Warbot Steel Core Update, Now with Core Trailer!!!

Fansproject has done it again!!! When they first released their Warbot Steel Core the company had hinted that there may be an addition to the vehicle mode in the instructions/ comics that they had included with the release.

For many the while the robot mode was considered fantastic, the alt mode had seemed lacking. Now thanks to the trailer, the vehicle mode looks solid and complete.


 The trailer serves as a sort of APC (Armoured Personal Carrier) for the Heartmasters that control the Core vehicles.


In addition the trailer comes with a bonus figure; Ruthen, a tactician that can serve as an alternate pilot to Steel and a companion piece to Revolver.

The trailer can also split open to reveal the contents, which are seats with drop down roll bars that secure the figures in place. The trailer is designed to hold six figures of which I only possess three.


In addition all three Heartmasters can be inserted into the chest of the Core.


Another feature are the rifles located between each seat that can be deployed and used to arm all the smaller units.

Size comparisons:

The whole thing was offered as a club exclusive, however I missed the chance to get one when they went on sale. The result of this was to scour the internet to see if any vendors had them for sale. Luckily I managed to snag one up from Aces Toy Store, however they're sold out now so the going can get rough for anyone else looking for this item in the after market.


Looking back, I probably paid a little bit too much for a storage box, but I have no regrets.

Classic Microman Showcase

Following the smash hit of Star Wars, in 1977 many toy manufacturers were looking a line of science fiction based action figures that could rival the success of toy manufacturer Kenner.

The original Microman line from Takara was purchased by Mego and re-labeled as the Micronauts. The toy line was initially a big success in North America, but with no movie tie in or other mass media push such as a cartoon, many of Takara's later efforts were dropped.

While the series continued to enjoy success in Japan the North American market eventually lost steam. About the only big push the toy line had here was a comic book tie in produced by Marvel Comics. This is unfortunate due to the fact that the figures were revolutionary for their time and had superior articulation and more variety of vehicles and accessories than their Kenner counterparts.

I've also collected the comics and it's quite a good read, reminiscent of Star Wars.

Later around 2002 toy manufacturer Palisades re-released the original Micronauts designs drawing up and copying from the Takara figures to look just like they did back in late 70's.


According to the Japanese narrative the Microman were aliens who had come to Earth after the destruction of their home planet. In some cases some of the Micromen were changed due to polluted atmospheres into Acroyears, which in essence are evil Micromen.

It's unfortunate that the only medium that was given to these line of figures was a Manga story and that there was no anime to go with the property, it may have prospered better.  Later in the 90's Takara released their Magne Powers anime which did not generate the sales they were expecting and the toy line was put on hiatus.

While I'll admit the classic look is somewhat dated compared to modern day figures it has that retro-nostalgic feel of the days of old and is really a matter of personal taste.

Microman Magne Power Part III: Robotman Baron

Robotman Baron is the third participant in the trio of Magne Power line and is probably the coolest of the lot. This is the figure that looks most like the update for his classic counterpart, Baron Karza from the Mego / Micronauts line from the 70's.

Once again the body type follows his companions Cross and Ace, only in this case the colour scheme is black with an outstanding head sculpt.

As is par for the course the body has multiple magnetic ports located throughout to create all kind s of different configurations. The figure also comes with its own unique weapon, a giant spring loaded fist launcher.

Baron Karza.

Attachments:

This is the main mech used by Micromen Odin and Edison.

A tribute to Baron Karza.

So there you have it. Wow you say that wasn't really all that long, but wait!!! I haven't covered the animal accessories.

Lord Vader?

Up next; Microman Magne Power Jaguar & Cougar.

Octaman Part Man Part Octopus... Mostly Rubber!

Octaman (1971) Directed by Harry Essex. Starring Kerwin Matthews, Pier Angeli, Jeff Morrow

Octaman is one of those movies that is both entertaining and frightfully dull at the same time. When the monster is on screen it's fun and funny to watch while the character interaction and hunt for the monster is just a downward slide into a watery abyss where you wish for something to happen.

