Toybox REVIEW: LEGO Batman Movie Minifigure Series

As was probably the case with many collectors reading this, my first real introduction into the world of toy buying and more importantly collecting was with LEGO. From age seven to about 14 I was truly LEGO obsessed, and counted the UFO, Aquanauts, Insectoids and original Bionicle ranges among my favourites. While my LEGO buying has slowed down with age, the love for the brand never left. However the sheer variety of LEGO on offer these days - from the various movie and comic licenses to the LEGO Ideas sets and the wonderful LEGO Movie, have really ignited that dormant flame. With The LEGO Batman Movie's release imminent, it was finally time to jump back on the LEGO wagon. The various sets from the movie are also accompanied by a new wave of blind-bagged minifigures, with a total of 20 different figures (including villains scoured from the history of DC Comics) on offer.

Toybox REVIEW: Bandai Figmes Dragon Ball Z Minifigures

Ever since LEGO started delving into the world of licensed franchises everybody has something they would like to see the construction toy juggernaut tackle. Unfortunately the wait for Dragon Ball Z themed LEGO has proven rather fruitless, so Bandai have decided to take things into their own hands somewhat with a new candy toy line - Figmes. Whether exactly this is a one-off or a line Bandai has expansive plans with is yet to be seen, but looking at this set they've certainly started things off with a bang. Included in this set are Goku, Vegeta (in both normal and Super Saiyan varieties), Piccolo, Kuririn, Freeza and Cell. If you've ever dreamed of adding the Z Fighters to your LEGO collection, then this is one set of candy toys you won't want to miss out on.

Toybox REVIEW: LEGO Ideas Doctor Who Set

Ever since the LEGO brand started snapping up licensed properties left right and centre getting an official Doctor Who LEGO set has felt like a bit of a pipe dream. Things seemed less and less likely when Character Options started producing their own LEGO-esque sets and figures in the form of Character Building, but that didn't stop fans from hoping and various suggestions on the LEGO Ideas website from getting considerable buzz. Those prayers were finally answered in 2015, when a Doctor Who set was officially unveiled alongside the franchise joining DC Comics, Jurassic World, Portal, The Simpsons and more in the LEGO Dimensions video game. The Doctor has finally arrived in LEGO form, and while it may not be as a fully fledged range just yet this could easily be the start of something great.

Character Building Doctor Who Microfigures Series 3: Madam Kovarian and Judoon Trooper

It's taken months for me to complete the set, but here are the last two figures in series 3 of the Character Building Doctor Who microfigure collection. Both of these figures are rare releases, with Kovarian perhaps being the rarest of the entire wave (judging by the prices she commands on eBay). So without further delay, here are Madam Kovarian and the Judoon Trooper...

Madam Kovarian is the big bad of season 6, and despite being a pretty forgettable character managed to wrangle her way to "rare" status. Oh well. The figure itself isn't particularly special, predominately black and without any additional accessory. I'd go as far to say she's the least interesting figure in the entire line, but unfortunately a must-have for completists like myself.

The Judoon Trooper is very similar to the uncommon Sontaran, in that it is also a helmeted release with the rhino head not included. However if this is how you prefer your Judoons to look, there should be one coming as part of a monster multipack somewhere down the line. The Judoon has some really nice paintwork for a figure this small, with detail even on the back portion that's covered by the body armour! The dominant black colourscheme is broken up by bits of grey and silver, and also included is a bright red handgun for extra colour. 

Not the best two figures to round off on, but pretty good nonetheless. With series 4 still unannounced, next up with be the 50th Anniversary wave with new costumed versions of all 11 Doctors!

Character Building Doctor Who Microfigures Series 3: The 11th Doctor and Rory

A somewhat belated post (I've had these figures since the beginning of the month), but here's the third instalment in my collection of series 3 Doctor Who minifigures. This time its two characters who have each seen release at least once in the Character Building line, although this time they are sporting very different clothes. The Doctor is (as usual) a common figure, while Rory is among the rare ones for the wave.

