tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53676859392708395502024-02-07T06:41:04.657-05:00SpartanNerdThis blog will cover comics (vintage and current), Magic the Gathering and similar stuff, video games (vintage and current), movies (old and new), music, and other "Nerdtainment."Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367685939270839550.post-75965137565093017692014-07-23T22:16:00.000-04:002014-07-23T22:16:41.143-04:00SpartanNerd thoughts on MOTUC and COMIC CON reveals.<header class="entry-header" style="background-color: #022300; color: #b29d85; font-family: Ubuntu, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; position: relative;"><h1 class="entry-title" style="border: 0px; clear: both; color: #d7c2a8; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 2.4rem; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px 50px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></h1>
<div class="entry-meta" style="border: 0px; clear: both; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1rem; font-style: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.05em; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://spartannerd.com/2014/07/23/spartannerd-thoughts-on-motuc-and-comic-con-reveals/" rel="bookmark" style="border: 0px; color: #b94f25; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="10:13 pm"><time class="entry-date" datetime="2014-07-23T22:13:48+00:00" pubdate="">JULY 23, 2014</time></a><span class="byline" style="border: 0px; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> BY <span class="author vcard" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="url fn n" href="http://spartannerd.com/author/spartannerd/" rel="author" style="border: 0px; color: #b94f25; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="View all posts by spartannerd">SPARTANNERD</a></span></span></div>
<div class="comments-link" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.5rem; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.4; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 0px; top: 0.05em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://spartannerd.com/2014/07/23/spartannerd-thoughts-on-motuc-and-comic-con-reveals/#respond" style="background-color: black; border-bottom-left-radius: 20px; border-bottom-right-radius: 20px; border-top-left-radius: 20px; border-top-right-radius: 20px; border: 0px; color: #b94f25; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; min-width: 2em; outline: 0px; padding: 0.3em 0.5em; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Comment on SpartanNerd thoughts on MOTUC and COMIC CON reveals."><span class="no-reply" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; visibility: hidden;"></span></a></div>
</header><div class="entry-content" style="background-color: #022300; border: 0px; color: #b29d85; font-family: Ubuntu, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin: 1.615em 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Ok.!</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<img alt="" class="alignnone" height="600" src="http://www.he-man.org/assets/images/home_news/attachment49_full.jpg" style="background-color: #120f10; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.901961) 0px 0px 5px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; width: auto;" width="600" /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
SQUEEEEEEE!</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Seriously. <span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> I must have this.!!!.</strong></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
When will they make an Attack Track?</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<img alt="" class="alignnone" height="800" src="http://www.he-man.org/assets/images/home_news/10552466_907798265902530_7087872788553858477_n_full.jpg" style="background-color: #120f10; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.901961) 0px 0px 5px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; width: auto;" width="451" /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
About Tongue Lasher, he is my favorite Snake Man. But the tongue here just looks wrong. I prefer the paper-ish tongue on the vintage figure.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The new She-Ra looks cool…</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<img alt="" class="alignnone" height="960" src="http://www.he-man.org/assets/images/home_news/10564924_750233305022353_778242345_n_full.jpg" style="background-color: #120f10; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.901961) 0px 0px 5px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; width: auto;" width="540" /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<img alt="" class="alignnone" height="590" src="http://news.mattycollector.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/BHG36_002_newsPage.jpg" style="background-color: #120f10; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.901961) 0px 0px 5px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; width: auto;" width="300" /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Eldor always has looked cool. Way better than He-Ro.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
I won’t bother posting a pic of Sweet Bee. Not interested.</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367685939270839550.post-90388278166526991842014-07-18T00:06:00.000-04:002014-07-18T00:08:44.537-04:00SpartanNerd Review…M15 Pre-release sealed deck experience<br />
<header class="entry-header" style="color: #b29d85; font-family: Ubuntu, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; position: relative;"><h1 class="entry-title" style="background-color: #022300; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #d7c2a8; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 2.4rem; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px 50px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
SpartanNerd Review…M15 Pre-release sealed deck experience</h1>
<div class="entry-meta" style="border: 0px; clear: both; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1rem; font-style: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.05em; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="background-color: #022300;">
<a href="http://spartannerd.com/2014/07/17/spartannerd-review-m15-pre-release-sealed-deck-experience/" rel="bookmark" style="border: 0px; color: #b94f25; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="11:57 pm"><time class="entry-date" datetime="2014-07-17T23:57:56+00:00" pubdate="">JULY 17, 2014</time></a><span class="byline" style="border: 0px; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> BY <span class="author vcard" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="url fn n" href="http://spartannerd.com/author/spartannerd/" rel="author" style="border: 0px; color: #b94f25; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="View all posts by spartannerd">SPARTANNERD</a></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: #022300;">
<span class="byline" style="border: 0px; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="byline" style="background-color: cyan; border: 0px; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Be sure to visit <a href="http://spartannerd.com/" target="_blank">SpartanNerd.Com!</a></span></div>
<div class="comments-link" style="background-color: #022300; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.5rem; font-style: inherit; line-height: 1.4; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 0px; top: 0.05em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://spartannerd.com/2014/07/17/spartannerd-review-m15-pre-release-sealed-deck-experience/#respond" style="background-color: black; border-bottom-left-radius: 20px; border-bottom-right-radius: 20px; border-top-left-radius: 20px; border-top-right-radius: 20px; border: 0px; color: #b94f25; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; min-width: 2em; outline: 0px; padding: 0.3em 0.5em; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Comment on SpartanNerd Review…M15 Pre-release sealed deck experience"><span class="no-reply" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; visibility: hidden;"></span></a></div>
</header><br />
<div class="entry-content" style="background-color: #022300; border: 0px; color: #b29d85; font-family: Ubuntu, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin: 1.615em 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
For the first time ever, this weekend I made it to the top 4 of a magic tournament. But this time was even more extra special…It was a sealed deck pre-release!</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
In case the reader is unfamiliar, Sealed Deck is a limited form of MTG that requires you only play with cards you open. Generally, you get five booster packs, open them, and build your deck from those cards and those cards only. The Pre-Release is just a little different, because you get to play with a promo card and an extra “seeded” pack, which is meant to support your strategy. You choose a color when you sign up, and your seeded pack will contain cards of that color and with synergy with your strategy. (was that redundant?)</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
This time was different, I believe, because I studied for the event well ahead of time. And I went into the event with a plan in mind.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
But it didn’t hurt that my cards worked really well together!</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Here are pics and commentary!</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://spartannerd.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/0-whole-deck.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-width: 0px; color: #fcb03e; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="0 whole deck" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-970" src="http://spartannerd.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/0-whole-deck.jpg?w=300&h=178" height="178" style="background-color: #120f10; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.901961) 0px 0px 5px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; width: auto;" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
I crafted this deck from my card pool. Green and Black were my star colors. I felt very comfortable playing these two colors together. I splashed a little red and white for added removal.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://spartannerd.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/1-drops.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-width: 0px; color: #fcb03e; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="1 drops" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-971" src="http://spartannerd.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/1-drops.jpg?w=225&h=300" height="300" style="background-color: #120f10; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.901961) 0px 0px 5px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; width: auto;" width="225" /></a></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
These one drops really didn’t do that much. They became targets for Yisan, who I will be discussing shortly.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://spartannerd.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/2-drops.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-width: 0px; color: #fcb03e; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="2 drops" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-972" src="http://spartannerd.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/2-drops.jpg?w=225&h=300" height="300" style="background-color: #120f10; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.901961) 0px 0px 5px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; width: auto;" width="225" /></a></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Satyr Wayfinder and Black Cat are old friends of mine. They accomplished their jobs well. The Satyr Wayfinder made sure there were things in my graveyard to use as resources. This was one of my goals.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://spartannerd.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/3-drops.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-width: 0px; color: #fcb03e; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="3 drops" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-973" src="http://spartannerd.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/3-drops.jpg?w=225&h=300" height="300" style="background-color: #120f10; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.901961) 0px 0px 5px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; width: auto;" width="225" /></a></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Now for the good stuff. Netcaster Spider was a star at blocking flyers. In limited formats, such as sealed deck, people choose flyers when they can. The Necrogen Scudder is an old friend. He hurts you when he enters the battlefield, though. And then there is Yisan.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Yisan deserves his own paragraph. Yisan the Wanderer Bard is a music card. Right up my alley! Never once was he removed. I guess my opponents didn’t think him that big a threat. But guess what? Oh yes. He was the secret to winning most of my games. You pay his ability cost, onc green and two others, and then tap him. You get a “verse counter.” Then you get to find a creature from your deck with the Convereted Mana Cost of the number of verse counters he has on him. SICK! As mentioned already, the one drops were usually elvish mystics. The two drops, well they were the Satyr Wayfinders usually. The three drops were the only two possibilities. And the four drops were the next card I want to discuss.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://spartannerd.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/4-drops.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-width: 0px; color: #fcb03e; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="4 drops" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-974" src="http://spartannerd.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/4-drops.jpg?w=225&h=300" height="300" style="background-color: #120f10; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.901961) 0px 0px 5px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; width: auto;" width="225" /></a></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Undergrowth Scavenger. His power and toughness are equal to the number of creature cards in the graveyard. And I scored two of these guys in my sealed deck! He was almost always a 6 or 7 power and toughness and demanded an answer from my opponent, that they usually wouldn’t have.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://spartannerd.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/5-drops.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-width: 0px; color: #fcb03e; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="5 drops" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-975" src="http://spartannerd.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/5-drops.jpg?w=225&h=300" height="300" style="background-color: #120f10; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.901961) 0px 0px 5px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; width: auto;" width="225" /></a> <a href="https://spartannerd.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/6-lilliana.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-width: 0px; color: #fcb03e; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="6 lilliana" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-976" src="http://spartannerd.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/6-lilliana.jpg?w=225&h=300" height="300" style="background-color: #120f10; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.901961) 0px 0px 5px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; width: auto;" width="225" /></a></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Other cards that took advantage of the graveyard were Rotfeaster Maggot, and Lilliana Vess. Have I ever Mentioned that Lilliana is my favorite Magic card ever? (I actually have a top three. All black. Lilliana Vess, Grave Titan, and Elbrus the Binding Blade/Withengar Unbound.)</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Once during the evening I got to ultimate Lilliana. My opponent just scooped right away!</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
The Rotfeaster Maggot was included to help me recoup life loss from Necrogen Scudder and from a few other cards that had me paying life.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://spartannerd.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/7-promo.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-width: 0px; color: #fcb03e; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="7 promo" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-977" src="http://spartannerd.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/7-promo.jpg?w=225&h=300" height="300" style="background-color: #120f10; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.901961) 0px 0px 5px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; width: auto;" width="225" /></a></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Ah, the promo of the evening. If he wasn’t answered, GG. Usually my opponents wouldn’t sac someone or pay three life right away. But card advantage is one secret to winning in Magic. It didn’t usually take but two card draws and them being hammered a couple of times with him for them to pay the life.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<img alt="10 soul of inistrad" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-980" src="http://spartannerd.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/10-soul-of-inistrad.jpg?w=225&h=300" height="300" style="background-color: #120f10; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.901961) 0px 0px 5px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; width: auto;" width="225" /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
One more worthy mention. I actually got Soul of Innistrad. One of the cards I had my eye on since it was previewed. The Soul was a star if I ever got him out. at 6/6, he’s hard to kill. In the graveyard, he can get creatures into your hand from your graveyard. On the battlefield he can too. Only once was he removed. (Pillar of Light. A white exile spell with the condition that the toughness of the creature must be 4 or greater.) Exiling him is just about the only way to deal with him.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Onto my removal. I passed up a few cards in my card pool. Festergloom and Crippling Blight, as well as Covenant of Blood. All black spells that should have worked. But I opted for the better options in other colors instead. This was a critical choice, especially with the splash of red. Heat Ray and Lightning Strike were just too good to pass up. Oppressive Rays is a star in sealed deck limited. It rarely got used during this event, however. Ulcerate was one of those cards that penalized my life total. But it is so powerful at one drop.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://spartannerd.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/8-removal-and-splash.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-width: 0px; color: #fcb03e; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="8 removal and splash" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-978" src="http://spartannerd.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/8-removal-and-splash.jpg?w=225&h=300" height="300" style="background-color: #120f10; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.901961) 0px 0px 5px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; width: auto;" width="225" /></a> <a href="https://spartannerd.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/9-removal.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-width: 0px; color: #fcb03e; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="9 removal" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-979" src="http://spartannerd.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/9-removal.jpg?w=225&h=300" height="300" style="background-color: #120f10; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.901961) 0px 0px 5px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; width: auto;" width="225" /></a></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://spartannerd.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/11-other-spells.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-width: 0px; color: #fcb03e; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="11 other spells" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-981" src="http://spartannerd.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/11-other-spells.jpg?w=225&h=300" height="300" style="background-color: #120f10; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.901961) 0px 0px 5px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; width: auto;" width="225" /></a></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
There were three other spells. I thoroughly enjoyed playing Necrobite. I would surprise my opponent…he would think he was trading creatures with me, then, BAM. I got one over on him. Stab Wound was cited as putting pressure on one opponent. And I was able to finish off two opponents with Sign In Blood. This card was also useful in getting me cards a couple of times.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://spartannerd.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/12-swamps.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-width: 0px; color: #fcb03e; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="12 swamps" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-982" src="http://spartannerd.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/12-swamps.jpg?w=300&h=225" height="225" style="background-color: #120f10; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.901961) 0px 0px 5px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; width: auto;" width="300" /></a> <a href="https://spartannerd.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/13-forests.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-width: 0px; color: #fcb03e; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="13 forests" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-983" src="http://spartannerd.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/13-forests.jpg?w=225&h=300" height="300" style="background-color: #120f10; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.901961) 0px 0px 5px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; width: auto;" width="225" /></a> <a href="https://spartannerd.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/14-other-lands-and-radiant-fountain.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-width: 0px; color: #fcb03e; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="14 other lands and radiant fountain" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-984" src="http://spartannerd.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/14-other-lands-and-radiant-fountain.jpg?w=300&h=183" height="183" style="background-color: #120f10; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 1px solid rgb(102, 102, 102); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.901961) 0px 0px 5px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; width: auto;" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Now for the boring part. LANDS. I didn’t get any pain lands. I did get two Radiant Fountain. But in the end I thought it better to just run one copy.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
So my deck did several things well!</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Flyers. <strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Check</strong>!</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Graveyard Digging. <strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Check</strong>!</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Life Gain. <strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Check</strong>!</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Card Advantage. <strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Check</strong>!</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
I may never be so lucky with a set of cards again!</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
I went 3 and 1. The only loss for the night was against a mirror. The guy had more Sign in Blood than I had. He told me I dumped the game against him by playing cautious near the end and not swinging all out.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Other people I played didn’t hardly stand a chance. I played one White Weenie guy. The flyers took him out. I played a guy who played control. But he couldn’t respond to the graveyard strategy or to Yisan the Wanderer Bard’s ability. One guy was trying to take advantage of Convoke. (Bad idea.)</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
I saw almost no one else play a planes walker, or a Soul. Wonder why I was so lucky?</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
