2023 Favorite Cards and Action Figure

I really enjoy doing these Favorite Card posts.   My only criteria for these are that I posted them on the blog in 2024.  They can be old, new, doesn't matter.  And why they are my favorite can be very random.  #1 this year goes to Carlos Correa on this 2020 Big League Baseball card.  The photo is what does it for me.  Only thing that could make it better is having the catcher involved but this one is still my favorite of 2024. That post is here.

This Kyle Petty card was so close to taking the top spot.  Mello Yellow, the hair, the colors.  It screams early nineties, and I love it.  This was part of a 2024 Donruss NASCAR post found here.

The photo, determination and focus of KAT, framing, design and colors really work for me on this card.  The 2022-2023 Hoops post can be found here.

Howie Long has a great football look to him.  That flat top is the icing on the cake.  Seeing him talking with baseball great George Brett in this photo is just too cool.  Combined with one of the all-time great designs this really is a great looking card.  The post can be found here.

This Jaws 2 card really does a good job of capturing the spirit of the Jaws movies. The design is nice, but it really is the artwork depicting a scene from the movie.  Watching the movie, you imagine the shark doing just what you see here in those frantic moments.  The post is here.

For the first time I didn't have any hockey or wrestling posts.  Just a casualty of budgets and focusing funds on other cards and collectibles.  But I am going to show off my favorite action figure from the year - this great looking McFarlane Alan Scott Green Lantern Platinum Edition Figure.  I'm a big Alan Scott fan and couldn't be happier with this figure.  Hoping to post enough action figures next year to have their own "favorite post".  The Alan Scott post with more photos of him are here.

I posted more on the blog this year than I ever have in years past.  I'm hoping to focus my collecting this next year, but I'll keep posting lots about cards and randomness.  Thanks to everyone who comes to my little world on the interwebs.  Have a safe and Happy New Year!

Green Lantern: Emerald Knights Animated Movie

Emerald Knights: One of my Christmas presents, this movie was a fun watch.  It does a good job going through origins and the history of the Green Lanterns while they fight off a threat to their home world of Oa.  Most of the key Green Lanterns are seen in this movie which is fun for any fan, new or old.  It includes Hal Jordan, Sinestro, Kilowog, Abin Sur, Tomar-Re, and Arisia who's the rookie whom others are sharing the Green Lantern history with.  The mission to save Oa is really secondary to all the stories we get to hear.  And that's not a bad thing.  It's a fun watch and as always DC does a good job with their animated movies.

McFarlane Kilowog & Kyle Rayner Green Lantern Gold Label Two Pack

 

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there.  Today I'll show off the Gold Label Green Lantern two pack with Kilowog and Kyle Rayner.  I was very excited to see Kilowog being released and I was also wanting this version of Kyle Rayner with the white uniform front as well so it was a win win.

The Kilowog figure is a McFarlane megafigure standing 9" tall and he comes with a nice looking hammer as well as his own lantern.  I'm a big Green Lantern fan and wasn't sure we'd ever see this guy coming from McFarlane

This is a great looking figure.  Kilowog is one of the favorite Green Lanterns and is a drill sergeant training new Lanterns.  He's famous for calling newbies "Poozer" which means useless rookie.

Solid sculpt and look on this figure.  He's very solid in hand.  Fairly poseable considering how large he is.

No real complaints with this guy.  Love the look and figure.

Kyle Rayner, one of earth's Green Lanterns, also comes with his own lantern.  Rayner took over as earth's sole Green Lantern in the nineties as DC rebooted the series.  I've always liked his character but I admit it felt odd to go in a direction without any of the original earth Lanterns.  His character has a complicated history after he came onto the scene.

Kyle comes with two swords as well as armor which are all generated from his ring.

I prefer the smaller of the two swords.  My only issue with his figure is the mouth.  At some angles it looks like a goofy smile or even that he's had Botox injections. 

Outside of the face decisions they made, I like this figure and I'm very happy to have it as part of my collection.

Always fun when you can add favorite figures to your collection and Kilowog in particular will be a favorite of mine.

  

McFarlane Alan Scott Green Lantern Platinum Edition Figure

It's my birthday and couldn't be happier to show off this guy.  I love Green Lantern and Alan Scott, the original Green Lantern, is one of my favorites.  This McFarlane Alan Scott figure is just too cool so it's a perfect way to start the day. 

