FOR THE FUN OF IT:

 

Collectible Time: Diamond Select 9" Wolverine/Laura X-23/Marvel Gallery Figure

My friend, Mel, knows how much I dig the superheroic females. That's why she gifted me Diamond Select's Marvel Gallery Laura X-23/Wolverine for Christmas.  

This uncanny (tee hee), PVC representation of Logan's daughter displays a curvaceous sculpt by Sam Greenwell, colored in yellow, blue and masked-black, with long, brown hair and of course, those double-whammy, silver claws.

The pose is subtle, but all the sexier for it, as combat-ready Laura stands on a thick, sloped base, fronted by the X-Men logo. The figure's clear-panel packaging also complements the encased masterpiece, if one should choose to keep it MIB. 

I could go on and on about this superb collectible, but let's face it, the stock photos speak for themselves.

I salute you, dear Mel, for giving me another spectacular, hits-the-spot collectible for my museum!

PIN-UP TIME: GALACTICA BEAUTY, NUMBER SIX (TRICIA HELFER)

Collectible Time: Planet of the Apes/Creepshow Shirts & Star Trek III Framed Cell, from Brett

My friend, Brett Turner, never fails to surprise me with unique, Christmas gifts, and for 2023, he sure hit it outta the park once again, with three, dynamic dandies. 

Two are Funcuts/Catch the Waves, button-down shirts, one representing Marvel's cover for its 1970s, Beneath the Planet of the Apes adaptation; and the other for George A. Romero/Stephen King's original, horror-hit curation, Creepshow.

The nostalgic detail on the shirts is most impressive, exuding that Hawaiian vibe, but there's also an offbeat sophistication that transcends seaside turf. One would look quite erudite wearing these at sci-fi/horror conventions or perhaps those lovely nights out at one's favorite, dystopic and/or ghoulish, night club.  

The third gift is, in fact, a third in a successful, movie franchise, commemorating Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. 

The 7" x 5", framed/easel, Trendsetters collectible features a moody shot of Leonard Nimoy's resurrected Mr. Spock, along with a 35mm clip from the movie (with the below shot being close to my formatted image).

The Search for Spock is one of my all-time, favorite sequels, and I'm pleased to have it celebrated in such a stylish manner. 

Brett's a great guy, and as always, I'm grateful for his great, Christmas gifts. Bless your heart, Brett.

MAIN ENTERPRISES' MAKE MINE MONSTERS #4: KAIJU FRANKENSTEIN PREVIEW PICS

Here's something to wet readers' appetites for Main Enterprises' Make Mine Monsters #4: kaiju illustrations to accompany my article, "Gargantuas, Frankenstein Style."

The vivid images are a team-up endeavor by artists Troy Boyle and Marc Haines, one commemorating Frankenstein Conquers the World (Frankenstein vs Baragon) and the other, War of the Gargantuas (Frankenstein's Monsters: Sanda vs Gaira). 

To add to the excitement, Make Mine Monsters #4 is edging ever closer to completion. Updates to follow ... 

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2024

GOODBYE, TOM WILKINSON

Your eminent credits know no bounds.

In fact, the following only grazes the surface of your many contributions: The Patriot 2000; Valkyrie; Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol; The Ghost and the Darkness; The Ghost Writer; Burke & Hare; Snowden; The Titan; Black Knight; Rush Hour; Separate Lies; Dr. Bird's Advice for Sad Poets; The Conspirator; Jackboots on White Hall; Michael Clayton; Recount; SAS: Red Notice; The Catcher Was a Spy; RocknRolla; First Among Equals; Cain of Fools; The Choice; Shakespeare in Love; The Happy Prince; This Beautiful Fantastic; The Night of the White Pants; Felony; Duplicity; Bone in the Throat; Ripley Under Ground; The Samaritan (aka Fury); Selma; 44 Inch Chest; Cassandra's Dream; Dedication; Dead in a Week or Your Money Back; Prince of Jutland (aka Royal Deceit/Thrones & Empires); Jenny's Wedding; Little Boy; Burden; Denial; Belle; The Last Kiss; Piccadilly Jim; Parker; Sylvia; Good People; A Good Woman; Stage Beauty; The Debt; Before You Go; Another Life; In the Bedroom; The Full Monty; If Only; Smilla's Sense of Snow; The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel; The Girl with a Pearl Earring; Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind; Wetherby; Paper Mask; Sense and Sensibility 2005; and The Importance of Being Earnest 2002. 

In my humble estimation, one of your finest performances springs from The Exorcism of Emily Rose, where as Father Richard Moore, you spun conviction with sorrow, and above all, oodles of compassionate courage, to a degree that should have clinched you an Oscar nod. 

However, your appearances as Carmine Falcone in Batman Begins, James Reid in The Green Hornet 2011 and Latham Cole in The Lone Ranger 2012, give you an unshakable spot in crusader cinema, ensuring that time and again, you'll reside in fandom's favorable eye. 

Actors of your "supporting" caliber rarely get the credit they deserve, Mr. Wilkinson, but to those who absorbed the splendor of your work, you'll remain nothing less than top tier.