Raging Nerdgasm #366 - Funko Gremlins figures (Emerald City Comics)

Raging Nerdgasm #365 - eVolve Goliath from Funko

Raging Nerdgasm #359 - Drac-Cutie Monster Cutie from Friendprices

Raging Nerdgasm #340 - First Gokin Cerebral NT-01 Krang!

Raging Nerdgasm #364 - Crawdaddy by Daniel Yu

Raging Nerdgasm #363 - Beetlejuice transforming crypt

Arkham Anarchy or how Jared Leto's Suicide Squad Joker "Broke the Internet"

As predicted, on or before the Joker's 75th anniversary, Zack Snyder previewed the first officially sanctioned image of Jared Leto as the Joker from the upcoming Suicide Squad movie. Naturally, since it wasn't the purple-suited, pale skinned psychopath we're all so used to....the internet collectively freaked out. Nerds everywhere were up in arms, comic book store owners claimed it was the "end of days". somewhere in Columbus, OH a man made toast in a toaster; it was very much like any other day when a teaser image gets leaked to the internet. But why? Why freak out about a movie that hasn't even been filmed yet?

Who knows to be honest. But, I'm easy to get on board with a new design. This isn't your daddy's Joker, a Caesar Romero with an unshaven mustache in heavy white make up parading around in a magenta suit. This isn't your childhood Joker, whether that is the older and energetic sociopath Jack Nicholson or the slick animated Crown Prince of Crime voiced by the irreplaceable Mark Hamill. This isn't even the disheveled criminal mastermind that the late Heath Ledger brought to life before his untimely demise. This is a different Joker for a new world. A meaner, unhinged, physically fit criminal who looks like he's spent a decent amount of time behind bars from the looks of the tattoos and the lean muscle structure.

At first, admittedly, I was apprehensive. A tattooed Joker? With a mouth full of dirty, metal capped teeth? Is he a Juggalo? Is he an other worldly mixture of Eminem, Marilyn Manson, and Paul Wall? What would that album sound like? Maybe the tattoos are just for an upcoming photo shoot and won't be worked into the movie? What's up with the one rubber glove? Is someone getting their prostate checked? I was filled with questions, but this is how I learned to give in and end up loving the design.

I don't want to see a Joker I already know. Unless it's Jack Nicholson reprising his role as an older Joker I don't need to see Jack Napier or Joe Chill or the unnamed Red Hood become the dapper criminal clown. Just like every damn reiteration of Spiderman, Superman, and Batman doesn't need to tell me his origin again. I'm not five and even a five year old knows how these heroes became the costumed vigilantes they love. You are wasting valuable time in an action movie showing me everyone's parents tragic deaths. Move on! I want to see something I don't know. That's what made Heath Ledger's Joker an enigma, you didn't get a back story. He showed up, fucked shit up, and left a trail of death and destruction in only the way a real psychotic could. He had a different "back story" every time he was going to stab someone with the "How'd I get these scars" explanation, but that was mostly to mess with his intended victims. To draw the attention off the blade and for him to get the full enjoyment of seeing someone's eyes as he drove the knife in for the kill.

That and he burned Mr Lao alive. Pretty much everyone forgot about that.

People freaked out about pretty much every casting decision in a super hero movie since there was such a thing as sneak preview images. All the way back to Starlog magazines (there, I did it, I dated myself) people have been getting the "butt hurt feels" when teaser images got released. I used to think it was worse than before till someone who owned a comic book store explained that it's really no different, social media has given everyone a soapbox to stand on and issue an ALL CAPS RAGE. I already have a predisposition to like things people don't like, something about being a fan in a smaller group than 1 fan in 1 million. I like this design, I think Jared Leto will do the cinematic universe proper justice with a spot-on Joker that more accurately represents the world we live in now. This is a Joker who is going to be taking on the Suicide Squad or joining them in arms.....or both because the Joker plays by his own rules. Everyone in the movie is supposed to be imprisoned and offered clemency for their crimes in exchange for participation.

The design:

Massive amount of tattoos: while it intrigues me it's also confusing. You might think if the Joker has been locked up for many years, that might explain the tattoos. But the Joker is too dangerous to be out in the general population and wouldn't be able to get any prison ink. Anyways, trying to explain it set aside, I like the addition of the tattoos. I'm not sure I'm thrilled by the "damaged" tattoo on the forehead. It's a little distracting but I can hang.

