Mattel DC Universe Super Powers unveiled at Toy Fair 2014, End of DC Universe Classics

Mattel DC Universe Classics News

So, after few blog entries on my DC Universe Classics Collection I went online to Matty Collector to see what was next for Mattel's DC Universe figures in light of the New York Toy Fair 2014 . These new figures from Mattel are a throwback to toy manufactures Kenner's Super Powers action figures that were released in the mid 1980's. The Super Powers line of figures inspired Mattel's DC Universe Classics in ways of general design and of character choices. 

                               

The Super Powers line celebrates it's 30th Anniversary this year. It is also sad news as it the end of DC Universe collectors figures from Mattel. Mattel's DC Universe Classics have been going since 2008 and now this year come to an end. Mattel's DC Universe Adult Collectors Action  Figures have been my preferred line of DC Collector figures and in my opinion the best.

Now in 2014 they get there send off in the appearance of the Super Powers figures from the 1980's that  Mattel had taken inspiration from. Below is the is the article from Matty Collectors News. 

2014 Toy Fair Reveals
Straight From the Action in New York

DC Universe Super Powers 

A milestone in modern toy collecting comes to a close as the DC Universe Classics and DC Signature series makes a heroic finale. But we wouldn’t ride into the sunset without one final hurrah for our fans! Now, as we celebrate both the end of DC Universe Classics and the 30th anniversary of Super Powers, we’re proud to present a final six figure series in Four Horsemen style, with packaging harkening back to the classic 80′s toy line. As one era ends, we celebrate the entire modern history of collecting DC Comics action figures with the DC Super Powers 6″ collection!*

• Superman™: coming September
• Batman™: coming September
• Wonder Woman: coming September
• Gold Superman™: coming October
• Green Lantern as The Riddler: coming October
• Mr. Mxyzptlk: coming October
• Kalibak: collect and connect figure

  

*While we are extremely excited for this Super Powers finale, please know this is a onetime 2014 sendoff. It does not represent a rebranding or potential relaunch of the 6” line. Once these are gone, they are gone!

The 30th Anniversary of Super Powers Collection from Mattel are the original and classic appearances of the big three, Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman which all look great.

Green Lantern as the Riddler is a bit of an odd appearance but its a homage to how the Riddler Super Powers action figure appeared back in the 80's. Back then The Riddler figure was just a repaint of the Green Lantern figure and still retaining his power ring  on this hand. The Riddler is decorated in the same way his original figure was down to the discolored limbs. The Gold Superman was never released in the Super Powers Collection, although during the 80's Superman was celebrating his 50th anniversary and Kenner planned to produce a Gold Superman figure. The figure never got released only a prototype figure was made. 

Kenner's Super Powers Action Figures

The other figures that will be released is Superman foe Mr. Mxyzptlk who wasn't part of the Super Powers line. The final figure is Collect and Connect Kalibak in his 80's Super Powers paint deco. Each of the other figures will include a piece to build Kalibak in fashion of the Waves 1-20 of the DC Universe Classics. 

These figures are really cool painted in their 80's colour scheme and vintage style packaging. Each Collect and Connect piece will be attached outside of the packaging so it gives collectors the option to display the figure in package.

So as Mattel ends its DC Universe Adult Collector Action Figures it all comes full circle as the line of figures ends with the toy line it was inspired by. These retro style figures that celebrates the 30th anniversary of Kenner's Super Powers line. 

It had to end sometime, but its great that the end of Mattel's figures coincided with the 30th anniversary of Kenner's Super Powers 80's toy line and it goes out with a celbration paying homage to brining the best of both in it's final relase of Adult Collectors Action Figures.

Thanks for reading

Have fun

K

XMI X-mini ME ThumbSize Speaker Review

Hey Guys, 

I love getting little gadgets. I found this mini speaker and thought it was really cool. The main selling point for me was the the small size of this mini speaker and the ability to attach it to a key chain whilst still retaining the good sound of this quality product. The sound quality is great, it's loud and the music is not distorted at my iPod's full volume. The speaker is compatible with any device that features a audio/headphone jack, laptop, tablets, mp3 players iPod, iPhone and more.

Redefining the idea of portable sound at just 4.4mm in height.

