Weekly Want - Premium Format Darkseid, Super Robot Wars, & More!

Darkseid is...expensive.

We may be in a bit of a pre-SDCC funk as far as huge reveals go, but "ooh" and "ah"-worthy product images are always trickling out here and there. The recurring theme of the week seemed to be official shots of previously-teased items, but there were still a few surprises in store. Now, on to my personal highlights!

Marvel Legends Infinite Series Avengers 5-Pack (Price & Release Date TBD)

These might be made from existing molds, but the vibrant decos have really won me over. It doesn't hurt that I'm a bit of a sucker for "gift set" releases in general. Unfortunately for many of us, this appears to be a European Disney Store exclusive.

Weekly Want - Marvel NOW! ARTFX, MOTU Classics, & More!

Racer Slim

Yeah, I know the question that's been on all of your minds. "When is it Weekly Want time again?!" Wait no longer, delectable denizens of Geek-Skull; the latest batch of action figure and collectible images is at hand!

Masters of the Universe Classics 200X Queen Grayskull ($26, Nov. 15th, 2015)

Number Ones - Uncanny Avengers #1 Review

Say it three times fast: Uncanny Avengers Volume 2 #1 - "Counter-Evolutionary Part 1!"

Uncanny Avengers #1 is the start of a new volume showcasing the Avengers Unity Division in the aftermath of the AXIS storyline. While there are certainly more than enough thrown at us, there's a part of me that will always dig seeing characters come together in high-profile team-ups. Let's dive into the issue and see what's in store!

Weekly Want - Transformers Unite Warriors, Batman, & More!

"We won't stop fighting until you're finished, you hear?!"

Several of the items highlighted in this installment of Weekly Want left me with my arms flailing in the air like a hyperactive schoolchild. While they also deserve praise in standalone posts, leaving them out here just wouldn't be right. I'm going to shut up now and let the pictures speak for themselves!

S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Drive Mach ($36, June 2015)

Weekly Want - S.H. Figuarts Avengers, Kamen Rider, & More!

Ahoy there purveyors of plastic, it's time for the first Weekly Want of the year! This Castle Geek-Skull feature is all about highlighting various action figures and collectibles that may have caught my eye over the past week. Early January is usually light for product reveals, but a handful of promising items helped fill the void in a big way. Let's take a look!

Takara Tomy Transformers Legends Swerve and Tailgate (Price and release date TBD)

Marvel vs. Capcom's Attack Names Would Be Pretty Weird In Comics

Can't we all just get along?

With Marvel vs. Capcom: Origins on sale for just over $3, it was clear that there was no better time to finally make the purchase. This compilation of the original Marvel vs. Capcom and Marvel Super Heroes is a wonderful journey through mid to late 1990s arcade nostalgia. Of course, the anime style attack names shouted by the characters throughout each match comprise one of the first quirks you're reacquainted with as you begin battling your way to either Thanos or Onslaught. Just as Street Fighter gameplay is riddled with cries of "Hadoken" and "Shoryuken," Capcom's Marvel based fighters assault your ears with the likes of "Berseker Barrage," "Charging Star," and "Spider Sting!"

Hearing all of this again made me imagine how bizarre (and cluttered) mid-battle dialogue would become if comic books followed the same convention. I took to Photoshop to see what it might look like. Behold:

New Captain America and Thor FanArt Frenzy!

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes!

Despite the recent nature of Marvel's major character shakeups (with Falcon replacing Steve Rogers as Captain America and an undetermined female character taking over the mantle of Thor), the announcements have already captured the imaginations of comic fans all over. It might not be on the level of the recent Batgirl fanart just yet, but plenty of artwork featuring the new Cap and Thor designs is beginning to pour in. That means it's FanArt Frenzy time!

This striking Thor piece is from DeviantArt user TheRedKid.

Even Without Edgar Wright, Ant-Man Might Be Worth Supporting

Ant-Man #47

The internet has been abuzz this evening over Edgar Wright's decision to step down from directing the upcoming live action Ant-Man. Wright (most famous for directing Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and The World's End) cited "creative differences" as the inspiration for his departure. I'm a massive fan of his work and he has made nothing but a great impression on me throughout his numerous commentaries, interviews, and other press appearances. When I heard he would be at the helm of Ant-Man, I was absolutely stoked. As you might expect, I was not alone.

