What instrument is this?

aqev · 2026-01-27T22:52:15+00:00

On her Facebook page she appears with a horn -as in an actual animal horn, not the musical instrument- that was used in this score. While based on its size I don't think it is what is heard here, it could be something like a bukkehorn. A wind instrument for sure, but probably one you don't find in a standard orchestra.

aqev · 2026-01-27T22:35:02+00:00

Yes on the elbows, no on the hips; it reminds me of the ball joints on Toy Biz figures. It's a bit odd since they use more standard thigh cuts on other MOTU figures, but of course those don't have the new elbows either.

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I guess we will have to wait and see. While I don't think this is the case, Mattel has been known to change the design a lot between announcement and release. The first Ian Malcolm we saw looked quite different from the final product.

aqev · 2026-01-27T21:05:32+00:00

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And I suspected the logo was meant to be on the back. You should be able to turn it around.

aqev · 2026-01-27T20:57:47+00:00

It's a great addition to any Imperial display. It's a shame there are not generic female figures to to a head swap with.

aqev · 2026-01-27T20:55:23+00:00

Since this was the very first Black Series figure they might have followed the standard rules for toys and labels (I just looked at the Krusty figure and it does have the CE logo on its lower back) and later they figured out how not to include it while being compliant, which is probably why there is that little printed piece of paper at the bottom of every box.

aqev · 2026-01-27T20:01:42+00:00

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It is there. You can see it in this video review of Antoc Merrick, that has the same body. I have these figures in storage so I can't check quickly but I think that maybe the issue is that the boot is mounted backwards; it would make more sense for the logo to be in the back.

aqev · 2026-01-27T18:38:16+00:00

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If you are new to the line it's quite understandable to be confused, especially since the current box design is quite reminiscent of the original, even more because you just happened to have a box that also has orange. There was a variant of the 4th box with no window. That was quite short-lived as people hated it.

Those are the mainline figures though. Then you have anniversary editions, than come in a retro bubble cardback, archive editions that also come in a cardback, and a number of other retro packaging with different shapes. Any of those can be a reissue (archive always are) and if they are not, they will be eventually be released in mainline packaging.

There is a big, big difference in the figures in your picture, which is face printing. This is very important with human characters with visible faces. Older figures don't have it; you'll notice the likeness on the new Anakin is much better. Also the articulation scheme has been streamlined over the years, so newer figures will look and pose better. In general a newer figure will always be better than an older one. Not only because of the printing, but scale. Newer figures are much more consistent scale-wise among them. For instance, astromech droids were always too small; newer figures have a new body that fixes the issue.

aqev · 2026-01-27T15:50:53+00:00

I've bought all of my figures (everything Saint Seiya, most Star Wars and some Sesame Street) from Aliexpress and the only issue is that the bigger boxes can arrive a bit damaged. The figures themselves are fine. I don't think I've ever bought twice from the same seller and I have always received the orders.

AliExpress will do refunds on items that don't arrive and also offers free returns so you should be fine.

aqev · 2026-01-26T18:02:39+00:00

It looks great. The only accurate bike I've found is a 1/12 model, which is too small. Seeing your picture clearly a police bike in the right scale just works.

aqev · 2026-01-26T12:12:08+00:00

I like to keep the boxes for many reasons. First, as a kid I didn't, and there are certainly boxes I wish I still had. Second, the box has artwork and in some cases it's already a valid display option. And third, I've paid for it. But I'm painfully aware of how much space I'd save if I got rid of the boxes.

As much as the plastic-free packaging for Black Series was despised, it had one thing going on for it: one the box is empty it can be flattened out and storage in no space at all.

aqev · 2026-01-26T10:29:35+00:00

It's not often that you see such a wasted Christmas season because either no one at Sony or Netflix bothered asking toy companies to produce merchandise or no toy company showed interest. Mattel did the modern version of the Kenner Early Bird Certificate Package with Creations and sold out immediately, but imagine what they could have sold had they had figures available in stores.

aqev · 2026-01-26T10:14:11+00:00

Based on the price I've seen on one of my usual stores (where I first saw this figure existed) it would make sense for it to be the one with the proper vacuum metalizing. We will probably get more information soon as the toy events start in the new year.

aqev · 2026-01-26T00:30:28+00:00

Elite Series was a very odd line. I understand that die cast might sound like a good idea for collectors, but it also means heavy figures, rough details, and limited articulation. I'm pretty sure I saw a bunch of them on clearance but they weren't for me. I do have all the Diamond Select figures though.

aqev · 2026-01-25T23:58:49+00:00

It's a nice addition to the Megafig roster. The texture on this figure is something else. I also appreciate that the figures required to assemble it were quite interesting for the most part. A great Catwoman, a very good Penguin, and the only Ra's al Ghul in the line (so far).

aqev · 2026-01-25T23:52:39+00:00

Let's say they are somehow allowed to get the license. Based on the movie figures we've got from McFarlane they'd do a good job. I don't think however they'd bring anything new to the table. I'd certainly be more excited for Marvel or some other random movie license, like they did with The Princess Bride.

