Saturday, December 31, 2016

2017 Preview - Astrodite and 4 More New Outer Space Men

Via the official Outer Space Men Instagram - the first news of the year for the 50th Anniversary of the Outer Space Men:

Monday, December 26, 2016

Review: Onell Design Outer Space Men Gemini Ulstriax - Fugitive from Algol

Onell Design Outer Space Men OSM Gemini Ulstriax - Fugitive from Algol Action FigureAs far as bang for the buck goes, the amount of parts in the Onell Design crossover OSM Gemini Ulstriax - Fugitive from Algol is pretty solid - and if you buy the matching companion Quallerran figure, it's even better. Not only is this a nicely decorated figure molded in light grey plastic, but Onell Design tossed in some bonus parts - dark red clear weapons of Orbitron are thrown in the bag at no extra charge. This is only the second heavily decorated version of Gemini out of a grand total of seven releases. The main, classic yellow one should be your first purchase and this Onell Design special edition should be your next stop.
[ READ THE FULL REVIEW ]

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Review: The Outer Space Men, LLC Outer Space Men Cosmic Radiation Cyclops Action Figure

The Outer Space Men, LLC Outer Space Men Cosmic Radiation Cyclops Action FigureSince its rebirth, it seems we're going to be getting a few new Outer Space Men figures like Cosmic Radiation Cyclops. A complete glow in the dark lineup has been teased, but not confirmed - so far this year alone, we've received 5 figures in glow plastic. Interestingly, the non-vintage characters haven't made the transition, nor have the first two years worth of character remakes - but teaser mock-ups make me think we can expect them all next year. I'm kind of glad they're working backwards, as these designs are a little more complex and fun as stand-alone figures... plus they're massive masses of glowing plastic.
For those keeping track at home, the first few Cyclops figures came out in 2012 with the painted one hitting in 2013. It was a gorgeous figure, and the final of four Cyclops figures until now. There's this one, and in January we're told the White Star version will also go on sale.
[READ THE FULL REVIEW]


The Outer Space Men, LLC Outer Space Men Cosmic Radiation Cyclops Action Figure

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Fugitive from Algol Revealed - OSM Gemini Ulstriax

http://database.glyos.com/2016/12/fugitive-from-algol.html
Last weekend, the Onell Design store had a "Fugitive from Algol" figure for sale.  Nobody knew what it was, other than probably being Gemini.  Earlier this morning the shipping notices started going out, and the figure was revealed to be OSM Gemini Ulstriax on the Glyos Database.  Cool!

Monday, December 12, 2016

White Star Officially Continues in January

They're coming!  Orbitron, Cyclops, and Gemini White Star figures were previewed - where else? - on the official Outer Space Men Instagram.  Here's the image, which will continue and conclude the set from SDCC and NYCC in 2013.   Unless, of course, they're going to give us an Astrodite to go with it, and I sincerely hope if they do, we see her as a White Star first.


Sunday, December 11, 2016

Cosmic Radiation Cyclops - Tonight!

Color me surprised!  The glow-in-the-dark Cosmic Radiation Cyclops will be released tonight at 9:00 PM EST on TheOuterSpaceMen.com.   Pricing is unknown, but do keep in mind there are three other figures which have been previewed that should also be coming soon. 

Also don't forget that the first two Cosmic Radiation figures Gamma X and Colossus Rex are still in stock, along with Colossus Rex 2.0, if you want to snag those and save a few nickels on shipping.

Click here to see if Cyclops is currently available.

Friday, December 9, 2016

And Gemini Makes Three - Cosmic Radiation Outer Space Men Continue

Seemingly revealing a release pattern, it would seem the entire The Outer Space Men class of 2012 will  be released in glow in the coming week(s).   Courtesy of their Instagram, here's a look at Gemini!
Assuming there is a next batch, it would seem reasonable to believe we'd see a full group of four - either the class of 2011 or 2010.  I'd hope for 2010 first, I really would love to see Astro-Nautilus and Inferno in this format.

