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Shrouded in mystery, Zer0 is an assassin-for-hire whose identity and origin are unknown. Left unsatisfied after a previous target failed to fight back, Zer0 turned to Vault hunting in search of a worthy challenge. Highly detailed sculpt of Zer0 modeled from in-game assets Figure includes a code for exclusive downloadable in-game content Figures comes with Infinity Gun and Energy Sword Includes iconic “0” Hologram Figure is featured in outfit worn by Zer0 in Borderlands 2 Designed with 12+ points of articulation for dynamic posing

A general purpose CL4P-TP robot manufactured by Hyperion, Claptrap acts as the Vault Hunter’s (sometimes) useful guide and quest-giver on Pandora. Programmed with an overenthusiastic personality, Claptrap masks his fear and loneliness behind cheerful bravado. Figure comes with Jakobs Pistol, magic wand, One Shot Wonder Sheriff’s hat, and Wizard’s cap Figure installed with working shocks that enable the tire to move smoothly Retractable Antenna Rotating Eye

As the first trailer drops for Marvel's Ant-Man and the Wasp, Hasbro have announced the first figures for the movie. These are the basic figures we've seen for recent movies like Thor, Spider-Man and of course the upcoming Black Panther. As yet Hasbro do not seem to have stabilised what each movie gets and Ant-Man and the Wasp will be a similar roll out to Thor Ragnarok as there are no 6" basic figures, only 12" basic and electronic figures. We will have a basic Ant-Man and a basic Wasp figure at about £10-£12 each here in UK. We then have more deluxe versions with extra features. The Ant-Man is titled "Shrink & Strike" with a larger 12" figure of Ant-Man which can launch a small figure or the quantum ship out of a spring loaded launcher in its chest. The Wasp deluxe figure has a feature where you can squeeze the legs to make the wings move. The two deluxe 12" figures will likely retail in UK around £20. Roleplay items will also be released with an Ant-Man "Vision" mask which has three different lens options for the child to look through when they are wearing the mask. This will set you back around £20. The Wasp mask is devoid of such features and is a basic role-play item and will be around £10. All these items should hit stores in Spring 2018, most likely timed to immediate follow the Black Panther items. We would expect details on any Marvel Legends releases will follow soon from Hasbro, most likely at Toy Fair in a few weeks. (Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $9.99/Available: Spring 2018) Prepare for more epic adventures in the TITAN HERO SERIES line! Characters include ANT-MAN and MARVEL’S WASP, from the upcoming ANT-MAN AND THE WASP movie. At a towering 12-inch scale and with five points of articulation, these movie-inspired figures let kids create giant-sized battle action! Each figure sold separately. Available at most major retailers and on HasbroToyShop.com. (Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $19.99/Available: Spring 2018) Imagine Scott Lang shrinking and launching through the air with this 12-inch scale SHRINK & STRIKE ANT-MAN Figure, featuring a hidden launcher that can send the included miniature ANT-MAN figure or Quantum ship accessory flying! Load the included accessory into the port, then pull the arm to send it launching! Figure and accessories inspired by the upcoming ANT-MAN AND THE WASP movie. Available at most major retailers and on HasbroToyShop.com. (Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $19.99/Available: Spring 2018) Imagine Hope van Dyne shrinking and flying through the air with this 12-inch scale MARVEL’S WASP WITH WING FX! Squeeze the figure’s legs together to send her wings flapping! Includes 2 MARVEL’S WASP stinger accessories. Figure and accessories inspired by the upcoming ANT-MAN AND THE WASP movie. Available at most major retailers and on HasbroToyShop.com. (Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $19.99/Available: Spring 2018) Gear up like ANT-MAN with the 3-IN-1 ANT-MAN VISION MASK, inspired by the upcoming ANT-MAN AND THE WASP movie! Activated with a twist of a knob, this mask includes three different lenses, so kids can pretend to suit up like the amazing shrinking hero and charge into action! Features Red Vision, Ant Vision, and Quantum Vision view. Fits most kid head sizes. Available at most major retailers and on HasbroToyShop.com. (Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $9.99/Available: Spring 2018) Kids can imagine suiting up like the buzzworthy hero, Wasp, with MARVEL’S WASP role play mask, inspired by the ANT-MAN AND THE WASP movie! Features movie-based design and a flexible strap to fit most kid head sizes. Available at most major retailers and on HasbroToyShop.com.

