Kastor’s Retro Reviews

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Kastor’s Retro Reviews

come check out the new column on Kastor’s Korner

Finally the new home is OPEN

Hi all just wanted to give all an update.  Kastor’s Korner has a new home @ http://www.kastorskorner.com/   This week will see the long over due HML3 final review as well as DCUC wave one.  We should also have some Mattel answers soon

Grodd

This is the newest offering from the JLU line, bringing this long living line in closer to completion.  Grodd was one of the main bad guys on the JLU show and now we have him to add to the growing roster of villains for the Justice League to square off against.   

The main feature in this box set is the Gorilla Grodd.  Grodd was an ape who came in contact with a meteor during the 19^th century.  This gave him and his fellow apes both super intellegence and, in some cases like Grodd and his adversary Solovar, telekinesis and telepathy.  Grodd and Solovar clashed time and time again for the great Gorilla City.  When Solovar was captured by humans and brought to Central City, Grodd saw an opportunity to not only take over Gorilla City but also the world.  This plan put him in the scope of the Flash and brought Grodd into The Flash’s Rogue Gallery.  Over and over the Flashes of many generations would come to blows with this foe.  Over time Grodd’s abilities have grown, developing both his mental abilities as well as his telekinesis.   Most figures in the JLU line have issues standing, but like the other larger figures Grodd has no problems at all.  The figure has an amazing sculpt, really bringing to life the cartoon character.  The figure is well painted and the detail on his face brings that sly look of the criminal mastermind to life. 

The other new edition to this box set is the Red Hood.  This figure is a simple repaint of the Joker.  The new part of the figure is the addition of a large red dome and cape.  The largest problem is that you can not see the Joker’s face before you buy the box set.  After opening the set and taking off the hood this Joker looks like Crazy Eyes from Mr. Deeds.  Given a profile view the Joker looks great but if you look at this figure straight on his eyes are looking in completely different directions.   

Overall a solid set for both collectors and parents.  Hopefully this will not be the last, and Mattel will continue box sets to get us larger characters. 

         

 

Hourman Demanded

Come on over to Fwoosh for a look at Hourman in this week’s Demanded Characters.

Another Demanded Monday and Drama

This week come over to Fwoosh to see which of the many verisons of Hawkman you would like as an action figure. 

This past week on Fwoosh one thing I noticed was the drama that my choices of both characters and costumes in my weekly article caused.  While I was not alone in causing the drama my polls were the focus of all of the action.  The heated debate is centered around the fans on Fwoosh mostly wanting to see modern versions of the characters, with those new and usually silent posters voicing their dislike of the modern and wanting a more classic look to every character.  When I posted the original poll and article I included about 20 costumes that Hawkman has worn in his history. My choices and labels caused more drama so the Fwoosh editor changed both my poll and list of pictures.  By giving all those choices I thought everyone would be happy, guess not.  Anyway here are all the different choices that were edited out. 

      
      
     

As you can see there were way too many choices for this character, and I left out a ton more.  I do want to thank a few sites without whom my research would be much more difficult. 

ComicVine
Hawkman FAQ
The Unofficial Hawkman Biography

Gotham’s New Additions

I had the chance to acquire some DC Direct figures this month.  Having a 25% off coupon I picked up figures, which I though Mattel would not make right away and are sort of in scale in with the DCSH. 

First up is Alfred, who looks like he jumped right off the page.  While the other figures really do mix in well the DCSH Mr. Pennyworth is a little tall.  I really like the figure and as a back ground figure in a display I think he works well.  This slanted picture reminds me of “Same Bat time, same Bat Channel”.   

The next figure I picked up was Hush.  This figure was part of wave one of 3 waves from the Hush story line.  The differences between wave one and wave three are very apparent when you have them next to each other.  Hush has limited pose-ability due to the cut joints rather then ball jointed arms and legs.  The other draw back is the guns are molded into his hand which really makes this more of a statue then an action figure. 

The final figure is Jim Gordon.  I think this is really the start of the figures I got this time around.  The Commish is well sculpted, comes with clip-on glasses, and his gun is also removable. 

  

Jim Lee is one of my favorite comic artists and having these figures mixed in with my DCSH really makes the display complete.   

Justice Lords

Finally something new from the 10 inch line. looks like these guys are hitting Kmarts so keep out an eye, I just need to find Hourman. 

    

While these are cool GL needs a new head you can see where they had the hair from the first figure.

My First DCD 13 Inch Figure

This week I get my hands on the new 13″ Nightwing figure from DC Direct.  Come back this weekend for a full review. What I did notice, they rescuplted the head, it looks amazing. 

Cyborg Superman 2

                  Well a few months ago I passed on getting this 12 inch Cyborg Superman while at my sister in-law’s house.  They have a great comic/toy store in their town of Cranford, New Jersey(Hi Shannon).  After knowing the figure was out, but only seeing it at that small store for $40 I passed, hoping that would not come back to bite me.  Well after being in a little bit of a toy lull I found him while not even looking for him and I had a coupon too boot. 
 

While this figure is incredible, it is at the same time plain.  I think the great thing about the 12 inch figures from DC you get a great scuplt but you also get a statue.  While the Icons wait for me to get enough space to really pose them, these figures come with a base which keeps them standing still.  The only thing missing is the glass cover to make it look like a museum piece. 
                  

 With the static pose aside this is a great figure.  He stands the same height as the other figures and has the superior sculpt of the 4 Horsemen.  The colors are rich and bright and the intricacies of the cyborg parts is amazing. 
         

     I would say over all another great figure from Mattel, even with the $30 price tag.  You can find these at your local Toys R Us, and if possible try to get one of those 10% off to get a deal on the toy. 

    

It’s Offiical

Hey all looks like the Blog that I tried to do during the week will take off on more day.  For the time being check out the Fwoosh Ezine for Monday updates.  I got pushed up to once a week.  Come on over and check it out.