Batman Legacy series one: Joker action figure

When the first wave of Batman Legacy came out, I pass on the entire wave, mainly because it didn't offer any new characters that I needed. I already have the gray Batman from DC Super Heroes wave 8, and the Mr. Freeze figure from wave 3, which were repainted in Batman Legacy series one. The only "new" figure was the Dick Sprang Joker figure with a trenchcoat, and I didn't feel the need to get another Joker figure so soon after purchasing the DCUC Joker. 

Last Saturday I got some figures from a fellow collector here in Toronto and he has this Joker for sale. Seeing it in person change my mind and I immediately grab it. This is a beautiful figure, the headsculpt and paint on the head is excellent! It'll look good next to the Super Powers Penguin, DCUC wave 16 Riddler and Batman Legacy Catwoman. 

Joker comes with a green mallet, playing cards and a stand (which was not included with the figure I bought)

He can also hold the mallet with both hands!

Overall I love the figure, and I wish mattel will do more of these classic DC characters! I really can't get into the new 52 look of  the Joker...he just looks too serious.

JOE JUSKO SAVAGE BEAUTY SKETCHBOOK

Here's another sketchbook I pick up last month, the first sketchbook put out by Joe Jusko! Like most fanboys in the 90s, my first exposure to his work was the Marvel Masterpiece series one trading cards put by Skybox. Joe told me he finish the entire 100 card set in under 3 months, I'm really impress how fast this guy really works!  I defnitely have to track down some of him comic work!

Mark Texeira Nightmares & Dreams Sketchbook!

Mark Texeira is one of those artist I admire back in the 90s! I never really collected his work because of my limited fund, but I did pick up his Union, Sabertooth and the painted Vampirella/Pantha comic. I'm surprise how fast he draws, and he was kind enough to offer a sketch for a minimal fee with the purchase of a sketchbook.

I just had him do a quick Vampirella sketch, I just wish I had enough money for a full commission :(

Overall  its a very good sketchbook, decently priced, and I wish either Marvel or DC would offer this guy more work on a  regular basis.

MOTUC FANG MAN, KING HE-MAN, STROBO & DCIE Elongated Man

March is such and expensive month! It's the first time in a very long time I got taxed and this is all thanks to Matty shipping out my package via DHL.

All figures are terrific, but Fang Man is the winner this month for me. He's a figure I really didn't care about but he turn out nice. Really happy with Elongated Man too, finally my satellite JLA is complete!

I really love how you can move his tongue around.

King He-man turn out nice too, but I think the figure would look better if they given him pants!

So lucky also to have gotten a Strobo! I actually took my time entering my credit info and double checking the shipping address. I was thinking he'll last a couple of minutes before selling out. 

Overall I'm still going to continue this toyline even with the insane shipping cost. I really don't have time hunting for toys, so it's nice to get these in the mail every month.

Marvel Legends Archangel, Neo Classic Iron Man & Dr. Doom

I'm really happy with my LCS, he was able to set aside an Archangel figure for me, which was the only figure in the Marvel Legends Hit Monkey wave I was really after. Since most of my toy budget is going to Mattel, I really can't afford to get any other toyline, and have to really "cherry pick" these Marvel figures.

The package art is pretty good, kinda reminds me of what they are doing with DC Infinite Earths subs, that is, having painted artwork on their packaging.

Without a doubt, this is the best rendition of Archangel so far! Hasbro has really step up in giving us better action figures, nice articulation, great paints! 

Comparison with the old Toybiz Archangel. I'm trying to limit my figures to a certain era in comics, that's really one way for me to limit my purchase.

I also pick up Neo Classic Iron Man and Dr. Doom from the Epic Heroes wave earlier in the month. Originally I was going to pass on Iron Man, but at $10 it was just too cheap to pass up. Same with Dr. Doom, his paint is so much superior to the old FF "Ronan" wave Dr. Doom, but at $15, I went for it and I'm glad I did.

Here's Iron Man compared with a DCIE figure. He is quite small. I just wish he came with extra hands.

MOTUC MINI COMICS The Secret Origin of Skeletor

Just finish reading the mini-comics and its pretty good. It basically shows what we already know about skeletor and how he rose to power.

What's new to me was Keldor having a child with Evil Lyn....and I wonder who that other Skeletor  with the green hair is suppose to be. Maybe a Villain for He-ro? The comic really shows what a big influence the Mike Young cartoon to the overall MOTU history.

MOTUC RAM MAN, JITSU, DCIE PHANTOM STRANGER

I'm pretty happy with getting a subscription to the Matty Collector website, gone are the days of login in at 12 noon just to buy toys! Last year I got only the DCIE sub, and around August last year decided to backtrack MOTU. I ended up paying more for the separate shipping. What I paid last year on shipping is nothing compared to what I'm paying this year. What Mattel is charging is just a complete rip-off, and I'm glad if the line can finish its run in the next year or so because frankly, collecting these suckers is just too much!

Ram Man is okay, but for me the real gem is probably Jitsu! I really love they went with the Staction face sculpt, really shows how good the 4 Horsemen can be if they sculpted these figures in their vision.

Phantom Stranger is okay, except for the large chain he has on his neck. He looks like a rapper! Here he is in comparision with John Constantine. Both figures do not have any accesories at all, and it's probably cheaper to buy them at a toyshow or from a HK ebay seller than from Matty Collector. Their shipping charge is just criminal!