Review: Four Horsemen Outer Space Men Alpha Phase Cyclops Action Figure

The tallest Glyos-compatible figure yet, Cylcops debuted in the summer of 2012 in this swell blue color. It matches similar Inferno, Alpha 7, Electron+, and Astro-Nautilus figures sold since 2010 and is part of a 3-figure, $50 set. That's a bit of an increase, but well, that's life. New tooling costs money and rising costs in China are going to make a lot of people remember the good old days when companies only charged six bucks for a figure. Towering over the other Outer Space Men, Cyclops also has the most gear with removable armor, a giant helmet, and swappable hands. This time around, the character had open hands or closed fists to carry his twin ray guns. It's an impressive specimen, although one that almost feels like it might collapse under its own weight.
[ READ THE FULL REVIEW ]

Video: The History of the Outer Space Men

From the bowels of YouTube, check out this promotional video talking about the history of the Outer Space Men.  Narrated  by Mel Birnkrant, you get to see and hear a great overview of the rise and fall of the original 1960s bendable pre-action figures.   Be sure to check this out.

New Outer Space Men Figures Arriving - Surprise!

UPDATE: More notes below.  The painted Cyclops/Orbitron/Gemini showed up at my house from FedEx while I was away at lunch.  The Four Horsemen never sent a tracking number or shipping confirmation so be sure to check around your homes tonight if you pre-ordered these, I certainly was not yet expecting them.

More pics later! Some quick notes from the 30 seconds I've had them out of the shipping box - Orbitron is astonishingly bright and cheery, while the metallic Cyclops may be one of the most gorgeous things I've sever seen.  If you normally store your toys in the dark (like me!) be sure to take them near a window or some sunlight because you may well be impressed.

It's a nice batch, but every non-clear piece of plastic is completely covered in paint to hide the white plastic.   A lot of Masters of the Universe Classics figures as of late were cast in black and painted, and with the Outer Space Men the results are largely positive.  Cyclops looks amazing, although metallic paint's long-term prognosis is up for grabs - I've got a C-3PO from 2000 that turned green and molted.  Orbitron looks wonderful.  Gemini's yellow looks a little dirty, but it could be my imagination.   Cyclops will make you weep.

Review: Four Horsemen Outer Space Men Beta Phase Orbitron Action Figure

Here's a good one. Debuting at New York Comic Con, Orbitron was a fairly quick sell-through online. Given the price it's somewhat surprising, as the New York trio was $15 more than the San Diego versions. Perhaps this is because the colors were way cooler? I think so.

One of the teller figures in this line so far, which makes it one of the tallest Glyos-compatible figures you can get, Orbotron is held together with Glyos pegs. The swivels in the biceps are the smaller Glyos peg (found in Alpha 7 and Gemini) while the rest are pretty standard Glyos fare, allowing you to swap them to your heart's content.
[ READ THE FULL REVIEW ]

Review: Four Horsemen Outer Space Men Galactic Holiday Orbitron Action Figure

There were some pretty big price changes in 2012, and this version of Orbitron came out at the lower end of the wave near the end of the year. Heck, you could even get free shipping if you ordered at the right time! As the third clear Orbitron figure, one would think the mold was getting a little played out but one would be wrong. The figure sizzles in blue, and the opaque accessories look way better than the clear ones we're always getting.
[ READ THE FULL REVIEW ]

New Outer Space Men Figures Pre-Sale Start Sunday

The Four Horsemen confirmed Waves 5 and 6 of Outer Space Men will go up for sale this Sunday and if history is any indication, the 9 PM EST launch is a good guesstimate - expect they'll be up by Monday morning.  The set is a fairly reasonable $50.  (For the record, the Alpha Phase and Galactic Holiday Phase were $50 each, while the Beta Phase was $65.)  Figures are expected to ship in late March.

After this wave, only 2 original OSM figures remain to be released (Gamma X and Colossus Rex will likely be starting as SDCC exclusives in July) with a few new characters like Jack Asteroid and Terra Firma expected to join them.

Review: Four Horsemen Outer Space Men 2.0 Metamorpho Action Figure

Thousands of years ago, series creator Mel Birnkrant posted on a forum that the original Metamorpho did not quite meet his expectations. He was hoping the figure's helmet would be cast in a translucent white color and suggested you swap the painted figure's helm with a glow-in-the-dark one to achieve the desired effect to allow more light in to help the face glow while inside the helmet. A tricky innovation, to be sure, but Mr. Birnkrant is quite the lightsmith when it comes to his toys. He knows what light can do to make them look better.
[ READ THE FULL REVIEW ]