I think toy companies need a little humility. Not so much because they’re not making amazing things, more so because they’re making too much amazing stuff. Robosen has taken the world by storm. Their newest, Megatron, looks amazing, but who is collecting these things? Star Wars is getting a little more exciting as of late, but that might be because…

I’m not really feeling writing right now, but I’ll be back. You keep doing you.By Slick McFavorite (OpenYourToys.com)

The big four have set some pretty high expectations in the last couple of weeks. The Masters fall products look amazing. The Masterpiece Powermaster Optimus Prime looks great, but if Takara Tomy has done anything, it has set the expectation it will be pricey. I’ve got high expectations for the new Jazwares Vault regarding Micro Galaxy Squadron. Its…

It was a great couple of weeks of announcements and streams. The Transformer’s team showed off a bunch of stuff we already knew about, but seeing the new Cybertronian Wheeljack was amazing. The Master’s team showed off an impressive New Eternia Horde Trooper. Star Wars came in strong with their Imperial March. Probably my favorite thing was finally…

Let’s get this paddy started!By Slick McFavorite (OpenYourToys.com)

Let’s look at pre-orders this time around. I would definitely wait on the new TVC Clone Wars 4-Pack to save some money. I don’t think any of these Amazon multipacks have ever sold out before hitting ridiculously low prices. So glad I don’t do 1:6th scale. I’m not sure I could JOMO this amazing FigZero Snake Eyes. Something I probably would have FOM…

If you don't know I write a post for each episode, but only copy the second paragraph here. You should read the whole post. Here's the second paragraph for this episode... No funny or clever tie-ins to collecting this time; besides maybe, there's always a lesson to learn. Have you learned your lesson? Do you have a lesson to teach others? Don't hol…

Toys continue to just get better and better. Man, have you seen the Classified Vamp in hand? What about the new Black Series Droideka/Destroyer Droid? Hoowee! Never thought I would say hoowee for an Orko, but Mondo’s has earned a hoowee! And one for my boy, Mr. Mark Haddock, this Legacy Gears. Hoowee!…

I love supporting Kickstarters because they are really a day-at-a-time kind of thing. The latest Roboskull update shows how amazing this thing is going to be. Hasbro keeps finding a way to get more money from their molds while enticing us with one new thing. I’m still excited about their possible new Transformers Selects multi-pack. When there’s no…

I’ve talked about change, motivation, and getting things done too much. It’s time to put up or shut up.By Slick McFavorite (OpenYourToys.com)

Toys are getting a little messy. You have what seem to be hits like the MOTU x TMNT Crossover that keep gaining steam. But then you have what we feel are flops like the Hiya Joe line and their new Gung Ho. Some are inadvertently messy, like making a 5 PoA line out of figures that were originally 5 PoA. I’m looking at you Phantom Menace Retro Collec…

Something equally well-received as the HISS is the latest Figura Obscura from the 4Horsemen. Received not nearly as well, but still generating some excitement are the new O-ring Joes from Super7. I’m not sure Joe collectors will be so happy when they are $20+. Something that really impressed the crew this week was an intensely beautiful, or ugly, d…

No clever segue way this week, just the coolest stuff. The MOTU x TMNT crossovers have got us all excited. The revelation of the new Triple T in the Joe x TF crossover line sounds promising. Think Classified is killing it? The leaked listings prove that they are. While none of us collect Hot Toys, the new Ahsoka is yet another thing of beauty.…

Can you feel the frustration with collectors nowadays? It’s either pricing, availability, or too much product. Almost everyone I know is cutting back or quitting altogether. It’s not stopping these companies. We still haven’t got our first big Classified vehicle. We just got done funding our second big vehicle, now we have a third coming our way. T…

I meant to save a bunch of time and do a really well-thought-out reflection of our 15th Anniversary show. Well, you see how well that worked out.By Slick McFavorite (OpenYourToys.com)

(mic drop)By Slick McFavorite (OpenYourToys.com)

Hasbro Pulse Con was kind of meh this year, but it’ll be an easy field to pick my favorites from, so here we go. Believe it or not, I think the weird rock truck was my favorite Transformer reveal. I still have no intention of picking it up. I’m a sucker for the Old Republic, so the TVC HK-47 and Jedi Revan 2-Pack was easily my favorite Star Wars re…

All of my favorites from this show you can put off. None of them are really required for any sort of collection. As much as I love Lady Slither and her articulated tail, do we really need her? I almost wish I had collected the Holiday Black Series figures from the beginning, especially because the latest batch is just killing it on a bunch of diffe…

