It’s that time of year again. While we’re not back to the golden age of New York Toy Fair, this year’s was pretty impressive. The big two represented relatively well, even if the four greatest franchises ranged from amazing to mediocre. As always, the Others had some great reveals. I gotta say, as I finally start to grasp the true size and cost of my collection, seeing new stuff brings me much less joy than it used to. I once yearned to fill holes in lines and add to focuses, now I almost dread it. It constantly reminds me of my overindulgence and the need to drastically cull.

However, that won’t stop me from loving things. As I mentioned on the show, my absolutely favorite reveal, despite its duck-billed alt mode, was Krannix from the Transformers ’86 movie. Talk about holes being filled. For Joe, the addition of dinosaurs to the line is extremely interesting, even if it’s just a momentary distraction. Masters of the Universe, of course, went off. With two different lines similar enough to be confused, at least by me, we have a ton of options. But, that Trap Jaw with an articulated jaw, am I right? Star Wars blew their load pre-Toy Fair, but being an arctic guy, let’s just say, I want everything.

Let the con season, begin…Slick

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It’s been a crazy weekend, and I’ve got an “NBA All-Star” game to watch, so no long post today. Stay tuned for Toy Fair talk next Sunday.

Sports Ball por vida…Slick

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If you haven’t noticed yet, I get pretty “dedicated” to things. I think that’s evident in doing this show for almost 18 years now. The show’s tagline even begins with dedicated. Most people would call it obsessive. However, I’ve never really appreciated the negative connotation of that word. This week, I spent, I don’t even know how many, hours creating as complete a Svengoolie library of available shows as possible. Including correct season and episode labels spanning 3 iterations, managing reruns, et cetera. I was trying to get it all just right. Which meant a lot of iteration and revisions. My family especially understands how much I hate redoing things. I’d rather measure twice, cut once or do an ounce of preparation instead of a pound of cure. But when you are dedicated to something, it’s worth getting it right.

Are you dedicated enough to sit through overly excited marketing managers on the Star Wars Fanstreams? How about watching hours-long, overly produced Mattel Revealed events that feature your favorite line for about 5-10 minutes? I think nothing says dedicated like Artist Roundtable videos. Were you able to make it through the 45-minute session of What We Got to hear our thoughts on the new Master’s teaser trailer for 20 minutes? If so, that’s dedication.

Dedicated to… a lot of things…Slick

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How are your resolutions going? For me? See the title of this post. Making progress in some regards, but stuck in ruts with others. I think that’s why I don’t necessarily make “resolutions”. I know what I need to fix in my life, and I try to make changes with the new year. I’ve stopped being super-hardcore about it and give myself some forgiveness so long as I continue on the right track. It’s when I’m right back in the same habits, or at this point, routines, that I feel that failure. It happens every year, but I try, and I can’t help but think that’s worth something.

Do you think these toy companies are changing for the good or for the worse? They seem to be dialing into the fandom, but at the same time, pricing many of us out of our casual lines. We’ll have to see the price of these new Joe / TMNT crossovers, but they have definitely sparked collector interest. Transformers is attacking on every front, but those prices. The most exciting Star Wars news is from LEGO, but again, man, the prices. Finally, the best things from MOTU are 3rd party homages at a relatively reasonable price.

Stay Strong…Slick

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While writing a long introspective post about the new year would be par the course on most sites, blogs, what have you, I tend do that all year. So, because I have been putting off stuff since my birthday, I’ll just leave you with this…

Merry New Years Mofos…Slick

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Whenever I watch movies that spiral out from just one moment in time, it always makes me think about how quickly life can change. Just like that, all the comfort in your routines you have built up over the years can disappear. Unfortunately, it seems like it rarely ever happens in a positive sense. It’s always some sort of tragedy. Maybe it’s because I watch a lot of horror movies, but the super-happy Hollywood ending just isn’t nearly as believable as shocking misfortune. I’ve always considered myself an optimist, but these types of movies always make me question what horrific scenario awaits me. I no longer dream of getting rich or going on exciting adventures. Luckily, I met the love of my life in a love-at-first-sight moment, so at least I can check that box. While our life isn’t that of what makes movies, well, movies, I think the uninterrupted routine of it all is my happy ending.

It seems like we blinked, and our hobby is so much more expensive than it was five years ago. We have long railed against the TVC markups, but for two primary focuses of mine to be revealed and so easily join the JOMO list is inconceivable. How about a once mainline MOTU figure being made into not only an exclusive, but a deluxe, with a final cost of getting it into your hand more than double since 2020? The exact thing is happening at Hasbro with their new Combaticon Swindle; it’s not even an exclusive. Classified hasn’t been immune either. With mainline going from $20 to $28, who knows what a Deep Six with or without SHARK could cost, let alone another Zartan with Swamp Skier.

Happy Holidays…Slick

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I know, it’s too early to be getting the episode out. Do you know what that means? I’m procrastinating. I have a bunch of stuff in regard to selling/work I should be doing, but I don’t wanna. So instead of just sitting here not doing anything, I did that yesterday, I’m doing everything else I can to make it feel like I’m motivating. So hey, I get the episode out a couple of days ahead of time, and I don’t feel like such a bum. I’m still not doing what I’m supposed to be, but at least I’m doing something.

Here are some things the big companies shouldn’t be doing. Making previous exclusives non-exclusives just to sell stock. Asking about forums when they’re not delivering what people are asking for. Trying to mimic that crazy era of the ’90s color schemes on modern toys. Worst of all, creating something that most people would love, but making it so expensive that no one buys it.

In a while, crocodile…Slick

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It seems every time I try to do a post lately, I’m running into technical difficulties. This one doesn’t affect the show or post too much. However, it has been two and a half hours for something that usually takes about an hour and a half and I’m not even close to being done yet. Let alone troubleshooting the actual issue, which is likely to take at least another hour. Oh well, so is life, I guess. Legionscon happened this weekend. It served as a reminder that not only do I like way too much stuff, but I’m getting priced out of most of it. Why can’t I just really love one thing?

This is why. Who doesn’t love the goofiness of a Python Patrol Serpentor? Maybe a spatchcocked (thanks Brink) chicken gun with an 8-track tape is more your thing? How about a guy with an engine on his back and wheels for hands and feet? No, I’m not talking about Turbo Teen. The only thing new for Star Wars is old. Talk about pricing people out. Something that went for $35 15 years ago is now $99. Or, the identical thing with a much smaller release was $10 less a year ago.

You do the math…Slick

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We’re having internet problems, so no big long post this time.

You’re welcome…Slick

The post Open Your Toys Cast – Episode 326: Internet Problems… appeared first on Open Your Toys.

It’s crazy out there right now. After the amazing Target Days sale on toys, now Ross Con has kicked into high gear. NYCC and Walmart Collector Con just dropped. People are finding amazing things out there left and right. We’ve been saying this for quite a while, but there’s too much stuff coming out. Crazy people like me keep trying to keep up. I envy people who love one or two lines or even properties, because I love so many. I’m trying to figure out how to eliminate lines, scales, and even properties. It’s literally driving me crazy.

To make things easier this week, on me at least, I’m going to pick my favorites from New York Comic-Con. Well, also because it’s what took up half of the show this time around. Transformers was easy for me, can’t beat an Ox and Cart Optimus Prime! G.I. Joe continues the movie goodness with their Cobra La Royal Guard. Star Wars continues not only their Retro line, but also does so with a third wave of A New Hope figures. Mondo carried the MOTU mantle. While their 200x line looks amazing, that price through.

Concrete jungle where dreams are made of…Slick

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