3B's Best of 2011 - Year End Review

Hello all! And welcome to 3BTH's year-end "Best of" review for 2011. I know content's been light around here lately and I wasn't even sure if I would be able to get this list done in time, but technically it's still 2011, so I'm right on time!

Anyway, I've been working on this list in one form or another for the last month, but I decided to take a cue from my action figure-blogging peers, Lemonjuice McGee and Novelty, and pick one figure from each of the lines I collect. In some cases (like Transformers) I've distilled the various lines into one and in other cases (like Mattel's WWE lines), I've picked a figure from each series. So without further ado, come see what impressed me the most over the past twelve months!

WWE Legends, The Rockers - Review

The glory days of tag team wrestling in the WWE are arguably behind us. Most teams nowadays do little more than serve as filler for Battle Royales and opening card matches. It seems that if two Superstars are popular enough as a team, they are promptly split up and repackaged as "singles" competitors. But thanks to Mattel's WWE Legends line, we can recreate some of the most iconic tag matches in wrestling history and that includes their latest tag team two-pack, the Rockers!

WWE Elite, CM Punk (Series 11) - Review

Toys R Us may be clogging their WWE Elite pegs with WrestleMania 27 figures, but it seems the holiday rush has cleared enough space at my local Walmart for them to start stocking series 11 and that means a new CM Punk figure! This updated Punk brings a few new items to the table, so let's see what he has to offer and find out if he's worth adding to your collection!

TransFormers Prime, Arcee & Bumblebee (NYCC) - Review

Didn't get your fill of TransFormers toys this past Summer with the release of the Dark of the Moon toys? Well, you're in luck because Hasbro is about to unleash an all-new line based on the (fairly) new TransFormers: Prime animated series (not to be confused with the previous animated series TransFormers Animated). The main line should be hitting toy shelves in the U.S. very soon, but in anticipation of it's arrival, Hasbro released this box set as a New York Comic Convention exclusive, which was later available on their webstore. Let's take a look if you haven't already and see what the set has to offer.

The Buzz: Geeks for Tots

December is at-hand and for many of us that means Christmas time and the gift-giving holidays. Unfortunately, that's not true for everyone and for too many children in the United States, Christmas won't be coming this year. As toy collectors, it's sometimes easy to forget the simple joy a toy can bring, especially when you purchase them regularly. I feel it's important to remember the great feeling you, hopefully, had when you woke up Christmas (or whatever your traditional gift day is) morning and open up your new toys.

I urge everyone who can to take a moment to click over to Geeks for Tots and find out more about donating toys or money to help bring holiday cheer into the lives of children who may not otherwise receive any. It's easy and even a small contribution will help.

Happy holidays,

3B

DC Universe Classics, The Atom & Sandman - Review

Last year I was happy to see more Golden Age JSA members make it into DCUC. The year it seems Mattel was holding out until the latest wave to release more of them. Wave 19 is composed of all JSA, or JSA-related figures, even the "collect & connect" figure, S.T.R.I.P.E. I'm mostly interested in the GA characters, though, so The Atom and Sandman were on my priority list. Let's see how they turned out.

WWE Elite, Kofi Kingston (Series 9) - Review

Boom! Today I'm reviewing my first ever Kofi Kingston action figure. I can't say I'm a huge fan of his, but he's nonetheless a very talented Superstar and consistently delivers great in-ring entertainment. His WWE Elite Collection debut came in series 4, but I wasn't too crazy about the headsculpt, something I thought would be improved on a future release. Apparently that was wishful thinking on my part. Let's jump into this review and see if we'll need to send an "S-O-S" to Mattel.

DCUC vs. MotUC, Green Lantern & Zodac - Review

Although Mattel's Masters of the Universe Classics toy line proved popular enough to sustain itself through their online collector store and ridiculous subscription model, they weren't sure that success would carry over on to retail shelves. To test the waters Mattel decided to create redeco'd versions of the most popular characters and pair them with characters from the DC Universe, borrowing figures from the Classics line. Aside from the initial set featuring He-Man and Superman, none of the two-packs proved successful enough to continue creating them, so the tactfully titled DC Universe Classics vs. Masters of the Universe Classics line was cancelled, but not before three more sets were released. Let's look at one from the final wave.

Contest: Christmas Comes Early, FINAL REVEAL

Hello and Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you're getting ready to enjoy a good meal with family and friends. If you've been eagerly awaiting the final reveal in the Hive's "Christmas Comes Early" contest, then rest easy! The final piece is revealed after the jump!

Master Shooter, Mega-Gun (aka Megatron pistol) - Review

Today I'm reviewing a little third party figure/accessory that serves to enhance your TransFormers collection. Remember in the G1 cartoon how Megatron would convert into a powerful pistol that another robot could wield? Well, the old toys never had an in-scale Megatron pistol, instead Megatron would transform into a toy gun YOU could play with. But now in this cool age of third party toys, we can finally have our "classics" Starscream blast Autobots into oblivion with his own Megatron handgun. Check it out!

WWE Legends, Brian Pillman - Review

Today I'm (finally) finishing out my reviews for WWE Legends series 3 with the last figure, Brian Pillman. I wasn't a fan of Pillman during his brief time in the WWE in mid-to-late nineties, but his contribution to the industry left a lasting impression on fans and Superstars alike. Like his fellow Hart Foundation member, Davey Boy Smith, Brian Pillman belongs to that group of entertainers that were lost way before their time. I wasn't crazy about how the British Bulldog's figure turned out, let's see if Pillman's faired any better.

