Marvel Legends - DESTINY!

Marvel Legends -  X-Men: Rogue and Destiny 2-Pack -  Hasbro 2024

The powers that be behind the Marvel Legends line have been reading my mind recently. A Destiny figure has been on my wishlist for years, but I figured that an older (sometimes elderly?) blind lgbtq precog would be an unlikely choice for retail shelves. But I wasn't considering two things: 1) Online retailer exclusives are great for obscure character releases. And 2) Destiny had a major popularity boost due to the 2022 Destiny of X storyline. Regardless of the factors behind her release, I'm just ecstatic to finally have a true action figure of Irene. The Brotherhood of Evil Mutants were my favorite adversaries when I first started reading X-Men in the 80s, and I'm glad the roster is finally filling out. This figure was really tricky for me to photograph. The metallic facemask messes with my camera's color sensor and every photo ends up looking like a different shade of blue. I took hundreds of photos of her, but this set (with flash) looked the most consistent. Let's check out the long overdue Destiny figure below!

Marvel Legends - ROGUE!

Marvel Legends -  X-Men: Rogue and Destiny 2-Pack -  Hasbro 2024

Rogue was one of the very first female villains I was exposed to in the Marvel Universe. I had picked up a backissue of Dazzler sometime in the late 80s and was obsessed with this green-suited young woman causing chaos. I picked up all her early appearances in books like Avengers and ROM Spaceknight and couldn't get enough. I thought it was great when she came to the good side and joined the X-Men, but I think I was the only fan that wasn't on board with her transformation into a sexpot in the 90s. It just seemed too out of character to me. But that popularity is why we get so many cool toys of her, so I try to embrace it. A first appearance Rogue has been on my Marvel Legends wishlist for many years, and so has Destiny. So this 2-Pack is like a dream to me. The Rogue figure isn't perfect. I find her hair especially baffling. In this era, she always had two white streaks coming off her temples (often curling up in little Quicksilver-esque whisps). This slicked-back center streak just looks odd and a little boring to me. 

POP Funko - SPINNERET!

POP! Marvel #1293 - Entertainment Earth Exclusive - Spinneret - Funko 2023

I've been collecting toys for a long time and sometimes I get cocky thinking I can predict release and distribution patterns. But I'm often wrong. When this Spinneret Funko Pop was announced last year, I knew I had to get her. I've slowed down my Pop purchases a lot, but Bat-Family and Spider-Family females will always have a place on my shelf. The problem was that this was an online exclusive, and I am very picky about paint, especially with Spider-characters where web patterns tend to get sloppy (I had to order eight Spider-Woman Pops back in 2018 before I got a good one). But Spinneret was exclusive to Entertainment Earth, which I've noticed has a relationship with both FYE and Go! Calendars and Games, where you can almost always find EE exclusives (in limited quantities) in person. So I waited. And waited. Eventually she sold out on the EE website and eBay images were annoyingly all solicit renders. I thought I was screwed. But luckily I found a ton of her from vendors at NY Comic Con 2024.

Transformers - ARCEE (ONLY HUMAN)!

Transformers/G.I.Joe Collector's Club Exc - Arcee (Only Human) - Hasbro 2017

There are only a handful of classic Transformers episodes that are still fused into my brain as an adult, and amazingly most of them have managed to get action figures. An iconic episode for me was Only Human (S3 E23, November 1986) wherein Ultra Magnus, Springer, Rodimus Prime, and Arcee fall victim to a plot by the mysterious Old Snake (Cobra Commander in disguise) and have their consciousnesses transferred into humanoid synthoids while their empty robot bodies are piloted as weapons by the bad guys. Three figures were released based on this episode; Arcee, Rodimus Prime, and Old Snake. (Springer, Ultra Magnus, and Victor Drath prototypes were shown at conventions, but never produced). This episode is quite well-known for linking the Transformers and G.I.Joe universes (even if it's just strongly implied), so producing these club-exclusive Transformers figures using G.I.Joe body construction was a genius move. They are pretty amazing. Let's check out Only Human Arcee below!

Nintendo - POM POM!

World of Nintendo - 4" Series Wave 39 - Pom Pom - Jakks Pacific 2024

I've been collecting the Jakks Pacific World of Nintendo line for almost ten years now, but 2024 marks the first year that I was exposed to a new character that I had never seen before (and there's a new-to-me Sonic character coming, too). Pom Pom is a "new" Koopa Kid introduced in 2011's Super Mario 3D Land as a counterpart to Boom Boom. She has a face and body design very similar to Boom Boom, but with more proportional arms, pink skin, and feminizing details (like eyelashes, a ponytail, bows, and her namesake pom-poms). Since 2011, she has appeared in ten different games, but somehow I had never seem her image before. I stumbled across solicitation images of this figure on a foreign website back in June and have been eagerly awaiting her ever since. Her entire wave has been showing up at GameStop for a few months now, but Pom Pom seems to be excluded. I luckily picked mine up from a toy seller at NYCC in October and I think she's awesome. Let's check out Pom Pom below!

Ulysses 31 - THEMIS!

Ulysses 31 - 1:18 Scale Action Figures - No. 88516 Themis/Yumi - Popy 1981

Ulysses 31 is a classic French/Japanese animated series from 1981. I have been hearing about this show my entire life. It's often listed among the greatest "forgotten" 80s cartoons. And the theme song also tends to top similar lists. But in the United States, this show never had the same impact that it did in the rest of the world. It only aired in 1986 in the DiC KideoTV lineup alongside shows like Popples, Rainbow Brite, and Lovely Ladylocks. As a mythological/futuristic adventure series, it didn't really fit in with the other shows and never captured a strong audience here. The show features Greek Mythological characters in a futuristic space-faring setting. Ulysses pilots the spaceship Odyssey with his son Telemachus and the young blue-skinned Zotran, Themis (named Yumi in the English dub of the cartoon). Zeus has banished them on a voyage through space to get to Hades to revive his crew and return to Earth, encountering legendary mythical figures along the way. It's really fun and inventive.

