in a fundamental way to that of the mad arch-villain Megatron. Optimus Primal knows this, and understands that it is he -- and he alone -- who must pursue Megatron across time and space in order to put a stop once and for all to his evil plans. This detailed robot figure changes into an impressive beast machine and back again. He can ride the "jet-powered" hover board, or use it as a weapon with its firing projectile and snap-open assault blade. Figure comes with hover board, projectile, Maximal ship Axalon and comic book. Measures 6" tall.  (less)

left hand. The original figure had hip-mounted projectile-firings guns. Prior to the signing of the Pax Cybertronia, Megatron held a command position. The Japanese version had a somewhat antagonistic past relationship with the Emperor of Destruction, Galvatron. Megatron favored complicated intrigues and subtle manipulations to the original Megatronâs straightforward conquest-driven assaults. Though his initial mission, guided by the stolen Golden Disk, involved uncovering the Ark and destroying the stasis-locked G1 Optimus Prime, thus robbing the Autobots of their victory against the Decepticons, Megatron, consummate opportunist, did take the time pursue a few of his own interests first. A renegade Predacon, Megatronâs varying endeavors attrac...  (less)

an elite commando team, for what should been a simple mission:Capture and detain Roland Kane from his fortress on a worthless, backwaterplanet. Kane is an escaped war criminal, the once-legendary leader of WolfPack...and your former mentor.  Unbeknownst to you and your team, Kane is in command of a secret paramilitaryforce funded by the Medel-Gruman (M-G) Corporation. As Whiskey Company's shipapproaches the planet, it is blasted out of the sky by Kane's troops. Now youfind yourself stranded in a dangerous world. Vicious prehistoric beasts of allshapes and sizes roam the terrain, attacking anything that moves. Your latestmission might end up being your last mission - for all the wrong reasons.  Your ship is in pieces and your teammates are either kil...  (less)

the mountain pass, where the traveller might rest till the brown water subsided, or the daylight returned. Scotland abounds in flooded streams, and stern passes. At tlie southern end of a road, leading over the central Grampian ridge to and from Braemar, stands the spital, or hospital of Glenshee. Everything seems to point to the genesis of the present hamlet in an ancient shelter. The scene is typical. And if, in imagination, we refill the shades, cast by the then dense woodland, with wild beasts, the reason for the choice will become still more apparent. It must be difficult for those who now halt by the way at the inn, to realise a past state of things. m As a last resourLe, much of thewood was destroyed and the tenants thereof dealt wit11 on more equal terms. So began a war of extermination, only justifiable as a measure of self - preservation, which was not without its sscrifices. The mischief, as far as the trees are concerned, we are slowly repairing often with no other view than to soften and vary the hardness and monotony of the landscapes. What about the animals - Toward the close of last century, a temporary movement began which soon spent itself, and seems to have excited so little attention, that, probably, its very existence is not generally ltnown. Its object was to restore some of the exiles thus, unceremoniously, driven forth. The boldest advocate of things as they were, acknowledged that these islands were too contracted for the larger, and more dangerous of the wild animals to be turned loose and drew the line at the bear, and the wolf. But, it seemed to some that it might increase the picturesqueness even of such hills as ours, if the reindeer were once more to walk along the ridges, in relief against the evening sky and tha@G±ë…¸Rÿ¾Û€  (less)

the (literally) immortal Lazarus Long is the most popular and enduring character created by Robert A. Heinlein, author of numerous New York Times best sellers. Across five decades, he appeared and reappeared in Heinlein's most popular novels, including Methuselah's Children, Time Enough for Love, The Number of the Beast, To Sail Beyond the Sunset, and others. Long is the oldest living member of the human race by virtue of a unique set of chromosomes, aided by the advanced rejuvenation technology of the far future. He has been a pioneer on eight planets, survived wars and lynch mobs, and explored all of interstellar space known to humanity, as well as some other parts he doesn't talk about. Long's adventures and narrow escapes have given him a breadth of experience distilled through the irony of an immortal viewpoint. But there is nothing stuffy or snobbish about Long's reflections on the human condition. As the noted editor and critic David G. Hartwell has observed, Lazarus' comments are acute, lively and intelligent. And here they are, compiled in one beautifully designed book, for the delight of the millions of Heinlein fans around the world.  (less)

agreeing with the wealthy of occupied New Orleans who labeled him Beast Butler. In this thorough examination of Butler's career in the Crescent City, noted historian Chester G. Hearn reveals that both assessments are correct. As a criminal lawyer prior to becoming a politician, Butler learned two great lessons - how to beat the rich and powerful at their own game, and how to succeed as a felon without being caught. In New Orleans, Hearn demonstrates, Butler drew on these lessons, visibly enjoying power, removing those who questioned his authority, and delighting in defeating his opponents. Because of his remoteness from Washington, he was able to devise his own rules as he went along, surrounding himself with trusted friends and family members who had no choice but to keep his secrets lest they incriminate themselves. Butler made every effort to humble the rich, who abhorred him, and whose sordid characterizations of his regime - some true, some not - became legendary. As Hearn explains, Butler's legacy of corruption clouded many admirable aspects of his administration. He championed the poor, many of whom would have starved had he not fed and employed them. He also established sanitation policies that helped rid the city of disease and saved the lives of thousands of New Orleans' less fortunate. Vividly describing Butler's childhood and his political career before and after the war, Hearn deftly places Butler's New Orleans reign in the context of his entire life. He also offers fascinating new information on Butler, including the first investigation of his suspicious accumulation of great wealth late in life.  (less)

compound - vampires. A covert team of government agents committed to the elimination of vampires dispatch a mysterious young woman named Saya, who in the guise of a schoolgirl, must uncover the origin of the demonic plague, eliminate the ghastly beasts and stop their reign of terror before time runs out. She is the last remaining original. Painstakingly animated by the masters of Japan's Production I.G. studios (Dead Leaves, Ghost in the Shell, Kai Doh Maru, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Kill Bill), Blood: The Last Vampire is the first fully digital work of animation ever produced. Conceived in cooperation with Mamoru Oshii (Director, Ghost in the Shell, Patlabor: The Movie, Patlabor 2), and Directed by Hiroyuki Kitakubo (Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, Black Magic M-66), the film features character designs by charismatic illustrator Katsuya Terada (Mirai Ninja, Zeiram), dynamic digital sound mixed in Hollywood and the voice talents of Youki Kodoh (Snow Falling on Cedars) as Saya. The film opened in mid-November of 2000 at Cine Saison Shibuya and several other major cities throughout Japan. Blood also played a limited theatrical run in the U.S. and was one of the first- ever features to be streamed over the Internet the day of its release on DVD. What is UMDTM? UMD, Universal Media Disc, is a brand-new and groundbreaking optical storage medium, designed for the high speed and efficient delivery of digital entertainment content that can store up to 1.8 GB of digital data on a 60mm disc -- or an entire feature film on a single UMD video. All UMD DVDs are produced in Widescreen and encoded using advanced AVC compression. UMD for PSP will play on the new PlayStation Portable handheld entertainment system. Specifications Diameter: 60 mm Maximum Capacity: 1.8GB (Single-sided, dual layer) Laser wavelength: 660nm (Red laser)  (less)