Top 6 Halo Figures from the UNSC

Halo is primarily a first-person game, and as such, the first person character is the most widely known. However, one man can’t do it all alone … especially when the enemy is numerous enough to populate hundreds of planets! Here we look at the story behind some of the other Halo figures … the ones that have been immortalized in plastic and paint, if not in Madame Tussaud's wax museum.

Master Chief

If you’re a Halo fan, you know the back of Master Chief's head well! The Covenant see him as a demon and fear him, and he is assisted by the artificial intelligence Cortana. Master Chief has been rated as one of the best video game characters of all time.

Avery Johnson

This human marine leads the traditional armies against the Covenant and Flood assaults. He is one of the few Marines that survived the destruction of Installation 04. Johnson comes to prominence in Halo 2.

Miranda Keyes

The daughter of Jacob Keyes, Miranda Keyes only appears in Halo 2 and 3. Miranda Keyes removes the Index and successfully stops Halo from firing, but then inadvertently causes all the other installations of Halo to enter standby mode, which allows them to be fired remotely. She also leads the pursuit of the Prophet of Truth in Halo 3.

Jacob Keyes

Jaco Keyes is a captian in the United Nations Space Command. He appears in Halo: Combat Evolved, and several of the novelisdations of the movies. He plays a pivotal role in saving millions of rebel's lives from the Covenant, and at one stage singlehandedly defeated four Covenant ships.

Cortana

Cortana is the Artifical Intelligence assisting Master Chief John 117. The nature of her programming means she will eventually think herself to death after less than a decade … a great pity! Her own determination and fearlessness are a great match for that of the main Halo figure … you!

Catherine Halsey

This human scientist appears in several novelizations, but is absent from the actual games. Her brain tissue is the basis for the construction of Cortana, and she was the creator of the Spartan II project.

Harry Potter in Film -- part 2

I don't think any student, anywhere in the world, has ever had such a tumultuous first three years at school as Harry Potter has! Perhaps that's why kids like the Harry Potter action figures so much … they mentally take them away from the incredibly dullness of trying to memorize state capitals, and into a land of adventure. Except … it isn’t only kids that go crazy for both the Harry Potter figures, the movies, and the books! Today we give you an overview of the second half of the story so far in film.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire came out reasonably quickly after the Prisoner of Azkaban movie, in 2005. Considering the size of the Goblet of Firer book compared to the earlier ones (the Goblet of Fire is comparable to the Lord of the Rings' Return of the King in size!), this was no small achievement! It is a wonderful movie, though. In Harry Potter's 4^th year at Hogwarts, his school hosts the legendary Triwizard tournament. Harry suffers nightmares all year, unsurprising since the Dark Mark has appeared in the sky after a Deatheater attack at the Quidditch World Cup. For the first time ever, there are four wizards drawn from the Cupto compete, and guess who the surprise contender is!

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

This movie starts with a bang- Harry gets attacked by Dementors in Little Whinging, which seems reasonable after Harry finds out the Lord Voldemort has returned … a fact which the Ministry of Magic actually denies. Harry's nightmares continue (I don't know how he gets such great magic out on so little sleep…), and a rebellion arises with the students of Hogwarts, the Order of the Phoenix, the Ministry of Magic and the Deatheaters.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

There's no denying the Deatheaters and Lord Voldemort are back in this film. Dumbledore has persuaded his old friend Horace Slughorn to come back as a professor - both to teach and to take part in the events which are to ensue! Harry Potter tries to save Dumbledore, but can't ...

Harry Potter in Film

I think the amazing worldwide success of Harry Potter (especially the very wide and varied audience the films and books attract) has taken everybody by surprise. The books had the very real potential to be dismissed as pulp fiction for pre-teens, and condemned to obscurity as a simple trilogy. But in fact they took off around the world, spawning Harry Potter action figures, lunchboxes, t-shirts, costumes, video games, and just about anything you can think of! Today we start our overview of the story so far in film.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

The first movie in the Harry Potter series introduces Harry and his family life - he is being brought up by his aunt and uncle (and tormented by his cousin!) when the groundskeeper for Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry, Hagrid, takes him away to the school. Harry learns that his parents were killed by the evil wizard Voldemort, and that he is actually one of the more powerful wizards in the world. Harry befriends Hermione and Ron Weasley at Hogwarts, and together they attempt to stop an enemy stealing the Sorcerer's Stone.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

The second instalment of the film series that gave rise to so many Harry Potter action figures quickly starts becoming grim and foreboding … not really one for the little kids! Harry is warned not to go back to Hogwarts, for horrible things are happening … messages written in blood, attacks on students, voices coming from within the walls. Apparently the Chamber of Secrets was opened, and everybody thinks it was Harry that did it!