In the end, I won TEN PACKS OF M15 cards! (The top four were tied at 3-1. We all voted to split the box.) My winnings netted me an Avacyn, Guardian Angel, and a Chord of Calling, as well as a black-green pain land and a red-blue pain land. I also traded for Ob Nixilis, Unshackled, and Scuttling Doom Engine. Not bad! I even traded for a Jace, the Living Guildpact!</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Compared to M14, M15 is THE BOMB. The power level here is similar to what was in M13, with all those legendary creatures. The Soul cards also sort of remind you of the Titans. (M14 was a dud. It just couldn’t cut it. The slivers were lame. Red was good. Mutavault and Doom Blade were good. But other things really weren’t so good in the end.</div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I rate M15 based on my Sealed Deck experience at 5/5.</strong> How did your experience go? Do you feel the same as me? Let me know in the comments!</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367685939270839550.post-74367185111608829982014-03-20T23:21:00.002-04:002014-03-20T23:22:34.854-04:00SpartanNerd has moved to SPARTANNERD.COM !!!!<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1.3em;">
SpartanNerd has moved to SPARTANNERD.COM !!!!This is big news, oh Hub City Geeks! The Blogger (Blogspot) page was sort of stunted...It gave me statistics about traffic (I had over 5000 hits there!), but several other things weren't working correctly, including adsense. And Google pretty much demands you sign over your identity to them, (which I am not willing to do. Neither should you. "Don't Be Evil." What a joke.)</div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1.3em;">
I will now try using Wordpress. Which I think I already like better.</div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1.3em;">
Keep the page views coming! I will keep the old blog up for awhile, let's see how this takes off. Thanks for all of the support, readers!</div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1.3em;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1.3em;">
New content coming soon...</div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1.3em;">
Review of the Born of the Gods Event Deck.</div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1.3em;">
Review of new MOTUC!</div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1.3em;">
More Transformers. (I am only going to review the good stuff!)</div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1.3em;">
A review of some recent Marvel movies...Iron Man 3 and Thor: The Dark World</div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1.3em;">
AND MORE OF THE "NERDTAINMENT" THAT WE ALL LOVE!</div>
<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1.3em;">
Don't let me lose you....Get on over to SpartanNerd.com and see what it is all about!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367685939270839550.post-49907421584476765212014-03-06T22:48:00.001-05:002014-03-06T22:48:17.478-05:00SpartanNerd Unboxing and Review..."Battle the Horde" Magic the Gathering Challenge Deck<div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: center;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Battle the Horde Challenge Deck</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1316WIMaTq1kBeAQd81gxcynNH98hkiNP0urgarUJ1bjTsy4eSHJxN28WbLly74_B-PpKAMpoOZt-4c4HIQwEhTFxJVNxClaxhtQBHjmK0r7dvZYRAeUGGZFWVxldp9eZIDxyCTPIi7U/s1600/box+back.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1316WIMaTq1kBeAQd81gxcynNH98hkiNP0urgarUJ1bjTsy4eSHJxN28WbLly74_B-PpKAMpoOZt-4c4HIQwEhTFxJVNxClaxhtQBHjmK0r7dvZYRAeUGGZFWVxldp9eZIDxyCTPIi7U/s1600/box+back.JPG" height="200" width="134" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfIjVf4NV_kxGAVSyPM4LBrgZk7sfZEMtKzd0zJdAcBd7BjoKh_3jAonSGI1ihI2tF8SuFUH9o-2yRr0pRAlx1Y1-Soiu0S8PLsGvNeMzKPnkM6ws1EPe0uGTam0fNd4f096Ls5EaDLg/s1600/box+front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfIjVf4NV_kxGAVSyPM4LBrgZk7sfZEMtKzd0zJdAcBd7BjoKh_3jAonSGI1ihI2tF8SuFUH9o-2yRr0pRAlx1Y1-Soiu0S8PLsGvNeMzKPnkM6ws1EPe0uGTam0fNd4f096Ls5EaDLg/s1600/box+front.jpg" height="200" width="163" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">While Magic Game Day was officially this past Saturday our local store, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TWebComics" target="_blank">“The Tangled Web”</a> decided to hold off on the celebration until next week. Luckily, on Monday this week when I made it there they had one deck on sale left for me to purchase. How good is the Horde? Continue reading for my review!</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Battle the Horde is the second “Challenge Deck” that Wizards of the Coast has produced for us to play solitaire or group MTG with. The first deck, “Face the Hydra,” was pretty tough, though it had certain weaknesses, some of which “Battle the Horde” also shares.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Horde Magic isn’t new. I made a Zombie Horde deck before when I first learned about it. But this challenge deck doesn’t have the exact same rules. This time, yes, you do take three turns first, but the Challenge deck reveals two cards at a time from the top. In this game, the Horde’s deck IS its life total. So if you hit it for three with Lightning Strike, then it mills three cards. The only way to win is to mill all of the deck and kill all of the creatures.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">So let’s talk turkey. <b>What are these cards and how tough are they?</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">This deck really uses “theme and variation.” There are five different types of minotaur in this 60-card deck, most of them some version of the “Hurloon Minotaur.” In other words, they are 2/3 or 3/2. There are the Youngblood Minotaurs, which are 2/2, (But see what they did? they built an excuse in it’s name!) Then there are the big monsters…Reckless Minotaur and Mogis’s Chosen.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">And all of these except for Mogis Chosen has HASTE! (Mogis chosen is the biggest creature in the deck, at 5/4. He enters the battlefield tapped, thankfully.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>So the deck’s creature breakdown is…</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">15 Minotaur Youngblood (2/2)</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">10 Phoberos Reaver (2/3)</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">10 Minotaur Goreseeker (3/2)</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">4 Reckless Minotaur (4/1) (he is destroyed during the end step of the turn he came out)</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">4 Mogis’s Chosen (5/4)</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">This is a horde of 43 creatures!</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The other seventeen cards in this deck are either sorcery or artifact cards. 10 Sorcery and 7 Artifacts.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDoTGXV8OsPJT1gfcl1_oHlWaNgxjiBtD8Zr4nqxC62lWMeiS0Ey4zXJYsxxSvEOLdYrYpbAMKBgTiSx_SahU6IRsmpBxH88XzXYohbOL2duCmaABD5AOyzVEKuA87x65MGQR8kRhyZsA/s1600/Creat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDoTGXV8OsPJT1gfcl1_oHlWaNgxjiBtD8Zr4nqxC62lWMeiS0Ey4zXJYsxxSvEOLdYrYpbAMKBgTiSx_SahU6IRsmpBxH88XzXYohbOL2duCmaABD5AOyzVEKuA87x65MGQR8kRhyZsA/s1600/Creat.jpg" height="247" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Minotaurs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>The Sorcery Cards</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Turns out that some of the sorcery cards can help you in certain situations. For instance, Intervention of Keranos “deals 3 damage to each creature” at the beginning of combat this turn. So it is more or less a board sweeper for all the “chump” minotaurs. (said in the most joking way possible!) This could help you, though, if you have bigger creatures out. On the other hand, Mogis’s Chosen will live through this. Consuming Rage is another sweeper type sorcery that might help you in certain situations. This card pumps all attacking minotaurs this turn for +2/+0, but then they are destroyed at the end of combat. If you play “Fog” They just burned themselves out!</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">There are three more Sorcery cards, each is more of a problem. “Touch of the Horned God” gives each attacking minotaur Deathtouch. “Unquenchable Fury” causes all Minotaurs to have “can’t be blocked except by two or more creatures.” Some of that “Madcap Skills” type magic for the whole lot of minotaurs. And finally ‘Descend on the Prey” gives all attacking minotaurs First strike and “must be blocked this turn if able.”</span></div>
<div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSgsiNn_WulfqGWSzC8JRp3valefNsViLwY3Gg8KQFtTAISbMO7ca6hqqEBDGO36ZweCfwB80ziWuAUlR7FG6eRryS_dnXgJ9KkXZIy_DxBHx1F2SK10KE5vGt4ptMQkAj0KRkYZTuoM/s1600/Sorc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSgsiNn_WulfqGWSzC8JRp3valefNsViLwY3Gg8KQFtTAISbMO7ca6hqqEBDGO36ZweCfwB80ziWuAUlR7FG6eRryS_dnXgJ9KkXZIy_DxBHx1F2SK10KE5vGt4ptMQkAj0KRkYZTuoM/s1600/Sorc.jpg" height="249" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sorcery Cards</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: left;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The Artifact cards add some real “Rakdos” type flavor to this deck. Each one, when on the battlefield, has the same effect. The Horde gets to cast an extra card during the main phase. So if multiple artifacts are out, you are going to be seeing multiple minotaurs, and your problems are going to grow and grow.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13px; text-align: left;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: left;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">But each artifact also has a “Hero’s Reward.” This is a throwback to the “Face the Hydra” deck, where killing certain heads would reward you in a special way. The cool thing is, each artifact says “When CARDNAME is put into the graveyard from anywhere…”This means attacking the deck might just reward you! (Remember, attacking the deck causes it to mill.)</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13px; text-align: left;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b></b></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: left;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>The artifacts in this deck are:</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13px; text-align: left;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: left;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“Massacre Totem,” which lets you put the top seven cards of the Horde deck into the graveyard.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13px; text-align: left;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: left;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“Refreshing Elixir” (Two copies) does what you would think. Sending it to the graveyard will give you five life!</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13px; text-align: left;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: left;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“Altar of Mogis" causes the Horde to sacrifice two creatures.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13px; text-align: left;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: left;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“Vitality Salve” lets each player return a creature from the graveyard to the battlefield.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13px; text-align: left;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: left;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“Plundered Statue” (Two copies) lets each player draw a card.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaEMgEbx-MEkmgQlQ7KqgZFx3tZkmu8T8yXfEKL8L1k3bga9ZjbHnLkyj-Db8Z14g6TXCAQamPGQtmfUdk_m4Kj_Nh7D6hA8H2hajwRJo9p3aXBiNaFELv0_Sx_hrWVOlijszUnK31A80/s1600/Art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaEMgEbx-MEkmgQlQ7KqgZFx3tZkmu8T8yXfEKL8L1k3bga9ZjbHnLkyj-Db8Z14g6TXCAQamPGQtmfUdk_m4Kj_Nh7D6hA8H2hajwRJo9p3aXBiNaFELv0_Sx_hrWVOlijszUnK31A80/s1600/Art.jpg" height="250" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Artifacts</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Playing the deck</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">First experience…3 on 1. Me and the SpartanSmurfs ganged up on the Horde, ever anxious to play new cards! We played the horde on it’s most difficult setting, (Allowing us to take two turns before it takes the first turn.) And we stomped it, of course. SpartanSmurf #1 played Minotaur Tribal, SpartanSmurf #2 played Dimur Graveyard, and I played Turbo Fog Mazes End.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">SpartanSmurf #2 played a solo match against it. That was, his Tribal Minotaur deck against the Minotaru Horde. It defeated him badly….</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I was rubbing it in, so he suggested I try. I used the Turbo Fog deck and beat it twice! I think I know why. I fogged every time a creature would swing at me. Sometimes Consuming Rage would be activated, and I would fog, thus taking no damage, but then the entire horde was killed. This happened twice, and then the Keranos Intervention card also killed the miniotaurs.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">But I beat the deck twice….</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I decided to switch decks, and try out mono black devotion. After two wins with Turbo Fog, maybe a different kind of control strategy was called for.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Nope. Every time, it seemed the Minotaur Horde would grow too strong for me to control…No matter what really. And it doesn’t help that there is basically no artifact removal or mill in the black deck.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The Challenge Deck beat Mono Black twice!…</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Hero Cards</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">This deck is meant to be taken on with Hero cards as well. I have some of these…They go with the Face the Hydra Deck or this deck. But I haven’t played them so far, thinking my decks were good enough. One big difference in this deck and the Hydra deck is that the Hero cards that go with it (From Born of the Gods Pre-Release and other events) all instruct you to somehow exile it after it is used.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Weaknesses of the Horde Deck.</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Detention Sphere. Imagine having out all 15 Youngblood minotaurs. D-Sphere. You win. Also the new Bile Blight, which gives everything with the same name -3/-3.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Supreme Verdict. Of course.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Fog. Minotaurs are only effective attackers if they hit you! You fog them, and Consuming rage can kill them, and they get no benefit out of it.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Jace, Memory Adept (and any other card that mills.) The horde can’t remove planeswalkers, (unless it attacks them directly.)</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>What is my rating of the Beat the Horde Challenge Deck?</b> I like it pretty good. It is a fine solitaire game. It is a neat challenge for a group. What more could we ask for, really? I do wish some of the cards will be printed/ updated for “Journey Into Nyx.”</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">So I give this deck a 5/5. Remember, the Hydra was 4/5…I took off a point for the art. But the art on Beat the Horde is really good, and like I said, I hope they use some of the art in the next set.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 13px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><i>Now, I wonder what would happen if I pit the Horde against the Hydra???</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px; text-decoration: underline;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuqtcl1DW42ocFZM34ryp9E4X2h7BNA1g8giZ3lj8rcN51OOrB8uEEy69rEEp5fGRsM6dRChJCJdDVOY_2iEOtgwhOxqR5BUOTQq5EooSAM77SY5wJZa7JH446dp4DBvCmsrVBT7CQ9Q/s1600/mat+inst.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuqtcl1DW42ocFZM34ryp9E4X2h7BNA1g8giZ3lj8rcN51OOrB8uEEy69rEEp5fGRsM6dRChJCJdDVOY_2iEOtgwhOxqR5BUOTQq5EooSAM77SY5wJZa7JH446dp4DBvCmsrVBT7CQ9Q/s1600/mat+inst.JPG" height="188" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Playmat/ Instructions</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgauyRacT7paVuVvPque4E42bty93tc4QsoxRhmA9iJsraz5_XTrOBQr7bMSA2l3umL9zFKKkzwbq0waR6sO0PCbe9mwQNUDWKhRThzEuUSzuPmyVVlu1a9-_QTmgntaly75Em5XTlvk-U/s1600/IMG_4005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgauyRacT7paVuVvPque4E42bty93tc4QsoxRhmA9iJsraz5_XTrOBQr7bMSA2l3umL9zFKKkzwbq0waR6sO0PCbe9mwQNUDWKhRThzEuUSzuPmyVVlu1a9-_QTmgntaly75Em5XTlvk-U/s1600/IMG_4005.JPG" height="191" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJ7SDqD7fmhZiA78-jqgGKQrsmzW-yeiLONAtrNjN_-z9cnPWPg4OklZX6mMb93dOmvU_M7ME22FrM-7PKJotmBroCtzbxj2GAS3DBC4s4ZkMGgCaUpHVNm9vyEurP1zs3zClzKVKJGw/s1600/Horde+rules.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJ7SDqD7fmhZiA78-jqgGKQrsmzW-yeiLONAtrNjN_-z9cnPWPg4OklZX6mMb93dOmvU_M7ME22FrM-7PKJotmBroCtzbxj2GAS3DBC4s4ZkMGgCaUpHVNm9vyEurP1zs3zClzKVKJGw/s1600/Horde+rules.JPG" height="320" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57paR7-CWn1f92TxkUwTsLemDCKHEwfj2KrcS845VYvb4hjvmMxQTOlkq_7Lg9Amz5LdqUctMh7ixEv1ayQIyJWGpvM3F1OqNO-CLeFUWoKg5Tdbrm0svxrqUCKUZIZo7NJkBytDct7M/s1600/player+rules.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57paR7-CWn1f92TxkUwTsLemDCKHEwfj2KrcS845VYvb4hjvmMxQTOlkq_7Lg9Amz5LdqUctMh7ixEv1ayQIyJWGpvM3F1OqNO-CLeFUWoKg5Tdbrm0svxrqUCKUZIZo7NJkBytDct7M/s1600/player+rules.JPG" height="320" width="274" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtAuLEVxypsCvhJKmxUb-8PGEQaNKKLB-9s_EfJx3DECkLnC9n8gBMbRksXOGwiABpPnLVngm2U_-CdKOjwZvHJBZV3Rod2djcVcVYFc190c4nlkdvGYG2nJsuZDTt_DHInCUXcnCYXoA/s1600/wincon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtAuLEVxypsCvhJKmxUb-8PGEQaNKKLB-9s_EfJx3DECkLnC9n8gBMbRksXOGwiABpPnLVngm2U_-CdKOjwZvHJBZV3Rod2djcVcVYFc190c4nlkdvGYG2nJsuZDTt_DHInCUXcnCYXoA/s1600/wincon.JPG" height="149" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367685939270839550.post-60846477968727354212014-02-28T21:49:00.000-05:002014-02-28T21:49:21.596-05:00SpartanNerd Unboxing and Review....Transformers Generations Grimlock- from The Fall of CybertronI have some history with Transformers. I have certainly never been a hardcore collector. CHEAPSKATE, REMEMBER! But I had a couple as a kid, and even have the remnants of those few as an adult.<br />
<br />
My children, on the other hand, have had quite a few Transformers. And I have had the priceless privilege of helping transform them. :(<br />
<br />
Here is my strong opinion. They just don't make them like they used to. It seems like nowadays they are all plastic, while in the 1980's at least some of the main body parts were die-cast metal, or something similar to that. Back then there were tight screws holding the joints together, but today, they make them so the joins can snap off and on easily. In general they are ball joints, so this makes it even less less like the originals. Then there is the Michael Bay influence. Transformers nowadays take cues from the "Bayformers." And I ain't necessarily a fan.<br />
<br />
(For the record, I liked the first movie, and thought the second was tolerable. But I hope I never see Transformers 3 again. And do you think I am going to see the fourth movie? NO WAY!)<br />
<br />
Back to the subject at hand. I went to the Wal-Mart this morning, and browsed the toys aisle. It seems the girls are taking over. There was only one aisle for the boys. And three for the girls/babies. So walking up the boys toys aisle, I thought I would maybe buy a new Chima lego set to review. Or maybe finally get that lego Ninjago dragon I have been eyeing to review. Instead, I saw Grimlock. But I REALLY SAW GRIMLOCK. He looked like the vintage toy I never had. He looked like the G1 cartoon even. He was marked $20, which I thought was reasonable. (He was actually $23.95, but I wanted him more than I wanted to argue.) There were a few others with him in similar boxes. Most of them I thought were dumb or at least just not as cool as Grimlock. Notably, there was a Sharkticon Megatron. (Megatron is NOT A SHARKTACON.)<br />
<br />
So I got him, and here's my review. In fact, it is my first ever Transformers review, so, let me know what you think. How many Hub City Geeks out there are interested in honest reviews of Transformers?<br />
<br />
Grimlock came in this box. This is the image that caught my eye at the store.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO03RmSx6cMBUDxpciSQy9KDDswg6GWPsJt0Z4kRCW7GFLgugfGU3zqIYYSFjuPHpmU1qs1j5kjjr2hrThfi0aKtUKWd5yreoTVLBsXPbY44zIUI0K4Uf0WTHRCM3b2XKIV3vpAHaNWD8/s1600/Front+Box+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO03RmSx6cMBUDxpciSQy9KDDswg6GWPsJt0Z4kRCW7GFLgugfGU3zqIYYSFjuPHpmU1qs1j5kjjr2hrThfi0aKtUKWd5yreoTVLBsXPbY44zIUI0K4Uf0WTHRCM3b2XKIV3vpAHaNWD8/s1600/Front+Box+crop.jpg" height="320" width="305" /></a></div>
<br />
Doesn't he look just like Grimlock! Unaware of what "Fall of Cybertron" meant, I thought it was just an updated version. Instead, one of the SpartanSmurfs informed me that this is a video game version. Who knew? The word TransFormers has a little extra type...it says "Generations." Not sure what that means. But I hope to see more toys like this. You'll see why! But first, more packaging.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSgXxCCWF4nw_P28XvJwWGJIgQ1UKPpQLjA5dAp6vhfislmh9ncw8S9nPt9sNO2cxYC2XnwpE79y2SZVpzxPeeOxyM9xYGYxAPhyphenhyphenONYqUn0FQqInObKwA7-nJkxZHsLEkRt-hojMmxXs/s1600/Back+Box+Crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSgXxCCWF4nw_P28XvJwWGJIgQ1UKPpQLjA5dAp6vhfislmh9ncw8S9nPt9sNO2cxYC2XnwpE79y2SZVpzxPeeOxyM9xYGYxAPhyphenhyphenONYqUn0FQqInObKwA7-nJkxZHsLEkRt-hojMmxXs/s1600/Back+Box+Crop.jpg" height="320" width="294" /></a></div>
<br />
See that line graph. OH YEAH! Actually, they were better when I was a kid. You had to look at the graph through a translucent red piece of plastic to decode the stats!<br />
<br />
And more awesome packaging. The sides and bottom of this box are also pretty neat.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ggNEFOQZe7u1LbfV9v2_Eoerq18Ys3-KRmgGXRDnEKHGe-Ge_HaBd-hnbobAGVuXHv30VKnbIpPvdFN2F84CHz3bA3fPHflOFTx-IZqPF-DoH5ou5FePfBUTdxZbPzkcPbBJQQdzNXI/s1600/Bottom+BOx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ggNEFOQZe7u1LbfV9v2_Eoerq18Ys3-KRmgGXRDnEKHGe-Ge_HaBd-hnbobAGVuXHv30VKnbIpPvdFN2F84CHz3bA3fPHflOFTx-IZqPF-DoH5ou5FePfBUTdxZbPzkcPbBJQQdzNXI/s1600/Bottom+BOx.jpg" height="320" width="153" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjka6jY0YaR8qLsRoVOcp-y-4CW1erjxCT-KJeMmSoriCq5PJfrOnZIznOHYUuMSm8lyNueckCYIEkZ6ROIlpcsN-lnntojlQ3e746pzKB1Q6rET9zSbkZv8ehCIu_xBNmqC0hHSPllWyc/s1600/Sidebox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjka6jY0YaR8qLsRoVOcp-y-4CW1erjxCT-KJeMmSoriCq5PJfrOnZIznOHYUuMSm8lyNueckCYIEkZ6ROIlpcsN-lnntojlQ3e746pzKB1Q6rET9zSbkZv8ehCIu_xBNmqC0hHSPllWyc/s1600/Sidebox.jpg" height="320" width="148" /></a></div>
<br />
So. Now that I waited all day to open this up, throw away the box, and play with it some, here is a review of the ACTUAL TOY.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmdcVWYEXCn6AnEJH03SLZhAielUc8hCQmWUcHu4GsCiz-nrS1LsrbXwViwdnxYuuc5vKB1kl_1RNiZVkUpVIbKAB7J6CvycV8qg-qxfDS_WjM1PbIfErae0NhkkYrWMvFNwKmKDcFjJA/s1600/Sword+Stance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmdcVWYEXCn6AnEJH03SLZhAielUc8hCQmWUcHu4GsCiz-nrS1LsrbXwViwdnxYuuc5vKB1kl_1RNiZVkUpVIbKAB7J6CvycV8qg-qxfDS_WjM1PbIfErae0NhkkYrWMvFNwKmKDcFjJA/s1600/Sword+Stance.jpg" height="320" width="199" /></a></div>
Grimlock is pretty durable. I mean, he's not G1 Transformer durable. But still, he's not falling apart like some of those Bayformers. His knee joins were so tight I was afraid I was going to break him somehow. Of course he's articulated. Maybe even "Super Articulated," to use the retiring Poe Ghostal's words. He has feet that rock up and down (but not side to side. Knees that bend. Thigh-cut joints, swivel arms. Hinged elbows. And his head turns from side to side. All this articulation doesn't count the other stuff you can move. You can move the backpack some, for instance, and the claws on his "cuff-links"<br />
<br />
Also, notice those awesome weapons! Grimlock came with a sword that might remind you of a cross between a lightsaber and a skill saw. And that shield seems to be a copy of what one of the baddies on Quake 4 use. Worth noting, there are additional holds in his arms and shoulders, where you can peg the accessories to and stylize him as you like...I'm willing to bet you could arm him up pretty heavily with similar modeled Transformers.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHM56s63VSW2WDmvxrNzFIHjZF5R-dpyI8v-nZu0z5q4_whuphS8sGnH7ZKTjeGJTGmVFAEZKEJCR-dsrY51CfrBgRBfseKy9yctOnj5vZvYOZ49jeBz1h64xTE5PzU0rVuFh_iT9BmdY/s1600/Shiled+Stance+with+lighted+eyes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHM56s63VSW2WDmvxrNzFIHjZF5R-dpyI8v-nZu0z5q4_whuphS8sGnH7ZKTjeGJTGmVFAEZKEJCR-dsrY51CfrBgRBfseKy9yctOnj5vZvYOZ49jeBz1h64xTE5PzU0rVuFh_iT9BmdY/s1600/Shiled+Stance+with+lighted+eyes.jpg" height="320" width="216" /></a></div>
<br />
He has a light effect too. One is generated from the button on the back of his T-Rex mode...(More on that later,) But this transformer has the translucent plastic on the back of his head that allows light to shine through his eyes. You know. Similar to MetalHead from the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles line.<br />
<br />
