Action Figure Review: Darklon from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

   Ready for another G.I. Joe: Classified Series review? Then how about we take a look at Darklon, another member of Destro's Iron Grenadiers. Darklong was released in 1989 in a vehicle and driver set (he was packaged with the Evader), but Hasbro has released him solo. I don't think the Evader is that popular of a vintage vehicle. Darklon usually isn't brought up in a list of anyone's favorites, either, but Hasbro's Joe team has definitely turned Darklon into a figure that you will not want to miss. The 1988 through 1990 years of the Joe line aren't usually cited as the most popular when it comes to character selection, but I think you'd have a hard time arguing that the design and engineering of the line wasn't at it's peak during those years. Darklon, a distant cousin of Destro, is another masked member of the Iron Grenadiers, though one who has only had a few appearances over the years (though he did get a figure in the 2012 convention set and as part of the Figure Subscription Service). He's recently made his way into the Energon Universe, so maybe that's what inspired Hasbro to put him in the Classified Series. Ready to check out Darklon? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Lt. James Gordon (Batman: Year One Part 4) from DC Multiverse by McFarlane Toys

 

   It sure is nice to finally have a standard, comic inspired Jim Gordon in McFarlane's DC Multiverse line. He's such an important character in most Batman stories and McFarlane Toys did a nice job with him, even though he's mostly a repaint. Ever since the Page Punchers John Constantine came out in 2022, collectors have speculated that his body would make a good base for a James Gordon figure. Many customizers have even made it happen, but now McFarlane has delivered an official release based on Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli's classic Batman: Year One storyline. Batman: Year One Part 4, to be precise. I don't know why I think it's funny that McFarlane was that precise with this one, but it is. Like, they should have went ahead and said Batman: Year One Part 4 Issue #407, page 7, panel 3. Anyways, I'm really excited to have Gordon and this really is a pretty nice figure of the younger Lt. Gordon from that series. Most Gordon figures received over the years have been based on older versions of Gordon where he's the Police Commissioner or on his time as the GCPD Batman. It's nice to get a standard younger Gordon and, as McFarlane's time with the DC license seems to be coming to an end, I'm all the more thankful for every solid Gotham city hero and villain that we get. This is a Gold Label figure exclusive to Walmart and there is a greyscale version that's a Platinum as well. Let's take a look at Lt. James Gordon after the break...

Action Figure Review: Supergirl (Woman of Tomorrow) from Dc Page Punchers by McFarlane Toys/ DC Direct

 

  *Note* This review contains minor spoilers for James Gunn's Superman!

  I'm very excited to finally have a fairly classic version of Supergirl in my McFarlane DC Multiverse/ DC Page Punchers collection. I've actually had this one for a month or more but I'm just finally getting around to reviewing her, and could the timing be any better? We're now getting more official information and even some images from next year's Supergirl film starring Milly Alcock and, if you've seen Superman, you know Kara Zor-El makes an appearance in pretty much this exact costume! Superman was an excellent film and seeing how good it was and how Milly Alcock's take on the character really sets Kara up as incredibly different from Clark, I'm even more excited. I read a lot of Supergirl, especially during the New 52 and Rebirth eras, but I haven't read the Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow series by Tom King, Bilquis Evely, and by Mat Lopes. I'm rectifying that, though, as I just ordered the TPB of the series. This version of Supergirl is from McFarlane Toys and DC Direct's Page Punchers line which includes a full size comic book. Supergirl comes with the first issue of Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, and it seems to be a rather in interesting story so far. Rather you're a fan of the character or the graphic novel, odds are you'll be excited by this release. The last Page Punchers Supergirl, based on Injustice, wasn't one of McFarlane's best efforts, Supergirl from the Flash was a solid figure but not a standard version of the characer at all, and the Rebirth era Supergirl was a Target exclusive that was nearly impossible to find. I like this one quite a bit, though it does have some weird issues that drag it down. Ready to fly with Kara Zor-El, AKA Supergirl? Then look out and join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Roronoa Zoro (Romance Dawn) from S.H. Figuarts: One Piece by Bandai

 

   I don't pick up all of the S.H. Figuarts One Piece figures but I'm definitely trying to assemble the main crew of the Straw Hat Pirates. Bandai is putting these out really slowly with Luffy and Nami released a couple years back, Roronoa Zoro released this year, and the brave Captain Usopp coming out later this year or early next year. Sanji has been teased, but no release date has yet been set. I received this Romance Dawn version of Zoro a month or two ago (Romance Dawn is the name of the first story arc, but this is a pretty accurate Zoro for most of the series up until the time-skip. The fearsome pirate hunter Roronoa Zoro becomes a pirate himself while on his quest to become the world's greatest swordsman? Shocking! Let's check out Zoro, a man who loves swords, napping, and booze, after the break. By the way, follow my directions and not Zoro's' he'll just get you lost!