Contest: Christmas Comes Early, part 4

With the news of the name change and new address today I thought it was the perfect time to reveal the fourth part of our "Christmas Comes Early" prize package! Yep, this one includes two figures! First up is the Elite Series 3 Randy Orton figure that was reviewed just a few days ago! Second is a WWE Legends Sgt. Slaughter which I painstakingly (not really) customized with black wristtape as suggested by Facebook follower, Jeff R., a couple of weeks ago. Now the Sarge matches his card art and we all know how rare that is in the Legends line!

Orton and Slaughter join a prize package that includes the TRU-exclusive Mr. McMahon, WWE Rumblers HHH & HBK, a mint-in-package Hillybilly Jim and the as-yet-unrevealed, fifth item. The last figure will be revealed on Thanksgiving Day and you will have until midnight on December 1st to enter for your chance to win! Follow this link for complete rules and instructions on how to enter.

Good luck!

Hive News: Name change & new address!

Hello readers! I just want to take a moment of your time and announce that "Killer B Hive" is now "3B's Toy Hive"! I found that the old name and address was painfully long to type out, so I decided to create a custom domain name. I felt it was a great time to change the name to something that at least hints at what the blog is about. You'd be surprise to know how many bee enthusiasts would write complaining about the lack of bee content. That last sentence is completely false.

Anyway, welcome to the Hive... um, I mean the TOY HIVE! Very soon you can access the blog at the new address: www.3bstoyhive.com and the previous web address will still redirect here, so don't worry about updating your bookmarks. Thanks for following along!

WWE Elite, Randy Orton (Series 2) - Review

In my continuing effort to review all WWE Elite figures (or at least all the ones I own) I'm bringing you a figure from early on in the Elite series. Today we're looking at Randy Orton from way back in wave 2. Ironically I've already reviewed Orton before in the WWE All-Stars series of two-packs, which was released over a year after the E3 figure. Well, no time like the present...

Contest: Christmas Comes Early, part 3

Ready for the next reveal in KBH's "Christmas Comes Early" contest? Well, if you can't see the image above, it's WWE Legends series 4's Hillbilly Jim! What better way to celebrate the holiday with the big bearded man, than having an action figure of a big bearded man?!

This one is brand-new, mint-in-package, waiting to join YOUR collection! So enter now for your chance to win HBJ, WWE Rumblers Triple H and Shawn Michaels, the Toys R Us exclusive Vince McMahon and two more, soon-to-be-revealed, prizes! The contest ends on the 1st of December at midnight (so you have all day Dec. 1st to enter).

For complete rules follow this link and read them before submitting your entry. You can now enter via any of the contest-related posts on KBH's Facebook page, however, you can only enter once, so DO NOT ENTER ON EACH POST. Don't worry, all entries will be included in the final drawing.

Good luck!

WWE Legends, Kamala - Review

Today I'm finishing out my reviews of Mattel's WWE Legends series 2. Kamala is part of a wave that focused on wrestlers from the same era of (then) WWF, including: Iron Sheik, Jimmy Snuka, Rick Rude, Terry Funk and Jake Roberts. While I remember those other guys fairly well, my recollection of Kamala is really vague. In fact, if not for his outlandish attire, I'm sure I wouldn't remember him at all. As such, I don't have much to talk about in terms of the character, so we'll just be taking a straight-forward look at the figure and see what he brings to the collection.

TFC Hercules, Heavy Labor - Review

Heavy Labor is the second release in TFC Toys' "Hercules" series of transforming construction vehicle-themed robots. The series is an obvious homage to the classic TransFormers Decepticon subgroup, the Constructicons, and their combined form, Devastator. Heavy Labor is specifically based on Long Haul, who transformed into a dump truck and formed Devastator's lower torso. Does this second release build upon the foundation laid by the first "Hercules" figure, or give cause to quit now and skip the rest of the pricey team? Let's find out!

Killer B Contest: Christmas Comes Early, part 2

Yesterday I reviewed a Shawn Michaels figure and today I'm giving one away! Yes, the second part of the Hive's "Christmas Comes Early" prize package includes Shawn Michaels and his best buddy, Triple H, from the WWE Rumblers series! These were the actual figures used in my review earlier this year and now is your chance to win them!

Follow the contest link to the right for instructions on how to enter for your chance to win these two figures, the TRU-exclusive Mr. McMahon, PLUS three more yet-to-be-revealed figures!

Good luck!

WWE Entrance Greats, Shawn Michaels - Review

Mattel may have replaced their inaugural WWE Entrance Greats collector line with the better articulated WWE Defining Moments, but that doesn't mean the EG line was without it's gems. Case in point, "the Heartbreak Kid", Shawn Michaels, commemorating his entrance (and subsequent first World Title victory) at WrestleMania XII. When he was first released I thought he was a cool figure, but not twenty-two dollars cool, so I skipped him. But just a couple of months ago I spent several weeks hunting for bargains at the major discount stores and just a couple of days after finding EG Undertaker, I found HBK for 8 bucks and change!

Currently on Display: November 2011

We're just a few days into November, but it seems will be chowing down on turkey and pumpkin pie soon and then the horror that is "BLACK FRIDAY" will once again be upon us. I haven't done ANY Christmas shopping, yet, and can't say I'm looking forward to it either. Just the thought of standing in long lines at the toy stores makes me cringe... Thankfully, while I'm home and can sit back and enjoy the toys on display this month.

