As a collector, toys are not the only things we have in our collections. As children of the 1970’s and 1980’s we LOVED our comic books and we still do!
Sadly our personal childhood comic collections disappeared over the years but we have started picking up a few of our favourites like Transformers, GI Joe and of course Star Wars.
Recently, we found these really awesome Star Wars comics by Marvel. Someone was practically giving them away on the online market. We couldn’t resist!
The cover artwork is amazing! It’s inspired by 3.75” action figures (which I personally love). If you didn’t know any better just by taking a quick look at the images, you’d swear they were action figures and not drawings! The four we picked up are in mint condition and in comic sleeves. It would be amazing to eventually find the entire set! Rare!
It’s crazy what you can find when you search online locally for things you enjoy!
Covid has slowed down the toy collecting; mostly keeping up with the transformers g1 collection and the odd Star Wars merch here and there.
We cannot wait for this COVID to be under control and be able to do our LIVE coverage at the Fanaticcon event in Ottawa! Hopefully the hosts will be able to tell us when we are good to go!
Action figures are taking over TBC! Just kidding, but they are taking over our collection shelves as of late. There are so many figures when it comes to big (and ongoing) franchises such as Star Wars, it can be difficult to choose which collection you really want.
We started having a little of everything from 3.5” action figures to the 8” action figures and between. It’s impossible to collect every single one of them unless you’re super rich and have the money and time to invest in searching out all the vintage ones, weeding out the knock offs and trying to get the best deal for your buck.
Hasbro released its newest figures to the Star Wars Black series to commemorate Star Wars 40th anniversary with revamped Luke (Bespin), Han (Bespin), Leia (Hoth), Yoda (with snake) and Speed Trooper. They come on a card that has a 40th anniversary logo on the corner.
From what I can see these figures are very articulated at the joints; perfect for posing for pictures and display. They each cone with their signature weapons and accessories.
The features are almost dead on to the characters real-life counterparts; we were impressed by the details in the faces, even Yoda compared to his 1980’s toy ancestor, has much more detail and his colour is more precise.
Although we can’t always afford the $29.99 price tag (and these never go on sale), the Black Series are one of my favourites in the Star Wars franchise and in my opinion, worth it when you find your favourite characters.
Now, The Mandalorian stuff is coming out soon; preorders have sold out at most online shops so we’re hoping we can get a Mandalorian and maybe the black series version of The Child by summer time! See how easy it is to get carried away? 😆
In conclusion, we are very impressed and super happy with the 40th anniversary The Black Series Luke, Leia, Han and Yoda we scooped up at Walmart! Now for that speed trooper! 😁
Hasbro announced its HyperReal line back in fall 2019, showcasing the first available character to this new series – 8″ Darth Vader with a base, dressed in his ‘Empire Strikes Back” attire.
We may be a little late to the game but this was actually purchased as a Christmas gift and surprises like this shouldn’t be spoiled. I wanted to write up a little review of our own about Lord Vader in all his collectible figure glory, sorry for the delay; pandemic and all.
So here we go… One of the first things we always notice about a new figure is of course the packaging. Vader comes in a big, windowed box which allows you to see and enjoy him without taking him out right away. The box opens up, attached with Velcro and had amazing imagery both inside and outside with details about the figure.
HyperReal Darth Vader stands 8″ tall (9″ on his stand) and is fully posable from head down to his feet thanks to his metal skeleton underneath the awesome outfit. He comes with a few different hands so you can pose him according to your favourite Vader moments from the movies. He also comes with his light saber which fits into his holster on his belt.
The detailing is very well done on this figure, they seemed to have got him almost dead on including the way his mask looks and his panel on the front of his outfit. Now, he is made of plastic and what seems to be a vinyl material but keep in mind this is a collectors action figure so chances of moving him enough to rip or break the outfit should be pretty slim, at least for us.
