Here’s an exciting follow up to The Blot’s previous post on the Lost Kubrick and Be@rbrick vinyl figures by Medicom. Medicom typically puts in mystery chase figures into their blind box series of figures, so I was really excited to find out there was not one but two secret, previously unknown figures included in their Lost Kubrick series.
First up is the Ben Linus Kubrick figure, which comes with a cane and might have the best hair of all of the Lost Kubrick figures.
Not to be outdone, the Desmond Hume Kubrick figure has pretty sweet hair as well. But alas, he is the only Lost Kubrick figure to not come with an accessory! The Blot is a little disappointed he didn’t come with something, but I guess I’m ok with it because I’m just glad to see him in Kubrick form at all.
I still haven’t seen any of these figures in person yet, but when I do I’m sure to snatch up a few blind boxes. If you’re interested in purchasing a sealed case of 24 blind boxes to try and collect the entire set, you can purchase it here for $149.99 from Big Bad Toy Store.com.
How cool is this?!? Growing up, The Blot was a huuuuge Muppets fan. Whether it was Kermit, Fozzie or Gonzo, or even Big Bird, Oscar or Grover over on Sesame Street, I couldn’t get enough of Jim Henson’s crazy creations. Well, now everyone can create and own their own personalized, affordable Muppet through The Muppet Whatnot Workshop at FAO Schwaz.
I think this is the best idea. Obviously it’s just a different take on the Build-A-Bear craze, but with the Build-A-Muppet platform your new puppet can be personalized well beyond just their clothing. Head here and you can see exactly what I mean by creating a Muppet yourself! The Muppet Whatnot Workshop allows you to choose the Muppet’s color, eyes, nose, hair and clothing to create a unique Muppet all your own.
Each Muppet Whatnot takes 3-4 weeks to be created and delivered and can be yours for $90 each.
As a companion piece to the Sunset Rooftops print released two weeks ago, the Moonrise Rooftops print features Huck Gee character Raku and takes place just a few hours after we last saw the Red Hand Gang and the Golden Claw. All that is left is a trail of destruction across the city’s rooftops and the city guard’s air division is out in full force hunting down the fugitives. Something is afoot and Raku knows it.
(click on the photo above for a more detailed look)
The Moonrise Rooftops print, another beautiful addition to the Gold Life series, is gold embossed, numbered and signed with a limited edition print run of 80 pieces. Each print is printed on thick 12”x24” (plus 1” border on all sides) 100% cotton duck canvas (409gsm). Similarly priced to the Sunset Rooftops print at $80 each, The Blot wishes everyone good luck at trying to get one of these very cool prints when they go on sale Friday, October 31st at Noon PDT at Huck Gee’s eBay store.
Also going on sale at the same date and time as the print is Huck’s original Golden Ticket Dunnys Artist Proofs from Series 5. Due to a Kidrobot mishap, the original Golden Ticket 3” Dunnys were distributed with the regular series Dunnys, so a new colorway is in the works for everyone who was lucky enough to find a S5 Golden Ticket. For the rest of us hoping to get one of the original Grandfather Dunnys here is your best shot!
There are 25 APs of the Grandfather “original Golden Ticket” Dunnys and each comes signed and numbered. If your internet is quick enough to get one, you can purchase a GT AP for $100 each.
LostWednesdays is back! It’s The Blot’s first Lost post of the 2008-2009 Television season and I’m more than a little excited about it. We’re still months away from the season premiere of Lost, but it’s never too early for some news and spoilers. There’s one bit of information that even The Blot won’t post about, but if you don’t care about spoilers and need to know right away then click here to watch a very spoiler filled video interview. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you!
Next up is the first teaser trailer for Lost’s upcoming Season 5! We haven’t had any new Lost in a really long time so even these brief glimpses of the upcoming season should be a real treat for Lost fans worldwide:
Secondly, I thought everyone would be interested in knowing that the titles for the first six episodes of Season 5 have been revealed. (link) Now the real speculation can begin! The titles are:
Episode 5.01 – Because You Left Episode 5.02 – The Lie Episode 5.03 – Jughead Episode 5.04 – The Little Prince Episode 5.05 – This Place Is Death Episode 5.06 – The Life and Death of Jeremy Bentham.