Lucha Libre USA, Sydistiko - Review

Happy Halloween! What better way to celebrate than with a review of a masked man?

Playmates' first (I believe) toyline of licensed wrestling figures, Lucha Libre USA: Masked Warriors hasn't received much love on the Hive, but that doesn't mean it isn't a really fun one. I've never watched an episode of the MTV show the figures are based on and that unfortunately means I have minimal motivation in collecting the line. When I first encountered these figures it was at Walmart, but since then they've expanded to other retailers including Toys R Us. There they take up much less space than WWE merchandise and just a bit smaller than Jakks' TNA stuff, but they seem to sell moderately well. Let's take a look at Sydistiko.

WWE Legends, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat - Review

Before Mattel unleashed "The Dragon" in the WWE Defining Moments deluxe collector action figure line, they released a version of him in WWE Legends. Steamboat was part of the first wave of Legends and he's been floating around in my collection since Fall of 2010, but I hadn't had a chance to review him until now. Without further ado, here is the 1980s version of Ricky Steamboat!

Crossfire: Causality, Backfiery - Review

Today we come full circle in KBH's review of FansProject's G1 Insecticon homage figures with a look at the third and final (presumably) robot bug, Backfiery. The wait has been a bit unsettling, chalk it up to fanboy anticipation (or paranoia), but now we have a chance to fill-in our G1 ranks with a complete team of Insecticon action figures that go great with the rest of our "Classics" TransFormers. So let's swarm ahead and see how Kickback's homage turned out and how he looks posed next to his cronies!

WWE Elite, The Rock - Review

Next year WWE's annual extravaganza, WrestleMania, will be held in Miami, FL for the first time ever and I'm particularly excited because I live in Miami! That's right, WM28 will be held in my hometown and feature a hometown hero in the main event, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson! I'll most likely enjoy the show from the comfort of my own home like I have the past couple of years, but it's still exciting. In anticipation of 2012's WrestleMania main event, Mattel created this special edition exclusive The Rock action figure for Toys R Us. Along with this new Rock figure comes a new price tag (argh!), let's see if he's worth the TRU mark-up.

Killer B Contest: Christmas Comes Early!

Are you a fan of Mattel's WWE toys? Do you like winning free stuff? Then enter for your chance to win a Mattel WWE prize package courtesy of the Hive in our "Christmas Comes Early" giveaway! To enter all you have to do is become a fan of KBH on Facebook and comment under any of the Christmas Comes Early CONTEST posts with the phrase "I love WWE!" and you're entered! What does the prize package include? Swarm to find out!

WWE Exclusive, Mr. McMahon - Review

Finally after waiting patiently for several months, the Toys R Us exclusive Mr. McMahon figure has arrived, coinciding with his return to WWE programming. The figure was only available by mail-away order, requiring the UPC codes from four WWE figures (Elite, Legends or Defining Moments) along with the receipts, a completed order form and five bucks for shipping & handling. This is Mattel's first attempt at a Vince McMahon figure, so let's jump in and see how he turned out!

TransFormers, Unicron (Special Edition) - Review

Twenty-five years ago the greatest science fiction action film ever made was released in theaters across the United States and it changed the landscape for what futuristic action movies can be. That film, of course, was the James Cameron classic, Aliens. But 1986 was also the year that TransFormers fans were treated to the first feature length outing for everyone's favorite mode-shifting robots, aptly titled, The TransFormers: The Movie. It was definitely memorable, mainly for killing off several beloved characters, including Autobot leader, Optimus Prime. The film also introduced a threat greater than anything Megatron and his Decepticon forces could ever conceive, a planet that fed on other planets... and transformed into a really big robot. That robot is none other than the harbinger of chaos, Unicron!

The Buzz: NYCC

Hello from the Hive! I thought I'd check-in with an update and share some thoughts on the recent reveals and news items coming from this past weekends New York Comic Convention. I'll cover some items related to WWE, DCU, Marvel and TransFormers. Click ahead to find out more!

Stinger Shots: Battle Cat

The wild jungles of Eternia are home to one of the fiercest beasts on the planet. A silent predator that stalks it's prey for miles before it attacks in one swift, killing strike. The true test of any Eternian warrior is confronting and conquering this beast in the wild, wrestling it into submission or die trying. On the outskirts of Eternos palace, He-Man, champion of Grayskull, is about to find his noble steed...

Crossfire: Causality, Stormbomb - Review

Over two months after receiving FansProject's Insecticon Shrapnel homage figure, Thundershred, their Bombshell tribute, Stormbomb, arrives at the Hive! And just days after receiving him, Big Bad Toy Store sent me an e-mail Monday notifing me that the third figure, Backfiery (aka Kickback) is now in-stock. That grasshopper should be here later this week, but in the meantime let's give Stormbomb the spotlight and see how he turned out and how he stacks up against his fellow Insecticon.

Currently on Display: October 2011

And October is here. Where did September go? Well, I had time to rearrange my displays and you'll notice there are a lot more TransFormers on the shelves this month. Click ahead for a closer look!

Transformers: Cyberverse, Optimus Prime - Review

Today's review would have been my first proper TransFormers review on the Hive, but instead it's on Toy A Day! So head on over there and check out the review. Enjoy!

