Masters of the Universe Classics - MERMISTA!

MOTUC Club Eternia - Mermista - Mattycollector Exclusive - Mattel 2014

Mermista has been my most wanted Princess of Power figure ever since Adora first arrived 5 years ago and showed us that the POP ladies would definitely be included in this line.  I am glad we had to wait so long though because I think the stars had to be aligned to provide us such a perfect figure.  Any of the minor flaws we've seen from MOTUC figures in the past would have been a major disappointment on a long-awaited character like Mermista.  But luckily all that stuff has been ironed out.  Some surprises for me included (1) her mermaid tail is glittery, (2) her main tail fin is blue instead of green, (3) her human legs are bare instead of blue, and (4) her hair is made out of a new lightweight flexible rubber.  All of these changes and surprises are perfectly acceptable to me though.  I probably wouldn't have even noticed if not for me actively seeking something about this figure to critique. I'll let all the pictures speak for themselves.  Let's check out Mermista below!

Kickstarter - I AM ELEMENTAL!

I Am Elemental - Series 01: Elements of Courage - Rebel Elements 2014

What a great way to bring 2014 to a close! I was really anxious to get my hands on this  I Am Elemental series since it was my first foray into the world of Kickstarter and I couldn't shake the feeling that I was taking a gamble. I have friends who have backed Kickstarter campaigns in the past and have been disappointed by the final product (or lack thereof). My paranoia was assuaged though by the professional and thorough framework presented by creators Julie Kerwin and Dawn Nadeau. The concept, design, funding, and delivery of these figures was fully fleshed out before the Kickstarter even went live. It's amazing to think that a mere seven months after I first heard of the concept of these toys, I am holding a fully realized, beautifully made set of action figures. I know there is a future series in the works (Series 02: Wisdom), and I know without a doubt I'll be adding it to my collection. I'd also like to add that I had zero QC problems with this set;  no sloppy paint lines; no stuck joints; no casting seams. I don't have this much confidence in any of the top toy companies. Let's check out the Elements of Courage!

Justice League Unlimited - AQUAGIRL!

DC Universe - Justice League Unlimited: Final Figures - Aquagirl - Mattel 2012

There have been many different characters with the name of "Aquagirl" over the years. None of them have stood the test of time however.  My personal theory is that this is due to their costume design.  Rarely have they looked Atlantean or even aquatic in nature. Some are even wearing street clothes under water. The one design that I feel really worked though was this Aquagirl from Batman Beyond, also known as Mareena (the daughter of Aquaman).  She was originally created to be a part of a future Justice League in a 2-part BB story arc, but she has since made appearances in Justice League Unlimited and many comics.  Her costume, hair color, and pointed features give her that otherworldly feel that her previously incarnations lacked.  Aquagirl can breathe underwater, telepathically communicate with sea life, and can control water itself.  In her backstory, we learn that she was kidnapped by Darkseid and trained as one of Granny Goodness' Female Furies.  Cool stuff.  Let's check her out below!

Masters of the Universe Classics - SPINNERELLA!

MOTUC Club Etheria Exclusive - Spinnerella - Mattel 2014

The Great Rebellion is really filling out the ranks as Club Etheria draws to a sad close. Spinnerella was one of the many Princess of Power characters to appear in only a single episode of the cartoon, yet warrant the full vintage and modern action figure treatment. To be honest, Spinnerella is my second least-desired POP character (after Perfuma). Her look, her name, and her power just scream "doll gimmick" to me, however I have to concede and admit I like this MOTUC figure a lot.  While she is definitely the girliest and least formidable-looking POP girl so far, she has a unique regal presence among my collection.  I just re-watched her episode and she is toted as a very powerful character who can spin and create a magical destructive cyclone.  Her rumored/implied connection to Netossa just makes her all the more interesting.  Here's the rundown:  They come to this part of Etheria while on a vacation together.  They share a room and decide to go out dancing.  They're fiercely protective of each other.  And they hug a lot.  I'm not sold, but I'm intrigued.  Draw your own conclusions.  Let's check out Spinnerella below!

Playmobil SEA WITCH!

Playmobil: Waterworld - Magical Ocean Queen 4816 - Playmobil 2009

There was a brief period about twenty years ago when I became obsessed with Playmobil.  There was a little boutique kids store in my hometown that had a whole wall of them and I found them adorable and cheap (they cost about $2.50 at the time).  It was a quickly passing fad for me though and I soon passed on my small collection to my young relatives.  Then a few years ago Playmobil started releasing their blind bag Fi?ures series and my interest was renewed.  I've collected a few random figures here and there, but my favorite overall theme is to collect witches and evil queens.  My inability to find the Series 6 Maleficent figure was the only reason I didn't do a big group review this past Halloween.  This Sea Witch figure (also known as Magical Ocean Queen) is one of my favorites.  There's nothing like a good evil mermaid.  She was a part of a fantastic series called Waterworld which consisted of Mermaids, Mer-men, Underwater Ghouls, Sea-Beasts, etc.  Let's check out the Sea Witch below!

Transformers: Generations - CHROMIA!

Transformers - 30th Anniversary Generations Deluxe - Chromia - Hasbro 2014

I never thought I would ever be holding a G1-styled Chromia in my hands.  I know this figure seems to be more based off the modern comics than the vintage cartoon, but the overall look of Chromia is consistent.  The Search for Alpha Trion is by far my favorite episode of Transformers.  The episode takes place on Cybertron and introduces us to a renegade team of female Autobots living in secret on the planet.  We meet Elita-One, Firestar, Moonracer, Greenlight, Lancer, and of course Chromia (who appears to be second in command under Elita-One).  Not only was this the introduction to female Transformers as an overall concept, but it was also the first deep-dive into Cybertronian history and design.  I ate it up.  Ever since then there have been a loyal band of female Transformers fanatics whose unshakable devotion have made this figure possible.  Over the years there has been a lot of anti-fembot vitriol flying around.  I never understood it, but plenty of fans want Transformers to be a boys only club.  Thank God they lost the battle.  Let's check out Chromia below!

McDonald's Hook - MERMAID!

