(Tomb) Raiders of the Lost Playmobil

I'm not a particular fan of Lara Croft aka Tomb Raider - no more so than anyone is a fan of a buxom gal with dueling 9mms. I've not seen the movies and I think I only played one game once many years ago.

But the idea of a Playmobil version of Tomb Raider was just something I couldn't pass up. I love when toy companies blur the lines of copyright infringement (ex: Tech Deck), but even if this Playmobil Fi?ure from Series 2 weren't a blatant...ahem...homage to Lara Croft, it's still a dual gun toting badass girl and that alone makes it worth the $2.99 asking price.

"I got yer 'Princess' right here, pal!"

Lara comes with two 9mm handguns, a removable holster (which the guns snap into and stay - nice touch!) and a head-lamp for spelunking adventures.

Silver bullets not included.

Tomb Raider Code:
02812  9921
001628
5158  01

My heart is on fire, Vampire!

One of the two female Playmobil Series 2 Fi?ures 'must-haves' for me was this Vampiress. This figure, like the Executioner in Series 1, just seems morbidly inappropriate for a young kids' toy line (I think of Playmobil as appealing to the under 10 set.) Making it something I just had to own.

Sure, a vampire may not immediately be considered as inappropriate, considering the proliferation of vampires in today's culture.

But one that comes with a glass of blood as an accessory?!?! Yeah, that's the kind of line crossing I have come to love from Playmobil.

One more thing separates this Playmobil figure from many of the others. Her face has much more detail than your standard Playmobil face. But wait...

...it's reversible, much like many recent Lego minifigure offerings! Which also means you can play out the age old scenario "Wealthy Countess invites you over for dinner, when suddenly you realize that the 'catch of the day' on the menu..."

"...IS YOU!"

Vampiress Code:
02612  9921
001831
5158  01

Catwoman Purrrsday :: Batman versus Catwoman

This elegant artistic rendering of Anne Hathaway's Catwoman from the upcoming Dark Knight Rises seems a little out of place on the cover of the young readers book 'Batman versus Catwoman' due out June 15th:

But it is always exciting to see Catwoman; even moreso to see some planned Dark Knight Rises merchandise! Bring it all on!

Random Toy Pic :: Derth's Visor

For all those of you still on the fence about how badly you need this new Playmobil Fi?ures Series 2 Sith wannabe (I'm lookin' at YOU Reis!), check out this simple customization job which consisted of a piece of red construction paper taped on the inside of his helmet.

Harley Qwednesday :: Super Harley!

Haha I love this! Harley Quinn really is a versatile character who can be adapted into all sorts of fun scenarios - here she is after acquiring Supergirl like powers.  Supergirl is not impressed.

Photo credit: 2011 David Ngo for GFBRobot.com

Space Case

I am absolutely loving these Playmobil Fi?ures! So much silly simple fun in a small blind bagged package!

In order not to go crazy and buy them all, I have set myself a limit: only collect ones wearing helmets or masks. What can I say, it's a fetish.

So far that philosophy has worked out well for me through Series 1 (Zorro and the Executioner) and with other Playmobil figures outside the 'Fi?ures' theme (Witch Doctor); and now with this guy in Series 2 (Elvis doesn't count - he was for the Mrs.)

But I do need to rethink that philosophy for the girl figures, because I had to have two from Series 2 and neither are wearing a mask or helmet. Both are deadly (a Vampire and Lara Croft) so maybe that's my female Playmobil collecting philosophy: she must be deadly.

I'll work on that.

In the meantime, let's check out my number-one must have from Series 2.

Most of us in the toy collecting world who grew up in the late seventies/early eighties have an ingrained love for Star Wars toys. We played with them, collected them, and quite possibly had bootlegs, knock-offs or just 'inspired by' toys that we squeezed right into our adventures either out of necessity (someone needs to fill the vacant C3PO role) or just because we had imaginations and knew how to have fun with our toys.

This Space Alien baddie reminds me so much of those 'Galaxy Insurgence' or 'Space Combat' or 'Nebula Armed Disagreement' toys of those bygone days. I simply had to have him!

