February 10th - Arthur, the Tick's sidekick

Arthur, the Tick's Sidekick

action figure by Bandai

The Tick was a brilliant comic and brilliant animated series spoofing the superhero genre. Too brilliant, as it only lasted 36 episodes. I think most of them are on dvd now. Get them, and watch them, and laugh! DO IT!!! Anyway, Arthur is the Tick's moth-suited sidekick, accountant, and roommate. In the first run of episodes he was voiced by Mickey Dolenz of the Monkees. I liked Mickey's Arthur better than the generic voice actor they got to replace him. Guess he was too busy not Monkeeing around anymore to be bothered to do more than one season.

February 9th - Charlotte's Web finger puppet

Charlotte's Web finger puppet

Wendy's Kids Meal toy

I found this toy on the ground outside the museum where I used to work. Not much to say about it other than I don't really care about 'Charlotte's Web' and its mixed animal rights messages, and the Notebaert Nature Museum in Chicago sucks. Those stories are best told outside of a toy blog.

February 8th - the Spirit of Obi-Wan

The Spirit of Obi-Wan

Hasbro Star Wars Frito-Lay mail-away

This one takes us back all the way to 1997...the excitement of Star Wars returning to theaters was about to give the franchise new life, a life that we couldn't foresee spinning into the horrible prequel mess we know today. Hard to remember a time when Star Wars merchandise was scarce, yet, for only 2 chip bag upc's and 2 bucks, you could have one of the first of thousands of new Star Wars figures. He's clear, his arms and head don't move, and he came in a lil white box with no proper card: The Spirit of Obi-wan. At least the Fruit Loops Han Solo in Stromtrooper Disguise had moving joints!

February 7th - Riddler Pez dispenser

Riddler Pez dispenser

Nothing like tearing back the head of your favorite character and eating the sweet reward inside! Oh the chalky goodness of Pez! It's pretty cool to have a collection of Batman related Pez dispensers but, does anyone else think that this Riddler looks like Bob Hope? Weird.

February 6th - Roron Corobb

Roron Corobb

Star Wars action figure

I guess any alien creature can be a Jedi, even if they don't look like they should be. Damn midi-chlorians! How does he go leaping around with a head like that? And his peripheral vision must be terrible! He must not have been that good a Jedi, as he was killed by General Grievous, a cyborg that couldn't even hold onto his extra cybernetic arms for more than a few seconds against Obi-Wan Kenobi. Lame.

February 5th - Silverbolt

Silverbolt

Transformers Universe Classics

Silverbolt is the leader of the Aerialbots. He's a jet but, he's afraid of heights?! Strange choice of alt. mode. Anyway, this figure is a retro-update of the classic figure and is pretty sweet. However, most of the transformation is just folding him up to fit underneath the jet exterior that is always visible anyway. I guess I can overlook that because he also has cool lights and sounds!

February 4th - Steel minimate

Steel

DC minimates

Accept no substitutes when it comes to the real Man of Steel. After Supes 'died', Steel here was one of four new characters to take up the mantle. The real Superman eventually returned and the wannabes found their place as obscure background characters. Yep, after sales started to dip, poor Steel was shaved off like Supes' long hair.

February 3rd - Apu

Apu

Simpsons Burger King toy

I think this one was in the kid's meals for the Simpsons Movie. Push the button on his back and he says "Please, please...I'm gouging as fast as I can!" Pretty cool, and what's more is that he has a box of Mr. Sparkle! Mr. Sparkle will banish dirt to the land of wind and ghosts! Awesome-o Power!!!

February 2nd - Sock Monkey mini

Sock Monkey mini

plush

I got this sock monkey for Christmas. He's kinda weird looking because he's a mini sock monkey made from just one sock. His lil eyes are on what is traditionally just the mouth part. To gaze into them is to gaze into madness!

February 1st - Aquaman

Aquaman

DC Universe Classics by Mattel

Sure, the black trunks might clash a bit with the rest of the ensemble but, it sure beats Aquaman's short-lived, late 80's suit.

January 31st - Boulder Chase Indiana Jones

Boulder Chase Indiana Jones

Burger King toy

Ah, time will always remember this classic film scene but, it has already forgotten the cartoon dust cloud produced by Indy's mad dash.