McDonald's Happy Meal presents Hook - Mermaid - McDonald's Corp 1991

Every time I watch some incarnation of Peter Pan I spend the whole time wishing and hoping that the mermaids will be represented properly.  It's kind of a silly part to view as the highlight of the story, but it's totally my favorite part.  I was in Middle School when Hook came out in 1991.  This Steven Spielberg film starred Robin Williams as the titular boy -- who did grow up.  Peter was reluctantly dragged back to Neverland to fight Dustin Hoffman as Captain Hook.  I haven't seen this movie in twenty years, but I think I would still like it today.  I specifically remember being thrilled with the Mermaid scene.  If my memory serves me correctly, when Peter plunges off the gangplank, there are several colorful mermaids who greet him under the water.  Of course I told all my friends my favorite part was the swordfight or something, but we all know the lure of mermaids.  The merchandise for the movie was pretty scant, limited to a small action figure line from Mattel and a 4-piece Happy Meal set from McDonalds.  None of the toys are great, but hey, Mermaids will always have a home in my collection.  Let's check her out below!

Transformers: Generations - ARCEE!

Transformers - 30th Anniversary Generations Deluxe - Arcee - Hasbro 2014

Wow this figure has been a long time coming.  As the most high-profile female in the Transformers Universe, it's so surprising that it's taken 28 years to get a proper G1 figure.  Hasbro's neglect to make this figure has made Arcee quite the darling of the 3rd Party market.  There are quite a few very well made non-Hasbro "non"-Arcees out there.  But in all honestly, I think the Hasbro version was well worth the wait.  She looks great in both Robot and Vehicle forms, she transforms easily, and it seems no shortcuts were taken in her production (I don't think she shares any parts with previous figures).  I'm totally smitten over her.  When I found her in Walmart earlier this week I had a profound reaction - almost like vindication.  Like the toy companies have been telling us for years that she wouldn't sell, but the demand kept growing until I'm standing there under the fluorescent lighting looking at an aisle full of Arcees, Chromias, and Windblades.  I almost got a little teary.  Not really, but I was definitely feeling something.

Hanna-Barbera's Fish Police - ANGEL JONES!

Hanna Barbera's Fish Police Bend-ems - Angel - JusToys/Just Toys 1992

I only recently discovered that there was a short-lived Fish Police cartoon in the early 90s. By "short-lived" I mean really short. It lasted only three episodes and it's easy to see why. I personally think the animation looks really good, but the pacing is slow, the voices are ill-cast, and the humor goes from childish fish jokes to some pretty serious sexual innuendo. I can't imagine who the intended audience was. I originally stumbled across the Fish Police comics accidentally in the late 80s as I was obsessively tracking down every comic that my favorite artist (Arthur Adams) had ever contributed to. These were the days prior to the internet so finding back issues of indy comics was no easy feat... especially if you were in elementary school. I managed to get my issues for the random Arthur Adams pinups and short stories, but I quickly became a fan of the book as a whole. Steve Moncuse's Fish Police was a weird film noir/gumshoe book set in the undersea Fish City that mixed gritty crime with offbeat humor.

Transformers: Robots in Disguise - STRONGARM!

Transformers: Robots in Disguise - Deluxe Class - Strongarm - Hasbro 2014

This character is a bit of mystery to me right now since the new cartoon Transformers: Robots in Disguise doesn't premiere until early 2015.  All we know about Strongarm is that she is an "Elite Guard Cadet" and a member of Bumblebee's young Autobot team when he returns to Earth following the Predacons Rising movie.  Aside from that, all we have are some graphics, some teaser video clips, and three (count'em, three!) action figures.  The action figures make her out to be a lot bulkier than she appears in the animation, but even so, she is definitely packing a lot more muscle than previous Transformer girls (if you don't count Strika).  I'm hoping we get another version of her someday with a more cartoon-accurate body, but if not, I'm still very happy with this Deluxe Class figure.  There are also mini Cyberverse-style figures and blocky One-Step-Changer figures on the toy shelves right now.  I love it how I have to pick and choose because I'm running out of room on my fembot shelf (!).  I never thought I'd see the day.

Wild Republic's SISTERS OF THE SEA!

Sisters of the Sea: Mermaids - 6" Action Playsets - Wild Republic 2014

I found this little gem in a random beach shop on the Jersey shore while on vacation this summer.  My family vacations are usually bizarrely toy-focused because they tend to coincide with SDCC.  I spend my evenings frantically trying to get an internet signal to see all the exciting reveals.  With all my focus on the digital world, I never expect to find interesting toys in the surf shops.  Well these figures certainly burst that bubble.  Sure, they're cheaply made with sloppy paint, but at the same time I know that fully sculpted and articulated mermaid action figures are exceedingly rare.  The first Sisters of the Sea figure I spotted was blonde with an orange tail.  I'm still kicking myself for not grabbing her right away because she was gone in a few hours and all that was left was the requisite Ariel wannabes.  Wild Republic is a company I'm well aware of from their animal replicas (one of my many other hobbies).  You can easily find Wild Republic toys in museum gift shops and tourist areas.  I know it's just a matter of time until I get all the color variations.  Let's check out this cool mermaid figure below!

The Walking Dead's CAROL PELETIER!

AMC's The Walking Dead: Series 06 - Carol Peletier - McFarlane Toys 2014

I love Carol.  Of all the characters in AMC's The Walking Dead, she is by far my favorite.  When we first meet Carol, she seems nothing more than a meek victim of her husband's abusive nature.  But over the course of five seasons, we've seen her grow into one of the most complex characters in the series.  She is fiercely maternal, shockingly pragmatic, and a surprisingly competent survivor. Her comic book counterpart died off ages ago, but the TV character is so much more dynamic and interesting that she'll probably stay alive forever. The sad part for me is that I'm not sure what other ladies are on the horizon for this line.  Sasha, Beth, and Rosita are likely candidates, but at this point all the heavy hitters are done.  The sculpting on this Carol figure is great.  However, every version I saw in stores had pretty awful facial paint.  I looked at the paint master photos on spawn.com as a guide for a quick touch-up and I'm pretty happy with the results. Let's check out Carol (and my customization) below!

LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean EVIL MERMAIDS!

