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NECA have released packaged images of their 12th Series of Alien figures, with the figures themselves due into US stores in the next few weeks. The wave contains Ripley in her bomber jacket. Vasquez in combat fatigues. And two damaged Aliens with blasted effects. The blister cards remain consistent with the rest of the Alien range, with a blue theme and the Aliens 30th Anniversary logo. Ripley and Vasquez card backs get character specific bio text - while the two Xenomorphs share the same card back with a general overview of the Aliens plot. NECA have indicated that time will be called on the blister packaging next year, with a move to the box packaging that they are now using consistently on all new releases. At this stage it is unknown when Series 12 will hit the UK. We are still awaiting Series 11 either as a dispatch from the NECA Alien X club, or on general sale into retail stores.

BBC Worldwide have announced a range of Doctor Who figurines will be released based on the Penguin Random House Dr.Men books that were released earlier this year. The figurines will retail at £9.99 each and will be released this Autumn. The first four will see us get Doctor One, Doctor Four, Doctor Eleven and Doctor Twelve. While a size is not confirmed, the price indicates these will be a similar size to the Funko Pops! line. There have been four books released in the Dr Men range to date. Books for Doctor Two, Seven, Eight and Nice are due on the 29th August, with a 10th Doctor Christmas Special due in October. You can buy the full range and pre-order the new ones at Amazon It is nice to see some new Doctor Who merchandise coming through and would hope these sell well enough to allow a full set to be released.

Marvel Cinematic Universe Yondu Marvel Select 7" scale Recipe WWE Create-a-Superstar Undertaker Set WWE Create-a-Superstar Special Ops Set Diamond Select Comic Book Punisher Paints - Revell Aquacolor / Tamiya The character of Yondu didn't grab me in the first movie, but his recent involvement in the Guardians of the Galaxy sequel had me itching for a figure in 7" scale to line up on my Marvel Select display. It was while trawling eBay for another part that I realised that some Undertaker WWE figures did bear a resemblance to Michael Rooker. Remembering I had a shaved Undertaker head in my parts box (left over from the Ronan custom) I dug it out and painted it blue to see how it would look. The Yondutaker is not the perfect likeness for Yondu, but he is close. I needed to add the fin and went with the smaller one he sports in the original movie and in the first half of GOTG2. This is quite simply a piece of rubberised plastic that was once an offcut of a figure coat. I cut a groove in the head so the fin sits into the scalp rather than being glued on top. The head is the first figure I've tried shading and washing with the skin tone and I am pleased with the effect. The eyes were painted red and the beard drybrushed with a touch of white. It took me a while to come up with a body for Yondu. The original plan was to use the Diamond Select Starlord coat on top of a Winter Soldier body. The coat turned out to be too slim and the Winter Soldier (MCU) was not a cheap figure to carve up for a custom. Again the bits box came to the rescue. First up I had a coat from the Diamond Select Punisher lying around. This was painted brown, then washed in red and black to create a colour tone, but to dirty it up. I used a piece of thin rubber to cut out a Raveger badge for one lapel. I then trimmed a plastic tie wrap (that holds the figure in place) to make the three small darts on the other lapel. These were painted gold and then washed to add grime/dirt. For the body I turned to my old favourite - the Special Ops WWE create a wrestler. The same figure that has donated parts for my Daredevil and more recently Vulture. With the strap and panneling, its a decent match for Yondu's outfit. I added a small scarf with an offcut of rubber coat. And then the cream scarf is a piece of paper that is scumpled round the neck then hardened with superglue. This was painted cream, dirtied with brown and then drybrushed white. The body was done in a similar style to the coat but with more black in the wash to create a contrast. The boots were just left black, but I drybrushed brown up the sides for dirt splashes. Yondu scales well with other Select 7" figures, and I can't wait to see him with the official GOTG2 releases from Diamond. He still needs his arrow, which I am on the look out for. I also want to tweak his hand at some stage to hold the orb from the first movie which came with the original Legend figure of Starlord.

The following promotional images have been released for the Yamaguchi Revoltech Magneto figure that we saw at SDCC 2017. This stylised highly articulated piece will pack a few different options. There will be two head options, one neutral and one grimacing. It then appears you can remove the hair piece of these and add the helmet to either head. Two sets of hands allow for open palm or clenched. And then there is the two magentic effect disks. What is impressive with these disks is that they appear to actually be magnetic! Magneto is scheduled for a November 2017 release. He will retail in Japan at 5900 yen. That is a very reasonable £40 / $53. Expect to add a few more £/$ to that once you factor in import and delivery.

