Month September 2015

This Xbox One Bundle Might Be The Best Deal You See This Holiday Season

Lawrence Gallagher Leave a comment

I won’t pretend I’m not one of those people that has to have the newest video consoles when they first release. Ever since I’ve been old enough to earn and spend my own money I was there lined up on day one ( preordering nowadays) ready to see what the newest generation of gaming would bring. Despite that fact though, one of the most exciting things that happens after these systems release is the inevitable competition and price drops they will see as companies fight for gamers allegiance and mostly for their (and their parents) money.

This upcoming Holiday season looks to be no different as we will see the Wii U from Nintendo enter it’s 4th year, while the Sony PS4 and the Microsoft Xbox One enter their 3rd. While many wait for the holidays to score a system at its best deal, Microsoft has come out of the gate swinging and have announced they will be offering the Xbox One for $399 with an upgraded 1TB Hard Drive and 3 games:

– Gears of War: Ultimate Edition

– Rare Replay

– Ori and the Blind Forest

Though $399 is still somewhat steep for some, the value you are receiving can’t be denied. If you haven’t taken the plunge on an Xbox One yet, now just might be the prefect time. The bundle should be available in stores and online retailers in October.

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Encouragement For Other Parents

Lawrence Gallagher Leave a comment

As I constantly change and expand on the way I share things with the rest of the world, one thing always remains and that is being a parent. No matter what jobs I take or opportunities I have, balancing my “work life” around my family is something that is extremely important to me and I figured I should create a section on this blog to talk with other parents and share my own experiences.

Just a little (very compressed) history. I’m a 35yr old dad of 4 pretty interesting kids. We’ve got my oldest daughter who is now 16 (a pretty terrifying time for a dad), my 12yr old daughter, my 3 year old son and my 1.5yr old son. So yes I’m somewhat experienced with it all but there’s never a day where I’m not learning something new.

I have friends who are older and whose children have flown the coup and other friends who are just starting their journey as parents and I would say we all share commonality in one way: There’s always something new happening. In fact if I can give any advice to other parents out there who may be having a particularly difficult time with this whole “parenting thing”, it is simply that none of us really know what we are doing. Theres no true manual for how to raise a child because every child is different and wonderful in their own unique way. Your only job is to love them and help cultivate the gifts they have inside of them for the rest of the world to see. Sometimes just “showing up” and letting them know you care is 90% of it all.The other 10%, your guess is as good as mine.

I’m no genius and I’m sure there are some much better parents out there than me but I’d say if you provide your children with the love and care they need and make it a point to just be there for them when they need you, you’re already on the road to success.

Till the next one,

Larry

Batman 66 Egghead Bust Is An Egg-Cellent Addition To Anyone’s Batman Collection

Lawrence Gallagher Leave a comment

I absolutely loved Vincent Price as Egghead on the classic Batman 1966 series and even though his quips were over the top and corny in every way possible it was his dedication to the character and performance that only Mr. Price could give that made him one of the shows most memorable villains.

– 6″ resin bust

-Packaged with a certificate of authenticity in a full-color box.

-Designed by Barry Bradfield!

-Sculpted by Jean St. Jean!

-Limited to egg-zactly 3,000 pieces!

This is a Dimond Select production and you can preorder now for February shipping from most diamond select retailers.

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The Pixar Theory Is Fascinating

Lawrence Gallagher Leave a comment

I may be behind others on this one but I recently stumbled onto the site called http://www.pixartheory.com . If you’ve never been to it before i highly recommend you check it out as it shares a fascinating theory that all of the Pixar films are indeed related. I love fun theories like this and it looks like they really have a good one on their hands here. Definitely check it out and let me know if you buy into the theory in the comments below!

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Bluefin Introduces All New Samurai STAR WARS Figures From Tamashi Nations

Lawrence Gallagher Leave a comment

Bluefun/Tamashi Nations has been wowing us for years now with their stylized figures and anime style versions of some of fandom’s biggest franchises. Most recently, they masterfully blended the art of the samurai with STAR WARS when they gave us Samurai Darth Vader and Samurai Stormtroopers. Thankfully that collaboration was just the begging as Bluefun has announced they will be bringing new characters into their world of Samurai themed STAR WARS figures. Next up we will see Ronin Boba Fett, Daisho Darth Vader and Akazonae Royal Guard joining the ranks of the Samurai line.

