Author Archives: Emily

Halo Anniversary Series 2 a more detailed look: Spirit of Fire Red Team

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This special Halo Wars boxed set features three heroic Spartan-IIs: Jerome, Douglas, and Alice, collectively known as Red Team. This trio of super-soldiers fought alongside the crew of the Spirit of Fire, defending them from the dangers encountered on Shield 0459. Our Red Team 3-pack brings back the leader, Jerome-092, and completes the team with two never-before-released figures of Douglas-042 and Alice-130. Each includes some serious firepower to help them carry out their mission: Jerome comes with a Spartan Laser, Alice comes with dual SMGs, and Douglas comes with a Shotgun. One Spartan is a force to be reckoned with, but a coordinated team of them is virtually unstoppable. Go back to 2531, before the fall of Reach, and get the complete Red Team, all in one box! (text from Spawn.com)

Jerome-092

Douglas-042

Alice-130

Where to buy:
Barnes & Noble
Fred Meyer
Meijer
Target
Toys ‘R’ Us
Walgreens
Walmart

Thoughts from HaloFanForLife:
At first I thought the two non-squad leader spartans were the same figure. While in sculpt they are, it’s on the right shoulder pad where the difference is made. As you can see in the above composition photos, they each have their own distinctive shoulder emblem to further denote who they are. I’m glad to have Red team. Here’s hoping we’ll see at least one of them in Halo 4…

Halo Anniversary Series 2 a more detailed look: Mickey (ODST)

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The demolitions expert and pilot of Buck’s ODST squad joins our action figure lineup: Private First Class Michael Crespo, better known as “Mickey.” This NEW figure, clad in black ODST armor with red accents, is in scale with our previous Halo 3: ODST figures, so Mickey won’t look out of place with his teammates. Figure comes with Mickey’s signature weapon, the Rocket Launcher. Mickey also comes with the eagle body piece of the UNSC Logo. (text from Spawn.com)

Where to buy:
Barnes & Noble
Fred Meyer
Meijer
Target
Toys ‘R’ Us
Walgreens
Walmart

Thoughts from HaloFanForLife:
This marks another entry for the ODST squad of the same name of the game. I happen to like the color markings on this particular ODST. With Mickey we are now just one shy of having the complete squad.

Halo Anniversary Series 2 a more detailed look: 343 Guilty Spark/Sentinel

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The legacy of the most technologically-advanced species in the Halo games, the Forerunners, can be seen in everywhere you turn. For the first time, Halo: Anniversary Series 2 brings a pair of these ancient machines to your collection: 343 Guilty Spark and a Sentinel. The Sentinel is ‘action figure’ sized and features articulated appendages, while the Guilty Spark features a reversible eye that can be changed from blue to red. Figures include a base and poles so they can hover near your figures, along with the right wing piece of the UNSC Logo. (text from Spawn.com)

Where to buy:
Barnes & Noble
Fred Meyer
Meijer
Target
Toys ‘R’ Us
Walgreens
Walmart

Thoughts from HaloFanForLife:
I’m looking forward to this two-pack very much. I’ll be getting a few extras for the Sentinels, and will keep two or the Sparks (one to show with blue eye, the other with red eye). The other Sparks left over I’ll either use as a prize here or to trade with. The sculpts look well done and I’m happy that the Sentinel has articulation.

Halo Anniversary Series 2 a more detailed look: Multiplayer White w/Blue markings Spartan

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Back in Halo 2, Master Chief’s MJOLNIR Mark VI armor was the basis for all multiplayer Spartans. Our first Halo 2 multiplayer Spartan action figure takes collectors back to those days — when all you could do to customize yourself was change your primary and secondary armor color. Our multiplayer Spartan Mark VI features bright white armor with cool blue accents and comes equipped with the ever-popular Battle Rifle, a Frag Grenade, and the left wing piece of the UNSC Logo. (text from Spawn.com)

Where to buy:
Barnes & Noble
Fred Meyer
Meijer
Target
Toys ‘R’ Us
Walgreens
Walmart

Thoughts from HaloFanForLife:
I’ve quite had my fill of multiplayer Mark VI Spartans. This one however harkens back to when JoyRide had the license during the Halo 2 days. I’ll get it, but really mostly for the build part to complete the UNSC emblem.