The main problem is that the film fully reveals the monster early on and the hunt for it in between feels less like tension and more like padding.

The story revolves around a group of researchers conducting studies in South America regarding the effects of modern day pollution on local marine life. The movie tries to present a message of the ecological dangers of the modern world as was prevalent in 70's flicks.

A new breed of superhero!!!

Hello my baby, hello my honey...

The results of endless chemical dumpings and radiation bring about Octaman dahn, dahn, dahn... your typical buggy eyed rubber monster designed by Rick Baker... before American Werewolf in London, before Star Wars, before Harry & the Hendersons and Men in Black. Director Harry Essex definitely rehashes many elements from his previous film, Creature from the Black Lagoon.

It's a trap!!!

But before all that let's meet our cast. First off we have Dr. Rick Torres (Kerwin Matthews) the leader of the research group. Rick and his assistant Susan Lowry (Pier Angeli) are in the midst of their research when they are approached by Rick's colleague Mort Stein carrying a container who says the telling line "What would you say if I said I had the devil in this canister?" In the midst of trying to obtain some water samples Mort shows his colleagues how he managed to find a strange looking baby octopus with the ability to make strange hooting noises.  

Look at the size of that boy's head!!!!

Convinced that the creature is a major scientific discovery, the three of them go off to the riverbank where Mort had caught the specimen. They let it go for a moment and watch as the little guy tries to make it to the edge of the waters. At this point the audience is given their first glimpse at the title creature... glimpse? Actually it's a full on body shot revealing the entire monster, no spoilers.

The creature is watching from the reeds of the riverbank and as the group find a second offspring Rick decides to take one of the baby octos into the nearest city. As they arrive in Vallejo via stock footage the specimen is shown to the sponsor at the International Ecological Institute.

Octaman love interest.

Meanwhile, as dusk settles on the camp, a guy with a stereotypical Mexican accent named Raul inspects a second baby octopus in a jar. Readying the creature for dissection, Here's a transliteration of the dialogue, Raul; "We will call you Nombear Two — numéro dos," in his best Speedy Gonzales accent, "to deesteenguish you from Meestair Stein's deescovery". The octopus merely replies with a hoot (gives a hoot?). Octaman of course does not take kindly to a the man's attempt at infanticide and disposes of him making him the first victim of the film.

Unaware of the events unfolding at the camp Rick meets with Dr Willard (Jeff Morrow) telling him that this "a mutation that has all the characteristics of a human cell", whaaaaat? How the hell he managed to come to that conclusion is not explained but no matter it's a chance to study a great advancement in the name of science.

Willard is not convinced reminding Rick that his primary mission was to study the effects of radiation levels on the local population. He turns down his request for funding and is not about to squander resources on the study of a freshwater octopus.

Terrible case of pink eye!!!

Failing to get funding for further research Rick turns to former Coney Island carnival owner named Johnny Caruso, and animal trainer Steve who agrees to give him the money he needs in order to capture the creature and use it for a side show display much like King Kong (Whom Caruso mentions as the inspiration for his idea).

There's the pitch...

By the time the group gets back they find the body of poor Raul and of course everyone is oblivious as to what kind of animal could have done this. As morning arrives Rick is introduced to Davido, a young man whose grandfather was also a victim of Octaman's vengeance because... rage or something. He proves this fact to Rick by telling him the story that his Grandma told him as a boy and provides drawings of the creature he claims to have seen which are more impressive than the real thing.

With all the principle characters finally in place the hunt is afoot to find the elusive monster.

In the end Octaman is a fun movie once the search gets going and the the casualties begin to rise although there are some really loooooong pauses of exposition, clunky dialogue, & "character development" to go through.

The Octaman fire dance!!!!

While Octaman may be a fun movie it's still not be as great as The creature from the Black Lagoon.