Mosquitos of the past and an update

Well yesterday afternoon it was announced that my area would be sprayed with a mosquito pesticide to rid the West Nile Virus. They told us to close all the windows and cover ACs that connected to a window. Boy was it hot. They said they'd start at 8 at night to 12 midnight. They came to our area at 110 or so. I saw the planes when looking out the window. One plane past in the distance and followed by a second plane a bit closer to our house. Hopefully they actually did spray our area, because they said they are going for a second run tonight, they are stupid to not post a schedule for which county they are spraying for which day.

Well I am beginning to make a Cobra Rip It figure, but I also wanted to make something Bandai would make, like all those super detailed figures, like Kamenrider, Power Rangers. Other crap like I don't understand why they won't release them here. I'll probably make Rip It and make a HISS cockpit diorama, woot, always a first for me.

Well I guess that's about it for today. Picture of the day? yeah... I haven't been keeping up with that lately. I don't know what type of gundam this is, since I haven't watched the series in 7 years. So this probably is a super new one. He's the picture that is above this post a bit, I don't know how to format it on the bottom...Well, see you guys later...

(Somehow the picture comes up with a red x. Just click it and follow through the link, it should work, I promise you nothing scary will pop up, no bad stuff. I hate them so I wouldn't do it to you guys.)

Cobra Viper

This sucker has been waiting for me to get, oh wait, I have been waiting for him to arrive at the stores. I got this image from Creative Commons, so I think I'm safe...thanks to CG76 (photographer).

Well as you see he is pretty close to the original version. He's a bit taller, articulation is surpassed, and the sculpt is extensive rather than simple.

I have a bit more pictures, not from me, but from a guy named ultraprime2007, so thanks. as you see he has a removable vest, his goggles, back pack, and gun are also removable. The head is on a ball joint and pops off easily so you can slip the vest on easier. Now for the troubles of the figure. Overall I like the figure, very cool and updated. The sculpting is ok, the hands as you see are sculpted at a slant. I can understand why, but can't understand why it's sculpted like that, when other figures has straight wrist and can accommodate the weapons well. It's a bit of a struggle to hold the weapons, I hold it at the barrel, rather than the long handle at the end. It's nearly impossible. The hands are made from soft plastic so that makes it even more difficult. The second issue is the goggles. They are loose. They aren't as tight when you put them on. They tend to fall off easily. The foot pegs are moved up too. It's harder to put him on the base and on a HISS Tank. Rather than on a heel they are moved up to the toes. The feet sculpt restricts the ankle movement, so it's harder to get him balanced. His arms are like battle damaged Snake Eyes, his shoulder bends down at an angle. The right elbow is sculpted to the right, rather than under and straight. It's kind of stupid to me, he could have a regular elbow and still hold his gun. Other than all those issues, I don't know he's a likeable figure, but the issues aren't good when playing with him. You'll be having more time fixing him than playing. I'd give him a 7 out of 10. He's not ridiculously horrible, it's just the design...

Here is the classic episode of The Viper is Coming. It has nothing to do with this figure, but it's funny. It comes in two parts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbDPAitWKJI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnEhMJ881SM&feature=related

Well I hope you enjoyed. I know I'm just writing all of this for fun, maybe someone will actually read this. DTM out...

De Viper is comink...

hehe, classic episode...Antways I got t he figure yesterday at Walmart. I finally got him, after searching for 2 months after it was released. I'll probably review him tomorrow. If you read the other reviews of him on the internet, mine will most likely concur with theirs.

Olympics ended last night, well tonight. Other sites had to spoil the closing ceremony with all these pictures on the front page.

Well, I have been sitting in my computer chair for 30 minutes. I don't know I don't feel like typing much anymore. Maybe tomorrow with a review and then some sort of update.... Too hot to type I guess... well see you guys tomorrow

Cobra Legions 5 Pack

Well here is my long long review of the Cobra Legions 5 Pack. I'm just kidding it won't be that long. I have most of the figures and reviewed three of them or so, some in this set are just with different heads, and other stuff.

First off is Cobra Commander, I first reviewed him here:http://dtmfr.blogspot.com/2008/07/tru-crimson-3-pack-exclusive.html

The body is the same, except the head and colors. The head is the classic silver head with a helmet. The helmet is removable. The silver head/ mask reveals three circles in the back of the head. Maybe CC here puts wires in it or something. The helmet has raised "block" inside the helmet and it fits in the groove with the three circles so it won't fall off "easily", I don't see the point but if it helps for other people then so be it. The color of CC is all black, his mask, belt, and hands are silver. The glove edges, Cobra Symbol on his helmet and shoulders, belt buckle. leg strap buckle, shirt buttons, and gun holster on his back are all gold. His shoes are partial gold and his pants have a little line near the bottom that's gold too. I think I found my favorite Cobra Commander.

