The Avengers Movie Series: Hawkeye!

03.10.2015 – Action figures these days has been on a decline with comes to quality much so the interest is now being marketed now straightforward to its “Age 5 & Up” category, while expanding the product that would also cater to collectors. When Marvel’s Avengers was about to be released in cinemas Hasbro released their “3.75 inch” figures, but it was not easily accepted due to the quality of the figures having them include oversized weaponry. Jeremy Renner’s Hawkeye was one of them figures that didn’t actually look like the actor, but still everyone bought it to build the Avengers.

Marvel Legends: Drax The Destroyer!

06.02.2014 – Guardians of the Galaxy is one of Marvel’s lesser known comic book series until it was developed into a motion picture film. The team is unfamiliar outside the comic book realm and there’s little bit of story behind each character. Besides the monthly ongoing series from Marvel there’s nothing much about the team. Though the trailers are out already introducing Peter Quill aka Star Lord, Gamora, Groot, Rocket Raccoon and Drax the Destroyer which is portrayed by Dave Bautista…

Marvel Universe: Astonishing Wolverine!

05.25.2014 – There has been several Wolverine action figures out there that were produced by Mattel, Toy Biz, and currently with Hasbro. The most definitive versions presented were at the height of the very first X-Men movies. Several promotions and merchandise were released and there’s no other popular character in the X-Men is none other than James “Logan” Howlett. Up until now Hugh Jackman has portrayed the character seven times in all X-Men related filmsas of this toy review.

Marvel Legends: Madame Masque!

05.24.2014 – Madame Masque is another relatively unknown Marvel character first appearing in Tales of Suspense #98 (February 1968) as one of Iron Man’s super villains. She was created by Stan Lee and Gene Colan who also happens to be an occasional love interest to Iron Man’s Tony Stark. She can be branded as an anti-hero who has her own agenda wearing a golden mask to cover up her disfigured face, continue to do so after her face was completely healed.

Marvel Universe: Beast!

05.22.2014 – The Beast is a founding member of the original X-Men and also a member of the Avengers. The character has been portrayed by three actors in the live action films namely Steve Bacic (X2 Cameo), Kelsey Grammer (X3: The Last Stand), and Nicholas Hoult (First Class & Days of Future Past). Originally the Beast first appeared in X-Men #1 Vol.1 as a normal human being with oversize hands and feet. But over the years he undergoes progressive transformations.

Marvel Legends: Fantomex!

05.12.2014 – Fantomex for anyone who doesn’t read X-Men relate comic books and a collection of graphic novels is a relatively unknown character. He first appeared in New X-Men #128 (2002) created by Grant Morrison and Igor Kordey. The character’s influence is from the Italian comic book Diabolik, whose film adaptation was released as Danger: Diabolik, Diabolik's lover being named Eva. The name Eva was inspired and was named after his ship E.V.A.

Marvel Legends Infinite Series: The Amazing Spider-Man!

05.04.2014 – The Amazing Spider-Man premiered in the Philippines last Wednesday as the sequel showing now in local theaters across the country at the same time Marvel re-launches one of their flag ship titles for the All-New Marvel Now with The Amazing Spider-Man #1! The much anticipated sequel from Marc Webb has been making the headlines like most of the time in the Daily Bugle. The merchandise has been out with Jollibee’s thermal mug but what’s getting sold out right now is the Marvel Legends Infinite Series!

Marvel Legends: 'Heroic Age' Captain America!

04.10.2014 – Captain America: The Winter Soldier is breaking its own box office record and the merchandise is flying off the shelves. The latest action figures that has ‘Marvel Legends’ stamped on it might have been sold out. The secondary market might have been selling them briskly there. But if you’re more of going back to the previous figures that you haven’t seen or heard about for a newbie, the previous line of Legends figures might find you wanting to pick up one or two.

Marvel Universe: Black Widow!

03.17.2014 – For every super team there’s a female lead character that’s a member of this group. Marvel’s the Avengers had one female lead in the Black Widow portrayed by Scarlett Johansson who will reprise her role in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. In the comic books the Black Widow’s character is more layered and defined as to he she is being a double or triple agent. Black Widow first appeared in Tales of Suspense #52 in 1964 and her origins revealed in Avengers #44 in 1967.

Marvel Universe: Psylocke!

12.24.2013 – Psylocke has been one of the popular X-Men characters in the 1990s as a member of the X-Men Blue Team. Originally her appearance was British until her mind and soul was swapped to another in the former Kwannon for the reason she looks Asian. Over the years the character has evolved inheriting the leadership of the Uncanny X-Force from Wolverine with a brand new roster when Marvel Now was launched early this year. Several iteration of Psylocke action figures were released but this one is a looker.

Thor The Dark World: Frost Dagger Loki!

11.02.2013 – If you haven’t seen Thor: The Dark World then you must have seen the action figures manufactured by Hasbro that’s already in the market. They look better than their previous versions based from the movie and Hasbro’s made this one good. The first wave of The Dark World figures featuring Lightning-Bolt Hammer Thor, Marvel’s Kurse, Battle Hammer Thor, Frost Dagger Loki, and Dark Elf. The short pack in this group is the Dark Elf that’s good for army builds, but Loki is the one to look at…

Marvel Universe: The Punisher!

09.29.2013 – The Punisher Marvel’s antihero is the only character who doesn’t have superpowers but definitely has a wide range of weaponry at his disposal. Appearing on the Amazing Spider-Man #129 (Vol.1 February 1974) he takes his war on crimes VERY seriously to the point of killing his enemies. There were several incarnations of the character and had some mainstream success recently mostly written by Garth Ennis.