January 30th - Mr. Mxyzptlk

Mr. Mxyzptlk

DC Direct figure

Mxyzptlk is a 5th dimensional being that loves to torment Superman. If you get him to say or spell his name backwards, he disappears. Dang, it's hard enough just to type his name more than once.

January 29th - Scourge

Scourge

Transformers Titanium Hasbro

Scourge is actually old-school Transformer, Thundercracker, who was reincarnated by Unicron after his death in the Transformers movie. He's got a funny light on his head! And this toy is made of real metal!!! Well, parts are made of metal...the rest is cheap plastic. But 50% metal is still pretty cool, right?

January 28th - Homer as Radioactive Man

Homer as Radioactive Man

Simpsons plush

This is one of many plush toys I've picked up out of crane machines over the years. I'm a little confused why Homer is dressed as Radioactive Man, as that is something that has never happened on the Simpsons. Of course, I could be wrong about that: I stopped watching the show about 9 years ago. I really wish the show had stopped, it really hasn't been good in a loooooong time.

R.I.P. 'the Simpsons'
1987-2000

January 27th - Savage Gray Hulk

Savage Gray Hulk

Hasbro Marvel Legends

It still doesn't make sense. Those pants are either denim or polyester or something. How do they stay on him? This is almost unfathomable, even with suspension of disbelief. Oh well, I guess it wouldn't be pretty or convenient to have Bruce Banner walk around in all spandex all the time or see bounding, naked Hulk coming off the page.

January 26th - M&M's wind-up

M and M's wind-up

candy promo pack-in

That crazy M&M got his car stuck in a wheel, and is using the his car to propel the wheel forward! That is crazy! If he got his car out, he'd go much faster. And what's crazier is that if he keeps waggling his tongue out against his face, he's eventually gonna melt himself. Melts in your mouth my friend: will you ever learn?!

January 25 - Zant from Legend of Zelda

Zant from Legend of Zelda

Japanese capsule toy

I remember getting excited when the newest Zelda game, Twilight Princess, came out. It was a new story with new mechanics, new worlds, and next-gen graphics...all that we come to expect from the Zelda series. And though was a good game,it was far from great. It was more like the last few games, only on steroids. Poor Zant here was billed as the chief villain, and yet, surprise, he was just Ganon's lacky?! Sigh...more of the same...with added horseback fighting. Maybe next time...

January 24th - Naked Mole Rat

Naked Mole Rat

plush toy

The naked mole rat in reality is not as cute as his plush counterpart here. The plush looks more a hairless, pink bull terrier puppy. The real thing looks more like a blind, uncooked sausage with tiny appendages and gnarly looking' front teeth. Leave it to the entertainment world to take something real, strip it of its animal facts/educational value, and market it in a cute, cuddly form for kids. Damn you, Kim Possible!

January 23rd - Wario

Wario

Japanese block figure by Nintendo

Add the Japanese adj., warui, meaning bad, and the name Mario, and you get 'bad Mario' or Wario. He just showed up one day with no point of origin, though I'd imagine he escaped from some strange 'mirror' universe into the Super Mario World. His brother, Waluigi, escaped many years later and has yet to do anything big other than be the nemesis of Dance Dance Mario Mix. It must be a big insult to Luigi when even your 'mirror' counterpart can't even match up to his brother.

January 22nd - UNO

UNO

card game by Mattel

UNO was invented in 1971 by Merle Robbins to resolve an argument with his son over the rules of the game Crazy Eights. Ah, if only that was the solution to all card game disputes, a lot of cowboys wouldn't have shot each other squabbling over cards and they would've lived fat off of the royalties on the games they created. UNO could have tamed the Wild West...unless of course someone trys to pull a Draw Four card outta their sleeve, in which that case I say shoot the cheating dog! Yee-haw!!!!

January 21st - Bones McCoy minimate

Bones McCoy

Star Trek Minimates

Leonard H 'Bones' McCoy, MD...he's a doctor, not a...minimate? Bones here will be born in the year 2227 to a future that will probably either not come to pass or be totally lame in comparison to the sci-fi imagination (When can I drive my flying car to my moon colony, Science?!). He's a pretty spiffy lil' block figure, even if they can't capture DeForest Kelley's earth-crushing eye-bags in plastic perfection.

