Retro-Action Ad - 2011

This ad ran on the inside cover of the newest issue of Toyfare (#163). Of course it great to see Aquaman presented so prominently, and taking his rightful place alongside DC's other big stars.

I had read that this line wasn't that great a seller, but if they're still running ads for it in 2011 I have to think it can't be doing too bad--you don't waste money on ads for a line destined for the cut-out bins. So maybe we'll see more of these Retro-Action Heroes in 2011?

One word: Mera!

Toyfare #162

Courtesy the newest issue of Toyfare (#162, out this week) comes our first look at the new line of Young Justice action figures, which of course includes Aqualad!

These figures are 4.25" high, so they are in scale with the JLU line. To that end, there will be a Hall of Justice playset(!), which is pretty cool. I think the figures looks great, very in line with the look of the characters on the show.

Each YJ figure will be sold separately, but there will also be 2-packs: Batman and Robin, Flash and Kid Flash, and...Aquaman and Aqualad! Which means Aquaman is getting another figure in 2011, making the last couple of years an excellent time for the Sea King, in terms of his presence in nationwide toy aisles. Arthur hasn't had it this good since 1967!

Toyfare #159

Another issue of Toyfare, another appearance by Aquaman! This is from the newest issue (#159, out last week), which features an advance peek of the DCU/Masters of the Universe two-packs due out the end of the year.

Pairing up Aquaman and Mer-Man makes total sense, and even though this won't be featuring anything new, action figure-wise, another Aquaman on toy shelves is always a welcome thing.

Toyfare #s 1 and 2

F.O.A.M. member Siskoid has been systematically scanning in pages from old issues of Toyfare, starting with the first issue, and generously sending me all the Aqua-content he finds. There's a surprising amount of it, and, even more surprisingly, not all of it is goofing on him.

Here are two of the magazine's "Mug Shot" feature, from Toyfare #s 1 and 2, highlighting Aquaman and Aqualad action figures, respectively. Mego Garth is awesome, but couldn't they have found a better figure than Total Justice Aquaman? Yeesh.

More--much more--to come, thanks Siskoid!

Toyfare #158

The newest issue of Toyfare (#158, out today) features this close(r)-up shot of the Aquaman figure from DC Direct's Brightest Day line, out in Spring 2011.

Seeing how his chainmail shirt has been transformed into an action figure, Aquaman looks a little painful to handle, doesn't he? Mera had better be careful!

Toyfare #155

A new issue of Toyfare, another appearance of an Aquaman toy!

In the newest issue (#155, out this week), the DC Dynamics Aquaman statue by Tim Bruckner makes it onto the Top 5 Statues and Busts List.

Aquaman may not be able to sell comics too well, but slap him on some merchandise (even $200 statues) and it flies off the shelves!

The Aquaman Shrine in Toyfare

The Classic Aquaman figure for the JLU line tops the "Marketwatch Top Ten" list in this month's issue of Toyfare (#154, out this week). When I first turned to this page, I was happy to see Arthur on the list at all, not to mention in first place.

But when I read the word balloon the Toyfare staff added, I did a double, even a triple, take:

Great Neptune! The Aquaman Shrine's been mentioned in Toyfare! How cool and how...well, yes, meta!

I had no idea anyone at Toyfare knew about the Shrine, and no one told me this was coming until I read it in the magazine. I'm simply stunned!

Anyway, like I said, it's great that the Classic Aquaman figure--long time coming--is getting such attention. Its a beautiful figure, one many of us Aqua-Fans have been waiting for.

Thanks Toyfare!

Toyfare #153

Another issue of Toyfare, another Aquaman appearance!

In the newest issue (#153, out today), there's this small piece on the upcoming "Retro-Action" line, which features both Aquaman and Black Manta. Toyfare surmises Aquaman is just "happy to be here", which is probably right on the money.

Speaking of money, this line is exclusive to Toys "R" Us, which for me most likely means I'll have to buy these on eBay. The closest TRU is about a 30 min. drive from my house, and there's just no way I'm going to get lucky enough to find either Aquaman or Manta on the very rare trips I'm able to make over there.

In any case, these are sweet dolls...er, action figures!

Toyfare #152

The latest issue of Toyfare has some nice images of a couple of the new figures in the DC Universe line, including a big close-up of Classic Aquaman.

With the addition of Classic Aquaman and Firestorm, fans of this line (like me!) can now assemble the original, as-they-looked-at-the-time classic JLA line-up in DC Universe form--or at least as close as a non-millionaire can get.

Can't wait to see this baby on toy shelves sometime in 2010!

Toyfare #148

I just picked up the newest issue of Toyfare (#148), and it has two pages of shots from DC's upcoming "Chronicles" line of statues, including Golden Age Aquaman!

Its a really nice piece--I like how friendly Aquaman looks--but they didn't list a retail price yet. I think we can all be sure it ain't gonna be cheap.

Toyfare #145

These preview shots of the new Brave and Bold: Action League line are in the newest issue of Toyfare (#145), out this week.

I knew that there was an Aquaman/Black Manta 2-pack on the way (I saw it at the 2009 NY Comic Con):

...but the Batman/Ocean Master set is news to me! Glad to see ol' Orm is starting to catch up to Manta in the action figure sweepstakes!

These are due late 2009, so once again I'll be loitering in my local Target's toy aisle...

Toyfare #144

This preview of an upcoming line of DC Direct toys appears in the newest issue of Toyfare, out this week (click the image to see a readable version).

