PALISADES

Report by Daniel Lipkowitz
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I grew up on The Muppet Show, and it's great to see it getting its turn in the spotlight during the current nostalgia boom. I was thrilled when Palisades first released its consistently excellent line of Muppet action figures, and based on what we saw at Toy Fair this year, it looks like the series is only going to get better.

As the toyline changes theme and title from The Muppet Show - 25th Anniversary to Jim Henson's Muppets, it's branching out beyond the original series and into the movies and the tragically short-lived Muppets Tonight. Alongside beloved classics like Gonzo in his maroon tuxedo, Electric Mayhem member Janice and the Muppet Newsman, we're getting up-and-comers like Clifford and Pepe the Prawn (who looks to be spectacularly articulated for his tiny size), as well as versions of Sam the Eagle from Muppet Treasure Island and Rizzo the Rat from Muppets from Space. The Reporter Kermit (with mini-playset of the planet Koozbane) and Patrol Bear Fozzie looked especially good, and we finally got to see fan-favorite curmudgeons Statler and Waldorf, whom we were assured will indeed have knee joints for seated heckling fun. Sadly, Johnny Fiama and Sal seem to be off the schedule for the moment, although Ken Lilly, Palisades' Director of Product Development, promises that he's trying to get them back in. This guy really loves his Muppets, folks.

Palisades is continuing its line of creative (if often frustrating to acquire) exclusives, including tuxedo-clad scientists Bunsen and Beaker, a ToyFare magazine-exclusive Superhero Scooter, vaudeville versions of Statler and Waldorf and a great Culinary Catastrophe Swedish Chef, who comes packed with a trio of Lobster Banditos. A special Tour Edition of Animal will also be making the rounds at various shows and conventions throughout 2003. Most intriguing of all was a design sketch for a proposed Jim Henson action figure, based on an existing puppet-ized design of the much-missed Muppets creator. This special edition figure, complete with banjo and his own miniature Kermit puppet, is likely to be a Collector's Club exclusive, perhaps seeing limited release through other outlets as well.

Although the Muppets playset line has been scaled back, we got to see the absolutely fantastic Swedish Kitchen, full of unique accessories and packed with the Swedish Chef himself. Also on its way is the "Pigs in Space" playset with First Mate Piggy (fellow Swine Trek crew members Link Hogthrob and Dr. Julius Strangepork will be released in the action figure line), featuring sides that fold in for more compact storage. The Mega Muppets line of 12" action figures has also been scaled back, with characters slated for release after the current Beaker and upcoming Animal postponed until Palisades can gage sales from the first two releases. Hopefully the giant Pepe will still see the light of day. Finally, we also got to see the first two sets of Mini Muppets, a new line of small-scale collector figurines with some surprisingly nice detailing.

But wait! There's more! Although the Muppets were the centerpiece of the Palisades display, a number of other series were also featured. UrbAnimals, Palisades' first original property, is a line of cartoonish anthropomorphic creatures in the popular Hong Kong Vinyl style. Street Fighter is due to receive a line of polystone statues and super-articulated action figures, while a second series of Micronauts reissues will include Galactic Defender, Repto, Pharoid, Centaurus and Red Falcon (a repainted series 1.5 will correct the quality issues of some of the first run of reissues, while Palisades' original plans to create all-new Micronauts figures are on hold for the moment). Top Cow Productions' Witchblade comics will get a new twist with a line of Witchblade Animated action figures. The Alien and Predator statues and busts will continue, as will the popular G.I. Joe statue line, albeit in a smaller and more affordable scale, alongside a series of miniature and life-sized busts. In a surprise announcement, Palisades is also set to produce a series of full-figure Transformers statues in what they describe as a gritty style influenced by the current Dreamwave Comics designs. Here's hoping that we see some Beast Wars characters this time around!

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