Halo fans can now snag the newly-arrived HALO REACH 6-inch action figures over at CmdStore! Though the vehicle section reminds on pre-order, we’ve just gotten a shipment of the character figures, both in one- and two-packs–all of which can be purchased individually or in sets of the entire series. Here’s a look at what you’ll see in each one!

6-INCH FIGURES
Noble 6 with Assault Rifle
Jorge with Jorge’s Machine Gun
Emile with Shotgun, Knife
Spartan with Assault Rifle
Elite with Needler
Grunt with Plasma Pistol

6-INCH FIGURE 2-PACKS
Spartan 2-pack: two customized Spartan Soldiers in classic red & blue team colors
UNSC Trooper 2-pack: two UNSC troopers in a ‘light’ and ‘heavy’ version
Noble 6 & Elite 2-pack: features a unique version of both – ONLY available in this set

Kotaku recently posted a ton of new screenshots from the upcoming game, BATMAN: ARKHAM CITY. So far, the game looks amazing (even if I do question why they’ve brought Harley Quinn even further away from her comic book costume) and these screenshots are probably going to make the wait even harder. Here’s a look at Catwoman and Two-Face–the rest of the pics can be found here).

And, of course, as this is an action figure blog, if you’re looking for Arkham Asylum figures, we’ve definitely got a bunch of those. Available for pre-order and shipping in January and February of 2011, look for Batman, Joker, Harley, Scarecrow and more!

According to DigitalSpy.com, actor Martin Freeman (THE OFFICE, LOVE ACTUALLY, SHERLOCK) was up for the part of Bilbo Baggins in the hotly-anticipated Peter Jackson film, The Hobbit, but unfortunately…

The actor turned down the role in the adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s book because he had already committed to 20 weeks filming the second series of BBC’s Sherlock, The Sun reports.

“It was one of the most difficult decisions of his career,” a source told the paper. “MGM, who are making the film, only got a formal offer over in the last couple of weeks.”

Freeman will return to his role as John Watson in the next three-part series of Sherlock.

OHIO– A Toys R Us store in Ohio has been selling an action figure meant for adults only.

“And I thought, ‘Oh my god! You’ve got this in Toys ‘R’ Us? Have, are you kiddin’ me?,’” said Jim Shultz, who is a toy collector in Ohio.

He complained to the company and was told that “‘a small number of the item was ordered to accommodate (the stores’) avid action figure collector customers.”

Schultz says collectors could find the Dexter doll elsewhere and doesn’t think it belongs in the store.

“I understand it’s marketed towards adults. But I do condemn Toys ‘R’ Us for putting it on their shelves in the same store where you can go buy Barbie, and Kermit, and Elmo” he stated.

A company spokesman said the Dexter figure has been on the shelf for a couple of weeks and Schultz was the only one to complain.

He points out the packaging is clearly labeled ages 18 and up, not intended for children.

“There isn’t a Serial Killer Ken. He doesn’t come with a hacksaw and a trash bag to put Barbie’s head in,” the spokesman said.

A Toys “R” Us spokesman says the stores in Central Ohio were each stocked with about eight of these dolls and they won’t be replaced once they’re sold out.

We suspect that, given the popularity of the show and the figures, it’s not the complaints that are motivating Toys R Us not to restock, but the fact that the figures have sold out in quite a few places–even we’re out of at least one variety. But if you want to take a look at the 7-inch Dexter figures, check out our Dexter section at CmdStore to see the Bif Bang Pow!-produced toys approved by Michael C. Hall and strongly disapproved by a host of others.

And fans might also be interested in checking out our collection of extremely awesome Batman: The Brave and the Bold figures from Mattel! They’re a 5- to 6-inch collection of toys and vehicles, featuring a variety of Batman toys (Bladewhip, Bataraxe, Crusher Cuffs), Solomon Grundy, Plastic Man and many more! They really capture the dynamic look of the series, which is itself a unique and more light-hearted take on the dark knight, sometwhere between Superfriends and the Batman animated series that made the 90′s so much cooler.

Take a look at the whole collection of B:B&B figures by clicking the pic below!