Cosmic Radiation Outer Space Men - Orbitron Incoming

Courtesy/stolen from the Official Outer Space Men Instagram, it's Orbitron!   "Coming soon," we don't know when "soon" is but I'd wager it will be in the $20-$30 range.

Thursday, December 8, 2016

More Cosmic Radiation Outer Space Men with Cyclops

https://www.instagram.com/p/BNx9yN0BNn-/?taken-by=the_outer_space_men
More glowing Outer Space Men are coming!  What appears to be Cosmic Radiation Cyclops was previewed late Thursday night on the official Outer Space  Men Instagram Page with a tease of availability next week.  More as we have it!

Onell Design Drops New Outer Space Men

New from Onell Design right now! But what is it?

Click here to see if it's still available at the new Onell Design store.

Also up for grabs are Gremlins-themed Nobotos and a Master Chief-inspired Glyan.

Also, a little birdie told me to expect more from another outlet soon - stay tuned!  (I'm not being coy, I genuinely don't know what it is that will be gong up for sale yet.

Thursday, October 6, 2016

Review: The Outer Space Men, LLC Outer Space Men Cosmic Radiation Edition Colossus Rex Action Figure

The Outer Space Men, LLC Outer Space Men Cosmic Radiation Edition Colossus Rex Action FigureI would be a hack to say this figure deserves glowing reviews. I'll do it anyway. While the mock-ups for this Outer Space Men figure were painted white plastic, this glowing Cosmic Radiation Edition Colossus Rex is 5-inches-and-change of solid glow-in-the-dark plastic. If you collect these guys, you're probably wondering how the glow plastic of this convention exclusive (available this weekend in New York at NYCC) stacks up against other Glyos figures. I can say that the 2010 glow Metamorpho and the 2011 glow Electron+ are a little paler, a little more boney in color than this guy. Glow Rex is a near-perfect match to the many other Onell Design (and adjacent) glow Glyos figures like glow Gobon, Leyden, and many many others. They all vary a tiny bit, but it's superbly close. 
[ READ THE FULL REVIEW ]

Thursday, September 29, 2016

Review: Four Horsemen Outer Space Men Chrome Accessories Set

Four Horsemen Outer Space Men Chrome Accessories SetOne of the very last releases for The Outer Space Men before its end - which, it turned out, would just be a 2 1/2-year hiatus - was a sack of Chrome Accessories created to go with some customized figures for a Galactic Holiday Phase just a few months prior. These were extras - so if you wanted some silver weapons to outfit your figures for any custom reasons, here you are. The weapons for Ohpromatem and Horroscope match those of Metamorpho and Xodiac's 2010 Galactic Holiday figures, respectively - if you got the silver ones. Gold ones were sold as well.
[ READ THE FULL REVIEW ]

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Review: Onell Design Outer Space Men Alpha 7 Zekroyas


Onell Design Outer Space Men Alpha 7 Zekroyas Action FigureThe gap between the first and second The Outer Space Men Onell Design specials was five years. Five years. Thankfully Alpha 7 Zekroyas was only 3 months after the last one, bringing the man from the red planet back as a figure that's not only red, but has a unique color layout. It's not just a color-swap, but there are significant changes to where you'll find paint this time around. If you've been collecting this line for a while you may have six (or seven, if you dig variants) and more or less know what to expect. This is the first wholly original painted version to see release in quite some time, as the original Alpha 7 [FOTD #388] was based on a toy from the 1960s, and Alpha 11 [FOTD #744] was inspired of a contemporary - and ultimately unreleased - redeco. The Zekroyas version from Onell Design is a match for the Crayboth and Quallerran figures released at the same time, so they're siblings in a way. I'm super keen on figures painted like the Outer Space Men so I picked those up, too.
[ READ THE FULL REVIEW ]

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Review: Outer Space Men Cosmic Radiation Edition Gamma-X

