‘Transformers’ Star Anthony Ramos Discusses POC Themes in ‘Rise of the Beasts’

June 9, 2023June 9, 2023 Mike Manalo

This week, the Transformers return to the big screen in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts! And I have to say folks, this one truly is more than meets the eye. I personally dug the heck out of this movie. Part of the reason was the way director Steven J. Caple (Creed II) subtly brings up POC themes throughout the movie. And one of the others was its charismatic star Anthony Ramos!

Interview, Television, Toys

Dalal Elsheikh on Judging NBC’s ‘Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge’ and the Changing Auto Industry

May 30, 2023June 1, 2023 Laura Sirikul

Vehicle designer Dala Elsheikh grew up playing with Hot Wheels. She never expected she would be working with them as an ambassador to the brand, let alone judging a Hot Wheels Competition on national television.

Movies, Toys, Trailers

Get Ready, ‘Barbie’ is Out of Her Box and in the Real World

May 25, 2023May 26, 2023 Sophia Soto

Whether you love or hate Barbie, this movie is for you! Greta Gerwig is breaking the iconic character out of her box with the help of Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling bringing the duo of Barbie and Ken to life on the big screen.

Star Wars, TableTop, Toys

Checking out ‘Star Wars Rivals’ at a Night of Rivals, Rebels, and Revelries

May 17, 2023May 18, 2023 Mike Manalo

If there’s a single name in the world of collectibles today that fills every fan with anticipation, it’s Funko. Featuring a wide array of Loungefly bags and, of course, Pops, the announcement of new projects from the venerable toy company always peaks interest among its millions of fans worldwide.

Movies, Toys, Trailers

Grab Your Rollerblades, We’re Going to ‘Barbie’ Land

April 4, 2023April 4, 2023 Sophia Soto

Welcome to Barbie Land, where she’s everything and he’s just a Ken! From writer/director Greta Gerwig comes Barbie, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as Barbie and Ken. The film, which is based on Barbie by Mattel, will be released in theaters on July 21, 2023.

DC Comics, Toys

Batman Steals the Spotlight in McFarlane Toys’ Action Figure Line from ‘The Flash’

March 15, 2023April 26, 2023 Keith Chow

We’re a few months out from the theatrical debut of The Flash, but the merchandise stream keeps flowing! Today, McFarlane Toys officially unveiled their line of 7-inch figures, but it was a couple of vehicles that stole the show. For the first time ever, Michael Keaton’s Batmobile and Batwing will be available for 1:12 collectors!

Movies, Toys, Trailers

Watch the Official Teaser Trailer for ‘Barbie’

December 16, 2022December 21, 2022 Sophia Soto

Fans were finally treated to a first-look teaser trailer for director Greta Gerwig’s Barbie starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling!

Marvel, Movies, Toys

Celebrating ‘Wakanda Forever’ at Funko HQ

November 17, 2022December 20, 2022 Mike Manalo

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is currently ruling the box office. And to celebrate the triumphant return of Wakanda’s greatest protector, our friends at Funko invited us to their megastore in Los Angeles for a morning of fun merchandise previews and a surprise panel with Marvel Studios’ Director of Production and Development, Kyana Davidson. See below for what Davidson had to say about the film, and for some fun photos of today’s festivities.

Podcasts, Toys

‘Retro Freaks’ with NARC and Cincy Nerd

November 14, 2022November 21, 2022 Shelf Conscious

Shelf Conscious returns with a special episode with the stars of the upcoming indie horror comedy, Retro Freaks — Craig from NotAnotherRetroChannel and Cincy Nerd, who makes his triumphant return to the show!

Conventions, Toys

Action Figure Fans Can Collect Themselves with Hasbro Selfie Series

July 13, 2022July 13, 2022 Keith Chow

Hasbro just announced an awesome new way to collect action figures called Hasbro Selfie Series! Launching exclusively on the Hasbro Pulse Mobile App this fall, the custom offering allows fans to create a collector-grade 6-inch action figure in their likeness based on fan-favorite character costume designs from G.I. Joe, Ghostbusters, Power Rangers, Marvel, and Star Wars.

Podcasts, Toys

‘AAPI Toy Heroes’ with Kuya P

May 26, 2022 Shelf Conscious

Shelf Conscious is back! This time, Keith is joined by fellow NOC and creator of The NRW, Kuya P a.k.a Patrick Michael Strange, as he launches his own action figure podcast called AAPI Toy Heroes.

