POP! DC Heroes - CATWOMAN!

DC Super Heroes #136 - Catwoman - Legion of Collectors Exc - Funko 2016

I remember very clearly when I bought my first Funko POP back in 2010. I was visiting my old college roommate in Austin and picked up a Batgirl in a comic shop. I was very resistant to the style at first, but seeing Batgirl products in the stores was a rare occasion back then, so I knew she would inevitably end up in my collection. Of course, I was also certain that she would immediately be followed by a comic style Catwoman, right?  Well two years later we got a Dark Knight Returns Catwoman followed soon after by a Batman '66 version. My comic version never came. But then lo and behold the surprise POP in the "Batman Villains" Legion of Collectors box a few months ago was this awesome classic Catwoman. This was the first comic version of Catwoman that I fell in love with reading old backissues in the 80s so I'm ecstatic that they made her first. Now my fingers are crossed for a Rock Candy in this outfit. The GameStop Mystery Mini was a nice surprise but I want more!  Let's check out Catwoman below!

MOTUC Action Vinyls - TEELA & EVIL-LYN!

MOTU Series 01 - Blind Box Action Vinyls - Teela & Evil-Lyn - Loyal Subjects 2016

It's been quite a while since I've been so torn about a new collectible. I think these Loyal Subjects action vinyls are fun and bright and have an awesome character selection. But conversely, I also think they look like little musclebound streetwalkers and are overpriced. I was on the fence and was leaning toward not getting them when I realized a trick for finding the ladies (the females seem to weigh about half as much as the bulky males). Suddenly the blind box gamble was eliminated and I caved. Another major motivation was the hope that the next series would contain a Sorceress. I don't know why, but the idea of having a little super-deformed sultry-eyed Sorceress seems ironically appealing. So now in the meantime I have these two oddball figures in my collection and I can't figure out if I want to see them on my shelf or not. I'll put them out on a trial basis and see how much they creep me out. I think once more MOTU Dorbz and 3.75" Super7 figures come out, they'll kind of blend in. Let's check them out!

Star Wars Rogue One - 6" JYN ERSO (EADU)!

Star Wars: Rogue One - Black Series - K-Mart Exc Jyn Erso (Eadu) - Hasbro 2016

I just saw Rogue One: A Star Wars Story last night and I loved it. It made me realize that I completely forgot to post this review. Jyn has three main outfits in the movie. The main outfit is from her time on the moon Jedha and that's what the bulk of her toys have been modeled after (it's the headwrap look). This second style is from the rainy planet Eadu. I like this look a lot. It reminds me of Princess Leia's Endor outfit, but weatherproofed for the dismal weather conditions on Eadu. This figure is one of the "deluxe" Black Series figures that are exclusive to K-Mart (so far). These figures come with a small diorama stand, (which honestly doesn't really justify the inflated price), but it's worth it for an exclusive figure. Jyn's diorama is a really cool rocky outcropping with hidden footpegs (which I immediately included in my Dark Crystal display). I'm hoping we see at least one more Jyn Erso variation in her outfit from Planet Scarif. That's the black uniform she's wearing in the trailers. Let's check out Eadu Jyn below!

Suicide Squad - KATANA!

DC Multiverse: Suicide Squad - Killer Croc C-n-C #5 - Katana - Mattel 2016

I really haven't been a fan of Mattel's Suicide Squad offerings this year. I own one of the main Harley Quinns, but I honestly think it's one of the least appealing action figures I've bought in the last decade. I'm not a huge fan of this Katana either. I think they really half-assed this line (at least the women in it). I realize that realistic clothing details historically don't translate well into plastic and add a lot of unnecessary bulk, but I always hope they will improve each year. Also, if I'm being honest with myself, I'm just not a big fan of Katana overall. When I read comics, I want surreal quirky fantasy with impractical costumes and lots of personality. Katana is more of the kickass gritty variety. But in team rosters like Birds of Prey and Suicide Squad, I actually really appreciate her blunt seriousness to counterbalance all the upbeat characters. Back to the toy at hand though. Is this a horrible action figure? No. But is it disappointing? Yes. The comic figures have been so much better that the movie ones. Let's check her out!

Jada Metals - WOMEN OF DC - Series 01!

Metals Die-Cast - Women of DC Comics - 2.5" Series 01 - Jada Toys 2016

I love getting obsessed over a new collectible. Especially when they are abundant and inexpensive. I mentioned in my Spider-Gwen review last week that I was really turned off by the larger 4" scale Jada Metals figures. They showed up in all the stores earlier this year for the BvS and Civil War movies and I honestly wasn't tempted at all. But then I saw the booth images from SDCC and I discovered that all it takes is 40% decrease in size to completely capture my attention. I had the exact same reaction to Mez-Itz. The full-sized ones didn't appeal to me whatsoever, but the Mini Mez-Itz have become a major favorite of mine. These 2.5" Metals retail for about $5 and seem to have perfect paintjobs. It's also a great gimmick to release multiple color variants of each sculpt right off the bat. I'm in no way planning on being a completist with this line, but I can tell the temptation will be strong. So far I'm thrilled and I can't wait to see what comes next. Let's check out the first Women of DC 2.5" line below!

Marvel Mini-Mates - SQUIRREL GIRL!

Marvel Minimates - Walgreen's Exc 2-Packs Wave 3 - Squirrel Girl - DST 2016

I've noticed something really interesting in the past few years. That is that female mini-mates come out in huge bursts. Last January we got a Spider-Gwen, Siryn, Domino, Copycat, Thor, Captain Marvel, and Dazzler within a few weeks of each other. And right now we're on the cusp of another Minimate avalanche. In a few days I should have a new Enchantress, Tigra, Deadpool 2099, Wolverine (Laura), Silk, and unmasked Spider-Gwen. Not to mention this awesome Squirrel Girl. This figure was announced in a simple slide at the end of the DST panel at NYCC (and SDCC maybe?). I didn't expect to find her so soon but I was hunting down the Walgreen's Ms. Marvel POP a few weeks ago and I discovered her. Hopefully they get inspired to complete the Great Lakes Avengers roster like they have been with Squadron Supreme. I would love a Dinah Soar more than anything. She's both ridiculous and awesome, just like Squirrel Girl. Let's check out this sciuromorphic beauty below!