We plan to pose him and keep him locked up in the display case to avoid too much dust landing on him. This HyperReal Darth Vader was one of the best gifts for this collector and he’s a real treat to have in our ever growing Star Wars collection.
The fun part? Hasbro has more plans with the HyperReal collection with Luke Skywalker being made available later in MAY – we cannot wait to get our hands on him and see what other characters are released for this collection!
Sorry about the in-box pictures. I want to do something fun with him and Skywalker when he arrives; oh yes, we did preorder him!
We are already in March which means we are planning our 2020 toy convention visits and we have a local show coming to OTTAWA that you won’t want to miss – I know we’ll be there!
Are you a geeked out, comics and toys loving couple like us? This summer you will want to check out Fanaticcon Ottawa – THE toy and comic convention happening right here in Ottawa this AUGUST!
2020 FANATICCON 2 OTTAWA ONTARIO
What is Fanaticcon Ottawa?
Powered by The Toy Time Machine, Fanaticcon Ottawa is the second annual event celebrating pop culture with awesome exhibitors showcasing comics, toys, games, arts, entertainment, cosplay and more!
There will be 60+ tables to shop for the best in collectibles, cosplay costume contests, arcade challenges powered by crosscades, meet and photobomb guests, get some autographs, enjoy the vibes of DJ BIGGZ and so much more!!
New info is being added constantly so make sure to like the Fanaticcon Facebook pageand keep up to date!
Tickets are on sale right now (kids under 12 get in FREE) or you can buy at the door on the day of the event!
Follow The Toybox Collection on social for our latest updates and fun! We may just be having a giveaway or two coming soon! Stay tuned!
Mattel Hot Wheels Star Wars ships and vehicles from Dollar store!
When it comes to collecting, serious fans can spend some serious dough adding their favourite characters, accessories, vehicles and add-ons to their collection. Spending money you don’t have takes the fun out of collecting and it can become a dangerous addiction kind of like gambling if you’re not careful.
We began collecting a few years ago. Most of what we collect we get at a fraction of the price. No, we aren’t special. We are just smart shoppers! Watch for local and online sales! You may still pay a bit but you’re getting the latest. Also, look for the sales both online and off. We got a few collectable Christmas gifts through these kinds of sales.
It’s a win or lose situation with eBay. You can get great deals but like anywhere else you have to shop around. You have to do your research on what your buying and the seller from which you are buying it. Beware if you notice the images look like stock images off the net (like those you’d find on store websites), the description is brief or nonexistent, the price is too good to be true and check if the buyer has a lot of negative feedback. Those signs are red flags to back the page up and keep shopping around.
Buy and sell marketplaces are great resources as well. You can often find mint (never opened) or slightly used collectables and often the price can be negotiated with a local seller; after all, we all know what it costs to collect the best of the best!
Buy and sell groups are popping up all over Facebook from transformers to Star Wars, Retro toys and dolls, I’m pretty sure there’s a group for everyone. People post what they’re looking for and what they’re selling privately to sell among like minded collectors.
Dollar stores often sell overstock, old stock or slightly “defective” brand name toys. By “defective”, I mean it could be as simple as the plastic capsule ungluing from the back card, the figure still in tact. It might not be the newest releases but you could find figures you didn’t even know you needed for a fraction of the price.
Used shops (like Salvation Army or Value Village) might have something someone got rid of. You never know unless you go in and browse around. I’ve seen posts from people who got some sweet deals, even if they are a little used.
Princess Leia Organa from Star Wars Rebels $4 at a dollarama!
During the summer months, garage sales can be a steal when it comes to finding used collectables. Most people don’t know or don’t care about the value be it monetary or sentimental behind collector toys and probably just want to get rid of what they think is just old junk.
You never know unless you go! 😛
Good luck on your hunt for your next collectable gem!
Force Link Rey in Jedi Training suit, also from Dollar Store.
Somewhere in a galaxy far, far away, an awesome brand we love sent one of their biggest fans a huge box of awesome to check out! We couldn’t believe the SIZE of the box first of all (14 lbs anybody?) but what was in it…incredible!
