Ghostbusters - Slime Blower Ray Stantz

Let's finish up the month of November with the October 2011 Ghostbusters figure from mattycollector.com - Slime Blower Ray!


Better late than never, right?! When I read the quotes that Toy Guru and the crew put together for the bio card on this figure, I'm reminded that I really need to re-watch GB2 a few dozen times. While I'm sure that it is a fairly common situation, it's a shame to know the first movie backwards and forwards, but to have entirely forgotten movie 2. Of course, Billy Murray would be glad to hear that, but I feel I should refresh my memory. Anyway - enjoy this figure, and get ready for the hard-to-get figures for 2012, which will require the awful monthly website battle, now that Club Ecto has been cancelled!

Posted by charlie on November 30th 2011, 08:44 PM
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Lego City Advent Calendar - 2011

It is very nearly December, and you know what that means, don't you? It means that it's time to break out the latest Lego Advent calendar here at the Preserve, and count down to the Big Day in style! As has been par for the course the past few years, Lego has released more than one of the calendars, featuring a Star Wars themed one along with the City style for 2011. We've opted to go the traditional route, so prepare yourself for some antics, some slapstick, and some Santa!



Posted by charlie on November 29th 2011, 04:07 PM
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Hasbro 1993 Toy Fair Catalog

I've had, what many would call, a very lazy Thanksgiving holiday. Therefore, let's get back in the spirit of things around here with another massive catalog feature! Today we're taking a look at the 1993 Hasbro Toy Fair catalog - a little more 'recent', though still as old as most current college freshman (egad!). It starts a little Cabbage Patch-y, but soon enough you'll get your fill of Transformers G2, G.I. Joe Ninja Force, and Cowboys of Moo Mesa - right on!



Posted by charlie on November 28th 2011, 05:11 AM
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G.I. Joe Q&A #6 - The Results


Hot off the presses! Our replies from Hasbro for the last G.I. Joe Q&A of 2011 have just arrived, so read and enjoy. All three of our questions were answered - or at least remarked upon - thanks! Check them out below:

Preserve: How much discussion takes place over the articulation of animal sidekicks? eg. Is it seen as a priority of any sort which is then or basically discounted in favor of the main figure?
Hasbro: Haha, The sidekick is just that "a sidekick" and sadly, the little fella rarely gets any articulation or deco since his weight of plastic is often expensive in and of itself. But, where it makes sense (such as "Croc Master's Croc" of "Order") we make exceptions but typically have to balance those decisions with the use of existing tooling or simplified decoration on the action figure "animal trainer".

Preserve: We recently acquired an old Hasbro "1st Quarter" trade catalog from the 80s. It had some paint and versions of figures that differ from what eventually made it to market, and different from the same-year Toy Fair catalogs. What was the release timing of these "1st Quarter" catalogs compared to Toy Fair and Pre-Toy Fair catalogs of that same year, and were there "Quarters 2,3 and 4" books as well that we have just never seen?
Hasbro: Hmm, that is an interesting curiousity you found! Unfortunately a lot of those pre-date the current team and we weren't able to track down a concrete answer. Sorry! But…how cool is that find???

Preserve: The current accessories are getting to be amazing. Are backpacks with straps (i.e. PoC "Jungle Assault" Duke) instead of back pegs something we might see more of?
Hasbro: The straps on Duke's Pack are designed to hold a range of rifles or accessories. Their intention was not to hold the pack onto the figure, although it seems some fans are using them this way!



Thanks to the team at Hasbro for their fantastic answers all year long, and to The Terror Drome for sharing a question with us!


Posted by charlie on November 23rd 2011, 10:34 PM
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eBay Watch - Sega 32x Spider-Man

Recent years have found the price of the Spider-Man 'Web of Fire' cart for the footnote Sega 32X system climbing higher and higher, especially when compared to the mostly-common values seen in the rest of the limited catalog. It's rarely possible to see even a loose cart go for under $100, and a boxed, complete example can of course fetch far more than that. A nice looking complete set popped up on eBay this week, and you can join me in watching the current market price of this title!



Posted by charlie on November 22nd 2011, 09:34 PM
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Kenner 1987 Toy Fair Catalog - "The Heat Goes On!"

