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 May.
It's always nice to see toys on the front of the Previews catalogue, and this time McFarlane Toys' Warriors of the Zodiac get the honor. Specifically, Aries. And then on page 1, we get an ad for the Hellboy II movie figures - but more on those when we get to the real listing.
As always, we feel the need to point out that DC Direct's Ame-Comi figures have adorably cute designs, but are over-priced statues. On page 139, Zatana and Donna Troy would be excellent toys, but they're not.
Page 140 brings us the most complicated name since the Batman/Superman/Public Enemies debacle with Secret Files Series 3: Batman Rogues Gallery Series 2. Two-Face, Poison Ivy, the Joker and Hugo Strange are all based on the art of Brian Bolland.
If you missed Batman and the Joker from DCD's The Long Halloween figures, you can get them in a two-pack on page 141.
Okay, here we are with the Warriors of the Zodiac listing on pages 170-171. Aries, Cancer, Taurus and Gemini. Three of these look good, and Gemini sucks. Seriously, even real people hate this thing. Rather than a good design, it's some kind of weird dick-slug. If you were born between May 21 and June 21, McFarlane Toys personally hates you.
The next page features Legend of the Blade Hunters, which is basically an excuse to expand the Dragons line beyond just dragons. Nice stuff, but needs articulation.
Remember when Bionicle was the cool new thing? Back then it had a comicbook, and new company Papercutz is collecting it in a new trade paperback. Check out the heroes of Mata Nui on page 322.
The Spider-Man Animated figures are listed again on page 442 - Unmasked Spidey, Venom and Doc Ock.
Wow, Toy Story is getting Galactic Heroes figures? Weirdly unexpected! See the debut of Toy Box Heroes on page 442.
There are two Batman: The Dark Knight listings on page 443: the plain figures (inexplicably listed as being in a 6" scale) and the Movie Masters figures, which are the good DCSH-style ones collectors will want. Are they really going to cost $15? Cripes!
NECA's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles box set is listed on page 445. remember, the box set doesn't come with the bases.
There's a ton of Incredible Hulk movie toys listings on page 446, but no pictures. Here's a tip: he's a big green guy. There, now you don't need to worry about seeing the pictures.
Sure they're plushes, but the Emily the Strange cats on page 448 are cute. A Pilot Kitty, a Ninja Kitty and a Skele-Posse Miles, all adorable.
Okay, Hellboy 2 figures from Mezco are listed on page 454. Johann, Wink, Nuada, Abe Sapien, Hb himself and... at long last... Liz! Finally! Thank you, Mezco!
Minimates fans will find a lot to like on page 456, where they'll find the BSG Razor and A Fistful of Dollars box sets.
Page 456 is also home to a new Harry Potter two-pack: the Year 2 Harry and Dumbledore set. Of course, these are the 3&190;" figures, not the real ones.
Spider-Man Trilogy figures are listed on page 458 - once again, it's one assortment of villains and one assortment of Spider-Men. Repaint sense is tingling!
you don't have to be a Trekkie to like the TOS "Mirror Mirror" Minimate box set on page 460 - after all, how can you pass up the originator of the "goatee = evil clone" trope?
There are two videogame listings on page 466: NECA's Gears of War figures, and Series 2 of the Halo Kubricks (green, gold, steel and white).
Why is NECA making Harry Potter resin statues out of their nice full-sized figures? The dioramas are neat, but the figures don't need LESS articulation. That's the wrong direction.
We usually skip over the "Designer Collectibles" section, but the 1000th Qee on page 480 is kind of neat.
And for Aliens fans, the 400% Alien Kubric may be tempting. 11" of boxy xenomorph? Imagine seeing THAT standing in your room at night!
And if you're tired of nothing but vinyl statues of chicks in the import section, check out the Fraulein Revoltech: Pocco figure on the same page. Still a half-dressed girl, but now poseable!
Couple of very creepy figures in the Doctor Who assortment on page 500 - namely, the Scarecrow and the Angel. If you've seen the episodes, you know how it goes.
Want the ultimate in Neon Genesis Evangelion figures? Check out Unit-02 on page 505, which features removable armor that reveals the living creature inside.