McFarlane's Destiny 7" figures were a big hit when released in the Autumn of 2018, and the McFarlane team were quick to confirm the 2nd wave of figures would arrive in Spring 2018. At the time of the announcement we got some mock up images of the three new figures - Ikora Rey, Commander Zavala and Cayde-6. As we get closer to the release of wave 2 McFarlane have released new images of these new figures. Ikora Rey is armed with the Deadpan Delivery Shotgun. The impressive Commander Zavala will be armed with his Daedalus Assault Rifle. And finally Cayde-6 comes with the Ace of Spades Hand Cannon. The figures are all around 12 points of articulation and will come with the standard McFarlane (Color top) display base and will be numbered under the Color Top numbering scheme (#43 - 45)

As the first 2018 wave of Deadpool figures (X-Force Deadpool) starts hitting UK stores, Hasbro have confirmed their will be a 2nd Deadpool themed wave later this year. The first three figures of this wave have been confirmed as Lady Deadpool, Omega Red and X-Men Deadpool. These three are comic based figures, with the rumour that the rest of the wave may be movie based - potentially the first Fox Universe movie figures released since Disney took control of Marvel.

Comic Conventions, like most things, come in all shapes and sizes. And it seems in recent years they are becoming something of a regularity in smaller venues and locations. The Northwest Comic Con team run three main events in Wigan, Southport and Bolton through the year and we headed over to the first of the year in Bolton on the 27th January 2018. Value for Money (5 out of 5) "website and facebook pages would benefit from a cleanse and streamlining" If you are heading to a larger UK event like MCM then you will be paying around £25 for an adult ticket. The smaller events attract a much smaller ticket price which for me still has to be consistent with the "things to do" and "things to see" at the convention. Bolton set me back £7 for an adult ticket and £5 for a child. For me this equates to a couple of hours entertainment and I was happy at the end of the event vs the price I had paid. The tickets were easy enough to order via Skiddle, with further options of ordering your wrist band in advance from the NWCC team. After 11am you could also rock up and pay on the door. I must state at this point that the information available for the con is quite poor. The website is out of date and showing the 2016 information and guests and the facebook isn't the most informative. There is a lot of cross promotion and old info on the facebook page which leads to confusion - for example an image of Greedo and the quote "Paul Blake signing" which turns to to be from 2015's event. Venue (5 out of 5) "not sure why BWFC didn't make any of the car parks available" The Macron Stadium, home to Bolton Wanderers, is close to the perfect venue for an event like this. It sits just off the M61 motorway and has a train station within walking distance. Parking is plentiful and the adjacent retail & leisure park means plenty of places to eat and shop before and after. I've attended a few events here including a regular Barry Trotter fair, and parking is not an issue - until today when the Football club seems to have failed to open any of the parking at the rear of the stadium despite the banners for the event at each car park entrance. We ended up parking on the retail park and walking down. We arrived as the doors opened at 10am (first hour is ticket holders only) and were in and through the ticket check and wrist band issue in under 10mins. Special mention to the Security team on the door who were talking to the kids and were organising the lines really well. Inside the venue is a well laid out and roomy convention floor with plentiful toilets. There is a fast food counter with seating and the only criticism I can throw is the lack of a map or signage and it took us a while to find the upstairs balcony section. Activities (2 out of 5) "Not enough to keep you there for more than an hour or two" The bulk of the convention floor was turned over to stalls, but around the perimeter were some other activities to keep you and your minions occupied. On arrival there were two R2-D2's from the UK droid builders scooting around and interacting with the attendees and kids - even letting the kids have a go with the controls. Round the back we also had photo opportunities. The first was for Doctor Who with a TARDIS, Davros and 10th Doctor in cosplay. To the side of this was a Star Wars section with a droid lineup (R2-D2, Chopper, BB8 and R5-D4) and an Endor Speederbike. The guy here was lovely and he had prop sabers to hand and was very good with the little ones. You did pay £1 for a photo using your own camera, or could pay £3 and they'd take and print one for you. Gaming fans had a retro arcade downstairs and upstairs a retro gaming area where old people like me could dust off their skills and play on an original Atari 2600 or Master System. For