Collection Update: "E.T." Stuff!

The Return of the Nerd Nook Newbies!

I am trying to get back in the swing of blogging more regularly! With the exception of League assignments, I've sort of put it on the back burner as I focused my attention on my YouTube channel. I've decided that I want to get blogging again and resurrect Nerd Nook Newbies! I'll be honest, weekly updates will probably not occur.....probably bi-weekly will be more feasible!

So with that said, lets have a look at some of my most recent Newbies!



Today I'll be showing you all a few new additions to my Super Powers Collection. First up is a 12 back Wonder Woman. I've been after a nice version of her for quite some time! She is slightly tough to find on a 12 back (first release from 1984) and even tougher in nice condition. Excited to have scored this one! Considering having it graded by the Action Figure Authority. Thoughts?

Next up is a Super Powers 12 back Penguin. Yet another tough one to find on a clean 12 back. He's far more common on a 23 back and being a rather portly character, Kenner had to use a very deep bubble to house him. These huge bubbles were prone to getting crushed, dinged, and otherwise damaged...making this one a really good score!

For today's final newbie I have another tough 12 back, Hawkman. He is another character who is known for having damaged bubbles for the same reason as penguin....the size! With his wings on his back he sticks out even further than Penguin! It kinda sucks he has that sticker rip because it is otherwise in excellent condition.

So that'll do it for my return to Newbies. With these additions I'm only two figures away from completing my 12 back Fan Club offer collection. Hopefully in an upcoming "Newbies" I'll be showcasing Aquaman and Brainiac!

Nerd Nook Newbies - The Return

Welcome to another addition of Nerd Nook Newbies. It's been a few weeks since I posted an update.  Recently I have been focusing my attention on Super Powers exclusively and haven't added very much "other" stuff. I figured I'd use this opportunity to resurrect Newbies and showcase a few of my newest Super Powers goodies.

Newbie #1 - 3rd Series, 33 Back Super Powers Superman

3rd series Superman is THE rarest US card variation for Superman. Unfortunately 3rd series bubbles were prone to yellowing. Most collectors agree this is due to lesser quality materials being used as the line was wrapping up and cost were being cut. Ironically the fact that cost were being cut is also what resulted in the "cleanest" looking presentation of the figures. 

Above is a photo comparison of the 3rd series, 33 back (left) and 1st series, 12 back (right). You can notice that the fan club and promotional information are not present on the 33 back. The free comic was also eliminated. I believe it allows for the nicest looking cardback.

I psyched to have this! Superman is my favorite character from the line so it was kind of a must have for me!

Newbie #2 - European Tri Lingual Wonder Woman

This is a pretty neat foreign variation. This figure has writing in 3 different languages, it is attached to a much smaller card, and includes a free poster of the character as well as the free comic. A very cool addition to my foreign collection.

Newbie #3 - 12 Back Steppenwolf Offer Joker Cromalin

This is probably the coolest and most exciting recent acquisition of mine. I'm sure you've noticed that no figure exists here. That is because this is a cromalin. Cromalins were used by Kenner to make corrections to the card before it was approved.  These items all come from an ex Kenner employee who held onto them for 20+ years. They are a really awesome piece of Super Powers history and look amazing on display. The colors are very bright and vibrant. For me to score one of my favorite villains (Joker) was incredible!

So that does it for this Newbies update. Hope you enjoyed a glimpse into my Super Powers collection.

 

Nerd Nook Newbies

This week's Newbie will be a quick one. Anyone who reads this blog knows that I avidly collect Super Powers. Well I added some loose foreign figures this week that I'm pretty excited about....

The Estrela Super Powers Collection was made in Brazil. Collectors agree that of the South American lines, Estrela produced the highest quality figures. These figures are rare, especially mint on card examples.

These examples of Batman and Superman are foreign variants, both being from the Estrela toy company.

"Estrela" molded into the plastic.
Carded examples from of Estrela Super Powers are pretty rare. I'm hoping to eventually score a carded Estrela Batman.....eventually....maybe.....

Both Estrela Batmans. The one on the right was made in 1989 for a very short time to go along with the release of 1989's Batman. The mold from the Super Powers Batman was used, making this a very desirable figure for collectors.

Here is a comparison of the Estrela cape (left) and Kenner cape (right). I personally think the Estrela cape is cooler and includes more detail.

So that does it for this quick Nerd Nook Newbie. I personally love the diversity and excitement foreign figures bring to Super Powers collections. For a Super Powers fan such as myself, these additions are pretty sweet. I'm excited to have them in my collection.

Nerd Nook Newbies

So I've really been focusing on my Super Powers Collection lately. Like I said before, for a while I was picking up items from other lines. I have since gotten back to my favorite toy line and have made some great scores.

Batman and Superman are my two favorite characters from this line. I have been working on picking up all the variants and rarities for these two characters. My Batman focus is a bit further along then my Superman. Either way I added some cool variants to both collections this week.

