This week, join John, Ben, Scott and Justin for a great new show with all of the latest news and reviews!

This week, our Toys of the Week are the DC Collectibles Batman Animated Creeper and Man-Bat Action Figures, and we have the next round of the amazing AFB Trivia Game, the AFB Challenge!

Also - we announce our new Redbubble Store, where you can buy awesome AFB Merch - visit now!

If you don't use iTunes, you can download Episode 173 here now! Click on the link to listen, or right click to save the file! The podcast will always be available from the “Podcast” tab here - but if you can subscribe and give us positive ratings at iTunes, that will help us greatly!

The AFB Podcast is also on Stitcher Radio!

Have a listen, and please give us some feedback at podcast@actionfigureblues.com - we might even read out your feedback on the next show!

Happy listening!

News Covered in this Episode

Mondo - First Appearance Hellboy statue by Hellbot
Sentinel Iron Man “War Machine” diecast action figure
Star Ace Toys Harry Potter “Sirius Black - Prisoner edition”
GI Joe Micro figure 2-pack SDCC exclusive
Diamond Select to release Muppets minimates
Funko Agent Carter Pop Vinyl
Three Zero TMNT ⅙ scale Michaelangelo, Leo, Raph, Donny
Kotobukiya ArtFx “Emma Frost” statue from cilbert on Reddit
Kotobukiya ArtFx Avengers AoU “Hulk” statue
Kotobukiya ArtFx SDCC Exclusive “Alfred Pennyworth” statue
PlayArtsKai Venom figure
Bif Bang Pow SDCC Ex Flash Gordon & Ming Set - from timtamtommy2

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NRF Weighs In on Recent Legislation Affecting Trade, Future Port Labor Disputes

June 21, 2015, 8:00 am

≫ Next: Toy News Roundup: ‘Convention Exclusives’, ‘Hot Toys Drax’, ‘Arkham Knight’ and Play With This Too Returns

≪ Previous: The AFB Podcast Episode 173: Batman Animated Creeper and Manbat / AFB Challenge

On Thursday, the National Retail Federation (NRF) issued a statement from Senior Vice President for Government Relations David French on the passage of a stand-alone Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) bill, which will provide Congress with new oversight responsibilities over pending and future trade agreements. “Today’s vote on trade promotion authority will grant Congress new powers [...]

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Toy News Roundup: ‘Convention Exclusives’, ‘Hot Toys Drax’, ‘Arkham Knight’ and Play With This Too Returns

June 21, 2015, 8:55 am

≫ Next: Toy News Roundup: ‘Convention Exclusives’, ‘Hot Toys Drax’, ‘Arkham Knight’ and Play With This Too Returns

≪ Previous: NRF Weighs In on Recent Legislation Affecting Trade, Future Port Labor Disputes

Today is Sunday and it’s time for the 94th edition of the Toy News Roundup. Here we round-up all of the most important toy news of the week from our site, and also link you to any toy news that we...

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Toy News Roundup: ‘Convention Exclusives’, ‘Hot Toys Drax’, ‘Arkham Knight’ and Play With This Too Returns

June 21, 2015, 8:55 am

≫ Next: Threezero’s Mass Effect 3 – Legion

≪ Previous: Toy News Roundup: ‘Convention Exclusives’, ‘Hot Toys Drax’, ‘Arkham Knight’ and Play With This Too Returns

Today is Sunday and it’s time for the 94th edition of the Toy News Roundup. Here we round-up all of the most important toy news of the week from our site, and also link you to any toy news that we didn’t cover. So let’s see what the big toy news was this week, shall […]

Toy News Roundup: ‘Convention Exclusives’, ‘Hot Toys Drax’, ‘Arkham Knight’ and Play With This Too Returns">Read More...