Why is it that I am constantly laboring on Labor Day? We just spent 3 hours doing yard work. That was after camping for the second time in so many weeks. Setting up and tearing down camp is always crazy laborious. The one thing I can skip is writing about it. Now you don't have to read it, win-win.By Slick McFavorite (OpenYourToys.com)

The way people collect can be equally as diverse as the way people choose to camp. And just as with camping, there’s no really right or wrong way to do it. I think this year’s Power-Con demonstrated this. The big two, Hasbro and Mattel, were nowhere to be found, but in their place was an amazingly diverse group of indy toy makers. The Four Horsemen…

With so many amazing reveals, this quick list shouldn’t be too hard. For Star Wars, the second wave of ROTJ figures is simply amazing. I think most Joe people would say the Vamp stole the show, but for my money, I’m all about the Pulse Con Exclusive Crimson Strike 3-Pack. I don’t think I’m in the minority when saying the new Studio Series Ultra Mag…

No time for the usual. SDCC is on fire and we’re going to do an impromptu show tomorrow to yak about it.By Slick McFavorite (OpenYourToys.com)

I don’t even know how to start this post. Unfortunately, we are dealing with the loss of our amazing Ruthie Goosie. She has been the backbone of our family for over 15 years. Through everything we have gone through, she has always been there for all of us. Especially as we are still experiencing some ups and downs, her presence is missed so much. I…

Sound quality and host quality aside, at least the content was amazing. We talk about the launch of the new HasLab Classified Dragonfly. Mondo absolutely killed it with their V2 Skeletor. The new TBS Endor Rebel Trooper is perfection. But, why so pricey, especially for an army builder? Probably worst kept spoiler in recent times gives all of us Tra…

I feel great about all the new Joes we’re seeing, but that’s because I’m a sub-team whore. I know everyone is loving Classified, but is that because they also love these sub-teams or are they just caught up in the hype? Those with a Sail Barge should be super-happy with the new Droid Factory R2-S4M. I love that we’re getting a new screen-based char…

Toy life is heating up. Transformers made some interesting announcements at their recent livestream. Loving the deep-dive on the Evolution line. Scrap-Iron is hot, but is he over-hyped? I’m really cold on the Masterverse Whiplash, but some may dig it. Some may be cold on the politics, but I’m absolutely loving the Pride mechs.…

It was one of those weeks. A lot of bad habits and not nearly enough good. I’m going to keep this short so I can get onto my good habits. However, I want to check in with everybody. Are your good habits winning? Are the bad habits creeping in? Either way, just keep on truckin’ and remember shit happens when you party naked.…

I think the Joe franchise survival instinct is kicking in with them trying to secure Michael Keaton for yet another reboot of the Joe cinematic universe. The Transformers team instinct is hopefully going to kick in when it comes to the Deathsaurus package artwork. Star Wars is doing pretty well with their Mando Mania, but I’m concerned that they’re…

No time to talk, we have a very special guest star making an appearance at Casa de McFavorite.By Slick McFavorite (OpenYourToys.com)

Nothing too exciting for Joe besides some new listings. We’re getting the inevitable repaint of the Volvo Prime. I really dig it but had no idea this thing was so small. While not crazy about the uncanny valley Luke in The Mandalorian, all the new Luke toys are very welcomed, including the new Training Luke. Saving the best for last was all of the …

All these companies have to do is what they’re doing. They are killing it, but is it too much? How many Classified Joes did you pre-order in the last couple of weeks? How about 3rd party Transformers? Maybe a couple of new Origins figures? FOMO finally got to me and I had to grab the new mini Lego Super Star Destroyer.…

Amazing toys that I don’t want also feel good. Kind of like this Mondo Trap Jaw. Or, the possibly leaked Mandalorian Starfighter. While I love the tractor for the Armada Prime, I definitely do not need it. A Classified Dragon Fly probably would have been needed, but we’ll never know.By Slick McFavorite (OpenYourToys.com)

Joe absolutely killed it this time around. While Snow Job is one of my favorite characters of all-time and they did justice to him, the Classified Scrap Iron is a thing of beauty. There were some great reveals at the latest Star Wars Livestream, but I think I gotta give it to the Revenge of Jedi Darth Vader. I’m glad to see the masses will be getti…

Shopping is one thing I haven’t been doing. However, I have been adding things to my JOMO (Joy Of Missing Out) list like crazy. Including a bunch of canceled pre-orders, I have over 60 toys on there right now. We’ll see if I still want them in a year. Some things I can’t wait to get to buy from this show are as follows. What looks to be a Target Co…

