How Do Ya Figure?

Matt Acevedo joins us again to go down a nostalgic road. A specifically leading to large menu with a speaker box and a window where a person hands you your food. This week we are talking all about the Bobby's World McDonald toys, the first toys not he show that spark not just memories of the past, but smells of fries and shakes and that old box it came in. Enjoy! Follow! Subscribe!

Ken Napzok (co-host of Force Center podcast and author of Why We Love Star Wars) joins us this week to chat the Star Wars Miniatures, the failed line from the 80s. Why this line didn't connect, why it might have been ahead of its time, and what we would have liked to see if it had continued on. Leave us a review and subscribe!

Yuma, intergalactic pro wrestling family man, toy maker and life long collector joins us this week to discuss the toys surrounding Star Wars Episode I The Phantom Menace. How it felt when Star Wars was back, Toys R Us' flooded with incredible characters for a movie we had not seen yet, and the excitement that was 1999.

Rocom returns to update us on Johnny Tombstone and his band of misfit monsters, the Mighty Maniax. Glyos compatible Action-Horror toys inspired by the '80s and '90s. Now available at www.rocomtoys.com

Joan Ford joins the podcast again to discuss Greta Gremlin from Neca. Why we were so excited about this character getting a figure, how to bring Gremlins back to the spotlight and much more!

We are joined by Erik Arana from Bossfight Studios to talk Legends of Lucha Libre!

We are joined by Andres Gallego this week to talk about the Terminator 2 Kenner Line. How the line managed to survive without making toys of the movies main characters. And the greatest part of the line, the ability to make your own Terminator, and why we all thought that would usher in a new future.

We are joined by Jim Beard (writer) who talks with us about GI Joe Adventure Team and Major Max Mason. Two toys that influenced the media, and pop culture in ways no other line did! We talk to the appeal of a line that doesn't have a cartoon, or movie or anything surrounding it, writing for characters you love, and much more!

Loryn Stone (Toy Wizards and Pop Lurker) joins us to discuss an array of topics in toys. What got her back into collecting as an adult, how the hobby evolved with her, Green Power Rangers, Inspector Gadget, what conversations aren't happening in the toy world, and much much more!

We are joined this week by Eric Rodriguez (Nerd Chronic) to discuss the few action figures from Batman '89, how the toys changed the movies, the merchandise crazy for future Batman movies, that may be better remembered than the movies themselves. And of course, Bob the Good.

Mike Carlson (Podcast the Ride) joins us again as we go over our favorite action figures from 2020. This terrible year was only made bearable by the works of Hasbro, NECA, McFarlane, Mattel, and Super7. We go through a wave of nostalgia as we discuss Turtles, DC, Marvel Legends, Star Wars and so much more all in plastic form!

Greg Hahn is back with us as he finished collecting EVERY Battle Beast figure! We talk about finishing a collection, how he feels now that the quest is over and why these toys are the ones he went for.

We are joined by Playwright and Action Figure Scholar Jonathan Alexandratos to talk about the 90s phenomena Mighty Morphin Power Rangers! A quick history of the toys, what set them apart from everything else on the shelf, how this franchise took off, what inspired the look of the figures, what trends they help set in the 90s. How pop-culture and toys can help you figure our your identity and Blake finally has a leg up on Justin with an IP, and puts Justin to the test of figuring out classic MMPR villains!

Ed Greer (Ed Greer Destroys, Reboot It) joins us to discuss growing up with G.I Joe, the struggle of finding all the figures, and looking back at how much some of those action figures would have cost today.

Jenna Busch (Co-host of Historical Podcast, Host of Cocktails with Stan) joins us to discuss the history and smells of Strawberry Shortcake, collecting as a child and an adult, having a partner who also collects, and the connection of toys and memories when it comes to smells of toys, stickers, markers and much more!

Steve Ozer (WWE at Mattel) joins us to discuss his favorite action figures, how collecting and working in the industry work in tandem, his road to working in toys and the value of a strong community.

