Iron Man 2 action figures - Comic series wave 3

Top row (from left):  Arctic Iron Man, Silver Centurion Iron Man & Advanced Armor Iron Man.

Bottom row (from left): Red & Gold Iron Man, Hulkbuster Iron Man, & Classic Iron Man.

Here are the photos for wave 3 of the Iron Man 2 Comic series action figures.  The new figures this time are Arctic Iron Man, Silver Centurion Iron Man & Advanced Armor Iron Man.  They are yet more variants of Iron Man, based on a sample of his countless comic book appearances over the years.  They would be sought after by the hardcore collectors who collect nearly all the different versions of Iron Man.

The hot favourite Hulkbuster Iron Man is included is in this wave once more, giving collectors who missed on getting him in the previous another chance to buy him, if they are lucky.  He is a very popular figure, and more worth the price too due to his larger size compared to the other regular figures in this 3.75 inch action figures toyline.  If you are still eyeing him, good luck on your next toy hunt fort this figure when this wave arrives at our local retail stores!

Iron Man 2 action figures - Comic series wave 2

Top row (from left):  Classic Iron Man Mark VI (versions 1 & 2); Red & Gold Iron Man.

Bottom row (from left): Hulkbuster Iron Man, Titanium Man & Guardsman.

This is wave 2 of the Iron Man 2 comic series action figures.  It’s a like a sub series of the Iron Man 2 movie toyline that is more based on the comic book images of the characters rather than the movie image.  This wave also came in rather quietly in the past few months and the hot favourite Hulkbuster Iron Man was sold out very quickly in all the stores that he appeared in.  I think the green figures were also quite popuplar.

Like its movie series counterpart, this comic series of the Iron Man 2 toyline is also expected to go on eventual clearance sale in the coming months leading to the end of 2010.  Its movie was long over and many kids are not so familiar with the comic book images and story of Iron Man as the adult collectors.  Hence happy waiting for the clearance sale soon!

Iron Man 2 action figures - Movie series wave 5

Top row (from left):  Iron Man Mark VI (w/Power Up Glow), War Machine & Weapon Assault Drone.

Middle row (from left): Ultimate Armor Iron Man, Air Assault Drone, Iron Man Mark V Suitcase & Whiplash.

Bottom row (from left): Fusion Armour Iron Man, Iron Man Mark IV & Iron Man Mark VI.

This wave 5 of the Iron Man 2 movie series action figures has some new figures such as the Weapon Assault Drone, Ultimate Armor Iron Man and the Air Assault Drone.  Whiplash from wave 4 is also included here.  I haven’t noticed this wave in our local stores yet.  The figures of this wave are also said to be in revised packaging but I can’t really tell much difference from this photo and the preceding one in my previous posting about wave 4.

Nevertheless, if this wave does come to our local retail stores, I’d expect the drones figures to sell well and Whiplash as well.  Ultimate Armor Iron Man will be on the list of collectors who collect every single armor design of Iron Man in this movie series.  I think the local kids have mostly forgotten or lost interest in this toyline.  Even if they are still noticing these figures on the pegs and shelves, I doubt many of them can differentiate and appreciate the various armor types of Iron Man unless they do some research.

Anyway, if you are keen on the figures of this wave 5, I still recommend waiting for the inevitable year end clearance sale of this toyline as the Iron Man 2 movie hype is long over for many months already.  Hence happy waiting for these toys to go on clearance sale soon! 

Iron Man 2 action figures - Movie series wave 4

Top row (from left):  Iron Man Mark VI (w/Power Up Glow) & Iron Man Mark V Suitcase.

Middle row (from left): Iron Man Mark VI, Iron Man Mark IV & Inferno Mission Iron Man.

Bottom row (from left): Fusion Armour Iron Man, War Machine & Whiplash.

The above wave 4 of the Iron Man 2 movie series action figures that contain the much awaited Whiplash figure, quietly came out in small numbers at only a few local retail stores during the past 2 months.  As he was rather short packed per case, he sold out very quickly at all the stores that had him.  The rest of the figures were all repeated ones from the earlier waves.

With the Iron Man 2 craze and interest further dying down in our local scene since its movie stopped screening in our cinemas (last Apr-May), scores of its movie tie-in toyline by Hasbro are still seen warming the pegs and shelves of local departmental stores and toy shops.

It won’t be long before they go the way of the 2009 G.I.Joe movie toyline that went on clearance sale at the end of 2009.  I’ll expect the clearance sales of the remaining Iron Man 2 toys to take place from Q4 of 2010 till early next year. 

I believe many fans and collectors have already gotten the key figures that they wanted and are waiting to grab the bigger sets like the vehicles (e.g. bikes & cars etc.) and interactive gadgets (e.g. arm cannon etc.) once the items go on sale at massive discounts.  If you are among them, stay patient and wait for the year end clearance sales of this toyline to come.  It will be worth the wait.  Happy toy collecting!

(photo from original news article)

I read with interest on some articles featured in our local newspapers yesterday and today that a recent local survey found a large number of China made toys here contain dangerously high levels of toxic, which are harmful to children.  As a result, some toy retailers took precaustionary steps to withdraw or recall the affected toys that they happen to sell.

Toxic found in toys is quite alarming news, yet it comes as no surprise.  You see back in 2007 and before the Christmas holidays in the US, even the leading toy manufacturer Mattel got into a similar predicament and had to recall many toys that did not pass the stringent tests in toxic lead levels.  3 years later, Singapore would follow suit in checking on the toys sold here.  You can read the full report here.

