Leon needs a cap.

Like I mentioned earlier, I "annihilated" the original Enterbay cap after a botched modding attempt based on the seasoned, skilled sifus works at Sideshow Forum. Couldn't find a replacement but luckily, Heroic's early version of Leon, the "Perfection Killer" has lots of it on the 'Bay and affordable too, so got one and first thing that comes to my puny mind is, will it fit? Not as perfect as what the modders have done of course, but I rolled it up one more layer and yes, it fits. Not perfect but OK. At least not beanie-like look which I feared earlier. The cap is one of the iconic looks of Leon, so without it, its somewhat feel incomplete in character. There's still plenty of room for Leon to be modded, like the shoe shine box, the labels on the box, the markings, the arms of the sunglass, the long john buttons, the shoes and the crappy cheapo arsenal of handguns but not now, just couldn't risk it. At least not yet. Just like how the straps on the box just came off and I have had to glue it. Again. If I were to go all out, just like what I have done to the Takara's Kerberos Panzer Cop, I might as well save the cash for something else instead. Afterall, the Dark Knight Rises is just around the corner, there's Joker v.2, Batman v.2, Tumbler, Batpod, Bane, possibly Catwoman ('89 and TDKR version), the Penquin. And let's not forget the vinyl goodness that is ThreeA. Maybe forced to exit this hobby sooner than I think...

Suetch Birthday 2012.

Happy Birthday Suetch. Everyone enjoys a great steam boat meal at the house. Nice, simple and delicious.

Suzanne Vega ~ Luka.

My name is Luka
I live on the second floor
I live upstairs from you
Yes I think you've seen me before

If you hear something late at night
Some kind of trouble. some kind of fight
Just don't ask me what it was
Just don't ask me what it was
Just don't ask me what it was

I think it's because I'm clumsy
I try not to talk too loud
Maybe it's because I'm crazy
I try not to act too proud

They only hit until you cry
After that you don't ask why
You just don't argue anymore
You just don't argue anymore
You just don't argue anymoreYes I think I'm okay
I walked into the door again
Well, if you ask that's what I'll say
And it's not your business anyway
I guess I'd like to be alone
With nothing broken, nothing thrown

Just don't ask me how I am

Just don't ask me how I am

Just don't ask me how I amMy name is Luka
I live on the second floor
I live upstairs from you
Yes I think you've seen me before

If you hear something late at night
Some kind of trouble, some kind of fight
Just don't ask me what it was
Just don't ask me what it was
Just don't ask me what it was

And they only hit until you cry
After that, you don't ask why
You just don't argue anymore
You just don't argue anymore
You just don't argue anymore

Aimee Mann ~ That's Just What You Are.

In our endeavor
We are never seeing eye to eye
No guts to surface
So forever may we wave goodbye
And you're always telling me
That it's my turn to move
When I wonder what could make the needle jump the groove
I won't fall for the oldest trick in the book
So don't sit there and think
You're off of the hook
By saying there is no use changing
Cause that's just what you are
That's just what you are
Acting steady
Always ready to defend your fears
What's the matter with the truth
Did I offend your ears
By suggesting that a change might be a thing to try
It would kill you just to try and be a nicer guy
Its not like you would lose
Some critical piece
If somehow you moved point A to point B
Maintaining there is no point changing
Cause that's just what you are
That's just what you are
Now I could talk to you till I'm blue in the face

But we'd still would arrive the very same place
With you running around
And me out of the race
So maybe you're right
Nobody can take
Something older then time
And hope you could make it better
That would be a mistake
So take it just so far
Cause that's just what you are
That's just what you are
That's just what you are
Acting steady
Always ready to defend your fears
(That's just what you are)
What's the matter with the truth
Did I offend your ears
(That's just what you are)
Sleepwalking man, it's a danger to wake you
(That's just what you are)
Even when it is apparent where your actions will take you
(That's just what you are)

And that's just what you are
And that's just what you are
That's just what you are

Tracy Chapman ~ Fast Car.

