Lost - Lighthouse

Like many of you, The Blot has been watching Lost since the show’s very first episode. I was really excited about the show’s series premiere back in 2004 for a few reasons, but mainly because it was co-created by J.J. Abrams and starred Party of Five’s Matthew Fox and the Lord of the Rings’ Dominic Monaghan. Isn’t it amazing how much has changed since then?


Abrams and Monaghan have since departed the show, and Fox’ Jack Shephard is far from most fans’ favorite character. While the reasons I watch Lost may have changed over the years, there is one thing that’s stayed the same year in and year out…you could even say it’s the show’s one constant…that I have no fraking idea what’s going on!

It’s been five and a half years since Lost debuted and I’m more confused now than ever (and loving every minute of it!). Come on, how killer was that scene between Claire and Jin!?! Crazy Claire takes the whole Rousseau shtick to another level, and her all but too brief appearances this season have me almost ready to forgive Carlton and Damon for sideling the talented Emilie de Ravin all of last year. I’m not sure where this whole Claire/FLocke relationship is going, but I’ve got a feeling it doesn’t bode well for Kate. Claire’s definitely going to be gunning for Ms. Austin sooner or later. On a side note, if FLocke is with Claire and Jin, where’s Sawyer?


And I’m still trying to decide which of Jin’s shocked looks I liked the most: 1) the look he gave when he saw Claire’s freakish looking fake baby, 2) the look he gave after seeing Claire murder the Other in cold blood, or 3) the look he gave as FLocke walked into Claire’s hut. All three looks were great, and Daniel Dae Kim did a great job conveying multiple emotions all while laying on the ground injured and scared. Hopefully Jin’s introduction to the Man-in-Locke will speed up his reunion with his beloved Sun. I’m getting a little sick of their pining for one another. Let’s get their storyline moving in a new direction already.

My favorite part of this episode was the interaction between Hurley and Jack (and to a lesser extent Hurley and Jacob). It’s been a really long time since these two central characters shared so much screen time, and yet it felt like they’ve been playing off one another for years. It's been very interesting watching Hurley and Jack try to figure out their roles on the island, but I’m not so sure either will like where they end up. Jacob’s meddling is definitely far from over.


What I’m most concerned about is the safety of En Leung's Miles Straume. Jacob’s final message to Hurley was that he sent Hurley to the lighthouse with Jack to keep him safe because trouble was coming to the temple. Could it have been there all the time in the form of Sayid? I’m not so sure, but I’ve got a feeling Miles’ days are numbered. Even though fans love Miles' one liners, the minute I saw his name scratched out in FLocke’s cave and Jacob’s lighthouse, I knew his days on the island were numbered. I don’t think the same can be said for Sayid though, at least so long as his name remains listed as a possible candidate.


And lastly, while there are a million theories being batted around as to the significance of Lost’s Flash Sideways storyline, let me just say how amazed I am at how quickly the show’s writers turned things around. In five short hours I’ve gone from hating the Flash Sideways storyline to absolutely loving it. There were moments in this week’s episode where I actually preferred the Flash Sideways storyline. But best of all, this storyline made me actually care to ask questions about Jack again…like where did Jack’s appendix go, where did his son David come from, and who is David’s mother? I’m not as concerned with who David’s mother is as some fans are, but I would like to know what role Flash Sideways Dogan will play in all this. He must be somewhat important, because otherwise they should have made that reveal be a character we actually care about!


Again I’m at a loss for theories this week, but I am starting to wonder at this point what the show’s end game is going to be. The storyline is still picking up steam, and if I didn’t know any better I’d say Lost still had a few more seasons in it. With that being said, is it possible for even half of our questions to be tied up in a neat little bow? Or were Hurley’s comments about the skeletons of Adam and Eve a hint to us all that the writers will be answering the questions they want and fans be damned!?! I hope not, but who knows at this point. Namaste…

David Flores Collective Clothing Line - New Star Wars T-Shirts

David Flores is about to launch a brand new line of clothing, and he’s christened it the David Flores Collective. The Blot is pretty excited about Flores’ latest endeavor, especially since his first release will be a series of Star Wars t-shirts featuring R2-D2, Boba Fett and Tusken Raider.