When opening the box it is hard to believer this tiny little object is a speaker. It is tiny, but there is a trade off, most portable speakers have the audio line in cable built in to the unit. With this speaker being so small it does not feature the volume control or the audio line. Connect your music device to the speaker through a separate cable that it included and can neatly stored on the cable tidy. USB charger is also on this cable.I like how you can attach it on to a key ring/chain. It clever and creative and I like how the rubber cap can be secured on the bottom of the speaker too, so it all looks neat and tidy. It weights 44g and the loudspeaker has a sound output of1.5W. X-mini is one leading brands in the portable speaker brands. This speaker front features a L.E.D.. This light is bright blue when turned and goes dim when the battery is low. Light turns to red when the unit is charging. At either side of the of the speaker is the power switch and the mini USB port. The metal bar is on the back for attaching the included lanyard or attaching a key chain.

Although I first thought it was inconvenience to have a portable speaker with no audio line built in and stored at the bottom are separate. but its just not feasible to have a speaker this small and be able to store the audio line underneath, the cables are all enclosed together by the cable tidy and it has the USB for charging and audio line on the one place. I some times misplaced my USB charger cable on my previous portable speaker so this is a real convenience having both the cables together with the cable tidy.

iPod Classic and Speaker

I really liked the look and portability of this speaker. It looks like cross between a tiny grenade and a large camera lens. I mostly got it for the size, being able to put in your pocket and even better attach to keys and such. the rubber coating helps protect from scratches and bumps. It's a neat little touch how the rubber cap can also be stored on the bottom of the unit too. Smart too, the rubber cap doesn't hang over the speaker when opened. Its method of design means the cap is not in the way hanging over the sound output.

Comparison with
6 inch figure

The speaker gives 6 hours of playback and takes approx 1.5 hours to charge. The instruction booklet advises you to Initially charge it for 8 hours before you use it.The box includes: a lanyard, instruction booklets, sticker and the cables, mini USB cable tidy to charge and connect audio to this mini speaker.

The X-mini ME Thumbsize Speaker is a great little speaker and I sounds great when I need that extra bit of volume on my laptop and my iPod.  This is a great portable speaker. I really how it can be on my key chain when I'm on the go, simply connect my iPod to the speaker and I get great sound quality. And unlike my previous portable speaker both audio and USB charger on on the one cable so your never without the other. 


The X-mini ME Thumbsize Speaker is available in Black, Blue, Yellow and Pink. And if you want a wireless option you can check out  the Bluetooth enabled X-mini WE Thumbsize Speaker.

This is a great little speaker and I was happy to blog about it. I highly recommend this speaker that I got at my local Argos. And as far as I can tell, it's the only portable speaker out there that's designed to be easily attached onto a key chain for that extra portability.

Enjoy  and Bye for now

K

My Collection: DC Universe Batman Legacy Edition Batman First Appearance

The one that started it all…it's the first ever Batman appearance when he made his debut in Detective Comics #27 in May 1939. 

As of this month, Batman has entertained fans for the past 75 years. He is now the only comic book superhero who has remained continuously in print since the Golden Age of comics, outlasting even his most famous colleague, Superman disappeared in 1992 but was then resurrected.

I purchased this figure from Amazon in October 2013 and with Batman’s 75th anniversary I felt there was no better time to open this great action figure based on his first appearance from 1939.

Today Batman still retains his original origin and motivations for his crusade for justice. Most artist interpretations primarily consist of this colour scheme,the black cape and cowl, gray suit and yellow utility belt. 

Over his 75 years Batman has updated his costume many times, I like how this costume gets a reference in various forms of Batman related media, animated shows, video games etc.

Ominous. Driven. Relentless.

Unleashed in Detective Comics #27, and inspired by the graphic stories of the pulp fiction era. The Batman arrived nearly fully formed. From the start, the Caped Crusader was a master detective and a man of science, driven to avenge the murder of his parents. This first iteration of the batman wore gloves to conceal his fingers prints and his signature dark ominous cape and cowl to strike fear into the hearts of criminals everywhere. A super hero without super powers, Batman is the ultimate expression of a man pushed to his physical and mental limits in the pursuit of justice!