Newbie #1 - Gulliver Juguetes Batman

This Batman is made by Gulliver Juguetes (Toys) from Brazil. This is a super special variant in my opinion. I feel this way because it is truly different. The card is much smaller then a Kenner card. The figure itself does not have articulated knees and has a vinyl cape in place of the typical clothe. The colors on batman are much darker when compared with the Kenner Super Powers version.....

 

           Gulliver                       Kenner                

 The Gulliver figure also came with a poster. Kenner figures included a comic until series 3. Needless to say I am totally psyched to have this figure in my collection. It's pretty rare and it's Batman!

Newbie #2 - UK Palitoy Sticker Superman

This Superman looks just like a US version to the normal collector =) To us Super Powers nuts we can spot the subtle difference. This Superman was sold in the UK. In order for the kiddies over there to get in on the Fan Club offered poster, the Palitoy company slapped a sticker on the back so kids knew how to order theirs...

This is not as cool a variation as the Gulliver Bats, but definitely essential in completing a full run of Superman in my opinion. I have a Batman UK Palitoy as well that can be seen here

Newbies #3 and 4 - Pacipa Super Amigos Brainiac and Aquaman

These figures were made in South America as well. Argentina this time. Like many other Super Powers collectors, I enjoy adding foreign variations to my collection. I've been on a bit of a role lately and have added a bunch in 2013. I particularly like the Brainiac as he is one of only two figures that have a uniquely shaped bubble (Hawkman being the other or Hombre Halcon). These are not in the greatest shape, but when it comes to foreign and rare items I'm less picky. If you'd like to see some of my other recent foreign acquisitions check out this page.

5th and final Newbie - Jawa Bank

 90s era Jawa was happy to help show the scale.

I was at my local collectible shop yesterday checking out his new stuff and spotted this guy. For as big and detailed as it was (and for only 10 bucks!) I had to have it for the Nerd Nook!

Here he is among his fellow toys.

So that's it for another Newbie update. I'm way excited with the progress my foreign collection has made so far in 2013!

"utini!"

Nerd Nook Newbies

Welcome to another edition of Nerd Nook Newbies!

This will be  a quick one. As most people who have read my blog in the past know, I have been collecting LEGO minifigures. I pretty much check eBay every once in a while and buy the cheap ones I want from sellers who do free shipping. Here are my latest additions.......(next week's Newbies should be a bit more exicting....not that LEGOs aren't!)

Blind Bag Series 5 - Small Clown

He is half the size of most mini figs and holding a cream pie....what's not to love???

Still after the series one Clown (getting series one as a whole soon....hint hint hint)

Series 5 - Egyptian Queen (Cleopatra)

She is pretty cool. I mainly got her to complete the set when I score the Egyptian Pharaoh.

Finally (I said quick remember?) Series 4 - Viking

 This guy completed.....

........this couple....and just in time for Valentine's Day!

This week's LEGO Newbies.....

 I did pick up one other new item to add to my advertising icons collections.

  Count Chocula "Switch Helper" cereal premium

It was meant to be hung over your light switch to help you find it by glowing in the dark. This was a cereal box premium from the mid 70s. I want to collect them all, but they are pretty rare. Luckily...I'm in no hurry! Still haven't decided if I wanna put the old Count to use on my man cave light switch!

Here is an example of a box from decades ago that had these inside as treats for eager cereal lovers!

So that's about that. Hope you enjoyed checking out my new additions to the Nerd Nook!

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

 

Nerd Nook Newbies

Welcome to this week's installment of Nerd Nook Newbies. I must admit, I have really gotten into these Lego Blind Bag characters. They are coming out with some really fun and clever figures! Having always loved Legos (especially the minifigures) and this "bump method" for identifying the characters inside, beginning a collection of these was a pretty easy choice.

 Black Knight (series 7) Grey Knight (series 9)

These guys look cool displayed opposite one another.

Deep Sea Diver (series 8), Tarzan (series 7), Judge (Series 9), Rabbit Costume (series 7)

Like I said, these are just plain fun to collect.

Vampire Bat (series 8), Evil Robot (series 8)

I definitely want to get the monster related characters released so far. The vampire bat is way cool! Other minifigures I am actively pursuing are the two clowns released so far...too lolzy to pass up!

The only other newbie this week rounds out one of my collections.....

Scored the last of the 70's vinyl ad icons I was after...Boo Berry!

These were cereal premiums nearly 40 years ago. I finally have all four monsters....

Boo Berry, Count Chocula, Frankenberry, Fruit Brute (discontinued in the early 80s)

Here are the current 3 monsters with their modern Funko counterparts.

So that does it for this week's Newbies. Like I said in a few blogs, I am totally loving these Lego minifigures! I'm also pretty psyched to have finished my 70s vinyl ad icons collection. I do, however, have my site's set on some of the vintage items relating to these characters.

"the circle is now complete".