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

The third movie is aligned with Harry Potter's third year at Hogwarts School. In this movie Harry starts to learn more about his past, finding that he has a connection with the escaped Prisoner of Azkaban, Sirius Black. The Ministry of Magic entrusts the Dementors of Azkaban to guard Hogwarts School from Sirius Black.

Top Products for Cleaning Action Figures

Most of the advice you'll find online relating to cleaning action figures tells you to use soap and water, not to rub too hard, and don't use anything caustic. That's pretty good advice if your prized Batman action figures have done nothing but sit on a shelf and occasionally be re-posed since you bought them. However, if you've been scouring garage sales and have some figures with real potential that are simply covered in layers of miscellania, you'll need something a little stronger! Today we look at the top products for serious cleaning on your Avatar, Harry Potter or Ben 10 action figures.

Rubbing alcohol

The suitability of rubbing alcohol for cleaning your action figures depends on their precise coloring formulation. Put a little rubbing alcohol on a Q-tip or cotton ball and wipe it on an extremely obscure place. If your figure has articulated joins, swivel one around and test your rubbing alcohol in the hidden part. If the paint stays intact immediately, and doesn't dry discolored, then rub away!

Rubbing alcohol is best for ink stains.

Baking soda

Another to test before you go slathering it on -- but baking soda is remarkably versatile. You can either make a weak solution for soaking, or a thicker paste to use as a scrub -- just be careful not to create swirl marks in the paint.

Effervescent Denture Tablets

Why didn't I think of that?! Denture tablets -- made specifically to remove stains and dirt without doing any damage to the underlying material. Wait til the tablets begin to bubble in a glass of warm water before you add your action figure.

Of course, there are some obvious cautions to using any of these products on action figures:

• Don't soak anything with electrical terminals
• Don't soak any figures with decals
• Rinse well after cleaning to make sure the chemicals don't have a reaction with the plastic over an extended period of time.

DC Universe Biographies: Wonder Woman

Every boy knew (and worshipped) Wonder Woman back in the day. Probably not many people today are aware that Wonder Woman is nearly as old as Batman himself -- it was in the early 1940s that William Moulton Marsten was hired as an educational consultant for the future DC Comics, and his wife, Elizabeth, suggested a female character for the role of the superhero that triumphs with love. Wonder Woman is a relic of the past, now, but we feel the time is right for a major revamp … and as such, we're looking at the history of those little Wonder Woman figures that still hold prized places in many homes.

The origins of Wonder Woman

Wonder Woman began as an Amazon champion, who initially came over to Man's World to return Steve Trevor, a crash-landed pilot. She stayed to fight Nazis and other crime -- she was a very topical superhero.

Origins revamped

Wonder Woman's origins were revamped, in classical Greek style, during the Silver Era of DC Universe legends. Diana received the blessings of deities while she was just a baby, and was destined to become as wise as Athena, as beautiful as Aphrodite, stronger than Hercules (wow!) and swifter than Mercury.

However, she gave up all of these birthrights in order to stay in Man's World, when her Amazon sisters returned to another dimension. Seems she had grown too fond of fighting crime! Her name was Diana Prince, and she was an ordinary mod boutique owner until her Chinese mentor named I Ching taught the Wonder Woman to be martials arts, weapons skills, and espionage.

After 1985, Wonder Woman was re-written as an emissary from Themyscira to 'Patriarch's World', as 'Man's World' had now been renamed. Her mission was to bring peace.

Wonder Woman's Powers

Wonder Woman's powers have come from a wide range of origins over the years. Some of these include:

• The ability to will brain energy into her limbs and muscles, giving her extraordinary strength and speed
• In the television series, her magic belt allowed her to retain her powers
• The blessings of the deities she received at birth was a later addition to her natural Amazonian powers.

DC Universe Biographies: Batman!

