Once again, it’s Figure Friday, and I cannot for the life of me decide if things are happening too fast or not fast enough.
If you haven’t yet checked out the podcast interview that Josh and I did with Brian Volk-Weiss of Nacelle Toys…what are you even doing? It’s an extremely tall order, but if we can get this podcast monetized, then maybe I can start shilling for supplements of an extremely dubious nature and foam mattresses. Just a your semi-regular reminder that I can indeed be bought and it may cost even less than you could imagine.
On to the toys.
The Punisher (TV Series) Marvel Legends Punisher Action Figure
This week, The Punisher: How Frank Castle Got His Groove Back One Last Kill hit Disney+. Depending on who you ask, this either takes place before or after his appearance in Daredevil: Born Again, and Frank Castle is living in the area of the city that the guy you went to high school with, who has a concealed carry and lifted a Ford F-150, knows is real and is very afraid of.
At any rate, Frank Castle is in a typical man’s undecorated apartment, doing CrossFit, barfing, and taking what I presume are opioids and not antipsychotics. #JustGuyThings He’s done all the murdering he needed to do to avenge his family, and now the city is somehow getting worse because the mob was keeping it all in check.
Do: watch this special if you’re a fan of killing bad guys. Do not: watch this special if you’re not a fan of killing dogs.
I’m only mildly taking the piss out of this special, sure, I don’t tune in to watch The Punisher for a nuanced take on anything. There’s something to be said about the endless and unfulfilling cycle of violence here, but I don’t think anyone watching is thinking about that. Did you see what he did to that guy with the pen?!
This new Punisher figure comes with a great deal more accessories than the prior release. It’s also got a different costume, and bearded Jon Bernthal heads. I also fully believe that in the time it’s taken me to write this paragraph, Bernthal has shaved and grown a full beard.
It should be noted that I’m quite tickled by the “yelling” Punisher head. I have it on good authority that Bernthal gets a bonus for every “HHHOOORRRAH” he manages during a fight scene.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day S.H.Figuarts Spider-Man Action Figure
It wouldn’t be one of my columns if I didn’t manage to work in some import toy bullshit.
Coming sooner than you might think is the newest Spider-Man movie tie-in figure…in case you missed the last version of this figure. Or didn’t buy the MAFEX version.
I’m playing up my contempt for humorous effect here. This is a perfectly fine Spider-Man figure and probably one of the best you can get for the money ($79.99 USD) right now. The colours are a bit flatter than the prior release, and the webbing seems more defined. He’s also got those nifty new web shooters that he only really needs for a portion of the movie, which you may have noticed if you frame-by-framed the trailer.
There’s also a Hulk figure from Figurarts too, which will run you $99.99 and is an absolute unit of a toy at 8.1”. Hulk smash…your wallet! Am I right?
