Toy-A-Day for Japan

The earthquake and tsunami have caused extensive and severe damage in Northeastern Japan, leaving thousands of people confirmed dead, injured or missing, and millions more affected by lack of electricity, water and transportation.

I am giving away the Toy-A-Day CD containing the PDF of 100 toys (including some rare toys which are no longer available on this site) to anyone who makes a US$5 donation, with 100% proceeds going to the Red Cross to help the earthquake victims in Japan.

The CD is currently out of stock. Thanks to everyone who bought a CD. Your donation goes a long way in aid of the disaster in Japan.

Mermaid and Fairy Printable Playsets

Two NEW printable playset additions to the land of Mushroom Hill. Meet Sandy, Shelly and Pearl! These playful mermaids live in a sand castle on the sea floor. They love to explore the ocean and play with their sea friends.

Three darling fairy cottages in three different styles including birch wood, rose arbor and wood grain. Roof can be removed to keep fairy treasures from your nature walk or gifts for your fairy tea party.

Code: ST121

Price: $7

Height: 11cm

Availability: While Stock Last.

DC Universe Classics Thaal Sinestro

DC Universe Classics wave 3 probably has, in my opinion, the best line up of DC comic book characters compared to any other of the other 16 waves released to date.  That being said one of the action figures from that wave also has some of the most complaints of inaccuracy, more than any other action figure in the entire DC Universe Classics toy line.  That complaint was, "Why is Sinestro so damn short??"  Well, Mattel has now corrected that and released a new Sinestro action figure in a 2 pack.  Unfortunately we are only getting a Thaal Sinestro version and not a Sinestro Corps variant this time around.  So lets take a look at Thaal Sinestro. 

Wave 3 Sinestro was quite short.  Sinestro is suppose to actually be a bit taller than his nemesis, Hal Jordan.  I believe DC has him listed as 6 feet, 7 inches.  Mattel is still using some of the same body parts from the original Wave 3 Sinestro.  The head sculpt, forearms and hands are all still the same.

If you have the DCUC wave 3 version of Thaal Sinestro you will notice that the look of this action figure is practically idential.  The only change really is the size.  Does that warrent a new purchase?  Your choice.

In general, Thaal Sinestro has a slimmer build than Hal Jordan. Most of the other body parts used here look of similar size to the ones used for Deadman from DCUC Wave 11.

The torso, upper arms and legs are very comparable to Deadman.  You can see that, aside from the different details between the two action figures, they are basically share the same body frame.

The paint job on Thaal Sinestro is pretty good.  The eyes are yellow with a black pupil which is different than my Sinestro Corps version from wave 3 which were just pure yellow eyes.  The rest of the paint job is near perfect.  No slop or weak lines to speak of.

If you buy Thaal Sinestro in the Hal Jordan vs Thaal Sinestro two pack, you'll be lucky enough to get a few constructs included with the set.  One of the complaints about these accessories is, we've seen them before.  They are for the most part, just re-colored accessories used previously on the Metal Men, Iron and Gold as well as Hawkman's mace.

The wrench accessory in the picture above is pretty cool and can actually be loosened or tightened like an actual wrench.  The problem is, it does not fit over Sinestro's forearm or hand very well.  Since it was originally made for Iron in wave 12 who has a thicker forearm sculpt than Sinestro, it sits on Sinestro's forearm quite loosely and will not stay on properly.

The pick axe accessory, which was originally used on the Gold Metal Man action figure in wave 14 fits perfectly on Sinestro's hand.  The mace does fit into Sinestro's right open hand but it is a loose fit.  The staff of the mace needs to be a bit thicker for a perfect fit.  The good thing about these constructs is they can be used with other Sinestro Corps members if they have the proper hand sculpts.  The wrench for example fits perfectly on Maash's ring hand. 

Thaal Sinestro's articulation is exactly the same as the Wave 3 version.  You get all the standard DC Universe classics joints that we've all been use to.  Joints in the neck, shoulders, biceps, elbows wrists. abdominal, waist, hips, thighs, knees and ankles.  All joints were in fine working condition and were not too loose or tight.