The most striking thing about this release of the 11th Doctor (which is the fifth mass release version, and the eighth if you include the super rare figures) is that it isn't a variant of the standard twee jacket costume! A selection of the series six episodes saw Matt Smith's Doctor instead where a pea green trench coat, and here it appears in figure form along with suspenders, a blue shirt and red bowtie. Because of the coat the legs can't swing backward, but I feel that's a small price to pay to have a Doctor in a different costume for once. As usual, he comes with his trusted Sonic Screwdriver.

Series 3's Rory figure is the "badass" alternate universe version seen in the series six finale episode The Wedding of River Song, sporting army gear and a kickass eye patch. Having already done a number of army figures in their Armed Forces Character Building line, CO have done a wonders with the suit detailing. Rory comes packed with a black hand gun, although the mould itself is the same as the grey gun that comes with River Song.

Character Building Doctor Who Microfigures Series 3: Handibot, Ood and Vashta Nerada

We're back with more entries into series 3 of Character Building's Doctor Who microfigures, this time with a  look at a common figure, an uncommon figure and a rare one!

From the common side of things we have the Handibot, which appeared in the episode The Girl Who Waited from season six. Its probably the blandest and least interesting figure in the wave, being almost entirely white and featureless. The stretched out palm is a nice touch, but its the only plus on what's otherwise a pretty boring figure.

Secondly there's the Ood, an uncommon figure which has appeared numerous times since the show's relaunch, but most notably The Impossible Planet/The Satan Pit from season two and Planet of the Ood from season four. The Ood face tentacles are moulded onto the face as a solid piece, and the figure comes with a translator device accessory.

As for the rare figure, its none other than a Vashta Nerada from the season four 2-part episode Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead. I can't say the episodes are among my favourites, but I always thought the monster itself was pretty cool and this figure really reflects that. The skull paintjob is fantastic and really gives it a creepy ethereal look to it. The Vashta Nerada is definitely a contender for the surprise hit of the wave!

Mega Bloks Power Rangers Super Samurai Battle Pack 1

With Power Rangers Samurai at its end and the chance of there being a wave 3 of blind bags I thought I was done with Mega Bloks mini figures. However an early Christmas present from a good friend has opened my eyes to a few more options just before the line properly comes to a halt and the Power Rangers Megaforce figures roll out. Amongst the various kits, two battle packs were released: each housing four figures (two rangers and two Nighloks) and a buildable display stand. One figure from each version is a special "limited edition" variant with translucent parts.

Battle pack one contains: Translucent Super Mega Mode Gold Ranger, Super Blue Ranger, Master Xandred and a flying Mooger. Meanwhile battle pack two has Super Mega Mode Green, Super Red, translucent Deker (Nighlok form) and a standard Mooger.

Without further ado, let's take a look at battle pack one.

First we have the limited edition Super Mega Mode Gold ranger, who features an almost entirely transparent body and comes with a mega blade weapon. The raised visor section on the helmet is a nice touch so you can differentiate between standard and mega modes, and the all black body is also a welcome contrast.

Super Blue is exactly the same as his wave 2 blind bag counterpart, only this time the figure is all the solid colour. His weapon is disappointingly missing the gold detail on the black box, but otherwise its a solid figure.

Master Xandred is perhaps the most exciting figure in the set for me personally, given my bad guy count currently consists of a human Deker and two Moogers. Mega Bloks have done a pretty good job in recreating what is a pretty detailed suit, but some of the paint apps are pretty sloppy when you look at them close up. Xandred has his own unique sword, moulded in gold plastic and featuring a pretty detailed dragon detail. Perfect for leading a small army of Nighloks.

Finally there's the flying Mooger (again, not really sure why it's "flying"), who is completely identical to the wave 2 blind bag release.

The display stand the figures come with comes unassembled, made up of two thin blocks, two large two spot blocks, two four spot blocks and one piece with the Samurai symbol on it. Its obviously not complicated to put together, and makes a great alternative to the coloured blocks the blind bag mini figures have. I'm half tempted to see if I can't get some more black pieces to make it a little bigger.

While originally I was going to overlook these, you get your money's worth out of them. Perfect for expanding your display, and featuring some rather special figures too. Expect shots of battle pack two in the near future!