Indiana Jones - HELENA SHAW!

Indiana Jones Adventure Series - Dial of Destiny - Helena Shaw - Hasbro 2023

Tonight I had dinner with a good friend that reminds me so much of Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Halfway through the meal, I realized that I photographed this toy last year but never actually posted it. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023) was a surprisingly entertaining movie. After the lackluster Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008), I was nervous that this epic 80's franchise just couldn't be continued in modern times without coming off as super cheesy. But Dial of Destiny was great. It had a good story, it was well-paced, and it tied into the Indiana Jones mythos wonderfully. Phoebe Waller-Bridge played Helena Shaw, the daughter of Indy's late friend and adventurer Basil Shaw. She appears at Indy's retirement with new clues to an abandoned archeological adventure he began with Basil decades earlier. She convinces him to delay his retirement for one last quest and the rest is history. The snarky dynamic between Indy and Helena really makes the movie special. Let's check out Helena Shaw below!

Transformers One - ELITA-1!

Transformers: One - Elita-1 (Cogged Mode) Advanced Model Kit - Yolopark 2024

These Yolopark model kits are a really fun line to augment all the Hasbro and Takara Transformers product. I've noticed solicitations for a while featuring classic Transformers, Rise of the Beasts, and Evangelion, but the two Elita-1 figures for Transformers One were my first purchases. They were fun to assemble and display great. The two different modes in the One line come at different scales and pricepoints. Cog-Less Mode is 5.12" and runs $21.99 and the Cogged Mode is 6.89" and runs $36.99. Surprisingly, I had multiple issues with the larger, more expensive one (details below). But none of the issues were dealbreakers, just surprising quality issues. I eagerly look forward to the next female Transformer they might make (I'm assuming Arcee) and will gladly make the purchase. This review is for the larger 7" Cogged version - after Elita is rejoined with her Cog of Transformation and gets powered-up and is able to transform. (Note this model does not transform. Only robot mode). Let's check her out below!

Transformers One - ELITA-1!

Transformers: One - Elita-1 (Cog-less Mode) Advanced Model Kit - Yolopark 2024

When the Transformers One product was revealed and started hitting shelves earlier this year, Elita-1 was depressingly absent from the character representation. As the primary female character in the movie, prominently featured in all the posters and trailers, this was baffling and disappointing. For a brief while, I thought the Burger King toy would be the best movie Elita figure. But things have turned around. When all is said and done, there should be seven new Elita-1 toys in this design, but the release schedule is very slow (The Hasbro Movie Masters figure currently has a release date of exactly one year from today, Nov 3rd 2025). But in the meantime, the first real articulated figures are two model kits from Yolopark featuring both versions of Elita, Cog-less (before she has the ability to transform), and Cogged (after her Cog of Transformation is reinstalled). Neither figure is transforming mind you. This review is for the smaller 5.12" Cog-less model kit. Let's check her out below!

POP Funko - SCREAM!

POP! Marvel #1026 - GamerVerse Spider-Man 2 - Scream Symbiote - Funko 2024

Ever since the first Venom movie came out in 2018, I have been hoping for Scream to hit the silver screen. There was a cameo tease of a yellow symbiote specimen, but it seems like it just wasn't meant to be. However, 2023 saw the release of Spider-Man 2 by Insomniac Games for Playstation which featured Scream in a pretty prominent role. This wasn't her first appearance in a video game (in fact, I believe it's the sixth), but this was the first significant boss fight appearance. significant enough to inspire merchandise. This design of Scream is slightly altered from her traditional Donna Diego look. Most notably, her face and hair are now a deep ruddy color (as opposed to the black face with bold streaks of yellow in her hair). At first, I didn't like the change, but it quickly grew on me. And I like that the symbiote looks different when bonded with different hosts (the video game features a new host for Scream). I'm hoping her newfound fame inspires a new Legends figure. But in the meantime, check out her Funko Pop below!

Halloween Kids - THE CREATURE!

ReAction Halloween Kids - Creature From the Black Lagoon - Super7 2024

Happy Halloween! One of my favorite recent toy trends is the representation of the simplistic Ben Cooper costumes of the 70s and 80s in action figure form. NECA has the Ben Cooper Costume Kids which are 5" fully-articulated figures wearing soft-goods costumes. And Super7 has the ReAction Halloween Kids line, which don't appear to be officially branded for the vintage costume companies, but they definitely give that classic homage. This Creature from the Black Lagoon girl is my first purchase from the line, and I'm quite obsessed. As my favorite of the Universal Monsters movies, she was always going to grab my attention. But the fact that the figure is female (as is the NECA Creature figure), further appeals to me because I feel it pays tribute to the creator of the Creature costume, Milicent Patrick, who was only properly credited in recent years (read The Lady From the Black Lagoon book for more!). I can't help but think the gender of these toys was intentional because of that. Let's check out Creature below!

Royale High - DARK FAIRY!

Royale High - 3" Fashion Dolls - Dark Series 1 - Dark Fairy - Jazwares 2024

When I find myself shopping for toys, I enjoy perusing all the aisles. I like to get a sense of what the market trends in pop culture are and I like to keep my eyes open for unique new product lines. This was how the Royale High line caught my eye a few months ago. I'm always intrigued when dolls are completely sculpted with no soft goods. But these went further by combining several popular genres. I see elements of Roblox with the geometric cylindrical heads (they are actually a Roblox spinoff), Bratz with the heavy makeup, minimal noses, and sultry expressions, and Polly Pocket with the swappable outfits and hair. I always knew I would have to buy one eventually, and that time came when I saw this vampy, spidery, Dark Fairy character in Walmart last week. I discovered that Royale High is an online roleplaying game on the Roblox platform featuring a variety of princesses in a High School setting. I personally love how wicked and dark many of the characters look. Let's check out Dark Fairy below!

Trollify - BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN!

