Flea Market Haul!

I didn't make it to SDCC this year, so instead I went to my local flea market (yeah, small consolation!)

But hey, I did at least come away with a handful of fun toys to be reviewed more closely (or not) in the coming weeks.

Starting from the top:

Battle Cat. He's a little scuffed up but isn't broken or chipped, and for a dollar I can't pass up a Battle Cat even if he's sans armor.

Middle row:

Spongebob and Patrick Imaginext figures. I hate the Spongebob cartoon - mostly because his voice makes me want to kick puppies. But I like the character designs and the Imaginext aesthetic, and for a quarter each, I couldn't say 'no.' They will either be absorbed into my intern's collection or be traded off anyways.

April O'Neil, Foot Ninja and Casey Jones from the 2007 TMNT CGI animated flick. It's funny that exactly one week ago John of Robot Monster Space Superhero posted his score of a complete TMNT Casey Jones and today I find three figures from the line, including Casey! Sadly mine is missing his hockey mask, but I will just consider him an unmasked variant until I can get my hands on his mask.

Bottom row:

A rubbery (possibly squeak toy) Rocket J. Squirrel. I need to do some digging to find out the details on this guy, what he is and when he's from, but he's old (at least from the 70s I reckon) and I do love me some Rocky the Flying Squirrel!

Next are three LEGO minifigures. Obi Wan (sans hair, but that's ok, I have a grey hairpiece somewhere) and a couple random characters, one with a female head which are always a plus.

And last nut not least, Minnie Mouse as Princess Leia. My intern was way less interested in this figure than I expected her to be, but then again she had just gotten herself a Cinderella doll when I spotted this one.

Not a bad haul - and I got it (and my intern's Cinderella doll) all for less than ten bucks!

But still, I'd rather be at SDCC. Oh well, maybe next year!

Happy Star Wars Day: Ain't No Party Like A Princess Party!

Today is May 4th aka 'Star Wars Day' due to the 'May the 4th be with you' pun. You need another reason?

I'm not big into collecting Star Wars action figures like I have been a few times in the past. Nowadays I pretty much keep my Star Wars collecting limited to LEGO (and a skateboard). But old habits die hard, and there are definitely plenty of Star Wars action figures hanging around the Toyriffic Cantina, both of the classic and more modern variety.

Today we take a look at four Star Wars princesses by Kenner. Or more accurately, one Princess in four different costumes from three different movies. By Kenner

Leia in Boushh Disguise was the only Leia action figure I owned as a kid. And I loved her. I've always had a bit of a mask fetish, so any toy or character wearing a mask is miles above your standard maskless character in my book. Plus, this was really the first time Princess Leia did anything interesting in any of the movies, and so there were actually some fun built-in ideas to run with when you set out to play Star Wars in your back yard or living room floor.

Next up is Cloud City Bespin Gown Princess Leia She originally had a vest/overcoat, but mine is missing hers. This figure is both boring and unattractive.

NEXT!

Hoth Outfit Princess Leia is at least a cool toy in that you can use her during your snow battles. But she's still pretty boring in that her role during the Battle of Hoth amounted to little more than Air Traffic Control.

Finally the first and arguably the best Princess Leia action figure from the initial Kenner line: Princess Leia Organa in her white gown (with seventies-action-figure-era vinyl cape.) This figure is actually pretty well sculpted and has a cute face too. This figure is both timeless and a product of her times, and for both of those reasons she's classic and beautiful.

When I was a wee lad collecting (aka playing with) Star Wars toys, I didn't want anything to do with Princess Leia. (Until six years into it and The Return of the Jedi and Boushh Leia came out.) For reasons equal parts 'icky girls' and 'she doesn't do anything interesting,' I avoided Leia for years. But today I have four of them (and probably a few more from later lines if I didn't purge them from my collection a few years back.)

I also have a three year old who likes to wear princess dresses, and whenever she put on a white dress she tells everyone she's Princess Leia. And if that isn't a reason to rejoice on this Star Wars Day, I don't know what is.

Harley Qwednesday :: "We're not the inmates you're looking for."

This supremely awesome shot was taken by my buddy Whit of Distracted by Star Wars (DBSW.net) at Celebration VI.

He also added: "The Poison Ivy Fett is my friend Jackie, aka @jackievonspanks on Instagram. She was actually dressed as Boobie Fett, a Fett inspired pinup, but got so many Poison Ivy comments that I made her pose for this pic. No idea who the Harley Quinn and Jedi Joker were. Their costumes were amazing! He had the full Jedi robes done up Joker style. He even had a lightsaber with a BANG flag on it and his belt had tons of accessories, including long balloons and a pump to make balloon animals. So cool"

Thanks for sharing this great pic, Whit!