This is really all The Blot knows about the David Flores Collective and its Star Wars themed clothing, but how cool does Flores’ R2-D2 look? I’m pretty excited for this new brand of clothing, and can’t wait to see what other t-shirt designs Flores has been working on.

Disney x Medicom Chip 'n Dale 100% Be@rbrick 2 Pack

Can someone explain to The Blot what happened to Disney’s Chip ‘n Dale!?! They used to be two of Disney’s most popular characters, but nowadays they’re not even the most popular animated chipmunks in pop culture. That title now belongs to Alvin, Simon and Theodore. Chip ‘n Dale first became popular in the ‘40s and 50’s after being featured prominently in some now classic Disney shorts. Then forty years later (in the ‘90s), their popularity reached an all time high as the stars of the animated series Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers, only to never be heard from again once that show was canceled.


It seems like now Chip ‘n Dale can only be seen in the friendly confines of Disneyland and Disneyworld…oh how the might have fallen! Now thanks to Medicom, Chip ‘n Dale can live on in your designer vinyl collection! The Disney x Medicom Chip 'n Dale 100% Be@rbrick 2 pack continues Medicom’s hugely successful Disney Be@rbricks toy line, and can be yours for just $25. The Chip ‘n Dale 100% Bearbricks stand around 3 inches tall and will hit stores sometime during July of 2010.

Star Wars x Medicom C-3PO 400% Kubrick

As a huge Star Wars fan, it probably comes as no surprise to readers of The Blot Says… that I’m really excited about this huge 400% C-3PO Kubrick from Medicom Toy. I love all of the little details Medicom included on both the figure’s front and back, and Threepio’s chrome body looks even more amazing at this size. I have to say, making C-3PO’s body a golden metallic instead of a bright yellow really makes all the difference!


The Star Wars x Medicom C-3PO 400% Kubrick stands around 12 inches tall, has a limited run size of 1,000 figures, and will retail for around $100. Fans can expect the world's favorite protocol droid in stores sometime around August or September of 2010.

Up Edition Blue Wyger Vinyl Figure by Sam Flores

The blue Up Edition Wyger is the third colorway of Sam Flores’ new vinyl figure sensation. The Blot still thinks the OG orange Wyger colorway is still the best, but I do love me some blue vinyl. The Wyger features elegant gradient blends, descriptive tiger stripes and key Sam Flores elements such as the over sized clutched hands and the large Punchinella-esque covered feet. The Wyger gets its name from the amalgamation of the tiger and Upper Playground's iconic mascot, the Walrus.


Flores’ blue Wyger stands nearly 10" tall, features two protruding tusks and comes packaged in a double sided window box. The Wyger Up Edition has a limited edition run of only 250 figures and can be purchased directly from Upper Playground here for $85 each.

John Locke Lost Bobble Head

Bif Bang Pow! has announced the production of its fourth Lost bobble head, and this time it features one of the hit ABC television show’s main characters, John Locke! And we’re not talking about a bobble head featuring FLocke or wannabe leader of the Others Locke, no this bobble head is of everyone’s favorite version of the Terry O’Quinn character, the stoic and mystical John Locke from Lost Season 1!


The John Locke Lost bobble head stands on a base of the Island, and comes holding an orange and one of his famous knives. The John Locke bobble head is made out of resin and stands 7" tall. Bif Bang Pow! did an amazing job with this wobbler’s head, and while it won’t ship until August 2010, it is available for pre-order here from EntertainmentEarth.com right now for $12.99.

Kidrobot - De La Soul Vinyl Figures 3 Pack

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of De La Soul’s debut album 3 Feet High and Rising, hip-hop pioneers De La Soul have teamed up with Kidrobot to create this limited edition set of 3 inch figures. While this sounds like an awesome release, after looking at the figures The Blot has some serious mixed feelings about KR’s De La Soul 3 pack.


I’m a HUGE hip-hop fan and have been waiting for these long rumored figures for a while. I assumed they were a “must get” to go along with my Stones Throw x Kidrobot Madvillain and Quasimoto hip hop themed vinyl figures. But now that I see these 3” figures, I’m really disappointed. First off, if you hadn’t told me these figures were supposed to be De La Soul, I never would have been able to identify them. I think kaNO summed it up best when he tweeted that one of the figures looks more like Digital Underground’s Humpty Hump than a member of De La Soul. I’m also not thrilled that KR is charging $50 for three 3” figures that might be confused for bootleg Simpsons or Futurama blind boxed figures.