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Threezero’s Mass Effect 3 – Legion

June 21, 2015, 9:00 am

≫ Next: set database: LEGO 70226 mammoth's frozen stronghold

≪ Previous: Toy News Roundup: ‘Convention Exclusives’, ‘Hot Toys Drax’, ‘Arkham Knight’ and Play With This Too Returns

The next figure from Threezero's 1/6th scale Mass Effect 3 figure line is Legion. The 13-inch tall Legion will be available for pre-order beginning at 9PM ET tonight (June 21st 2015). There will be a Threezerostore Exclusive version that will include a M98 Widow weapon. The figure will be priced at $190.00, which includes worldwide shipping.The 1/6th scale Mass […]

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set database: LEGO 70226 mammoth's frozen stronghold

June 21, 2015, 9:57 am

≫ Next: What's Shipping For The Week Of June 24, 2015

≪ Previous: Threezero’s Mass Effect 3 – Legion

set database: LEGO 70226 mammoth's frozen stronghold

image courtesy of chimawiki

image courtesy of amazon

image courtesy of exoneit

image courtesy of galaxus

set number: 70226
set name: mammoth's frozen stronghold
theme: legends of chima
year: 2015
pieces: 621
price: us$60
minifigs: 5

new legends of chima theme set.
included a mammoth's frozen stronghold, a mammoth tusk flipper and a rogon’s rhino roller.
the stronghold has a mammoth head control centre with computer screen, movable tusks, an adjustable trunk, 2 stud shooters, a mammoth tusk flipper launcher, a rotatable disc shooter turret, a frozen prison turret, a blacksmith room and a ammunition depot.
the flipper has a ramming function, 2 flick missiles and tusk elements.
the roller has a cockpit, big wheels, flick missiles and a rhino horn element.
weapons include a rogon’s blaze boomer, a rinona’s fyrecrakker, a maula’s trunkor, a mottrott’s 2 pummelor gauntlets and a vardy’s refreezor.

minifigs included a rinona minifig, a maula minifig, a mottrot minifig, a vardy minifig and a rogon minifig.
great playability.
overall design is great.

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What's Shipping For The Week Of June 24, 2015

June 21, 2015, 10:00 am

≫ Next: Transformers: Windblade #4 Full Comic Book Preview - MORE WORLDS, MORE PROBLEMS!

≪ Previous: set database: LEGO 70226 mammoth's frozen stronghold

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Transformers: Windblade #4 Full Comic Book Preview - MORE WORLDS, MORE PROBLEMS!

June 21, 2015, 10:02 am

≫ Next: NECA Toys Rambo and the Force of Freedom SDCC 2015 Exclusive Action Figure Video Review & Images

≪ Previous: What's Shipping For The Week Of June 24, 2015

Coming to comic shope on Wednesday, June 24th is Transformers: Windblade #4! Get a look at the comic now! MORE WORLDS"MORE PROBLEMS! After the events of COMBINERS WARS, WINDBLADE and STARSCREAM race to recruit the lost CYBERTRONIAN colonies to the Council of Worlds"but which of them will control the fate of Cybertron?

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NECA Toys Rambo and the Force of Freedom SDCC 2015 Exclusive Action Figure Video Review & Images

June 21, 2015, 10:15 am

≫ Next: Generations Ironhide Custom with 3D Printed Head From Generations Roadbuster Figure

≪ Previous: Transformers: Windblade #4 Full Comic Book Preview - MORE WORLDS, MORE PROBLEMS!

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Generations Ironhide Custom with 3D Printed Head From Generations Roadbuster Figure

June 21, 2015, 10:21 am

≫ Next: Transformers Combiner Wars : Leader Thundercracker Video Review

≪ Previous: NECA Toys Rambo and the Force of Freedom SDCC 2015 Exclusive Action Figure Video Review & Images

I took the Generations Roadbuster figure and added a 3D printed head, the rifle from a 1/60 Gundam Wing Zero figure and cobbled together his mini-gun from my junk bin and viola! The old guy looks good! Thanks for looking. Also up on eBay.

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Transformers Combiner Wars : Leader Thundercracker Video Review

June 21, 2015, 10:25 am

≫ Next: Botcon 2015 - The Art Of Transformers Panel Report Featuring IDW Comics Artists

≪ Previous: Generations Ironhide Custom with 3D Printed Head From Generations Roadbuster Figure

Tformers forums membet blurrprime has dropped by to share his latest review of the Transformers Combiner Wars : Leader Thundercracker actiopn figure. Get a look at the newest leader class Seeker to jump into the Combiner Wars in the video review below.

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Botcon 2015 - The Art Of Transformers Panel Report Featuring IDW Comics Artists

June 21, 2015, 11:25 am

≫ Next: Steiff's Window Display Guidelines From The Late 1950's

≪ Previous: Transformers Combiner Wars : Leader Thundercracker Video Review

On Sunday afternoon, the Art of Transformers panel took place, though more accurately it could have been called "The Artists Of Transformers" as it took place in the form of a question and answer session with the artists of both linework and coloring in the Transformers titles. Click through and keep reading to check out our rundown of the events of the panel!

