10 Toy Photography Accounts to follow on Instagram

Well, well, well. Look who we have here? If it isn't Hoard World The Blog. Come crawling back to the blogosphere did we? Yes indeedy, Steve Macreadie.

Just like Harrison Ford, Ridley Scott and Dave Chapelle, sometimes they come back to their old shit.

Sometimes they shouldn't have. Sometimes it's alright. You can decide what this is for yourself. I'm not your real dad.

Once you've figured all that out, you can come with me on a journey to the magical world of instagram.....

Hoard World Year Three in Review.

Monday July 6th 2015 is the third anniversary of the shenanigans that have become known as "Hoard World", so, as per usual, I take this magical moment in time to cast my weary eye-stalks back over the last 12 months. Let's see if we can't learn a thing or two, eh?

Incidentally, as you can no doubt tell by the assorted 3rd Birthday pics that accompany this retrospective blog entry, we had a great time. With Giant Cake. And over-sized celebratory candles. Thanks for asking.

Masters of the Universe Classics Hordak Review (Mattel)

This review was originally published way back in April 2013 on Doomkick.com. It was written specifically for the Doomkick site's 1st Anniversary celebrations so may contain specific references to the site etc. Due to the age of the article, some of the information contained within may have dated somewhat. Although this piece was actually published before my "Mosquitor" guest review on Poe Ghostal's site, it is still chronologically (in terms of the order I wrote them) the second guest review I ever did. You can check out the originally published version (that comes with an introduction from Hoard World's "management") on the Doomkick site here.

Hi. I'm Hoardax.

Yes, the Hoardax. Maybe you've heard of me or maybe you've heard of me!

This isn't about me today, though. That was just a formality to set my new audience at ease. I am completely out of my comfort zone. Normally, I'd be talking to the legion of Hoard Worlders over on my Facey B page or on The Blog - to rapturous applause, often a standing ovation.

But today, I talk to YOU - The Doomkickers. Be gentle with me, won't you? Like many artists, or siblings of Evil Dictators who have become estranged due to a conflict of interests (He wanted to murder everybody all the time; I enjoy collecting nice things and sharing my love of said things with the world via the internets), I am very sensitive.

DC Universe Classics Green Arrow Figure Video Review (Mattel)

It's 38 degrees celsius today on Hoard World (which is just over 100 degrees fahrenheit for people that don't do celsius), so it's important that you keep your fluids up, stay out of the sun and, where necessary, share your refreshments with your pals, just like I am here with Five Dollar Hulk. I'm lovely.

No, you're not imagining things. This is already the second blog entry of 2015: one in which I continue to wow the YouTube-o-sphere with more poor quality gonzo-style toy videos that involve elongated attempts to open a simple action figure package, surprise cats and royalty free rap music.

I can't believe you're not already watching it.

In case you can't be bothered, here's two pictures that I lazily took with my phone and no enhancements which give you some idea of what a Green Arrow action figure looks like; almost opened and out of the pack.

At this rate, I expect I will be the next Pixel Dan in no time.

Stay cool.

yr pal,

HOARDAX.

p.s. you can now be personal Facey B friends with me. 

Get on that if you feel like going that extra mile.

Total Heroes Ultra Firestorm comes with three interchangeable heads
plus a floating transparent Professor Stein head. That's just about the
best accessory that Firestorm could ever have. I love it.

TOP 5 NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS FOR 2015! A DRUNK VIDEO MANIFESTO! VIDEO SPOTLIGHT ON THE FLASH DC UNIVERSE CLASSICS ACTION FIGURE BY MATTEL!

Nothing says Happy 2015 like a blurry screenshot from the Hoard World 2013 NYE fireworks video.

Happy New Year everybody!

I hope, whether you've already had NYE or are about to, or are still having it, that this finds you in good health during a celebratory time.

I have a few resolutions for Hoard World in 2015 that you might care to know about but first let's take a look at NYE 2014 on Hoard World. It wasn't a huge production but it did result in Hoard World's very first Video Manifesto.

A drunk video manifesto. As (sort-of) requested by YOU.

Screenshot from 1 of 2 videos that contained a shadowy figure and a drunken manifesto.

The original text that introduced the video manifesto on Facey B.

