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Review : The Angel of Death Hellboy II (Mezco) Wave/Series : Deluxe Boxset Release Released : 2008 Price : N/A Pros : large and imposing Cons : practically no articulation Anyone who follow the site and my reviews knows I like nothing more than hunting down some older figures for my collection and for a couple of years now the main focus has been the Mezco Hellboy figures from the first two movies. While the basic figures are, to an extent, easier to find at a decent price - the larger deluxe figures are more of a challenge. Particularly the 2008 deluxe Angel of Death from The Golden Army. Truly a figure that can be called a "Grail" piece. There is a saying that you should never meet your heroes as you will be disappointed, and there is sadly a trend here that you should never own your grail pieces. We will see why shortly. I secured my Angel of Death as a loose piece, so the images here are stock photos of the packaging. The Angel came in a box rather than the blister packs of the other figures. It was predominantly a gold clockwork design, in keeping with The Golden Army, with a contrasting burgundy background. Rather than "Hellboy" the text goes with "HBII" as the main box logo and the character name is placed to the side of this. The figure can be viewed through a window in the front that then wraps round the top flap. Round the back, the box had no text details like we see on many figures at the moment - no plot summary, no character bio. We do get a look at figures also available for the Hellboy sequel - there are images of Hellboy, Nuala and the brilliant Goblin. In hand this is a pretty impressive piece size wise. The figure stands from base to crown of the skull at just under 9". At the time of release the promo text boasted the figure standing 13" tall, but this would be achieved by posing the wings upwards to reach that height. The sculpt, considering the Angel is pushing 10 years old, is excellent and very accurate to the movie. The crown is grotesque and bone like and under this the partially decomposed mouth with its crooked teeth. This goes down into a partially exposed rib cage and into the skirt area, with a robe of some description slung over shoulders and to either side. While the sculpt is good the painting is pretty basic. The bone is a brown with a slightly darker brown wash. The grey is just grey with a slightly lighter grey drybrush. At the base of the figure the brown merges into the grey. There is nothing precise or detailed with the only painted detail of note on the figure being the teeth. The wings are impressive and are two individual pieces with a ball joint socket that slots into the two holes on the rear of the Angel figure. Once installed the wingspan gets as wide as 16" and that really bolsters the Angels shelf presence. The wings, like the grey robes, are painted grey with drybrushing to accentuate the feathers. While the wings are articulated, the size of them vs the joint makes them subject to being quite loose as the figure ages. You may find the wings may need some additional support on display, or be posed at a more relaxed position. While the figure paint work hasn't wowed much, the wings do raise the bar with the individual eyes down each wing picked out in gold with a black pupil. Calling the Angel of Death an action figure implies a degree of articulation. We've already seen how the wings move so that is technical two points of articulation. Sadly the Angel only gets two more - making it four points of articulation in total. The arms are ball jointed at the shoulder. These can be moved out to side or rotated upwards. And that is it.... there is no elbow joint, no head movement, no waist or torso swivel. The Angel of Death is also very light in hand considering it is meant to be a deluxe release. When you inspect the base you will see why as the whole thing is hollow. It is the same design used on Nuala, and makes the figure feel more like a shampoo bottle than an action figure that is going for upward of £50-£60 on the secondary market. So should you every own your Grails? And with this one will you be disappointed. To me it is all about expectation, and I hope this review has managed yours if you are thinking of tracking down this figure. I had no idea I was buying a hollow figure with 4 points of articulation and ended up feeling a bit flat. That being said, the figure is a good looking one when you line it up with Hellboy and it's companion from the film - the Goblin. Once I get this on display and see it day in day out I will grow to love it I am sure. Even at the 2008 retail price this would have been a touch disappointing. At the inflated prices now, I cant award the Angel of Death much more than 1 out of 5.

