Chromedome Deluxe Class Figure (Titans Return)

Chromedome is the other main Autobot headmaster (along with Brainstorm, Highbrow, and Hardhead) and rounded out the cast of the anime. His most recent rise to prominence was as a "mnemosurgeon" and crew member on the "Lost Light" in IDW's "Transformers: More than Meets the Eye" comic book series which I highly recommend reading. I'm not caught up on its successor series "Transformers: Lost Light" yet but Mrs. ISMOTU assures me it's still awesome. The Hasbro version of Chromedome has a head very much based on his comics appearance whereas Takara-Tomy made the Titan Master head more true to his original anime/toy appearance. This was one time where I totally prefer the Hasbro version to the Takara-Tomy version. But I'm 100% biased because I love the comics and Chromedome's role as the insecure "conjux endura" of Rewind.

Mad Hatter - B:TAS (DC Collectibles)

Jervis Tetch is obsessed with the works of Lewis Carroll and uses his mind-control technology to facilitate his crimes as the Mad Hatter. In the animated series he was voiced by Roddy McDowall. This Mad Hatter figure looks like he jumped right off the screen but his long coat basically nullifies his leg articulation. He comes with alternate hands, a crazy axe and some kind of control panel for mind control shenanigans. Also that creepy creepy grin.

Thunderstrike (Marvel Infinite Series 3.75")

The final Thor-adjacent post in this run of bonus posts brings us to Eric Masterson's post-Thor superhero identity, Thunderstrike.

Named after the mystic mallet given to him by Odin after the return of the original Thor because Odin is nothing if not fickle. As detailed previous this look just oozes 90's and unfortunately Thunderstrike's career was a short 24 issues and (22 year old spoilers) then he died. He's just the sort of second tier, relatively obscure hero that plucks at my fanboy heartstrings. What's kind of funny is that I only really learned about Eric Masterson as Thunderstrike (as opposed to his turn as Thor) from the introduction of his son Kevin all grown up as a new Thunderstrike in the MC2 universe of Spider-Girl fame. Tom DeFalco and Ron Frenz, creators of Eric Masterson, were also the driving force behind much of the MC2 line including A-Next, the next generation of Avengers led by Kevin Masterson's Thunderstrike. He shared his dad's penchant for ponytails but luckily not much else in terms of fashion sense. Kewl.

Thor, Eric Masterson (Marvel Infinite Series 3.75")

This Thursday seems an appropriate day to feature my only Thor figure. As I mentioned in a previous post Eric Masterson filled in for Thor during a time when Odin had banished the Thunder God for ...reasons. His Thor had a beard and added a mask to the helmet and somehow lost the sides of his shirt somehow. This was the Thor who participated in the "Infinity Gauntlet" and also some of the earliest comics I read. There were some great moments where he's trying to bluff the other heroes into thinking he's the original Thor. Good times, good comics.

Valkyrie (Marvel Infinite Series 3.75")

I'm still on a Thor kick after seeing "Thor: Ragnarok" so here's a character who was actually in the movie (sort of).

Valkyrie is best known as a member of the Defenders (a team I enjoy for sure) but I was inspired to grab this figure as part of the first roster of Secret Avengers from Ed Brubaker's and Mike Deodato's initial run back in 2010. She's sometimes a Valkyrie of legend possessing a human with an estranged husband but sometimes not. Maybe? I haven't kept up with her current continuity. This is a serviceable figure but has the scrawniness problem many female action figures suffer from. Her sword also warped pretty easily during my recent move. I tried straightening it out with a modicum of success.

Optimus Prime Deluxe Class (Transformers Robots in Disguise 2015)

If you don't know Optimus Prime, I'm not sure what rock you've been living under. This is Prime from the latest Robots in Disguise cartoon series. I like this take on Optimus where he's no longer the leader of the Autobots on Earth and has to readjust to his new more advisory role. I don't really need more Optimus Prime figures but this one caught my eye because he's a rare case of a deluxe class figure who transforms into an entire semi-truck, trailer and all.

Thunderstrike & Kronan Stone Man (MiniMates)

In honour of seeing Thor: Ragnarok on the weekend I bring you this bonus post of the first (and probably last) MiniMates 2-pack I ever bought. They are okay little figures but not really my cup of tea. I got this set because I saw it in a nerd store at a reasonable price. It is interesting how much our early experiences with pop culture can follow us a long time. My affinity for the character of Thunderstrike comes from a couple of the earliest comics I remember owning. These were from the time when Eric Masterson had become the Mighty Thor. When the original Thor returned Odin gave Masterson an enchanted mace, Thunderstrike, from which he took his new superhero name. Thunderstrike's costume design proves the the 90's didn't just affect Image Comics or the X-Men. But I love it. The Kronan race first appeared as the "Stone Men from Saturn" in Thor's very first appearance back in Journey into Mystery #83 in 1962. They were pretty generic Silver Age aliens but the character of Korg who appeared in "World War Hulk" became the most famous. Doubly so now that he appears in "Thor: Ragnarok" and steals most of the scenes he's in.

Ultraman Zero Renewal (Ultra-Act)

Ultraman Zero is the most prominent Ultra who hasn't headlined an actual TV series. The son of Ultraseven first appeared in the 2009 film "Mega Monster Battle: Ultra Galaxy Legend the Movie." When I was first dipping my toes into tokusatsu I ended up checking out some of the more self-contained or isolated stories and that film and it's follow up "Ultraman Zero the Movie: Super Deciding Fight! The Belial Galactic Empire" inspired me to seek out some Ultra-merch. So I think this was actually my first Ultra-Act figure and he sets a high standard.

All-New All-Different Spider-Man 2099 (Marvel Legends Infinite Series)

In 2015 Spider-Man 2099 got a new series and a new costume. I haven't read any of these but I liked the design enough to pick up this figure at a good price. He doesn't have the clawed hands or web cape and appears to be a slightly different base figure than my other Spider-Men from this line. A little beefier I'd say. Still great.