It is interesting to note that at least 1 of the local toy importers and retailers here does not think it’s their responsibility to ensure that the toys they import and sell have to meet regulation standards, after all they are not manufacturers.  In a way, I guess they are not legally bound to do so, just ethically which is optional and not compulsory.  Ethical reasons are not bound by law, so consumers still have to be discerning and careful in their toy purchases for children.

Fortunately most toy collectors shouldn’t be affected, unless the toys give out toxic fumes which are harmful to our lungs if we breathe in too much of those poisonous gases.  I think collectors won’t put toys into their mouths like toddlers tend to do, so most of us are quite safe.  Nevertheless over the years, some of the new toys I bought had a rather strong rubber smell when just taken out of package.  I wonder if that counts as toxic fumes?  Hmmm, maybe I should use this as an excuse to cut down on toy collecting and get another non-toxic hazardous hobby instead!

HFTD Scout action figures - wave 2

Top row (from left): Oilpan, Insecticon & Crankstart

Bottom row (HFTD): Brimstone, Hubcab & Breacher

Here we have yet more photos of the upcoming Transformers Hunt for the Decepticons (HFTD) toyline for the rest of 2010.  Insecticon and Breacher look ‘new’ here while the rest are repaints of Scout figures from the earlier HFTD, or the 2009 Revenge of the Fallen (ROTF) Scout series.

I like Breacher’s vehicle mode and he’ll look nice in green color.  An army of them would look pretty cool too.  Oh no, it looks like I’ve been influenced by the obsessive ‘army building’ trend that’s taking a number of local toy collectors by storm this year.  *Shakes off that poisonous thought from my head*, LOL!

Like the rest of the new HFTD series that I blogged about recently, we expect to see the above HFTD Scout toys in Singapore departmental stores sometime in Q3 of this year.  If you collect these figures, happy waiting for them!

HFTD Legends action figures - wave 3 - SGD 11.90 each

Top row (from left): Optimus Prime, Duststorm & Tuner Skids

Bottom row (from left): Cyberfire Bumblebee, Sandstorm & Long Haul

Here we have the photos of the wave 3 Transformers Hunt for the Decepticons (HFTD) Legends figures, where we have some more re-releases and repaints like Duststorm and Tuner Skids.  If you should miss out on getting certain earlier Legends figures, some of them will be repeated here.

We expect this wave 3 of HFTD Legends figures to be released at mass retail sometime in the 3rd quarter 2010 as well.  Hence we should be in for a rather exciting HFTD and WFC toys releases period in the coming 2 months.  Happy toys collecting!

Our little island nation of Singapore is proud and extremely honoured to be the host of the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) 2010!  The symbolic Youth Olympic Flame arrived in Singapore early this month and its torchbearers carried and escorted it around many parts of Singapore throughout this week (in both rain and shine).  The highly anticipated grand opening ceremony will take place this evening at our world’s largest floating platform stage by the Marina Bay. 

These are our beloved mascots for the YOG.  Quoted from the YOG website:

“Lyo is short for ‘Lion of the Youth Olympics’.  A sports lover, he is fun-loving and hopes to inspire young people to keep fit and enjoy sports for life.  He symbolises the boundless energy of youths, their determination to live life to the fullest, and their zeal to strive for excellence.”

“Merly got her name from ‘mer’ (meaning the sea) and ‘l y’ stand for ‘liveliness’ and ‘youthfulness’.  A passionate advocate of environment protection, Merly believes that everyone has  role to play in working towards a sustainable future.  She also wants to encourage young people to play an active role in their communities and promote respect for one another.”

Incidentally, Lyo and Merly are also made into plush toys and keychains etc, that are available for sale at the YOG booths.  Together, Lyo and Merly will also be with the athletes in “blazing the trail” from 14-26 August 2010 as they inspire the young athletes and help them persevere towards their goals and strive for Olympic Gold!

Our local tv channels will offer some coverage of the various YOG sports in the coming 2 weeks.  If you subscribe to local cable sports channels (e.g. Starhub), then you’ll get up to 4 channels that are specially dedicated to YOG sports coverage throughout the day and late into the night.  Or if you prefer, the tickets to the venues of some sports are still available for sale online and at the respective sports venues.

Have a fantastic time during the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games!

HFTD Legends action figures - wave 2 - SGD 11.90 each

Top row (from left): Override & Tracker Hound

Bottom row (from left): Long Haul & Sandstorm

For this wave of Transformers Hunt for the Decepticons (HFTD) Legends figures, I’m most keen on adding Long Haul to my collection.  Although I do have an earlier Revenge of the Fallen (ROTF) Legends version of this green colored figure, that other piece can specially combine with other ROTF Legends Constructicons to form ROTF Legends Devastator.  

The above Long Haul has a new mold and is presumed to be one of the many loose Constructicons seen chasing and attacking the humans during the final desert battle scene in the 2009 ROTF movie.  The blue car is a repaint of Sideways, while I don’t know the other non-movie characters.  I think they are repaints as well. 

This next wave of HFTD Legends figures are expected to be available at mass retail by the 3rd quarter 2010.  Happy HFTD toys collecting!

Updated: This wave is has been spotted in Singapore dept stores from Nov 2010!

Transformers Generations Deluxe action figures - wave 4 - SGD 27.90 each

Also known as War for Cybertron (WFC) figures -

Top row (from left): Red Alert, Soundwave & Blurr.

Bottom row (from left): Megatron, Optimus Prime & Dirge.

For me, I’m not as excited over this WFC toyline since I’m more of a Transformers Movie fan.  Nevertheless I do take note of the various new and upcoming Transformers toys for the rest of 2010.  I expect to see the new waves of WFC to hit our local stores in the coming months before Christmas.  Happy waiting for them!