League of Legends - PROJECT FIORA!

League of Legends - Legacy Collection 01: Project Fiora - Funko 2016

I've been nervous about the fate of Funko's Legacy Collection over the last year. I've loved every figure I've picked up so far: Three Magic the Gathering figures, Four Game of Thrones, and Two Evolve. I think the production quality and sculpt has been amazing on each one, but nevertheless they seem to all have been shelfwarmers. The Evolve figures in particular seemed to sit untouched until they were clearanced. There have been plenty of figures since then: Skyrim, Fallout, Five Nights at Freddy's, Book of Life, etc, but honestly they've all been off my radar until this recent League of Legends series was announced a few weeks ago. I thought League of Legends was some new thing. I'm totally ignorant of all things gaming. So when I tried to research it and found myself wading through 7 years of intense data, I was quickly overwhelmed. I'm sure her backstory is interesting and complex, but I'm fine admitting that she's just a pretty face to me. She is such a cool looking figure. Let's check out Fiora below!

Jada Metals - SPIDER-GWEN!

Marvel Universe Spider-Man - Jada Metals Spider-Gwen - Jada Toys 2016

I really wasn't sure if I was going to be a big fan of these Diecast Jada Toys Metals. I historically always avoided static figures without articulation. Then Funko came along and obliterated that restriction. I didn't love the Suicide Squad, Batman vs Superman, or Avengers Metals that have shown up in stores this year. But most of that had to do with the scale and the exaggerated proportions. Then I saw this 4" scale Spider-Gwen in GameStop on Black Friday, all I knew is that I wanted her. Her crouched position hides the things I don't like about the line. (Note: I don't know why I don't like this scale, but I love the 2.5" Metals - review of all the DC girls coming soon!) I really hope the Marvel line also comes in the 2.5" scale eventually - I could get seriously hooked on those little guys. This larger Spider-Gwen is pretty sweet. The only things I would change would be to hide the seam on her right shoulder and to have her coloring be a little less neon pink and a little more magenta. In the pictures the color looks typical to Gwen, but in person it is a few shades off and it's noticeable. Let's check out the Metals Spider-Gwen below!

Gentle Giant SPIDER-WOMAN Bust!

Marvel Universe Avengers Mini-Busts - Spider-Woman (7") - Gentle Giant 2012

I really like the mini-bust format. I avoided it for the longest time, but when I realized that it can truly be some of the best representations of my favorite characters, I opened my wallet and caved. I've assembled quite a collection of my A-list heroines over the years, but I've always been really disappointed by my options with the classic Jessica Drew Spider-Woman. There are a handful of high end collectibles out there, but none of them ever had that instant "wow" factor I need to make a purchase over 50 bucks. But then this lovely bust was introduced (way back in 2012) and I had a feeling this would be the one for me. I was really lazy about tracking her down because I have found so many bargains over the years by being patient, and luckily she was no exception. In person she looks great and really becomes a focal point of Spider-Woman collection. (She also happens to be one of the largest busts I own at 7.5" tall -- which makes quite an impact). Let's check out the Gentle Giant Spider-Woman bust below!

Marvel POP! Vinyl - SQUIRREL GIRL!

Marvel POP! #144 - Marvel Collector Corps Exc - Squirrel Girl - Funko 2016

There's something I love about silly characters garnering unexpected fan attention until they become true cult favorites. Squirrel Girl is a prime example.  She was first introduced in the anthology series Marvel Super-Heroes #8 back in 1991. I have this issue from when I was a kid but have no memory of her story. She took an extremely long hiatus and next appeared as a Great Lake Avengers recruit in 2005's GLA #1. Since that re-introduction, she has been a constant player in the Marvel Universe. And in 2015 she succeeded in getting her own solo ongoing series and seems to guest star all over the place. And then in 2016 she started getting merchandise. I have a handful so far and I'm hoping there will be a true Marvel Legends or Marvel Universe action figure soon. This Funko Pop! was the surprise exclusive figure in this Summer's Marvel Collector Corps Women of Marvel box. That choice earned some grumbles for being such a random character, but I think she's great. Let's check out Squirrel Girl below!

DC Collectibles Icons - BATGIRL OF BURNSIDE!

DC Collectibles Icons #23 - Batgirl of Burnside (Deluxe) - DC Collectibles 2016

I wasn't sure if I would like the DC Collectibles Icons series when they were first announced back in 2015. I was very worn out on the DC Universe Classics style from Mattel and this new line was touted as a continuation of that scale. It didn't help that the first two female offerings were only so-so. The Harley Quinn is a very nice figure, but the face is more sinister than I like for my Harleys and the Atomica figure was gorgeous, but not a character I obsess over. This Batgirl is the first time I'm realizing the potential of this series.  The Burnside Batgirl redesign is right up there with Spider-Gwen as one of the coolest superhero costumes of the past few years. It embodies all of the classic elements that you expect, but makes it very functional and utilitarian (like the Darwyn Cooke Catwoman design). I know there is an upcoming Mattel version of this same figure which will offer some competition, but for the next few months at least, this Icons Batgirl is the ultimate Babs action figure. Let's check her out below!

POP DC Super Heroes - NEW 52 HARLEY QUINN!

POP! Heroes #121 - DC New 52 Harley Quinn - Hot Topic Exc - Funko 2016

Harley Quinn is clearly one of the all-time favorites over at the Funko Headquarters. I'm honestly shocked there hasn't been a Harley themed Legion of Collectors box yet. This Hot Topic Exclusive New 52 version is the 10th original sculpt in POP form. To go down the list: Harley with Gun, Harley with Mallet, Arkham Nurse, Arkham Knight, Roller Harley, and 4 Suicide Squad (Plain, Prisoner, Nightclub, and Dr. Quinzel). I think that's all of them. And I won't even touch on all the repaints (which I've officially given up on). This costume is my least favorite Harley look of all time. It's from her 2012 Suicide Squad squad appearances after the big DC reboot. I hate it so much. Yet somehow Funko has a way of making it tolerable. First with the SDCC Rock Candy figure, then the Pint-Size Heroes, and now this exclusive POP. Don't get me wrong, I still don't ever want this costume coming back, but I kind of like my little blue and red Harley collection. Let's check out the Hot Topic exclusive New 52 Harley below!

MOTUC Filmation Style - EVIL LYN!