And lastly, a quasi cross-over that has The Blot really excited! Everyone’s favorite deceased Lostie, Charlie Pace, will be appearing in an episode of NBC’s Chuck! Well maybe it’s not Charlie exactly, but Dominic Monaghan has signed on to play “a free-spirited British rock star targeted for death by a shadowy group of evildoers.” (link) If that’s not Charlie then I must be going crazy! If you’d like to find out more about Monaghan’s upcoming guest-starring role on Chuck then check out this exclusive interview with the former Lost star by Michael Ausiello.
Chuck has quickly become one of The Blot’s favorite TV shows and I really wish more people were watching it. So, if you’re a devout fan of all things Lost then do The Blot and yourself a favor and tune in to Chuck on Monday, February 2nd at 8/7c on NBC for Dominic Monaghan’s return to television as Charlie Pace Tyler Martin.
Without a doubt, Muttpop does some of the best colorways of any designer toy company. As you know, The Blot really likes their Dr. Destruction figure and this newest colorway, the communist Smersh Edition by Frank Kozik, fits the character’s design perfectly. Muttpop has typically released all of their Lucha Libre figures in each of their primary colorways (regular, classico, black bean, GID, pop culture, puro and smoked), so I knew this Kozik Red Tide version would eventually hit the market. But I have to say I think this figure looks really great in olive green and red.
The Dr. Destruction Red Tide Colorway is limited to 500 pieces and comes with a removable cape, cigarette and cane. The figure has a suggested retail price of $65 and is available in designer toy stores nationwide and online now.
The 2008-2009 NBA season kicks off tonight on TNT and The Blot is pumped. The ‘08-‘09 season should be a great one for the NBA with a ton of interesting storylines set to play out and a bunch of familiar faces in new locations and new uniforms.
I’m just counting down the minutes until tip off of the Los Angeles Lakers’ first game against the Portland Trailblazers at 10:30/9:30 central. It should be a great game and I’m excited to see the Lakers with a healthy Andrew Bynum and the Blazers’ amazing young talent with a healthy Greg Oden.
The Blot is pretty bummed that I missed my one and only opportunity to see My Name Is Bruce in theaters. It was shown in Austin on Sunday night at the Alamo Drafthouse with Bruce Campbell in attendance for the movie’s one and only showing in the state of Texas. But what can you do!?!
Mr. Campbell and the movie have just launched a nation wide My Name Is Bruce promo-tour where fans can view the film and do a spirited Q&A afterwards with the main man himself. There won’t be a signing involved, but if you were hoping to see My Name Is Bruce in theaters then click here to see future tour stop locations and dates.
I was lucky enough to attend one of these movie premieres (and an autograph signing) back in 2005 for Campbell’s sci-fi movie Man with the Screaming Brain in Dallas, and the Q&A was definitely worth attending. So if you’re a Bruce Campbell fan who lives near a promo-tour stop, I highly recommend trying to attend a My Name Is Bruce screening.
Here is our first official look at the Autobot leader, Optimus Prime, in all his Mighty Muggs glory. The Blot’s been waiting a while for some official pics of Hasbro’s upcoming Transformers Mighty Muggs Wave 1 figures, and I’m a little disappointed that after all this time we’re only getting a sneak peek of Prime. I have been dying for some good, close-up pics of the Bumblebee, Megatron and Soundwave figures.
At least now we know from the picture above that Optimus comes with his trademark blaster. Here’s hoping this doesn’t mean Soundwave will just come with his trademark weapon as well. I have been secretly hoping he might come with a sidekick cassette tape like Laserbeak, Buzzsaw or Ratbat to perch on his arm (or in his hand). How cool would that be?
