So, unlike my cohorts, I decided to wait until after 2012 had ended to make sure I had every toy in hand I possibly could (and not because I was procrastinating and/or working on school stuff, no way that happened at all, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it). That said, there are some pieces that will be very familiar because we all have overlap in our collections, but no two lists are identical! That said, here’s Gene’s Top 10 Toys for 2012!
10. Takara Arms Micron Breakdown
2012 was a change of sorts for me in a lot of ways. I became less concerned with the aesthetic of “updated” looks for toys, and found myself valuing more and more the screen accurate toys in my collection. Arms Micron Breakdown is a microcosm of this shift, as his screen accurate alt and robot modes make him one of the premier entries from the Takara Arms Micron Prime line. Unfortunately this toy will never see a US release, but even with import prices, this great looking figure always made me feel like I got my money’s worth. Even his retools of Swerve and Silas Breakdown warranted imports for me, and the transformation sequences and attention to detail made it one of my favorite “mainline” Transformers of the year.
9. iGear Weapon / Medical Specialists (Not Ironhide and Not Ratchet) PP05
As listeners of our podcast know, this item was a very frustrating one for me. Not for when I got the item in hand, but rather the constant delays and lack of response I had from the import company I purchased them from. Fitting in with iGear’s PP line (not-Masterpiece sized collection), the van brothers were a much welcomed addition to my Masterpiece toys, having come straight out of the G1 Cartoon and into my collection. The plethora of accessories, the detailed sculpts and engineering were truly great. While these delays made it a maddening experience for me personally, the amount of detail and thought put into these toys were well worth the price point, and earned the crotchety medic and hardened soldier a spot in my Top Ten list.
8. Hasbro First Edition Bulkhead
This item was technically available over two years (late 2011 and late 2012) but since it reached my area domestically in 2012, it hits this year’s list. As mentioned previously in the first two toys on this list, screen accuracy is very important to me, and Bulkhead is far and away my favorite Prime character. Having this toy in hand was a game changer for me. It got me off the fence of being a Prime collector, and thrust me headfirst into the toy line. Even now, this toy remains perhaps the pinnacle of the Prime line so far. The details, the accurate alt mode and the imposing presence it gives all earn it high marks and make it the first domestic Transformer on my list for 2012.
7. Hot Toys The Dark Knight Rises Batpod
You knew it wouldn’t be long before the Hot Toys figures made their debut didn’t you? Well, yeah, so did I. Honestly, I struggled with putting this one so low, because there are SO many quality figures from the past year. The Batpod was another quality entry in a long line of wonderful Hot Toys Batman related releases over the past few years, and this one definitely lived up to it. A few minor QC tweaks bugged me, and that’s what led it to drop down this far on the list. But it’s an immaculate piece, and one you should definitely pick up for your DX12, DX02 Batman, or the upcoming Catwoman release later this year. It just doesn’t feel right without one of them nearby.
6. Takara MP-11 Coronation Starscream
There’s some people who might be skeptical of this choice, after all, it’s just a remold of a several years old release right? Well, yes it is, but it’s what and HOW it changed that moved it onto my list. This figure took a marginal Masterpiece figure and put it into the top 3 Masterpiece releases of all time.
The re-engineered design fixed fans biggest complaints, and the ball-jointed null rays are perfection. With so many re-releases and re-tools I’m sure some fans are having mold fatigue with the Hasbro Thundercracker and the Takara Sunstorm (not to mention iGear’s own take on the Seekers over the past couple of years) but if you haven’t picked one up, do yourself a favor and do it. Your King Starscream demands it!
5. Takara MP-12 Lambor Sideswipe
“OH MY GOD, HOW COULD THEY DO THIS ITS TOO SMALL! RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGE!” That pretty well summed up the majority of the comments I saw when Takara first revealed the size of MP-12, Mr. Lambor or Sideswipe (dependent on how you view it). It’s a shame people were so fixated on the size, because they missed out on one of the most well-engineered Masterpiece Transformers to date. The lack of rubber tires bother some, but the overall quality of the piece is phenomenal. The dead-on alt mode, with official Lamborghini license and the G1 picture perfect robot mode literally jack-hammered home (ha ha) the statement Takara and Hasbro are making with their Masterpiece line. It’s going to be awesome, it’s going to be screen-accurate, and you’re going to love them. They hit on all those points with the first of the Lambo brothers in Masterpiece form.