Marvel Cinematic Universe Ronan the Accuser Marvel Select 7" scale Recipe WWE Create-a-Superstar Undertaker Set WWE Create-a-Superstar Shaemus Set WWE Create-a-Superstar Rocker Set Hasbro 5" Ronan Figure Gotham Select Jim Gordon NECA Kick Ass Colonel Stars & Stripes Paints - Revell Aquacolor / Tamiya Diamond Select made no figures in 7" scale for the original Guardians of the Galaxy movie, and while Hasbro did a comprehensive set of releases for the main team - the villain of the piece only made it as far as a small 5" novelty action figure. With new 7" Guardians figures due in from Diamond for the sequel I wanted to have a stab at bringing Ronan the Accuser to 7" scale. The first challenge was the parts - which ended up coming from six different action figure releases. For the torso and legs I took the piece from the WWE create-a-superstar Sheamus. The boots came from the WWE C-A-W rocker set. And the majority of the cloak parts were from the Undertaker set. I used arms from the WWE Roman Reigns Special Ops set that were left over from my Vulture. The shoulder armour was taken off a knock off Iron-Man Mk6. The head was a spare Jim Gordon figure from Diamond - and this turned into a decent match once painted as a Kree. The hood was from a NECA Kick Ass Colonel Stars & Stripes. And finally the Universal weapon and the front skirt came from the aforementioned 5" action figure. With a variety of parts and from different manufacturors it was a case of some kit bashing to get the main parts to come together. WHile the WWE parts are designed to slot together, the head needed some tweaking to fit the neck peg. The head also had to have the skull cap sculpted. Below you see the test with blu-tac, it was later added in greenstuff putty. The hood was trimmed to slot over the shoulders and the Undertaker cloak was carved up quite considerably to create some detail around the chest and to them become a skirt. The trails from the 5" figure were cut off to provide a front sash, and this was later tidied up by adding a belt from a left over part from a Hawkeye figure (Chinese knock off). The shoulder armour pieces had to be heated and slightly reshaped to go over the arm. They had to be set back slightly to keep the arm movement. The Universal weapon was made from the head of the one that comes on the 5" figure. This pops open with a bit of heat to release it from the shaft. I had to fill in the void left by the dodgy flame effect with some more green stuff. The shaft was found in a Poundshop and was originally on a fairy wand of all things (don't tell Ronan). This had to be sanded so it could take the black undercoat then the metallic washes. The body of Ronan was also painted a black undercoat. And then I added some washes of black which was gradually mixed with silver to create that metallic sheen of his armour. The skin tones was mixed by adding blue to flesh tone and painting onto the Gordon head and hands. The black warpaint was added, trying to keep the brush strokes and rough edges. The final paint decor was the rough red cross on his chest. While no where close to being screen accurate, this Ronan does tick off some key components of the costume from Guardians. My only niggle is the hood which is a little wide and might be something I come back to at a later stage. Ronan scales well with other Select 7" figures. See him hanging with Doctor Strange below. And wait, who is that he is with - could that be another Guardians figure on the way?

Developed by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts, Mass Effect™: Andromeda is the newest chapter in the Mass Effect series, and gives players the freedom to chart their own course through space, leading the first humans in Andromeda on a desperate search for a new home. Sara Ryder is a brand new character to the Mass Effect Universe. Figure stands 7 inches tall and comes equipped with primary Camifex Assasult Rifle. Alternate helmet-less head and stylized Mass Effect base included.

The following images have leaked via Instagram of what appears to be the first full wave of basic range figures from Star Wars The Last Jedi. The figures are in the white and red themed Last Jedi packaging, which stands out visually vs the previous carding we've had for The Force Awakens and Rogue One. The figures seen are Luke Rey (Jedi Training) Kylo Ren C-3PO Finn Poe Dameron General Hux and a MSE Droid Rose Paige (who appears to be a new Rebel pilot) Chewbacca, who comes with one of the new Porg's First Order Stormtrooper Ski-Speeder Vehicle with Poe Dameron Each figure is emblazoned with the Force Link logo. Force Link has not been fully explained as yet, but looking at the card back (final image) it appears to be some form of FX gimic that activates when the figures are in proximity to a wrist band - sounds a bit like the CommTech figures, but we will have to wait and see. edit. (6th August) a further two vehicle packs have now been revealed. The first is a Canto Bight Police Speeder complete with Canto Bight Police Officer figure. The second is an A-Wing and pilot Tallie for the Resistance. Images have also surfaced of the Force Link Starter Set which appears to come with a Kylo Ren. There is also a two pack containing Rey in Jedi training gear and a Praetorian Guard, who we believe are aligned to Snoke in the First Order.