Each De La Soul 3” figure comes with individual accessories, and the set comes in futuristic space travel boxes, which symbolize De La’s mission to take hip-hop to the stratosphere and beyond. Retailing for $50, the De La Soul 3 pack arrives at Kidrobot stores, kidrobot.com, and select retailers on March 18, 2010.

Kidrobot 18: KidMutant by Frank Kozik

KR’s icon is back to contaminate your vinyl collection! While The Blot posted a sneak peek of Kidrobot’s newest mascot vinyl figure a few months ago, yesterday the designer toy company made the official announcement introducing the world to Frank Kozik’s KidMutant.


After being exposed to nuclear radiation by Kozik, Kidrobot emerges with green skin, three eyes, and tentacles for arms! Limited to only 1,000 figures worldwide and retailing for $50, this 8 inch aberration comes with a one-eyed, three-eared, six-legged mutant smorkin’ Labbit and arrives at Kidrobot stores, kidrobot.com, and select retailers on March 18, 2010.

Super7 - Clear Pearl Big Sal by Kathie Olivas & Brandt Peters

The photo below is of the Monster Family Clear Pearl Big Sal vinyl figure by Kathie Olivas & Brandt Peters. The Blot knows nothing about this upcoming release from Super7 other than what you can see in the picture, but doesn’t the next 4” Big Sal colorway look awesome!?!


Super7’s been on a Monster Family clear vinyl tear lately, and The Blot can only hope this trend continues with its next Rose Vampire release.

Super7 - Crystal Clear Blue Steven the Bat Vinyl Figure by Bwana Spoons

Bwana Spoons's Monster Family Steven the Bat rides again! This version of the Soft Crusher drummer is cast in crystal clear blue vinyl, like the rainy day releases of old. As I’m sure you’re all aware, The Blot’s a huge fan of clear vinyl, so this clear blue Steven the Bat is right up my alley. If recent Super7 Monster Family releases are any indication, this Steven the Bat is sure to sell out very quickly.


This latest incarnation of Steven the Bat takes flight on Saturday, February 27th, at 11am PST. Collectors can purchase this 4” tall vinyl figure from the Super7 online store for $30 each.

Lost on the Cover of Entertainment Weekly 2 out of the Last 3 Weeks

As a huge Lost fan, The Blot always enjoys seeing the cast of Lost on a magazine’s cover, especially when that magazine is Entertainment Weekly (the only magazine I actually subscribe to). But I was shocked to see Lost’s Matthew Fox and Emilie de Ravin grace the cover of the preeminent entertainment magazine just two issues after the show’s last cover feature. I love Lost as much as the next guy, but it hasn’t always been the type of ratings juggernaut to garner a magazine’s cover story two out of three weeks.


With that being said, Lost has definitely had a resurgence in popularity this year entering its sixth and final season. Ratings are finally on an upswing and the show seems to be a legit pop culture phenomenon touching both diehard fans and casual observers. Which all points to reasons why Entertainment Weekly chose the show to grace its cover twice in three weeks. The only really shocking aspect of Lost’s most recent EW cover is its choice of actors.


Matthew Fox makes sense, but never in a million years would I have guessed Emilie de Ravin would be the other actor featured in a Lost photo shoot. I’m actually glad they chose Emilie over Evangeline Lilly. It’s a nice change of pace and pays tribute to the importance of de Ravin’s Claire Lost Season 6, a character I missed greatly during disappearance from Season 5.

Entertainment Weekly Issue #1091, which sports a Lost cover featuring Matthew Fox and Emile de Ravin, has a cover date of February 26, 2010 and is on newsstands now. Entertainment Weekly Issue #1088, which features a Lost cover including pictures of Matthew Fox, Terry O’Quinn, Evangeline Lilly, Josh Holloway, Ian Somerhalder and Yunjin Kim, has a cover date of February 5, 2010 and is now probably gone from newsstands.

