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.