I can’t believe this movie is almost here. It feels like forever since our last Kevin Smith movie and The Blot is pumped for Zack and Miri Make a Porno. Smith can do no wrong in the eyes of The Blot no matter how many Jersey Girls the writer/director makes. With that being said, I have no idea how good (or not good) this movie will be, but the trailers do look pretty funny. You can check out the newest Zach and Miri Make a Porno trailer below:
I am predicting huge numbers for Smith’s latest film this Halloween weekend even with the curse of a hard to promote movie title. Regardless of the movie's subject matter, the comedy stars Hollywood’s newest leading man and one of its most bankable stars, Seth Rogen, so you know it’s going to do well in some key demographics. Plus, the Smith/Rogen team-up is sure to motivate even the biggest of slackers to head down to their local movie theater this weekend to see Zach and Miri Make a Porno. How can this movie fail!?!
Zack and Miri Make a Porno premiers this Friday, October 31, 2008.
Finally, we get a Watchmen promotional movie poster that doesn’t focus squarely on one character. The Blot loves this poster almost as much as I love all the drama swirling around the movie’s production. First it was the ongoing legal battle between Twentieth Century Fox and Warner Bros. over which production company holds the distribution rights to any film based on the DC comic book mini-series. (link) As if that unsettled lawsuit wasn’t enough, a new controversy has emerged leaving many fans unhappy.
According to this report, director Zack Snyder has decided to change the end of the movie to include an all new ending not based on the source material. If you don’t already know how the Watchmen story ends or don’t want to know the movie’s new ending, do not click here. Just a friendly warning!
Regardless of this new development, The Blot still thinks Watchmen sounds ridiculously awesome and I cannot wait for it to come out. The story itself is already considered one of the best books of the past 25 years and I am anxious to see how it is translated to the silver screen.
Watchmen premieres in theaters everywhere on March 6, 2009.
In honor of The Blot going to see Cold War Kids Saturday night at Warehouse Live in Houston, I thought I’d direct everyone to a couple of free MP3s from the Fullerton, CA indie rock band. The Cold War Kids have become one of my favorite bands since I first heard their amazing music back in 2006, so I highly recommend downloading these great free tunes. And remember, if you like what you hear go out and purchase the CWK’s two albums, Robbers & Cowards and Loyalty To Loyalty.
First up is a b-side entitled “Bullies Always Win,” which was previously available only as an iTunes exclusive when you pre-ordered Cold War Kids’ second album, Loyalty To Loyalty. Click here to go to Cold War Kids’ official RCRD LBL webpage to download the song.
The second offering from CWK comes from the MySpace Transmissions website. The band recorded a live session at The Compound in Long Beach a few weeks ago and now you can download the entire 5 song set, as well as watch the five songs being recorded, here.
Hasbro recently released photos of the packaged G.I. Joe Matt Trakker action figure. Usually the packaging for a common figure isn’t that exciting, except when it’s for a G.I. Joe/M.A.S.K. cross-over figure. You see the Specialist Trakker figure features prominently the official M.A.S.K. logo in its upper right hand corner, something I never expected to see.
I always thought this was just a tribute figure to the 80’s M.A.S.K. toy/cartoon line, meaning any likeness in appearance or name to M.A.S.K.’s Matt Trakker would be strictly unofficial. But I’m glad to see I was wrong, especially now that the creation of the Specialist Trakker action figure brings M.A.S.K. into official G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero cannon. This is even more exciting news than finding out the figure was to be produced in the first place. Here’s hoping we see future additions of M.A.S.K. and V.E.N.O.M. characters into the ranks of G.I. Joe and Cobra sometime soon.
I am still not sure how I feel about these cutesy little super hero figures, but I do love the huge variety of characters Hong Kong toymaker Hot Toys has included in their CosBaby line of 3” PVC figures. First they released a 7 figure line of Marvel Comics’ Iron Man Movie CosBaby figures and now they are releasing an 8 figure line of DC Comics’ Batman CosBaby figures.
The CosBaby line of figures are inspired by CosPlay (from the contraction of the words “costume play”), a type of performance art and role play in which the cosplayers meticulously outfit themselves in character costumes from sources such as manga, anime, comics, movies and video games to become the characters they emulate, reenacting scenes from the original sources.
