Martian Manhunter and Plastic Man by Imaginext

Speaking of Plastic Man, I've had this Target Exclusive Martian Manhunter and Plastic Man Imaginext set for some time now and it's about time we looked at them here on the old blog.

It was a hard to find set for a while, but lately they are appearing in greater numbers and I believe they are shipping with the new Solomon Grundy.

I of course picked the set up because of the unexpected inclusion of Plastic Man, but I have to admit that Martian Manhunter is pretty cool, even if it's his 'New 52' costume and not his classic look. Don't get me wrong, I really like Martian Manhunter as a character, but I am just not a fan of his modern look.

"Hey, I want a New 52 cape and hardcore edgy look too! Wait, I'm Plastic Man, I can have whatever look I want!"

Even though under his cape and chestpiece Martian Manhunter is just a plain bald green alien, Fisher-Price gave him an exclusive body sculpt and gave him weird alien ripples as well as cloth wrinkles on his pants. As simple as these figures are, it's neat to see these extra little details!

Plastic Man is unique too, but in a special way. He's made of a more rubbery substance - almost like a bouncy ball - and he is a bit bendy and a little bouncy. Almost like a bendy figure, but he has no internal metal armiture to keep him in place once bent.

His rubbery nature is a neat detail and a fun way to represent Plastic man's powers in Imaginext form.

"Eat your heart out, Stephen Amell! Okay, which way to the TMNT 2 tryouts?"

Plastic Man is a surprising addition to the Imaginext ranks. It isn't like he really has any media representation at the moment. Plus Fisher-Price didn't give him to us in his 'modern' New 52 garb but instead gave us a classic Plastic Man! I'm very pleased about that fact.

Finally, he's so simple yet they actually sculpted the details (limited as they are) of his costume instead of just painting them on. This guy is awesome on every level!

The Martian Manhunter and Plastic Man Imaginext set is only available at Target, so keep your eyes peeled and nab it when you see it.

Plastic Man BootLEGO by Sheng Yuan and Happy Memorial Day Weekend WOOHOO!

Memorial Day, in addition to the somber remembrance of those who have died in defense of our great nation, is considered by many the three day weekend launch of summertime. Which means BBQs!

So I built a LEGO BBQ. Just an unassuming (and terribly gaudy) BBQ, waiting quietly for someone to fire it up this Memorial Day weekend and slap some steaks on it's hot grill.

Or is it...?

Oh Plastic Man! What mischief are you up to now?

"HAW HAW HAW How do you like your BBQ, Wolverine?!?! I heard you like it like you like your women: with a big wiener!!!! HAW HAW HAW!!!"

The primary reason I purchased my recent bootleg LEGO minifigure haul (which I first discussed on my Ant-Man post) was to get this Plastic Man minifigure. I missed out an official version which was given away at Gamestop when you pre-ordered LEGO Batman 3 (I still don't even have that game!) and while I have considered picking one up off the secondary market (and probably will someday) I couldn't resist this Sheng Yuan bootleg version because it is so unique.

Like the LEGO version, the minifigure represents Plas in his current comicbook costume. Unlike LEGO's official version, this Sheng Yuan version has elongated legs and arms! A detail that really sets this guy apart and made him a 'must own' for a Plastic Man fan like me!

Another reason owning a building-block version of Plastic Man is a necessity for me is - like Plastic Man himself - the morphing possibilities are endless (or at least only limited to the red, black and yellow LEGO bricks I own!)

I originally set out to build Plas a vehicle body or something uninspired like that, but when I glanced over at my LEGO BBQ (which has been sitting around here since last Labor Day) I decided to recreate it as closely as I could with a Plastic-Man twist!

Wolverine also comes from the latest Sheng Yuan batch I purchased. He's the brown-costume Wolverine I prefer and he's pretty cool looking in this Sheng Yuan bootleg form. He's somewhat unique - Sheng Yuan made their own cowl design for this guy and didn't directly copy LEGO  (unlike the Decool bootleg that is in fact a direct copy of LEGO's version.)

Like with Ant-Man, Wolverine is incredibly wall-eyed under that cowl. But it looks good on him and that's where it will remain.

I've not yet acquired any bootleg Superman minifigures, but from what I've seen and read online, these bootleg companies have a hard time getting Superman's hairpiece (which Plas shares) correct. But it seems perfect in this instance, so perhaps they've gotten better at making that piece, or I got lucky with mine.

Regardless, I can't recommend this guy enough to any Plastic Man fan, or any minifigure fan for that matter - even if it's not Plas in his classic and iconic costume. You know you're just going to stick his head on random red/yellow/black builds anyways!

Sheng Yuan Heroes Assemble BootLEGOs: Beast, Red Robin, Galactus, Ant-Man and MORE!

