Got to the first post of the year a little later than I usually do, but I guess it wouldn't be on-brand of me to put these out any quicker. Nevertheless, it's time to show off the goodies that I've scored in the past couple months, and boy, have I got quite a lot to share. Let's dig in:
Spider-Man 2099 Omnibus Volume 1 (InstockTrades)
Got this in a little after Christmas, but actually ordered it five days before because of an AMAZING one-day sale that I happened upon while checking InstockTrades. Y'see, this particular Omnibus has a full MSRP of $150 and is usually discounted to $93 on that site. However, on December 20th of last year, they suddenly had it down to just SIXTY BUCKS! I couldn't believe my eyes when I first saw it. THAT'S LESS THAN HALF-PRICE! I COULD NOT pass up a deal that good (especially since I was planning on picking this up eventually anyway), so I ordered a copy as quickly as possible. I was a little worried that the price might've been a mistake (since the discounted price only lasted a day) and that they would end up cancelling my order, but sure enough, it shipped and I got it in right before 2024 hit. Haven't gotten around to reading it yet, but I can't wait to start diving into this massive tome of Miggy's original comic adventures.
Miles Morales: Spider-Man by Saladin Ahmed Omnibus (Amazon)
Couldn't let Miggy hog all the fun, so with a combination of Christmas cash and that Amazon gift card I got from family friends, I grabbed Miles' latest Omnibus as well. It'll make for a nice modern read after I get back from the 90s future.
Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 (Switch) (Amazon)
Another of my Christmas cash purchases, I was actually originally planning on receiving this game as one of my gifts. However, Game Mill not being able to provide an actual physical cartridge Switch version in time for the holidays and instead settling for a lame code-in-a-box option made me swap it out for Kirby. Luckily, though, it didn't take that long after Christmas for them to get the cartridges out there, meaning that I could finally add it to my collection.
NASB2's Switch version isn't the greatest performance-wise (the campaign mode in particular is very sluggish at times and certain platforming sections have a problem with outright freezing the game on loading screens in handheld mode), but I've still had a lot of fun with it. (Just the fact that the Angry Beavers are playable makes me so happy. They were my most wanted fighters along with Filburt.) It's a super fun platform fighter and a HUGE improvement on the first game in every conceivable way (minus previously-noted Switch performance, which I'm hoping the upcoming console successor will help alleviate). Now I'm excited to see what awaits us as far as DLC is concerned. (Barring the already announced Krabs, Zuko, Rocksteady, and Iroh. C'MON FILBURT!)
Jakks Pacific E-123 Omega Figure (eBay)
Got a little nervous while monitoring the rising prices of Jakks' Omega figure on Amazon, so I decided that if I wanted to complete my Team Dark, I needed to do it ASAP. (Because, let's be honest, an Omega reissue is kind of a shot in the dark compared to guys like Sonic and Shadow.) Was able to find one for a decent deal on eBay. He's really great! I love how chunky and articulated he is. Exactly how you'd want a toy of a robot with as fun a design as him to be. It's also just nice to finally stand him next to his teammates on my shelf. (As well as my Resaurus Gamma.)
Yooka-Laylee and the Kracklestone (eBay)
Speaking of eBay, had my eye on this Yooka-Laylee graphic novel for a while, but other things taking priority made me hold off on purchasing it. Since then, the physical version has become unavailable for direct purchase due to the publisher's web store going down. Worried that I may have missed my chance to own this, I chanced an eBay search and was able to find just one used copy for cheaper than the web store had it for when it was up. Needless to say, I jumped on it. Book was in great condition and was even one of the "Backer Editions" from the original Kickstarter campaign, so I'd say this was a pretty lucky find. Looking forward to another adventure from the duo in comic form. (Playtonic REALLY needs to get on another one of those games.)
