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From Toy News Daily: Prepare for Battle, A New Wave of Combatant Action Figures are Headed to The Colosseum

From Toy News Daily: Prepare for Battle, A New Wave of Combatant Action Figures are Headed to The Colosseum

by | Mar 2, 2023 | 1/12 Scale, Action Figures, XesRay Studio

In Toy News: XesRay Studios have launched Wave 4 of their sold-out series of Combatant Action Figures.

The full weight of the Roman Empire is back like never before with these massive 9-inch “Brothers of Slaughterhouse” figures. This will be the fourth wave of the Combatants series of action figures. Now entering the arena and toy shelves everywhere are “Kasos” and “Thales.” These larger than life beasts are soon to emerge from the dungeons deep below the Colosseum and are headed into battle. Coming in at 9-inches these monsters will tower over your other 1/12 scale figures, they are certainly a force to be reckoned with. Hold on tight as Toy News Daily walks you through the lore, the mythos, the legends that are The Combatants.

The Fight for Glory

According to the mythos inscribed on the Colosseum walls:

“When cheers sounded in the air, coins fell as rain and blood splashed on the ground, mankind’s cruel nature was exposed in the arena. It was an age of craze and legends. Someone rose and someone fell, which lead to an endless loop.

Then an unprecedented game was held, funded by the senate, provided security by the praetorian guards. It was supported by the lanistas in the cities. They brought the best gladiators into this carnival in order to gain gold and glory.

However, something was out of the ordinary. No one ever noticed that the cursed beasts and monsters had been placed in the dungeon of the Colosseum. When those dangerous things were released, a grand game would inevitably result in a series of bloody killings…“

Let Toy News Daily take you back to recap the first waves and check out what’s to come.

Wave 1:

The first wave of brutish fighters were three in total:

First there was Medocus “The Reaper” a Thracian from Neapolis.

Then came the Carthage fighter, Khnuba “The Hyaena” from Neapolis.

Followed by the Germanic Brute, Branthoc “The Devilfish” from Pompeii

Wave 2:

As weapons clashed and blood and dust rained down, the crowds of the Colosseum cheered for more, they demanded another wave. And so a second wave of fighters would soon join the battle.

Soon to enter would be Marcus Marius Avitus a Roman fighter from Pompeii.

Next would be Ambillus “The Beetle” the first Gaul fighter from the city of Neapolis.

These great warriors would be joined by Salomon “The Squasher”, a Celtic fighter from Rome.

Finally the last of this wave to emerge would be the great Gaius Pontidius Stolo flanked by his Praetorian Guards.

Wave 3:

The battles would play out and the crowds thirst for more would only grow as their thunderous chants rattled the Colosseum walls. The third wave of fighters, shaken by the roaring crowds would soon join the battle.

To thunderous applause the first of wave 3 to enter was the beautiful Berenice known throughout Pompeii as “The Macedonian Spear”

Next would be Vlattia “The Canine” from Neapolis.

Lastly the most fatal fighter of them all to enter would be Tadala from Neapolis known as “Vespid”

Prepared or not even the Gladiator Trainees would soon thirst for Gold and Glory on the battlefield.

Wave 4:

Of all the waves of combatants, none can compare to the massive “Brothers of the Slaughterhouse”, Kasos and Thales.

“After the disappearance of Lemuria, some stones and machines were left behind, which indirectly destroyed Atlantis. Then the new civilizations were rising all over the world, and the new crises were also beginning to emerge…. However, something was out of the ordinary. No one ever noticed that the cursed beasts and monsters had been placed in the dungeon of the Colosseum. When those dangerous things were released, a grand game would inevitably result in a series of bloody killings.“

Proving Their Worth

We here at Toy News Daily absolutely love the Combatants Series of figures that XesRay Studio has been releasing. Their first three waves have sold out before we even had a chance to place our order. Proving the exceptional quality and the high demand for new fantasy figures from toy collectors around the world. We didn’t delay, this time, in placing an order as these figures are magnificent and we didn’t want to miss out again.

Wave 4 is set to be released Q4 2023. Prices for the figures range from $68-$90 each depending on where you order from. We recommend checking out 5K Toys or BigBadToyStore

All Images in this article were taken from Xesray Studios Website as well as BigBadToyStore

The opinions expressed in this text are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization, employer, or group that the author may be associated with. These opinions are based on the author’s personal experience, knowledge, and research, and may be subject to change over time. The information provided is not intended to serve as professional or legal advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Readers are encouraged to do their own research and consult with professionals before making any decisions based on the opinions expressed in this text.