You got a fast car
I want a ticket to anywhere
Maybe we make a deal
Maybe together we can get somewhere
Any place is better
Starting from zero got nothing to lose
Maybe we'll make something
But me myself I got nothing to prove

You got a fast car
And I got a plan to get us out of here
I been working at the convenience store
Managed to save just a little bit of money
We won't have to drive too far
Just 'cross the border and into the city
You and I can both get jobs
And finally see what it means to be living

You see my old man's got a problem
He live with the bottle that's the way it is
He says his body's too old for working
I say his body's too young to look like his
My mama went off and left him
She wanted more from life than he could give
I said somebody's got to take care of him
So I quit school and that's what I did

You got a fast car
But is it fast enough so we can fly away
We gotta make a decision
We leave tonight or live and die this way

I remember we were driving driving in your car
The speed so fast I felt like I was drunk
City lights lay out before us
And your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder
And I had a feeling that I belonged
And I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone

You got a fast car
And we go cruising to entertain ourselves
You still ain't got a job
And I work in a market as a checkout girl
I know things will get better
You'll find work and I'll get promoted
We'll move out of the shelter
Buy a big house and live in the suburbs

You got a fast car
And I got a job that pays all our bills
You stay out drinking late at the bar
See more of your friends than you do of your kids
I'd always hoped for better
Thought maybe together you and me would find it
I got no plans I ain't going nowhere
So take your fast car and keep on driving

You got a fast car
But is it fast enough so you can fly away
You gotta make a decision
You leave tonight or live and die this way

Down Under ~ Men At Work.

...and this one.

Murray Head ~ One Night in Bangkok.

And, this one...

Baltimora ~ Tarzan Boy.

No, when it comes to the 80s pop, one hit wonder, you can't escape this song.

When In Rome ~ The Promise.

I don't know who these dudes are, but the ending credit from the quirky, personal favourite movie, Napoleon Dynamite features this song and I fell in love with it instantly...

A-Ha ~ Take On Me, The Sun Always Shines On TV.

Two of the catchiest 80s pop songs...

Human League ~ Human.

I'm only human, of flesh and blood I'm made, I'm only human, born to make mistake.

Laura Branigan ~ Self Control.

I have been wondering who sing this great mid 80s one hit wonder pop song...

Sabrina ~ Boys, Boys, Boys.

Oh, wow. Haven't seen the video before. Nice 80s pop song but the MTV is such a "revelation" :)

ThreeA ~ WWR : EMGY Armstrong 1G.

I think we have an emergency
I think we have an emergency

If you thought I'd leave, then you were wrong
Cause I won't stop holding on

So are you listening?
So are you watching me?

If you thought I'd leave, then you were wrong
Cause I won't stop holding on.

This is an emergency
So are you listening?

And I can't pretend that I don't see this

~ Emergency, Paramore.

A (mis) interpretation:

Category type : Warbot.
Unit type : Mass production sub-flight tactical warbot.

Model type : Armstrong ver. 1G -
Designation : EDER.

Manufacturer : Rothchild Corporation.

Affiliation : 12th Emergency Tactical Response Group, Neu Yorke Sector Garrison, Crisis Corps, Pan Am City One, United Americana.

Power plant: Twin turbo BRINK supercharger diesel engine.

Height : 8 feet.

Weight : 3000 kg.

Armour type : Super hardened ceramic steel composite alloy.

Armour thickness: 150mm.

Armaments : CLAXTON80 heavy machine gun x 1; Multi-spectrum scanner; Sensorium;  Advance targeting system; Sub Flight System (SFS) backpack;  Task Intelligence (T.I.) ver. 3