Lost - The Substitute

I’m kind of at a lost when it comes to discussing this week’s episode of Lost, “The Substitute.” It was an awesome episode (and we did get some answers), but really I’m just left with more and more questions. Then again, isn’t that par for the course when discussing Lost? I mentioned this on Twitter, but this week’s episode felt like the official start of the show’s final season. It was the type of episode Lost fans have been craving and I think it quieted a lot of the negative feelings.


It’s really too bad “The Substitute” couldn’t have been the season premiere’s 2nd hour or replaced “What Kate Does” in the order of episodes, because I think it would have really excited the fan base earlier in the season. “The Substitute” was the first episode where I thoroughly enjoyed the Flash Sideways. I never realized until this season how much I disliked Kate-centric stories while really enjoying all things Locke. I’ve never been a huge Locke fan, but I find myself wanting to return to his storylines constantly (and caring less and less about Jack, Sayid and the temple Others).


The question of whether or not Locke was able to go on his walkabout in the Flash Sideways was answered quickly, and even though he was still unable to go, it didn’t seem to crush him as much as the first time. Locke really does seem to be at peace with his life, and I’m sure still being in a relationship with Helen is a large part of that. Anyone notice she mentioned having Locke’s father at the wedding!?! Seems like that’s a huge change in his life from prior to the nuclear explosion! That little change begs the question, if Locke’s father is still in his life then who or what caused Locke’s paralysis?

It was cool to see Hurley enter Locke’s life so quickly and a little shocking to find out Rose works for Hurley. That little tidbit makes me wonder what both Hurley and Rose were doing in Australia at the same time and on the same flight home. There must be more to that story I’m sure. To be honest, I had no idea where this job storyline was going, and half expected Locke to run into Walt or Faraday at the school. But to find Ben working at the school as a teacher completely threw me off! As soon as you hear Michael Emerson’s voice you know it was Ben! And how great were his glasses!?! Now I’m actually interested in finding out where this Flash Sideways storyline is going!


Now let’s get to the really good stuff, this week’s island action. So many of the scenes in “The Substitute” on their own don’t explain much, but together we’re starting to get a feeling of what’s really going on between Jacob and FLocke. To say I have any real idea what’s going on would be a lie, but we’re starting to get a feel at least. I’m starting to guess the numbers were created by Jacob since “he has a thing for numbers,” but who knows. And what was up with the little boy in the woods? Is that a newly reborn Jacob or maybe it’s Jacob as a little boy raised from the dead (similar to Christian Shephard)?

Like I said earlier, I really have no idea what’s going on other than it was an exciting episode. I loved seeing the island through the Smoke Monster’s eyes and its transformation into FLocke. And I thought the look on Sawyer’s face, when he learned another Lostie had returned from the dead, was pretty killer. He must really be at his boiling point after seeing two friends resurrected while Juliette remains dead. It was also cool to learn how Sawyer’s mind works when he dissected Locke and explained how he knew right away Locke wasn’t Locke. Sawyer’s a conman through and through, and unlike his island mates, is rarely fooled. While it looks like the MIB/Flocke found his first follower in Sawyer, I’ve got a feeling James won’t be blindly following anyone for very long.


It was also interesting to see Richard legitimately afraid of FLocke while he was trying to convince Sawyer to go to with him to the temple. I’m pretty sure that was the first time we’ve ever seen Richard show any emotion, and for typically such a cool character fear was the one emotion I never thought he’d show! One last thing before go into my question to ponder, how great was Locke’s funeral!?! Ben’s eulogy was priceless, but it was Frank Lapidus’ response that really blew me away. I don’t know what role Frank will ultimately play in the Lost saga, but I really enjoy every scene he appears in. Something tells me Ilana knows his role and will guide him, Sun and Ben to their destinies.


I don’t have many theories from watching this week’s show, mainly because it seems like the storylines are all still building, but I know there is lots and lots of speculation on the MIB/FLocke’s cave and the names/numbers Jacob wrote on its walls. My only question to ponder this week is why is Jacob sexist? I know the name Kwon could reference Jin or Sun, but since I didn’t see Kate or Clair’s names on the walls either I’ll just assume Jacob was referring to Jin as a potential candidate. That also might explain why Sun was the only member of the Oceanic 6 not to jump back in time when Ajira Airways Flight 316 crashed to the island. Don’t these things just make you go hmmmm?

