Sexy Geek? Maybe It Should Be Old, Picky Geek

Every New Years that passes, I think about another year that passes and how much closer to the grave I am. There's a lot I want to accomplish and still hope to in my life. I would like to see if my writing can take me anywhere aside from my blogs. I would also like to do a podcast with one of my very good friends. When the two of us are together, we crack each other up and I think we could have a great podcast. We have discussed it and hopefully it will come to fruition. It's really my fault for the delay as I don't have a microphone on my laptop and I would like to have a better laptop as well. Hopefully soon. Most of all, when I do think about things, I do think about my collection and what direction I'd like it to go.

I know I have discussed this topic in previous blog posts, but as of late, I have been really considering downsizing it and concentrating on what I really like to collect. I feel as of late I have been stagnate when it comes to my collection. I haven't really been adding to it, not because I'm out of work, although that does come into play. I just haven't found really anything I've wanted to add. A lot of the stuff that comes out these days are not things I have been quick to open my wallet for. In my opinion, the stuff that comes out is too expensive and your really not getting the best bang for your buck.

There have been stuff that I have been excited for on paper, yet when I saw the finished product I was like, ehhhhhhhhhh. Like the 1966 Batman figures. I only got the Batman and Surf's Up Batman in my collection and I'm fine with that. I wasn't really impressed with the quality of the figures and the likenesses of them. Plus, I was a bit ticked that Robin was only released in a box set and is supposed to be released in another box set with Batman and Batgirl. When that will be released, I don't know. Also, at $22 bucks, these were pretty expensive figures. I'm sure I will get the rest at some point, but not anytime soon.

Don't get me wrong, I know that stuff is expensive these days. It's part of the hobby and if I want to have a sweet collection, I will have to spend, spend spend. I'm just not going to spend anymore on every Spider-Man or Batman item that comes out. I think it's time to concentrate on specific characters or things or people I m passionate about.

1-Batman Pre 1989

I enjoy the Christopher Nolan movies. I really think those are the best Batman movies ever made, aside from the 1966 Batman movie, which I enjoy the hell out of. I will admit something though, I hate the all black Batman outfits. My Batman has grey in it. Blue and grey to be specific. I can't explain the joy I feel whenever I see a Batman figure in those colors. It takes me back to my childhood when I used to sit in my room, watching the Super Friends while noshing on a bowl of cereal or when I opened Christmas presents and got a Batman Mego with Batmobile. So I decided I will start focusing my collection on Batman before the Tim Burton movie. I love the 1966 TV show, so I will buy stuff that fits that part of my collection, vintage or modern releases. I love the Super Friends Batman and have the figure. I want that Hot Wheels Super Friends Batmobile and I also want the statue and will get them eventually. I can concentrate on just this period of the character and have a pretty kick ass collection.

2-Spider-Man

I don't see myself really changing in how I collect Spider-Man. I will probably continue to collect him as is.

3-Statues

One thing I want to do is add more statues to my collection. I figure if I don't spend money on newer releases at Toys R Us or Target, I can save up for some really cool pieces. I have been wanting to start collecting the Batman Black And Whites. I want to pick up the upcoming Adam West Batman statue. There are some really nice Spider-Man pieces I want also like the Origins piece and the half Peter Parker/Spider-Man bust that I drool over each time I see it on eBay.

4-Hot Toys

These are some of the most beautiful and expensive figures you will ever see. I see some of these figures in comic book shops or cons and I just start getting feverish and itchy and I start walking toward the figure like I'm looking for my next fix. I, unfortunately, do not own a Hot Toys figure. Part of it is I haven't had steady work in almost 2 years and part of it is because I spend, spend, spend. I couldn't save a dollar even if I knew I was getting thrown out tomorrow. I'll still be at Toy's R Us buying that cheap plastic Spider-Man that I really don't need. This year, I will try my best to save for at least 1 Hot Toys figure. I'm leaning toward 1966 Batman to be my first Hot Toys figure.

5-Luke Skywalker/Star Wars

I have been collecting anything and everything Luke Skywalker I can get my hands on. I just recently got a Luke Skywalker Titan figure that I love as a late Christmas gift. I will be reviewing it in the near future. I also want to pick up some vintage Star Wars figures and play sets. I still want the Death Star playset. I also need a vintage X Wing too.

6-Beatles

Some of the most expensive collectibles you will find are Beatles items from the 60's. Because of that, most of the Beatles things I will own will be modern Beatles releases. Right now, my Beatles holy grail is the set of Beatles cartoon figures that McFarlane put out. That box set goes for close to $200.00 bucks on eBay.

7- Back To The Future

I really don't go out of my way to pick up Back To The Future stuff, even if it's my favorite movie of all time. I haven't picked up the Funko POP's yet. I haven't thought about grabbing the Hover Board I've seen. If I come across it and feel like picking it up, I will.

So, I've managed to streamline my collecting habits to 7 categories, and that's not even mentioning my sports collectibles. I won't be collecting Kiss or Iron Man or anything else I was picking up before. The Simpsons are a category that I also don't normally collect, but I have picked up a piece here and there and will probably continue to do so. I can also see myself knocking off a category or two in the future. Why?

Well, I need room to walk around. My room is starting to become cluttered. I have no space to display my stuff and in the future, what if I don't have room for display then either? I have always hated collections that look so cluttered, unorganized and I never want mine to look like that. I will display in cabinets and shelves, but I want it to be a neat display. Also, money. I don't have a million dollars to spend on figures and collectibles. I barely have $50.00 at times. I need to pick and choose what to get. I want to pick up the best things for what I can afford.

