Sergeant Kup Deluxe Class Figure (Titans Return)

Rounding out the most recent versions of the cast of Transformers the Movie is Sergeant Kup. Kup was one of the few older, more grizzled Transformers. He transforms into a futuristic picKUP truck, hence his name. The teal on the cab/torso section is a nice colour but I'm less a fan of the more seafoam green of the arms and parts of the legs/box of the truck.

Topspin Deluxe Class Figure (Titans Return)

A fairly obscure toy from G1 Topspin was originally a "jumpstarter" that would auto-transform from vehicle mode into robot mode. The Titans Return line has taken his funky 80's sci-fi design and applied modern engineering which has resulted in a pretty neat toy that's got an interesting transformation scheme.

Tea Trader Chocolate Coconut Rooibos

Hey a post about tea! Seems like forever since I've done one of these.  In the past these reviews have been almost exclusively about the teas we've bought at David's Tea because that was our best source for tea.  Now that the missus and I have relocated to a bigger urban centre we have a few more options. One of those is a great little tea shop called Tea Trader located in the Inglewood neighbourhood in Calgary, AB.

That brings us to today's "hot leaf juice" a Chocolate Coconut Rooibos. As mentioned frequent on this blog I don't like to have caffeine after midday so I regularly drink non-black or green teas which of course some pedants would say do not count as tea. But the way I see it if I bought it at the tea shop I can call it tea.

Anyway mini-semantics-rant aside. Chocolate Coconut Rooibos. Near as I can tell that's all there is to the ingredient list: rooibos, coconut flakes, with cocoa nubs and carob for the chocolate flavour.  This tea has the characteristic rooibos rusty red colour and a heady chocolatey aroma. The coconut flavour pairs well with the chocolate in perfect balance. This is a great sipper and would make a fine after dinner desert tea.

Tea Trader's Chocolate Coconut Rooibos is a delicious treat.

Highly Recommended.

Wheelie Legends Class Figure (Titans Return)

Wheelie is another character from Transformers the Movie. He speaks in rhyme and is a bit of a juvenile Autobot. This figure looks pretty sweet but the vehicle mode is a bit fragile and fiddly but if you're gentle it's not a big deal.

Highbrow Deluxe Class Figure (Titans Return)

Another of the original Autobot Headmasters is Highbrow. Unlike Chromedome and Brainstorm he hasn't had much to do lately. He's got a neat alt-mode but unfortunately his propellors smack into each other when spun. I particularly like the cockpit. Rather shockingly Highbrow is in fact an extensive retool of Titans Return Scourge.

Battle Armour He-Man & Mer-Man (Masters of the Universe Minis)

I was a bit too young to catch He-Man fever the first time 'round back in the 80's. In fact I didn't have much interest in Masters of the Universe until probably the last couple years. So I'm definitely not a die-hard MotU fan but I do appreciate the bizarre 1980's weirdness and the sci-fi/fantasy amalgamation.  So the Masters of the Universe Minis line was the perfect thing for me. Plus I got them all at discount prices when the infamous mattycollector website was shutting down at the end of 2016. [Jump to He-Man ○ Mer-Man ○ Both]

Sky Shadow Body All Titan Masters Gallery

Here is perhaps the nerdiest endeavour on this blog. I've taken pictures of all my Titans Return figures with all of the different Titan Master heads on them. These galleries will be updated as more Titan Masters are acquired. The heads are in no particular order after the first which is the head that "belongs" on the body.

Rewind Legends Class Figure (Titans Return)

Rewind is one of Blaster's G1 cassette bots. High technology on Cybertron clearly. This version of Rewind is made to look like the IDW comic interpretation of the character which is pretty awesome. He can transform into a tank and a "spy tablet" that has its home screen background set to look like a cassette. Ah G1 homages... this actually works fairly well so I shouldn't tease too much.

Skullsmasher Deluxe Class Figure (Titans Return)

Skullsmasher is based on G1 Headmaster Skullcruncher even down to his weapons. His robotic crocodile mode is pretty great. In robot mode his hip joints are extremely loose making standing a bit of a chore.

