JeffSaylor
12-13-2013, 08:49 AM
The Staff Picks Their Favorites...
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For hobby miniatures and all your gaming needs, visit MiniatureMarket.com (http://www.miniaturemarket.com/?utm_source=figures.com&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=FIG_Post_Link_Ongoing&utm_content=Text_Miniature%20Market).
Every year the staff at Figures.com, as well as the YoJoe.com team, reflects back on all the cool toys that came out and joined our collections. Presenting our annual TOP 10, a personal look at our favorite collectibles of 2013.
Reflecting the unique individual collecting tastes of our team, this year’s top toy picks were a diverse bunch. However, certain collectibles did stand out – great toys popping up more than once on our lists. Hot Toys continued to amaze, with their 1:6th scale Hulk knocking our socks off in size and sculpt. NECA’s toy treatment for Pacific Rim was also a very popular pick - both 7-inch and towering quarter scale figure formats delivering cool robot and monster might. Hasbro breathed new life into Star Wars collecting by finally giving fans what they’ve been clamoring for – a detailed “Black Series” of 6-INCH action figures. Last but not least, Mattel’s long-awaited Castle Grayskull teleported us back to our youth with a massive modern take on the classic playset.
Join us as we celebrate another incredible year in action figure collecting...
- Jeff Saylor and the Figures.com/Action On-Line Team
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS!
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JEFF SAYLOR
Figures.com Editor
The coolest new collectible license for me this year was Pacific Rim. I found the mechs and monsters in that movie infinitely more appealing than Tony Stark’s gazillion new armors (though I did enjoy his third film). Aside from Guillermo del Toro’s magnum opus to geeks, the only other licensed toys that excited me came from older properties. Classics like Aliens and Predator (thankfully) continued to receive collectible love, while my interest in Star Wars was renewed with an abundance of must-have Boba Fett items. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw that the legendary bounty hunter made my list, not once, but three times! Now if only JJ Abrams can bring Boba back for Episode VII…
(In No Particular Order.)
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#1 - NECA PACIFIC RIM 18" GIPSY DANGER (Read the review HERE (https://www.figures.com/forums/news/43631-review-necas-pacific-rim-18-gipsy-danger.html#post94691)!) - Pacific Rim was one of the most amazing films I saw this year, fulfilling my fanboy desire to see giant robots AND giant monsters duke it out on the big screen. It was like the REESE'S Peanut Butter Cups of movie nerdom. NECA's entire series of 7" Pacific Rim action figures were phenomenal, the pop culture toy maker proving to collectors that they make killer robot/monster toys just as well as Japan's mecha/kaiju veterans. While I eagerly await my favorite Jaeger - Russia's Cherno Alpha - to see release next year, the good ol' U.S. of A's Gipsy Danger stole 2013 for me as a GINORMOUS 18 inch action figure. This toy brought me back to my youth with its towering Jumbo Shogun Warrior size, but it was the 18" Gipsy Danger's stellar modern sculpting and articulation that absolutely rocked the adult collector in me. Everyone should own at least one NECA 18 inch figure in their lives just to experience the colossal awesomeness... and if you have to pick one, make it the 18" Gipsy Danger. Giant robot toys don't get any cooler than this.
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#2 - GENTLE GIANT KENNER STAR WARS JUMBO BOBA FETT (More photos HERE (https://www.figures.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=5492)!) - Speaking of big toys... Gentle Giant's Jumbo Boba Fett was pure nostalgic bliss for this old Star Wars collector. A blast from the past, this faithful reproduction of 1980's exclusive rocket-firing Fett (I still have the original!) featured something the mail-away figure never did: an actual rocket-firing jet pack! Action gimmicks aside, it was Jumbo Fett's vintage-style blister card that sealed the deal. While collector-friendly, having Boba Fett hang on my wall in his mammoth-sized retro packaging is so much cooler than displaying him loose. Seeing something that was so small and familiar - SUPER-SIZED - is a real head turner.
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#3 - SIDESHOW COLLECTIBLES STAR WARS BOBA FETT MYTHOS STATUE (Read the review HERE (https://www.figures.com/forums/news/42651-review-sideshow-star-wars-boba-fett-mythos-statue.html#post93571)!) - Oh my, what a BIG gun you have! Seeing one of your favorite characters made even cooler is always, well, COOL. I didn't think Boba Fett could get any cooler than he already is, but Sideshow's fan-tastic designers did just that with their incredible Boba Fett Mythos Statue. It's all in the details. Aside from the big honkin' sniper rifle, Sideshow gave Boba a wardrobe tweak with the addition of a kama half-kilt (LOVE that look!) and get this: three lightsabers strung on his belt! JEDI lightsabers. That tiny detail right there puts Boba Fett on a new plateau of badassness: He actual took down THREE JEDI! Unless he found them... but hey, that's not how Boba rolls.
