Sorry for the blah site – we’re updating! is a post from: Superheroes Forever!

Here’s my first character: The Extraordinary Blistering Inferno!

You can download and edit the jpg and make an avatar for your websites, forums, emails, etc. The tool generates a name for your character at the end – some of these are hilarious! Give it a try at work when you’re trying to kill some time before quitting time – it’s fun!

Build Your Own Superhero is a post from: Superheroes Forever!

DC Universe Batman & Clayface

Entertainment Earth is one my favorite stores for superhero collectibles. They are one of the first to bring out brand new toys and collectibles from the major manufacturers, and they specialize in stuff that never ends up in the discount stores like Wal-Mart and Target. They’ve just announced the upcoming release of a DC Universe Classics 2-pack featuring Batman and bad-blob Clayface (actually one of several different villains with clay bodies and shape-shifting abilities). These will be 7″ articulated action figures, and they’re made by Mattel.

The first Clayface character was created by Batman’s creator, comic artist and writer Bob Kane. Clayface came out in the Batman comic book in the late 1950s. Over time – decades – there were different versions of the Clayface character, and there was even a Lady Clay who gave birth to a “Baby Clay” named Cassius “Clay” Preston… Now who can tell me what famous sports figure evolved from this name??

If you’re a collector, you always keep in mind a piece’s possibility of appreciating in value over time. Even if you don’t buy it with the intent of selling it, it’s nice to know that you aren’t just throwing good money away on cheap toys – you’re making a little bit of an investment…

There’s something sad about people lining up in the toy aisles of Wal-Mart picking over packs of action figures that were cranked out by the millions and thinking that “some day” these would be worth a lot of money. If you take a good look on eBay, Amazon, and other sell-it-yourself sites, you’ll see how mistaken these folks were as there are literally hundreds of these pieces and figures for sale – usually for a couple of bucks each. And some are 10 and 15 years old, so if this doesn’t give you an idea about how long it takes a mass-produced item to go up in value, then I’ve got some great swampland in Florida that you’re gonna LOVE!

But higher end retailers look for items that are made in smaller runs, and therefore are more appropriately called “collectibles.” Entertainment Earth has just released information on some DC Universe two-piece packs that are not going to be sold in the discount stores. They are available for pre-order now, with delivery expected in April 2009.

Here’s what’s coming up from the really popular DC Universe Classics line from Mattel. Each 2-pack retails for $23.99:

• Batman vs. Clayface Figure 2-Pack; Item Number: MTP1597
• Superman vs. Brainiac Figure 2-Pack; Item number: MTP1598
• Lex Luthor vs. Supergirl Figure 2-Pack; Item number: MTP1599
• Hawkman vs. Hawkgirl Figure 2-Pack; Item number: MTP15600

To check out the pictures and order details, just Have Fun, Be Fun! Entertainment Earth. Click Here!
. Copy the item number in the Search box to find the pack you’re interested in. These have been JUST ANNOUNCED as of this writing, and there weren’t pictures up yet of the 3 other packs, but keep checking, they’re coming soon!

Batman & Clayface Collectibles You Won’t Find at Wal-Mart is a post from: Superheroes Forever!

They want to hear your best resolutions for 2009.  Click here and Post your most creative New Year’s resolution, and you could win an awesome Hellboy or Star Wars collectible. The winner who writes the best New Year’s resolution will win an Exclusive ‘The Samaritan’ – Hellboy II Prop Replica – a 1:1 replica prop from the Hellboy II movie. These limited edition prop replicas sell for $400, so this is no cheesy prize!

Runner-ups will be chosen and awarded with a Ki-Adi-Mundi 12-inch Star Wars Figure. The web team will pick their favorite resolutions out of all that have been submitted prior to 5pm (PST) Friday, January 9th!

Win Hellboy II The Samaritan Prop Replica in Contest! is a post from: Superheroes Forever!

Halo 3 Master Chief

Many are comparing the Halo phenomenon to that of Star Wars in terms of potential longevity and spinoff products and collectibles. While the jury is still out on that, there’s a lot of momentum behind the franchise. Quite a bit different that the classical squeaky-clean superheroes of the Golden Age, these heroes are grittier and not afraid of dealing out extreme violence. Here’s a little background on the “Halo Nation”.