But let's get one thing straight: This guy is not Darth Vader. He's quite far from Darth Vader in most aspects, really. Yet he 'seems' like Darth Vader. He's like a pale shadow of Darth Vader's greatness (kind of like Hayden Christiansen - ZING!)

He's wearing (almost) all black - yet silver boots add to the seventies-space-opera mystique. He's got some wiring on his chest. He's wearing a full length black cape. He's wearing a full face helmet with what appears to be a vent for breathing. His belt buckle has some sort of galactic affiliation symbol on it...

Nope, he isn't Darth Vader at all!

See! Remove his helmet and he's just a happy-go-lucky green alien with yellow hair, who probably needs a drink every now and then and gets his refreshments with his Hammerheaded and Snaggletoothed pals. 

Oh yeah, if it was 1980 I would so be adding this guy to my Star Wars battles. He'd make a great Darth Vader decoy!

'Luke, I am the neighbor of your third cousin twice removed on your uncle Larry's side. Join me and together we shall work together in middle management as neighbor of a third cousin twice removed on a guy's uncle Larry's side and some other guy too!'

Darth Vader Knock-off Code:
35511  0561
003988
5157  01

Playmobil Fi?ures Series 2 Codes Cheat Sheet

UPDATE:: After collecting together all the ones I have and seeing the codes provided by others, and a little internet searching to confirm, I am convinced that the 'codes' are worthless unless maybe you buy a similar figure in the same store as one of us here (which is highly unlikely.)

I'll leave the codes up, and even add to them if people continue to send me info, but I don't think they are of any help.

That said, patience and the squeeze method have worked for me every time!

Here are the Playmobil Fi?ures Series 2 and their codes found by myself and others so far, all on this handy cheat sheet. I'll update it as often as I can.

Leave a message if you discover more and I'll add the codes!

Cheerleader Code:
02612 9921
006570
5158 01

Gretel Code:
02812 9921
025455
5158 01

Geisha Code:
02612 9921
011624
5158 01

Tomb Raider Code:
02812  9921
001628
5158  01

Tomb Raider Code from 'lex Gen X 1:6 Hardcore'

Lara Croft code:
01512 9921
041637
5158 01

Darth Vader Knock-off Code:
35511  0561
003988
5157  01

Darth Vader Code from LEon:

34111 0160
000460
5157 01

Vampiress Code:
02612  9921
001831
5158  01

Elvis Code:
01612  0160
002526
5157  01

2 more Elvis Codes from 'Jboypacman'
01812 0506
006173
5157 01

01812 0506
006154
5157 01

Pirate Code from 'Cosmicbaby':

Pirate Code:

35411 0160

004658

5157

Knight and Fairy Codes from 'Donna':
Knight Code:
00912 0289
001455
5157 01

Fairy Code:
35311 9921
009434
5158 01

Ballerina Code:

02812 9921

020544

5158 01

These are all ridiculously random. It looks like we can easily eliminate the first line of numbers and the last line of numbers, as many of those match without matching contents. The second line is the key, if there is a key at all; but similar figures have differing second line numbers, even when found in the same shipment (ex: jboy's Elvises.) Maybe there is no code. Oh well. Keep squeezing!

 

Playmobil Fi?ures Series 2 Found :: With Codes

UPDATE: All codes are being added to this post: http://toyriffic.blogspot.com/2012/03/playmobil-fiures-series-2-codes-cheat.html

I ducked into my local educational toy store today and discovered that their shipment of Playmobil Fi?ures Series 2 had arrived!

Sorry for the poor quality picture but I need new batteries for my camera. But this important news couldn't wait, so I took the pic with the computer.

I'll cover these guys individually soon, but here's what the squeeze method netted me (fortunately, everything I was looking for) and the corresponding codes from their packages:

Lara Croft Tomb Raider, or 'Generic tanktop and shorts clad female spelunker with dual 9mm handguns wink wink' Code:
02812  9921
001628
5158  01

Darth Vader Knock-off or 'Generic space alien villain type wearing a black helmet and cape wink wink.' Code:
35511  0561
003988
5157  01

Vampiress or...well...that's what she is and that's all that she is Code:
02612  9921
001831
5158  01

Elvis or 'Las Vegas type singing showman in gold trimmed jumpsuit with cape and pompadour nudge nudge' Code:
01612  0160
002526
5157  01

If anyone is able to use any portions of these codes to some success, please leave a comment. I'd love to know that these are actual product codes that betray the blind bagged figure within!

