Portal Masters will delight in Skylanders Halloween costumes

Just in case you are still looking for that perfect Halloween costume for a young Portal Master, Skylanders costumes are still readily available with fan-favorite characters like Spyro, Jet-Vac, Snapshot, Wallop, Chop Chop, and the most evilest, evildoer of all, Kaos. You can pick up your favorites at Party City and Walmart retail locations nationwide or have one sent to you via expedited shipping from Amazon or BuyCostumes.com:

KAOS

Available -- Amazon & Walmart

SPYRO

Available -- Amazon & Party City

CRUSHER

Available -- Amazon & Party City

 

JETVAC

Available -- Amazon & Party City

SNAPSHOT

Available -- Amazon, Party City & Walmart

WALLOP

Available Amazon & Walmart

CHOP CHOP

Available -- Amazon & BuyCostumes.com

 

The newest edition of the Skylanders video game franchise just arrived on store shelves on October 16, 2016.  CLICK HERE to check out A Geek Daddy's overview of all the fun new additions players can enjoy with IMAGINATORS.

Wild Kratts Creature Power Suits

** A Geek Daddy was provided the featured product for free to review **

I often get compliments from adults who interact with my children about how impressive it is that I've taught them so many interesting facts about animals and nature which makes me smirk because the truth is they've learned much of it from watching the television show WILD KRATTS on PBS.  My 7 year old twins have been viewing this animated show about two brothers who utilize special creature power suits that let them mimic animal abilities since they were preschoolers and it is still one of their favorite programs on television.  So my kids were thrilled when WICKED COOL TOYS found out they were huge fans of the series and sent them some fun show themed products so they could enjoy a summer full of Wild Kratt adventures.

To help spur imaginative play, Wicked Cool Toys has created a Wild Kratts Creature Power Suit so that kids can run around the woods, playground, backyard or house pretending they are utilizing the same technology as highlighted in the television show.  My kids were whining they had nothing to do just before I gave them these Creature Power Suits and it really is amazing how something as simple as a nicely decorated set of a vest and gloves could quickly change their mood motivating them to want to go outside and play.  They've spent hours having fun outside wearing their new Creature Power Suits racing around the nature trails by our house, the local playground, and our yard pretending to utilize animal abilities in pretend play.  I have to admit it has been rather amusing watching my daughter hopping around pretending to use her Kangaroo powers and my son flapping his arms around acting out his falcon powers.  While they have been providing me with some chuckles, more importantly these play outfits have motivated my kids to get outside and be active not only exercising their muscles while they act out their creature powers but also their brains as they've been really creative in the adventures they've imagined up.

While simplistic in design, the Wild Kratts Creature Power Suits are actually very nicely put together and have been durable in withstanding some rugged play by my kids.  They have velcro straps to make the vests adjustable for kids in the age range of 4 to 8 years old as they fit children's sizes 4 - 6x.  My twins are in 6/7 children's clothes sizes so they are at the larger side of wearing these costumes so I'm really glad they were able to get a chance to have some fun with these costumes probably the last summer before they get too big to enjoy them. The vest and gloves are made of 100% polyester fiber and have some really nice embroidery providing nice details to the look of the costume.  The material is very soft to touch and my kids say the vest and gloves are really comfortable to wear.

Each costume also includes a couple of plastic discs with the image of an animal on it.  Kids can store one disc in a holder on their glove and place the other in a holder on the front of the vest to "activate" that creature's power.  My daughter has a kangaroo disc which has her hopping all about and a giraffe one so you see her pretending to stretch her neck all about.  My son has falcon disc so he's pretending to fly all about and a cheetah disc so he's doing wind sprints around the yard running as fast as he can.   Additional discs for a variety of other animals are also included in the 2-pack and 4-pack boxes of 3" Wild Kratts sculpted figurines.

Each of these toy packs includes either a Chris or Martin figure with the 4-pack featuring three animals to go along with the Kratt brother and four creature power discs.  2-packs include one of the Kratt brothers and one animal plus one power disc.  These are a perfect size for taking along to keep kids amused while traveling.  We have a few long drives coming up for some family road trips and will be taking these along for the twins to play with during the car rides.

