Showing posts with label lord of the rings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lord of the rings. Show all posts

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Nerd Nook Newbies

Hey all, welcome to another edition of Nerd Nook Newbies!

This week was a big one for my Super Powers collection. I kind of strayed off for a while grabbing items that were nostalgic or stuff I loved as a kid. I have decided I need to streamline the collection and have begun to once again focus on my favorite collection, Super Powers!
 
Before I start showing my new additions I want to provide a quick bit of inofrmation. Super Powers were made and sold by Kenner. The company responsible for such beloved lines as Star Wars and Real Ghostbusters. Kenner produced 3 series of figures from 1984-1986. Later in the 80s and early 90s other foreign companies also produced Super Powers/Amigos/Poderes/Heroes figures. Many collectors of the Super Powers line (myself included) enjoy adding these foreign items to their collections. Some are rarer than others but, in my opinion, they all add some spice and diversity to an already awesome line of figures!

Newbie #1 - El Guason (The Joker)
Here we have the Super Amigos version of The Joker. This figure was made by the Playful toy company from Argentina. Notable differences between their US counterparts would be the Playful brand, Spanish super power bubble, Amigos in place of Powers, Guason in place of Joker, no free comic. Unfortunately the postal service decided to bounce this package around like a basketball causing some damage to the bubble. Still a very cool and rare item. Hopefully the insurance takes some of the sting out the damage done....
On the right is a 1985, Kenner series 2, 23 back Joker
Newbie #2 - Joker Cromalin
I'll be sticking with Joker related items for the next two newbies. The above image is of a Joker cromalin from the first series. This is basically a super high quality picture of the cardback. It was used to make changes and corrections before the carbacks were produced. These are pretty rare and I'm thrilled to have scored a pre production piece relating to my favorite Batman villan!

Newbie #3 - Super Amigos Green Lantern/Joker Miscard
This is another foreign Super Amigos figure by Playful. This is a Green Lantern figure on a Joker cardback. This is my second miscard. These add an interesting spin to the collection.
Here's a comparison of the Super Powers Green Lantern (left) and Super Amigos (right). The US Green Lantern was a much lighter/brighter shade of green. The materials on a whole used by many of the foreign companies were quite inferior when compared to the Kenner figures and packaging.

Newbie #4 - Super Amigos Aquaman
Yet another Super Amigos figure by Playful. Like I said, big week for my foreign collection!
The figure on the right is a 1985 Kenner, 23 back Aquaman

Newbie #5 - Pacipa Lex Luthor
Pacipa was another toy company out of Argentina that produced Super Amigos figures. This is a rather rough example condition wise. But for my own collection, I put aside condition when it comes to many foreign figures due to rarity. Often the condition is worse in foreign figures due to the poor quality of the materials used for the bubbles and figures themselves.

That does it for my Super Powers/Amigos additions. I'm pretty excited about these new foreign figures. I really do enjoy adding them whenever I can.

Newbie #6 - Knickerbocker Lord of the Rings Gollum
I did manage to add one non Super Powers item this week. Gollum represents the third figure for me from the Knickerbocker collection.

So that wraps up a very Argentinian Nerd Nook Newbies. Hopefully over the course of this year I'll be able to add some more foreign items to my Super Powers collections.

"My precious!" - Me gazing on my updated Super Powers display...lol
 

Monday, January 7, 2013

Nerd Nook Newbies - A bit of everything!

Hey all welcome to an exciting installment of Nerd Nook Newbies! Now just to give you guys a quick heads up, I had quite a few gift cards from the holidays burning a hole in my pocket so I did splurge here quite a bit. You could say I kicked off my 2013 collecting year with a bang!

Newbie 1 - The elusive Shell Gas Station Canadian Slim Carded Green Lantern
As far as slim cards go, this is by far the hardest to find. I have been after one of these for months. I sort of gave up on my slim carded collection needing only Green Lantern and Wonder Woman. As soon as I had the chance to get this guy I grabbed em.  Expect to see a slim carded Wonder Woman in a future Newbies to round out my collection!

Newbie 2 - Replica L-Slot Rocket Firing Boba Fett Prototype

Yes you read it right "replica". Unfortunately its not the real thing and its not worth a small fortune. I picked this guy for 25 bucks because I thought it would look cool in my growing loose Star Wars Collection. I was right. The rocket really does fire. Far and fast.
"You'll shoot your eye out!"

Newbie 3 - Vintage Lion-O and Snarf

 Eyes still light!
Absolutely loved this toy when I was a kid....almost as much as Cheetara and her "baretts" as my 5 year old self liked to call them =)

Newbie 4 - Toy Biz Wolverine (early 90s)
Now this guy isn't really a newbie at all. He's actually an oldie. 20+ plus years to be honest. Now I have to send out a thanks to Brian over at Cool and Collected. Had it not been for his League assignment I may have never found this guy.  This was MY figure, and as a kid who moved ALOT, most of my childhood toys were lost. Well instead of 4 surviving toys I now have 5!

So your wondering "what did the league assignment have to do with finding an old toy?". Well if you read my league post I pulled out my "spy bag" to photograph it for the "Spies" assignment. I figured I hadn't opened it in probably 15 years.Well needless to say I was thrilled to find this guy inside! He of course has his own sentimental story of how he came to be mine. So once again thanks Brian for the league assignment that has reunited me with another beloved childhood toy! 

Fifth and Final Newbies - 1979 Knickerbocker Lord of the Rings Gandalf the Gray and Ring Wraith

These were the guys that I splurged for! I figured I got the gift cards and worked out a good deal....why not! I am hoping to finish the set with the exception of the two horses. These toys are just excellent figures. I am simply amazed at the level of detail in that Ring Wraiths sculpt and accessories. Incredible!

Phew! That does it for a busy week in the Nerd Nook. As always I'd really enjoy hearing what you think so drop me a comment!

"You only live twice, one life for yourself and one for your dreams....."

Thursday, January 3, 2013

The Lego Store!

So this last weekend my wife and I braved the post Christmas crowds and headed out to the King of Prussia mall(anyone who knows this mall knows its massive). We had gift cards to spend and a few returns to make. We wandered together for a while but after having spotted a comic store and a Lego Store (didn't even know this existed) on the directory I knew at some point I'd need to sneak off on my own for a bit. Finally my wife wanted to browse in some gigantic clothing store for women....this was my chance! I said "sure! Take all the time you need". She gave me a "what are you up to look" and went on her way. I headed straight for section "G" to check out this Lego Store. It was awesome! I couldn't believe how cool some of the sets and minifigs were! They had a massive B Wing and R2-D2 in the store window display as well as other awesome sets inside. I didn't know Lego had the TMNT license. I was sooooo close to buying the R2. I had it down off the shelf in my hands but ultimately decided the 180$ price tag was just too much :(

I am however considering beginning a small mini figure collection as they are super cool and are making some of my favorite characters from Star Wars to Super Heroes and more! Here's a few pics I snuck in ..... All the little kids watching the biggest kid of all!

Photos include the R2 I mentioned and a Helm's Deep playset from "Lord of the Rings"