Alpha Star Moon Mission is a GO!

Found someone online selling a vintage Fisher Price Alpha Star moon rover (remember Adventure People?). It's missing a few pieces (the robot, alien creature and mechanical arm) but the geeklet didn't seem to mind--though I may hunt them down.

She played with it as soon as it arrived yesterday and went straight to it again this morning. Jesse from Toy Story and Rey from Force Awakens were assigned a lunar excursion mission and zooming across the floor  in no time.  

We'll make an armchair astronaut outta' that kid yet!

COMING SOON to a toy aisle near you: Star Trek, Fifth Element, Flash Gordon, and a certain barbarian...

Last week some cool new toys were announced and revealed at the New York Toy Fair. Here's a few I'm looking forward to--who am I kidding--I've BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO these for YEARS! The sheer amount of sci-fi based franchises here is enough to overload one's hyperdrive motivator. (Click to enlarge any of the images below.)

From Funko:

Funko has had a lot of fun/success with their ReAction figures, which ape old Kenner Star Wars-era toys, right down to the 5-points of articulation and goofy faces. I love that style of fig, so there's a few here that will be hard to resist.

Star Trek!
Most of the main crew from the original cast are here, plus an Orion slave girl and a GORN!

Fifth Element!
I'm hoping this is just the first wave, but they have Dallas, two LeeLoos, Zorg, Ruby, and a Mangalore warrior, so that's a more than decent start. Now we just need some SPACESHIPS!

UPDATE: Head over to Cool Toy Review for a high-res gallery of all the new ReAction figures. More series are featured, including Breaking Bad, Scarface, Taxi Driver, The Karate Kid, Jaws, Terminator 2, Gremlins, Tomorrowland, The Flash, and Big Trouble in Little China.

Mix and match for maximum fun-tizing!
Here's--literally--the most space opera toy ever going octave-for-octave with Gracie the lawyer in a interstellar rendition of The Mikado:

A tale of two tough guy taxi drivers: Korben Dallas vs. Travis Bickle! "You talkin' to me?" "Negative, I am a meat popsickle."

You've long wondered who would win in winner-takes-all melee between Jack Burton and a Gorn. Talk about shaking the pillars of Heaven!

And then there's Tiny Robert Shaw:

Seriously, just throw Darth Vader in the garbage because the biggest badass in cinema just got made into an action figure.

"Did you say you fell into lava? I'm sorry, I survived the @#$!ing sinking of the Indianapolis!"

Later, after the boat is made even smaller by Bruce, Tiny Roy Scheider leaves to work with dolphins.

From: Bif Bang Pow

Flash AAAH!
This came out of NOWHERE. Flash Gordon figures that can now fight alongside your old Star Wars figs: Flash, Vultan, Barin, Ming, Aura (no Dale or Zarkov yet). Here's hoping we get a rocket cycle too. I'd also like a Klytus and a few of those hose-nose troopers.

From Mezco Toyz:

And then, there was THIS announcement from Mezco on Twitter:

“@R2Going: Saw you have the license for Thundarr the Barbarian. Any hints at what mezco plans for this license?” MT: ONE:12 Collective figs
— Mezco Toyz (@mezcotoyz) February 15, 2015

THUNDARR THE BARBARIAN FIGURES!! A DOZEN CHARACTERS!!!

Seriously 2015, why do you hate my wallet so?

From Warpo:

UPDATE: Warpo Toys has teased a mega huge Cthulhu monster that seems to rival the old Star Wars Rancor toy in scale. I hope you're sitting down for this:

Imagine how that will look on your shelf as it battles for cosmic supremacy amidst the space opera singers, Starfleet officers, and diving hawkmen! The 12" figure will retail for $99. It's highly likely he'll be in limited quantities.

Images from Funko, Bif Bang Pow, Toy News International, Action Figure Insider, Toy Ark, Cool Toy Review

Special shout outs to the Bothan Spy network (Brutorz Bill and Jeffry Willis)!

Galaxy Laser Team makes everything gonzo!

I've had several people ask me where I got the green figures that made an appearance at Saturday Night Space Opera last week. The answer is: The Internet!

Okay fine, it was Amazon. Seems like just about everyone remembers seeing those figures, but not recalling where. "When" is always "when I was a kid" which if you're like me, was in the 80s.

The line is called Galaxy Laser Team, though they also go went by "Star Patrol". Tim Mee Toys is the name of the company that's recently brought them back into production, and boy are they doing a stellar job!

The exact set we had on game night were these fellas, the jumbo set:

Back in the day, Processed Plastics was the manufacturer, but a few years ago they closed and sold off the molds (is my understanding anyway). Tim Mee has been reproducing the sets, including this jumbo set which was also produced years ago. If you're thinking that the sculpts look strangely like other popular scifi characters, you aren't wrong. GLT were expeditiously brought to market following that one 70s space opera with that big hairy dude and that short, boisterous robot.