MOTUC - Club Grayskull - Evil Lyn - MattyCollector Exc - Mattel 2016

Evil-Lyn is the most iconic witch from my childhood. Her wicked undermining of Skeletor was something I looked forward to every day after school and was one of the main reasons that I developed an early fascination with villainesses. The original action figure was something I always wanted but never laid eyes on outside of the Sears catalogs. I remember the night in my post-college years when it donned on me that I could easily buy her on eBay. Within a week I was tearing open a box with my childhood treasures (Evil-Lyn and Teela) and I couldn't have been happier. It wasn't until relatively recently that I realized all the differences between the animated Filmation look and the toy version. Of course I immediately wanted an animated variant in MOTUC, but I honestly never expected one. It's kind of fitting that she is the last MOTU female to be released by Mattel. She isn't a perfect figure by any means, but I personally think she pretty great despite her flaws. Let's check her out in detail below!

Suicide Squad HARLEY QUINN Bearbrick!

Bearbrick Series 32 - Suicide Squad (Secret) Harley Quinn - MediCom Toy 2016

I have a real love/hate relationship with Medicom's Be@rbrick series. I find them very aesthetically... unpleasant. But conversely, I love odd creepy things, even if I find them ugly. Bearbricks started in 2001 as a spinoff of the popular Kubrick line that had started the year before. All Bearbrick figures share the same mold of a potbellied cartoonish bear. You've seen this same gimmick used with Vinylmation and Qee figures since, but Bearbricks are the earliest versions I can think of (excluding "plain" block figures like Lego and Minimates). I appreciate their legacy and the odd-looking superheroes that have come from the line. I have a list of four or five more that I have my eye out for, but they can be expensive so I'm in no rush. The female superheroes are often the "secret" figures that aren't listed on the back-of-the-box checklists, so they can be pricier and harder to track down. Let's check out the Suicide Squad Harley Quinn Bearbrick below!

POP NYCC Exclusive - BATGIRL!

POP! Heroes #148 - Batgirl (Classic) - Hot Topic/NYCC Exclusive - Funko 2016

This time last year I was frantically planning my Black Friday POP hunting. My mind was blown away by the first Batgirl POP in 5 years being unveiled in the GameStop Black Friday blind box sale. Then I discovered the rare Gold variant (which I never actually got) and that just sent me into a collector tizzy. I must've stopped by 10 GameStops trying to get them both. It felt very much like Charlie trying to find the Golden Ticket in Willy Wonka. But now a year later there is so much more Batgirl product than I ever could have expected. We recently got a newly sculpted Burnside Batgirl, we have this amazing NYCC exclusive, we are getting a BTAS Batgirl soon, and we got Batgirl Impopsters of Harley and Ivy. And that's not even mentioning the Classic and Burnside Rock Candy figures and the multiple Pint-Size Heroes. This NYCC Batgirl is a great sculpt. I hope it gets variants because this black-and-yellow look is not a common look for Barbara. I'd love to see this in the classic gray and blue colors. Let's check her out!

NECA Arkham City HARLEY QUINN!

DC Comics 7" Action Figures - Batman: Arkham City Harley Quinn - NECA 2016

NECA surprised us all again with the recent release of a Batman Begins Batman figure and an Arkham City Harley Quinn. Several years ago they released a Michael Keaton Batman and just last year there was a Heath Ledger Joker, an Adam West Batman, and a Christopher Reeve Superman. All these figures were originally released as large 1/4 scale figures, but NECA figured out a way to scale them down to 7" for release at TRU (usually in the DVD section). This release pattern really excites me because some of the remaining 1/4 scale figures are a Burt Ward Robin, Arkham Knight Batman, Danny Devito Penguin... and of course, an amazing Michelle Pfeiffer Catwoman. This time next year I hope to be reviewing that leather-clad vixen. I can't wait!  This Arkham City Harley outfit is my favorite of her various video game designs. It's definitely not my favorite Harley look overall, but it is still a super cool figure and I'm more than happy to add her to my collection. Let's check out the NECA 7" Harley below!

Star Wars 12" Rogue One - JYN ERSO!

Star Wars: Rogue One 12" - Sergeant Jyn Erso (Jedha) - Hasbro 2016

I was going to wait until Rogue One: A Star Wars Story was in theatres to post this review but I couldn't wait until mid-December. There's something I really love about the Jyn Erso figure with the headscarf on. The whole outfit is actually great. I would totally wear a green leather jacket with mustard-color stripes on the sleeves. Anyway, it's hard to review a character whose movie hasn't been released yet. Hopefully she lives up to her cool looks. These 12" figures are pretty great. I actually passed by a couple of these figures before I picked up this one. Some other versions had really washed-out face paint -- Like the brown paint details had faded to tan, but luckily I found a good one without much effort. I think I'm going to need a Princess Leia soon to go with my Rey and Jyn. Actually I'm pretty late to the 12" collecting game so I should probably hunt down the old TRU Exclusive Captain Phasma too. I have my work cut out for me. Let's check out Sergeant Jyn Erso in detail below!

The Bat-Family Ladies of PINT-SIZE HEROES!

Pint-Size Heroes Blind-Bags - DC Series 01 (Batman) - Funko 2016

The folks at Funko must spend every day eating cotton candy, making friendship bracelets and having sing-a-longs. The sheer amount of cuteness coming from their headquarters and flooding the stores is almost unbearable. Just at a time when I was seriously reconsidering my Funko Pop habits (sheerly out of concerns for space), they came and unveiled a perfectly tiny and adorable line of all my favorite characters. I'm really smitten over these little guys and I desperately hope there will be tons more in the future. The Spider-Man boxes are starting to show up now with a handful of cool Marvel ladies... but I already want more. There's something really nice about blindbags that are really easy to squeeze for your favorite characters. And if that doesn't work, there is a tiny window in the corner of each bag that will give you a peek at the color of the figure inside. (But be warned the Marvel set has a card inside each bag which makes the process much more difficult). Let's check out the Pint-Size Bat-Ladies!

Funko POP Marvel - CAPTAIN MARVEL (Masked)!