Second is Storm Shadow. He was reviewed here: http://dtmfr.blogspot.com/2008/08/storm-shadow-cloak-version.html

The body is the same except for the head and he has no cloak. Storm Shadow is in his usual white Gi. The parts where the Gi overlaps are painted red, so are the tips of the shoulders, and he has somesort of designed shape on his thighs. They aren't perfectly the same, one is bigger the other is smaller. The forearm wrappings are in a pattern with grey, tan and grey. The knees, and shin/ foot wrappings follow the same. knees are grey, shins are tan and feet are grey. His inner shirt is grey, and his head doesn't have the hood sculpted as the cloak version did. It's a classic Storm Shadow head, The head has a Cobra Symbol covering the front of the mask. It looks awesome. The accessories are the same, mostly, all the same swords and dagger, he now has a bow to go along with his quivers. The sword handles are red and black, and the dagger's handle is black, that's the way they should be painted instead of the bluish green...

The following three troopers are used with the same body, somewhat different accessories. I reviewed th Hiss Driver here: http://dtmfr.blogspot.com/2008/07/hiss-tank.html

The use the same body as his, so no need to do a second explanation. The first is a standard trooper. He has no crest in his helmet. The harness is like a suspender instead of having all those other pockets across his torso, he just has a belt and shoulder straps. Looks like it has a sculpted pistol in the right strap. The colors for the trooper is the standard blue, the knees, gun and boots are black. The suspenders are yellow with some silver and black. The clasp on his shirt is silver. The thigh straps for the knife is also yellow with silver. His hands are painted with human flesh paint. His mouth cover is red as well as the Cobra Symbol on his chest and he sports the bald Trooper look. The knife is silver with a black handle.

The Next is the Cobra "vehicle" driver. Even though his base clearly says he the Stinger Driver. The Stinger Driver is almost the same as the HISS Driver. The only difference is the helmet and paint. The helmet is no longer black, it's grey with a grey crest too. The harness has some red applications on the shoulders and the pocket to the far left. He has no more camo pants, it's just plain grey. He now has a grey Dargonuv rifle, and a non painted dagger, the handle is black, but the blade itself is the grey plastic it was molded in.

The next is the Cobra Air Trooper. He's sort of a mix between the two. The body is make of the Standard Cobra Trooper. The harness is molded yellow, but borrowed from the Stinger Driver. This trooper has a bigger helmet, looks like a silver gas mask with air filters on the side, black visors, and an oversized Cobra helmet. The knees are molded yellow instead of black. He has a peg hole that allows his to carry his jetpack. It has two hoses that bend from the middle piece into the two rockets. It has a Cobra Symbol printed on instead of a sticker. The back pack also has a hose the leads into his blaster which he can hold. Of course he can remove all of that and he comes with an extra helmet of a Stinger driver moulder in blue and a black Dragonuv, so he's a two in one figure.

One more, the box! When you open it it has a nice portrait of all the characters in this set, The background has all the Legions of Cobra with their respective troopers in front of them. From left to right, Storm Shadow has the Red Ninjas and Destro and Baroness are in the back as well. Cobra Trooper has Cobra Troopers. CC has Tomax and Xamot, and the Crimson Guards. The Stinger Driver has the Stinger Drivers and the Air Trooper has a group of Air Troopers. One note, behind the Regular Cobra Trooper background, there is a helmetless trooper, I wonder who he is...

Wasn't that a long review? I tried to shorten it buy using existing reviews of the same mold, but i guess it failed. Anyways, the low down of this set, it's a great set for army builders. Three troopers, how could you say no. Though I don't see the point of having another ninja and a commander. I have three Storm Shadows and two Cobra Commanders. So I might use those as Zartan's disguises. Just a quick swap out. I got this set for $11.99 at Ross and they had atleast 6 of them no the shelf, so don't go rushing out to find them they won't be leaving anytime soon. I say get this set, it's really cool, and the Air Trooper adds extra value to the set. IF you survived reading this, thank you...