Ever wondered why your DC Universe classic Batman figures look so serious? Today we delve into the mysteries of what made Batman into what he is today, -- half Bruce Wayne, half pointy-masked shadow! There are several stories, dating back from as far as 1939, and every one has undergone many revisions. We are taking a brief look at some major points today, not delving into a complete history. Feel free to add your own information in the comments!

DC Comics Golden Age of Batman, 1939-1956

Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27, and his origin was first discuseed in edition #33 in 1939. His origin story has remained the same since then - Bruce Wayne was a privileged little boy in Gotham City, growing up with his socialite parents in Wayne Manor until age eight, when his parents are killed by a mugger in front of his eyes. Bruce Wayne is inspired to create his costume by a bat flying into his house, just as he is ruminating on what creature of the night would be appropriate to fight crime.

In this age, Batman:

• Has a fiancée named Julie Madison
• Gains his sidekick, Robin, an orphaned circus acrobat
• Is known as a problem for the police, rather than a godsend
• Gains his butler, Alfred Pennyworth

DC Comics Silver Age of Batman, 1956 - 1986

Batman's status as a DC Universe figure has been well and truly cemented by now! Some notable events marking the Silver age of Batman include:

• Batman's marriage to Earth-two Catwoman, Selina Kyle, and his fathering of the Huntress … Helena Wayne
• Batman is killed at one stage, after becoming the police commissioner for Gotham City and leaving his daughter to do Batman's previous work.
• We get to explore his upbringing by his uncle, Philip Wayne
• Batman and Superman become friends
  
• The Joker rises to prominence again, after his brief appearances during the Golden Age

DC Universe Modern Batman

In the modern Batman era, Batman figures:

• as no longer depicted a founding member of the Justice League - though he returns to the League later on
• The second Robin, Jason Todd, dies and is eventually replaced by Tim Drake
• Batman's relationship with Gotham City police deteriorates - they are by now mostly corrupt, and though Batman has a few allies they die during this period.

5 Tips for Caring for Loose Action Figures

Just can’t resist taking your new Star Wars figurines out of their boxes, actually tracing their lines with your fingers … maybe making them have a little conversation, or letting Luke Skywalker finally win that fight without losing his hand? Nobody can blame you! And in fact, for most people, there is no point in collecting something that remains in its box for its entire life… there is just no joy. Whether you're into Batman and Robin, Marvel Legends, Avatar, Harry Potter or Captain America Reborn, if you like to play with your toy collection, here are some tips for keeping it in good shape.

1. Summer, bad! Winter, good

Summer is terrible time for your action figures. They hate:

• Direct sunlight, which fades the plastic and can also make it brittle over time
• Heat, which can cause paint to soften, plastic to soften and wear more easily when toys are played with
• Humidity, which can make the paint on your figurines peel.

You'll have to keep a close eye on your action figures during summer. If you want to keep them in pristine condition, storing them in the basement for 3 months of the year would not be a bad idea… if you can suffer that long without them!

2. Dirt and dust

These are not necessarily permanent problems, but over time if action figures are repeatedly played with with oily, grimy hands, the paint may degrade and articulated parts will get all gunked up. They may become difficult to move, and long soakings (argh, no good for paint!) might be needed to loosen dirt that is actually within the joints. Of course, some wear and dirt is unavoidable - if you simply make sure that your hands are reasonably clean before playing with the figures, they should survive well.

3. If you’re storing your figures…

Store them in zip lock bags in a cool place to prevent humidity damaging them. Alternatively, store them with an anti-humidity device in a sealed plastic container. You'll just have to change the pad on the device every so often.

4. Cleaning

Sometimes cleaning action figures can cause more damage than just leaving them dirty. Some guidelines are obvious - don't use caustic cleaners, don't use abrasive pads, etc. You should also:

• Use only lukewarm, not hot water
• Don’t soak your figurines
• Don't use antibacterial soaps - they leave a coating on toys (and you hands) which may degrade the toys over time

In guides to action figures, there are plenty of models that fetch significant amounts, even when they've been kept loose. Don't be afraid to play with your toys … these tips will you keep them at C8 or better.

More Action Figure History

Last time we looked at the very birth of the action figure genre - somewhat after the invention of Barbie, GI Joe was the first male-oriented action figure, and the market landscape soon progressed into offering Marvel Superheroes figurines, and of course, the figurines that everyone most associates with collecting rather than playing, the Star Wars lines. So where did they go from 1977?