Super7 x Star Wars Stormtrooper Super Shogun

Both toy collectors and Star Wars fans alike have been waiting for an official announcement concerning this amazing collaboration between Super7 and Lucasfilm Ltd. for a very long time, and yesterday that announcement was finally released! Utilizing the same techniques implemented by Japanese toy manufacturers in the 1970s, the Super Shogun Stormtrooper is constructed from durable, blow-molded polyethylene with a painted vinyl helmet.


The Star Wars Stormtrooper Super Shogun stands a whopping 24 inches tall and includes all of the features that you expect from an authentic Jumbo: free rotating wheels on the bottom of his feet, and a spring-loaded Rocket Punch firing fist! The figure is articulated at the neck and shoulders, and includes a removable, highly-detailed BlasTech E-11 laser blaster. The blaster even features a posable stock that unfolds from below the barrel. Collectors of both Japanese and Star Wars memorabilia are sure to be impressed with the care taken to fuse the disparate concepts into a new unique entity.


Packaged in an illustrated gift box with iconic graphics from both franchises, each Stormtrooper is individually serial numbered as part of this one time limited edition production run. As a special bonus, metallic foil stickers are included for you to customize the torso with the character name in English or in Japanese. The 24” Super7 x Star Wars Super Shogun Stormtrooper will retail for $300 each and will go be available through www.starwars.super7store.com soon, a new dedicated mini-website launched in celebration of this figure’s impending release.

X-Men: Second Coming Teaser Images

While The Blot doesn’t read Marvel’s line of X-Men comic books anymore, these Second Coming teaser images by Daniel Acuña look awesome. It’s very rare for a teaser image to actually pique my interest these days, so these five images have certainly done their job! I love the stained glass boarders around each image and the tag lines really do tease the coming of a huge storyline. I have no idea where this X-Universe crossover is heading, but most fans assume (and hope) it will wrap up the Hope Summers storyline, which spun out of the ending to Marvel’s House of M event and officially started in the X-Men crossover Messiah Complex back in 2007.



When I was younger, I read every single X-Men comic book Marvel published. But then again, who didn’t in the early to mid 90’s? These days the only Marvel comic I read that features mutants is X-Factor by Peter David. And while it’s technically an “X” book, it’s typically not connected to the larger X-Universe and its cross-over storylines. So it’s pretty rare for an official X-Men crossover to get me excited, but Second Coming’s doing just that.



It also doesn’t hurt that Marvel’s teasing the long awaited resurrection of Jean Gray during the events of Second Coming. Is anyone else shocked Marvel actually kept her “dead” for this long? It’s been six years since Phoenix passed away, which is an eternity in comic book years.


The X-Men: Second Coming one shot, written by Christopher Yost & Craig Kyle with art and variant cover by David Finch and cover by Adi Granov, goes on sale March 31, 2010 and will have a cover price of $3.99.

Saw 2 Billy Mez-Itz Vinyl Figure by Mezco Toyz - Toy Fair 2010 Sneak Peek

The Blot has to admit I’ve never seen any of the Saw films, so the announcement that Mezco Toyz would be releasing a Saw 2 Billy Mez-Itz vinyl figure doesn’t excite me as much as it might other toy collectors and horror movie fans. Regardless, Mezco is doing an excellent job expanding its movie licenses in order to really beef up its Mez-Itz line of designer vinyl figures.


No word on when the Saw 2 Billy Mez-Itz vinyl figure will be released, but it looks like this figure will be 6 inches tall. Thanks again to ASMzine.com for the above picture from Toy Fair 2010!

Suited Beetlejuice Mez-Itz Vinyl Figure by Mezco Toyz - Toy Fair 2010 Sneak Peek

It looks like Mezco Toyz is wasting no time releasing a second Beetlejuice Mez-Itz vinyl figure. The Blot’s not sure if this Beetlejuice in Suit Mez-Itz is just a second release or if it will be some sort of exclusive, but either way it looks pretty cool, doesn’t it?


The photo above of Mezco Toyz’ Suited Beetlejuice Mez-Itz is from Toy Fair 2010 and is courtesy of ASMzine.com. ASMzine’s coverage of Toy Fair 2010 is second to none, and I highly recommend checking out its website! Fans can expect this 2nd Beetlejuice Mez-Itz to go on sale sometime in June 2010!