Overall, Thaal Sinestro is a great action figure.  It does depict the character's classic look quite accurately however, I would probably much rather have an updated Sinestro Corps version.  I was contemplating using Sinestro's head and hands on the torso of a Maash or Low body but Thaal Sinestro's hands are too small and just doesn't look right on the more muscular body frame.  So I suppose I'll have to wait for a proper Sinestro Corps version to come out.  Maybe Mattel is saving that for the Green Lantern toy line. Anyway, at the end of the day, Thaal Sinestro corrects the height error made in DCUC wave 3 Sinestro and that is what most people were asking for.

Sculpt/Design - 9, Paint - 9, Accessories - 7, Articulation - 9, Fun - 8

Thaal Sinestro naturally comes in a vs Hal Jordan two pack but there are tons of auctions on eBay for just Sinestro, if you're looking to update him in your collection.  If you're not buying the 2 pack, you may find it hard to get a 'loose" Sinestro with the accessories.

To find Mattel's DC Universe Classics, Thaal Sinestro action figure on eBay, click here.   

Thanks for checking out Action Toy Review.  Be sure to help keep us going by visiting our sponsors and also be sure to check back for more news, info, previews and reviews on Mattel's DC Universe Classics action figures.

Garden Gnome Puppet Playdate

The mommy from Snap Dragon and Ginger Roots was inspired by her childhood love of puppets to create this magical garden gnome playdate. She built this amazing puppet theatre especially for the playdate. I'm so glad some of my gnome paper toys could make it to the event. Looks like the kiddos had fun playing with the puppets and gnome bowling. Snapdragon's blog features mommy and me activities including seasonal crafts, games and event ideas for families. Check out her blog for more photos of the party and playful ideas.

GODBEAST x RAMPAGE Wondercon Release

Big news for the upcoming Wondercon on April 1-3 in San Francisco - I'll be releasing some AWESOME new figures! This will be a 2 figure set - Sculpt/Mash-up by me and the release run of 15 sets all cast by Marty Hansen, better know as TGB - The GODBEAST Customs. Marty does some amazing work with Crystal Clear resin, and he deffinitely nailed it with these figures! They'll come bagged with a header card (I'll have the original header art for sale at Wondercon as well) - Clears will go for $35 a set and GID for $40 a set. Heres pics (I'm in Europe at the moment - some new pics when I get back!):

And, some logistics info - I'll be at booth Number 1239 with 'Imps and Monsters' - which is near exit number 13 on the Folsom Side of the Convention Hall. I'll have bundles of stuff, so come on by and say 'hi.'

Fantastic Toys Makes Babble.com Top 50 Shops

Fantastic Toys is very proud to land on a spot on Babble's first ever list of Top 50 Etsy Baby Shops! I'm thrilled to be # 17 on the list. I also ranked # 9 for Best Toys and #6 for Top Sellers. Check out the list to spot to some of your favorites.

What the Duck in Siem Reap - Part Three

 After the trip to the lake, WTD was hoping to get a taste of Amok fish and other local fares. He decided to have his dinner at Viroth Restaurant.

Nice ambience and friendly staff.

Food was great and cheap, but he wished there was sufficient lighting to know what he was eating!

Back at the hotel. For once, WTD felt perhaps his limbs were indeed too short.

He would have stayed in the tent overnight if not for the vicious mosquitoes.

Next morning. WTD woke up early to watch the sunrise over the main Angkor Wat complex (facing west), but it was too cloudy for picture taking..

He was really glad that this structure survived intact over years of colonial rule, war and Khmer Rouge reign in this stricken nation.

First good glimpse of the iconic Angkor Wat central structure.

Exchanging a few pointers with fellow photographers taking pictures of the reflected image of the complex on the lotus pond.

Big wat, small what.

