Marvel Legends Infinity War - BLACK WIDOW!

Avengers Infinity War: Wave 2 (Cull Obsidian BAF) - Black Widow - Hasbro 2018

After we got that beautiful Black Widow figure way back in 2014's Marvel Legends Winter Solder line, I honestly didn't think I would need another Scarlett Johansson figure. I thought that figure was near perfection. And sure enough the next few Black Widow figures were just simple repaints (the Amazon exclusive 4-pack and the weird Hulkbuster re-release). But then several months ago the Avengers: Infinity War promos started to hit and suddenly our Natasha Romanoff had a pretty distinct redesign with blonde hair and a green vest. I still wasn't sure if this would warrant a new figure purchase, but when early in-hand pics of this figure started popping up I knew I would cave. Her facesculpt is a subtle but significant improvement of her previous figure, and the blonde/green coloring gives her a pretty unique overall design in comparison. At this point I'm not even sure what other MCU figures I'm even wishing for. (The upcoming Sif figure is the only other one I can think of). Let's check out Black Widow below!

Star Wars Black Series - QI'RA (CORELLIA)!

Star Wars 6 " Black Series #66 (Solo Movie) - Qi'Ra (Corellia) - Hasbro 2018

I just saw Solo: A Star Wars Story last night and I was really impressed. My previous criticisms about the designs were pretty unfounded. I had complained that the outfit we see here on this Qi'Ra action figure looked way too modern, but in the film it actually fits in. If I recall correctly, this particular outfit is almost always shown in either dim silvery-blue lighting or while seated in a vehicle, so it's not as distracting as I feared. When I got home from the theatre, I immediately started Googling to see what other toys we would be getting and I was happy to discover that we will be getting three additional 6" females from the movie (don't research that if you don't want spoilers). And that's not even including any additional Qi'Ra figures. There haven't been any announced yet, but she had several iconic looks in the movie (the caped one was my favorite) and if she follows the trends set by Leia, Rey, and Jyn, she'll likely get at least one more figure. I'm excited to see what the future will hold. Let's check out Qi'Ra below!

Marvel's Spider-Man - SPIDER-GIRL!

Marvel's Spider-man (Disney XD) - Spider-Girl (Anya Corazon) - Hasbro 2018

I still haven't watched any episodes of the new Marvel's Spider-Man cartoon on Disney XD. But given the amount of merchandise attention that Anya Corazon is getting from it, I know I need to start soon. I have a great fondness for all the various Spider-Women that have been introduced over the years - Jessica Drew, Julia Carpenter, Mayday, Spider-Gwen, Ashley Barton, all of them. But above and beyond my favorite has been Anya Corazon (once she donned the Spider-Girl outfit -- her Araña phase wasn't my favorite to be honest). Her comics were witty and fun and I adored them (check out the Spider-Girl: Family Values TPB). Once the Spider-Verse storyline happened and we were suddenly introduced to dozens of cool new Spiders, I was afraid she would be overshadowed. But she's maintained a decent presence and now her role in the Disney XD show is making her a permanent fixture in the Marvel Universe (in my humble opinion). This toy is proving my point. Let's check out her new kid's line figure below!

Ant-Man & the Wasp Marvel Legends - WASP!

Avengers Infinity War: Wave 2 (Cull Obsidian BAF) - Wasp - Hasbro 2018

I was already really looking forward to Ant-Man and the Wasp in July, but something about this figure launched my excitement to a whole new level. The Wasp I am familiar with is Janet Van Dyne, the original Avenger who will be portrayed by Michelle Pfeiffer in this movie. The Wasp played by Evangeline Lilly in the movie is Janet's daughter, Hope Van Dyne (her father is Hank Pym / Michael Douglas). Hope was originally introduced in the MC2 comic universe (where we were introduced to Spider-Girl (Mayday), Stinger, American Dream, Wild Thing, etc). She was a villain known as the Red Queen who was the nemesis of Stinger (Cassie Lang) - who is coincidentally a young character in the movie played by Abby Ryder Fortson. I doubt these characters will have the same dynamics as portrayed in the comics over the years, but I'm curious to see how they all fit into the MCU. This Marvel Legends figure gives me the first really detailed look at the costume and I think it's amazing. Let's check her out below!

Marvel Legends Infinity War - SCARLET WITCH!

Avengers Infinity War: Scarlet Witch & Vision TRU Exc 2-Pack - Hasbro 2018

I swear I was going to be strong and skip this Scarlet Witch repaint. But just like the second version of Enchantress a few years ago, once I saw her in person my willpower faded and before I knew it I was standing in the checkout line. I figure there were two reasons behind my purchase. The first is that this is likely the last toy I will ever purchase at Toys R Us. I've been feeling very nostalgic and sad about all the closures so every little purchase now carries some weight. The second reason is that this is a really terrific repaint. The only real difference is the hair color and the facepaint, but it is a major improvement over the Civil War version from 2016. The heads seem to have identical sculpts, but it's really difficult to tell in person. (She also comes with different energy accessories). Wanda's role has escalated in each movie and in Avengers: Infinity War the trend continued and she had a lot of screentime. So I'm really glad she got a great redeco (even if I didn't realize she needed one). Let's check out Scarlet Witch below!