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Steiff's Window Display Guidelines From The Late 1950's

June 21, 2015, 11:39 am

≫ Next: Botcon 2015 - Hasbro Booth Display Nearly 100 More Photos Of New Generations And Robots In Disguise Toys

≪ Previous: Botcon 2015 - The Art Of Transformers Panel Report Featuring IDW Comics Artists

It's hard to argue that it's "the more the merrier" when it comes to Steiff. Our sweet mohair friends from Giengen certainly look their finest when grouped with others. Their gatherings always seem to say, "Let the fun begin!" Recently, Steiffgal purchased a vintage Steiff catalog from 1957-58. The front of this great piece of ephemera is pictured here on the left. In addition to the delightful illustrations and interesting product descriptions, this particular reference also included two groupings of specific presentation guidelines for storekeepers. Let's take a look at these recommendations. Is this the way you display your Steiff treasures as well?

Taking things by the book, the first group of helpful hints were....

Window Decoration and General Display of Steiff Animals

Steiff animals lend themselves most formidably in the creation of countless display motives e.g. circus, zoo, barnyard, meadow, etc. * A cleverly designed display will attract the passerby. * You too can center your whole display around one of these popular motives. * Whenever it is possible, please acquaint the buying public with the vast Steiff assortment. Make your display as neat as possible, for the first impression of the product you are displaying should be a favorable one. * The public will buy Steiff products in the store showing the largest selection. * The collectors, constantly on the prowl for new species in the Steiff line will single out the store exhibiting the greatest variety. * Steiff animals should be on display constantly. Should space problems however not permit disposal of an entire window, group your Steiff animals together and do not scatter them individually all over the window. * When arranging a display large or small make certain that you have a Steiff sign (see next page), to place in the center of your animal group.

And the second group were...

Helpful Hints in Selling Steiff Animals

After unpacking:
1. Straighten ears. Face animal, place both thumbs in the ear and bring them into the correct position.
2. Straighten ribbon or collar. Ribbon or collar should not be twisted and the name tag denoting the animal should always be in front center.
3. Brush the animal. Brush the animal against the grain with a coarse brush to give it the "Natural Look."

The display:
Steiff animals look lost and forlorn if placed singly and amidst other toys. Place them in groups or families, and whenever possible use a Steiff sign with your display.

If showcases are available use same, for your Steiff animals look even more lifelike when displayed under or behind glass. The bigger your assortment the bigger your potential sales volume.

Your importer of Steiff toys will assist you further with any display and advertising problem you may have, concerning the Steiff product.

Please remember that many of your customers are "Steiff collectors" and would like to see the best possible variety in your store. They also want to be kept abreast of "What is new in the Steiff animal kingdom."

It is interesting to note that in both sets of display tips, the use of a Steiff sign was mentioned. And in the photographs associated with the second set, one was featured in all of the vignettes. Here on the left, you can see a close up of this sign from the late 1950's. It measures 12 cm wide and 8 cm tall. It is oval in shape and is made from cardboard. The front face is black velvet. The letters and logo are dimensionally printed in red. The sign stands via a small cardboard easel on the back. Steiffgal keeps this example in with a collection of 1950's era dogs and it indeed adds an interesting focal point to the display.

Steiffgal hopes this review of vintage Steiff presentation guidelines has brought a touch of order to you day!

Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures? Let's talk! Click here to learn more.

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Botcon 2015 - Hasbro Booth Display Nearly 100 More Photos Of New Generations And Robots In Disguise Toys

June 21, 2015, 2:18 pm

≫ Next: Guardians of the Galaxy Dancing Groot Figure

≪ Previous: Steiff's Window Display Guidelines From The Late 1950's

While there were no new items added today, we did swing by Hasbro's display case one more time to get another round of high quality photos of the upcoming figures on display. With added looks at Sky Reign and Sky Lynx, the Combaticons, new Legends like Shockwave and Buzzsaw, plus RID Mini-Cons and recolors, we have almost 100 more photos to keep you in anticipation of all these releases. Click through and check them out!