WWE Legends, "British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith - Review

Mattel's WWE Legends line has been one of my favorite action figure lines since it debuted in the Summer of 2010. I've collected most of the line and been pleased with nearly all of those figures, but that doesn't mean they've all been fantastic figures. Delivering action figures based on beloved, former WWE Superstars is difficult, to say the least, for many reasons, including: which era should the figure be based on, what accessories to include, what wave he should be released in, etc. The British Bulldog was a figure I was looking forward to, but turned out to be a figure I wasn't very satisfied with. Let's take a look.

WWE Defining Moments, Stone Cold Steve Austin - Review

Even though he's considered the most popular WWE Superstar of all-time, Stone Cold Steve Austin isn't known for having outlandish entrance or ring attire. However, that hasn't stopped Mattel from releasing different versions (albeit with minor differences) of the Texas Rattlesnake. Let's take a look at one of his most recent releases, from Mattel's deluxe WWE Defining Moments action figure line.

TFC Hercules, Exgraver - Review

Today I'm finally taking a look at a highly anticipated third party release that is the gateway to an unprecedented combiner robot fans of classic Transformers will surely appreciate. I've had him for a little over a month and he's a fun figure that promises TFC Toys' Hercules will be an awesome addition to the collection. Let's review: Exgraver!

The Buzz: WWE & Ghostbusters News

Hello, readers! I know it's been slow around here lately, but after the nearly two week stretch of steady reviews in late August/early September, I was kind of burned out. However, I wanted to take a moment to point out some interesting tidbits on two of my favorite action figure lines.

TF Parallax, Protector - Review

FansProject's Protector Armor was my first foray into the world of third party Transformers products and it really amazed me how cool an "unofficial" toy can be. While Hasbro has successfully revamped many classic G1 characters over the past five years, spread out in the "Classics" lines (Universe, Reveal the Shield and most recently Generations), they still haven't delivered the champion of the animated TF movie and subsequent season of the G1 cartoon: Rodimus Prime. Sure, they've released Hot Rod, or "Rodimus" if you're feeling randy, in a few of those previously mentioned lines, but they haven't produced a Primed version of the character. Their Classics Ultra Magnus had the same problem until FansProject stepped in and delivered a highly sought-after upgrade kit, making the simple, remolded Optimus Prime figure into the towering City Commander we all know and love. It was only a matter of time before they did the same for Rodimus Prime.

WWE Elite, Drew McIntyre - Review

Proclaimed "The Chosen One" by Vince McMahon, Drew McIntyre represents the young blood in the WWE. I'm not impressed, but he seems to have a loyal following, albeit a modest one. It's rather appropriate that it was Vince McMahon's (the action figure, anyway) fault that I purchased McIntyre. Hunting after WWE Elite and Legends figures at Toys R Us in order to complete the foursome of UPC codes needed to send away for a free McMahon figure, I found DrewMac & William Regal. I figured McIntyre looked different enough to look good in my Elite display, plus I could review him for the benefit of you readers who are thinking of picking him up. Let's proceed!

Currently on Display: September 2011

Fall is here (actually, here in Miami it still feels like Summer) and the countdown to the holiday season has begun! I'm planning to start my Christmas shopping this month, but that probably won't happen, so I'll be in the trenches the week of the 25th, scrambling for gifts. Anyway, I've made two major changes to the display since last month and kept one shelf almost the same except for a new addition. Find out after the jump!

WWE Elite, Sheamus - Review

In his relatively short time in the WWE, Sheamus has proven himself capable of carrying main-event matches and holding his own in action-packed battles with the likes of Triple H and John Cena. Sheamus' first Elite figure immortalizes the Celtic Warrior during one of his WWE championship runs. Swarm to find out how it stacks up in line full of quintessential wrestling action figures!

WWE Elite, William Regal - Review

Whether you know him as Steven or William, Regal's been an integral part of the WWE for many years now. He's a wrestling purist and as such commands a certain respect among his peers. Although not known as a main-eventer, he's done plenty to deliver solid wrestling matches throughout his career in every promotion he's been a part of. Today we're looking at his first WWE Elite figure from Mattel.

WWE Elite, John Cena (Series 3) - Review

This week one of KBH's Facebook followers requested I post a review of an Elite John Cena figure. Now, this may come as a shock, but I am not part of the "CENATION". I wouldn't say I hate him, but I don't like him. Inspite of being the WWE's "top" superstar, Cena's first WWE Elite figure didn't appear until the third wave of the series, but it laid the basis for his later figures. So that in mind (plus the fact it's the only Elite Cena I own) that's the figure we'll be reviewing today. Let's take a look!

WWE Elite, Zack Ryder - Review

Woo woo woo! The WWE (self-proclaimed) Internet Champion makes his debut in Mattel's WWE Elite Collection action figure line and he's bringing his unique brand of entertainment to your toy shelf. Alas, all is not well in Ryderland... does this figure live up to the hype or does it crash and burn? Find out... NOW!

(P.S. Click on images to enlarge them.)

WWE Legends, Akeem - Review

The last figure in Series 5 of Mattel's WWE Legends is another super-heavyweight, Akeem, "The African Dream." Like many wrestlers in the WWF during the 1980s, Akeem's gimmick was outlandish and borderline offensive. He was formerly known as One Man Gang, until that gimmick fizzled and Vince McMahon decided to take a jab at "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes. And so Akeem, "The African Dream" was born and unleashed upon the masses.