We knew new toys were coming out soon but weren’t expecting this…Thank you HASBRO for the “out of this world” surprise!
To celebrate “Triple Force Friday” we created an awesome video showcasing the latest and greatest from Hasbro’s Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker premium collectibles (The Black Series, The Vintage Series), toys (Galaxy of Adventures 5″ action figures), RC Robotic Droids and the all-new Scream Saber Electronic Lightsaber.
Follow @Hasbro on Twitter and Instagram using hashtags #StarWars and #TheRiseofSkywalker to get in on all the Star Wars celebratory fun! May the force be with you!
We are excited to team up with Hasbro Pulse and A Motherhood Experience blog to bring you a review of the latest Transformers collectors want and probably can’t get unless they pre-ordered him back in September; Transformers Generations War for Cybertron Titan WFC-S29 Omega Supreme!
Check out our video showcase below!
Omega Supreme is every Transformer collectors dream this fall. He is MASSIVE standing up 2 feet tall in robot mode! He has a G1 inspired design and transforms into Autobot Command Center mode. He comes with 6 Fire Blasts accessories to simulate battle effects on robot mode and Command Center mode plus also comes with Micromaster, Autobot Countdown, who fits inside the rocket, tank and control tower. He can ride around the defender perimeter how cool is that!
• Includes Transformers Generations War for Cybertron: Siege WFC-S29 Omega Supreme figure, Micromaster figure, 6 Fire Blasts accessories, and instructions. • Build the ultimate battle field with Command Center Mode: Scaled to fit other War for Cybertron: Siege figures (each sold separately, subject to availability). Use the Autobot Command Center mode of this colossal 2-foot Titan Class WFC-S29 Omega Supreme figure to build the ultimate battlefield! • G1-Inspired Cybertronian ALT mode: Omega Supreme toy converts from robot to Autobot Command Center mode in 37 steps. Command Center mode includes tank, rocket, control tower, and defense perimeter. • Included Micromaster, Autobot Countdown, fits inside rocket, tank, and control tower, and can ride along the defense perimeter. • Add Battle Effects: Use 6 included Fire Blasts accessories to simulate battle effects on Omega Supreme figure and Command Center mode. • Expandable weapons selection: Build a bigger mission loadout for Omega Supreme by compiling additional weapon accessories from other Siege figures. (Each sold separately. Subject to availability). • Figure scale: 24 inches • Ages 8 and up
from the Hasbro website
This is NOT your typical toy and certainly NOT one I would recommend for a young child. He isn’t cheap to buy because he is a collectors item at $249.99 CAD. You might be lucky to find him online but so far it seems he’s sold out!
I think we are definitely going to need another display shelf in our display room just for Omega Supreme!
Click here to check out Transformers Generations War for Cybertron Titan WFC-S29 Omega Supreme on the Hasbro website!
Wow! It’s been a while since we’ve updated the blog! Sorry about that! We’ve been busy doing…you know, all the adulting with kids and all.
It’s going to be a busy fall! We will be doing a special posting of Masterpiece Transformers collectors figures over the next while and we have a (Omega) surprise review in the works too!
Thanks for joining us as we navigate the world of grown-up toy collecting.
Why now?
My answer is simple, why not now? As children we rely on saving our allowances or having our parents provide us with the things we want and need. Unfortunately we don’t always get what we want and sometimes this want lingers long into adulthood when we finally get the chance to earn our own and decide what kind of hobby we want to spend our time and money on.
For me, it started small. Collecting items I would receive for review purposes on a blog I run. Not just any items, items which meant something like a favourite movie or television show.
Collectibles featured on The Toy Box Collection range from oldschool retro toys such as Transformers G1 remastered to new-age toys such as Star Wars, DC and Marvel Comics. Dolls and such may be featured from time to time but this Toy Box is mostly filled with movie collectibles!
You’re never too old to collect the things you love.
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