Tonight the BIG Halo Multi/Simul-Podcast!

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Tonight’s Podcast will be LIVE for the first time ever.

As well, it’s a VERY SPECIAL podcast as it will be simulcast on twitch, and recorded by no less than two (maybe three) Halo podcasts.

I’ve teamed up HFFL’s official podcast, ‘The Spirit of Fire’, with ‘Post Game Carnage Report’ AKA PGCR for a special simulcast. We’ll both be recording at the same time and releasing our versions on our site within the next couple of days. In the meantime, you can listen LIVE starting at around 9pm EST at: http://www.twitch.tv/thehaloarray

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This podcast promises to be a long one as Myself, Robowski (Host of PGCR) and a panel of other Halo podcasters, and Halo forum owners talk about the state of Halo, in specific Halo 4, Halo Waypoint, and 343.

We’re going to discuss everything from Campaign to multiplayer to Spartan Ops, to Forge, Theater and all points in between. As well, we’ll touch on Halo Waypoint online as well as through XBOX and the smart phone ap. During all this, we’ll also be talking about our observations of 343 and their handling of the Halo franchise thus far.

Likely there is going to be some strong criticism as well as strong language folks, so be FOREWARNED.

I’ll say this, all of us in tonight’s podcast LOVE Halo. However, we’re displeased with the current state of the game and franchise. For my part, this will be my last big rant on the subject as I tire of bringing up the same points over and over. If 343 chooses to ignore us, and by us I mean the greater Halo community, not just we in this podcast, then that should serve as a clear indication as to their thoughts on we the most loyal Halo fans.

-Sal

Halo Mega Bloks Pelican for $68 at Wal*Mart (GREAT PRICE)

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As a fan of Halo Mega Bloks, you folks know I love the sets. I love them even MORE when they can be found for a great price.

While perusing Wal*Mart’s site this morning, I found that the Pelican set was being sold online for $68 and change. Folks, that’s $40 LESS than Toys R Us. While I’m a strong supporter of TRU, $40 less just can’t be beat. Normally this would be $100 at Wal*Mart anyway, so it’s a great deal no matter how you slice it.

Here’s a screenshot for proof (that shows that time stamp in the upper right corner):

MB Pelican GREAT priceNow, you’re mileage may vary, so check the site. Hopefully it’s the same nationwide. (Can’t speak for the rest of the world though…).

My wife got a bonus last week, so I asked her for this, especially since it was a great deal. She obliged in fact saying I could get the Red Spade set (shown in the bottom right corner). She’s a GEM folks! I love her DEARLY.

I chose the ship to store option so I could have this later today. Now, all this said, that price MIGHT be what it is in stores as well, but I can’t confirm this at the moment. So either call up your local store, or go there. But why waste gas or bother them with a call (when you sometimes won’t get the best customer service). Instead, get this online. BTW, it’s also FREE shipping. Not just to the store, but since it’s over $50 free to ship to your home. Sure, it will take a few more days, but again, if you want to save on gas…

Anyway, once I found this price, I KNEW i had to pass it along to you my good readers.

I’ll be a HAPPY builder later today! Look for the reviews for each in the coming days (barring some screw up with Wal*Mart – crosses fingers in hope there isn’t a problem).

-Sal

20 figure Special Edition Halo Mega Bloks figure set (for $30!!!)

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Glad to finally know what’s in this set. There are some definite gems in there that make the set WORTH the $30 sale price, IMO.

Here are some product shots found on eBay of this set:

20 MB figs front box

20 MB figs back box20 MB figs close upIn my opinion, this is a great set for several reasons.
• A ton of figures for a great price
• Army builders galore
• Previously released figures in NEW team colors
• Previously released figures sought after

Now about the price, it’s been said that it’s really $50, but on ‘Black Friday’ there will be a sale of it for $30. Even at $50 for the amount of figures and accessories plus bloks, makes this worth it.

With there being several grunts, elites and brutes, not to mention a couple of ODSTs, it’s a great deal for army builders.

The Cyan color Covenant figures have never been done in that color before. In fact Cyan is one of the lesser used colors in Mega Bloks repertoire of Halo minifigs. Yes, they aren’t game accurate for the FPS games, but come on, these are TOYS!

Some figures like the steel colored Spartans are sought after. Others like the Translucent Cyan Brute and Translucent Green CQB are great for guys like me who like translucent figs.

The green spartans are also cool as the represent the original color of the Mjolnir armor. I’m totally diggin’ that Green Recon!!!

One last thing to note is that we’re getting some great tiles with multiplayer emblems on them.