Power Fx Marvel Titan Hero BLACK WIDOW!

Titan Hero Series - Avengers Infinity War - Power FX Black Widow - Hasbro 2018

I've been struggling with time management recently. I'm my defense, I've been planning a wedding and it's really been stressing me out. But the one nice thing about not having time to photograph my newest purchases is that I get to clear all the older pics off my camera. I wasn't planning on posting a review of this TitanFX Black Widow figure because I had just done one for the standard release when I found her in Target. But the improvements in the sculpt of the PowerFX version were so impressive to me that I knew I would eventually have to post on her as well. While the price point of these PowerFx figures are double or even triple the cost of a standard Titan, I think the added play value of the soundbox backpacks are worth the cost. The funny thing is, if I would have posted this review right after I took the photos, I wouldn't have acknowledged the fun factor, because I didn't even pay attention until I got my Wasp Titan months later. The details are explained further down. Let's check out Black Widow below!

Funko Vynl - HARLEY QUINN!

DC Super Heroes Vynl - Harley Quinn & The Joker 2-Pack - Funko 2018

Harley isn't just for the comic nerds anymore. She belongs to the world now and our opinions about her character trajectory don't carry much weight anymore. I'm actually pretty okay with most of her various evolutions. I was skeptical of her most recent Skullbags punk rock look at first but I quickly grew to love it. And honestly all the comic looks had the same gradual acceptance for me. That's because my all-time favorite look will forever be her original cartoon and early comic outfit. Whenever a piece of merchandise comes out in that red and black jester getup, I feel an irresistible draw toward it.  I pick and choose with all the other Harley looks, but the classic will always be a shoe-in. I'm getting rather fond of Funko's Vynl line. This Harley was my fourth Vynl (Sorceress will be my 5th when she arrives), and I like them more and more with each purchase. I'm really hoping we see a Catwoman next just to round out the Sirens. A Huntress and Batwoman wouldn't hurt either. Let's check out Harley below!

Star Wars 12" Solo - QI'RA (CORELLIA)!

Solo: A Star Wars Story - 12" Action Figures - Qi'Ra (Corellia) - Hasbro 2018

I have a lot of misgivings about Solo: A Star Wars Story. I don't know much about the plot or anything. But just judging from the few commercial spots I've seen and the toys that have already hit the shelves I have some misgivings about the film's aesthetics. I like all the actors involved and I actually think their costumes are very cool and creative. However, they just don't say "Star Wars" to me at all. I just can't wrap my head around how people can be dressed so hip and modern at one phase of a story only to move on to A New Hope and suddenly be dressed like they're from a different era... specifically an error backwards in time. When Phantom Menace came out Queen Amidala had lots of outrageous (slightly "modern") fashions but somehow it didn't seem to stray far from the Star Wars aesthetic that we have come to know. But all the Solo imagery I've seen so far just seems disconnected. I'm definitely going to see it in the theatre, but I'm finding it hard to withhold judgement. Let's check out Qi'ra below!

Scooby-Doo Imaginext - DAPHNE & VELMA!

Imaginext Scooby-Doo - Velma Dinkley & Daphne Blake - Fisher-Price 2018

I'm finally catching up on all the backlogged Imaginext figures I've had laying around forever. The only downfall to running a review blog, is that I can't rip open a toy as soon as I buy it. Waiting until I have time to photograph them in the packaging puts my patience to the test. I never would have expected to like a Scooby-Doo Imaginext line so much. Sure, the main characters look great (except for Scooby himself ironically). But the great thing is that this line has proved to be a great vehicle for all the "monsters." The removable hoods are perfect for reminiscing over those iconic "jinkies!" moments. The only sad thing is that so far this line has only shown up at Toys R Us. It hasn't been expressly declared an exclusive, but I feel that the future availability of the line is uncertain. I would love a One-Eyed Skeleton, a Phantom Racer, and a 10,000 Volt Ghost - they were always my favorites. Maybe Target, Wal-Mart or the revived Kay-Bee will pick up the line and give us a few more sets. Let's check out Velma and Daphne below!

Imaginext Collection of DC SUPERHERO LADIES!