Toy Haul

TFAC GI Joe 5 pack
TFAC Cobra Legions 5 Pack

I got these at Ross, and for $11.99 a set. It's pretty cheap, cheaper than the ones when bought at regular retail, it's like buy one get one free. I like all the figures. The Cobra Legions is probably my favorite, even though I have so many duplicates getting both sets. I have two Snake Eyes, two Storm Shadows, two Cobra Air Troopers, two Cobra Commanders, probably two Drivers. Scarlett is my favorite of the Joe set, I never got one so it's a nice addition. The Cobra Troopers only add to my army. Well that's all for tonight. Be safe, DTM outz...

Me in Progress, MiP

heh, that's right, I am working on a custom figure of myself. I'm using a Sota SF Ken figure, some foam and sculpt. I am almost done. I painted the whole body yesterday, and I might do the skin color since I messed it up badly already, damnit... For the foam I used it as sleeves and pant legs. My karategi and pants are longer than Ken's, so I put foam around the edge and it's flexible. The arms are cool since they are straight when the arms are down and straight when the arms are raised up. I made glasses out of twisty tie wire. It's really fragile, hopefully you won't sit in it and crush it. Paper clip wires are too, lets say thick. I might do a Chinese Character on my last name on the back, something like Akuma. I sculpted my hair and painted it black along with my ever so slow chin hair. heh. I look like some anime character with the glasses and hair. The head is Ken so no wonder...blah...

Well China is in the lead with 35 medals, U.S. has 34, South Korea has 16, Japan has 11, and Vietnam has 1. Oh well. Well I better get to work on the custom and then I am off to cleaning the house. I'll update tomorrow if I can...DTM out

COBRA!!!

This is just a quick update, the first is the Olympic Medal Count.

USA: 7 gold, 7 silver, 8 bronze

China: 13 gold, 3 silver, 4 bronze

South Korea: 5 gold, 6 silver, 1 bronze

Vietnam: 1 silver
Japan: 3 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze

I added Japan since they are pretty good at swimming

My second update is my Cobra Commander Drawing. Somehow it's located above...hope you like

Olympic Results

Here are the results as of now, not including the live events tonight.

China is leading with 6 golds and 2 silvers
U.S. has 2 golds, 2 silvers and 4 bronze
South Korea has 3 gold and 2 silver
Vietnam has 1 silver

I am only sticking with my favorites, so if you like any other countries don't whine to me that I forgot the rest. Sorry...

The U.S. beat China, but they put up a great fight and even though the U.S. got 101, the Chinese got 70. It would've been cool if China got 88. I am waiting for August 20th so I can start watching Tae Kwon Do, I never saw one yet. Well I'll update daily with the 4 teams above.

Right now I am working on a custom figure of myself. I am using an XMC Magneto, but I have no clue how I can pull that off. Maybe make sparring armor. Sculpt the face a bit, because I do not have a but cheek chin, blah! Sculpt some front spikes on the front and sculpt the cheeks flat instead of having sunken in cheeks. I am a sucker for foam so maybe do some pants and Gi instead of sculpt. The sculpt I use shrinks and cracks so when I fill in the crack it always leaves a layer that raises up so it's like wasting sculpt.

2008 Olympics

Wow, I mean the opening ceremony was awesome. I got chills up my spine watching it. The drumming was nice in the beginning when they counted down and then said Confucius's words. Another chill up my spine was when China came out at the end and got the huge ovation from the crowd.

China used very creative stuff, like the moving letter tiles in the middle, it moved like waves and droplets of water. The torch runner up in the ring of the stadium surprised me. I though he would just go up and light it, then he just started running around the whole Bird's Nest.

I wish they had this in vide so I could watch it again. I really liked it. For now, go China and Vietnam (and the U.S.) DTM Out...

Friday Update

GI Joe pics are coming out crazy!

The Pyramid Pack: http://toynewsi.com/news.php?catid=9&itemid=13327

TFAC Wave 6: http://toynewsi.com/news.php?catid=9&itemid=13328

TFAC Wave 7: http://toynewsi.com/news.php?catid=9&itemid=13331

Wave 7 is interesting and I might get most of those. I need me a Scarlett, and Flint. I have the Original TFAC Zartan, but hell this Zartan is down right awesome. Wave 6 has some of the best designs for a figure. I like the Paratrooper, Bazooka Trooper and Wraith. They look cool. The Pyramid pack isn't itching my wallet. The Snake Eyes looks strange.