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#4 - HASBRO 6-INCH STAR WARS BLACK SERIES BOBA FETT - Hey, it's Boba Fett again! What can I say? I REALLY like the Mandalorian bounty hunter. He's like the Mad Max of the Star Wars universe. And he's only been available as 3 3/4" and 12" action figures... until now! Yes, unless you've been sleeping under a rock this year, Hasbro announced their new 6 inch Star Wars Black Series, a radical new direction for the fan favorite franchise. While I don't plan on collecting them all in this new and exciting scale, I had to have my main man Boba. This figure is so surreal to finally own, looking fantastic with his realistic battle-worn sculpt, real cloth cape, trademark jet pack and blasters. The San Diego Comic Con Exclusive Boba Fett was a darn good figure too, packing an additional Han Solo in carbonite. However, it wasn't THAT cool: Secondary market demand brought in enough for me to buy five retail Fetts (and I only needed one). Evidently Jabba the Hutt's not the only one willing to spend a small fortune on Han.
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#5 - SQUARE ENIX METAL GEAR RISING: REVENGEANCE PLAY ARTS KAI RAIDEN - "Revengeance" - what exactly does that mean? I guess it just sounds cool, which is fitting for a game that stars the super cool cyber soldier Raiden. While the game didn't do anything for me, Square Enix's almost 11-inch tall Play Arts Kai Raiden action figure did. Like my 2012 favorite Cyborg Ninja, Raiden just oozes stealthy future-tech with his mechanical armored muscles and arsenal of cutting edge blades. This figure came in a rainbow of colors - from a standard black edition, PREVIEWS red, and SDCC exclusive blue. Raiden looked killer in every color scheme Square Enix released, but I opted for the Comic-Con blue, pretty much because I was there and was instantly sold on how amazing the figure looked in person.
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#6 - NECA PREDATOR SERIES 8 - JUNGLE PATROL DUTCH (Read the review HERE (https://www.figures.com/forums/news/25282-advance-review-neca-predator-series-8-jungle-patrol-dutch.html)!) - I can't pick this figure up without uttering Arnold's famous line "If it bleeds, we can kill it". This is 100% Arnold Schwarzenegger in one of his most memorable movie roles. NECA knocked it out of the park with their past Conan and Terminator figures, but the sculpted likeness of Jungle Patrol Dutch is mind blowing real. The cigar-chompin' "Jungle Extraction" isn't a slouch either, but the definitive Dutch look for me has always been muscled and sleeveless, packing an M16 and screaming "Get to da choppa!"
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#7 - FUNKO POP! ALIEN (More photos HERE (https://www.figures.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=6482)!) - Not everything I collect is hyper-realistic and serious. I also love stylized and whimsical. Funko's adorable POP! vinyl figures having been doing an excellent job of filling that void, especially with my favorite movie xenomorph, ALIEN! It's just so damn CUTE! And at the bargain POP! price of only $9.99, how could I refuse?
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#8 - NECA ALIENS COLONIAL MARINES HICKS AND HUDSON (Read the review HERE (https://www.figures.com/forums/news/31602-advance-review-necas-aliens-series-1-a.html)!) - "Game over, man!" I admit it, I didn't initially care for Hudson's perpetually wigged-out head sculpt, but the longer I owned this figure (and after rewatching the movie for the umpteenth time), NECA's choice in portraits was perfect. It just sums up Bill Paxton's character so well. Hicks is a dead ringer too, the figure capturing Michael Biehn's deadpan expression flawlessly. And the outfits! NECA's sculptors didn't miss a beat, every personal armor flourish present, from Hick's "Born Again" and padlocked heart, to Hudson's "Contents Under Pressure" and cartoon eyes… it's all there in miniature detail. Pulse rifles at the ready, these two insanely articulated action figures are just what this ALIENS fan has been craving in 7-inch scale.
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#9 - KIDROBOT FLIGHT (KANO) & POST-APOCALYPSE (HUCK GEE) DUNNYS -While I admire the creativity of the designer toy scene, I also despise the pretentious air of it all. Toy hipster I am not. That said, I still know a cool toy when I see one, even if it is an overpriced pain-in-the-@$$ toy to get. Kidrobot’s popular Dunny series impressed me with two killer designs this year, one from artist kaNO and the other from Huck Gee. Both shared a rad robot theme (surprise!) and both required a solid connection to get the specific blind-boxed character I wanted. kaNO’s Flight Dunnys delivered vintage Transformers nostalgia with his bold use of G1 colors. Thanks to my co-worker and friend Scott Rubin, I received the red, yellow and blue one (also a nice nod to Gundam). On the other hand, Huck Gee brought forth mecha mayhem with his Post-Apocalypse Dunnys… modified missile launcher hand included. Again, thanks to Scott, I scored my favorite: the rare lime green/white robo-Dunny. Have I been bit by the Dunny bug? Nah, but these two little guys certainly rock my collection.