When going shopping, my buddy and I don't buy just anything anymore. We look for the "Wow" factor. Something that I will not put back after holding it and walking around the store. If I have to think about it, it goes back. Maybe I'm trying to grow up a bit or maybe as I reach my 44th birthday in April, I am starting to realize I cannot own everything. That's not what collecting is all about. It's about picking up pieces that you will be proud to display and never, ever want to let go. I want to be able to look at my collection years from now through coke bottle glasses and smile as I sit n my rocking chair.

I Want To Collect And Save Money

As of late, I've had to make a few tough decisions regarding my collection. As most collectors, I always want to add more goodies to my collection. I want to buy as much as I can. But, I recently had to come to the realization that I don't have the money I had a year ago. My new job doesn't pay me the same salary and after paying bills, my disposable income for my collecting habits has shrunk. So, I had a conversation with myself (Who doesn't have lengthy conversations with themselves?) and realized a few things.

I Can't Collect Everything

I never really considered myself to be a completest. I don't have to collect every figure in a particular line. But ever since I watched a couple of collection videos on YouTube, I've been trying to grab everything. If there was a Batman figure I wasn't crazy about, I grabbed it anyway. If I saw a small Spider-Man figure, I'd still pick it up, even though I'm not a fan of 3 1/4 figures. I was trying to get a collection as large as some of the collections I saw. That's no way to collect. I wasn't collecting. I was acquiring. I realized that no matter what, I'm not going to be able to get everything. I love the Hot Toys figures and I have been dying to pick up some, especially the Spider-Man, Batman and soon to be released Marty McFly figure. I can't afford them, so I am going to have to find a way to have an awesome collection without them.

Plus, I'm not really digging a lot of the stuff that has been released. I think for the price we are forced to pay for these figures at Toys R Us you would think they would be of better quality. Better likenesses. But as long as us collectors continue to buy these figures, the toy companies won't make the necessary adjustments us toy collectors deserve.

All I really want now is the 34 inch Spider-Man, the Marvel Mashers Spider-Man figures and the Spider-Man Titan figures. And the Luke Skywalker Bespin Star Wars Black Series 3 figure. That's it. The stuff I really want (statues, high price point figures) are too expensive for my wallet right now.

Good Bye Comic Books, Hello Trades

I love to read comic books. I have been doing so since I could read and never really stopped. Unfortunately, The time to stop buying comics has come. Why? I'm not really interested in some of the titles that have been released lately. Plus, some of the stories has been less than stellar.

So, for now, the only titles I will buy on a monthly basis will be the Spider-Man titles and Batman books. The rest I will pick up on trade. There a lot of stories I miss out on or want to re-read without paying the premium prices for the actual books.

Another reason is room. I hate boxes and I would rather buy a bookcase for the trade books I will be picking up and minimize the long and short boxes in my space. I still want to try and collect a run of Amazing Spider-Man and Peter Parker books. But that's it. Everything else, trade.

Save And Sacrifice

Like I had mentioned earlier, I would love, love, love to add a couple of Hot Toys to my collection. But really, I don't have $200.00 plus to shell out for one. I could live without them. I have no problem with having a collection sans Hot Toys. I could pick up a couple of Batman DC Direct 12 inch figures for the price of one Hot Toy . But if I really want a Hot Toy, then I will have to do what I did as a kid when I wanted a Star Wars action figure or CD.

Save for it.

Instead of buying that $30.00 Spider-Man Ipod case, put that money away. Instead of buying a 6 pack of Blue Moon, put that money away. In a couple of months, I could have the money for an Amazing Spider-Man Hot Toy or a Spidey statue. Or maybe save that money for a comic con and see if I can get a deal on some of the pricey stuff I covet.

Focus On What I Really Want To Collect

For the longest time, I was picking up whatever I liked. It didn't have to fit into my collection. If I thought it was cool, I was buying it. Now, I can't afford to do that anymore. If I want to be able to add new stuff to the House Of Swag, it's going to be something related to what I collect. As of late, I have been focusing on nothing but Spider-Man and I don't see that changing for a while. Everything I want is Spider-Man related, so it's going to be nothing but Spider-Man for a while.

It's not like I need anything new to review. I am woefully behind on my reviews and I need to start catching up. Here's a sneak peek at just some of the figures I will be reviewing soon.

I have been chomping at the bit to open up these and other figures I have been wanting to review for a while. I hope to have at least one review up this week.

After seriously considering all avenues and options, I think these are the best ways for me to still have a great collection and save a little bit of money in the process. It will be rough. There will be times when my instincts will be to grab that cheaply made figure for 20.00. But if I keep my eyes on the goals, then I will be able to add what I want in no time and still have a full pocket.

What I Hunt For- A League Assignment

I love hunting and I don't even have to wear a hunters hat either (Be vewy, vewy quiet. I'm hunting Megos. Hahahahahahahahah). I always have my eyes, ears and nose to the ground in my travels. I never know when I may come across a thrift store, a goodwill store, a flea market or even a toy show. I try to always be prepared for that eventuality (George Harrison representin' yo!).

When I first started collecting and going out for new additions, I used to pick up anything that looked good and interested me. Now while I would love to do pick up and add anything that is remotely close to what I collect, I find that room is a factor in what I can keep and display. So I now try to just keep it to what I collect.

I try to pick up as much vintage as I can. After drooling over Brian's shelves I decided to do the mature, orignal and practical thing....Be a dirty, stinking copycat. To do so, I scour each box, table, rack and shelf in every place I go to until I find something worthy of bringing to the House Of Swag. I'm not above adding more contemporary pieces either, as long as it fits the collection and looks awesome.