NECA NEWS: First Look at Latest TMNT x Universal Monsters Crossover Figures

NECA NEWS: First Look at Latest TMNT x Universal Monsters Crossover Figures

by | Feb 28, 2023 | 1/12 Scale, Action Figures, Movies, NECA

First Look at The Invisible Man, The Phantom and Box-Art

In NECA NEWS, action figure designer James Groman of James Groman Design LLC took to social media this morning with some sneak peak pictures of some test samples he received from NECA. The unreleased figures are from the TMNT/Universal Monsters line in which he has been responsible for designing. The images shared shows Donatello as The Invisible Man as well as Casey Jones as The Phantom. In the post Groman also shouted out Tony Cipriano and Paul Harding as the sculptors behind the figures. He also made sure to give credit to Daniel Horne as the cover artist. NECA’s Senior Graphic Designer Chris Raimo even chimed into the comments recounting his role on this project: “I’m the packaging designer on these, your concepts are incredible and it’s been such an honor to work on them!“

With so many talented individuals on this team, it’s no surprise how well these figures turned out and in turn have been received by fans, us included. We cant wait to add these figures to the existing lineup which include: Splinter as “Van Helsing,” April O’Neil as “The Bride of Frankenstein,” Michelangelo as “The Mummy,” Leonardo as “The Hunchback,” and Raphael as “Frankenstein’s Monster.”

The TMNT/Universal Monsters line is one of our absolutely favorite ongoing lines and we cant wait to see what more comes out in the future. Now that they’ve revealed all the good guys we can only imagine what they might produce for the other side. Will we get a Shredder or a Foot Soldier, maybe even a Bebop and Rocksteady? Only time will tell. But if you want to grab any of these figures a few of them are still up for preorder, and a couple in-stock at our affiliate Entertainment Earth. Preorders have yet to start for Casey Jones but we’ll be sure to update you all as soon as we know more.

Be sure to sign up to our weekly newsletter in the form below to receive all the latest action figure related toy news.

Images taken from James Groman’s Instagram Account

  • NECA packaging for TMNT/Universal Monsters Figures with The Invisible Man and The Phantom
  • NECA packaging for TMNT/Universal Monsters Figures with The Invisible Man and The Phantom
  • NECA packaging for TMNT/Universal Monsters Figures with The Invisible Man and The Phantom

The opinions expressed in this text are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization, employer, or group that the author may be associated with. These opinions are based on the author’s personal experience, knowledge, and research, and may be subject to change over time. The information provided is not intended to serve as professional or legal advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Readers are encouraged to do their own research and consult with professionals before making any decisions based on the opinions expressed in this text.

For corrections email toynewsdaily@outlook.com

Judgement Day Has Arrived: Medicom Toys Unleashes T-800 Endoskeleton Figure from Terminator 2

Judgement Day Has Arrived: Medicom Toys Unleashes T-800 Endoskeleton Figure from Terminator 2

by | Feb 23, 2023 | 1/12 Scale, Action Figures, MAFEX, Movies

Japan’s Medicom Toys just released the first images of the Terminator 2 Judgement Day, T-800 Endoskeleton figure under their MAFEX brand.

The figure was first teased as an early prototype at the Medicom Toy Exhibition which was held in July of last year. However no updates have emerged until yesterday when a very grainy image spread across socials, marking the official buildup of the release.

This figure just hit BigBadToyStore for Pre-order and is priced at $139.99 with a release date of February 2024.

To be noted: This version of the T-800 was released by NECA as a 7″ figure in 2019 which compared to this MAFEX figure looks like a cheap knockoff, (no offense to NECA). It was also released in this scale in 2021 by McFarlane toys. And of course Hot Toys put out their 1/6 T-800 in 2015 which is still widely regarded as a grail piece.

Of all the options available both past and present, I believe MAFEX knocked this one out of the park, I don’t imagine these figures will sticking around very long and none will be heading to the discount bin anytime soon.

Check out these images we were able to gather from ToyArk.