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#10 - DC COLLECTIBLES NEW 52 SUPER VILLIANS - BLACK MANTA - Stiff articulation and a high $25 price tag made this purchase hard to swallow, but ultimately the New 52 good looks of the Black Manta won me over. I'm not a huge superhero figure collector, but I do have my favorite characters that I indulge in on occasion. Black Manta is one of them, solely based on his menacing masked appearance. He just looks SO cool! This figure features an incredible sculpt and some great accessories to boot, like the twin swords that he can holster on his back.
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Honorable Mentions:
* October Toys OMFG! Series 3 (Read the review HERE (https://www.figures.com/forums/news/42162-review-october-toys-omfg-series-3-a.html#post93032)!) - By the early eighties, I wasn't invested too heavily in toys. Playing D&D, programming on my Commodore 64, and other nerdy pastimes had started to take over. Because of this, I never really got into M.U.S.C.L.E., those pink, and odd collectible minifigures that were all the rage. I always thought they were cool, however. So when October Toys started a Kickstarter for their similarly themed O.M.F.G. (that's Outlandish Mini Figure Guys for those thinking otherwise), I invested because I thought it'd be fun to get into a line I missed out on as a pre-teen. And at $10, how could I say no? Well that was three years ago. With Series 3 being fully funded and released this year, OMFG has gone from a small five figure trip down memory lane to a full-blown assortment of fifteen crazy characters. My Series 3 favorites Barbarianaut and TenCan are great on their own, but when displayed with the entire group, it becomes the cool M.U.S.C.L.E. collection I never owned.
* ACI 1:6 Roman General, Roma Victor (Read my review HERE (https://www.figures.com/forums/news/25982-review-aci-1-6-roman-general-roma-victor.html)!) - Despite the generic name, we all know who this truly is: Russell Crowe from Gladiator. 'Nuff said.
* Amok Time Tingler - Unbeknownst to me, this crazy cool critter actually came out in 2012 (yeah, yeah so sue me:). I immediately perked up when I spotted this thing for the first time on sale at NYCC and had to have it. It's big, well made, strange and well, I LOVE it! (Thanks Paul!)
* Gaming Heads Fallout 3 Vault Boy Bobbleheads (https://www.figures.com/forums/news/43321-gaming-heads-announces-new-fallout-3-license.html) - I've wanted these ever since the game came out in 2009 (my proof HERE (https://www.figures.com/databases/action.cgi?setup_file=fignews2.setup&category=actionfigures&topic=110&show_article=44)). These are scheduled for release by Christmas, but as of this writing they haven't come out yet. Expect them on my Top 10 list in 2014.
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JESS C. HORSLEY
Figures.com Managing Editor
(In No Particular Order.)
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#1 - HOT TOYS THE DARK KNIGHT RISES 1/4 BATMAN (More photos HERE (https://www.figures.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=10921)!) - Standing 18" tall atop a masterfully sculpted diorama base, featuring multiple interchangeable parts and pieces (including 3 different interchangeable facial expressions, two head sculpts and three sets of hands) and including some of the most impressive accessories in recent memory (a grappling gun, removable cape, sticky bomb gun, flight pack and more), this work of action figure art comes to fans as a part of Hot Toys' new line of Quarter Scale figures. Impressive in every way, there's simply nothing finer for the die-hard Batman fan. At $500, it's truly for the die-hard fans!
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#2 - ASMUS TOYS LOTR 1/6 MORGUL LORD WITCH KING RINGWRAITH - While various companies have made 12" Lord of the Rings figures in the past, none of brought to life the Witch-king of Angmar, the leader of the Nazgul, the Witchking Ringwraith. Asmus Toys does one better by using real metal parts and pieces on this awesomely armored figure and including a diorama base, four sets of hands, a sword with sheath, a flaming sword, and a HUGE flail. Unfortunately, the 12" body is a let down; but with a retail price of $160 and considering the simple awesome factor of finally having Sauron's general in 1/6th form, it's a solid addition to any LOTR collection.
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#3 - SQUARE ENIX METAL GEAR RISING: REVENGEANCE PLAY ARTS KAI RAIDEN - This year fans of the Metal Gear Solid series saw the franchise expand to finally feature the Cyborg Ninja Raiden star in a fast-action, hyper-intense hack and slash game unlike any other. Last seen in Metal Gear Solid 4 and now a fully functioning one man army, Raiden makes the transition to action figure form thanks to Square Enix's Play Arts Kai line. Armed with a high frequency blade, throwing knives, and a state of the art cyborg body, this cordial gent cuts, carves, dices and slices baddies into pieces... and now you can add him to your collection!
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#4 - SIDESHOW COLLECTIBLES THE REAPER: DEATH'S GENERAL LEGENDARY SCALE STATUE - Let's admit it, we're all concerned about what happens after we die. If we're not, we're lying to ourselves. And while we might not know what really happens, I know who I don't want to meet - this guy! Death's General, The Reaper, comes to life in this beautifully sculpted and fabricated Legendary Scale Statue unlike anything we've seen before. Standing nearly 2 feet tall, draped in armor, wearing a winged helm and armed with sword and scythe, this warrior comes ready to reap souls...and your wallet. At $1,000 retail, this is for only the most die-hard fans and collectors.
