I'm really excited about NECA's new TMNT comic action figure line. I loved the look Eastman and Laird came up with for their original TMNT comic. That pseudo-Frank Miller/Vaughn Bode style they developed has a very cool feel to it that was totally lost in the transition to the super successful Playmates toyline and animated show. NECA must agree because they are releasing TMNT figures based on the Eastman and Laird renderings.

You can see more images of the different figures and a look at the special comic-style black and white figure at ToysREvil.

My favorite turtle is STILL Donatello!

I'm going through shopping withdrawals.The Christmas "Spirit" results in me buying way more than I can handle. I LOVE buying cool presents for people. I want to be seen as that one guy that you can count on for a neat present. Unfortunately, taste is very subjective.While all my other friends are trying to buy things that are a bit more sophisticated like dress shirts and wallets...my idea of a cool gift is usually associated with fun t-shirts, games, and toys. I'm now past the phase of having some agenda with my gifts (during my college years...I was CONVINCED I could find the PERFECT Comic for everybody on my gift list...bad idea...my parents were VERY confused and a little concerned that year)...but sometimes I forget that people don't quite have the exquisite tastes that I have been endowed with.So sometimes,instead of giving up an AMAZING gift to a friend or family member that can't appreciate it...I'll buy that very gift for myself. This Christmas I did this...A LOT. My credit card is not happy...but, damn it, no one appreciates a BRILLIANT gift as much as I do!Case in point? These Super Mario Bros. Sound plushes. Any video game fan can understand their genius. These are the first generation sound plushes. The second generation (which include a new Question Block, Koopa Shell, and Invincibility Star) are of far inferior quality than these. Both the Goomba and Question block are perfect embodiments of both designs and are the perfect size at around 6 inches (16cm). Banpresto did an amazing job with these. Unfortunately, I think they realized they could sell with ease even at a far lower level of quality...hence the far inferior versions that are found with the second series.GoombaQuestion Block

Since it'd be super lame for me to give all of my friends and family Muttpop Toys for Christmas, here's a sampling of goodies that I'll be giving as presents...Amanda Visell's Pink Elephant is amazing! Amanda and Munky King really outdid themselves with this one. The articulation is subtle and clever (Drunky's head, elephant's nose, tail and feet). They did an excellent job of capturing Amanda's dry brush technique and the woodblock aesthetic of her custom toys. They even put magnets on all 4 corners of the elephant and Drunky McSkunky's butt to make sure Drunky firmly stays on top of the Elephant. One of my favorites of 2007.Gama-Go Deathbot looked cool in pics but I fell in love when I got my hands on him. The design is perfect for a wood toy. I really like the off color white they painted him in...it gives the toy an older feel. I was tempted to get the rarer Suit version but got the better designed regular edition. He's the perfect size to play with, the wire arms, legs, and neck have limited poseability...but you can get a decent amount of stances from them if you diligently loosen them up.Ghost Land Mini Figures are adorable and affordable. A nice stocking stuffer at $15 a piece that comes in a very attractive tin package. Brian Flynn's designs are super clean and the Japanese produced crystal clear vinyl is beautiful.Pink ElephantDeathbotGhost Land Mini Figures (Pic Stolen from Rotofugi)

Since I was already in Pasadena for the UCLA Vs. Cal football game (damnit Cal!)...I decided to hang out in Old Town Pasadena and go to Mixi-Bang's Tim Tsui Da Minci show. It was nice to finally meet the friendly folk at the store (waddup Gary!).My main reason for going was to pick up the Da Hero variant Da Minci figure. It's a super cool "Batman" variant of Da Minci that I think will look AMAZING next to our upcoming Dr. Destruction Wild Edition. Unfortunately, with only 15 made...the figure's retail price was $450.00. After being heart broken by the price, I picked up Mixi-Bang/Gray One edition of Da Minci. He ain't "Da Hero" but he looks really nice next to the Muttpop Classico figures. Plus Da Minci's got a Luchador mask...so you KNOW he's gotta be a cool monkey!I didn't bring a camera, so here are pics of Da Hero and Da Minci from the Vinyl Pulse website:

Here a pics of my latest toy purchase: both color versions of Fire from the "Nostalgic Heroes" Soft Vinyl figure collection. I bought them both from the Super7 Store.I have no clue who Fire is...but he looks a lot like Black Ox, the primary nemesis of Gigantor (Tetsujin28). To me, Fire feels like either a redesign or earlier rendition of the character. His form and horns are far more organic than the chunkier design of Black Ox...but I LOVE it!I'm having a very difficult time finding information on the other figures in the "Nostalgic Heroes" collection. Based on the quality and beauty of Fire, I would love to see what other figures they have to offer.

I found this wonder at the San Diego Comic-Con. It's the SPV, the SPECTRUM PURSUIT VEHICLE taken from Gerry Anderson's CAPTAIN SCARLET. It's a part of a diecast metal collection based on Gerry Anderson's creations. It's produced by a British company called PRODUCT ENTERPRISE LTD.