OK. Here's a back view.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjadmw5b_PoKA3qcGYmFW7EMC-oUMih42WaNUkEDtY673Lw-_5phWZJyQce6hjDF39XGZl65ll7eMfOOZnKDQ-9aCDt1DuHNANTvos00nqBEkDgOLUmnbMlTNlw6kxZ6BJc3yp_8c6vH4/s1600/Backside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjadmw5b_PoKA3qcGYmFW7EMC-oUMih42WaNUkEDtY673Lw-_5phWZJyQce6hjDF39XGZl65ll7eMfOOZnKDQ-9aCDt1DuHNANTvos00nqBEkDgOLUmnbMlTNlw6kxZ6BJc3yp_8c6vH4/s1600/Backside.jpg" height="320" width="209" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not much to see here. He has a backpack, which is actually the inverted T-Rex torso and head.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Grimlock's instructions say that he is a Level 2 "Intermediate" Transformer. So, being an adult, I shouldn't have had much trouble this time....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoW4c1r3NEtE1dkFrYFYwtEz0JNAZFOmMRMYB9aQmyf1-Ft8KaZaBVORhEMwIlTM0a28jBs1TDIBlkTrMKaQFKNQe7Ebau4kiMYaBEdYd3qrAYwbtYXQDULzrY1lB6y5PcMFwnQLUMIH8/s1600/Inst+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoW4c1r3NEtE1dkFrYFYwtEz0JNAZFOmMRMYB9aQmyf1-Ft8KaZaBVORhEMwIlTM0a28jBs1TDIBlkTrMKaQFKNQe7Ebau4kiMYaBEdYd3qrAYwbtYXQDULzrY1lB6y5PcMFwnQLUMIH8/s1600/Inst+1.jpg" height="320" width="226" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzj3jxcO3qFGnLH4yhHQLpBCZxZbpwVU05ZglIBX77Q2tEez0SpDpUXxdBDDjzzVpEdUjJooh3zcA5kgEFLZZjIXtRy6rFUQ-AlEMe0yEegVfk2d3Rg65OS24YMngu7jyS_K76L_Tz9OQ/s1600/Inst+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzj3jxcO3qFGnLH4yhHQLpBCZxZbpwVU05ZglIBX77Q2tEez0SpDpUXxdBDDjzzVpEdUjJooh3zcA5kgEFLZZjIXtRy6rFUQ-AlEMe0yEegVfk2d3Rg65OS24YMngu7jyS_K76L_Tz9OQ/s1600/Inst+2.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
<br />
I really didn't. It took me about 5 minutes. I only referenced the instructions for accuracy....<br />
<br />
Speaking of instructions I remember saving these as a kid and just staring at them for weeks. I would read all of the text. I would be really sad when I had to throw them away also. The instructions here don't seem to have the same "soul" as the G1 Transformers. But maybe it's just me.<br />
<br />
To transform him, basically, you have to flip his backpack over his head. His chest becomes his back. His arms become the T-Rex legs,H And his legs and feet become the T-Rex tail<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0U9nGv7V4Ji5-9rGHh7QQln3P20XHQtf42NUR757TbjErHsAY3KBLh0GbrOWLt-TfirwsnKjh-CKaKweXj9EcvAeIeWfaVEXAs3JB0bEzY71daBuarxUvtvvHRmc-uOKXyf48EoQNUU/s1600/T-Rex+Mode.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0U9nGv7V4Ji5-9rGHh7QQln3P20XHQtf42NUR757TbjErHsAY3KBLh0GbrOWLt-TfirwsnKjh-CKaKweXj9EcvAeIeWfaVEXAs3JB0bEzY71daBuarxUvtvvHRmc-uOKXyf48EoQNUU/s1600/T-Rex+Mode.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></div>
<br />
As a T-Rex, he isn't THAT impressive. I don't dislike him. But he seems a little....little. If you know what I mean. To me part of this reason is because he doesn't have much of a chest/belly. In fact, he has none at all! Just hollow nothing that you can unfortunately see. <br />
<br />
(The instructions show that you are supposed to put the weapons on it's hips. I din't just make that up. See...Accuracy, people.)<br />
<br />
I also find his tail to be most unsightly. You can clearly see Grimlock's mech feet on the tail Which is dumb. They should have been able to disguise them better.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CBQ-4oVlBgbvkpHm_v0AN9KiyfL1Fscnffploo3V01KjasZTaApC1SFOq6PmueNUgiKUSYMmAQINyNb0qC_0WVexE3x0mgD0T8siRXbSst1nQRN-w6kEZSpNgaNWum9Yos4aEsG9kEY/s1600/Back+of+T-Rex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3CBQ-4oVlBgbvkpHm_v0AN9KiyfL1Fscnffploo3V01KjasZTaApC1SFOq6PmueNUgiKUSYMmAQINyNb0qC_0WVexE3x0mgD0T8siRXbSst1nQRN-w6kEZSpNgaNWum9Yos4aEsG9kEY/s1600/Back+of+T-Rex.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Luckily, his charm isn't all in the form. Nosiree. This guy has a surprise trick!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqy9pU75KrJdXURtUyuQTd3d6ntzYTSDAT4WaKrn3JoZKus3AY3vj7x_PKPO69wAujHud3Ng9yG1eQRZUN5gEf8dvkdk1yw9q9talFRtGjQj-VzWjE7-5NByPj3DMs31V4RpWtTc42Ow4/s1600/Awesome+light+effect.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqy9pU75KrJdXURtUyuQTd3d6ntzYTSDAT4WaKrn3JoZKus3AY3vj7x_PKPO69wAujHud3Ng9yG1eQRZUN5gEf8dvkdk1yw9q9talFRtGjQj-VzWjE7-5NByPj3DMs31V4RpWtTc42Ow4/s1600/Awesome+light+effect.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's right. You saw it here first, Hub City Geeks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMeDd8KyVX2uGc0-LdVeLj79CQrspEXYS8kZJMbJwZ8IF3e9m5v3D1liWZ1ELkBYbIbYqyzacELlGUzlGDecphqVHZ1K5tvdj7JgZN_SbAT_6xOKoL_q9Nzdy6kAMprcCcpTPz8VMJ8A/s1600/Awesome+Light+Effect+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMeDd8KyVX2uGc0-LdVeLj79CQrspEXYS8kZJMbJwZ8IF3e9m5v3D1liWZ1ELkBYbIbYqyzacELlGUzlGDecphqVHZ1K5tvdj7JgZN_SbAT_6xOKoL_q9Nzdy6kAMprcCcpTPz8VMJ8A/s1600/Awesome+Light+Effect+2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Grimlock can Actually Breathe Actual Fire! (Not actual, actual, literal fire.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhof3cD8tr7iHBC97SWTcLQrrarTwPCGGoFRKXPdq3J6mfw-rixuXaFJGD7sWNdgt6xMUQCaUpSPbND5XsYxNYgYUflxJaMOkl9LJSevlzTlBsaiWIx9yN5K9eJTiBTumzVvQ3N3axISt4/s1600/Breathe+FIre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhof3cD8tr7iHBC97SWTcLQrrarTwPCGGoFRKXPdq3J6mfw-rixuXaFJGD7sWNdgt6xMUQCaUpSPbND5XsYxNYgYUflxJaMOkl9LJSevlzTlBsaiWIx9yN5K9eJTiBTumzVvQ3N3axISt4/s1600/Breathe+FIre.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't Doubt me, underlings! "Me Grimlock Angry!"<br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If you are a true nerd, and you must be if you enjoy reading this blog, then you probably remember that Grimlock and the other DinoBots could breathe fire, giving children everywhere the misconception that actual real ancient dinosaurs could breathe fire, and also blurring the line between the fictional dragon and the factual dinosaur.<br />
<br />
How this works...There is a button, really more of a pressure switch, on the back of the dinosaurs neck. You press this, and his whole head lights up, as well as he opens his mouth in a menacing way.<br />
<br />
(You can activate this in robot mode, but it lights up his chest and body rather unsuccessfully.)<br />
<br />
So now for a comparison time...What? Oh yeah. This is my first ever Grimlock....I'll have to compare to something else.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilOe0mc46a6Pd34E5Y36AQQcure3j7bUferrbYkaGF2bsGOZowUHkttPZi-b2nNn3Hv_13iA5dwB9rFZ_rBAO0hyEZCGT4xjkvPQGL9lpX9Wt7Zsucww2XKkxAhyphenhyphenlBqC5KESt4NNuo1u8/s1600/zoid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilOe0mc46a6Pd34E5Y36AQQcure3j7bUferrbYkaGF2bsGOZowUHkttPZi-b2nNn3Hv_13iA5dwB9rFZ_rBAO0hyEZCGT4xjkvPQGL9lpX9Wt7Zsucww2XKkxAhyphenhyphenlBqC5KESt4NNuo1u8/s1600/zoid.jpg" height="320" width="197" /></a></div>
Grimlock's underwhelming T-Rex mode might actually only be in my mind. After all, I own the most awesome robotic T-Rex ever made...Gojulas Zoid! (Actually, not the same one from when I was a kid, which was actually titled Terrox, and was blue and gray.) Any Transformer up to maybe PowerMaster Optimus Prime, Revenge of the Fallen Devastator, or maybe MetroPlex looks kind of wimpy when compared to the Zoid.<br />
<br />
How about comparing him to a similar modern Transformer.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOG5amZTx-DUpIfWbb1205LZEBLY-mDObAVihk2dK5WI00Qv_wBKE4PtaUVVDzKL3wJu6E58NNmDFNqmvhn6TMsa4XLYR5XhUROCgGuZH_wC-PMdnuWPJKY36qF-YVZUf24xdqb4Y-67A/s1600/Grimlock+and+Sideswipe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOG5amZTx-DUpIfWbb1205LZEBLY-mDObAVihk2dK5WI00Qv_wBKE4PtaUVVDzKL3wJu6E58NNmDFNqmvhn6TMsa4XLYR5XhUROCgGuZH_wC-PMdnuWPJKY36qF-YVZUf24xdqb4Y-67A/s1600/Grimlock+and+Sideswipe.jpg" height="304" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Grimlock is a little bulkier than this Bayformer SpartanSmurf #1 lent me. I appreciate that difference..I like my Transformers to have a little weight. You can see that the SideSwipe figure here has skinny feet, and other dubious features. None of that for Grimlock!<br />
<br />
What about those weapons? Well, at first I thought "This sword will look good in Megator's hands." Nope. It looks dumb.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmu9VgOUZ_7y6JC-zvCagpA7VS583UuCjUb1YQx0rB03R3KPkHScdr4zQEqQMqvTycm4XY71fA4W383ssm0GucQD9EmTRb11TRWDwvr3arM2rCBXFB0HDGLdBV9lSOTCQRlXToEKVljXc/s1600/megator.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmu9VgOUZ_7y6JC-zvCagpA7VS583UuCjUb1YQx0rB03R3KPkHScdr4zQEqQMqvTycm4XY71fA4W383ssm0GucQD9EmTRb11TRWDwvr3arM2rCBXFB0HDGLdBV9lSOTCQRlXToEKVljXc/s1600/megator.jpg" height="320" width="201" /></a></div>
<br />
Then I thought, why not try He-Man. Master of all swords.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTX3BcbAWMZOPk0Naz6gXomn_nnKZo2PWT1K4DaD7uP7EU1CpaIyQKjfJpbJ0HRITFDchqvZ7XWb9MoWwm3a6tIhZkNkUkaJUpOYhk9kNFdL7E32CoMIRQ_PjiIrnKuCX3vghZZRB9qdA/s1600/He-Man+Var.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTX3BcbAWMZOPk0Naz6gXomn_nnKZo2PWT1K4DaD7uP7EU1CpaIyQKjfJpbJ0HRITFDchqvZ7XWb9MoWwm3a6tIhZkNkUkaJUpOYhk9kNFdL7E32CoMIRQ_PjiIrnKuCX3vghZZRB9qdA/s1600/He-Man+Var.jpg" height="320" width="221" /></a></div>
<br />
Now we're talking! This could easily be some variant He-Man. Maybe some New Adventures space theme. I'm sure that's what Hasbro was thinking when they made this sword. ( Because Mattel makes the MOTUC! )<br />
<br />
My overall rating of Grimlock.<br />
<br />
Well, he IS the first Transformer I have reviewed. I think I'll go easy on him, and judge each mode separately.<br />
<br />
<b>As an Autobot, he is just awesome! 4/5.</b> Losing a point mostly because the backpack is obviously a T-Rex torso stuffed into his back. And the battery doesn't light his eyes.<br />
<br />
<b>As a T-Rex, He gets a 3/5.</b> Because he feels kind of scant. More like a Raptor. With a really fat tail.<br />
<br />
<b>His accessories are great! 5/5 </b> I think I will start to cross accessories for these reviews. An accessory should be able to be used in other hands, especially in a similar scale. (I consider Grimlock to be in scale with MOTUC figures, though technically he probably has a much different ratio number because in "real life" the Transformers are bigger than a house!<br />
<br />
<b>So Overall, My rating of Grimlock is 4/5. </b>Do you agree? Or disagree? Let me know!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367685939270839550.post-72530467734624183752014-02-27T23:01:00.000-05:002014-02-27T23:02:45.362-05:0010 Print List ...... You might be the SpartanNerd if....10 Print "You tell your kids to clean their rooms, and proclaim "THIS I COMMAND!"<br />
<br />
20 Print "You do the Mario on the way to the kitchen."<br />
<br />
30 Print "You make a transforming sound when you change into your robe for the evening."<br />
<br />
40 Print "You warm up your children's choir with "Co- Bra- LALALALALALA"<br />
<br />
50 Print "You lift something heavy, and proclaim "I Have the Power!!!"<br />
<br />
60 Print "You weigh yourself, and seeing that you have gained, pronounce "Up, Up, and Away!"<br />
<br />
70 Print "You compare your professional relationship with bosses to that of all of the Sith's apprentices. (Darth Maul, Count Dooku, Darth Vader)"<br />
<br />
80 Print "You sing to your child, who says they have to go to the restroom "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CnOysetlQw" target="_blank">Nothing can stop the smooze</a>"<br />
<br />
90 Print "You say "Mine resolves first" to your child who suggests eating at McDonalds and you say you would rather eat Mexican.<br />
<br />
100 Print "You are still crying about the time the <a href="http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Dark_Awakening" target="_blank">Quintessons commandeered Optimus Prime's body</a>, as a ruse to defeat the Autobots. Optimus' will was too, strong, however, even in death...He saves everyone and flys his ship into an exploding sun (I can hardly type anymore...waaaa)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367685939270839550.post-10944013790721242682014-02-16T23:44:00.001-05:002014-02-16T23:44:04.289-05:00SpartanNerd MTG Quest update....TOP 8I finally cracked the top 8 at the <a href="http://www.twebcomics.com/" target="_blank">local comic book store's</a> Magic Tournament! The Hub City was SLAMMED with snow for the past week, keeping me and everyone else indoors, so I spent plenty of time practicing, and it paid off it seems.<br />
<br />
Basically, I played two rounds of 2 out of 3 matches against one of the SpartanSmurfs everyday. One of them had a BEAST of a BNG Minotaur deck, and I was having a hard time with that, and thought to myself..."This is what people will be playing Saturday..." (nope)<br />
<br />
My two deck choices were either the Fencing Ace deck, which I had been playing and working with for awhile, but it always seemed to lose. However, it would be fresh with some new BNG cards.<br />
<br />
But then I thought I would revert to my pre-Return to Ravnica style...<b>MONO BLACK</b>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=241830&type=card" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=241830&type=card" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Too bad this guy isn't legal anymore...:(</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I had been playing some black devotion. But I thought it was time to step up my game a little. One of the slow things about my devotion deck was that it was a "budget" deck, featuring the complete Bogbrew Witch combo. I had some success with this deck in the last Modern tournament that I played, balancing the activity of assembling the combo and ramping up my devotion with Vampire Nighthawks. Basically, I ripped all of that out of the deck and added something I never hardly played...Thoughtseize! I replaced the Witch combo with Nightveil Spector, Herald of Torment, and Slitherhead. (In place of the Festering Newts.) BNG added Temple of Malice, so that was four more scry lands I could play. Then there is the added advantage of having mana available to play cards stolen with the Nightveil Spector. (The deck is mono black. But the lands are not. Unfortunately, there is no green and black scry land...yet...)<br />
<br />
After playtesting it for a week because of the weather, I decided to add Elixir of Immortality in place of two of the Slitherheads...A fine choice! The Elixir proved to be a star of the deck. Cracking it over and over replenished my life (which I had to pay from playing Thoughtsieze), and it kept my cards playable, refreshing my deck.<br />
<br />
I really wanted three more copies of <b><i><u>Bile Blight.</u></i></b> I have whined and cried about this already. I hoped to trade someone before the tournament. No one had theirs for trade, or no one had one to trade. BUMMER. <i><u>In the end, this would make a difference.</u></i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://media.wizards.com/images/magic/tcg/products/bng/KDJ)D(jk2m2389/D9ZaGtJnL8_EN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media.wizards.com/images/magic/tcg/products/bng/KDJ)D(jk2m2389/D9ZaGtJnL8_EN.jpg" height="320" width="229" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
So at the Tangled Web on Saturday, February 15, I brought my black devotion deck. <br />
<br />
<i>Here is the deck list.</i><br />
<br />
4 Temple of Malice<br />
4 Temple of Silence<br />
4 Temple of Deceit<br />
1 Nykthos, Shrine ot Nyx<br />
10 Swamps<br />
<br />
2 Slitherhead<br />
2 Desecration Demon<br />
4 Nightveil Spector<br />
2 Herald of Torment<br />
3 Pack Rats<br />
4 Gray Merchant of Asphodel<br />
3 Spiteful Returned<br />
<br />
4 Devour Flesh<br />
1 Bile Blight<br />
2 Liliana, of the Dark Realms<br />
4 Thoughtseize<br />
2 Elixir of Immortality<br />
1 Erebos, God of the Dead<br />
1 Whip of Erebos<br />
2 Hero's Downfall<br />
<br />
<i>I also had a sideboard....</i><br />
<br />
4 Duress<br />
4 Doom Blade<br />
4 Dark Betrayal<br />
1 Drown In Sorrow<br />
1 Pain Seer<br />
1 Lifebane Zombie<br />
<br />
All evening I played against mostly green and red aggro decks. I had no problem at all Thoughtsiezeing out Stormbreath Dragons, Elspeth, Sun's Champion, Archangel of Thune, or Blood Baron of Vizkopa. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=373632&type=card" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=373632&type=card" /></a></div>
<br />
One thing that people were playing that they should not, was Courser of Kruphix. This allowed me to see what was on the top of the deck...<br />
<br />
I had one mirror match, where we played until we had to draw. It was tough...This was a seasoned player, and to see the same strategy basically across the table was an experience.<br />
<br />
In the finals, I lost in the first round. Devastating. It was my first loss all day. But it was a good game against an Azorius Sphinx's Revelation deck. I think fondly on this match, it was like an ascension...a catharsis. Here I was playing against a truly great player, and standing him down with devotion for at least one match...I lost in the third game. How did he beat me? I didn't draw Hero's Downfall when I needed it. His Elsepeth, Sun's Champion continued to supply him with fresh 1/1 chumps, that I could have taken care of QUICKLY with a <b><i><u>Bile Blight</u></i></b>....He also played Supreme Verdict a good bit after he caught on to my game to squash my devotion, and then would have his Elsepeth give him more board presence.<br />
<br />
I mean, what good is a NightVeil Spector if you can't swing with him because he gets removed? And you can't use him for devotion because he isn't there?)<br />
<br />
So, I plan on playing at Friday Night Magic this week. I will use the same deck, but hopefully have a full set of <i><b><u>Bile Blight!</u></b></i> There are some other things I might change as well. Herald of Torment didn't do anything all night. I like him, but he has to go. He is not as good as Nightveil Spector, and he hurts you for one life each turn he's out. He is also expensive to bestow. Maybe I'll main deck Pain Seer, a weaker version of Dark Confidant....I might swap out the other two Slitherheads for Elixir of Immortality...The Elixir was a surprise star. I think I might come up with two more copies of Heroes Downfall. Most of the good players I played knew how to deal with the Desecration Demon. I like him for the devotion. And it's not like he was useless...But most people either dropped a removal spell on him, or said "Let him through..." Then I usually wouldn't swing...<i>usually</i>...I also might go back to playing Underworld Connections. This card helps with the card advantage better than Erebos, God of the Dead. Did I mention that I got to swing with Erebos a couple of times? People don't like that....I also am thinking of adding a couple of secret weapons...aimed at the Sphinx's Revelation deck.<br />
<br />
You say, SPARTANNERD...HOW DARE YOU POST YOUR STRATEGY?<br />
<br />
Well, it isn't a new strategy or anything. <a href="http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/td/286" target="_blank">Plenty of people out in the world are playing black devotion</a>...it is one of the top builds in the world right now! It is just new to me, and nobody around here hardly is playing it, so....<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367685939270839550.post-88070603087857447252014-02-13T22:45:00.003-05:002014-02-13T22:45:57.543-05:00Comic Review...Thor God of Thunder issues 1-12First of all, I want to say that I am generally into religiously themed comics.<br />
<br />
They generally, probably should offend me. But they usually don't. Why? <i>BECAUSE THEY ARE JUST COMICS, PEOPLE! </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
I have a history of reading Ghost Rider, Spawn, and yes Thor. All religion themed books. Spawn is especially demonic in theme, and yet I was almost never close to be offended. I didn't like all of it. But it didn't offend me. (I haven't been reading any Spawn since "<i>Endgame</i>.")<br />
<br />
But Thor is different, because of how close much of the language comes to the actual way in which I personally worship God.<br />
<br />
There are times in the "<i>Godbutcher</i> / <i>Godbomb</i>" story where I got pretty close to offended. Close. But then I remembered. <i>IT"S ONLY COMICS!</i><br />
<i><br /></i><b><i>
That pre-qualifier said. That disclaimer delivered. On with my thoughts. </i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i style="background-color: magenta;">Oh Yeah. LOTS OF SPOILERS AHEAD</i></b><br />
<br />
I started reading "Godbutcher" when Marvel said. "Ok. DC has the New 52 and the Joker chopped off his face and he's back now. IDW is scoring zillions of ratings points with the nerds. We need to reboot. Or at least <i>look</i> like we are." So they started their Marvel NOW! campaign to get our attention, killed Peter Parker. Oh yeah. On the sidelines, Thor got a new book. <u><b>Thor, God of Thunder.</b></u> With a title like that, we expect to get to know Thor, and how he thinks, and why. AND we expect to learn a lot about his history and stuff like that.<br />
<br />
I was sort of "eh...." about the cover art. But over time, I began to appreciate it. A kind of watercolor matte look. The inside art is fine, with muted colors, but plain figures over all. And there was a cool AR feature...You scan an AR panel with your phone and get to see the page come to life, hopefully....Maybe it won't just be a commercial...or a rant from the writer or artist....(It usually was these last two.) <i>(Actually, I just checked. The AR panels don't work anymore at all...except for the ads....:( )</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://static1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20121116160526/marveldatabase/images/thumb/d/d0/Thor_God_of_Thunder_Vol_1_5_Textless.jpg/200px-Thor_God_of_Thunder_Vol_1_5_Textless.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://static1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20121116160526/marveldatabase/images/thumb/d/d0/Thor_God_of_Thunder_Vol_1_5_Textless.jpg/200px-Thor_God_of_Thunder_Vol_1_5_Textless.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
"Godbutcher" begins with young viking god Thor finding a god's head washing up on the shore, a native American god at that. It continues with with Thor the Avenger of the present day finding a civilization that has no gods. <i>Shocking</i>. Upon investigating, he finds the planet's gods all murdered and dismembered. Their "godflesh" rotting slowly. This scene should now terrify us. Gods are supposed to be immortal! But here we see that someone can kill them. Something attacks the avenger...A Black Berserker. It isn't long before we know it is Gorr the Godbutcher who is slaying gods...And we see future Old Man Thor, the All-Father beaten into hopelessness by Gorr.<br />
<br />
I like the way the story goes from young Viking Thor, who uses an axe instead of a hammer, Thor the Avenger, the one that we know best, and future Thor, Odin's replacement. This was a grand way of showing us who Thor was, is, and will be, if not confusing at times. It also shows us that this story could have been revealed VERY slowly. Over an entire <i>title run. </i>But the writers showed us this grand story the way they did in a masterful way that makes sense if you are a persistent reader.<br />
<br />
<i>(I will take a brief moment to exclaim, this way of showing Thor is not unlike what we see in Conan the Barbarian stories, where he is young, mid-age adult, and eventually king. Being a fan of the Barbarian, I see a good influence of him on the way Thor is presented to us.)</i><br />
<br />
As the story of the Godbutcher goes on, we see old man Thor defeated over and over by Gorr's minions. Thor is the final god, saved for Gorr to kill last. In the young Thor and Avenger Thor's stories, we see how Thor is the one that got away from the killer. This is why he toys with Thor as an old man.<br />
<br />
This villain, Gorr, is a truly evil killer. His weapon channels black energy into it's target. It works similarly to a Green Lantern ring in DC or the Symbiote costume for Venom...creating constructs that allow him to fly, makes swords, ropes, and whips, and more. And when a god is attacked with the weapon, it takes something from them. Also, the Black Berserkers are constructs of this weapon. So we see (As Thor remarks in book 2,) Gorr has grown very powerful.<br />
<br />
Speaking of Book 2, we get our first taste of combat between Gorr and Thor. The young Thor utterly loses. I like the dialogue. Gorr says, basically "What are you the god of...poetry?" Thor just says "Thunder," and a bolt of lighting hits Gorr!<br />
<br />
Book 3 is cool because we see Avenger Thor bringing up his guilt complex. He tells Iron Man that he feels guilty because he did not kill Gorr one thousand years earlier. And that summarizes it, pretty much. Thor sees many more dead gods from different worlds. This story gets more convoluted, as the three different aged Thors are having similar thoughts, and the panels switch one to another quite a bit. Oh. And book 3. Old King Thor is still getting beaten up.<br />
<br />
Book four is where I start to get a little offended. Just a little. Old King Thor sits on his throne, last of all gods. In other words, the only god left. He talks about how he has seen everyone and everything he loved killed. He is surrounded by those Black Berserkers. And he seems so powerless and hopeless. The language here is nihilistic. "Gorr won't just let me die..." etc. The idea of one god being powerless, is abhorrent to me. Then I remember. <i>IT'S JUST COMICS.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
And we could have seen where this was going. To somewhere that time-travel can take place. Chronux, city of the time gods.<br />
<br />
Essentially, from this point we see Gorr's plan coming together. I think I have it figured out...Then I don't. Gorr goes back in time to the early universe, where he sees a baby god sitting and making beings out of clay. We assume this is a god from Gorr's own pantheon...He kills this god. My thought was, "He's killing all gods by killing this one." But nope. That would be too simple I suppose. Gor brings back the giant gods heart...He is going to use it as the core of a weapon that will kill all gods at all times. <br />