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#5 - HASBRO 6-INCH STAR WARS BLACK SERIES BOBA FETT - Fans of the classic Star Wars line finally got the action figures they've been clamoring for - a larger scale with more articulation and more sculpted detail - in the Black Series. At $20 per figure, they're more than twice the cost of the regular 3 3/4" figures...and well worth it. Considering all the characters to release to spectacular fanfare, the galaxy's greatest bounty hunter makes for the best choice! For every fanboy and girl who's ever wanted to pit Boba Fett against their Marvel Legends, meet the Star Wars Black series!
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#6 - MATTEL MOTUC CASTLE GRAYSKULL PLAYSET - Fans of Mattel's Masters of the Universe Classics line have wanted nothing more than someplace to display their figures; a place for their figures to call home...and now they finally have it. Not only a diorama, not just a play set, Castle Grayskull is a character too; maybe the best known character next to He-Man himself. Featuring a two-sided fold out design with three levels, a working jaw draw bridge and an interior complete with combat trainer, a working elevator, a scaling ladder, an armory and weapons, a castle throne, a trap door, a flag and more; Castle Grayskull is the best available housing for your MOTUC collection. Why have your figures stay anywhere else?
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#7 - DIAMOND SELECT TOYS MARVEL SELECT RHINO - Fans of Spidey and Hulk finally have an impressive comic-accurate version of the Eastern European super villain Aleksei Sytsevich - aka Rhino - to add to their figure collection thanks to DST's Marvel Select line. Standing over 8", featuring textured skin, intimidating size, a fierce scowl, a decent amount of articulation and a solid build - all for a retail price of less than $25, Rhino is a sure buy for any and every Marvel comic fans looking to add a bit of dim-witted brawn and brute strength to their collection!
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#8 - NECA 1/4 IRON MAN MARK VII (Read the review HERE (https://www.figures.com/forums/news/31021-advance-review-necas-avengers-1-4-scale-iron-man.html)!) - Every serious collector needs a figure of the Armored Avengers and while NECA's version might not be the most articulated, least expensive or all-around most impressive, it's nothing if not the best all around compromise. Featuring an impressive sculpt and design, standing 18" tall with a decent amount of articulation and a cool light-up feature, and priced at less than $100, NECA's 1/4 Scale Iron Man delivers the goods. Add to this NECA's previously released 1/4 Scale Captain America the 1/4 Scale Thor (arriving soon) and you have the three mightiest Avengers - the Iron Knight, the American Soldier and the Odinson - all in spectacular 18" scale.
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#9 - POP CULTURE SHOCK MORTAL KOMBAT 1:1 SUB-ZERO BUST - Artist extraordinaire Jerry Macaluso continues to breath life into the Mortal Kombat video game genre by releasing impressive statues and what is one of the most impressive 1:1 scale busts ever. With two versions available (one with poseable eyes and one with light up eyes), the Sub Zero 1:1 Bust looks intimidating - as if it could freeze you just by looking at you. And, while the cost might freeze some casual collectors, die-hard fans will see the $600 as an investment into one of the coolest collectible pieces of 2013.
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#10 - NECA PACIFIC RIM ACTION FIGURES (Read the reviews HERE (https://www.figures.com/forums/news/32672-review-necas-7-pacific-rim-series-1-action-figures.html#post81842), HERE (https://www.figures.com/forums/news/42342-review-necas-pacific-rim-series-2-a.html) and HERE (https://www.figures.com/forums/news/43631-review-necas-pacific-rim-18-gipsy-danger.html#post94691)!) - Guillermo del Toro's released his love story to robots and monsters this year with the release the summer spectacular Pacific Rim. A new, unique and frightening vision of the future in which alien monsters from under the ocean invade the Earth, Pacific Rim gave fans everything they could ask for and more - and NECA delivered the toys to boot, bringing two series of figures in 2013. With the main assortments including Jaeger robots Gypsy Danger (and Battle Damaged variant), Striker Eureka and Crimson Typhoon as well as two Kaiju monsters, Knifehead and Leatherback, these seemingly disappeared from shelves as soon as they were spotted. Most impressive, NECA released a super-detailed 18" Gypsy Danger with light-up feature that's no doubt one of the most impressive figures of the year, especially at a cost of less than $100.
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To insure your action figure collection, contact Collectibles Insurance Services (http://www.collectinsure.com/) at (888) 837-9537, or click here (http://www.collectinsure.com/GetEstimate.aspx) to get a quote and apply online. Collectibles Insurance Services (http://www.collectinsure.com/) is the Official Partner of the Figures.com network.