The Smyths Toys Winter 2017 catalogue has landed throughout the UK, and there is a double page spread of The Last Jedi Star Wars products. Within this is an interesting image for their 6" Black Series figures. At first glance the Kylo Ren and Luke Skywalker don't raise any questions. But hang on, what is Luke wielding? We are all aware that the Wave 12 Luke Skywalker is packed withough a light-saber. Does this image confirm that Hasbro are going to pull "a Rey" and re-release this same Luke figure in a wave closer to or after the movie with a light saber? It seems odd as we would all assume Luke would have a saber - so unlike the Rey ommission from last year, this wouldnt be a spoiler of any kind. I guess it could be as simple as a Smyths photographer thinking Luke looks better with a saber if being photo's alongside Kylo. We will have to wait and see?

Happy Sat-TOY-Day everyone! CLICK HERE for this week's issue And after all that Star Wars Force Friday II excitement, its back to normal as we catch up with the Action Figure news that caught our eye over past two weeks. This issue is dominated, quite literally, by Diamonds 11.5" Planet Hulk who was a surprise announcement and will be in Disney Stores soon. NECA unveiled they have picked up a brand new licence (we all float down here), while Hasbro didn't go far away from our thoughts as they held their inaugral HASCON event and within this showed off some new toys. Our review this week is the NECA Prometheus Dr. Elizabeth Shaw, and is sponsored by our site partner Kapow Toys www.facebook.com/mephitsu www.twitter.com/mephitsu www.issuu.com/mephitsu

The fourth wave of Diamond's Gotham figures are almost ready to ship in the US. While these are the basic versions of the figures, without the diorama pieces, they are worth getting excited about. Particularly as this wave see's the first real dive into the more "visual" villains as opposed to the basic "men in suits" we've seen to date. These basics are sold in Toys R Us over in the states. The Selects will be available worldwide.

The Marvel Legends shown at HASCON have had their promotional images released by Hasbro. While absolute details are not complete, we assume the Wolverine, Storm and Psylocke will be part of an X-Men wave with the Apocolypse as the Build A Figure Namor and the Invincible Iron-Man (white background) will go into a Black Panther themed wave. Paladin and Spider-Woman (red background) will be part of a Spider-Man wave. And King Cobra (purple) in an Avengers themed wave. Thanos will be a Walmart exclusive. Klaue and Shuri (Black Panther series) will be a Toys R Us Exclusive 2-pack

Following on from HASCON, Hasbro have released some promotional images of their 3.75" Vintage Collection and Basic Ranges. First up, what we assume is the first wave of the 2018 Vintage Collection Relaunch. Yes, it includes repacks in the main - but there is much more promised and the beauty of these figures is a return to the Vintage card back as well as the articulation. Secondly, the next batch of Last Jedi figures were confirmed. These will all include a Forcelink "chip" and come on the smaller white card back. This new set includes the DJ, Leia and both Luke and Rey in alternative costumes from The Last Jedi. We also get an R2-D2, Obi-Wan and Yoda. We also get a good look at the Rose, BB8 and BB9E set which looks to be a Walmart exclusive. And the reveal of a Forcelink starter set exclusive to Toys R Us that comes with 3.75" Elite Praetorian Guard and Executioner Stormtrooper.

We may be a few months away from the release of Marvel's Black Panther, but Hasbro have revealed the basic range of toys for the movie. The items will mirror the type of merchandise that Hasbro put out for Spider-Man Homecoming - and will include 12" Titan figures, Roleplay items and basic 5.5" figures. 5.5" limited articulated figures will include Black Panther as a standard figure and a "Vibranium" release. Like the Tech Suit (blue) Spider-Man, this may well be an imagined look for Black Panther rather than reflective of the movie. There are also figures of Shuri and Erik Killmonger. The 5.5" figures will also also be able to travel in style with the Panther Jet. And this transforms from jet to giant Panther. In the 12" range we have Black Panther, Erik Killmonger and a sound and lights version of Black Panther - again, in the same vein as the FX Spider-Man and Vulture. They will also scale well with the current Thor and Hulk figures from Ragnarok. And for those kids who like dressing up we have Role play masks - one basic and one with light up FX . There are two glove/hand devices, the first is called the Vibranium Strike Gauntlet that shoots Nerf darts. The second is the Vibranium Strike Claw FX, complete with Panther claws and light and sound features. The street date on these should be pre-Xmas to make the most of the Festive period. The figure should retail at £10 each - £7 on offer. The Panther Jet should set you back around £25. We would expect the Titan figures to be £12-£15 and the 12" FX figure at £29.99. The role play devices will be around £10 for the mask, and £30 for the two gloves.

