More S.H. MonsterArts Pics From Tamashii Nations 6

S.H. MonsterArts Final Wars Gigan Coming

Preview : Godzilla Rulers Of Earth #5 And Jeff Zornow Cover Sketches

From FlickeringMyth and also check out the interview with Chris Mowry and Jeff Zornow. 

CREATURE FEATURE : Reptilicus

Reptilicus, a giant monster film about a fictional prehistoric reptile, is a Danish-American co-production, produced by American International Pictures and Saga Studios, and is—upon close examination—two distinctly different films helmed by two different directors.
The original version, which was shot in Danish, was directed by Danish director Poul Bang and released in Denmark on February 25, 1961.
The American version, which was in English with a nearly identical cast, was directed by the film's American producer-director Sidney W. Pink; this version was initially deemed virtually unreleasable by American International Pictures and had to be extensively reworked by the film's Danish-American screenwriter, Ib Melchior, before being finally released in America in 1962. Pink was angry at the changes and wound up in a legal dispute with AIP. After Pink and others viewed the English-language version, the lawsuit was dropped.

Reptilicus
Resembling a giant dragon-like serpent with webbed wings, Reptilicus, with near-impenetrable armor-plated skin, had the ability to regenerate itself from any segment as well as fly (a feature obscured in the US version, when AIP removed the flying scene). In the US version, an effect was added (albeit randomly and clumsily) where Reptilicus shot a neon-green acid slime from his mouth.
The special effect used to bring Reptilicus to life is a wired marionette.

Plot
Danish miners dig up a section of a giant reptile's tail from the frozen grounds in Lapland, where they are drilling. The section is flown to the Danish Aquarium in Copenhagen, where it is preserved in a cold room for scientific study. But due to careless mishandling, the room is left open and the section begins to thaw, only for scientists to find that it is starting to regenerate.
Professor Martens, who is in charge of the Aquarium, dubs the reptilian species "Reptilicus" (upon a reporter's suggestion) and compares its regeneration abilities to that of other animals like earthworms and starfish.
Once fully regenerated from the tail section, Reptilicus goes on an unstoppable rampage from the Danish countryside to the panic-stricken streets of Copenhagen (including one of its famous landmarks, Langebro Bridge), before finally being killed with poison by ingenious scientists and military officers.
However, the monster's foot is not destroyed and sinks to the bottom of the sea. The movie is left open-ended, with the possibility that the foot could regenerate.

Versions
Some of the crew work with the Reptilicus marionette among the miniature buildings.
Much like Universal Studios' original Dracula film, this film had two different versions:

The original version, with the actors speaking Danish, had many more scenes including a romance between Svend and Karen, a comical musical number by Petersen (Dirch Passer), and the original Reptilicus flight scene.

The English version, in which the Danish actors are refilmed speaking English (a few of the actors are different, like the character of Connie Miller). AIP used this print and not only redubbed the actors, but drastically cut out many scenes as well as rearranging some (even adding some effects, like Reptilicus shooting acid slime from his mouth). Some additional music by Les Baxter was used as well.
The Japanese release title was The Frozen Evil Beast's Onslaught. It was also released as Prehistoric Beast Reptilicus.

Crew
Directors: Poul Bang (Danish Version), Sidney W. Pink (English Version)
Producers: Johann Zalabery, Sidney W. Pink
US Producer: Samuel Z. Arkoff
Writers: Ib Melchior, Sidney W. Pink (Original story)
Music: Sven Gyldmark
Additional Music in US version by Les Baxter
Photography: Aage Wiltrup

Cast
Carl Ottosen as Gen. Mark Grayson
Ann Smyrner as Lise Martens
Mimi Heinrich as Karen Martens
Asbjørn Andersen as Prof. Otto Martens
Bodil Miller as Connie Miller (Danish version)
Marla Behrens as Connie Miller (American version)
Bent Mejding as Svend Viltorft (Drilling crew chief)
Povl Wøldike as Dr. Peter Dalby
Dirch Passer as Mikkwlawn Peterson (Night watchman)
Ole Wisborg as Capt. Einer Brandt (Royal Danish Guard)
Birthe Wilke as Herself (Nightclub singer)
Børge Møller Grimstrup as Danish farmer
Reptilicus as Himself

Reception
As Denmark's first and only giant monster film, this film has a cult following in its home country. Sidney Pink tried to get a sequel/remake made, back in 2001 due to the box office hit of Godzilla in 1998, before his death in 2002.

Novel and Comic
Reptilicus attacks a hunter in the jungle. From issue #2 of the Reptilicus comic published by Charlton Comics. When the copyright expired, Charlton revamped the character into Reptisaurus.
A novelization of the film was released in paperback at the time of its original release (Reptilicus by Dean Owen (Monarch, 1961)).
In 1961, Charlton Comics produced a comic book based on the film. Reptilicus lasted two issues. After the copyright had lapsed, Charlton modified the creatures look and renamed it Reptisaurus. The series was now renamed Reptisaurus the Terrible and would continue from issue #3 before being cancelled with issue #8 in 1962. This was followed by a one-shot called Reptisaurus Special Edition in 1963.
In 2012, Scary Monsters magazine reprinted the Reptisaurus the Terrible series as a black and white collection called Scarysaurus the Scary.