Images from Medicom

  • MAFEX T-800 Endoskeleton by Medicom Toys
    MAFEX T-800 Endoskeleton
  • MAFEX T-800 Endoskeleton by Medicom Toys
  • MAFEX T-800 Endoskeleton by Medicom Toys
  • MAFEX T-800 Endoskeleton by Medicom Toys
  • MAFEX T-800 Endoskeleton by Medicom Toys
  • MAFEX T-800 Endoskeleton by Medicom Toys
  • MAFEX T-800 Endoskeleton by Medicom Toys
  • MAFEX T-800 Endoskeleton by Medicom Toys

The opinions expressed in this text are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization, employer, or group that the author may be associated with. These opinions are based on the author’s personal experience, knowledge, and research, and may be subject to change over time. The information provided is not intended to serve as professional or legal advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Readers are encouraged to do their own research and consult with professionals before making any decisions based on the opinions expressed in this text.

Hasbro Aims to Recover Sales with Guardians of the Galaxy 3 Action Figures

Hasbro Aims to Recover Sales with Guardians of the Galaxy 3 Action Figures

by | Feb 21, 2023 | 1/12 Scale, Action Figures, Comics, Hasbro, Marvel, Movies

Hasbro rolls out the red carpet for their newest line of action figures.

While the Guardians of the Galaxy 3 movie is set to release in theaters in May, Hasbro has wasted no time in announcing the upcoming action figures for the movie. While these figures look amazing, we wonder, are they asking too much of the consumer? As the exclusive story broke on Game Rant this morning, many fans were quick to notice that Groot, a beloved character from the franchise, was missing from the Build-A-Wave collection. So lets take a look at what does come in the Guardians of the Galaxy 3 action figure wave: included are Star-Lord, Drax, Nebula, Mantis, Rocket, Kraglin, and the film’s main antagonist, Adam Warlock. The final reveal was Cosmo the Spacedog, as the BAF, who was briefly introduced in the first Guardians of the Galaxy film as a prisoner of the Collector, and played a ‘slightly’ larger role in their recent Holiday Special. So where’s Groot? As the speculation continued to grew on social media, over on Gamespot the answers came in. It would appear that Groot comes separately from the BAF wave. This “Swole” version of Groot will also be available for preorder on February 22 alongside the GOTG wave.

Now it wouldn’t be a proper release without a little controversy to accompany the good news. As several fans have suggested in comments that Groot would have been a perfect BAF as many past BAF’s have been larger figures (even Horses). While Rocket being on the smaller side, could have paired perfectly with Cosmo as a 2-pack. Instead Hasbro decided to split Cosmo into 7 parts and sell Groot as an “accessory” to the Wave. Which will force consumers to purchase the entire team as well as Kraglin and Adam Warlock to complete Cosmo. Now as much as these two figures may be celebrated by fans not everyone is excited to see the final bill to complete this line.

Guardians of The Galaxy 3 action figures pricing breakdown.

As the Build-A-Wave figures are priced at $24.99 retail, completing the entire team would cost fans a hefty $175. Adding Groot to the collection as a separate figure would cost an additional $40, bringing the total well over $200 before taxes and shipping. Hasbro’s decision to exclude Groot from the Build-A-Wave collection has created a conundrum for fans. While some may be wondering if they should go all-in and buy the whole team, or skip the collection altogether and save their money for other figures on the horizon. While Hasbro’s recent pricing increases has brought wide criticism of the toy maker, this isn’t the only concern on record. The switch to windowless packaging has also left a sour taste in many consumers mouths as collectors of action figures want to see the figures they are purchasing, before they toss it in their cart. Breaking from the long held standard among the toy industries packaging, as well as pricing increases, may be a contributing factor in the decline of sales for the mega corporation. The recent decline in sales has even led to the laying off of more than 1,000 employees, which translates to about 15% of its overall workforce. As the company is currently experiencing difficulties, it appears that they will require some wins in 2023 to help them recover. So the question remains, will this wave make the cut?

What do you think, Buy or Pass?

Despite the frustration we consumers may have regarding Hasbro corp, the figures themselves appear to be well-made (at least as much as the promotional images may suggest.) Mantis can even be seen in full cross-legged position proving exceptional articulation. The team suits are also a nice touch and nod to their source comics, however fans will eventually have the final say once the figures hit shelves and we get a first hand look at the figures. Quality control is always an issue with such large releases so we’ll see if Hasbro is able to deliver on the hype and ultimately deliver on the $200+ investment they are asking of fans to complete the wave. As anyone who is a fan of the comics it will be hard to pass up on these figures with the team uniform. Whether the newest film will be as big of a hit as the first 2 films, is yet to be seen, however fans of the movies are definitely excited to see Groot back in full swing.