Hoardsmas 2014: S.K.I.P: Strategic Kangaroo Impact Patrol (Huggingtons Twisted Toys) / Thrashor (8-Bit Zombie)

Hoardsmas looks a lot more like a present swapping pictorial in 2014.

I can't believe it's that time of year again. Yet, it is. It's HOARDSMAS. We've covered the day itself at least two times before in 2012 and 2013 as well as Hoardsmas themed articles you may care to read (or re-read) about He-man, Power Lords, Super Powers, Dear Santy Letters and Holiday Listicles.

Despite all this, you'd be surprised at how many letters we get every day asking us about HOARDSMAS. 

Predominantly stuff like "What is it?" and "Isn't it just Christmas?" or "How do I celebrate it? I need to know for my lifestyle."

So let me clarify it all for you, right now, once and for all, and for those playing along at home.

HOARDSMAS is about buying material possessions you absolutely don't need and giving them to people you mostly like (and occasionally people you only tolerate), under the guise of a magical creature is the one actually giving it to them. You may NOT take credit for these presents. The magical Hoardo Beast dropped them at your recipient's house for funsies! Don't mess this part up or you'll ruin hopes and dreams.

HOARDSMAS occurs whenever Hoardax can be bothered taking photos of the event. Sometimes this coincidentally lands on your planet's "Christmas Day." Often, not.

HOARDSMAS is about including everybody (regardless of denomination) in something most people can bond over: Alcoholism and Consumerism. If done correctly it can be a fun time for all.

I may or may not be drinking Egg Nog as I write this.

Please commit Hoardsmas responsibly.

But don't forget the most important aspect of HOARDSMAS!

After the magical Hoardo Beast gives you your material possessions, you have to briefly look at your new gifts with unbridled awe and a sense of satisfaction, before putting them in a box and not looking at them again for years.

Rinse. Repeat.

Do this for long enough and you too can have an area in your very own headquarters that gives you anxiety when you walk in there.

Now, that's the true spirit of Hoardsmas! 

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO HALLOWEEN ON HOARD WORLD? aka PLEASE READ MY GUEST POST ON DOOMKICK.COM

Behind-the-scenes pic from my guest review of Bob Hope's lesser known relative and She-Ra's BFF Light Hope over at Doomkick.com

Hi everybody!

My reasons for writing you all today are two-fold.

Firstly, I just thought I would let you know that my guest review of Light Hope has gone up and is ready to peruse at your leisure over at the Doomkick site!

If you've never been there before, then now is a good time to start. It's a lovely place. I highly recommend it.

You can read my guest review right HERE.

Secondly, even though Halloween has clearly come and gone, it would be remiss of me not to share with you how it all went down on Hoard World. It was pretty wonderful you guys.

Two of these things are not like the other.

SPOTLIGHT ON: INTERGALACTIC SKELETOR aka SPACE SKELETOR! aka NEW ADVENTURES SKELETOR by MATTEL

Intergalactic Skelly just flew into Hoard World and boy are his intergalactic arms tired!

You know, in all the years I've been doing Hoard World, I don't think we've ever done an actual spotlight on a Masters of the Universe Classics figure. Sure, there's been lots of pictures of them but never a focus on a single figure release. Well, maybe it's time to do more of that.

"Welcome to the Galaxy, bonehead."

The idea of Space He-man or Space Skeletor is a strange one (even though it makes perfect sense to yours truly) and something that never quite gelled with the children of 1989 or even the adults of the 2010s.

BRING YOUR MAN-E-FACES TO WORK DAY ON HOARD WORLD!

So there I was. At home. It was September 2nd. Just trying to do a nice, honest day's work. Taking pics. Listing on eBay. Being excellent on social media. That sort of thing.

That's when it happened. This guy (I think his name was "Manny") turns up. No hello. No nothin'. And he just won't leave me alone. He doesn't say a word. He just stands there. Watching me. Hugging me. Posin' for pics like the one you just saw.

SPOTLIGHT ON: HUGGINGTONS TWISTED TOYS PART TWO featuring THE SAVAGE BOBBY PIN! (RAGE BEAST EDITION)

Note: The Filmation-style MOTUC Trap Jaw in this photo shoot was created many years ago by Hunter Knight Customs. P.S. I love the way The Savage Bobby Pin is packaged.