Whether watching an episode of Wild Kratts on television or playing pretend adventures outside, Wicked Cool Toys can help immerse children into the world of this great animated series.  Our family has appreciated Wild Kratts TV show because it is both educational and entertaining and the Wicked Cool Toys lineup of themed products fits that same bill. Do you know a child who would love to play out his or her very own creature adventures? These Wild Kratts products are available at Kmart, Toys R Us, PBS Kids Shop Online and Amazon.com.  For more information, visit wickedcooltoys.com.

5 Ways Comic Books Can Make Your Halloween More Fun

Halloween has always been one of my favorite times of the year ever since I was a little kid ... haunted houses, trick-or-treating, scary movies are fun thrills to enjoy throughout the month of October. Enjoying comic books can be another great way to enhance the spooky vibe of the Halloween season.  Here are 5 ways comic books can impact your Halloween spirit:

5.  WATCH CONSTANTINE ON NBC

Constantine is a new television series on NBC premiering on Friday, October 24, 2014 at 10pm ET/PT.  The series will focus on John Constantine a dark exorcist, occult detective and con man who is struggling with his past sins as he attempts to protect humanity from a gathering supernatural threat.  Constantine is based on the Hellblazer comic book originally published by DC Comics and more recently by its Vertigo imprint.

4. MONSTER THEMED DC COMIC BOOK COVERS

During the month of October, DC Comics will be publishing variant covers with a MONSTER theme for a variety of their comic book titles.  Keep an eye out for these spooky covers on the store shelves of your local comic book shop.

Action Comics #35

Batgirl #35

Batman #35

Batman & Robin #35

3.  DRESS UP AS YOUR FAVORITE SUPERHERO 

Show off your Super Hero Spirit by dressing your family up together with an Avengers or Justice League theme for Halloween.

Avengers: Captain America, Black Widow, The Hulk & Thor

 Justice League: Batman, Green Lantern, the Flash & Wonder Woman

2. WATCH THE WALKING DEAD ON AMC

If you enjoy being spooked out  than the AMC cable network's hit series The Walking Dead is a must watch show.  The premise of the television series now in its fifth season is that an epidemic of apocalyptic proportions has swept the globe. Now the dead  are walking the world with a hunger to feed on the dwindling number of survivors who manage to stay alive. 

The television show is based on The Walking Dead comic book series published by Image Comics starting in 2003 and is a still ongoing monthly serial.  In 2010 it received the Eisner Award for Best Ongoing Series.  Eisner Awards are like Emmy Awards for comic books recognizing the best in the industry each year.  The Walking Dead comic books are also a great read, especially during this time of year.  They are printed in black & white which enhances the horrific nature of the stories.

1. TRICK OR TREAT AT YOUR LOCAL COMIC BOOK STORE

On Saturday, October 25th participating comic book stores across the country will be giving out FREE Halloween themed comics to people, with or without a costume, who stop by that day.  There are 12 full size comic books being given out ranging from AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE to SCOOBY DOO TEAM UP WITH BATMAN.   There will also be 7 mini comics given out ranging from ANGRY BIRDS to VAMPLETS: THE UNDEAD PET SOCIETY.  Make sure to swing by and pick up these treats being given out for absolutely FREE!!!!

Visit www.halloweencomicfest.com to find participating comic book stores or for more information.

How Much is a Used Storm Trooper Boot Worth?

How much is a used storm trooper boot worth? I guess we'll find out on October 16th when Prop Store auctions off in London more than 375 original television show and movie costumes and props including a hover board prop used by Michael J Fox in Back to the Future (1989), a Batman suit & cape used onscreen by the stunt double in Batman Returns (1992) and a storm trooper boot from Star Wars: A New Hope (1977).  Can't jump the pond to participate don't worry because the auction will also be carried live via the Internet to let people around the world in on the action.  You can also register and enter a pre-auction bid on an item if you want to just throw out a number you'd be willing to pay for a collectible and see if you can win.  CLICK HERE to see the entire catalog of movie memorabilia up for auction by Prop Store.