The upcoming 16th series of the DC Universe Classics figures is sure to be a hit when it at last arrives, but you can already pre-order this one to make sure you get your hands on the figures, whether individually or as a full set.

This collection includes two Robins (one a variant), Knightfall Batman, Jonah Hex, Mercury, Riddler (in the classic jumpsuit!) and The Creeper. Each one is 6 inches tall, looks absolutely brilliant and faithful to the character and, best of all, comes with a piece of the Series 16 Build-a-Figure, the Batman villain (last seen in the Secret Six) BANE.

This Mattel figure collection doesn’t have an official release date yet, but you can be sure that the moment we know, we’ll update. And don’t worry: you can still pre-order and no matter when these guys arrive, we’ll ship ‘em right out!

Dear fans,

On behalf of the staff of Fan Expo Canada™ I would like to apologize for the lengthy delays and inconvenience experienced by many at Fan Expo Canada™ this past weekend. We were, quite simply, inadequately prepared for the increased crowds in a venue that was neither familiar to us nor not capable of meeting our collective demands. We recognize and have heard from many of you that this was unacceptable and unfair to our loyal fans.

Sincerely yours,
Aman Gupta and the Fan Expo Team

The new Aquaman vs. Black Manta 2-pack is another classic DC Universe rivalry captured for the company’s 2-pck collection. The sea’s greatest defender faces off against his greatest enemy and the pair are rendered brilliantly as 6-inch figures bearing their signature weapons and clad in their classic costumes. Any fan of the Justice League, Aquaman, Black Manta or, really, just some well-made figures, should definitely check this one out. It’s a great new addition and it’s nice to see these versions of what are, really, two frequently underused characters.

But that’s not the only new 2-pack worthy of note! No, far from it. Because we’ve got a great pair that brings together two supervillains from different worlds, facing off in what might be the most epic battle to span the universes! Ready? Because here it is!

An exclusive 2-pack sees Skeletor and Lex Luthor, together at last as 6-inch figures. Packaged with a full-length comic, this is a chance to join fandoms in a way that we’re all too thrilled to see! Check it out!

The AT-AT, or Imperial All Terrain Armored Transport, stands over TWO FEET TALL, in perfect scale with the 3.75-inch Star Wars figures to offer the massive, imposing presence that marked its appearances in the Star Wars Universe–most prominently in the Battle of Hoth.

This figure itself comes with a Speeder Bike figure, as well as an AT-AT Driver and can lower and retract a rappelling line from its underside. More than that, though, it boasts “light-up reciprocating chin guns, a light-up command section, battle and vehicle sounds and firing side-mounted blasters to bring the excitement of the intergalactic saga straight to your living room!” And what’s more, you can fit a whopping 19 figures in the AT-AT body, meaning that, on top of a toy, it might make for some pretty decent themed storage space!

Check it out!

The premiere social network for geeks, Hardcore Nerdity has been down for some time, needing to upgrade its servers to properly accommodate the teeming masses in desperate need of their nerd fix.

Well, finally, it seems to be on its way back! A site-wide e-mail and a pre-Fan-Expo message posted on their main page suggests that the long wait is nearly at an end and fans can expect the return of Jonathan Llyr’s magnum opus very, very soon!

DON’T PANIC!

What has it been like to live two full months without our beloved HcN? Well, we got to know our loved ones better, took our precious puppy out for a walk and rediscovered the glory that is “fresh air”. We went to family gatherings, played sports, maybe even went for a swim. We saw movies, we read books, we dusted off that unfinished model of the Millenium Falcon and now it’s slightly less unfinished.

Believe it my friends, believe it. For here we have proof – a screen cap of the new and improved and snazzy HcN:

Adding to that we are still hard at work gathering super awesome content for the site, and will be present at FanExpo this weekend like every year so do seek us out!

In the immortal words of the great Douglas Adams: Don’t panic. And in the even more immortal words of the Governor of California: We’ll be back. And when we’re back, you’d better believe we’ll be driving that truck through the wall in style.

Thanks for visiting Hardcorenerdity.com. Stay tuned!
- the HCN Team