Unfortunately, they're only able to recreate what was originally produced back then. The female space commander at the computer console and the cool "x-fighter" were never previously made as jumbo figures---so no current ones exist either.

I've inquired as to whether these will ever get made or if NEW figures could be designed and released in the same aesthetic as the originals (like say, a female figure with a ray gun, more spaceships, playsets, etc.). The response was along the lines of "we hope so," which I think translates into "we'd love to, but these have to sell well enough to allow us to do that."

So in hopes of someday seeing NEW Galaxy Laser Team members.....

WHERE TO BUY GALAXY LASER TEAM TOYS
You can find them on Amazon for a reasonable price, the regular figures come in packs of 50.

• Blue/Green set
• Red/Orange set
• Jumbo Green set (no female or x-fighter figures)

....and if you wanted to make your space adventures Gonzo-to-the-MAX, there's also these sets:


That's a lot of funky fantasy dudes in yoga pants!

• Cavemen (Prehistoric Warriors)
• Dinosaurs (These are not in scale with other figures, but make for good smaller monsters, pets, etc.)
• Legendary Battle (sort of fantasy meets superheroes)
• Frontiersmen (Daaaaavy, Davey Crocket, king of the wild frontier!)
• Cowboys and Indians (Self explanatory)
• Army Men (Light and dark green)
• Battle Mountain Playset (This thing is awesome! And it looks like it would work for a wide range of other minis)

BONUS: If you're REALLY inclined to ask for more far-out space and fantasy figures, go "Like" the GLT's Facebook page and tell them how awesome they are/send them a message!

I have several vintage figures from the Galaxy Laser Team, so it was inevitable that they'd find their way to guest appearances here on Exonauts. The Space Yeti inspired a whole alien race I wrote up for X-plorers. I've a fondness for the old-fashioned static-pose, plastic figures of my kidhood. I'm sure you'll see more them here in the future.


To be continued...
A few weeks ago, the jumbo figs were on sale and I acquired several extra sets to use as prizes for some future fun activity. Haven't decided yet if they'll be awarded at a forthcoming Saturday Night Space Opera or part of that world-building blogging event I'd still like to do. Stay tuned!

Rocket Raccoon test footage proves he's a badass!

Rocket atop his good buddy Groot! With a machine gun/laser blaster! Screaming!

2014 is the year all your fauna + flora team-up dreams come true!

Via io9


UPDATE:
Just released--a photo of the new action figures! These will likely make their way to NY Toy Fair next week. These seem to resemble the previously released photo from the film.

Via Comic Book Resources

Con of the North: LEVEL 1

This past Saturday I enjoyed my first venture to Con of the North, the big gaming convention here in the Twin Cities. I've been to many a comic convention and Convergence (the geek culture con) but this was my initial foray into the gaming crowd's natural territory.



Saint Dave of Blackmoor

If you weren't aware, Minnesota--and particularly the Saint Paul/Minneapolis metro area--has a thriving game community. I'm sure some credit goes to Dave Arneson (Saint Paul's patron gaming saint) for his involvement/innovation in the early days of wargaming and roleplaying.

Whatever kept the die rolling in this town has really taken permanent root.

The con was Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and I'd signed up for a few games on each day, but I didn't get to any of them. Both as a consequence of an unusually hectic work week and the fact that I wanted to polish the Rad Astra adventure I ran for X-plorers on Saturday night.

But I didn't miss out on gaming.

Gaining XP as a First-time Con-goer

One of the great things about Con of the North is that everyone is gaming everywhere--including the hallways! One game I stumbled upon was a tricked-out version of Aliens!

Now, I'm not even a huge fan of the film (I like it just fine, but I'm not an Aliens fanboy, per se) but this was not to be missed. It used 6" action figures for the marines and aliens and a TON of scratch-built debris as the terrain.  See if you can identify all the sci-fi references built into the game (click on pics to embiggen):

Everything from Star Wars to Doctor Who action figures were used--in some creative way to be in scale. The gameboard itself was at least 6 feet long and each space about 3"x3" (possibly larger).  

The guy behind this fantastic setup is Steve Bauman--he built the game and drew up his version of the rules. I don't know if playing with action figures as pawns is a relatively new thing at cons, but this was just pure fun. Steve called his version "Aliens: Escape from the Robotics Lab".

There was another game with a different board set up going on at the same time and due to a mix-up (that there were two of these Aliens games going on simultaneously but in different locations) Steve's players all ended up at that other game table. So I got to join in along with a few other passerbys. 