Looking forward:

Despite my frustrations with Hasbro, I’d rather not leave you thinking I don’t like these figures (because I really do,) so lets dive into what we’re getting and take a closer look at each of the figures announced.

Images from Game Rant

  • Hasbro Star-Lord
    Star-Lord
  • Hasbro Nebula
    Nebula
  • Hasbro Drax
    Drax
  • Hasbro Mantis
    Mantis
  • Hasbro Rocket
    Rocket
  • Hasbro Kraglin
    Kraglin
  • Hasbro Adam Warlock
    Adam Warlock
  • Hasbro Cosmo
    Cosmo
  • Hasbro Groot
    Groot
  • Hasbro Packaging
    Hasbro Packaging
  • Star-Lord
    Star-Lord
  • Nebula
    Nebula
  • Drax
    Drax
  • Mantis
    Mantis
  • Rocket
    Rocket
  • Kraglin
    Kraglin
  • Adam Warlock
    Adam Warlock

Check out our other recent Hasbro Announcements:

Hasbro Goes Big with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania Figures!

The opinions expressed in this text are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization, employer, or group that the author may be associated with. These opinions are based on the author’s personal experience, knowledge, and research, and may be subject to change over time. The information provided is not intended to serve as professional or legal advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Readers are encouraged to do their own research and consult with professionals before making any decisions based on the opinions expressed in this text.

For corrections please email: toynewsdaily@outlook.com

Rev Your Engines! The Biker Mice are Back and Better Than Ever

Rev Your Engines! The Biker Mice are Back and Better Than Ever

by | Feb 9, 2023 | Action Figures, Cartoons, Nacelle, TV Shows

Get Ready for a Wild Ride!

The renowned studio, Nacelle Company, known for its successful Netflix shows such as “The Toys That Made Us” and “The Movies That Made Us”, has taken hold of the rights to the timeless animated series “Biker Mice From Mars”. With big plans in store, Nacelle is eager to bring back the adventurous trio to fans both old and new. In this piece, we delve deeper into the Biker Mice from Mars and their history, as well as what the future holds for the property with Nacelle at the wheel.

The Biker Mice: A Look Back

Debuting in 1993, from the mind of Rick Ungar, the Biker Mice from Mars instantly won over fans with their blend of humor, action, adventure, and music. The series was created as a response to the popularity of other anthropomorphic animal characters like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. This time the main characters were anthropomorphic mice: Throttle (voiced by Rob Paulsen), Modo (voiced by Dorian Harewood), and Vinnie (voiced by Ian Ziering), who escaped a war on their home planet Mars before arriving to defend the Earth from the same evil that destroyed their homeland. These survivors turned heroic vigilantes, (who were inseparable from their motorcycles and toys), quickly took to plotting a way to stop the evil schemes of the villainous Lawrence Limburger (voiced by W. Morgan Sheppard) who was actually a Plutarkian disguised as a human. The show quickly became a fan favorite and ran for three seasons with 65 episodes released.

The Future is Looking Furry

With Nacelle now in possession of the property, the future of the Biker Mice from Mars is looking bright. The company is in the process of developing a re-imagined animated series and a brand new toyline. CEO Brian Volk-Weiss revealed the news at comicbook.com, stating: “Biker Mice is the perfect way to start 2023 off with a Mars-based bang! And they’ll fit in, with their unique, creative brilliance, with the rest of brands we’ve recently acquired.”

What to Expect from the Re-Imagined Animated Series

Although it’s still too early to predict what the new animated series will entail, Nacelle Company’s reputation for producing high-quality, well-received shows gives us confidence that the Biker Mice from Mars will receive the same level of care and attention to detail.

New Adventures Await with the Biker Mice from Mars Toyline

Alongside the re-imagined animated series, Nacelle is also creating a new toyline for the Biker Mice from Mars. The only glimpse we have been able to acquire is that of some boxes with the character names printed on their tops, posted recently on the Nacelle Toy Divisions’ Instagram account @toysnacelle.

Image taken from @toysnacelle IG page

We here at Toy News Daily, cant wait to see what’s in store for this IP. Hopefully we see some rad vehicles and playsets to accompany these figures but only time will tell.

Our Take:         

The Nacelle Company have been making waves with their latest releases, and 2023 has only just begun. With the brains behind the highly successful show “The Toys That Made Us” at the helm of the development, you can expect nothing but the best for their toyline as well as tv series for the Biker Mice from Mars. The Nacelle Company’s expertise in the toy industry is sure to bring forth toys that will be a hit among fans of all ages. With the Nacelle Company’s attention to detail and creative brilliance, the new Biker Mice from Mars toyline is sure to be a hit. Stay tuned for what’s in store for the Nacelle Company, as they remain a force to be reckoned with for many years to come.