Weekly Want Apr 28-May 5 with Figma Avengers, LEGO Ghostbusters, & More!

Speak not and partake of my cash!

A new month is upon us and another week has past. Let's celebrate with another edition of the "Weekly Want," wherein several of the best promo shots for toys and collectibles are compiled for your viewing pleasure. Last week's edition showcased Masterpiece Ultra Magnus, Revoltech Mini Solid Snake, Marvel Mini-Mates, and more. Let's move on to what caught my eye between April 28th and May the 5th:

Theater Lobby Displays: The Object of my Wide-Eyed, Geeky Desire

Grimlock from Transformers: Age of Extinction

I just came across this Transformers: Age of Extinction Grimlock lobby display courtesy of dj_67knights, and my mind flooded with all of the other awesome giant-size promotional materials I've come across in theaters over the years. I've never thought to photograph them myself, but I was at least able to scour the internets for examples. Onward:

Marvel Select Captain America and Black Widow In Package

These new in-package shots of Marvel Select Captain American and Black Widow come to us from the Art Asylum Blog. They're set to show up in Disney Stores soon. Check out the hype:

Next time you’re at your local Disney store, be on the lookout for the new Thor and Hawkeye Marvel Select action figures...then come back in a few weeks for Captain America and the Black Widow! We all know that Captain America is the biggest superhero of the summer, so this month will bring another opportunity to add more Cap to your collection! This figure features Captain America’s iconic shield, as well as packaging that can be used as a background to display the figure! Plus, not only do you get a gorgeously detailed Black Widow, but Ant Man is along for the ride as well, which pretty much makes this a 2-for-1 deal! You know there’s just no way you can resist adding these figures to your collection! Only at the Disney Store, DisneyStore.com and MarvelStore.com!

New Avengers Promo Art Released - Loki & More

Click to view images in full size!
As seen above, new Avengers movie promo art has been released. Thanks to SpiderMedia.ru for the original posting. The new image of Loki is wonderful, and it's always nice to see more of the full Avengers team assembled. Like the original team promo art first seen at the Licensing International Expo in Las Vegas in June 2011, you'll likely catch images like these used on various forms of merchandise in the coming year, such as action figures, video games, candy wrappers, soda cans, and so on.

Filming of Marvel's The Avengers is nearly complete, and it's set for release on May 4, 2011. Keep your eyes peeled for many more updates to come!

PS: If you missed it the first time, the promo image from SDCC 2011's Marvel Booth is absolutely amazing. Check it out HERE.

Hi-Res Images of Hasbro's Marvel Panel from SDCC 2011

YouBentMyWookie has uploaded high quality images of Hasbro's Marvel panel from San Diego Comic-Con 2011. Personal highlights include:

Marvel Universe Beta Ray Bill:

Marvel Universe Kraven:

Marvel Universe She-Hulk:

Marvel Legends Ghost Rider:

Marvel Legends Hope Summers:

Marvel Legends Build a Figure Arnim Zola:

Marvel Legends Build a Figure Terrax:

Yeah, Marvel Legends returns and they're looking damn good! Marvel Universe looks to continue its current trend of improvement as well. Good stuff. Can't wait to see these things hit the toy aisles!

If you're thirtsy for even more new Marvel Universe and Marvel Legends toys, check out the full article at YouBentMyWookie. There's even a preview of next year's Avengers toyline! Cool stuff all around.

Oh, and if you're like me, you might be having trouble tracking down some of the cooler Marvel Universe figures out there. Amazon has some ok prices if you get tired of searching:
 

The Avengers SDCC 2011 Concept Art Posters

The Marvel Booth at San Diego Comic-Con 2011 has been releasing exclusive posters (by Ryan Meinerding, Charlie Wen and Andy Park) for next year's big-damn movie event The Avengers. The posters feature conceptual art of Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, Hawkeye, and S.H.I.E.L.D. agents in stunningly gorgeous detail. When combined, the individual images create this beauty of a promo image:

Click to view in full size!
Damn. There you have it, the live action Avengers...assembled. Can you say excite?

Thanks to TheHDRoom for the combined poster, and Marvel.com.