Trollify by Good Luck Trolls - Frankenstein & The Bride - Kidrobot 2023

I have had a long fascination with Trolls. When I very young in the early 80s, my parents had a puzzle with a collage of vintage toys pictured on it. Buried in the heap was an image of a Troll doll from the 1960s. I was obsessed and would ask every adult I knew if they had Trolls when they were kids. Believe it or not, the toy line was a scarce thing then and the license was in a sort of hibernation. In the 90s, they came back in full force. They were everywhere and unavoidable. However, I did not like these at all. They had neon hair, they wore human clothes, and they had gemstones embedded in their bellies. The folklore-ish aspects we gone. The earthtone palettes, woodland aesthetic, and overall connection to nature were replaced by whatever trending fad the manufacturers could think of. My original childhood intrigue was rekindled in 2013 with the Zelfs line and ever since then I've been really appreciative of all the modern Troll spinoffs and homages. And these Trollify figures are a great example.

The Simpsons - WITCH MARGE!

Simpsons - Treehouse of Horror ReAction Wave 4 - Witch Marge - Super7 2024

The Simpsons has created a lot of great traditions over its record-breaking run, but I think the best one would have to be the annual Halloween Treehouse of Horror episode. I'm proud to say I watched the first one as it was broadcast back in 1990 (The Raven and How to Cook Humans segments still seem permanently fused into my psyche). I certainly haven't watched all 34 Treehouse episodes (although they are all grouped together on Disney+ right now) but I always appreciate the merch that comes from them. This Witch Marge figure comes from the 8th episode segment Easy Bake Coven (1997) where Marge and her sisters are exposed as witches in puritan Springfield (Sprynge-Fielde) and inadvertently invent Trick-or-Treating. I just watched the segment right now and it's pretty clever. Other common Halloween Marge toys we commonly see of are Skeleton Marge and a Blue Cat Marge, but this green witch version is always my favorite. Let's check her out below!

Marvel Legends - LILITH!

Strange Tales (Blackheart Series) - Lilith Mother of All Demons - Hasbro 2024

In 1992, in the pages of Ghost Rider #28, the second character named Lilith was introduced into the Marvel Universe. The first Lilith was Dracula's Daughter and has been a fixture in Marvel's more macabre comics since 1974. But this new character was very different, both visually as well as her role in the comics. This Lilith is an ancient (Atlantean) deity known as The Mother of All Demons. She actually gives birth to demons who are forever obedient to her. I remember reading her first storyline as it was published. There was a random X-Men/Ghost Rider crossover (#26-27) that got me to read my first Ghost Rider comic, and the immediate next issue (which I decided to stick with) was the start of the Rise of the Midnight Sons arc that introduced her. She has always been a visually iconic character to me. But I won't lie, I had completely forgotten her name until this figure was announced. This action figure is a blast from the past and a really great Halloweeny character to revisit. Let's check her out below!

The Munsters - LILY MUNSTER!

The Munsters Ultimates (2022 Rob Zombie Film) - Lily Munster - NECA 2024

I never really watched the original The Munsters TV show (1964-1966). I was somehow always aware of it (as well as The Addams Family, but they just never played on my childhood stations (I only had 4). So, that said, I didn't have any nostalgic scrutiny making me overly judgmental when I watched The Munsters (2022) film. I found the movie to be fun, and Lily Munster was a standout for me. It reminded me vaguely of the comic Gloom Cookie that I was obsessed with in the late 90s - specifically in how dating in the goth world can be comically frustrating. Sheri Moon Zombie (Rob Zombie's wife) played Lily with a bubbly vampy tone that set the her apart from other similar characters (like Morticia). Sheri is not new to the toy world either. Her characters in House of 1000 Corpses and Devil's Rejects both got the action figure treatment. Whether you liked the movie or not, this toy is pretty spectacular. The faces are great and the mix of soft goods with sculpted drapery creates a unique effect.

DC Comics Total Justice - HUNTRESS!

DC Multiverse -  Collector's Edition - Huntress (Platinum) - McFarlane Toys 2024

Huntress has had quite a few notable costume changes over her 46 years. I honestly haven't been a fan of all of them. But they always had a few consistent elements through all the variations. Namely: lots of purple and a domino mask (of varying sizes). Plus her Bertinelli era typically included a cross motif or some religious iconography. But this McFarlane Platinum variant design holds a special place in my heart because it is the costume represented on her very first action figure (in the 1996 Total Justice line from Kenner). As far as I can tell, she first wore this costume in the August 1996 issue of Shadow of the Bat #53. She then wore it, with only minor variations, for about six years through such landmark storylines as Cry for Blood, No Man's Land, Justice League of Amazons, Last Laugh, and the beginning of Birds of Prey. It wasn't until Hush in 2002 that she saw her first significant costume change. As iconic as this late-90s costume was, I simply wasn't reading superhero comics, so the nostalgia is purely based on that first toy in 1996. This new figure is a wonderful homage to that. Let's check out Huntress below!

DC Comics New 52 - HUNTRESS!

DC Multiverse -  Collector's Edition - Huntress (New 52) - McFarlane Toys 2024

Huntress holds a special place in my heart because my discovery of her was the first time I truly fell in love with comics. My brothers and I were big fans of Batman from the '66 live action show and the Filmation and Super Friends cartoons. My first forays into comics were just an extension of my TV watching (mostly G.I.Joe comics), but I soon found myself buying backissues of Batman Family and expanding my knowledge of the Batman universe. When I first learned of Huntress' lineage, my young mind was blown. I had watched Catwoman and Batman flirt for years. But to learn that in an alternate timeline they were married and had a vigilante daughter was the coolest thing I had ever heard. I've been a fan ever since. I much prefer the Helena Wayne version, but I'm a fan of all her incarnations. Interestingly enough, the last comic I read starring Huntress reconciled the Wayne and Bertinelli versions into one multiverse-misplaced character. Don't know if that story stuck, but I highly approved.

Haunt - WITCH!