FCC Lets Collectors Be

Many of the Gen X toy collectors might not be aware, but in 1969 the FCC actually banned TV shows that were based on toy products. Presumably this was in the interests of preserving competitiveness in the market, or perhaps of protecting kids from violence … no doubt the road was long and twisted that led to that decision. However, the ban was lifted in the 80s, and a veritable explosion of toy-based television shows started being produced. These included He-Man, Captain Power, Voltron, GI Joe … and of course, Transformers!

Toy production geared towards collectors

In the 90s, Marvel Insdustries themselves gained control of Toy Bi, who were making Spiderman figurines etc for them. Marvel was dissatisfied with the way the company was being run, shipping delays, toy design, etc, and decided to take matters into their own hands. They also took a much more grown-up approach to marketing the toys, looking for adult purchasers who were buying for themselves, rather than just parents and children.

Recent action figure developments

Action figures did not stop being made when Marvel Comics stopped being a universal boyhood phenomenon. There are new classics constantly being made, and so people are constantly looking for new figurines. Some of the newest action figure lines include:

• Avatar
• Ben 10
• Harry Potter
• Spawn
• Star Wars - from the new set of films

Action Figure Collections

As societies become richer, gain more leisure time and leisure spending money, and have fewer children, toys become much more popular. For most of us, the toys that we played with as children hold strong nostalgic associations - they evoke memories of carefree days and good times, of hours spent in fantasy and the way our minds worked before the pressures of work and bills impinged on them! Today we're looking at a general history of action figure guides and collecting - you can overlay your own personal history onto it also.

Hasbro

Back in 1964, when Hasbro was known as Hassenfeld Brothers, it began making the GI Joe action soldiers line. These were not primitive toys … they were fully articulated, their clothing was removable and interchangeable, and there were endless accessories in this very upscale version of the toy soldier. Of course, few people could afford them when they first came out … but those little troopers quickly took the world by storm.

The market expands

Of course, such popularity would not go unnoticed. Once the gender stereotypes were effectively broken down, and it was no longer seen as anti-social for boys to be playing with dolls, a company called Ideal launched their interchangeable action figure. It must have seemed like a stroke of genius at the time - they created Captain Action, whose costume and head mask could be changed to turn him into whatever popular comic or TV character people wished.

Mego Makes Small-o Toys

Mego started making Marvel Legends toys in 1972, starting with the 6 Greatest Superheroes line. These toys took the standard size down to 8" from 12", and the line eventually expanded to 34 action figures from the original 6. Mego continued to pander to the traditionalists (much as they could be traditionalists when the trend had only been going for a few years), making several 12" lines, but these were few and far between.

Little Toys for a Big Name Movie!

This was when action figures burst into true fame and mainstream consciousness, in 1977 when Kenner landed the contract to make the Star Wars figurines for Lucasfilm. The early models were pretty terrible compared even to the original GI Joes from ten years earlier - completely articulate, only 3 ¾ inches rather than 12, all plastic, no cloth, etc … but my gosh, did they start a revolution! It seemed the Star Wars figures were a niche rather than a degeneration, and people have loved them ever since.

5 of eBay's Top-Priced Marvel Comics

Marvel Comics formed an integral part of many of our childhoods … the basis for games, fantasies, and many hours of reading and enjoyment. Like all items with a lot of widespread nostalgic appeal or rarity, Marvel Legends Comics can fetch quite a bit on the world's new collectibles marketplace, eBay! Today we're looking at the returns you could expect for some awesome collection pieces from the Marvel Comics range -- both the books themselves, and the associated Marvel Superheroes action figures and merchandise.

1. King Size Marvel Collector's Item Classics, $250,000

Yikes! This is a first edition from 1965, hence the enormous price tag. I'm not so sure about the sale prospects, however. The seller is from Hawaii and has a zero feedback. He doesn't leave much of a description, and states that they have many more in store. eBay will cover the purchase price with their buyer protection program, as stated on the item listing. But I'd just much rather buy this action figures guide from someone with feedback…

2. Total 35,000 Marvel Comics, $39,500

This seller obviously doesn’t have the itme or inclination to split up their bulk comic lot (of over 35,000) to sell them individually … though why they are choosing not to is beyond me, since they say the top retail figure is $280,000 for the lot. Even if it took a year to sell them all, wouldn’t it be well worth it … ? There are plenty of first editions in here, though.