Cuphead (Switch) (Woot)
I had already picked up Cuphead digitally when it was on sale a while back, but Woot offering the physical release for just fifteen bucks got me to double-dip very quickly. It helps that the physical version includes the DLC, which I hadn't gotten around to picking up yet. I probably won't get around to playing it for a while, but I'm sure I'm in for a brutal time given the base game.
Scooby-Doo in Arabian Nights (DVD)
Found this while out thrifting with my Mom. It's a Scooby-Doo TV movie from the early 90s that I had on VHS as a kid. (Though, Scooby and Shaggy only appear in the frame story. The meat of the movie is made up of adaptations of Aladdin and Sinbad the Sailor starring Yogi Bear and Magilla Gorilla respectively.) The disc was in poor shape, which made me reconsider buying it, but I decided to go ahead and bite the bullet anyway. (Especially since some quick online research revealed that this particular release was out-of-print.) Luckily, the movie still played fine and I got a good dose of nostalgia for my collection.
Scarlet Spider Volume 1: Life After Death (Hairy Tarantula)
Scarlet Spider Volume 2: Lone Star (eBay)
Minimum Carnage (Mercari)
Scarlet Spider Volume 3: The Big Leagues (Excalibur Comics, Cards, and Games)
Scarlet Spider Volume 4: Into the Grave (One Stop Comics)
These were a LONG time coming. If you've been reading this blog for a good while, you might remember that my favorite Spider-Man is Kaine Parker, Peter's angsty clone who took up the mantle of Scarlet Spider in 2012. However, despite him being my fave, I've never actually owned any of the trades for his original series, thanks to them currently being out-of-print. (I read his stories for the first time digitally through Marvel Unlimited.) I've been wanting to pick them up for so long, but I was always scared off by the insane aftermarket prices for each volume.
Luckily, though, in January, I was able to score a new copy of Volume 3 for pretty close to original retail, which in turn sent me down the rabbit hole of trying to complete the collection. Through multiple Google and eBay searches as well as a good number of online comic shops that I had never heard of, I was eventually able to find everything for close to MSRP. Well, except Volume 2. For whatever reason, I couldn't find an obscure online source that had a better deal on it, so I had to bite the bullet on eBay's prices. Ended up spending slightly more for this one volume than I did for the entire 2099 Omnibus, but hey, it was in great condition and the series is finally complete on my shelf, so I'd say that it was worth it. Feels SO GOOD to finally have it all and I'm eager to give the whole run a reread.
Jakks Pacific Mephiles Figure (Amazon)
This guy was another lucky score. Ever since it leaked out that Jakks was planning on adding MEPHILES THE FREAKING DARK to their Sonic 4-inch line, I was positively chomping at the bit to own him. However, I didn't think I'd actually end up getting him for RETAIL! That's all thanks to Frack's Sonic Deals on Twitter, who shared his Amazon listing the instant it went up. Needless to say, when I saw that he was still in-stock, I hit that add to cart button as fast as I could. He's AMAZING, too! Super detailed and his accessory being a stand helps with the usual Sonic figure balance issues. He's everything I could want from a Mephiles figure and then some! Can't believe I got him for less than twelve bucks!
Diamond Select Darkwing Duck and Negaduck Deluxe Figure Box Set (Big Bad Toy Store)
This was a bittersweet purchase. When Diamond Select Toys announced that they were coming out with a Darkwing Duck and Negaduck figure set, I was super jazzed. I've always wanted good, collector quality figures of DW and ESPECIALLY Negaduck for my shelf, and to get both in one set with tons of accessories? It was like a dream come true. So I pre-ordered it when it went up on BBTS and got it in at the beginning of February. (The box was HUGE, WAY bigger than you'd expect for a two-pack of 4-to-5-inch scale figures and their accessories.) After freeing them both from their (MASSIVE) package, I started messing around with them and all their various bits and bobs.