Reading through this catalog again as I shot the massive photo gallery reminded me what an amazing year was 1987 for Kenner. So many of the lines that are counted as favorites around the Preserve were either included in this book as an ongoing series, or made their initial debut! Just have a look through the gallery for Sky Commanders, M.A.S.K., Silverhawks, Ghostbusters, Centurions....it really makes your head spin. It's sort of a massive gallery, but once it loads you can pick and choose images that will open in new windows - as usual - so hopefully it'll be a fun browse for everyone! Also - remember that clicking on the image thumbnail opens a 'medium sized' image while clicking on the 'XL' link below each thumb will open a high res version for any details that you've got to check out! Happy Monday!


There are so many amazing pictures, but here's a fun one for me, being into the whole packaging and sales-setup angle of things...some suggested example M.A.S.K. plan-o-gram layouts! (click for XL pic)


Strange how only the 6' plan-o-gram contains Boulder Hill - mystery of the ages!

Posted by charlie on November 21st 2011, 06:17 AM
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eBay Watch - Burt Gummer, Monster Hunter

There have been a surprising number of props from the Tremors TV show circulating around eBay this week, and by 'surprising amount' I mean more than zero. For as recent as that show was, you don't end up seeing very much from it - but today we have a copy of "Burt Gummer, Monster Hunter" available for our bidding pleasure! It combines two things that have a powerful draw around these parts: VHS tapes and Perfection Nevada's most enthusiastic survival expert - I will have to throw my hat in the ring on this one, so I'm counting on no readers of the Preserve really caring beyond about $20. Heck, you know if I win it I'll take pictures and post them here! Save your money!



Posted by charlie on November 18th 2011, 08:26 PM
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eBay Watch - Autographed Magnavox Odyssey

This great eBay auction, which only has about 22 hours left as of this posting, has been floating around the Internet for a few days, but I just had to share. Not only am I a fan of the Odyssey system - even though there is not currently one in the archives of the Preserve, but I am also a fan of Ralph Baer. This auction combines both of those things, and it's a sight to behold. Always sad to hear when someone must part with a prized part of their collection due to difficult personal circumstances, but we may all rest easy knowing that this piece is almost certain to go to another serious collector who will care for it well. If you watch carefully, I suspect we haven't seen the last of this signed console! Click the image to be taken to the auction and see for yourself.



Posted by charlie on November 17th 2011, 08:59 PM
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Batman: Stealth Strike - The Riddler

I've saved the best for last in the Batman: Stealth Strike line. Well, honestly the other Batman figures in this small line (so far) were actually pretty cool, but given how top heavy it is with that one main character, getting any other figure is by definition something extraordinary. Here then is The Riddler, in all his arm-hole glory! It is a most excellent addition to the evil ranks of non-Batman characters in the sprawling Brave and the Bold line and its tributaries. Click the image below for a few more views of this unexpected figure!



Posted by charlie on November 16th 2011, 08:36 PM
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Only Shatner (and you) Can Prevent Turkey Fryer Fires

Halloween is well in the rear-view mirror, and Thanksgiving is rushing at us full blast, so it's fitting that I recognize the impending holiday the very best way I can here at the Preserve, with a fantastic Shatner video! Here the good folks at State Farm have made a fine decision, and enlisted the help of everyone's favorite self-aware thespian to spread some knowledge about the danger of turkey fryers. I'm getting hungry just typing this, so go ahead and watch the video for your daily dose of Shatner amazement, and to get in the Thanksgiving spirit!


Posted by charlie on November 15th 2011, 02:04 PM
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Batman: Stealth Strike - Space Combat Batman

After all the excitement of Monday, where we got to take a look at the 1998 Tyco Catalog which featured Filmation Ghostbusters (which doctorkent indicated shouldn't even be there!) I figure we'll get back to where we left off last week - with Stealth Strike Batman of course. We have two figures left from this small expansion to the line to feature, so today we'll check out Space Combat Batman - a required element in any respectable line!


Batman gets another cool helmet to wear here - I'm starting to wonder if helmet==stealth strike...it must! This figure really is a wonderfully robotic / exosuit looking Bats, and is different enough that you can almost pretend that it's not the 234234231 Batman in this line, but instead a different (gasp!) character. Click through on the image above, and see for yourself!

Posted by charlie on November 15th 2011, 05:59 AM
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Toy Catalog - Tyco 1988

Let's start the week off right with the 1988 Tyco product catalog! This was a particularly fun year for Preserve-centric lines, with a tremendous multi-page spread of Dino Riders, along with a 2-page ghastly gallery of Filmation Ghostbusters hidden well in the back of the 104 page booklet. Be sure to click on the image below for a look at every page of this spectacular artifact!