Here are my most important reveals from this show. For Transformers, the Furai Soundwave. While I cherry-pick ReAction, who doesn’t want Duke with a lightsaber or Snake Eyes with a trident? No Star Wars toy news this time, but I’m loving these Bad batch posters. Finally, Frog Monger sparked our JOMO (Joy of Missing Out) conversation. That still did…

No time for diatribes today.By Slick McFavorite (OpenYourToys.com)

Depending on how you view it, collectors should be feeling like they’re on top of the world. Have you seen the Classified Checklist? Did you see that over 15,000 people want an obscure Japanese cartoon character? Who wants tiny little stuff like 1:100 scale Star Wars brought back from the ’90s? I do! I can’t even keep up with all of the new Origins…

A lot of people aren’t the biggest fans of these carded Black Series figures. But, I love them, including the next wave of ROTJ figs. At least they give people another chance at some figures they may have missed. If you were like me, you missed the Origins Camo Khan. Let’s hope we get another shot and that great international variant. People had pl…

We once again had some amazing stuff. However, not too much for the big four. Probably the most exciting was from Mondo. Their Panthro, uh, I mean Panthor is amazing. Also, listen just for our discussion on their Anti-Eternia He-Man. It’s a classic. Less amazing, but something I am really digging right now is the vintage carded Black Series figures…

I don’t think Mondo has faced much rejection in it’s storied history. Everything they do from posters, to wax, to what is possibly the best Battle Cat ever made seems to sell out. Well, except for their puzzles and tikis. Beyond product drops, I think the most immediate response you can garner is after a con. While at the con, people are all excite…

It’s been a helluva 2 weeks.By Slick McFavorite (OpenYourToys.com)

Instead of my four favorite things from the show, I’m going to speculate on what will be worth the most money in 5 years. If it makes it all the way, the 31-inch Agora Model Prime is going to be worth a ton. However, it’s going to cost a ton too. Maybe we should be looking at increase in value. Since I wholeheartedly believe Pops won’t be worth muc…

Luckily with toys, we primarily worry about fan service. Man, this time around I think we got some great service. The G1 Jetfire Deco Valkyrie from Kitz Concept is amazing, if not pricey. Any toy based on McQuarrie concepts is going to be a favorite with me. Same thing with MOTU mini-comic homages, especially those of one of my favorite characters.…

How could I cut a whole line when they keep rockin’ stuff like we saw this week? Upon further review, there really wasn’t anything that amazing this time. And yet we still managed to talk for over 2 hours. Maybe it was because we had the triumphant return, for at least one episode, of past host and resident curmudgeon, the one and only, Lotus Stark…

While not necessarily retro, with a trip to the happiest place on earth on the books, the new 4-pack DroidFactory exclusive has 3 of my favorite Halloween-themed droids. And if Halloween isn’t nostalgic for you, I think you did it wrong. Think they’re not targeting us, the Classified Checklist from the last 3 years says differently. I always prefer…

Pretty easy picks this year for top reveals. I always love me an origins story. Gotta get another Pax, but a good Alpha has been a long time coming. I think it’s safe to say Classified Serpentor stole the show. Well, maybe not if you’re a MOTU fan. That Eternia, am I right? Star Wars was a little lack-luster, but I’ll take another Credit Collection…

Glad I don’t want to order too many of Super7’s Joe exclusives, but their ReAction set with Snake Eyes and Shipwreck in Cobra disguise and Cobra bot is amazing. Much less amazing was the TFCon 3rd Party Panel. I was all excited because I thought a Planet-X Snarl was something I needed, turns out it was Fansproject I’m missing. The MEGA Snake Mounta…

These toy companies have been busy to varying degrees of success. The HasLab HISS killed it! Now bring on more stretch goals. I cannot wait to see the new Star Wars Micro Galaxy in stores. Especially the Troop Transport. However, the “new” Transformers Crossovers have a lot to be desired. Mattel tried to pull a fast one by putting the new Mega Cons…

I have been so lazy the last few days. Not really feeling doing the whole writing thing. I need to catch up on real life.By Slick McFavorite (OpenYourToys.com)

I am still a sucker for repaints, but I have grown to really love drastically different designs of a character. No longer does a chromed Stormtrooper matter, but a concept design-based reimaging of characters like the Black Series Concept Obi and Vader, a yes, please. No thank you to black Primes, but hell yes to a minor retool to homage a vintage …