Best of 2017: DC Icons

Best of 2017: DC Icons

One:12 | Marvel Legends 6″ | Marvel Legends 3.75″ | Marvel Legends 12″ | Selects and Statues | Minimates | DC Icons

That happened a little too fast for my taste.  DC Icons was introduced in 2015, soared to glory with a stellar roster of well crafted, beautifully designed figures in 2016 and 2017, and now, it’s over.  Their Swan Song being the Doomsday / Superman Iconic Moments Death of Superman set.  DC Collectibles has officially ended / completed the line with that last set, and they are looking to bright, bigger tomorrow’s with the DC Essentials line to launch in 2018.  I can’t wait to see the line, get hands on it, the figures are similar to the design of Icons, but larger in scale.  What got me about DC Icons was the design for certain.  The faithful treatment of DC heroes I grew up with, from those time frames in comic history.  I hope that DC Essentials continues that philosophy, if they do, I’m sure it will be another hit line for DC Collectibles.  For now, let’s take a look at highlights from 2017 for DC Icons!

Rebirth Set Aquaman

This is a perfect take on a fantastic iteration of Aquaman, Rebirth’s version of Aquaman continues to be one of the best written books in the lineup, and this figure is just amazing.

 

Rebirth Set Wonder Woman

Two DC Icons Wonder Women to choose from, but this more Amazonian look wins it for me.  She’s larger in scale, the color palate is more true to my notion of what Wonder Woman should look like, and that hair!!!

 

Supergirl

Rebirth Supergirl really does an exceptional job of taking the traditional Supergirl look and modernizing her. DC Icons did an exceptional job of capturing that look in plastic.  Included flight stand works fantastic as well!

 

Nightwing

I wasn’t sold on this Nightwing when it was first announced, he seemed to be a little short for a Storm Trooper.  In hand though, he’s a great figure, highly pose-able, authentic comic-look from the Hush run of books.  The way the blue logo paint pops off of the deep, rich black, this figure is outstanding, throw in some bat grapple accessories, it’s even better than outstanding!

 

Deathstroke

In 2016 I was enamored with Firestorm.  He’s still the golden standard by which I will hold all other Firestorm figures.  In 2017, that same title, that same standard goes to Deathstroke.  DC Icons throws in a ton of great tricks with this figure, scalloped armor sculpt detail, shimmery blue paint, highly pose-able, tons of great, authentic weaponry, and those boot flaps!  Deathstroke takes home DC Icons figure of the year for me, hands down.

 

Wishes for 2018

I sincerely hope that the DC Essentials line in 6/7 inch scale, that will go on to supplant DC Icons in 2018 and beyond, is a massive hit with figures at least as fantastic as what we got out of DC Icons.  I hope DC Collectibles chooses wisely with characters, and mixes both the standard must haves with characters that maybe were not addressed early on in the DC Icons line, like Red Tornado, Doctor Fate, and Martian Manhunter.  I’m really bummed that this is the end of the line for DC Icons.  It was one of my favorite lines while it lasted.  I’ve since trimmed my collection and kept only the figures of characters that are favorites.  As DC Essentials figures hit retail, I’ll likely cycle those newer larger figures into the collection, until eventually DC Icons is fully replaced and upgraded.  Everything I’ve seen out of DC Essentials looks bigger, and, I didn’t think it possible, but better than DC Icons.  I’m gonna miss you DC Icons!  Thanks for a great run!

Best of 2017: Marvel Minimates

Best of 2017: Marvel Minimates

One:12 | Marvel Legends 6″ | Marvel Legends 3.75″ | Marvel Legends 12″ | Selects and Statues | Minimates | DC Icons

2017 was one of my favorite years yet for Minimates since I have gotten in on the Minimate action!  We got quite a few great series’ and of those series, I was thrilled to be able to review the series we did here, specifically because one of them included my favorite Minimate of all time!  Read on friends!

Blizzard Donald Gill

If it’s possible to have a favorite color Minimate, it’s Donald Gill!  The colors just explode off of him.