<br />
Along the way, during the time-travel part of this adventure, Avenger Thor manages to rescue Old Man Thor. The two of them fail to stop Gorr.<br />
<br />
Issue six was a break from the larger story...a telling of Gorr's origin. Basically, Gorr came to curse the gods his people were devoted to. His world was dry as a bone, and people were suffering. His family was all killed off, and offerings, prayers, etc to their gods resulted in nothing. Finally, as Gorr begins blaspheming, he is exiled. In his banishment, he sees two gods in battle. They nearly kill one another. The "good guy" god begs for Gorr to help him. Instead, he steals the "bad guy's" weapon and kills him. This is the origin of Gorr and his weapon, which we learn later is called "The Anihilablade." This issue introduces us to Gorr's son as well, leaving us scratching our heads....<br />
<br />
When I set out to read these stories, I thought they would be a smaller story arc. Instead, it looks like Marvel roped us into eleven issues total. Luckily, I enjoyed the book. Unluckily it seemed that this book had an inconsistent release schedule. It was like issue after issue came at once, then there was a lull of like six weeks....<br />
<br />
The second part of the story is called "Godbomb." With the ability to control time, Gorr has gathered gods from all corners of the universe and kept them as slaves to build a bomb that will make their "species" extinct all through the ages of time. Gorr is making himself into a god, styled after the gods that drove him to become what he is. But he refuses to admit this to himself. He also does other things, including giving the slaves the seventh day off, and crucifying gods who try to rebel. (Here is some of where I got offended. ITS JUST COMICS. Whew. Got that over.) Viking Thor is among these slave gods, and when he arrives on the planet where the bomb is being built, right away he takes action and manages to escape and meet up with the other two Thors.<br />
<br />
This story moves a little faster than the first arc, because we are not jumping around in time. All three Thors are on the same timeline. Which is what it would take to bring down Gorr and his plan. We also see that the Black Bersekers are now a mighty army, and Gorr not only has a son, but also a wife. These two are hopeful that Gorr's dream of a godless universe will come about.<br />
<br />
What happens basically is that the Thor's fail. The bomb explodes, killing ages of gods, past present, and future.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cdn1-www.craveonline.com/assets/uploads/2013/08/thorgodofthunder11658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cdn1-www.craveonline.com/assets/uploads/2013/08/thorgodofthunder11658.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
But...Thor the Avenger takes a last desperate breath, grabs his future hammer, and goes into the exploding bomb, absorbing the blast into both Mjolnir hammers. In doing so, he also steals Gorr's weapon. We find out that Gorr's wife and child were just constructs as well. And then Viking Thor chops off his head.<br />
<br />
I also like the follow up one-shot. Issue 12 shows the three Thor's returning to their proper time, forgetting all about their future adventure.<br />
<br />
<b>Analysis</b>.<br />
<br />
Gorr the Godbutcher represents <u>humanism</u> and <u>agnosticism</u>. Both viewpoints either deny the necessity of God or deny that we are of concern to him. Gorr is someone who lost his faith after being burned over and over, having prayers unanswered while devotion was religiously given. He took action in the most negative way possible. (Otherwise he wouldn't have been a villain, right...)<br />
<br />
Thor is seen as an evolution of Western religion. His barbarian self represents what gods were like in early pagan times. His Avenger self represents the active and visible religions of the world. (I like how issue 12 portrays Thor!) Then the All-Father Thor represents that far off and untouchable-ness people often sense from God.<br />
<br />
So Thor and Gorr are philosophical opposites. And in the end, Gorr had no hope. All of his hope was in himself and his efforts. And religion won out, living it's legacy after the god butchers was more or less erased from history....<br />
<br />
<i>Hmmm....deep.</i><br />
<br />
<b>My Rating.</b><br />
<br />
I rate this story arc as a <b>4/5</b>. <br />
<br />
I took a point because the story starts to ramble a bit. I wish it were one of two things. Either a story spread over a 100 issue series, or a lot shorter...Maybe only six books long. Instead, we got eleven books and a twelfth book chaser. Think. This is a <i>YEAR WORTH OF READING.</i><br />
<br />
But it kept me interested. I kept buying. The high idea of the story, Humanism vs Religion as a slasher story, was very entertaining. The art has its own style, and I am glad to see that Marvel is still printing letters at the back of almost every book.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367685939270839550.post-38550693467762950702014-02-12T00:10:00.001-05:002014-02-12T00:10:14.975-05:00He-Man.org Fan Poll...The Current DC ComicsYou can find the poll I reference throughout this post on <a href="http://he-man.org/">He-Man.org</a> until <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Sunday, February 16th, 2014 at 11:00 PM EST.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The poll asks our opinions about the current comics. I am one of those (quiet?) people who actually enjoy the new comics, while all around the web people are bad mouthing them.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Here is how I answered the poll questions. (Everything is a scale of 1-10, 1 being worst opinion, 10 being the best.)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="redTop header1bg topBorder" style="background-color: #f66a65; background-image: url(http://www.he-man.org/assets/images/heman/gradient_red.gif); background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; border: 1px solid rgb(159, 182, 204); color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; height: auto !important; min-height: 16px; padding-top: 3px; position: relative;">
<div class="heading_text" style="font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; vertical-align: top;">
Overall, how do you rate the story in the current on-going DC MOTU comic?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I gave this one a 7. I appreciate the "secret identity less" continuity they have established. The Dark Orko thing doesn't bother me, and I feel it shouldn't bother so many others. The idea of "the buffoon" being the big-bad isn't new, but MOTU fans don't seem to be aware of this. They are treating Dark Orko with the dreadful criticism deserved for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scooby-Doo_(film)" target="_blank">Scrappy Doo</a> in the Scooby Doo movie.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">GO BACK AND READ YOUR ASIMOV, People! (OK, I'll lead you there, since you seem blind without me. Check out "<a href="http://asimov.wikia.com/wiki/The_Mule" target="_blank">The Mule</a>."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What I don't like is that they started the whole thing in an altered reality. That isn't a strong place to start. I also don't like the way they write Teela. Hordak is OK, but far too many people have been killed off. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They've beaten the Good Guys down over and over it seems. There hasn't hardly been any victory. And I like my good guys to win in Masters of the Universe.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I almost feel like this whole current main story arc is heading towards a big reset button where the comics will transform into a more comfortable, filmation-esque story. Everything and everyone reverted back to normal. Or maybe a part of me wishes that would happen.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="redTop header1bg topBorder" style="background-color: #f66a65; background-image: url(http://www.he-man.org/assets/images/heman/gradient_red.gif); background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; border: 1px solid rgb(159, 182, 204); color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; height: auto !important; min-height: 16px; padding-top: 3px; position: relative;">
<div class="heading_text" style="font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; vertical-align: top;">
Overall, how do you rate the art in the current on-going DC MOTU comic?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">I</span>I rated this one at 8. Largely the art has been pleasant. Some of it has been sort of Avant Garde, even. (The Origin of He-Man in particular)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bwmedia.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/masters-of-the-universe-he-man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://bwmedia.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/masters-of-the-universe-he-man.jpg" height="320" width="206" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The art in this book is very high level. <br />And I think the hottest Sorceress design appears in this book too!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't like all of the art. There was one recent issue that I really hated...The one where they enter Subternia. Nope. Not my style. Way too scribbly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.dcentertainment.com/sites/default/files/GalleryComics_1900x900_20140305_HEMMU_Cv11_52f18515d26a03.98261900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media.dcentertainment.com/sites/default/files/GalleryComics_1900x900_20140305_HEMMU_Cv11_52f18515d26a03.98261900.jpg" height="151" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's an example. And it seemed to decay even more as the issue neared the end.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div>
<div class="redTop header1bg topBorder" style="background-color: #f66a65; background-image: url(http://www.he-man.org/assets/images/heman/gradient_red.gif); background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; border: 1px solid rgb(159, 182, 204); color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; height: auto !important; min-height: 16px; padding-top: 3px; position: relative;">
<div class="heading_text" style="font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; vertical-align: top;">
Overall, how do you rate the story in the current DCU vs MOTU comic?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://spartannerd.blogspot.com/2013/05/best-news-ever.html" target="_blank">Remember this post</a>, oh Hub City Geeks? I was so excited...You'd think I'd give it a 10. But I give it an 8 instead.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well...there are a couple of things that are unclear. Is this story really in the New 52 continuity? It is billed as it is.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What has been happening in the main continuity of the DC Universe is never referenced, hardly ever anyway. No news of Forever Evil. And it seems Green Lantern is with the League. Frustrating. Didn't he fly away after the whole mess with David Graves?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A couple of more weak things...Evil Lynn is not so good at deception. Anyone can see a double cross coming. Also, why wasn't Wonder Woman more angry that He-Man killed Superman? Everyone remember this, from the Old 52?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c7/Deathofsuperman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c7/Deathofsuperman.jpg" height="320" width="207" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shouldn't more have been made of the Man of Steel's demise?</span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;">
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As far as I know, this is the first time Superman was killed in the New 52. I know, I know. It was an impostor. Still. It is notable.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And this has been more of a Justice League Dark story, than a Justice League (regular) story.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gripe. Gripe. Gripe.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What do I like? I like that this story comes right after the Horde invasion, but before the events of Masters of the Universe #7. It is wedged in there. I like that Skeletor's story continues here, and that Dark Orko is revealed here.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Shouldn't I have separated my vote from the first question? I guess I didn't know they were distinguishing between the two titles.)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I like that Skeletor is gathering lackeys on Earth as well. At least Black Alice. And she has been entertaining.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You know what would be great? In Forever Evil the Crime Syndicate keeps talking about "a being that destroyed our planet." What if that being turns out to be...Dark Orko.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I expect Darkseid. Or someone like that. But Dark Orko would rectify <i>some</i> of the seeming inconsistencies. Wouldn't t be cool if Dark Orko was from the Earth 3 Universe...That would be sick! I guess we'll find out when that this month's issue ships!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(That is totally not going to happen. DC wouldn't base their universe on Mattel's property. Still, one could dream!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I guess I should also mention the Unnamed One here. There seems to be a coincidence. <a href="http://he-man.org/assets/images/home_news/attachment-17_full.jpg" target="_blank">The Unnamed One is Dark Orko.</a> And Dark Orko's origin issue ships at the same time as the Nameless One. Sorry for any spoilers...But you probably already knew anyways.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="redTop header1bg topBorder" style="background-color: #f66a65; background-image: url(http://www.he-man.org/assets/images/heman/gradient_red.gif); background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; border: 1px solid rgb(159, 182, 204); color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; height: auto !important; min-height: 16px; padding-top: 3px; position: relative;">
<div class="heading_text" style="font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; vertical-align: top;">
Overall, how do you rate the art in the current DCU vs MOTU comic?</div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The art here is on par with all of the other DC New 52 titles. I am fairly pleased. I rated it 9. <a href="http://spartannerd.blogspot.com/2013/04/how-i-see-comics.html" target="_blank">(It still isn't Todd McFarlane.)</a></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div class="redTop header1bg topBorder" style="background-color: #f66a65; background-image: url(http://www.he-man.org/assets/images/heman/gradient_red.gif); background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; border: 1px solid rgb(159, 182, 204); color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; height: auto !important; min-height: 16px; padding-top: 3px; position: relative;">
<div class="heading_text" style="font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; vertical-align: top;">
How are the costume designs for the MOTU characters in the DC comics?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now here is one I can be 100% behind. I love the new designs! It bothers me a little bit about Skeletor not having a bottom jaw, but in the same way the Joker doesn't have a face, so....</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mcmbuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/dcu-vs-motu2printcvrjpg-882ca1-665x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.mcmbuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/dcu-vs-motu2printcvrjpg-882ca1-665x1024.jpg" height="320" width="207" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I gave this one a 10. I hope they make figures of the Masters with these designs as well. Maybe even a mini-subscription, like they did a couple of times before.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
Do you agree with my opinions? Let me know! I will have to follow up and compare my votes with the final results.</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367685939270839550.post-81275585031617630832014-02-10T00:10:00.000-05:002014-02-10T00:10:47.391-05:00Born of the Gods...Magic the Gathering set review.I pre-ordered my first ever booster box of Magic The Gathering cards in January, on the first day that they allowed me to at the Tangled Web in Spartanburg. I was solidly excited...I love Greek styled things like the God of War video games, and I have a Fat-Pack box full of Theros cards from the previous set.<br />
<br />
All through January, I kept up with the web chatter about the upcoming set, as was a little disappointed that more awesome stuff wasn't revealed. This is billed as a small set...165 cards as opposed to 249 cards in a big set.<br />
<br />
In the Pre-Release, it seemed no one hardly got any gods or planeswalkers. I have yet to see an Ephara card.<br />
<br />
I told myself, "Well, I am getting a box in a week. I will get some good stuff."<br />
<br />
What I really wanted was outlined in <a href="http://spartannerd.blogspot.com/2014/01/born-of-gods-pre-release-excitement.html" target="_blank">this post.</a> I didn't hardly get any of this stuff. The one copy of Phenax was nice...How about three more, or at least an Ephara. (Unreasonable, you say. I got three copies of Tromokratis. And Three copies of Eater of Hope!! ARGGH)<br />
<br />
No Brimaz. In fact, I have only seen one, in the case at the store for $40! (The only way I am going to get him for the fencing ace deck is trading or out of a booster pack.) No Herald of Torment. <br />
<br />
I only got one Phenax, and one Kiora. I got a Mogis as well, but traded him to SpartanNerd #1 (He wanted it really bad). I also got that Chromanticore for my hopeless Mazes End deck. On the other hand I bet I have a playset of each common. I got plenty of uncommons, but almost no complete playsets of them. But I thought I would at least have four copies of Bile Blight or Searing Blood. Nope. One copy of Bile Blight. That's it. I am going to have to pay out or trade for more copies. (That was a card I was really hoping to get four copies of.)<br />
<br />
<b>MY RATING</b><br />
<br />
I am pleased with my investment...It was good savings and a way for me to jump into the new set. But I didn't score anything major with a box of boosters. I was left still wanting. And I don't like that one bit. I know, they are called <i>Mythic Rare</i> for a reason. But a person who orders a booster box is a loyal customer, and should be rewarded better.<br />
<br />
My booster box gets a <b>2\5.</b> I am a loyal customer. I will pre-order another. I know it is a gamble. This time I feel I have a foundation, but not the nice house on top.<br />
<br />
The <i>Born of the Gods</i> set gets a <b>3\5.</b> What are we comparing it too? I would give <i>Theros</i> a <b>5\5.</b> I would give <i>Return to Ravnica</i> and <i>Gatecrash</i> both <b>5\5</b>. <i>Core Set 2013</i> Also gets <b>5/5</b>. So there's your reference, readers. BOG is OK. It seems to continue to support the Black devotion strategy well, and adds options for beatdown decks. Tribute is a wicked mechanic, while Inspired promises to create some combos. I hate that they axed Monstrosity, however. The new god cards are nice, but I wish they had weapons, and I also wish their devotion requirements weren't so high. Some of the rares in this set seem to be as powerful as uncommons in some other sets. Then there are a few useless cards...Eater of Hope (I now own 5 copies!) Heroe's Podium, Champion of Stray Souls, Nessian Wilds Ravager, etc. BOG scores 3/5 because it does work well with Theros, but on its own, it is kind of weak.<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367685939270839550.post-55900928446262770732014-02-09T23:01:00.001-05:002014-02-10T00:11:37.944-05:00Drafting with Born of the GodsFirst of all, I should say I had a blast drafting with <i>Theros</i>. I figured out it was best to make a Heroic flavored deck, and that worked out really well for me. So I figured <i>Born of the Gods</i> should be as fun to draft.<br />
<br />
Not exactly this time. Not that it was <i>un-fun</i>. But I wasn't very lucky with my card pool. This time I have grown as a player quite a bit, and was able to manage.<br />
<br />
At the Tangled Web, there were 40 entrants into the release day draft. Our draft consisted of one Theros booster, and two Born of the Gods boosters. We opened the Theros booster pack first.<br />
<br />
The rare in my Theros pack was Prophet of Kruphix. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=373635&type=card" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=373635&type=card" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This is a card that I owned one of already, but never played, not being a Green-Blue "Simic" player. But I new this card was killer, and so I said to myself, "I guess I am going to make a green-blue deck." I played blue the week prior in the sealed deck pre-release tournament, so I was sort of familiar with the new blue cards...I felt this would work in my advantage. (I was right about that.)<br />
<br />
My other rares were Whelming Wave and Tromokratis. Not bad. Two blue cards. I drafted two Floodtide Serpents. And almost every card I got the rest of the night was blue or green. I drafted some chumps, including a couple of copies of Kiora's Follower. Too bad I couldn't have a Kiora, The Crashing Wave. I only hate-drafted 5 cards. (drafted cards I couldn't use because I had to or because of value...not so much this time. I did hate-draft Heroe's Podium...A rare but bad card for limited.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=378531&type=card" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=378531&type=card" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I basically tried the strategy of bombing the board with Whelming Wave at the right time. That was my plan. If Floodtide Serpent or Tromokratis were out, basically that ensured victory. The new twist wast the Prophet of Kruphix. She allowed me to flash in my creatures, and was over-all a game changer. Too bad she is so weak as a fighter. (2/3)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=378429&type=card" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=378429&type=card" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The people in my 8-person pod in general didn't draw any gods or planeswalkers. There was a lot of moaning and groaning about how bad our packs were!<br />
<br />
I built a solid, good deck. It just wasn't quite good enough. The red and black decks were crazy, and white wasn't bad either. I also played against one fringe player who built five colors in order to play the two gods he got, and the Chromanticore he got also. (Lucky dog.) At the end of the tournament I was ranked right in the middle at 20. Not bad for my fifth time ever drafting!<br />
<br />
Check my <a href="http://spartannerd.blogspot.com/2014/02/born-of-godsmagic-gathering-set-review.html" target="_blank">next post </a>for how I feel about Born of the God's in general!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367685939270839550.post-42441136170840589522014-02-04T22:44:00.000-05:002014-02-04T22:47:44.866-05:00SpartanNerd Blog...Blog Photos the way they Should Be!I have a few really nice figures, and am always reviewing them on this blog....<br />
<br />
But up until now, I have only used my kitchen table....Or maybe the "Protector of the Keep" playmate for Magic cards or comics.<br />
<br />
But not anymore!<br />
<br />
The SpartanWife got me an early Valentines present...And I was completely surprised and blown away by it.<br />
<br />
A LIGHTBOX!<br />
<br />
Now I can take really good pictures, and edit them like a pro!<br />
<br />
Here is a sample!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinuRz9zDC1leKWUG8c_QV3QIXXyCUlkjnMFCRf7ahzOKbQUNWjlPy9SmCyEOIodFiM0DT59P1QxYlgIdvc7Asd2Dw2DX7agr-Hxokeg6TD1aOXUvZQD9EiFFjOvwGjbphbvcfjTEshkcM/s1600/IMG_3771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinuRz9zDC1leKWUG8c_QV3QIXXyCUlkjnMFCRf7ahzOKbQUNWjlPy9SmCyEOIodFiM0DT59P1QxYlgIdvc7Asd2Dw2DX7agr-Hxokeg6TD1aOXUvZQD9EiFFjOvwGjbphbvcfjTEshkcM/s1600/IMG_3771.jpg" height="608" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">D Arts MegaMan!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVVHKOY7geGBCvKe4eaZAIphe7bWo0HKjb1jTNzWNqym1zHAWW1F5jeUnwO8utiBOQGcho9-fSuvd92Wj0B2C6FHMIjL6rmdFqsjPnXxlYQ3ArtzQ2CvGXUEQ1rdsbewV6oPfLzTM_cg/s1600/IMG_3779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVVHKOY7geGBCvKe4eaZAIphe7bWo0HKjb1jTNzWNqym1zHAWW1F5jeUnwO8utiBOQGcho9-fSuvd92Wj0B2C6FHMIjL6rmdFqsjPnXxlYQ3ArtzQ2CvGXUEQ1rdsbewV6oPfLzTM_cg/s1600/IMG_3779.jpg" height="640" width="616" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj464q5911MiZCBR7_KteDyEQymz4OOW3rNAfbN3psxDjDoigShWsW0M-Rq2ia8xi0bUvT7tw6xpoiZUUVgH1Ce2uDs5Lmuvb8VUHOdEJoRQBuY2SnCduZZzuyfQ7_njKNy1xRRmo8UzG4/s1600/IMG_3782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj464q5911MiZCBR7_KteDyEQymz4OOW3rNAfbN3psxDjDoigShWsW0M-Rq2ia8xi0bUvT7tw6xpoiZUUVgH1Ce2uDs5Lmuvb8VUHOdEJoRQBuY2SnCduZZzuyfQ7_njKNy1xRRmo8UzG4/s1600/IMG_3782.jpg" height="640" width="494" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i switched out the armor on Snout Spout last week. <br />