Halo-Combat Evolved, the video game, created by Bungie and published by Microsoft Games has surged in the gamer market and now offers Halo 2 and Halo 3. The science fiction game is based on a trilogy of characters—The Master Chief (a genetically enhanced Spartan II soldier), his artificial intelligence (AI) companion Cortana. and the Covenant, the enemy alliance of alien races out to defeat the universe.

Halo-Combat Evolved may ring a familiar bell if one has played Larry Niven’s Ringworlds. However, its success with the release of Halo 2 and Halo 3, which outsold Halo 2, is now in the hundred million dollar range as far as sales. This real-time strategy game, that included numerous revisions, was released in November of 2001 in an Xbox format.

The theme of Halo is not unfamiliar to the gamer, but provides upscale graphics that have brought on a “Halo-Storm.” Players battle aliens on the ground and in vehicles while they discover hidden secrets. The key to the hidden secrets is to champion various objectives that move the player to various levels. The original version of Halo was produced in such a way that it carried themes within its plot that were revealed in Halo 2 and Halo 3.

The main characters of the Halo series are the Master Chief who escapes his prison aboard the ship known as the Pillar of Autumn. He is joined by Cortana, an AI, who helps the Master Chief by selecting coordinates that benefit his journey. The warrior Arbiter joins two humans, Miranda Keyes and Sergeant Jackson in the ultimate battle against the Covenant, who claim they will have defeated humanity by 2535.

The Golden Triangle of Halo represents the weapons system within the game. In the Halo series, the gamer is forced to choose only two weapons creating a decision of what are the correct weapons to carry for maximum destruction of the enemy. A gamer’s health is dependant upon “hit points” and is reinforced by a shield given at the start of the game. The Halo series allows the player to format the game characters and graphic to their preference and also offers on-line play where gamers interact with other on-line friends or foes for highest scores.

The commercial success of the Halo Trilogy has been broad. Not only has the game been released in the Xbox format in 2001, it has been delivered in a PC and Mac Port forum in September and November of 2003, respectively. In 2007 a Windows Vista version was released along with a Collectors Edition (adorned in a special case with a book carrying hidden secrets). Bonus DVD’s were also released for the entire trilogy.

The soundtracks for the trilogy were written by Martin O’Donnell have been a success, the last released in 2007. Books have been published in 2001, 2003, 2006 and 2007. A Halo-based film with Peter Jackson slated to be the executive producer was put on hold, however Jackson states the film will still be produced. Finally action figures and a promotional deal with Mountain Dew have made Halo a phenomenon.

Critics have had various views on the Halo trilogy. While it has received Game of the Year Awards in both 2006 and 2007, Game Spy ranked Halo as tenth on its list of “The Top 25 Most Overrated Games,” in 2007. Complaints of a too-simple plot have appeared and the New York Times which stated it had a “throw-away plot and the single-player version are disastrous.”

All in all, Halo is here to stay, at least for now. Beyond the critics are the fans and gamers everywhere who are racing to retail outlets to own the game and the increasing number of related collectibles. Is the Halo trilogy a phenomenon or a three-hit wonder? That remains to be seen.

Predictions are that there will be a run on Halo action figures and other collector items this holiday season. New releases are planned for 2009, many currently available for retailers to pre-order. Current best-selling Halo collectibles (courtesy of Entertainment Earth):

1. Halo 3 Master Chief 12-inch Action Figure
2. Halo 3 Covenant Energy Sword
3. Halo 3 Series 3 Action Figure Case
4. Halo 3 Cortana Statue
5. Halo 3 Series 3 Elite Combat Action Figure
6. Halo Mongoose with Spartan Mark VI Deluxe Figure Box Set
7. Halo 3 Series 3 Human Flood Action Figure
8. Halo Action Figures Wave 5 Case
9. Halo 3 Master Chief Version 2 ArtFX Statue
10. Halo Heroic Collection Action Figures Wave 1 Case

Halo Nation – A Force in the Collectibles World is a post from: Superheroes Forever!