So, what do I look for? Well, pull up a chair because I have a list to share.

Batman

Batman has always been a favorite of mine and he has some pretty sweet swag to pick up. Batman's vintage pieces are among the best toys out there which is why I always am on the look out for Batman stuff of the 1960's and 70's. Growing up I had some great Batman toys that I would love to reacquire like the Duncan Batmobile, Mego Bat-Computer and Remco CSF Copter. Some of the vintage pieces I've never owned, but really want are the Janex Batman Clock, Mego Bat Lab, Batman lunchbox from the 1960's and the Mego Wayne Foundation, which I will probably never own because that piece costs a pretty penny. Oh well, a guy can dream, right?

Spider-Man

Spidey and Batman are my most favorite heroes. They flip flop in my heart at times. I got a Spider-Man tattoo, but haven't added the Caped Crusader to my arm...yet. But, I am just as passionate about the wall crawler as I am about Bats. My Spider-Man collection might be larger than my Batman one right now and I am always looking for more Spider-Man pieces to add to my collection. Some of the vintage Spider-Man toys I am always looking for are the Mego Spider Car, Funstuff Spider-Man Web Shooters, Mego 12 inch Spider-Man figure, Ideal Spider-Man Hand Puppet and Spider-Man Colorforms. If I can find the 1960's Spider-Man board game I would be thrilled. I'm also always looking for vintage Amazing Spider-Man and Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man comics.

Luke Skywalker

I love Star Wars. Unless this is your first time to this blog, then you already know that Luke is the one character from that awesome franchise I collect. I have picked up some great Skywalker pieces, but there are a few I am missing and have always kept my eye out for including a vintage X-Wing fighter, a vintage Landspeeder, a Kenner Return Of The Jedi Jedi outfit figure, an original 12 inch Skywalker figure, a vintage Kenner puzzle and the Star Wars and Return Of The Jedi Burger King glasses I am missing from completing my Skywalker set.

Star Wars

Of course, I also collect Star Wars as well. I have put that aside though in my pursuit of anything Skywalker. But if I found a Death Star Playset, an Escape From Death Star board game, a Darth Vader action figure carrying case or any of the posters from the movies I wouldn't turn them away.

The Beatles

My all time favorite band has a place in my collection as well. I cannot get enough of the Beatles (if you haven't listened to Beatles-A-Rama, then shame on you) and will always pick up anything Beatles related. Some of the Beatles stuff I really want are pricey, but I always look anyway because you never know what you may find. Among the Beatles stuff I want are the Beatles "Flip Your Wig" board game, the Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr Soaky bottles, McFarlane Cartoon Beatles figures box set that I missed out on, Remco Beatles figures, Beatles lunchbox, Beatles Hamilton figures from 1991 (I had John Lennon, but the figure was lost in one of my moves.), trading cards and the mini Beatles cake top nodders. If I can find the vintage albums and 45's, I want those too.

The Monkees

I have a few pieces of memorabilia from my favorite T.V. band, but I am always looking for more stuff to add like the Mattel Monkees Talking Hand Puppet, Johnny Lighting 1/64 scale Monkee Mobile and Van, vintage Kellogg's Monkees cardboard album, Lunchbox, trading cards, Fairchild Monkees puzzle from 1967, Monkees Bennie Babies Mickey, Davy and Peter bears (I have Mike Nesmith), Ertl 1/18 scale Monkee Mobile and the finger puppets, which I had and lost in the same move. A box or two were "lost" by movers. As with The Beatles (love that album), I also want to get the albums and 45's.

Superheroes

Of course, the comic book lover in me always loves to pick up anything related to my favorite Marvel and DC heroes. I have a small Iron Man collection that I am always adding to, but I also love Superman, The Hulk and Captain America. As a kid, I would have killed for a Hulk Rage In The Cage, but never got it. I would love one now as well as the Mego Captain America car, Super Powers Hall Of Justice Playset, Mego Iron Man and Thor figures, Marx Marvel plastic figures, Mego 12 inch Hulk and Captain America figures, Marvel Superheroes and DC Super Friends lunchboxes, Pocket Mego figures, Funko POP Vinyls, Viewmaster Reels, Knickerbocker Fiddle Sticks Playset, Milton Bradley Marvel Superheroes Card Game and Whitman DC Superheros Dominoes. I also would love to try and put together the Super Powers and Secret Wars action figure sets.

There is a lot more that I want, but I will keep it not so short. My shopping list is pretty extensive and I can go on and on and on about what I would love to own one day.

If you find anything on my shopping list, give me a shout and I will come running. Hopefully, we can work out something or I will go away crying and who wants to see a grown man cry?

Check out some of the want lists of my fellow bloggers:

http://goodwillhunting4geeks.blogspot.com/2013/10/league-post-whaddya-want.html

http://www.nerdoutwithmeblog.blogspot.com/2013/10/so-watcha-watcha-watcha-want.html

http://fortuneandglorydays.blogspot.com/2013/10/league-of-extraordinary-bloggers.html

http://www.nerdcantina.com/1/post/2013/09/league-challenge-waddaya-want.html

League Of Extraordinary Bloggers: The Find

Man, I love flea markets.

I just felt the 25 year old Sexy Geek cringe. Back then, I was all about the conventions. I wouldn't have stepped foot into a flea market. I was convinced then that all you would find was other people's garbage, nothing worth buying. As you can see, I was not too bright back then.