Haunt (2019 Film) - Vampire & Witch 2-Pack - Trick or Treat Studios -2023

Haunt is a 2019 slasher film featuring a haunted house run by sadistic killers. I haven't seen this film. Despite starring several young actors I am a fan of and having really imaginative character design, I just have no stomach for movies like this. However, when I saw these figures in a local toy shop earlier this year, I really appreciated the creepiness of almost plain-clothed characters wearing traditional Halloween masks. Neca's Ben Cooper Costume Kids and Super7's Halloween Kids were hitting the shelves at this time and celebrating the playful imaginative nostalgia of Halloween. These Haunt figures were embracing the same theme, but in an unmistakably threatening execution. I'm biased, but I personally think the Witch is the best character (and her hot poker is the scariest of the torture devices, too). This is my first purchase from Trick or Treat studios and I'm impressed by the quality and sculpt. I'm looking forward to their True Romance and Goosebumps figures now. Let's check out Witch below!

MAFEX - Batman: Hush - HUNTRESS!

MAFEX #170 - Batman: Hush (Jim Lee) - Huntress - Medicom Toys 2022

Tomorrow I should be getting my McFarlane Platinum Huntress in the mail (from BBTS) and I am giddy with excitement over opening and reviewing the two new Helena figures. But that excitement also served as a reminder that I had this beauty sitting in the wings for several years waiting for me to post her. In all honesty, I find purple characters to be the hardest to photograph. The slightest change in the lighting conditions or zoom level can make the color look completely different. It always takes a ton of color tweaking to make the photos match real life in the most consistent way. It can be a major chore and characters like Huntress tend to suffer because of my laziness. When this Mafex figure was released, it had been eight years since we last got a figure of Helena. And honestly, the previous two figures were pretty lackluster. But then here comes Medicom with a perfect rendition of the Jim Lee Hush Huntress. This truly is a magnificent-looking figure. Let's check her out below!

Seven Soldiers of Victory - SHINING KNIGHT!

DC Multiverse - Shining Knight (Platinum Edition) - McFarlane Toys 2024

For over 60 years, the DC character Shining Knight remained largely unchanged. He was a rather stereotypical Arthurian knight with a Captain-America-like origin (a hero of old being revived in modern times, yada yada). He was a part of the Seven Soldiers of Victory and later All-Star Squadron. Plus he appeared in animation, live-action TV, and video games. In 2005, Grant Morrison worked his magic and revamped the Seven Soldiers of Victory. Among many reimaginings in these stories, Sir Justin the Shining Knight was now Ystin, a gender-ambiguous Knight who is thousands of years old. I read the Shining Knight mini-series back then and was really intrigued. In reading about it now, it seems like Ystin was a female who pretended to be male to enter King Arthur's Court. But in the comics, I don't think a gender was ever confirmed. Plus the character looked very androgynous. This McFarlane figure definitely highlights the feminine qualities, which I quite enjoy. Let's check out Shining Knight below!

Imaginext - POISON IVY!

Imaginext - DC Super Friends - Rivals Pack - Poison Ivy - Fisher-Price 2024

Poison Ivy has been having a bit of a renaissance in the comics recently. Her ongoing solo title is up to issue #26 already and is developing her character in new and interesting ways. The art by Marcio Takara is amazing and the first story arc is reminiscent to The Last of Us, which is gloriously dark. I've even been hearing comic shop chatter about Ivy being in the next Batman film. To be clear, people are wishing for her to be the next film villain. And I would love that too. Similar to Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy is another character that is often sanitized for young audiences. It's easy to reimagine her as a mild troublemaker snaring her foes with vines and pollen rather than a ruthless eco-terrorist leaving a trail of bodies in her wake. But at least Poison Ivy's slightly wicked persona stays pretty consistent regardless of the target audience. This Imaginext figure represents Ivy in the newest DC Girls launch. Time will tell if this is simply a Fisher-Price theme or a wider multi-media push. Let's check out Ivy below!

Imaginext - HARLEY QUINN!

Imaginext - DC Super Friends - Rivals Pack - Harley Quinn - Fisher-Price 2024

I always find it exciting when a character who is known for being villainously deranged, or violent, or any type of kid-unfriendly attribute gets marketed to children. I remember years ago seeing a Lobo Imaginext in the store and sending a pic to my friends.  We were incredulous that this was a preschool toy. Even recently I saw the Suicide Squad Little People set from Fisher-Price featuring four murderers and the label "Suicide" on the packaging (Yes, I'm aware that this set is marketed to collectors, but it's still jarring). Over the years, Harley has been sanitized to just be a little zany and irrational. Sometimes (annoyingly) she's written as being dim-witted and clueless. But I will always look at her and see the twisted psychopathic psychologist I fell in love with 25 years ago (I was a little late to the Harley party and didn't become a fan until her first solo comic series). This new Imaginext figure continues the cute-washed trend that makes her insanely popular across the generations, but belies the villainy beneath.

Imaginext - WONDER WOMAN!

Imaginext - DC Super Friends - Rivals Pack - Wonder Woman - Fisher-Price 2024

Every few years, DC revamps their effort to merchandise the collective "DC Girls" theme. The first notable time was 2012's Super Best Friends Forever animated shorts.  But the first significant girl-centric campaign came with the launch of DC Super Hero Girls in 2016. There were action figures, dolls, Legos, cartoons, comics, etc. To me, this was a genius move for DC/WB to mimic the success of Disney Princesses. And it was successful.. until it faded away (as all kid-focused properties do), but was rebooted in 2019 with new designs. There is also a current line of DC Girls Action Dolls and miniatures from Jakks Pacific following the same trend. But his newest Imaginext line is still a bit of a mystery. The characters are stylized and the playsets have had a unique matching color palette. There are animated toy shorts on YouTube, but whether or not it is tied something bigger (or just a self-contained Imaginext theme) has yet to be seen. In any case, I'm all-in. Let's check out Wonder Woman below!

Imaginext - BUMBLEBEE!