McFarlane have confirmed details of new 7" figures from the Borderlands video game licence. First is Zer0, the mysterious bounty hunter. He will stand 7" high and will come with a code for exclusive in-game content. The figure itself is based on Zer0's appearance in Borderlands 2. He will have 12 points of articulation and come with his "0" hologram. The RRP in the US is $19.99 and he is due to hit stores in February 2018. 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 Also confirmed is this deluxe boxset of Claptrap - the guide and quest giver from the game. The set will include a 4.5-inch Claptrap and a bunch of accessories including pistol, wand, Sheriff's hat and Wizards cap. He will be released in February 2018 also and will retail at $34.99 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 Designed with multiple points of articulation for dynamic posing. Rotating Eye

Diamond have shared packaged images of the Marvel Select (Marvel Cinematic Universe) Spider-Man from Homecoming. The figure is due for release in the next few weeks and remarkably will beat the Guardians of the Galaxy 7" figures to market. Spidey should be available at all good comic stores.

It seems Diamond are not satisfied with the release of one Gladiator Hulk, and have announced a comic version of the Planet Hulk in his Gladatorial armour to be released in October as a Marvel Store / Disney Store exclusive. The figure stands 10" high and comes with gladatorial armour, removable helmet, battle axe and shield. To partner this new release, the previously released Mighty Thor Select figure will get a re-release. The Mighty Thor figure is much sought after following its initial release and subsequent "sell out". He comes with the spinning Mjolnir hammer. "Get ready for epic battles with this fully poseable Planet Hulk action figure. Featuring his gladiator armor worn in Thor: Ragnarok, the warrior comes with a helmet, battle axe, and spiked shield." It is, as the promo text confirms, inspired by Thor Ragnarok and this figure will be on shelves as the movie debuts in cinemas. The MCU version based on the movie look will likely not hit stores until the 1st Quarter of 2018. Orders can be placed at Marvel Store now. Expect to find Hulk in Disney Stores from 2nd October in the US, and in European Disney stores later in the month.. The US RRP is $29.95, UK price is likely to be around £22.95. Mighty Features... Please Note: Purchase of this item is limited to 1 per Guest. Available to own October 2, 2017 Fully poseable with 16 points of articulation Includes gladiator costume and removable helmet, battle axe, and shield Inspired by Thor: Ragnarok Movie-authentic design and details See all our Marvel Select action figures, each sold separately Nuts & Bolts Ages 8+ Plastic 10'' H (11 1/2'' with feather crest) Battle axe: 8'' L Shield: 5'' H Made in the U.S.A.

McFarlanes new 7" figures from the Destiny Video Game are now hitting stores in the US and UK. McFarlane have shared the above promotional image to coincide with the release and this informative image of the figure articulation - an area they had been criticised on during their return to the 7" series with the Color Tops line. You can get your very own 7" Destiny Action Figures now at our site Partner, Toys in the Attic

At HASCON, Hasbro's own convention, the Marvel Legends section has given us a few snippets of new figures joining the 6" range in late 2017 and into 2018. How most of these will line up in terms of waves and release dates is not confirmed, but checkout the images below from around the net for new figures of Wolverine, Storm and Phsylocke from X-Men. You can also see a new Iron-Man as well as Klaue and Thanos. The new Apocolypse Build-A-Figure was also discussed, but not on display. We now await the confirmation, likely at NYCC, as to how all these join together and contain which BAF's