DW met my expectations. He's a solid figure with a decent variety of customization options. Articulation is a bit limited, and I wish they would've included a third determined, "action-y" kinda head for him instead of just the cocky side-eye and blank, nonplussed expressions that he comes with, but he gets the job done and still looks good on a shelf. Negsy, on the other hand:
Yeeeeeeeeeeeeep, here's the "bitter" part. While trying to articulate his left arm, it snapped right off. (I'm guessing the culprit was painted joints.) Needless to say, I was deflated. The figure that I was most looking forward to in this set (the one with the most accessories as well) and it broke in like ten minutes upon opening it. I quickly sent an email Diamond's way and they've been working to resolve my issue since. I initially had to wait for them to get their replacement parts for the set in, but when they did and sent me a replacement Negaduck body, it was lacking the peg for attaching the different heads, meaning that I currently have a Negaduck figure with no left arm and another one with no head. I told them about THAT issue, and now they're waiting on MORE replacements with the head peg actually installed this time. Here's hoping that the next replacement body I receive will be the last and that Negsy will be whole again by my next post. Bleh.
Pokémon: Mewtwo Returns (DVD) (Amazon)
Jakks Pacific Classic Knuckles Figure (Amazon)
More Amazon pick-ups! Classic Knux was another figure that I scored thanks to Frack sharing his Amazon listing early enough for me to grab him for retail. He's cool and looks good with Mighty, but I think I'll stick to only the Classic characters that've never had figures before from now on, as I'm not huge on their scale compared to the Modern characters. They're a little too big.
As for Mewtwo Returns, I already owned the special on VHS, but waited on upgrading to the out-of-print DVD in the hopes of Viz eventually re-releasing it like they've done for the show and movies time and time again. Yeah, that didn't happen and I got sick of waiting, so I grabbed a used copy for a decent price on Amazon. Still works perfectly, too, so it's really nice to finally fill that hole in my Pokémon DVD collection. (Especially since the full version of the fantastic Mewtwo's Origin short is included as a bonus feature.)
Clive 'n' Wrench (Switch) (Best Buy)
As a fan of collectathon 3D platformers, Clive 'n' Wrench was a game that was definitely on my radar, but all the tepid reviews made me hold off on buying it at full price. Eventually, Best Buy had it on sale for fifteen bucks, which seemed like a good sweet spot price for me, so I finally grabbed it. It's a really solid game. DEFINITELY unpolished (since it was made by just one guy), but I had a lot of fun combing each of the differently themed worlds for collectibles, it has some amusing easter eggs, and it definitely scratches that 3D platformer itch. Bosses are definitely the low point, though. (Especially the first two.) At the very least, it was absolutely worth what I paid for it.
$10 Nintendo eShop Card
$20 Nintendo eShop Card
Heroes of Goo Jit Zu Minis Knuckles
My Sis had our favorite cousin over at her place so we could finally exchange Christmas gifts with her after difficulties fitting it into everyone's schedules during the actual season. She treated me to $30 of eShop cash (which I spent on the Pokémon Violet DLC) and a tiny, squishy Knuckles that I found a spot for on my wall.
Jakks Pacific Chaos Figure (Mercari)
Chaos' secondhand prices were getting a little crazy like Omega's, so I decided to finally go ahead and snag him. After a bit of searching, I found the best deal on Mercari. It's rad to finally have him in plastic form, but by far the coolest thing about him is his included accessory: THE MASTER EMERALD! Been wanting a toy-scale one for a good while!
Sora amiibo (Best Buy)
One more Smash amiibo, and a HUGE one at that! When Sora's amiibo wasn't immediately announced following his reveal, I thought Disney licensing mumbo jumbo was to blame and that he'd end up being the only character on the roster without one. Well, I am VERY happy to be wrong! He's a fantastic addition to the shelf, and looks great next to both amiibo AND Disney Infinity figures! (GIVE ME A WRECK-IT RALPH WORLD IN KH4, COWARDS!)