Imaginext - DC Super Friends - Rivals Pack - Bumblebee - Fisher-Price 2024

When I think of criminally underused DC characters, Bumblebee always hits pretty high on that list. Karen Beecher first became Bumblebee in the 1977 issue of Teen Titans #45 and is considered the first Black female (costumed) hero in DC Comics (Nubia appeared three years earlier but wasn't considered a traditional costumed hero, and Vixen wasn't introduced until 1981). Bumblebee's powers and overall concept weren't groundbreaking. She was essentially DC's version of Marvel's Wasp (who has been around for 15 years already). But something about her design, personality, and role in the Teen Titans lineup was much more appealing to me. She has been a regular team character in several comic series over the years, but she never hit the spotlight. Her animated presence has had a lot more momentum. Since the first Teen Titans animated series in 2003, she has been regularly included in Titans or various DC Girls media, Bombshells, etc. - with a decent amount of cartoony merch to support it.

Imaginext - SUPERGIRL!

Imaginext - DC Super Friends - Batgirl Hero Hideout - Fisher-Price/Mattel 2024

I'm excited that Supergirl has become such a household name in the last 10 years. Between her solo live-action Supergirl TV show (on CBS then CW) and her role in DC Super Hero Girls franchise, she suddenly became a staple character in DC merchandising after decades of neglect. Sure, she had toys on the shelf before this, but her first true action figure was only made in 1998 (exactly 40 years after she was introduced). So despite her presence in the comics and supporting roles in cartoons, the general public didn't know anything about her. But all that has changed now. And once her solo film comes out in a few years, her high position in pop culture will be even more solidified (assuming it's good). This Supergirl figure from the new girl-centric DC Super Friends Imaginext line is one of my favorites of the first wave. She is sporting a super classic costume and a mischievous smirk. This character is not often portrayed as funny or wise-cracking, but this makes me think she should be. Let's check her out below!

Imaginext - BATGIRL!

Imaginext - DC Super Friends - Batgirl Hero Hideout - Fisher-Price/Mattel 2024

The new girl-centric line of DC Super Friends Imaginext toys has started off with a bang. In the first wave of releases we've already seen seven key characters represented in a fresh new style, a colorful palette, and supported by a series of animated shorts from DC Kids on YouTube. The style of these figures is reminiscent of the Teen Titans Go Imaginext line that was released 7-10 years ago featuring larger, more animated heads and slimmer limbs. I think I will always prefer the traditional Imaginext proportions, but this new series has grown on me fast. Batgirl seems to be the primary protagonist of this group. She seemingly owns the heroes' base of operations (the "Batgirl Hero Hideout") and she seems to be the focal point of most of the animated shorts. And that's impressive considering she is joined by heavy-hitters like Wonder Woman and Supergirl. (It's honestly most likely because she has the most impressive and notable villains of all the heroes). Let's check out Batgirl below!

Imaginext - CATWOMAN!

Imaginext - DC Super Friends - Catwoman Playhouse - Fisher-Price/Mattel 2024

When I first saw images of this new girl-centric Imaginext DC Super Friends line popping up this past Spring, I didn't think I would make the effort to collect them. The larger cartoonish heads and the limited articulation are a bit of a buzzkill after years of collecting the main Imaginext line. But when I saw pics of this reimagined Catwoman design, it really grabbed my attention. Having Catwoman be portrayed as African American isn't a new concept. Three of her (relatively few) live-action incarnations have been played by women of color, and numerous Elseworlds comics and animated series appearances have portrayed her as different ethnicities. But something about this simple little figure with her glittery outfit and hot pink details struck me as wholly original and really fun. Once I bought her, of course, I have to splurge and get all the rest - and now I'm committed for the long haul. I only hope they push out new characters instead of endless redecos like Fisher-Price is notorious for. Let's check out Catwoman below!

Imaginext - WONDER WOMAN!

Imaginext - DC Super Friends - Wonder Woman - Fisher-Price/Mattel 2024

About five years ago I swore I would never buy another Wonder Woman Imaginext figure. After all the product related to her solo movies and Justice League, my Imaginext shelf was being overrun with Dianas (plus a lot of them were extremely similar). So flash forward to 2024 and I find myself breaking my word and buying two Wonder Women in a single month. The new girls' line with the new design style was an understandable purchase. But this figure in this post caught me by surprise. She is the exact same mold as her 2012 figure (the second female in this line, after Catwoman). And her accessories are all repurposed. So why did I buy this figure? (In a multipack of figure and vehicles I had no interest in?) Simple. Because of the yellow. I'm a sucker for bright primary colors on my heroes. And this is the first Imaginext Wonder Woman that isn't painted in metallics. She just looks so classic to me and is easily my favorite Diana in the line. Let's check out this great redeco'd Wonder Woman below!

Super Mario Bros - DAISY!

World of Nintendo - 4" Series Wave 38 - Princess Daisy - Jakks Pacific 2024

I've been buying Nintendo figures from Jakks Pacific for nine years now and the line somehow still manages to be really exciting for me. In fact, they definitely seem to be playing the long game. Because the first figure I bought was a 4" Princess Peach figure way back in 2015 and I was openly excited about a Rosalina and Daisy in the same scale to complete the Mario Princess trifecta. I was certain these two figures would be unveiled any day. But it took nine years and 13 other female Mario figures along the way to get the next 4" Princess made. I don't mind the wait. Considering the action figure industry is actively giving us figures that have been on my wishlist for 40 years, you just have to suck it up and be patient. (But if it takes another nine years to see Rosalina in this scale I may have a minor meltdown). This Daisy figure is pretty perfect and worth the long wait. There's something so appealing about her un-princessey color palette and her tomboy demeanor. I think she's great. Let's check out Daisy below!

Marvel Legends - WARBIRD!

Marvel Legends - Marvel 85th Anniversary - Warbird (Target Exc) - Hasbro 2024

Few comic characters can change names and costumes repeatedly and stay dynamic and interesting. But then there is Carol Danvers. Carol first became Ms. Marvel in January 1977. This original costume was my favorite with a very 70's feathered hairdo and bare midriff (sadly unproduced in the Marvel Legends line). But in less than two years she ditched that for a black outfit with a lightning bolt. I wasn't a fan of this look for a long time. Perhaps because it replaced my favorite or perhaps because it was often drawn as a high-waisted thong (which seemed gratuitously objectifying, even amidst the abundant cleavage and navels in comics).  But I eventually changed my tune (specifically when her 2014 Legends figure was released). In the May 1998 issue of The Avengers #4, she first adopted the name Warbird in connection to the black costume. This Target Exclusive figure represents the Warbird era well and marks a new level of quality and articulation for female Legends. Let's check her out below!

