Turtles, Twitter, Trivia and Teases

This week in "Geek Critique" we'll be looking at action figures!

With a brand new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series developed you had to expect there would be a whole new line of toys to go with it. I was lucky enough to get my hands on one. But you can bet it won't be played with anytime soon.

Why you may ask?  It's a very good story I want to share with all of you.

About a week or two ago, during the 4th episode of the new TMNT Nickelodeon held a Twitter exclusive episode trivia contest. You basically were tossed the occasional tweet from TMNT's "Turtle Master" aka the guy with all the prizes a triva question associated with both uncommon knowledge as well as obvious things you would have learned throughout the current episode being broadcasted.

So about 15 mins into the program, a tweet gets blasted, I'm hovering over my ipad stalking every message I see associated with this prize pack giveaway because it was announced at the top of the show that's what was taking place. I think to myself "I never win anything, but it could be fun."

The tweet is "Michaelangelo's new friend sounds familiar, but who is he? This same voice actor was also a character on spongebob squarepants, name the character he played for a mystery prize pack."

Didn't take but two seconds to come up with that answer. Little did the twitterverse know I have a keen memory for audio and a fascination as well as deep knowledge for voice actors. I know what actor did what voices and in what shows. Even if I didn't see the credits I know the voice no matter how altered. This actor was None other than Clancy Brown. That wasn't the question, but I know it because I hear his voice all the time in just about everything these days. I don't even watch Spongebob but could tell you the answer to that question right away. He played "Mr. Krabs"

So I reply in a heartbeat, some time passes. No response. I thought to myself. "I knew it someone responded first, not easy for a kid to answer, but it was too easy for me to be true" Then I get a tweet from the great TMNT Master saying "You got it, send your address and I'll send you a prize pack!" I literally jumped for joy! It was like I was 10 again, thrilled about my newest TMNT Merchandise. Ah memories.

So I send my address and think, "OK if I won, watch it be some promotional crap." Any contest I've ever won has always ended in some useless stuff I can never use and a T-Shirt two sizes two small. I'm thinking this might be no different so I tell the guy "here's my shirt size if that's what you are sending me." He follows me back on Twitter and says "It's a surprise." So part overjoyed, partly already disappointed, but still wanted the big mystery answered.

A week later a huge TMNT Box at my door. Feels almost too light. I'm thinking I already got ripped off. Pry open the box only to find a huge sewer capsule. OK, less disappointed now, anticipation building....

I open it and framed inside it still in box a brand new Raphael figure! Not only that, but its an old school design, looks just like the one I had as a kid! I was totally thrilled! Not only about the figure itself but it looked like how it used to back in the day instead of the new sculpts they've been using in recent.  This was a totally epic moment! I also noticed they added more functionality to the figure based on what was written on the box.

Then I stopped for a moment as I was reading it, took a closer look on the front. IT WAS SIGNED! But who autographed it? I looked at the detail on the signature and was able to make it out, it was a little on the faint side to begin with. It was none other than the newest voice actor to take on Raph. SEAN ASTIN!

If you don't know who he is by now, we're talking Rudy here, the nerdy kid from Encino Man, and Sam from Lord of the Rings! This was no mere voice actor, but a STAR! I thought to myself, no way in HELL I'm ruining this, its staying mint in box FOREVER! Once that autograph and figure is worth $$$$$ time to retire early lol. I mean, that will probably never happen, but one can hope.

All I know is this is not  a toy for me, its valued deeply both as a prize, and part of my childhood, there is a deep, meaningful and emotional connection here. Not letting it out of my sight.

So I took some pictures right away, here they are below for you to take a look for yourself.

My only one complaint during all this, that I didn't get a Donatello. He 's my favorite! Always has been. But I find nothing wrong with Raph, I like him too. And also lets face it, Rob Paulsen autograph vs Sean Astin who wins? Sean Astin! I got the better deal here in a way.