Marvel POP! #154 - Captain Marvel (Masked) - GTS Exclusive - Funko 2016

I was very nervous that I wouldn't be able to get my hands on this Pop when she was announced earlier this year. I had never heard of GTS and it seemed like direct retail orders for this exclusive wouldn't be offered. GTS is a distribution company that focuses on gaming and sports cards but luckily they also seem to distribute to a fair number of comic shops. I found mine at MidtownComics in Manhattan back in August (and they had a ton). Carol Danvers as the new Captain Marvel is one of my favorite character revamps of all time. They finally gave this tough, militant, and powerful woman a costume and title that befits her status. No more thongs or bare midriffs while saving the planet. I can't believe it took so long. I'm excited to see what the 2019 solo film will do to this character's popularity. I'm hoping we end up getting toys of all the historical incarnations of Carol - especially her first appearance and Binary looks. Only time will tell. Let's check out this exclusive Masked Captain Marvel Pop below!

Power Rangers - MMPR PINK RANGER!

Power Rangers Legacy Collection Series 2 - MMPR Pink Ranger - Bandai 2016

The Power Rangers Legacy series is going strong. This second wave adds the Blue, Black, and Pink Rangers to the previously released Red and Green MMPR from Wave 01. (Yellow and White will be released in Spring of 2017). This Pink Ranger is easily the most iconic of all the female Rangers so I'm glad she was released early in the line. Bandai is pretty smart to stagger the different rosters between the waves. There are 40 iterations of Power Rangers to draw from so they really need to pace themselves. I'm actually pretty curious to see how well the line sells after the Mighty Morphin' team is complete. They already completed Ninja Storm and started Power Rangers in Space. And by this time next year we should also have a complete Power Rangers Zeo team as well. I know MMPR will be the best sellers for the collecting market, but hopefully the less popular themes will hit those nostaligic notes as well. There are a lot of weird Rangers I'd love to see in the future. Let's check out the MMPR Pink Ranger below!

DC SuperHero Girls - WONDER WOMAN & CYCLE!

DC SuperHero Girls - Vehicles Series - Wonder Woman & Motorcycle - Mattel 2016

Finally here is the last of the recent DC Super Hero Girls releases, Wonder Woman with her Motorcycle. I have a feeling this line will be full of re-releases with subtle variants (we've seen several already), but this Wonder Woman really intrigued me. There is an interesting precedent for Diana wearing a motorcycle helmet. There were several outfits worn by Lynda Carter in the 1977 Wonder Woman series that utilized helmets. And the overall outfit reminds me of the Cathy Lee Crosby Wonder Woman from 1974. I doubt any of these considerations were planned, but I will gladly pretend they were intentional homages. Once they release a Catwoman I guess we'll see if they dip into her plethora of historical costume designs for inspiration. I have high hopes for this line and I'm especially excited now that we've seen some well-designed variants. I can't wait to see what the future holds. I'll be keeping my eyes peeled. In the meantime, let's check out Wonder Woman and her Motorcycle below!

DC Comics SuperHero Girls - BATGIRL & JET!

DC Comics SuperHero Girls - Vehicles Series - Batgirl & Jet - Mattel 2016

The DC Super Hero Girls toy line is off to a great start. I loved the first wave of action figures released back in March. But I was half expecting it to be a one-and-done thing. Luckily I was proven wrong and there have been several additional action figure releases since. First was the playset exclusive Batgirl, then the Katana figure. Next came an "action feature" Harley and Wonder Woman (I skipped these since their sculpts weren't super unique). And finally a new Batgirl and Wonder Woman released in vehicle sets. The fact that we've received three unique Batgirl figures so far thrills me. Hopefully we will get a lot more characters and variants in the future. Catwoman and Hawkgirl seem like a definite possibility, but I'm hoping for the impossible cameo characters like Black Orchid and Dove. If it takes off like Monster High, maybe we'll get weirdo characters as convention exclusives. I have high hopes and healthily low expectations.  I can't wait to see.  Let's check out Batgirl and her Jet below!

DC Comics SuperHero Girls - KATANA!

DC Comics SuperHero Girls - Single Figures - Katana - Mattel 2016

I was very excited this past July when I found a solicitation pic of the DC Superhero Girls Katana figure. The DC Superhero Girls burst on to the scene this past Spring with an awesome selection of action figures that I was instantly smitten over. Of course, after getting my hands on the first wave of six action figures, I immediately wanted more. The obvious choice for an addition would have been Katana, since she seems to be a core character of the series, yet was inexplicably excluded form the first batch of toys. From what I've read, this Katana figure wasn't supposed to be released until early next year, but I found her in a TRU near me a couple days ago. Although, she is riddled with QC problems so there's an off chance that she was accidentally included in a case assortment early after failing QC. My Katana has a malformed jaw, a mis-positioned skirt, a blotch on her cheek, bulky wrists, and overall sloppy paint. Yet somehow she still looks really great. Let's check out Katana below!

Suicide Squad 3.75" Action Figures - HARLEY QUINN!

Suicide Squad 3.75" Harley Quinn - Legion of Collectors Exc - Funko 2016

Funko really surprised a lot of people in July with the inaugural DC 3.75" action figures being included in the Suicide Squad-themed Legion of Collectors subscription box. I feel like the initial excitement over ReAction figures had worn off (despite the just-released too-awesome-for-words Dark Crystal ReActions that are rejuvenating the line). And there was hesitant interest in the new 3.75" Game of Thrones line shown at Toy Fair (after the 6" Legacy line was left incomplete in the not-too-distant past). But there is something about starting off a series with a major license like Marvel or DC that can really make your mind light up with character potential. The original two figures were Joker and Harley from the movie. And a new series with a seven additional Suicide Squad figures is due out early next year. I'm excited to see what else comes down the line. I think we'll certainly see more movie-based figures (Wonder Woman, Justice League, etc), but only time will tell. Let's check out Harley below!

PJ Masks - OWLETTE & LUNA GIRL!

PJ Masks - Owlette & Luna Girl Action Figure 2-Pack - Just Play Toys 2016

I've been noticing advertisements for the Disney Junior show PJ Masks for a while now. I've never watched the show personally, but the character designs always seemed very cool. I love superheroes. And when they are animal themed and monochromatic I pretty much can't resist them. PJ Masks is based of a series of French children's books called Les Pyjamasques about three 6-yo children who become superheroes when they don their pajamas at night. The main three heroes are Catboy (in blue), Gekko (in green), and Owlette (in red). (And their main foes are Romeo, Night Ninja, and Luna Girl). The show started in September of 2015 to popular acclaim and demands for toys were pretty much immediate. It took about a year but Just Play released action figures of all six main characters along with vehicles, playsets, and plushes. They are a great addition to the robust preschool aisles that have been booming in recent years. Let's check out Owlette and Luna Girl below!

