Mog

Gotta disagree with you there, jenius. As is, I liked the movie and am quite satisfied with how it turned out. The bit-too-long-length was just enough that I'm really not itching for a sequel just yet. Besides, I really don't think there's enough material and story there for Nolan & company to have split this into two movies. Need I remind everyone of the two Matrix sequels? Also, I think most of us with a good background in the Batman mythos almost expected this movie to end with Harvey turning into Two-Face and setting up the third movie. But to his credit, Nolan didn't go with conventional wisdom. And I think the movie and the overall story arc are better served by that decision. Harvey's character arc, Batman's arc, and even Joker's arc are all better served by keeping everything contained as one film.

All this talk about the validity of these things and the potential ethical ramifications, and we still have asked the most important question of all.......What do they TASTE LIKE?!

I think a bunch of lineart pics of the fighter linkup were posted way back on the original CMs Tread thread. But actual diagrams of the linkup in process? Haven't really seen 'em. Let me put this mildly........HELL NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The fighter linkup is the one thing where the CMs version fails miserably. I think most people will agree that the circular chest pieces of the Beta are supposed to sit flush inside the arm thrusters of the Alpha. Also, the linkup is supposed to look flush, like it's one solid fighter; not the split level abomination that we got in the CMs version. This and the more lineart accurate/boxey look of the Toynami Beta are what I've been itching for. Yeah, I'm all too familiar with Toynami's terrible reputation. But on looks alone, I personally prefer Toynami's version over CMs offerring. And deep down, Toynami knows their New Gen MPC's are incomplete. Without Rand and his Beta, the stupid picture on their MPC bookcase spines is incomplete and unbalanced. Since they like to focus on rubber tires and "forever mint" bookcases, finish your picture Toynami!!!! Build a solid, ratchet-jointed Beta, and package it in a nice little bookcase so you can finally finish off your little New Gen. picture.

I really didn't get that feeling. If anything, I got the feeling that the story between Bats and Joker was about a struggle between two polar and philosophical opposites. Also, that ending with Joker is very symbolic of a certain tarot card (the Fool, I think ). Essentially at the end, when the Joker is hanging upside down on one leg, he's acting as if his view of the world from that tied-up position is normal. He acts as if his topsy-turvy view is correct; it's the rest of the world with their right-side-up view that have it all wrong. Considering how cerebral Nolan can be, I wouldn't be surprised if this ending, this scene, and that interpretation were Nolan's original intention, even before Ledger's death. In any case, I think Bats was still the center of the film with both the Joker and Dent being the next major players of the film.

Speaking of the earthquake, my 1/48 Stealth 1J and my 1/48 GBP Hikky both took massive stage dives. Pieces of the armors popped off, but surprisingly nothing broke. Of course, the Roy (who shares the same bookshelf space) was still standing proudly up on the shelf, almost like nothing happened. It just goes to show you, other than a pineapple salad, nothing, not even an earthquake, can knock ol' Roy down. Oh yeah, chunks of my SW collection toppled, and two of my MPC's crumpled down on themselves. But shockingly, my main GI Joe display held up like a champ! None of the figures fell or tipped over (I only use a display stand for one figure, but that fig' is an Air Trooper that looks like he's flying). But back on topic though, don't forget how wildly spread out everything in LA is too!

Nah, I'm keeping the Blackjack as a 21. If I convert her to a 22, she's gonna change into a player's (and not a dealer's) version of a "21." In case you missed the earlier link in this thread or the one in the "Hey! What are you working on?" thread, I have been posting and will continue to post work-in-process pics (including battroid pics!) of the Blackjack in this gallery here: Linky. I still won't consider this bird complete until I get to sticker her up completely and panel-line her FP's properly. And yes, I know I haven't posted Gerwalk pics yet.

Since the painting's done, here's a comparison shot with the original in fighter mode: Now for the bad news: When I transformed her into fighter, this sucker chipped more than Greg Norman on a Sunday. The worst culprits look to be the elbows, the shoulder pads, the bloody removeable knee pieces, and probably the upper thigh. Basically, parts that rub up against each other inside the underbelly were the worst hit. I also had a little bit of a chip on one of the moving intake parts (the one that caves in for the shoulder swing). Luckily though, most of the stuff that's really showing/exposed in fighter mode appears to be holding (except for the pivot joint underneath and behind the cockpit). Looks I'll be touching this sucker up after most transformations.

My own personal spin on the box cover pic :

Yes, that's what BMF stands for. Of course, if used as "That Millenium Falcon is one BMF!!," the abbreviation would stand for something else. Yeah, I saw the whole set-up at both Wal-Mart and Toys R Us. Didn't buy any of the figures though. Was tempted to buy the CW Grevious, but it looked like he had limited articulation. Snow Bunny Padme looked solid and well-articulated, but wouldn't have any place to put her in my collection. Sandstorm Luke? I already customized my own version of a DSII Luke, so there wasn't too much incentive for me to buy this latest version of the Jedi Luke. Honestly, at this point, there's only one figure (or set of figures) that I'd really buy from this year's SW figure releases. Going back to the BMF though, I saw one at TRU and the box for that sucker was HUGE!!!!!!!!! Seeing the sheer size of that thing put a big ol' grin on my face.

