Pop Culture Safari!

Pop Culture Roundup Dec. 6, 2006

"Lost" will be airing an hour later--10 p.m. instead of 9 p.m. ET--when it returns from hiatus Feb. 7. The switch is so "Lost" won't be up against "American Idol" on Fox.

As for what will compete against "Idol," ABC has decided that laughter -- and games -- are the best medicine. Net has slotted its laffer "Knights of Prosperity" Wednesdays at 9 p.m., directly against the "Idol" results show. It'll be paired at 9:30 with another new comedy, "In Case of Emergency."

Laffer hour is set to debut Jan. 3, a month before "Day Break" was set to end its run. ABC News programming will fill the 10 p.m. Wednesday slot in January before "Lost" returns.

Best "Lost" Sites.

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"The U.S. Versus John Lennon," which documents the Nixon Administration's attempts to boot the Beatle out of the country due to his political influence, will be out on DVD Feb. 13. Extras include a Walter Cronkite interview with the Beatles. You can pre-order the disk now for $19.59 from Amazon.

Best Beatles Sites.

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Like Batman? You'll like the Bat Blog.

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Fans have voted current Doctor Who actor David Tennant as their favorite person ever in the role, ousting Tom Baker from his longtime top spot.

The Scottish actor, who made his debut last Christmas, received 28% of votes cast in a survey of 4,000 readers of Doctor Who Magazine.

"This is a real honour, and I am totally gobsmacked," he said.

I'm a Pertwee man myself.

Also: Billie Piper also beat out longime favorite Elisabeth Sladen as the Doctor's favorite assistant.

Best Doctor Who Sites.

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More Doctor Who: Here's a UK Radio Times cover promoting the series' upcoming Christmas episode.

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Will a live-action "Justice League" series spin out of "Smallville"? Maybe.

Aquaman, Flash and Cyborg will be returning to The CW's Smallville -- which has also featured Green Arrow and Martian Manhunter -- for an upcoming episode called "Justice." The episode, which is under tight wraps by the network and Warner Bros. Television, will be one of Smallville's most expensive and ambitious of the season.

Now, a source tells The Comics Continuum that DC Comics heroes will likely again be appearing in another episode of Smallville before the sixth season is over.

Best Superman Sites.

New comics Dec. 6, 2006

See complete lists:
DC Archives
DC Showcase
DC Trade Paperbacks
Marvel Masterworks
Marvel Essentials
Marvel Trade Paperbacks
Upcoming Trade Paperbacks - Graphic Novels

Comics shipping Dec. 6, 2006

DARK HORSE COMICS

JUL060042 BERSERK VOL 14 TP (MR) $13.95 $11.16 at Amazon.
AUG060057 OLD BOY VOL 3 TP (NOTE PRICE) $12.95 $10.36 at Amazon.
JUN060050 STAR WARS REBELLION #5 $2.99

