The Best of 2013!

As this year draws to a close it's time to look back at the year in nerdom!

Toy Line of the Year:

 Marvel Select wins this hands down by delivering some truly great pieces this year.  I wish I could have bought all of their releases this year, because they have truly come a long way.

Best Comic Series of the Year:

DC Comics:

 

Adventures of Superman. Yes it is a digital first series but that doesn't stop it from being my favorite Superman book on the stands. It's classic Superman in his red underoos with the boy scout mentality. Every issue consists of 3 digital first issues and is either one complete story or three short stories. I have yet to be disappointed by an issue and I cannot recommend it enough.
Honorable mentions: Batman, Superman/Wonder Woman

Best Single Issue:

Adventures of Superman #4. This issue is made up of 3 stories, the first is pretty good but its the other two that I really like. The second is about two ordinary guys in a diner arguing about Superman being real (judging by Supes' costume this is back when he first appeared) and of course a giant battle ends near the diner. There's more to it but it's just a great little story so I wont spoil. The third and final short in the issue is called "Savior" and is just amazing. If I remember correctly its told from Ma Kent's perspective and is her describing her son and what he does and it has a great ending.

 

 

Marvel Comics:

Thor: God of Thunder. I love Thor, but not all of his comics have been great, at least not to me. I loved his run back in 2007 when JMS brought him back but after JMS left I kind of fell off the title. Then came this series. This is just pure entertainment. The characters are written perfectly, and the adventures are astounding, the first arc alone was 11 issues long. It was a true epic. If you haven't checked out this title, I highly recommend it.

Honorable mentions: Superior Spider-Man

 

Best Single Issue:

Thor: God of Thunder #12. This issue sees Thor's return to Earth after the 11 issue epic with Gorr The Godbutcher, and it was fantastic. Funny, heartwarming, and an overall joy to read.

 

 

Best Mini-Series/Crossover:

 

Trinity War. An event with a slow begging but one balls to the wall finale that set up for the massive Forever Evil event. No spoilers as it is still relatively fresh for some readers. Now that is how a mini-series/event is done!

 

Best TV show:

 

With Big Bang Theory being hit or miss lately, I have to give it to Walking Dead. They have really kicked it into high gear this season and ended the midseason with an unforgettable finale.

 

 

Best Comic Book Movie:

I swear I'm not being biased here. Iron Man 3 just didn't do it for me, and The Wolverine was pretty damn good, but Man of Steel gave me the action I've always wanted to see in a Superman movie, and a pretty good story to go along with it, not to mention one of my favorite ending sequences.

 

Video Game of the Year:

 

Batman: Arkham Origins. Despite the numerous glitches before the release of the software update, this was the most enjoyable Batman game I have ever played. Now that the glitches and bugs have all been fixed, this is the best time to get it. An amazing game with an astounding collector's edition. The characters are expertly handled and the script and dialogue are some of the best I've seen from a game. An example you ask? Check out one of my favorite sequences below, the dialogue is just unbelievably well written. Mild spoilers for those of you planning on getting the game.

 

 

 

Best Exclusive:

Marvel Select Disney Store Exclusive Winter Soldier. I have been in love with this figure since I got, it's a Marvel to look at and worthy of any Marvelites display.

Now, for the big one, my top 10 figures of 2013. Now just like last year, these figures had to be released in 2013 for them to count. So with that said, let's begin!

 

 

Top 10 figures of 2013:

10.) Marvel Select Thor: The Dark World Thor figure

This figure was the only Marvel Legends/Select scale Thor we were getting and it delivered. It's a great figure and is definitely worth a pick up.

9.) Marvel Select Iron Man 3 Mark 42 Iron Man

This figure trumps the Marvel Legends version for me due to his Hall of Armor base, interchangeable heads, and interchangeable hands. He has all of the articulation of the Marvel Legends save for an extra hinge at the elbows. For the price, you get a lot. He may not be the best looking armor on screen, but this toy version won me over.