Holly Anabel Brown (Comedian, Well Actually Podcast) joins us to talk about some creepy board games in time for Halloween! Mysterium and Horrified! Two games that stand out for their impressive art work, world building, and collectable mini-figs. We also learn a lot about Settlers of Catan, how board games are a litmus test for any relationship, and that any game night can be ruined if you can't explain your game. Listen! Subscribe! Review!

Connie Shin (Thundercats ROAR) joins us to go through history through the eyes of American Girl Dolls. The boutique collectible that gave its girls some incredible miniatures, books to expand on their own stories, and a great return policy. We discuss the many different dolls and what working in an American Girl Doll store was like.

Rocom joins us again to discuss an amazing line of figures, his own!  We go through his new Mighty Maniax: Horror & Gaming inspired Glyos Action Figures.  All the challenges in crowdfunding independent figures, finding an audience, how to connect to that audience and how to deliver an incredible product.  Using Kickstarter and social media to create hype.  Enjoy!  And donate to his figures!

We are joined by Devlin Wilder (comedian) to talk about the incredible Real Ghostbusters line, and the oodles and oodles of ghosts that came out of it.  The desperation for Ghostbusters movie accurate figures in the 80s, and how Ghostbusters Afterlife being removed from the schedule we may have missed on a huge resurgence of Ghostbusters merchandise.

California's fires rage, a pandemic continues to ravage LA county and Blake and Justin talk about the toy news and collectables they want to get.  Because we all deserve a small bit of joy in this increasingly crazy world.

Matt Acevedo (Hit Points, Mass Effect Adventum, Ultimate Fictional Character Podcast) joins us to discuss the newly released Super Mario Lego sets!  Discussing the interactivity of these sets, yoshi, Mario's house, the worlds we want to see next, other Nintendo franchises that need the Lego or toy treatments!

This week we are joined by Allie Goertz (Round Springfield Podcast, Writer, Musician, Former Editor at MAD Magazine) to talk about The Simpsons mania and how it cascaded into World of Springfield lines.  We discuss the moments we fell in and out of the show, what made these toys unique, figures we need to see if Super7 ends up making Simpsons figures and much much more!

Justin Michael (Infinity Train) returns to discuss how Infinity Train needs action figures, buying a toy that HE VOICES! And we breakdown the things he may sell or may keep from his Batman, Simpsons and Muppets collections. This was recorded during the COVID19 pandemic while practicing social distancing, so we apologize for any sound hiccups.

NECA's The Mutagen Tour turtles scratch an incredible itch for some collectors.  Mike Carlson (Podcast The Ride) joins us to discuss his memories of the time when the Turtle's toured, best songs from the set list, how the figures capture the spirit of that time, and the next grail for Turtle's figures now that we have gotten what we never thought we would. This was recorded while practicing social distance during the COVID19 pandemic, so we apologize for any sound hiccups.

Live! Kind of! From San Diego Comic Con 2020 at Home, Blake and Justin dive into the history of SDCC exclusive action figures featuring interviews from Bill Miekina, Randy Falk, and Rocom! 

The line that changed the game!  Moving from kids fun to adults collectables the Spider-Man Classics line paved the way for Marvel Legends, introduced the chase figure, and did so much more.  Brad Walker (Detective Comics, Aquaman & Demon) joins us to chat this remarkable line, and the undying passion for Spider-Man.  We also cover some SDCC collectable fun, and what we are looking for at the moment.

Greg Hahn joins Blake and Justin as they emerge from their long sleep to discuss how their collecting habits have changed amongst COVID19's pandemic.   Note this was recorded while practicing social distancing over Zoom so we apologize for any sound hiccups.

Anastasia Washington (Cereal Killer Podcast, Stand Up Comic, One More Drink Podcast) joins us to talk about Garbage Pail Kids.  Cards that Blake '89 doesn't understand the appeal of, and Justin cannot remember why he liked them in the first place.  What a journey!

