Wave/Series : N/A Released : 2015 Price : Import (range from £10-£18) King Arts are a Chinese company who were formed in 2013 and took on a Marvel Licence for sales in the Far East, specialising in more high end product - including 1:9 scale die-cast Iron Man figures as well as 1:1 props. One of their more interesting ranges of recent months is their 1:1 scale Ant-Man range. And when we say 1:1 we do of course mean when Ant-Man is miniaturised. These figurines are non articulated, and only available in the Far East - although there are a number of channels you can use to import these into the US or UK. The figure we are taking a look at here is Yellowjacket, who was released in 2015 alongside Ant-Man. Yellowjacket arrives in a square window 4 inch by 3 inch box which is predominantly black, with the Ant-Man movie logo in a rich red in the top left corner. There is a clear window, through which you can see the statue - due to the double plastic insert inside the box the figure is not too clear when viewed in the box, it makes the figure look blurred and undefined. This may cause frustration for MIB collectors. Around the window is a cut out image of Yellowjacket, with his mechanical arms reaching across the window. The King Arts crown logo sits in the bottom left and the code FFS004 to the bottom right - I believe this is a catalogue code. In the middle of these two is the character name in a white, very 1980's typeface. The two sides repeat the Ant-Man Logo, although now in white and with the name Yellowjacket under the logo. Under this is an image of a flying Yellowjacket flying towards camera. Due to the dark nature of his suit against a similar coloured black background, the image isn't too well defined. The back is all text, with a silver holographic Marvel badge. Once the box is open you get the standard cardboard background you will find on most boxed figures. There is then an inner and outer plastic tray with the figure sandwiched in the middle. The sandwich effect causing that blurring of the figure when viewed in the box. In hand and Yellowjacket is lighter than expected. I wasn't expecting Die-cast, but thought he would have a bit of weight behind him. He stands 2 3/4 inches high (70mm). The sculpt is awesome and captures loads of detail in the suit at what is a ridiculous scale to be working with. You can see clear panels across the chest, with each mechanical arm in proportion. The paint job is superb, albeit two tone of black and gold. You can see the line around the mouth piece, the trim around each mechanical arm and every panel is neat and crisp with no bleed or spill. The plastic used is a little soft, so the arms in particular can be bent - but this is preferable to having them snap if they were a brittle plastic. This is a statue, so there is no articulation. Yellowjacket stands on top of a bolt, which really contextualises what King Arts are trying to do here with trying to make this look like a mini Yellowjacket at real life 1:1 scale. The bolt does look a bit like those you get with a kids tool kit up close, it could have done with a more metallic finish. I also think they spoiled the 1:1 look by sticking the Ant-Man logo on the bottom of the bolt. This logo was certainly not in the initial promotional images, so was a late addition to the production run. Yellowjacket does not come off his Bolt plinth, unless you are willing to cut him away. He is great little novelty though for any Marvel collectors, particularly as Yellowjacket himself got such a raw deal in figure form after his 2015 movie début. For some appreciation of scale on this figure, I have shown him here posed alongside my custom 7 inch Yellowjacket. Yellowjacket does have a companion piece, with a corresponding Ant-Man produced in the same scale. The Ant-Man is riding a bullet (brilliant) on his way to engage Yellowjacket. At the price point these sell for, these are not cheap - but that is more import costs than the RRP. However, if you can get one around the £12 mark then they are pretty nice looking and can be posed with a Marvel collection, or perhaps around your home as a little nod to your love of Marvel. I score Yellowjacket a 4 out of 5. Buy from Amazon UK Buy from Amazon US

Review : Ant-Man 1:1 scale figurine King Arts Wave/Series : N/A Released : 2016 Price : Import (range from £12 - £18) King Arts are a Chinese company who were formed in 2013 and took on a Marvel Licence for sales in the Far East, specialising in more high end product - including 1:9 scale die-cast Iron Man figures as well as 1:1 props. One of their more interesting ranges of recent months is their 1:1 scale Ant-Man range. And when we say 1:1 we do of course mean when Ant-Man is miniaturised. These figurines are non articulated, and only available in the Far East - although there are a number of channels you can use to import these into the US or UK. The figure we are taking a look at here is the updated Ant-Man from Captain America Civil War. Ant-Man arrives in a square window 4 inch by 3 inch box which is predominantly black, with the Civil War logo in a rich red in the top left corner under which is the white text "Ant-Man Statue". There is a clear window, through which you can see the statue and around this is a cut out of Ant-Man from Civil War in an action pose. The King Arts crown logo sits in the bottom left and the code FFS006 to the bottom right - I believe this is a catalogue code. The two sides repeat the Civil War Logo and under this is an image of Ant-Man on Anthony. This is an odd choice of image as this is obviously not from Civil War, nor is it a very clear picture. It seems to be a hangover from their original mini Ant-Man statue. The back is all text, with a silver holographic Marvel badge. Once the box is open you get the standard cardboard background you will find on most boxed figures. There is then an inner and outer plastic tray with the figure sandwiched in the middle. The sandwich effect does mean the figure is not too clear when viewed in the box, it makes the figure look blurred and undefined. This may cause frustration for MIB collectors. The statue is Ant-Man posed on top of what looks like a circular stone plinth, and the whole thing stands 6.5cm in height. The Ant-Man is really nice, certainly crisper in paint and sculpt than the similar sized mini figurine that was packed with the 2015 Ant-Man figure from Diamond Select. I was a little surprised at how light the figure was. He is also quite flexible, but I assume at this stage the harder the plastic the more susceptible the figure is to damage. Considering the scale the paint is really neat, with discernible clean lines painted between each red and black panel of the outfit. The sculpt is recognisable instantly as the updated Civil War Ant-Man. As a figurine he is obviously devoid of any articulation, so is pre-posed. Moving down to the stand, and this isn't bad in itself - I just feel it was a poor choice from King Arts. The original two figures of this size were posed on relevant props like a bullet or a bolt, but this is just a plinth and doesn't sell the fact that this is meant to be a miniaturised Ant-Man. I also don't like the big logo emblazoned over the front. Surely a better choice would have been to do this Ant-Man posed on the head of Hawkeye's arrow, or even on some internal circuitry from Iron Man? There is a bonus though in that Ant-Man can be removed from this stand. This newly liberated Ant-Man stands 1 1/2 inches high (40mm) and you can then employ your own imagination on how to display him. He won't stand on his own but is light enough to stick down with a small amount of glue or blutac. If you do want to replace him back on his plinth, then this is simply a case of dropping the two holes on his feet onto the tiny pegs provided. This mini Ant-Man is nothing more than a bit of fun, and considering the relatively cheap price is a decent enough display piece for Marvel collectors. I am going to have mine causing mischief around the bottom of the Marvel Select MCU collection - and to see how he will look here is the figure alongside the 7 inch Marvel Select counter-part. The base does feel like a let down, especially after the first release's bullet base, but the fact he can be removed does save it slightly. The figurine for me is a 4 out of 5 considering the price, packaging, sculpt and paint job. Buy from Amazon UK Buy from Amazon US