The Outer Space Men, LLC Outer Space Men Cosmic Radiation Edition Gamma-X Action FigureWhen the announcement of new glowing "Cosmic Radiation" figures came up, I commented that these would be in addition to three existing glowing figures. I was told that the first Gamma-X [FOTD #939] didn't glow, but it does - just not very well. Regardless of the confusion, it's telling because it proves that Cosmic Radiation Edition Gamma-X 100% needed to exist. The original 2014 figure was a top-notch update of the original Colorforms prototype, matching the color and everything. It just didn't match the original action feature - that is, to glow in the dark. If you've bought both figures, you've got one that looks right and one that looks right, and this new 2016 convention exclusive is actually $1 cheaper than its dim-glowing counterpart. I'm not saying it's 100% better, but it's different enough that I think you've got reason to potentially buy both if you're so inclined.
[ READ THE FULL REVIEW ]

Friday, September 9, 2016

Cosmic Radiation Gamma-X On Sale Online Now

http://www.theouterspacemen.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=24&Itemid=26
The Outer Space Men Shop has just added the Star Trek Mission New York Exclusive Cosmic Radiation Gamma-X figure.  $25.00, get them while they're gettable! 

A full review of this figure will go live next week, so come back for that.  And then you'll probably never hear about this one here again.

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

New Alpha 7 - Zekroyas Special Edition at Onell Design

http://www.onelldesign.com/store/
Right now - RIGHT NOW - the Onell Design shop has this Zekroyas Special Edition Alpha 7 Outer Space Men figure crossover!    He's $12 (cheap) and will probably be sold out before you see this post.

Click here to order yours.

Review: Four Horsemen Outer Space Men Infinity Edition Colossus Rex 2.0 Action Figure


Four Horsemen Outer Space Men Infinity Edition Colossus Rex 2.0 Action FigureSince taking a nap in 2014, it seemed that the Outer Space Men toy line was done. Well, it seems that with Colossus Rex 2.0 the manufacturing duties are being handled by the licensors, rather than the Four Horsemen, although the original packaging templates and figure toolings are brought back to make a similar-but-different release. If you bought the 2014 original, good on you - it got expensive on eBay and Amazon if and when one showed up for sale. Based on some rough numbers at least 1,000 are estimated to exist of the original, and most fans ultimately just wanted the painted ones - so thankfully Gary Schaeffer brought this one back with a bluish deco variant. If you just want a painted Colossus Rex, either version of this 5-inch-and-change titan should be just fine for your shelves.
[ READ THE FULL REVIEW ]

Friday, September 2, 2016

Gamma-X Glows Crazy at Star Trek Mission New York - On Sale Friday Online

UPDATE! We now have confirmation it will go up for sale on TheOuterSpaceMen.com August 9 at 9:00 PM Eastern.

 If you're in New York City right now, the Outer Space Men team has a booth at Javits Center for Star Trek Mission New York.   There, you can pick up the new Colossus Rex 2.0 ($30, review next week) and/or Cosmic Radiation Gamma-X ($25, review the following week).   You might be asking "Well, is it worth it?"

Yes.  Absolutely yes.

To the right, you'll see two Gamma-X figure.  On the left is the bone-colored 2014 Infinity Edition version, sold carded by the Four Horsemen for $26.   To the right, the 2016 convention bagged exclusive which glows like crazy.

I put both under a black light bulb to charge them up, and the difference is pretty striking.  This is an unmodified photograph, with no adjustments to the brightness settings.   If you love things that glow, get the new one this weekend and/or if/when it shows up for sale on TheOuterSpaceMen.com.

Thursday, September 1, 2016

Outer Space Men Cosmic Radiation Gamma-X This Weekend in New York

https://www.instagram.com/p/BJogUHwBTR_/?taken-by=the_outer_space_men
This weekend!  Cosmic Radiation Gamma-X is on sale in New York at the Star Trek: Mission New York convention.  $25, booth #426, ask for Gary.   It's $1 cheaper than the previous Infinity version.

At this time we don't know when he'll be sold online, so get it now when you can - unlike the 2014 release, this one is cast in glorious Onell Design-quality glow-in-the-dark plastic so it will turn your dark room green with envy.

And yes, we're gonna have a review up in a couple of days, because we love you and we love this toy.  In theory.  You'll have to read the review to know for sure.