Physique: Lean muscular build. If he's in jail, not much to do outside of eat your 3 hot meals and sleep in a cot. Might as well hit the gym or the exercise yard. He's looking physically fit and ready to brawl. Able to hold his own for sure.

Teeth: dental work definitely done. If you've read any of the more modern comic books with a Batman vs Joker fight, the clown prince is usually shy a few teeth by the end. So, it's definitely showing we are dealing with a Joker that's been around the block. I'm great with this, the teeth look kind of nasty and unkept.

One purple glove: right hand. Certainly the hand that he would be using a knife in, wouldn't want to get any blood or bodily fluids on him. Might make for an interesting nervous tick having him be a little bit of a OCD like Howie Mandel.

pinky ring: not sure. Can't zoom in and focus on the ring enough to make out if it's got a unique design. Anyways, should end up being interesting when they explain it.

Pale skin / green hair: if it isn't broke, don't fix it.

and for a little fun

Batman Unlimited: The Dark Knight Returns Batman by Mattel

Batman Unlimited has been an interesting line from the seemingly flailing Mattel DC Universe series. Admittedly the DC Universe 6 inch figures were doing very well from what I could tell. Figures were flying off the shelves and seemed like they were out with a new series every few months. The beginning of the end was the Matty Collector DC Club Infinite Earths subscription. Same price per figure in the store plus shipping and no build-a-figure piece. Granted the line did produce a Metron with his chair and Monsieur Mallah with the Brain but we also got a weak Golden Age Flash and pathetic Poison Ivy. Anyways, with DC Universe being a thing of the past and Club Infinite Earths on the verge of being shut down, Mattel produced the Batman Unlimited series to keep fans involved till the '66 Batman classics line hits shelves later this summer.

Through the Batman Unlimited line we've gotten some stellar figures. A pretty good line up of Injustice: God's Among Us video game based figures, "Kenner Super Powers" influenced Penguin, Planet X Batman and Earth 43 Batman (Crimson Mist Vampire). But the stand out figure from the line is by far the Dark Knight Returns Batman. I'll be the first to admit I love the sculpting on most of the DC Direct figures but sometimes the play value suffers from the lack of articulation. The newer Batman: Arkham City figures from DC Direct and some of the larger "Deluxe" figures are sporting more impressive articulation though so don't count them out yet. The Dark Knight Returns Batman though was a figure people were speculating on for a while now, especially with the fact DC and Masters of the Universe are shared brands of Mattel. The over-muscular body of the He-Man figures lends itself very well to the aging Bruce Wayne from my favorite Frank Miller Batman book.

The Mattel Dark Knight Rises Batman sports your average Masters of the Universe Classics articulation (swivel/pivot at the neck, shoulders and hips. swivel at the waist, wrists and top of the bicep and pivot at the ankles, knees and elbows.) The sculpt is from none other than Mattel's go to guys for epic toys, the Four Horsemen. It's apparent all over the figure from the detail on the utility belt, folds in the costume's gloves, the top scallop of the boots and Batman's grim and grissled expression. The figure comes packaged with a lonely batarang but for a series that's usually devoid of accessories it's an OK throw in.

 There's only a few complaints in my mind. The cape is made of a softer plastic / vinyl but it has such a stiff look to it. The cape does not retain any poses, it looks like Alfred over starched when doing the laundry. The batarang is just this thin sliver of bat-shaped plastic that is just kind of lost in Batman's giant hands. Not sure what could have been done to make it better but it just feels like the figure could have done without the batarang altogether. My last complaint is with the bat symbol on his chest. I know it costs more to put additional sculpting on a figure but I was hoping for the bat symbol to be raised or have some kind of relief to it. My complaints are small and damn near unnoticeable, all in all I give the figure a solid 4 1/2 stars. Don't hesitate grabbing this figure, it's available for decent prices on Amazon and Big Bad Toy Store (roughly $18 and that's not bad considering it's $15 at
retail).

Police Academy Hand Cuffs by Kenner

(super high resolution pictures of this and more here)

I think here at Raging Nerdgasm we revel in older toys. There's a certain undeniable charm to them, they come from a day and time in the past where today's political correctness didn't exist and they represent the period in world history. Megatron represented a simpler time where kid's playing with toy guns wasn't demonized the way it is today, 2 foot tall jumbo Shogun Warriors shot missiles and fists hard and quick enough to put an eye out or otherwise seriously injure your siblings and LJN wrestlers were made out of enough petroleum that three to five of them could have filled your gas tank if they'd remained in their crude form. I'm drawn to these toys, not only as a child of the 80s and 90s but as a toy and pop culture historian. Today, while digging through all the treasures in my storage I found something I couldn't pass up talking about.