me the games might have been better served downstairs in the section with the cafe - that way kids big and small could play the games while refreshments were sought by the mums & dads. The only other exhibits were a Batpod with what appeared to be the NECA foam 1:1 models of Batman, Deadpool and Harley Quinn. These were cordoned off and you couldn't have your photo taken with them. We then had a 1977 Trans Am from Smokey and the Bandit. I will cover the ReAction Expo in a moment.... What always makes a con like this is the Cosplay and we had some belters in there today - special mentions to Deadpool, the Stormtrooper who took up as a chaperone to the R2's and the Predator who was great with the kids. I also loved the Orc from Lord of the Rings and the Newt Scamander who we'd seen, complete with case, in McDonalds having his breakfast (and quite possibly slipping some to his Niffler). Stalls & Traders (3 out of 5) "not a bad selection, no over the top pricing evident" The stalls and sellers were amongst the best I'd seen at a smaller con like this with a good selection of merchandise although nothing particularly rare or brand new. Interestingly Hasbro Star Wars and Marvel Legends were least represented, but there was a lot of NECA items and quite a bit of Diamond Select. Lots of stores were focused on Funko Pops and there was also a spattering of Flego (fake Lego). Prices were reasonable, NECA & Select figures were averaging £25 and I even found a seller with McFarlane Stranger Things at £20 each (I have these pre-ordered so left them reluctantly). Higher end collectors were pretty well served with a few Hot Toys and some Kotobukiya items. There wasn't a lot of vintage stuff other than in the cheaper end loose figures in those under the table tubs. The other stalls were a good mix of comic books and quite a few artistic stalls with a big emphasis on Harry Potter. We got some lovely handmade Potter coasters from a great couple who also had a Niffler and case of treasure with their stall. And of course there were the fudge & cup cake stalls for those who have a sweet tooth. Guests (2 out of 5) "changes from original line up" The original line up for Bolton had Christopher Biggins, Rosie Jane (Dr Who) and Andrew Potts (Primeval). Only Andrew was in attendance, and the other recognizable name was Colin Spaull (Doctor Who). Sadly this section was very quiet and I wonder if there is some fatigue over the same guests being at every con in the area time after time. We rarely go for the guests and autographs so I can't really comment any further on the guests having not interacted with any of them, although Andrew and Colin looked to be having a good natter with those that did venture over to their tables. Reaction Expo (4 out of 5) "they need a better display cabinet, but otherwise lots of fun for action figure geeks" The final thing I want to talk about was the much publicised Reaction Figures Expo. This was described as "Reaction Figures Exhibition featuring rare and exclusive pieces, original prototypes, test shots, artwork and proof cards." Now being so widely publicised it seemed a shame having this sat upstairs - which as I mentioned earlier wasn't well signposted. I hope people did manage to find it and didn't leave without checking it out. The Expo was small but perfectly formed with very well presented wall panels taking you through the ReAction line from its initial return in 2013 with the Alien figures to the He-Man line and then to the wider range of figures now available. Art work and background info accompanied each panel. In the corner was a display cabinet containing a lot of samples and prototypes including Nightmare Before Christmas and Street Fighter. Sadly the cabinet was not the best for showing off the figures and for the kids they couldn't see the top shelves. The Expo was hosted by Fhlostan Paradise Collectibles and they were selling a wide range of figures in the booth and they also had an exclusive - which I think is a first for a small UK con - with a black and white Batula from The Worst. This was a unique inclusion into this smaller con format and as an Action Figure geek I enjoyed looking round the displays. You could even get your picture taken with a human sized He-Man ReAction backing card. Summary This is my second Bolton Comic Con and my fourth at a NWCC event. We spent about 2 hours at the venue, mainly around the stalls. I think you'd struggle to spend the day there unless you were in cosplay and it was a shame to see they'd dropped the stage and presentations we'd seen at a previous event - probably due to a lack of guests. For £12 I felt it was money well spent to keep me and the Minion busy for 2 hours on a wet January Saturday. My only issue, as I learnt a couple of years back, is to probably give the next couple of NWCC events a miss as the team quite often block book the same guests and traders so the events always end up very samey if you attend them all. Well done Bolton Comic Con, see you next year