Halo Anniversary Series 2 a more detailed look: Jacob Keyes

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Our first UNSC officer figure is the first person players ever see in the original Halo video game: the commanding officer of the Pillar of Autumn, Captain Jacob Keyes. This all-NEW figure features Keyes as he appears in this fall’s Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, in sharp gray military uniform. Figure comes with the fan-favorite Magnum pistol and the banner piece of the UNSC Logo. (text from Spawn.com)

Where to buy:
Barnes & Noble
Fred Meyer
Meijer
Target
Toys ‘R’ Us
Walgreens
Walmart

Thoughts from HaloFanForLife:
The only main detractor here is the elbow and knee joints. They stand out. However, as with most crisp uniformed figures this is near impossible to hide. So we should take that into account. The head of the figure should have gray hair at the temple if we are to go by the Reach sample, which this figure is clearly taken from. Still, not a big deal and can easily be customized. I loo forward to not just having one of this figure but possibly a couple more for customs. Just pop the head off and replace. I might use Carter’s unhelmeted head for a younger looking Keyes.

Halo Anniversary Series 2 a more detailed look: Master Chief

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This all-new version of John-117 shows the hero as he appeared in the 2010 animated movie, Halo Legends, and is our first figure inspired by the Halo “expanded universe” of animation, novels, and comic books. Figure comes with Assault Rifle, Frag Grenade, and the globe piece of the UNSC Logo. (text from Spawn.com)

Where to buy:
Barnes & Noble
Fred Meyer
Meijer
Target
Toys ‘R’ Us
Walgreens
Walmart

Thoughts from HaloFanForLife:
This is an excellent sculpt of Master Chief from the Legends cartoon. Since Legends is considered canon to the Halo Universe timeline, I’d have to assume this is an earlier version of the Mjolnir armor, possibly Mk III. Regardless, it’s well done and I look forward to owning it.

McFarlane Toys to Create Halo Avatar Figures

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From www.halowaypoint.com:
http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/post/2012/01/20/McFarlane-Toys-to-Create-Halo-Avatar-Figures.aspx

Unique Partnership to Bring Inexpensive, Stylized Figures to Halo and Xbox 360 Fans

This fall, McFarlane Toys, Xbox LIVE and 343 Industries are joining forces to bring Halo fans an all-new series of unique collectibles: Halo Avatars. While our standard 6-inch figures are based on the Halo video games themselves, Halo Avatars are based on the stylized representations of the Halo characters that are available on the Xbox 360 console itself.

First introduced in 2008, avatars are the online representation of a gamer’s Xbox LIVE profile. Players can select from thousands of unique bodies, hairstyles, clothing, and accessories to create their own custom characters. Through the online marketplace, gamers can add themed avatar gear from dozens of video-game licenses, including Halo. From Halo-themed t-shirts, to Spartan helmets, to full suits of character armor, gamers can make their avatars look like true Halo fans, or even characters from the Halo universe.

Todd McFarlane, CEO and founder of McFarlane Toys, explains, “Rather than make up our own style of mini-figure, we decided to take advantage of the style that Xbox LIVE has established with their avatars. Since each avatar represents an individual gamer, players have a strong personal connection to their avatars. When you choose a Halo Spartan helmet for your avatar, that helmet becomes more than just a piece of some fictional character’s clothing—it becomes part of your online persona. Avatars have become the mascot of the Xbox brand. To represent the customization options available for online avatars, McFarlane Toys’ avatar figures feature interchangeable heads, torsos, and legs. Collectors can mix and match pieces to create their own custom avatar figures, much like they can with their online avatars. In addition to human characters and apparel, Halo Avatars also include various “prop” items such as Warthogs and Banshees.

Todd says, “Working with both Xbox LIVE and 343 Industries gives us access to a huge new library of Halo characters, with a fun, friendly style that is perfect for casual collectors.”

Each 2 1/2″–tall avatar figure is randomly packaged in a small, Halo-themed plastic cylinder. The top and bottom of each cylinder can be removed, and each piece can be used as a display base. The tubes can even be connected, stacking to form a multi-level display.

“With Halo Avatars,” Todd continues, “we wanted to do something as different as possible from our standard 6-inch figures. Those figures are big, game-accurate, heavily articulated, and serious. Our avatar figures are small, stylized, pre-posed, and playful. With a standard action figure, you know exactly what you’re getting. With an avatar figure, each one is a surprise. And collecting a full series of our standard figures can be a significant investment, but an avatar figure is something any fan can afford.”

The MSRP of a single avatar figure is less than three dollars. “Halo Avatars let fans get a cool new Halo toy for a fraction of the cost of a full-sized action figure,” Todd notes. With Halo Avatars, McFarlane Toys hopes to reach out to a new audience. Xbox LIVE avatars are rated E, for Everyone, so they can be enjoyed by collectors of all ages.

Halo Avatars Series 1 consists of eight random figures:

• Master Chief
• Carter
• ODST
• Flaming ODST Helmet and ODST T-Shirt
• Green Operator Helmet and Reach T-Shirt
• Elite Costume
• Warthog
• Metallic Gold Master Chief

Halo Avatars debut in fall 2012 and continues into 2013. Available at Walmart, Target, Toys “R” Us, GameStop, local comic book stores, drug stores, and other retailers. MSRP is $3.