This is an outstanding action figure being influenced from Batman’s first appearance in Detective Comics #27 - An Exclusive mini poster is included depicting that iconic cover. All figures in the Batman Legacy line include a poster representative of the character from their era that they are inspired from.It's hard to believe Batman is 75 years old, but something about him is compelling- his mysterious, dark nature is identifiable to us all somehow. Many great artists have rendered him over the years, likely none of which haven't looked to his roots as inspiration. Most people have never known a world without Batman, it's hard to imagine how bizarre he appeared to people back in 1939.

This is very likely to be the last Batman figure I will purchase for my collection. I started with New 52 Batman then inadvertently worked my way back to the Golden Age First Appearance figure. I have a Batman from each period that meant the most to me and I end with how it began with this Batman collectors figure. The figure is part of Mattel's Batman Legacy series, a line of adult collector action figures that celebrates the legacy of one the greatest superheroes of all time, paying homage to the caped crusader! The Batman Legacy series contains a wide array of looks and characters from the Batman universe from comics, video games and the modern live action movies. The figure comes in a really nice box containing some original artwork specific to the figure, I really like the Batman logo too. All figures in this series included a personalized display stand and an Exclusive mini poster of the character. The poster depicts the cover of Detective Comics #27 and is about the same size as a comic book. Other figures in this wave contained Nightwing and Harley Quinn figures form the Batman Arkham City video game.

Batman Legacy Wave 3 was released in 2012 after DC Universe Classics Wave 20 but before the All Stars line that featured the New 52 Batman. Previous Batman Legacy figures featured Batman figures of the Modern and Golden Age. In my opinion, this one defiantly the best. Even though this is my fourth Batman figure from Mattel, it is not a repaint of of another previous Batman sculpt. This figure’s torso is slimmer than the first DC Universe Classics Batman.

Batman Legacy action figures include a nice Batman figure display stand in either gold, silver or black representing the era the figure's appearance is influenced from. This figure stand is gold and has the a bat symbol on it. Some lines of the DC Universe Classics figures came with a figure display stands, but now with Batman having his own line of action figures it means that fans also get a great display stand. For me, this benefits the significance of this figure from his first appearance in 1939 in the period know as the Golden Age of comic books.

It is such a cool figure, I liked having my other three Batman comic book figures of my favorite looks, the classic 70’s, New 52 and the movie version. I did want to add the first look figure to my collection as it just looks great. It's made by Mattel and similar to other DC Universe Classics figures I own. I love the overall look of the figure and the basic and stripped down aspect of the figure. It would have been really cool if the this Batman included a gun accessory. We all know Batman is against guns but back in his early days he did use a gun for a short time and it would have been a little tribute to his before it was later refined. First appearance figures are awesome and and have a real throw back vibe to the first version of the much loved comic book characters. This look pays tribute to Bob Kane’s initial conception for the character that first appeared on Detective Comics #27 in May 1939 without it there would be no Batman that we all love and adore today.

Classic 70's, Golden Age & New 52 figures

The First Appearance Batman action figure acts as a center-piece of my Mattel DC Universe Collector figures. I have it displayed in the middle of my two comic book Batman figures paired with their figure of that era. 70's Classic style Batman and The Joker New 52 Batman and Superman.

I'm really happy and couldn't pass up such a great offer of a great action figure. I'm a big fan of all things Batman. It is extremely likely that this could be my last Batman figure for my collection, so it's extremely fitting it this is that last one where it began for the Caped Crusader during the celebration of Batman's 75th anniversary. This Batman has a unique feel to it, Batman has inspired most of the characters around him. Without the creation of Batman, there would have been no other Batman action figures, no Joker and DC Comics wouldn't be the powerhouse it is today without the arrival of it's best known and most popular character. 

This Batman collectors figure has a real novelty and uniqueness to it. Innovation and originality makes this figure so remarkable, resembling the early creation of the character. 75 years ago the creation of The Batman was momentous, it has inspired most of the figures around him. Without the creation of Batman there would have been no other Batman figures,no Joker and DC Comics would not be the powerhouse it is today without the arrival of it's best known and most popular creation. The Batman. I feel this a very significant collectors figure in a fan's Batman figure collection. I got them all in reverse order of staring with my 2011 New 52 look Batman working back to 2008, 1970's then the 1939 First Appearance of the Batman.

Hope you enjoyed this Batman figure story / mini history lesson. Batman like so many people is a big thing to me, my favorite comic book super-hero/crime fighter.

Bye for now Bat-fans


Chat soon

Bye
K