Batman Arkham City Collector’s Edition

This baby came one day late, but that’s okay. The goodies were worth the wait:

The Batman Arkham City Collector’s Edition came in a surprisingly beautiful package, with black and white character art on the outside and a landscape of Arkham City inside. The side flaps fold down after removing the clear plastic casing.

The Kotobukiya statue will most likely be coming with me to work. Beware his pointy ears – they’re pretty sturdy and can actually poke your eye out!

The hardcover art book is simply gorgeous, and it doubles as the case for the game. I’m not too fond of this, since now I can’t put the game along with the other PS3 games, but it’s not a deal breaker.

I already own the Batman Gotham Knight Animated Movie (as any Batman fan should). Fortunately they included a Blu-ray copy, so it’s not going to waste.

And lastly, a whole mess of downloadable content – Catwoman as a playable character, The Dark Knight Returns Skin, Iceberg Lounge Challenge Map, Gotham City Impostor Beta, and the Batman Arkham City music album.

I’m about 12% into the game and am loving every moment of it. The expansive size of Arkham City leaves so much to be explored, and every detail of the game just makes you feel like you are Batman.

Honda S2000 Window Motor Regulator

It all started as I left work to go home. I had rolled my windows down right after getting into my car to let the heat out – something you definitely need to do if you’re out in the Inland Empire.

Right after getting on the ramp to the 10 West, I roll up my windows only to hear a very loud, shattering blast coming from the driver side. It sounded like glass breaking, but after a quick glance, the window was obviously fine.

I rolled the window down, and down it went. I’m even more perplexed now. I shrug and start to roll the window up, but alas, it wouldn’t.

On the next free Saturday that came up, I took the S2000 to a nearby Honda dealership to get it checked out. They came back with a diagnosis of a broken window motor/regulator and an estimate fo $600 for the part and labor. Yikes!

Fortunately they didn’t have part in stock, as I probably would have just gotten it taken care right then and there, just to get this all squared away. But I was unsure of when I’d be able to come back to get it fixed, so I told them I would just let them know.

A little bit of searching led me to the following post, which outlined the exact issue that I had, and instructions on how the poster fixed it himeself:
DIY: How to replace the window motor regulator on a Honda S2000

So I found a used part on ebay ($95 shipped), picked up some tools ($35) and white lithium grease ($5), familiarized myself with the process via the post, and voila! My driver side window is functional once again. Total cost: $135.

I’m not too much of a DIY kinda guy, so this was a pretty fun project for me. Just a few notes I’d like to add from my own experience:

• In order to be able to pull the window up manually, the motor has to have been rolled up all the way as well. The first few times I tried pulling the window up, it wouldn’t budge. The window won’t go up when you pull up on the switch (obviously), but the motor needs to be rolled up. The glass will only go as far as the motor lets it.
• Socket wrenches worked the best – I used a 10 mm and a 12 mm (if I remember correctly) for removing the glass and the motor/regulator from the door.
• I put in some extra white lithium grease on the railing of the motor/regulator for good measure before installing it.

With that, I was able to save a some dough and learn a thing or two about the S – and I’m always up for that!

CrazyDevy Custom Hips Waist for Devastator Review

Or to be more accurate with the name – CrazyDevy CDMW-02* Construction Brigade Power Parts Custom Hips/Waist.  This little addition is for the G1 Devastator/Constructicons.  I myself have a knockoff set and was able to fit the part, but not without issue though.

I had a bit of a difficult time trying to attach both legs (Scrapper and Mixmaster) to the connectors on the CrazyDevy thighs.  Although they technically are supposed to match the connectors on the original, the fitment just wasn’t quite right.  The distance between the pegs where Mixmaster connects to was slightly shorter than Mixmaster’s width, so I had to squeeze him in there.  This makes for a tight fit, which is good I guess.

Fitting in Scrapper proved to be more of a challenge – the two pegs on the sides, the little hook on the back, and the main opening all had to be just right.  Again, not the best alignment, but with continued forceful pushing, I was able to integrate Scrapper in.  After those two, joining the waist back to the Devastator’s torso was a breeze.

This piece is actually the second run of this part – the first run had a different color scheme with the thighs being purple and the connectors green.  Not quite sure which one I like, but having missed the first run, this was the only option I had.

Aside from the momentary doubt that the thighs were actually going to fit with the legs, I think this is actually a good buy.  The upgraded hips/waist add posability to an otherwise stiff Devastator, and the increase in height is a definite plus for this combiner.

Upcoming Transformers Toys

I was really excited about getting Blaster and his cassettes while I was at the San Diego Comic-Con this weekend.  The pictures Hasbro released were quite handsome, and the fancy new box was a plus.  Unfortunately when I saw Blaster on display at the Hasbro booth, it left much to be desired.  It appeared very plasticky, and the paint really accentuated that (negatively).

I never had the original toy, so this might have been accurate with that, but the appeal had disappeared.  I mulled over the possibility of still getting it while I roamed the exhibition hall, but eventually decided to pass.  I was disappointed to leave the ‘Con empty-handed, so I’ll just have to look forward to the following toys:

FansProject Crossfire 02 Explorer

FansProject Crossfire 02 Munitioner

Generations Dirge

2010 Predaking Reissue

Takara Device Label Broad Blast (Blaster)

FansProject Protector

Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths

Hot of the press, Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths is DC’s latest installment in their recent line of DC Universe Original Animated Movies.  The dvd was released just this past Tuesday (2/23), and I’m waiting for its arrival via my Blockbuster queue.  I don’t have any thoughts on it yet, since I’m trying to avoid any reviews until I see the movie myself.  Wired.com has a pretty extensive post on it though, for those who are curious.

As for the previous movies, here they are in order of release:

• Superman Doomsday DVD
• Justice League: The New Frontier
• Batman Gotham Knight
• Wonder Woman
• Green Lantern: First Flight
• Superman Batman: Public Enemies