I purchased three of these figures from Amazon and one was this platinum variant.  The non-variant is here.  As you look at photos you'll see some extra green paint on the Alan Scott's right arm and torso.  That is the difference between the original and this chase figure.

The figure comes with accessories including this flame piece.  At first I didn't know what to think of it but I'm really liking it after having it on him more.

His eyes are white which is true to how we see the character the majority of the time.

The figure really is solid.  The cape is plastic but I like it.  The collar works though it can be a nuisance when taking photos.

You also get a DC card stand which I like as well.  The art is by the great artist Alex Ross.

Alan Scott is a prominent figure of the Justice Society of America and the father of Jade, also a Green Lantern.

McFarlane also has an Alan Scott Dread Lantern figure.  It's from a specific comic arc where the Earth-2 Green Lantern volunteered to be a demon's herald to save his planet.

The last accessory is his lantern.  Simple but effective.  I'd been okay if it was darker, but it is still good.  I love this figure.  I'll end it with the Green Lantern creed as he recharges his ring:

“In brightest day, in blackest night, no evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evil’s might beware my power…Green Lantern’s light!”
  

2023 Christmas Goodies

Christmas is always fun and Santa Claus blessed me more than I deserve.  For maybe the first time ever, everything I received was on my list.  I was really excited to receive all these.  I've opened the random cards and watched the Justice Society: World War II animated movie while I've started reading volume 1 of Justice League.  Boba Fett's ship (Micro GalaxyZ) came from my grandsons and it'll be added to my modest Boba Fett collection once I receive the custom stand I ordered.  Shirts are always appreciated and Kawhi is my favorite NBA player.  Motley Crue is a favorite band of mine and the Dr. Feelgood album is my favorite of theirs.  Just lots of silly fun stuff .  It's more enjoyable watching everyone else open their gifts but also seeing the joy they get from giving.  Everyone have a fun New Year's Eve!

Green Lantern MetaX Game Cards

Green Lantern MetaX:  We'll keep the Green Lantern theme going this week.  Picked these two packs up last year when they were on the shelves.  I don't play the game but I'm a big Green Lantern fan and enjoy the art.  I've looked at cards from a few of the different MetaX games over the years.  We'll kick it off with Hal Jordan, the greatest GL of all-time.

A couple more Hal Jordan cards and a group shots of all the different lanterns as seen in the some of the great GL stories.

Carol Ferris, on and off love interest of Hal Jordan...and villain.  So many great characters in this universe including the Red Lanterns.  As you've probably guessed they are bad.  Really bad.

Blackest Night was another huge story arc for GL where dead heroes were reincarnated as villains.  Firestorm is my second favorite DC hero so his card had to make an appearance. Even if it is in his dead form.

There are "rare" cards that can be found in these packs but as the world as my witness I can't figure them out.  It's maddening.  I think I pulled one.  I'll never know.  Just saying.  I do like these cards.  I'm a nerd and love the art and of course the characters and that goes for all the different MetaX sets they've released (that I've seen).  The checklist can be found here and we'll end it with GL Sinestro who would go on to be the biggest enemy the GL Corps has ever seen.

BREAKDOWN:
24 – Total Cards (Two Packs)
1 – Rare?

Green Lantern: Beware My Power (NO SPOILERS)

Green Lantern: Beware My Power:  I haven't watched many of the DC animated movies lately but DC normally does them well.  I'm a big Green Lantern fan so I made the leap and picked this one up.  Glad I did.  I really enjoyed it.  This is an origin tale for John Stewart, one of the most popular Green Lanterns, who for the most part is the Green Lantern in the Justice League these days.  While Hal Jordan is widely known as the greatest Green Lantern of all-time John Stewart may be the most popular.  This movie is really good.  I like the cast of characters that includes Green Arrow, and Hawkgirl, both of which are favorites of mine.  Normal Lantern foe, and former green ring slinger, Sinestro, plays the foil.  The movie will work you through the Rann-Thanagar War in a simplified way which makes it easy to catch up.  