Star Wars Rogue One - Elite Series - JYN ERSO!

Rogue One - A Star Wars Story - Elite Series Jyn Erso - Disney Store Exc 2016

I'm glad to see that the Disney Store Star Wars Elite Series is going strong. There's a something special about 6-7" scale diecast action figures. I loved the Bionic Six figures in the eighties. They were built similar to GIJoes, but the weight of the metal was indescribably impressive. There are lots of unarticulated metal figures in the collectible market, but the full true metal action figure is a rarity. I highly suggest checking them out in person, if nothing else than for the heft. The availability of this Disney Store Exclusive Elite Series is so much better this time around. The Force Awakens line was kind of hard to come by. Maybe that was because the anticipation leading up to that film was greater than Rogue One, but I think it has something to do with the fine tuning of the production and distribution. The Star Wars and Marvel section of the store are always well represented these days. Maybe they'll venture into diecast Marvel figures next! I'll be keeping my eyes peeled. Let's check out Jyn Erso below!

Star Wars: The Force Awakens 12" - REY (JAKKU)!

Star Wars: The Force Awakens - 12" Series - Rey (Jakku) - Hasbro 2016

I didn't realize this figure had been released until I saw a listing for a 12" Jyn Erso before Force Friday and wondered if there had even been a Rey. There were a ton of her on eBay for way too much money, so I never thought I would get her. Half the joy is the low price point (they are often under $10). But then I found her in a K-Mart a week later and instantly snatched her up. I'm glad I did, too, because despite a few minor paint flaws, this figure is by far the best I've seen.  Post Force Friday, I've seen this figure stocked in a lot of stores, but there is something really wrong with the paint on 90% of them. Like the flesh color is decomposing into a white powder. This will probably mean the good ones will be hard to get. If you're hunting her, try looking at K-Mart since they appear to still have earlier production batches.  I picked up the Jyn Erso the other day and will be reviewing her shortly. Hopefully they make a classic Leia someday. But for now, let's check out this 1:6 Rey below!

Power Rangers Dino Charge - 12" PURPLE RANGER!

Power Rangers Dino Supercharge 12" - Purple Ranger - Bandai 2016

I never would have guessed that I would be a big fan of these 12" action figures that have been flooding the aisles in recent years. But there is something about the bright colors, simple articulation, and sturdy stances that really appeals to me. This Purple Ranger is the seventh figure I've picked up in this scale and I think my collection will keep growing. The Purple Ranger is a really cool addition to the typical Pink placeholder. Power Rangers Dino Charge is actually the first Ranger series I've ever watched - and that is because of the three female rangers in the roster (Pink, Purple, and Aqua). The 12" Pink Ranger was released in an expensive box set that I never let myself pick up. I also think the figure was sparkly or pearlized and I much prefer plain bright colors. Hopefully she get a plain-color solo release in the future to go with Kendall. A Poissandra would be awesome, but I don't expect it, especially since pictures of the next Ranger series toys are already showing up. Let's check out Purple Ranger!

Dorbz NYCC Exclusive HARLEY QUINN!

Suicide Squad Dorbz - Harley Quinn w/ Mallet - Hot Topic/NYCC Exc - Funko 2016

I honestly had no intention of buying this Harley Quinn Dorbz when she was announced as a NYCC exclusive this year. I'm not usually a big fan of subtle variants, especially when the variation is just a different weapon. But then I saw her at Hot Topic and realized I wanted her to replace my standard edition Suicide Squad Harley. The baseball bat that the standard edition comes with is much more movie accurate, but overall I really disliked that edition because her face was printed on incorrectly. On every Harley I saw in the stores, her eyes were printed a fraction of an inch too high on her head. On her own, you might not notice this error, but when she was lined up with my other Dorbz, she looked really odd and un-dorb-like. But luckily this exclusive mallet version is perfect. I'm hoping we see more DC Dorbz on the horizon. The X-Men lineup looks great. There are now pics of Emma Frost, Psylocke, Storm, and Phoenix on Hottopic.com, but I don't want the DC ladies forgotten. Let's check out Harley below!

Hallmark Batman '66 - CATWOMAN Ornament!

Batman Classic TV Series - Catwoman Limited Edition Ornament - Hallmark 2016

Hallmark is very sneaky sometimes. I'm not a Hallmark member or a major ornament collector by any means, but every July I still find myself checking the website just to see what new pop culture ornaments are in the lineup. This year has some really awesome ones including He-Man, Jem, DCSHG Supergirl, and BvS Wonder Woman. But the overall winner for me this year is the Julie Newmar Catwoman ornament. Back in 2010 there was a Harley Quinn ornament that was also a limited edition making a surprise debut at a collector event. This Catwoman had the same sneaky release. I went into a Hallmark to look at the new ornaments and this beauty was on a display in the middle of the store (not on the red wall). I had never heard of her before, and I had been paying attention. They only had one left and I snatched her up in a second. The Adam West Batman was released in 2014 and the Cesar Romero Joker in 2015. Now I'm hoping for Yvonne Craig and Eartha Kitt. Let's check out Catwoman below!

Funko ReAction - The Dark Crystal's KIRA (WINGED)!

ReAction: The Dark Crystal - Garthim w/ Winged Kira - NYCC Exc - Funko 2016

The Dark Crystal is my favorite fantasy movie of all time. The story is spooky, insightful, and classic. As a kid it frightened and intrigued me, and as an adult the puppeteering details and production quality amaze me. When I started collecting toys, I knew without a doubt my collection would be incomplete without the world of Thra on my shelves. That's when I learned the sad merchandise history: a cancelled toyline, rare miniature pewters, and a slew of awesome but pricey statues. When ReAction first announced they were releasing the 1979 Alien prototypes, my first thought was "Oh my God we're going to get the cancelled Dark Crystal figures!" Three years later I'm actually holding the first couple figures. And although they are not the actual old Aviva molds, they are a thousand times better. The detail and love put into these is undeniable. The first two box sets were exclusives from SDCC & NYCC this year, but the rest of the gang will start showing up in stores next week. Let's check out Kira below!

