Transformers Cyberverse Arcee (Legion Class)

Presenting the Legion Class Arcee from the Transformers Prime Cyberverse Toyline.

Recently the local market has been flooded with Optimus Maximus battle-stations. I thought that it was cool that Optimus Maximus was here, but noted that there were no Cyberverse Legion Class figures in the market to man the station.

A few days ago, while walking down a small side-stall in Toys R' Us in Galleria, disgruntled that there was apparently nothing new, I saw them: A few Transformers Prime Cyberverse figures. I'm not sure why the quantities were so small, or why these particular figures were hidden and not on the more prominent display racks, but here they were.

This particular figure of the Autobot's "Stealth Fighter" Arcee, which stands a mere 2.6 inches tall - not counting her flaring shoulder blades - is from that tiny selection.

Toy Review: Transformers Prime's Soundwave!

Presenting Soundwave from the Transformers Prime Toy-line (Robots in Disguise - not the Takara one).

I once stated that I am not a fan of the "Animated" versions of things - especially when they start distorting the heroes. But I have to say that I really like what Hasbro has done with the Transformers Prime: Soundwave.

In the Transformers Prime Animated series - and practically all Transformers canon, Soundwave is, and remains Megatron's first recruit and number one die-hard fan faithful to his unappreciative leader to the very end.

And a faceless master spy who never fights alone because he has his own loyal sidekicks - in this case he has only one, Laserbeak.

In this incarnation, Soundwave transforms into a Predator Drone (General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper AKA Predator B or Guardian)

Soundwave also actually has a... third form - kinda, sorta, could-be.

The Dark Knight Rises: QuickTek Venom Menace Bane

Presenting the QuickTek Venom Menace Bane from the Batman Dark Knight Rises toy series.

I have to admit that I had no intention of buying this particular toy as it's what I consider "cannon fodder" promotional items for the movie that wouldn't reflect the essence of the movie nor provide sufficient "nourishment" for collectors. In fact a part of me kept wondering if this was a re-released toy from the 2nd movie or - worse - from all the way back from the disastrous nipple suit Clooney movie "Batman and Robin".

But I was entertained by the packaging - I'm easily entertained - you could actually move the figure up and down and execute the "QuickTek" transformation. It was cool. You can even make it appear that there's no figure inside by moving the figure into the "QuickTek" chamber - which I have to admit I did to some of the figures on display. It was fun.

But I truly appreciated this packaging because it gives buyers a complete idiot's guide explanation as to what "QuickTek" is without buyers having to resort to reading the back - else it just looks like a toy with a Batman prison poised above his head. Simply grasp the "Try Me" buttons and move the figure up to his holding cell. Pull him down, and the "Venom Menace" cannons are gone. Repeat the process and the cannons reappear on Bane's shoulders.

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.

Ultra-Poseable Spider-Man (Movie Series)

Presenting the brand new Ultra-Poseable Spider-Man from the upcoming movie re-boot of the Spider-Man franchise. This particular action-figure from the Movie-toy-line boasts a whopping 20 points of articulation - making it the most flexible and poseable Marvel Universe sized action figure.

It also features Spider-Man's new costume as he will appear in the movie reboot (The Amazing Spider-Man) staring Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone.

What do I think of the costume? Well there's the Filipino joke that basically says that Spider-Man is a "REAL MAN" because he can make a sticky-white fluid appear from his hands. This costume seems to reinforce that idea because it includes an arrow pointing straight to his gonads. I swear if the movie bombs there is going to be a lot of jokes about this costume.