In 1988, banking on the success at the box office, Warner Brothers had Ruby-Spears productions create a Police Academy cartoon show. The show only lasted a year but they squeezed two seasons out of the thin premise (remember, they were still making Police Academy movies through the 90s) and even a short run comic book series (via Marvel/Star Imprint Comics). The show even had a theme song by then popular "The Fat Boys" and featured them in two episodes if I remember clearly. The real jewel of this cartoon was the toys. Let's face it, the 90s brought us toys based off of R rated properties like Alien, Predator, Robocop and Terminator but Kenner used the cartoon as an excellent segue to introduce kids to the characters made famous by their cinematic counterparts. The series was great, covering every member of Commandant Lasard's team and a good selection of their nefarious no-good-nics they locked up in each episode. The line also had it's share of tie-in accessories so kids could play out the cartoon action in their own living room. Wallet with badge, tear gas cans, policeman's hat with radio but the stand out piece for me was the handcuffs.

(more pictures here)

Growing up I never got the role play pieces of my favorite lines. Just like my explanation from past blogs when I discussed carrying cases, my money was spent acquiring figures and vehicles and playsets. That and also I was big for my age and holding a Sword of Omens looked dumb and carrying around a Proton Pack looked even more silly. It's almost even funnier being a grown man tracking down these pieces I never owned but I can't say I specifically hunted them down, I just pick up what comes my way. I found these Police Academy handcuffs in a dollar bin at a flea market months ago. These are great, giant comically over-sized hands that "lock" into place around whomever's wrists you choose. I can see these being a personal favorite if I had them as a child, I think the ridiculous factor is key in making these just that much cooler than a sword or even another piece of role play from the Police Academy line. Mine, most unfortunately, came without the keys but luckily they aren't a piece necessary to be able to enjoy the handcuffs.

Hordak-Gate: Matty Collector's biggest scandal so far

Join the fun today on Facebook

Earlier this week, MattyCollector.com released a figure to the general public that no one in their inner circle even hinted at. The Spirit of Hordak figure has to be, by far, Mattel's greatest faux pas since the line started just a few years ago. This figure was never formally announced by Mattcollector.com, Toyguru Scott Neitlich (who I think is an incompetent tool who has the charisma of a urinal cake) or any of what Mattel consider's their inner circle of compensated reviewers (you know who the guilty parties are) . In their defense, Mattel says they hinted the vintage white Horde crossbow on their site for days. But never alluding to the fans, and even worse the subscription holders, that indeed a figure was to be released officially for sale on their website nearly a full 10 days before their next "release date". I know people have been asking where Raging Nerdgasm stands in the midst of Hordak-Gate, I plan to tell you where we stand within the next paragraph.

(Cherry flavored Hordak)

Firstly, I told you all so. I told you that Mattel was going to screw the fans just as good or even more than years prior. Why? Because the fans hadn't made a stand against the powers that be. I know that it's hard when Mattel holds the fate of your collection in their decisive hands but sometimes you have to be strong and make an example. After the plights suffered during 2011's subscription year, I decided that Raging Nerdgasm wasn't renewing their contract for 2012 or any lines to come after that. Between backwards or wrong legs on Swiftwind, mailing single figures in envelopes that were padded with what amounted to the consistency of soggy Cherrios, overlooked paint applications and numerous other faults to many to mention in a quick blog; I had made my intentions well known that $20+ figures should be coming out this bad. Marvel Select and Diamond Select figures cost the same and come out flawless, best of all you don't need a useless subscription to get them all. Don't even let me bring up the disappointment that is "cottage" Greyskull. It's small and those who pre-ordered feel cheated as hell. And don't let this article be misunderstood, the work of the sculpting team behind the line is superb and not buying the line does hurt me because I've always admired the work of the 4 Horsemen studios. I just have to get my fix of their work through their direct sales from their personal website. I just refuse to support a Mattel line when they treat their fans so poorly.

(To some, it's just a shitty repaint. To completists, this is the bane of their existence.)

Some have claimed that Mattel's actions with the Spirit of Hordak constitute a breach of contract with the subscription. Normally, I'd be behind you rebel rousers but, it does state in your agreement that Mattel reserves the right to change anything they wish whenever they choose (maybe not in those specific words but trust me, I've got 3 semesters of business law under my belt.). Not the exalted Toyguru himself nor any of Mattel's other toadies have stepped forward during this moment of fans screaming out for blood. If you noticed already, other sites out there haven't issued a statement siding with Mattel or the fans. But, Raging Nerdgasm is willing to take a side. We stand on the side of the fans shafted in this heinous moment of fuckery. But what can you do? You can't cancel your subscription, right?