WWE All-Stars, Stone Cold Steve Austin vs CM Punk - Review

Back in March Toys R Us released a series of two-packs to promote the then-upcoming WWE All-Stars video game. The WWE All-Stars two-packs consist of a set of one WWE Legends figure and a current Superstar from the WWE Elite Collection. Here's a look at Austin versus Punk.

WWE Legends, Rick Martel - Review

"Yes, I am a model."

Nothing makes for a better heel than an arrogant, highly skilled, pretty boy. Rick Martel was never at a loss for words when it came to talking about himself and utilizing the spine cruncing Boston Crab, he was a highly-despised grappler in the former WWF. Here's his first entry in Mattel's WWE Legends and I think we won't need another anytime soon. Let's take a quick look at "The Model."

Currently on Display: August 2011, Part 2

As promised, I'm revisiting this month's "Currently on Display" with a few revisions, the main (and biggest) being the addition of Battle Cat in the heroic Masters shelf. You'll also get a look at the FansProject upgraded Rodimus Prime!

The Buzz: Disaster Relief Toy Auction

This morning I was contacted by Chris Noon from TheBigToyAuction.com who wanted to spread the word about a charity auction coming up this Saturday with all proceeds aiding victims of natural disasters. The auction is of particular interest since it will feature, among other cool items, custom action figures created and donated for the event. Please read the official press release after the jump for more information.

WWE Elite, The Miz (Series 9) - Review

He's awwwwesommmme! Or so he would have you believe...

The self-proclaimed "Awesome One" makes his second appearance in Mattel's WWE Elite Collection action figure line. This time around he dumped the long shorts and gloves in favor of a more traditional in-ring attire AND he's packing some gold! Here's a look at the United States Champion version of The Miz.

Crossfire: Causality, Thundershred - Review

Fans of Hasbro's G1 Transformers have enjoyed fantastic updates of classic characters for the past several years, spread among various lines (Robots in Disguise Classics, Universe, Reveal the Shield, Generations, etc.), but some figures have been poorly represented and in some cases, not at all. The good news is that various upstart companies, mostly operated by fans, have been producing great add-on kits and even completely new figures to enhance our collections. Among them is FansProject, possibly best known for their awesome City Commander upgrade for the "Classics" Ultra Magnus. Today we're taking a look at their first figure in series dedicated to those G1 miscreants, the Insecticons. Here is Thundershred!

WWE Legends, Bam Bam Bigelow - Review

Today we jump back to the future of WWE Legends with another Series 5 review! Well, actually, series 5 has been out for awhile now, but nonetheless it's been one of the most solid waves characterwise, thanks in part to only having four figures. If you're a fan of super-heavyweights, then you are in for a treat as we look at the first of two big, big men in Series 5: Bam Bam Bigelow!

WWE Legends, Sgt. Slaughter - Review

Listen up, maggots! WWE Legends delivers a classic version of everyone's favorite Marine Corps drill Sergeant in today's review of the former wrestling Superstar and G.I.Joe personality, Sgt. Slaughter! He was made available to collectors back in series 1 so this review is somewhat delayed, but it gives us a perfect oppurtunity to see how the Legends line has changed after a year of releases.

BTS Mobile Command Base - Review

I recently announced that I was collecting Transformers figures again for the first time in several years. Prior to this past July, my last Transformers purchases were from the 2007 live-action film. Those included a Leader class Optimus Prime and Deluxe versions of Bumblebee and Barricade. I still have Prime. Then I stopped cold turkey. I remember when the "Classics" line started out, but I refused to purchase any of them because of one thing: Optimus Prime didn't include a trailer. "Blasphemy!" I shouted at the Toys R Us clerk, before I marched out of the store. It wasn't until years later that I realized the error of my ways...

Currently on Display: August 2011

Okay, I wasn't able to get my July display posted, so this month I'm showing off what was on display last month, then halfway through August I'll post an update with the revised display. I say "revised" because it hasn't changed all that much, save for one BIG addition. We'll get to that in a bit, but now, let's see what's on the shelves!

WWE Elite, Undertaker (Series 8) - Review

It's not hard to understand why some Superstars receive more figures than others in Mattel's WWE toy lines. Characters like Rey Mysterio and the Undertaker are popular with kids and adult collectors alike. Today we're taking a look at Taker's third entry in the Elite Collection.

The Buzz: SDCC & Upcoming Toys

Well, San Diego Comic-Con 2011 came and went with plenty of new stuff shown off. There are lots of pictures and videos floating around the net, so if you haven't had time to surf around, I recommend checking out the following sites: Tow News International, Action Figure Insider, Transformers World, It's All True and the usual news sites listed on the lower right side of the page.

My thoughts on upcoming items for the lines most often showcased on the Hive after the jump!

WWE Elite Exclusive, CM Punk (SES) - Review

CM Punk may have left the WWE after last week's "Money in the Bank" pay-per-view, but he went out on top, defeating John Cena for the WWE Title in the main event. I wasn't able to watch, but I followed the play-by-play online and being that the show took place in Chicago (Punk's hometown), the atmosphere was electrifying. Today, I'm taking a look at the much-anticipated masked Punk figure from Ringside Collectibles.

Green Lantern Classics, Despotellis - Review

Hey all, it's Novelty from Toy a Day, and I'm doing another guest review on this great site.  It's been a while since I've done a guest review here, but 3B has this open door policy where I'm always welcomed it seems.  Anyways, I don't have an insect themed figure to review today, but I do have something yellow from the Sinestro Corps.  Yup, Swarm to read more.

