Super7 ReAction - BARONESS!

ReAction Action Figures - G.I.Joe Wave 3 - Baroness (Version 2) - Super7 2022

Super7's ReAction line just keeps getting better and better. The blend of vintage toy styling with the original animation designs is near perfection. Of course, now I want nothing more than for Super7 to get the MOTU license back so we can get apology figures for Sorceress and She-Ra. Those are the two least favorite in my collection, but they are great examples of just how far this line has come. What's also impressive is that they aren't shy about giving us great variants. Not only did we get a cartoon accurate Cheetara, but she was quickly followed by a vintage toy variant. Yes, repaints are minimal effort and expected. What isn't so expected however is a total resculpt for a variant. That is the case with this Baroness figure. Her first appearance blue version came earlier this year, almost immediately followed by this completely new black/gray version. It bodes well for her Ultimates figure, and even potential future Reactions with distinct variations (like Steelheart). I'm excited. Let's check out Baroness below!

Super7 ReAction - ARCEE!

ReAction Action Figures - Transformers Wave 5 - Arcee - Super7 2022

A few years ago, Super7's ReAction really started to get exciting for me. I started buying figures back in 2013 (when they were still partnered with Funko), but it wasn't until the announcement of their ThunderCats toys that I realized the potential of the line. Up until then, the MOTU series was my favorite. But they seemed like a one-off of 80s cartoon nostalgia. But then I saw Cheetara on the horizon, soon followed by Jem and April O'Neil, and I instantly had a wishlist a mile long. Very high on that list was Arcee. In all honesty, I would prefer Elita-One, but I know Arcee is the most popular female Transformer and most likely to find her way into my collection. It took a few years but I finally have her in all her pink robotic glory. I know Super7 doesn't go crazy with convention exclusives, but how awesome would a 4-pack of Elita, Chromia, Firestar, and Moonracer be? I would die. In the meantime I am anxiously waiting for a Silverhawks announcement, or at least Pumyra. Let's check out Arcee below!

Transformers Legacy - ARCEE!

Transformers Legacy Deluxe Wave 1 - Prime Arcee - TakaraTomy/Hasbro 2022

I may be biased, but I think Arcee had the most interesting redesign in Transformers: Prime. All the other characters were stylized in a standard way (which I love), but Arcee went further by changing colors, face shape, and vehicle mode. She essentially a new character with a classic recognizable name. I've always really appreciated it though. Something about a pink Transformer seemed unrealistic. I personally haven't seen a pink vehicle in years, so blue was a much more natural color. The Transformers Legacy series is intended unite different eras of Transformers media under a common design aesthetic. The tall and lanky Prime designs are made more blocky and squat to blend in with less stylized iterations of the franchise. I love the concept - and I instantly start imagining Rescue Bots characters like Quickshadow or Whirl in this style - I would love that. This Arcee reimagining is great. Her face is a perfect blend of Prime and G1 design. (The quality of the figure is another story). Let's check her out below!

Nintendo - ROSALINA!

World of Nintendo 2.5" Figures Wave 36 - Rosalina - Jakks Pacific 2022

Rosalina was a non-playable "Princess" character in 2007's Super Mario Galaxy. She was living in the Comet Observatory with her adopted lumas (creatures that look like plump Power Stars). Bowser attacked the observatory stealing all her Power Stars and she pleads with Mario to help retrieve them. I loved her design from that early introduction. She had a unique look but fit right in with Peach and Daisy. Her impact on fans must have been great as well because she has since appeared in more than 20 other games. Her appearances range from a fully playable character to a mere cameo, but her presence has been constant and I knew she would eventually have to be included in the World of Nintendo toyline. What I wasn't expecting was the surprise rapidity of both the long-awaited Daisy and Rosalina released within a couple months of each other. Of course, all these ladies makes the absence of a Pauline figure pretty glaring. I'll bet we see her in the line soon. Let's check out Rosalina below!