Broadside Body All Titan Masters Gallery

Here is perhaps the nerdiest endeavour on this blog. I've taken pictures of all my Titans Return figures with all of the different Titan Master heads on them. These galleries will be updated as more Titan Masters are acquired. The heads are in no particular order after the first which is the head that "belongs" on the body.

Astrotrain Body All Titan Masters Gallery

Here is perhaps the nerdiest endeavour on this blog. I've taken pictures of all my Titans Return figures with all of the different Titan Master heads on them. These galleries will be updated as more Titan Masters are acquired. The heads are in no particular order after the first which is the head that "belongs" on the body.

Blurr Deluxe Class Figure (Titans Return)

Blurr is the fast talking speed freak who debuted in "Transformers the Movie" back in 1986. This version is a great update of his original Cybertronian racer alt-mode. Like his wave-mate Scourge he's a little monochromatic but his windshield seems to break it up a bit better. Also maybe the darker colour helps? I don't know. Part of it is I care more about Scourge I think.

Scourge Deluxe Class Figure (Titans Return)

Deluxe class Scourge is a fun update of a character introduced in the 1986 Transformers animated movie. He's the leader of the Sweeps and has a sinister moustache and goatee. This figure is near perfect in his "space boat" alt-mode but his robot mode is mind-numbingly blue. I like Scourge's quirky design and his transformation is neat too. This figure might be one I track down from Takara as well due to their more varied colours in robot mode.

Cerebros Body All Titan Masters Gallery

Here is perhaps the nerdiest endeavour on this blog. I've taken pictures of all my Titans Return figures with all of the different Titan Master heads on them. These galleries will be updated as more Titan Masters are acquired. The heads are in no particular order after the first which is the head that "belongs" on the body.

Sixshot Body All Titan Masters Gallery

Here is perhaps the nerdiest endeavour on this blog. I've taken pictures of all my Titans Return figures with all of the different Titan Master heads on them. These galleries will be updated as more Titan Masters are acquired. The heads are in no particular order after the first which is the head that "belongs" on the body.

The Riddler - B:TAS (DC Collectibles)

E. Nygma is the Riddler and he has the best pun for a real name ever. This figure is great. He's got a smarmy grin and a slick simplified costume design. He comes with a cane, some alternate hands, and a rack of Wacko Toys.

Blaster Body All Titan Masters Gallery

Here is perhaps the nerdiest endeavour on this blog. I've taken pictures of all my Titans Return figures with all of the different Titan Master heads on them. These galleries will be updated as more Titan Masters are acquired. The heads are in no particular order after the first which is the head that "belongs" on the body.

Skytread Titan Master (Titans Return)

Titans Return brought back the Headmasters gimmick and the Titan Master class figures are heads that come with a small transforming vehicle.

Skytread is based on G1 Flywheels who was a "duocon" where two vehicles combined to make his robot mode. Man the 80's were weird. Wonderful but weird. I have no attachment whatsoever to this character and I've been pretty particular about the Titan Master figures I've purchased. All the vehicle designs have been redecoed into another character and I've been good about only buying one of each. Skytread is a redeco of Terri-Bull, whom I almost bought because of his IDW comics appearances but then didn't because I was trying to just not buy the Titan Masters (tried and failed).

Ra's al Ghul - B:TAS (DC Collectibles)

Ra's al Ghul, the Demon's Head is probably the most significant Bat-villain to come out of the 1970's. He antagonizes the "Detective" in several classic episodes of the animated series voiced by David Warner who gives the character a chilling nobility. My original plan was to only get Batman and Robin from this series but the Mask of the Phantasm 2-pack was too good of a way to get Batman plus another character I enjoyed as a child. This led to the door being nudged ajar for other characters from this series to trickle into my collection and the first had to be Ra's (regardless of how you pronounce his name).