It's been a few days since the con, but I believe the gameplay went something like this:

The objective is to get at least 7 of 9 marines across the board, regardless of whether they're healthy, wounded, or incapacitated (carried by other marines). Sequence of play (as best I can recall):

1. Aliens move (they move 4)
2. New aliens appear (always 3)
3. Aliens attack (they "grab" prey, leaving them unable to fight)
4. Marines move/attack (up to 3 actions, depending on character)
5. Repeat!

Each marine has a card with the number of actions they can take and their weapon determines their range. So Apone has the flamethrower (I got to play him!) and he can fry aliens without dealing with splashback from acid, but the fire only goes up to 4 squares away. Meanwhile Hicks (has, I think a pulse rifle? shotgun?) can hit foes even farther away.

 Apone and his flamethrower! 

A queen! GAME OVER MAN, GAME OVER!

"I'll...be...right...here...attacking from behind!"

The game uses d10 (10 = zero) and you want to roll lower (generally). It's based on line-of-sight and they even had laser pointers to help judge angles. 

Seriously, without exaggeration, this was one of the coolest games I've ever played!

Sadly, I didn't get to finish since I had to get to my table for the game I was running. But Steve didn't let me leave without a parting gift. See, we here in Minnesota, live in the Land of the State Fair (our largest, longest, and most fattening tradition).

So, of course, I took home one of these:

ALIEN-ON-A-STICK!

SO MUCH FUN!!!

(Pics were kinda' fuzzy, sorry about that!)

There also was one game I didn't get to play but looked amazing.

May all your Christmases be cauterized

New this year from Hallmark, just in time for the holidays!

Here's a closer look:

I love how the red ribbon joyfully thumbs it's nose at the notion of cauterized 'saber wounds.

Via Rebelscum

Saturday Space Opera with Scalzi

Over the weekend I had the chance to meet sci-fi author Jon Scalzi at Uncle Hugo's bookstore and get him to sign my (just cracked-open copy) of Old Man's War and a recently purchased edition of The New Space Opera 2, in which he has a short story. He was invited to come meet folks while promoting his new book Red Shirts, about those unlucky laser-catching fodder that do the busy work of running a spaceship. Alas, the book in question was out of stock, apparently it's sold through its first printing (Hugo's did everything they could though to get copies).

The shop runners there are just great and very knowledgeable. It was my first visit and I can tell you I'll be back because in addition to newer fare, they've got PILES AND PILES of older, out-of-print books that are just tough to find these days. Though I wasn't looking for it, I snatched up a copy of Fritz Leiber's Swords Against Death.

Scalzi is of course, every bit as personable and genuine as he makes himself out to be on his long-running blog, Whatever, and so it was a pleasure to chat with him. I know he's basically "on" while he's there, which must be exhausting when touring city-to-city. So I can't actually bring myself to annoy someone who is likely a lot like myself--enjoys traveling but relishes the luxury of being a homebody.

So instead of the usual "I love your book!" chatter, we bantered about parking, and talked of nothing of importance, which I much preferred. I left him two tokens of my appreciation, members of the Galaxy Laser Team who I told him should "see him home safely". He seemed to take right to 'em.

I'm thinking this might be his next best-seller.

Custom Star Wars Figures: 1950s Space Opera Style!

Saw these amazing re-imagined character figures over at Sillof's Workshop. You've likely seen some of his other themed, custom Star Wars figures around the net, including the Samurai, Western, and WWII versions. This latest one is called Serial Wars and harkens back to the pulp sci-fi cinema of the Golden Age!

The gang's all here in top form and man are they inspiring. My favorite has to be the psion star warrior fashioned after Ben Kenobi....

You recognize that smirk of course...

This guys are great, but you really need to see the finned Fett helmet at Sillof's website...

A lovely space heroine....

And of course Luke is a Flash Gordon/Buck Rogers homage. I like how the lightsaber handle turned out...

If only I could get some 1:72 miniatures like these! Maybe Sillof will branch out into minis!


Props to Space 1970 for posting these on Facebook. I haven't seen them up on the blog yet, but I'll link to his Star Wars posts just in case.

Far Out Space Fantasy PCs

After a few miniature buying binges, a fever of Rientsian Star Wars inspiration, and multiple, late night viewings of Message From Space on Netflix, my brain spit out a these far-out, space fantasy guys.

It actually all started this past summer when I found an old Star Wars rip off action figure case that I'd been remembering from childhood but never owned until recently:

I know it's terrible, but man, I'm diggin' that artwork! I also wonder how Johnny Quest's dad in the corner got mixed up with those wacky space dudes (is that a wookiee Mama Cass holding a socket wrench?).

Fast forward to present day and I'm hunting down some of the more zany, vintage metal minis from Gamma World, Star Frontiers, and other off-brand sci-fi lines. I've been having fun coming up with bios based on them.

