[Audio]

[changelingdude]

I'd like to take a moment to talk about action figures.

You mean your dolls?

Action. Figures.

whatever.

We really are living in the golden age of action figures. I recently picked up a couple of the Latest Megadude figures from the local toy store The same one that fired me for smashing down the wall last summer when I was knocked through it during the Digimon zilla attack

The new lineup has a solid foundation on a Three and three quarter inch set which is the perfect size really because you can fit it in most of your vehicles, and for you poor kids out there a shoebox is still a perfectly acceptable sized base for this side.

The detail is fantastic, the sculpt is so fine and to the point you can see the love put into this character. Once more several parts of the outfits can be removed, made from a soft flexible plastic for some pieces and others cloth. Actual cloth! Remember when we used to put up with little plastic like trash bag material capes?

[Attached: Some pictures of Beastboy's collection, it is impressive]

Then...we look at the figures for "The Destiny of the Swordorcycle Legend."

I have to admit with all the buzz about this show I haven't seen an episode of it...it's probably on during my patrols or something. Either way I spotted a few of these figures in the store. These action figures are an insult to collectors. I wouldn't do them the favor of wasting precious bits on them but I took some pictures.

[Attached: said pictures of the figures in the store.]

Let me draw your attention to the joints first...three points of articulation on some of these. THREE! That's not an action figure that's a statue! Furthermore the detail is pathetic. Look at the figures of the vampire chick, the nurse and the pirate chick, their faces and bodies are pretty much the same when from what I've seen online there are some DRAMATIC differences in proportions and features...if only shallow ones to distract from their true purpose as fan service.

Heck even the main hero dude has the same size arms and legs as the girl figures!

And don't get me started on the Squid. Look at those eyes. THOSE ARE STICKERS! not even like painted on eyes. STICKERS!

If there are any fans of the Swordcycle whatever series...well first off tell me when it's on so I can see for myself what it's like. Second write the producers and tell them they need to get with a different toy company fast! Nothing will tank a show faster then bad merch...except maybe bad writing.

 

Comments

[fireybrush.livejournal.com]

This might be one of the most completely confusing things I've ever read...

[changelingdude.livejournal.com]

How do you mean?

[fireybrush.livejournal.com]

Just... The idea of a TV series. With toys based off it.

It's confusing to me.

((OOC: Don't forget, Lori's world isn't precisely high-tech on these fronts. If the tech isn't METAL, she's only recently come across it.))

[changelingdude.livejournal.com]

Well...OK originally the toys were made for kids right? Kids watch the show, they advertise for the toys, the kids bug their parents, money in the bank right?

With the toys kids can use their imaginations to play games and stuff, and alot of us grew up like that. So even now that we're older we still collect the toys and stuff of series we like. I still play with mine but some super geeks like to preserve their toys in the packages.

[fireybrush.livejournal.com]

... That makes a little more sense. But collecting things solely to leave them in the package? I mean, a guitar isn't meant to be stared at and worshipped. It's meant to be played, to call upon the primal powers of metal within.

... At least, that'd be the case if things worked properly here...

I'm not so used to this whole "money" thing, though, I'll admit.

[changelingdude.livejournal.com]

Well you know...worshiping false idols and all that. But you got the right idea about guitars and toys.

It's not too hard once you get used to it, it's like trading just with something that isn't as useful as a normal item.

[fireybrush.livejournal.com]

... Worshipping false idols? What?

[changelingdude.livejournal.com]

Oh, it's a saying from back home. Basically in one religion they say "Thou shalt not worship false idols." But what I mean from it is...some geeks look at these characters from the stories like gods and goddesses, so as tribute they collect the toys and consider them sacred ya know?

[fireybrush.livejournal.com]

... Oh. I... I see.

To me, the idea of that kinda behavior just makes little sense. Huh.

Then again, I never understood the Zaulia from my world either. Riding tempermental, fire-breathing monsters ten times your size just seems insane to me.

threadjack! small-text = muttered/away from comm, but fairly hearable.

[tamerofdragons.livejournal.com]

Zaulia?

What on Earth's wrong with riding temperamental, fire-breathing beings several times your size, anyway?

Well, some people have said Master is insane. Remember last time ...?

That doesn't count. Salamence was on the verge of rampaging--I was trying to calm her down.

Master jumped off my back onto hers! In midair! When she was angry!

I needed to get closer! Besides, it worked, didn't it? ... Eventually.

Re: threadjack! small-text = muttered/away from comm, but fairly hearable.

[fireybrush.livejournal.com]

They dress in extremely kinky leather, wear black-and-white face makeup, and ride temperamental, fire-breathing cats several times their size.

And they were vital to saving the world because of said cats.

[tamerofdragons.livejournal.com]

I see. Sounds a bit like the fire-breathing dogs my world has--although granted, they only get to be about six feet tall. There are groups of people who ride them to serve as a messenger or courier service, especially between smaller towns. And then there's the Legendary beasts ... no one knows if they're cats or dogs.

... Then again, riding beings like that is fairly common where I come from in general. [mildly amused] These people would probably fit right in.