The Armstrong warbot series were originally conceived by Darwin Rothchild to serve primarily as security and defence measures against insurgents such as the N.O.M. faction. The Armstrongs were the most technologically advance Rothchild warbots for its time. Their armours are made from Luna Titanium Steel Composite Alloy with hyper-jammers coating acting as a form of anti-detection device. The material is also prove stronger and lighter than the standard super hardened ceramic steel composition armours. The Armstrong series are the first generation of warbots to be installed with an upgraded version of the Task Intelligence (T.I.) systems which enables it to have micro-seconds data processing and independent, task based decisions, enabling it to carry out its duties and objectives with greater effectiveness and efficiency.   
Multi-scanners are bulit into each Armstrong, which detect motion, invisible gases and energy emissions throughout a wide spectrum, such as heat, radiation and most forms of energy given off by machines and humans. These functions make the Armstrong warbots a formidable opponent to any adversary.
The first Armstrong warbots to be manufactured are the zero gravity or 0G version as part of the Rothchild Internal Defence Division consisting of the Shadow Guards and Luna Camo Defense to protect the Rothchild City on Luna. These Armstrong warbots are equipped with the recoiless COLTRANE hyper bazooka,  which utilised plasma warhead, making it capable of penetrating the hardest and thickest armours. Each hyper bazooka comes with ammunition reloader with up to 20 rounds of rockets. The only setback was ammunition conservation due to the hyper bazooka extremely fast firing rate. The plasma electromagnetic containment fields were also prone to overheating and 10 seconds cooling downtime for the hyper bazooka was required after 5 continuous rounds of shooting. Nevertheless, Armstrong warbots were known to resort to using the hyper bazooka itself as hand weapon, smashing and bludgeoning its enemies in close combat. The Rothchild Internal Defence Division Armstrongs were also issued with stealth capabilities, rendering them invisible to enemies' scanners and sensors.
A battalion of 0G Armstrong warbots were formidable, and had proven to be capable of bringing down a destroyer class warship in combat. 0G version Armstrong warbots were equipped with Active Mass Balance Auto-Control (AMBAC) fundamental technology that allows for thrusterless manoeuvring in the zero-G environment of space by means of precise movement control of their limbs. This was combined with the Apogee Motor Vernier Thrusters engine backpack. These devices enable Luna based Armstrong warbots to change direction and performing fine movements with outstanding manoeuvring capability. The technological breakthrough of this warbots make it very much well desired by both factions of the Great War.
Due to high manufacturing costs, Terran and Martian specifications of the Armstrong series were adjusted to reflect lower production costs which would meet their wartime budgets. This version of Armstrongs were re-designated as "1G", reflecting both Terra and Mars gravity and were deployed primarily as both air support strike force as well as ground tactical assault groups. Like the Bertie and Bramble series, the Armstrong series warbots were desired for their versatility.  
1G Armstrong armour utilised a more cost effective super hardened ceramic steel composite alloy. The Apogee Motor Vernier Thrusters based flight system is replaced with the Sub Flight System (SFS). The SFS is a propellant based rocket engine, greatly enabling the Armstrong to extend its operating range and staying in combat longer. Due to internal space limitations, all SFS equipped Armstrong warbots carry additional propellant in external tanks. When the propellant was consumed, the tank could be discarded to reduce the warbot's weight. These tanks used a two-layered construction, with one layer containing propellant, and the other holding extra coolant. 
Both Terran and Martian Armstrong warbots were armed with the standard recoiless CLAXTON80, a twin linked 30mm and 20mm calibre heavy machine gun, with armour piercing, explosive tipped ammunition, firing at super sonic velocity.  

Apart from deployment on the front lines amongst the various theatres of war on Terra, the Armstrong warbots were also assigned along civilian defence, low engagement operations and emergency response responsibilities like the Newel Medic Corps, the Emergency Tactical Response Groups or "EMGY TRG", the Peace Corps and even supply line defence of BcELL Logistics. Its popularity is rivalled only by the Bertie series.

When the Mariel Boatlift Operation occurred between April 15th to October 31st, 1940, whereby refugees from Site 1, L5 "Montana" space colony seeked political asylum and to escape the atrocities of Martian forces after the closure of borders, were prevented from landings by brutal riots sparked by the extremist right wing, anti-space colonists faction, the Anti-Space Colonists Immigrant Front of United Americana. The 12th Neu Yorke sub-sector EMGY TRG garrison in Pan Am City One was deployed and stopped the riots with overwhelming force, resulting in over two thousand human casualties. The garrison successfully opened up the blockades at the space harbours for the refugees to land safely.
In United Americana, EMGY TRG Armstrongs were specially deployed to contain the "block wars", whereby neighbouring residence of mass housing, stratoscrapers fight against each other much akin to a full scale war.  This was partly due to the lack of manpower available to the Justice Department and the Judges whom served to preserve peace. One particularly massive block war is the "Block Mania Incident" in Pan Am City Three, Southern United Americana whereby hundreds of city mega blocks were involved. It took two weeks to put the situation back into control with casualties nearing a million of the total sector population. Another was the Mexicana Corridor Uprising, which claimed countless lives.
Armstrongs had been known to be captured by the M.O.D. faction, re-programmed and re-tasked with new objectives for their own purpose or offer to various rogue factions throughout various space and asteroid colonies.  
As the war progressed, more and more Armstrongs were being introduced and made available to various army groups for both factions of the Great War, and was a standard deployment in all battle theatres on ground, air and the vacuum of space.

....................................................................................

Initially, I wanna get the Luna versions but non available, so I was thinking about the Medic version, most likely coz l love bots with Chinese or Kanji fonts on it. Also, I was hoping to start J.E.A, colourways only, but with the "Meat is Murder" pack status now put into the back burner by 3A, I saw this EMGY version on the 'Bay. I was hesitant at first, coz it reminds me too much of a NYC taxicab colours. I took the chances and lo and behold, EMGY colourway just gains a new fan. It is a pity that 3A is increasingly focusing on 1/12th scales figures which offers tremendous choices of colourways, but that's life. I am sticking to 1/6th. This is officially my second warbot after Caesar and catching up is hard to do and the monetary penalty which comes with it is tremendous in secondary market. Afterall, the bots are all just primarily vinyl based, nothing fancy about it, but it looks darn good and cool. Now, if only I could find a N.O.M. Nightwatch Heavy Bramble MK 2.5 next. There's also the Bertie MK3, Dutch Merc colourway available but I am hesitant about that one. Too slim and tall. Let's see how it goes...