(Exhibit A: The scene of the crime)

You can cancel your credit/debit cards filed with MattyCollector.com, you just need to go through the respective banks. You won't get the rest of the year's offerings but if you're mad enough to quit, it's a good way to bow out. If you are addicted, and I know that feeling, but still feel butthurt you can post on the MattyCollector.com forums about how angry you are and how you won't let this insult go unanswered. Let your anger be known across the internet; maybe they'll re-release the toy, maybe they'll make amends with the fans by the year's end or maybe when it comes time to throw down on 2014's subscription you can opt out and claim a lack in confidence in both Mattel and their paid spokespersons.


an added bonus, from Vikor on the MattyCollector,com forum before it was deleted it seems

===UPDATE on Spirit Of Hordak Random Release===

TG address the Spirit of Horak issue............................

Vikor wrote on the Matty Forum:

Toyguru,

This is what subscribers were promised:

quote:

Early Access to Non-Subscription Products: In 2013, all Club subscribers get early access to all non-subscription products, regardless of brand! That means you’ll have the chance to purchase hot items not available through subscriptions before non-subscribers, like 2012’s The Dark Knight Rises 8” Batman™ figure and the Ghostbusters™ PKE Meter prop replica. Availability is first-come, first-served, so if products sell out to subscribers during the early access period, that’s it – no additional product will be made available to non-subscribers at that time. 


Your Spirit of Hordak stunt has clearly violated the terms of the contract that was entered into when we purchased subscriptions. There was no clause saying Mattel reserved the right to sell "surprise" items to anyone prior to and outside of Early Access.

I think you should get in touch with your legal department, because you've just shot yourself in the foot. People are extremely angry about this and while scalpers are exploiting multiple fans on eBay, you remain silent. How utterly irresponsible. I am inclined to cancel my subscription at this point citing breach of contract, and I know I'm not alone. I suggest you make Spirit of Hordak available IMMEDIATELY to all subscription holders via Early Access as was promised. In the meantime I will be lodging a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Vikor, May 09, 2013 09:50 AM

Your weekly Nerdgasm 03/25/13

(A logo you can trust. You have no idea how hard it is to get Optimus Prime and Skeletor in the same room.)

Your weekly Nerdgasm!

Capcom gave me reason to love modern games again

                                   

                                              (oh yeah, this is the good stuff right here.) 

I got two words for you; Ducktales, woohoo! Seriously, Capcom this week broke the news that they were making a revamp of their ever so popular NES Ducktales video game. Not only did they have the news, but the trailer was ready, showcasing the game play and graphics. Backgrounds are 3D rendered with all game sprites maintaining a very cool "hand drawn" effect. Capcom says the game will be very similar to it's predecessor, with a main room complete with stage select options and new playable levels such as the McDuck Money Bin. 

                                   

                                    (I'd play this level for hours just because I loved the music)

The trailer showed the Money Bin level as well as the Amazon and Transylvania, but didn't show fan favorite levels the Himalayas or the ever popular outer space level. The outer space level was everyone's favorite level and the music from that level is in just about everyone's top 5 NES game soundtracks, outside of Metroid, Legend of Zelda or SMB. What's the deal Capcom, don't play with our hearts like this. Anyways, the fanboys and fangirls squealed with anticipation after watching the trailer, even getting to learn many developers and coders for current games hold Ducktales in highest regards (the original game ran on the MegaMan engine for crying out loud and your cane was both pogo stick and golf club!). The game will be available on PSN, XBOXLIVE and WII-U networks for download, costing $15. Which is a real deal considering any of us who owned an original one most likely paid $50 or so back in the 90's. But please Capcom, don't forget your loving fans on STEAM (such as myself).

I guess Teenage Alien Ninja Turtles is still a go

(credit to toysrevil.net for the picture)

Much to everyone's dismay, TANT (which is dangerously close to TAINT) is still in pre-production with Michael Bay gunning to ruin everything from your childhood with confirmed Megan Fox as April O'Neil .I wonder if him and the Dwayne Johnson have a running bet to see how many awesome properties they can trash? I wonder if April will be a stripper instead of a news woman? I wonder if the fanbase will allow this movie to happen?

(the face of evil!)

