action figures
Marvel’s lawyers toy with humanity of mutants
Marvel’s lawyers want you to know that the publisher’s merry mutants are in no way human — at least when it comes to toys.
According to a recent Radiolab Podcast, in order to get a 5.2-percent tax cut on Marvel’s imported action figures, the company’s lawyers successfully argued the toys represent “animals or other non-human creatures (for example, robots and monsters)” as defined by the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, a tome that determines tariff classifications for all goods imported into the United States.
Confused? There’s a lot of legalese involved, so here’s the way it breaks down: There’s a distinction between two categories of products imported into the U.S. “Dolls” are toys representing humans, whereas “toys” represent non-humans. While dolls are taxed at 12.8 percent, toys are taxed at just 6.8 percent. Two shrewd trade attorneys noticed the distinction and successfully argued to U.S. Customs officials that Marvel’s licensed products don’t represent human beings.
- January 5, 2012 @ 09:00 AM by Steve Sunu
Shelf Porn Saturday | End-of-the-year shelves!
Hello and welcome to Shelf Porn! It’s been awhile since we had someone’s shelves to feature, and what a great way to end 2011 by posting someone’s collection.
Today’s shelves come to us from, simply, “The Dork,” who blogs regularly over at The Dork Review. “This is a collection of my stuff (minus the Yoda stuff; which is my wife’s) that I have been collecting since I was a kid,” he told me via email. He had previously posted it on his own site, and you can see that post right here.
If you would like to contribute some shelves, it’s easy — just send pictures and a brief description to jkparkin@yahoo.com.
And now, onto the shelves!
- December 31, 2011 @ 03:14 PM by JK Parkin
Bruce Banner and Doctor Strange take an ‘Incredible Drive’
Toyota has teamed with Marvel for “The Incredible Drive,” a four-part stop-motion animated adventure promoting the car manufacturer’s Yaris model. Created by the crew behind “Marvel Super Heroes: What The–?!” — Ben Morse, Jesse Falcon, Alex Kropinak and others — the first short features a Yaris-driving Bruce Banner forced into therapy with Doctor Strange, who suggests all he needs for his anger-control issues is a road trip. With him.
Yes, the guy who transforms into a 7 1/2-foot-tall monster drives a subcompact car — but, hey, it’s no weirder than him rooming with the Red Hulk or seeking mental-health advice from a magic-wielding neurosurgeon (apparently Doc Samson isn’t covered by Banner’s HMO). Strange’s Monarch-esque voice is a little much, but it’s definitely worth sitting through for the Marvel Universe-themed destination billboards and the late addition to the unlikely road-trip crew.
- December 20, 2011 @ 06:00 AM by Kevin Melrose
By Blackest (Friday) Night, no bargain shall escape my sight …
If you’re like me, instead of heading out to the mall to face the hectic Black Friday crowds (some of whom are apparently armed with pepper spray), you’re sitting at home nursing a turkey hangover and looking for good deals on the internet. Here are a few places you may want to check out for your gift-giving or personal shopping needs, and if you’re up for adventuring outdoors, Bleeding Cool has a great roundup of shops holding sales today.
Blackest Friday
ComiXology has a bunch of digital comics for 99 cents today. DC Comics is holding a Blackest Friday sale, allowing you to buy each issue of the Blackest Night crossover for 99 cents each. Marvel has Jonathan Hickman’s Fantastic Four issues on sale for 99 cents, while IDW has their Star Trek comics on sale.
- November 25, 2011 @ 10:10 AM by JK Parkin
Batman, Joker get BLOXed in new vinyl figure line
Batman Blox
Funko, the company whose Pop Vinyl figure line includes everyone from Mickey Mouse to Yoda to Spider-Man to the Ramones, has a new line called BLOX that features “2D-image ‘thickened’ into a boxy 3D-figure.” The figures stand seven inches tall and feature Batman, Joker, Gene Simmons and several cereal mascots.
You can see all of them in all their glory over on the Funko site, or head to Entertainment Earth to pre-order them.
- November 21, 2011 @ 01:12 PM by JK Parkin
Green rabbit from Marvel’s Star Wars comics competes to become an action figure
Jaxxon ain't no rodent
Back in the 1970s Marvel Comics was saved by a little film called Star Wars, according to Jim Shooter. As Marvel’s editor-in-chief at the time notes, Marvel’s adaptation of the film “sold and sold and sold” no matter what format they released it in.
And after Marvel adapted the film into six-issue series, they continued to tell tales set in the Star Wars universe. Issue #7 sported a cover promising new stories about Han Solo and Chewbacca, as the duo appeared in a “Seven Samurai” style tale with a whole bunch of new characters, including a big green rabbit named Jaxxon. While Jaxxon only appeared in a handful of Star Wars comics at the time, he made enough of an impression to achieve a sort of cult status with some folks. IGN ranked him as #97 in their top 100 Stars Wars characters, while Bully the stuffed little bull advocated that they should have replaced Jar Jar Binks with Jaxxon in the prequel films. And he even appeared in a webcomic at TheForce.net.
And now the Bugs Bunny tribute character is up for the ultimate form of recognition, as Hasbro and Star Wars Insider magazine are holding a “Fans’ Choice Poll” where fans can vote on which action figure Hasbro will make next. Jaxxon is going up against some other “expanded universe” characters and the expected “Hey, weren’t they on the screen for five seconds? Make a figure!” characters from the films.