Here's what I've worked up so far:

Scam Zolo

Scam is what happens when Han Solo doesn't go to the Imperial Academy. He's basically a low-life (smuggler, gambler, career criminal) for hire. I'd been wondering about the type of character Greedo might have become had he been on Han's crew, rather than on the business end of a blaster. I imagine he'd be the Steve Buscemi of the galaxy. He's also a  bit of a mutant which is fitting since he's more than a few steps removed from our favorite Corellian captain.

King Tusken

Owing much to the figure's actual size (squarely @ 28mm)  King Tusken lives up to his namesake. I'd like to think that when the raiders need to pick a chieftain, there's some sort of mystical ceremony that transforms him into a dire sand person (wookie sized with actual ram horns). KT travels across the Jundland Wastes and Dune Sea with an entourage of the toughest raiders, acting as a combination of warlord, judge, pimp, and tribal medicine man. He's also the best sharpshooter in the tribes (how do you think he got to be king?) and that bantha blaster he carries is custom made from "salvaged" Imperial tech.

Volcan Voxx

What if Darth Vader had Boba Fett's job? Volcan is an intergalactic badass of few words (much like Darth and Boba) but he's parlayed his cosmic Sith-like intuition and lifelong battle-hardened attitude into being truly worthy of "the most feared bounty hunter in the galaxy". Cursed with having to wear a breathing apparatus after a job-gone-wrong, Voxx pursues his quarry with vicious vigor--as if each of them were payback for his terrible deformities. Speaking of which, this fig came without a left hand. I'm still deciding if that's backstory worthy, or if I should give him a second weapon like a screw-on bionic hand or interchangeable weapons like Trapjaw.

Xarth Raiden

I've often been amused with Kenner's gaffe in the 80s when they confused Lucasfilm's notes for 4-LOM and Zuckuss (and who hasn't really?) and swapped their names on the action figure cardbacks. Basically, Xarth is a recasting of Vader using both bounty hunters. He's an insectoid, alien, warlock, more cold and calculating than the Sith Lord ever was. His environment suit is a hefty upgrade over the "prison" Anakin Skywalker endured. Xarth's threads are customized cyborg implants with all manner of sensors to amplify his inherited insect abilities and learned psionic talents.
 
Apologies for the craptastic photos, but you get the idea.

John Carter, Tars Tarkas, Dejah Thoris Figures!

Now before you go and get your tharkian thong in a twist, Tars' presale edition is already sold out. But I'm sure that's reason enough for the gang at Triad to whip up another Barsoomian bunch. Okay, you've been patient, here's the goods. Carter and Tars are under the "John Carter of Mars" license....

Joey, do you like movies about gladiators?

Just try to take back my Heisman!

Oddly though, there's a separate "Princess of Mars" license. This one was revealed a while back, but in case you missed her, here's Dejah....

The original metal bikini is back!

These don't appear to be modeled after the actors from the upcoming film. I'd be interested to find out if they'll make new figs based off their likenesses. I'm not going to post prices because A.) that would ruin the awesome nerdbuzz you have going right now, and 2.) because I don't want to take away from the sickening sticker shock you'll soon feel. While I realize it's due to the fact that these are large, premium format figures, released in small quantities let me be the first to let out a gasp of defeat: *Sigh*

/rubs two Powerball tickets together

I've got ape fever!

Yes, it's true. I'm going ape. Ape for sci-fi apes that is. You know I was never into Planet of the Apes too much. I think when I watched the movies on TV as a kid I just thought they were ridiculous. I'd already been exposed to Chewbacca, and really, how can you be cooler than Chewy? (The dude flew on spaceship and had a big freakin' laser crossbow. No contest.).

Anywho, I saw these on ebay recently:

I think the double impatiens will look splendid over there.

...and had to have them. Unfortunately, I missed out and they went to someone else who has no idea how freakin' lucky he is. Because (and this is a pipe dream people, if there ever was one) I wanted to turn them into an army of these:

"Oh, I'm sorry, did I break your concentration?"

That's right--MOSS APES! That dude is Moss Man from Masters of the Universe. Yeah, he's definitely not a "man". He's a plant ape. PLANT APE. Do you understand the importance of Plant Ape? It's just sitting there--ripe fodder for becoming an alien civilization. Barbarian plant apes, my friends. With laser rifles. Because everything is better with LASER RIFLES.

Better watch your ass Charlton Heston.

Bonus: consolation prize (you're welcome!)

P.S. I'm positive this is something Brutorz Bill has likely already thought of (and done better a thousand times over) but if I don't post it my gamer ADD won't let me move on. So there.

Space Ranger for a quarter!

Latest, best find at the antique store today: vintage space ranger for ¢25! Here he is exploring the surface of Saturn's moon Titan as depicted in Our Universe (with cover art by the great John Berkey, BTW).

Or maybe it was staged?

Let's just say it's a training mission....