Apeface Titan Master (Titans Return)

Titans Return brought back the Headmasters gimmick and the Titan Master class figures are heads that come with a small transforming vehicle.

Apeface is based on the G1 Decepticon Headmaster of the same name. His vehicle ally represents his original gorilla alt-mode. The face is true to original and kind of looks to me like a mash-up of Galvatron and Soundwave almost. It's a very solid Decepticon face.

Megatron Body All Titan Masters Gallery

Here is perhaps the nerdiest endeavour on this blog. I've taken pictures of all my Titans Return figures with all of the different Titan Master heads on them. These galleries will be updated as more Titan Masters are acquired. The heads are in no particular order after the first which is the head that "belongs" on the body.

Robin - B:TAS (DC Collectibles)

Robin the Boy Wonder has been Batman's sidekick since 1940 so his inclusion in Batman: the Animated Series was a must. For this take on Batman's world Dick Grayson is a teenager at the end of high school/beginning of university. His costume is based on the then-new Tim Drake version of Robin designed by Neal Adams and incorporating long-pants at least 20 years overdue. The original figure from the B:TAS line was a redeco of a Robin figure from the Batman Returns action figure line and thus sports an incongruous six pack of abs with his animated style head. This figure is more true to the actual animation model of Robin.

Alpha Trion Body All Titan Masters Gallery

Here is perhaps the nerdiest endeavour on this blog. I've taken pictures of all my Titans Return figures with all of the different Titan Master heads on them. These galleries will be updated as more Titan Masters are acquired. The heads are in no particular order after the first which is the head that "belongs" on the body.

Phantasm - Mask of the Phantasm 2-pack (DC Collectibles)

The Phantasm is the main antagonist in the film Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, though the Joker gets some love too. The Phantasm is loosely based on the comics character The Reaper but their stories differ. Follow the link if you want 24 year old spoilers: http://dcau.wikia.com/wiki/Phantasm.
The design of the Phantasm is sleek and classic. I'm definitely glad I picked up this set.

Batman - Mask of the Phantasm 2-pack (DC Collectibles)

Everyone knows Batman. Not everyone knows that this is my favourite Batman. I was the perfect age when Batman: the Animated Series first graced the airwaves and it remains my idealized interpretation of the character.  In 1993 Batman: Mask of the Phantasm premiered in theatres as the first feature length DC Animated Film. I didn't see it in theatres but I do remember quite excitedly renting it on VHS at the first opportunity. When DC Collectibles started releasing figures based on B:TAS I resisted buying any as I hardly needed to buy more toys. However when I found this two-pack at my local comic shop I caved. It was just too much of a nostalgia storm to leave on the shelf.
These figures in general are excellent in their translation of the animated designs into three dimensions but their articulation is only alright (Though I may be spoiled by my S.H. Figuarts collection in that regard).

Princess Leia Organa Star Wars Rebels 3.75"

Even the most casual fan of Star Wars knows Princess Leia but in Star Wars Rebels we see her as a 16 year old who is still as fiery and badass as she'll become as an adult. Her concern for the welfare of others and a desire to fight for those who cannot are on full display.

Captain Rex Star Wars Rebels 3.75"

Captain Rex is a clone soldier who served under Anakin Skywalker during the Clone Wars and was a regular character on "The Clone Wars" TV series before appearing in "Rebels" a little older but still ready to fight for a cause.

Aughra - The Dark Crystal (Funko ReAction)

Aughra is the mysterious oracle who tells Jen of the Great Conjunction and has him choose a crystal shard from a box full of them. She is said to be one of the oldest living creatures on Thra and maintains a massive orrery tracking the positions of the planet's three suns. Her accessory is some kind of astronomical tool.

The Fifth Brother Star Wars Rebels 3.75"

The Fifth Brother Inquisitor was sent with the Seventh Sister by Darth Vader to destroy the growing rebellion. He sometimes uses his spinning dual lightsaber as a propellor to fly.