What happens?  Stewart gets his ring, galactic issues require him to help the Justice League, and off they go.  Green Arrow is his initial partner who is apropos considering GL/GA have a long history of being partners in the comic books.  Along the way Hawkgirl and others join the adventure to include some surprises.  Sinestro and his band of baddies hamper their efforts along the way.  Most of this and more is played out in the trailer.  These are normally standalone movies and while a few of DC's animated movies may tie into others this will not be one of those best I can tell.  Again I enjoyed the movie.  Are there some plot holes?  Sure.  But I recommend this for anyone considering it and it's worth the watch.  I picked this up at Wallyworld and it is rated PG-13.  People are shown dyeing in the movie and of course there is violence, so it's not made for young kids.  Has me wanting to watch more of the DC animated movies which I'll see if it's something I make happen.  

Green Lantern by Geoff Johns Omnibus Vol. 1

Green Lantern by Geoff Johns Omnibus Vol. 1: I'm a huge Green Lantern fan but when Geoff Johns took the helm of the comic for his historic run I was not at a point where I could buy comics.  Ever since I've wanted to read the Geoff Johns collection and was finally able to pick up the three Geoff Johns Green Lantern omnibuses.  I've finished volume 1 and I was not disappointed.  It includes 1200+ pages of excellence.  Johns does such a great job of taking the great characters from the Green Lantern universe and giving them the storyline they deserve.  I won't go in to any detail on the book as I can't do it justice.  Just know this is a great read.  

Green Lantern New 52 Vol. 1: Sinestro

Green Lantern New 52 Vol. 1:  I'm so very slowly picking up some comics to read.  I read quite a bit until about 15 years ago when I had to stop due to priorities in life.  Green Lantern is my favorite comic book character so I needed to start somewhere and decided to do so with The New 52 Vol. 1.  The New 52 was a "soft reboot" of characters in DC?  That's my best description.  Volume 1 here sees the Green Lantern Corps as a whole in a lot different place than where I remember it.  Sinestro has been given his ring back and heads back to his home world to save it from The Sinestro Corps whom he left to "help" the planet.  That went awry and now Sinestro needs Hal Jordan's help to save the day.  Jordan is on the outs as a Green Lantern at this time so this is is way to get back in fight to some extent though teaming up with Sinestro is a good thing.  The Guardians of the Universe are a big part of the story and not all is good there either.  

This was a fun read.  Even though it has been a while for me I'm still down with telling stories that are different.  And this was definitely is.  There are other Green Lantern books in The New 52 including Green Lantern Corps, New Guardians, as well as some stand alone books.  I'll stick with Hal Jordan for now but I definitely want to get into some of the others as well when possible.  My ultimate goal is to go back and pick up the Green Lantern series that proceeded The New 52.  That arc included the very popular Blackest Night story arc.  There's a hug lot of those trade paperbacks on eBay that I've been eyeing.  Might just have to take the leap.  

Green Lantern: Rebirth & Green Lantern: No Fear

These two books were Christmas gifts which I've wanted for years.  Again I'm woefully behind in reading comics.  Green Lantern is my favorite superhero so this was a real treat.  There are probably spoilers here but these books have been out for quite a while now.  Author Geoff Johns does a great job bringing back Hal Jordan (Green lantern) to prominence in the DC Universe.  Without getting too long winded, the events prior to Rebirth had Hal Jordan basically being corrupted by Parallax, who was contained within the core battery on AO, destroying the Green Lantern Corps and ultimately being possessed by the Spectre and saving the universe.  In this book you see Hal Jordan returning to earth and trying to move on with his life.  With Parallax and Spectre still waging war inside him that's not happening.  With help from other Green Lanterns, friends, and the Justice League Hal finally rids himself of both Parallax and the Spectre.  We find out the man behind all of Hall's troubles?  Sinestro.  Should have known.  If you aren't familiar with the Green Lantern mythos this book is a good read and Johns does a good job in his preludes and in a summary after the last page to help ensure readers weren't lost.  I loved this book. It did a great job of bringing Hal Jordan back to where he should be - a prominent  hero in the DC Universe and on earth.  The story is a great read.  I've known about this book for years and I had heard nothing but outstanding reviews but still I was surprised how much I enjoyed.  The remaining Green Lanterns play a prominent part in this book as does the Justice League so there are also plenty of other characters that help round out the story.  

