Countdown to Halloween Twenty Sixteen :: Making Camp

"This seems like a safe place to make camp."

The Countdown to Halloween 2016 continues, as does Baby Rick Grimes' trek through walker infested woods!

Is nowhere safe?!?!

Solomon Grundy (by Imaginext), Found on a Monday (at Target).

The Target exclusive Imaginext Solomon Grundy by Fisher-Price is hitting store shelves now! And as the title of the post says, I found mine Monday. Convenient, no?

This is a really great version of Solomon Grundy. He is very nicely detailed - almost moreso than one expects from Imaginext - and I think he'd fit in well with other in-scale toylines, especially with the JLU action figure line if you, like me, were unable to get your hands on the SDCC exclusive Solomon Grundy. At around $7.99 this guy is a nice inexpensive alternative to that exclusive figure which is surely fetching high prices on the secondary market to this day.

Grundy's articulation is basic - his shoulders, hips, wrists and neck rotate. He also has an action feature which allows him to slap his opponents together Moe Howard style when you push a relatively unobtrusive button on his back. My figure's right wrist doesn't swivel properly, and I'm worried that if I force it I might rip his hand off, so be aware and be careful when you find yours. The good thing is you can test the articulation in package at the store, the bad thing is that you might only find one on the shelf, and at this point I wouldn't recommend passing on him until another day. I don't anticipate this guy being a peg-warmer, at least where collectors are concerned, but I could be wrong. Kids might snub him because they don't know who he is, or wonder when the Incredible Hulk went goth.

"Grundy remind Batman slow down. This school zone and speed limit twenty five when school in session. Also, use blinker, a-hole!"

The character of Solomon Grundy, like Clayface before him, is the perfect candidate for the 'big-fig' treatment Fisher-Price gave him. But I have to admit he is a surprising addition to the line. I think it helps that he appeared in the Arkham City video game, and it also helps that he was a member of the classic Superfriends cartoon's Legion of Doom, both of which seem to greatly inspire the Fisher-Price Imaginext line. Speaking of the Legion of Doom, Imaginext has just released the Hall of Doom, and there are only four Superfriends Legion of Doom characters yet to make it to the Imaginext line: Giganta, Toyman, Sinestro and Cheetah. Here's hoping we get them all - and that Giganta is also released as a big-fig!

Grundy comes with a lead pipe accessory, so you can pretend he murdered Professor Plum in the Observatory. Here he is with Killer Croc, who had to borrow a piece of Playmobil chain for his weapon.

Robin's Mech Suit makes for great GrundyBuster Iron-Robin play scenarios! Take THAT Age of Ultron!

If you are collecting DC Superhero themed Imaginext figures, you pretty much have to get this guy. So far there's no Target DPCI to report as he wasn't in the Target system when I purchased him. But, like Clayface, he hangs on the pegs with the other figure two-packs and should be priced accordingly. If you find him and he's not in the system, just bring over another figure from the pegs and they should ring him up for you at that price (that's what they did for me!)

Joker, have you been working out?

I was perusing eBay the other day when I came across this literal monstrosity, available from a Hong Kong seller:

Simply the Brave and the Bold Pop Gun Joker (which I still don't have and am now reminded how badly I need it!) head slapped onto the Zombie Hitman Solomon Grundy (one of the best action figures ever based on name alone!) body, the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts when they come together in this mad fashion! The conglomeration reminds me of the Venom infused Joker from the Arkham Asylum video game in the Brave and the Bold style. And I like it!

Apparently the seller has actually sold six of these, with four remaining available as of press time. I admit I am tempted if for the sheer absurdity of the figure alone. I am also curious how this thing came to be - I don't yet own a Brave and the Bold Joker so I couldn't even say for sure if the head-swap is simple and seamless, or if the seller had to do some cutting, gluing or other adjustments to make it work. And why does the seller have ten Joker heads and ten Solomon Grundy bodies? And what compelled them to swap them all and make them available on eBay?

Enquiring minds want to know!

Imaginext Solomon Grundy Coming Soon!

Fisher-Price recently revealed their newest super-sized Imaginext figure: Solomon Grundy! Not sure the exact scale on this guy, but based on the kid's hand in the following picture...

...he looks to be quite large - even larger than the Imaginext Clayface! Solomon Grundy will retail for around $15.00. No sign of him at retail or at any online retailers yet, but I expect he'll be showing up any day now, perhaps as part of stores' after holiday toy resets.

I will have to see this one in person before I commit - he may be a bit too big, although that might mean he's in scale with another action figure line like Hero World or something. He doesn't look overly kiddy/cartoony, in fact he doesn't really scream 'Imaginext' at all to me, although standard Imaginext themselves have been around so long that some older figures don't even match up with the new ones.

I regret that I never was able to get the limited/exclusive JLU Solomon Grundy, nor was I able to complete the DCUC Collect and Connect Grundy (thanks Mattel!) so I might be unable to pass on this one if I do see it at retail just to satisfy that gaping hole in my soul. Thankfully I do have the Brave and the Bold Solomon Grundy, one of the best Grundy action figures ever made!

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!

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!

Toy Tip #368

The Tommy Gun that comes with Batman: The Brave and the Bold Solomon Grundy makes a pretty nice weapon for the Retro Action Two-Face dolly.

Solomon Grundy, Blogged on a Monday

Batman: The Brave and the Bold is (to no regular Toyriffic reader's surprise) my favorite show right now. The character highlights on the program are nothing short of encyclopedic, and the action figure line is following suit with many surprise additions, including this undead fellow here, Solomon Grundy!


Zombie Hitman Solomon Grundy, to be precise. How cool is that? A zombie, and a hitman!!! A great mash-up for a kid's toy if I do say so myself!


Solomon Grundy's action figure looks a little bit more menacing than his cartoon appearance, having more facial detail than the animated character design and a darker color scheme.


The sewn lips are there, a character trait unique to the Brave and the Bold Solomon Grundy. Does anyone know the significance of sewing someone's lips together? Is it a mob thing? UPDATE: The ever informative Reis from Geek Orthodox has informed me that sewing the lips shut is common burial practice to keep the mouth from falling open when rigor mortis fades.


Grundy comes with a cool Tommy Gun that his over-sized petrified hand can hold with the help of a small peg on the gun's handle.


The gun also has the hex-peg the Brave and the Bold action figures are notorious for, so it can be plugged into the holes on Solomon Grundy's arms and legs (as well as on the arms and legs of other Brave and the Bold action figures.) While most of these configurations will be avoided by us "adult collectors," stowing the gun into the hole in Grundy's back actually looks pretty cool.


"Gff afeffd, mffk mff dff!"


In an astounding turn of good luck for Mattel, Solomon Grundy's legs are intentionally sculpted in an inward twisted pigeon-toed fashion, so he'll fit right in with all your gimpy JLU figures!


Grundy is a great action figure for any Brave and the Bold fan and will be hard to resist when you see him on the toy aisles (if you can, you're a stronger man than me.) And how can any red blooded American parent resist giving their kid a Zombie Hitman for Batman to punch around?

I found him at Target, as part of the most recent release of Brave and the Bold singles. Target is charging $7.79 for him, not a bad price for such a bulky and unique figure.

Solomon Grundy,
Born on a Monday,
Christened on Tuesday,
Married on Wednesday,
Took ill on Thursday,
Grew worse on Friday,
Died on Saturday,
Buried on Sunday.

This is the end
Of Solomon Grundy.