Bring On The Bad Guys: Bane, Captain Cold, & Palpatine

Egads! Another molotov cocktail that's served as a kids drink. Say it isn't so! Say we don't have to suffer the bad guys again! Yes, sad for all of those within hearing range... you will submit!  Your lethal injection of mean is back with this month’s rendition of “Bring on the Bad Guys,” and once again we show that we don’t discriminate because of race, sex, color, or creed. If you’re rotten, you qualify. And there are many ways to qualify. It might be that you enjoy kicking cats. It might be that you eat people. Or...maybe it’s because you’re one of Satan’s soldiers. In any event, we flip through the PREVIEWS catalog each month to see who needs to be called out as a deviant, and then we explain why these people … or things … or whatever they are … shouldn’t be helped if you see them bleeding in the middle of the street.

Let us begin.

Star Wars Emperor Palpatine ARTFX+ Statue

If ever there was a poster child for why too many plastic surgeries can be hazardous to your health, it's this old guy in the black robe who's in serious need of a girlfriend. Yes, we are referring to the holiness of Hell himself, and here he is looking like he's ready to order the next round of executions for Ewoks. Should you place the Star Wars Emperor Palpatine ARTFX+ Staute (MAY178318) anywhere near those with a heart condition, we cannot gurantee their safety. This ugly prince of pain is portrayed here as he looks in Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, and his mood hasn't changed one bit. Remember when he tried to turn Luke to the dark side, and tempted him to strike down Vader? Yeah, that's the problem with a guy like Palpatine. No loyalty. He deserved to get thrown down a hole! And if you get the urge to pick him up so you can throw him down into a dark place yourself, know that this statue of him can be removed from the throne! Look for this high-end collectible from Kotobukiya in the Import Toys/Statues/Models section of the August PREVIEWS!

The Dark Knight: Bane MAF EX Figure

Quite a departure from his comic book counterpart. No feed pipes pumping into his head! But in The Dark Knight Rises, what Bane lacked in radiator hoses hooked up to his noggin, he gained in his ability to stay one step ahead of the Batman. Not to mention, his voice made it difficult for you to deduce how you could possibly thwart his intellect. The guy sounded like he had a Ph.D in world government and philosophy. Very intimidating to say the least! So imagine how you'll run the table and lead any conversation when you saddle up alongside The Dark Knight: Bane MAF EX Figure (APR178754). You'll note that his coat can be removed, and that he's equipped with interchangeable arm parts, extra hands, and a pair of broken Batman cowls. The latter accessory should make people consider keeping their big mouths shut when Bane's around. Those that don't take the hint, of course, are kindly invited to take a swing at the big guy...and get used to a broken back. Look for this imposing 6 1/4" tall figure in the Import Toys/Statues/Models section of the August PREVIEWS!

The Dark Knight: The Joker S.H.Figuarts Action Figure

What can be said about Heath Ledger's Joker that hasn't already been said? Ledger's portrayal of the Clown Prince of Crime was a game changer. It walked into the casino, and turned over every blackjack table in the room. Then it destroyed the roulette wheel. So, if you're a cinema history buff as well as a die-hard fan of Batman films, your collection will be sorely lacking credibility without The Dark Knight: The Joker S.H. Figuarts Action Figure (APR178755). Standing just over 6" tall, this chilling reproduction of Ledger's character perfectly captures the menacing stare of the Joker when you had his complete and undivided attention. Offering a new 3D printed head, this figure includes alternate heads and hands, plus a full arsenal of weapons to recreate many of his signature moments from the film. No tribute to Christopher Nolan's acclaimed film can be complete without this high-end figure! Check it out in the Import Toys/Statues/Models section of the August PREVIEWS!

DC Flash TV Reverse Flash Vinimate

Hey kids! Want to know how to grow up to become the ultimate scumbag? Want to take notes on how you, too, can dedicate your life to throwing everyone under the bus so that you can take full advantage of life, and not let pesky things like morals or scruples get in the way of your personal ambitions? Well, here's the ultimate classroom learning tool! It's called the DC Flash TV Reverse Flash Vinimate (AUG172650), and it shows Eobard Thawne with his yellow running suit that you'll recognize from The CW's hit TV series, The Flash! This Diamond Select Toys release is sculpted in the block-figure style, but don't let the design fool you. Reverse Flash easily outruns any other Vinimate in the vicinity. Fans of The Flash in comics or the TV show starring Grant Gustin will cherish this collecitble that you can find in the Diamond Select Toys section of the August PREVIEWS comic shop catalog!

DC Flash TV Captain Cold Vinimate

How can you not get enough of Wentworth Miller as Captain Cold? When was the last time since the 1960s Batman TV series that we saw an actor so easily fit into a comic book role? Wentworth was born for the role, and it has made him shine even more outside of his popularity for Prison Break. The truth is that the sly-grinning smooth-talking cool-headed Captain Cold which first appeared on The CW's The Flash was so dead-on dynamite for fans young and old that the character later went on to be a feature lead role in DC's Legends of Tomorrow! So why wouldn't you want to pick up the DC Flash TV Captain Cold Vinimate (AUG172651)? Without question, this incarnation of the famous Flash villain will be a benchmark to beat for years to come as geek culture continues to expand and win fans over. Sculpted in the block-figure style, this Vinimate can also be found in the Diamond Select Toys section of the August PREVIEWS comic shop catalog!

And once again we've done our job for the month, showing you our list of irredeemables! Go out and pick up a copy of the August PREVIEWS, and let us know your favorite villains, and who YOU want to pit against each other in a fight to the death. Hit us up on Facebook or Twitter, and let us know about your favorite bad guys.

See you next time, fiends!