To buy action figures, take a look at BigBadToyStore.com (http://www.bigbadtoystore.com), AlterEgoComics.com (http://www.alteregocomics.com/), Toynk.com (http://www.toynk.com/), BriansToys.com (http://www.brianstoys.com), ToyWiz.com (http://www.toywiz.com), and MonkeyDepot.com (http://www.monkeydepot.com/).
For hobby miniatures and all your gaming needs, visit MiniatureMarket.com (http://www.miniaturemarket.com/?utm_source=figures.com&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=FIG_Post_Link_Ongoing&utm_content=Text_Miniature%20Market).
Every year the staff at Figures.com, as well as the YoJoe.com team, reflects back on all the cool toys that came out and joined our collections. Presenting our annual TOP 10, a personal look at our favorite collectibles of 2013.
Reflecting the unique individual collecting tastes of our team, this year’s top toy picks were a diverse bunch. However, certain collectibles did stand out – great toys popping up more than once on our lists. Hot Toys continued to amaze, with their 1:6th scale Hulk knocking our socks off in size and sculpt. NECA’s toy treatment for Pacific Rim was also a very popular pick - both 7-inch and towering quarter scale figure formats delivering cool robot and monster might. Hasbro breathed new life into Star Wars collecting by finally giving fans what they’ve been clamoring for – a detailed “Black Series” of 6-INCH action figures. Last but not least, Mattel’s long-awaited Castle Grayskull teleported us back to our youth with a massive modern take on the classic playset.
Join us as we celebrate another incredible year in action figure collecting...
- Jeff Saylor and the Figures.com/Action On-Line Team
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS!
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https://www.figures.com/gallery/data/11071/1jeffproUSE1.jpg
JEFF SAYLOR
Figures.com Editor
The coolest new collectible license for me this year was Pacific Rim. I found the mechs and monsters in that movie infinitely more appealing than Tony Stark’s gazillion new armors (though I did enjoy his third film). Aside from Guillermo del Toro’s magnum opus to geeks, the only other licensed toys that excited me came from older properties. Classics like Aliens and Predator (thankfully) continued to receive collectible love, while my interest in Star Wars was renewed with an abundance of must-have Boba Fett items. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw that the legendary bounty hunter made my list, not once, but three times! Now if only JJ Abrams can bring Boba back for Episode VII…
(In No Particular Order.)
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#1 - NECA PACIFIC RIM 18" GIPSY DANGER (Read the review HERE (https://www.figures.com/forums/news/43631-review-necas-pacific-rim-18-gipsy-danger.html#post94691)!) - Pacific Rim was one of the most amazing films I saw this year, fulfilling my fanboy desire to see giant robots AND giant monsters duke it out on the big screen. It was like the REESE'S Peanut Butter Cups of movie nerdom. NECA's entire series of 7" Pacific Rim action figures were phenomenal, the pop culture toy maker proving to collectors that they make killer robot/monster toys just as well as Japan's mecha/kaiju veterans. While I eagerly await my favorite Jaeger - Russia's Cherno Alpha - to see release next year, the good ol' U.S. of A's Gipsy Danger stole 2013 for me as a GINORMOUS 18 inch action figure. This toy brought me back to my youth with its towering Jumbo Shogun Warrior size, but it was the 18" Gipsy Danger's stellar modern sculpting and articulation that absolutely rocked the adult collector in me. Everyone should own at least one NECA 18 inch figure in their lives just to experience the colossal awesomeness... and if you have to pick one, make it the 18" Gipsy Danger. Giant robot toys don't get any cooler than this.
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#2 - GENTLE GIANT KENNER STAR WARS JUMBO BOBA FETT (More photos HERE (https://www.figures.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=5492)!) - Speaking of big toys... Gentle Giant's Jumbo Boba Fett was pure nostalgic bliss for this old Star Wars collector. A blast from the past, this faithful reproduction of 1980's exclusive rocket-firing Fett (I still have the original!) featured something the mail-away figure never did: an actual rocket-firing jet pack! Action gimmicks aside, it was Jumbo Fett's vintage-style blister card that sealed the deal. While collector-friendly, having Boba Fett hang on my wall in his mammoth-sized retro packaging is so much cooler than displaying him loose. Seeing something that was so small and familiar - SUPER-SIZED - is a real head turner.
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#3 - SIDESHOW COLLECTIBLES STAR WARS BOBA FETT MYTHOS STATUE (Read the review HERE (https://www.figures.com/forums/news/42651-review-sideshow-star-wars-boba-fett-mythos-statue.html#post93571)!) - Oh my, what a BIG gun you have! Seeing one of your favorite characters made even cooler is always, well, COOL. I didn't think Boba Fett could get any cooler than he already is, but Sideshow's fan-tastic designers did just that with their incredible Boba Fett Mythos Statue. It's all in the details. Aside from the big honkin' sniper rifle, Sideshow gave Boba a wardrobe tweak with the addition of a kama half-kilt (LOVE that look!) and get this: three lightsabers strung on his belt! JEDI lightsabers. That tiny detail right there puts Boba Fett on a new plateau of badassness: He actual took down THREE JEDI! Unless he found them... but hey, that's not how Boba rolls.