The Olympics are on tonight. It's going to be awesome because it's in my home country of China, woot! Well my half home country. Go China!

I posted a picture of Reon Kadena, she's a really cute Japanese Model. I might be starting something new, like Picture of the week, or Music of the week, or Video of the week. Depends on what I find. I am going to review some stuff tomorrow and such. So stay tuned for that, but today is Music of the week, I surprised you didn't I? Well I'll leave you off with the song Mayonaise by The Smashing Pumpkins. The video is only the Siamese Dream cover, but they have lyrics off to the right hand side. Give it a listen, DTM out...

(sorry I don't know how to upload it on the page, click the link!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-swlx9z2O0

Storm Shadow (Cloak Version)

The previous review was the battle damaged Snake Eyes, and doing the damage was Storm Shadow. Our favorite Cobra Ninja gets a review because he's that good, I think...

Storm Shadow here is in his usually white cloths, with some crimson red. His whole body is reused. Mostly all Cobra Ninjas use his body as a default. I have no idea if the head is new though. I think it isn't someone want to help here? Well anyways, his sculpt is good non the less. The Gi is traditional and the shin/ feet and wrist wrappings are ninja like. He has a belt that for some reason the notch goes to the side. In Tae Kwon Do it's usually or always in the front. He also has a hood and the white mouth cover. He's ninja ready!

The colors are all good, white Gi, pants and mask. The wrappings, belt, and hood are a nice crimson red. The belt also has some silver ninja stars. There is a red Arashikage symbol on his right arm and a Cobra symbol on his right side of his chest. The skin tone is very pale, probably to symbolize that he's Asian, since Asians are usually pale... nevermind it doesn't make sense I'm Asian and I'm not that pale. Only the hot Korean girl at school is kind of pale. Must not having that sunshine shining...

The articulation is regular, standard TFAC Joes. He can pull off ninja moves left and right. His accessories are what make him deadly though. I mean deadly. The guy is packed with weapons. He comes with a blue quiver and black two sheaths and they are on a belt so Storm Shadow can put it across his chest. The sheaths carry two swords and the quivers arrows are only for show, sadly enough... He comes with a bow though. It's really bulky, with some sonar crap on the end. It's a bluish green color with a bright yellow arrow. He also has a dagger in his waist belt. The handle is the same bluish green, as with all the sword handles. The blades of the sword and dagger are silver. The cloak is just sewn with a bright crimson red. It makes him look like little red riding hood. My only gripe about the accessories is that the sword and dagger handles are thin. They won't stay in his hand well.

He's a real good figure despite some weapon colors and problems. I mean a bright bluish green, who isn't going to see that from a ninja hiding. It sticks out from the dark. Either way, if you can pick up these versions you may be set for your Storm Shadow vs Snake Eyes scene.

Battle Damaged Snake Eyes

This Snake Eyes is part of the Comic Pack that includes Storm Shadow. Wait, what's that? There's two? Well this one is the battle damaged one. This Snake Eyes is like version 30 something. He has tons of figures over the years.

Snake Eyes is the same figure as the GI Joe 5 pack, except this one has a bit of minor sculpting on his chest and arms. They include rips and tears, and a nipple! heh...This is the Commando version so he has the goggles and the ski mask with six slits. I prefer the Visor version since that's the most iconic and he looks cooler, but since I don't own him yet, I will stick with this one until he is rereleased or whatever.

His body is sculpted nicely, it looks almost the same as the original figure. He has a sculpted sheath on his thigh for his machete/ knife. He has a removable harness that has a holster for his pistol, and I believe it is the same exact pistol that comes with Firefly. He has a man purse with the Cobra Symbol on it, maybe symbolizing, whatever is in this bag is for Cobra, it's hard to take it seriously calling it a man bag though. His right hand can hold the Uzi, though on my figure it looks like his hand is fully connected, so it's not open handed.

The paint is dark grey, but I think it looks blue at times. He straps, goggles, pouches, boots, and gloves are black. My figures leg strap on his left isn't fully painted, well it's painted then it fades into the grey, damn Hasbro why my figure? The little grenade on theharness is a bright lime green, isn't he supposed to be a ninja? Green is so easy to spot. The cobra symbol is red and the arashikage (I think that's what the symbol is) symbol is red on his right forearm. The guns are black as well as the knife handle. The blade is silver. The skin is that of a Caucasian with greyish scars. He must've been beat up pretty badly.

