It's time once again to thumb through the toy section of this month's Previews, and see what goodies we can uncover. Scheduled to start shipping in November.<\/p>\n
As is the case so often, we're into the DC Direct section before we see any toys. The fun starts on page 129 with the 13\" Green Arrow<\/b> figure. The articulation on this is even less impressive than on the regular toys, so forget about any good archery poses from him.<\/p>\n
Matt Wagner's Trinity<\/B> story is brought to life on page 132 - Superman isn't much to look at, but Batman and Wonder Woman are nice, and we're finally getting our first shirted Ra's Al Ghul. Nice!<\/p>\n
On page 133, you can see Jack Kirby's New Gods<\/b> figures: Mister Miracle, Lightray, Orion and Darkseid.<\/p>\n
McFarlane Toys once again proves its ability to strike while the iron is no longer hot by offering a Simpsons Movie<\/b> set on page 163. Here's a hint, guys: if the only movement in your figure is motorized, you're not making action figures, you're making snowglobes, no matter how much sound they have.<\/p>\n
NFL Series 16<\/b> is on page 164, and here's the pertinent info: Ravens, Broncos, Browns, 49ers, Cowboys, Chargers. Bask in the glory of an action figure sitting on the bench. Yay.<\/p>\n
The 49ers 3-pack<\/b> on page 165 features Jerry Rice and Joe Montana, which is a no-brainer, but also Ronnie Lott. Because, what, two-packs aren't cost-effective?<\/p>\n
On page 166-7, McToys does for Christmas what it did for Oz: Monsters Series 5: Twisted X-Mas<\/b>. The early winner is Jack Frost, followed by Rudolph, the Snowman, Stripper Pole Mrs. Claus, Santa himself and finally the elves, bringing up the rear.<\/p>\n
The next two pages debut the laughable Beowulf<\/b> figures. Since ToyBiz pretty much showed the entire industry how to do a movie license right when they had the Lord of the Rings line, you might think Todd's movie toys would be something other than glorified PVCs. You'd be wrong.<\/p>\n
Page 170: Hockey<\/b>. Nobody cares.<\/p>\n
Page 171: 3\" Hockey<\/b>. Still nobody cares.<\/p>\n
Page 173: Elvis box set<\/b>. Get the Bubba Ho-Tep figure instead.<\/p>\n
Another Jack Bauer<\/b> figure is kicking down the door on page 174. Hopefully this one didn't have to be sculpted twice, like the last one.<\/p>\n
Wow, Series 19 and 20 of the Marvel Minimates<\/b> are listed on page 195. 19 features Spidey\/Mysterio, Ms Marvel\/Ultron and Archangel\/Apocalypse. 20 features Smart Hulk\/Abomination, Havok\/Polaris, and Hawkeye\/Vision. Aren't they about five series lat with Minimates, now? Maybe they should catch up before soliciting more?<\/p>\n
Page 435 lists a lot of Transformers movie<\/b> merchandise that's already hit stores, but if you've given up on Wal*Mart and Target, this may be your answer.<\/p>\n
You a big fan of 5\" Fantastic Four figures<\/b>? Of course you're not. But they're on page 436, along with the Marvel Legends Icons<\/b> versions of Nightcrawler, Daredevil, Colossus and Phoenix. Plus, the Marvel Legends Fantastic Four<\/b> assortment. Yay! Take THAT, crappy movie toys!<\/p>\n
Star Wars fans will like the Star Wars Expanded Universe sets<\/b> on page 438: Anakin Skywalker\/Assassin Droid, Baron Fell\/Derek Klivin, and Lieutenants Jundlands and Shan. Star Wars fans will also know who any of those people are.<\/p>\n
On page 439, SOTA's Street Fighter Revolutions Series 1<\/b> are finally shown. Since this may be the only assortment they successfully get out the door, it has R. Mika (meh) and fan-favorites Dhalsim, E. Honda and Zangief.<\/p>\n
There are two sets of Back To The Future Minimates<\/b> on page 440, including a box set and a two-pack.<\/p>\n
If you haven't been able to find the Shaun of the Dead Winchester 2-pack<\/b> anywhere (and really, who has?), you can order it for $27.99. Might be worth it.<\/p>\n
Page 444 lists four new Star Trek: The Next Generation<\/b> figures: Nemesis<\/i> Crusher, Nurse Ogawa, and Miles O'Brien, plus the exclusive Ensign Ro.<\/p>\n
There's some vague listing for a new series of Star Wars <\/b> figures on page 446, but it's almost impossible to tell what's actually supposed to be in it.<\/p>\n
The goodness continues on 448 with new Star Wars Transformers<\/b> - Luke\/Snowspeeder, AT-AT Driver\/AT-AT, and Commander Cody\/Clon Tank. And immediately below that are 2\" Unleashed Battle Packs<\/b>.<\/p>\n
The expensive<\/s> Designer section begins on page 469. Anything worthwhile this time? (flip flip flip) No.<\/p>\n
If you dug Final Fantasy XII<\/b>, then check out the Cloud, Tifa and Aerith figures on page 482\/3. Realistic sculpts and tons of articulation (rather than solid lumps of cartoony figures, like we've seen before).<\/p>\n
Page 486 is the landing spot for two Doctor Who<\/b> sets, based on \"Daleks in Manhattan\" and \"The Satan Pit\".<\/p>\n
NECA has two products weirdly hidden in the back: Assassin's Creed: Altair<\/b> and God of War: \"Ares Armor\" Kratos<\/b> are hiding on page 515, so don't overlook them.<\/p>\n