Kick-Ass Mez-Itz Vinyl Figures by Mezco Toyz - Toy Fair 2010 Sneak Peek

As far as The Blot can tell, these upcoming Kick-Ass Mez-Itz vinyl figures by Mezco Toyz are the first officially licensed action figures based on the upcoming live action movie adaptation of the popular comic book Kick-Ass. The film’s trailers look awesome and so do these Mez-Itz vinyl figures of Kick-Ass and Hit-Girl.


Thanks to ASMzine.com, The Blot is excited to give you this sneak peek of the upcoming 2 inch and 6 inch Kick-Ass Mez-Itz designer vinyl figures straight from Toy Fair 2010. No word yet on when either the 2” or 6” Kick-Ass Mez-Itz figures will go on sale, but as soon as an official announcement is released I’ll be sure to update The Blot Says…

SDCC 2010 Exclusive Iron Man Mark VI with Flip-Up Visor - Toy Fair 2010 Sneak Peek

One of the biggest headlines coming out of Toy Faire 2010, at least to The Blot, was that Hasbro would continuing its line of Mighty Muggs action figures. Hasbro already announced it would have two San Diego Comic Con 2010 exclusive Mighty Muggs, a Transformers Mighty Mugg and a Marvel Mighty Mugg. While we don’t know what figure the Transformers Mighty Mugg will be yet, we do know the SDCC 2010 exclusive Marvel Mighty Mugg will be an Iron Man 2 Iron Man Mark VI with flip-up visor Mighty Mugg.


The Blot would like to thank MarvelousNews.com for the awesome picture above! Like last year’s SDCC exclusive Wolverine Mighty Mugg with retractable claws, the Marvel exclusive this year will have moving parts. Let’s hope this year's exclusive Transformers Mighty Mugg won’t be just another metallic repaint of a previously released figure like last year's TF MM exclusive. As always, more details to come as they become available.

Johnny Cupcakes x NBA The Dream Team T-Shirts

The Blot is a huge fan of the NBA, so these Johnny Cupcakes Dream Team t-shirts, an unofficial tie-in with the Association, automatically becomes one of The Blot’s favorite JC releases. Released just in time for this past weekend’s NBA All-Star Game, the first three t-shirts features the Johnny Cupcakes mascot Big Kid re-imagined as three of the greatest NBA players of all time: Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.




The second batch of Johnny Cupcakes x NBA Dream Team t-shirts are tributes to two of the league’s two most decorated franchises, the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers. These are also happened to be the only two cities that have Johnny Cupcakes retail locations. As a Lakers fan I especially like JC’s Dunkin’ Desserts Until It Hurts LA tee, and will probably have to order one when it goes on sale sometime this week.



The Johnny Cupcakes Dream Team t-shirts will all be available for purchase at the Johnny Cupcakes online store early this week; however most of these should be available in stores right now. The Big Kid Jordan is an online exclusive, while the two Celtics themed shirts will be available at Johnny Cupcakes Boston and the two Lakers themed shirts will be available at Johnny Cupcakes Los Angeles.

Blackest Night Wave 6 Action Figures by DC Direct

DC Direct’s Blackest Night series of action figures is the toy line that wouldn’t die! As DC Comic’s mini-series Blackest Night continues to grow in popularity, so too does its corresponding toy line. The Blot was worried Wave 5 would be this series’ last, but DC Direct was smart enough to strike while the iron was hot and has announced a sixth wave. Blackest Night Wave 6 will include Blue Lantern Flash, Star Sapphire Wonder Woman, Black Lantern Hawkgirl and an all new version of Green Lantern Hal Jordan.


All four figures are currently on display at Toy Fair 2010 and have been garnering lots of attention from both the comic book and toy community. These action figures have been some of DC Direct’s best, and The Blot would like to thank IGN.com for the pictures in this post! You can see the original IGN article announcing Blackest Night wave 6 here.


With Blackest Night Wave 4 going on sale April 14th and Wave 5 going on sale on August 4th, I expect Blackest Night Wave 6 to go on sale sometime in September or October 2010.

