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.

The toy Force is strong with Hasbro

Hasbro has renewed its license with Disney to produce Star Wars merchandise and added Lucasfilm stablemate Indiana Jones ahead of the untitled fifth film instalment in 2023.

"We're proud to deepen our close working relationship and collaborate with the Disney team to bring innovative and engaging play experiences to kids, fans, and families inspired by some of the world's most iconic entertainment brands," said Eric Nyman, Chief Consumer Officer, Hasbro, in a press release. "In addition to a slate of new collectibles, figures, role play gear, and games for Star Wars and Marvel, it's an honor to bring Indiana Jones back to Hasbro and help introduce the beloved franchise to a new generation of fans."

Kenner, which the Pawtucket-based company now owns, produced a toy line for Raiders of the Lost Ark but it never reached UK shores.

"Disney has long valued its relationship with Hasbro in developing fresh, imaginative products and toys that delight our fans of all ages," said Stephanie Young, President of Disney Consumer Products, Games and Publishing. "We're thrilled to continue collaborating with this iconic company—one that will help lift our consumer experiences across the Marvel, Star Wars and now Indiana Jones franchises to new heights for years to come."

Are you excited about Hasbro's new Indiana Jones toy line or do you prefer Star Wars and Marvel Legends? Let me know in the comments below.

Black Series Rancor teased by HasLab

The Rancor was one of my favourite large-scale action figures from Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, terrorising the Rebel Alliance and Action Force, on the Jurassic Coast, in the early eighties.

HasLab has now teased Jabba the Hutt's pit-dwelling beast for the Black Series.

“Following the success of the previous two HasLab campaigns for Star Wars: The Vintage Collection, our team is so thrilled to offer fans the first-ever HasLab project from The Black Series – the Rancor!” says Michael Ballog, Hasbro’s vice president for the Star Wars brand. “We hope fans of The Black Series line are prepared for this iconic creature to join their 6-inch-scale collections.”

HasLab, Hasbro's crowdfunded toy line, has been a huge success with collectors, and Marvel Legends' Galactus is the latest to join the premium collection alongside Transformers' Unicron exclusively on Hasbro Pulse.

Will you be adding Jabba's pet Rancor to your Black Series collection? 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.

Sleigh Ride

Part two of my Review of the Year.

*Album - Future Sex / Love Sounds. Justin Timberlake (aided and abetted by Timbaland) finally puts to rest any doubts as to the identity of the new King of Pop! Runners up: The Sound Of Girls Aloud: Greatest Hits (Girls Aloud) and Loose (Nelly Furtado).

*Single - Promiscuous. Nelly Furtado's stellar follow-up to Maneater needs no introduction! Runners up: Fergalicious (Fergie) and Rock Steady (All Saints).

*Movie - Adrift. An unrelenting study of fair-weather friendship set against the backdrop of the ocean. Runners up: Superman Returns and Pirates Of The Caribbean 2: Dead Man's Chest.

*DVD - Dungeons & Dragons. Runners up: Doctor Who - The Complete Series 2 Box Set and Lost - The Complete Second Series.

*Television Drama - Battlestar Galactica. Last year's winner recaptures the number one spot with the coolness of a Cylon agent! Runners up: Bones and Lost.

*Television Sci-Fi - Doctor Who. No change. Runners up: Battlestar Galactica and Torchwood.

*Merchandise - Doctor Who - Tardis Electronic Playset. Character Options continues to produce products worthy of everyone's favourite Time Lord! Runners up: Marvel Legends and Star Wars Transformers.

Mayo meets Woz

Things have been a little quiet around here! Aside from very flakey iDisk and BlogSpot servers precluding updates. I've been busy creating new banners for a client, Forbidden Planet International (see Marvel Legends) whilst, simultaneously, cutting my teeth on Adobe Photoshop CS2!

Thursday's edition of The Daily Mayo, broadcast on BBC Radio Five Live will be of interest not only to Apple Computer fans, but anyone with a modicum of interest in video game and PC history.

Simon Mayo was at London's Science Museum today sneaking a peek at the Game On exhibition opening on Saturday, and spoke to the inimitable Steve Wozniak or "Woz", the designer of the first Apple PC.

Steve Wozniak is currently promoting his new book, iWoz, which is available now from all good online and bricks and mortar stores.