GRID IRON STUDIOS

Collectors of 1:12 scale six-inch action figures, such as Hasbro's GI JOE CLASSIFIED and STAR WARS BLACK SERIES, need to check out a specialized armory depot for these types of toys. Tempe, Arizona-based Grid Iron Studios recently emerged on the toy scene to provide army builders and collectors with authentic looking accessories and weapons that add an exceptional level of realism to action figures. They have nearly a hundred made in the USA items available to purchase on their website ranging from equipment such as binoculars, communications gear and mine detectors to weapons including pistols, machine guns, and even a Ninja arsenal.

The Grid Iron Studios depot will have army builders geeked with its array of real-life military reproductions as well as movie prop replicas from action, horror and sci-fi films. Get an AK-47 that looks like it just came off a battlefield or an AR15 that has the appearance of being military issued. Also available are the pulse rifles the space marines used in Aliens, the axe Jack Nickelson swung in The Shining, and the RPG fired by Rambo in the First Blood movies. 

I follow Grid Iron Studios on Instagram and it seems as if they are introducing new products every week! And if you want to see some great images of their products being utilized check out one of my favorite toyographers the_imperial_grunt who showcases a lot of Grid Iron Studios products in his artwork. Plus, if you are on Instagram give us a follow too at Geekdad248.

I personally purchased from Grid Iron Studios a one twelfth scale howitzer to use to display with my six inch sized COBRA soldiers from the GI JOE CLASSIFIED toyline. The 105mm howitzer was released as a Kickstarter campaign to gauge interest in the company producing larger scale vehicles and weapons to make available in its arsenal. Have to say the finished product is impressive!

This realistic artillery display set included crates with shells and spent casings, communications devices, spyglasses, camouflage netting and sandbags. The cannon itself is 7.0 inches high, 6.25 inches wide, and 14.5 inches wide. Not only does this howitzer model have girth to it and proper scale to match 6 inch action figures, but it has detailed elements including a gun barrel that can be elevated and tow shovel that can be spread open and shut. 

It also has a first rate paint job to make it look great when displayed. The Grid Iron Studios Howitzer though also has very sturdy, durable construction for those who also want to play around with it. I am very pleased with my purchase. 

For more information about getting your hands on items from this depot of toy accessories or announcements on new products being released, visit gridironprops.com

Tech Manual will explain how Batman's gadgets work in "Dawn of Justice"

Though I know it's make believe, I've always been interested in how tech, gadgets and vehicles would work within their fictional comic book, novel and movie universes.  I have a shelf filled with books, blueprints and posters that contain concept art, layouts, schematics and drawings for the gadgets, vehicles and weapons used in some of my favorite Sci-Fi movies.  So it would probably be an understatement to say I was geeked to find out that DC Comics is publishing a book tied to the upcoming Warner Brothers's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice that promises to be a Tech Manual for the cool props that we'll be seeing in the movie. Batman is all about his gadgets and you know he will have an all new bat-suit, bat-mobile, bat-wing, and enough other tools and weapons to fill up a book, but the publisher also promises to have other interesting tidbits included as well including info on some of the Kryptonian tech used by Superman and the Amazonian weapons used by Wonder Woman.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice: Tech Manual is scheduled to be released on March 22, 2016 with a retail price of $39.95.  Check out the official synopsis of the book:

Batman’s tech has been reimagined and reinvigorated in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, the new blockbuster from director Zack Snyder releasing in March 2016. This book takes an exclusive, in-depth look at Batman’s arsenal, vehicles, Batsuits, and the iconic Batcave. The new Batmobile design is explored from first concept sketch, through detailed blueprints, all the way to the physical construction of the vehicle itself.

"Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Tech Manual" is a definitive guide to the weaponry and props created for the movie. It closely examines the Utility Belt, the Batwing, grappling hook and batarang. Everything in the Batcave is explored down to the construction of the set and the graphics from Bruce Wayne’s mainframe. This official volume also goes deeper in to the world of "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice," showcasing Superman’s Kryptonian suit and Wonder Woman’s iconic weaponry.

The official companion book to the new movie, "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Tech Manual," features interviews with concept artists, the film’s weapon’s master, the mechanic for the Batmobile, and Zack Snyder himself.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice arrives in theaters across the United States on March 25, 2016 a few days after the Tech Manual hits store shelves.  Fearing the actions of a god-like Super Hero left unchecked, Gotham City's own formidable, forceful vigilante takes on Metropolis' most revered, modern-day savior, while the world wrestles with what sort of hero it really needs in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.  And with Batman and Superman at war with one another, a new threat quickly arises, putting mankind in greater danger than it's ever known before.