Film

What can be said about Tron? Besides the monumental ground braking film experience that wow audiences in 1982 (at least it wowed me) it was the first film to incorporate computer graphics. And Tron did it in an all-in style which has influenced that way film is made to this day.

Apparently we have to thank another ground breaking achievement, the creation of Pong. According to Lisberger:

The inspiration for Tron occurred in 1976 when Steven Lisberger, then an animator of drawings with his own studio, looked at a sample reel from a computer firm called MAGI and saw Pong for the first time.[4] He was immediately fascinated by video games and wanted to do a film incorporating them. According to Lisberger, "I realized that there were these techniques that would be very suitable for bringing video games and computer visuals to the screen. And that was the moment that the whole concept flashed across my mind".

So I can hear you, I asked the same thing time and time again. Why haven't we gotten a line of Tron action figures? While it is beyond me why this classic example of film making hasn't been treated better by the toy industry I am able to say that Diamond has finally given it its 7" due.

Tron Series 1 Action Figures

For the first time ever, the classic sci-fi movie Tron gets movie-accurate action figures! Each 7-inch scale action figure is based on the look of a character from the 1982 film – Tron, Sark and Infiltrator Flynn in his red infiltration disguise. Each features approximately 16 points of articulation and interchangeable disc accessories and effects, and comes packaged on a full-color blister card. Designed by Yuri Tming, sculpted by Gentle Giant Studios.

This assorted set contains two of each figure.

Tron SDCC 2020 VHS Edition

Everyone loves Tron, but real fans love it on VHS!

That’s why this exclusive variant figure is sporting colors based on the old VHS packaging, and comes packaged in a real VHS-style box! The 7-inch figure includes multiple identity discs with energy effects, and will react to a black light. Designed by Eamon O’Donoghue, sculpted by Gentle Giant Studios. Limited to only 3,000 pieces. A Diamond Select Toys release!

The special edition VHS SDCC release is available through your local comic shop as well as through online retailers.

Rich has been talking a lot about Figures Toy Company lately so, being curious as I am, it was time to take a look for myself.

Unlike some of the other collectors here on TKL I really don't have a connection to the whole Mego look since I wasn't exposed to them as a child. While the I am able to see the appeal it just never struck me as particularly engaging. That being said I was uncertain what I would find when I visited their site. Needless to say Rich was right. They do an excellent job in recreating the design of older dolls quite well and this makes up the bulk of their product line which spans multiple series and franchises. FTC also sells wrestling figures which I did not explore, though I have the feeling Rich (who has been a fan since childhood) did.

Harry Potter

8" Harry Action Figure

12" Harry Action Figure

Ron Weasley

8" Ron Action Figure

12" Ron Action Figure

Drako Malfoy

8" Drako Action Figure

12" Drako Action Figure

My only real complaint about the series is that they excluded Hermione Granger from the line. For real fans of the Harry Potter series there is a base set, the trio, to be complete. If you can't collect Harry, Ron, and Hermoine you can't have a set. Drako is a nice touch, but only as far as being an extra and as they opted for only three figures they would have been better served with various incarnations of Harry. With that said, I feel that overall the figures in either the 8 or 12 inch incarnation could compete on the level of other merchandise for the franchise quite well. Had these figures been released ten years ago–that is, prior to the last film–they would have made waves and impressed fans. I know I would have been. Now, you really only have a small dedicated group that is interested in other aspects of the franchise that moves away from collector dolls, though I am aware of a number of premium offerings in that department as well.

All in all the series of Harry Potter dolls from Figures Toy Company are a nice inclusion for the fandom and I am certain there are a lot of happy collectors out there that are glad that they got theirs while they could.

It's time for us to dive back into the Pacific Rim and explore some of the other offerings the franchise has produced. Namely, action figures!

Battle Damaged Gipsy Avenger

The Battle Damaged Gipsy Avenger stands roughly the same height as the Gipsy Avenger diorama we recently posted about if you take the diorama's base into consideration. That said the action figure holds up remarkably well in the detail and articulation department. With a limited run of only 250 pieces the Gipsy Avenger is willing to show its scars, but only to a select few.

With the scars of a Kaiju battle all over, she stands nearly 8 inches tall and features multiple points of articulation. Packaged on a blister card. Sculpted by BigShot ToyWorks. Limited to only 250 pieces.

Series 1

Diamond Select Toys actually made a respectable offering of figures for the film, broken up into three series, you can get an appreciation to the time and effort that BigShot ToyWorks put into creating the line.

DST is preparing for the apocalypse with a line of action figures depicting the film's all-new Jaeger robots! Gipsy Avenger, Saber Athena and Bracer Phoenix make up Series 1, each with a full range of articulation and each packaged in the famous Select packaging, with side-panel artwork for shelf reference. These specialty-exclusive versions include weapons and accessories not available at any other retailer! Don't let the kaiju onslaught take you by surprise! Sculpted by BigShot ToyWorks!

Series 2

While it might not have been enough to "cancel the apocalypse", (PRU only brought in $290,930,148 compared to $411,002,906 of the original) the figures from DST and BS TW try their best.