The Iron Man Movie CosBaby line includes Iron Man Mark 1, Mark 2, Mark 3, Tony Stark, Tony Stark (Mark 1 version), Tony Stark (Mark 3 version) and one secret variant. The Batman CosBaby line includes Modern Batman, Classic Batman, The Joker, Robin, Classic Batgirl, Catwoman, Two-Face and one secret chase figure.
Both lines of 3” CosBaby figures should be hitting store shelves this month, so keep your eyes out if you’re interested in picking up a few of these cute ‘lil figures. I’m just hoping the Batman chase figure is not a Bruce Wayne figure (a figure I would never want in a million years). Now a Nightwing figure, that is something I might be interested in! It looks like each figure comes packed on a 4-color blister card and will retail for around $10.
Every Halloween Johnny Cupcakes releases a few all new, extremely limited edition shirts in its “There’s Something in the Cupcake Mix” t-shirt series. October is here and JC has brought the heat! The Blot is a huge movie buff so I really love the fact that the 2008 editions of the “There’s Something in the Cupcake Mix” t-shirt series feature some of the scariest men in the history of horror movies, Jason and Freddy.
These shirts are always impossible to get, so whether you’re a fan of Johnny Cupcakes or one of the movies featured in this year’s shirts (A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, Child’s Play, Ghostbusters) you need to act fast and wear a random size if you hope to get one!
To be honest, I have no idea if any of these awesome Halloween shirts are even available anymore, but if you’re interested in trying to purchase one of the 2008 “There’s Something in the Cupcake Mix” t-shirts email monster@johnnycupcakes.com and put in a request. There are only a few random sizes left (if any) at this point!
The Blot is so excited to have finally found out more information on this new line of designer vinyl figures from DC Comics and DC Direct. Ever since DC showed off their newest creation at last year’s San Diego Comic-Con, The Blot has been searching the web for more info on the figure’s release. Well, this week DC Direct announced that the Batman Uni-Formz figure is the first in a new line of stylized vinyl figures inspired by the red-hot designer toy phenomenon.
It sounds like DC has decided to stick with the traditional designer toy model by making these Uni-Formz figures limited edition with rare, hard to find colorways. The Uni-Formz platform was created by toy designer Monster 5 and really do look awesome. The Batman figure comes in three styles: the “modern” Batman in his black costume, a variant version in the “classic” blue and grey costume, and an ultra-stylized variant “armored” version. Both the classic and armored Batman colorways will be produced in far lower quantities than the modern Batman figure. While no run size is listed, DC Direct has promised not to reproduce any of their Uni-Formz figures after production.
In the world of comics most fans lean either towards DC or Marvel and I’ve always preferred DC Comics, so I’m glad to see DC finally make a jump into the designer toy market. Here’s just hoping this line is more successful than Upper Deck’s Marvel Comics Subcasts figures which were released last year and have already been discontinued. One positive note on the line’s longevity is that other figures, such as a Superman and Green Lantern figure, are already in the works. I just hope the line proves popular enough to garner figures of some of DC’s second tier super heroes.
The limited-edition Batman Uni-Formz vinyl figures feature 12 points of articulation, stands approximately 8 inches tall, are packaged in a deluxe 4-color window box and will retail for around $60 each. The only disappointing note about these figures is that they won’t be available for purchase until June 3, 2009!
The Blot loves free music that you can download legally, so this latest release from the Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim is right up my alley. This is the third or fourth free mixtape released by Adult Swim and they have all been fantastic. Pretty soon the Adult Swim brand will be as synonymous with hip-hop as it is with quirky, offbeat animated series.
The latest free album is African Swim, a 16 track mixtape that features some of South Africa’s best hip-hop artists. You can go here to download the entire album and see some exclusive videos, or right click the link below. If this is even half as good as the Adult Swim Danger Doom Occult Hymn mixtape or the Chocolate Swim mixtape then you will really enjoy African Swim!