DC COMICS

OCT060175 52 WEEK #31 $2.50
OCT068020 ACTION COMICS 2ND PTG #844 $2.99
OCT068021 ACTION COMICS VAR ED #844 (O/A) $2.99
OCT060179 ALL NEW ATOM #6 $2.99
OCT060283 AMERICAN SPLENDOR #4 (OF 4) (MR) $2.99
OCT060153 BATMAN CONFIDENTIAL #1 $2.99
OCT060268 DESOLATION JONES #8 (MR) $2.99
OCT060156 DETECTIVE COMICS #826 $2.99
OCT060291 EXTERMINATORS #12 (MR) $2.99
OCT060277 FRIDAY THE 13TH #1 (MR) $2.99
OCT060278 FRIDAY THE 13TH VAR ED #1 (MR) $2.99
OCT060193 JONAH HEX #14 $2.99
OCT060236 JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED #28 $2.25
OCT060203 JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #1 $3.99
OCT060204 JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA VAR ED #1 $3.99
OCT060240 LOONEY TUNES #145 $2.25
OCT060216 MANHUNTER #26 $2.99
OCT060217 MANHUNTER VAR ED #26 $2.99
OCT060261 MIDNIGHTER #2 $2.99
OCT060262 MIDNIGHTER VAR EDITION #2 $2.99
OCT060214 MYSTERY IN SPACE #4 (OF 8) $3.99
STAR10401 NEIL GAIMANS MIDNIGHT DAYS TP $17.95 $13.13 at Amazon.
OCT060219 NEXT #6 (OF 6) $2.99
OCT060159 NIGHTWING #127 $2.99
SEP060299 NINJA SCROLL #3 $2.99
SEP060300 NINJA SCROLL VAR EDITION #3 $2.99
OCT060297 OTHER SIDE #3 (OF 5) (MR) $2.99
OCT060223 OUTSIDERS #43 $2.99
SEP060272 PIECES OF A SPIRAL VOL 6 $9.99
SEP060247 SACHS AND VIOLENS TP (MR) $14.99 $10.19 at Amazon.
OCT058022 SANDMAN VOL 4 SEASON OF MISTS TP $19.99 $13.59 at Amazon.
SEP060253 SHOWCASE PRESENTS SHAZAM VOL 1 TP $16.99 $11.55 at Amazon.
SEP060205 SUPERGIRL #12 $2.99
OCT060168 SUPERMAN CONFIDENTIAL #2 $2.99
APR050377 SWORD OF THE DARK ONES VOL 2 (MR) $9.99
OCT060252 TRANQUILITY #1 $2.99
OCT060253 TRANQUILITY VAR ED A #1 $2.99
OCT060254 TRANQUILITY VAR ED B #1 $2.99
SEP060298 WRAITHBORNE TP $19.99

IMAGE COMICS

JUN061705 BATTLE POPE #12 (MR) $3.50
OCT061908 COWBOYS & ALIENS TP $4.99
OCT061868 CROSS BRONX #4 (OF 4) (MR) $2.99
JUL061701 FEAR AGENT #9 $2.99
OCT061873 GIRLS #20 (MR) $2.99
AUG061769 INVINCIBLE #37 $2.99
OCT061845 MELTDOWN #1 (OF 2) $5.99
OCT061878 NIGHT CLUB #4 (OF 4) $2.99
OCT061879 NIGHTLY NEWS #2 (OF 6) $2.99
SEP061788 OFFICIAL HANDBOOK O/T INVINCIBLE UNIVERSE #1 (OF 2) $4.99
AUG061780 STRANGE GIRL #12 $2.99
AUG061781 WALKING DEAD #33 (MR) $2.99
JUL061740 WITCHBLADE #102 $2.99
MAY061795 WITCHBLADE COMPENDIUM ED TP $59.99

MARVEL COMICS

OCT062137 AGENTS OF ATLAS #5 (OF 6) $2.99
OCT062139 AVENGERS EARTHS MIGHTIEST HEROES II #3 (OF 8) $3.99
OCT062142 BEYOND #6 (OF 6) $2.99
OCT062146 DOCTOR STRANGE OATH #3 (OF 5) $2.99
OCT062228 ESSENTIAL DEFENDERS VOL 2 TP $16.99 $11.55 at Amazon.
JUL051937 ESSENTIAL GHOST RIDER VOL 1 TP $16.99 $11.55 at Amazon.
OCT062156 INCREDIBLE HULK #101 $2.99
OCT062141 IRREDEEMABLE ANT-MAN #3 $2.99
OCT062162 MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN #22 $2.99
OCT062222 MARVEL COMICS PRESENTS WOLVERINE VOL 4 TP $12.99 $10.39 at Amazon.
OCT062160 MARVEL HOLIDAY SPECIAL $3.99
OCT062183 NEW EXCALIBUR #14 $2.99
OCT062220 NEW X-MEN CHILDHOODS END VOL 3 TP $10.99 $8.79 at Amazon.
OCT062166 NEWUNIVERSAL #1 $2.99
OCT062199 RED PROPHET TALES OF ALVIN MAKER #4 (OF 12) $2.99
JAN062103 SILVER SURFER REBIRTH OF THANOS TP $24.99 $17.24 at Amazon.
OCT062134 SPIDER-MAN AND POWER PACK #2 (OF 4) $2.99
OCT062135 SPIDER-MAN REIGN #1 (OF 4) $3.99
SEP062133 STAN LEE MEETS SILVER SURFER $3.99
OCT062227 STAR BRAND CLASSIC VOL 1 TP $19.99
OCT052026 ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN VOL 14 WARRIORS TP $17.99
OCT062128 ULTIMATE VISION #1 (OF 5) $2.99
OCT062185 UNCANNY X-MEN #481 $2.99
OCT062225 WHAT IF CLASSIC VOL 3 TP $24.99 $16.49 at Amazon.
OCT062177 WHITE TIGER #2 (OF 6) $2.99