The polls close Dec. 1, so head over there and show your support for the rodent, er, rabbit.
- October 24, 2011 @ 10:00 AM by JK Parkin
NYCC hangover | A round-up of additional news from the show
Age of Apocalypse
News and reports from the New York Comic Con rolled out even after the lights were turned off on Sunday; here are a few of them, as well as some tidbits we missed the first time around:
• Marvel announced an ongoing Age of Apocalypse series by David Lapham and Roberto De La Torre, spinning out of the current “Dark Angel Saga” storyline in Uncanny X-Force. [CBR]
• Designer Chip Kidd is writing a Batman book called Batman: Death by Design with art by Dave Taylor. It’s due out next summer. [ComicsAlliance]
• USA Today spotlighted Captain Brooklyn, due next May from Jimmy Palmiotti, Frank Tieri and Amanda Conner. The three-issue miniseries will be published by Image Comics. [USA Today]
• Following the convention, Marvel has released pages from the Prep & Landing story that will appear in a few of their upcoming November comics. [CBR]
- October 18, 2011 @ 07:00 AM by JK Parkin
Shelf Porn | Comics, statues and a No-Prize!
Welcome to another edition of Shelf Porn, where Robot 6 proudly shares the shelves and collections of fans around the world. Today’s collection comes from across the pond, as Robert Menzies shares his statues, comics and even a Marvel No-Prize with us.
If you’d like to see your collection here, send a write-up and some jpg images to jkparkin@yahoo.com.
And now let’s hear from Robert …
- August 27, 2011 @ 12:00 PM by JK Parkin
SDCC ’11 | A roundup of Friday’s announcements
The Massive
Friday was a busy day in San Diego, with a full slate of announcements capped by the Eisner Awards in the evening.
• Image Comics will resurrect the classic television show MacGyver as a five-issue miniseries written by MacGyver creator Lee David Zlotoff and Doctor Who writer Tony Lee, and illustrated by Becky Cloonan.
• Brian Wood’s newest project was announced — The Massive, about environmentalists who survive the last environmental collapse. The comic will start its run in Dark Horse Presents #8 in January.
• Vertigo Executive Editor Karen Berger confirmed that Scalped will end with issue #60.
• Marvel teased the return of the Scarlet Spider.
• DC Comics released more interior art for several of their “New 52″ titles, including Aquaman, Mister Terrific and more.
- July 23, 2011 @ 07:57 AM by Brigid Alverson
Shelf Porn | Bags, boards and Captain America video games
Hello and welcome to Shelf Porn. Today’s submission comes from Neal Bishop from North Carolina, who shares his collection of toys, comics and more.
If you’d like to see your shelves featured here, just drop me an email at jkparkin@yahoo.com.
And now here’s Neal …
- July 16, 2011 @ 12:00 PM by JK Parkin
SDCC Wishlist | Supernatural Law, Zoom and more
The San Diego Comic-Con runs kicks off with a preview night on July 20, then runs July 21-24. If you are a comics creator or publisher, and you’re planning to bring something new to the con — a sketchbook, a print, a graphic novel debut, etc. — then we want to hear from you. Drop me an email and let me know if you’ll have something cool on hand that attendees should know about. Feel free to send any artwork as well. Thanks in advance!
Now let’s take a look at more stuff coming to the con, including Professor Zoom, Supernatural Law, Marvel Mini Muggs and more
Zoom
Flashpoint‘s big villain, Professor Zoom, has San Diego on his schedule. Graphitti Designs will sell the above SDCC-exclusive action figure at their booth during the show, with a limit of one figure per customer.
- June 30, 2011 @ 12:00 PM by JK Parkin
Shelf Porn Saturday
Hello and welcome to Shelf Porn Saturday, where fans share their collections with us. Today’s adamantium-laced submission come from Eric Jaskolka, who shares a Juggernaut-sized collection of X-Men toys and merchandise. Seriously, it’s gotta be seen to be believed.
If you’d like to see your collection here, it’s easy — just send a brief write-up on your collection and some pictures to jkparkin@yahoo.com.
And now here’s Eric …
- June 25, 2011 @ 12:00 PM by JK Parkin
Shelf Porn Saturday
Welcome to Shelf Porn, where fans show us their stuff. Today’s collection of statues, toys and other stuff comes courtesy of Ian Walker from Poole, England.
If you’d like to see your collection featured here, just send a brief write-ups and some jpgs to jkparkin@yahoo.com.
And now here’s Ian …
- June 11, 2011 @ 03:20 PM by JK Parkin
The Death-Ray action doll goes on sale June 9
The Death-Ray
Daniel Clowes’ Death-Ray is not only getting the hardcover treatment this fall, he’s also getting three dimensions.
The creator’s site announced this weekend that the Oakland Toy Corp has designed a Death-Ray “action doll” that will be sold on Press Pop’s website beginning June 9. The 12″ doll is limited to 200 sets, costs $105 and comes with “the Ray Gun to erase all the people you would rather not see.” It will come in a box designed by Clowes.
- June 6, 2011 @ 01:00 PM by JK Parkin
Saturday Shelf Porn
Welcome once again to Shelf Porn, where we help fans show off their stuff. Today’s submission comes from Harold Yoingco from the Philippines.
If you’d like to have your collection featured here, email me a write-up and some pictures at jkparkin@yahoo.com.
And now here’s Harold …
- June 4, 2011 @ 12:00 PM by JK Parkin