Though who knows, maybe TMNT Master is reading this right now, if you are, I'd love a Donatello as he was my childhood idol. He represents what a kid should aspire to be. Intelligent, loyal, and wise. He made me who I am today. So I do applaud Robert Paulsen for taking on the role.

Any other Donatello fans out there? I'm sure there are plenty of Raph lovers out there, I can name a few. What do you think of the new figures? Good or bad? And would you take yours out of the box if it was signed?

In closing, thank you Nickelodeon, TMNT Master, and Sean Astin for making one die hard fan of 20 years one very happy person! I cannot express how much it means to me!

Follow @TMNTMaster and tweet me @PSiege1 on Twitter

Leave a comment here on the blog too!

See you next week for another "Geek Critique"

-Paul

DC Nation ushers in a new season of Green Lantern TAS

If you haven't been watching Cartoon Network lately, you wouldn't know there have been two new episodes of Green Lantern the animated series

With the Red Lanterns now soundly defeated, Hal Jordan picks up right where he left off only to have his life further dramatically changed. His long time love Carol has dumped him, not because she doesn't love him anymore, but because she knows their life together would never stand the test of time with his pressures of being a Green Lantern. With that being said, she also fires Hal knowing full well he cannot be both a Lantern and Full time test pilot. Poor Hal, Fired and Dumped in one day.

Guy from GL TAS 

With Hal on the brink of quitting the lanterns to go back to his old life we finally get introduced to another main character of the Green Lantern Corps. None other than Guy Gardner! While Hal was off playing in space with Killawog and Razor, Guy was named the new Guardian of Earth. Sorry Hal Earth has a new protector. Geeze, fired twice in one day and dumped.  Then to our surprise, Hal gets promoted to honor guard. He now patrols all of space. No pay raise though lol. And still no Carol....For now at least

Tohmar-rae makes a reappearance and now surely to be around for awhile. He as well is part of the honor guard and has taken a liking to Hal. Enter the newest threat. The Manhunters. Surely to be the main threat of this season. Killawog and their sidekick ship Aiya rejoin Hal and Tomahr for another jetset journey to destroy all remaining Manhunters, only to discover the person in charge of this fiendish plot. I'll leave it there. No big spoilers for everyone.

Thoughts on this season so far? Love the way they have introduced Guy. He has a great portrayal in the series and is very classic "Guy" in a lot of ways. I loved the "Frienemy" type chemistry he and Hal had with one another. Dietrich Bader was a perfect casting choice for Guy as well. I hope we get to see more of guy later on, I'd like to say hes my favorite so far but in all honesty there is something I've come to love about each lantern. Usually I pick one character to stick by but it just goes to show what good casting, stories, and scripts can do for a character.

Is that a Green Lantern Limited Edition PKE Meter? 

Tomar's portrayal reminded me that of an alien Egon Spengler from Ghostbusters with repeated phrases such as "I'm detecting a low energy ion pulse" Are we busting ghosts or Manhunters? I mean, just look at this picture of him, its a GL version of a PKE meter!

Chip can't talk, but he can still kick Hal Jordan's butt any day of the week.

We also get to see "Chip" our squirrely little lantern kick Hal's butt then help him out later. Most likely not the last time we've seen him either as him and Hal became fast friends. 

I keep looking forward to the next episode of this series every week because something has always come out of left field to surprise you in the best way possible. 

Not once did I think "I can miss one episode" or "That episode was boring" anything and will more than likely be answered later, a good tease for the time being. 

If you haven't seen the series yet, watch it from the beginning, it won't seem like much at first but there is superb growth throughout the storyline and the poor CGI is forgivable with all the other things it has going for it.  

Here's a video showing you the opening title sequence to the show.

If you HAVE seen the series, what do you think of the new season so far? And anything you are hoping to see?

As always I ask you to leave a comment, or Tweet me on what you thought of this week's critique topic. Tweet me  @PSiege1

Until next time, remember....

"Sometimes its better to ask for forgiveness later, than to ask permission first"

- Hal Jordan, Green Lantern Season 2 Episode 2

Arrow takes Aim; The Turtles still have the Power!