Fire and Ice - PRINCESS TEEGRA!

Frazetta Girls - Fire and Ice - Teegra (with Shaitan) - ICON Collectibles 2024

Fire and Ice is a 1983 animated fantasy film by Frank Frazetta and Ralph Bakshi. I have a love/hate relationship with this movie. I love Frank Frazetta's design aesthetic. There's a dark storybook tone that stands out from all the other barbarian properties. And I like his almost visceral obsession with anatomy. It's not always sexual, but there is definitely equal-opportunity objectification between the sexes. What I have trouble with is rotoscoped animation. I know almost all cartoons use reference materials for anatomy and motion. But when it's just blatantly traced footage, I find the final product boring. Although I rewatched the movie with an open mind while editing these photos (it's streaming on Amazon) and I quite enjoyed it. Princess Teegra is the main female character in the movie. She gets kidnapped quite a few times and really steals the show. This figure from ICON Collectibles Frazetta Girls line is pretty amazing.  She looks sexy and strong and her panther Shaitan is a great accessory.

Transformers One - ELITA-1!

King Jr - Transformers One - Elita-1 & Cybertronian Cycle - Burger King 2024

I ate Burger King a couple weeks ago for the first time in close to 20 years. The burger was actually great. The fries were not as good as they used to be sadly. I did the same thing with McDonalds a couple years ago and I thought all of it was gross and couldn't believe how much I used to eat it in my youth. But I digress. The whole reason I dabble in fast food as an adult is to fetch the rare female kid's meal action figure. Funny thing though, the highly astute BK employee assured me I was getting Elita-1, but underneath my Whopper was Orion Pax. I ended up ordering the whole set on eBay. When this Elita-1 figure was first shown, I feared she would be the only movie figure of her. There had already been a lot of Transformers One product shown, but all the early product was devoid of females (despite Chromia, Arcee, Elita-1, and Airachnid all being listed on iMDb). But luckily there now seem to be a ton of Elitas coming. Let's check out the BK Elita-1 and her Cybertronian Cycle mode below!

Transformers Earthspark - SPITFIRE!

Transformers Earthspark - 1-Step Flip Changer - Spitfire - Hasbro 2024

In Season Two of Transformers: EarthSpark, there is a fun storyline where new Terrans are created from shards of the Emberstone that have been corrupted. The resulting Terrans look just like the existing heroes, but they are actually polar opposites (dubbed the Chaos Terrans). I'm always a fan of this type of storytelling trope. Star Trek's Mirror Mirror was the first example I was exposed to. But even recently there has been Mirrorverse's Fractured characters, and flipped Miraculous characters. This is smart for merchandising too, because a simple repaint can be embraced as a wholly new character. In EarthSpark, the Chaos Terran version of Twitch is named Spitfire and was a surprise character when her first toy was solicited back in May (she didn't appear in the cartoon until June). I especially like her look because minty-green Transformers always remind me of Moonracer, who was my favorite of the original female Autobots from The Search for Alpha Trion. Let's check out Spitfire below!

Transformers Earthspark - TWITCH!

Transformers: EarthSpark - Warrior Class Figures - Terran Twitch - Hasbro 2024

The last few Transformers EarthSpark releases seem to be trickling out at a snail's pace. The unfortunate thing is that the big box stores seem to have largely abandoned the Warrior Class scale figures, skipping right from the smaller Tacticons and 1-Step Changers to the Deluxe figures. This is a shame because the Warrior Class line is probably my favorite of them all. Twitch is a new character created for the EarthSpark cartoon that transforms into a drone. She is notable because she has a figure in almost every line (except the Spin Changer line, but they only made two characters). I am nervous her Tacticon will never be released, but even more nervous for the last two Warrior Class ladies (Hashtag and Spitfire). Considering the scarcity of the Warrior line in general, I was really excited to find her at a B.A.M. (Books-a-Million) bookstore while on vacation this Summer. I guess I'll have to keep checking back for the final few. (Unfortunately, I don't have any nearby). Let's check out Twitch below!

Transformers EarthSpark - NIGHTSHADE!

Transformers: EarthSpark - ESD-05 DX - Nightshade (Deluxe) - Takara Tomy 2024

When buying my TakaraTomy EarthSpark redecos, I couldn't help but add Nightshade to my cart. As far as the Japan/US paint variations go, theirs is very minor. But I prefer the Japanese face deco that more closely resembles the unique Terran visage. Plus the torso deco, feet, and thighs create a sleeker, more hourglass, appearance. Which I think blurs the gender lines better than the Hasbro version (ironic considering how conservatively they were presented in Japan). I love a good scandal. Especially when the same folks upset about a gender-obscured character were the same ones screaming for years that female Transformers couldn't exist because they are a genderless species. So ta-daa, here's your first non binary robot like you wanted. I couldn't care less about Nightshade's gender. I just know I'm drawn to their design, name, and beast mode. Enough so that I jumped at the chance to buy a subtle variant just to get another Nightshade on my shelf. Let's check them out below!

Transformers EarthSpark - ELITA-1!

Transformers: EarthSpark - 1-Step Changers ESS-08 - Elita-1 - Takara Tomy 2024

When I started collecting action figures as an adult, fembots were basically nonexistant. But now there are a ton. Since January 2023, there have been 30 official female Transformers released (and that's not even counting the awesome 3rd Party figures). But along with the collector-friendly deluxe figures, these characters are also now released as gimmicky lower-level figures, too (a luxury that was limited to only the male characters for decades). These figures can look pretty cheap and cheesy (ex: Tacticons and 1-Step Changers). But I'm a completist for most fembots so they still end up in my collection. I recently splurged and bought all the TakaraTomy Japanese releases of the EarthSpark ladies and I was impressed at how a few added paint details can improve their visual appeal. This 1-Step Changer Elita-1 from TakaraTomy has paint on her forearms, shoulders, chest, and forehead (all of which were lazily unpainted in the Hasbro version) and it's a big improvment. Let's check out the updated Elita-1 below!