I like my elephant warriors to be more savage!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAvYJt0NdSwu7iQOYf3YAojFt0nFHE65qsGst9qpIqsN83uWF6X_JJ-HUw7eYIhLK4efrWbFbzxObxjDVHRuWNCVXOXdhgvyJqNw1hNDmZFXbO5IjWeoyU6bZZKA8H_uH3ygN3GaS7qek/s1600/IMG_3783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAvYJt0NdSwu7iQOYf3YAojFt0nFHE65qsGst9qpIqsN83uWF6X_JJ-HUw7eYIhLK4efrWbFbzxObxjDVHRuWNCVXOXdhgvyJqNw1hNDmZFXbO5IjWeoyU6bZZKA8H_uH3ygN3GaS7qek/s1600/IMG_3783.jpg" height="640" width="348" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teela has proven to be the hardest to photograph. <br />
I think her face is a bit too shiny for the spotlight. Here I gave here a cooler treatment, <br />
with mystical blue lighting.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZ9RNC5NjER_j2ta2yF_xdpxR1IKzt2r-FOexBeE3RG6UtuE8hSunP7TFIfn0ATW8178N2VKJH4fouDDfYjx5qHQGBfif52s4Ngv5zf6yu4zGTGCp_mCu-cnrgtrcFqyFzz64B08nBKI/s1600/IMG_3789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZ9RNC5NjER_j2ta2yF_xdpxR1IKzt2r-FOexBeE3RG6UtuE8hSunP7TFIfn0ATW8178N2VKJH4fouDDfYjx5qHQGBfif52s4Ngv5zf6yu4zGTGCp_mCu-cnrgtrcFqyFzz64B08nBKI/s1600/IMG_3789.jpg" height="640" width="376" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is Marvel Select Thor, with a black background and a filter. I wanted an antique look. <br />
I am especially fond of how the hammer turned out.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIhk6SLOzy_9qAEQgkSkjeFoX23-7-WNReHwh-ieHl7v6PZvNrrOzb5Og-6wLAjOolNNt5Ri3WW-35nTW9TITY36P5wZhKHv2-YyUgYG-O25x0eUNcmdBbLWcvI2OYY0LPqrnOr5LrE4/s1600/IMG_3790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIhk6SLOzy_9qAEQgkSkjeFoX23-7-WNReHwh-ieHl7v6PZvNrrOzb5Og-6wLAjOolNNt5Ri3WW-35nTW9TITY36P5wZhKHv2-YyUgYG-O25x0eUNcmdBbLWcvI2OYY0LPqrnOr5LrE4/s1600/IMG_3790.jpg" height="602" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skeletor is an interesting one to photograph. So much detail! This black and white filter really makes the trio of Panthor, Havoc Staff, and Skeletor feel like they came from a horror story.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBIFCS0FTg3_K1SXu1rvmRnaWH4joUcJamflOYX91-QCTk5SQq5_dfr-oL9UdgJILLxcnDJYiC3hSSC5IN-gqv9Ml4LH922jxXX78rn1NJrCaEWK4SMEGe2ROdHRd_KNYKNbZicgLCcY/s1600/IMG_3792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBIFCS0FTg3_K1SXu1rvmRnaWH4joUcJamflOYX91-QCTk5SQq5_dfr-oL9UdgJILLxcnDJYiC3hSSC5IN-gqv9Ml4LH922jxXX78rn1NJrCaEWK4SMEGe2ROdHRd_KNYKNbZicgLCcY/s1600/IMG_3792.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A good pic of the details on Panthor's face. The Sepia filter makes it feel bronze, or clay even.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFQw8VCsIqOsX9cib7iyEi-7TQUh5IQCkkvVuWN7alasishWKCp6kuMrrIqZVSRGlFvN7ImLEliWnzoix7VuFMT8YFkzJR0bIm9zjx1hSJbCRBqlW7CFnilt2LvHSSY65fHxRTga5e8E/s1600/IMG_3793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFQw8VCsIqOsX9cib7iyEi-7TQUh5IQCkkvVuWN7alasishWKCp6kuMrrIqZVSRGlFvN7ImLEliWnzoix7VuFMT8YFkzJR0bIm9zjx1hSJbCRBqlW7CFnilt2LvHSSY65fHxRTga5e8E/s1600/IMG_3793.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One thing, Skeletor's eyes can hypnotize you if you stare too long at them. <br />
There was masterful design and execution on the face sculpt and painting of Skeletor.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Km00WF0AvTKVmIVAOJcyNP_nO7ZNZirrCRWEA4YtTe3U5zz4MTmjSw5LYQWmc6b2hKOg3aQBDtBTOI9P8xd8R00qjdiZIqSd1Z9nBJSSwztocnGcLTWH65MPX060pNLYIhALtHMF820/s1600/IMG_3796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Km00WF0AvTKVmIVAOJcyNP_nO7ZNZirrCRWEA4YtTe3U5zz4MTmjSw5LYQWmc6b2hKOg3aQBDtBTOI9P8xd8R00qjdiZIqSd1Z9nBJSSwztocnGcLTWH65MPX060pNLYIhALtHMF820/s1600/IMG_3796.jpg" height="640" width="378" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think this is my favorite picture I have taken with the new equipment. Nothing too fancy. But it feels like the cover of a Conan the Barbarian comic book. I tried to have Vikor hold Teela over his shoulder, but their facial expressions are too calm for that pose to work. Still, Red is the perfect color to go behind Vikor.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHoBl-uM-TdIImd2WnTALlqPVkYUUOPviB55TpwBR4StBz7Wy1gX8sDSM0GG85dgEjJ4UN5gsV20NuJiv7N-Qs12M8F59jFhGKGU3MuKkrbCbfcDLMFovPK7dmcbtIYk1I18sbxf9YlFc/s1600/IMG_3798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHoBl-uM-TdIImd2WnTALlqPVkYUUOPviB55TpwBR4StBz7Wy1gX8sDSM0GG85dgEjJ4UN5gsV20NuJiv7N-Qs12M8F59jFhGKGU3MuKkrbCbfcDLMFovPK7dmcbtIYk1I18sbxf9YlFc/s1600/IMG_3798.jpg" height="640" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I tried to get a "Catalogue" feel on He-Man and Battlecat here. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUFmz9F0tV5xXV1xVBixCF_Utheb9z7LGQm71vCE6OIA_YU9qApQlA7o8pBucBGtx1mocQ8DFXaBcTbBNyX033A8dpjW76_QqWjY0uJ1RFZTAyup-6H-MjdpY-kZAhboiV2s8dxVIQ46c/s1600/IMG_3800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUFmz9F0tV5xXV1xVBixCF_Utheb9z7LGQm71vCE6OIA_YU9qApQlA7o8pBucBGtx1mocQ8DFXaBcTbBNyX033A8dpjW76_QqWjY0uJ1RFZTAyup-6H-MjdpY-kZAhboiV2s8dxVIQ46c/s1600/IMG_3800.jpg" height="640" width="504" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And here he/they are. Two Bad looks like he leapt off of the comic pages as well.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I have a lot to learn about taking pictures for reviews, and editing them as well with iPhoto or other software. But I am off to a good start. The lightbox is a 3X3X3 cube with two spotlights and four background colors. I have found that sometimes the light reflects on faces a little too much, as in the case of Teela, Mega-Man, and Two-Bad above, but I was able to recover most of the time with editing. I need to spend more time previewing before shooting, I think. And also maybe moving the lights back or something. I also took a few pics right before my iPhone battery died, and I believe that caused them to be a little blurrier. (I took some Pokemon pics that were unusable.)<br />
<br />
There are also size limitations. He-Man and Skeletor barely fit on their cats in the pics. I cropped down what you see. But the Griffin is way too big for the lightbox treatment. And so is Megator, really.<br />
<br />
Still, it is a great start and I am having a blast. Comment on the photos!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://spartannerd.blogspot.com/2014/02/born-of-gods-pre-release-follow-up.html" target="_blank">(Also check out my recent blurb about Born of the Gods, where I also used the white reflecting material as the background for the cards.)</a><br />
<br />
<b>Oh yeah. My rating.</b> The Polaroid Lightbox gets a 5/5!<br />
<br />
It folds up for easy transport and storage into a little baggy with pouches for the lights. It also came with a camera stand that I will have to try out when I use a real camera sometime instead of an iPhone. I won't fault it on it's size. Really it is perfect for most action figures, and I am a beginner.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367685939270839550.post-10462090762277013262014-02-04T21:25:00.000-05:002014-02-04T21:25:57.435-05:00Born of the Gods Pre-Release Follow UpSorry for the belated news...I was WAY TO TIRED to blog after that tournament!<br />
<br />
Well, I didn't make Top 8...<br />
<br />
Also, I didn't get any of the cards that I said I wanted...In fact, didn't see anyone with those cards either. I saw one Mogis all night. I never saw a Phenax, a Hero of Iroas, or a Brimaz. Also, I don't think the Planeswalker Kiora made an appearance.<br />
<br />
No one played Bile Blight against me. I saw Searing Blood against me a couple of times, though.<br />
<br />
In short, most of the excitement didn't seem to happen at the Tangled Web. It is all a game of chance, and I guess it wasn't this tournament's turn!<br />
<br />
So what did go down?<br />
<br />
I pre-ordered Blue, as told in my previous post. I believe I was right in that decision...Even though I play black.<br />
<br />
So...<br />
<br />
Here is a picture of all my proud new acquisitions!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1hdcCxG1B9SOf-RjS3oFcXclb9dnaWKX2SKJ5mH_XaQpHB2RDyO3Rfxc5MnGEaxWwjSeIldGIvprYZGfEr-POKZdLCi6KUKUYUOU1yxsbF-AolxMX16RCWRTjOhi5FzeybJa4cMXK8c/s1600/IMG_3813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1hdcCxG1B9SOf-RjS3oFcXclb9dnaWKX2SKJ5mH_XaQpHB2RDyO3Rfxc5MnGEaxWwjSeIldGIvprYZGfEr-POKZdLCi6KUKUYUOU1yxsbF-AolxMX16RCWRTjOhi5FzeybJa4cMXK8c/s1600/IMG_3813.JPG" height="288" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What? An improvement in photo skill! More on that in a later post!<br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
First of all, These are my proud new cards, either because I have a use for them or they became the most useful new cards during the tournament. I am only including the Born of the Gods cards...not the Theros cards I got.<br />
<br />
Let's get the Elephant out of the room first. I did NOT play Xenagos. I wound up with a four color deck...a weak strategy to start with...I didn't get that many good creatures. Since my box was seeded blue, I tried to focus it in that direction. But at the end of the day, a little green and a little red did make it into my 40 cards...But Xenagos didn't make it. He costs so much mana, and his ability didn't really go with what I was doing.<br />
<br />
The most successful cards for me were Whelming Wave, and also Floodtide Serpent. Evanescent Intellect was the card that I targeted Floodtide Serpent with in order to allow him to attack.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDGDXeyNV4IQDxkE_HyRYL9SaPsTA-R5Iby2sjWzzOzfJaCD3CD_tQko2DNHq0VqEdsxWmlnXxMfEC1x57Buay-hJXUEYbhcOomAPyd5DgjEaOI5IzHyZtqCJfqyvxt6JiIBeT_yvVWc/s1600/IMG_3823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDGDXeyNV4IQDxkE_HyRYL9SaPsTA-R5Iby2sjWzzOzfJaCD3CD_tQko2DNHq0VqEdsxWmlnXxMfEC1x57Buay-hJXUEYbhcOomAPyd5DgjEaOI5IzHyZtqCJfqyvxt6JiIBeT_yvVWc/s1600/IMG_3823.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I actually considered NOT playing this guy. He got me some early wins.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
My deck was largely Black and Blue, with a small red splash and a small green splash. Two of my boosters had Temple cards as their rares....This cut down on some of what I could do. The red was there for Crackling Triton, in order to enable his ability. The green was there for Kiora's follower, who didn't make a single appearance all night. I tried to build my deck around card advantage....It was a blue deck after all. But that didn't really work out so well.<br />
<br />
My record as the night panned out became 3 wins, 3 losses. I believe I was outclassed by the other players, and outclassed by my skills at deck building. I also feel a little screwed because I had such a poor pool of rares...Xenagos stood above the others, but didn't match the direction I took.<br />
<br />
I could have....Could have...Could have. But I didn't. And what is done is done.<br />
<br />
The success of the night was the new cards, getting my hands on them, playing with them or trying to anyways, and trading also when it was all over.<br />
<br />
I traded one of my Herald of War's for Eater of Hope, who is going into my Black devotion deck right away. And it looks like Xenagos now has a home in that Fencing Ace deck...He can ramp the power of the creatures up REAL HIGH, and in a deck like that, that's what you want.<br />
<br />
What am I looking forward to in the big box that I ordered, (Hopefully will get Friday!) Well, after reading about some decks, it looks like I might make another crack at Azorious, adding Whelming Wave. If I get a Chromanticore, he is going in my Maze's end deck. And I will continue to baby the Fencing Ace deck. So I wlll have to let the world know how that turns out!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367685939270839550.post-46779310206675817822014-01-30T21:32:00.000-05:002014-01-30T21:37:14.105-05:00Born of the Gods Pre-Release ExcitementJust two more days until we get our first taste of Born of the Gods in a sealed deck tournament.<br />
<br />
I signed up for Blue as my color of choice...My logic being it is usually the blue cards that I have a hard time getting. My color is black, so I figure I will get all of those I need anyways.<br />
<br />
Sealed deck is challenging. Luckily they have put all of the cards online ahead of time. This sealed deck will be half Theros and half BOG, so, it might not be that hard after all. I can't wait to draft BOG. It was fun to draft Theros.<br />
<br />
What cards will I get? Definitely Arbiter of the Deal, Ephara, or Phenax. I really want Phenax. He seems like the most powerful of the new gods, in my Esper style. Ephara doesn't seem so bad either. As for the Arbiter, It is a late game play. I hope I don't get that one so much.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.wizards.com/images/magic/tcg/products/bng/KDJ)D(jk2m2389/q1ep2CNflh_EN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media.wizards.com/images/magic/tcg/products/bng/KDJ)D(jk2m2389/q1ep2CNflh_EN.jpg" height="320" width="229" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you imagine this card with a bunch of Pack Rats? You could mill big! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Other cards I hope to see? Bile Blight! Meletis Astronomer! Brimaz, King of Oreskos! And Hero of Iroas!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://media.wizards.com/images/magic/tcg/products/bng/KDJ)D(jk2m2389/i4NkDCksvL_EN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media.wizards.com/images/magic/tcg/products/bng/KDJ)D(jk2m2389/i4NkDCksvL_EN.jpg" height="320" width="229" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.wizards.com/images/magic/tcg/products/bng/KDJ)D(jk2m2389/nV1WCd9gFZ_EN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media.wizards.com/images/magic/tcg/products/bng/KDJ)D(jk2m2389/nV1WCd9gFZ_EN.jpg" height="320" width="229" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing multiples of this guy should be great! Bestow stuff for cheaper!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
I'm thinking the white cards may be good in the Fencing Ace deck*, while the other cards just interest me a lot.<br />
<br />
What about the black cards? Herald of Torment seems like a winner, as a bestow demon. I refuse to believe Champion of Stray Souls was meant to be played in Standard. It is expensive, and its abilities can be accomplished other ways with less mana. Maybe they are pushing tribal Skeletons or something. But he isn't legendary, so...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.wizards.com/images/magic/tcg/products/bng/KDJ)D(jk2m2389/Ai83Ucc9o8_EN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media.wizards.com/images/magic/tcg/products/bng/KDJ)D(jk2m2389/Ai83Ucc9o8_EN.jpg" height="320" width="229" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This guy can be bestowed, so you are ramping up that black devotion!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The other card I am really looking forward to is Chromanticore. A ridiculous card. But I have a pet project of a Mazes End deck, and Chromanticore should fit in there nicely.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://media.wizards.com/images/magic/tcg/products/bng/KDJ)D(jk2m2389/LkEH61s2PF_EN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media.wizards.com/images/magic/tcg/products/bng/KDJ)D(jk2m2389/LkEH61s2PF_EN.jpg" height="320" width="229" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Of other cards, Hero of Leinna Tower seems to be one of the most promising green cards. Searing Blood is going to cause some problems.<br />
<br />
This whole set seems to want to squash out small token strategies. Stuff like Searing Blood and Bile Blight seem to be aimed squarely at the Selesnya token style.<br />
<br />
Oh yeah. Minotaurs are going to be beast in Booster Draft and Standard. And Ragemonger and Mogis are ridiculous.<br />
<br />
In other words, I think I pre-ordered the best color. I could have went with white. But blue here seems to address some of what the rest of the set is doing. And the Inspired mechanic that triggers when stuff untaps is going to cause some craziness.<br />
<br />
I intend to keep everyone informed on what happened at my Pre-Release (Seeded) Sealed Deck tournament.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
*<i>OK. A little bit of rant. </i><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=373606&type=card" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://gatherer.wizards.com/Handlers/Image.ashx?multiverseid=373606&type=card" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You. Poet. Write this down.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
It seems like Heroic is the favorite mechanic of the Wizards. They are always touting the benefits of hitting something that has heroic and causing craziness. And white seems to carry this mechanic the best. It is great when it works, 30% of the time or less. Most of the other time, your creature gets removed and its auras go to the graveyard as junk.<br />
I want to believe in the Heroic mechanic. It is very satisfying to hit a Fabled Hero with Madcap Skills and Ethereal Armor on turn 4 and smack your opponent for a ton. (At least 10). But people like Fabled Hero are too easily burned, canceled, or otherwise snuffed out. I want to believe in Savage Summoning, but this pushes the color wheel to four colors. Not whereUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367685939270839550.post-71970215970904397862014-01-20T10:17:00.001-05:002014-01-20T10:17:48.047-05:00SpartanNerd Unboxing and Review...VINTAGE ALERT! 200x Two Bad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
SpartanNerd, you wanted a MOTUC Two-Bad. Well. Too bad!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So I will settle for the next best thing. 200x Two-Bad.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
IMHO, the vintage 1980's Two-Bad was not very good. I remember making him punch the opposite face all the time. And that's about it. He couldn't stand very well, because he was top heavy. He couldn't hold weapons because his hands were permanent fists. And his shield didn't fit on his arms correctly. I did enjoy the power of punching with the spiny loaded arms and waist feature combined, however. This was the strongest action feature in the original figures.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
200x Two-Bad doesn't have any of those problems, and the action feature is also pretty cool. So he is an advance in every way!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDH1eSa9F72YnmvIsaKaf48Da-JqXqampCM9PtnBiPT15fRbF28BFhibBF771jZ0xev6j2UJ2G6QD_90J2IDrgH2RRxU5rdV9pxqI0n0nm__yjsuTPLXGePXQk8VhTVvT2sbZaJvZ2RhQ/s1600/IMG_3734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDH1eSa9F72YnmvIsaKaf48Da-JqXqampCM9PtnBiPT15fRbF28BFhibBF771jZ0xev6j2UJ2G6QD_90J2IDrgH2RRxU5rdV9pxqI0n0nm__yjsuTPLXGePXQk8VhTVvT2sbZaJvZ2RhQ/s1600/IMG_3734.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is Two-Bad in his original packaging. Notice the price tag. <br />The dude at the Barnyard Fleamarket shaved a little off.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfC5P7H4u6kG1VwPxZMledVBKp38ZluQBdYTm5mMl0kdCOV2CTgY-7wTuk62JGFAhpaDTjeffcJ9Ob5P6I7Iy9_hRoZIuLGr9R3zjZktPTKcvG3PNU_xcP75ee_DQNMufv-4Tw3cFe0CI/s1600/IMG_3736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfC5P7H4u6kG1VwPxZMledVBKp38ZluQBdYTm5mMl0kdCOV2CTgY-7wTuk62JGFAhpaDTjeffcJ9Ob5P6I7Iy9_hRoZIuLGr9R3zjZktPTKcvG3PNU_xcP75ee_DQNMufv-4Tw3cFe0CI/s1600/IMG_3736.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This back is different from Beast Man and He-Man. We get a nice large pic of the figure. It still has the annoying foreign languages all over the package. They should have made a different card for the foreign languages, and gave people something else to collect, rather than this all-inclusive strategy. I like the white outline around the figure.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRsryVtCnqclGv1cxxDW9e5XVkMtWj6zmo4RwGFFwgxNX2xZDxRFSRSQI25k9PLyqAbr3U56ItCNcXRI7zOojTuR-kYb4u4oXw1L3AuApCSfr4d6yXc_hghskVfMXgWoVjSlzbUPX3fE/s1600/IMG_3751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRsryVtCnqclGv1cxxDW9e5XVkMtWj6zmo4RwGFFwgxNX2xZDxRFSRSQI25k9PLyqAbr3U56ItCNcXRI7zOojTuR-kYb4u4oXw1L3AuApCSfr4d6yXc_hghskVfMXgWoVjSlzbUPX3fE/s1600/IMG_3751.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I took this pic when I removed him from the packaging. Impressive!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0EYoL4TBo1hoZNuN0mhIhFCpBNijRxvjWy-aXJrxYmK1TIwSo3Zigj5QaVemV3janruWK3I3nYwAXFVqzLHaNdk1_DBJOXbq1CDMvBARwVJjAMk9nMAxkMFo-8yEs8MOSi74XDYDje_U/s1600/IMG_3748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0EYoL4TBo1hoZNuN0mhIhFCpBNijRxvjWy-aXJrxYmK1TIwSo3Zigj5QaVemV3janruWK3I3nYwAXFVqzLHaNdk1_DBJOXbq1CDMvBARwVJjAMk9nMAxkMFo-8yEs8MOSi74XDYDje_U/s1600/IMG_3748.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two Bad has no problem standing. The weapon is cool, <br />sporting a hinge between the two pieces.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_Yx9OS-RIQ2xIFiFl1zoVHGK01PuiqWImNn6PD_gNX7_7V4mME9wRUa8g5Flz8JGqG2fvF8bkya6fjmflYAqqn6qqV7zAEt8YddJ1UxS_OZs8NpOuiYen2epqyfJbPjXW0Ro21mK7Ow/s1600/IMG_3749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_Yx9OS-RIQ2xIFiFl1zoVHGK01PuiqWImNn6PD_gNX7_7V4mME9wRUa8g5Flz8JGqG2fvF8bkya6fjmflYAqqn6qqV7zAEt8YddJ1UxS_OZs8NpOuiYen2epqyfJbPjXW0Ro21mK7Ow/s1600/IMG_3749.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No big button behind this figure. His arms are spring loaded themselves.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicATZbvR8mvaar2v3jkUl2vhNKSc6p9zn8T6ogQY5N8qt-OD5cojO92mqSHEEXUx4fYyhvKg7wBrcULfF5PaTnm8XzHHvAl4_-_8AKMq1WiT1f8P6XOLnCkwzuu_P52Lk0B_C4sKLInZ0/s1600/IMG_3754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicATZbvR8mvaar2v3jkUl2vhNKSc6p9zn8T6ogQY5N8qt-OD5cojO92mqSHEEXUx4fYyhvKg7wBrcULfF5PaTnm8XzHHvAl4_-_8AKMq1WiT1f8P6XOLnCkwzuu_P52Lk0B_C4sKLInZ0/s1600/IMG_3754.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice that the Baddra side of Two-Bad is the exact same color as Spikor! In this pic you can see that Two-Bad is noticeably shorter than the MOTUC figures. :( Also, both heads seem a tad smaller than He-Man and Beast Man's heads.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1rvsLC4ZnnOKPu2bZYsN-PnmqBRbCdwcf4pvU-OOcRGaO41xzNOmulNHLPQFP9uIVHEnQXYQzClycCSswz17CkzjnmNDAvK2FL5BGK3kHQJGgjjUcW6VI9WafPY8dabVs-NBhPS1v24/s1600/IMG_3756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1rvsLC4ZnnOKPu2bZYsN-PnmqBRbCdwcf4pvU-OOcRGaO41xzNOmulNHLPQFP9uIVHEnQXYQzClycCSswz17CkzjnmNDAvK2FL5BGK3kHQJGgjjUcW6VI9WafPY8dabVs-NBhPS1v24/s1600/IMG_3756.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is a shot of all of my baddies together. The best thing about Two Bad is he helps fill my ranks a bit!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So, what is my rating of Two-Bad? I like that he is an improvement on the 1980's figure in every way. His arms are way better. The Horsemen sculpted him, and he is very detailed. He has excellent weapons. He stands nicely. The only point was taken off because of his slightly off scale build, which was probably done to save money on a fig that was fully tooled.<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: yellow;">I rate 200x Two-Bad 4/5.</span> Do you agree? Let me know!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367685939270839550.post-72649914683810174232014-01-20T07:29:00.002-05:002014-01-20T07:29:59.138-05:00SpartanNerd Unboxing and Review....VINTAGE ALERT! 200x Beast Man.I am going to call this new variety of column VINTAGE ALERT.<br />
<br />
Some people might argue that 200x Masters of the Universe toys are not vintage. But they are approaching fifteen years old, people! They ARE NOT fresh and new.<br />
<br />
From now on, when I get to review a vintage toy, I am going to all-caps VINTAGE ALERT!<br />
<br />
Because it's my blog. That's how I roll!<br />
<br />
I am going to start with the package.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6C48KPrJDOEo2abfJV6hTgi-CrP1kdELeZ14KBZoxeFf0sjNVQIwrLcoxgDJBoU8ksFysUEmR_pu2h7TleFyx8tySGof_bTQet2brKyvVr5kq3j6c24W5DZBP1ZKHIAXo6Iu8EN63Uvw/s1600/IMG_3737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6C48KPrJDOEo2abfJV6hTgi-CrP1kdELeZ14KBZoxeFf0sjNVQIwrLcoxgDJBoU8ksFysUEmR_pu2h7TleFyx8tySGof_bTQet2brKyvVr5kq3j6c24W5DZBP1ZKHIAXo6Iu8EN63Uvw/s1600/IMG_3737.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The card evokes the feeling of nostalgia for the 1980's line. Beast Man is clearly visible in the package. The package is covered in text as well, in english and two other languages.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKqWmbNKZBaCTtNRyFRFBSdJdmSYgiKoosOv40_WZQE7N8vjlMcUWUqkCFUSadT9Vq_pWWzdnSLJqqwxlzkREwDNQ1pV8oUz0N4lrU_sxsPTfJvrxT5DScEIYCf7Op0RBSw57sQRoBlk/s1600/IMG_3738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKqWmbNKZBaCTtNRyFRFBSdJdmSYgiKoosOv40_WZQE7N8vjlMcUWUqkCFUSadT9Vq_pWWzdnSLJqqwxlzkREwDNQ1pV8oUz0N4lrU_sxsPTfJvrxT5DScEIYCf7Op0RBSw57sQRoBlk/s1600/IMG_3738.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here is the back of the package. This packaging is familiar to me because <br />I have the rare variant "cross-harness" He-Man MOC hanging in my office!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have only owned a few 200x figures before. My brother Hoagie Boagie had 200x as HIS He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. I will say that I enjoy the Mike Young Productions cartoon quite a bit. And I am glad to see the Four Horsemen't work on these figures as well. So there are a few loose He-man and Skeletor figures floating around. But no other characters.<br />
<br />
