Indiana Jones at Hasbro Pulse Con

Hasbro Pulse Con 2022 has concluded. There were exciting announcements for fans (myself included) of Hasbro’s own and licensed brands, and pre-order controversy.

The Selfie Series was announced for the Hasbro Pulse app in the US only. Allowing action figure fans to see themselves immortalised as their favourite characters. I’ve always pictured myself as Luke Skywalker (Stormtrooper) rescuing Princess Leia. Toy Galaxy's Dan Larson shared his hilarious Power Rangers selfie that looked like something out of the Nintendo 64 (N64) era.

As a lifelong Lucasfilm fan, I was looking forward to the new Indiana Jones toy line based on Raiders of the Lost Ark. Like many kids of my generation, I missed out on Kenner’s classic action figures when its Star Wars license ruled the toy aisles in the early eighties. Frankly, I never knew the toy line existed until years later when a friend pointed them out to me in a local comic book store.

Hasbro's new series looks phenomenal and includes The Adventures of Indiana Jones and a Kenner-branded Retro Collection (affiliate link). As a generalist collector of franchises, The Adventures of Indiana Jones piqued my interest with the first wave including the titular archaeologist, Marion Ravenwood, Sallah, René Belloq and Major Arnold Toht (affiliate link).

Further movie-themed sets are sure to follow given the renewed interest in the franchise with the release of Indiana Jones 5 in 2023.

Given all the buzz surrounding Hasbro Pulse Con and no longer a Hasbro Pulse Premium member, I patiently waited on my iPad for 11:00 PM (BST). I pre-ordered the man in the hat and Staff of Ra Headpiece (affiliate link) electronic roleplay collectable.

And, seemingly against the odds, successfully pre-ordered G.I. Joe Classified Series Serpentor & Air Chariot! The coveted con exclusive sold out within four minutes of going on sale to the general public, leaving disappointed fans taking to social media to vent their frustration.

To celebrate securing Serpentor, I added ‘Cover Girl’ and CRIMSON B.A.T. They'll look great alongside Croc Master & Fiona. For better or worse, G.I. Joe is now a Hasbro Pulse exclusive outside the US.

Further to last week's surprise announcement that Hasbro is producing Dungeons & Dragons cartoon classics action figures, I pre-ordered the first wave. Soon Hank, Bobby & Uni and Diana (affiliate links) will be battling Venger under the watchful gaze of Dungeon Master.

This Transformers: Generation 1 fan couldn't resist Transformers Generations Legacy A Hero is Born 2-Pack. The mythology of Orion Pax being rebuilt, by Alpha Trion, as Optimus Prime is something special from my childhood in the wake of the Autobot leader's death in Transformers: The Movie.

I know nothing about Transformers Legacy Evolution Comic Universe Tarn (affiliate link). However, he's too cool to pass up with his awesome Decepticon insignia face mask and scoped blaster. It more than makes up for the disappointing Megatron H.I.S.S. Tank. Cancelled my pre-order after reading this excellent review of the Transformers Collaborative: G.I. Joe Mash-Up.

Nothing from Ghostbuters, Marvel Legends Series, Power Rangers or Star Wars The Black Series caught my eye, which is probably for the best given the cost of living crisis.

Overall, not a shabby Hasbro haul for toy photography on Instagram.

Did you watch Hasbro Pulse Con 2022? What did you think? Were you able to pre-order the products you wanted? Let me know in the comments below.

Playmobil boldly goes to the final frontier

Playmobil has produced A-Team, Back to the Future, Doctor Who and Ghostbusters action figures and playsets for all ages.

Now the beloved toy brand journeys to the final frontier with Star Trek.



The app-enabled USS Enterprise NCC-1701 is this holiday season's must-have for the Trekkie in your life or a present to yourself.

This colossal collector's item features lights and sounds, Captain Kirk, Mr Spock, Dr McCoy, Chief Engineer Scott, Lieutenant Uhura, Lieutenant Sulu and Ensign Chekov.

Playmobil Star Trek USS Enterprise NCC-1701 (affiliate link).

Are you hoping to find Playmobil USS Enterprise NCC-1701 under the Christmas tree? Let me know in the comments below.

Spooky reunion in Ghostbusters: Afterlife

Sony's dropped a new trailer for Ghostbusters: Afterlife. The latest instalment in the fan-favourite franchise was delayed due to the pandemic.



Here's the official synopsis:

"From director Jason Reitman and producer Ivan Reitman, comes the next chapter in the original Ghostbusters universe. In Ghostbusters: Afterlife, when a single mom and her two kids arrive in a small town, they begin to discover their connection to the original ghostbusters and the secret legacy their grandfather left behind. The film is written by Jason Reitman & Gil Kenan."