MINDstyle x Disney Stitch Mini Figure Series 1

Three weeks ago, MINDstyle released some photos that surreptitiously included a few vinyl figures that looked a whole lot like 3 inch Stitches. On Saturday, MINDstyle finally acknowledged those little Stitches and announced an all new line of 3” blind boxed Stitch mini figures! Disney’s Stitch has been gaining renewed popularity due to MINDStyle’s line of 5 inch Artist Series figures, and these new Stitch mini figures will only help to increase Stitch's standing in the world of Disney. Each upcoming series of 3" Stitch mini figures will feature Disney’s standard and vault characters, and consist of ten collectible figures and two mystery chase figures.


MINDstyle x Disney Stitch Mini Figure Series 1 will include Disney’s six core characters (Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy & Pluto); three characters from the animated feature film Bambi (Bambi, Thumper & Flower); two characters from the animated feature film Dumbo (Dumbo & Timothy Q. Mouse); and Pinocchio’s black and white kitten Figaro.


Each Stitch vinyl trading figures (VTF) comes blind boxed, and will be sold in display cases of 24 blind boxes. Each case will include two full sets of the basic ten characters, one chase figure and what MINDstyle refers to as a “super chase” variant. Priced at $9.95 each, these Disney mini figures should prove to be very popular.

Half Dead 8 Inch BIC Buddy by Marka27

Next week, BIC Plastics will be unveiling its first ever 8″ Bic Buddy production design, “Half Dead Buddy” by Marka27. Marka27 has been teasing this figure for a while now, and it’s definitely lived up to the hype! I love the tattoos on the figure’s chest, and the skeleton bones look awesome. Plus, Half Dead comes with a cape, and what’s cooler than that!?!


This half-dead Mexican Luchador will be on display at the Bic Plastics Booth (No. 2866) at New York Toy Fair 2010 next week February 14-17, 2010 (Sun–Wed) at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and will be released at the upcoming Buddy Custom Shows in Los Angeles (March 27th) and New York (April 9th). The 8 inch Half Dead BIC Buddy by Marka27 are limited to just 150 pieces and will retail for $60 each.

Star Trek Spock 100%, 400% & 1000% Be@rbricks by Medicom

It looks like Medicom is embracing its inner Vulcan! After releasing a 100% Spock Be@rbrick as a part of its Be@rbrick 19 blind box series in honor of last summer’s blockbuster movie Star Trek, Medicom is now planning to release a 400% and 1000% Spock Be@rbrick! Medicom releases very few characters/designs in all three Be@rbrick sizes, so you know the Japanese toy company realizes the popularity of the Enterprise’s science officer.


The Spock 400% and 1000% Be@rbricks are currently available for pre-order directly from Medicom (the figure will begin to ship in June 2010), but unfortunately the designer toy company will only ship these awesome looking figures in Japan. The 400% Spock Bearbrick is around 11 inches tall and retails for around $80, while the 1000% Spock Be@rbrick is around 27.50 inches tall and retails for around $325.

If you like the 100%, 400% and 1000% Spock Be@rbricks, then you’ll also want to check out Medicom’s Star Trek 100% Be@rbrick set featuring James T. Kirk and Uhura Be@rbricks here.

Lost - What Kate Does

The Blot hasn’t gotten to do my normal reading up on reactions to this week’s Lost, but from what I’ve seen and heard it looks like Lost nation is up in arms over this week’s “filler” episode. I’m usually ok with filler episodes because they help move storylines along and set up big things to come. I think I would have been more ok with Tuesday night’s “What Kate Does” if I didn’t feel like most of last week’s season premiere “LA X” was filler as well. I think fans in general are just concerned that we’re 3 hours in and still pretty clueless as to what’s going on. Thankfully we still have 15 hours to go, but the anticipation is only going to keep building…I hope the show’s exec-producers and writers can stand the scrutiny!


Since not much happened this week, I’d like to talk about something that’s not plot related: Josh Holloway’s acting. Josh’s scenes this week were phenomenal, and if there’s an actor on Lost not named Emerson or O’Quinn that deserves an Emmy it’s this guy. Looking back on Season 1, it is amazing how far Mr. Holloway has come as an actor. Sawyer started out as a one trick pony. All Holloway had to do back then was look brooding and take off his shirt and the show’s female fans would swoon.