Enterbay ~ Leon the Professional.

Grocery store owner (to Leon) : Hola, que tal, amigo! Two milks as usual?

..................................................................

Leon : What's your name?

Mathilda : Mathilda.

Leon : Sorry about your father.

Mathilda : If somebody didn't do it one day or another, I would've probably done it myself.

Leon : Your mother, she...

Mathilda : She's not my mother. And my sister, she wanted to lose some weight, anyway. But she never looked better. Not even my real sister. Just a half-sister, and not a good haIf at that. If you couldn't stand them, why are you crying? Because they killed my brother...What the hell did he do?He was four years old. He never used to cry. Just used to sit next to me and cuddle...I was more of a mother to him than that goddamn pig ever was!

Leon : Hey, don't talk like that about pigs! They're usually much nicer than people.

...................................................................

Mathilda : Holy shit! (upon opening a shoe shine box containing numerous guns.)

Leon : Don't touch that, please.

Mathilda : Leon? What exactly do you do for a living?

Leon: Cleaner.

Mathilda: You mean you're a hitman?

Leon: Yeah.

Mathilda: Cool. Do you clean anyone?

Leon: No women, no kids, that's the rules.

Mathilda : How much would it cost to hire someone to get those dirtbags who killed my brother?

Leon : Five grand a head.

...................................................................

Leon : How old are you?

Mathilda : Eighteen.

Leon : Eighteen?

Mathilda : Wanna see my license?

Leon : No. You just look a little..younger.

..................................................................

Mathilda : Léon, I want you to teach me how to be like you. I wanna be strong like you, smart like you.

Leon: Mathilda.

Mathilda : I know I'm not strong enough yet, but I could learn the basics, the theory. What do you think? Just the theory.

..................................................................

Leon: The rifle is the first weapon you learn how to use, because it lets you keep your distance from the client. The closer you get to being a pro, the closer you can get to the client. The knife, for example, is the last thing you learn.

.......................................................................

Mathilda : You love your plant, don't you?

Leon: It's my best friend. Always happy. No questions. And it's like me, you see? No roots.

Mathilda : If you really love it, you should plant it in the middle of a park so that it can have roots...

...................................................................

Leon: Revenge is not good, Mathilda. Believe, it's better to forget.

Mathilda: To forget? After I've seen the outline of my brother's body on the floor, you expect me to forget? I want to kill those sons of bitches, and I'll blow their f****** heads off!

Leon: Nothing's the same after you've killed someone. Your life is changed forever. You'lI have to sleep with one eye open for the rest of your life.

 ..................................................................

Mathilda : What's that for? (referring to the cap Leon putting on his head).

Leon : Can't afford to catch cold.

..................................................................

Leon : Aim for the heart and lungs. There, right there, you see? The first shot takes him out of order

and the second finishes him off. Never in the face. If they can't recognize the client, you don't get paid, cause you could take out anybody and say you did the job. Got it?

Mathilda : Got it. Never in the face.
 

.................................................................
 

Mathilda : You don't believe me, do you?

Leon: How's that?

Mathilda :When I say I'm in love with you.

...................................................................
 

Client : You want more? Come on, show your f****** face! Think you can get me that easily.

Leon : When it tough like this, you know it's gonna be ugly. Better make it quick, or else you will be here all day listening to his crap.

Client : Asshole come on, show me your f****** face, faggot! Come on, "gum trick"!

Leon : Hey. What about the "ring trick"? Do you know that one?

Mathilda : "Ring trick"?

Client : Come on asshole, I'm waiting. Show it to me, motherf*****.

(Leon pulled one of the hand grenades from his vest and threw it into the bullets riddened apartment door, followed by an explosion.)

Leon : That's the "ring trick".

......................................................................

Tony : Hey Léon, what's up? All done, already?

Leon: No, no.

Tony : Nicer than people, eh? I told you that. You got a problem?

Leon: No.

Tony : Get the chair, sit down. Sit.

Leon : I was thinking...If something happens to me some day...

Tony : Hey, Léon, nothing's gonna happen to you. You're indestructible, bullets slide off you, you play with them.

Leon : Tony. I thought about my money. You remember the girl who came here the other day?

Tony : Yeah.