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides - 4194 Whitecap Bay - LEGO 2011

I love mermaids.  Ever since I was a kid they were my favorite of the mythological beasts.  Sure, I had strong obsessions with Centaurs, Griffins, Unicorns, and the whole fantastical menagerie of legend.  But mermaids were special to me.  Unfortunately my love of them also made me pretty particular about what kind of mermaid I like.  In short, I don't go for cute, pretty mermaids.  Ariel is pretty boring in my book.  I like my mermaids to either be fierce warriors, or (ideally) vicious predators.  Finding evil mermaid figures is pretty challenging.  Especially ones without rooted hair.  These Lego figures fit the bill though.  I think they're amazing.  This review is technically the start of my Mermaid week reviews leading up to the release of Mermista.  But my attempts to hoard a bunch of interesting mer-figures fell woefully short.  There will still be some great reviews, but not to the degree of previous themed weeks like Bee Week.  Let's check out the awesome Lego mermaids below!

Funko Pop! - LADY SIF!

Pop! Marvel #56 Lady Sif - Thor: The Dark World - Funko 2014

Asgard is quickly filling up with powerful females.  Between the new female Thor and his long lost sister Angela getting their own solo titles in the last month, I was afraid that Sif would get lost in the shuffle.  Luckily her roles in both Thor films as well as numerous animated endeavours has cemented her role in the Marvel Universe.  Her own solo series in 2013 (under the Journey Into Mystery banner) was fantastic and I thought it was a shame it ended so abruptly.  Despite her mainstream fame, I didn't expect any more merchandising for the character after her 2010-2012 surge of popularity.  I even created a Character Spotlight post for her when I assumed my Sif collection was complete.  This Funko Pop figure was a welcome surprise though.  It's interesting also because this is my first bobblehead Pop.  I've noticed that some Pops have stationary heads and some bobble, but this was my first time seeing one in person.  Let's check out Lady Sif in detail below!

DC Collectibles Greg Capullo CATWOMAN!

DC Comics Designer Series: Greg Capullo - #6 Catwoman - DC Collectibles 2014

We all know DC Collectibles has been hitting it out of the park recently with all their amazing and innovative new action figures.  What I'm especially excited about though is the sheer number of wonderful additions to my Catwoman collection thanks to DCC!  Seriously, my three favorite Catwomen in my collection are the last three put out by DCC.  And that Jae Lee Catwoman coming out this Summer looks like it might be my favorite yet.  I have no connection to Greg Capullo.  I remember him being the backup Spawn artist way back in the early nineties (when Todd couldn't hit his deadlines).  But beyond that, I'm only peripherally aware of his career.  Clearly he has become a Batman artist of prominence.  When this figure was first announced right before Toy Fair last year, I was excited for another Selina but not thoroughly impressed with the execution of the figure.  In person though, I think she's gorgeous.  And her body style hearkens back to the nostalgic DC Direct days.  Let's check out Catwoman below!

DC Collectibles STARGIRL!

DC Comics: The New 52 - Stargirl - DC Collectibles 2014

Stargirl is one of those rare DC characters who I know next to nothing about.  In fact, with all my obsessive reading of DC Comics, I don't think I've read a single issue that she's appeared in.  That said, I've been curious enough about her various toys and comic covers over the years that I've googled her plenty to find out more.  Courtney Whitmore first appeared in 1999 as a new version of the Star-Spangled Kid (with a costume modeled after the Zoo Crew's Yankee Poodle.)  Soon she was given the Cosmic Staff and became Stargirl (the new Starman).  The character was created by Geoff Johns in honor of his younger sister, Courtney, who was a victim of the TWA Flight 800 crash.  That tragedy struck a major chord with me.  I grew up roughly 30 minutes away from the high school that lost 16 students on that flight.  Although I didn't know any of them, we were the same age and from the same rural area.  Knowing that Stargirl is a tribute to a victim of that tragedy makes me like her even more.

Korejanai Robo CATWOMAN!

Justice League X Korejanai Robo - McDonald's China Exc - Zarigani Works 2014

I've always wanted robot versions of all my favorite bat-ladies but I never thought I'd actually get one.  Granted, this isn't the cool sleek version I expected either.  Korejanai Robo is a line of "intentionally lame" toys meant to conjure the nostalgic feelings of disappointment from getting a bootleg toy on Christmas morning instead of the real deal.  Korejani Robo roughly translates into "Not this robot!"  I believe the original robots are made of wood and imported as designer toys by companies like Kotobukiya.  The DC Comics versions were released this year in both blind box format as well as McDonald's Toys in Hong Kong.  This Catwoman figure is the super exclusive figure of the bunch because she was only released as a McDonald's Online exclusive when you placed an internet order for delivery.  Also, I beleive the Joker figure is only available in the McDonald's HK locations (as opposed to the rest of the figures who you can find elsewhere in the blind box assortments).  Let's check out Robo Catwoman below!

Batman: The Animated Series CATWOMAN!

Batman: The Animated Series -  4: Catwoman - DC Collectibles 2014

Batman: The Animated Series was one of those cartoons that revolutionized superhero culture in the mainstream media. It combined Tim Burton's gritty Gotham with the film noir style of the classic Superman cartoons from Fleischer to create a fresh new Bat-Universe. Sure Batman and Batman Returns were huge hits, but this cartoon series provided an everyday all-ages exposure for years. Most mildly-nerdy adults I meet nowadays had their perceptions of Batman formed from this very series. To be perfectly honest, I was never a huge fan of the series. Although I was young, I already had a definitive Batman in my head and this Timm-verse Batman was not it. It grew on me over the years of course. And one of the highlights of the series was the deeper development of great female characters like Catwoman, Poison Ivy, and Harley Quinn. This BTAS action figure series from DCC is one of the most unexpected yet amazing toy lines I can think of. This Catwoman is perfect. Let's check her out below!

Mini Mez-Itz Batman '66 CATWOMAN!

Mini Mez-Itz - Batman Classic TV Series 5-Pack - Mezco 2014

I've fallen in love with Mezco's adorably weird Mini Mez-Itz toys.  I now own five and I'm looking forward to getting many more (Girls of Gotham set, I'm talking about you).  I'm especially excited about this particular figure because she marks the third Catwoman in the series (and as I'm always fond of saying, "it takes three to make a collection").  I first saw these figures several years ago at Toy Fair and I've been nervous about getting them ever since.  I've never known Mezco to show a product and not release it, but for some reason the Mini Mez-Itz can have some crazy delays.  I'm constantly getting press release information about their Living Dead Dolls and Breaking Bad toys, but the Mez-Itz kind of fly under the radar until they surprise you in the toy aisles.  Also, the supply of Julie Newmar Catwoman products seems to be dwindling down lately, so any new representation of this look are much appreciated.  Let's check out this Mini Mez-Itz Classic TV Catwoman below!