WWE Elite, Edge (Series 8) - Review

Spear! The R-Rated Superstar returns to the Elite Collection in what is most likely his last figure in the wrestling collector line. While Elite series 9 is hitting stores like Toys R Us, I have yet to see any series 8 figures at retail. I had to order this figure from Amazon.com last month. It's the first Edge figure I purchase from Mattel's Elite Collection line, was he worth the wait and does he live up to the legacy of this now-retired WWE Superstar? Let's find out!

WWE Legends, Terry Funk - Review

Not considering the soon-to-hit WWE Legends series 6, I've collected all of the Mattel lines legends except for three: Kamala, Paul Orndorff and George Steele. I do plan to eventually purchase those guys, but in the meantime I'm trying to review everything else. I've reviewed most of my Legends stuff, but starting today, I'm making a big push to get everything reviewed and hopefully construct some sort of checklist page. Today, we're taking a look at a legend from series 2, Terry Funk!

WWE Legends, "Macho Man" Randy Savage - Review

"Oh yeaaaahhh!" Any pro-wrestling fan worth their salt knows who "Macho Man" Randy Savage was! Whether playing the role of beloved face or nefarious heel, he was a consummate entertainer. His classic match ups against the likes of Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat and Ultimate Warrior are the stuff of legends. Macho Man was truly one of the greats and today we're taking a look at his first WWE Legends figure by Mattel. A figure I'm sure will be highly sought after as a tribute to an icon.

Ghostbusters II, "Slime Blower" Winston Zeddemore - Review

Thanks to fanboy uproar, the first Ghostbusters figure to feature the Slime Blower, Winston Zeddemore, received a brand-new, SB-accurate, torso sculpt instead of recycling the previous, Proton Pack-specific upper body. Let's take a look at how he turned out and whether or not Mattel was able to silence THIS fanboy.

WWE Defining Moments, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat - Review

Just in case you haven't already noticed, Mattel created a third WWE collector line that actually replaces the WWE Entrance Greats series that debuted last year with the launch of WWE figures. The new line dubbed "WWE Defining Moments" enchances the EG figures by adding Elite/Legends-style articulation. Since it's debut just before the start of 2011, Mattel has released 4 waves with two figures each. Today we're taking a look at one of the most anticipated and fantastically executed releases so far, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat.

DC Comics Super Heroes, Green Lantern - Review

I didn't want all the Green Lantern coverage to be based solely on movie figures, so I dove into the storage bins and pulled out this little gem. It's Green Lantern (Hal Jordan, of course) from Toy Biz' 1990 DC Comics Super Heroes action figure line. While this line was plagued with quality control issues, it helped pave the way for Toy Biz' later successes with the Marvel Comics license. DCCSH holds a special place in my heart because it (along with the main-line based on Tim Burton's 1989 Batman film) was my introduction to the world of superhero action figures. Let's see what this version of Hal has to offer!

Currently on Display: June 2011

The Green Lanterns are coming! The Green Lanterns are coming! Yes, sir! We're less than a week away from the feature film debut of Green Lantern and the Hive's in full swing! This month's display is a rollover from last month with a primarily GL-theme. I rearranged the main displays and have an all-new line-up on the wall shelves. So swarm on over and check out June's action figure display!

WWE All-Stars, Jake "The Snake" Roberts vs. Randy Orton - Review

Back in March, Mattel released a series of action figure two-packs pitting current and former WWE Superstars (from WWE Elite Collection and WWE Legends, respectively) against each other. These packs were meant as a tie-in to the WWE All-Stars videogame and to-date contain only 1 wave of two-packs. Here's a look at one of the sets featuring two popular grapplers.

DC Universe Classics, Green Lantern vs. Thaal Sinestro - Review

Sure, this review is really late, but I know you're dying to read my opinion of this DCU two-pack! Right? If you're a DCUC collector you know Mattel has mishandled the line's Sinestro figures since the beginning. However, with the arrival of this set, Matty claims to have finally "corrected" Sinestro. Does that statement hold true, or is this yet another failed attempt at a 6" version of the savior of Korugar?

WWE Elite, Kane (Exclusive) - Review

I'll admit it: I'm a sucker for action figures with removable masks. One of my all-time favorite action figures is Venom from the "Spider-man: The Animated Series" line, which featured a removable symbiote mask. In 2010, Mattel's Elite Kane figure, from series 4, made it into my top 10 figures of the year. Now comes a masked version of the Big Red Machine, but will he live up to his predecessor, or burn in a blaze of hellfire and brimstone?!

Let's find out!

Green Lantern Movie Masters, Rot Lop Fan - Review

We're just a little over a month away from the feature-film debut of Green Lantern, but movie merchandise has been in stores for nearly two weeks now. I was most eager for Mattel's Movie Masters figures based on the film. I'm not too crazy about the costume redesigns, but I'm happy to see a lot of the alien GL's featured in the movie and the toylines. Let's take a look at my most anticipated figure from the first wave, who ironically is technically not a "Green Lantern". Who is this creature? He's the sole member of the F-Sharp Bell Corps, Rot Lop Fan!

The Buzz: DC Universe Classics, Swamp Thing

A couple of weeks ago, Mattel revealed their SDCC exclusives for this year and among them was a highly-demanded addition to the DC Universe Classics line, Swamp Thing. I can tell you that I LOVE Swamp Thing and am truly excited to add him to my collection! Today, Matty's added several pics showcasing the monster's innovative "endoskeleton" articulation. Swarm to see some of the pics!