Three new Jaegers are joining the fight against the kaiju menace, and each giant robot is cooler than the last! The mysterious Obsidian Fury with his twin blades, Guardian Bravo with his mace, and Titan Redeemer with his whip each measure between 7 and 8 inches tall, and each features approximately 16 points of articulation, plus interchangeable parts that are exclusively available to the specialty market! Packaged in display-ready Select action figure packaging, with side-panel artwork for shelf reference. Sculpted by BigShotToyWorks!

Series 3

If you are a fan of the the franchise and you have yet to join the uprising you can still find these figures for sale. I have been a fan of mech vs. monster since the glory days of Godzilla so when PR introduced us to the world of kaiju I was onboard and ready to set sail. Hopefully, they will revisit the property some day and our adventure can continue.

Three new Jaegers are joining the fight against the kaiju menace, and each giant robot is cooler than the last! Joining the six Jaegers in Series 1 and 2, November Ajax, Valor Omega and the Kaiju-infected Jaeger Drone each measure between 7 and 8 inches tall. Each figure comes with interchangeable alternate hands, and each features approximately 16 points of articulation! Packaged in display-ready Select action figure packaging, with side-panel artwork for shelf reference. Sculpted by BigShot ToyWorks!

You can view all of DST PRU related memrobillia on their site.

Pacific Rim: Uprising while weaker than the first entry in the franchise was still a worthwhile contribution to the lore that is a cornerstone of any lasting property. The John Boyega lead film deviated very little, offering the same thrilling ride that made the PR a hit to begin with. The major difference was that it wasn't anything new (rogue Jaegers aside), failing like many movies to reinvigorate the action and offer audiences something different while retaining the core elements that made it popular in the first place.

Film makers don't have it easy job but fans do. For anyone who like Uprising like I did you will be pleased for this Jaeger alert from DST!

Fans of PRU will be pleased by the massive (14" tall) Gipsy Danger bust which is part of DSTs Legends in 3D series. They have continued to impress me with the solid work that they have been able to produce for the series.

The Legends in 3D line goes on the attack with this bust of Gipsy Danger from the first Pacific Rim movie. Measuring approximately 14 inches tall, this massive bust features incredible sculpted and painted detail, and is the ultimate cinematic collectible from the Pacific Rim movies. Limited to only 1,000 pieces, the bust comes packaged in a hand-numbered, full-color box with a hand-numbered certificate of authenticity. Sculpted by Bigshot Toyworks!

I'm a bust sort of guy, many fans want more though, while dioramas can go either way this piece from BigShot ToyWorks hits all the right beats. One thing about that I noticed was that the diorama was smaller than I had hoped. The Gipsy Danger bust is 14" tall while the diorama peaks at 10", had they added an ich or two it would have made a more impressive Jaeger statue. Of course priced at only $45.00 (compared to $200 for the bust) it really is a minor detractor.

The world of Pacific Rim Uprising just got even bigger, with the first ever Gallery PVC Diorama from the hit sequel! Gipsy Avenger stands on guard against Kaiju (and rogue Jaegers) above a diorama of decimated buildings in this 10-inch sculpture, cast in high-grade plastic and featuring detailed paint applications. Packaged in a full-color window box, it was designed and sculpted by BigShot ToyWorks.

Recently I have begun to explore the world of FTC and what a fantastic world that is indead! While browsing their site I happened upon a find of a lifetime. Conan. Not just Conan the Barbarian mind you, an indreible 8" version that made my Mego dreams come true. Well, almost true. You see–Conan has gone into retirement. And as much as it pains me there was no way I was going to miss out on the opportunity to share not just Conan the Barbarian but Solomon Kane and Kull The Conqueror figures as well (I need to share my pain).

And before you tell me that there are plenty of action figures for Conan ... I know. They even spun off the series and turned it into a short lived children's cartoon released in 1992. Which is to question the sense of exposing children to the not kid friendly work of Robert E. Howard. The series came complete with its own line of figures. Though they were not half as impressive as ... These!

Conan the Barbarian

Includes an authentic cloth outfit, molded axe, boots, belt & wrist guards. Comes in resealable plastic clamshell packaging that can be opened and closed without damaging the figure.

Solomon Kane

Includes an authentic cloth outfit with a molded sword, pistol, gloves & boots. Also includes a cloth hat. Comes in resealable plastic clamshell packaging that can be opened and closed without damaging the figure.

Kull the Conqueror

Includes an authentic cloth outfit, molded axe, boots, belt, wrist guards & crown. Comes in resealable plastic clamshell packaging that can be opened and closed without damaging the figure.

Are you looking for something original to add to your collection? For batman fans look no further than these retro 8-inchers produced by Figures Toy Company. These figures featuring Batman in his classic black costume are an Excelsior Toys exclusive so you can't order them directly through FTC.

When I saw the character I immediately thought of the Tim Burton classic film from '89. I can recall back to the day that my dad and I went to see it, sitting there together in the dark theater it was a treat for both of us, as he was the one that introduced me to the comics. I re-watched the film earlier this year, having not seen it for more than a decade, and I can only say that I wish they had had this figure back then.

Without Removable Cowl

There are actually three versions to choose from. The original Batman figure is sculpted with a rounder softer face and cowl. This was later reworked to be more inline with the DC Comics look of the character in his black costume. The new sculpt sports an edgier face and chin which deviates slightly from the Mego look, but only slightly, which shouldn't be a deal breaker for most fans.

Original Sculpt

New Head Sculpt

With Removable Cowl