 

Howard The Duck

Me and Howard go way back.  So when I heard a Minimate of him was coming, all over it!  DST really knocked the likeness out of the park!

 

Captain Marvel 

I’m not this iteration of Captain Marvel’s biggest fan, but this is a fantastic Minimate.  Really captures the character, tons of fun accessories and display options included!

 

The Black Knight 

My 2017 favorite, one of my all time favorite Minimates, Black Knight!  DST did an amazing job with this character, making flat paint look like textured chain mail.  His facial expression, the sword, the helmet, the cape, all of it.  Fantastic figure!

Wishes for 2018

Minimates in 2018?  I feel like the only toy line that could pull this off is Minimates, so I’m gonna be extra wishful.  Give me a box set.  I want the Abnett and Lanning Guardians of the Galaxy extended family, and then I want the classic Vance Astro / Yondu / Martinex Guardians of the Galaxy.  Consider my wish sent out into the universe, and as long as it returns with awesome Minimates in 2018, consider it mostly granted.

MUReview received these products for free for review purposes.

Diamond Select Toys Minimates: Marvel Black Panther Movie Box Set 4-PackĀ 

Diamond Select Toys Minimates: Marvel Black Panther Movie Box Set 4-PackĀ 

Diamond Select Toys Minimates: Marvel Black Panther Movie Box Set 4-Pack 

The litlgeeks are massive Black Panther fans, so when this four pack of Minimates showed up featuring four characters from 2018’s Black Panther, they were pretty excited.  Let’s check out the set!

Black Panther | Powered Up Kill Monger | Shuri | M’Baku |  The Rest | Availability Family Photos

Black Panther

  • Razor sharp line work here, looks outstanding.
  • Interchangeable mask / hair.
  • Clawed hands look vicious.
  • Deep rich black coloring, perfect representation of on screen character.

Powered Up Kill Monger (Exclusive To This Set)

  • Only available in the comic store four pack, this Powered Up Kill Monger is a site to behold!
  • Incredible depth and detail in the art / markings on his costume.  
  • Every bit as vicious looking as Black Panther, same interchangeable mask / hair.

 

Shuri

  • Shuri packs an outstanding amount of line work detail on her chest, and a massive amount of clear, crisp detail on her face.
  • Beautiful hair, multiple color highlights and tones.
  • WE GOOFED!  Shuri has the Panther fists, M’Baku has the staff.  Until we can update images, please feel free to use your imagination!

 

M’Baku

  • Dude’s got a mean Mohawk!
  • WE GOOFED!  Shuri has the Panther fists, M’Baku has the staff.  Until we can update images, please feel free to use your imagination!

 

 

The Rest

An excellent way to start off 2018, checking out these fantastic Black Panther movie Minimates!  Each figure is loaded with detail, each is screen accurate, and of course, you get the fun of swapping in and out parts to make your own Mega Black Panther…cast!

Availability

This set is the comic store / specialty exclusive set.  It will be available in those local shops, or you can grab it direct from Diamond Select toys today for $24.99!

Family Photos!

 

 

MUReview received this product for free for review purposes. These toys are meant for ages 8 and up.  This video and post are for entertainment purposes only.

Best of 2017: Diamond Select Selects and Statues

Best of 2017: Diamond Select Selects and Statues

One:12 | Marvel Legends 6″ | Marvel Legends 3.75″ | Marvel Legends 12″ | Selects and Statues | Minimates | DC Icons

2017 was the year that Diamond Select really went big.  Their Gallery and Premiere Collection statue lines exploded with amazing statues of unforgettable characters.  Their Select line of figures also continued to pump out fantastic figures.  Going back through our catalog of reviews for 2017, we had a great look at the Guardians of the Galaxy Select figures, and nowhere near as much else of the releases in 2017 as we would have liked.  Stellar figures like Homecoming Spider-Man, Planet Hulk Hulk, and Lady Deadpool.  It was because of this abbreviated look at the line, we are going to include our Select favorite here among a few of our favorite Diamond Select Toys statues for the year.  