Currently on Display: May 2011

Hello! And welcome to another edition of "Currently on Display", where I invite you to take a look at what's on display at "Casa de 3B". There's a lot of superhero action coming to the big-screen this Summer, but no film has me more excited than Green Lantern! In anticipation of the upcoming movie (and after finally getting enough GL figures from Mattel's DCUC, GLC and Movie Masters lines, plus a few from DC Direct and several customs), I'm happy to show off my Green Lantern and Sinestro Corps displays to you! Enjoy!

Justice League International, G'Nort - Review

With Green Lantern set to make it's feature film debut in less than two months, you'll see a lot of the Hive's focus turn to all things emerald. Today I'm taking a look at somewhat infamous member of the Green Lantern Corps. He hasn't been seen in several years, but I have a feeling he'll be back eventually and ready to team with his longtime buddy, Guy Gardner. He's the dog-faced GL: it's G'Nort!

WWE Legends, Hillbilly Jim - Review

What can I say about professional wrestling in the 1980's that I haven't said before? It was a wild and wacky and boatloads better than it is today. Memorable feuds and characters that really stood out from one another. Further proving that the 1980's had no shortage of gimmicky, fun characters, here's Hillbilly Jim who was billed as a hillbilly from Mud Lick, KY. Here's a look at his first release in Mattel's historical WWE Legends line.

Custom - GLC, Sinestro Corps: Halös

If you follow the Hive on Facebook, you've probably seen photos of many of my custom creations, but I don't delve into the actual creation process too much. I thought today I can focus on one of my newer custom figures and share a few details on him.

I present to you, Sinestro Corps member Halös!

WWE Elite, Batista (Series 6) - Review

I hope you can excuse my brief hiatus, I've had "custom-fever" for the past couple of months, working mostly on GL-related customs (because we all know there aren't enough GL figures coming soon...).

Anyhoo, I'm taking a break from Frankensteining and painting action figure parts to bring you today's review. He is "The Animal", Batista!

Transformers: United, Cybertron Mode Bumblebee - Review

Hey all, it's Novelty again, from Toy a Day.  Well, this is another Bumblebee review, so as I promised 3B, I'll add the review here on his site instead of my own as a guest review.  And this one is going to be a treat for normal readers of Killer B Hive, because it's a toy that's from across the pacific.  Yup, this is a TakaraTomy Transformers toy.

Currently on Display, March 2011

We're already three months deep into 2011! Let's see what's on display for March!

WWE Rumblers, Triple H & Shawn Michaels - Review

Most of the focus on the Hive goes to 6-7" inch action figures, but every now-and-then I like to try out something different. Today I'm taking a look at some figures that are mainly targeted at small children, but are proving quite popular with "Adult Collectors" as well. I'm referring to the 2.25", semi-articulated action figures that can be found pretty much everywhere. For review today are two figures from Mattel's WWE Rumblers, Triple H and Shawn Michaels.

Green Lantern Classics, Manhunters - Review

Ah, Green Lantern. How we do so love you... and so does Mattel! Especially in the year you receive your very own movie!

Yes, friends, whether you love him or hate him, Green Lantern Hal Jordan (and his 3600 space sectors worth of cronies and enemies) is everywhere this year. Mattel's even created a spinoff line of their ever-popular DC Universe Classics focusing solely on GL-related characters. Today's review takes a look at the Manhunter Robot from the first wave!

WWE Legends, "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan - Review

I'll admit that even though I wouldn't mind it (if I had the money), I'm not a completist. Because I actively collect several different toylines, I pick and chose, I narrow down the figures I want (or at least try to) and only buy those. As regular readers of the Hive already know, I really love Mattel's WWE Legends line. I don't have all the figures so far, but I do have most and an unwritten goal is to review all the Legends I have. Today's review focuses on a figure that I've had for several months now, but has always been pushed aside when it review time comes. Well, today is your day Hacksaw!

WWE Basic, Michelle McCool - Review

Once upon a time the WWE produced female wrestlers that stood out. Some were beautiful, some were ugly, some were more hardcore than the male wrestlers. Today, most of the female wrestlers (referred to as "Divas") appear cut from the same mold. They look more like fashion models than warriors of the squared circle. Consequently, their in-ring ability is usually poor, save a few exceptional specimens. But the current crop of Divas seems to fit in with the overall watered-down programming WWE is producing. That doesn't mean I don't like collecting them in plastic form, though! Today we're looking at one of these young ladies, Michelle McCool.

Hive News: Vacation Over

Hello, readers! 3B here to prove reports of my demise were only partially accurate. Since my last post, I've been working on several customs (two of which you can view on the Facebook page) and I was on vacation the past few days. However, just like the Rock, I too have returned... home. And there's a bunch of great stuff coming up.

Keep your eyes peeled for more WWE and DCUC/GLC reviews, with a few other surprises I received for my birthday, along with in-depth looks at my current custom creations.

The Buzz: Mattel WWE (Toy Fair 2011)

The 2011 New York Toy Fair wrapped up yesterday and there was tons of great upcoming stuff revealed! Like many fans I did not attend the event, but kept up to speed on the reveals thanks to several sites covering the show. I'm focusing on Mattel's reveals for their World Wrestling Entertainment lines. I recommend you click over to WrestlingFigs.com and/or Toy News International to view images of the figures.

