ThreeZero – Robocop EM-208 – Review

Posted on December 2, 2014 by Knives

Das Intro

Today, I have the privilege of reviewing a 1/6 scale prototype action figure from the fine folks of ThreeZero. This time, it’s a figure based off the 2014 Robocop film reboot, the EM-208. These bots were probably the coolest looking things in the whole flick.. even if they (spoiler alert) were only used in the first half the movie and were basically canon fodder for Robocop.

I actually just watched the film the other day for the first time and while some of it remains close to the original Robocop, it’s certainly not as gritty or near as memorable as the 1987 classic. The entire time I was watching it I kept thinking of all the different ways they could have made the movie so much better… and that ending? OOF!
Eh.. it’s a rental.

That sentiment doesn’t reflect my feelings for ThreeZero’s bot. This being a prototype, some things may change and there’s probably a couple of things that should.. but out of the box, ThreeZero has delivered a highly accurate, articulated toy version of the EM-208 that should definitely please fans!

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Prototype Preview ThreeZero – Mazinger Z

Posted on May 6, 2014 by Knives

Intro
I can probably trace the entire basis for my interest in giant fighting robots back to a few years of my childhood in the mid 80’s. As a kid, I lived in a small town in Texas a few hours outside Amarillo. I don’t know how he did it, but somehow my dad found this eclectic little Japanese import toy shop on one of our many trips to the “big city”. He knew I’d love it as I was obsessed with Transformers and Voltron, probably the two most popular robot franchises at that time to most kids my age in the states. But this little toy shop had things I’d never seen or heard of. They had VHS tapes full of this stuff called, “anime” and shelves full of these little backwards comics called “manga”. Most importantly of all, it had shelf after shelf of incredibly, mind blowing giant robots. The existence of that shop hooked me onto everything from Gundam to Godakin! I was instantly obsessed. That shop became a regular weekend destination for us, so much so that the shop owner had a small list he’d keep of all the bots I told him I wanted so my dad would know what to look for if he happened to be hunting a Christmas or birthday gift for me. Life was good and my plate was steadily full of random anime, manga and die-cast giant robots for a solid year. We eventually left the Texas pan-handle and moved away to the Eastcoast.
Despite not having access to a similar, amazing Japanese toy import shop anywhere near our new neighborhood, I maintained a fascination with Japanese robots, watching cartoons and movies that featured them as much as possible. Voltron, Transformers, Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs, Gundam, Giant Robot and the ‘bot known here in the states as Tranzor Z.. the mighty, Mazinger Z.
I’ll admit, it’s been FOREVER since I’ve watched or read anything about Mazinger Z. But the instant I saw him teased by ThreeZero so many of those memories came rushing back. I knew I’d have to have him in my collection.

I feel very fortunate to have this opportunity to preview him while he’s still up for preorder at ThreeZero’s shop. I find it a little ironic that the same toy company who is largely responsible for reawakening the toy nostalgia within me a few years back is the same one responsible for bringing such an iconic super robot from my childhood back to life.

Hate reading words? Check out our video preview!

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Preview Ori Toy’s Ori-Fig

Posted on March 16, 2012 by Knives

From time to time a toy company will rise from the ashes and catch our wandering eye. Today that company is Ori Toy. We were so impressed by their first action figure/vinyl toy offering that we had no choice but to grab a handful of them, take some shots and spread the toy gospel. Keep an eye on these guys.. they’re going to be HUGE!

Big thanks to Josh Shimko for hooking us up with the shots and some thoughts!

– Knives

Coming straight from Ori-Toy, a relatively new company to the world of original toys, comes the Ori-Fig! A beautiful blend of designer vinyl aesthetic with all the articulation you love out of modern action figures. Shown here are XiaHou Yuan, Zhang Fei, and Zhang Liao; three of the first five figures to be released.

All figures are from “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” which is a dramatic retelling of China’s history.

Each figure includes a decent amount of accessories, including three different faces that can be easily interchanged from the figures’ head. Worth noting is that every figure seems to include a “Silly” face. My favorite has to be Zhang Fei’s with that goofy grin! Also included are a set of extra open hands and various weapons. XiaHou Yuan even comes with a hand to hold his arrow! All Ori-figs come with a handy interlocking stand so you can pull of even more exciting poses otherwise impossible.

These are available now at various retailers, we got our batch at Bigbadtoystore. Get them while you still can! We hope to do a full fledge review of these in the near future. For now we hope you enjoy the quick write up and allow the pictures do most of the talking!

Until next time!

Preview: DC Comics Batman Statue

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Knives

This is the first time we’ve posted a preview of a statue here at RTR! It’s Batman, it’s Kotobukiya, it’s ARTFX.. how could we say no?

I’ll let the “official” speak do the talking.

DC COMICS BATMAN BLACK COSTUME VER. ARTFX STATUE

A Kotobukiya Japanese import! A classic returns! One of the original and most popular DC Comics ARTFX Statues is back in a new version to thrill fans all over again. The comic book Dark Knight returns; where once he was the blue-suited Jim Lee Hush version, Bruce Wayne is now BATMAN BLACK COSTUME VERSION! Inspired by the magnificent art of Lee in the seminal 2002 storyline pitting Batman against some of his most diabolical enemies, the original ARTFX Statue captured the Caped Crusader as he appeared then. It’s only fitting that with Jim Lee drawing Batman in the current DC 52 Justice League that the classic Batman return in a tremendous all-new color scheme with some minor adjustments to the sculpt. Batman is forever, and ready to fight crime on your shelves!

With his battle-tattered cape swirling dynamically around him, Batman strikes an intimidating pose designed to strike fear into the hearts of the evil doers of Gotham City. Leaping into the fray against the Joker or Two-Face, Bruce prepares a wide-legged stance for optimal balance while holding back his cape with one arm and keeping the other free to punch or pull a needed item from his utility belt! The highly detailed sculpt and paint shadowing reveal the billionaire playboy’s muscular physique, trained to the peak of human perfection and highlighted by the skin-tight Batman outfit. The detail on the Dark Knight is just as good as it was on the original version, with expert touches including the belt, swirling cape, and of course the stern head sculpt. Meanwhile, the new black and gray costume colors lend a darker, grittier look to Batman that makes him blend in even better with the night.

Sculpted by Kouei Matsumoto, Batman Black Costume Version stands 11 inches tall (1/6th scale) on a special display base. While he looks great on his own, Batman also makes a perfect companion piece to the previously offered Catwoman, and the Joker!

srp $99.99

Available July 2012.