The Dark Knight Returns (DC Comics)

The Dark Knight Returns
DC Comics
1986

Frank Miller's critically acclaimed The Dark Knight Returns story arc helped to forever changed the perception of Batman for the majority of the general public.  Interesting enough, the entire series doesn't actually fall under The Dark Knight Returns banner.  This is only the title for the first book in the four book series.  The second is entitled; The Dark Knight Triumphant, the third, Hunt The Dark Knight, and the final, The Dark Knight Falls.  At least ten printings have been released which compile the entire series under one cover.

DKR tells the story of a now 55-year old Bruce Wayne who comes out of retirement to once again dawn the garb of Batman.  However, what he finds is a new Gotham City.  A Gotham City that doesn't necessarily want him - or at least the police force, and United States government due to the banning of all superheroes.  While no specific time period is mentioned, the book states that it has been a full decade since the last sighting of Batman.

Carrie Kelley, after being saved by Batman purchases a knock off Robin suit, and seeks out The Dark Knight in hopes of joining him.  She finds him facing the entire gang of Mutants, and helps him not only win, but get away, cementing her role as the next Robin.

The series also features such notable villains as Two-Face and The Joker.  The final outcome with The Joker is so amazing that we won't ruin it for anyone who wishes to read the series - In fact, the remainder of the series is so good we won't spoil it for you.  Suffice to say, if you haven't read this series, and you enjoy Batman even by .00000001%, you should check this series out.

Join us next time when we take a look at Marvels!

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News From The Toy Box - Xbox One Revealed

Microsoft unveiled its next gen console yesterday, the Xbox One.  Microsoft is certainly pushing to be the all in one entertainment system in your living room, and it shows.

The more that the reps rambled on about it, the clearer it became that their focus wasn't necessarily on video games, but rather television, internet, and unfortunately Kinect recognition.  The system also appears to be leaning heavily on EA sports, and sports in general.

Highlights of the reveal, but not necessarily exciting ones were;

1) The ability to do multiple things at one time, such as watch a movie and surf the web
2) An exclusive Halo television series
3) Fantasy football merging with ESPN live sports
4) Skyping and trending with friends
5) Cable television and movies
6) Unveiling of the next Call of Duty
7) Fifteen brand new franchise games - Eight of which are exclusive to the Xbox One
8) An announcement that the system will in fact be launching this year

It's impressive - if you're looking for an all in one machine.  For us, we buy a gaming console to...Well...Play games.  All the additional bells and whistles don't impress us, and are sure it comes with a hefty price tag tacked on.

No announcement was made as to the specific date the console would launch, nor a price point.  Microsoft also avoided answering the two biggest questions on everyone's mind - 1) Will it require an always on internet connection?  2) Will used games be made obsolete because all games will need to be installed and verified with a serial number?  Until we hear the answer to these four questions, it's a little difficult for us to get excited about the Xbox One.

Microsoft promises more details at E3, which takes place June 11th though the 13th, 2013.  Hopefully they'll give us the answers to these important questions.

For the entire reveal, check out IGN's video "HERE".

Until next time, this has been News from The Toy Box.

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Sandman (DC Comics/Vertigo Comics)

Sandman
DC/Vertigo Comics
1989-1996

Though Sandman originally appeared in volume one of the series in 1974 (as The Sandman), the critically acclaimed series from writer Neil Gaiman which launched in 1989 was only the same iteration in name - Though it was still technically a re-launch of the series.  Gaiman had been working on a treatment for the revival of the series, and mentioned it in passing to then editor Karen Berger, but it wouldn't be until months later that he was offered the chance to actually produce the books.

With the green light on the series, Gaiman drafted an eight issue outline which he passed along to Dave McKean and Leigh Baulch.  The duo quickly went to work on concept sketches which were turned over to Berger for review.  McKean had a very strong vision for the book, insisting that the main character didn't need to appear on every cover.  This allowed the series to have some of the most unique covers in the history of comics.

With concepts approved, artist Sam Keith went to work on the series.  Gaiman describes the first issue as awkward for the group because none of them had ever worked on a regularly released series before.  For reasons unknown, Sam Keith quit as artist after issue five.  This was the beginning of what would become a revolving door of artists for the seventy-five issue series.  Artists such as Et Al, Dave McKean, Kelley Jones and Michael Zulli (just to name a few) tried their hand at the series.

As a whole, the series helped to put DC Comics sister company, Vertigo Comics on the map as one of its flagship titles.  Though this didn't happen until issue number forty-seven.  Each book chronicled the adventures of Dream (of the family The Endless), who rules over the world of dreams.  He returns to his domain after being trapped and held prisoner for 70 years and embarks on a quest to regain the powers he once possessed.

While it was a continuous series, several "chapters" are spread across multiple consecutive books, chronicling specific stories.  This in turn allowed new readers to the series to easily jump on board at any point.

Sandman was a critical success winning several awards, and being named on the New York Times best sellers list.  This is a rare occasion for any comic book, as the NYT typically wouldn't give comic books the time of day as they weren't (and to an extent still aren't) considered true forms of literature.

When Gaiman left the series Sandman was cancelled.  This was due to a line item in his contract which stipulated that the series would end upon his departure.

Join us next time when we take a look at The Dark Night Returns!