Hard N.O.C. Life, Toys

Hard NOC Life 266: One Year of the ‘Shelf Conscious’ Action Figure Podcast

May 16, 2022May 16, 2022 Hard NOC Media

Exactly one year ago, Keith launched the latest addition to the Hard NOC Media podcast family: Shelf Conscious. To celebrate that anniversary, we’re sharing that initial episode — featuring fellow NOC toy collector William Bruce West — here on the Hard NOC Life feed.

Movies, Toys

First Look at Margot Robbie in ‘Barbie’

April 26, 2022April 27, 2022 Sophia Soto

During tonight’s Warner Bros. presentation at CinemaCon, a first look at Margot Robbie as the live-action version of the iconic doll was revealed! We also have an official premiere date: BARBIE will be released in theaters on July 21, 2023.

Comics, Toys

Boss Fight Announces ‘La Borinqueña’ Action Figures

February 18, 2022February 18, 2022 Keith Chow

In news we would normally have covered coming out of Toy Fair (which was canceled this year), Boss Fight Studio just announced a line of La Borinqueña action figures. This is just part of the first launch of action figures inspired by the team of superheroes created by Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez, the Nitainos.

Podcasts, Toys

‘Action Figure Show & Tell’ with Dan Wu

January 26, 2022May 26, 2022 Shelf Conscious

On the latest episode of Shelf Conscious, Keith is once again joined by multi-hyphenate extraordinaire (activist, restaurateur, podcaster, celebrity chef, and candidate for Lexington, KY council at large), Dan Wu!

Podcasts, Toys

‘Art of the Toy Hunt’ with Art G

December 23, 2021January 27, 2022 Shelf Conscious

Celebrate the Holidays with Shelf Conscious! In this brand new episode, Keith is joined by YouTuber and diorama artist, Art G!

Animation, Podcasts, Toys

‘Merchandise Spotlight’ with Griffin Newman

November 17, 2021November 17, 2021 Shelf Conscious

Shelf Conscious returns just in time for the second half of Masters of the Universe: Revelation on Netflix! This time, Keith is joined by Orko himself, Griffin Newman!

Star Wars, Toys

Yogibo Adds Grogu to its ‘Star Wars’ Beanbag Collection

November 1, 2021July 14, 2022 Keina C

Just in time for the holidays, Yogibo is once again partnering with Star Wars to bring Baby Yoda fans a new furniture piece to expand their existing Star Wars collection! The Child  Hugger is the perfect companion to any bounty hunter or Star Wars fan in the family, as it is great for sitting, playing, and hugging.

DC Comics, Toys

Get a First Look at New Merch from ‘The Batman’

October 21, 2021October 21, 2021 Keith Chow

Coming out of the record-breaking DC FanDome, DC and Warner Bros. Consumer Products have officially revealed a plethora of must-have products featuring characters and vehicles from Matt Reeves’ reboot of The Batman. After the jump, see what companies like McFarlane Toys, LEGO, and Hot Wheels will have to offer when The Batman hits theaters in 2022.

Animation, Streaming, Toys

‘Masters of the Universe: Revelation’ to Return in November

October 12, 2021October 20, 2021 Keith Chow

After a revelatory debut over the summer, Netflix has revealed the date for the return of Masters of the Universe: Revelation, Kevin Smith’s groundbreaking reinvention of the He-Man mythos! When we last left the show, the balance of power on Eternia was forever transformed. Spoilers after the jump.

Animation, Streaming, Toys

New ‘LEGO Star Wars’ Halloween Special Coming to Disney+ in October

September 7, 2021September 7, 2021 Mike Manalo

This October, we’re getting another Lego Star Wars holiday special: LEGO Star Wars: Terrifying Tales! After the success of the Christmas special last December, Disney+ has decided to move forward with a Halloween special this year.

Movies, Toys

Mezco Announces One:12 Collective ‘The Crow’ Figure

September 1, 2021 Keith Chow

I haven’t been this hyped for a Mezco One:12 figure since the Christopher Reeve Superman was announced last summer. That figure absolutely blew me away and turned my opinion around on the entire line. Now, another figure has been announced that might be even better: Brandon Lee as Eric Draven from the ’90s goth classic, The Crow.

Animation, Streaming, Toys1 Comment

Netflix Doubles Down on ‘He-Man and Masters of the Universe’

August 19, 2021August 20, 2021 Keith Chow

Netflix is single-handedly reviving the Masters of the Universe brand for a new generation! After debuting Kevin Smith’s revelatory continuation of the classic series from the 1980s, Netflix is giving another creative team carte blanche to completely reinterpret Eternia for 21st century kids.