8.) Marvel Select The Wolverine figure

I know, three Marvel Select's in a row. There's a reason they won Line of the Year. This Wolverine has a near perfect likeness to Hugh Jackman, has three heads, three sets of hands,  a samurai blade, and is loaded with articulation. Go get yourself one, bub.

7.) Marvel Select Venom figure

I mean just look at that thing! An insane sculpt with three sets of hands, three heads, an extra back assembly and mini arms for the price of a standard Marvel Select figure? Come on, it's a no brainer. This Venom is my definitive Venom, if only it was easier to decide which head and hands to pose him with...

6.) Play Arts Kai The Dark Knight Trilogy Collection The Joker

Why so awesome? This figure is one of the best toy incarnations (not counting Hot Toys) of the Joker from The Dark Knight to date. He has insane articulation and great accessories and he looks freaky as hell. Definitely an awesome piece for  any collection.

5.) NECA 1/4 Man of Steel Superman

Despite a lot of hate from collector's in regards to his ankles and stability, this guy is a beauty to look at. There is a likeness to Henry Cavill, not Hot Toys level but it is there, he has great poseability for his scale, and his fabric cape is beautiful. If you can't afford Hot Toys like me, this is the best option.

4.) Marvel Select Disney Store Exclusive Winter Soldier

Come on....are any of you surprised?

3.) Star Wars: The Black Series 6" Darth Maul

Finally a 6" Star Wars line, and right off the bat we get this amazing figure. Beautiful sculpt and paint, amazing articulation and awesome accessories combine to deliver one hell of a figure.

2.) Transformers Generations Voyager Class Springer

I actually just got him yesterday after searching since May and he is a beauty. One of the first Autobot triple changers, he has a robot mode, armored car mode, and helicopter mode. And he has a sword. How can you not love this guy?

1.)DC Collectibles Arkham Origins Batman figure

This guy is one of the best DC Collectibles purchases I have ever made, and even with no accessories, he has become my definitive Batman. Nuff' said.

Honorable mentions:
The Walking Dead The Governor figure, Play Arts Kai General Zod.

And with that, the year of 2013 has come to an end. We have a new year to look forward to. A year with a new Captain America film, Guardians of the Galaxy, and of course, new comics and figures. Keep collecting guys, see you in 2014!

Christmas 2013 Haul!

 

Hey guys, fist off I just want to wish you all a belated Merry Christmas, I wasn't able to get to a computer during Christmas or Christmas Eve. This post is just a haul post from Christmas AND to let you know that on the 31st, my "Best of 2013" post will be live! Now with that out of the way, ONTO THE HAUL!!

I'll start with figures, all of which shall be reviewed:

 

So first off, I got my first Walking Dead figure which is really bad, because now I have another line that I want to start collecting...the woes of a collector...

 

I also got one of the last DCCU figures I wanted (and that were made) The new 52 Darkseid. He's gotten his fair share of hate but I really like the figure.

 

 

Lastly, I got the last 4 figures  from the Man of Steel Movie Masters line which means I have the full series!!!

Onto DVDs, I got season 3 of Walking Dead, season 6 of Big Bang Theory, and Season 7 and 8 of Dexter, as well as the Unrated Extended cut of The Wolverine, which is so awesome!

 

 

 

Lastly I got some amazing graphic novels to keep me bust until vacation ends at the end of January, and an awesome Man of Steel Calendar!

 

 

 

Well that's about it, I hope you guys had an awesome holiday!

Review of the Disney Store Exclusive Marvel Select Winter Soldier figure!

Character Bio:

Partnered with U.S. super soldier Captain America during World War II, young soldier James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes was believed to be killed on the same mission that plunged Captain America beneath the ice for half a century. Like Cap, Bucky was also found frozen but much sooner, and by the other side. Thawed out, given a cybernetic arm, and brainwashed to become an operative of the Soviet Union, Bucky became the Winter Soldier, and was kept in cryogenic storage whenever his Soviet masters didn't need him. Over the years, his existence (and possible identity) became known to SHIELD, and when Captain America was freed from the ice, Bucky's old partner made it his mission to similarly free his friend. With his memories restored, Bucky left his old masters, and even served as Captain America for a time, before faking his own death and returning to a life in the shadows as a SHIELD agent.