Ghostbusters: Afterlife is a direct sequel to Ghostbusters II, which seemed more interested in promoting Sony products than the genuine scares and thrills of the beloved 1984 original (forever intertwined with pop culture juggernaut: Michael Jackson's Thriller), upon its release in 1989.

Please gift me Ghostbusters Plasma Series Mini-Pufts collectables from Hasbro Pulse for Halloween.

This time Ghostbusters has a nostalgic momentum behind it in the wake of the success of Netflix's Stranger Things (not least because of the meta connection), and I'm genuinely excited for the movie's release this November.

Are you looking forward to Ghostbusters: Afterlife? Let me know in the comments below.

Hasbro Pulse launches in the UK

Hasbro Pulse, the Pawtucket-based company's direct-to-consumer platform, officially launched in the UK this week.

Toy collectors will be able to order exclusives from Ghostbusters, Marvel Legends, Power Rangers, Star Wars, Transformers and more beloved brands.

"We are proud to bring Hasbro Pulse to the engaged and vibrant UK audience," says Eric Nyman, Hasbro Chief Consumer Officer. "The passion for Hasbro's brands and immersive experiences spans the globe. We are thrilled to make our offerings accessible to our fans in the UK beginning today and are working to open up the Hasbro Pulse opportunity in other markets worldwide."

As an only child recovering from a life-changing head injury, necessitating years of outpatient rehabilitation, toys were an obsession.

During the pandemic, I've rekindled a childhood passion for toy photography and immediately signed-up for Hasbro Pulse Premium, which is currently half-price until the end of March.

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Excited about getting exclusives direct from Hasbro Pulse? Let me know in the comments below.

Stranger Things to end after fourth season

Stranger Things is my most anticipated returning series this fall. And there's talk of two more seasons of Netflix's love letter to 1980s Americana. Creators Matt and Ross Duffer recently spoke to New York Magazine.

"We’re thinking it will be a four-season thing and then out,” Ross told the magazine. “We just have to keep adjusting the story,” said Matt. “Though I don’t know if we can justify something bad happening to them once a year.”

A four season story arc is compelling and should avoid the pitfall of diminishing returns in the wake of accusations of "Netflix bloat". This is where a season is stretched too thinly.

“They’re going to have to get the fuck out of this town!” said Ross. “It’s ridiculous!”

When the "Thriller" trailer dropped during SDCC, I likened it to the Duffer brothers downloading my dreams. Yes, I'm beyond excited.



Stranger Things season 2 will be available to stream from 27th October.

Stranger Things at SDCC

A year ago this was the eve of Star Wars Celebration Europe and Stranger Things' debut on Netflix. The Duffer brothers homage to the 1980s caught the imagination of geeks (myself included) the world over, and I was held spellbound by its callbacks to John Carpenter and Steven Spielberg masterworks.

Earlier this week Netflix announced the second season begins streaming 27th October. Alongside this exciting news an amazing poster, that conveys The War of the Worlds meets The Goonies, was unveiled.

The new season is set in 1984, a year after the events depicted in season one, so expect pop culture references from that year including Ghostbusters and Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom. Personally, it was the year my folks gifted me a Commodore 64, which I still own, and I religiously listened to Frankie Goes to Hollywood whilst playing the Sabreman trilogy with childhood friends.

Stranger Things will be at San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) in Hall H.

Stranger Things brings Halloween to the Super Bowl

The New England Patriots staged an historic comeback, lead by Tom Brady, to deny the Atlanta Falcons and win Super Bowl LI. One of the best finals I've watched since American football was popularised in the UK, in the mid 1980s, on Channel Four.

The icing on the cake in lieu of a surprise Star Wars: The Last Jedi TV Spot. Netflix dropped a trailer for Stranger Things season 2. This time the gang are dressed as Ghostbusters! Because 1984.



Stranger Things season 2 premieres on the streaming network this Halloween. That's inspired scheduling.

Looking forward to the return of Stranger Things? Let me know in the comments below.

LEGO Dimensions gets Ghostbusters level pack

Move aside Disney Infinity and Skylanders. There's a new toys-to-life king in town in the form of LEGO Dimensions.

Those Ghostbusters are entering the fray alongside Doctor Who, Batman, Scooby-Doo and many more!



Given TT Games' pedigree, exemplified by the studio's LEGO Jurassic World, best start saving for those 14 level packs now.

LEGO Dimensions is released 29th September.