So now that Hal Jordan is back No Fear shows us what life will be like moving forward for Hal Jordan.  We see a new nemesis as well as some old foes who play big parts in this story.  This story is a fun first arc for Green Lantern.  We also see the beginnings of a new Green Lantern Corps.  I was again very impressed with the story Geoff Johns crafted.  I can't talk about these two books without mentioning the great art by Ethan Van Sciver.  I think he does a great job helping to tell the story visually.  As great as these books are, there are many more that follow.  The Green Lantern Corps get their own book, there will be the Sinestro Corps Wars, and the Blackest Night story arc which was felt across the DC Comics universe.  The latter is a highly regarded series and I can't wait to read it.  Geoff Johns guides Green Lantern throughout all these story arcs and they have all become the best run of Green Lantern.  I'm excited to pick up more of the books.  Here is the Green Lantern trade paperback reading order for anyone interested.   

Merry Christmas! ...and Cards, Star Wars, Comic Books and more!

Merry Christmas to all and I hope Santa Clause was good to you.  He was to me...  First off were matching "I Want My MTV" for me and the wife from the kids.  I love this shirt and when MTV started it was right in my wheelhouse as I was soon to be a teenager.  Great fun.  Overall I'm extremely happy.  I received quite a few gifts I've wanted for a while now and my gifts were quite varied to keep me happy on many different fronts.

A 2015 Score football box which you'll see the results of sometime soon.  These are cheap options for football cards and a great fit for me. There is one auto or relic in each box.  I look forward to sharing my pull.

From our youngest daughter some Star Wars coffee mugs.  This won't be my last Stars Wars related gifts and you can't go wrong with Star Wars and me.  

The Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith steelbook.  I like the steelbook editions of some movies and I've been trying to complete the Star Wars series so this is a great present.  I've also needed some CD's to catch me up on bands I listen to so this of Beauty and Rage album from the band Red was a perfect gift.  I really enjoy their music and I'm hoping I can catch them in concert sometime soon.

Another daughter picked me up these:  Volume 1 of the Darth Vader canon comics.  This series has gotten very good reviews and I'm looking forward to some fun reading.  That crazy looking guy is an Atlanta Falcon pillow.  There is Velcro on the bottom that, when undone, helps it turn into a 13" pillow.  Pretty cool pickup from K-Mart before it closed.

Last but not least are the trade paperbacks of Green Lantern: Rebirth and Green Lantern: Fear.  I'm a big comic guy and Green Lantern is my favorite hero, but my comic reading has been at a standstill for a long time for me.  I'm hoping to catch up some on the great stories I've missed.  Geoff Johns did a great job in his reboot of Green Lantern and I can't wait to catch up on his books.

Again Merry Christmas to everyone.  I hope you had a great day.  

Green Lantern Gay?

I've read comics since I was a youngin.  I haven't read them regularly for a few years now but I stay up to date as possible through online sites and podcasts.  Priorities change but I definitely plan on catching up in the near future.  I can't wait.  One of my favorites from day one of reading comics is Green Lantern.  The Green Lantern I grew up with is Hal Jordan or the Silver Age Green Lantern introduced in 1959.  This is the Green Lantern the majority of the world is familiar with and was the Green Lantern featured in last year's Green Lantern movie.  Alan Scott is the original Green Lantern who debuted in 1940.  I have definitely become a fan of his character which was revitalized, as part of the Justice Society of America, in the early 90's.  

A few weeks back DC Comics announced one of their characters would come out as gay.  Of course the Robin jokes flew as people wondered who it would be.  Well low and behold it was Alan Scott.  As part of a recent "reboot" by DC Comics Alan Scott's history is out AND he is now gay.  Ugh.  This is pure selfishness on my part but I don't like it one bit.  While i don't have issues with gay characters this just doesn't work for me.  As part of the re-launch Alan Scott is now younger and gay but otherwise his character is sure to be what made him a great hero to begin with - strong, brave, moral, and he can kick butt.  That said he was elder statesman among Green Lantern "universe" and this just throws his character in an entirely new light.  In his past continuity he had children to include a gay son.  All gone now.  I don't like change and I'll be the first to admit that helps shape my thoughts.  Still I want to give this a chance but it isn't easy.  It is such a departure from what I've come to love in his character.  I guess I'll just have to see how DC will handle his story lines but I'm not liking it for now.  Sure Robin would have been looked at as an easy target but it would have made me much happier!  Again pure selfishness...