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#4 - HASBRO 6-INCH STAR WARS BLACK SERIES BOBA FETT - Hey, it's Boba Fett again! What can I say? I REALLY like the Mandalorian bounty hunter. He's like the Mad Max of the Star Wars universe. And he's only been available as 3 3/4" and 12" action figures... until now! Yes, unless you've been sleeping under a rock this year, Hasbro announced their new 6 inch Star Wars Black Series, a radical new direction for the fan favorite franchise. While I don't plan on collecting them all in this new and exciting scale, I had to have my main man Boba. This figure is so surreal to finally own, looking fantastic with his realistic battle-worn sculpt, real cloth cape, trademark jet pack and blasters. The San Diego Comic Con Exclusive Boba Fett was a darn good figure too, packing an additional Han Solo in carbonite. However, it wasn't THAT cool: Secondary market demand brought in enough for me to buy five retail Fetts (and I only needed one). Evidently Jabba the Hutt's not the only one willing to spend a small fortune on Han.
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#5 - SQUARE ENIX METAL GEAR RISING: REVENGEANCE PLAY ARTS KAI RAIDEN - "Revengeance" - what exactly does that mean? I guess it just sounds cool, which is fitting for a game that stars the super cool cyber soldier Raiden. While the game didn't do anything for me, Square Enix's almost 11-inch tall Play Arts Kai Raiden action figure did. Like my 2012 favorite Cyborg Ninja, Raiden just oozes stealthy future-tech with his mechanical armored muscles and arsenal of cutting edge blades. This figure came in a rainbow of colors - from a standard black edition, PREVIEWS red, and SDCC exclusive blue. Raiden looked killer in every color scheme Square Enix released, but I opted for the Comic-Con blue, pretty much because I was there and was instantly sold on how amazing the figure looked in person.
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#6 - NECA PREDATOR SERIES 8 - JUNGLE PATROL DUTCH (Read the review HERE (https://www.figures.com/forums/news/25282-advance-review-neca-predator-series-8-jungle-patrol-dutch.html)!) - I can't pick this figure up without uttering Arnold's famous line "If it bleeds, we can kill it". This is 100% Arnold Schwarzenegger in one of his most memorable movie roles. NECA knocked it out of the park with their past Conan and Terminator figures, but the sculpted likeness of Jungle Patrol Dutch is mind blowing real. The cigar-chompin' "Jungle Extraction" isn't a slouch either, but the definitive Dutch look for me has always been muscled and sleeveless, packing an M16 and screaming "Get to da choppa!"
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#7 - FUNKO POP! ALIEN (More photos HERE (https://www.figures.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=6482)!) - Not everything I collect is hyper-realistic and serious. I also love stylized and whimsical. Funko's adorable POP! vinyl figures having been doing an excellent job of filling that void, especially with my favorite movie xenomorph, ALIEN! It's just so damn CUTE! And at the bargain POP! price of only $9.99, how could I refuse?
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#8 - NECA ALIENS COLONIAL MARINES HICKS AND HUDSON (Read the review HERE (https://www.figures.com/forums/news/31602-advance-review-necas-aliens-series-1-a.html)!) - "Game over, man!" I admit it, I didn't initially care for Hudson's perpetually wigged-out head sculpt, but the longer I owned this figure (and after rewatching the movie for the umpteenth time), NECA's choice in portraits was perfect. It just sums up Bill Paxton's character so well. Hicks is a dead ringer too, the figure capturing Michael Biehn's deadpan expression flawlessly. And the outfits! NECA's sculptors didn't miss a beat, every personal armor flourish present, from Hick's "Born Again" and padlocked heart, to Hudson's "Contents Under Pressure" and cartoon eyes… it's all there in miniature detail. Pulse rifles at the ready, these two insanely articulated action figures are just what this ALIENS fan has been craving in 7-inch scale.
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#9 - KIDROBOT FLIGHT (KANO) & POST-APOCALYPSE (HUCK GEE) DUNNYS -While I admire the creativity of the designer toy scene, I also despise the pretentious air of it all. Toy hipster I am not. That said, I still know a cool toy when I see one, even if it is an overpriced pain-in-the-@$$ toy to get. Kidrobot’s popular Dunny series impressed me with two killer designs this year, one from artist kaNO and the other from Huck Gee. Both shared a rad robot theme (surprise!) and both required a solid connection to get the specific blind-boxed character I wanted. kaNO’s Flight Dunnys delivered vintage Transformers nostalgia with his bold use of G1 colors. Thanks to my co-worker and friend Scott Rubin, I received the red, yellow and blue one (also a nice nod to Gundam). On the other hand, Huck Gee brought forth mecha mayhem with his Post-Apocalypse Dunnys… modified missile launcher hand included. Again, thanks to Scott, I scored my favorite: the rare lime green/white robo-Dunny. Have I been bit by the Dunny bug? Nah, but these two little guys certainly rock my collection.