We’ll be sure to update this article as more information becomes available.

(Update 2-22-23 ToyCollectr magazine gave us the first glimpse of the new figures.)

More from the Nacelle Company

The Nacelle Company Introduces The Expanse Collectibles: A Breakthrough in the Toy Industry

Nostalgia Alert: Super7’s Animaniacs Toys are the Perfect Throwback

Nostalgia Alert: Super7’s Animaniacs Toys are the Perfect Throwback

by | Feb 8, 2023 | 7-inch Scale, Action Figures, Cartoons, Super7

Super7 Delivers Again with Their Latest Collection of Pop Culture Treasures

 Founded in 2001, Super7 is a San Francisco-based company that creates pop-culture and lifestyle collectibles, toys, and apparel. The company has received acclaim for its focus on high-quality merchandise and its ability to resurrect nostalgia. Another line of figures are now one step closer to making their way to collectors shelves.

Animaniacs ULTIMATES!

In December 2021, Super7 revealed plans to release a series of figures inspired by the beloved 90s cartoon, Animaniacs. This new line, under the ULTIMATES! banner, promises to recapture the magic of the original series and bring back fond memories for older fans, while also introducing these classic characters to a new generation of children.

Wave 1 Hits the Shelves

Wave 1 of the Animaniacs ULTIMATES! collection features Yakko, Wakko and Dot, as well as Pinky and the Brain who received their own fan-favorite spinoff series after their introduction with the episode “Win Big.” These figures are carefully crafted to reflect the original style of the series and feature poses and facial expressions based on model sheets and promotional art. Each figure comes with a range of episode-specific accessories and costs $54.99 USD, with the full wave available for $274.99 USD. The figures have recently left the factory and are now available for purchase at BigBadToyStore.

Deluxe Figures with Interchangeable Parts

The Animaniacs ULTIMATES! figures are 7-inch scale and come equipped with interchangeable heads and hands, as well as a large selection of accessories from memorable episodes and gags. With this release, Super7 has continued to deliver its commitment to high-quality merchandise, allowing fans to relive their childhood memories with these figures.

What’s Included:

  • Yakko figure
    • Alternate head
    • 7 Interchangeable hands
    • Alternate tail
    • Pointer
    • Bag of fun
    • Stick of dynamite
    • Blackboard featuring world map
  • Wakko figure
    • Alternate head
    • 9 Interchangeable hands
    • Violin
    • Mallet
    • Stick of dynamite
    • 1 Blackboard featuring a U.S. map
  • Dot figure
    • 2 Alternate heads
    • 9 Interchangeable hands
    • Alternate tail
    • Duck pool floatie
    • Stick of dynamite
  • Brain figure
    • Alternate head
    • 9 Interchangeable hands
    • Magnet with lever
    • 3 Lab beakers
    • Paper blueprint
    • Globe keyring
  • Pinky figure
    • 2 Alternate heads
    • 10 Interchangeable hands
    • Grappling hook
    • Beaker set
    • Beaker with bunsen burner
    • Lab equipment
    • Notepad
    • Photo of Pharfignewton

Our Take

Although this line has been labeled as “Wave 1,” it remains to be seen if Super7 will release additional figures and accessories in the future. Despite criticism regarding the figures’ price point, they do offer a premium level of detail and an abundance of accessories, making them worth the cost in comparison to other toys in 2023. Whether the nostalgia factor will drive sales or not remains to be seen, but fans of the classic cartoon are excited to add these figures to their collection.

Here at Toy News Daily, we’re big fans of Super7 and can’t wait to get our hands on these throwback characters from our childhood. As lovers of all things plastic and nostalgia, we can’t help but feel excited for this new toy line. Let us know in the comments section, which is your most memorable episode from either Animaniacs or Pinky and the Brain?

Images provided by Super7

  • Super7 Ultimates! Animaniacs figures
    Wave 1 Animaniacs Figures
  • Animaniacs Brain
    Brain
  • Animaniacs Pinky
    Pinky
  • Animaniacs Wakko
    Wakko
  • Animaniacs Yakko
    Yakko
  • Animaniacs Dot
    Dot

Let us know in the comments section, which is your most memorable episode from either Animaniacs or Pinky and the Brain?