Posted by charlie on November 14th 2011, 05:28 AM
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Batman: Stealth Strike - Covert Attack Batman

We'll continue with the Stealth Strike Batman line today, with a look at Covert Attack Batman.


While not quite as cool as yesterday's Gear Up figure with the removable head piece, we do get three, instead of the usual (for this sub line) two accessories with this figure. And, while we may not be able to take the mask off of Bruce, we get to ADD a 'metal' helmet on top of the suit...double mask! The geared up Batman here looks like he is ready for some serious business, and the flick-rocket just seals the deal! Click the image above for more views of this cool, hard to find new set.

Posted by charlie on November 10th 2011, 07:38 AM
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Batman: Stealth Strike - Gear Up Batman

I worked pretty hard a year ago or so to build out the Batman: The Brave and the Bold checklist here at the preserve, but didn't keep up with the strange re-branding of the line that took place with the 'Total Armor' set of 2010/2011. However, imagine my surprise when on a Target Run this week I discovered what were clearly more new figures in this unkillable line, now re-re-branded as 'Stealth Strike'! So, with the full, manageable set of figures there in front of me, I just couldn't resist - and they even managed to make a non-Batman figure...amazing! The Riddler is pretty great, and is getting a lot of positive chatter on line. We'll start with 'Gear Up Batman', a figure with a removable cowl, pretty cool!



Posted by charlie on November 9th 2011, 09:00 PM
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G.I. Joe - 30 for 30 - Renegades Cobra Commander

Let's finish up the small Renegades wave of G.I. Joe figures that is in stores even as I type this, with Cobra Commander! It seems that this was a very polarizing figure, with some toy reporters really digging it, and some wishing to commit it to the depths of the sun. Well, I think that an open mind is a useful trait in almost any weather, and find that, along with the rest of these figures, I like the chances that were taken with the styling of here. Click the image below for the full gallery and bio of this most recent incarnation of Chris Latta's doppleganger!



Posted by charlie on November 8th 2011, 07:48 PM
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Press Release: Mezco Toys - Dark Knight Mez-Itz

Press Release - The good folks at Mezco Toyz have provided details about their new Dark Knight Mez-Itz items. Not only do we have a good looking Batman and Joker in the assortment, but we get a vehicle too! So few companies these days are willing to commit to a vehicle, and Mezco's choice to do so is definitely to be admired! Click through for the full release, and for a look at all the new products.  Read More
Posted by charlie on November 7th 2011, 07:26 AM
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G.I. Joe - 30 for 30 - Renegades Duke

Well, it's a bit at the last minute, but let's slip in an update for Friday, with another of the great G.I. Joe Renegades figures from wave 2 of their 30 for 30 line! Here we have good old Conrad S. Hauser, squad leader, in his animated glory. Click the image below to learn about his plasma pulse pistols, and then please resume whatever fun activities you were up to this fine Friday evening!



Posted by charlie on November 4th 2011, 09:10 PM
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G.I. Joe - 30 for 30 - Renegades Firefly

Like the looks of that Snake Eyes figure yesterday? Then I just bet you're going to like Firefly as well! The Cobra Saboteur is on the job, so WATCH OUT! He's gonna demolish your stuff! Click through for more pics of this next great Renegades figure, as well as an interrupting cat.



Posted by charlie on November 3rd 2011, 04:52 PM
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G.I. Joe - 30 for 30 - Renegades Snake Eyes

The second wave of 3 3/4" figures from the G.I. Joe 30 for 30 line are lifted directly from their recent, excellent animated series titled 'Renegades'. These figures look engaging, fresh and daring on the pegs, which is a nice breath of fresh air in the toy aisle these days, especially from some of the more stagnating big players! I really enjoy the styling that they achieved here, and the accuracy to the cartoon has a similar feeling to the design achievement of the Transformers Animated line of the last several years.

Click on the image below for the full gallery of Renegades Snake Eyes, and see the last pic in that gallery for the set of four figures from this wave - all coming soon to the Preserve!



Posted by charlie on November 2nd 2011, 07:33 PM
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Masters of the Universe Classics - Icarius

He may not have flown too close to the sun, but he did leave home on his 18th birthday to join the Galactic Protectors and travel with Captain Hydron. To top it all off, this figure looks great as well - thanks Horsemen! Here we have the October MOTU figure, Icarius - better known to vintage enthusiasts as Flipshot. Click the image below for the gallery of this new addition to the Preserve!



Posted by charlie on November 1st 2011, 06:54 PM
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