Nintendo - PRINCESS DAISY!

World of Nintendo 2.5" Figures Wave 34 - Princess Daisy - Jakks Pacific 2022

I've surprisingly never played a single game that featured Princess Daisy as a character. Although I've eschewed the majority of video games as an adult, the late 80s and 90s were a completely different story. Back then I spent nearly every waking moment glued to my Nintendo or SNES. It was my obsessiveness that created the new family rule, "no Nintendo on weekdays." Mario games were always a go-to, but I didn't ever own a GameBoy, so Daisy's sole appearance in the 80s and 90s, Super Mario Land for GameBoy, was unknown to me. It took me a while to research her design and color scheme, because in the gameplay she was grayscale, in the manual all characters were pink and black, even in the later GameBoy Color, she was a nondescript pink coral color. But then I discovered her hiding on the box art of the original 1989 game, a simple orange and brunette recolor of Princess Peach. She finally got her modern/classic look when the GameCube was introduced in 2001. Let's check her out!

He-Man Animated Series - RAM MA'AM!

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (Netflix) -  Ram Ma'am - Mattel 2022

I don't think anything about Netflix's CGI He-Man and the Masters of the Universe series has impressed me so much as the creation of the character Ram Ma'am. Upon first hearing the name, I can admit I scoffed and rolled my eyes. Her name is ridiculous, but in retrospect, it's classic MOTU brand to have laughable names. And upon watching the show, I concede that she is a shockingly awesome character. Ram Man in the 80s was very popular, but he just annoyed the crap out of me. His dim-witted (supposedly comedic) dialogue and the boing-boing noises as he bounced around took me out of the fantasy aspect of the show instantly. But Krasstine, aka Krass, aka Ram Ma'am, aka Rampage was anything but. She had depth, demons, and visually cool powers. If you haven't watched the show, the major gimmick is that all the heroic "Masters" get powered up by the Power Sword, not just Adam. So they all have transformation sequences and a chance to shine. Especially Krass. Watch the show, it's fun.

Marvel Toybox - GAMORA!

Toybox - Marvel Deluxe Box - Guardians of the Galaxy - Disney 2021

This blog has become a sort of journal for me. When I got this Gamora Toybox figure in the mail this week, I knew I had been wishing for her for a while. And sure enough, four years ago when the first Marvel lady was released, Black Widow (of course), I was already writing here about my hopes for a Gamora. So far all the female releases have had direct movie or television tie-ins, so I'm guessing the next options will be America Chavez, Kate Bishop, She-Hulk, and Ms. Marvel. But time will tell. This Gamora is the first figure in a while to go back to the original Disney Infinity video game designs (the aesthetic basis for this toy line). Recent releases like Scarlet Witch, Wasp, and Captain Carter were new designs (since the MCU costumes hadn't been created yet). I'm glad they broke out of Infinity library of characters since they would be limiting themselves and not keeping current with the MCU, but I also appreciate this more simplified Gamora over her MCU version with layered clothing and facial markings. 

Marvel Toybox - CAPTAIN CARTER!

Toybox - Marvel Deluxe Box - Captain Carter & Hydra Stomper - Disney 2021

Spoiler Warning. I know this is broad, but if you don't want anything about anything nerdy spoiled right now, just skip ahead to the pictures. I say that because if I mention what the spoilers are about, that is the spoiler. (I'll get to the actual spoilage in a few minutes). The Disney Toybox line continues to impress. Each figure seems to be an improvement over the last both in aesthetic and construction. I got this Captain Carter and Hydra Stomper two-pack back in October when I was all packed-up for a November move. By the time I was all settled in my new home and began taking photos again in January, she was the oldest of my new toys and kept getting pushed to the backburner. But then yesterday I got the new Gamora figure and was inspired to finally dig her out of the back of my closet. She is amazing. I love it when a long-standing civilian character gets powered-up and takes center stage like Spider-Gwen, Pepper Potts Rescue, Jane Foster Thor, and now Captain Carter. It's a trope that I can get behind.