Masters of the Universe - Galactic Protector SHE-RA!

MOTUC Club Etheria Exclusive - Galactic Protector She-Ra - Mattel 2014

She-Ra has had a lot of interesting variants throughout her career.  This is mostly due to the fact that her vintage toys were in doll form (as opposed to the action figures in the He-Man line).  The cloth outfits and rooted hair of her toys led to the inevitable "fashion packs" which created a whopping 16 additional costume variations (in addition to the three main She-Ra releases).  In MOTUC, we already have a regular She-Ra and a Bubble Power She-Ra, so with an additional 17 official vintage variants to choose from, Mattel instead chose to come up with an original design to fit in with the New Adventures of He-Man.  I couldn't be happier.  While the remaining vintage designs have merit, they aren't nearly as cool or canonical as this Galactic Protector She-Ra.  Her costume design reflects her vintage toy details combined with the futuristic "space adventure" theme on the New Adventures cartoon.  I think the design and execution are fantastic.  Let's check out Galactic Protector She-Ra below!

Planet of the Apes - ZIRA!

Planet of the Apes (Classics): Series 2 - Zira - NECA 2014

My obsession with NECA keeps growing and growing in recent years.  Most of their current toy lines seem to be based around video games and adventure movies (which are way off my radar honestly).  But at the same time they have a great aesthetic for nostalgic properties.  The toy aisles are loaded with amazing figures of Rocky, Aliens, and Predator thanks to NECA.  My personal current obsessions are their Gremlins and Planet of the Apes lines.  It comes down to my love of puppeteering and fantasy.  I buy them all, but unfortunately for this blog, there are very few females in these properties.  The ones they do make, however, are undeniably amazing.  Zira is the calm voice of reason in the Planet of the Apes series.  She's a psychologist and veterinarian who specializes in the study of humans.  When she realizes that astronaut George Taylor isn't a "native" human (mute, tribal hominids) and can actually write, she becomes his greatest ally.  Let's check out the amazing Zira below!

WWE Superstar - EVA MARIE!

WWE Basic Series 43 - Superstar #50 - Eva Marie - Mattel 2014

Woo-hoo finally a WWE figure who I knew about before I bought her!  I first became aware of Eva Marie through my casual watching of the reality show Total Divas on E!. Between her unnaturally flaming (yet gorgeous) red hair and her dynamic personality, she was the standout for me on the show.  Most of the time she seems to be portrayed as an antagonist, but I've also seen her as the good guy more than once.  I'm sure that flexibilty just makes her all the more popular for WWE fans.  Since my first impressions of Eva, I've noticed her images here and there in stores and on TV.  She seems to be the girl of the moment for WWE (full disclosure: I'm a WWE novice so this is all conjecture).  This figure from Mattel is an okay rendition of her.  It's hard not to identify her as Eva Marie with her trademark hair combined with her Mexican/Italian complexion.  But the face is not nearly as attractive as the real life Eva.  After I photographed this review I found a second Eva in Target which had thicker eyelashes and looked a lot better than this version.  So keep your eyes peeled for subtle variations!  Let's check out Eva Marie below!

Batman: Li'l Gotham HARLEY QUINN!

Batman: Li'l Gotham #4 - Harley Quinn - DC Collectibles 2014

I love when I see a figure in person and my perception of it completely changes.  When I first saw solicitation images of this figure around Toy Fair earlier this year I wasn't really impressed.  Sure, she was cute, and sure, it's a good representation of Dustin Nguyen's art, but I just knew she was going to be a "pass" for me.  Especially considering the insane amount of awesome DCC products solicited at the same time.  I kind of forgot about her until I saw her in person at my local comic shop last week and was totally won over.  There's something incredibly charming about this figure that doesn't come across well in 2-D photos.  Plus I didn't realize that she would be half the price of a typical DCC figure.  Now I have my typical wishes for a Catwoman and Poison Ivy figure keep her company.  Not to mention Huntress, Batgirl and Batwoman who get a lot of play in Dustin's Li'L Gotham comic.  I can imagine my entire Bat-shelf getting an adorable makeover.  Let's check out Harley below!

Funko POP! - Arkham Asylum POISON IVY!

Funko POP! Heroes #55 - Batman: Arkham Asylum - Poison Ivy - Funko 2014

As much as I dislike most video game redesigns of comic book heroes, I absolutely love Poison Ivy in the Arkham Series. Previous comic designs always seemed cheesy to me. Jim Lee's version unveiled in Hush was extremely popular, but I was never a fan.  A big part of that was a disconnect between her green-skinned inhuman elemental side combined with weird 1990's hair and a swimsuit-cut outfit of leaves (which seemed way too 'specific' of a design for a woman detached from human concerns).  On the flipside, the Justice Poison Ivy was just nude with strategically placed vines, which was just uninteresting.  This Arkham version seems to get it right.  The human elements are unquestionably human (i.e. her shirt).  But her slicked-back hair, haunting eyes, green skin tone, and symbiotic vines make for a very creepy contrast to that shirt.  I love it.  That said, this is only the second toy version I have of her in this look (after the Play Arts Kai version).  Let's check out this amazing Poison Ivy Pop!

Arkham Knight - HARLEY QUINN!

DC Comics Multiverse - Batman: Arkham Knight - Harley Quinn - Mattel 2014

Oh Harley. Some designers just don't understand you the way I do. I know you don't want to be dressed like a Victorian dominatrix. I know you don't want softly dyed pigtails. I know you just want an outfit you can easily do cartwheels in. Unfortunately most game designers don't understand this. This newest incarnation of Harley Quinn seems like an awkward kitbash of her Arkham Asylum sexy nurse getup and her (much more acceptable) Arkham City leather duds - with a little "sexy French maid" thrown in for kicks. I'm not a fan. But I'm pretty dedicated to Miss Quinzel so this wasn't a toy I could pass up when I found her in Walmart yesterday. The figure itself isn't horrible. And I actually like having a variety of Harley figures in all her crazy transformations. But it really makes me think of the costume that Margot Robbie will get for the Suicide Squad movie. I'm guessing that look will be very influential for the future of the character. I hope it looks like Assault on Arkham.  Let's check out Harley below!