Transformers - FILCH!

Transformers Legacy United - Star Raider Filch (Robots in Disguise) - Hasbro 2024

In 2015, a single appearance-character named Filch was introduced in the Robots in Disguise episode S1:E7 "Collect 'em All!"  Filch is a gigantic robotic magpie who is single-mindedly obsessed with all things shiny to collect for her nest. The situation gets serious when she steals a conductor from an electrical tower and a metal beam supporting a bridge. I will state again that she is big.. roughly three times the size of the Autobots she encounters.. and animalistic, exhibiting almost no human-like traits. She reminds me of a blend of the G1 Insecticons with their all-consuming hunger and Nightbird with her single-episode fame. She is also monosyllabic, only uttering the phrases "Shiny!", "Mine!", and "Not shiny." I think she's amazing. This action figure is a fantastic retooling of the Kingdom Airazor figure. I never expected to see a one-off character like this get the full action figure treatment, but she is glorious. It gives me hope that other blink-and-you-miss-them characters could get toys someday.

Transformers EarthSpark - ELITA-1!

Transformers: EarthSpark - ESD-14 DX - Elita-1 (Deluxe) - Takara Tomy 2024

I've learned a lot about Transformers over the years, but I can admit the intricacies of the Hasbro/TakaraTomy relationship is a little vague to me. From my experience, when the two companies release the same product, the difference has been solely paint applications. So when I discovered that this EarthSpark Elita-1 actually had noticeably improved tooling, I was surprised. I really liked the 2023 Hasbro Warrior Class Elita-1. She has a great sculpt and scale. But when I discovered this Japanese version with an articulated head, sculpted hands with removable weapons, and added paint details, I was obsessed. As one of my favorite Transformers, I will be endlessly excited about new Elita-1 toys. With her prominent role in the upcoming Transformers One movie, I'm excited that she will be getting five new movie figures (and likely even more). But I'm excited this EarthSpark design got one final hurrah. It's pretty great, even though it will be overshadowed shortly. Let's check out Elita-1 below!

Transformers EarthSpark - HASHTAG!

Transformers: EarthSpark - ESD-13 DX - Terran Hashtag - Takara Tomy 2024

As one door opens, another closes. While not officially confirmed, there are abundant rumors that Transformers: EarthSpark will end after Season 2 - just as we're gearing up for Transformers One and all its merchandise. The cancellation rumors led me to splurge on the import TakaraTomy version of Hashtag. Modern Transformers figures are typically released by both Hasbro and TakaraTomy using the same general molds, but often sporting paint variations. I wasn't planning on getting this TakaraTomy Hashtag because she is a distinct dark blue instead of her on-screen purple deco. But I fear the purple Hasbro version may never be released. The most recent EarthSpark releases have been very scarce at retail, and I wasn't about to let this character pass me by. Hashtag is a bit of a modern character stereotype. She is the tech-savvy cool hacker character, which is a dime a dozen character description these days. But I am really drawn to her design and this figure is a very fun representation of her.

Transformers One - AIRACHNID!

Transformers One -  1-Step Changers Series One - Airachnid - Hasbro 2024

I always love a villain, especially when they are creepy and incorporate visual themes from one of the stereotypical "scary" animals like insects, spiders, bats, and reptiles. This isn't a rare character recipe at all, but I love them all anyway. Airachnid was first introduced as an antagonist in the 2011 Transformers Prime series. She has a lot of similar characteristics to Blackarachnia, but she was witchier and vampier and was a cool triple-changer alternating between robot, spider, and helicopter forms. My favorite thing about her was that while in her robot form, she would often walk on her spider-legs (aka helicopter blades) that protruded from her back Dr. Octopus style. I actually find this type perambulation terrifying at an instinctual level, so of course I am obsessed with it. I'm really interested to see how Airachnid will be portrayed in the upcoming Transformers One film. This toy offers the most clues so far. She has an interesting redesign, but I still have a ton of questions. Let's check out Airachnid below!

Transformers One - ELITA-1!

Transformers One -  Robot Battlers Series One - Elita-1 - Hasbro 2024

I'm pretty excited for the Transformers One movie in a few weeks. I'm not sure if I will actually enjoy it. I'll be honest, the tone of the trailers I've seen didn't thrill me. But I am excited to see Scarlett Johansson's portrayal of Elita-1. It's amazing that Elita-1 has been so prevalent in Transformers media in recent years after decades of underuse. She was a major player in War for Cybertron and EarthSpark, but her theatrical debut in Transformers One will likely be her biggest role yet. Of course, Hasbro has notably excluded her from most of the movie toylines so far. This Robot Battler figure is  Rock'em Sock'em type gimmicky toy, but I was still excited to find her in the store. There is an upcoming Burger King toy and two figures from Yolopark, but I hope some official Hasbro product is in the works too. In addition to Elita's role in the movie, Airachnid, Chromia, and Arcee also should have screentime. That kind of female presence will definitely get me to the theatre. Let's check out this first Elita-1 figure below!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - JENNIKA!

BST AXN - Jennika (Standard & SDCC Battle Ready) - Loyal Subjects 2024

There have been several attempts to introduce a female turtle to the TMNT universe over the years, but they never seem to last. Jennika is one of the most recent females in a half-shell and she has impressively been going strong for five years in the IDW comics (with two solo series and now two action figures). I even saw her graphic novel in Target last month, and their book department is (sadly) getting smaller and more selective each year. Jennika was introduced as a human foot clan assassin who was (four years later) injured and given a blood transfusion from Leonardo, triggering her mutation. I've always liked her design and the use of yellow as her signature color. In my mind, there has been a race to see which toy company would merchandize her first: Playmates, Loyal Subjects, or NECA. But my money was always on Loyal Subjects. Their work on the IDW versions of the other Turtles has been great, and Jennika is no exception. Let's check out her standard action figure and her SDCC redeco below!