WIZARD ENTERTAINMENT

OCT063023 TOYFARE HASBRO MARVEL LEGENDS SERIES 2 CVR #114 $4.99

COMICS

OCT063459 ANGEL DIARY VOL 5 GN $10.95
SEP063071 ARCHIE #571 $2.25
SEP063074 ARCHIE DOUBLE DIGEST #175 $3.69
OCT063464 BRING IT ON VOL 4 $10.95
OCT063468 CYNICAL ORANGE VOL 3 $10.95
AUG062939 DEAD EYES OPEN #6 (OF 6) $2.95
JUN063351 DEVILS PANTIES #7 $4.95
SEP063274 DORK TOWER #35 $3.49
MAY062870 EZRA EVOKED EMOTIONS #2 (OF 3) $3.95
JUN062816 GARGOYLES #2 $3.50
OCT063353 GI JOE AMERICAS ELITE #18 $2.95
OCT063458 GOONG VOL 1 GN (RES) $10.95
JUN063352 LAST SIN OF MARK GRIMM #4 (OF 4) $2.95
FEB063361 STREET FIGHTER II #5 POWERFOIL SVEN CVR C $12.50
OCT063538 TONY LOCO #1 $3.50
OCT063484 TRANSFORMERS ANIMATED MOVIE ADAPTATION #3 (OF 4) $3.99

Pop Artifact! Early Lego

Christmas comics! Day one.

Pop Culture Roundup Dec. 5, 2006

Comics pro Tony Isabella has a great idea: An industry award named for Father of Comics Fandom Jerry Bails, who passed away recently.

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Via Bedazzled!: A vintage "Mystery Date" TV commmercial.

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Is "minx" the greatest name for DC Comics' new line of female-geared graphic novels? Discuss.

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Sharity: Mmmmm.... Christmas with the Golddiggers.

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A new Sheena of the Jungle comics series is planned.

Devil’s Due will launch Sheena with a 99-Cent Sheena Preview Special in March by Robert Rodi with de Souza and Aratow, with pencils by Steven Cummings, and two covers by Tim Seely. The publisher plans to launch their first Sheena limited series in June. The titles will be available on pullboxonline.com.

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The official "Ghost Rider" movie site is up.

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From Mark Evanier: An interesting update on the great former Marvel Comics artist Herb Trimpe.

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The New York Times visits "H.R. Pufnstuf" producer Sid Krofft.

To viewers raised on Mr. Krofft’s Saturday morning shows — with their kaleidoscopic visions of young protagonists in fantastic, far-off places, surrounded by exotic creatures and unencumbered by adult authority figures — it will come as no surprise that he resides in a wonderland of his own making. Since the mid-1970s he has lived on a four-and-a-half acre estate in the Hollywood Hills, in a two-story wood-and-brick home he designed himself, with vines, ferns and cactuses planted in every corner. A continuous stream of New Age music wafts from speakers in each room, and a sizable treehouse surrounds a tall eucalyptus tree that grows by his pool.

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The BBC has released details on this year's "Doctor Who" Christmas episode airing in the UK:

Award-winning comedy actress Catherine Tate and Sarah Parish star alongside David Tennant in a special Christmas edition of the time-travelling adventure.

Bride-to-be Donna mysteriously vanishes as she prepares to marry her boyfriend Lance in a glittering ceremony on Christmas Eve. She suddenly appears, to her complete astonishment, in the Tardis with the Doctor.