You can check out the official press release below as well as pics of all of the awesome new figures that will be hitting shelves later this year and early 2016.

BLUEFIN ANNOUNCES EXCITING NEW ADDITIONS TO MEISHO MOVIE REALIZATION STAR WARS LINE OF FIGURES FROM TAMASHII NATIONS

Highly Detailed Figures Incorporate Japanese Samurai Aesthetic; Pre-Orders Open For “Ronin” Boba Fett, “Daisho” Darth Vader, “Teppou Ashigaru” Sandtrooper and “Akazonae” Imperial Guard; “Taisho” Darth Vader And “Ashigaru” Stormtrooper Figures

Available Now!!

Irvine, CA, September 21, 2015 – Bluefin, the leading North American distributor of toys, collectibles, and hobby merchandise from Japan, Hong Kong and more, offers Star Wars fans and ardent collectors something unique as it highlights a variety of super-detailed figures from the Meisho Movie Realization Star Wars line by Tamashii Nations.

The Meisho Movie Realization Star Wars line pays homage to the Samurai aesthetic and artfully reimagines several Empire characters from the legendary films with feudal-style Japanese armor and weaponry. Each figure is exquisitely crafted by some of Japan’s top sculpting talent and constructed with hybrid materials featuring up to 15 points of articulation to create endless posing possibilities.

The newest addition to the Meisho Movie Realization Star Wars product line is the “Ronin” Boba Fett, which debuts in December and depicts the intergalactic bounty hunter as a “lordless” Samurai warrior via the sculpting talent of artists Takeyuki Takeya and Junichi Taniguchi. The “Daisho” Darth Vader depicts the Dark Sith Lord as a Samurai General clad in sinister black “Death Star” armor and will debut in January 2016. It will be followed in May 2016 by the imposing Akazonae Royal Guard, outfitted with a Japanese-style katana and pike and resplendent in beautiful crimson-robed armor. Pre-orders for these figures are available now.

Fans that want to dive into the Meisho Movie Realization Star Wars line immediately can select from a trio of figures – available now – that includes the “Ashigaru” Stormtrooper, and the Samurai General “Taisho” Darth Vader. Each is clad in a unique set of armor and comes with an array of weapons and other accessories.

Meisho Movie Realization “Ronin” Boba Fett

Height: Approx. 6 3/4 inches; MSRP: $89.99

Available December!

Everyone’s favorite bounty hunter goes medieval! Boba Fett joins the Meisho Movie realization series in a spectacular feudal Japan aesthetic, appropriately portrayed as a lord-less “Ronin” Samurai via the sculpting talent of artists Takeyuki Takeya and Junichi Taniguchi. In addition to his EE-3 rifle portrayed as an flint-lock style blaster, this deluxe figure set features an extensive array of accessories that includes a characteristic backpack missile that can be removed/attached, and a moveable helmet mounted scope. In addition to a short ninja-style katana and sheath, numerous ninja-style blade accessories that are also included can be subtly attached to shin and forearm area mounting points.

Meisho Movie Realization Samurai General “Daisho” Darth Vader

Height: Approx. 7 inches; MSRP: $89.99

Available: January 2016

The greatly popular Samurai General Darth Vader makes a comeback in an all new Death Star motif. Another stunningly unique artistic interpretation master crafted by acclaimed artist Takeya Takayuki, Darth Vader – Death Star Armor – has a revamped armor design. Most notable is the fearsome Death Star-style crest on the helmet and highly detailed chest plate pattern. Set includes interchangeable hands, gun (large, small), and katana sword (light saber and regular).

Meisho Movie Realization “Teppou Ashigaru” Sandtrooper

Height: Approx. 6 3/4 inches; MSRP: $89.99

Available: March 2016

The third figure to join this unique series is the artillery packed Teppo Ashigaru Sandtrooper! The Sandtrooper version comes with two gun powder type rifles and a Japanese katana sword ready for battle. A special backpack is designed with meticulous detail and finished with a rusty patina look. Flexible material makes posing the Sandtrooper holding a firearm a breeze. The set includes three sets of interchangeable hands, blaster rifles (small and large), a Japanese katana set, and backpack.

