Transformers Scout Class - SHADOW STRIKER!

Transformers: Cyberverse (Scout Class Wave 3) - Shadow Striker - Hasbro 2019

I'm loving how the Transformers: Cyberverse line is releasing all their main characters in multiple scales so quickly. And I'm also loving how three of those main characters are female. We already have two Windblades, two Slipstreams, and now a second Shadow Striker. The best part is that my favorite scale (the Warrior Class) has only had a Windblade so far. So potentially my favorite figures have yet to be unveiled: a Warrior Class Slipstream and Shadow Striker. And that's not even mentioning the other potential secondary characters from the cartoon: Arcee, Chromia, and Nova Storm. But in the meantime, I truly am a big fan of these small Scout Class figures. They are bigger than the Legion Class figures of the past, but they're still pretty small and adorable. They have great robot forms, but sacrifice a lot in the vehicle mode (which is a change up from past smaller-scale-transformers, but I much prefer it). I can't wait to see what gets released next. Let's check out Shadow Striker below!

Transformers Ultra Class - SLIPSTREAM!

Transformers: Cyberverse (Ultra Class Wave 3) - Slipstream - Hasbro 2019

I recently acknowledged the cartoon trope of purple being a villainous color. It almost becomes a subconscious thing that you don't realize, but it's really everywhere. This past Summer I was making a collage of 80s villainesses and it ended up looking really weird because it was so purple. Think about it: Evil-Lyn, Queen Merla, Malvanna Wilde, Scorpia (Sectaurs), Vipra, Queen of the Crown, Erica Slade, Virulina, there are a ton. And that's not even mentioning the Transformers: Blackarachnia, Airachnid, Shadow Striker, Strika, Flamewar, Cindersaur, and of course Slipstream. I was really excited when I discovered that Slipstream would be a major character in the Transformers Cyberverse cartoon. Her Legends figure is one of my favorites and I definitely thought animated-style toys would be very cool. Unfortunately her first release, a Scout Class, was just a repaint of Starscream and I was very disappointed. I was afraid this figure would be the same, but luckily she appears to be a completely new figure.

Ralph Breaks the Internet - SHANK!

Wreck-It Ralph 2 - Action Figures Series 02 - Shank - Bandai 2019

Hot on the heels of yesterday's review of Yesss comes this final figure of Shank from 2018's Ralph Breaks the Internet (aka Disney's Wreck-It Ralph 2). Shank is a tough street racer from the fictional game Slaughter Race. She is voiced by the amazing Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman) and seems like a great addition to the cast (I haven't seen it myself yet). I love how this character and toy fit in with the diverse aesthetics of the multi-genre movie while still capturing the essence of the voice actors behind them. (I would love to see someone make an animated Wonder Woman from this headsculpt). Bandai always has a knack for putting out great product from popular animated properties, and this movie has been no exception. The four females figures they've released so far in this line have been really fun and almost perfectly executed. The only thing lacking is more articulation. But these are simple toys aimed at kids, so I give Bandai a lot of wiggle room here. Let's check out Shank below!

Ralph Breaks the Internet - YESSS!

Wreck-It Ralph 2 - Action Figures Series 02 - Yesss - Bandai 2019

I'm woefully behind on Disney movies. I just counted and there are 14 movies from the past seven years that are on my list to watch. I only just saw the first Wreck-It Ralph in the last year (a mere 6 years after its initial release). But I will definitely try to speed up my schedule now though because I'm really curious to see Ralph Breaks the Internet  - after seeing all the action figures of these cool female characters of course.  Yesss is an amazing looking character voiced by Taraji P. Henson. She is the embodiment of an algorithm that determines trending videos on the fictional site BuzzzTube. Her design is based on Cruella de Vil (although I never would have guessed that before I read it). I'm obsessed with her multi-tonal blue features contrasting with her bright red clothes. I know this figure only depicts one of her many fashions, but from what I can tell via google image searches, I think it's my favorite. Bandai has a knack for perfectly capturing CGI-animated figures in action figure form. Let's check out Yesss below!

Marvel Legends - MYSTIQUE!

Marvel Legends - Walgreens Exclusive X-Men Legends - Mystique - Hasbro 2019

I predict that 2019 will be a pretty awesome year for Marvel Legends. The announcements last week at Toy Fair included two of my most wanted figures: Julia Carpenter Spider-Woman and Blue-suited Dazzler. (Not to mention an updated Scarlet Witch, Peggy Carter, Shuri, MJ, etc). And I have a hunch that we will finally see a classic Firestar in one of the unannounced Spider-Man or Avengers slots (the recent Night Thrasher figure and her Iceman appearance fuel my hopes). Also, I think it's very likely we'll see an MCU Rescue. But the fact that we are getting at least four classic characters this year is extremely exciting for me (Silver Sable, Spider-Woman, Dazzler, and this Mystique). I have really grown to love Mystique over the years. When I was a kid, she kind of freaked me out, and that unease lingered until I read her Brian K Vaughn solo series in 2003. However, I prefer the classic costume and this figure is an unexpected favorite for me. Let's check out this beautiful blue-hued shapechanger in detail below!