Sunday, August 28, 2016

Glow In the Dark Outer Space Men Cosmic Radiation Bonus Gear

Via the official Outer Space Men Instagram:


A note: at this time we don't know how/when/if these will be distributed online or outside the conventions.   One may make assumptions but nothing was confirmed just yet that we have seen.   Also, the only two Cosmic Radiation figures with dates are Gamma-X and Colossus Rex, both of which will be in the hands of New York-based convention-goers during the first two weeks of October.
An update (8/29/2016): some fans who ordered Colossus Rex 2.0 are reporting getting some of these accessories in the box.  Spiffy!

Thursday, August 25, 2016

New Outer Space Men Friday Night - Colossus Rex Returns

https://www.instagram.com/p/BJiRqfzjXtY/?taken-by=the_outer_space_men
They're back, again, Friday night!  In about 20 hours, you can get Colossus Rex 2.0 - the bluish variant.  Check it out on the Instagrams.

The official Outer Space Men account also teases a couple of other figures and word on them in 12 hours.  I'm all ears.   The guy to the right goes on sale Friday night at 9:00 PM Eastern over at TheOuterSpaceMen.com.   Word has it he's $30 and if you saw the 1.0 version's going rate on eBay, $30 is quite a bargain.  (If you've followed inflation on toy manufacturing in China over the last few years, it ain't bad either.)

Anyway.  More are coming, this one's first, keep an eye on this space for more, don't ask why just buy buy buy, etc.   I'll have a review up as soon as time and space permits.

Saturday, August 13, 2016

The Outer Space Men Continue - 3 More Figures by October

The Outer Space Men are returning!  (Again!)   The last new wave of painted figures was a huge hit, with the 2 classic characters - Colossus Rex and Gamma X - selling so well that they will now cost you a lot of money.   (And that's assuming you can find them for sale.  Good luck.)

The fine folks behind the line are reissuing them with some improvements, along with a glow-in-the-dark Colossus Rex for the very first time. Gary Schaffer was kind enough to reach out with some details... and unrequested commentary added by yours truly.



Colossus Rex 2.0 - this will debut on the official Outer Space Men web site, and will also be sold at Star Trek Mission New York (September 2-4) and also New York Comic Con (October 6-9).  The figure is slightly closer in the rich color of the original Colorforms release nearly 50 years ago, but includes gold - rather than purple - accessories.  

If you missed the original figure, this is a much cheaper alternative to the secondary market.  If you didn't, it's different enough that you may wish to get one anyway.   $30, carded - this figure will feature new graphic design and new logos on the packaging as the Four Horsemen are no longer selling these.


Gamma X Cosmic Radiation - This will debut at Star Trek Mission New York (September 2-4).  The original Infinity Gamma X was covered in a light layer of glowing paint, which didn't glow fairly well.   It was colored similarly to the original prototype figure, but didn't glow well.  The new Cosmic Radiation edition is cast in glow plastic and looks like it will brighten the night.   It's a worthwhile upgrade.  $25, bagged.


Colossus Rex Cosmic Radiation - The New York Comic Con exclusive for The Outer Space Men will bow October 6-9.   This mock-up shows silver detailing added to the figure with silver accessories.  (Silver accessories were previously made available with the Ni Stuff handmade Galactic Holiday 2013 figures, and also as a set from the Four Horsemen Store.)   $25, bagged.

At press time the only figure we know will be sold online is Colossus Rex 2.0 - I'll post more as updates become available.

Friday, August 12, 2016

Review: Four Horsemen Outer Space Men White Star Mystron Action Figure


Four Horsemen Outer Space Men White Star Mystron Action FigureDid you know that The Outer Space Men toy line turns 50 this year? It's true! The space race got people really excited about space and space toys, until we landed on the moon and everybody got bored. Because of that, the original prototype figure that led to White Star Mystron was never produced - but we got little versions of him now for a fairly nice price. If you've been following these reviews - and I've only got a couple left to write - you no doubt know that a lot of the early figures share a ton of parts, which coincided with lower pricing. Everybody won! ...initially. This Mystron was in a Comic-Con exclusive from 2013, after each figure had a minimum of 4 or 5 releases in various colors. The higher prices and reduced paint was sort of a slap in the face. I still bought it - and I basically like it, even though it'd make a better custom base than a play or display toy. Also I get to say that I own a White Devil action figure. 
[ READ THE FULL REVIEW ]