Jakks Pacific Shadow & Knuckles Figure Set (Amazon)
More Sonic figures! Needed a Modern Knux to go with my Master Emerald, so I grabbed this two-pack for retail on Amazon. The extra Jakks Shadow was a nice bonus, since the one I already owned had a really weird issue where the upper part of his left leg looked like it'd been chewed on, despite coming like that fresh out of the package. Now I don't have to be bothered by that oddity!
Jakks Pacific Sonic Prime Chaos Sonic Figure (Amazon)
Jakks Pacific Sonic Prime Sonic Trooper Figure (Amazon)
Yet MORE Sonic figures! I haven't paid much attention to the Sonic Prime line (since they're 5-inch scale figures instead of 4-inch like the other lines), but as a veteran Archie Sonic reader, I've always had a love for distinct robotic Sonic variants, so I knew that I HAD to grab both Chaos Sonic and Nine's Sonic Trooper for my collection. They're great figures, too. You'd think that one would just be a repaint of the other, but they're actually both distinct molds. Not even the head sculpts are the same! They also have a really nice amount of articulation, making them fun to just mess around with and pose. Consider me impressed. I hope they make the other Troopers in this scale, because I'd love to build a little army of robotic copycats.
Jakks Pacific Infinite Figure (eBay)
Yep, another one. Since I already own Mephiles, I just HAD to pick up Shadow's OTHER biggest fan, Infinite. He's a bit hard to get standing, but he's a definite upgrade compared to the older Tomy figure of him. He even comes with the Phantom Ruby! Now Jakks just needs to make Zavok and I'll be able to assemble Forces' whole Eggman Empire squad. (Once I get around to picking up their Metal Sonic, that is.)
Sonic the Hedgehog Archives Volume 23 (eBay)
Speaking of Metal Sonic, I was able to score another Sonic Archives book on eBay for a pretty good deal. This particular collection serves as an epilogue to the Sonic Adventure adaptation (featured in books 21 and 22) and also throws in a fun two-parter featuring the return of the original Metal Sonic. (Who'd later go by the name Shard.) Now I think I'm good when it comes to Sonic Archives. All the remaining volumes just collect stuff that I already own in single issue form and don't care to double-dip on.
Super Mario RPG Official Guidebook (PlayAsia)
PlayAsia Swag
Another piece of Super Mario RPG remake merch for the collection! When this guidebook was originally announced, I had an "oh, that's neat" kinda reaction and didn't pay it much mind. I mean, it's just going through the game and giving gameplay tips in a language I can't read. How interesting could it be? However, when people started getting it in and discovered that it also contained a small section in the back dedicated to previously-unseen concept art for the original game? Oh yeah, that went straight to the "NEED" list. I quickly ordered it from PlayAsia and eventually got it in alongside a bunch of bonus swag. It's mostly a pretty standard strategy guide and I, of course, can't actually read it, but the development art section is so cool that I'm glad that I scored it before the SMRPG remake became old news and it went out-of-print. It also just makes for a really nice display piece for my main game shelf.
New Warriors Volume 1: The Kids Are All Fight (eBay)
New Warriors Volume 2: Always and Forever (eBay)
Even though I already mentioned picking up his main series, we're not done with Kaine quite yet. His next major appearance after that was on a team called the New Warriors in a VERY short-lived run. The two books had the same writer (the awesome Christopher Yost) and certain plot points established in Scarlet Spider carry over into New Warriors, so I had to pick up the trades for the latter book as well if I wanted Kaine's whole story. Luckily, the secondhand prices on the New Warriors trades were MUCH more reasonable, so I was able to grab both volumes for around ten bucks apiece. Always nice when things are easy.