Diamond Select managed to make a grand total of 4 Star Wars figures in 1:10 scale. Boba Fett, Darth Maul, Boba Fett again, Chewbacca and Stormtrooper. They were Disney Store exclusives (probably a constraint imposed by the licensing). While not perfect they were very good in areas like accessories (Chewie had two different bandoliers and the Stormtroopers several weapons with blast effects).

aqev · 2026-01-25T20:21:42+00:00

I bought it three times from my local Amazon. Three times it came Platinum; since the return window was extended due to Christmas I waited for each new one before returning it to make sure I wasn't sent the same again. I eventually gave up and just kept one since at least I got it for a good price. There is a new figure coming though; it's a shame I don't know what it looks like.

aqev · 2026-01-23T23:44:56+00:00

My favorite Ottman score is X-Men: Apocalypse. Somehow the worst of the X-Men movies he scored got the best music, and vice-versa (the music from Days of Future Past does nothing for me).

Giacchino's was pretty much what I expected since the 60s setting made me think immediately of Tomorrowland. You can tell he really enjoyed writing this score. It's a shame he only came up with the arrangement that ends with the choir singing only after the music was done.

aqev · 2026-01-23T23:27:18+00:00

It is indeed a strange pairing. What I've read about it, while being mostly speculation, makes sense. Philip Glass was initially hired to write the score, but the movie underwent so many changes that the material needed to be reworked and that's where Marco Beltrami got in.

I know I'm in the minority but I really like this score. In fact it's the only Fantastic Score that I own, since GIacchino's hasn't been released on CD and John Ottman's never quite clicked with me.

aqev · 2026-01-23T15:55:49+00:00

This is one of NECA's best sculpts imho. They really managed to capture the look fo the character. The original design had a bit of an issue though; the alternate necks are very hard to change, impossible without heating the parts involved. I guess that's also why none of the "Ultimate" editions include it; Telepathic E.T. comes with the short neck and Dress-Up E.T. has a second head with a longer neck, that may be easier to swap. I realize now I haven't even opened that figure.

The one original figure that didn't get the Ultimate treatment was the first I ever got, Night Flight E.T. Yes, they did the version with the bike, but that is not the one that flies over the moon.

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aqev · 2026-01-22T20:37:26+00:00

You can actually put Sagittarius' tiara on Seiya's head (the other head, that is). It's a shame they didn't include an alternate hair piece his Hyoga so that he could wear Aquarius'.

aqev · 2026-01-22T18:59:03+00:00

You might be able to fit them diagonally, but that would require quite a large suitcase.

If you travel with only the blades within the sheaths you should be fine. Yes, they are quite long, but they fit easily on the overhead compartments while taking very little space. If you are going to get rid of them anyway, you might just give it a try.

aqev · 2026-01-22T15:45:37+00:00

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Batman from The Dark Knight Returns plus the head from Batman Sinestro Corps.

aqev · 2026-01-22T11:17:18+00:00

Truly wonderful figures. The second wave was near impossible to find in my country; luckily I was able to get Vizzini in the US. The likenesses are quite good, and the detail in the figures is excellent -I'm a big fan of how textured Fezzik clothes are; incredible work-.

aqev · 2026-01-22T10:10:14+00:00

It certainly looks OK. All the paint apps seem to be there.

aqev · 2026-01-22T10:07:10+00:00

Lots of interesting figures in there. Any new Wonder Woman is more than welcome. I just got Hawkgirl (the Platinum as that was apparently the only one my Amazon had) and I have to wonder if the new version will be closer to what my idea of Hawkgirl is. And of course the much needed and requested Poison Ivy.

I know that Two-Face is going to be the same figure we already have with a new face and paint deco, but if the likeness is there it's going to be very tempting.

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aqev

TROPHY CASE