With barely the ability to form… complete… sentences, I am now in a desperate galactic search for £1500 to spend on the ultimate Star Trek replica - Captain Kirk’s USS Enterprise Chair (original series of course). With one of these, a 42″ LCD TV, and a DVD of Star Trek viewscreen scenery you can almost be in sci-fi nirvana. You’ll just need to enlist the help of a passing Orion gal, and park yourself somewhere near a fault line for that genuine Trek falling out your chair experience.

‘This full- size recreation of the U.S.S. Enterprise’s Captain’s Chair delivers all the accents and details from the historic prop, along with modern lighting with sound effects and phrases designed to thrill any Star Trek enthusiast! The working swivel design accentuates the two-piece construction, making this the perfect addition to any collection, display or museum! Limited to 1,701 pieces worldwide.’

NCC-1701 Main Bridge Design from Utopia Planitia Yards Starship Guide >>

Star Trek at FPI Online >>

Am I under the influence of DC’s maven of magic, am I about to start talking backwards? Maybe, but all I can say is I love this latest Zatanna statue from DC Direct’s ‘Cover Girls of the DC Universe’. Maybe it’s the romantic in me, but as a massive Batman fan ol’ Bruce and Zatanna always seemed like a perfect match. Shame Wayne seems less interested these days, what with being dead and all (or is he? > Batman R.I P.) . But then again it could just be the magic of seeing Adam Hughes’ work in 3D again (see the Wonder Woman post). I’ll probably err on the side of the latter, but am ordering one quick smart in any case…

DC Direct >>

DC Statues & Busts at FPI Online >>

Sideshow have announced the latest action figure tie-in to next year’s gung-ho movie extravaganza, G.I. Joe, and it’s…. a Cobra Trooper. Yes, he looks very cool, and I particularly like the scowl on his face, but apart from Snake Eyes and Cobra Commander, where are the other main characters? Far be it from me to voice personal preferences but Rachel Nichols in Scarlett’s movie outfit would have been a tad preferable…

The Cobra Trooper 12 inch Figure features:

• Fully articulated Prometheus male body with 30+ points of articulation
• Cobra Trooper portrait with facemask
• Helmet
• Shirt with COBRA insignias
• Pants
• Boots
• Detailed belt
• Smersh rig with buttpack
• AK 74 with folding stock
• AK 74 magazine
• AK 74 bayonet with sheath
• Gun sight
• Grenade launcher with round
• Kneepads
• Handgun with magazine and leg holster
• Canteen with fabric cover
• 3 sets of interchangeable gloved hands
• 12-inch display base with G.I. Joe logo

And here’s a pic of Scarlett herself just to show what we’re missing… Santa, are you listening?

G.I Joe at FPI Online >>

Sideshow Collectibles >>

Yes, actual pics of Stark’s monstrous steampunk suit of armour. Shell head indeed… Here’s the Sideshow blurb…

‘Sideshow Collectibles is proud to bring you the latest addition to Hot Toys’ Movie Masterpiece Series of 12-inch figures, Iron Man! Each 12-inch Movie Masterpiece Series figure features Hot Toys’ fully articulated 12-inch figure body and a generous number of accessories. Now, from the recent MARVEL blockbuster film comes the Iron Man MARK I figure!

* Stands approximate 12 inches tall
* Over 36 points of articulation
* Hot Toys’ TrueType figure body dressed as TONY STARK beneath the armor**
* Authentic and fully realized Mark 1 armor, including helmet with raising faceplate to reveal likeness of Robert Downey Jr. as TONY STARK
* Metallic paint
* Light-up heart and red button on left forearm (battery operated - batteries included)
* Two pairs of interchangeable hands
* Realistic built-in flamethrower
* Forearm missile launcher
* 12-inch figure stand

Expected 2nd quarter 2009

Iron Man at FPI Online >>

Sideshow Collectibles Iron Man Mk1 >>

Still grumbling over the Lucas stained Indiana Jones IV? Well Sideshow have added loads more details on their Major Toht 12″ Figure from Raiders of the Lost Ark, including the exclusive version with Ark of the Covenant. Although unsuprisingly the exclusive is listed as Sold Out on the Sideshow site so it’s Wait List purgatory if you really want one from them… But don’t despair because you can pre-order one from us. Aren’t we nice.