As the Tardis races to get to the church on time, the Doctor and Donna are closely watched by the sinister figure of The Empress of Racnoss from her throne in her spaceship. It soon becomes clear that Donna is the key to an ancient alien plan to destroy the Earth.

David Tennant plays the Doctor, Catherine Tate plays Donna and Sarah Parish plays The Empress of Racnoss.

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Lucy Lawless is set to voice Wonder Woman in an upcoming "Justice League" cartoon.

Vintage DC Comics house ad

Best DC Comics Sites on the Web.

Pop Culture Roundup Nov. 30, 2006

There's a new Beatles beatleg podcast up.

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An additional, online-only chapter to Scott McCloud's fabulous "Making Comics" is available now. Look for my review of the book whenever I get around to writing it.

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Via BoingBoing: A Dr. Seuss anti-malaria comic produced for the U.S. back in 1943.

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Comics pro Tony Isabella has a nice remembrance of comics artist Dave Cockrum, who passed away last weekend.

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There's a problem with Warner Home Video's recent batch of Superman DVDs. From a press release:

Bonus content was omitted from the "Superman III Deluxe Edition" in the 14-disc "Superman Ultimate Collector's Edition." Furthermore, disc one of "Superman: The Movie Four Disc Special Edition" did not include the Dolby Digital 2.0 mix. Neither disc is known to be physically defective in any way.

Warner Home Video wants to extend apologies to all of our loyal Superman fans who've waited so patiently for these great collections and has taken immediate steps to correct these errors with the intention of standing behind our product 100%.

Replacement discs can be obtained by calling: 800-553-6937. The exchange program applies only to purchases of the “Superman III Deluxe Edition” in the “Superman Ultimate Collector's Edition” and to disc one of “Superman: The Movie Four Disc Special Edition,” available as a single title, as well as in “The Christopher Reeve Superman Collection” and in the “Superman Ultimate Collector's Edition.”

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Check out the new, big screen Fantastic Four Fantasti-Car:

Best Fantastic Four Sites.

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Here's some promo art from Mattel on the planned Hot Wheels version of the TV-version Batmobile, due out in several different versions next year.

Best Batman Sites.

DVD: Sony twofers Rock and Twist

Out Jan. 23, these "double feature" two-disk sets serve up some great music exploitation flicks.

"Don't Knock the Rock"/"Rock Around the Clock" 1956

Don’t Knock The Rock spotlights rock music in its infancy and features some of the genre’s true originals. DJ Freed is credited with inventing the term, "rock n’ roll," and Haley was a durable star for over a decade, selling 22 million copies of his hit, "Rock Around the Clock," and helping to establish rock music once and for all. Little Richard had his first bonafide hit, "Tutti Frutti," while making this film, and the film shows this self proclaimed architect of rock and roll at the beginning of his storied career. Rock Around The Clock, is a title based on Bill Haley & His Comets’ enormous hit from 1954. In this film, also produced by Sam Katzman and directed by Fred Sears, Haley and friends get to demo their singing chops, singing a string of hits, including the title song.

Pre-order now from Amazon for $14.99.

"Don't Knock the Twist"/"Twist Around the Clock" 1961

Twist Around The Clock and Don’t Knock The Twist, both starring Chubby Checker and filmed in the early 1960s, when the Twist was the world’s biggest dance craze, causing whole clubs to be built to accommodate the dance and its many frenzied fans. Both films feature a whole lot of twistin’ combined with decent plots and Twist Around The Clock serves as a showcase for Dion and two of his hit songs, "Runaround Sue" and "The Wanderer."

Pre-order now from Amazon for $14.99

DVD: Performance starring Mick Jagger on DVD Feb. 13

Directed by Nicholas Roeg and co-starring Anita Pallenberg along with Jagger.

Plot details from the press release:

Chas, a violent and psychotic East London gangster needs a place to lie low after a hit that should never have been carried out. He finds the perfect cover in the form of guest house run by the mysterious Mr. Turner, a one-time rock superstar, who is looking for the right spark to rekindle his faded talent.