That all changed when I attended my first flea market with my buddy, George. We hit a flea market up in Poughkepise, NY and that opened my eyes to just how awesome a flea market was. All the Star Wars, Super Hero, Sports stuff and comic books that could be had, for a better price than you would get at a convention too. I don't remember what I picked up that day, if anything, but from then on I was sold on flea markets.

Now, this week's topic for us extraordinary bloggers is what is our favorite pick ups from either a flea market or garage sale. To be honest, I have never been to a garage/yard sale. I would love to go to one one day, but let's just talk my favorite flea market finds.

It narrow it to just one would be pretty hard. I have yet to find that "Wow" factor (Storage Wars representing!) at a flea market. But I do have a couple of pieces that I really do like:

I used to have the 12 inch Spider-Man figure from the first movie. I had it displayed at my desk at work, proudly I might add (damn sales people and their funny looks). Then one day, a co-worker bought his kid to work and the kid fell in love with the Spidey and wanted to play with it. When it was time for him to go home, he looked so sad in returning the Spider-Man that I let him keep it, which I got a bunch of stunned looks from my co-workers as they all knew how much I loved that figure. As much as my Spider-Man fan boy was screaming Nooooooo, I can't say no to a child or see a child leave sad. It was worth it when, on Monday, his dad told me the kid slept with the Spidey.

Flash forward a few years later, I come across this ultra articulated, 12 inch figure at a flea market in Wayne, NJ. My eyes zeroed right in on it as soon as I passed the table. After picking it up and inspecting it, I knew I had to have it. $5.00 later, I found a worthy replacement for my long gone Spidey.

I like KISS. I used be huge into the band, but their latest album, putting Tommy Thayer into Ace's makeup along with Gene and Paul throwing KISS's name on everything (an arena football team? Really? Really?) has me soured on the band. I really don't go out of my way for their stuff anymore. I did manage to find this Gene figure from McFarlane's Creatures Of The Night line at a flea market in Brooklyn and snagged it for less than the sticker price. I really was hoping to find the Eric Carr figure, but no dice. I may put this up for trade one day as I really want the Alive set more.

Well, that's really about it. I haven't really been toy shopping at flea markets for long. But now that I know how cool they can be, I am always on the look out for them. When I go, I usually find something to take home with me. Who knows, I may actually find that "Wow" factor one day. But for now, the thrill of the chase continues for me.

Check out what these other League members found on their haunts:

http://jannghi.blogspot.com/2013/09/league-assignment-yard-sale-find.html

http://toyriffic.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-find-league-of-extraordinary.html

http://nerdoutwithmeblog.blogspot.com/2013/09/my-greatest-garage-sale-flea-market.html

League Of Extraordinary Bloggers: I'm Blue For Batman

Brian over at Cool And Collected posted this assignment for us Leaguers: Post pictures of blue in your collection.

Blue is not a problem for me. My favorite color is blue. My favorite baseball, basketball and hockey team's team's color is blue. Some of my favorite Batman stuff is in his blue and grey outfit. Blue rules!

So, what I'm going to do is post a blog of my 5 favorite blue batman items in my collection, not in any order. Some of the pictures will not be the best as they were taken with my other camera. I need to retake those, but for now, I will post them I wish I could post 1 picture of the whole lot, but at least I'll get some miles out of this blog :P


1-DC Super Heroes Golden Age Batman And Robin

Here is one of those pictures. But this is a figure (or set as Robin is included) that I just love. I have been reading Batman comics for as long as I can remember and some of my favorite stories are from the 1940's and 50's. This set of figures captures that era to a t right down to Batman smiling. I have had this set since it was released, but I never took the figures out of the box, which I will do once the shelves are built. I cannot wait to display these figures. It's just that smile on Batman seems out of place since today's Batman rarely smiles. Either this Batman loved his work since he was grinning or he was even more twisted and demented than we realize.

4-Mego Batman Bank

Here is a vintage Mego item that I picked up earlier in the year. It was something I really wanted going back to my younger years when my mom and I would go to Alexander's on Fordham Rd in the Bronx and would eventually hit the toy section where I would turn on the Mikey charm and try to convince her to reach for her wallet and get me this bank. Well, much like later in life, the Mikey charm didn't work and I had to wait until I was an adult to be able to add this to my collection.

3-Ideal Batman Hand Puppet

Ignore the bags I have in the background and concentrate on the gem that is front and center. This little piece of awesomeness was the very first item from the 1966 Batman craze era I picked up. I truly believe that this is a piece that every Batman collector needs to have in their collection. I was trying to be able to win one of eBay or buy one at a convention forever, but never was able to get one at the price I wanted. Finally, I was able to pull the trigger on one that was affordable and in terrific condition too.

2-Custom 12 inch Adam West Batman Figure

With all the 1966 Batman stuff that's coming out, I still hold this custom near and dear to me. I was able to purchase this from a collector whom I met on 66batman.com and I'm so glad I did. The likeness to Adam West's Batman is fantastic. The costume and accessories are done very well. I will still look to get the Hot Toys Batman, but even if I do I will have this figure displayed right next to it.

1-Mego Batman

Here's the figure that started it all for me. The love of Batman and the passion for collecting this character that I fell in love with back in the early 70's as either a 4 or 5 year old. I'm actually guessing it could have been even earlier, but I didn't own a tier 1 figure. It was a tier two, with the plastic wrists. Either way, this figure has been in my collection for close to 40 years. Only the cape and gloves are repos, bought from that famed Mego reproducer, Dr. Mego. I bought these at the old Big Apple Convention from him and had a nice conversation about Mego figures with him. I would like to replace the Batsuit because of a stain it has because he was eating a chili dog and it fell on him. I don't because I would like to keep the original sticker for as long as I can. Other than the stain, the figure has held up pretty good, I'd say.