Leon : Her name is... Mathilda. If anything happens to me, I... I'd like you to give her...my money.

Tony : You can count on me, Léon.

Leon : Thank you, Tony.

Tony : Yeah.

...................................................................

Leon : I won't be long.

Mathilda : Did I do something wrong?

Leon : No, this one is too big.

Mathilda : Yeah, and I only get the leftovers, is that it?

Leon : Mathilda, since I met you, everything's been different. So, I just need some time alone. And you need some time to grow up a little.

Mathilda : I've finished growing up, Léon. I just get oIder.

Leon: And for me, it's the opposite. I'm old enough. I need time to grow up.

..................................................................

Mathilda: You love someone else?

Leon : No. I mean...there was someone a long time ago. Before I came to the States. Her father didn't want her to see me. She was from a very respectable family. Mine was, you know, not so respectable.

Her dad went nuts everytime she'd take off to see me.

Mathilda : But she still snuck off to see you, right?

Leon : Right.

Mathilda : You see, nothing can stop love, Léon.

Leon : He killed her. One shot to the head. They kept him in jail for two days, then they let him go free. They said it was an accident. So, one night I waited for him. 500 feet with a lens. He also had an accident. The same night I took a boat and came here to meet up with my father who was working for Tony. I was nineteen. Since then I've never left the city. And...I've never had another girlfriend. You see, Mathilda. I won't be a good lover.

Mathilda : OK. Just do me one favor.

Leon : What?

Mathilda : I'm sick of watching you sleeping on your chair. We're gonna share the bed.

....................................................................

Tony : Manolo, take the kids in the kitchen.

Norman : I have a lot of respect for your business, Tony. When you've killed for us in the past, we've always been satisfied. And that's exactly why today is going to be very, very hard for me. I hope you'll excuse my mood. My man was killed right here on your turf and the Chinks tell me that the hitman was kind of the...Italian type. So we figured that Tony might know something. Wait, there's more. You're gonna love this. A few hours later, a little twelve year old girl comes into my office, armed to the teeth with the firm intention of sending me straight to the morgue. And you know who came and got her in the middle of the afternoon, right there, in my building? The very same Italian hitman. I'm dying to meet him.

......................................................................

(During the siege at Leon and Matilda's rented apartment)

SWAT Team Leader: Alpha team. Man down, man down.

Norman : I told you. Benny, bring me everyone.

Benny : What do you mean, "everyone"?

Norman : EVERYONE!

...................................................................

Mathilda : No! I'm not letting...I'm not going! I won't go! I won't go!

Leon: Listen to me... Listen to me, we have no chance together, but if I'm alone I can do it, trust me.

I'm in good shape, Mathilda. And I know I've got a lot of money with Tony, a lot. We'll take it and leave together, just the two of us, OK? Go.

Mathilda : No! You just say that so I won't worry. I don't wanna lose you, Léon.

Leon: You're not going to lose me, Mathilda. You've given me a taste for life. I want to be happy, sleep in a bed, have roots. You'll never be alone again, Mathilda. Please, go now, baby, go! Calm down, go now. Go, go. I'lI see you at Tony's. I'm gonna clean them all. Tony's in an hour.

Leon : I love you, Mathilda.

Mathilda: I love you too, Léon.

...............................................................

(After the siege)

Norman : What, what, what! You're two hundred men and you can't find one man and a girl? Did you find the girl?

................................................................

Leon : Stansfield? (after being shot at the back of the head by Norman.)

Norman : At your service.

Leon : This is... from...Mathilda.

Norman : Shit. (while looking at the ring of the hand grenade on his palm handed to him by the dying Leon, followed by a massive explosion.)

................................................................

Tony : What the hell can you do?

Mathilda : I can clean.

Tony: I ain't got no work for a twelve year old kid. So get it outta your goddamn head! It's over, the game's over, Léon's dead! You hear me? (saying to an anguished Mathilda.) Come on. Come on, you think I ain't hurting, too? But he's dead. And you're gonna forget all this craziness and get your little ass back to school, capiche? Now take this money and get the hell outta here, and don't let me see your face 'till next month.'Cause something tells me I'm about to lose my famous kind streak.

..................................................................

(At the Spencer School juvenile delinquent institution.)

Mathilda : My parents died in a car accident four weeks ago. It was terrible.

Headmistress McAllister : You know, we didn't have the time to get to know one another when you first came here, but I want you to know that I am not the kind of woman who'd let down a child, whatever her situation, whatever her mistake. So, I'm going to help you and do my best to welcome you here again. But on one condition. You have to stop lying to me, Mathilda. I want you to take a chance and trust me. Now tell me what happened to you.