Yesterday (hopefully) you read about Frankentrooper and PINCER M.D. in part one of our Spotlight on Huggingtons Twisted Toys.

Today I bring you another fantastic piece of Toy Art in the conclusion of our very special Spotlight on Huggingtons Twisted Toys.

Huggingtons Twisted Toys is the brainchild of artist J-F Tranquille (you can check out his new blog that goes behind the scenes of his work HERE) who is based in Melbourne, Australia and has had displays and exhibitions of his art, sculptures and toy creations all over town (most recently, and most often, at the awesome Art Boy Gallery).

All of the independently produced Toys you see in this Spotlight are either available to purchase now (or will be very shortly) from the Huggingtons Twisted Toys Storenvy.

Let's get started, shall we?

SPOTLIGHT ON: HUGGINGTONS TWISTED TOYS PART ONE featuring PINCER M.D. & FRANKENTROOPER.

Note: The Filmation-style MOTUC Trap Jaw in this photo shoot was created many years ago by Hunter Knight Customs.

It's been far too long between pop cultural drinks here on Hoard World.

To be fair, while I frequent the Facey B often, and update The Hoardstagram so regularly that one magnificent Hoard Worlder instituted the catchphrase "Hoard World: Bringing you toy insanity on a daily basis!", I have been rather lax with The Blogging and such.

Until now.

And golly gee willikers is this a doozy!

For today I bring you TWO fantastic pieces of Toy Art in Part One of our very special Spotlight on Huggingtons Twisted Toys.

Huggingtons Twisted Toys is the brainchild of artist J-F Tranquille (you can check out his new blog that goes behind the scenes of his work HERE) who is based in Melbourne, Australia and has had displays and exhibitions of his art, sculptures and toy creations all over town (most recently, and most often, at the awesome Art Boy Gallery).

All of the independently produced Toys you see in this Spotlight are either available to purchase now (or will be very shortly) from the Huggingtons Twisted Toys Storenvy.

Let's get started, shall we?

6 YouTube VIDEOS YOU NEED TO SEE BEFORE YOU DIE.

Friends that YouTube together, can die happily together.

There's 1001 lists of things other people think you should be doing before you die. But who are they to tell you? And more importantly, who the heck are they to tell ME?

Not one to be left behind by such modern day fads as "Doing Things", "Achieving Inane Goals Set By Others" or "Living Life to the Fullest" (yuck!), I have concocted a list of my own. Afterall, you can hoard experiences too, you know.

These are 6 achievements you can reach right now without even getting up!

All of them are YouTube videos. All of them (with one exception) are clips I have only come across this year so there's a slight chance you might not have already seen them! All of them are awesome in their own way.

And all of them you NEED to see before you die.*

Remember folks, the future is uncertain, and the end is always near. At least that's what Jim Morrison said, and he was right about that for himself!

Let's begin shall we?

VALENTINE'S DAY featuring EXCLUSIVE tips from TV's Bryan Cranston of Breaking Bad fame.

Welcome to Valentine's Day on Hoard World - the only blog that is 99.1% pure...ROMANCE.

Last year, that jerk Hoardax gave you the Top 5 Valentine's Day Tips of All Time.

Well, I'm here to tell you - his romance was inferior.

This is the new shizz.

Let's cook.

NEW ITEMS AVAILABLE TO BUY AT THE HOARD STORE: MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE! SPIDER-MAN! MARVEL LEGENDS! WALKING DEAD!

That one time I met Errol Flynn's son and MR. T's dad.

Oh hey.

Didn't see you there. It's your old pal Hoardax.

You remember me, right? Hordak's nice twin brother? Blogger? Ebay Store proprietor?

Anyway, I listed some awesome shizz over at the Hoard Store.

I don't mention stuff like this as much as I should because I'm too busy dream casting the upcoming Masters Of The Universe live action film or spotlighting awesome 3-D Paper Toy Art or filming Battle Cat doing stuff like this.....

HAPPY NEW YEAR HOARD WORLDERS!

Happy New Year for whenever it's happening to you!

As you can see, It's happening on Hoard World right now!