Stinger Shots: The Undertaker

When I started up Killer B Hive in May of 2010, one of the first figures I reviewed was also one of the first figures I purchased from Mattel's then-debuting WWE Elite Collection. That figure was the Undertaker. Looking back at that review now, I'm not happy with the handful of pictures I took and to correct that we're taking another look at Taker in a new edition of Stinger Shots!

The Buzz: ThunderCats

The New York International Toy Fair starts today and press releases are already heading out. This comes from Bandai regarding their upcoming ThunderCats toy lines. Click on over to Inside Pulse for the release and several images.

The 4" line is obviously based on the new animated series, but thankfully Bandai is also releasing a collector-oriented "ThunderCats Classics" line based on the original cartoon. The first wave will include: Lion-O, leader of the ThunderCats and Tigra. These are looking pretty accurate to the old TV show. It looks like they may be made of hard plastic like Bandai's Power Rangers figures, but we'll have to wait and see how they turn out.

Blackest Night, Nekron - Review

DC Comics' Blackest Night storyline has come and gone, but we can still enjoy great figures from the super maxi-series! Mattel's just starting to tap into the depth of characters involved in the series, but DC Direct has been churning them out almost before the first issue. Today we're looking at the story's big bad, the Black Lantern himself, Nekron!

Currently on Display: February 2011

At the end of 2010 both K-mart and Target stores had great sales on DCUC and I was able to complete waves 13 & 15, while scoring a few figures from the Walmart exclusive wave 14. Here's a look at the display's inside the Hive.

Hive News

We're already over a week into February and while some of us are recuperating from Groundhog Day (you can celebrate it however you want, I drink beer and burn meat on my BBQ grill), others are preparing for Valentine's Day on Monday (which also happens to be my girlfriend's birthday). But before V-day drops, we have the New York Toy Fair! I'm really looking forward to seeing all the great stuff coming up in the next few months, especially with the blockbuster films slated for this Summer.

On top of all that, I'm anticipating my birthday next Thursday (the 17th), so seeing as next week will be pretty busy around here, I'm aiming to pack this week full of new reviews! I already started with today's look at CM Punk, but hope to add a Blackest Night figure that's been hanging around here since October and a two-pack of figures that I desperately tried to avoid. Of course, I have all of Green Lantern Classics wave 1 sitting here and several WWE Legends that have yet to be reviewed.

In the meantime, there are some cool contests going on at a couple of fellow blogger sites. I'd like to direct you to Freak Studios where you have a chance to win a very unique and interesting item. It's a fun contest and a cool blog, so head over there and check it out.

Also, Novelty's holding a contest for another Spy Monkey Creations/Poe Ghostal Exclusive fantasy accessory, this time the "Sword of Ages," at Toy A Day. Head over there for details and the usual non-stop toy fun!

Keepin' the prognosticating rodents at bay,

3B

WWE Elite, CM Punk (Series 6) - Review

CM Punk receives his second entry in Mattel's WWE Elite Collection this figure from series 6. At the time of it's release, Punk was already sporting a shaved head, so the figure was already somewhat out-dated. Let's take a look at what makes this figure unique and whether he's worthy of joining your collection.

TNA Deluxe Impact!, Shark Boy - Review

I finally got around to purchasing a TNA Wrestling figure and here it is for review! TNA (short for "Total Nonstop Action") is viewed as more of an upstart promotion, although they've been around for nearly ten years. They would like to think of themselves as the new "ECW", but that's not the case. TNA has produced action figures before with different companies, but currently have a contract with former longtime WWE toy manufacturer, Jakks Pacific. Let's take a look at Shark Boy!

Twisted Metal, Sweet Tooth - Review

There are only a few clowns I actually like: The Joker, Krusty the clown... that clown on Bozo cups (although, that one has more to do with the ice cream than the clown himself). And that's pretty much it. That's not hard to believe, not many people like clowns, especially scary ones, but every now and then you get one, like the Joker, that's just the perfect amount of... twisted.

Masters of the Universe Classics, Eternian Palace Guards - Review

I'm taking a break from wrestling figure reviews today, but there is still plenty of "tag team" action with today's look at the first army builder set in Mattel's Masters of the Universe Classics: the Eternian Palace Guards!

WWE Legends, Demolition - Review

Today we have some more classic tag team awesomeness! The '80s was a wondrous decade for professional wrestling, giving us some outlandish Superstars with bizarre attires.

Demolition is a perfect example of what the '80s had to offer. Let's take a look at their first entry in Mattel's WWE Legends.

WWE Legends, Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff - Review

Mattel's WWE Legends continues to deliver fantastic versions of many of my favorite wrestlers from the '80s and '90s. But it's not always about the good guys you cheered for in your youth, it's also about the heels you hated and booed with passion. It takes a special quality to bring out those emotions in pro-wrestling fans and two of all-time best bad guys are presented in the two-pack we're reviewing today.

WWE Legends, Ultimate Warrior - Review

In the world of professional wrestling there have been many great warriors, but only one man was... ultimate.

That's right, one of the most charismatic Superstars in the history of pro-wrestling finally arrives in Mattel's exemplary collector line, WWE Legends. If there is one wrestler that can bait the non-toy buying crowd, it's definitely the Ultimate Warrior, making it just a bit more difficult for collectors to find him. Let's take a look at what he has to offer with his inaugural figure from Mattel.