My favorite Batman has always been with him wearing the blue and grey. It's the Batman I grew up with on the Super Friends, The All New Adventures of Batman And Robin and from the Neil Adams drawn comic books. I love the blue and grey suit. That's not to say that it's the only suit I like because I do like the black and grey suit also. It's just when I see the blue, it brings me back to when I was a kid and the only things that mattered to me were food, the Yankees, Spider-Man and Batman. Come to think of it, that's still all that matters. Not much has changed there.

Ok, that's not all that matters to me, but Batman is as big a part of my life today as a 42 year old as he was when I was 5 years old, running around the playground with a blue towel wrapped around my neck (I did that again the other day, scarring many a child for life). Black or Blue outfits, The Batman will always be in my life and my infatuation with the Caped Crusader will never die.

You have to check out these fellow League Members and see what makes their collections blue:

http://monstercafesaltillo.blogspot.mx/2013/09/league-assignment-blue-things.html

http://goodwillhunting4geeks.blogspot.com/2013/09/league-of-extraordinary-bloggers-im.html

http://aeiouwhy.blogspot.com/2013/09/league-post-blue.html

http://fortuneandglorydays.blogspot.com/2013/09/so-this-week-league-is-feeling-blue-i.html

http://poppopitstrashculture.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-league-im-feeling-blue.html

And The Bats Just Keep On Coming

I'm sure you are starting to realize that I may be a bit Bat crazy 

Most everything I am picking up these days are Batman related. I do not have a problem with that personally. I'm sure that my other collections are wondering why I am not adding more brethren to their cliques.I'm sure Spidey would like to see more Spidey's added to his group, but everytime I see a real cool Batman item, I just can't help myself. I have to have it. Especially if it's something I have wanted for a while.

  

I have been wanting this POP Vinyl for quite sometime. I had seen it before, but I had passed up for something better. I have a bad habit of doing that. Whenever I see something I really want, I always think I'll find it later. 

Well, this time, it almost cost me because I stopped seeing them pretty quick. No matter where I went  never could find it. I really thought I messed up bad. I wasn't able to find it anywhere. No Barnes N Noble, No Toys R Us, No conventions. No where. I was convinced I would be going the eBay route, but lo and behold, I finally found it at a Barnes N Noble in Manhattan. I gleefully bought it and now it's in my Batman collection. 

As with my other POP figures, I love the look of this little guy. The pupil-less eyes, the lack of mouth. Looks like he should be the prime candidate of a horror flick. Great paint job on this guy too. Btw, can we get this costume in the next Superman movie. Please?

On the back of the figure there are some minor paint flaws that can be seen in the ripples of the cape. Looks like they didn't get the paint brush in there all the way.

One of the surprising things about this figure (aside from the numbering on the bottom of his boot) was that this was not a bobblehead like most POP Vinyls are. As you can see from the picture, the head is glued to the neck piece. I was expecting this to be a bobble, so I was kind of shocked to find that it wasn't. 

The back of the box shows the other Funko POP releases. Thanks to Gina, I already have the Joker. If I find The Riddler, I will pick him up as well. That is one cool looking POP figure. I'd probably pick up Superman as well.

Funko did a great job with this figure. This Batman is a great addition to my Batman collection and I'm so glad to have him. The next Funko POP Vinyl I will be picking up is the '66 Batman in October. If the pictures are accurate, then it will be yet another great addition to my POP collection. 

I may have to build a shelf just for the growing POP collection.

Toy Show Days Make Me Want To Jump In My Yellow Submarine

Today was the monthly toy show in greater Wayne, NJ. I was going to hunt down some goodies to add to the ole' House Of Swag and I was really looking forward to it. My buddy, George had the idea to go and we agreed to meet really early Sunday morning and head over to shift through bins filled with toys, tables displayed with gems and shelves showing off...well, you get the idea here.

Now, I usually don't discuss the journey to said event in my blogs, but because of the title of this entry, I feel compelled to explain myself.

George and I met up at the appointed time at the appointed place and hit the road. After a stop at the bank and gas station, we found ourselves in New Jersey pretty quickly, thanks to my buddy's GPS with the voice of Mr. T guiding us along with a well placed insult here and there. I got comfortable and figured we would be at the toy show in no time at all.

Knock, knock.

Who's there?

The Mikey Curse. I'm back, jerky!

Ah yes, my nemesis was back with a vengeance. The curse that loves to throw curveballs at me when I think I have it easy and it was Clayton Kershaw today.

When we hit New Jersey, the sky's literately opened up and down came the torrential downpours. The rain was God awful. at one point, we couldn't see the road ahead of us and had to really slow down. At one point, the rain got so bad that we got off the Garden State Parkway and drove through Paramus looking for a spot to hang out and wait out the rain.

Of course, Paramus's businesses are closed on Sunday's, so as the curse laughed it's ass off, we carried on until the rain finally let up and we were back on the road. We made our destination, no worse for the wear, but already on edge thanks to the impromptu tsunami we drove through. But once we got in, game faces were on. We were shopping and if I can survive that rain, then I could survive the dude wearing the stained Dr. Who t-shirt, blocking the aisle, preventing me from passing.