[fireybrush.livejournal.com]

... I... guess...

[shellofatime.livejournal.com]

Dude, you have Ally Kat! I went to five different stores but they were all sold out. Almost got buried in a pile of Chief Mikan though.

And Swordcycle is really getting shafted. I caught a commercial one Saturday, tuned in to check it out, and they had replaced it in their lineup with something else! The same thing has happened every time I try to watch it. Bad toys, bad scheduling.... I've even found some people saying it doesn't really exist! It's going to take a strong fanbase to keep it afloat.

[changelingdude.livejournal.com]

I got lucky dude I start my patrols around the time the truck delivers to the store each week. If I find another I'll pick it up and trade ya for something.

Not cool dude. I mean I'm all about giving series a chance, but if the men upstairs are killing off a show before it even has a chance where's the fun in that? Makes ya wanna root for the underdog ya know?

[shellofatime.livejournal.com]

Seriously? You rock!

Exactly. And even low quality shows can do well if they treat it right. Just look at some of the greats, a lot of them had lowly beginnings. And if the fans didn't have their backs, they might not have made it to where they are today.

[guardianofearth.livejournal.com]

Oh, wow! That's a lot of toys you have!

So what is the difference between action figures and dolls?

[changelingdude.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

Well see, Action figues are usually smaller, have more points of articulation. See look here.

[Attached a few minutes later: Pictures of some action figures and a couple dolls]

See the ones on the right are dolls, I got the Goth lolita looking one from Jinx's room, the one that's all soft and fabric though can also be called a plushie.

...

Plus calling them dolls makes it sound girly.

[guardianofearth.livejournal.com]

Oh, so the stuffed toys are called plushies...

Why does calling them dolls make them sound girly though, and why is that a problem?

[changelingdude.livejournal.com]

Years of tradition I think.

Something like. once upon a time girls played with dolls and boys played with sticks and then a boy wanted to play with a doll and was made fun of for being a girl when he was obviously not. His feelings hurt he grew up over compensating for his masculinity and was never happy.

Impressive improv storytelling.

So another boy much smarter then the first made a less cute and cuddle and more rough and tumble doll and called it an action figure. With this more manly name he avoided persecution and grew up to build a toymaking empire.

Not that she actually knows but it sounds good so I'm going with that.

[dontspeakofit.livejournal.com]

... boys and their toys. [Yes she is rolling her eyes]

I didn't realize what a massive geek you were, green boy.

[changelingdude.livejournal.com]

You bet I am, card carrying and proud geek of all trades but master of none. Movies, games, comics, toys, T.V all hold a special place in my heart.

And this disaster area you call a room.

[dontspeakofit.livejournal.com]

It's all geek babble to me.

[changelingdude.livejournal.com]

Alright well what do you wanna talk about then?

[dontspeakofit.livejournal.com]

I'unno.

Any decent rib joints around here?

[changelingdude.livejournal.com]

Gross.

I know a place.

[Attached: Location marker for "Kronk's meat hut"]

[dontspeakofit.livejournal.com]

Oh. Right. Vegi-dude. Sorry.

[Attachment Received]

I'll try to not eat around you.

[wlkinthesky.livejournal.com]

Huh.

I suppose it's not much different than collecting artifacts. But... I can hardly see a plastic figure as being so timeless...

[changelingdude.livejournal.com]

It's about the memories dude, you make good memories with one of these babies and look back at it even ten years later? It hits you right in the heart.

[wlkinthesky.livejournal.com]

Yes, but... to look at an artifact, hold it in your hand and realize that hundreds, even thousands of years ago some one who had no idea what the world would become was doing the very same thing! It's very humbling, when you get right down to it.

[changelingdude.livejournal.com]

Huh...well when you put it like that I can totally get it! Not my thing but I can see the appeal.

[wlkinthesky.livejournal.com]

If it was for everyone I wouldn't be constantly telling Jack to not move my things around and not call them 'thingies'.

[rasberriesmetal.livejournal.com]

...I don't think I've ever heard this much about toys ever.

[changelingdude.livejournal.com]

Heh heh...think I got a little carried away?

[rasberriesmetal.livejournal.com]

Nah, if you got something you want to go on about, might as well just go on about it.

[copperfanboy.livejournal.com]

Those of you who don't get what he's talking about are just ignorant.

[changelingdude.livejournal.com]

Right on brother!

[variabletamer.livejournal.com]

Of course the Megadude action figures are better than that Swordorcycle stuff! They took my advice, of course!

The interchangeable armor and weapon pieces and the real cloth accessories are a must! --even if X disagrees. But no way would Megadude be caught in a plastic trash bag outfit!

[changelingdude.livejournal.com]

I'm just saying it's worth a moment to think back to the bad old days when toys could be the quality that these swordorcycle toys are and we were thrilled to have them ya know?

Still good toys need to be praised and cherished and poorly made ones left on the shelf to go on clearance.

[variabletamer.livejournal.com]

Eh? I guess if you wanna look at it that way...

But Megadude Z is still way better than that Swordorcycle series! There's no comparing the two.