Check out some incredible and unexpected bootleg LEGO minifigures - Heroes Assemble by Sheng Yuan - coming soon to eBay for cheap (or if you can't wait and want to pay a little more or buy in bulk, available now on AliExpress.)

This first batch may seem a little 'meh', until you get to the lower right hand corner. Yes, kids, that's Red Robin in BootLEGO minifigure form! Also shown is movie Hawkeye, yellow Deadpool, and Phoenix. Not sure how these will be bundled when they come to eBay, but I'll take any Marvel also-ran to get my hands on that Red Robin!

This next batch shows Beast and Ant-Man, along with Green Arrow and a masked brown costume Wolverine! None of these are 'must-haves' for me (I already have the Decool brown costume Wolverine) but I wouldn't mind owning all of them, so I'll wait and see how I feel or how they are bundled when they hit eBay.

Here's a batch that I will definitely try to get: Comic book Hawkeye, Galactus (!!!), Cyborg and Nova. That Galactus is just incredible and probably will never be seen in an official LEGO set.

Finally, Sheng Yuan has bootlegged the recent GameStop exclusive Plastic Man, a minifigure I would love to own. This batch also includes Daredevil, Loki and Magneto. If bundled in this manner, I may pass and just try to get an official LEGO Plastic Man, since none of the others really appeal to me (and since I already own a Decool version of that Magneto.) EDIT: I just noticed Plastic Man has elongated arms and legs, unlike the LEGO version. Looks like I will have to pick this one up after all!

These should be popping up on eBay really soon, so keep your eyes peeled. In my experience Sheng Yuan makes some top quality bootleg LEGO minifigures, and while many of these may be available in official LEGO form, some aren't and probably never will be.

Imaginext Martian Manhunter and Plastic Man

I was out looking for the Imaginext Poison Ivy and Scarecrow figure set the other day, and while I did not find it I did stumble on to the Target exclusive Imaginext Martian Manhunter and Plastic Man set!

I had seen this set once in the past, but I passed on it. This time I found it in conjunction with a Target Imaginext sale, so I just couldn't walk away from it again! I'd have of course preferred a classic Martian Manhunter, but this one, based on the modern New52 version, does look pretty cool. And of course Plastic Man is always awesome.

I'm glad I found this set again, especially since it is a Target exclusive. While I have yet to experience any sort of retail shortage for any Imaginext set I have wanted, these figures will only appear at Target stores (at least for the forseeable future), so my shopping options are limited. I'd hate to have passed on it twice and never see it again!

I shouldn't have passed on it the first time, honestly, but Poison Ivy is higher on my list, and I am surprised she has thus far been the more elusive set.

I haven't opened this one yet, but Plastic Man deviates from the Imaginext norm and is more of a rubbery bendy toy than the standard articulated Imaginext action figure. A neat idea, but I both fear his future if I do not open the package (will he suffer from Matteleprosy like many MOC Mattel figures?) and his durability if I do (will he eventually tear or otherwise degrade from too much bending?)

I'm sure I will open this set eventually, I just didn't have the time between shooting the pictures and the rest of my evening obligations. Hopefully I will get a chance to post pics of Martian Manhunter and Plastic Man free from their prison soon!

Poisunday Ivy :: Imaginext Poison Ivy and More Coming Soon!

Action Figure Insider recently revealed some exciting upcoming Imaginext DC Super Friends sets, and the biggest highlight was this two-figure set that includes Poison Ivy! In a series with only three females so far (Catwoman, Wonder Woman and Harley Quinn) another female is BIG NEWS, and Poison Ivy is a welcome (if surprising) fourth female choice to add to the line-up. The set also includes Scarecrow, both brand new figures and both figures I will buy the second I see them available!

Also revealed is a new Batmobile with an all new Batman figure included. This new Imaginext Batmobile joins the roster as the fourth or possibly fifth Imaginext Batmobile design, and is clearly influenced by the Batmobile from the Arkham Asylum/Arkham City video games. I need this one!

Batman's Batpod Batcycle is also all new, as is the New 52 influenced Batman included with it. Geez, I need this too!

A Jaime Reyes Blue Beetle and Beetle-Mobile was also revealed...

...as well as a New 52 version of Martian Manhunter and a bendable Plastic Man! This set is also very tempting. Looks like I'll be adding a handful of new Imaginext toys to my (and my daughter's) collection very soon. Some of these are labeled as Target exclusives in the images, and although the Poison Ivy/Scarecrow set isn't labeled as such, I wouldn't be surprised if it ends up being a Target exclusive as well. I'll be sure to post as soon as I find it and let everyone know!

Via ActionFigureInsider.com

League of Extraordinary Bloggers :: Plastic Fantastic!

Editor's Note: I am going to cheat a little and update this post as a League of Extraordinary Bloggers post, since the new assignment is 'Comic Books' and I just posted this a few days beforehand. So there!