I'd like to think that Bale cribbed some notes from Kevin Conroy, the voice actor for Batman in the animated series. But yeah, Bale is solid in differentiating between Bat's and Playboy Bruce's personas. Still wish his Batman voice had more of that smooth lowness that Conroy delivers.......Bale's Batman voice is bit too gruff at times. Yes, LowViz, I noticed it was a bit long. But I really didn't mind. Made me walk out of the theater very satisfied and "full."

Sorry for the delays in responding. Been crazy these past few days (and it'll probably continue). I haven't put her into full fighter mode just yet. But I did post a pic of the bird in "limit break" mode in this gallery (Linky). Other than lacking the tailfins, legs and bellyplates, you can get a pretty good idea of how the Blackjack should look in fighter mode. Some spots have definitely chipped here and there. The elbows chipped, the underside connecting joint for the nose cone/cockpit section chipped, the left sliding portion of the leg (under the "pant cuff") chipped, and some of the parts behind the intakes that make up the back/shoulders are also chipping. I've added some extra helpings of touch-up paint to the spots, so we'll see how they hold up when I'm transforming her later this weekend. I might be done with the major painting. But I still need to sticker this puppy up properly and do up the FP's too. (I still have a surprise or two up my sleeve. ) So if anyone out there is still making custom stickers............HELP!!!

^^I don't know about you. But I'm usually seeing only Buzzers and the older comic packs at most places around me. The Joe items are definitely selling. But if Hasbro is worried about the risks involved with larger scale vehicles, they could always sell the bigger items as exclusives. It just bums me when I look at the Rattler and Conquest and think "toy." I'd rather those two be just a tad closer to scale with the figures.

Yes, I'll agree that LA has its share of problems (including idiot drivers that can't drive worth of sh*t when it rains). Also, the area's not as fast-paced as say a place like NYC, and most of the people that live here are aren't exactly know for being warm, friendly, or inviting. But as the movie Swingers so rightly puts it, the weather here is generally pretty damn good. Yes, it can get hot. Yes, it can get a bit nippy and cold. But compared to other parts of the country, the So. Cal weather is pretty damn consistent and good. There's something to be said about seeing a full sun all year round. Also, the variety of ethnic food around here is definitely up there. Maybe not the absolute best, but LA's definitely in the top five/top ten minimum.

Glad to see they're releasing Airborne and the Eels. But I'm in the same boat as Vermillion21: I just can't find these suckers anywhere near me. It's cool to see them re-release the old vehicles and stuff, but part of me wishes they would bust out newer, more in-scale vehicles. I'm mean, c'mon, Hasbro. You're releasing two big-ass vehicles for Star Wars this year (one of them being the BMF ). Is a large scale Skystriker or Night Raven really so out of the question? They would be a hells-to-the-bells yeah for many of us re-juveniles/collectors.

Okay, so I'm a little late in the game to give my reactions. Watched it last weekend, and absolutely loved it. For some strange reason, I feel quite satisfied with the movie and ain't clamouring for another sequel just yet. I think they could have easily tried to fit the Two-Face stuff into a third movie (maybe even throw in the grand face-off finale between Bats and the Joker in there too). But I'm glad they packed everything into this one film. Heath did a great job. His Joker had just the right mix of charismatic silliness and pyschotic menace to him. One minute, he acts like someone you could have a wickedly good time with. And the very next second, he scares the utter jeebies out of you! Definitely a good, multi-layered, and appropriate portrayal of the Joker. Also, the disappearing pencil and Bat's interrogation of Maroney were f'ng awesome!! ("This isn't high enough to kill me"......<release>) Great movie and great performances all around. See Hollywood; this is how you make an entertaining action movie that's richly complex and thought-provoking too!

I take it Toynami's display didn't list an ETA on when the Beta would be released?

As always, thanks for the glorious pics, Swoosh!! Got any lunch boxes you could add to this pic?

No, THIS is bad-ass! (Sorry about the paint chips )

^^You and me both!! Second Barrage was just wicked goodness! Now, you're telling me there's gonna be a third season! ...........

^^Still in process. I've added a few more pics in my Blackjack gallery (click linky here). It's currently just in "limit break" mode at the moment. I'll probably reattach the arms, legs, gunpods, and intake covers sometime this weekend. I'm sad to report that there has been some paint chipping here and there, mostly on the fuselage and intake assembly portions. This is probably because I wanted to reassemble everything and didn't wait long enough after spray-painting to let things dry properly. That and the touch-up paint didn't hold up all that well. But the chipping is not too obvious or glaring just yet. Also, after two full transfomations back and forth, it looks like the backpack paint is holding up pretty well. Even though I still need some other stickers printed (especially for the tailfins and fast packs), I applied some leftover Spacy kite stickers I found lying around. A few tips for folks crazy enough to attempt this: * When reassembling the top part of the intakes (the part that has yellow and blue, not the intake/turbine itself), be mindful of the screw that you're using. You should use the thinnest screw you have for that section. I stupidly used one of the thicker screws and wound up sorta stripping the screw hole. * Pay attention to which grey shoulder swing piece you're reattching to the body. After disassembling the whole upper arm portion again (thinking I somehow screwed up reassembling arm and shoulder section), I realized all I had to do was switch the grey shoulder swing pieces between the left side and right side of the body. In other words, I attached the left grey shoulder swing piece on the right side, instead of the left!