Meisho Movie Realization “Akazonae” Royal Guard

Height: Approx. 6 3/4 inches; MSRP: $89.99

Available: May 2016

The imposing crimson-robed Akazonae Royal Guards are next to join the Samurai General’s side in this high-quality Japanese feudal take on the Star Wars legacy. The Akazonae Royal Guard comes wielding not only the iconic force pike-esque staff, but a traditional Japanese-style katana as well. The front robe pieces are removable, giving the option of displaying the Guard in a samurai armor fashion. For further nuanced posing, the Akazonae Royal Guard set also includes interchangeable hands. The unique use of “wa,” Japanese style also makes for a one of a kind sculpt design that fans cannot find anywhere else.

The following Meisho Movie Realization Star Wars products are available now through various retailers:

Meisho Movie Realization Samurai General “Taisho” Darth Vader

Height: Approx. 7 inches; MSRP: $92.99

Available Now!

An exquisitely rendered figure of Darth Vader portrayed as a Japan feudal era Samurai General. A unique artistic interpretation master crafted by acclaimed artist Takeya Takayuki, this original stylized figure pays homage to the Japan aesthetic and film influences on Star Wars. Tamashii Nations’ Movie Realization brand takes the theme of movies and infuses that concept into high quality figures. And the secret ingredient? All figures have an added pinch of “wa” (Japanese style) that makes for a one and only, unique design – from the tip of his sharp lightsaber-turned-katana to the meticulously sculpted Samurai-esque armor. Look closely at Vader’s helmet and one will notice the Imperial insignia arranged in elaborate “wa” style. Set includes two interchangeable lightsaber parts and 3 sets of interchangeable hands perfect for posing the Samurai-styled Sith Lord as he manipulates the Force.

Meisho Movie Realization “Ashigaru” Stormtrooper

Height: Approx. 6 3/4 inches; MSRP: $81.99

Available Now!

In this interpretation, Samurai Vader’s foot soldiers of the Empire come clad in far-gone Japanese feudal era attire and armament. The exquisite figure has been master crafted by Japan’s top sculpting talent and features hybrid materials used for dynamic posing possibilities Set includes katana and blaster rifle accessories, as well as three sets of interchangeable hand parts.

Bobba Fett Diasho Darth Vader Royal Guard Sandtrooper Stormtrooper

The New BLACK PANTHER Arrives This Spring

Lawrence Gallagher Leave a comment

MARVEL COMICS’ BLACK PANTHER #1 HELMED BY TA-NEHISI COATES
New York Times Bestselling Author Takes on T’Challa, a.k.a. the Black Panther

New York, NY—September 23rd, 2015— Marvel is excited to announce that next spring, one of the most thought-provoking and perceptive writers today, Ta-Nehisi Coates (Between the World and Me) along with legendary artist Brian Stelfreeze, will helm a new BLACK PANTHER series, adding an exciting, erudite new voice to the All-New, All –Different Marvel lineup.

 The indomitable will of Wakanda — the famed African nation known for its vast wealth, advanced technology and warrior traditions — has long been reflected in the will of its monarchs, the Black Panthers. But now, the current Black Panther, T’Challa, finds that will tested by a superhuman terrorist group called The People that has sparked a violent uprising among the citizens of Wakanda.  T’Challa knows the country must change to survive — the question is, will the Black Panther survive the change?

“Wakanda is really the light of the world, in the Marvel Universe. And yet it’s a system of governance that has not advanced beyond the idea of blood-rule,” says Coates.  “It’s always seemed to me that T’Challa was aware of this discrepancy. Among the monarchs of Marvel –Namor and Doctor Doom for instance– T’Challa has always been distinguished to me by his discomfort on the throne, and with the problems of one-man rule. I am very much looking forward to exploring that tension.”