DVD
The American version of Reptilicus was released on DVD April 1 2003 by MGM Home Entertainment under the 'Midnight Movies' banner. The Danish version was released on DVD from Sandrew Metronome (Denmark) in 2002.

Another Godzilla 2014 Movie Toy Listing

TFAW.com has Godzilla toy listings now it seems there is a regular Destruction Pack as well as the previous Deluxe one also it seems to correct the size of the Muto figure to 3.5" (not feet).

Godzilla 2014 Movie Destruction Pack Assortment
Bring the excitement of the all-new Godzilla movie home and fight for humanity as Godzilla, or be the Winged Muto and try to destroy the world! Your epic kaiju battles are sure to crumble cities and bring in the Air Force! Each pack features one (1) figure, one (1) destructible building, and one (1) military aircraft. Exclusive Winged 3.5" Muto Is only available in this assortment. Blister card packaging.

SATURDAY SHOWCASE : Cool Artwork By Blabyloo229 From deviantART

Visit his deviantART page here and thanks to Marquan Gojira Brice on the Toho Kaiju Union Facebook page for finding these very cool.

New X-Plus Showa Gamera Coming

X-Plus Godzilla 1999 In Color

CREATURE FEATURE : Legion

Legion is a colony of an extraterrestrial species of Silicon-based organisms from the movie Gamera 2: Advent of Legion. These creatures appearing as the main antagonist of the film and the second antagonist species to appear in The Gamera Trilogy.

Appearance
The Symbiotic Legion, as noted in the movie, are a Silicon-based extraterrestrial lifeform. Legion's exterior greatly resembles that of an insect, especially that of a Rhinoceros Beetle. The Legion do not actually have muscles. Instead, they are able to move through pressurized gas that passes through their seemingly hollow exoskeleton. Their reproduction is unknown except for the fact that they spread through an enourmous pod that they fuel with oxygen to ignite a massive explosion to launch their species throughout the galaxy. The Queen leads this operation. On her abdominal region, she sports multiple egg-cases which house Symbiotic Legion Soldiers which she can dispatch at will to do her bidding. If these workers are not enough to protect their pod, she will emerge to guard its location.

Profile
Queen Legion
Height: 140 Meters
Total Length: 160 Meters
Weight: 600 Tons
Flight Speed: Mach 1
Tunneling Speed: 50 Kilometers per hour
Homeworld: Unknown
Favorite Food: Silicon

Body: Its body structure is similar to crustaceans. Its body tissue is based on silicon and has a semiconductor like structure. She is durable, able to withstand a frontal assualt from the Japanese SDF and resist Gamera's Mana Blast for several seconds. The Queen Legion does in fact have usable insect-like wings that give her the ability to fly, despite her enormous size.
Main Organs:
Eyes: Can recognize electromagnetic waves of all wavelengths. Eyes are usually blue but turn red when angered.
Mouth: Legion can fire a bluish beam of focused microwaves that is fired from the Queen's upper lip (nasal horn). It can also fire Butte Legion when the part in the center. when it is opened that possesses major destructive powers, able to destroy and entire manufacturing facility in a few blasts and even put holes in Gamera's plated shell. It is sharp enough to leave cuts in Gamera's body. It should be noted that Gamera's hands were burned when it ripped of the top part, implying it is very hot.

Egg Chamber (Ovary): Legion can produce up to 100 Symbiotic Legion Soldiers an hour from the red egg chamber on her abdomen. These soldiers follow her every command and attack with tooth and claw to the end to protect their colony.
Tunneling Arms: Serves the role of excavators allowing Legion to move about freely underground.
Rear Legs: Two legs with sickles attached to them. Tt is possible to attack the enemy from underground with them and they have a wide range of motion. Are powerful enough to knock Gamera out of the sky and pierce his shell.
Shell: Legion is covered in an insulating material similar to regid silicon resin. Highly durable.
Interference Claws: The extra clawed limbs that form a "crown" around Queen Legion's head can produce a variety of electromagnetic waves to deflect missiles and neutralize Gamera's fireballs. In a damage state they can not completely counter stonge projectiles like Gamera's fireballs.
Main Technique:
Microwave Shell: Using the Nasal Horn and the interference claws Legion can create an electromagnetic field to counter Gamera's plasma fireballs and missiles.
Butte Legion: If her nasal horn is torn or blasted off, Queen Legion can produce crimson tendrils the spot in between her nasal horn. They can move about freely and are have high temperature allowing them to cut through Gamera easily.

Trivia
The Legion gets their name from a comment a soldier made in the film; quoting the Bible, "And Jesus asked him, "What is thy name?" He replied, "My name is Legion, for we are many." Mark 5:9
The Queen Legion is the second female monster to appear in the Gamera series, the first being Jiger.
The Queen Legion is by far the largest monster Gamera has ever fought.

Godzilla Egg Series Figures

Bandai Japan is releasing these due out in March for about $14, Godzilla, Mecha Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah, and Gigan. Not my cup of tea but interesting none the less.