The toy show had a little bit of everything. Vintage, contemporary, Star Wars, Super Heroes, TV Show Toys, Sci-Fi, DVD's, banks,comic books, and then some. The show was held in one decent sized room and had a pretty good turn out. People were there just buying up a storm and I wanted to get in on the action. As with every show, there was bargains to be had and there was dealers who was overpricing their wares. One table was selling an Avengers Hulk figure for $50.00, which is laughable.

Some real nice stuff on this table. As far as I know, that can of soda was not for sale.

As much as I would have killed to have those Beatles figures, this was one of those overpriced tables, so I didn't ask what he was asking for them. One day, they will be mine. Oh yes, they will be mine.

So, what did I get?

Glad you asked.

My first pick up of the day. I went in to the show with a game plan of Batman, Spider-Man, any affordable Beatles and if I could find it, that LJN Roddy Piper figure. As soon as I walked in, George spotted a table selling vintage paperbacks and found this one for me. I have been wanting this 1966 paperback novelization of the TV series for a while and $5.00 later, I finally had one.

Another table had a box of 1.00 items and after looking through the box, I came away with this late 80's, early 90's Batman Pez dispenser.

Another vintage Batman item I have been wanting for a while. I know the lithography on this cup could have been better, but since it's 47 years old I could live with it. Plus, at $ 5.00, I could sleep better at night. Of course, after walking a little further, I saw the same cup, in pristine condition. I heard the Mikey curse laugh at me again and call me a moron.

At one table, I bought a few items.

I can never pass up anything Simpsons and at $1.00 a piece, they were coming home with me.

If I could say I have buyers remorse over anything I picked up today, it was over this vintage Batman item.

Not exactly in the very best condition. Again, it was a Bat-item I wanted for a while, so I pulled the trigger on it, figuring I could clean it up a bit when I got home. What I failed to realize until I got back in the car was there was a small, broken off piece behind the right ear. The curse strikes again.

I also got this neat mint carded Spider-Man bendie figure from the same dealer. Probably, along with the Batman paperback, one of my favorite pick ups of the day. I had paired this with the vintage Batman squirt gun and got a great deal for both which made me agree before I even throughly looked at the squirt gun. Oh well, I can display it in a way that no one will ever know until I can get an upgrade. Shhhhhhhhhh.

The day didn't end there. After getting lost in North Jersey trying to get back (The Curse representing!) and making it back to Westchester, we made Toys R Us the final stop of our day and I was able to pick up these goodies.

If there are three things I love in this world, it's Batman, the Batmobile and candy. This little guy has all three so I happily bought it. I will be eating the candy as I do not want any unwelcome bugs in the House Of Swag.

My final purchase was this Captain Action base figure. You long time readers might remember I bought the Spider-Man costume and accessories last year and had needed a Capt. Action figure to display it. The figure had been $39.99 for the longest time. So when I saw it today at $16.00, I grabbed it and I can throw on the Spidey outfit and display it once I have my shelving up.

I gotta tell you guys, it's been a while since I had a toy haul like the one I had today and it was sweet. The next few months will be a bit tough to have another haul with birthdays, weddings, holidays and a trip out to California upcoming. But if I can add a piece here and there, then I should be content until I can go off on another crazed toy hauling kind of day.

Curse be dammed!

Newest Luke Skywalker Addition, Black Series

You would think that living in NYC would make my toy hunting for the new figures easy. I live in one of the biggest cities in all the world. There are stores galore here. We have Toys R Us, Target, Kmart, Walmart (Outside of the city, of course), Cosco, Sam's Club, to name a few. Not to mention a few comic book stores and a few smaller shops that sell toys and other products that would appeal to a geeky SOB such as myself.

But, that doesn't make finding such cool items any easier.

I have been looking up and down NYC and Westchester for the new 1966 Batman figures and have come up ridiculously short. I have been looking for POP Vinyls, Spider-Man, Man Of Steel and have come up either short or have seen them once, never to be seen again.

I have also been looking looking for the new Luke Skywalker Star Wars Black Series 6 inch figure to add to my Skywalker collection and again, was coming up short. I found Darth Maul, R2D2, and the Sandtrooper pretty easily,  but no Luke.

Until today.

 Behold the Star Wars Black Series Luke Skywalker in X-Wing Fighter gear. 6 inches of New Hope goodness. Crazy articulation and it's mine, all mine! Mwhahahahaha...um, let's continue.

I love the packaging. Luke came in a black box (hence the name, Black Series, duh!) with Star Wars in lighter black lettering, outlined in silver. A dark drawing of Luke is off to the right of the lettering, enclosed in a circle. The box hs a huge window front showing off the figure and accessories. Underneth, there is Luke's name in red lettering.

Here's the back of the box. There is a silhouette of Luke, about to climb into his X-Wing Fighter. Above that is some info about the character, a quote from the movie as well as Star Wars in that off black lettering we saw on the front of the box and Luke Skywalker in red lettering under with what I assume to be the numbering of his place in the series, which is number 1.

Here's a close up of the back of the box.

And Luke is out of the box.

Right off the bat, I am very impressed with the detailing of this figure and how sturdy it feels in the hand. But, as with a lot of newer figures, it is having trouble standing up on his own, so I had to prop him up against the wall.

You've been at that Canteen on Tattooine again, haven't you?

I think this figure bares a pretty good likeness to Mark Hamill. Probably one of the very best likeness I have seen on a figure that is not Hot Toys or anything higher end. I like the streaks in the hair to accentuate the hair color. He comes with his little mole on his face. Oh, and the head pops off if you ever wanted to switch heads with Darth Maul, you can.