Game of Thrones - DAENERYS TARGARYEN (2.0)!

Game of Thrones: Legacy Collection #12 - Daenerys Targaryen - Funko 2014

I have a feeling that the Game of Thrones Legacy Collection is going to be chock full of Daenerys figures by the time the line ends.  This character goes through such a transformation over the course of the books and TV episodes and each iteration is worthy of immortilazation in plastic.  I'm especially hoping they'll be some deluxe version with her three dragons (ideally in a threatening, but economically feasible size).  This second version of Daenerys is in her blue dress and cape from her time in Slaver's Bay.  This is one of my favorite looks because it's practical yet regal, like Daenerys herself.  My first version of Daenerys was plagued with QC problems - enough so that there was even a replacement program set up for all the defective stock.  But I'm happy to report that I've had no issues whatsoever with this second wave of figures.  So now I'm really looking forward for future figures.  Cersei is a shoe-in, but there's such a huge cast of awesome characters that the rest of the slots are anybody's game.

Game of Thrones - BRIENNE OF TARTH!

Game of Thrones: Legacy Collection #8 - Brienne of Tarth - Funko 2014

Brienne is one of my favorite characters in Game of Thrones.  I credit a lot of that to Gwendoline Christie's portrayal in the HBO show.  The character in the books is great, but Gwedoline brings an interesting personality to the character that I just adore.  I was a little apprehensive about this figure because she has a very subtle look that balances between feminine and masculine.  Historically the execution of characters like this (in toy form) is a disaster.  I totally passed on Arya from this wave for that very reason.  But this Brienne figure is actually pretty good.  Funko is impressing me more and more every month.  They have so many successful lines already; Pop, ReAction, Legacy.. not to mention the Vinyl Vixens line I'm dying to hear more about.  They even have a dedicated endcap at Target now.  I have 5 more Funko posts lined up for the next few weeks. They're everywhere!  I can't wait to see future waves of Game of Thrones (and Magic the Gathering while we're at it).  Brienne awaits below!

Scribblenauts: Unmasked - CATWOMAN!

Scribblenauts: Unmasked - A DC Comics Adv - Series 04 - DC Collectibles 2014

Scribblenauts seem to be everywhere these days.  The successful puzzle adventure game had its start back in 2009 and has only gained in popularity since.  I don't even play videogames, but I am still inundated with print ads, digital ads, and merchandise from this property all the time.  A big part of that is probably due to the fact that the franchise is published by Warner Bros and I am a DC Comics loyalist (i.e.  The websites I frequent and comics I read are obvious hotspots for Scribblenauts ads).  The fifth game in the series is 2013's Scribblenauts: Unmasked, A DC Comics Adventure.  This game features tons of DC characters drawn in Scribblenauts style (a design developed by 5th Cell's Edison Yan).  It wasn't long until the merchandising began.  The main toy output from this game are these mini 2.5" tall blind box figures from DC Collectibles.  I was honestly indifferent about getting this Catwoman figure at first.  But then the future waves were revealed with a Harley and Ivy - and having that feisty trio represented in this quirky style was too tempting to pass up.  Let's check out the first of the sirens below!

LEGO Legends of Chima - LI'ELLA!

Legends of Chima - 70146 Flying Phoenix Fire Temple - LEGO 2014

LEGO's newest theme-of-the moment thrills me.  I love nature, I love animals, and I love fantastical adventure with warring tribes.  Basically this type of property is perfect for me.  My formative years in the 1980s were full of this: ThunderCats, Silverhawks, TigerSharks, even G.I.Joe got reptilian when Cobra-La was introduced.  But in modern times, this formula has definitely lost it's mojo.  With the exception of the more silly variety (TMNT, Biker Mice From Mars, etc) anthropomorphic characters have really been on the back-burner.  Then Chima came along and made up for decades of neglect.  There are tons of different animal species represented in the different tribes and female characters get decent recognition.  This mini-figure of Li'Ella is notable because she's the first female in the Lion tribe.  The main character of the Chima cartoon is a young male lion (basically Lion-O), so it was important to get some female representation in this "main" tribe.  Let's check her out in detail below!

Turok: Dinosaur Hunter - ADON!

Turok: Dinosaur Hunter - Adon: Keeper of the Forever Light - Playmates 1998

My first exposure to Turok was in the 1980s when my Dad would buy me and my brothers stacks of vintage comics from flea markets. My older brother would grab all the war and combat-themed issues, my younger brother would get the Sad Sack-type "funny" books, and that left the horror and Turok: Son of Stone issues for me. I still have a ton of them and I love them all. I loved feeling like an expert among all the kids at the comic shop when Turok made a comeback in 1993 from Valiant comics and everyone thought he was new. Ever since then he's had a constant, but low-key presence in pop-culture (including a current comic series by Dynamite and a series of well-received games). This action figure series is based on the second game (of six) called Turok 2: Seed of Evil. In these games (and most of the more modern comics) the simple concept of a pre-Colombian Native American man being trapped in a dinosaur valley was drastically changed. Now Turok is a modern man. There are guns, aliens, and vehicles. The best thing to come out of all the changes, however, was this blue-skinned alien named Adon.

Monogram International FIGURAL ERASERS!

Marvel & DC Comics Collectible Erasers - Monogram International 2013-14

Novelty items are a constant thorn in the sides of collectors.  Sometimes they are just so gimmicky and unattractive that you in no way are tempted to buy them.  But then the collecting bug rears its ugly head and you think "but I already got the Squinkies and Nog'nz.. so don't I need to get these?"  Plus they are almost always super cheap.  It's a slippery slope indeed.  These Monogram Erasers didn't appeal to me at all when I first saw pictures of them a year or two ago.  They had all the trappings of a sloppy final product (paint masking issues, deformed molds, etc) and they just somehow lack the "cute" factor that Grab Zags, Chibis and Squinkies have. But I realize now that I was being a bit too judgmental.  When I was buying the exclusive keychain set at this year's Monogram NYCC booth, I took the time to sort through the bins of these erasers to find the best looking ones, and in the process I began to appreciate these weird little guys.  Let's check them all out in detail below!

Marvel Universe - NEBULA!