Rogue One Black Series - JYN ERSO (JEDHA)!

Stars Wars 6" Black Series #22 - Sergeant Jyn Erso (Jedha) - Hasbro 2016

I'm really excited for the next movie in the Star Wars franchise, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. This movie takes place shortly before A New Hope and focuses on the Rebel mission to steal the plans for the Death Star. I love prequel stories like this that expand upon an established story.  Three of my all-time favorite properties thrilled me with expanded comic storylines in the form of Robotech: Invasion, Legends of the the Dark Crystal, and Return to Labyrinth. All three of these books just made me love the original stories even more, and I'm expecting that Rogue One will do the same for my love of Star Wars. The casting of Felicity Jones in the role of Sergeant Jyn Erso seems perfect. I loved her in Theory of Everything and she definitely has that "Star Wars look" like Carrie Fisher, Natalie Portman, and Daisy Ridley before her. I picked up this figure at midnight on Force Friday but am just getting around to reviewing her now. At least I got it done before the movie came out!  Let's check out Jyn Erso below!

DC Super Heroes - HARLEY QUINN IMPOPSTER!

POP! Heroes #127 - DC Comics Heroes Harley Quinn as Batgirl - Funko 2016

I think this might be the last usage we'll see of the original Funko POP Batgirl mold. Funko has seemingly acknowledged the criminal lack of Batgirl product. Since this figure was announced there have been three new Batgirl molds revealed; a Classic Batgirl exclusive to NYCC and Hot Topic, a Burnside Batgirl now available everywhere, and an upcoming Batman: The Animated Series Batgirl.  I couldn't be more ecstatic. Batgirl is often in contention for my favorite superhero (although I can never make up my mind) so even if I am trying to scale back my purchases, she'll always be a shoe-in. Now they just need to play catch-up with Catwoman! Seriously, as much as Funko seems to dwell on Harley Quinn, they have been inexcusably ignoring Selina. But I digress. This Impopster series is a really awesome theme for DC variants. I'm glad the original Joker/Batman was popular enough to inspire this whole line and add a few females. Let's check out Harley Quinn as Batgirl below!

McFarlane Toys - Saga's ALANA!

Saga - Alana & Marko 2-Pack - McFarlane Toys/Skybound Exclusive 2016

I have been wishing for these exact figures for years. In fact, every time I would review a Walking Dead figure or speculate on Toy Fair reveals, I would wax on and on about how great a Saga series by McFarlane Toys would be. Saga is just about the best comic I have ever read. If you haven't picked up this book yet, you're doing yourself a major disservice. Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples have kept me enthralled for the last four years with their tales of star-crossed alien lovers Alana and Marko as they flee across the galaxies from their pursuers.  Alana is a former soldier from the technologically-advanced planet Landfall where all inhabitants have wings (of some sort). Marko was her prisoner, a beatnik pacifist from Landfall's moon, Wreath. All the moonies are magical and have horns (of some sort) and are in constant war with the Landfallians. While on guard duty, they fall in love over a book, conceive a child, and run for their lives. It's so good it's hard to put into words. Just like these action figures.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - KARAI!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Karai (Tanto Sword Master) - Playmates 2016

I think Karai is probably the fan-favorite secondary character in the TMNT franchise. In the toy world, her figures are always in high demand and fetch a high price in the collector circuits.  I don't really know much about her beyond that fact that she is often labelled as the daughter of Shredder and usually has a vampiric look to her. Of course, she is tweaked and changed in every incarnation of TMNT so I never know what to expect. In the current Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon on Nickelodeon, Karai is a young girl who was indeed raised by Shredder (via kidnapping), but is actually the biological daughter of Hamato Yoshi, a wise sensei who is mutated into the rat Splinter. When her true origins are revealed to her, she has to reconcile her life of lies and evil with her newfound family. She reminds me a lot of Cass Cain in the Batman Universe. Last year we received a figure of Karai in her serpent incarnation which was cool and unexpected, but this is the one we've been waiting for. Let's check her out!

Rescue Bots - QUICKSHADOW!

Transformers Rescue Bots - Quickshadow - Playskool/Hasbro 2016

There's been a big push in recent years to start including female characters in previously male-centric properties. This has been especially present in preschool lines like Imaginext, Galactic Heroes, and Marvel Superhero Adventures. With this trend touching almost every brand in the toy aisles, I'm surprised it took so long to introduce a female Rescue Bot.  Whatever the delay was, the wait was worth it because Quicksilver seems like an awesome character. Her design is fantastic and her character seems quirky and spunky with a very suiting vehicle mode of a speedy sports car. I haven't watched any full episodes, but there are some cool clips online. The only unfortunate thing about this character is that she's unlikely to get a cool toy. These Playskool robots are clunky and undetailed by design and this kid-friendly style does a terrible injustice to such a great-looking character. Still, when I saw her in the store I felt compelled to add her to my collection. She's a first. Let's check out Quickshadow below!

DC Collectibles Darwyn Cooke CATWOMAN!

DC Designer Series: Darwyn Cooke - #7 Catwoman - DC Collectibles 2016

This is the figure I have been hoping for ever since DC Collectibles launched their Designer Series back in 2014. Catwoman has been my favorite comic character since I was first exposed to her in the 1966 Batman television series, then further impressions from silver age reprint comics in the 1980s. By 1987, she was modernized into her gray catsuit look which I loved. Unfortunately it was quickly changed into her 1990's purple bodysuit which I loathed. My displeasure with the purple costume wasn't shared though, because it stuck around for eight or nine years and really skyrocketed her popularity. But then in 2001, much to my relief, Darwyn Cooke and Ed Brubaker revamped Selina into the sleek, acrobatic seductress we know and love today (and 15 years later it's still an extremely popular look). It's shocking how well the Jonathan Matthews sculpt captures the feel of Darwyn's art. My Catwoman collection never felt complete without this pivotal design represented. Let's check out Catwoman below!

Robots in Disguise Deluxe WINDBLADE!