No word on extras, but there oughtta be some. The notorious behind-the-scenes details of the film are certainly worth exploring.

Pre-order now from Amazon for $13.99.

DVD: Mister Peepers set due out Jan. 9

This four-disk set includes 26 episodes plus the pilot of the 1952-55 sitcom starring Wally Cox.

From the press release:

Wally Cox is Mr. Peepers, a shy science teacher at "Jefferson Junior High." What makes him unique is that, although he seems to be mild mannered, easily bullied, baffled and befuddled by every day life, Mister Peepers has strength of conviction, and always prevails. Because of that, Wally Cox became an “every man,” a man we could identify with, and aspire to be.

Other stars on the show include Tony Randall and Jack Warden.

Special Features Include:
• Pilot Episode
• Dom DeLuise Interview About Wally Cox
• Laugh-In clip featuring Wally Cox in "The Farkel Family Reunion"
• Mister Peepers' Family Tree: trace all the stars that appeared in this classic series
• Mister Peepers Trivia
• Photo Gallery
• Wally Cox Bio

Pre-order the set now from Amazon for $29.99.

DVD: Doctor Who Invasion and Sontaran Experiment due out in March

Here are the two latest vintage Doctor Who adventures, due out March 6 in the U.S.

Featuring Patrick Troughton as the Doctor, "The Invasion" first aired in November and December 1968. The first and fourth episodes of the adventure are missing and have been recreated for this DVD release in black-and-white animated form. You can see clips from the animated sections here.

Plot details from the official BBC episode guide entry:

The TARDIS materialises in England in the 1970s and the time travellers meet a girl named Isobel whose uncle, computer scientist Professor Watkins, has recently gone missing. The Doctor offers to help track him down, starting at the place where he last worked - the London HQ of International Electromatics, the world's major supplier of electronic equipment.

His initial suspicions about IE's managing director, Tobias Vaughn, are confirmed after he becomes reacquainted with Lethbridge-Stewart, now promoted to Brigadier and in charge of the British branch of the United Nations Intelligence Taskforce (UNIT), and learns that there have been other disappearances at IE premises.

He discovers that Vaughn is in league with the Cybermen in a plan to invade Earth, but is also plotting against them with the aim of seizing power for himself. Watkins is being forced by Vaughn to develop the cerebration mentor, a machine designed to generate emotional impulses as a weapon against the Cybermen.

Pre-order now from Amazon for $24.49.

Starring Tom Baker as the Doctor, "The Sontaran Experiment" first aired in February and March 1975.

Plot details from the official BBC episode guide entry:

The Doctor, Sarah and Harry arrive on a desolate and apparently deserted Earth to discover that a group of shipwrecked astronauts from a human colony, GalSec, have been lured there by a fake distress call. One of their number, Roth, tells Sarah of an alien conducting gruesome experiments on him and his crewmates. The alien turns out to be a Sontaran, Field-Major Styre, who is compiling a report on human physical and mental capabilities as a prelude to an invasion of Earth.

Pre-order now from Amazon for $10.49.

See the Best Doctor Who Sites on the Web.

New and upcoming action figures Nov. 30, 2006

Thor and Wolverine
Marvel Icons Action Figures
see below

Complete List of Marvel Legends Action Figures
Complete List of DC Direct Action Figures

Here's a look at action figures available via your local comics shop or via the TIP!-supporting links below:

DC Direct Action Figures

Alex Ross JLA series 5 action figures
--Brainiac
--Lex Luthor
--Green Arrow
--Martian Manhunter
--Red Tornado
--Translucent Martian Manhunter

Batman Dark Victory
--Batman
--Commissioner Gordon
--Scarecrow
--Robin and Penguin

Batman Through the Ages
--Box Set

Batman/Superman Series 4
--Batzarro
--Bizarro
--Superwoman
--Batwoman
--Batman Beyond
--Kryptonite Batman

Crisis on Infinite Earths Series 3
--Weaponer of Qward
--Doctor Light
--Superboy prime
--Batman
--Huntress