Mathilda : OK. My family got shot down by DEA officers because of a drug problem. I left with the greatest guy on earth. He was a hitman, the best in town. But he died this morning and if you don't help me, I'll be dead by tonight.

......................................................................

Mathilda : I think we'll be OK here, Léon. (while planting the houseplant on the school ground for it to take roots).

.....................................................................

Released last year, could not afford to miss the opportunity to own this iconic figure from the 1994 classic movie by Luc Besson, starring Jean Reno as the titular assassin, Leon, whom leads a simple life in Little Italy, New York, working as a "cleaner" for local mafiosi, Tony (Danny "Papa Don't Preach" Aiello). In his free time, he engages in calisthenics, nurture a houseplant which he regards as his best pal, and watch classic movies starring Gene Kelly. Leon is illiterate, so Tony keeps all of Leon's money he made but it was highly hinted that Tony is actually using Leon's share of money all the time. Actually there is a character akin to Leon from another, earlier Luc Besson assassin movie, the 1990 La Femme Nikita, if memory serves me well. Also starring Gary Oldman as Norman Stanfield as a sociopath, drug addicted, corrupt DEA officer. The manner and re-action after he takes a "pill" is classic, as if the "high" is so great that he nearly goes in spasm. And of course there's a very young Natalie Portman in her silver screen debut as Mathilda, as a twelve year old delinquent, whose dysfunctional family was slaughtered by Norman and his team of DEA officers after a drug deal gone wrong, and came under a very reluctant Leon's tutelage to become a "cleaner" herself in order to avenge the death of her beloved four year old brother. A rather controversial aspect of the movie is the relationship between Leon and Mathilda, whom confessed her love to him on several times. Leon is a simpleton and naive, believing Mathilda whom told him she was eighteen. Eventually, Leon avenged on behalf of Mathilda without Tony's permission, and even rescued her from the DEA building on his own when she was caught whilst attempting to kill Norman herself. Norman forced and tortured Tony for Leon's where about. Eventually, an entire platoon of SWAT team was called in to take on Leon and Mathilda in the siege which was, in my personal opinion, one of the most thrilling moments for a movie released in 1994.

Leon is shot from behind by Norman while getting very near to escape, but in a supreme effort of will, Leon successfully takes down Norman together with him in the final moment by detonating one of the hand grenades which sets off a chain reaction of massive explosion, thus fulfilling his own hidden, personal agenda to avenge on behalf of Mathilda, whom survives the entire ordeal. Mathilda wants to be "cleaner" for Tony, but he angrily turns her away, promises to give her monthly allowances as promised to the late Leon, but suspected to be not as much. With no choice, she goes to the local school for juvenile delinquents which she left prior to the start of the movie and starts a new life and hope there. She plants the houseplant Leon carries with him all the time on the school ground, a metaphor that Leon in his death, is finally truly free.
I am genuinely surprise when Enterbay announced the release of Leon. But, like all Enterbay figures, I waited for the real figure to be revealed before dishing my hard earned cash for it. My personal opinion, but Enterbay, who gained immense popularity from their line up of Bruce Lees by Arnie Kim, as well as coming up with the then "innovative" movable eyeballs system for a 1/6th figure, has recently taken a dive in terms of final release products vs. the fluffed up prototype pics. Being a late comer in the 1/6th scene, I don't own any Enterbay's early Bruce Lee figures and I am not sure what's the hype about (and the eBay price is insane at one point). Maybe nobody was doing it at that time, and it was limited release (always an enticing factor for kiasu hobbyist and excellent "investment" to shrewd, business minded "collectors", heh) . I only have The Storm Warriors series, and except for Godless (one of the best head sculpt I seen), the rest, well, just could not justify the price point. I mean, for example, there are mold lines on those hands. Reckoned they spent more costs on the nice packaging than the quality of the figures, heh. I skipped Ip Man coz that's definitely not Donnie Yen however you tell me so. Then there is the disaster known as Bruce Lee : Games of Death (Behind the Scene) set. I POed it coz again, enticed by the delicious looking prototype pictures. The actual release is a Ken doll with lollipop head. Luckily, Sam of xl-shop was kind enough to allow me to sell off the PO. Rumour has it that Bill, the owner (?) of Enterbay engaged into a heated, some said rude retort against the avalanche of critics made on the figure in a Chinese toy forum. 
Now, Leon is average overall, the head sculpt can still be improved but still captures the overall "essence" of Jean Reno, except that his eyes seem to be tilted to one side only (again different from the prototype). The neck is a tad too long as in most cases of Enterbay body with very little articulation and with small shoulders. So, without the trench coat (which btw is missing a snap on, maybe a QC concern? I dunno), the head again is kind of big. The leg joints are weak and the figure need to be carefully handled to avoid falling off. The shoes are molded. Otherwise, it comes complete with all the accessories as seen in the movie, even the milk cartons (why not add on the pig oven glove as well?). A check on Sideshow Forum reveals the missing details from the movie - the colouration of the shoe shine box containing the guns, which by the way, looks awful, cheap and plastic compare to others in the mass market, the missing old, torn labels, the id on the top of the box and finally, the iconic cap which is way too big and doesn't fit. The box also tends to be difficult to open and close properly. Inside, contain the drawers, which again looks like cheap plastic and loose. The lock on the leather shoebox is actually mis-align. I actually have "re-assemble" and glue most of the parts together as well as "weather" it lightly a bit. The milk cartons are printed and has to be assembled, a pain in the arse for someone for me, so all those gluing makes it looks distorted in the end. Argh! But that's not the greatest ordeal I went through. Going through the Sideshow Forum thread, I came across a "tutorial" on how to make the hat fit. But alas, with my shaking, fiddly fingers, I actually "destroyed" the hat. Yes, it's gone, and I now have no choice but to hunt for a replacement on the 'Bay. Despite all that, this is still one figure which is a must have, despite all the rants about Enterbay coz nobody was doing it. Ironic isn't it or a fool? That's coz I collect based on my favourite characters. Like the Storm Warriors, I think I can live with it. Now, my only wishes are for other toy companies to consider more leftfield characters instead of those summer blockbusters shite they churned out these days. How about iconic characters from Quentin Tarantino's movies, from Blade Runner, from The Crow, from Sin City to name but a few.