Marvel Legends Retro Collection Scarlet Spider Figure (Amazon)
Speaking of Scarlet Spider, I've needed a figure of the Ben Reilly version for my Marvel Legends display for quite some time, but I've always missed out on previous releases. Thankfully, Hasbro decided to put out a new "retro" release recently and I was finally able to snag him up. I really love his bright, vibrant colors, and he looks fantastic when you pair him up with his grumpy brother on a shelf.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures: The Forever War (Paperback)
Ooooooooooooh, this is a really cool one. To give some background, the Archie Ninja Turtles comic, TMNT Adventures, was originally going to conclude with a five-part arc called "The Forever War." However, said storyline was shelved by the higher-ups and the comic instead ended on a whimper, consisting of two issues composed of half recycled material and half cutesy back-up story fare. That didn't stop the staff from including a small Forever War teaser in a preceding issue to spark speculation for years to come, though:
Throughout the years, there have been rumblings and even official plans to make good on that tease and finish the story, but they never came to fruition. It truly seemed like the Forever War was lost to the ages for, well, ever. That is, however, until recently. A group of passionate TMNT fans were able to get their hands on all that was completed of the story and actually finish it alongside the original artist! What's more, they even offered it for purchase in a variety of formats so fellow fans could finally have it as a part of their TMNT Adventures collection! It was an Archie TMNT fan's dream come true!
It took a while for this project to edge towards completion (it was announced in 2019), but it finally wrapped recently and I got in my copy of the paperback collection! It's both surreal and amazing to at last be able to read this legendary storyline and to have it as a kind of "holy grail" for my TMNT collection sitting proudly on my shelf next to my official IDW trades collecting the rest of the series.
The cherry on top? Since I pre-ordered the book, my name is actually in it on the special thanks page. I OWN A TMNT BOOK WITH MY NAME IN IT!! AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!
HORI Split Pad Compact (Light Gray & Yellow) (Target)
Pokémon: Diamond & Pearl 4-Movie Collection (Blu-ray Steelbook) (Amazon)
A couple things I picked up on sale. Had my eye on HORI's Split Pad Compact for a while, but didn't want to blow sixty bucks on Switch handheld controllers that I might not even end up liking the feel of. Thankfully, Target recently had their most boring colorway down to thirty, so I figured I wouldn't get a better chance or price to try 'em out. I really like them! Buttons are nice and clacky (especially appreciate the bumpers, since the L and R on my Joycons kept having input issues), sticks are large and strong, and they feel good in my hands. They don't have HD Rumble or motion control capability, but they perfectly serve my needs for most Switch games and I'm very happy with them. However, I didn't end up using this particular set as my primary Switch control method for long. (More on that in a bit.)
As for the steelbook, I've contemplated upgrading a lot of the Pokémon movie DVDs in my collection to Blu-ray for a good while, but I've never found the right time to pull the trigger on a purchase. That changed when Amazon had the Blu-ray set of the four Diamond and Pearl movies down to SIX BUCKS. That's only a dollar and some change a movie! Needless to say, I snapped THAT up as quickly as I could. Took a little bit to ship, but I eventually got it in and it's done a great job of saving shelf space in place of my old individual DVDs. Now I just need to pick up the Unova and Kalos collections. (Along with the three more recent movies set in their own continuity.)
Turtles of Grayskull Donatello Figure (Amazon)
I've always been a very casual Masters of the Universe fan. Really enjoyed the 200X and Netflix shows, dig the unique characters and universe, but never really indulged in any of the toylines or merch. However, when the Turtles of Grayskull line was announced, mashing MOTU up with my favorite ninjutsu reptiles, I had a feeling THAT was all about to change.
Donnie here is my first dip into said line. (Amazon had him down to fourteen bucks.) I really dig him! He's solid and well-articulated, not to mention just a big, chunky toy for the price. Only bummer is that I was sent the international version of the figure, meaning that the bonus mini-comic had zero text. (Wish there was a way to check for that when ordering these online.) Probably not going to pick up every single figure in the line, but I at least want to get the rest of the Turtles to round out the team. (Along with that rad-looking Leatherhead that they showed off recently.)