Love the detail on Luke's chest rig. I know some reviews I read had mentioned that the chest rig  was painted sloppy, but I am happy to report that mine was done well, with no excess on it. Actually, the paint job on this figure is done very well.

Channeling my inner Schumaker to show off some Skywalker butt. Actually, I wanted to show off the detailing of the uniform. Love the wrinkles. Hasbro made this figure to look like Luke's been hanging out in it for a while. Great detailing.

Luke came with some accessories. His lightsaber, a helmet and a blaster. All are made of a rubbery plastic material, which is kind of cool. I just don't know how durable the accessories are.

That helmet is awesome looking. The detailing on it is fantastic. The rebel markings on it just pop out at you and the helmet was also painted to look really dirty. You can tell it's been in a war.

The lightsaber is a nice size. Looks like he can slice your arm off from about half a mile away. The blade comes off and you can hook the handle to his belt.

Luke's fingers come curled so it can wrap around the blaster. The can be squeezed to firmly wrap itself around the the blaster.

This figure is pretty articulated. It has a ball joint head, swivel/hinged shoulders, elbows, wrists, ankles and hips; a hinged neck, ball joint torso, double jointed knees, swivel at the top of the boots.

The one problem I have is finding a position to keep Luke upright. Since there are so many points of articulation, there are so many different poses to have Luke stand in. It just takes time to find that right pose to keep Luke in fighting shape. I did notice that there was holes in the bottom of his boots so I may find a stand for him to stand on.

I have to admit, I love this figure. It's easily became one of my favorites in my collection. I love that it's 6 inches rather than the smaller 3 inch figures we are used to seeing. Some collectors were complaining about the choice of outfit they have Luke in. If it was up to me, I might had him in his Bespin outfit, but I am quite ok with the X-Wing Fighter outfit.

Guys, if you like, no scratch that, LOVE Star Wars, then you have to find a way to add this figure to your collection. The price point is a bit pricey. In most places, you can get him for 19.99. I paid 22.99, plus tax because I had to buy him in Toys R Us in Times Square, the middle of tourist central, so I had to pay a little more for mine. But, even then, I think it's worth it. I doubt you will find a better Luke Skywalker figure on the market.

Yes, I Like Pro Wrestling And Here Is My Favorite Wrestler

I don't discuss Pro Wrestling very much, but here's the truth. I love Pro Wrestling and have since I was about 12. It's not because I'm ashamed or anything. It just never really came up here. And boy, have I have watched it all since then: WWF then WWE, NWA, WCW, WCCW, Mid South, Mid Atlantic, Pro Wrestling USA, AWA, UWF, ECW and any other promotion that was shown on TV here in NYC. Technical wrestling, brawling, Fall Count Anywhere, Last Man Standing, Steel Cage Matches, Ladder Matches, Tag Team Matches,  I love them all.

I remember my first time watching it too. It used to come on here on WOR-TV Saturday nights after Racing From Aqueduct, which would usually be around 11:30 PM unless a Mets game either was from the west coast or went to extra innings. I don't remember what the date was or who was wrestling. What I do remember was Pat Patterson, who was working as a commentator next to Vince McMahon, went to interview Ivan Kolloff. There was a discussion regarding Russian wrestlers vs American wrestlers. Patterson defending American wrestlers vs Kolloff upholding the virtues of the Soviets. After a few minutes, Kolloff hauled off and slapped Patterson and stormed off set. Patterson gets up and rips his suit off and is screaming bloody murder and being bleeped after every second word. McMahon is screaming "Pat Patterson is angry and Ivan Kolloff better have left the arena" Me? I'm just sitting on my bed with my mouth wide open. I was hooked immediately.

I had seen wrestlers like the Masked Superstar, the Wild Samoans, Pat Patterson, Sgt. Slaughter,the WWF Champion Bob Backlund, George "The Animal" Steele, Andre The Giant, The Magnificent Muraco, who was the Intercontinental Champion, Rocky Johnson, Tony Atlas and colorful managers like The Grand Wizard, "Classy" Freddie Blassie and Capt. Lou Albano. I did have a favorite at the time. The "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka was a guy who had just turned face right around when I started watching, was having the first vicious feud I had ever seen with Muraco. I loved that rage he had when he was angry, but I loved his Superfly Splash off the top rope even more. But I wouldn't say I went GaGa over the guy. Then one show, there was a wrestler who was called "Dr. D" David Schultz. He was beating up a ham and egger (Bobby Heenan representing, yo!), so I wasn't too interested. Then I saw his manager. Here was a loud mouth who was yelling instructions, had a sneer on his face and was wearing a kilt. Who the heck was this guy? During the interview after the match, I found out he called himself "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and he was the best manager in the business. I found out much later he was managing only because he was recovering from injuries sustained during his vicious Dog Collar match with Greg Valentine at Starcade months earlier. He later added Paul "Mr. Wonderful" Orndorff to his stable and his career in the WWF was off and running.

Piper interviewing Frankie Williams right before pummeling him

Then, he started to host an interview segment called "Piper's Pit" and that's what made he's known for. At the time, it was pretty innovative. Buddy Rogers had a segment called "Rogers Corner", but it was boring as heck. I would have rather watched paint dry. "Piper's Pit" was anything but boring. His first segment, he insulted a writer for the WWF Magazine, who used to host a segment at that spot. The next week, he called an injured Eddie Gilbert's dad stupid for letting him wrestle The Masked Superstar. Piper was so funny as the host. He would complement the rule breakers and embarrass the good guys. He would assault wrestlers like Frankie Williams,  insult Rocky Johnson, and tell Andre The Giant he had a teeny tiny brain. His most famous segment was when he attacked my former favorite Jimmy Snuka by breaking a coconut over his head and then whipping him with his belt. That started off a feud with Snuka that lasted a year. Piper's Pit may have made Piper's career, but it made him my favorite wrestler and I watched everything and listened to everything he said as well.