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News From The Toy Box - Figures Toy Company Retro Batman Series 2

Figures Toy Company is moving full speed ahead with their retro Batman eight inch line based on the vintage Mego designs.  We've already gotten a peak at series one, and a collectible carry case.  Now they've provided photos of the upcoming series two set.

 

The second wave will feature four "dolls", most impressively are the Dick Grayson and Bruce Wayne ones.  What makes these two special is that when they were initially released through Mego, they were Montgomery Ward exclusives, and only released as clothing packs that came with the heads.  You couldn't get the bodies as it was intended that you would remove the head from your Batman and Robin figures, replacing them with these, and then put the clothing on them.  To see actual figures of them is actually pretty awesome.

 

Also coming with wave two will be The Penguin and Catwoman.

 

 

 

We still aren't 100% sold on this line as a whole, but for those of you out there who love the vintage Megos, but not necessarily the price tag attached to them, this could be the series for you.

 

Until next time, this has been News from The Toy Box.

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The Maxx (Image Comics)

The Maxx
Image Comics
1993-1997

The Maxx, one of Image Comic's first series quickly became one of its most popular.  Created by Sam Keith, the series spans thirty-five issues between 1993 to 1997.

The story stars The Maxx who exists on two plains of existence.  In the real world he lives as a homeless man who often times is helped by a freelance social worker, Julie Winters.  In the alternate realm, The Outback, The Maxx serves as the protector of The Jungle Queen - coincidentally also Julie Winters, though she is unaware of this duel plain of existence.

When Mr. Gone is introduced, he starts making obscene phone calls to Julie.  Convinced he's just a strange nut, she ignores him.  In reality, this serial rapist is quite aware of Julie, and has access to both hers and many others Outbacks.  When The Maxx involves himself, saving Julie from Mr. Gone, he turns his intentions on the big purple guy, unleashing his canniblistic Isz creatures on him.  These various battles take place in both the real world, and The Outback.

Eventually Gone makes Julie see the truth of her past, and how The Maxx came to be.  Several more aspects of her are revealed over time in various back stories.  One of the most important being about when she was raped by a hitch-hiker who also beats her, leaving her to die.  This in turn leads to the most vital to the story reveal of her past when she hits a homeless man with her car, and rather than help him drags him to an alley, and covers him with trash.  Julie also leaves a lampshade in the trash which brushed with The Outback.  When it touches the man it forms a mask, and the man becomes The Maxx.

Later in the series the story switches focus to a teen named Sarah who has been sent to Julie for counseling by her mother.  Her mother is concerned about Sarah's well being, and disciplines her constantly in hopes that she won't grow up to be like her father, who is eventually revealed to be Mr. Gone.

With the conclusion of this story, the series leaps forward several years focusing on Sarah (now spelled Sara), and a giant murderous banana slug from her Outback.  Julie and Dave (The Maxx) have vanished.  When they return, a deeper tale unravels regarding Julie and her son Mark.  Julie wants him to believe she is dead so he will stop looking for her due to the dangers of The Outback.

Time is unraveling for the group, and various alternate realities begin opening.  In the end the characters are all changed.  Some for the better, some for the worse, but all with a small knowledge of their past, but not enough to put all the pieces together.

In 1995 MTV optioned the rights to produce an animated series which closely followed the comic book story.  Sadly, it only lasted seven episodes, and doesn't cover the entire comic series.

Join us next time when we take a look at Sandman!

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News From The Toy Box - Masters Of The Universe Classic The Spirit Of Hordak Figure

If you enjoy being the brunt of someone else's joke, then head on over to MattyCollector.com where you can spend hours, days, weeks, or more searching their website for a hidden Hordak symbol.  Upon finding said symbol, you can be one of the very few who get the opportunity to purchase Hasbro's first official "chase" figure, The Spirit of Hordak.

These figures started showing up on the site last week, and while rumors were flying, there was no official announcement from Hasbro until just recently;

"We just released the first ever MOTUC chase figure, Spirit of Hordak™! He’ll appear unannounced in our Shop throughout the year so everyone will have a chance to find him. And if you’re a subscriber, we’ll have a small amount available during Early Access starting 5/14 at 8 a.m. PT. He’s subject to sellout during Early Access (purchase limit has been reduced to four per subscriber) and won’t be available to the public on 5/15, but watch for his logo in the Shop – you never know when he’ll sneak back in."

There has been no official word as to just how much the figure costs, but eBay has already been lit up by people trying to get over a hundred dollars for the figure.  So how will you get yours?  Will you take the easy route and pay a scalper?  Or will you tough it out and spend endless time on the site?

Until next time, this has been News from The Toy Box.

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News From The Toy Box - Transformers Metroplex

Nothing says "wow!" like an over two foot tall Transformers toy.  That's what Hasbro has lined up for fans with their fall 2013 release of the ultimate Metroplex figure/vehicle/playset.  This beast will be the ultimate edition for any Transformers fan, featuring multiple points of articulation, lights, panels that open and close to reveal hidden compartments, and of course, the ability to transform.  As a triple changer, Metroplex will have the ability to be in robot form, a wheeled vehicle, and of course, a massive fortress playset.

Hasbro is boasting this as "THE" largest Transformer to date, and at only $125.00, that's a fairly reasonable price.  If you're a Transformers fanatic, then this is a "must have!"

Metroplex in Fortress Mode

Metroplex in Vehicle Mode

Until next time, this has been News from The Toy Box.

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