A Secondhand Toy Fair Report

by Mathew Bredfeldt

Since this is Collector Times, I thought I would bring about another aspect of collecting that has been brought about by comics, and that is the advent of toys based on comic books and movies. Hopefully, I hope to enlighten you on the latest goings on in the toy world with this second hand report based on the information found in ToyFare #21 from the Toy Fair in New York City. I will only be hitting on the major toy lines (or lines I deem major.) For more information, (or to see the ones I missed) go out and get a copy of ToyFare #21 at your local comic store or bookstore.

First off, they start with the new Star Wars figures. It appears that George Lucas was only letting those persons buying for the various big chain stores see the action figures based on the new movie, "The Phantom Menace" and not letting the press see them. Well, all I have to say about that, is that these had better be some good figures since they are not letting the press see them. Meanwhile, they do have pictures of the figures that they are releasing from the original three movies. It looks like we will be getting new versions of Darth Vader, Stormtrooper, Han Solo, Greedo, Jawa w/Power Droid, Luke Skywalker (Tatooine dress again!), and R2-D2. Personally I would not mind a new Stormtrooper, since the first one they put out can barely stand on its own, and like we need another Greedo, I can still find him for like $1.67 up at Target. Too bad the Mace Windu offer has expired; people could get one cheap at this point.

Also playing off the success of the other three packs of Star Wars action figures (like the Death Star Capture and Cantina Showdown), they are releasing two more sets of three figures. One of them is Jabba's Skiff Guards (with Klaatu, Barada and Nikto) and the other is a three pack of Rebel Pilots (with Wedge Antilles, a B - Wing pilot and a Y - Wing pilot.) Hopefully, with the release of the three pack of pilots, we will be seeing more fighter vehicles in the future.

Next up is McFarline Toys. It appears that not only are they focusing on the various Spawn lines (which I will not cover because of space), but they are also branching out into movies with the expansion of the Movie Maniacs line and an addition of an Austin Powers line. First off, let me say that this was one movie that did not need a toy line. Again McFarline Toys has high quality, but they are disturbing me with one particular figure in this line. It appears that they are going for a somewhat "adult" consumer with a (if you have small children reading this with you, have them avert their eyes) Austin Powers in his Underwear (APiU). This has got to be the worst action figure idea in the history of man. It disturbs me that they can make a figure that is: #1) in his underwear and #2) has that hairy of a chest. With the success of the Movie Maniacs line, so far, they have gone to a new set with the release of Michael Meyers (Halloween), Ghostface (Scream), The Crow (The Crow) and Chucky and his bride (Child's Play.) They mention in the article that there are supposed to be six from Movie Maniacs, but they only list five, and mention five for the Austin Powers line, but they only list four. That's McFarline for you, I guess.

For those of you parents that have teenagers, you might know about the Buffy the Vampire Slayer television show that is on the WB Network. Well, the company Moore Action Collectibles (M.A.C.) has gotten the rights to make figures from the characters on the show. The first line will consist of Buffy, Angel, Willow and the Master. From the pictures that they have published in the article, the Buffy figure seems to have a vary good mold and the paint job is a good one. The only thing I do not like is that they do not make mention of the number of points of articulation, which will make or break the figure line for me.

Release Date: fall

For those parents that are concerned that your children might want the dreaded APiU, you can guide your younger one(s) to the new Diddy Kong toys. The Diddy Kong toys are based off the popular video game Diddy Kong Racing by Nintendo. The toys will be at least, Diddy Kong w/airplane, Banjo w/car and Whizpig with some sort of air sled. All will have a projectile-firing feature that may not be good for the small ones.

Release Date: summer

Finally, we have come to the toys based on comic book lines. First up is a set of DC Superheroes seven-inch figures from Hasbro. The first set will consist of new sculpts of Batman, Superman, Joker, Knightfall Batman, Shazam, and Superman Blue. From the pictures, I'll have to say that they look vary well sculpted, but the stance does not look vary good and may not be able to stand up without the stand included with the figure. Also, from Hasbro will be a three-figure line of nine - inch figures based on the silver age versions of Green Arrow, Aquaman and Green Lantern. These will be a must have to go with the nine inch Marvel Famous Covers line. It's about time that someone started to do "dolls" for the DC line. Now let's see them come up with a Martian Manhunter, Batman and Robin. I want to have a nine inch Justice League.

Release Date: TBA (for both)

Speaking of the Famous Covers line, Toy Biz is going to have another four out this summer with the release of Rogue with jacket and "new" costume, Cyclops with "new" costume, Magneto like he was always and Nightcrawler. It looks like the only one I will be getting from this line from the pictures is the Nightcrawler one.

Release Date: summer

Well, I hope I have covered some of the lines that you might have an interest in. Again, if I did not, well then, one of two things happened. First, I decided not to cover it for space reasons. Second, I did not like the line or the line did not fit in.

"But you Did Buffy and Diddy Kong," you say, and not wrestling or the Spawn lines. Well, with Buffy having her own comic from Dark Horse, I felt it wise to mention the toy line as well. As for Diddy Kong, let's just say I was looking for an alternative for APiU. I did not cover the wrestling and Spawn lines because I do not like either the line (Spawn) or it did not fit in with the topic (wrestling). If you want the information, plunk down five dollars plus tax (where applicable) for the rest of the story.

Meanwhile, you might want to check out my other article in this month's edition. My best and worst toy lines of the 80's and 90's is a three part series that should be over in time for the release of the Phantom Menace action figures. To paraphrase G'Kar from Babylon 5 "Read it, we'll talk later."

As always, anything written by this author is his property and if I find it on any other web site other than collectortimes.com I will find where you live and play "Ding Dong Ditch" at three o'clock in the morning for an entire month. So don't even try it.

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Copyright © 1999 Mathew "thehammer" Bredfeldt

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