Scale: 7"
Price: $24.99 at disneystore.com and marvelstore.com


Sculpt and Paint:

This figure is an absolute masterpiece. It pretty much came out of nowhere, being announced maybe 2 weeks or so before it was released, and I was ecstatic. I love Winter Soldier. I have read every Winter Soldier comic, and I just love the character. I missed out on the Marvel Legends 2-Pack Winter Soldier because the Toys R Us in my area sucks at stocking Marvel Legends. So when they announced this figure I was on the lookout every day since the announcement and the day of his release, I snagged one, a week later he arrived, and I was once again, estatic.  Nervous about stuck or loose joints (Happily none!), and just so happy to finally have a Winter Soldier figure. Anyway, let's get into it.

This particular figure is based off the artwork of Lee Bermejo from the cover's of Winter Soldier's 2012-2013 series, and that is a huge plus for me as I love Bermejo's artwork, and I loved all of his Winter Soldier covers. The sculpt is dead on when compared to the Character Bio image which is actually the cover to the second issue. Jean St. Jean sculpted this figure, and he knocked it out of the park, the detail is ridiculous, all of the wrinkles in his pants, the straps and buckles and pouches on his torso, his boots, gloves, and that cybernetic arm, all perfection. The head sculpt is also dead on, a lot of people think he has a huge chin, and it is big, but not atrocious at all to me. I mean this sculpt is just gorgeous, but I'll let the pictures do the talking.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The paint work is also fantastic. Mine had no slop, no missing paint apps, but if you actually get lucky and can find him in your Disney Store, definitely (like every figure) check the face. Other than that, I don't know, I suppose you could check everything given the type of box he comes in, but mine had no paint issues....God I love this figure...

Articulation and Accessories:

In terms of articulation,  the Winter Soldier comes packing. He has a ball jointed head that is slightly limited, it goes down fairly well, tilts side to side, rotates, but doesn't look up, which isn't a deal breaker, if you rotate the head It can look up a bit, but it doesn't bother me too much. He has a swivel-hinge shoulder, swivel bicep, hinge elbow, swivel wrists, ball jointed upper torso that is slightly limited in terms of leaning forward and back, but again, not TOO bad. He has a swivel waist, H-style hip joints which go out to the side well but forward they can't do a high kick, and they don't go back. He has a swivel above the knee, double-hinge knees, swivels at the boot, hinge at the ankle and an ankle pivot. So there is a lot of articulation,  some limited, but not too bad, I can still get pretty good poses with him but that is something to take into consideration if articulation makes or breaks a figure for you.

Now, accessories. Winter Soldier comes with a gigantic sniper rifle, seriously it's freaking huge, a pistol that fits perfectly into his holster, and a sub machine gun (I think?) that is attatched to a pliable strap. The sniper rifle has a huge scope and can go in either hand but fits best in the left (that goes for all of the guns). All of the guns are sculpted really damn well and have great paint apps, especially the pistol which has a great weathered look to it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lastly, the Winter Soldier comes with a really sick base! It has a really badass sculpt with a giant cracked window and bullet holes over the wall. The floor has 2 pegs for his feet and a sculpted on thermos, cup, some canister and a rag, and a moveable crate from Russia.

 



 
 OVERALL:
So, as I said I love Winter Soldier, so this figure was a no brainer for me, but for everyone else? I honestly would recommend it, he has a great amount of articulation and even with limitations  he can get some good poses, he has a ton of accessories, an amazing base, and looks stunning. I cannot  recommend him enough, and he is definitely my definitive Winter Soldier figure.
9.5 OUT OF 10!!!!!!!!