January 20th - the Absorbing Man

the Absorbing Man

a Hasbro Marvel Legends figure

The Absorbing Man has fought many heroes in the Marvel Universe, among them Thor, the Incredible Hulk, and the Avengers. His deal is that he can absorb the physical properties of anything he touches, be it gas, liquid, solid or even pure energy. I imagine he has to concentrate on this quite a bit, otherwise he could get into quite a jam. I mean, he's probably very vulnerable to attack if he has to use the bathroom and doesn't keep his guard up: a man made of porcelain in a seated position wouldn't stand a chance when Hulk-goes-a-smashin'. Man, can't a guy go in peace?!

January 19th - Crystal Skeleton with throne

Crystal Skeleton with throne

Hasbro's Indiana Jones action figures

This figure was the mail-away figure you got for buying six regular Indiana Jones figures and mailing the lil' artifact stickers that they came with to Montana. It's strange to think that there was probably a whole warehouse of these things, in Montana of all places. Anyway, its a pretty cool figure, despite of what you may have thought of Indy's fourth movie. I currently have 4 of these guys, with two more on the way. Yup, that means I bought 36 Indiana Jones action figures. And if they had made more figures from the line, I might have bought enough to get 13 skeletons, just like in the movie. Sounds crazy? You're probably right.

January 18th - Ironhide

Ironhide

Transformers Universe Classics

Ironhide is Optimus Prime's best friend and bodyguard of sorts. At least he was until Transformers the animated movie killed poor Ironhide and the rest of the original guys off to make way for a new toy line. Pretty lame way to go: to make way for new stock?! That's 80's toy marketing for you.
This toy is pretty nice in its robot form, giving a nice update to the old bot, but keeping true to his classic motif. His vehicle form however, is kind of a mess. Looks like Ironhide missed a curb and went rolling thru the trees. And I say trees because his license plate is from Oregon. Oregon?!

January 17th - Stinkor

Stinkor

a Masters of the Universe figure

Stinkor is the Evil Master of Odors. Get it? He's a skunk. What I don't get is why smelling bad automatically makes you one of the bad guys. Anyway, this figure is from the relaunched 2002 Masters of the Universe line. He's pretty neat with modern sculpting that puts him leaps and bounds over his older version. There is, however, one thing he lacks that his predecessor had: he lacks that weird built-in plastic stench that was passed off as an action feature. Here's hoping the next time around that he stinks!

January 16th - Grover

Grover from Sesame Street

a plush doll

Is there anything that Muppets can't do? They can teach you how to spell, read, count...they can make you laugh and even cry. And in his alter-ego, Super-Grover, this one can fly!
Wait, there is one thing that they can't do: show their lower halves and fake legs and me be comfortable with that.

January 15th - Mick from 'Rocky'

Mick from 'Rocky'

a Jakks Pacific figure

You can't have a Rocky action figure without his manager, Mick, to yell him into shape. And Mick here is ready for a rough training session in his removable cap and salmon sweater. Yessir, with Mick around your figures are guaranteed to 'get the lead out', 'move their chicken asses', and 'be able to catch that chicken' and 'greased lightning'. Yes, 'eat lightning and crap thunder' is what they'll do! And if you don't want your figures crappin' thunder, I guess you could always put a lil' top hat, monocle and umbrella on Mick and fight the Batman. Waa Waa Waaaaaaaagh!

January 14th - Walking, Pencil-sharpening Robot Wind-up

Walking, Pencil-sharpening Robot Wind-up

The walking, pencil-sharpening robot wind-up is not only a great desk item, its also fun to say 3 times fast! The robot features an opening chest compartment where you can insert a pencil to be sharpened, or insert his key to wind him up for a walk. The pencil shavings move to the translucent part of his head. You must remove the shavings quite often as it can interfere with his circuitry. Just kidding. If you don't remove the shavings, he will not go on a rampage, destroying all human life...though that would be a great action feature.