I have already mentioned my recent score of Plastic Man Archives Volume 1 for the incredible price of $20. The used bookstore where I discovered it had all eight volumes, but at first I was content with just nabbing Volume 1 - a book I have wanted for years.

Well, yesterday I returned and nabbed Volume 2, also for the low low price of $20.

Part of the DC Archive Editions, Plastic Man Volume 1 came out in 1998 and Volume 2 in 2000. Neither has been reprinted or gone to paperback, so if you want to own a comprehensive look at the early adventures of Plastic Man, these are really your only option (short of finding the actual original comics themselves!)

Volume 1 re-prints Plastic Man's appearances in Police Comics #1-20 and Volume 2 re-prints his appearances in Plastic-Man #1 and Police Comics #21-30.

I love Plastic Man, and am fascinated by his creator Jack Cole, so each of these volumes is a gem in my collection.

Volume 1 contains the first ever appearance of Plastic Man (natch) as well as his partner in comedy Woozy Winks.

Volume 1 also contains this hilarious sequence where Plastic Man is captured by a gang of female mobsters; their plan? Mold Plas into the likeness of gangster Eel O'Brien, (his own alter ego, unbeknownst to the gang of girl no-goodnicks), force-feed him some 'reefers' and send him off on a mad rampage through the city in an attempt to frame him!

'Whee!! I'm a Killer!!' BAM! BAM! BAM!

Hahaha it just doesn't get any better than this!

I'm absolutely LOVING these early Plastic Man adventures. Having scored both volume 1 and 2 so much lower than they generally go for on the secondary market just makes them all the sweeter!

What comics are other Leaguers flipping through this week?

Nerd Rage Against the Machine eats a Desert Peach
Fortune and Glory (Days) is faster than a speeding Mullet!
Traveling_Pics has El Hombre Que Rie! (Whatever that means)
and Goodwill Hunting 4 Geeks gets all David Letterman on us.

Flea Market Haul

'Throw him to the robot lions!'

I set out to take pictures of this past weekend's gems from my visit to the local Flea Market and a downtown used book store, but my Intern had other ideas. So I ran with it.

As you can see, I scored some great 80s heavy hitters - Voltron's black lion and Perseus from Clash of the Titans (the original GOOD movie, not the crappy re-make.)

I got both for around .75 each.

'Hey robot lion, don't eat me, I'm your friend!'

I also scored a Super Hero Squad Hulkbuster Iron Man which is missing a couple bits on his shoulders but is otherwise pretty neat. He was only .50. I scored my Intern a Fisher Price Little People Helicopter for .50 too, but she left it in the car so I didn't get a chance to take it's picture this time around. Clearly she could care less and is fine playing with my toys instead anyways.

But incredibly, all of these toys pale in comparison to the Plastic Man Archives Volume 1 I scored at a downtown used bookstore for only $20!

'Okay Perseus, we can be friends. Want a ride?'

I have been wanting this book for years but have never seen it go for less than the cover price of $49.99, and sometimes significantly more, and have never been willing to pull the trigger at that price. Originally published in 1998, this Archive edition re-prints Plastic Man 's first 20 appearances in Police Comics, beginning with the August 1941 issue #1 that introduced Plastic Man to the masses.

I always hoped Plastic Man's early adventures would get a reprinting, or a less expensive paperback printing, but it hasn't happened since this volume's printing in '98 that I am aware of, so finding this volume in mint shape for a mere $20 is incredible! The bookstore had all 8 volumes, but most beyond Volume 1 can be had for around $20 or less, so I only nabbed Volume 1 on the spot. I'll probably pop back in sporadically and see if any of the rest drop in price now that the store's collection is incomplete and missing the most valuable component!

I can't tell you how excited I am to finally have this volume in my collection. I've already read about half of it and am loving every crazy panel. I'll be sure to blog more specifically about this one in the near future.

The Voltron black lion was a pretty good score too - he's got a lot of play wear but is complete and in good shape with no broken pieces. My first Voltron lion ever! Perseus is in great shape too but needs a cleaning.

A great weekend haul indeed!

Best of the Brave and the Bold

With the recent release of Target's exclusive Brave and the Bold inspired New 52 Justice League action figures, I've been reminiscing about the original Brave and the Bold action figure line and some of it's great stand-out figures. While the line was Batman-centric of course, I tend to gravitate towards the oddball character in this and other lines that dare to push the boundaries when it comes to enrollment. Here are four personal favorites:

B'wana Beast. This guy is great for so many reasons, not the least of which being the fact that women tend to gravitate towards this figure whenever he's around. Seriously, pile a bunch of action figures on your table, invite a girl over, and see where her attention goes. It'll be straight at the guy in the loin cloth. It happened with my wife when I set these and other toys out to photograph, and it'll happen for you. B'Wana Beast: Chick Magnet.