Marvel Universe SDCC '14 Exclusive - Infinity Gauntlet Boxset - Hasbro 2014

Sorry for the lack of posts lately.  I just returned from a week in Mexico where I spent my days laying on perfect beaches and my warm nights zipping down narrow streets on scooters.  It was wonderfully detached from my day-to-day reality.  I even managed to go on a little toy hunt.  They have these Wal-Mart-type stores called Chedraui, but unfortunately their toy section was practically identical to anything I see here in the states.  At least I didn't have any awkward customs inquisitions like the time I flew with a Catwoman statue in my carry-on, haha.  Anyway, back to the grind.  This comic version of Nebula owes everything to her key role in the Guardians of the Galaxy film.  If I listed all the Marvel heroines who were deserving of action figures, Nebula would be way way down on that list.  That said, I love obscurity and she certainly does make an interesting little figure.  And the film version of Nebula opened my eyes to the coolness of the character.  Let's check her out in detail below!

Marvel Universe - MISTRESS DEATH!

Marvel Universe SDCC '14 Exclusive - Infinity Gauntlet Boxset - Hasbro 2014

Happy Halloween!  I didn't have the forethought to do my typical series of Halloween reviews this year, but I did save this spooky lady that I've had on my shelves since August.  My first exposure to Mistress Death was in 1991's Infinity Gauntlet.  To be perfectly honest she always confused me.  I didn't know if she was the Grim Reaper, Thanos' wife, some sort of God, whatever.  All I knew is that she was omnipresent and creepy and she definitely made an impression.  She was honestly one of my favorite things about that series.  If I can rant for a second: that comic series was the first time the comic market made me feel like a sucker.  I was thirteen and busting my butt mowing lawns and delivering newspapers to fund all my emerging hobbies.  I got sucked into the "Infinity" storyline and spent all my pennies on a million crossovers and follow-up events.. a three year endeavor.  I approach all "big event" comics with trepidation now because that was a soul-sucking experience for an impressionable young nerd.  Rant over!  Let's check out Death below!

WWE Canadian Superstar NATALYA (Take Two)!

WWE Superstars #43 - Natalya (Version 2) - Mattel 2014

It's been a while since I've had a new WWE girl to review.  I never found the Naomi and Cameron 2-Pack and I've skipped a bunch of AJ Lee and Bella Twins repaints, but I never stop cruising the WWE aisle just to see what's new.  I've mentioned before that I know nothing about Wrestling, and I also don't pay (obsessive) attention to this WWE line from Mattel.  The end result is that this is the one toy line that still has the potential to surprise me when I find a figure in the stores.  I have no idea who is in the lineup.  I just look for figures, and if I see one I like, I buy it.  That's why it was super confusing for me when I found this figure at K-Mart a few weeks ago.  I thought she looked great, and she didn't look familiar, but something was making me think I had somehow reviewed her already.  So I checked my blog only to discover that Natalya had an entirely different figure in 2012.  I don't know how common a resculpt is in this line, but I tend to think it's pretty rare treatment.  Kudos to Natalya for making the cut!

Target Exclusive MONSTER HIGH Figurines!

Monster High -  Scary Cute Howl-oween Figures - Target - Just Play Toys 2014

I don't know anything about Monster High.  I don't collect dolls (contrary to what my father thinks) and I've never seen the cartoons.  Despite that though, it's hard not be at least peripherally aware of this uber-popular brand.  The impact these characters have had on the toy world is undeniable.  I personally love how they took a girly medium (fashion dolls) and made it edgy and cool.  The fact that Toys R Us has an entire girl's aisle that isn't pink is startling.  Plus they regularly have convention exclusives aimed at adults (which greatly increases their street cred in my opinion).  I've always wanted some representation of this brand in my collection, but I just couldn't get past the "doll-ness" of them.  Then luckily these Target exclusive Halloween figures came around.  They aren't too large; They aren't too expensive; And the series seems finite.  Basically they are the perfect resolution to my Monster High vacancy.  Now I'm secretly hoping they make some more characters.  Let's check out these 5 ladies below!

Marvel Legends Infinite Series - MS. MARVEL!

Marvel Legends Infinite Series - Target Exclusive 3-Pack - Hasbro 2014

Ms. Marvel is a character that I've always had mixed feeling about.  I would definitely enjoy the occasional back issue, but the character never grabbed me the way others did.  It wasn't until very recently when Carol Danvers took up the mantle of Captain Marvel that I really began to appreciate the character.  Carol Danvers became Ms. Marvel during a very interesting few years at Marvel Comics in the late 1970s.  In a brief timeframe, many outstanding female characters were created and given solo series.  Spider-Woman, Dazzler, She-Hulk, Red Sonja, and Ms. Marvel seemingly came out of nowhere and added some much needed girl power to the Marvel roster.  Similar events were happening at DC, but their new characters just didn't have the staying power of the Marvel ladies.  I grew up mainly knowing Carol as the source of Rogue's base powers.  In my mind, she didn't have a defined personality or interesting story.  Then came her renaissance in the 2000s.  Suddenly she became a major player in the Avengers and finally became the staple character she's always had the potential to be.

Voltron Classics - PRINCESS ALLURA!

Voltron: Defender of the Universe - Voltron Classic Princess Allura - Mattel 2012

I have such powerful childhood memories related to Voltron.  Those colorful robotic cats had little 6-year-old me geeking out way before He-Man, ThunderCats, or G.I.Joe ever caught my eye.  At the same time, I was too young to get many of the original action figures.  When I finally got them all as an adult, my standards had elevated and the blobby, minimally-articulated figures were a little underwhelming.  Then the angels at Mattel revealed this wonderfully retro line to satisfy all my nostalgic impulses.  I was beyond ecstatic.  Then I suffered a major setback when they changed the release plan last minute and suddenly the figures weren't available separately from the cats.  I just couldn't afford the $300 set at the time and I was really let down.  It took me two years to finally get the pilots (sans cats) at a decent price.  Luckily I found a seller who just want the collect-n-connect "Blazing Sword."  Then of course I needed to resort to China eBay sellers to get extra bodies to display the alternate heads.  My first world problems are ridiculous I know, but it all pays off when I have my little beauties all lined up.  Let's check out Allura!

Kickstarter: Heroes of the World - DURGA!