On with the review.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDxkqGhFH2yQA_2ztgPTI1XIJEY9tkpRn1nPurfq3Fr-FxhZLAECa4YvK6ohCaV1aJlTUy-qwniyvAVGOVQMmSq15wJNwGcWm68iMPAg4LnnXAI9xPxGW_z14G0UEIazPtCyX2TnSyJk/s1600/IMG_3752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDxkqGhFH2yQA_2ztgPTI1XIJEY9tkpRn1nPurfq3Fr-FxhZLAECa4YvK6ohCaV1aJlTUy-qwniyvAVGOVQMmSq15wJNwGcWm68iMPAg4LnnXAI9xPxGW_z14G0UEIazPtCyX2TnSyJk/s1600/IMG_3752.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here is Beast Man out of the package. Notice his arms and legs. This figure is NOT super-articulated. He has two accessories. The whip and his armor. The armor fits on him loosely, and is made of the same rubber as the whip. The whip is quite flexible, and really "whips" good with the action feature.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYza5Nzt2d_eJxi6-jg4-fXhqxMiBiFj0Y7TxFDkfCPRtRmgA6JkTaQNfqmuquJwo1u8edSC4Y1SnzyQJ3l-q6CqM0AAImwHf666CL3-01ZhihNMNWWVLMwAgJZ1lse1nsELiyEmp8tg/s1600/IMG_3753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYza5Nzt2d_eJxi6-jg4-fXhqxMiBiFj0Y7TxFDkfCPRtRmgA6JkTaQNfqmuquJwo1u8edSC4Y1SnzyQJ3l-q6CqM0AAImwHf666CL3-01ZhihNMNWWVLMwAgJZ1lse1nsELiyEmp8tg/s1600/IMG_3753.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">On the back, you can see a lever sticking out. When you press this lever, <br />it causes his arms to move simultaneously. So he can crack that whip! Action features like this <br />were what Mattel thought kids wanted.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Beast Man can control animals, right?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvM8vI5CLNlr3CeJ1s36GQtMCk8auCR1AdXtIQml3hF0C5T4cTte3HqyECM2fqHaDtBqSVRxgkh-D7kpSth7jFj7Xrq4-S4hhUE3seZlOyw4YQCyirYAr7I29i13TJYfV1H47LIfMEto/s1600/IMG_3739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvM8vI5CLNlr3CeJ1s36GQtMCk8auCR1AdXtIQml3hF0C5T4cTte3HqyECM2fqHaDtBqSVRxgkh-D7kpSth7jFj7Xrq4-S4hhUE3seZlOyw4YQCyirYAr7I29i13TJYfV1H47LIfMEto/s1600/IMG_3739.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">He is famous for conjuring Griffons to help the baddies make an escape. Here he is riding and whipping my griffin! He doesn't fit on the saddle great, but his loin cloth is soft enough to position right.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Beast Man seems to be a good scale to ride on the Griffin, and that pleased me very much! So how does he look next to Skeletor?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLEILNo9s_Zg7JsL81pu5gUSTdQsFtLKKDnP8-HJ5DM9pyhNgH7lcb79P0s42Gp8ddUx0DzSI7W-DJvbccIMpw9ePic39PnFI2rW9J-2vT0M2ndLUCvH_c8gez3NQmeB9a8JpcfVO5CIk/s1600/IMG_3755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLEILNo9s_Zg7JsL81pu5gUSTdQsFtLKKDnP8-HJ5DM9pyhNgH7lcb79P0s42Gp8ddUx0DzSI7W-DJvbccIMpw9ePic39PnFI2rW9J-2vT0M2ndLUCvH_c8gez3NQmeB9a8JpcfVO5CIk/s1600/IMG_3755.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Skeletor seems to stand about a half-head taller than Beast Man. BUT, Beast Man is hunched over a little. Which is fitting for the character in relation to Skeletor.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">So what's my rating? I am going to take into account that super-articulated figures weren't the big thing necessarily at the time these were produced. (200x He-Man figs were marketed at kids more than adults.) I am going to take into account that he looks pretty good with the MOTUC characters. The same sculptors, after all! I am also pleased that he fits on the griffin, and looks fantastic. (If you are a regular reader, you know I wanted Vikor to ride it, but his loincloth was too stiff.) I kind of wish the spikes on his arms and knees were removable, but I don't think it is necessary enough to take off a point, considering the time it was released.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b style="background-color: yellow;">So, my rating is 5/5!</b> He serves the grand purpose of making my bad guys seem to have more of a team. I will probably not have a MOTUC Beast Man any time soon. What do you think? Leave a comment!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367685939270839550.post-19618415138292560062014-01-19T23:41:00.001-05:002014-01-19T23:41:08.417-05:00SpartanNerd Unboxing and Review....Sir Lazer Lot, Round 2Once upon a time...a certain SpartanSmurf #2 set eyes on the most ridiculous Masters of the Universe Classics figures ever made, <i>(except for maybe the Star Sisters or the Mighty Spector)</i>...and it was love at first sight. He said that he wanted it, and I was obliged to see that he got him. I might have thought he looked like some kind of Papa Smurf wannabe, but if it was something He-Man related, and an actual child was interested, I was ready to deliver.<br />
<br />
Sir Lazer Lot arrived, and several hours of play were had with him. The SpartanSmurf #2 carried him places, and one fateful day decided to take him to school.<br />
<br />
Now there was a thief committing thievery in those days. And in fact, two Ninja Turtles had been stolen from his book bag already. And Sir Lazer Lot was next. So that makes two kids who thought he was swell.<br />
<br />
(This thief was eventually caught. But <i>her (that's right, her)</i> stolen items were never recovered, and so the SpartanSmurf remained brokenhearted and forever longing for him still. He got other MOTUC characters...Flipshot, Faceless One, etc. But one day he told me that he didn't play with them that much because they reminded him of Sir Lazer Lot and what happened. Heartbreaking to hear this from an eight year old.<br />
<br />
All of this came to a change yesterday, however! When at the Barnyard Fleamarket in Greer, SC, we happened upon a toy vendor who sold tons of He-Man items. I daresay I shall return! One of the items on the wall was....SIR LAZER LOT! So now, we have one that I can review, and the joy of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe has returned to the children in the SpartanNerd household.<br />
<br />
Sir Lazer Lot came in the regular package.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRy9tqim8b7k7Me-4z7gW53vzt1UzX-3Z9k2dJo5rt8hKCrBcEoF0u999SLu2t4WJdIemmkWZNwfWVc-MfdNotMI370ZYnJamBijh21JFO2_y2sstgN15uySm3ywbgmHGxou2qvlm1Ubk/s1600/IMG_3729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRy9tqim8b7k7Me-4z7gW53vzt1UzX-3Z9k2dJo5rt8hKCrBcEoF0u999SLu2t4WJdIemmkWZNwfWVc-MfdNotMI370ZYnJamBijh21JFO2_y2sstgN15uySm3ywbgmHGxou2qvlm1Ubk/s1600/IMG_3729.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice the little flash over the word, "Sir" It says "Created By Geoff Johns.<br />Sir Lazer Lot was a part of the anniversary line of MOTUC figures. We also have Draego Man. You will also notice the price, $35. But the guy cut me a deal since I also bought some other stuff from him.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibAt6iAyPKmqoBx9elu7Ibb7bHSz5cNsdCMpYVsY0kI9-Qf417Z-hBre-0NRNylk3oU9ljpw6m48xDLCKHBxgzK3GnE2X82CzQOePgTDZ-PiYW1a6rLteUSbxKfMqlMOX9zkDa3ZpeH-0/s1600/IMG_3730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibAt6iAyPKmqoBx9elu7Ibb7bHSz5cNsdCMpYVsY0kI9-Qf417Z-hBre-0NRNylk3oU9ljpw6m48xDLCKHBxgzK3GnE2X82CzQOePgTDZ-PiYW1a6rLteUSbxKfMqlMOX9zkDa3ZpeH-0/s1600/IMG_3730.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The back sports a little Bio. I personally like the digital comic that came out last year. And along that line, <br />would like an un-helmeted head. SLL is also one of the rare black characters. So bring on the mask-less head!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqe8qRIiI3PFxoVy0lvXVjkh-wRb-xPod8xv3WLhVS65ucB-X3tA8WinYSb_mTxDtDTY5yg4yyZfCh5iDMADsv7Pd2bMMMpCLsr9zX6LJpSMhLvj8Mx8DGeNlwP5FCqjXCAYE0_5a8KcQ/s1600/IMG_3732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqe8qRIiI3PFxoVy0lvXVjkh-wRb-xPod8xv3WLhVS65ucB-X3tA8WinYSb_mTxDtDTY5yg4yyZfCh5iDMADsv7Pd2bMMMpCLsr9zX6LJpSMhLvj8Mx8DGeNlwP5FCqjXCAYE0_5a8KcQ/s1600/IMG_3732.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is quite odd. I did some searching. Nowhere does SLL have furry shorts except in this picture on the back of the card..</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbMvoabn_SwMhcU-0MDYWAdGa8e1q0_Csh_Gqb5Hsw2TydG0OsifMrs2cv_Ovk_2oQ03ut8YTD_I4mdtLq2BNVc9aH_iACzO_yRMakShEisLX6ue_lyYfkyjzeAl3Br_l7dxwNnVmndk/s1600/IMG_3733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbMvoabn_SwMhcU-0MDYWAdGa8e1q0_Csh_Gqb5Hsw2TydG0OsifMrs2cv_Ovk_2oQ03ut8YTD_I4mdtLq2BNVc9aH_iACzO_yRMakShEisLX6ue_lyYfkyjzeAl3Br_l7dxwNnVmndk/s1600/IMG_3733.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A close-up of that bio, if you care.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
NOW FOR THE GOOD STUFF.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwsUsHLWFQQM1W5H9kLXHjPmhSdTaC5Eawo5KDXUgF-OjXVm2qp3ErlpGTWLJh3bfQmSL8eryvGK-5ENzTRKUNFWhha4dfFhPkNJloAt1JpXDF0SXYVcvlH0gEpRGyBfjJWitgnneNYI/s1600/IMG_3740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwsUsHLWFQQM1W5H9kLXHjPmhSdTaC5Eawo5KDXUgF-OjXVm2qp3ErlpGTWLJh3bfQmSL8eryvGK-5ENzTRKUNFWhha4dfFhPkNJloAt1JpXDF0SXYVcvlH0gEpRGyBfjJWitgnneNYI/s1600/IMG_3740.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Really, as a comic-book knight, SLL is all right. He might not seem to fit <br />the rest of MOTUC, but he isn't bad by himself. Here I show a lofty battle pose. <br />This figure has tight joints. He looks sort of graceful here, no?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgldfYActwc3M3SpO2IAoBVfPXOUt1bDCP0JZbbRGXp8WmlM-PQUnNSn1p6_uQy9voO9JoczfXHWVGNWlbRSzScLRcDcO11dhuh30_ppRma2FIpZzmhUvueo1Je19rlbo9UZ-IjWuaT4Yg/s1600/IMG_3741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgldfYActwc3M3SpO2IAoBVfPXOUt1bDCP0JZbbRGXp8WmlM-PQUnNSn1p6_uQy9voO9JoczfXHWVGNWlbRSzScLRcDcO11dhuh30_ppRma2FIpZzmhUvueo1Je19rlbo9UZ-IjWuaT4Yg/s1600/IMG_3741.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is a charging pose. The Laser sword is pretty cool. And I like the tribal design on the shield.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQuq6iV0kbnsyhOqgvNAQkENwNIsHZsuEalPZ_GwoaBdWPIC5eXk8Gt2nkNcOEt5fSXc0zBADeI0r0PB9uRHb2NXqprxv9nKLu3nUxu6KmzWP2p_3oga_o9zQt_qq1JZTXJb-ZRQptaU/s1600/IMG_3742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQuq6iV0kbnsyhOqgvNAQkENwNIsHZsuEalPZ_GwoaBdWPIC5eXk8Gt2nkNcOEt5fSXc0zBADeI0r0PB9uRHb2NXqprxv9nKLu3nUxu6KmzWP2p_3oga_o9zQt_qq1JZTXJb-ZRQptaU/s1600/IMG_3742.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The other accessory is what I call a big sucker. It looks like a spiky lollipop. It is supposed to be a laser mace....<br />SLL has the problem that <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://spartannerd.blogspot.com/2014/01/spartannerd-unboxing-and-reviewmarvel.html" target="_blank">Marvel Select Thor</a></span> has. His weapon wants to slide down.. <br />If he holds the bottom, it doesn't look right.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZ-kzN2WOVGG9uETD0IAE48ddsQsBd2z-MuVnZX1vTsdQjm-1UIZZVEcmB_NZX893i65UwCb4FiPSnEjJsxZXwKTo8rD52WBHNqeLAoxqg4DmzmtMbhGHuaezG5lFdHSoIWto12G6PdI/s1600/IMG_3745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZ-kzN2WOVGG9uETD0IAE48ddsQsBd2z-MuVnZX1vTsdQjm-1UIZZVEcmB_NZX893i65UwCb4FiPSnEjJsxZXwKTo8rD52WBHNqeLAoxqg4DmzmtMbhGHuaezG5lFdHSoIWto12G6PdI/s1600/IMG_3745.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I managed to capture it sliding down in his hand....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0rlDI7zjdXnSlvXbA0G9-dJazIV9QSXNjO_tiFyw5rmdKt1KEtLGHgfz5pHqGbi0COe_OmAlrVmHR8divO-vxewXThgWgQUP3AXUU2mRIJp2uc4iYcz95N_PZIldnGENYeZyivwbQ8tY/s1600/IMG_3746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0rlDI7zjdXnSlvXbA0G9-dJazIV9QSXNjO_tiFyw5rmdKt1KEtLGHgfz5pHqGbi0COe_OmAlrVmHR8divO-vxewXThgWgQUP3AXUU2mRIJp2uc4iYcz95N_PZIldnGENYeZyivwbQ8tY/s1600/IMG_3746.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">His left hand holds this better. I have a theory...that the sword handle is fatter than the mace handle. <br />So it has stretched the hand out somewhat. The left hand hasn't been holding anything. <br />Which is why it is tighter. Maybe.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQwMLi_6_ywZnEuOFUuytr4K11W4_SkDG7XbczcdYAvm3_MCmC-rX8ELex-8vTdkvHVnl4IallE4Y4HxBo6OiVyMDF1k04i0rZwm_wZuUCnCwKUfQNMlT_6062Y8JElojarJmLa1IOgU/s1600/IMG_3747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQwMLi_6_ywZnEuOFUuytr4K11W4_SkDG7XbczcdYAvm3_MCmC-rX8ELex-8vTdkvHVnl4IallE4Y4HxBo6OiVyMDF1k04i0rZwm_wZuUCnCwKUfQNMlT_6062Y8JElojarJmLa1IOgU/s1600/IMG_3747.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is a backside shot. This cape is pretty nice. I don't care for the plume. The plume is supposed to be sparks coming out of the top of the helmet. I wish it were removable. But hey, it isn't my toy anyways.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As a MOTUC figure, this guy is shaky. And he shouldn't have been put out to honor the Masters of the Universe 25th anniversary. The Castle Grayskull should have been what they put out. Instead, you paid as much for the six figures that you probably didn't want half of, and paid around $300 anyways. We could have got Draego Man some other way, he is so cool, and we probably would have. We would have got Photog too, and also Castle Grayskull Man could have still been made. But SLL, Mighty Spector, and Cy-Chop were kind of duds IMHO.<br />
<br />
BUT.......Remember what I said at the beginning. Sir Lazer Lot appeals to kids. Guess what, SpartanSmurf #2 also said he wants Mighty Spector. What can I say. If Masters of the Universe is to live on with people younger than 30 years old, then it is going to have to make some headway with the children. It is going to have to anchor in their hearts the way it has mine and the many other MOTU fans.<br />
<br />
New Media, appropriate for the kids is needed here. There needs to be a cartoon. There needs to be a video game. There needs to be a movie. I have definite opinions about these. And the media today isn't kid-friendly. (For the most part I haven't allowed my kids to read the new MOTU comics. The oldest kid can handle it, but not the younger.)<br />
<br />
Major nerd tangent alert!<br />
<br />
So SLL appeals to kids. And that is what's important. I wish more kids could see him. And want him. I wish there was a CGI cartoon featuring his adventures. I wish there was a video game where he gets to slay dragons on the scale of Draego Man, or even Granymyr. In short. He gets a 4/5 for this potential. He is solid as an action figure. It is a stretch to make him a He-Man and the MOTU figure. But he is. And he does belong with Stinkor and Snout Spout. I think I'll take another point, because we saw that Geoff Johns had designed a non-helmeted head in the comic, that we did not get here, and that was an African-America styled head at that. So another ding.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="background-color: yellow;">My final rating is 3/5.</span> </b>He is solid as a figure, and makes me dream of MOTU's future. But we didn't get his awesome black unhelmeted head, and he doesn't necessarily fit with everyone else. What is your opinion, oh Hub City Geeks? Comment!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367685939270839550.post-17842473787230088882014-01-18T23:22:00.000-05:002014-01-18T23:22:31.553-05:00Groovy Dork List....MOTUC, Magic, Coffee, Pathfinder, Arkham, and MineCraft.<b>Groovy</b>...I was able to find a massive local source of Masters of the Universe items! A dude at the Barnyard Flea-market sells them. Workable on the price (I AM a cheapskate, remember!), and also a knowledgeable and enthusiastic fan. I will be reviewing the three items I picked up today soon!<br />
<br />
<b>Dork</b>...The problem finally appeared. Snout Spout has a crack in his trunk. The trunk is apparently made of blue foam-rubber. :(<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Groovy</b>...I am Back-in-Black! I am playing Mono-black devotion as my current for Magic: the Gathering strategy! Just keep putting black permanents out, get that devotion ramped up, and then slam the opponent with a Grey Merchant of Asphodel. And unless they cancel the Merchant, there is little they can do. The fine folk at the Tangled Web were ready to trade the other day. I scored a few more Nightveil Spectors, which I really, really needed, and a Desecration Demon as well! Readers of this blog will know that my color is black. I have recently been playing other colors, but it seems the old dark evil ways are returning!<br />
<br />
<b>Dork</b>...Don't get me wrong...I had a blast, but I would play someone, anyone really, for almost 45 minutes. And then somehow lose...I would disrupt their strategies over and over, only to be trumped eventually. You can only run Four gray merchants!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Groovy</b>...In the same vein...The Born of the Gods set looks amazing! I can't wait to see what else they reveal. I have preordered a box, and me and my two boys are going to play in the sealed deck pre-release. I already see cards with promise for the Fencing Ace deck, and for the black devotion deck. The inspired mechanic sounds interesting, and Mogis, God of the Slaughter is going to be crazy!<br />
<br />
<b>Dork</b>...They haven't released a new challenge deck :( The Hydra has been a blast!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Groovy</b>...The Keurig Vue system is wonderful! This machine makes not only coffee, but cafe drinks and iced tea! Most everything I have tried tastes great!<br />
<br />
<b>Dork</b>...(semi-dork, I guess)...Those Vue cups cost a bunch. BUT, I am subscribed to the Cafe Express Savings Club, that basically means I only pay half for the Vue cups.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Groovy</b>...I am now a Dungeon Master...I mean <i>Game Master. </i>Me and the SpartanSmurfs, and even the SpartanWife have been playing Pathfinder. This is our first taste of this kind of gaming. I don't know what I think about it yet. I like being the game master. But I don't always feel like it. These games tend to run over an hour. Also, the SpartanSmurfs are too easily killed off. I have to be careful not to off them unintentionally. This has already happened three times. The first time I considered it a real death, to try and send them a message. I didn't like it, though. So I have been inserting lucky saves into the game.<br />
<br />
<b>Dork</b>...I have a pretty good imagination, and can flesh out the Pathfinder world pretty good for the boys. But they on the other hand tend to just want to battle constantly, rather than take in their world.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Groovy</b>...I have been playing Batman: Arkham Asylum again. That game is terrific! I especially like taking out the armed thugs! That is a lot of fun.<br />
<br />
<b>Dork</b>...I don't get MineCraft. I played it. I just don't <i>get it.</i><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367685939270839550.post-33773996757912370042014-01-11T23:46:00.004-05:002014-01-11T23:46:34.831-05:00SpartanNerd Unboxing and Review...Marvel Select ThorI have reviewed an excellent Marvel Select figure before, Deadpool, which you can read here...(And probably should)<br />
<br />
I say that because, unfortunately, Thor doesn't stack up to Deadpool as a figure. Let's see why!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXMh-U0rWT4i46Wxjj70vtNM7xYR5ffSmiwZV7DLxERJ1hMINdSO0oI-M-x7abn8KRcP8p03E0VJ7sEpZZ35nYxSx5Kj8NLhrORbGvzoSKmDC0reOf6KwYU37OSjjKx9BJOLH4yLKApsA/s1600/IMG_3678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXMh-U0rWT4i46Wxjj70vtNM7xYR5ffSmiwZV7DLxERJ1hMINdSO0oI-M-x7abn8KRcP8p03E0VJ7sEpZZ35nYxSx5Kj8NLhrORbGvzoSKmDC0reOf6KwYU37OSjjKx9BJOLH4yLKApsA/s1600/IMG_3678.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here Thor sits on the shelf at the Tangled Web in Spartanburg, yelling "Purchase me, mortal. Thou hast the power!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
First of all, the packaging. Thor comes in a beautiful Marvel box that displays what you are getting very clearly. Also, there is nice comic book artwork on the left. side.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA87BRhr8L79NmvPqd3-Xf_asEu_X6r2hJ_flDQI6L-SzYbDk4IyN96b3CEMpgg3iowJFasWgLYBQxXmLhX_k65RGXTzfOw8Uno6qc-3yY-ngIf305wIoJn1x3kQ2bqYDFBnv5wM1C7zM/s1600/IMG_0172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA87BRhr8L79NmvPqd3-Xf_asEu_X6r2hJ_flDQI6L-SzYbDk4IyN96b3CEMpgg3iowJFasWgLYBQxXmLhX_k65RGXTzfOw8Uno6qc-3yY-ngIf305wIoJn1x3kQ2bqYDFBnv5wM1C7zM/s1600/IMG_0172.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">$24.99. Not bad. The Christmas fund will cover it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vs2_e77FFRHY8dgCTUZ9f0WMiNqscEKzaPF5hGXUzHMpb7dkP_cOifZpQ5uTalpWJSHpObZYB6rJYKUNox55f13-Jx0fy3LGrfVfhS4f6OACcf7MT2LI7JdKYCs-BthkOyAMCH6_CyI/s1600/IMG_3682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vs2_e77FFRHY8dgCTUZ9f0WMiNqscEKzaPF5hGXUzHMpb7dkP_cOifZpQ5uTalpWJSHpObZYB6rJYKUNox55f13-Jx0fy3LGrfVfhS4f6OACcf7MT2LI7JdKYCs-BthkOyAMCH6_CyI/s1600/IMG_3682.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
The back of the package gives you a nice little backstory for Thor as he is in Marvel Comics.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-Kj7jb5YxyxO8kdfcJQ3fjuLi2GiuXkiiOFdBErB9XbPe-WNmHe-S4vx7pJKVE3ZebDr-m8FbNj5vx2VnVSgkKeF8zvXiZByyov2gWFSudYui7ZIr7lN6KcMgqM4r55bO-N4D3ze0zo/s1600/IMG_0173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-Kj7jb5YxyxO8kdfcJQ3fjuLi2GiuXkiiOFdBErB9XbPe-WNmHe-S4vx7pJKVE3ZebDr-m8FbNj5vx2VnVSgkKeF8zvXiZByyov2gWFSudYui7ZIr7lN6KcMgqM4r55bO-N4D3ze0zo/s1600/IMG_0173.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apparently, Thor is the daughter of Odin's mistress....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Time to tear into it!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kX2OP8XU59TZ6fVFHYezJM4suabsRzDMwUmRas13UxMygiatbb1gDXmswJaihWakKgZ2vpVkpqzydZjooEIGmvb1nhM4gqnXrL-g_f9jVNubj1MffBLy-INTZPqo9naq7s2oZgtx6Sk/s1600/IMG_0175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kX2OP8XU59TZ6fVFHYezJM4suabsRzDMwUmRas13UxMygiatbb1gDXmswJaihWakKgZ2vpVkpqzydZjooEIGmvb1nhM4gqnXrL-g_f9jVNubj1MffBLy-INTZPqo9naq7s2oZgtx6Sk/s1600/IMG_0175.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is what you see when you open the box. In case you are wondering, the little pamphlet shows off other Marvel Select figures as well as Marvel Mini-Mates.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Thor was strapped in with those stupid bread tie things. I had to resort to cutting the left foot's wire-in with nail clippers, because I was afraid I would damage the figure.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinTAHXoghoOlq5jspFpo9McLIEi3BMjL-m0h29sJ0P2EtHurtCkQsAqsOXB9_5FAqUTROyX_Bn1I8DmgiK-9tyexQOLevmoQxlXc_Wk1w5hF4rkiFFSFEWPWx9yQKFLrsEAC4-Ugs0Ul0/s1600/IMG_0178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinTAHXoghoOlq5jspFpo9McLIEi3BMjL-m0h29sJ0P2EtHurtCkQsAqsOXB9_5FAqUTROyX_Bn1I8DmgiK-9tyexQOLevmoQxlXc_Wk1w5hF4rkiFFSFEWPWx9yQKFLrsEAC4-Ugs0Ul0/s1600/IMG_0178.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What vile power can bind the God of Thunder?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY4iRCb6HoS3sTSv5dkn_pTH7Y1rAP9p8z5dJY1QGeLXhKq9DZY2-UzPoayD62cOXsHu434r9LWMs4Svv_dewJGfm1HOh8FaiE3Rl5AjFRzi73xcK85g0QYGd_PN3lELQ1FCwiwwbld4c/s1600/IMG_0179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY4iRCb6HoS3sTSv5dkn_pTH7Y1rAP9p8z5dJY1QGeLXhKq9DZY2-UzPoayD62cOXsHu434r9LWMs4Svv_dewJGfm1HOh8FaiE3Rl5AjFRzi73xcK85g0QYGd_PN3lELQ1FCwiwwbld4c/s1600/IMG_0179.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here he is, freed from his prison.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Let's discuss his articulation. Compared to the previous Deadpool figure, he theoretically has mostly the same articulation points. But I used the word Theoretically for a reason. Actually, only the bottom joint of his double jointed knee moves. Furthermore, his left leg is tighter than the right leg. He has rocker ankles, that are quite stiff. What about his arms? Well they are pretty tight. But his hands are sculpted into permanent positions. No finger articulation. Just Hammer Holder and Bruce Dickenson "Metal to the Masses" pose (Thanks Puller, for that bit of poetry!). His head is hampered by his hair and cape. The hair and cape are not movable...They are stiff poses. So really, he isn't all that much articulated. In fact, his coolness as a toy is lessoned quite a bit. He seems more like a statue with posable arms.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYejE0Ag65Ht_VZ8_3YbC9C9GziS64cNwCb6yPqoadPiPsIPrPLPM0wfstWhNbDHyJCh7M7TWyAQztqXqQBMjG6R6CuYkIowrwCqfWwFAYPg9MVFJxr5JF0FG_D2b5PwuWuGsvwC2I5Y/s1600/IMG_0180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYejE0Ag65Ht_VZ8_3YbC9C9GziS64cNwCb6yPqoadPiPsIPrPLPM0wfstWhNbDHyJCh7M7TWyAQztqXqQBMjG6R6CuYkIowrwCqfWwFAYPg9MVFJxr5JF0FG_D2b5PwuWuGsvwC2I5Y/s1600/IMG_0180.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is what his back looks like.<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now for the really important stuff. Thor uses a "real man's hammer!" (The SpartanNerd's friends will recognize this saying....)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxou1kvsWioFbPK_WW966YICYNCuNI5h4Nzvu_xdrGArv6BntCOV7uQCrP6Zv1Y4p9Av6RHCYxCdY6UnxPqPyBCf3MtKOOhZ-9AjvI9FGC-AWIteXsX_QKPvDiw-PacV7z-4gYUiDXJ6U/s1600/IMG_0181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxou1kvsWioFbPK_WW966YICYNCuNI5h4Nzvu_xdrGArv6BntCOV7uQCrP6Zv1Y4p9Av6RHCYxCdY6UnxPqPyBCf3MtKOOhZ-9AjvI9FGC-AWIteXsX_QKPvDiw-PacV7z-4gYUiDXJ6U/s1600/IMG_0181.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nicely sculpted detail, it even has a loop. This is what Thor uses to swing the hammer like a bola, I gather.<br />Pay attention to the bottom of the handle. That little bulb of lacquer is going to be a problem.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ10SLsEB0LPUVvmCKUl7hN1ky_nFcqwtP98nsjrBYbDEDuuUQNG8-doX1_hDkXq6Wntj2M1thKOKn-C_JwnKhX64AbbHwkhxQO5Ue6uxhjRbXmZmihDV6rGVDP-J5EUqCURTFz3hR3qU/s1600/IMG_0182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ10SLsEB0LPUVvmCKUl7hN1ky_nFcqwtP98nsjrBYbDEDuuUQNG8-doX1_hDkXq6Wntj2M1thKOKn-C_JwnKhX64AbbHwkhxQO5Ue6uxhjRbXmZmihDV6rGVDP-J5EUqCURTFz3hR3qU/s1600/IMG_0182.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wanted to remove Mjolnier from the hand of Thor. But, that little <br />blob of stuff made the hammer too fat to get it out of his hand.<br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I hope you're reading my captions. That's right. I couldn't get it out without force. Force is the enemy of handles made of soft plastic. I was so afraid I would bend it, I seriously considered leaving it in his hand forever. But it is the job of an internet reviewer to come forth with all of the truth. So I pulled it out as straight as I could.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicx3N0FlzGo74dg71T0FUKteL7fV5asqzBARBpVbJbtfEMCsj6qt34HqSzOA_hYwtXBkObPLRoyJ9qIwSAS9cmpnieORQUJJfkaAdrVD1n1M_SJ5EYwCF_i4M_1VuMUqee-FLPDecoHlA/s1600/IMG_0183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicx3N0FlzGo74dg71T0FUKteL7fV5asqzBARBpVbJbtfEMCsj6qt34HqSzOA_hYwtXBkObPLRoyJ9qIwSAS9cmpnieORQUJJfkaAdrVD1n1M_SJ5EYwCF_i4M_1VuMUqee-FLPDecoHlA/s1600/IMG_0183.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see, I didn't bend it much.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0LEBAM0mOVblr2CrHKaqiXji6hfJ0uRuu__mGuiNpEqHLZmGEU65lhN7kvWLAIa7xw-XCd1lazhD07n9D8wBuhqfiLGkWMZu0SKzTdXk11Pp9S3e07xX9R_U5Cs48nqffhileTgsLfo/s1600/IMG_0185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0LEBAM0mOVblr2CrHKaqiXji6hfJ0uRuu__mGuiNpEqHLZmGEU65lhN7kvWLAIa7xw-XCd1lazhD07n9D8wBuhqfiLGkWMZu0SKzTdXk11Pp9S3e07xX9R_U5Cs48nqffhileTgsLfo/s1600/IMG_0185.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thor also comes with this stand...er...rock...err...meteor thing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