Thursday, July 28, 2016

Astrodite: Yup, Still Coming

https://www.instagram.com/p/BIPvdznh02i/
It has been a few years since the figure was revealed to a mostly ambivalent public in New York, but hey - she's coming!  Astrodite is the Woman from Venus, and was the only figure shown to the public which hadn't been produced.  It looks like that may change - the official Outer Space Men Instagram showed a couple of shots with the caption "She is coming!"

Really, what else is there to say?

Monday, July 4, 2016

Cosmic Radiation Edition Outer Space Men Coming This Month

https://www.instagram.com/p/BHXE-IYhZnX/
Announced via Instagram on July 2, Cosmic Radiation Edition Outer Space Men are coming - somewhere, on some day roughly 3 weeks from now, at an undisclosed price.

For the paranoid among us, three weeks from the post date would put it squarely during San Diego Comic-Con, thus being something of an issue for those otherwise occupied with travel and feat of fast sell-outs.  Hopefully it won't be until after the show, but one can never predict these things.

This selection of 8 figures is the same as the first White Star box - Commander Comet, Xodiac, Metamorpho, Alpha 7, Electron+, Astro-Nautilus, Inferno, and Mystron.

For those keeping track, there have been three figures which boast glow-in-the-dark features previously.  Metamorpho in 2010 was cast in a pale glow plastic with yellow clear accessories.   Electron+ was made in the same glow colors but with purple accessories in 2011.  In 2014, we got a Gamma-X with painted glow over its frame, but the quality of the glow was pretty rotten.

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Review: Onell Design Outer Space Men Orbitron Diversus


Onell Design Outer Space Men Orbitron Diversus Action FigureLong pauses are as much a part of The Outer Space Men as space itself. The original line took a nap after its 1966 debut until 2010, and every year we'd see a surge of freshness around July with the line usually being over and done with by January until the next July. Selling out faster than you can say "give Uncle Scrotor a hug," Orbitron Diversus was the last new releases were the final "Infinity Edition" figures from February 2014. In that time, the rights to The Outer Space Men reverted back to the brand's owners, which means you're probably not going to see a heck of a lot of new sculpting but you might see more new releases now that the ball is rolling again. I hope. I mean, it's been 50 years - toy nostalgia usually peters out for most adults before they turn 40. Onell Design's new crossover Orbitron takes cues from its original inspiration - notably the Metaluna Mutant from This Island Earth.
[ READ THE FULL REVIEW ]

Saturday, June 18, 2016

Overview: The Killer Xodiac

Xodiac!   Man of Saturn, born of Outer Space!   The Outer Space Men had a significant number of repaints, most of which were interesting, and also there was a White Star version.   The only one you don’t see in the above photos is the Galactic Holiday variant - there was a gold accessory version (pictured) and a silver accessory version which I do not have.  I hate that kind of variant, but hey, if you’re sellin’ I’m buyin’.

This is a remake of another figure from 1964, which was a bendable figure like Gumby and Major Matt Mason.  The newer, smaller figures from The Four Horsemen (and the Glyos factory) can pop apart at each joint, allowing you to swap arms, legs, heads, and other pieces to your liking.  It’s fun in practice, great for customizers, but if you’re just a guy with a lot of toys it isn’t terribly useful in the long run.   But if you ever wanted to see what someone looks like with mismatched pants?  It’s handy.  It doesn’t hurt anything.


With 9 distinctive mass-produced versions (plus a weapon variant) Xodiac has more variation going on than pretty much everybody.   At Comic-Con in 2010, he was one of the first four figures with his clear neon orange Alpha Phase release.   I have a hard time picking a favorite, as there are so precious few action figures which include the planet Saturn impaled on a stick for my amusement.