It was announced before Christmas that Toys R Us would be slimming down its UK estate to combat the threat of potential liquidation. As we reach the end of January 2018, the clearance sales are now underway in these stores. I headed over to the store in Bolton, Lancashire to see what the closing down sale entails and what you may find on shelves. On arrival the store front is plastered with the Closing Down Sale offer which is "up to 30% off" and it is specifically headed as "This Store Only". Inside each section has a handwritten discount confirmation - not everything is 30%. Now before I go any further I want to ask one thing if you check out a store near you that is closing - and that is to treat the employees in there with some respect and sensitivity. Most will be under a redundancy consultation and at risk of losing their income, and at the same time they have to serve a horde of bargain hunters descending on their store. Be nice while shopping... Of course I headed for the Action Figures, which are 20% off the listed price. For Star Wars we didn't have a single Black Series figure or Last Jedi 3.75" basic figure on shelves, the only new stock were vehicles like the Canto Bight Speeder and the Tie Silencer, still at full price with the 20% of course to be knocked off at the till. This still doesn't make them the cheapest on market, so worth monitoring the vehicles for further reductions to get these to shift. Marvel Legends was a similar story - with all figures for Thor Ragnarok missing. All we had on pegs were very old Spider-Man figures and the exclusive Groot, which may tempt some people as he is down to £19.99 + 20% off. DC from Mattel was perhaps the best stocked with a good quantity of the Justice League basic figures and some left over Suicide Squad figures. I had hoped to find the DC Collectible Arrow 2-pack which I had been eyeing in this store for a while - but it had either sold through or had "moved on". To answer the question where the newer Star Wars and Marvel stuff has gone you only have to look at the Lego section which was completely bare. It seems Lego and the other higher profile stock has been shipped off to local stores or back into distribution. We did make a purchase and impressively this resulted in us getting a voucher for use in local stores to try and retain customer loyalty. The voucher is valid in March 2018 - April 2018 and gives you £10 off a £20+ spend - a decent discount code to stick in your wallet for a further purchase. Have you found any news to share from a local Toys R Us near you that is closing? Let us know in the comments below or on our social channels Toys R Us Closure List 2018 Aberdeen Basingstoke Belfast Newtownabbey Birmingham St. Andrews Bolton Bradford Brislington Cambridge Cardiff Derry City Doncaster East Kilbride Exeter Hayes Kirkcaldy Leicester Livingston Old Kent Road Plymouth Scunthorpe Shrewsbury Tamworth Tunbridge Wells Watford York Manchester Central Retail Park - already earmarked for closure pre CVA decision

McFarlane's 7" range of Stranger Things figures kicked off in late 2017 with the first two releases of Hopper and Eleven. A second set of figures is already planned for 2018 with single figures of Dustin and Lucas and a deluxe Demogorgon figure. McFarlane have been whetting our appetite for the Demogorgon with these new behind the scene pictures of the sculpting and design process. Enjoy.... Venture into another world… the toy world… where the Demogorgon is getting the finishing touches before it hits stores this Spring. Spectacular likeness of Demogorgon sculpted from images from the show 10″ Deluxe Figure Designed with 12+ points of articulation for dynamic posing Figure features a stylized Stranger Things branded disc display base and is showcased in retro-themed packaging

Today only (25th Jan) you can take £10 off a £50 spend at Amazon in their Big Thanks promotion. Add qualifying items to your basket and use code BIGTHANKS when checking out http://amzn.to/2rFVy0u * link above is an affiliate link for Amazon. Going via this link means you pay same, but we would earn a commission on the sale which goes towards our hosting fees and other costs

NECA have revealed the packaging for their upcoming 1/4 scale Raphael in disguise from Teenage Mutant Ninja turtles. "These final packaging shots can only mean one thing.. The release of our Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1/4 Scale Disguised Raphael figure is upon us!" NECA, Facebook

Entertainment Earth have released an omage of the Star Wars 3.75" Battle of Crait 4-pack. The set contains a tweaked Rey with salt residue on her boots. We get Rose in a new poncho that looks removable. For the First Order we have a new Snowtrooper with added grey decor - similar to the decor on the AT-M6 drivers we see in the Lego set. Finally, we have one of the new First Order Gunners. The set is priced at $27.99, so expect a £35-£40 price IF this hits the UK "Star Wars: The Last Jedi Battle on Crait 3 3/4-Inch Action Figure Set includes 4 action figures: Rey (Jedi Apprentice, salt on boots), First Order Snowtrooper, First Order Gunner, and Rose (Crait Poncho.)"

The Mezco team have released this teaser image of the One:12 Collective figures they will announce in the run up to, and at, New York Toy Fair 2018. The six figures will be in the One:12 scale with sculpted head & body and soft good robes. The far right figure has already been announced as Spider-Man in his Homecoming "Homemade" suit. The centre figure is also very obviously a Batman. But who are the others? We'd love to know what you think and will update this thread as we go... from left to right 1 2 3 4 : Batman? 5 6 : Spider-Man, Homecoming Homemade Suit