One hit video game franchise that has left on mark on video game history and players is Konami’s Castlevania. I remember playing Super Castlevania 4 on the SNES and boy, did it make an impression on me. Konami seeing the Castlevania series lose steam with fans over years, decided to let video game studio MercurySteam re-imagine and re-invent the game to a new audience. With the sequel Lords of Shadow 2 just released in stores, here is a look at Titan Books – The Art of Castlevania – Lords of Shadow.
Funko Pop!: I want them all!
March 12, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Funko has been on a licensing tear these couple of years and it seems like they have new Pop Vinyl figures every single day. Here’s some cool ones to look out for and make a checklist and pull out your wallet.
The Complete Accident Man
March 11, 2014 by Leave a Comment
When you step into your comic book shop this week and your head is screaming for something different and politically incorrect, then try The Complete Accident Man by creators Pat Mills (Marvel’s 2099 series) and Tony Skinner (2000AD). This trade collects Accident Man’s run on Toxic! comics and his own Dark Horse mini-series, so now you can read everything in one sitting with some beer and chips.
75059 LEGO Sandcrawler
March 11, 2014 by Leave a Comment
I remember when the first LEGO Star Wars products were released and I was hooked and addicted like a madman. I had to get this, get that, and this one. My wallet was busting, but now as I’m older and much wiser when paycheck funds going into more important stuff, I’m a little more picky of what I want and I do want this! The 75059 LEGO Sandcrawler from Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.
KIds Logic KidsNations Optimus Prime
March 11, 2014 by Leave a Comment
The Kids Logic Optimus Prime figure is a hot seller and especially in Hong Kong. The diecast big-head action figure is selling upwards north of $90.00USD and when you buy the action figure, you also get a smaller version – the KidsNations Optimus Prime.
Tomica Toyota Crown Comfort Taxi
March 10, 2014 by Leave a Comment
When you think of Hong Kong what comes to mind? The high-rise skyline and Victoria Harbour, HK gangster films, Dim Sum, Mong Kok shopping district, etc. Well how about the iconic Hong Kong taxi? This Hong Kong taxi gets the full Tomica diecast car treatment.
Toy Box Break!
March 10, 2014 by Leave a Comment
This past weekend we had a fun Retrenders box break! Since we have buddies living in Japan and Hong Kong, we had them doing some “Toy Hunting”, specifically Transformers and Tomica toys.
Frankie’s Garage: Jay Drives the NISMO IDX
March 9, 2014 by Leave a Comment
When Nissan unveiled its top-secret concept at last year’s Tokyo Motor Show, it blew Nissan fanboys and auto fans away that Nissan would bring back the iconic Datsun 510 back to life. And now even Nissan fan Jay Leno gets to take a look at the one of the concepts, the NISMO IDx.
LEGO Hong Kong Photos by Ric Tse
March 6, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Photographer Ric Tse takes snapshots of Hong Kong news by re-imagining the scenes with LEGO bricks.
The Art of Thief
March 5, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Enter into the world of Thief, were you take on the character of Master Thief Garrett. This cult classic looks to get bigger and better with Eidos Montreal’s latest release: Thief (February 2014 – Windows, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3, PS4). Titan Books and video game journalist Paul Davies takes a behind-the-scenes look at the game with The Art of Thief.
The Simon & Kirby Library: Horror!
March 4, 2014 by Leave a Comment
In today’s comic book shops and bookstores, it’s mostly superhero comics that dominate the shelves and racks. It wasn’t like that during the 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s of this bygone era where comic book creators branched into many genres like romance, westerns and science fiction. Comic book legends Joe Simon and Jack Kirby are more known for their superhero work, but they also took the comic book medium to other genres and Titan Books publishes another neat collection from The Simon & Kirby Library: Horror!
Frankie’s Garage: Geneva Auto Show 2014
March 4, 2014 by Leave a Comment
One of the biggest auto shows of the year takes place in the city Geneva of Switzerland. For the public, the 84th International Geneva Auto Show kicks off this week from March 6-16, 2014, while for the press, the show is in full swing. Here are some highlights from Autoguide.com.
Frankie’s Garage: Front Wheel Drive is back!
March 4, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Back in the mid-90s, here in California, Honda’s were all the crazed. The past couple of generations of Honda Civic’s were bland and Acura discontinued the Integra line-up, so Honda didn’t really have that cheap affordable sports compact ride anymore. Now it’s back with this “rice rocket” front-wheel drive car, the 2015 Honda Civic Type R Concept. A 4-cyclinder packing 280 horses looking back to Honda’s rich racing heritage. Too bad this model is only UK Europe-spec.