MOTU Revelation - TEELA (v2)!

Masterverse Series 4 - Masters of the Universe Revelation - Teela - Mattel 2022

The development of Teela's storyline in the Masters of the Universe Revelation series was nothing short of epic. For the majority of the show, she was a disillusioned marauder roaming the Eternian countryside with Andra and harassing random baddies like Stinkor. This marauder version was quite scandalous in the fanboy community (how dare she have covered legs and a militant haircut?!), but I loved it. That said, I was still very appreciative of the classic Teela look we got in the beginning of the story and flashbacks. But considering they released a toy of the marauder look first, I'm shocked they backtracked and gave us this classic version. She is a great figure and I really love seeing the details of the modernized outfit (it flashes by pretty quickly in the show). If you haven't seen the Revelation yet, she has a third major transformation that is awesome and better get a toy as well. (Also, a Revelation Sorceress in her classic orange plumage is definitely needed in this line). Let's check out Teela below!

POP Funko - BLACK ORCHID!

DC POP! Heroes #435 - Black Orchid - Earth Day Walmart Exc - Funko 2022

I don't think I've ever been so excited for a Funko Pop as I was for this new Black Orchid exclusive. Other Pops have been great but it's really rare when one of my favorite comic characters gets made in plastic for the very first time. Back in the day when there were official DC Direct message boards, I was the nerd constantly begging for an action figure of her. Black Orchid first appeared in Adventure Comics in 1973 followed by several years of solo backup stories in Phantom Stranger. A typical early story involved some evil businessmen being horrible for several pages, then in the final few panels, the quiet unassuming secretary would reveal herself to be Susan Linden-Thorne aka the Black Orchid and the story would be over. It was pure camp with an amazing costume. In the late 80s she became a member of the Suicide Squad before getting a Vertigo revamp for most of the 90s, then a reimagining in the New52. She's been a consistently wonderful C-lister who finally gets a toy. Let's check her out below!

POP Funko - CAPTAIN MARVEL!

Marvel POP! Covers #03 - Captain Marvel (Monica Rambeau) - Funko 2022

One of the most visually iconic characters of the 1980s to me was Monica Rambeau as Captain Marvel. I admit I don't think I actually read any of her stories back then, but I would see her on comic covers and was always intrigued. In a world of bright colorful costumes that were getting more detailed and complex every year (culminating in the 90's explosion of pouches and warpaint), this character stood out for having a stark black and white costume with a simple but striking design. Her legacy has endured and thankfully her roles in Captain Marvel, WandaVision, and the upcoming Marvels is finally making her a household name. I only hope she gets suited up in some version of her classic costume. This Funko Pop was very unexpected but very very welcome. It was my first Funko Comic Covers purchase and it came with a few surprises (which I will detail below) but I am ecstatic to add her to my collection. And maybe this will prompt a Marvel Legends figure soon. Let's check her out below!

Hallmark Batman '66 - BATGIRL Ornament!

Batman Classic TV Series - Batgirl Limited Edition Ornament - Hallmark 2019

I often find myself speculating why Yvonne Craig Batgirl merchandise is so elusive. We've heard tales that her estate is very restrictive with likeness rights, but it makes me wonder why even when we do get product, it usually only vaguely looks like her. I personally think this Batgirl Hallmark ornament is stunning. The costume details, especially the treatment of the different purple fabric sculpts, is perfection. But the face, although beautiful, is pretty generic. The only Yvonne Batgirl product I've seen that actually looks like her is the Tweeterhead statue, but that's way over my budget. The rest of my collection is just vaguely reminiscent of the actress. It's possible Yvonne just had one of those faces that doesn't translate well when sculpted, but my suspicious side makes me think they might be intentionally/legally generic. If we ever get a McFarlane figure we will see. In the meantime, this Hallmark ornament from 2019 is the best looking Yvonne Batgirl in my collection. Let's check her out below!