Thanks for Hoard Worlding with me in 2013.

All the best to everybody in 2014!

yr pal,

HOARDAX.

"Greetings True He-Believer!
I was just testing out this Battletastic Battle Armour of yours!
From now on....MAKE MINE MOTU!"
Also....Happy 91st Birthday to STAN LEE aka STANDOR.

SPOTLIGHT ON: RYAN HALL'S PAPER ART TOYS featuring his 3-D Paper versions of HORDAK, HE-MAN and WONDER WOMAN

These aren't your Grandpa Grayskull's Paper Art Toys.......

It is with great pleasure, and extreme excitement that I am back again to spotlight yet another fantastic Toy Artist who has found their way into my plastic, slime-filled heart. This is the second part of what was originally a trilogy, but has since become a quartet of super special Spotlight Features here on Hoard World. 

If you missed out and want to read the first spotlight in this series that started way back in September, and focused on the awesome Goodleg Toys, you can do so right HERE.

This installment, we focus on reknowned UK Paper Toy Artist Ryan Hall. He creates handmade 3-D Paper Toy Art. It's quite exceptional stuff. You can find out about some of his other work at his word press site and follow him on his Facey B to see what he's currently working on! You won't be disappointed.

Since I've known Ryan, he has had a variety of exhibitions of his work, both in the UK and internationally. Within the last six months, he even had a Linda Carter approved Wonder Woman piece displayed at the Art Boy Gallery in Melbourne.

Personally, I was incredibly grateful and honoured when these Hordak and He-man pieces arrived on Hoard World many, many moons ago. If I had any self-respect, I would have written this tribute quite a while back. Alas, time waits for no Hoardax.

Here's some words from the artist himself about his He-man and Hordak pieces as well as a bit about his own origin story and influences.

TOP 5 WAYS YOU CAN TELL IT'S THE HOLIDAYS aka IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE HOARDSMAS.......

You can tell it's getting to be some sort of Holiday Period when stuff like this awesome Kirby-inspired Art by Michael Cho starts turning up and getting re-posted all over the internets.
Picture Credit: Kirby Museum

It's been far too long since I've cracked open this blog and writ in it. It got quite dusty in the time I've been away. There was now a family of Spidermans (pronounced 'Spee-dur-man') living inside it, some of the plastic had begun to yellow, and the electricity had been disconnected.

QUICK UPDATE: GUEST SPOT AT POE GHOSTAL.COM - SPIRIT OF HORDAK REVIEW - HOARDSTAGRAM - VALE LOU SCHEIMER

It's been a pretty tumultuous time over here on Hoard World of late. The last six weeks or so have been spent attempting the biggest HQ move of your pal Hoardax's entire six millennium lifespan! Have you ever tried moving planets before? Intergalactic relocation is a real beast! I almost passed away on several occasions. I wish I was joking.

Let this be a lesson to all of you, but especially me: DON'T HOARD.

Meanwhile, I managed to pen a guest review, that was literally three of your human months in the making, over at PoeGhostal.com. It may have felt like a three month wait to Poe, but as we will endeavour to explain in a future blog entry, time works differently for Hoardax. In the time it takes most people to live their entire existences, I have only eaten a baloney sandwich, watched half an episode of Charles In Charge and had a nice lie down. More on that, another time.

If you missed this guest review, you should totally check it out.

And you can, right here at this LINK.

Whoever wins.....nobody cares.
It's just a blinking contest.
Stakes aren't very high at all.
Pretty sure the victor just gets bragging rights, a greater sense of self and $1.80.

Due to lack of a decent internet connection in the purgatory that was the last month or so, the majority of Hoard World's new content has been via The Hoardstagram. You should take a look at that as well.

You don't wanna miss out on the time my friend Batros-Batros Ghali was arrested by Eternian Palace Guards for impersonating Batman in an area where Cosplay is banned. 

This might look amusing to you, but you didn't have to bail him out at 3am on a school night.

Anyway, that's it from me, for now. I hope to return you to the regularly unscheduled Hoard World that you've come to know and love, sooner rather than never.

Hope you've all been keeping well.

YR PAL,

HOARDAX.

RIP LOU SCHEIMER 1928-2013