Anyways, the first actor to join the cast as one of the four turtles/aliens/brothers is Alan Ritchson (Aquaman on Smallville), allegedly taking the role of Raphael. That....that's actually OK with me. But when you say actor they mean voice actor, right? WRONG! The turtles/aliens/brothers not be animatronic suits but motion capture ala' Avatar styling. This.....this I'm cool with too because the actors will have to emote and actually act instead to trying to match up voice tone and infliction to puppeteers in suits. So TANT brings me through emotional ups and downs and not even one second of film has been shot. I'm holding out till I see who the villains are going to be since they are keeping really hush about it.

                                                     (was this ever confirmed legit or not?)


Boldly going......to mess my pants

Between trailers for Iron Man 3, Star Trek: Into Darkness and pictures from Pacific Rim, I can't contain the awesome. Seriously, it's going to be a great summer season at the movies. Not to cheap out on you in the third article, I just feel all three of these developing stories deserve their own blog entry this week so I'll leave you with the following.

The weekly Raging Nerdgasm report

3D overdose, the fast track to SW VII, the Thanksgiving hangover (or as retail calls it, "black Friday")

I'm starting a new weekly collum to showcase a recap of what's going on in all things pop culture related, so let's get on with it.

OD'd on 3D

I'm not sure if I'm in the minority or majority, but I'm fatigued by the barrage of movies in 3D. Some movies it works, some it doesn't do anything. Like Avatar was amazing in 3D but it was so long I started feeling the effects taking their toll on my eyes. I got super hyped for Tron Legacy in 3D, but 4 scenes were filmed in actual 3D. At least they tell you at the beginning, but what a letdown to find out after you've buy two tickets for a midnight show and are already sitting in your seat. At that point, I became cautious about which films to see in 3D. Being selective, I went more for animated features in 3D because the clarity of the visuals and already computer rendered scenes benefited from the extra help of 3D. Legend of the Guardians: The owls of Ga'hoole was one where an already breathtaking movie was even more enjoyable in 3D. Despicable Me, Megamind and Up were also much more enjoyable in 3D that they were in 2D.

Then on the other hand you have the big budget Hollywood blockbusters where 3D does absolutely nothing for my experience. Avengers, Dark Knight Rises, The Amazing Spiderman, Star Wars: Episode I were semi-worthless to me in 3D. The 3D effect was shallow to say the least. Then you have movies that really don't need the 3D treatment like Dredd, Fast and the Furious, Piranha 3DD (actually, I take that back. The boobie jiggling was worth the ticket price but damn is Christopher Lloyd hideous in 3D) and the upcoming GI Joe: Retaliation. What's the point? I'm not going to pay to see these in 3D, these are movies that benefit in no way from all the time/money/effort it takes to render them in 3D. I think 3D has hit the same wall it hit back in the 60's, over saturation and shallow effects in exchange for a pricier ticket. The movie industry just needs to shift focus to going full digital projection. The new Sony 4K systems have an amazing frame-rate output that makes 3D look passe. 45-60 frames per second for a crystal clear picture that rivals home theater Blu Ray.

SW epVII gets a Disney Fast Pass?

We literally need a weatherman to come out everyday and tell us about the progress on the newest Disney venture, Star Wars: episode VII- Don't fuck it up Mickey or I'm calling Truly Nolen. It's almost been a whole month since the Mouse bought LucasFilms outright for 4.05 billion dollars, a total so staggering and a deal so sudden it sent the fattest of nerds into cardiac arrest and the rest of us contemplating the Saga's fate now that it's under new management. Everyday there's new news, new potential release dates, news on who from the original cast is down for reprising their roles (and let's face it, #1/ do any of them really have anything else better to do? #2/  see the first explanation), who's not really wanting to make an encore performance of their original role (don't you fucks pull a Bill Murray/Ghostbusters 3 on me or I'll track you down like the dogs you are and cry uncontrollably on your doorstep till you change your mind) and who might join the cast (lord be with you Disney if you mention any member of the Twilight cast or Justin Bieber because hell hath no fury like a legion of man-children scorned.). Everyday is a conflicting story and I'm not talking about internet rumblings, I'm talking about press releases directly from the Mouse House itself. Only time will tell, just hurry up the hell up Disney; Luke, Leia, Han and the rest of the group is lookin' mighty ancient.

my Thanksgiving hangover, "happy black Friday, war is over"

I didn't see any reason to leave the house the whole day. Not one thing tempted me to brave the crowds, I'm holding out for cyber Monday.