Poisonday Ivy :: Birds of Prey

At first I didn't like the new costume design for Poison Ivy in the DCnU (specifically in Birds of Prey.) It's almost too vague and general and I wasn't even sure if it actually was Poison Ivy when I first saw the pictures. But the more I look at it the more it (no pun intended) grows on me. I like the camouflage aspects of the design, and the black of the full body suit creates a nice contrast to the leaves.

Harley Quinn vs. Big Barda...in Wayne Manor!

Hey DCnU, screw your Suicide Squad Issue #7! Here's the only real issue #7 for true Harley Quinn fans! Back when DC knew how to treat Harley Quinn. Kesel and the Dodsons rocked!

My favorite part of this whole Kesel/Dodson/Dodson run (which I am re-reading of late) is how the animated universe is basically Harley's Point of View: validating the existence of the Batman Animated Universe in DC Comics proper. 

Well, before DC Comics proper became...improper. Thank god for back issues!

Coolsville Daddy-o

Slip-slide on over to Batman: the Animated Toys to see more of my Mr. Freeze action figure just chillin' away!

Comic Book Zen :: The Bigger They Are...

...the Barda they fall!

This one's for Reis. Looks like my gal got the jump on your gal ;)

From Harley Quinn #7 June 2001.

Catwoman Purrrsday :: Post-it kitty

Wrapping up Toyriffic's triumvirate of terror with a Catwoman Post-it sketch - again by me.

Harley Qwednesday :: Post-it Quinn

Another Post-it illustration by me. I usually draw with a very tight/clean line, so these fast sketchy ink doodles are a real departure and a nice exercise.

Random Toy Pic :: Lego Planet of the Apes

"Get your bricks off me you damn dirty Lego!"

Special thanks to Dan and Jboy from whom all these pieces came to me via multiple separate trades and transactions.

New Bat Cycle out now!

I've seen these Hot Wheels Speed Cycles motorcycles hanging around the toy stores for a while now and have found a few of them appealing - I even have one from 2004 (which I believe was from a predecessor to this specific line) but until now I had no idea they made a Bat Cycle!

This is available now and I MUST HAVE IT! I'm going to hit up all the local toy selling establishments until I have this Bat Cycle. Stay tuned!

Lite Brite Babes

Unabashed dolly lover, Blue Snaggletooth sloppy seconder, brilliant graphic designer and all around swell guy Reis of Lair of the Dork Horde made all my hopes and dreams come true when he finally tackled a worthy subject in his Lite Brite Brutes series of illustrations.

Make that four subjects: Batgirl, Catwoman, Poison Ivy and of course Harley Quinn!

Way to hit one out of the park, Reis!

CW's new Green Arrow

Although the Green Arrow of Smallville was one of the best parts of the last few seasons of Smallville...this isn't him.

Instead, it's an all new re-booted re-imagined Green Arrow for the new century! (At least I'm sure that's what it is because that's what all these shows are.)

Regardless, here's the first look at the Emerald Archer himself from the upcoming Green Arrow pilot on the CW. Here's hoping this one is better that the recent Wonder Woman flop.

via CBR

Batgirl

In addition to Bane, Poison Ivy and Batgirl's Ice-Strike Cycle, one more 'not nearly as bad as the movie' action figure from the debacle Batman and Robin that I added to my collection recently is this basic Batgirl.

Once again the toy isn't too bad at all. In fact, this is a pretty nice Batgirl action figure all things considered.

Batgirl here looks almost nothing like her movie counterpart. Namely...no nipples. Or was it only the men in Schumacher's opus that got nipples? I can't recall...or choose not to.

But seriously, the real difference is that this Batgirl has a proper cowl, not a domino mask like Alicia Silverstone sported in the film.

I do have to admit that I'd love to have a movie accurate Batgirl figure, but this one is far more preferred for it's closer-to-the-comics styling.

She even fits atop her Ice Strike Cycle!