DC Multiverse - VIXEN (REBIRTH)!

DC Multiverse - Lex Luthor Collect & Connect: Vixen - Mattel 2019

I've always been fascinated by Vixen and have wanted to learn more about her. I love her look and her powers. I also love her historical significance as the (intended) first African heroine to star in her own DC comic series (in the late 1970s). I say "intended" because her series was cancelled before it was ever released. She instead began appearing in team books like Justice League, Suicide Squad, and Checkmate. I don't really love most team books so my first real exposure to her wasn't until her solo mini-series in 2008.  But his figure has so enthralled me that I've been catching up on her backstory and legacy and becoming a big fan. I'm also excited to get the Vixen movie (re-edited from her animated web-series). But in the meantime I will just bask in the glory of this amazing toy. I hadn't even noticed that she got a new costume, but it looks great. Mattel's DC Multiverse line is really going out with a bang. The previous Vixen figures can't hold a candle to this one. It's a shame that we won't see much more.

History in Action - BESSIE COLEMAN!

History in Action - Action Figures Series 01 - Bessie Coleman - HIA Toys 2007

When I started this blog seven years ago, I was thrilled with the idea of regular groupings of reviews based on a common theme. My first post was in late January so the natural first theme was Black History Month for February. I was really on top of things that first year - coming up with themes left and right, but soon I realized how stressful it was to put reviews on hold just so I could lump a few together. I made up for it by adding appropriate hashtags where applicable; "redhead", "felinoid", "fembots", etc, so those themed lists could be assembled at any point by clicking links on the hashtag list at the bottom of the page. By the way, I've continued to use the "BHM" (Black History Month) hashtag ever since, regardless of the actual month it's posted. This is all a long-winded way to say how excited I am that I just got my hands on the perfect figure for a February review - and I'm feeling very excited and nostalgic. HIA Toys ("History In Action") made this great series of historic action figures over a decade ago.

Rescue Bots - WHIRL!

Playskool Heroes - Transformers: Rescue Bots Academy - Whirl - Hasbro 2019

I've been really obsessed with robot toys lately. I literally just re-did a huge portion of my toy display with the sole intention of dedicating a lot more space to my burgeoning Transformers collection. I think one of the main reasons I feel so consumed by them is that I honestly never thought female robots would be something I could find in the action figure aisles. For a few decades it was quite a boys club. But now they are coming out with increasing regularity. This Whirl figure was a complete surprise to me when I found her in Target. She is from the new show Rescue Bots Academy show that premiered last month on Discovery Family. I haven't seen the show, but I love the design of this character and I'm excited to watch it when it's streaming somewhere (I imagine her to be energetic and spunky). I also expect to see more of Whirl in the toy aisle. My hopes are for one of the smaller scale figures eventually, and maybe even a blind bag or two. Time will tell. Let's check Whirl out in detail below!

Jazwares - The Ladies of FORTNITE!

Fortnite: Cuddle Team Leader, Brite Bomber, and Teknique - Jazwares 2018

The momentum of Fortnite product doesn't seem like it's going to slow down anytime soon. Every store I go into these days has a decent-sized display of their toys and roleplay weapons. Walmart, Target, GameStop, FYE, even my grocery store (totally not kidding). I don't play video games, but the character designs are so fun that I can't stay away. I especially love the girls dressed in animal onesies (Cuddle Team Leader, Tricera Tops, and Bunny Brawler are my favorites). I think everyone was shocked when Jazwares announced their license for 1:18 scale Fortnite figures. It's been a while since those Assassin's Creed figures of their's came and went. They definitely have a knack for video game properties: Minecraft, Sonic, Megaman, Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter, etc. I'm hoping there is a second Fortnite wave soon because there are so many more characters to make (and their lines tend to fizzle out unexpectedly). Fingers crossed! Let's check out Brite Bomber, Teknique, and Cuddle Team Leader below!

DC Multiverse - WONDER WOMAN (REBIRTH)!

DC Multiverse - Lex Luthor Collect & Connect: Wonder Woman - Mattel 2019

Jim Lee is one of the most iconic comic artists of my generation. My middle school, high school, and early college years were in the 1990s and his impact on that decade was undeniable. His X-Men run alone would have immortalized him in the Pantheon of all-time greats, but in addition he had excellent work on Punisher, WildCATs, Heroes Reborn, Deathblow, and Divine Right (among many others). But the interesting thing about really distinct illustrators is that more often than not, there styles do not translate well into 3-D. I have always felt that the most notorious case of this has been with Mr. Lee himself. The Hush figures were the best attempts, but they don't really look like his art. Neither did any of the DC Universe Online Statues, and honestly neither do these Rebirth action figures.It has nothing to do with the sculptors either. Literally the most talented names in the action figure market have attempted his style (Brucker, Palinko, and both Matthews!) but I'm beginning to think it's an impossible feat.