I used to own the JLU B'wana Beast but sold him to someone far more into the JLU action figure series than I. Also, I like this version better, due in large part to his characterization on the Brave and the Bold cartoon. That snaggletooth helps too. I found this B'Wana Beast on the shelves way back in 2010.

I also found Gorilla Grodd in 2010, but this one was at the flea market. I just love his massive stature. Bonus: no hex holes! Grodd has been available in a couple sets, and I still see him on shelves with a Superman and Batman packed in to this day. I own the JLU Grodd as well, and have no plans of letting loose of him any time soon!

Plastic Man is just awesome, always. I've had this one since 2009. He was a birthday gift from my sister. The hex holes make a little more sense for this guy, since he can change his body's shape at will.More Plastic Man themed accessories would have been nice though, as it is he only came with a massive hand (not shown here.) Then again, getting a bunch of Brave and the Bold accessories and painting them Plastic Man colors would make for a pretty epic custom! Those red and flesh toned pieces could be placed all over Plas, like he's morphing into all sorts of nifty things! If I ever find random B and the B accessories, I'm picking them up and doing just that!

I also hadn't realized until this shoot that Plas does not have a hex hole in his back. Probably because of his neck's extendo-action-feature, which is pretty cool and reminiscent of his Super Powers action figure, which I I do not own, nor do I own the JLU Plastic Man action figure for that matter.

Last but certainly not alive, this big baddy is Solomon Grundy. I obtained Grundy in early 2010, and although I simply HAD to open him up because he looks so COOL I really loved the fact that on card it called him 'Zombie Hitman Solomon Grundy.'

Best. Toy. Name. Ever.

Wish I had nabbed an extra to keep carded, but at least I took pictures!

I also do not own a JLU Solomon Grundy, because for some idiotic reason he was a con exclusive. I also do not own a DCUC Solomon Grundy because I couldn't find Nightwing at retail, so I never completed his C and C.

DAMN YOU MATTEL!!!

Oh well, this Zombie Hitman Brave and the Bold version is tops and one of my favorite action figures of all time. Such a dapper dead man, with a tommy-gun to boot!

While we're damning Mattel, let's look at some proposed Brave and the Bold figures that never happened (but should have!)

The Faceless Hunter! This guy would have made a fun action figure. Although I would have made sure B'Wana came out on top, unlike their cartoon encounter!

Flash made it to retail - barely. Who knows how many made it out to a handful of Mattel stores, but he doesn't show up on the aftermarket very often (if ever). He also had scalloped gloves like Batman for some reason (which may be why the figure was scrapped?) Anyways, an updated Flash is finally seeing release now as part of Target's new line - sans hex holes, roller blades, and scalloped gloves, but with all those extra Jim Lee lines all over his costume. You can't win 'em all.

And finally, Gentleman Ghost! This figure was one I was really anticipating. He would have been cast in clear plastic for the most part, and would have had a ghostly head too! What a shame he never made it to retail.

There were also a couple figures I missed that I regret not buying and may chase after someday, including Joker, Sportsmaster, Green Arrow and the hard to find later released Riddler. Hopefully some of these pop up at the flea market for cheap!

But enough living in the past - for a great close-up look at the brand new single figures being sold at Target right now (sans hex holes) head on over to Super-Duper Toy Box: He has Batman, Superman, Green Lantern and Flash!

Random Toy Pic: Plastic Man vs. Wolverine

"Come at me, bro!"

Of course we all know Plastic Man wins.

Brave and the Bold: Plastic Fantastic

I'm lovin' the current Batman: The Brave and the Bold toy Happy Meal promotion at McDonalds. I've only been able to gather together releases #1, #2 and #4 so far, but with three toys in each release that's a lotta bats (and friends,) including two different Batmans (Batmen?) Solomon Grundy, Riddler, Penguin, Two-Face and Firestorm.

There are still a few I really want (Bat-Mite and Spectre top that list) and I admit I'd be happy with all of them. But thankfully, if unable to gather them all together before promotion's end, I have been lucky enough to have gotten one of the best in the bunch already:

Oh frabjous day! Plastic Man as a car!

ZOMG that is the greatest thing ever!

Yes McDonalds, this does indeed make up for all the fat people in America. You are forgiven.

I've always longed (hahaha get it) for a Plastic Man toyline. Imagine how many things he could be made into! I get it, he can make his hands into hammers and such, but that's been done a thousand times. Make him into a picket fence, a painting of Mona Lisa, a kangaroo, anything! The possibilities are endless!

Well at least I finally have him as a car, and I am happy.

One of the three sets I have procured also came with a Batmobile. These toys are small and more figurineish than hotwheelish - the wheels don't all roll (there is one wheel on the underside that does) and the construction is pretty simple, but who cares. Plastic Man is finally a toy car that I now own.

I am elastic...I mean, ecstatic!