The Blot attended his first and sadly only Texas home game last Saturday to see the number 1 ranked Texas Longhorns take on the number 11 ranked Missouri Tigers. I have to say it was the loudest I have ever seen DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium in the past 10 years. I can’t even explain how fun it was, especially the first half where the Horns could do no wrong. The additions to the stadium are really nice and I have to think enclosing the north side has a little to do with the new found loudness of the stadium. It also didn’t hurt that this was the first home game the horns have played as the number 1 ranked team in the country since 1977.
After taking a sick 35-3 lead into half time, the second half was not quite as exciting. But, it was a solid quality win at home and our secondary looked outstanding. I am finally starting to believe the hype and can’t even begin to describe how great quarterback Colt McCoy looked. If that guy doesn’t win the Heisman the voters need to have their heads examined. He may not have the same outlandish touchdown numbers as other QBs, but his completion percentage and the way he leads the team are unmatched by any other player in the country.
On a side note it is very rewarding to have Texas ranked #1 in the first BCS poll of the year. It’s the first time the team has ever controlled their own destiny and with a number one ranking in the USA Today Coaches poll, Harris poll and all six computer polls, Texas is in good shape if they can continue to win. It is arguable that even with a loss the team could still somehow remain in the top 2 and their second shot at a national championship in the past four years.
The one stat that everyone keeps pointing to that just seems ridiculous to me is how many teams that are ranked #1 in the first BCS poll make it to the championship game and from that small number how many actually win the game. This is such an ESPN made up statistic. Yes the number is staggeringly low, but there is one big reason why. Up until two years ago the BCS poll came out the first week of the season. After conferences realized how unfair this was to teams who started out ranked low but ended up with amazing seasons, the BCS wisely made changed to now wait to come out with their first poll of the year until after week 7 of the season.
That’s why in the past two or three years the first team ranked 1 has been more likely to make it to the championship game while in the first 10 years that wasn’t the case. Can you imagine how many teams would have been ranked #1 in the BCS poll just this year alone if they had started the poll after week one? Needless to say there are way too many games still left to play to worry about booking a flight to Miami for the 2009 BCS Championship Game, but a fan can dream right?
“No, don’t get married Ted? No, you’re making a big mistake Ted? Barney Stinson, are you no longer committed to the war on marriage?” - Lily
No, I just know a hopeless cause when I see it.
It’s the same reason I don’t recycle.
- Barney Stinson
"Shelter Island"
How I Met Your Mother
For all you die hard How I Met Your Mother fans out there looking for more information on the most awesome book of all time, The Bro Code, here’s the article for you. It’s got everything you need to know about Barney Stinson’s legendary Bro Code, and its actually pretty funny. I wouldn’t be surprised if Barney himself had written it under a pseudonym, like Abroham Lincoln.
I am glad to hear The Bro Code goes into great detail of the fabled Crazy/Hot Scale, that’s something every bro should know. But until that time comes when we can all suit up and head down to our local book stores to actually purchase The Bro Code, check out this great article about everything we’d ever want to know about HIMYM’s legendary handbook.
Here are two all new promotional movie posters for the upcoming Marvel Comics movie Punisher: War Zone. I am starting to worry there is no substance to this retelling of Frank Castle’s story because all we ever see are the same four photos of Ray Stevenson as The Punisher. I’m not saying I need anything fancy, but I am getting board of seeing Stevenson pose with a gun. I think it's time we finally get our first photo of Dominic West as the villainous Jigsaw.
Along with the two new theatrical one-sheet movie posters for Punisher: War Zone, the movie has also recently re-launched its website with all new graphics and material including photos, downloads and trailers. The site is much improved and more interactive than the film’s original website, and is definitely worth browsing around if you have some time to kill. You can find the official Punisher: War Zone movie website here.
Punisher: War Zone is set to debut in theaters on December 5, 2008.