Heroes of the World - Durga the Warrior Goddess (and Lion Steed) - Brillist 2014

I just backed my third Kickstarter campaign!  Unfortunately this one is off to a much slower start than my previous backings, which is a total shame because I think this concept and figure are brilliant.  Durga is a ten-armed Hindu Goddess who rides a Lion steed.  Without any further history lessons, that visual alone should have you throwing your money behind this endeavor.  Eastern religions always intrigue me with their other-worldly deities.  And the ornate decor and animal themes just add to my fascination.  Western religions are very boring in comparison (speaking visually of course).  Unfortunately for me, the history and stories behind individual Hindu figureheads is knowledge I am never able to retain.  I just read her entire wiki page, but barely absorbed a thing (aside from the fact that it made me want her in action figure form even more!)  Let's all rally behind this project people! :)

DC Keychains - WONDER WOMAN & HARLEY QUINN!

NYCC Exclusive DC 3D Figural Keychain 5-Pack - Monogram 2014

New York ComicCon was a bit of a bummer this year in the toy department.  Mattel's absence, Hasbro setting up shop at a different location (again), and no DCC exclusives all combined to bring the bar down a bit.  This 5-Pack of DC Keychains from Monogram was one of only two (!) purchases I made at the show.  I saw them listed in the exclusives guide before the show and I wasn't overly impressed.  But when I saw them in person at the Monogram booth I was hooked.  What I like most about them is how they look like the Little Big Planet characters which I've always been fond of.  The Keychains are also larger and heavier than I expected.  Their heads are about the size of a walnut shell and heavy like a dense ball of rubber.  I found myself handing the box to my friends just so they could feel the weight.  The box was fairly expensive at around $40-45 (I forget).  But it was one of my only purchases so it seemed justified.  Let's check out the adorable little novelties below!

Masters of the Universe Classics - SWEET BEE!

Masters of the Universe Classics - Club Etheria Mattycollector Exc - Mattel 2014

This figure is exactly the reason why I love MOTUC so much. In the classic She-Ra cartoons, my least favorite character by far was Sweet Bee.  I didn't like her looks, I didn't like chemistry with He-Man, and I absolutely loathed her voice. Of all the POP characters to be made into MOTUC figures (back in the day when it was just a pipe dream to get them all), she was very low on my list of wants. Never underestimate the Four Horsemen though.  When this figure was revealed earlier this year, I didn't waste any time before eating my words.  She's gorgeous. The best part about it is that this figure makes me totally reappraise my feeling about the original animated Sweet Bee.. kind of like how a cover of a song makes you appreciate the original. When it came time to make a decision about subbing up for 2015, the excellent interpretation of Sweet Bee was my deciding factor. Perfuma is another character I've always kind of dreaded for this line, but now I'm excited to see what they can do with her. Let's check out Sweet Bee!

Kamen Rider - BEE WOMAN (HACHI ONNA)!

Kamen Rider × Kamen Rider W & Decade: Movie War 2010 - Bandai 2010

I have a major obsession with female monsters (kaijin) in Japanese serial television programs.  Whether it's the newest incarnation of Power Rangers, Metal Heroes Series, Ultraman, or Masked Rider, the female villains are right up my alley.  There's just something about their theatrical presence, their formidable strengths, and their de-sexualized nature makes them awesome.  (I say desexualized because 90% of the Japanese pop culture properties I pay attention to are inundated with girls in bikinis).  I think the most successful Japanese action figures these days are high-end, super collectible, and super-articulated toys like Figma or S.H.Figuarts.  These companies produce all the major characters quickly and within a reasonable budget.  But sometime $40-80 bucks for a 6-7" action figure is not a feasible prospect.  That's where these amazing vinyl Super Sentai-type action figures come into play.  You can get the same detailed character selection, but at an extremely  low price.  Let's check out Bee Woman below!

Darkstalkers 3: Vampire Savior - Q-BEE!

Capcom's Vampire Savior - SR Super Real Figures Series 01 - Q-Bee - TYC 1999
 
Welcome to (possibly) the penultimate review of Bee Week!  I say possibly because there's a figure I was dying to review that slipped through the cracks.  Hopefully I can get to her Monday.  Vampire Savior was a 2-D fighting game from Capcom in the late nineties.  Q-Bee was a fan-favorite character due to her speedy and focused attacks.  This figure is essentially a gashapon.  I ordered mine from an eBay seller in China and it came in pieces to assemble.  I honestly don't know if the original packaged figures were originally puzzle toys like this or not.  There are two versions of this figure: one in purple (the true-to-life game version) and this black variant.  Since I purchased mine from a questionable seller, the quality of my specific piece should be taken with a grain of salt.  I'm assuming a true release of this figure had tighter-fitting joints and cleaner paint lines.  After reading all about this character, I really wish a true action figure of her would be made.  We see Morrigan and Felicia all the time, I think Q-Bee deserves the spotlight for a second.  In the meantime, let's check out this little Q-Bee mini-figure below!

Teen Titans - BUMBLEBEE!

Teen Titans - Teen Titans Go! - Bumblebee (Bumble Bee) - Bandai 2004

Teen Titans made major comeback in the early 2000s with their extremely popular animated series on the Cartoon Network.  This show definitely wasn't my speed at all (it was totally geared towards kids), but I loved seeing all these cool characters being reinvented for a younger audience.  The massive amount of merchandising was a bonus, too.  I doubt we would have ever seen a Bumblebee action figure if not for the popularity of this show.  This Bumblebee figure can fetch a pretty penny on the secondary market, so I confess that this is a figure I bought for a few dollars from a seller in China.  The real release of this figure had cleaner paint lines and came with either a bee-themed vehicle or another 3.5" figure in the 2-Pack series.  Bumblebee has no true superpowers, but derives her unique skills from technology.  She can fly, her armor is strong, her speed is increased, and she can emit stinging blasts.  Occasionally she shrinks in size a'la Wasp, but that skill seems par for the course with an insect-themed character.

Earthworm Jim's PRINCESS WHAT'S-HER-NAME!

Your Favorite Video Game Insect Princess from Playmates 1994

I first became aware of this figure early on in my collecting days (roughly 10 years ago).  She was raved about on my favorite online toy resource at the time, Action Girl's Guide to Female Figures.  At the time, however, I was very picky and would only buy non-cartoony 80's figure like GIJoe, He-Man, and ThunderCats.  So it wasn't until very recently that I picked up this figure in a lot on eBay.  I must say I'm very impressed with this little lady.  She's fun, well-sculpted, and a great likeness of both her cartoon and videogame counterparts.  I'm not too knowledgeable on the Earthworm Jim franchise, but from what I can gather it was a pretty unique development.  Playmates developed the characters for an original videogame with the intent of creating merchandising potential.  The original Sega/Genesis game was released in 1994, the same year as the first action figures.  The cartoon series didn't debut until a full year later in 1995.  However, the action figures seem to incorporate the details of the cartoon moreso than the videogame.