All the sculpts are based on the work of Ed McGuinness, whose work I have always really liked, but the figures themselves seem a bit dated (as Toyfare points out)--I mean, Pirate Aquaman and Ice Skater Superman, really?

That said, I will of course be buying the Aquaman one.

Whither DC Super Friends?

I was planning on running something else today, but then I came across this letter in the newest issue of Toyfare (#141, out this week) and I had to post it ASAP.

I've been wondering the same thing as Mr. Carrano, and here's the response (once you get past the obligatory lowbrow joke):

"Super Friends will continue for now as an Imaginex Line from Fisher Price."--what?!?


I don't understand what's going on here. Mattel is promoting the addition of Cyborg and Hawkman to the line, yet Hawkman is labeled "Unavailable" on the back of all the packages (something we covered before here).

To make matters even more confusing, the Hawkman figure did make it onto the streets in some capacity, because you can buy them on eBay. Huh?


I'm disappointed to hear that the action figure part of the DC Super Friends merchandising onslaught has been suspended. I thought they were great figures, perfect for wee kids, and I bought many, many of them to give out (not to mention keep for myself).

I know this doesn't mean the end of DCSF/Aquaman merchandise (like yesterday's coloring book), but I can't help but be sorry that the first line of figures in over thirty years to give Aquaman his own vehicle is stopping production.

We can only hope Aquaman is well-represented in the Imaginex line, and any other places the DC Super Friends show up!
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Dinosaur Comics - 10/22/08

This is a panel from the 10/22 edition of the online strip Dinosaur Comics, sent to me by F.O.A.M.er Kristen Livingston.

The strip features two very erudite dinosaurs having a conversation, and for some reason Aquaman comes up. I think I agree with the T-Rex, Aquaman does always seem to have "an abiding sorrow." (Click the panel to go to the Dinosaur Comics site and see the whole strip)

I love seeing examples of Aquaman showing up in odd places, and this ranks right up there. Thanks Kristen!
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The newest issue of Toyfare (#137, out this week) features a new article on the upcoming Brave and the Bold line, and features a decent-sized shot of the new Aquaman figure.

Some of these pics hold some surprises--I didn't know that The Atom was going to be in the initial wave (a delightful addition), or super-villains Sportsmaster and Gentleman Ghost, either (interesting note--GG will also be added to the JLU line early next year, which means he's increasing his action figure quotient by 2000% in 2009, from zero to two).

Another highlight of the line is that, out of the initial six heroes to choose from, its Aquaman (along with Blue Beetle) who is getting a separate "Deluxe" figure. Thanks Mattel!
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On last night's installment of MSNBC's The Rachel Maddow Show, during the final "pop culture" segment with correspondent Kent Jones, Aquaman got a shout-out during a piece about a real-life town named "Batman."

You can see the clip here. I'm always excited when Aquaman gets mentioned on big-time TV!

Toyfare "Top 10" - 2008

The DC Universe Aquaman variant figure tops Toyfare's "Top 10" list of hottest action figures for the second month in a row, pretty amazing considering the fact that I don't think any other Aquaman figure has ever even made the list.*

I still haven't been able to find this variant, but I'm patient. It's currently selling for around $30 on eBay, but I'm not biting.

The regular version and the Black Manta figures also make an appearance in this month's price guide:

...that's a lot of Aquaman for one issue of Toyfare. Thank you AquaFans for making these figures so darn popular!

Update: I just realized I had this mention of the DC Super Friends Aquaman figure in Toyfare's "Top 10" column from a few months ago still in my "To Post" archives, and somehow never got around to putting it up here at the time.

(*So the statement I made in the very first paragraph is wrong. I love finding out I'm wrong about something mere seconds into writing a post.)

All in all, its been a very good year for Aquaman, action figure-wise. And its only June!


Update 2: There's a very good reason why the second wave of the DC Universe figures have been so hard to find:

"Mattel has done a pull on the DC Universe and several other lines due to the quality (bad paint jobs and articulation) of the toy so it might be a while before you see them in a Target store again.

Being as it is not a recall by the government, stores don't have to return the product if they chose not to, so some stores may still have them on the shelves. They will be back hopefully by the end of the month."

...this comes from an Anonymous Source, but a very reliable one. So all of you out there frustrated by your lack of progress in finding DCU figures can rest easy--it isn't you. Give it until the end of the month and then resume the search.

Toyfare "Top 10" - 2008

For the first time I think ever, an Aquaman figure ranks as #1 on Toyfare's "Top 10" hottest action figures list.

I was lucky enough to find the Classic Aquaman (and Black Manta) DC Universe figure at my local Target one time--and have never seen it again since.

So I don't expect to find this variant version any time soon, but since I refuse to make some eBay toy predator any richer, I'm settling in for a loooong wait.

Toyfare "Hot Plate" - 2008

I'm not trying to make this a theme week or anything (especially since we have a really cool one coming up soon) , but this seemed like the perfect time to post this.

This blurb is from the newest issue of Toyfare, in their "Hot Plate" column which highlights that month's especially cool and/or hot toys.

Usually Aquaman is a punching bag for the Toyfare/Wizard editorial staff, but his increased presence in the toy aisles have started earning him a little more respect, I think--"Aquaman the A-Lister...I like the sound of that."

Me too.

Toyfare's Top 10 - 2007

Here's a rare sight--an Aquaman figure on Toyfare's "Top 10" list of uber-hot toys(Arthur seems a bit surprised by it, too). This appeared in the most recent issue.

This is such a gorgeous figure, and I can't wait to get me hands on an AquaSub!