Well the results are in. TMNT was number was the number one cartoon to watch during it's Saturday premiere. Not only that, but Nickelodeon has already called for 26 more episodes after this season ends.  This is according to the writers at Comingsoon.net / Superherohype.com Seems Nickelodeon is confident the Turtles still have the power. And so far, they have proven that. 

I can't say I was all that impressed with episode 2 but was glad they highlighted Raph's attitude issues. Not to mention, I was psyched about the guest voice appearance. Kid's wouldn't know it, but if you have a keen sense for voice identification like myself you'd notice the human Raph was having arguments with the entire show was none other than Comedian Lewis Black. Who better to piss off Raph than the King of Attitude himself. Nice casting job Nickelodeon, gotta give you props for that one.

Speaking of premieres Wednesday premiered the long awaited Green Arrow Live Action Series on CW. To clear things up, the Answer is No! This is not a Smallville Spin-off. It's a complete reboot, different actor and it takes place in Star City. Where Green Arrow is actually from in the comics. This is  along the same time period though, about a young Oliver Queen. Here's a peek at the show's trailer.

So after watching the premiere what are my thoughts? I can honestly say, the acting is great and the actor choice for Oliver was fantastic. I even liked how they showed him on the island and after 5 years appearing as the Oliver we know now. Full blonde hair, and goatee. A nod to the current look was fun to see in case he were to ever go for that look in the future.

As much as I was pleased with things that had continuity, things that differed bothered me very much. I'm not one to judge slight changes or implementing new stories with this being a different Universe and all but some things shouldn't be changed or blended together.

Biggest complaint, Oliver has a sister who he calls speedy. Without even seeing the next episode I'm already upset about this. Speedy (both male and female versions) are some of my favorite DC Characters. Taking aspects of both characters and putting them together as one ruins a lot of potential story. Not to mention Oliver was never related to either of them. So in terms of the sister character the show is already a complete turn off to me.

Second biggest gripe, they are rushing the introduction of Black Canary. As far as I know she never knew Oliver or had any issues with him. Unless I'm missing something from the Comics which I very well could be. But honestly I'd rather they not know each other and meet somewhere down the line as heroes. Why must everyone know everyone or be related to someone in this show? You can't just cross paths? Seems a little forced to me.

But enough about my gripes, here's more of what I like about the show. Merlin is in the show, you gotta have one of the biggest enemies or the show is no good. We could even see Ras Al Ghoul in the future (fingers crossed) that would be amazing!

Then theres the huge mystery of seeing Deathstroke's mask at the very beginning of the show. If you didn't catch it, it was on a pole by the fire that Oliver had set off. True Deathstroke was never a key character in the Green Arrow stories but I'm perfectly content on seeing him show up if he does. He's an awesome villain to battle. I just hope they don't screw him up too much like they are with the Speedy character.

Finally, I'm glad they are coming up with creative uses for the Arrows in true Green Arrow fashion. I need an arrow that can transfer money into my bank account too lol.

I believe there is potential for the show. Especially when I hear the Royal Flush Gang showing up is around the corner. Again, a favorite group of Villains so I hope they don't screw them up too. I'd say thats what I'm looking forward to most at the moment though.

There are always going to be some things about this show that will irk me, but I just need to keep reminding myself its a different Universe. I can still love things how I like in other ways such as animated show versions. Even the Smallville version wasn't too bad.

Speaking of Green Arrow, they announced yesterday Oliver will be on the main roster for the new DC Comics Videogame set to release April 1st 2013. If you haven't heard of it it's called Injustice: Gods Among Us with the likes of such characters as Superman, Flash, Wonder Woman, Harley Quinn, Solomon Grundy, Robin, and more. Since Green Arrow only has skills not powers I'm excited to see how creative they will get on making his moves that much more epic! Here's a preview to show you how he's going to look in the game.

That's all for this entry, don't forget to leave a comment with your thoughts. You too can be a Geek and Critique! You can also Follow me on Twitter @PSiege1 Until next time :-)