World of Warcraft Paladin

In this day and age of electronic everything, parents and medical professionals are concerned that kids today are already facing health issues more commonly seen in older, more couch-oriented folks. I’ve often looked at the toys and games that kids play today, and felt kind of sad that none of them really involved the kids actively and physically playing with the toys, or using their imaginations to fuel the fun. It was more of a passive thing, watching the action on TV or playing a video game.

But I don’t think there’s a kid out there who doesn’t know about superheroes and their adventures, and who doesn’t love watching and reading about their fantastic adventures. And with the availability of action figures of just about every hero and villain out there, there is bound to be a toy that will appeal to your kid, regardless of age. The great thing about action figures is that you can’t play with them passively. You need to use your imagination to build the story line and get the adventure started. There’s no sitting around waiting to be entertained.

I remember when I was a kid there weren’t a lot of toys like this that were “acceptable” for boys to play with. There were the little 3″ toy soldiers, but GI Joe wasn’t around yet. But kids had other things to play with, toys and games long since gone. Now, the popularity of action figures has firmly put behind us the notion that these are “dolls” for boys. Both boys and girls can pick their favorite characters and create their own world of adventure.

Action Figures Great For Kids’ Imaginations is a post from: Superheroes Forever!

Young Daniel and his parents and his father’s treacherous business partner were hiking in mountains in Asia when a slip caused his father and mother to slip off the path. The evil business partner forced Rand Sr. to his death in exchange for saving his wife and son. Daniel swore revenge, and took up martial arts training with  Lei Kung, the Thunderer.

Daniel is gifted and determined, and at age 19 gets the chance to go for the power of the Iron Fist by defeating a deadly dragon who guards the power. Daniel defeats the dragon, gets the power of the Iron Fist and a cool outfit, and leaves Asia to return to New York and avenge his father. When someone else kills the business partner first, Daniel turns to a life of general crime fighting.

Associates and affiliations include Iron Man, Power Man (Luke Cage), Colleen Wing and Misty Knight (Daughters of the Dragon), Captain America,  New Avengers, Heroes for Hire, The Defenders.

Iron Fist Mini Bust, Seth Vandable sculptor

This is a Randy Bowen mini-bust of  IRON FIST, master of martial arts.  This was released in 1998.  It’s a rare  ARTISTS PROOF of a limited edition of 4000 and is signed by sculptor Seth Vandable.

Feature Character: Marvel’s Iron Fist is a post from: Superheroes Forever!

This is a job for...

photo credit: Okko Pyykkö

Welcome to superhero-land! This site specializes in information, commentary, pictures on one thing: figures of Superheroes and Superheroines. These are all 3 dimensional representations of superheroes, defined by one character on the web as

Phenomenon in American comic culture – strangely popular mutants and freaks, usually wearing tights and some highly uncomfortable costumes. Occupation – saving the world and (pseudo) destroying other similar creatures.

Well, what do you expect from someone named Ivar who’s website is mostly in some incompressible (and possibly Scandinavian) language, and who apparently doesn’t do graphics. The more civilized folks at Wikipedia define them as

… a fictional character “of unprecedented physical prowess dedicated to acts of derring-do in the public interest”. Since the debut of the prototypal superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas — have dominated American comic books and crossed over into other media. The word itself dates to at least 1917. A female superhero is sometimes called a superheroine

By most definitions, characters need not have actual superhuman powers to be deemed superheroes, although terms such as costumed crimefighters are sometimes used to refer to those without such powers who share other common traits with superheroes.

.

We will have lots of information about action figures, figurines, statues, busts, maquettes, and so on since we only do figures, and not comics, t-shirts, or coffee mugs. Eventually I’ll add a picture gallery showing particularly nice examples of Superhero figures.

This site is only made better by the participants of the readers. For that reason, this blog is a DOFOLLOW blog, which means that if you contribute to the interest of the blog with a good comment, you’ll be rewarded with page rank flowing back to you. So the better the blog, the more link juice you get for your own website, which is a little “thank you” from me for your good contributions.

We’re still a work in progress, and the store still isn’t organized properly but we’re getting there!

Intro to Superheroes Forever! is a post from: Superheroes Forever!