The best bit about Toht? There’s a switch-out melted portrait; or in plain words you can have face-melting Toht on your shelf. Vengeful Biblical spirits not included. The regular figure is a pre-order also, expected 2nd quarter 2009.

Indiana Jones at FPI Online>>

Sideshow Collectibles Toht >>

I love Gears of War, Gears of War 2, well Gears of War anything. That includes all the action figures, replicas, even the TV ads which I’ve sadly saved in my YouTube account. Now there’s another TV spot for me to watch ad infinitum, but this one made me laugh my ass off. Also actually made me want to eat a bowl of crunchy nut cornflakes while killing locust drones…

Admittedly this isn’t toys & merch per se, but check out X-Play’s latest parody vid below; ‘I got a live hand grenade!’…

Why oh why do they keep doing this to me… I’m convinced Sideshow are part of a conspiracy to make me permanently broke, and the evidence? Look no further than the new Black Queen Comiquette. A colleague mentioned her appearance on the FPI site this morning (maybe he’s part of the conspiracy) so I dutifully flicked over to sideshowtoy.com to catch the gallery; and 14 pics later I’m a whisper away from placing an order. Part of the reason why this statue is so good (besides the sculpting skills) is because it’s based on that genius of the superheroine form, Adam Hughes. If you were lucky enough to get hold of the Sideshow/Hughes ‘Emma Frost - White Queen’ Comiquette then you know what to expect. Not to mention Mary Jane Watson (laundry never looked so alluring..)

Sideshow Collectibles >>

Those ever popular action figures of the Universe’s favourite Time Lord have an exclusive addition to the membership in the shape of Puppeteering Pete. For those not familiar with Pete, he’s part of a secretive cabal that covers human beings in latex and shoves straws up their nose. They also drink beer. Ok, he’s not a secret character from the mind of Russell T. but he is one the SFX geniuses brought to plastic life by a man known as Zombi Hamma, or Matt if you pay for the first round. I’ve met Pete and I can attest to the extraordinary likeness, although the action figure possibly spends less time in the Boot & Slipper.

Check out some more of Zombi Hamma’s work here, from Conan to Captain America. My favourite? Possibly the Punisher and any of the Conans. Check out the original Zombi Hamma figs too… awesome >>

Last month’s Wired magazine showcased a particularly brilliant way to use Starbucks materials without having to drink their coffee. Budget not able to handle that must-have Tie-Fighter model? No fear, just make it yourself with all that stuff you though was just future recycling (yes, repeat after me, recycling).

Wired have now thrown down the gauntlet to any more Starbucks artistes… Full article here >

If you’re a reader of Captain America’s comic exploits (yup, like me) then you may have been enjoying the resurgence of Bucky Barnes as the new Cap. If you’re still seething over the whole Cap death (c’mon it’s been months now guys..) then the latest piece of, dare I say it, stunning statue merch may touch a nerve. Personally I’ve been liking the Bucky as Captain America storyline alot, however part of that may be down to the fact that like the recent ‘death’ of Bruce Wayne, I am sure that sometime, somehow ol’ Steve Rogers will be back in the fold. Marvel and DC aren’t complete fools, and with a Captain America movie in the works and The Dark Knight raking in a billion dollars they’re not going to spit on comic readers’ collective consciousness, and their bank balances. However the entire Batman R.I.P. storyline has frankly been a supreme annoyance, an expensive and highly polished advertising campaign like those mini movies BMW made a few years ago, but in the end it’s been slightly daft and unoriginal in the extreme.

This amazingly detailed and action packed cold cast statue depicts the new Captain America fighting three Hyrda soldiers atop a themed georama base which will connect to the previous Winter Soldier statue. He also comes with two interchangeable heads, long and short hair, which relate to his status as assassin and then hero.