4. Iminime/Rainman Collaboration The Demon’s Head Ra’s Ah Ghul
“The training is nothing! The will is everything!” I hear Liam Neeson’s voice resonate in my head every time I look at this figure, and that’s a testament to how great Iminime and Rainman’s collaboration is. Ra’s Ah Ghul steps straight off the silver screen and into my collection without missing a beat. My favorite sub-plot of the Dark Knight trilogy was finally completed by having Ra’s face off against Batman, and this figure was worth every penny. The headsculpt, final battle costume, gas mask and cane sword were so perfect, I was literally in awe when I received my most sought after figure of the year. While it’s currently sitting in my review queue, I’m sure you’ll be questioning why it’s only #4 after I’m done writing it. It’s that good.
3. Hot Toys Sideshow Exclusive S.W.A.T. Jim Gordon
If you’ve checked out my review on Mr. James Gordon (found here) you know I love this Sideshow Exclusive. Lt. Gordon’s ascension to Commissioner wouldn’t have been complete without his S.W.A.T. duties in the Dark Knight, and the exclusive deco made for an excellent introduction for Gary Oldman’s perennial excellent take on the character. Perhaps the most sought after Batman exclusive to date, the S.W.A.T. version is possibly the most detailed Hot Toys figure I’ve purchased to date, and even with aftermarket prices right now, it’s worth every penny.
2. Hasbro Masterpiece Optimus Prime MP-10
What can be said about this figure that hasn’t been said by TJ and Ian? This entry (at an amazing price domestically) hammered home that it was simply one of, if not the best, releases ever to hit for Transformers collectors in the United States. A bargain at $100 (complete with tractor and trailer) this Optimus Prime stepped right out of your childhood and into your living room with this engineering marvel. A significant departure from the MP-01 mold, this one fixed a lot of wrongs, and the anime accurate colors really sealed the deal on what a wonderful release this figure was for US collectors. The inclusion of Roller and Spike, and absolutely no skimping from the previous Takara release cemented the commitment to fans that Hasbro and Takara had made with their Masterpiece line. It was a game changer, and the results are promising for collectors everywhere.
1. Hot Toys The Dark Knight Tumbler Black Edition
“Does it come in black?” It does. And it did. My largest (both figuratively and literally) purchase for my collection is unlike any other collectible I’ve ever had. The flawless representation from the movie schematics and on-screen appearance to the behemoth sitting in my workshop is amazing. The LED lighting, the cockpit and internal computer systems, the rubber wheels, the movable flaps and functioning steering column are all perfect. The best endorsement I can give it? My wife, who at best tolerates my collecting, said, “Out of everything you’ve bought, that might be the one thing I’d let you display prominently in the house.” It’s a phenomenal piece, and while the price tag is hefty, it’s worth every penny, and would be the centerpiece of any collection. It certainly is in mine.
Final Thoughts
It was a large shift in mindset for me this year in terms of how and what I collect. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. I expanded my horizons quite a bit and chose to focus on what was really important to me for my collection, and that focus helped me get some of the most amazing pieces I’ve ever had the privilege of owning. 2013 has a lot on tap as well, and if it turns out half as well as this year, well, let’s just say you all are going to be getting tired of reading my musings on toys! With Hot Toys Bane, Catwoman, DX11 Joker and DX12 Batman and a Camo Tumbler coming down the pipeline for sure, as well as Masterpiece Soundwave and Cassettes, it’s going to be another year of much sought after pieces for me. And that’s just what has been announced so far. I’m sure more will come, and I’ll be happy to bring you more coverage on the amazing releases as they happen, and I want to thank TJ and Ian, along with everyone else in these amazing fandoms for being a part of the ride with us and we are all looking forward to another wonderful year!