DC Direct Reactivated Action Figures
--Batman
--Wonder Woman
--Lobo
--Superman

DC 13-inch Figures
Deluxe Edition 13-inch Green Lantern
Deluxe Edition 13-inch Lex Luthor
Deluxe Edition 13-inch Two-Face
Deluxe Edition 13-inch Aquaman
Deluxe Edition 13-inch Superman
Deluxe Edition 13-inch Shazam

Elseworlds Action Figures Series 2
--Red Son Batman
--Red Son President Superman
--Kingdom Come Jade
--Kingdom Come Spectre and Norman McKay
--Gotham By Gaslight Batman

Elseworlds Action Figures Series 3
--Supergirl
--Batgirl
--Nightstar
--Kingdom Come Aquaman
--Red Son Green Lantern

First Appearance Series 4
--Blue Beetle translucent
--Blue Beetle
--Brave New World Atom
--Warlord
--Brave New World Martian Manhunter
--Brave New World Aquaman

Infinite Crisis Action Figures Series 1
--Powergirl
--Omac
--Mongul
--Earth Prime Superboy
--Alexander Luthor

JSA Action Figures
--Mr. Terrific
--Hawkgirl
--Dr. Midnite
--Hourman
--Golden Age Atom 2-pack

Hanna Barbera Series 2 Action Figures
--Captain Caveman
--Fred Flintstone and Dino
--Johnny Quest
--Magilla Gorilla
--Penelope Pitstop and Muttley
--Tom and Jerry
--Yogi Bear
--Flintstones at the Drive-In

Hanna Barbera Series 3 Action Figures
--Fred Flintstone Quittin' Time
--Twinkle Toes Fred Flintstone
--Great Grape Ape
--Huckleberry Hound
--The Jetsons
--Secret Squirrel
--Snagglepuss

Hasbro Spider-Man Origins Figures
--Set of 8
--Spider-Man
--Spider-Man Venom costume
--Green Goblin
--Doctor Octopus
--Iron Spider-Man
--Wolverine
--Captain America
--Daredevil

Lost series 1 action figures
--Jack
--Charlie
--Hurley
--Kate
--Locke
--Shannon
--Hatch box set

Lost series 2 action figures
--Crash site box set
--Sawyer
--Jin
--Sayid
--Desmond
--Sun
--Mr. Eko

Marvel Figure Factory Sets
--Angel
--Beast
--Black Costume Spider-Man
--Deadpool
--Invisible Woman
--Silver Surfer

Marvel Legends Action Figures

Hasbro Marvel Legends Figures Series 1
--Emma Frost
--Ultimate Iron Man
--Movie Beast
--Planet Hulk
--Banshee
--Hercules

Hasbro Marvel Legends Action Figures Series 2
--Wolverine
--She-Hulk
--Yellow Jacket
--Quick Silver
--Lord Asgard Thor
--Magneto Xorn
--X3 Jean Grey
--First Appearance Storm

Marvel Legends Series 14
--Original Armor Iron Man (variant)
--Longshot
--Baron Zemo (variant)
--Luke Cage: Powerman
--The Falcon (variant)
--Psylocke

Marvel Legends Series 15
--Mandarin
--Beta Ray Bill
--Moon Knight
--Spider-Woman (variant)
--Quicksilver (variant)
--Thor-Buster Iron Man
--Wasp (variant)
--Captain Marvel (variant)

Marvel Legends Icons 13-inch Action Figures Series 3 Action Figures
--Spider-Man
--Spider-Man Variant
--Beast
--Beast Variant

Hasbro Marvel Legends Icons 13-inch Series 1 Action Figures
--Wolverine
--Thor

Marvel Legends Masterworks Sets
--Spider-Man Vs. Green Goblin
--Fantastic Four Vs. Mole Man
--Hulk Vs. The Thing
--Galactus Vs. Everybody

Marvel Select Figures

Best of Marvel Select Figures
--Grey Hulk
--Thanos
--Ultimate Spider-Man
--Green Goblin

Marvel Studios
--Dr. Doom with Mask
--Dr. Doom unmasked

Star Wars Transformers
--Millennium Falcon With Han Solo and Chewbacca