Happy Birthday Esther!

Happy Birthday Esther. May all your wishes, hopes and dreams come true. Thanks for tolerating and having to keep up with all my eccentricities, chain smoking, temperamental emotions, wanton money spending on denims, plastic dolls, books, CDs, tortoises, monkey cups etc. which don't really makes you happy. Trust me, I am trying my best to strike a healthy balance on savings and spending...   

Chloe & Dylan ~ Father's Day 2012.

Thanks Chloe, Dylan. When is Father's Day again? With two precious around, they constantly keep me firmly grounded. They keeps me in constant checking on my ownself and weakness. Striving to seek a healthier, more balance lifestyle as oppose to now. Suffering from the blues, I seek a wrong avenue to beat all the negativities assaulting my emotions and senses occasionally. With Chloe and Dylan around, they remind me not to give in. Hope it's not too late for me to be a truely responsible father...

ThreeA ~ 3AA 2012 Membership Pack with F-Legion Cyborg 0024491.

"If our Gods and our hopes are nothing but scientific phenomena, then let us admit it must be said that our love is scientific as well."

~ Auguste Villiers de l'Isle-Adam, Tomorrow's Eve.

A (mis) interpretation:

Name: Adriano Massimo.

Alias: The Last Borg Standing.

Age: 45 years old.

Affiliation: The F-Legion Experimental Cyborg - no. 0024491 (former); Independent (current).

Manufacturer: The Thruxton Industries.

Power plant: Hydrogen fuel cell.
Height : 6 feet.
Weight : 300 kg.

Armour type: Plasteel ceramite composite alloy.

Armour thickness: 50mm.

Std. Armaments: "The Deliverance" - supernatural baseball bat; carbon nanotube weaved anorak.

Abilities: “The Phalanx” - cyborg martial art; cybernetic enhanced physiology; invulnerability against magic/physical attack; semi-immortality.