Galvatron Body All Titan Masters Gallery

Here is perhaps the nerdiest endeavour on this blog. I've taken pictures of all my Titans Return figures with all of the different Titan Master heads on them. These galleries will be updated as more Titan Masters are acquired. The heads are in no particular order after the first which is the head that "belongs" on the body.

Sawback Titan Master (Titans Return)

Titans Return brought back the Headmasters gimmick and the Titan Master class figures are heads that come with a small transforming vehicle.

Sawback is based on an obscure Japanese-only Headmaster called "Lione." I'm a sucker for orange dudes so I like him a lot. Plus his face is interesting.

Black Terror (Amazing Heroes Series 1)

The Black Terror was mild-mannered pharmacist Bob Benton until he irresponsibly used some "formic ethers" and instead of dying he became a superhero. Despite his fairly standard origin for a golden age comic hero Black Terror gained notoriety from his striking costume. Most recently he was featured in Dynamite Comics' Project Superpowers line. Amazing Heroes started as a Kickstarter project and can be found at Fresh Monkey Fiction.

Sentinel Prime Body All Titan Masters Gallery

Here is perhaps the nerdiest endeavour on this blog. I've taken pictures of all my Titans Return figures with all of the different Titan Master heads on them. These galleries will be updated as more Titan Masters are acquired. The heads are in no particular order after the first which is the head that "belongs" on the body.

Fangry Titan Master (Titans Return)

Titans Return brought back the Headmasters gimmick and the Titan Master class figures are heads that come with a small transforming vehicle.

Fangry is based on the G1 Headmaster of the same name. He has a cool neon green face.

Loudmouth Titan Master (Titans Return)

Titans Return brought back the Headmasters gimmick and the Titan Master class figures are heads that come with a small transforming vehicle.

Loudmouth is an homage to the Autobot G1 Headmaster Siren.

Ursol the Chanter - The Dark Crystal (Funko ReAction)

The gentle Mystics (or urRu) are the four-armed counterparts to the Skeksis. urSol the Chanter is connected to the Chamberlain Skeksis, and his song is capable of warping reality. The Mystics leave on a pilgrimage to the crystal palace in order to be present for the Great Conjunction. Only his arms are articulated and the lower two barely so. One of them popped off as soon as I moved it but popped back in easily.

Crashbash Titan Master (Titans Return)

Titans Return brought back the Headmasters gimmick and the Titan Master class figures are heads that come with a small transforming vehicle.

Crashbash is an homage to the Decepticon G1 headmaster Squeezeplay. As part of the initial wave of Titan Masters Crashbash has a slightly too small face for most of the deluxe class Titans Return bodies but does work on some of them (See the All Titan Masters Galleries).

The Inquisitor Star Wars Rebels 3.75"

The Grand Inquisitor is the main villain is season one of "Star Wars Rebels." He is the leader of the Empire's group of force-sensitive Jedi hunters. He uses a double-bladed lightsaber but unlike Darth Maul's his can spin around the central handle creating a buzzsaw effect.

The Chamberlain Skeksis - The Dark Crystal (Funko ReAction)

The Skeksis are the tyrannical rulers of the planet Thra who emerged when the Dark Crystal cracked. They are a people of great excess, flamboyance, and lack any kind of loyalty. The Chamberlain Skeksis (named skekSil) challenges the General skekUng and loses the battle for leadership of his people and is banished.

Twinferno Body All Titan Masters Gallery

Here is perhaps the nerdiest endeavour on this blog. I've taken pictures of all my Titans Return figures with all of the different Titan Master heads on them. These galleries will be updated as more Titan Masters are acquired. The heads are in no particular order after the first which is the head that "belongs" on the body.

Sabine Wren Star Wars Rebels 3.75"

Sabine Wren is a young Mandalorian who joins Phoenix Squadron after dropping out of the Imperial Academy. She is an artist with both paint and high explosives. She often leaves a graffiti tag in the Ghost's wake contributing to the team's notoriety. Ezra tries to flirt with her but she's too cool for him.