Ghost Clown x2 :: Countdown to Halloween 2013

What's scarier than a clown?

TWO clowns!

I ended up with two 'Ghost Clowns' during my random selection of Mystery Micro-Figures blind bagged series 1 figures by Character Builders. Ironically, this is the figure I originally wanted most (besides Velma.) Ghost Clown is a genuine classic tv show 'villain.' And I have to admit, having two of them isn't a disappointment. They make great goons for my Lego Harley Quinn, and are creepier in a pair!

Voodoo Man :: Countdown to Halloween 2013

I have no idea when or where this 'Voodoo Man' character appeared in the Scooby Doo cartoon. I can only assume he was either part of one of the more modern iterations of the series or that he was made up for this Mystery Micro-Figures blind bagged series 1 by Character Builders.

Regardless, to me he comes across more as some sort of Salem witch trials type character than a voodoo character. Also he looks like he should glow in the dark but sadly he does not.

I usually squeeze to figure out what I'm getting, but since I already identified Velma and Daphne, I decided to fly blind for a couple more figures, and Voodoo Man is one I ended up with. Not terribly excited or disappointed, he's kooky but does not hit my nostalgia bone at all.

Mystery (Inc.) Micro Figures :: Daphne

Having picked up Velma a couple weeks ago, I decided it only prudent to pick up the only other Mystery Inc. member in the Character Building Scooby Doo Micro-Figures blind bagged Series 1.

They kind of look silly together, what with their mismatched head proportions. Velma is clearly the brains of the operation!

But at least now Daphne and Velma can solve mysteries without the 'help' of Scooby, Shaggy and Fred. Expect a lot more mysteries to be solved!

I imagine that if this series makes it past Wave 1 in the U.S. we will finally see Scooby, Shaggy and Fred in the mystery packs. At least I hope so, I don't plan on picking up any of the larger, more expensive sets, unless they go on clearance or something.

Imaginext Mystery Figures Series 1 :: The Mummy!

After picking up the new Imaginext Mystery Figures Series 1 Luchador and having him around for a few days, basking in his coolness, I decided I probably ought to return to Target and nab another.

Although initially enamored with the James Bond inspired figure, I decided that The Mummy and that sweet Anubis mask of his looked too nifty to pass up:

The Mummy turned out nicer in person than the pamphlet that was included with the Luchador lead me to believe. He's a great looking little figure, with beautifully sculpted wraps and jewelry, painted-on eyes and sallow green hued skin.

The Mummy comes with a neat cobra headed staff and the Mask of Anubis. The Anubis mask is blue (not black as the pamphlet shows) and I think the color gives the figure a little more oomph - it really pops in person, whereas had it been cast in black it might have been a little drab.

So far these figures are much nicer in-hand than in the pictures shown on (and included within) the packaging - which makes me crave even more of them!

The Anubis mask has lots of sculpted details and looks great on the mummy. It is made of a soft, pliable rubber and slips on and off easily. If you are using the 'squeeze method' to find these guys, feel for the mask - especially the big ears and snout.

You can also feel for the curved end of the staff and/or the cobra end.

None of that is necessary however, as long as you have the codes - Each figure has a 'secret' code stamped on the top left back corner of the packaging for easy identification:

14 - Royal Guard
15 - Deep sea Diver
16 - Alien
17 - Racecar Driver
18 - Luchador
19 - James Bond
20 - Lumberjack
21 - The Mummy
22 - Soccer Player
23 - Robot

Although lacking in the customizeability that makes most building toy based blind-bagged minifigures so much fun, these Imaginext Mystery Figures are cute and well made and slopping over with charm.

I have no intention of being a completist with this line (I rarely am with any line for that matter!) but it has it's gems and I really hope we see many future series. I can only imagine what might be in store for Series 2!

Imaginext Mystery Figures Series 1 :: Luchador

The latest (quite surprising) addition to the 'blind bag' mystery figure craze is none other than Fisher-Price's Imaginext line!

I just heard about these last night from The Clawful Punch's John (aka Jboy) who sent me an email letting me know he spotted them. I had no idea this was happening, but when I got a gander at that Luchador on the packaging, I knew I had to have him!

As luck would have it, my local Target JUST re-stocked their Imaginext section (with a TON of surprising new DC Comics themed sets too...more on those later) and I used the tried and true squeeze method and found my Luchador!

This guy is tops! Muy muy bueno! He not only has all sculpted details on his mask, boots and even his tank top, but he comes with a removable cape AND a wrestling dummy too! Hours of fun in one small $2.99 package!

When John told me about these I quickly did an internet search for info - I was able to see this figure came with the cape and dummy, so those are the parts I squeezed for. No easy task, I squeezed every figure in the bunch and didn't find Luchador until second to last (isn't that always the way?!?!)

Not sure if he's short packed, but I only felt one Luchador in all the figures I squeezed. I'm glad I was able to find him, he's sure to be the fan favorite of the series regardless of how many are in each box.

There are ten Imaginext Mystery Figures in Series 1. Each figure comes with two accessory pieces themed to their figure and a checklist:

Deep Sea Diver, British Guard, Alien...

Racecar Driver, James Bond (I might have to go back for that one!), Luchador, Lumberjack...

Mummy, Robot, and Soccer Player.

Not sure if there is any sort of crackable code, but there are some numbers embossed at the top of the packaging, as well as some code numbers near the upc code.

Back top left corner: 18

EDIT: this does appear to be the code. Over at Action Figure Insider a collector bought them all and posted the codes for each figure:

14 - Royal Guard
15 - Deep sea Diver
16 - Alien 
17 - Racecar Driver
18 - Luchador
19 - James Bond
20 - Lumberjack
21 - The Mummy
22 - Soccer Player
23 - Robot

Of course, you can always squeeze for the figures you want. Feel for Luchador's cape and dummy, and you can also feel the lacing and wings on his shoes.

Oh, and about the new Imaginext DC figures: in addition to the Wonder Woman/Invisible Jet and Black Manta/Manta Submarine I posted about a few weeks ago, we were all blindsided by brand new figures of Gorilla Grodd, Darkseid, Green Arrow and Red Tornado all available in various new figure sets! See pics over at She's Fantastic since I have yet to buy any (although Green Arrow and Grodd were pretty darn hard to walk away from!)