Marvel Universe: Guardians of the Galaxy!

08.28.2013 – The Guardians of the Galaxy is a superhero team that was formed during the devastation of the Annihilation: Conquest saga. But entirely the original team was first founded by Vance Astro in an alternate future that was published in 1969. This modern take of the Guardians of the Galaxy is entirely a new roster led by Star Lord (Peter Quill), Drax the Destroyer, Gamora: The Most Dangerous Woman in the Universe, Groot and Rocket Raccoon which is going to be made into a live action film to be released in 2014.

Marvel Legends Series 1 Iron Man Gold Variant

Presenting the Marvel Legends Series 1 Iron Man - Gold Variant.

Today, April 24, Iron Man 3 opens in cinemas all over Metro Manila, so I thought that it would just be apt to blog about Iron Man - that and he's so much fun to Photoshop.

Please also note the attempt to try a different background and lighting.

To the uninitiated, this is the Iron Man Mark III armor. Marvel Legends released three Iron Men in this series, the classic yellow and red Iron Man Mark V Armor, a stealth version (Blue) Iron Man Mark V Armor, and this rare gold and horn-headed version, the Iron Man Mark III.

So this is actually an older version of an Iron Man armor. Marvel actually skipped the Iron Man Mark IV because that one had a nose and simply made him look silly.

Apocalypse Series: Iron Fist!

01.10.2013 – Iron Fist is the creation of Roy Thomas and Gil Kane appearing in Marvel Premiere #15 back in May 1974. This was inspired by the popularity of the Martial Arts genre that became known in the 1970s. Marvel had Master Kung Fu as the other comic book series. Though not as popular as Captain America or Spider-Man this fearsome adventurer is quite unique. His origins inspire by Eastern culture and folktales that came from countries like China, Japan and even Korea.

Marvel Universe: Luke Cage

Presenting Like Cage from the Marvel Universe Toy-line. Real name Carl Lucas AKA Power Man.

I have to say that I was not really a fan of Power-Man  back before he became the leader of the New Avengers. It's hard to take someone seriously as a hero when he dresses like a chocolate disco banana with a golden-tiara to frame his afro and a bromance with a rich-white-boy with a tattoo fetish.

So I'm really glad that Marvel decided to modernize him by putting him into regular street clothes - no fancy latex or costumes - and getting rid of his afro. This Luke Cage looks like someone you'd see sitting on the steps of a busy Bronx apartment building keeping the streets safe from drug dealers, crime lords and common thugs.

But Marvel did give one last nod to his disco past by making sure everyone on that street knows his name thanks to that bling.

Toy Photography Featuring The Amazing Spider-Man!

07.04.2012 – The Amazing Spider-Man has finally opened in North America and getting a lot of mixed reviews compared to the reception the movie received earlier the past week. We even have the analysis and the in-depth direct to the point review to back it up that it was one of the best Spider-Man films to date. We also have fans that are into Toy Photography to share their passionate talent in making toys their subject paying tribute for the film. They have been posting photos of the famed webslinger the past weeks and we’re giving them credit for these best ones…

Amazing Spider-Man: Reptile Blast Lizard (Movie Series)

06.22.2012 – The Amazing Spider-Man is a few days away and the toys including other merchandise related to the franchise has been consistently coming out from fast food joints to cereal boxes. Spidey is an iconic character that propelled Marvel Comics to the medium of animation, movies, and videogames. We have previously reviewed its sought after action figure courtesy of our resident geek Dark Lord Dungeon where he made detailed photos as well as personal feedback about the quality of the toy.

Marvel Universe Black Widow (Comic Series) with Light up Collector's Base

Presenting Black Widow with light-up collector's base from the Marvel Universe Comic Series Collection.

In a nutshell this is a repaint of the original Marvel Universe Black Widow - from silver utility belt and Widow Bites to gold (Which is more in-keeping with the modern Black Widow since she only used silver when she was going around in gray as can be seen in this Marvel Legends Black Widow) - with Jean Grey's head from her Red-Pheonix outfit from the Cyclops/Dark Pheonix Greatest Battles Comic-Book pack.

This is the one time where I feel a salvaged and re-purposed body-part is worth it because the original head was just so.... dead. And she comes with a special "S.H.I.E.L.D." light-up base that combines with five other bases to make a cool collection.

Captain America Stark Tech Assault Armor

Presenting Captain America's Stark Tech Assault Armor from the Avengers Movie Toyline.

You gotta love a good exoskeleton - yes, this is technically not Armor, this is a Powered Exoskeleton. While both Armor and an Exoskeleton may protect the wearer, enhance their natural abilities and increase mobility and firepower, an Exoskeleton has a more "vehiclular" feel to it than simply armor and has more akin to the APUs of the Matrix Movie, the Exosquad E-Frames, the G.I. Joe Steel Marauder, and the Avatar AMP Suit.

But unfortunately Marvel doesn't see the difference.

Anyway this is one of two Stark Tech Assault Armor released into the market. The two are virtually identical and vary only in color. This is Captain America's, the other one belongs to Iron Man and has that garish super pretentious gold and red paint-job. both came with action figures, this one came with Captain America.

The Captain America Stark Tech Assault Armor came with spring-loaded weapons, but I think it looks better without the missiles jutting out, and such will be the case for the majority of this review.

I've often wondered if this was meant to be the movie version of the S.H.I.E.L.D. Mandroid Power Armor.