Flash forward six years later and Holloway’s James Ford is now a well rounded character that has fans hanging on his every movie. With just a glance Holloway is able to emote sorrow, hate, anger, loss, grief, rage, you name it! I really believe from start to finish, it is Holloway who has grown the most as an actor and I’m really looking forward to see where his career takes him after Lost ends.

While I’m already off on a tangent, I have to address the biggest complaint I hear from fans about Lost it’s this: Why don’t the characters on the island ever just sit down and talk? The simple act of communication is why I hated this week’s scenes inside the temple so much. It bugs me to no end that the Others won’t just tell the Losties what’s going on. And my buddy Greene asked the best question of the week: if Sawyer and Juliette had grown so close and so in love over the THREE YEARS they spent together back in the 70’s, why didn’t she ever take the time to tell him what was really going on with the Others!?! This lack of communication really infuriates me, and the characters’ stupidity is often times so blatant it takes my focus away from the scene (FYI Lost Writers: that’s not a good thing!).


And now, back to the show! I did think it was cool that Season 6’s second episode was a Kate-centric episode just like Season 1’s second episode. It makes me wonder if the rest of Season 6 will follow Season 1 flash back schedule. If so, that’s a pretty cool little extra Easter egg thrown in for Lost’s observant fans. I also like that the episode’s title, “What Kate Does,” harkens back to the title of Season 2’s ninth episode, “What Kate Did.” What I don’t like, in general, are Kate-centric episodes. This one was better though, only because it prominently featured the return of Emilie de Ravin’s Claire.

We did learn some interesting things about Claire this week. In the Flash Sideways universe, Kate was able to keep Claire and Aaron together (that’s one goal accomplished by the Losties in the Alt-Universe). We also learned that Claire has officially become the new Rousseau! Claire definitely has the look down pat, and I think it’s a great direction for the character. But did she really need to disappear off into the jungle with her father for an entire season for this to happen? It was interesting to learn that Claire was infected by the same “disease” that’s now infecting Sayid, and I guess we now know a little more of the sickness that took over Rousseau and/or her fellow travelers. But, didn’t Rousseau seem fine once she started having human companionship again? Hopefully the same can be said for Claire now that she’s reunited with Jin.


I have to admit, when I first saw those traps out in the jungle, my first thought was they were set up by Rose and Bernard! I think if anyone other than Claire had set those traps I probably would have been pretty disappointed it wasn’t my favorite secondary characters. Along those same lines, I also thought for sure Claire’s OB/GYN in the Flash Sideways was going to be Juliette. And yet again, the show’s writers threw me for a loop. But, seeing Ethan Goodspeed (the Island’s Ethan Rom) put a smile on my face and pretty much dispelled any disappointment I might have felt over not seeing Juliette alive and well in the Alt-Universe.


And now, my rapid fire parting thoughts: Anyone else wondering if there are in fact two groups of Others, the Temple Others led by Dogen and Lennon and the Jungle Others led by Ben/Locke/Widmore/Hawking? I assume the reason Sayid had to take the poison pill willingly, is if the Others forced him to do so it would be murder and that would allow the MIB/smoke monster to judge/kill them, similarly to the rationale behind why Richard told everyone on the beach not to shoot at FLocke. Otherwise the MIB could go all smokey on them like he did in the 4-toed Statue...thoughts? With that being said, I have no idea where the Sayid storyline is going, but it better end well. So far I like it for one reason and one reason only, it’s given Jack a backbone. He finally stopped whining and finally started demanding some answers. Not sure what role Miles will play in all this, but he knows more than he’s letting on. The dead are definitely talking to him!


And lastly, I heard an amazing theory concerning Desmond’s role in the Flash Sideways Alt-Universe and to the Lost story as whole. It has the potential to be a huge spoiler for the season to come (if it proves true), so I won’t go into any details here. But if you’d like to hear more, head over to JayandJack.com and download their Lost podcast from February 5, 2010. It’s the podcast’s theory of the week and it sounds pretty legit to me!

I have to say, after reflecting on this week’s episode I feel unfulfilled again, which is sad and disappointing. With only 15 episodes of Lost left, I hope things start speeding up soon. There’s a lot of ground to cover and not much time left.