Articulation is the same old same old. He moves nicely and can pull of ninja moves. My only problem is the shoulder hinge. The shoulders are on a slant. Raise his arm straight so it levels with his shoulder, the bend it out wards to it looks like wings. You'll see the arm slant down, plus the joint is clearly seen on an angle. I have no idea if this is part of the style.

I really like this figure despite the faults. He's pretty cool looking. The whole battle damage is good. Rips, tears, everything. He's fit in well with any collection and face off against Storm Shadow. If you could get him get him, he's pretty decent.

TFAC Destro Review

Well I got Destro a while back when TFAC were starting to come out. I didn't really want to dish out the $25 and get the whole Cobra 5 pack, so I waited and got this guy. Destro is just a rerelease of the 5 pack, nothing much different, probably identical to my knowledge.

He's one of the tall figures, towering over Cobra Commander. The articulation is as follows, the neck, torso, and hips are ball jointed. The shoulder, elbow, and feet are ball hinged. The forearms are swivel and the knees are single hinged. He moves pretty decently. The single hinged knee is ok, but if they could make a double hinge for Serpentor why not Destro? Well it's one of those things with various answers...

The paint is good, the majority of his body is a dark grey. The head and gloves are silver. My figures gloves are chipping off, I have no idea why but I think it might be universal. His suspender, belt, and leg straps have some silver applications as well. The collar has some red in the inside, so does the missiles and grenades on his gloves. The dog tag and holster is red with some silver. His eyes are a lime green. The cool thing about the paint is that the belt seems dark grey but if you look closely it's black. It blends in so well. His chest is in a V so he does have some skin showing around the collar.

Detail is good, wrinkles of the cloths, ridges of the gloves, bolts of the helmet collar. The belts are is a checkered pattern look. The chain from the dog tag is seen clearly, and the face of Destro has that evil wrinkled face.

Accessory wise, this guy is packed. He comes with a pistol that fits in his holster, a glock, a SMG, a suit case, and another gun of some sort. The guns are all detailed, straight down to the ridges of a real gun. The gun that looks like a machine gun/ ray gun can fit in his suit case. The case has M.A.R.S. sculpted on the outside. Inside is a little peg to hold the gun, plus some sculpted ammo, cell phone and knife. The phone is painted silver, the rest of the accessories are black. His right hand is sculpted to hold the gun, and the left is sculpted to hold the suit case. So one weapon at a time.

He's a pretty cool figure, like all the TFAC it's all vintage but modernized. Destro fits right in with your Cobra collection. He'll be good arguing with Cobra Commander too. An Iron Grenadier Destro is coming in a two pack including a Iron Grenadier. TRU is having a IG Destro with two IGs. So depending on your preference you could get that Destro. I am going to get the TRU Pack, only because TRU make good army builder packs, like the Crimson Guard one. This figure is good non the less. Though you'll have t o buy the whole set, since I don't see anymore Destros around.

Happy Friday!

Hey guys, it's Friday. It's a meh today. I came in third in the all white contest. Only 3 people entered so I'm last. The best rank I got in a contest is 19th. Oh well this doesn't count though. Hopefully I'll get the mystery box, the Vader Lamp scares me. heh...

Not a lot of people like my Cobra Chick out of the two sites I posted them at. Only Wes, Bigraj, and Mr. Taliesin Crow commented. I guess that's better than nothing though. Thanks guys.

Next months contest, oh wait, this months contest is a villains contest. Hopefully I'll enter the Cobra Chick and finish my Dr. Doom that I have been working on throughout the year. Doom is probably one of my biggest customs, like in sculpting, kitbashing, etc. I sculpted the head, Ring Wraith's hood, hands, and legs, and XMC Magneto's cape. The top half of the body is an Old Batman figure that was majorly damaged, so I just resculpted some parts. I need to get some green paint before Michael's sale runs out.

Hmm, what else is going on this week...Well today they are finishing the driveway and back porch. My dad hired them and boy, does he treat guests well. He buys them food everyday. It's going to be a huge ass parking lot, twice as large, twice the car parking. Which fits well with our party in a couple of weeks for my cousin!

Tomorrow me and my cousin have TKD, and man we are awesome at the Eskrima Stick. People say it's hard, but all it is, is striking and having a good stance. On Tuesday we learned Redondo Redondo, which is a strike down but you bring it back like a train movement in a circular motion.

I will be having pictures on the bottom that I will link to other websites, be sure check them out as I update them. Happy Friday, be safe, DTM out...