Hallmark - EARTHA KITT CATWOMAN Ornament!

Batman Classic TV Series - Eartha Kitt Catwoman LE Ornament - Hallmark 2021

I had a really frustrating couple days this past Fall trying to get the new Eartha Kitt Catwoman ornament. From the moment she was announced the April before, I put the release date (October 16th 2021) on my calendar and blocked my morning to go pick her up. Back in 2016 I casually walked into a Hallmark one afternoon during lunch and picked up the Julie Newmar (I didn't even know she was coming!) Then in 2019 I took note of the Batgirl ornament release date and went in the morning to pick her up - no issues. But something happened in 2021. I showed up to one of the bigger Hallmark stores in my area right around opening time, only to find out they had opened an hour early (completely undocumented online) and there was apparently a line of 25 people waiting for the doors to open. In the next hour I check three more stores and got the same story. I gave up and paid scalper prices on eBay and called it a day. Luckily this is likely the last lady in the series. Let's check her out below!

Batman Classic TV Series - CATWOMAN Bust!

Batman Classic TV Series - Eartha Kitt Catwoman Mini-Bust - DST 2017

The curious case of the missing review. I bought this Eartha Kitt Catwoman Bust when she was released five years ago. I photographed her and have distinct memories of editing the photos. I even found three 'unused' photos still on my camera, proving these memories. But when I created the post for the new McFarlane figure earlier this week, I discovered that I apparently never actually created a review. And a quick glance at eBay let me know that she sells for a ton of money now and therefore turnaround pics are a good thing to have on record (since she would be a significant investment for a collector). It looks like a similar situation happened with the Julie Newmar bust, but Eartha seemed more urgent since the McFarlane figure has me so excited. These Diamond Select busts aren't the greatest thing ever. The likenesses are there, but somehow a little off. But I love collecting mini-busts, especially Catwoman ones, and my collection would be incomplete without these. Let's check her out below!

Batman Classic TV Series - CATWOMAN!

Batman Classic TV Series - Catwoman (Eartha Kitt) - McFarlane Toys 2022

A few times a year an action figure pops up in the toy aisles that shocks me by its very existence. Since 2013 there has been a surprising amount of Batman '66 product made: Mattel, Funko, Hallmark, DST,  Mezco, and now McFarlane. The female characters have been predictably scarce, but none so much as Miss Eartha Kitt as Catwoman. I realize that she only appeared in five episodes of the show, and all in the final third season. Yet somehow she made a huge impact on me as a child. Sure, I loved Julie Newmar and Lee Meriwether in the role, but I tend to think that Eartha had the most fun with it. She took those previous purring performances and ramped it up by 100. I thought she was great. And I am beyond thrilled to finally have a traditional action figure of her in my collection. And honestly, I'm glad we never got a Mattel Eartha because those bodies were too tall and lanky, and the faces were hit or miss. But this McFarlane figure is near perfection. Let's check her out below!

Tom & Jerry - TOOTS!

Tom & Jerry the Movie - Friends & Foes 4-Pack - Toots -Moose Toys 2020

Tom & Jerry has a very nostalgic place in my heart. It's not necessarily because of the cartoon either. Sure, the episodes were perpetually on TV and I watched my fair share as a child, but my stronger connection comes from one of my first collecting hobbies, PEZ dispensers. I started collecting PEZ dispensers when I was a little kid in the late 80s. The rush of collecting was incredible, because they cost 75 cents and they were everywhere. And with no internet or news sources, everything was a surprise. You'd walk into the drug store and find the Flintstones, then go to the supermarket and find the Smurfs, even the arcades and stationary stores would carry them. It was heaven. Eventually I got a PEZ book and discovered that PEZ USA had different dispensers from the rest of the world (PEZ Int'l). And the current popular line just North of me in Canada was MGM characters like Tom & Jerry, Droopy Dog, etc. It took me years to get them and they are burned into my psyche as rare and desirable characters.