Marvel Retro Secret Wars Figures coming soon

It seems fitting that Marvel comics would release Secret Wars figures this year, it being 30 years after the original series and figures hit the shelfs. Yes back in 1985 Secret Wars was the big thing.

If you don't know what Secret Wars was don't worry, we have you covered. Secret Wars 12 issue mini-series tat was also included cross-overs into most Marvel titles. It also introduced comic fans to the Beyonder. The Beyonder took some of Earths Heroes and its worst villians to an alien planet to study them, and watch them fight each other, truly fun stuff.

Marvel is releasing a new 12 issue mini-series titles Secret Wars again this year. It just makes sense that the toy line would follow with Gentle Giant being the first one to release figures. Gentle Giant creatung these figures based directly from these old figures.  They've digitally scanned the original Secret Wars figures and reproduced them in a larger, 12-inch scale. Resealable  containers will recreate the old Secret Wars packaging.

So far four figures are scheduled for release, Black Costume Spider-Man, Hobgoblin, Wolverine, and Magneto. It is important to note that the original Secret Wars Wolverine figure was the first one of the character ever released.

You can Pre-order the Spider-man figure for a cool $90. Keep an eye out for the others.

We will continue to provide news on the new Secret Wars line and comics throughout the year.

Good Luck on Your Hunt!

Skottie Young Marvel Baby Variant Covers

Marvel has been using Skottie Young Baby Variant covers to increase sales on some of their titles and each time it has worked. These variants have become bought highly sought after and each has increased in value.

Marvel is releasing some more Skottie Young Baby Variant covers in upcoming months, all are variants of issues #1's.. So start your hunting for these often hard to find variants.

Along with the variant shown above for Death Of Wolverine: Logan's Legacy #1, the following two baby variants will also be available.

Thor #1

Angela: Asgard's Assassins #1

Alpha Flight - Canada's Greatest Superhero Team

Recently on one of my comic hunting trips I picked up a copy of Alpha Flight #1. "Canada's answer to the Avengers" was one of my favorite titles when I was younger. I always enjoyed John Byrnes writing and art work, there was something different about the way he drew a character that made him stand out from other artists at the time. Alpha Flight was the first non-America team I had ever come across which was pretty cool to me at the time. Plus I am a big hockey fan and they had a member named Puck.

Alpha Flight made their first appearance in X-Men #120 which was also drawn by John Byrne, written by X-Men legend Chris Claremont. The team was sent to retrieve Wolverine for the Canadian Government. You can add this issue to your collection for about $25 for an ungraded copy, $1000 for a CGC high grade copy.

Alpha Flights original team consisted of the following member.

• Guardian : Originally Weapon Alpha, then Vindicator, James MacDonald Hudson is a scientist from who wears a battle-armor suit with a maple leaf flag on it. The suit gives him the power to fly and manipulate Earth's magnetic field. 
• Northstar: Jean-Paul Beaubier, from Montreal, is a mutant with powers of super-speed and light generation.
• Aurora : Jeanne-Marie Beaubier is Northstar's twin sister. Like her brother, she is also a mutant with powers of super-speed, flight, light generation, and molecular acceleration.
• Sasquatch : My favorite member of Alpha Flight. Walter Langowski is a scientist who can transform into a Sasquatch. 
• Shaman: Michael Twoyoungmen is a skilled doctor and sorcerer.
• Snowbird: She is an Inuit demi-goddess from Yellowknife, who can transform into animals of the north.

• Marrina: An amphibious woman who is actually part of an extraterrestrial invading force known as the Plodex.
• Puck: Eugene Judd is a dwarf bouncer from Saskatoon ( love that name) with enhanced strength and extraordinary acrobatic abilities.

Along with being in the comics they also have appeared on the X-Men cartoon and have been part of Marvels Action figure lines. The big question is, When are they going to nake an Alpha Flight movie? We think Marvel owns the rights but that is a little hard to figure out, seeMarvel movie rights.  But regardless with the success of Guardians of the Galaxy it's time for another unique superhero team.

If you have not read an issue of the original Alpha Flight, you'll see why there should be a movie. I strongly recommend hunting down some copies of the John Byrne run to start, I picked up issue #1 in a dollar bin at Wizard World Philadelphia, since then I have begun putting the entire series together. Issue #13 is one of my favorite Byrne covers of all-time.

Good Luck on Your Canadian Hunt!
#jointhehunt

San Diego Comic Con Exclusives - Diamond Select Toys

As each SDCC exclusive is announced it hurts just a little bit more that I will not be there. Today we look at some of the Minimates exclusives that Diamond Select toys will have at their booth.

Minimates have become very popular over the last few years, basically they are miniature action figures which include articulation and switchable heads. They come in pairs or four packs. Many of  Marvels most popular heros and events have been produced by Diamond Select. The SDCC exclusives continue the trend.

Marvel Minimates X-Men Days of Future Past Exclusive Box Set
If you haven't seen the newest X-Men movie yet then stop reading this post and go out right now to see it, we'll still be here when you get back.
Okay now that we are on the same page, remember how Wolverine went back in time to the 70's Diamond Select is doing the same thing with these minimates exclusives, all the way back to 1981. That is the year comic legend John Bryne brought us Uncanny X-Men  #141, the beginning of the Days of Futures Past story arc.
DST is playing homage to this great moment in comic history with a  4-pack of Minimates that includes key characters from the story, Future Wolverine, Future Kitty Pryde, Mystique and a Future Sentinel.  Each of these figures stand 2 inches tall and feature interchangeable parts and accessories. They are Limited to 3,000 pieces and will retail for $20. 

X-Men #23 “Days of Future Past” Minimates Cover
To compliment the Minimates box set Diamond Select Toys will also have a variants cover of X-Men #23. Cover includes minimates  style versions of Wolverine and Kitty Pride, an excellent homage to the original John Bryne cover to Uncanny X-Men #141 (compare it below). The new artwork is by Barry Bradfield and is available at comic retailers for $3.99.

To see more of Diamond Select Toys many great items check out their blog for all their upcoming releases DST Blog

If you are going to SDCC reach out to me would like to make some trades for NYCC exclusives Hunter/gatherer email

Good luck on your SDCC hunt!
#jointhehunt