With all of the Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe news hitting the web this month I almost forgot to post the latest character designs for two of the four new villains unveiled last week, Baraka and Lex Luthor. I have never been a huge fan of Luthor’s green and purple armored suit, but I guess it’s a needed addition if the character is expected to perform hand to hand combat against the super powered heroes and villains of the Mortal Kombat and DC Comics universes.
On the other hand, I think Baraka looks awesome. He is as scary looking as ever and I absolutely love that toothy grin of his. I can’t wait to use those arm blades of his to cut up the opposition.
Unfortunately, there has still been no sighting of character renderings of either Shao Khan or Darkseid for next month’s video game release. The Blot for one is dying to know if Darkseid will be battling the minions of Outworld in his trademark bluish-grey skirt. More details to come as they become available.
One exciting bit of information I forgot to pass along last week is that Midway has finally announced an official release date for Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe. Fan's can expect to see the game on store shelves and available for purchase throughout North America on November 16th, 2008. So only a few more weeks until the carnage really starts!
The Blot is really bummed by this latest development. I thought Howard was awesome as Tony Stark’s best friend Jim Rhodes and was really looking forward to his eventual dawning of the War Machine armor in Iron Man 2. But alas that is to be no more. Not many details are known but the Hollywood Reporter is reporting the split was over “financial differences.” (link) Evidently Marvel Studios had wanted to work with Cheadle all along, and when a rift started to form between the studio and Howard they jumped at the chance to take the role of War Machine away from one Academy Award nominee and give it to another. (link)
Don’t get me wrong, Cheadle is an amazing actor but in my opinion Howard is a better fit for the role of Tony Stark’s hot headed partner-in-armor, especially when you have to act opposite the great Robert Downey, Jr. Regardless, I am positive director Jon Favreau will make sure Iron Man 2 is just as good, if not better, than the original. Nevertheless, The Blot is still hoping this is just a negotiating ploy (ala Toby Maguire and Spider-Man 3) to get Terrence Howard signed on for the sequel but at a lower asking price.
I wasn’t planning on getting either of these figures, but after finally seeing the Galactus Mighty Mugg in person I knew I had to have it. Come on, name me one other character who can instill this much fear in an entire universe while wearing a purple so light some might mistake it for pink! For that reason alone I had to purchase the Marvel Universe’s oldest living entity in Mighty Mugg form. The head piece on this figure is just spot on, but I wish they had made him on a 10” or 12” Mighty Mugg body.
I really didn’t want the Silver Surfer Mighty Mugg but he looked so great next to Galactus on the shelf that I ended up buying him too. Besides, Galactus can’t survive without a Herald scouring the universe in search of a planet for his next meal.
While Huck Gee’s Sunset Rooftops print may be beautiful, his limited edition hand painted Red Hand Gang Dunny set is just sick. Each 8 inch Dunny comes painted, wrapped in black, sleeves torn off, embroidered, nunchucked with sashes blowing in the wind. Each member of the Red Hand Gang in this 10 figure set comes signed, numbered, gold embossed and with all of the accessories show in the pictures here.
I love these two releases set for Friday, October 17th, but just wish the price on these figures was a tad lower. What can I say, I’m a sucker for nunchucks. Each 8” Dunny is $650 and like the Sunset Rooftops Print goes on sale at Huck’s eBay store at noon PDT.
Photos of this awesome print leaked yesterday, but it wasn’t until last night that we found out this beautiful new Gold Life print was dropping tomorrow! Huck Gee’s Sunset Rooftops Print features The Red Hand Gang traveling from rooftop to rooftop, sashes blowing in the wind. These hoodlums run this side of the city and now seem to be teaming up with the deadly Gold Claw. What led to this monumental team-up in the world of the Gold Life? Only time will tell…
(click on the photo above for a more detailed look)
The Sunset Rooftops print is gold embossed, numbered and signed with a limited edition print run of 80 pieces. This stunning print is printed on thick 12”x24” (plus 1” border on all sides) 100% cotton duck canvas (409gsm). Each print is $80 and goes on sale Friday, October 17th at Noon PDT at Huck Gee’s eBay store. If you love this print just wait and see what is also being released Friday as an accompanying piece!