 

Doctor Strange Gallery Statue

This Gallery scale statue is the cream of the crop for me.  Doctor Strange’s cape makes the statue, but as a whole it’s beautiful.  Sculpt, paint, detail, it’s so lightweight, and the floating effect.  I really love this statue.  

Marvel Select Star-Lord

My favorite Marvel Select figure of the year.  Star-Lord packs a ton of detail, has a great look, awesome weapons, a flight stand!  

 

Thanos Statue

Many items came through the doors of MUReview.net and litlgeeks in 2017.  Toys, gadgets, video games, a few movies, we enjoyed all of them, we brought you reviews of all of the things.  I would suggest though here, in this Thanos Premiere Collection statue, we have the finest thing, my most favorite thing of 2017.  I have been eagerly looking for a great Thanos statue since I first started collecting Marvel stuff in about 2008.  He’s been number one on my want list for a very long time.  Thanks to Diamond Select Toys in 2017, wish fulfilled.  Not only fulfilled, but really fulfilled in a big way.  This statue is large.  He is heavy, and he is just pretty.  He comes with a Gauntlet, a Cosmic Cube, and an Infinity Stone adorned base.  He’s wearing his most iconic look.  I want for nothing with this statue, and I can’t thank Diamond Select Toys enough for sending it to me.  

 

Wishes for 2017

Where do we go from here?  It was an outstanding year for Marvel Select, an outstanding year for Gallery, and an unbelievable year for the Premiere Collection.  In 2018, mostly, I just want to see more.  We’ve got the Avengers movie coming out, I can’t wait to see what pieces DST comes up with to support that in Select.  For Gallery, let’s be real, for Gallery and Premiere, I want Nova.  It’s kinda my thing.  I have a crazy awesome Nova statue, that doesn’t mean I don’t want at least two more….  Realistically speaking though, the sky is the limit for both statue lines.  Both lines are beautiful, and both lines are substantially more affordable than some of the other folks making Marvel statues.  My hope true hope is that fans continue to gobble these statues up at retail, because I want them to be around forever!

MUReview received these products for free for review purposes.

Best of 2017: Marvel Legends 12 Inch

Best of 2017: Marvel Legends 12 Inch

One:12 | Marvel Legends 6″ | Marvel Legends 3.75″ | Marvel Legends 12″ | Selects and Statues | Minimates | DC Icons

Marvel Legends 12 inch line started of strong in 2016, addressing three marquee Marvel characters in Captain America, Iron Man, and Spider-Man.  In 2017, the line brought out some big guns and continued to show off how nice figures in 12 inch scale can look.  The roster included Deadpool (two ways), Hulk, Thor, black suit Spidey, and just at the edge of 2018, Tiger Stripe Wolverine is hitting shelves.   Thanks to some good friends at Hasbro, we got a look at the 2016 figures this year, and a few of the 2017 figures.  The 2016 figures are fantastic.  The 2017 figures show the line maturing, 2018 offers some nice promise.  Let’s check out my favorites of the year. 

Daredevil

This SDCC exclusive 12-inch Daredevil is a beautiful figure.  All the right accessories included.  Billy clubs, extra hands, fist / forearm wraps.  The figure as beautiful as it is was half the story.  The packaging he came in was pure art from the folks at Marvel.  I think HasbroToyShop.com may still have some available, if they do, you shouldn’t wait on this, go get it!

Deadpool

I had so much fun shooting this figure, and I’ve learned, I really get to have a blast whenever I shoot a Deadpool figure.  This one in particular though, with the 2016 12 inch figure, good times.  Add in Headpool?  This was one of my favorite figures of 2017.

 

Hopes for 2018

We know that Black Panther is coming, and while Wolverine is hitting around now, he’s technically a 2018 release.  What I want from this line beyond the announced is what I want from the 3.75 inch line.  Something not necessarily as guaranteed as with 6 inch.  More, I want a copious roster of my favorite heroes in this scale.  The design on these figures and what the Hasbro team can do in this scale is barely limited even by imagination.  I want more figures…I want Nova (Prime) most of all!

MUReview received some of these products for free for review purposes.