Sonic the Hedgehog - AMY ROSE!

Sonic the Hedgehog - Buildable Figure Figurines - Classic Amy - Just Toys 2024

Two years ago we got a surprise buildable figurine of a modern Amy Rose just months after a 4" figure from Jakks Pacific hit the shelves. Now two years later as I eagerly await the upcoming 4" Classic Amy Rose from Jakks, we are surprised by a new buildable figurine of Amy in her classic looks. Those parallels really amuse me. (Although my Sonic shelf is quickly running out of space after all the recent Sonic Prime products). These buildable figurines from Just Toys can typically be found in the video game aisle of the electronics section of Target or at GameStop, but honestly I don't think this second series (featuring all classic designs) has hit regular retail yet. I found mine on Amazon when searching for the Jakks version. It's a fun series for fans of the Sonic franchise and I love how their sculpts and designs fit right in with all the other Sonic products from the last few years. I would love to see them branch out to some secondary characters next. Let's check out the Classic Amy Rose figurine below!

Saban's Little Mermaid - HEDWIG!

Adventures of the Little Mermaid - Collectible Figures - Hedwig - Toy Group 1991

I love a good sea witch. There is something so captivating about a mer-creature with villainous intent that it trumps all my other vampy character obsessions. An interesting thing about all the various interpretations of The Little Mermaid in popular culture is that the antagonist is always a fairly unique creation. In Toei's 1975 film, she is a very creepy-looking stingray. In the 1989 Disney film, she is voluptuous baudy octopus. And in the 1991 television series, Saban's The Adventures of the Little Mermaid, she is a crone named Hedwig with a mermaid-like tail that has dragon (or eel-like) details. I think she is a fun variation. I especially love that she rides on the back of a stingray and has fingers that magically grow into long tendrils. I believe this 1991 "collectible figure" from The Toy Group is the only time she was merchandised. She is made from a dense, but pliable, plastic similar to a floating bath toy. While I would have loved an actual action figure, I doubt the animated details would have been captured so well.

Saban's Little Mermaid - MARINA!

Adventures of the Little Mermaid - Collectible Figures - Marina - Toy Group 1991

I am a big fan of The Little Mermaid. I love mermaids in general, Hans Christian Anderson's folktale, and almost all interpretations of the story in popular culture. But, oddly enough, I'm not a huge fan of the Disney version with Ariel. I don't hate it or anything, but it's pretty far down my list. My favorite is the 1975 anime film by Toei Animation. It's well-animated and sticks to the original story. A close second though is Saban's Adventures of the Little Mermaid from 1991. The story is more cutesy and the animation isn't as refined, but there are a lot of notable similarities, mostly in the little mermaid herself. In both versions, she is a young blonde mermaid named Marina drawn with an anime influence. In the 1975 movie, she is topless with strategically flowing hair. But in the 1991 show, she has scales that continue up her torso in a design I find very appealing (the Disney seashell bra always seemed silly to me... and uncomfortable). I love Marina's two-tone green tail especially (but I could do without the little earrings).

Justice League International - FIRE!

DC Multiverse Gold Label - JLI's Fire (Target Exclusive) - McFarlane Toys 2024

I'm glad that McFarlane Toys is taking the opportunities provided by their exclusive Gold Label and Platinum products to include relatively obscure and under-merchandised characters in the DC Multiverse line. The recent Blackfire and upcoming Huntress (and variant) are great examples. Fire is a character with a huge fanbase. She first appeared in the 1979 issue of Super Friends #25 as the Green Fury (who shot green flames out of her nostrils.. no joke).  I don't know long it took for her backstory to be fleshed out. But now the commonly-told origin is that Beatriz da Costa was a Brazilian model (and secret government agent) who was accidentally exposed to a mysterious substance called Pyroplasm which gave her the green flame powers (pre-Crisis her powers were mystical in nature). She has been a member of many teams over the years and gone by many names: Green Flame, Green Fury, and her most common, Fire. She is a dynamic character who is long overdue in the toy aisles.

Nintendo - BABY PEACH!

World of Nintendo - 2.5" Series Wave 47 - Baby Peach - Jakks Pacific 2024

One nice thing about my lack of video game knowledge is that I can be surprised by a new version of a legacy character when they make an appearance in the toy aisles. Such is the case with this Baby Peach figure. I had never heard of this version of Peach before the toy. But she has been around since 2005's Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time and has appeared in a whopping thirteen games since. In preparation for this post, I watched a lot of gameplay videos (she's big in the Mario Kart series) and honestly the constant cooing and baby gurgles would have driven me crazy if I had been familiar with her. Super cutesy stuff doesn't really appeal to me. And honestly I assumed I would skip this figure for those same reasons. But when I saw her in person I thought she looked very well made and fun. Plus I have been a completist with Jakks Nintendo (and Sonic) females, so I couldn't bring myself to walk away. So now this grumpy collector has a baby on his Nintendo shelf (and I'm pretty happy about it).

Nintendo - CAT PEACH!

World of Nintendo - 2.5" 3D World Diorama - Cat Peach - Jakks Pacific 2024

When I first saw Cat Peach, I honestly wasn't a fan. This was back when the 4" figure was released in 2021.. and I thought she looked goofy. But I hesitantly bought her, not knowing why. My initial reaction held up for a while, I still think that that first figure was bulky and imposing and reminded me more of an ill-fitting mascot costume than a cute Mario Bros power-up. But, of course, in the years since, she has grown on me. This smaller 2.5" version is much more appealing to me and I'm a genuine fan of this Peach design now. I first saw a glimpse of this figure in a blurry pic from an SDCC slideshow last month. But then I walked into Target and saw the set newly stocked on the shelf. I love (nearly) instant gratification like that. With the limited number of female characters in the Mario Universe, I know I'm destined to be hunting down the same releases in different scales for the foreseeable future, but I'm here for it. Can't wait to see who surprises me next. Let's check out the 2.5" Cat Peach below!