January 13th - Jareth the Goblin King from 'Labyrinth'

Jareth the Goblin King from 'Labyrinth'

a Neca action figure

I guess the term 'action figure' is used pretty loosely nowadays. Jareth here is more of a nicely sculpted, plastic statue. Sure, his arms and head are poseable but, he lacks any defining action feature that toys of old might have. Then again, what kind of action feature should a David Bowie figure have that would be appropriate for anyone other than singing an dancing? No, this figure can't turn into an owl or turn babies into goblins like in the movie but, at least, his pants buldge is sculpted movie accurate.(sorry its obscured by his cape in this shot, but we dont want to offend anyone, do we?)

January 12th - Butters as Professor Chaos

Butters as Professor Chaos from 'South Park'

a Mezco comic-con exclusive

Butters in his Professor Chaos costume represents one of the funniest moments from my favorite show, South Park. He looks pretty good with all my other super-villain action figures, and he came with his super-cute minion hamsters! I only wish he had an interchangeable head with a throwing star in his eye from the anime-inspired episode, 'Good Times with Weapons'. Though having an action figure of Butters with a star in his eye probably would get him grounded. Aw, hamburgers.

January 11th - Roy Rogers and Trigger Yo-Yo

Roy Rogers and Trigger Yo-Yo

a Round-up King Top

I picked up this yo-yo at an antique mall in Grain Valley, MO. It was apparently a brand of yo-yo that was officially approved by Roy "the King of Cowboys" himself sometime in the 1950's. They were manufactured by All Western Plastics, Inc in Scottsbluff, Nebraska but never made it to retail due to the factory being destroyed by a tornado. Barrels of these things were salvaged by either employees or townsfolk, and somewhere down the line their grandkids put em up for sale with the story. Pretty good story, and a really good yo-yo.

January 10th - Howard the Duck

Howard the Duck

a Marvel Legends figure from Toy Biz

Howard the Duck, a Marvel Comics creation, got his very own action figure! Wow, how random! And he came packed as an accessory with the Silver Surfer?! Huh? I guess that's cool for the sake of variety. I mean, they could have just put out another version of Spider-man in some ridiculous costume variation that he would never wear:

http://www.toplessrobot.com/2008/12/the_10_least_amazing_spider-man_action_figures_of.php?page=1

January 9th - weird lil' Shakespeare

Weird lil' Shakespeare

a Pot Belly figurine from the Harmony Ball Company

Don't ask me why, but i love grossly distorted figures like this one here of the great Bard of Avon. Pot Belly figurines stand about 2 in tall and come in the style of many different historical figures for you to collect from the Harmony Ball Company. A special feature of these figures is that the head is removable for some reason. I don't know if it was just easier for the artist to sculpt the body and head separate or if I'm supposed to be able to keep something small like, say, a penny or a ring in the small hollow spot in the body. That, or it might be fun to swap heads on other historical figure bodies to make all-new cute abominations!

January 8th - Stormtrooper (the Star Wars Trilogy)

Stormtrooper from the Star Wars Trilogy (the good one!!!)

3 3/4 in figures by Hasbro

You can never have enough of these guys for cheap target fodder for much cooler action figures. What fun it is to spend hours on end setting up legions of Stormtroopers only for the few exhilarating seconds it takes for your Han Solo figure to mow 'em down on a routine Falcon flyby! And yes, with every one of them that is shot, thrown off a cliff, incinerated, or cut down by a lightsaber, they all make that famous Wilhelm Scream in my mind.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilhelm_scream

January 7th - Sonic Screwdriver flashlight (Doctor Who)

Sonic Screwdriver flashlight from Doctor Who

Doctor Who by Character Options Ltd

The Sonic Screwdriver has been used as a tool/weapon of the Doctor since his second incarnation in 1968.
I bought this toy, which is a replica of the one used by the 9th and 10th Docs. Functionally it is used as a blue LED flashlight but, I like to pretend it does all the same cool stuff the real one does like scan robots, open sealed doors, and cause electrical explosions...and still help me find my keys in the dark, of course.