Viral Video Friday: Animated Games of Thrones Opening
February 28, 2014 by Leave a Comment
A tribute to HBO’s Games of Thrones, animation students at Atelier de Sevres do a great job with an animated credit opening. A big thumbs to Mathilde Loubes, Jory Bertrand, Alison Dulou and Ramin Djawadi.
For more info, go to: Vimeo – Games of Thrones Opening.
Custom R2D2 Droid by Evilos
February 26, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Custom vinyl artist Christopher Avalos aka Evilos takes a regular Android vinyl toy and makes R2D2 from Star War Wars.
Super Mario Kart for Toddlers
February 25, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Steampunk Style
February 25, 2014 by 1 Comment
Over the years the science fiction genre Steampunk has exploded into books, comics and Steampunk conventions taking place around the country and now Titan Books with Steampunk Oriental Laboratory has put out an incredible magazine-style book on Steampunk fashion and gizmos. Steampunk Style: The Complete Illustrated Guide for Contraptors, Gizmologists and Primocogglers Everywhere! has everything a Steampunk wannabe wants.
Hong Kong: Hot Toys Secret Base
February 24, 2014 by Leave a Comment
What makes a great “Brick and Mortar” store? Of course the brand, cool products, location and customer service, but also style and creating a cool atmosphere like Apple stores. Hong Kong toy company Hot Toys known for making incredible realistic 1/6 scale action figures also has a retail store, the Hot Toys Secret Base. One part collectible museum and part retail shop.
KOZIK x Kidrobot: Lore of Labbits
February 21, 2014 by Leave a Comment
The Ramen interviews Frank Kozik at Kidrobot SF release and signing event for his Lore of Labbits and Blister packs.
For more info, go to: Kidrobot – Frank Kozik – Smorkin’ Labbit.
The Art of Titanfall
February 19, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Who doesn’t like piloting big bad mecha-robots? It brings back memories of playing Virtual On on Sega Saturn or Gundam Side Story 0079 on the Sega Dreamcast! This FPS shooter Titanfall isn’t even out yet, but has over 80-plus awards from critics already. The game launches March 11, 2014 on the Xbox One and PC and Titan Books releases – The Art of Titanfall.
300: Rise of an Empire – The Art of the Film
February 19, 2014 by Leave a Comment
I remember sitting in the multiplexes eagerly waiting to watch 300 and by the end of the movie I was blown away and it made me cry out: “Spartans!” Well, now its 2014 and a sequel of sorts will be coming out to the movie theaters – 300: Rise of an Empire. Titan Books has released of a companion book to the movie with 300: Rise of an Empire – The Art of the Film. This 160 page beautifully over-sized hardbound art book will have everything you want from the 300: Rise of an Empire film.
Frankie’s Garage: Litchfield BRZ Supercharged
February 19, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Owners of the Subaru BRZ feel the 2.0L 4-banger with 200 horses isn’t enough. Xcar Films takes a look at the Litchfield BRZ. Aftermarket tuners Litchfield added a bolt-on supercharger adding an extra 80 horses with handling package and sticky tires.
Super 7 x Funko: ReAction Line-up
February 18, 2014 by Leave a Comment
The ReAction Alien toys were a hit last year by Super 7 and Funko. Now this year, they will follow-up with more incredible film licenses, like “Back to the Future”, “Halloween”, “Friday the 13th”, “A Nightmare on Elm Street”, “Firefly”, “Pulp Fiction”, “Terminator”, “The Rocketeer”, and more for 2014. So, if you grew up in the 70s and 80s, these ReAction action figures may take you back to those Kenner-style action figures. I just know that I will be buying many of these figures, so just take my wallet already!
Huck Gee x Kidrobot: Penelope McStompsalot
February 18, 2014 by Leave a Comment
The 3″ Dunny Penelope McStompsalot pilots her 8″ mecha-inspired Blowback Industries DUNN-7™.
Sneakers: The Complete Limited Edition Guide
February 13, 2014 by 3 Comments
Being a sneaker addict is like getting hooked on drugs. I’ve been there, like cutting class just to wait in line for Jordan’s or showing off my Scottie Pipen’s on the playground (I did have a hyped pick-up game scoring lay-ups and 3’s – it must be the shoes). Taking the MUNI all over the city chasing down the coolest kicks. And this is before the Internet! Now you can grab book about sneakers from U-Dox International – Sneakers: The Complete Limited Editions Guide.
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