Now I can only HOPE that MEGA will make one with my gaming group’s symbol on it:
HFFL Emblem

For a further breakdown of the figures I’m going to use part of a post from a local Halo Mega Bloks collector, reader of the blog and friend, “W2daERN“:

Re-releases: 
Orange Grunt (Series 6)
Orange Spec-ops Grunt (Shade Turret)
Copper ODST (ODST Hawk)
Green CQB (TRU Dream Team)
Green Flame Marine (Various, weapon from dream team)
Green EVA (EVA’s Last Stand)
Silver ODST (ODST Battle Unit)

New Figures: 
Orange Elite Commando
Cyan Grunt
Cyan Spec-ops Grunt
Cyan Jump-Pack Brute
Cyan Brute
AC-Blue Jump-Pack Brute
Orange Elite Flight
Orange Combat Elite
Black EOD
Black Scout
Black Security
AC-Green CQB
Green Recon

Again folks, this is a GREAT deal, especially for those of you who collect Mega Bloks.

-Sal

Oh yeah, the previous Color Me this???

I posted this graphic last week. It’s the alternate cover for Halo Initiation #1.

HALO.INIT001_VARCOV_INKS_RachelDODSON

Along the way, I posted my progression of coloring this, while showing the original artist’s inkings:

Orig-Fri-Sat-Mon-Wed-Artist

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Here is what I came up with as the finished recolored piece:

Halo Initiation 1 variant BIG v7
I knew when I went to recolor this that I wanted to make this a night time setting instead. I’m pretty happy with the outcome. Hopefully that shows that you do not need to rush art as I took my time over the course of a week to finish this.

Let me know what you think of it.

-Sal

 

Color Me This: Boba Fett VS Master Chief

Here’s a rare chance to mix Halo up with another fantastic Sci-Fi franchise. Star Wars was my first ‘love’ when it comes to sci-fi. So when I saw this on Pinterest the other day, I knew it was going to become the latest ‘Color Me This’ project.

Boba Fett vs Master Chief

Your mission, download and color this in, then send back to me.

Send back as a jpg file only, do not add anything vulgar as it will not be published. Submissions to be sent to sal@halofanforlife.com

-Sal

New ‘Holiday’ ODST drop pods from Mega Bloks?

Fellow Halo Mega Bloks collector ‘Vanocean’ found these.

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It looks like these drop pods are more of a two-piece mold, so as to be used as part of the packaging. Notice there is no extra paint detail with any of them. Also, the current drop pods wouldn’t be able to be used as packaging given their multi-piece design.

I’m liking these. Looks like you get a fig, weapon, blok and of course the drop pod package. I’m curious if these will be out for the holidays. Would make sense. And besides, if you’re like me, you’ll use the drop pods for a Halo themed Christmas tree. I only with the one that came with the green ODST was bright green as the red one is bright also.

Another cool thing to note is that it looks like the ODSTs have a teeth mark paint app on their helmets. VERY cool!

Not sure on the price, but I’ll venture a guess of $5-6. Normally a blind pack fig is $3 and that comes with a weapon and stand. This having the drop pod, even if a one or two-piece thing would add the couple bucks more.

-Sal

 

IGN interviews the voice of Master Chief, Steve Downes!

IGN posted the “Podcast Unlocked Episode 117”. How befitting it is that they have Steve Downes, voice of Master Chief on the show. Okay, if you only want to here the interview, snap to 35 minutes in. (And honestly, I suggest that as what comes before is not pertinent to Halo and somewhat boring other than Naomi Kyle’s sweet voice…)

Take a listen:

      Podcast_Unlocked_Episode_117

Or download and listen to later here: Podcast_Unlocked_Episode_117 

If anything, it’s just extremely cool to here ‘Master Chief’ is a casual mode.

-Sal

New Halo finds on Pinterest!

Every week I check out Pinterest.com for Halo art to repin there and share here,

Here are this week’s finds! (Click on each to make bigger)

Pay special attention to that last one of Boba Fett vs Master Chief. That one is going to be the next “Color Me This” contest artwork, so you can get an early jump on it now if you want to!

Check out my pinterest page here! Please do as you can find who the artists are of such cool Halo works of art. And if you like their stuff, let them know!

As always, you can check out my pinterest page through the link on the right side as well on the homepage.

-Sal

Color Me This: Halo Initiation # 1 Alternate cover Almost done!

Well, I didn’t have anyone submit a re colorization of this, and that’s okay. I worked on this on Wednesday and had meant to post it yesterday but had a bad day… So I let it slide for a day.

Here is the rendering now with added color shading/highlighting.

To read the progression of this the pic shows from left to right top to bottom:

Original artwork, Friday’s progression-some color added, Saturday’s Progression-a lot more color added;
Monday’s Progression-color added to hammer, brute’s chest and arms, Wednesday’s Progression-color added to blood spatter, highlights and shadows added to both Palmer and Brute, Actual Artist’s inking.

Orig-Fri-Sat-Mon-Wed-ArtistI’ll add some more lighting and a background sometime this weekend and show the final I came up with, compared to the actual artist’s inkings.

-Sal