3. Total 200,000 Marvel Comics, $25,000

From the same seller as above, it seems there are fewer number ones in this collection, and the comics themselves are the less sought after ones. A pretty good deal if you have contacts in the comic collection 'industry'!

4. Spiderman Dynamic Forces Diorama Statue, $1000

That price tag is not as impressive as the hundreds of thousands being asked for some of the first edition comics and action figures guides - but considering that this was bought at retail prices in 2003, and is simply a rare item, it makes quite a good investment!

5. Spiderman Premium Format Marvel Action Figure, $799

This standard style Marvel Superhero statue is the sort of thing that can be bought for ordinary retail prices, kept for a few years, and see a solid return on investment.

5 of eBay's Top-Priced Transformers Pieces

Nobody could have predicted at the time that Transformers was released that it would still be gaining fans (and not simply have a fan base gaining in age!) 25 years later. The new Transformers has plugged a bit of a hole in the collectibles market, but it seems that original gear is still very popular. Today we check out just what a nice collection of Transformers action figures or memorabilia could fetch you in a few years time!

1. Transformers figurines, all mint in box, $6,500

This collector has quite a lot of Transformers action figures, although the listing is not very well detailed. There are plenty of photos, though, and it shows how a small collection can easily double in value over a relatively short amount of time. As well as bringing you quite a lot of pleasure!

2. Transformers first edition comics, $5,000

The seller indicates that the Buy It Now price on these Transformers comics is actually quite low, considering that a recent Superman first edition comic sold on eBay for over $150,000. Phew! These were first issued in 1984. The seller is taking offers as well, though not through this eBay page.

3. Transformers Devastator Palisades statue, $2,125

There were only 421 of this statue made worldwide, and at 14 inches tall, this action figure is pretty impressive! The item was opened only for inspection and then returned to its box – not quite mint, but pretty close.

4. Optimus Prime, 43” tall, $1,188

I don't know about you, but I’d be much more comfortable with a smaller Transformers action figure than this one. The head has speakers, the eyes light up, and it is made of ABS plastic and heavy duty vinyl. It is new in the box (though pictured on display).

5. Prime versus Megatron, $1,175

This item is from the historic final battle between Optimus Prime and Megatron, and is still factory sealed. There aren’t many other details on the listing ... the seller should be expecting a lot of calls for this action figure set!

5 of eBay's Top-Priced Star Wars Pieces

Many people believe that the famous Star Wars action figures from the 1970s gave birth to the entire genre of action figures ... whether or not they actually instigated the labor pains of the action figure industry, they certainly remain the most popular and high priced figures in the world today! We’re looking at some of the current top-priced Star Wars action figures and memorabilia on eBay.

1. Metal Darth Vader figure - $21 million dollars

You have to admire this guy’s strategy – he knows that he isn't going to get $21 million for the figurine (it isn’t licensed, it is simply a sculpture), but he’s certainly going to get a lot of clicks from people wondering what a $21 million toy looks like!

2. Original Star Wars Glory Book, $42,000

Unfortunately this price is not a joke. The item up for sale (no bidding) was owned and signed by George Lucas, and includes productions stills, on-set photography etc.

3. Sideshow action figures set, $5,799

These are the sort of items that can easily start convincing people that action figures are not only fun, but a solid investment! The set includes around 50 figurines, so they average out at around $110 each. Many are quite new (the seller didn’t wait 40 years for them to appreciate value!) – Darth Maul, Anakin Skywalker, Qui Gon Jinn and other familiar characters from the first three movies are included.

4. The First Ten Years poster, $6,500

Bidding actually starts on this item at around $4,500, but for a fair comparison we chose to use the Buy It Now price (as is shown on all other items). This is for a SINGLE poster by Drew Struzan, the original artist for the movie posters.

5. Millenium Falcon Extraordinaire, $3,799

Here is another example of a very quickly appreciating piece of Star Wars memorabilia – I’m betting that the original owner didn’t pay this much to Toys R Us in order to take the in-store display home at the launch of Star Wars. It is over 6 feet long and not in perfect condition by any means – but look at that price!