January 6th - Pokey, Gumby's best pal

Pokey - Gumby's best pal

an Aurora plush

Pokey made his 'Gumby' debut in the episode 'The Little Lost Pony' on December 29, 1956. Sorry it's a few days late but, happy 52nd birthday old horse! In his first appearance, Pokey wandered away from the farmer who owned him and got mixed up with some Blockheads. After many stop-motion hijinks, Gumby rescued him and returned him to the farmer for the reward of 100 ice cream cones! Sounds like a pretty good reward except for the fact that if Gumby gets too cold from eating them, he dies!!! You see, Gumby's internal temperature is regulated by his Gumbometer, and if the needle dips into the danger zone his clay composure...uh...nevermind. Too much geek info?
Anyway, this is a nice plush representation of Pokey. Cuddley soft! Like clay, but without the mess!

January 5th - Biff Tannen (alternate 1985, Back to the Future II)

Biff Tannen - from Back to the Future II, alternate 1985

Back to the Future II Minimates box set

It's everyone's favorite bully, Biff Tannen, only in a cute, 2 inch, block form! This is Biff in his alternate 1985 duds. For those of you confused by the whole 'alternate 1985' thing, just pop in a copy of Back to the Future II, take a grain of salt, and don't let queries of time logic foil you in enjoying the second act of one of the coolest film trilogies that will ever be made.
This toy is a Minimate block figure. You will most likely see more of these figures in coming days, as I am quite fond of the lil' guys. They go well with LEGO building sets (my Minimate Doc Brown built a pretty sweet Delorian), and can punt the puny LEGO men to the curb in both size and playability.
On a side note, I once met Tom Wilson, the actor who portrays Biff in the BTTF trilogy, when I was working one summer outside the Tribune building in Chicago. He's a real nice guy, and took some time to stop and chat with me. Tom comes to town now and then with his comedy act. Funny stuff! Check out his website: http://www.tomwilsonusa.com/

January 4th - the Bluesmobile (Blues Brothers 2000)

The Bluesmobile - from 'Blues Brothers 2000'

a Johnny Lightning matchbox car

It's the Bluesmobile! Aww wait..its the crappy one from the almost-unwatchable 'Blues Brothers' sequel, 'Blues Brothers 2000'. This Bluesmobile is a 1990 Ford LTD Crown Victoria, which is totally not as cool as the original 1974 Dodge Monaco sedan. BOO! Although I will save you a rant on the rest of the 'Blues Brothers 2000' ugliness, i will still say that the soundtrack is pretty good.
And nothing says new-millenium-crap better than the fad of slapping '2000' on a product. THIS MOVIE CAME OUT IN 1998 FOR CRYIN' OUT LOUD!!! Okay, okay...I said I wouldn't rant....it's all about the toy...which is okay...I mean, its a car... it has four wheels, and it rolls pretty good...nuff said.

January 3rd - LEGO Mario

LEGO Mario - Super Mario Bros.

LEGO blocks

I used LEGO brand blocks to make this Mario statue. He's about 7 inches tall and represents classic 8-bit Mario from 'Super Mario Bros', the 1985 Nintendo classic that just might be the greatest video game of all time.
HOT TIP: Other than a blocky appearance, you can spot old-school Mario by the fact that he's wearing red overalls and a blue shirt, as opposed to his modern look of blue overalls, red shirt...guess that really isn't a hot tip.

Here's the Youtube link I followed to make your very own Mario statue:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RynNYR-Xx_o

January 2nd - Sark from TRON

Sark - Tron

Neca re-release of Tomy's 1982 figures

Here's the big-baddie from everyone's favorite 1982 Disney sci-fi movie, 'TRON'. And who better to help usher in the computer graphics age of cinema than actor, David Warner. Mr. Warner is a great actor who has done his share of good and bad films. Kids my age might remember him best from the movie 'Time Bandits', which is awesome and deserves action figures of its own. He was also the voice of Ras al Ghul in 'Batman the Animated Series', and the professor in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II:The Secret of the Ooze'(bad movie but, if you really wanna see a dignified actor dance badly to Vanilla Ice, it might be right up your alley.)

January 1st - Superman (New Frontier)

Superman - from DC: New Frontier

DC Direct figure from July 2006

How could number one for the new year not be my number one hero, Superman?!
This is the first of many Supermen that you will doubtlessly encounter during this toy-a-day year. This particular version is based off the DC Comics book DC: The New Frontier by Darwyn Cooke. A pretty nifty take on 1950's Supes, complete with old-school black 's' shield and that squinty always-flying-towards-the-sun look.