OK. He has peg holes in his feet. But it isn't any easier to make Thor stand. Why? That cape is quite heavy. Also, his right leg is looser than his left leg.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxQRXpipb5FYygi101Rlg9tQpiXFML6KFaDwHQudEG94jhy3BR_7am_ZFk_6F2PZbONg_T9M8cu7yQO4mNyJW_MSEwPUKdau26kPn4LYlKLlk3cm6BkgcYpuHJ0RZ42-vEbsVmgEv47I/s1600/IMG_0186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxQRXpipb5FYygi101Rlg9tQpiXFML6KFaDwHQudEG94jhy3BR_7am_ZFk_6F2PZbONg_T9M8cu7yQO4mNyJW_MSEwPUKdau26kPn4LYlKLlk3cm6BkgcYpuHJ0RZ42-vEbsVmgEv47I/s1600/IMG_0186.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I believe he stands better without the rock!<br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
Not going to give you a picture, but my MOTUC figures stand quite nicely on that rock!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQ1Lb_tsHMoPULd-3zZ1bUP2nwCZtTCVWE9Y7GWFlOgDDR8gxqKHWi_ulYlNOg-KnfvSkoAdx6pDmlRLh5bj9FcCTjYxHzqxBjHjOzQ053ds3-Sf91lszt0x2fO15mh0pxpgARR_Mkjo/s1600/IMG_0193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQ1Lb_tsHMoPULd-3zZ1bUP2nwCZtTCVWE9Y7GWFlOgDDR8gxqKHWi_ulYlNOg-KnfvSkoAdx6pDmlRLh5bj9FcCTjYxHzqxBjHjOzQ053ds3-Sf91lszt0x2fO15mh0pxpgARR_Mkjo/s1600/IMG_0193.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here he is holding Vikor's sword. He is a tad taller than MOTUC figures. <br />The scale seems larger. <br />It makes this awesome sword seem less awesome.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxO1y6tdiKphUFGFpt6ujOkG35xjLFeTyZL6YtHgygF-gkBKiBOGkL5BILuK3WZrQ6ZPO3SvH54IMTsmIYDVrQG_NTQflE_wfNVHBaVWHwtAtSVPC7Kolg4skHhazSlh0bNIc6T_0epU8/s1600/IMG_0189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxO1y6tdiKphUFGFpt6ujOkG35xjLFeTyZL6YtHgygF-gkBKiBOGkL5BILuK3WZrQ6ZPO3SvH54IMTsmIYDVrQG_NTQflE_wfNVHBaVWHwtAtSVPC7Kolg4skHhazSlh0bNIc6T_0epU8/s1600/IMG_0189.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two vikings. This is the kind of Thor story I like.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4yLJqXON3tO06n9bATOjAHuS0YaoT7-llbB5VXYt9_YDcBmON1Om3iYwyNmPoOzYPIGUkBe7bo1xC_5wwQ48OVAFtit2r2U5GwDDcUuQOJ6_egw8r-f7i9-5PDGsBUyZ4MOj4JzfoB4M/s1600/IMG_0191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4yLJqXON3tO06n9bATOjAHuS0YaoT7-llbB5VXYt9_YDcBmON1Om3iYwyNmPoOzYPIGUkBe7bo1xC_5wwQ48OVAFtit2r2U5GwDDcUuQOJ6_egw8r-f7i9-5PDGsBUyZ4MOj4JzfoB4M/s1600/IMG_0191.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teela makes a fine barbarian bride for Thor!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Gdd0-UsXl_MwbTHxTCmO5ImPx5jyAult__nIDeg3q-gn775KpfqdFP3ADw9OrHzYbYn9A788djQj_EpNdPuEbOz5WN3trhls7K_U14Mc-Fb-S77T-SutET7jcYPLYxLUGIyr41ZU_Yk/s1600/IMG_0192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Gdd0-UsXl_MwbTHxTCmO5ImPx5jyAult__nIDeg3q-gn775KpfqdFP3ADw9OrHzYbYn9A788djQj_EpNdPuEbOz5WN3trhls7K_U14Mc-Fb-S77T-SutET7jcYPLYxLUGIyr41ZU_Yk/s1600/IMG_0192.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone's a little jealous....Vikor, you're going to mess around and bend your axe! (Too late!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirkhFud98byEMeXZjnjAHjVl10LoPUhnSD98RXYPRP9yHzWht-ddBYFy0lSsgu2wcIRZqezCwcUd0GanA_L-hmq82ata0Xu1r2m6WfG_8xwYRVa96jB0fI0cFqx2KXMN6ccOl9K7xhJ-c/s1600/IMG_0194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirkhFud98byEMeXZjnjAHjVl10LoPUhnSD98RXYPRP9yHzWht-ddBYFy0lSsgu2wcIRZqezCwcUd0GanA_L-hmq82ata0Xu1r2m6WfG_8xwYRVa96jB0fI0cFqx2KXMN6ccOl9K7xhJ-c/s1600/IMG_0194.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deadpool..."What's your excuse for being less articulated?"<br />Thor..."I don't have to be. I am immortal."<br />Deadpool..."Well, I am unkillable!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
How do I rate this Thor figure? I am quite a fan of Thor, and I like the Thor movies. In general I like the comics also, recently having read the whole Ghor the Godbutcher series in the Marvel NOW events. (I will have to review that story sometime.) I bought this figure for those reasons. Plus I already knew the Deadpool was really very nice. But I was disappointed in the quality of this figure, it feeling more like a statue and less like an action figure. It only came with one accessory, and it can't stand on its stand so good. His articulation is hampered. And you can't do anything about it really because the cape is glued on and the hair is stiff.<br />
<br />
So I am going to give it a grade of 2/5. It gets the two points really only because he looks so awesome. And looks awesome with Vikor and Teela. But he could just as well continued to look as good on the store shelf. On the other hand, he wasn't expensive. And comparable comic book statues cost over $100. So looking at it that way he would be a 4/5 as a statue. (Not having as precise a sculpt as a statue because he was meant to be an action figure...if that makes sense?)<br />
<br />
Do you agree or disagree? Let me know, oh Hub City Geeks! And be on the lookout for more awesome reviews by the SpartanNerd!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367685939270839550.post-68828542378188223472014-01-11T20:54:00.001-05:002014-01-12T16:40:43.608-05:00SpartanNerd Scoop....Detective Comics #27 reviewWhy is this a scoop...Almost nobody has reviewed this yet! I Googled to read other peoples reviews, and they were quite scant.<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfky3yr1IXc_zPbQbyhAYD5sY4dvVqehJIxyCR7ZTaz0JClB3_mP9A745xUtPhiE2mE-WUpbuNn9JqrDI0nfBAZhiGDskl9BgH5nV0Tfyj1V9W0tYrl7qt0tJzJiR3x2AbwmGj64Z8mXI/s1600/IMG_3685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfky3yr1IXc_zPbQbyhAYD5sY4dvVqehJIxyCR7ZTaz0JClB3_mP9A745xUtPhiE2mE-WUpbuNn9JqrDI0nfBAZhiGDskl9BgH5nV0Tfyj1V9W0tYrl7qt0tJzJiR3x2AbwmGj64Z8mXI/s1600/IMG_3685.jpg" height="320" width="240"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Variant Cover #2. This was the cover most often seen in ads.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
So I scooped all of Nerd-dom this time! (Probably not really)<br>
<br>
Detective Comics #27 in 1939 was the first time Batman appeared anywhere. Not long after, Detective Comics was completely about Batman. And that is all the information I could regurgitate that I most likely learned from Wikipedia at some point!<br>
<br>
Fast forward to the New 52. The current DC Comics universe. New readers might not know, The New 52 was a massive relaunch of DC Comics two Septembers ago. The SpartanNerd began reading them then, being intimidated by the vast history of DC Comics before the relaunch. I felt it would be a good jumping-on point. And I was correct! This relaunch included a re-numbering, each issue became #1. And so now, we are back at #27, and to celebrate the milestone of the original Detective Comics #27, DC has printed a MASSIVE tribute issue!<br>
<br>
There are six variant covers...I picked up variant cover #2 in the comic book store last night. Cover #1 will likely come to me in the mail with my subscription. Other covers include a Frank Miller Catwoman cover. (And then there are 3 more, oh math scholars!)<br>
<br>
Cover #2, by Christ Burnham and Nathan Fairbairn is kind of cartoony...featuring Batman very large, with Batwoman, Batwing, the Talon, and someone else....??? (I almost thought it was the Talon, but then saw him in the air....)<br>
<br>
There is an ad, right behind the cover, but it is just about the only ad in the whole thing. There is an ad for the Kubert school somewhere in it, but besides the back cover, that's about it. (A quick flip reminded me of a Scribblenauts ad.)<br>
<br>
The first real page is a table of contents\credits page. We get seven different stories in this issue! I am going to go down them all, and put forth my review! There will likely be <b>SPOILERS....READ NO FURTHER IF YOU WANT UNTAINTED EARS!</b><br>
<b></b><br>
<b></b><br>
<b></b><br>
<b></b><br><b></b>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbopcd2cKdbu7c95qKbfuGORCL8S21eGhPiWl4l5GsKsA_iKJuqZBNaf-6VvP1hANczzmI2W4n9idx7oh6RMX6WqMMZZD2uuU2H8wv_E1im5iUMkW_pRnUjAYZpWNhu4ZY7LU_NA_WWY/s1600/IMG_3686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbopcd2cKdbu7c95qKbfuGORCL8S21eGhPiWl4l5GsKsA_iKJuqZBNaf-6VvP1hANczzmI2W4n9idx7oh6RMX6WqMMZZD2uuU2H8wv_E1im5iUMkW_pRnUjAYZpWNhu4ZY7LU_NA_WWY/s1600/IMG_3686.jpg" height="320" width="240"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The table of contents\credits page.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b></b><br><b></b>
<b>THE CASE OF THE CHEMICAL SYNDICATE...</b><br>
<b></b><br><b></b>
Hope you heeded my warning! This first story is meant to be a classic Batman story.* The art is the average of what we have seen since the late 1980's We see Bruce Wayne talking to himself, and talking to himself. Which was sort of off-putting to me at first. But I have been reading these things long enough to know that something was going on. In the end, we were seeing snips from "The Journal of the Bat-Man." I like that Batman says one time "I'm still too new at this!" The end of this story has someone falling into an acid vat, and the last panel of course shows their hand climbing out.<br>
<br>
Now, I am certain that this isn't supposed to be a canonical story. The New 52 story of the Joker has been hashed out several times. We saw the Red Hood fall into a vat in the Zero Year Batman story. Not to mention the Joker reinforcing this origin story in "Death of the Family," and even making Harley go through the experience.<br>
<br>
No, this isn't a mainline story. It sets the stage for the vignettes we are going to be getting throughout the rest of the book.<br>
<br>
<i>I LIKE THE ART, I LIKE THE STORY, RATING 5/5. I like the pulpy nature of it!</i><br>
<i></i>*This is a re-telling of the original Detective Comics #27. Oddly, I didn't remember it panning out the way this did<br><i></i>
<i></i><br><i></i>
<i></i><br><i></i>
<i></i><br><i></i>
<b>OLD SCHOOL...</b><br>
<b></b><br><b></b>
This story begins with a cover, letting you know what it coming!<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7k9mzGbMrUn_3VtBLaH7CxZVRJ4-n52QkWFxX-9SPBoFLZLFFdBMYxG13__fiWr74IX7YKiSozpqblQimpu4MlMpUCoKekDtWPgZQWWmwhidAN8bTDyu2QG_5lCRVozpZ9I0KKF75P04/s1600/IMG_3687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7k9mzGbMrUn_3VtBLaH7CxZVRJ4-n52QkWFxX-9SPBoFLZLFFdBMYxG13__fiWr74IX7YKiSozpqblQimpu4MlMpUCoKekDtWPgZQWWmwhidAN8bTDyu2QG_5lCRVozpZ9I0KKF75P04/s1600/IMG_3687.jpg" height="320" width="240"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "cover art" of "Old School"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Basically, you begin with old-style comics material, with Batman and Robin in their original looks. As the story progresses, Batman's costume evolves, and the artwork does as well, until it looks like Detective Comics artwork looks now, as different villains do ridiculous things to him. How is this vignette justified? Batman has fallen asleep in a comic books store, and people are dressed in costumes all around him for Batman's 75th Anniversary party. The last panel, he picks up a copy of "Detective Comics #27" (The original.)<br>
<br>
<i>THIS IS A REALLY DIFFERENT STORY. RATING 5/5!</i><br>
<i></i><br><i></i>
<i><br></i>
<br>
<b>BETTER DAYS...</b><br>
<b></b><br><b></b>
Probably a non-cannonical story also. This one shows Batman as old as he would be for real, with Alfred in a wheelchair. We see Dick Grayson and Damien Wayne also. Dick is still night wing, and Damien is currently Batman. And Barbara Gordon is the commissioner. They are celebrating his birthday, and an alarm goes off. So the younger heroes go off to work! But Bruce decides to suit up and beat them to the crime scene! They come back, the work already done, wondering how it was possible....<br>
<br>
I like how we get to see Damien alive...But other than that, I think it is weak story. And I don't care for all the cursing...it seems there is some four letter bomb on every page. I don't like the lines either. It says Bertram is the artist, who is that? It looks like .... something you would see in I don't know. Something I wouldn't read.<br>
<br>
<i>WEAK STORY, POOR ARTWORK. UNNECESSARY CURSING, MINIMAL ACTION. BUT DAMIEN WAS ALIVE. 2/5</i><br>
<i></i><br><i></i>
<i><br></i>
<br>
<b>HERO...</b><br>
<b></b><br><b></b>
Oddly, this story is labeled "Hero" in the Table of Contents, it is called "Rain" on its first page. The art is far superior to the previous vignette. And it says Five Years Ago. This is to tell the regular readers that this happened at about the time the Justice League came on the scene in the New 52 Story arc. It is the shortest story, and the most puzzling. I like it...but...<br>
<br>
Basically, Batman comes in from the Batmobile, swoops down and saves a woman and her child, who then says "Thank you for saving me...again.." Before Batman can question him about what he said, BOOM, an explosion happens and Batman saves the kid. The kid is called "Junior" by his mom. What I can make of this is the kid must be James Gordon, Jr. But maybe not...He looks like it with those glasses and the way that hair is parted. But if this is five years ago, it seems the kid couldn't be James Gordon, Jr. He looks to be early 20's? This kid looks like he's 11 at the oldest...<br>
<br>
<i>WHATEVER....MAYBE I MISSED SOMETHING OR FORGOT SOMETHING SOMEWHERE. 5/5!</i><br>
<i></i><br><i></i>
<i></i><br><i></i>
<i></i><br><i></i>
<b>THE SACRIFICE...</b><br>
<b><br></b>
I am all about sacrificial characters. So right away, I am pulled into this story. The first thing we see is The Phantom Stranger, a character fairly new to me, with the whole Pandora/Trinity War/Forever Evil story arc. Anyways, the Phantom Stranger shows Batman what life would be like if he got his wish...If his parents had lived through their murder. (If his father was only wounded).<br>
<br>
Batman sees several things. His parents live on and shelter him. Dick Grayson winds up on Death Row, he is married to Natalya Trusevich (recently killed by the Mad Hatter in The Dark Knight #20, a Russian pianist. She was tragically dropped onto the Bat-Signal.) They have a child as well. And Ras Al Ghul is taking over Europe.<br>
<br>
As pleasant as the thought is to Bruce of not losing his parents, he sees that the world lost something more without the Batman. And in order for Batman to exist, his parents had to be killed. Such irony.<br>
<br>
I like that they brought Natalya back. All around, not much has been said about Bruce's grief over the loss of his lover. It was all around the same time that Damian was killed, so that overshadowed this story. (That and the fact that the Mad Hatter thing was a little weak).<br>
<br>
<i>WE GET TO SEE THE PHANTOM STRANGER, A FUTURE WITHOUT BATMAN, AND WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED BETWEEN BRUCE AND NATALYA. THE ART IS SUBDUED AND MUTED, NOT MY FAVORITE. SO 4/5.</i><br>
<i></i><br><i></i>
<i><br></i>
<b>GOTHTOPIA...</b><br>
<b></b><br><b></b>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHcFXVbJwAMfhiF10puWhq3aKBxrjfGhhoFCW-xOie4HgBFRNmOGipIBY4z51gYboTwGQ8f5gY-FWNxMrcLoBrBy5d50dnYy8J7IthPv2Y7tS0WXaoIPCqaB9t6v9DzXi7M2ztm0Q4jk/s1600/IMG_3688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHcFXVbJwAMfhiF10puWhq3aKBxrjfGhhoFCW-xOie4HgBFRNmOGipIBY4z51gYboTwGQ8f5gY-FWNxMrcLoBrBy5d50dnYy8J7IthPv2Y7tS0WXaoIPCqaB9t6v9DzXi7M2ztm0Q4jk/s1600/IMG_3688.jpg" height="240" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"And all is right in the world"...Catwoman gets to be Batman's lover, <br>Batman has a permanent understudy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now for the real deal. This is what would have been printed in Detective Comics #27 if it wasn't a big extravaganza. And there has been tons of hype! And...the final panel of the last Detective Comics story arc featured "Catbird," the new "Robin," not really putting the question of who the next Robin will be to rest, however. Catbird is Catwoman in a Robin-esque costume.<br>
<br>
All the previews prepared us for this. Gotham is now the safest city in America, bighter and more akin to Metropolis. And it is a "Utopia" because of Batman and his fellow heroes. It is furthermore a Utopia because people have what they desire. The Roman Sionis is Commissioner. Catwoman is Batman's lover, and fully knows his identity. (They are seen together in the bat cave unmasked.) The Oswald Cobblepot is the mayor. All of the heroes seem to be brighter. "Blue Belle and Brightbat" are apparently Batwoman and Bat-Girl. (Maybe.) Batwing is now "Flying Fox". The Talon is "the Gothamite." Birds of Prey are now "Wings of Truth."<br>
<br>
And Batman is redesigned. He has a lighter colored costume. It almost looks white! Really a bright grey. As the story progresses, we're not really sure what is happening. Batman appears to be more of a policeman in this comic, not really fighting crime so much as helping people with tragedy. And he is unable to explain or save people who are committing suicide, (there is a higher suicide rate than usual.) Apparently Bruce catches wind that something has changed about <i>him</i>, and Selina and the other Heroes want to stop him from uncovering the truth. Batman winds up in the asylum with his enemies at the end.<br>
<br>
Questions...Should I be buying all relevant issues to "get" this story? It says I should follow the Gothtopia storyline in Batwing 27, Batgirl 27, Catwoman 27, and Birds of Prey 28. I haven't read any of these titles before. Should I have picked up Batwing last night? I guess we'll see. I haven't read a single Batwing story. It does say "next: INSTITUTIONALIZED."<br>
<br>
<i>MY INTEREST IN THIS STORY IS PIQUED. I HAVE BEEN WAITING TO SEE DETAILS ABOUT BATMAN:ETERNAL. THIS ISSUE HAS ME A LITTLE PSYCHED. BUT I AM NOT SURE ABOUT WHAT IS NECESSARY, AND DC HASN'T MADE THAT CLEAR. I LIKE THE ART AND THE STORY, AND RATE THIS 5/5.</i><br>
<i><br></i>
<br>
<b>TWENTY-SEVEN...</b><br>
<b><br></b>
The final vignette, a future reality. Batman has clones of himself working as Batman. He sees an older version of himself tutoring his new clone. It is apparently 200 years in the future, and Batman is still at work. We get to see lots of different future Batmen and Robins, and future villains and threats.<br>
<br>
<i>THIS IS A COOL STORY, THAT MAKES YOU THINK. WITH TERRIFIC ARTWORK. AND IT IS GOOD TO SEE A FUTURE BATMAN. THIS STORY GETS A 5/5 FOR SHEER COOLNESS!</i><br>
<i><br></i>
<i><br></i>
SpartanNerds overall review of Detective Comics #27...It was all I hoped it would be! 5/5!<br>
<i><br></i>
<i><br></i>
<i><br></i>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367685939270839550.post-5068600440680553852014-01-05T21:25:00.000-05:002014-01-05T21:28:47.687-05:00SpartanNerd Review...BCW Snap-It Comic Book Display System<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A first-world problem. I have so many comic books! I have begun putting them into those boxes...the kind they use at the comic book stores!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But I have a few on display as well. Some of my favorites! One of the problems I have been having is that the shelf space that I use has a little "daylight" space behind it. It is just a small crack, but it is big enough that my bagged and boarded comics that were on display kept falling down and behind the shelf.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I decided to invest in a more substantial display. The BCW Snap-It display. Here is my review!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Qs975oIE3c-crRd9ISi3qxmj2y_8sqxOmmFDh4i2AdLajWEqK_dBd5pVp4jFQUDY2_u_TDptLFeu92xxRmjLOSeJs4AxjX7LgjHs1odjiYG7Sz48q4AN7JQdjWK5zs06T1XC-h-7nFc/s1600/IMG_3649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Qs975oIE3c-crRd9ISi3qxmj2y_8sqxOmmFDh4i2AdLajWEqK_dBd5pVp4jFQUDY2_u_TDptLFeu92xxRmjLOSeJs4AxjX7LgjHs1odjiYG7Sz48q4AN7JQdjWK5zs06T1XC-h-7nFc/s1600/IMG_3649.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I bought a 12 pack. This is all they had at the store. I didn't see any larger packs, or smaller. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">They did have six comics on display in one of these setups, hanging on the front counter. This package is un-sexy. In fact, the stack of 12 stands are bent in the package. And it appears that is was done this way on purpose.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhFajNGbCYConCvhpYXIt0YEhqZocaX8Py19Axl6IQu54RMACe9FTP34pBKjtF0JzXKUF9nSkgZxEnOg2JaTQrRd4MwIHgzpQbVoweJRN3amR_cQ896x96E9qPFnYuW30Aw4bR4iOJGi4/s1600/IMG_3650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhFajNGbCYConCvhpYXIt0YEhqZocaX8Py19Axl6IQu54RMACe9FTP34pBKjtF0JzXKUF9nSkgZxEnOg2JaTQrRd4MwIHgzpQbVoweJRN3amR_cQ896x96E9qPFnYuW30Aw4bR4iOJGi4/s1600/IMG_3650.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here is what you see when you open the packaging. The displays are bent, seemingly permanently. This was worrisome. The other thing is a package of button snaps which make it work.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKO62J4-EyKhNQbBDhPqFRIL_S4UunOAnFDF20L-ewt-MVT9CjwwLzttiVCUK-vhSHVgOCbgtBiGnzeiSHvAlcl9_irvWR-mf-_fWOORoj8-1zILV-ZKs4lwcu79oYSc_SH49oXm_ETd0/s1600/IMG_3651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKO62J4-EyKhNQbBDhPqFRIL_S4UunOAnFDF20L-ewt-MVT9CjwwLzttiVCUK-vhSHVgOCbgtBiGnzeiSHvAlcl9_irvWR-mf-_fWOORoj8-1zILV-ZKs4lwcu79oYSc_SH49oXm_ETd0/s1600/IMG_3651.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here are the snaps. One is male. The other female.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ouIFfoqEgb0C9Jd05pFI8-J1xHQ4nOap8zJ6FnTa6LdonGlLJSDLPtHDgDXK2pVE0E0Wm0MDAWkjtYsrRXQG6RZS4hjvi0SICAeQqj9Ze1DWJJ5nN6PV6ebGHxjRxnh1P3V9B-j72Fk/s1600/IMG_3652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ouIFfoqEgb0C9Jd05pFI8-J1xHQ4nOap8zJ6FnTa6LdonGlLJSDLPtHDgDXK2pVE0E0Wm0MDAWkjtYsrRXQG6RZS4hjvi0SICAeQqj9Ze1DWJJ5nN6PV6ebGHxjRxnh1P3V9B-j72Fk/s1600/IMG_3652.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">here is my first assembly. The edges of the displays have pre-punched holes, and you snap a male and female button through the hole of two of them. the problem is, the pre-punched holes are often not punched through enough. Some of them come right off. The others, did not. And so I resorted to the big guns!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbdiaMViXDVjAMNrg6nHQV5diqiytyEnekKFPprPodkMG9mG8X6KqwGFRtk1EwdyIAcZbylkj4ItrB9cturBO9PMcR_eLceEae-MRXy-V55DQCqZ7ZLMO0i3RrfZOJCCNTm2eaXZm4f8/s1600/IMG_3653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbdiaMViXDVjAMNrg6nHQV5diqiytyEnekKFPprPodkMG9mG8X6KqwGFRtk1EwdyIAcZbylkj4ItrB9cturBO9PMcR_eLceEae-MRXy-V55DQCqZ7ZLMO0i3RrfZOJCCNTm2eaXZm4f8/s1600/IMG_3653.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Smith and Wesson Urban Camo Serrated Titanium Blade!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5yHdLJqDvZz26pBOM0v9yqO7eWuYdxjXwJBr8axdXseJbq1X0jnGpdcAWIuKSMX0h7fAHNiOVscRDBeyPq7vT4eatMysupdIXnHhU3wPFLjX6CR_LAwmubiK2dUp50eBnR6afCs16Uw/s1600/IMG_3655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5yHdLJqDvZz26pBOM0v9yqO7eWuYdxjXwJBr8axdXseJbq1X0jnGpdcAWIuKSMX0h7fAHNiOVscRDBeyPq7vT4eatMysupdIXnHhU3wPFLjX6CR_LAwmubiK2dUp50eBnR6afCs16Uw/s1600/IMG_3655.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">It took me about an hour to get five displays together. Before putting them on display, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I decided to read this gem. After that hard work, I deserved a break. It was great! (Scare glow was prominent in this issue. Oddly, no shadow beasts!)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv3ZDAa7G9VtQJhWvVQbV0KjWdFWbTJcpHUCTocClxcdC_jvm14haGCMe_EhZvPIihT25ssPk2zleLZSlUB_Uklqu3qhH-q_wgt5uqGv5E6IjVpTZZ3-lxRopKfpPAEjA78LLW4UI4U1A/s1600/IMG_3658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv3ZDAa7G9VtQJhWvVQbV0KjWdFWbTJcpHUCTocClxcdC_jvm14haGCMe_EhZvPIihT25ssPk2zleLZSlUB_Uklqu3qhH-q_wgt5uqGv5E6IjVpTZZ3-lxRopKfpPAEjA78LLW4UI4U1A/s1600/IMG_3658.JPG" height="152" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A panorama of my Masters of the Universe shelf. You can see that the five comics are displayed nicely. Also some limitations of the display are evident.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">So, it was worth the $15. There are some problems. The hole punch thing is the biggest problem. Next time, when I put together the other 7 pieces, I am going to use a hole puncher. This shouldn't be necessary. So I have to take a point off for that. (I was afraid I would mutilate the display.)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Another limitation. The way the panels of the display are built, it produces a pronounced line between comics. And this is fine. But if you notice my shelf has two on the end not in the display. These two are meant to make a scene when displayed together. (These are DC Universe VS. Masters of the Universe #1, both covers)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Also notice, the second comic in the display is sealed...never opened. This is the special cover of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe #1. But the sealed packaging hangs out of the top of the display. In fact, the comic can't go all the way down into the display panel. Because I know I have at least one more sealed #1 to put on display, I am going to have to take another point off.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">On the upside, I can display my comics in a pleasant way for the most part, and they are evenly spaced, and they won't fall down into the daylight space behind the shelf. Notice that comic on the end of the display. That is an EARL NOREM! (Earl Norem is my favorite He-Man artist. EVER!) I also have a Conan the Barbarian Earl Norem. I wish they were signed!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">So what is my rating? 3\5. Do you agree? Let me know!</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367685939270839550.post-43825994190923093392014-01-01T09:44:00.000-05:002014-02-16T23:46:02.384-05:0010 Print "SpartanNerd's Top Ten things to do better in 2014"10 Print "Keep this blog going! (It gets more successful all the time it seems)"<br />
