Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Micro Machines Blind Packs

 


As part of the re-launch of the Micro Machines brand, Jazwares released small blind bags to retail stores. While I never saw them until they were on clearance, I did manage to pick up a few bags from Series 1 and 3. I believe the last series issued was series 4, which included several licensed vehicles.

Like with the previously released 5 packs, chase vehicles are randomly packaged in two different tiers - rare chromed silver and ultra rate chromed gold. 





#161 Front End Loader



#148 Quetzal



#009 Hognose



#006 Morab

As a kid growing up in the 80's I loved Micro Machines...but these just don't have the same feel. I like the idea of blind packaged vehicles and at $1.99 retail it makes for a good impulse purchase. I have picked up a few of the new 5 packs lately and now that they are starting to use real, licensed vehicles the appeal is starting to be there. Good luck if you are still looking for these as it seems Target is the only retail store (at least in my area) that is carrying the miniature brand.

Thursday, December 2, 2021

Masters of the Universe: Revelation Eternia Minis - Whiplash & Metallic Whiplash

 



Mattel's Eternia Minis line returns for the new Netflix animation show, Revelation. These small PVC figures are based on the new character designs, of which we'll take a quick look at one of Skeletor's henchmen, Whiplash. Also included in this first wave of figures was a chase version of Whiplash, cast in a metallic green. I'm not sure what the significance of this color is, but since I like the character I grabbed it anyway.

The packaging went a darker route for the Revelation series, which is fitting since the show is a little darker, more serious than the old Filmation show. In the background you have Castle Grayskull from a looking up perspective. The darkness is only broken up by a patch of ominous looking red sky with a single lightning bolt coming down. Across the bottom of the blister is silver ribbon with the character name.


Flip the small package around and you'll see the entire wave of figures including Beast Man, Skelegod and Fisto. The latter is the only character that I didn't pick up as I opted for the version packaged with Stridor, but more on that later.



For the Revelation series Whiplash (like a lot of the character) got a make over if you will. Most likely thanks to Tri-Klops, Whiplash now has a techno like eye and sports some more sophisticated armor. The applied paint apps are done well for a figure this size. He still comes packaged with his familiar orange spear weapon.


The Metallic chase version is devoid of any paint apps. The green plastic comes off a little darker in my pictures than the way it looks in hand. I ended up seeing his figure way more often at retail than I should being that it's supposed to be short packed, but I'm guess people just didn't care for it.


I really dig all of the Eternia Minis thus far and find them to be fun little "desk toys" to distract me from my real job. While the regular release of Whiplash is fantastic, I can only recommend the chase version if you're a completionist or just love the character.