Imaginext DC Super Friends - Assorted Heroes - Fisher-Price/Mattel 2017-2018

The DC SuperFriends Imaginext line is one of my favorite collectibles at the moment. For a long time the line was void of any female characters. Then in early 2012 they introduced Catwoman. That figure actually inspired me to create this blog, Because when I found it (in a Target in the middle of a blizzard), I was super excited to share my discovery, but I didn't have any outlet. Coincidentally, the DC message boards had been taken down a few months prior as part of the New52 reboot (that was my go-to nerdy community at the time). So within a month I started She's Fantastic - although I never did review that Catwoman. Over the course of the next few years, we got Wonder Woman, Harley Quinn, and Poison Ivy. Then the floodgates opened and I've had trouble keeping up. This review will collect my nine latest figures: Black Canary, Batgirl v3, Harley Quinn v2, Vixen, Hawkgirl, Carrie Kelley Robin, Wonder Woman v4, (Flashpoint) Wonder Woman v5, and Cheetah v2. Let's check them out below!

Jurassic Park Imaginext - DR. SATTLER & CLAIRE!

Imaginext Jurassic World/Jurassic Park - Claire & Dr. Sattler - Fisher-Price 2018

Imaginext is not a toy line that should be overlooked. I've been collecting toys for a long time and I've seen product lines come and go. But there is something special about Imaginext that I think has the potential to outperform some of the most successful action figures lines of all time. They are fun, consistent, very playable, and they are released at a very commendable pace. Many years ago they started releasing licensed figures in the DC SuperFriends brand. But more recently they've branched out and started releasing the likes of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Scooby Doo, and now Jurassic Park and Jurassic World. I love how the smaller scales make the actual dinosaur toys more accessible. In the first wave of products we got the classic Dr. Ellie Satter and the current heroine Claire Dearing. I'm hoping we get a few more ladies before the license disappears. I know that main action figure line is getting a Zia and Maisie, so I guess their the most likely to show up next. Let's check out Claire and Ellie below!

Jurassic World - CLAIRE DEARING!

Jurassic World - Deluxe Series 01: Gyrosphere & Claire Dearing - Mattel 2018

There's almost nothing I love more than a phenomenally talented actress. I especially love it when they are from my generation. A few great ones come to mind: Kate Winslet, Jessica Chastain, Emily Blunt, and of course Bryce Dallas Howard. I first saw her back in The Village in 2004 and I was instantly smitten. Something I also love about all these particular actors is that they intermix serious Oscar-worthy roles with lighthearted playful ones. Us nerdy folk probably best know Bryce as Gwen Stacy from Spider-Man 3, Victoria from Twilight, and Claire from Jurassic World, none of which are particularly powerful roles, but if you want a taste of her skills check out the Season 3 premiere of Black Mirror (Nosedive) on Netflix. She is just brilliant. I'm glad that Mattel waited until this second movie to get the license and create a thorough line of action figures. Claire's white executive outfit in the first movie was ridiculously iconic, but I honestly don't won't a toy immortalizing it. Let's check out this more utilitarian version below!

Jurassic Park - DR. ELLIE SATTLER!

Jurassic World Legacy Collection - Series 01 - Dr. Ellie Sattler - Mattel 2018

I love when a new movie in an old franchise comes out and suddenly it prompts toys from all the classic films. When Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull came out, Hasbro dove deep and gave us great action figures from all three previous movies. Then the more recent Power Rangers Legacy series from Bandai did the same thing (and will continue to do so until the property transfers to Hasbro next year). I completely missed out on all the Jurassic Park toys in the 1990s. I was obsessed with the movies and books, but for some reason I never thought to buy a single toy. By the time I had the idea to collect them all years later, they cost too much on the secondary market (mostly the Sarah Harding figure). So I was super excited to see that alongside all the modern Jurassic World figures hitting the shelves, Mattel was unveiling a Legacy collection which would finally give me a Dr. Sattler. Now we just have to hope for a Sarah Harding, Amanda Kirby, etc. Time will tell. Let's check out Ellie below!

Ant-Man and the Wasp Titan Hero Series - WASP!

Marvel Titan Hero Series 12" - Ant-Man and the Wasp - Hasbro 2018

I'm very excited for the Ant-Man and the Wasp movie. When the first Avengers movie came out back in 2012 (seems so much longer ago), I was dumbfounded that they substituted Black Widow for the Wasp. Although Black Widow has proven herself to be a power player in the films, in my mind she will first and foremost be a solo espionage artist. I found myself constantly trying to explain to all my non-nerdy friends how the Wasp and Ant-Man were part of the original Avengers and how cool they would have been on the team. Well it's taken six years, but we're finally going to see the two on screen together, and hopefully by 2019 they'll be fully integrated into the next Avengers film. I'm really loving the Marvel Titan Hero line. They've really be incorporating some fantastic female characters into the lineup. So far this year we've got Spider-Girl, Black Widow, Scarlet Witch, and now the Wasp. In the future I'm guessing we'll see a MCU Gamora and Nebula as well as an animated Spider-Gwen. Let's check out the Wasp below!