That tension and conflict is what will fire BLACK PANTHER #1 into a no-holds-barred adventure that will demonstrate why Black Panther is one of the most powerful heroes in the Marvel Universe.

“Ta-Nehisi writes brilliantly about everything from race to politics to fatherhood to modern culture, but he’s also a longtime Marvel reader. And combining his writing skills with his passion for and understanding of Marvel’s characters, paired with the captivating and engaging artwork of modern master Brian Stelfreeze, has led to a truly amazing story that we can’t wait for the world to read,” says Wil Moss, editor of the new BLACK PANTHER series. “This story will have all the political intrigue of the best episodes of THE WEST WING and HOMELAND, but it’s also going to have the trademark Marvel action and energy that Stan Lee & Jack Kirby (Black Panther’s creators!) built into the foundation of the Marvel Universe. Look for some fun and unexpected Marvel villains to show up in this story, as well as an appearance or two by T’Challa’s new teammates, The Ultimates.”

Join us next year as Marvel continues to change the creative landscape of the comic book industry as Ta-Nehisi Coates and Brian Stelfreeze make history as the new creative team on Marvel Comics’ BLACK PANTHER.

 BLACK PANTHER #1 

Written by TA-NEHISI COATES

Artwork by BRIAN STELFREEZE

Cover by BRIAN STELFREEZE

On sale spring 2016

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PATSY WALKER, A.K.A HELLCAT! #1 – This December the Cat is out of the Bag with Marvel’s Latest Female-led Series!

Lawrence Gallagher Leave a comment

Written by Kate Leth (Adventure Time) and with art by Brittney Williams (Lumberjanes), PATSY WALKER, A.K.A. HELLCAT!  will spotlight this modern-day superhero who refuses to say NO to any adventure even if it does prove to be more than what she can handle.

“I want to continue the thread of her being the kind of girl who calls you up out of the blue and you always say yes, because it’s an adventure,” says Leth.  “She’s a super hero martial-arts wiz that can sense mystical energy! She learned how to fight on the moon, so you KNOW she’s good at what she does and has the history to back it up.”

Beginning her heroic career with the Avengers and then becoming a core member of the Defenders, Hellcat’s new series will be inviting readers into a no-nonsense journey following this kick-ass super hero as she tries to make a name for herself alongside some of the most powerful Marvel heroines around.

“With this series, Kate and Brittney are going to provide a unique spin on the super hero, providing readers with a Patsy Walker who is both supremely relatable and supremely awesome,” says editor Wil Moss. “And look for guest appearances by all of Marvel’s top female heroes, including She-Hulk, Kate Bishop, Captain Marvel and maybe even the Unbeatable Squirrel Girl!”

This December, Patsy Walker plans to claw her way to the top no matter what it takes! Be here for this brand new, action-packed series as this feline femme fatale reestablishes herself among Marvel’s mightiest within in the pages of PATSY WALKER, A.K.A. HELLCAT! 

PATSY WALKER, A.K.A. HELLCAT #1

Written by KATE LETH

Art & Cover by BRITTNEY WILLIAMS
Variant Cover by GEORGE PEREZ

On Sale in December!

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The Star Wars Smuggler’s Bounty Subscription Box Is A Must Have For Fans

Lawrence Gallagher Leave a comment

After the very costly Force Friday that will probably shave a few years off of my children’s college fund, I thought I was all STAR WARS’d out. I was wrong.

Unfortunately for my wallet and my soul, the unholy combination of Funko and Star Wars have come together to create its own subscription box in an attempt to become the single most addictive thing fans have seen in years. For the price of $25 every other month, subscribers will receive $50 worth of exclusive Star Wars goodies, including special T-Shirts and of course, rare Funko Pop figures. For an upfront yearly fee of $150 ($25 x 6 boxes) you’ll also snag a special annual reward once your first year is done.

Subscription boxes have been all the rage amongst fans for the past few years and have provided some pretty cool exclusives to chase after. With the launch of this Star Wars themed one it looks like we may see the most popular one to date, especially with the new film scheduled to hit theaters on December 18th.

You can check out all the details on the Smuggler’s Bounty signup page and you can believe I’ll be unboxing the first one when it arrives in November!

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