They all more or less share the same name, but the gold one - pictured above carded with the original name - was christened “Goldiac” by the creator, Mel Birnkrant.  He’s notable in that he has a beard that is painted a unique color that does not match his skin.   He’s Xodiac’s pop.  

Also interesting, Xodiac’s weapon received a semi-late change before production in 2010.  The butt of the gun is actually a Glyos peg, whereas the mechanicals for it (seen here with the PMS colors: http://database.glyos.com/2011/08/xodiac-glyaxia-command.html) show it rounded off.

Now if you want my sentimental favorite, that’s Glyaxia Command Xodiac.  The Glyos people were kind enough to give me an early look at it at SDCC 2011, and I was kinda ridiculously giddy to have it.   The figure also sold out almost immediately - not unusual for an Onell Design drop, as they cultivated a fanbase who shows up on time to buy.  Just tell them where to go, they’ll be there.
Anyway - Xodiac got a lady friend, the horrifying Horroscope, in 2013 and 2014.  The head looks more like  triple-eyed Cthulhu, with tremendous breasts and a booty to match - just like you want from the alien space creature of your nightmares, envisioned through the prism of Harvey Kurtzman’s cartooning.   She only got three figures - a clear purple one, a White Star one, and the fully-painted one.  I kind of hope they do more.

Want more Outer Space Men reviews? http://www.16bit.com/fotd/land-outerspacemen.asp

Saturday, June 11, 2016

Overview: Astro-Nautilus Thus Far

More Outer Space Men!  I haven’t done an updated complete group shot in a while - maybe I will if we get another Astro-Nautilus - but these shots cover the major bases.  The four-armed creature from a planet associated with a god of the sea, Astro-Nautilus was one of the most memorable figures from the original line-up.   If you saw pictures of the original bendable toys, you didn’t forget this one.

Each tentacle on the 3 3/4-inch scale alien is two pieces, and each leg is three.  The pieces all rotate and allow for mixing and matching.  The designer Mel Birnkrant incorporated a couple of loops on the staff, allowing a tentacle to slither through on the giant 1960s bendy figure as well as the modern action figures pictured above.

Like many figures, many Outer Space Men from the modern incarnation are more popular (and tougher to find now) in their “regular” incarnations, with the lower-run, often 300-piece exclusives slowly declining in price while their painted peers go up. Later waves are particularly pricey now, and from the look of things this week’s new Orbitron Diversus edition might be as low as 100 pieces.  (We don't know, but it sold fast.)

What’s really amazing was the price range on these guys.  Most of them started at $10 - a  bargain!  As time went on, prices went up.  The largely unadorned white one was part of a big boxed set of 8 figures for $115, which makes it a little over $14.   The black suit one was sold first at a gallery show I was at for $125  with an art print and only 4 figures, or about $30 depending on what value you put on the art print.
I took the above photos in numerous places for several reviews over many years, and they’re pretty inconsistent.  However, you’ve now seen every modern era Astro-Nautilus save for the gold staff variant of the red one, which I do not have.  If you like space toys whose designs largely hail prior to the moon landing, these are some you should absolutely look up - along with the Marx Mystery Ship and of course Mattel’s own Major Matt Mason.  After the moon landing, space toys were a tough sell without a major media tie-in.   Thanks for nothing, New Frontier.

Here’s a review of the White Star one: http://www.16bit.com/fotd/130801-white-star-astro-nautilus.asp
Here’s a review of the Cosmic Creators Four Horsemen edition in green: http://www.16bit.com/fotd/130124-osm-4h-cc-astro-nautilus-neonautilus.asp
If you want more reviews, here’s a list:
http://www.16bit.com/fotd/land-outerspacemen.asp

Monday, June 6, 2016

New Outer Space Men - Really! - Orbitron Diversus Special Edition

http://www.onelldesign.com/store/
The Onell Design Store has the latest Outer Space Man - it's been a while!  The Orbitron Diversus has 2 weapons and is, as I type this, almost sold out.  It's colored a lot like the Metaluna Mutant from This Island Earth, and it's awesome.  So awesome.  And $18.   And fast on track to selling out.

Click here to see if the shop is up, and if any are left.