Rogue warbots, borgs and zombots are known to seek refuge in the chain of islands north of New Andria which subsequently became known as the Robot Islands. Located on the Adriatic Sea, Apulia sub-sector, the thousands of islands are separated from New Andria by the Northern Frontier, a desolate landscape of empty industrial towers and factories once thrived during the Great War. These rogue bots, freed from their programmes, often attack the populace of the northern sector for resources. In an attempt to wipe them out, the High Lord of Eurasia raised an army consists of six legions of experimental cyborg soldiers, after watching a re-run of "Robocop" on the classic channel and inspired by the movie. Potential candidates are culled from the army severely injured in the Great War. Their entire body and organs are replaced with cybernetic properties. Only their brains remain organic. Even so, each brain has been enhanced with chemicals and implanted with bio-chip, with their memories erase, emotions suppressed. Each legion is one thousand numbers strong. They set out to destroy the rogue bots but ends up being annihilated after a three months intense battle. Known as the "Iron Cage Incident", the legions are trapped and destroyed slowly one by one and piecemeal by the rogue warbots . The ill fated assault leaves only one survivor - a cyborg designated 0024491 from the F-Legion. Reports of the entire siege and battle remain classified by the Terra Military Intelligence and subsequently puts into "memory hole". History books make no reference of this embarrassing incident.
0024491 is relived of his duty. However, his primary programmes remain - to protect the Northern Frontier from rogue robots. After an encounter with King Thumb and his Nefarious Ten Finger Robot Gang which beaten 0024491 to near death, he is rescued by Tommy Mission and the Golden Dolphin. They successfully repair and modified most of the cyborg programmes which allows 0024491 to recall and regain some of his memories prior to the cybernetic surgery. He regains his memory partially from his previous life before being recruited and turned into a cybernetic organism. 0024491 said he remembers he was once known as Adriano Massimo of Greece. He was a former member of the COSD, stationed at the Malabar Front. He requests Tommy to travel to his hometown and retrieve some of his personal belongings as 0024491 cannot physically travel beyond the border of the Northern Frontier as the bio-chip implanted in his brain would automatically shut him down. This Tommy did, and it contains a carbon nanotube weaved anorak and a master crafted baseball bat called "The Deliverance". The bat is crafted from an ancient artefact, a club made from an oak tree used by a Greek demi-god. 0024491 says to Tommy that if he listened carefully, echoes of battles and personal combats could still be heard across space and time. Whether what 0024491 claimed is true or not, Tommy did not bother but "The Deliverance" is indeed a mighty hand held melee weapon. In an act of retribution for the humiliation 0024491 suffers at the hands of King Thumb and his gang, 0024491 uses "The Deliverance" with such skills that not only it could withstand the daemon infused sledgehammer of King Thumb, "The Forgebreaker", the bat broke it apart and defeated King Thumb. The Nefarious Gang were repaired and returned time and time again, but they were now all extremely weary of 0024491, fearful even. But perhaps augmenting the powerful baseball bat in his battle against all the horrendous horde of Zombots and rogue warbots are "The Phalanx", a variant of anti-armour martial arts 0024491 programmed into his bio-chip. "The Phalanx" enables 0024491 to un-leash a devastating salvo of continuous electromagnetic punches up to 1200-hit-per minute, although it would drain 0024491 energy source tremendously. Being a cyborg, 0024491 is invulnerable and immune to certain degree of magic or sorcerous attacks although an enemy mage could attempt to manipulate the only organic aspect of his entire being, his brain. A master techno-arcane mage could also attack 0024491. The cyborg plays a pivotal role in the massive incursion of rogue robots into the mainland during the Robot Islands War.
0024491 currently remains an independent and a sometime ally to the Adventure Kartel Collective, assisting them whenever he could. He remains a lonely soul, forever programmed and destined to be the Northern Frontier vigilante, keeping it safe from all forms of shit-stirring bots and borgs alike.  

.......................................................

Whew, finally the entire membership pack is 'ere after so long. Comes with a messenger bag, the membership ID tag, a cap and of course, the highlight, the F-Legion Cyborg. Nice figure 'cept the fingers get loose after a while. Have difficulty making it grip the baseball bat properly. And darn, I just couldn't adjust the "face mask" properly, making it looks like Ultraman abit.

 

Chloe & her TQ Princess.

Here you go Chloe, your first designer toy. Of course before that, I took some slight effort to "clean" the replaced Princess TQ up. Vinyl dust and the flaking. Too risky. For example, when I took photos of JC, Lil Shadow, I could literally see dusts flying everywhere. I also have to make sure she understands that she washes her hands clean each time after she plays with it. Now, come to think of it, I reckon I shall keep the Princess off her boxes of toys and ensure Esther or I am around when she wants to play with the figure.

ThreeA ~ Popbot : Tomorrow Queen Princess Reinforcements (Replacement).

This is an unprecedented, undertaking by a toy company and a first time experience for a casual toy collector like me. ThreeA actually took the effort and sent an entire, whole new set of the figure with new body for those whom purchased the TQ Princess/TQ Vanilla Pod/TQloper (random) directly from Bambaland previously due to some QC concerns. For my TQ Princess, the left thigh actually has some flaking off, as well as development of a single line of crack along the thigh seem/joint. I didn't border with any complains nor contacting their customer service, which btw, provides top notch service (but just keep it simple and straightforward with the communication if in English). A big thank you to ThreeA. Now, what am I suppose to do with the first one? Where's Chloe? Papa has a surprise for you.