I was there at Madison Square Garden the night he beat up Capt. Lou Albano, kicked Cyndi Lauper and power slammed her manager Dave Wolfe as well as the next show when he wrestled Hulk Hogan in the first wrestling match aired on MTV. It was called "The War To Settle The Score" and it was a classic. I realize that using the word "classic" and Hulk Hogan in the same sentence is stretching it a bit, but trust me, it was. The electricity in the crowd that night was so electric, you could cut the air with a night. By then, cheering Piper openly was becoming dangerous as I would have cups thrown at me or I would be cursed out. The end of the match had Piper disqualified when Orndorff and Bob Orton interfere in the match. They were about to beat up Cyndi Lauper when Mr. T made the save. Piper and Orndorff beat up on T until Hogan made the save. The interviews leading up to Wrestlemania was classic and Piper stole the show on Saturday Night Live. I wish I could have been at Wrestlemania. But my mom decided my grades weren't up to snuff, so I couldn't go. Back then, there was no pay per view, so I had to wait until the results were posted in the NY Post the next morning. I was crushed to read that Piper and Orndorff had lost. Piper and Orndorff feuded for a while and he "boxed" Mr. T at Wreslemania 2. After, Piper left to film "They Live", which is a Sci-Fi Classic.

If you have not seen They Live, see it!

When Piper returned, he became a fan favorite and hosted Piper's Pit where he now complemented the good guys and insulted the bad guys. He also feuded with wrestlers like "Adorable" Adrian Adonis, Bob Orton, Ric Flair, Harley Race and Bad News Brown. He won his only singles title around this time when he beat the Mountie for the Intercontinental Title. He then had his best match when he wrestled Bret Hart at Wrestlemania 7 and dropped the belt to Hart. After, he would only wrestle sporadicaly, mainly serving as color commentator with Vince McMahon on WWF TV. He left and later showed up in WCW to feud with Hogan before returning to WWE after. He shows up every now and then to host a Pit which is always entertaining.

God, I still wish I had this

I really don't have much of a Piper collection. When I was a kid, I got the Piper LJN figure and had the poster that came with the figure on my wall. I also got the Hogan figure and had Piper beat him for the belt, which he wore. I also had a picture book that the WWE put out. I also had a cup that 7-11 had sold with a Big Gulp and the later Hasbro Piper figure from the 1990's. All of this got lost due to various moves and I hope to one day get them all back in my collection, as well as other things so I can have a shelf dedicated to Piper. Here's what I do have:

I have always loved the Unmatched Fury line. The figures were pretty realistic and had a base to pose them on. When I found out that Piper would have a figure in this line, I knew I had to have it and grabbed it when I saw it.

The Entrance Greats was a Christmas gift my buddy, George got for me. The figure also has a stand, but this stand plays a few seconds of his entrance music. I love this figure and was thrilled when I tore open the wrapper and saw Hot Rod underneath.

Speaking of Hot Rod, this was a t shirt I had wanted ever since I was a kid and saw him sporting it on Piper's Pit. Thanks to the magic of eBay, I now have this shirt as a part of my geeky wardrobe.

I had shown this pin off in a blog from last year. I picked this pin up for a buck at SuperMega Fest in New Jersey. There wasn't a lot to be had at the show, but I was more than happy to add this pin to the Piper collection.

One of my most cherished experiences was meeting Roddy at the Big Apple Comic Con a few years ago. I was extremely nervous, which I never get when meeting a celebrity. Waiting on line, I met his son, Colt and struck up a conversation with him until it was my turn to meet Piper. When I got up there, I basically spilled my guts to the man like a little girl meeting the Beatles circa 1964. Piper was the best. He listened intently to everything I said, laughed at a few comments, was genuinely pleased when I told him he was my all time favorite and even asked about my family. He signed these 2 pictures for me and posed for a photograph with me.

When I get my man cave, there will be only 2 photos of myself on my walls. A picture of me at the old Yankee Stadium and this picture of me and the "Rowdy Scott". I want to blow it up and have him sign it for me before framing it. I got Albano to sign the Piper's Pit photo at the same show. I just need Cyndi Lauper to sign it so I can add it to my future man cave wall.

I do have the Piper DVD that the WWE put out not too long ago as well as Hell Comes To Frogtown. I'm always looking for the Pit's burnt on a DVD as well as They Live, but I want that on Blu-Ray and I'm not sure its been released on Blu-Ray just yet.

I apologize for the long read. I guess when you admire someone for as long as I have, there's a lot you want to say about the individual. I know if he was a jerk when I met him all this would have been flushed down the toilet like when I met Graig Nettles. But when you know the man is as decent in real life as he's bad in the world of Pro Wrestling, then you know he's doing something right. Ether he's beating up someone or insulting them with his quick tongue or acting in a movie Piper is one of the most entertaining individuals to ever have stepped into the squared circle. He's as big a reason for the popularity of wrestling in the 80's as Hogan was. To this day, he is wildly cheered when he appears on Raw and that is a well deserved cheer for a man who gave his life to wrestling. He was Rowdy before being Rowdy was cool and that's a fact. When you can't throw rocks at a man who carries a machine gun, the only thing I can do is say thanks to for making my childhood a different, yet entertaining one.