The Ladies of MAYA THE BEE!

Maya the Bee - Articulated 3.5" Figures - IMC Toys/Giochi Preziosi 2012

Welcome to my third Bee Week review!  When started to plan this series of reviews earlier this summer, the first "bee" girl I thought of was Maya.  She was originally presented in a German children's book from 1912 but really became the iconic character she is now when the animated series was created in 1975 (and was subsequently aired all over the globe for decades). These action figures are from her newest incarnation, the Studio 100 CGI animated series from 2012.  Maya is an inquisitive and adventurous little bee struggling to reign in her curiosities in a rigid and protected hive. She sneaks out of the hive to explore, makes friends, and often get into trouble.  It's a classic recipe for good children's storytelling a'la Curious George and Fraggle Rock.  I never thought I would find actual action figures for Maya.  Everything I've seen previously has been either plush or PVC.  I hit the Jackpot with these guys though.  Let's check them out in detail below!

Lego Mini-Figures - BUMBLEBEE GIRL!

Lego Minifigures Series 10 (71001) - Bumblebee Girl - LEGO 2013

Welcome to my second Bee Week review.  This Bumblebee Girl figure is just about the most adorable Lego I've ever seen.  When Lego introduced the first series of blind-bagged minifigures back in 2010, I honestly don't think they had any clue what kind of effect they would have on the toy market.  Sure, blindbag figures existed before, but I'm pretty sure it was the first time this marketing technique was used on such an established brand.  It was an unprecedented success.  Now consumers are obsessed with these collectibles and all the other brands are scrambling to jump on the bandwagon.  I'm pretty obsessed with these little guys myself, but luckily I can satiate my brick craving by living vicariously through a coworker who gets everything Lego.  The figures I do buy are limited to superheroes, Chima girls, and the adorably weird characters dressed up like animals.  Bumblebee Girl falls into that latter category and is one of my favorites from the bunch.  Lets check her out in detail below!

DC Direct's QUEEN BEE!

Silver Age Justice League of America (Villains) - 7-Piece PVC Set - DC Direct 2001

Welcome to Bee Week here at She's Fantastic!  Due to a wonderfully insectile beauty that should be arriving in my mailbox at the end of this week, I decided to do a anticipatory review series of some of my favorite bee-themed ladies out there.   Queen Zazzala is an alien from a civilization where insects have evolved into humanoid form.  Queen Bee is obsessed with her own immortality and having her hive of bee-men loot other planets.  She is such a classic DC villain that it's a little shocking that we don't see more of her.  In her more modern incarnations, she is very alien/insectile looking, but I much prefer this classic look.  DC Direct used to be great at putting out high end collectible figurine sets.  These were usually full of characters that you would be unlikely to see in a full 6-7" scale.  The best thing about them for me is their size.  They're not as tiny as you would think from a PVC figurine and are actually perfectly in scale with modern G.I.Joes.  Let's check out Queen Bee below!

Sonic the Hedgehog - Sonic Boom STICKS!

Sonic the Hedgehog: Sonic Boom - Action Figure Series 01 - TOMY 2014

I love when I am completely caught off-guard by a toy.  In the modern toy collecting hobby, we are pretty much aware of every product six months before it ever hits the shelves.  I wrote yesterday how I was still mourning the end of the Jazwares Sonic line when I discovered the new Tomy Amy at Toys R Us this weekend.  I knew that Amy was coming out of course, but this figure of Sticks the Badger was a total surprise for me.  When I first saw her, I assumed it was Marine the Raccoon (who I just became aware of in the pack-in comic with Blaze the Cat last year).  The two characters share a lot of similarities, but are in fact different characters (and species).  Sticks is a jungle badger who brings a little Tarzan-esque barbarism to the Sonic family.  Her weapon of choice is a homemade boomarang - which would have made an amazingly simple accessory - but alas, she comes empty-handed.  Regardless though, I am obsessed with this new addition to my video game shelf.  Let's check out Sticks below!

Sonic the Hedgehog - Sonic Boom AMY!

Sonic the Hedgehog: Sonic Boom - Action Figure 2-Packs Series 01 - TOMY 2014
 
I was very sad earlier this year when I finally caught on to the fact that Jazwares had lost the Sonic the Hedgehog license.  I had been a fan of Sonic since I got my first Game Gear way back in Middle School.  I had watched the franchise grow long after I stopped playing video games and I was always upset that I no longer had ties to any of it.  Like I said, I stopped playing games, and the comics just weren't my speed.  Then I discovered Jazwares amazing 3" line of hyper-articulated Sonic action figures.  I was immediately trying to figure out who all the new characters were so I could predict the toy lineups.  I was pleasantly surprised to find an abundance of cool females in Sonic Universe.  Amy, of course, is the most popular of the bunch.  She's always the first girl released in any Sonic toy series, so she's not necessarily indicative of a heavily female-inclusive line, but I have a really really good feeling about this new Tomy line.  Despite the loss I still feel about the axed Rouge and Cream figures from Jazwares, I think Tomy will keep this line and scale thriving for many years to come.  Let's check out this new Amy figure below!

Photos from NYCC 2014!

A Small Collection of My Favorite Action Figure Reveals at NY ComicCon 2014

If I was to be perfectly honest, I would have to say that this year's New York ComicCon was the most disappointing toy-wise than it has been in a long long time.  There was a lack of vendors.  Mattel was absent; Hasbro is continuing the tradition of setting up shop several blocks away (and by appointment only); and DCC showed us nothing new.  And on top of that, my favorite small vendor seemed to be a no-show as well.  This is a booth that usually has tons of large bins of loose action figures in little baggies.  You have to be patient to get close enough because this booth magically turns everyone into kids digging for buried treasure.  I always look forward to spending a good hour there, and I was sad that I couldn't find it (although it may have been there for all I know.. I was an unplanned mess this year tbh).  Despite my overall disappointment on the toy front, I still enjoyed myself and found a few great gems to share.  Let's check them out below!