HORI Split Pad Compact (Sonic the Hedgehog Edition) (Amazon)
Here's what I was alluding to a couple items up. I had initially jumped on the dull yellow-and-light-gray Split Pad Compact because I thought that the more interesting designs would never be available for that low of a price. I was very quickly proven wrong when like ONE WEEK LATER, the super-cool Sonic-themed ones that I've had my eye on for a good while were down to a similar price on Amazon. (In pre-owned condition, but as long as they work, I don't care HOW banged-up the box is.) I was a bit apprehensive about buying ANOTHER set so soon, but I ended up biting the bullet. Now my Switch has some Sonic style and I've got a spare Split Pad should I ever need one, all for around the price that you'd usually pay for just one set. Not too shabby.
Disney Illusion Island (Walmart)
Had my eye on Illusion Island since it was first announced, but I never got around to picking it up due to other games taking priority. So when Walmart had it on sale for twenty bucks recently, I knew that was my chance to finally grab it. Excited for some old school Disney platforming fun!
Pooh's Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin (Blu-ray) (Disney Movie Insiders)
Speaking of Disney, their Movie Club service shut down recently, which prompted Disney Movie Insiders to offer a couple of their exclusive Blu-ray releases in their reward catalog. One such release was Pooh's Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin, a favorite of mine from back in the day. Since I figured that I probably wouldn't get another chance to own it on Blu-ray, I went ahead and redeemed it. I hope they offer more DMC exclusives eventually. (I'd love to score DuckTales Volume 4 or the complete Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure set.)
Jakks Pacific Diddy Kong Figure (Walmart)
Walmart's website had this guy on sale, so I grabbed him. It's good to finally have a more modern version of Diddy Kong for my Nintendo figure display after years of having the old Toybiz Diddy Kong Racing figure in it, but what really sold me on this guy was his accessory: a really cool DK Barrel!
TMNT Vintage Scumbug Figure
TMNT 2k3 Leonardo Figure
My Mom picked these guys up for me at a yard sale. Pretty sure I already had a Scumbug somewhere, but 2k3 Leo was a nice find. I need more figures from that era of TMNT for my collection. The only other ones I own are a Triceraton minus his tail and Dark Don from the Fast Forward line.
PowerA Wired Nintendo Switch Controller
My Dad surprised me with this. I thought it was a Pro Controller at first, but it's actually one of PowerA's wired third-party controllers. I don't have any other Switch controllers like this for TV play (I usually just use a Gamecube controller), so I'm looking forward to breaking it in and seeing how it feels.
Turtles of Grayskull Sla'ker Figure (Target)
Another Turtles of Grayskull figure, and one that went to the very top of my "BUY" list the second he was revealed. My personal favorite TMNT character, Slash, mashed up with He-Man's robotic double, Faker? That's the kind of completely rad nuttiness that I LOVE in a crossover line. After ordering him from Target's website (he's an exclusive) and getting him in, the first thing that struck me about this guy was his SIZE! Dude is MASSIVE, as tall as the Super7 Slash, yet he was only $25. He's just as solid and articulated as Donnie, too. He's just SO COOL!! Judging by the two figures I've picked up, this might actually end up being one of my favorite toylines of the year. (Alongside a certain other upcoming Mattel line.)
Space Ghost Coast to Coast Popsocket (Amazon)
Geno Sticker (Redbubble)
Finally, I got a new phone case recently (my old one was peeling away), so I got a couple new things to personalize it with.
Like the case itself, my old Darkwing Duck Popsocket was pretty weathered, so I grabbed a shiny new Space Ghost one from Amazon to replace it with. (I love that an official Space Ghost Coast to Coast Popsocket even EXISTS.)
As for Geno, much like the Starlow sticker that I previously bought from Redbubble, I had intended to decorate my phone case with it, but it ended up being too big. This time, however, inspiration struck and I found both him and Starlow a home on my new laptop. (I ended up just using the stickers from my old phone case for my new one.)
That does it for the first quarter of 2024! Talk to you guys again in July!