<br />
20 Print "Blog more about comics"<br />
<br />
30 Print "Make fewer impulse comic store buys"<br />
<br />
40 Print "Eat less junk"<br />
<br />
50 Print "Crank out more songs"<br />
<br />
60 Print "Self produce that fifth album!"<br />
<br />
70 Print "Code more BASIC"<br />
<br />
80 Print "Find more Magic the Gathering action. (The SpartanSmurfs are great practice. But..."<br />
<br />
90 Print "Make it into the Top 8 more often at MTG tournaments."<br />
<br />
100 Print "Get the SpartanWife more involved in my nerdery. I could only love it more!"Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367685939270839550.post-66814971488241987982013-12-31T10:23:00.000-05:002013-12-31T10:45:17.757-05:00Masters of the Universe Classics Unboxing and Review...Weapons Rack!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Happy New Year! Do you now have swag stacked upon boxes piled up on returns as well as items not yet sitting in a permanent spot?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My MOTUC characters have been like this for awhile...extra weapons scattered about, or stored away in a little baggie. But not anymore! Here is my review of the MOTUC Weapons Rack!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0UD2aVUHrGSKmmQqFC7jKYnx4SLP8_sBWCAZJdbYzHe_7StCMebERHvVxt8t8bt8hmLKT2YQkwaUooLRm923Aw-NTlHExtjNtaN8f8fXdd3ucy-G2S0DAF-OXpPYb0IULjuqNJsgG-0/s1600/IMG_3622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0UD2aVUHrGSKmmQqFC7jKYnx4SLP8_sBWCAZJdbYzHe_7StCMebERHvVxt8t8bt8hmLKT2YQkwaUooLRm923Aw-NTlHExtjNtaN8f8fXdd3ucy-G2S0DAF-OXpPYb0IULjuqNJsgG-0/s320/IMG_3622.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wondered if this box was going to say "Weapons Rak." <br />
It was misspelled on the Matty Collector Website!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Weapons Rack was something I wanted when it came out, but couldn't fork over at the time. And the way that Mattel does things, it disappeared and I never had a chance to get it again. With Castle Grayskull having been on sale (didn't sell out as they predicted, did it?), They wanted to be sure that people could display the castle with the proper Weapons Rack. After all, the vintage version CAME with a weapons rack, which is what this thing I bought is modeled after.<br />
<br />
(I have not purchased a MOTUC Castle Grayskull. There are a couple of problems. 1.I don't have that many figures. 2. It costs way too much. 3. Where would I put it? I do however, think it is terrific, and am glad they made it. Maybe someday I will have it. But there are other ways I have to spend $300 + shipping right now. <i>I am a cheapskate, remember?</i>)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExR8LPFfBjFYXemU8NhPQWltDmh6QV_8dJS_TA2EX506AbIjrZZpEALiKLYRdga-v330pG2vDdUyVObiTUSbrQeiXqPWEHo2EQaFAICe387NuHg0iXIBCWmWaQbAJa4ymbXZiartH8Ng/s1600/IMG_3623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExR8LPFfBjFYXemU8NhPQWltDmh6QV_8dJS_TA2EX506AbIjrZZpEALiKLYRdga-v330pG2vDdUyVObiTUSbrQeiXqPWEHo2EQaFAICe387NuHg0iXIBCWmWaQbAJa4ymbXZiartH8Ng/s320/IMG_3623.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's what you see when you open the box. A nice window on card, <br />
featuring the furniture and the weapons, packed in weapons pack style.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuH5WCj3tMTrIXywFNdJNLFEFemayCGDAAnjkBXXXahaOnWVeitxsgx7SeJxjt2z0P4voWgeJ5LGl2rIy4wAtT0RRC3YSKjS0c8W3Xc2dT_5M1XN44DG6u10LghUcMxpkPc30IZ-uqyW8/s1600/IMG_3624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuH5WCj3tMTrIXywFNdJNLFEFemayCGDAAnjkBXXXahaOnWVeitxsgx7SeJxjt2z0P4voWgeJ5LGl2rIy4wAtT0RRC3YSKjS0c8W3Xc2dT_5M1XN44DG6u10LghUcMxpkPc30IZ-uqyW8/s320/IMG_3624.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what is on the back. Oddly, only one palace guard?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9eHpG4xY-pM5TuLLp2JP_t-HLZq2qbIOOM9-fPqfC1A0MVr1A9UdnzBP6q0YcyuxRUCASbUiJ8VFeaDCLmT_wZGyX1gzUPvVU85hehZYTxDPYlRarPpyN3XrCtp4yTRGK0-ddhtuT3GA/s1600/IMG_3629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9eHpG4xY-pM5TuLLp2JP_t-HLZq2qbIOOM9-fPqfC1A0MVr1A9UdnzBP6q0YcyuxRUCASbUiJ8VFeaDCLmT_wZGyX1gzUPvVU85hehZYTxDPYlRarPpyN3XrCtp4yTRGK0-ddhtuT3GA/s320/IMG_3629.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is a picture of the weapons that came with it. The red ones are especially nice! The silver ones have a little patina to them, that might not be coming through in my picture. The silver ones are supposed to be an homage to the original weapons that came with Castle Grayskull, and the red ones are supposed to be an homage to "Man-E-Weapons."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbcDf3rxRWAHmtaQO_klSVBJ7NkWPFI4p70PB5FGeJNmL7Mxg3R3GTOPyBdl1kyPjaNdssH0kBjt9w9ABArKqvIHhEcRzVA6Quo3i9TGbSqKOCaw3ns0Na2jY5IjvQD7AipqrXNGXnEA/s1600/IMG_3630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbcDf3rxRWAHmtaQO_klSVBJ7NkWPFI4p70PB5FGeJNmL7Mxg3R3GTOPyBdl1kyPjaNdssH0kBjt9w9ABArKqvIHhEcRzVA6Quo3i9TGbSqKOCaw3ns0Na2jY5IjvQD7AipqrXNGXnEA/s320/IMG_3630.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is the rack, with nothing on it. <br />
Rows of pegs to display your weapons!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiOvS5hqyK9QgA8352TYU_7KqLwBBqvYaT0RDuYCYrh4r-bYIR9RSklM7V3JLpQfQQc7UqntveWzjDrhDE-hv8QzBpYP-0OPxqjb3XUYtWpZ47SXxO3i1lLGKUwP16acjtyKObhQ6nwak/s1600/IMG_3627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiOvS5hqyK9QgA8352TYU_7KqLwBBqvYaT0RDuYCYrh4r-bYIR9RSklM7V3JLpQfQQc7UqntveWzjDrhDE-hv8QzBpYP-0OPxqjb3XUYtWpZ47SXxO3i1lLGKUwP16acjtyKObhQ6nwak/s320/IMG_3627.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is how I set it up at first. Front view. I like how there is a little post to put <br />
the shields on on both sides, as well as pegs to hang some weapons on the sides.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2nL14d_Ngro1ADQOcZIVbRuCAsvJGl78_g_-FROHsaLUu77DajstXiVMxpnanmNUJI-lp_HLNt9MR1LtPbLkC3QCXimO0inhsYbhIeNolnsz-9oCAacfWBxsGx9rja9A8GHcjYzSsYM/s1600/IMG_3628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2nL14d_Ngro1ADQOcZIVbRuCAsvJGl78_g_-FROHsaLUu77DajstXiVMxpnanmNUJI-lp_HLNt9MR1LtPbLkC3QCXimO0inhsYbhIeNolnsz-9oCAacfWBxsGx9rja9A8GHcjYzSsYM/s320/IMG_3628.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is the back view of my initial setup. <br />
Here you can see the mace hanging on the right side.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
How do other weapons work with this, that is, other than those that came with it? I decided to do a good and evil theme!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0NQSp8zNkki0bRfe8ayaYbkNjI9IJTvNMrDJGYQUHTgWpxG4exjJS3CVxVf_FuYl6hVRHGuv7dJbKNG8HLUL8r1ZJDkB_EBxFwn_9Cn9WVW0MQg_QRmbDEAWscHunr_DMp2wueHhs6rY/s1600/IMG_3636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0NQSp8zNkki0bRfe8ayaYbkNjI9IJTvNMrDJGYQUHTgWpxG4exjJS3CVxVf_FuYl6hVRHGuv7dJbKNG8HLUL8r1ZJDkB_EBxFwn_9Cn9WVW0MQg_QRmbDEAWscHunr_DMp2wueHhs6rY/s320/IMG_3636.jpg" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My evil theme!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpkqehdMwE4KrYj8g-zPXpSNrZCcY3EyJKK4R-kxTk1bbPZEAg4jlgceygFvMwvE85rvkZuAq9twYi0CTCQuEv_XrJWj7Fi6Ioar4teLXFxFDl3jj9_7VTvqMTMMgX5jNkuPRkAcJ3nQ4/s1600/IMG_3639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpkqehdMwE4KrYj8g-zPXpSNrZCcY3EyJKK4R-kxTk1bbPZEAg4jlgceygFvMwvE85rvkZuAq9twYi0CTCQuEv_XrJWj7Fi6Ioar4teLXFxFDl3jj9_7VTvqMTMMgX5jNkuPRkAcJ3nQ4/s320/IMG_3639.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My good theme!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What are the limits of the weapons rack? I went and found all kinds of MOTUC weapons to load it down with! Here is a front and back view! Read the captions for a contest!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipuahzOYQIHUdK8pntr16FFspEzK0vcbjQRVvGcRA-2vWQKmXXyqusROJVVGRJV5LFqIADAY_CBQW6NGqtP7T47NYzEcmYDBtLNhWZ44Dmd2zrYEyZ3vwcjOiUY8GW73LvrnYYpSEu-uQ/s1600/IMG_3640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipuahzOYQIHUdK8pntr16FFspEzK0vcbjQRVvGcRA-2vWQKmXXyqusROJVVGRJV5LFqIADAY_CBQW6NGqtP7T47NYzEcmYDBtLNhWZ44Dmd2zrYEyZ3vwcjOiUY8GW73LvrnYYpSEu-uQ/s320/IMG_3640.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you identify all of these weapons, readers?! Send a comment for prize!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjef1kdLSE-Fr2921ytMHXgnWpRwCAUKF75ryBwOg-1n8sQSl2yaRb31tg2cOoqpD6K9JICQBdPWr_-IYhC7xm4-YtigTl0wA9iLszmPPLwPpalDzg46Yg49KPpBRyLJhXpun2PrHO9DaU/s1600/IMG_3641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjef1kdLSE-Fr2921ytMHXgnWpRwCAUKF75ryBwOg-1n8sQSl2yaRb31tg2cOoqpD6K9JICQBdPWr_-IYhC7xm4-YtigTl0wA9iLszmPPLwPpalDzg46Yg49KPpBRyLJhXpun2PrHO9DaU/s320/IMG_3641.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I will respond back and you can send me your address! (The prize will go to whoever names the most. Look at both the front and back view pictures, please.) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Fgu9EgUIWxw_if0sclFcOVGZVgSI-cW6vYkR7iOQLBWaACgLaM0xWi_vB_sEdliPjtMMFyLkFe_eVkBqEycGYH-fxowMbsN_h9d7okl-5VZ_UTbLQhz03paJ41jd306lwWBWA-g2I4U/s1600/IMG_3645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Fgu9EgUIWxw_if0sclFcOVGZVgSI-cW6vYkR7iOQLBWaACgLaM0xWi_vB_sEdliPjtMMFyLkFe_eVkBqEycGYH-fxowMbsN_h9d7okl-5VZ_UTbLQhz03paJ41jd306lwWBWA-g2I4U/s320/IMG_3645.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This weapons rack is worth fighting for!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My rating for the Weapons Rack? <b>5/5!</b> It is a superb sculpt, serves its purpose well, and looks amazing with the figures.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367685939270839550.post-69251427194885487282013-12-30T22:22:00.000-05:002013-12-31T10:45:04.947-05:00SpartanNerd Review...G.I. Joe figures from Dollar General...Snake Eyes and Cobra Commander<br />
Here at the edge of the world, we don't have too many stores. At one time, there were more, and then the apocalypse happened, and almost everything moved out. And then Dollar General Market came in and filled the void.<br />
<br />
I visit this store almost everyday, and saw these on the pegs right around Thanksgiving. But I refrained from purchasing them. I don't collect G.I. Joes, and the SpartanSmurf's have a history of owning them but not playing with them. I admit that I was tempted, though. I have never owned as awesome a Cobra Commander as they had on the shelf. Furthermore, the figures seem to be painted in 1980's generation 1 cartoon colors, and they were on sale for only $6.00. (The cheapskate in me screams..."What a deal! G.I. Joes are running almost as much as $15.00 at department stores!")<br />
<br />
So after Christmas, these were still hanging on the shelf...And the SpartanSmurfs had some money they were itching to spend...so where did I kind of point them???<br />
<br />
Only one taker. SpartanSmurf #2. He is fond of Snake Eyes (and Ninjas in general), and thought Cobra Commander was cool also. They also had a Duke, who looked nothing like Duke. So neither one of us was interested. (See...He takes after his old man!)<br />
<br />
Here are some pics and a review, followed by some comments and a rating! <i>(I promise I took a pic of the box. But somehow that is nowhere to be found? The box is a window, prominently featuring the G.I. Joe branding, and on the back showcases six total figures from the line, but all painted in different colors than seen at the Dollar General Market. You'll just have to take my word for it I suppose. The only figures we saw were the ones mentioned here.)</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPa2xwDoR5f_V-U4El32pTbi6DJyGQUipEtGk6-UtAd8xGPgEcU1VE627NJFX2ffVipJoo8DTqxNYvSWqUl2m8i_Q_UDFYByvaA9-KTk5ZgG4RWFWfhxN7_p2_WYP4CF0Nz03NtPKt2c/s1600/IMG_3602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPa2xwDoR5f_V-U4El32pTbi6DJyGQUipEtGk6-UtAd8xGPgEcU1VE627NJFX2ffVipJoo8DTqxNYvSWqUl2m8i_Q_UDFYByvaA9-KTk5ZgG4RWFWfhxN7_p2_WYP4CF0Nz03NtPKt2c/s320/IMG_3602.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snake Eyes. CLASSIC!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVF0P4bYBIlW5-updupAwoNUxf4Ie5Z4_yYzkFMD-zorxTtIyal0fF5eFh84n4miJU6O6cVvj-bPGPXjiE9unyJShvnCotXjKqIo69tazj8uma9608clQnZxYPIkBFRdoM62WE6DLLN40/s1600/IMG_3598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVF0P4bYBIlW5-updupAwoNUxf4Ie5Z4_yYzkFMD-zorxTtIyal0fF5eFh84n4miJU6O6cVvj-bPGPXjiE9unyJShvnCotXjKqIo69tazj8uma9608clQnZxYPIkBFRdoM62WE6DLLN40/s320/IMG_3598.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cobra Commander. CLASSIC! This staff is also a sword.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZfJ75AZ9lB1B1Mq09quqPqjadezMn-wUHKxVPYEvyAOxfgWvdAKTbayzFZqM2B5QHgWxqiRLNSBCOSgZDXkCuRg1ous6UOQnw0eL_PguDdRZCXD6zuEUJ21V_q7xHx7kXMJc9isduZw/s1600/IMG_3612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZfJ75AZ9lB1B1Mq09quqPqjadezMn-wUHKxVPYEvyAOxfgWvdAKTbayzFZqM2B5QHgWxqiRLNSBCOSgZDXkCuRg1ous6UOQnw0eL_PguDdRZCXD6zuEUJ21V_q7xHx7kXMJc9isduZw/s320/IMG_3612.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cobra Commander and his accessories.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtiCF35Tr4xrClxWrcQF2E1VoB9clm2Kxqa0IW826mH948lW-2hc7X5AG-kJC5bMpz_3QZHerhHCuMdWVAQsLqzcWD1g87l3Hhz9BmMfG5AkAZqTKZRcWFg6-ov3EctPo9OIRPcf8SqnY/s1600/IMG_3614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtiCF35Tr4xrClxWrcQF2E1VoB9clm2Kxqa0IW826mH948lW-2hc7X5AG-kJC5bMpz_3QZHerhHCuMdWVAQsLqzcWD1g87l3Hhz9BmMfG5AkAZqTKZRcWFg6-ov3EctPo9OIRPcf8SqnY/s320/IMG_3614.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snake eyes and his accessories.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3qN4aGtAdPW2pIgaGgzyy33LAIdBYm53E5LleuaMPFN8phYsrcELZeHznehKJ5-C6Mj2iN0eSWInRGMIV08foRXF_FRmAIuysDnMfj-UbhifdifBbd5eL1CE3I4oIi2zzJiKKgl_cdRw/s1600/IMG_3606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3qN4aGtAdPW2pIgaGgzyy33LAIdBYm53E5LleuaMPFN8phYsrcELZeHznehKJ5-C6Mj2iN0eSWInRGMIV08foRXF_FRmAIuysDnMfj-UbhifdifBbd5eL1CE3I4oIi2zzJiKKgl_cdRw/s320/IMG_3606.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He's holding a pistol.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJMe7LAw7TtoRkwTyeJapK1J93_iiy1lm3Nz6wIfTeAiya6TfTkhTtTSSMlgdFv2RuhUqVGxCNB3eps4fcCJxGuHJfSY2dDYVOhJ9-mbWlTaL3jDKfZr1k_ByXXEldu1ndv8qBvp296s/s1600/IMG_3594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJMe7LAw7TtoRkwTyeJapK1J93_iiy1lm3Nz6wIfTeAiya6TfTkhTtTSSMlgdFv2RuhUqVGxCNB3eps4fcCJxGuHJfSY2dDYVOhJ9-mbWlTaL3jDKfZr1k_ByXXEldu1ndv8qBvp296s/s320/IMG_3594.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A battle pose, by SparnanSmurf #2!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Thoughts on these figures.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"'Ow Be-zar!" (Spoken in that dreadnok voice). The marketing strategy here is.....I guess maybe some kid will come through with his weekly allowance, or maybe will come through with his mom and ask for this, and it is certainly reasonable as an impulse buy. On the other hand, it seems it should appeal to people like me, more nostalgic types who have that 1980's childhood aesthetic sense about them, who would see them and recognize them on account of their paint job.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
These figures are excellent. Cobra Commander especially. (I am more fond of the all black suited Snake Eyes rather than the early versions.) Cobra Commander's eyes could be shoddily done, but they are not. The work is clearly good. And you get a stand! <i>(I am not sure, but don't most Joes come with a stand nowadays?)</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The only difference in these and what I might find at say, Target, are the accessories. They seem a little scant. But hey. It's a $6.00 G.I. Joe! So I guess the corners had to be cut somewhere!<br />
<br />
My rating? I am going to say <b>4.5/5</b>, taking off a point only because there aren't many accessories. Other figures at Dollar General seem to have the same trend though, for instance the Marvel characters they have on the pegs have no accessories. So I guess these guys are better than them! But still, it isn't a full on G.I. Joe experience without the backpacks, extra guns, knives, swords, etc. And I also wish the back of the box had a bio of the characters, (like in the old days!) Anyone disagree with my 4.5, let me know!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5367685939270839550.post-54548559487517655142013-12-27T20:38:00.000-05:002013-12-27T20:38:03.220-05:00SpartanNerd Review....Sonic the Black Knight by JazwaresI reviewed several Sonic figures once before...you can, and probably should read that first by clicking <a href="http://spartannerd.blogspot.com/2013/11/figure-reviewsonic-hedgehog-superpack.html" target="_blank">this link.</a><br />
<br />
Sonic the Black Knight is from a video game that puts Sonic into the medieval times. I haven't played much of this game, but SpartanSmurf #2 has almost beaten it. What I have played is a combat mode where you fight against another player.<br />
<br />
Sonic the Black Knight is a larger figure than these that I reviewed before. But he has the exact same articulation.<br />
<br />
But this time that isn't as nice.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTKg5_VI1OkEGuQqpqIuNQ4Au1syqFF5ArCiJB4vAugqz5-UQe97h512S3lPnJsTNRUWgj-hqBlo6DlmO8V3BvMTM9BhDhcJTClKUvzwtwj1jYgNaC2VHnyTt4H3aFx0R8OpjQ4GAHAQ/s1600/IMG_3540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTKg5_VI1OkEGuQqpqIuNQ4Au1syqFF5ArCiJB4vAugqz5-UQe97h512S3lPnJsTNRUWgj-hqBlo6DlmO8V3BvMTM9BhDhcJTClKUvzwtwj1jYgNaC2VHnyTt4H3aFx0R8OpjQ4GAHAQ/s320/IMG_3540.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is Sonic the Black Knight, against some pajamas as a background...<br />You can see the sword and the mask in the window box. This box also tells ME<br />that this is Excalibur Sonic.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5Oe1QTwjtMFogZHOhLT_d93RumPapvOfY2Ip4A5H_iJGWGpsEnk2j88o8L5QbgpIrUyXDZVMEAGe2lRDdRyc9a97Im1-ZY0CWE9ES7jMRU4TIDU5AUrDgwExpa1z2JcG8WFxqljKX-A/s1600/IMG_3541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5Oe1QTwjtMFogZHOhLT_d93RumPapvOfY2Ip4A5H_iJGWGpsEnk2j88o8L5QbgpIrUyXDZVMEAGe2lRDdRyc9a97Im1-ZY0CWE9ES7jMRU4TIDU5AUrDgwExpa1z2JcG8WFxqljKX-A/s320/IMG_3541.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's the back of the box. Pretty good art. But not showing Sonic in his armor.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOkb8ly2rHNjSdjkgWbICXDMLSrP-mH8GUcywQcBTpGYobrkECI04U85x6lwAiScMeeuXuu0E2rnDJzI8Kzm0qbQuLSO8HUIcqJ6JvL62Bu3lC0brKh3U1aN082hofY9So7NKXgniu4F8/s1600/IMG_3544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOkb8ly2rHNjSdjkgWbICXDMLSrP-mH8GUcywQcBTpGYobrkECI04U85x6lwAiScMeeuXuu0E2rnDJzI8Kzm0qbQuLSO8HUIcqJ6JvL62Bu3lC0brKh3U1aN082hofY9So7NKXgniu4F8/s320/IMG_3544.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here he is out of the box and mask less.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcadn_2GzZL579B3CNWnibrzCiDDDUSfokvQ15G9C2E2QJTQwvIegxIVSMOl29uy50UHtqb8tDOLfgcQnO5Ug1Q3DvlcSh8uicxlaxmsjOm_SzwWIbCWIRkO_Mcdv_GLuPNVAMvMwYCFA/s1600/IMG_3545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcadn_2GzZL579B3CNWnibrzCiDDDUSfokvQ15G9C2E2QJTQwvIegxIVSMOl29uy50UHtqb8tDOLfgcQnO5Ug1Q3DvlcSh8uicxlaxmsjOm_SzwWIbCWIRkO_Mcdv_GLuPNVAMvMwYCFA/s320/IMG_3545.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is obviously supposed to be Excalibur. (What else?)<br />It glows in the dark!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfW3vM8mAlqT0rlMnoqmbY4BAz1V0GbLpcurtdpNXXgwg8pxqV3S8H6PB2iS1hAKOnqs96q3clnNnFJFFQYROW26TswDfIx32fSrTqPy6HVzn_cPd3GM5UkP6L3JovX3Bcnx64YTtz764/s1600/IMG_3549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfW3vM8mAlqT0rlMnoqmbY4BAz1V0GbLpcurtdpNXXgwg8pxqV3S8H6PB2iS1hAKOnqs96q3clnNnFJFFQYROW26TswDfIx32fSrTqPy6HVzn_cPd3GM5UkP6L3JovX3Bcnx64YTtz764/s320/IMG_3549.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When we arm Sonic and put on his mask, he looks like this. <br />This is the mask raised to show his face. What? You can't see it?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaR2tHVb4u3q05EsEpQliOMK8DnA84hlo5xUZ6vOpyzfGxAMoqiHzZoGF1F_Nsh_FtRAAeyqxh8wDrrOHwPMYz07yQsIeW6qnp1qchkRe_NXQQ76NkQSbgFuiQt93Fcqq-GE-1wv9l3Zc/s1600/IMG_3550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaR2tHVb4u3q05EsEpQliOMK8DnA84hlo5xUZ6vOpyzfGxAMoqiHzZoGF1F_Nsh_FtRAAeyqxh8wDrrOHwPMYz07yQsIeW6qnp1qchkRe_NXQQ76NkQSbgFuiQt93Fcqq-GE-1wv9l3Zc/s320/IMG_3550.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here he is with mask closed. This mask just doesn't work.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-HdPZ7Yh7goBbH9j1t4YN5X1YwJHuGZf-0tCgxYHZyHboHeXWONCMdPwrXNhlDCVIAdgLZyLBGCzGltpF_mmE59-JC-UEN-LIZYbRUsaFfzTkDmKNlMIIc3smy1IrHahqxnnIjqN5Mo/s1600/IMG_3552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-HdPZ7Yh7goBbH9j1t4YN5X1YwJHuGZf-0tCgxYHZyHboHeXWONCMdPwrXNhlDCVIAdgLZyLBGCzGltpF_mmE59-JC-UEN-LIZYbRUsaFfzTkDmKNlMIIc3smy1IrHahqxnnIjqN5Mo/s320/IMG_3552.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is the backside of Sonic. I think it looks like a golden artichoke.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjtLe5UGbixR9XUevbvQYhoYedgrravKoGFkn0lGLVsw098CRFlAfusa8_qoQ58uwkzOvuXArCFZJ0i-EY_jt3VFP06eQcszJoFjv7jPYebHX0OLdjcL-TP_dDy1fEQSQosPQsdugH-_E/s1600/IMG_3551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjtLe5UGbixR9XUevbvQYhoYedgrravKoGFkn0lGLVsw098CRFlAfusa8_qoQ58uwkzOvuXArCFZJ0i-EY_jt3VFP06eQcszJoFjv7jPYebHX0OLdjcL-TP_dDy1fEQSQosPQsdugH-_E/s320/IMG_3551.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This button peg keeps coming off of the mask. I wonder how long until it is lost forever?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxq6h7IRHftaQwMsn1IoO2FFAC2fQMlQNbNsqwxLwMq6SilWSxKRaKJ1LpPg0Ul7oRrc1T-BvXvQiXtVaMLwgvBlKOWEjENjqPvIItfPDOefvqmgUJ2qeHKgOCuhjjLQ-YsqEMn1671z8/s1600/IMG_3553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxq6h7IRHftaQwMsn1IoO2FFAC2fQMlQNbNsqwxLwMq6SilWSxKRaKJ1LpPg0Ul7oRrc1T-BvXvQiXtVaMLwgvBlKOWEjENjqPvIItfPDOefvqmgUJ2qeHKgOCuhjjLQ-YsqEMn1671z8/s320/IMG_3553.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is Excalibur Sonic next to Classic Sonic and Super Sonic.<br />You can really see the size difference.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMhClf2fiebhO-t_Otzvwr-pqosO0TMdfvnM7g_5PYO2lh2-29oX4HeIEw3X72m4MmWtonhQqbaXUTPykbKKcFP6RAKIOduXVRzutAr_GsVLOw_0E3oDTJDEdG0L_4EJ_3OgsvWc86EY/s1600/IMG_3554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMhClf2fiebhO-t_Otzvwr-pqosO0TMdfvnM7g_5PYO2lh2-29oX4HeIEw3X72m4MmWtonhQqbaXUTPykbKKcFP6RAKIOduXVRzutAr_GsVLOw_0E3oDTJDEdG0L_4EJ_3OgsvWc86EY/s320/IMG_3554.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For the life of me, I couldn't get a good picture of the sword glowing in the dark. But I assure you it does quite nicely.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When Sonic the Black Knight came out of the box, his head was so tight I was afraid it would break. But two days later, this figure is very loose. Every joint can hardly support any weight. The pictures here took repeated attempts, and there were multiple falls.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I appreciate the detail, and the level of articulation on this figure. Unfortunately, there are several things working against a positive rating. I give it a 2/5. This is because he does not easily stand, his mask doesn't work well...you can't see his face good if it is up and the peg keeps popping out. But that sword is a big positive.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPdAZBThybUTMUTnr9kHh6k5JNPtBu4kH1umVeZoDP0qbQm2YQPH5TmN2LSBLXJYCdnnG5nb_X7989P5RDegsZ2Am_H3EKJJPs54Sb_w2U4CvHB9YWUkVi8_Yvb8Qygx-BP35vZc4bp0/s1600/IMG_3555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPdAZBThybUTMUTnr9kHh6k5JNPtBu4kH1umVeZoDP0qbQm2YQPH5TmN2LSBLXJYCdnnG5nb_X7989P5RDegsZ2Am_H3EKJJPs54Sb_w2U4CvHB9YWUkVi8_Yvb8Qygx-BP35vZc4bp0/s320/IMG_3555.jpg" width="275" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0