A few items I'd throw on my wish list is the Blue Harvest crew cap [a bit of trivia is that to try and keep the filming of Return of the Jedi a secret they called the movie Blue Harvest during its production], the Ralph McQuarrie Star Trek StarFleet Headquarters Painting [McQuarrie did the concept art to assist with the production of many of the Sci-Fi/Fantasy movies of the 1970s and 1980s & is one of my favorite artists] and the Antarctic Ancient Control Chair used in the television shows Stargate SG-1 (1997) and Stargate Atlantis (2004-2009) [which are two of my favorite tv shows from the old SciFi Friday days of the SyFy Channel].  The auction catalog features appraised values of items [in pounds not dollars] but they could go for lower or higher amounts based upon bidder interest and the reserve [lowest bid seller will accept] on the prop or costume.  A certificate of authenticity from a reputable appraiser is provided for each prop and costume to help preserve the value of items purchased in the auction.

Unfortunately while I find the props and costumes featured in this auction really incredible and would love to showcase them at my home or office, the prices are most likely going to be way out of the ballpark for my participation.  A biker scout helmet used in Return of the Jedi is appraised to go for around 8,000 to 10,000 pounds for example and the storm trooper boot I mentioned earlier is appraised to go for 800 to 1,200 pounds.  You may be able to find something somewhat affordable and interesting if you really look through the catalog though such as a Ralph McQuarrie Christmas Card that was sent out by LucasFilm to the cast and crew of Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back that is appraised in the range of 80 to 100 pounds.

If you would really love to have a piece from one of your favorite movies or television shows this could be the chance to pickup a one of a kind collectible that you can appreciate and cherish for a long time...I just would advise against spending your children's college fund for a prop or costume no matter how cool it is.  I'm pretty sure there are some people out there contemplating that after taking a look through this auction's fantastic catalog.

 For more information or to participate in the Prop Store Auction visit: www.propstore.com/liveauction

Celebrate Batman's 75th Birthday with a Warner Brothers Studio VIP Tour

Wow! wish I could afford to fly the family out to LA for a trip to check out this special exhibit Warner Brothers Studio is putting on for Batman's 75th anniversary.  For a limited time, visitors to the WB studios in Burbank California, can participate in a Batman themed VIP tour that whisks you around the back lot sets to show you familiar sights you've seen in the Batman movies and than through a special exhibit where you can get a close up look at the vehicles, props, and costumes that appeared on the silver screen.  During the 2 hour 15 minute tour, expert tour guides will accompany you as they show you iconic locations from the Batman films and lead you through a newly-transformed Studio Tour museum that has its entire ground floor dedicated to the Caped Crusader.  The tours consist of 12 people per group that leaves every 15 minutes from the start off point so you have to reserve a date and time slot to go so you are assured a semi-private encounter through the "Batcave" exhibit as you wander through it.  You can reserve a time slot and purchase tickets online.  It costs $54 per person for the #WBBatmanTour.  If you have younger children, you should note too that children must be 8 years or older to participate in the tour.

Six iconic Batsuits will be on display including the original version worn by Michael Keaton in Batman and the final Christian Bale costume from The Dark Knight Rises. The cowls from all the Batman movies are also on display. You’ll get see a wide range of authentic costumes including those worn by Poison Ivy, The Riddler, Mr Freeze and Catwoman as well as some infamous prop weapons such as the Joker’s cards, Two-Face’s coin, Penguin’s umbrella and Bane’s bomb. A selection of the Dark Knight’s most iconic vehicles are also showcased – with the Bathammer, Bat-Pod and Tumbler taking center stage. The Bat-Signal, used to call Bruce Wayne’s alter ego at a time of need, will be on display and you’ll get the chance to operate the famous prop yourself and get a photo op.

CLICK HERE for more information about the Warner Brothers Studios Batman Exhibit.