Revoltech have lined up two new Marvel comic-book releases in their Yamaguchi series. We had already seen a glimpse of their Magneto, and now their display at Wonderfest unveiled a wonderful Captain America also. The Revoltech figures sit at 6" or so in size, so are comparable with SH Figuarts and MAFEX. They do boast a huge range of articulation and are often packed with innovative accessories. Magneto looks to be coming with both helmeted and un-helmeted head. There are also swap-out hands and some nifty magnetic effects. Capt too comes with masked and unmasked head and his shield, which looks like it can be mounted on his back when not in use. The unpainted sample also shows some impressive bullet impact effects that somehow connect to the shield by what looks like a clip that goes at each side

I must admit I had not heard of Japanese company X-Plus until these images turned up from Wonderfest. After a bit of digging, X-Plus produce a range of 12" monster series figures. It is into this collection that they will be the first to add a screen accurate Kong figure from Skull Island and only the 2nd ever figure released of Kong after that disappointing hollow version that is still on discount in most toy stores. Also on display were a number of Toho monsters including Godzilla, Shin Godzilla, Mothra, Space Godzilla and King Ghidorah. A quick translate of their Japanese store reveals a retail price of circa 15,000 yen for these figures - that is about £100 once converted, but you will have to ship these direct from Japan or find a company who imports these into the US or UK.

Happy Sat-TOY-Day everyone! CLICK HERE for this week's issue Welcome to our SDCC Sat-TOY-Day special, sponsored by our newest partner Kapow Toys. In this bumper issue we look at the key announcements from SDCC including a raft of new movie and video game releases from NECA. There is also a wealth of new Marvel Legends coming both comicbook and MCU based. Marvel fans are also in for a treat with the new Mezco One:12 reveals as well as getting a look at Diamond's Ragnarok figures. Star Wars fans are celebrating the return of the Vintage Collection in 3.75" and have some new figures to drool over ahead of their 2018 release - including a Dewback! www.facebook.com/mephitsu www.twitter.com/mephitsu www.issuu.com/mephitsu

Hasbro's own convention, Hascon, takes place from the 8th to 10th of September and is the chance for collectors to get behind the scenes at Hasbro. Hasbro have confirmed they will be selling a number of exclusives at the show. The first of these is a X-Force Deadpool Marvel Legend 6" figure. Deadpool will be a repaint of the recent Legends Deadpool, but now in the grey X-Force outfit. He will come with the same accessories including Katana Swords, Rocket Launcher, taco and swap out heads. Deadpool will retail at $19.99 The other exclusive of interest is an early release of the Star Wars Black Series Captain Rex. Rex will be released in a premium packaging which is exclusive to the show. He is also packed with four blasters, and the indication is that some of these accessories are also exclusive to the Hascon release only. Outside of Hascon, fans will need to wait until 2018 for the Rex figure to make his general release appearance. The Hascon exclusive Rex will be sold for $24.99 Other exclusives include favourites like My Little Pony, Magic the Gathering and two Transformer releases (see below) Marvel Legends Series 6-Inch UNCANNY X-Force Deadpool Figure ($19.99 USD): Showcasing his alternate UNCANNY X-FORCE outfit and outfitted with iconic accessories including two katana swords, a rocket launcher, three blasters, taco and alternate head, this DEADPOOL figure also features premium articulation and deco. Star Wars: The Black Series 6-Inch Clone Captain REX Figure ($24.99 USD): Featuring customized armor decos with distinctive blue markings inspired by the Star Wars: The Clone Wars series, this collector grade figure includes 28 points of articulation, four blasters, premium packaging, and a removable helmet revealing this fan-favorite character’s incredibly sculpted face. This item will be an early release with exclusive packaging and accessories! TRANSFORMERS Generations Titans Return Arcee Set ($24.99 USD): Be among the first to buy this set, which will be an early release at 2017 HASCON featuring a G1-inspired Titans Return Deluxe Class Arcee figure with Titan Master and a special edition Titan Master Ultra Magnus figure with die-cast parts. The set also includes 2 blaster accessories, 2 collector cards and special edition TRANSFORMERS packaging and custom art for the ultimate play-at-home experience. TRANSFORMERS Optimus Prime Converting Power Bank ($49.99 USD): This special edition power bank converts between robot and charger modes in 16 steps and comes with a blue-Energon LED Light-up sword accessory, mobile phone stand and a Micro USB/USB charging cable.

As we saw at SDCC, Tamashii Nations are planning to release the full Justice League team in their SH Figuarts 1/12 range. We've already seen the details for Batman, who is due towards the back end of the year. And now we've got this image which shows the full line up from SHF in the same pose as the movie promotional poster. Wonder Woman then looks to be hitting stores in December 2018, and these promotional images have been released as pre-orders begin solicitation. Wonder Woman will come with her shield and sword. She will also come with two versions of the lasso of truth - one rolled up and one in full action pose. The RRP is 5940 Yen, which works out as £40 / $54. Expect to add a few £/$ to that price for import price.