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#10 - DC COLLECTIBLES NEW 52 SUPER VILLIANS - BLACK MANTA - Stiff articulation and a high $25 price tag made this purchase hard to swallow, but ultimately the New 52 good looks of the Black Manta won me over. I'm not a huge superhero figure collector, but I do have my favorite characters that I indulge in on occasion. Black Manta is one of them, solely based on his menacing masked appearance. He just looks SO cool! This figure features an incredible sculpt and some great accessories to boot, like the twin swords that he can holster on his back.
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Honorable Mentions:
* October Toys OMFG! Series 3 (Read the review HERE (https://www.figures.com/forums/news/42162-review-october-toys-omfg-series-3-a.html#post93032)!) - By the early eighties, I wasn't invested too heavily in toys. Playing D&D, programming on my Commodore 64, and other nerdy pastimes had started to take over. Because of this, I never really got into M.U.S.C.L.E., those pink, and odd collectible minifigures that were all the rage. I always thought they were cool, however. So when October Toys started a Kickstarter for their similarly themed O.M.F.G. (that's Outlandish Mini Figure Guys for those thinking otherwise), I invested because I thought it'd be fun to get into a line I missed out on as a pre-teen. And at $10, how could I say no? Well that was three years ago. With Series 3 being fully funded and released this year, OMFG has gone from a small five figure trip down memory lane to a full-blown assortment of fifteen crazy characters. My Series 3 favorites Barbarianaut and TenCan are great on their own, but when displayed with the entire group, it becomes the cool M.U.S.C.L.E. collection I never owned.
* ACI 1:6 Roman General, Roma Victor (Read my review HERE (https://www.figures.com/forums/news/25982-review-aci-1-6-roman-general-roma-victor.html)!) - Despite the generic name, we all know who this truly is: Russell Crowe from Gladiator. 'Nuff said.
* Amok Time Tingler - Unbeknownst to me, this crazy cool critter actually came out in 2012 (yeah, yeah so sue me:). I immediately perked up when I spotted this thing for the first time on sale at NYCC and had to have it. It's big, well made, strange and well, I LOVE it! (Thanks Paul!)
* Gaming Heads Fallout 3 Vault Boy Bobbleheads (https://www.figures.com/forums/news/43321-gaming-heads-announces-new-fallout-3-license.html) - I've wanted these ever since the game came out in 2009 (my proof HERE (https://www.figures.com/databases/action.cgi?setup_file=fignews2.setup&category=actionfigures&topic=110&show_article=44)). These are scheduled for release by Christmas, but as of this writing they haven't come out yet. Expect them on my Top 10 list in 2014.
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JESS C. HORSLEY
Figures.com Managing Editor
(In No Particular Order.)
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#1 - HOT TOYS THE DARK KNIGHT RISES 1/4 BATMAN (More photos HERE (https://www.figures.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=10921)!) - Standing 18" tall atop a masterfully sculpted diorama base, featuring multiple interchangeable parts and pieces (including 3 different interchangeable facial expressions, two head sculpts and three sets of hands) and including some of the most impressive accessories in recent memory (a grappling gun, removable cape, sticky bomb gun, flight pack and more), this work of action figure art comes to fans as a part of Hot Toys' new line of Quarter Scale figures. Impressive in every way, there's simply nothing finer for the die-hard Batman fan. At $500, it's truly for the die-hard fans!
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#2 - ASMUS TOYS LOTR 1/6 MORGUL LORD WITCH KING RINGWRAITH - While various companies have made 12" Lord of the Rings figures in the past, none of brought to life the Witch-king of Angmar, the leader of the Nazgul, the Witchking Ringwraith. Asmus Toys does one better by using real metal parts and pieces on this awesomely armored figure and including a diorama base, four sets of hands, a sword with sheath, a flaming sword, and a HUGE flail. Unfortunately, the 12" body is a let down; but with a retail price of $160 and considering the simple awesome factor of finally having Sauron's general in 1/6th form, it's a solid addition to any LOTR collection.
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#3 - SQUARE ENIX METAL GEAR RISING: REVENGEANCE PLAY ARTS KAI RAIDEN - This year fans of the Metal Gear Solid series saw the franchise expand to finally feature the Cyborg Ninja Raiden star in a fast-action, hyper-intense hack and slash game unlike any other. Last seen in Metal Gear Solid 4 and now a fully functioning one man army, Raiden makes the transition to action figure form thanks to Square Enix's Play Arts Kai line. Armed with a high frequency blade, throwing knives, and a state of the art cyborg body, this cordial gent cuts, carves, dices and slices baddies into pieces... and now you can add him to your collection!