Matt Acevedo (Mass Effect Adventum, Hit Points Podcast) sits down to discuss the great Amiibo-pocalypse of 2014.  A quick history of the Nintendo toy-to-life craze, how they affected gaming, why they have outlasted Disney Infinity and Skylanders, and one of member of the podcast reveals themselves to be a Nintendo World Champion!  

It's time to talk about the toys of tomorrow....TODAY! As we look into all the epic announcements from Toy Fair 2020, from the incredible TMNT figures at NECA to the odd choice to bring back Tiger Electronics handled games.  You soon can buy the best and worst parts of your child hood and we have it all covered here!   Starring Blake Schultz and Justin Donaldson.  Leave us a review and share the show with a fellow collector!

The Action Stars (Chris Kramer and Max Carley) join us this week to talk about Star Wars Power of the Force figures from the 90s, the starting point for many modern day collectors.  And a line that still is incredible to experience!     Follow Chris and Max @theactionstars on Instagram for some of the best toy photography out there!  Leave us a review to show us how we are doing, and if you want extra credit share the episode with one or two friends who you think would enjoy it!

Blake and Justin have returned from their long hiatus to talk about their favorite figures from 2019, and what they are hoping to add to their collections in 2020. Hosted by Blake Schultz, and Justin Donaldson, don't forget to leave a review and follow the show on twitter!

Halloween is upon us!  A time for babysitter's to be hunted, camp kids to be skewered, and even in your dreams you can be haunted by terrible monsters. And if you are in anyway scared of those three icons of horror NECA has immortalized them in toy form.  Matt Konopka (The Killer Horror Critic) joins us this week to talk toys from the wonderful world of the macabre.

Its that time of year again, a whole new Star Wars movie!  Which of course means that some parts of the country, not California for reasons we are unsure of, will launch a parade of merchandise for the new movie! 

Quang Le (a man of many talents) joins us to discuss high end Godzilla figures, and a crazy big auction, and why he enjoys large scale purchases more than having several smaller figures.

Rocom joins us again to talk about his time at Power-Con and the He-Man Classics line of action figures.

Blake and Justin discuss a lot of new toy news and topics, like Hasbro now having Death Row Records (kinda)

Bill Miekina joins the show again to talk about his time toy hunting in Japan.

Greg Hahn joins us again to give a history lesson of the great food wars staring the great toys the Food Fighters.

Blake and Justin are joined by Daniel Picket (Action Figure Insider) to discuss all the goodies and from this years San Diego Comic Con!

Erik Barnes (Comedy!) joins Justin and Blake to talk about the figures they are currently collecting.

Mike Carlson (Podcast: The Ride) joins us to talk about his incredible time at Star Wars Galaxy's Edge, the new theme park in Disneyland, and the cool fun toys he got to check out and build while there.

Joan Ford joins Blake and Justin to discuss the majesty that is NECA's Gremlins.

Blake and Justin are back from the depths of LA to talk TOYS!  This week they talk about drives to Vegas, SDCC exclusives, and other stuff! 

David Brown joins Justin and Blake to talk about the many worlds you can build, including one in the home David grew up in, thats you can create with LEGO.  

Haley Mancini (writer for Netflix and the Cartoon Network) joins Blake and Justin to discuss Barbie and the many many careers that she has had over the years.

Blake and Justin discuss their reactions to the 2019 NY Toy Fair.

Blake and Justin are joined by Greg Hahn (Writer for Sonic Boom) to discuss MUSCLES, and all their tiny wonderful glory.

Jason Sheridan (Podcast: The Ride) joins Blake and Justin as they discuss the 90s X-men and the Toy Biz figures that followed them.

MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE!  Holds true for these figures as guest Rocom educates Justin and Blake on these 3rd party Transformers action figures, and how they fill in the gaps that the 1st party provider isn't providing