Oddly, the standard Batgirl is taller than the one that came with the bike. But I suppose one could just imagine these were two different Batgirls, like Cassie and Steph.

Batgirl came with some terrible accessories which I won't even go into as they were nothing more than a waste of plastic. But for a fun and nice looking Batgirl action figure (of which there just aren't enough of) this one fits the bill pretty nicely, and can still be found for cheaper than the cost of a new action figure.

Poisunday Ivy :: Post-it Ivy

Just a little Poison Ivy Post-it art by moi.

Lego Batman 2 DC Superheroes

 

Man oh man I am going to play the living $#!t outta this! Lego Batman 2 : DC Superheroes! when it comes out this summer!

 

Catwoman Purrrsday :: Catwoman by me

This is the Catwoman illustration I used for my Catwoman Purrrsday badge over on the side of the blog there. I drew this one way back in 2009, but I still think it's pretty cute and funny.

Jeepers Creeper

Head on over to the collaborative and not-updated-often-enough blog Batman the Animated Toys to see my recently acquired Creeper action figure from The New Batman Adventures!

Harley Qwednesday :: Harley of the Yukon

Some chap up in Alaska is looking for Harley Quinn...on Craigslist.

 Good luck frozen sir. I applaud the attempt (and wish I had thought of it myself! ;)  )

Lego Minifigures Series 7 Coming Soon!

Lego minifigures blind bagged Series 7 is due to begin hitting stores this May!

This release boasts some pretty awesome brick creations: Tarzan, the black Knight, Jem, Neptune, and Brünnhilde top my 'wants' list.

Also included in this release are a nerd, a bride, a daredevil, a person in a bunny suit, an Olympic swimmer, a tennis player, an Aztec warrior, a bagpiper, a Halo dude, a hippie, and Red Riding Hood.

Oh boy oh boy, I can't wait to start squeezing packages again!

San Jose Super Toy, Comic and Collectible Show

This past weekend the whole family loaded up (Grandma and Grandpa included!) and headed to the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds in San Jose for the San Jose Super Toy, Comic and Collectible Show!

The place was HUGE and PACKED! When I attended this thing two years ago it was in a different building on the fairgrounds and seemed to be less than half this size.

It was so crowded this time that one could barely peruse the toys on offer! We walked the whole thing but had to pass over the majority of booths due to the sheer overwhelming numbers of people in front of them. In fact, even though I and my Dad are huge toy fans, he bought nothing and I only bought one toy! Maybe it's the economy, maybe our tastes are getting more refined, but I think it had more to do with the overwhelming effort it would have taken to actually stop and look closely at any particular booth or toy. Of course it is always tough when you attend these things with other people too; when I am alone I can zig and zag and dart in and out of the throngs to my heart's content.

Whatever...the real reason we attended was so my daughter (who celebrates her 10th birthday today!) could meet the one and only Batgirl, Yvonne Craig! Yvonne was so super nice to us and everyone who came up to say 'hi' or get an autograph or a picture.

Natalie even got a special 'Bat Birthday' greeting along with Yvonne aka Batgirl's signature on a sweet pic Natalie chose of Batgirl on her Motorcycle:

Which now hangs in the living room next to the signed pic I found at the Flea Market a few months back and a picture Natalie drew of a bat and baby bat for when her sister was born.

And speaking of her sister, Darla was able to find someone to pose with as well:

This guy had a sweet Adam West Batman costume and even a bat bicycle fashioned after the sixties Batcycle!

Oh, here's the toy I bought: Rumble Ready Riddler from The New Batman Adventures Mission Masters line. And it was only five bucks!

I'll post more about this one soon: Same Toyriffic time, same Toyriffic channel!

Poisunday Ivy :: Poison Apparel

This awesome Poison Ivy shirt can be purchased at SuperHeroStuff.com. I'm not an affiliate but I have purchased from them in the past and I do recommend them!

I love living in a time when there are so many cool geek related articles of clothing for both men and women. When I was a young geekling this was not the case, even for men. Cool geek stuff was super rare, or not made for an older audience, and of course online shopping was nigh non-existent. Ahh the stone ages. Glad medical science has allowed me to live so long into the future. Now, where are the damn flying cars?!?!