Robots in Disguise - Deluxe - Mini-Con Weaponizers - Windblade - Hasbro 2016

It took me a long time to realize that this Windblade figure is completely different from all the Windblade figures we've already seen. I'm so used to seeing repaints in the Transformers line that I barely even glanced at the solicitation images. It was only when I saw an early review of the 2016 SDCC Transformers Titan Force Boxset and noticed that the gray Windblade was a completely new figure. It's funny that the variant was released months before the standard version hit the shelves, but she was worth the wait. I like these animated-style Transformers. My aesthetics always trend toward more simplified designs and brighter colors. Plus these are significantly easier for me to transform. I don't watch the Robots in Disguise cartoon, but I just researched the characters and discovered a few really cool females that would make great toys: Glowstrike, Filch, and Zizzo especially. Plus a random Decepticon that looks like a yellow Arachnid. I'm hopefull! Let's check out Windblade below!

World of Nintendo - PRINCESS ZELDA!

World of Nintendo - Series 2.2 - Princess Zelda - Jakks Pacific 2016

I grew up in the eighties and nineties but somehow managed to avoid playing a single Legend of Zelda game. In fact, I just was totally blown away by that fact that there have been 18 games in the franchise. But my lack of familiarity with the series doesn't mean I haven't been wishing for a Princess Zelda action figure over the years. I've always been very fond of the character designs and I like having representations of all the classic Nintendo characters in my collection. I didn't have any idea this figure was coming out when I found myself killing an hour in a K-Mart in the middle of nowhere over Labor Day weekend and discovered a shelf full of her. She's pretty much exactly what I have been hoping for. This is even the design I like best for her (from 1998's The Ocarina of Time game).  Although I secretly hope they release other designs as well like they have been with Link. Hopefully this line continues with such cool character selections in Mr. Neitlich's absence. Let's check out Zelda below!

Arkham Knight - HARLEY QUINN (Version 2)!

Arkham Knight Series Five #14 - Harley Quinn (Classic) - DC Collectibles 2016

I have a lot of Harley Quinn action figures. I'm emarassed to actually count them, but I pretty much have them all (except that weird one of her in pajamas). So, please take my first hand experience into consideration when I tell you that this new Arkham Knight Harley is the absolute best Harley I've ever seen. The sculpt by Joe Menna is perfection. Her face is gorgeous - she looks sweet with a touch of menace. Her body proportions are idealized without being gratuitous. And her costume has realistic wrinkles and details which bring it all to life. Then DC Collectibles knocked it out the park with amazing articulation and perfect paint. I can't get enough of of this figure. The solicitation pictures look slightly different than the final product. Even the pictures from Toy Fair look different. I can't tell if her face was resculpted or the production version just has a superior paint job, but the end result is great. It's so rare when the final product surpasses the quality of the prototypes. Let's check out Harley below!

DC Super Heroes - BURNSIDE BATGIRL!

POP! Heroes #136 - DC Comics Super Heroes - Batgirl (Burnside) - Funko 2016

This Batgirl resculpt is long overdue. As the third Funko Pop ever, Batgirl's original mold has been released in eight repaints over the years (4 in the past 11 months), but having only one sculpt for such a popular character is odd. Harley Quinn has nine unique sculpts, Batman has thirteen, Wonder Woman has four (and those counts aren't even including the Domos, Conans, Teen Titans, and Freddie Funkos). Anyway, I've been hoping for a new one for years and a few months ago this amazing Burnside sculpt was unveiled. I think she's gorgeous. And as a crazy unexpected bonus, there is a third new sculpt of "classic Batgirl" being released as a NYCC exclusive. I keep saying that I need to scale back on my Pop purchases (27 new additions to my collection in the past couple months... sheesh), but Funko is making it nearly impossible for me to do that. I guess as long as they keep making my core favorite characters, I'll be a loyal customer. Let's check out Burnside Batgirl below!

Marvel Legends - NICO MINORU!

Marvel Legends - Dormammu Series - Mystic Rivals - Nico Minoru - Hasbro 2016

In 2003 Marvel Comics created an experimental imprint called Tsunami. I think the original plan was to establish a line of titles to appeal to manga fans, but it ended up being quite a diverse collection of properties. My favorite Tsunami series were Mystique, New Mutants, Namor, Emma Frost, and of course the fan-favorite Runaways. Runaways was written and created by the amazing Brian K. Vaughn (Saga, Y: The Last Man, Pride of Baghdad, Mystique, etc.) The series focuses on a group of six exceptional kids who discover their parents are all super-villains and... well.. run away. It's a fantastic comic which was just recently announced as an upcoming Hulu Original Series. Of the main characters in the book, Nico Minoru (aka Sister Grimm) has had the most staying power. She has appeared in several Avengers titles, the Mystic Arcana storyline, and most recently A-Force. She is an unexpected but welcome addition to the Doctor Strange Legends assortment. Let's check out Nico below!

Miniature Classic WASP!

Marvel: Original Avengers Box Set - Classic Janet Van Dyne Wasp - Toy Biz 1999

I have a real fondness for "First Appearance" versions of comic heroes. I love retro styles, I like character histories, and I have great respect for the original visions of the artists and writers behind the heroes. I didn't even know this figure existed until I watched Ant-Man for the first time a few months ago (I'm always really behind on my superhero movies) and I was trying to explain to my better half who the Wasp is and how she was an original Avenger, etc, etc. Anyway, I couldn't think of any action figures of classic Janet until I discovered this little beauty. And it's a total bonus that she fits right in with my growing 2.5" action figure collection. I've been waiting for Janet to get some screentime ever since she was subbed out for Black Widow in the first Avengers movie. I'm hoping that 2018's Ant-Man and the Wasp film will give us a handful of classic and modern figures like the male-centric movies seem to do. In the meantime though, this figure totally fits the bill for what I was looking for. Let's check out Wasp below!

WWE Elite Collection - LITA!

WWE Elite Series 41 - Flashback -  First Time in the Line - Lita - Mattel 2016

One thing I have been a little disappointed by in the past with Mattel's WWE line is the bulkiness of the "add-on" clothing (ie, not the sculptural elements of the unadorned buck). For a line that consistently strives for realistic body proportions and facial likenesses, clothing that looks like it's composed of the wrestling mats themselves really ruins the aesthetic. I'm not an expert on the WWE line, but I'm pretty sure this Elite Lita figure is the first time a female figure has come with interchangeable clothing options, and it might also be the first time we've seen cloth accessories. I'm glad to see that things are still evolving and improving. Lita is a retired WWE wrestler who was active from 2000-2006. During her tenure she won the WWE Women's Championship four times. She still works for the organization as an analyst but is no longer wrestling. She also fronted the Atlanta-based punk rock band, the Luchagors, which disbanded in 2014. Let's check out this Elite Series Lita in detail below!