Obligatory tourist shot

Taking in the sights

DC Universe Classics Green Lantern Wave 1 - Maash and Low

All is quiet these days on the DC Universe Classics news front ever since all the big announcements from the 2011 Toy Fair last month so that means its time for another review.  Lets make it 2 reviews  in one post this time and go back to the DC Universe Classics Green Lantern wave 1 set and review Maash and Low:

When you buy either a DCUC Maash or Low action figure you get one standard Sinestro Corps male body with interchangeable heads and hands of both characters.  I have purchased 2 action figures so I can have one body for each.  You can never have enough Sinestro Corps members to battle with your Green Lantern action figures. 

We've seen the body sculpt used for Maash and Low before.  Specifically on "The Color of Fear" two pack which features fellow Corps members Romat-Ru and Karu-Sil.  Maash and Low's bodies are the exact same body sculpt and paint job used on Romat-Ru.  Changing the head and hands of these two action figures is quite simple. The heads can be pop off rather easily but, no worries, once they are on, they are quite secure.  The hands require a bit more force to pop out but not that much.  The good thing, you probably have a very low change of damaging or breaking this toy which you've paid your good hard earned money on.

The paint job on the body sculpts is mediocre.  In some areas between the yellow and black colors you get some faded lines that aren't as sharp as they should be.   It was really the same problems I had with Sinestro from wave 2.  There is some areas of red shading on the yellow parts of the Corps Uniform.  Specifically on the shoulders and boots. 

Maash (above), in my opinion, is the looker of the two.  He, by far, has the best head sculpt.  His three screaming heads look amazing and the paint job on the heads is near perfect. 

Low (above) on the other hand, is not as impressive and that is probably totally due to the look of the character and not at all due to "the Horsemen" or Mattel.  Low's skin shows some great texture and the hand sculpts are unique.  The mouth is an long open tube.  I wish the teeth looked a little more sharp and ferocious.

Maash and Lows articulation is standard compared to most other DC Universe Classics action figures.  All the standard joints are there.  Both Maash and Low's heads pretty much works like a cut joint.  They only twist left and right with no up or down movement.  All other joints (shoulders, biceps, elbows wrists, abdominal, waist, hips, thighs, knees and ankles) were in fine working condition. 

Other than Arkillo's left leg and the lame paper 3D glasses, you get interchangeable heads and hands of Maash and Low.  No other accessories are included.  But that doesn't mean you can't use other Sinestro Corps constructs from other DCUC action figures.  Thaal Sinestro's wrench construct fits quite perfectly on Maash's left ring hand. 

Unfortunately for Low, since he has been sculpted with open hands, i don't have any accessories that fit him so it might be tough for him to win a fight against a GL.

Overall, Maash and Low are pretty good action figures to have.  Especially if you've got other Sinestro Corps members in your collection.  You can set up some pretty good action displays with this group of Corps and GL members. 

A few minor paint issues but in the end, totally worth the purchase.  If you like to keep your toys on display it may even be worth picking up a two of these bad boys so you can have a body for each head. 

Maash: Sculpt - 8.5, Paint - 7, Articulation - 8.5, Accessories - 5, Fun - 8.5

Low:  Sculpt - 8, Paint - 7, Articulation 8.5, Accessories - 5, Fun - 8. 

The DCUC Green Lantern toy series is now into its second wave so finding a Maash or Low may start to get difficult.  eBay is always a good source finding these action figures so if you're on the hunt for one of these bad boys, go check it out. 

To find DC Universe Classics Green Lantern - Maash on eBay, click here

To find DC Universe Classics Green Lantern - Low on eBay, click here 

To find other DC Universe Classics action figures on eBay, click here

Maash and Low look great with DCUC Wave 2's Sinestro (even though he's a shorter Sinestro).  Both are a great purchase for any Green Lantern fan. 

Thanks for checking out Action Toy Review.  Don't forget to check out our sponsors to help keep us going.  Be sure to check back for more news, info, previews and reviews on Mattel's DC Universe Classics action figures.