Action Figure Review: Blowtorch from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

   Lots of new G.I. Joe: Classified Series figures have hit recently and today I'm starting to check out some figures from the newest series of single packed releases. Let's get this party started with Blowtorch, the G.I. Joe team's original flamethrower user. Blowtorch (AKA Timothy P. Hanrahan) was originally introduced in the 1984 series of G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero and went on to have a few appearances in the Marvel comic, the Sunbow animated series, and the Devil's Due comics. Despite never being a main character, Blowtorch's colorful outfit has seen him revisited as a character a few times in post 1994 G.I. Joe lines. I think he's most famous for his appearance in a PSA about fire safety which led to him appearing in the Fensler Film where Blowtorch's paranoia of fire and his love for porkchop sandwiches combined to make a memorable viral video. If you count the Night Force version of Rip Cord, Blowtorch completes the single carded releases of 1984 characters in the Classified Series, so that's interesting, too. I never had Blowtorch originally (he was before my time) but I did get one when I was in High School and was back into collecting the vintage G.I. Joe line. Ready to turn up the heat with Blowtorch? Curl up with a delicious porkchop sandwich and let's check this one out after the break...

Action Figure Review: Rom from Marvel Legends Series: Rom The Spaceknight by Hasbro

 

   If you think there's nothing exciting left in Hasbro's Marvel Legends Series, let me introduce you to Rom the Spaceknight. This guy is definitely a somewhat out of leftfield release this year that is just a really unqiue and cool figure. He's also been on lots of most wanted lists for at least a decade. I will admit that I'm not terribly familiar with Rom outside of knowing about the vintage toy released by Parker Brothers in 1978/1979. Besides being a large vintage space toy, Rom also received a Marvel tie-in comic book series that ran from 1979 until 1986, outlasting the toy by several years. Rom K'atsema was once a poet on the peaceful Galador but an invasion of Dire Wraiths causes him to volunteer to be changed into a Spaceknight to defend his home world. He also ended up on Earth and met many of the Marvel Universe's greatest heroes and villains. Parker Brothers was acquired by Hasbro in 1991, so Hasbro owns Rom but hasn't done much with him over the years (he received a 1/18th G.I. Joe sized figure and a Mighty Mugg in the past decade or so). He's part of this new Marvel Legends Series now which instead of including a Build-a-Figure, now includes a miniature comic book accessory. It's a neat little trinket, but no substitute for a Build-a-Figure, especially at the standard price. These would have been better inclusions with the Retro Collection figures. Still, Rom is a must buy and seems to be the first figure gone anytime you find this series on shelves. Let's check out Rom the Spaceknight after the break...

Action Figure Review: Krypto #565 from POP! Heroes: Superman by Funko

 

   James Gunn's Superman comes out this week and I am incredibly excited. I've liked most of the film versions of Superman (the only one I didn't much care for was Superman Returns) but this one looks incredibly fun, colorful, and inspiring. It also features Krypto, so as a dog person I'm thrilled. I even bought some of the Krypto branded Milk-Bones for Zoey, our beloved kelpie/terrier mix who has helped me with some reviews in the past. Unfortunately, these past couple weeks have been a bit tough for my family as our beloved Jackabee, Crouton, passed away near the end of June. He was a very old dog (at least 17 years old!) so he had a long life with us, and who knows what he did and where he went before he was brought to our home as a stray, but we still miss him and his absence is always noticeable. He was lovable a good bit of the time, but also crotchety in his elder years, and he was always convinced that he ran the place. Still, he was a charming pup and a really cute little dog; white with black speckles. While I'm not sure what Krypto and Crouton share in personality, I definitely can't look at Krypto without thinking about my pup. I have a lot of faith in Gunn's direction and vision for Superman overall and putting Krypto in this movie is an incredibly wise choice as he's not only a draw for dog lovers, but his presence clearly signals that we're in for something fun and lively versus a darker, grimmer film like Man of Steel. I saw this Funko POP! vinyl of Krpyto a week or two ago at GameStop and decided to grab him. I liked him better than any other toy version of Krypto that seems to be out there on shelves right now. Ready to believe that a dog can fly? Then join me after the break...