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#4 - SIDESHOW COLLECTIBLES THE REAPER: DEATH'S GENERAL LEGENDARY SCALE STATUE - Let's admit it, we're all concerned about what happens after we die. If we're not, we're lying to ourselves. And while we might not know what really happens, I know who I don't want to meet - this guy! Death's General, The Reaper, comes to life in this beautifully sculpted and fabricated Legendary Scale Statue unlike anything we've seen before. Standing nearly 2 feet tall, draped in armor, wearing a winged helm and armed with sword and scythe, this warrior comes ready to reap souls...and your wallet. At $1,000 retail, this is for only the most die-hard fans and collectors.
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#5 - HASBRO 6-INCH STAR WARS BLACK SERIES BOBA FETT - Fans of the classic Star Wars line finally got the action figures they've been clamoring for - a larger scale with more articulation and more sculpted detail - in the Black Series. At $20 per figure, they're more than twice the cost of the regular 3 3/4" figures...and well worth it. Considering all the characters to release to spectacular fanfare, the galaxy's greatest bounty hunter makes for the best choice! For every fanboy and girl who's ever wanted to pit Boba Fett against their Marvel Legends, meet the Star Wars Black series!
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#6 - MATTEL MOTUC CASTLE GRAYSKULL PLAYSET - Fans of Mattel's Masters of the Universe Classics line have wanted nothing more than someplace to display their figures; a place for their figures to call home...and now they finally have it. Not only a diorama, not just a play set, Castle Grayskull is a character too; maybe the best known character next to He-Man himself. Featuring a two-sided fold out design with three levels, a working jaw draw bridge and an interior complete with combat trainer, a working elevator, a scaling ladder, an armory and weapons, a castle throne, a trap door, a flag and more; Castle Grayskull is the best available housing for your MOTUC collection. Why have your figures stay anywhere else?
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#7 - DIAMOND SELECT TOYS MARVEL SELECT RHINO - Fans of Spidey and Hulk finally have an impressive comic-accurate version of the Eastern European super villain Aleksei Sytsevich - aka Rhino - to add to their figure collection thanks to DST's Marvel Select line. Standing over 8", featuring textured skin, intimidating size, a fierce scowl, a decent amount of articulation and a solid build - all for a retail price of less than $25, Rhino is a sure buy for any and every Marvel comic fans looking to add a bit of dim-witted brawn and brute strength to their collection!
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#8 - NECA 1/4 IRON MAN MARK VII (Read the review HERE (https://www.figures.com/forums/news/31021-advance-review-necas-avengers-1-4-scale-iron-man.html)!) - Every serious collector needs a figure of the Armored Avengers and while NECA's version might not be the most articulated, least expensive or all-around most impressive, it's nothing if not the best all around compromise. Featuring an impressive sculpt and design, standing 18" tall with a decent amount of articulation and a cool light-up feature, and priced at less than $100, NECA's 1/4 Scale Iron Man delivers the goods. Add to this NECA's previously released 1/4 Scale Captain America the 1/4 Scale Thor (arriving soon) and you have the three mightiest Avengers - the Iron Knight, the American Soldier and the Odinson - all in spectacular 18" scale.
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#9 - POP CULTURE SHOCK MORTAL KOMBAT 1:1 SUB-ZERO BUST - Artist extraordinaire Jerry Macaluso continues to breath life into the Mortal Kombat video game genre by releasing impressive statues and what is one of the most impressive 1:1 scale busts ever. With two versions available (one with poseable eyes and one with light up eyes), the Sub Zero 1:1 Bust looks intimidating - as if it could freeze you just by looking at you. And, while the cost might freeze some casual collectors, die-hard fans will see the $600 as an investment into one of the coolest collectible pieces of 2013.
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#10 - NECA PACIFIC RIM ACTION FIGURES (Read the reviews HERE (https://www.figures.com/forums/news/32672-review-necas-7-pacific-rim-series-1-action-figures.html#post81842), HERE (https://www.figures.com/forums/news/42342-review-necas-pacific-rim-series-2-a.html) and HERE (https://www.figures.com/forums/news/43631-review-necas-pacific-rim-18-gipsy-danger.html#post94691)!) - Guillermo del Toro's released his love story to robots and monsters this year with the release the summer spectacular Pacific Rim. A new, unique and frightening vision of the future in which alien monsters from under the ocean invade the Earth, Pacific Rim gave fans everything they could ask for and more - and NECA delivered the toys to boot, bringing two series of figures in 2013. With the main assortments including Jaeger robots Gypsy Danger (and Battle Damaged variant), Striker Eureka and Crimson Typhoon as well as two Kaiju monsters, Knifehead and Leatherback, these seemingly disappeared from shelves as soon as they were spotted. Most impressive, NECA released a super-detailed 18" Gypsy Danger with light-up feature that's no doubt one of the most impressive figures of the year, especially at a cost of less than $100.
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