NXT Wrestling - BAYLEY!

WWE Series 58 - NXT First Time in the Line - Bayley - Mattel 2016

I've had this figure photographed forever but never got around to posting a review. I keep saying I'm going to stop buying WWE figures, (since I'm running out of room and I don't even watch wrestling after all), but then I see a figure that makes me cave in and I'm back in the habit. This Bayley figure got me because she is so weird. First of all, she has a side-ponytail. I never expected to see hair like this on an action figure. Then she has a headband with a cute little bow. Again, I never thought I'd see it. And finally, she has a cartoon triceratops on her pants. I am obsessed with the oddness of this. Bayley is a former NXT Women's Champion who is currently wrestling under the WWE's RAW brand. She has been wrestling professionally since 2008 with Big Time Wrestling and Shimmer Women Athletes. By 2012 she signed with WWE and began under NXT (WWE's developmental territory) before recently joining RAW in August 2016. Thank wikipedia for all that knowledge. Let's check out Bayley below!

Aliens ELLEN RIPLEY!

Aliens - Space Marine Lt. Ripley - TRU Exclusive (Kenner Repaint) - NECA 2016

I always struggle with buying detailed movie-based action figures. I love pretty much every pop culture franchise out there, and it seems natural that I would want to include action figures from them in my collection. But from an overall aesthetic, my collection is 90% bright and colorful superheroes. And movie figures are almost always dark and gritty with an attempt to have lifelike details that really contrast from my She-Ra and Harley Quinn shelves. I have really struggled with all the awesome Ellen Ripley toys that have been coming out in recent years for just these reasons. But then NECA announced a Toys R Us exclusive repaint of Lt. Ripley from Aliens in the brighter "Kenner" colors and I knew this would be the one for my collection. The original Kenner action figures from the early nineties looked nothing like the movie characters, but I have a soft spot for that particular phase of the hobby. Thank goodness the fine crew at NECA has an eye for nostalgia as well. Let's check out Lt. Ripley below!

Imaginext - Streets of Gotham CATWOMAN!

Imaginext - Streets of Gotham - Catwoman & Cycle - Fisher-Price/Mattel 2016

Fisher-Price pulled one of their classic moves and released a series of DC Super Friends Imaginext redecos with no preamble whatsoever. I personally love this. Knowing about upcoming action figures a year in advance is nice. It lets you budget your purchases, it lets the anticipation and excitement build before the release date, and it lets you know that the toy companies are hearing your suggestions. I prefer this route for the majority of my collecting interests. But the fact that you usually don't hear about new Imaginext until they are on the shelves is thrilling in its own way. I can't tell you how many times I ran off in a spur-of-the-moment hunting tizzy because some random new figure showed up on eBay in Iowa or something. Before all the internet toy news sites really got into the groove, these hunting blitzes were a regular occurrence for me. So essentially Imaginext hits me on two nostalgic notes, toys of my youth and toy hunting in the nineties. I love these guys. Let's check out Catwoman below!

Galactic Heroes - REY (RESISTANCE OUTFIT)!

Playskool Heroes - Galactic Rivals 10-Figure Boxset - Hasbro/Playskool 2016

For some reason this little figure made me very excited for the next sequential Star Wars film due in 2017. Rogue One looks like it will be a great movie which will totally tide me over, but I'm itching to know what happens next with Rey, Finn, Poe and BB-8. This second Galactic Hero version of Rey features her Resistance outfit that she wore at the end of Force Awakens. It's nice to see that Playskool is continuing to produce new figures after the initial burst of products last fall and winter. In fact, I just saw images of a new (Unhelmeted) Poe and BB-8 2-Pack due out soon. In the meantime though, the only additional female figure on the horizon is a Hera Syndulla (due out any day now apparently). But that's not to say there won't be more unannounced additions. That has kind of been the pattern with recent collectible preschool lines. Maybe we'll get a random Leia and Ahsoka Tano. And then maybe the Marvel line will get on board and we'll finally see a Gamora or Scarlet Witch. I can dream. Let's check out Rey!

Spotlight on Adventure Time's FLAME PRINCESS!

A Collection of Little Orange Oligarchs - Funko & KidRobot 2015-2016

A great thing about being a collector is that sometimes you can let yourself be compulsive and buy things just because they're pretty - and no one in your life will think to question it. I've never seen a single episode of Cartoon Network's Adventure Time (despite years of friends pleading with me to do so). One thing I appreciate about the show though is the abundance of princesses. Princess Bubblegum, Marceline the Vampire Queen, and the Lumpy Space Princess are just a few of the colorful regular characters. My favorite visually was always Phoebe the Flame Princess. There's something about a monochromatic color scheme that just thrills me. Especially when it's applied to an elemental character like water, plant, wind, or fire. These Funko and Kidrobot products actually make the Flame Princess looks even cooler than her cartoon self. I bought the first one as a random item when trying to fill up a shopping cart to the free shipping threshold. But once I had her in hand I needed more orange goodness.

Guardians of the Galaxy Animated GAMORA!

Guardians of the Galaxy (Animated TV Series) - Wave 01 - Gamora - Hasbro 2016

With all the animated-style figures filling the toy aisles in recent years, it's been a real disappointment to see the almost total exclusion of female characters. I would have expected the Spider-Man Web Warriors and Batman Unlimited lines to at least throw in a Petra Parker Spider-Girl or a Batgirl/Harley/Catwoman option. But after all these years, it's nice to see the the inaugural female is a cool one (I'm getting a little bored with Black Widow as the token Marvel heroine). Gamora is a very welcome sight. With her green skin and fuschia hair she really stands out. Plus this animated costume with burnt orange and silver is a surprisingly cool/clashing combination. I hope the cartoon continues because I would love to see more characters make it onto the shelves. I know Mantis, Angela, Nebula, and Medusa all made appearances in season one. Perhaps it won't be too long before we see them included as well. I won't be holding my breath though. Let's check out animated Gamora below!