Super7 ReAction - JANICE!

ReAction Action Figures - Electric Mayhem Wave 01 - Janice - Super7 2024

Modern Muppets programs have a tendency to get canceled too soon. The Muppets (2025) lasted just 17 episodes, Muppets Tonight (1996) ended after 22, and most recently, The Muppets Mayhem (2023) was canceled after a mere 10. I'll be honest, I only ever saw one episode of Mayhem and it didn't immediately capture my attention the way 2015 series did, but I had friends and family who raved about it and I really like the creative team behind it, so I will start it again this week. The series features the Muppet band, Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem as they tour and create an album. It features lots of classic Muppets but most notable (for me) is the iconic spacey lead guitarist, Janice. Even if the series didn't have a massive cultural impact, it still prompted this great Reaction line from Super7. It would be awesome to get a whole Muppets line to go along with the Sesame Street figures, but in the meantime, this lone Janice is the only Muppet ReAction in my collection. Let's check her out below!

The Muppets - JANICE!

The Best of the Muppets Series 3 - Floyd and Janice - Diamond Select 2024

It's sometimes a little odd to realize that for the longest time there were only two female Muppets in the main cast. Miss Piggy got all the attention, but the lead guitarist for Electric Mayhem, Janice, was there from the very beginning with her iconic lips, lanky stature, and valley girl drawl. I always knew the lore that she was based on Mick Jagger with Janis Joplin's name, but beyond the exaggerated mouth, I didn't see the connection. But then last night I saw her original concept sketch for the first time I finally saw the likeness. I've wanted a Janice figure forever, but back in the heyday of the Palisades line, I wanted the pink-shirted Chase version, but was unable to ever find her. Then all these years later I was finally able to add this amazing DST version to my Collection. This figure was originally released in 2018 in a set with Floyd, but this review is for the re-released "Best of" version last year. I'm playing catch-up with this line so I'm grateful for the reissues. Let's check out Janice below!

The Muppets - MISS PIGGY!

The Best of the Muppets Series 1 - Kermit and Miss Piggy - Diamond Select 2024

I have always been big fan of Jim Henson. And his flagship creation, The Muppets, is very hard not to love. Yet, somehow, I've managed to not have any Muppets in my toy collection until very recently. Many years ago, when I started collecting toys as an adult, the epic Palisades Muppets line was in full swing. There ended up being over 100 amazing figures, but it was just too overwhelming and intimidating for me. I never purchased any but I always regretted not picking up a few choice characters. Flash forward 15 or so years when Diamond Select Toys started a new Muppets line in 2018. I've been eyeing them since they started coming out and there have been several times where I almost took the plunge and bought them all. But it was the recent "Best of" re-releases last year, combined with a random bogo sale at FYE right before Christmas that finally made me pull the trigger. Now I'm addicted and I can't believe I waited so long to add these characters to my collection. Let's check out Miss Piggy below!

Female Character ACTION FIGURE COMICS COVERS!

The Coolest Variant Cover Trend of Recent Years - Fantasy Action Figures

This is the first post I've made on this blog that doesn't have to do with real action figures or statues. Comic Book cover variants are a major trend in the hardcopy comic world. Back in the day, variants would be rare incentives for some super-special issue. But now it's actually rare when and issue doesn't have at least one variant. Different companies will have themes, like Lego covers or Women of Power. But my favorite by far has been the Action Figure covers. There are a few early examples of this kind of cover, but I believe the current trend was kicked off by the various Marvel Star Wars comics from Spring of 2015. There were tons of action figure variants across all the Star Wars titles at the time. Then later that Summer, Marvel's Secret Wars event used the same tactic and its momentum has only grown since then. There are usually a few Marvel Action Figure Variants each week now. And other publishers are picking up on the trend as well.  Let's check out a slew of these covers below!

Super7 ReAction - STEELHEART!

ReAction Action Figures - SilverHawks Wave 01 - Steelheart - Super7 2025

When Super7 first announced the SilverHawks license a few years ago, they mentioned all the types of product they were planning to produce. While the Ultimates line gets the lion's share of attention (and the SilverHawks Ultimates have been amazing) I was personally even more excited by the ReAction figures. Of course, it took them nearly three years to finally make them, but they are amazing and very much worth the wait. In all the different vintage-inspired toylines I collect, the goal is always to assemble a Ladies of the Eighties lineup. And with some of the lesser-produced ladies, like Jem, already in the line, ReAction is ahead of the game. I predict we'll even see the TigerSharks ladies in the next few years. I suspect the delay of this SilverHawks wave had to do with the perfecting of the metallic deco. While I truly appreciated the pearlized gray animated look in the first Ultimates figures, the multi-colored metallic just looks so much better. Let's check out the ReAction Steelheart below!

TF Upgrade Kit - ANTAGONESS!

TF Upgrade Kit - DC-01 Antagoness - Mechanical Skull Studio/Dima Core 2024

When I opened and reviewed the Transformers Legacy Evolution Antagony figure twelve months ago, I had very mixed feelings. I loved that I finally had this character in plastic. I thought she was frightening - how she couldn't feel pain and was obsessed with inflicting it upon others. Plus I love insects, so she kind of filled the void of a missing female Insecticon. My issue, however, was with the figure itself. Antagony is destined to continually be a repaint of Inferno, who is unfortunately always extremely bulky and monstrous with no femininity at all. I personally love duality in a character, so the more aggressive and maniacal a character acts, the more beautiful and feminine I want her to look. In researching for that review, I had seen her IDW Comics redesign which had her looking more like Blackarachnia. I never expected to see a toy of that design but was pleasantly surprised to find this 3rd-party upgrade kit which lets you totally transform the original figure into a tall, sleek fembot. Let's check it out below!

Spidey and His Amazing Friends - GHOSTASAURUS!

Spidey and His Amazing Friends -  Ghostasaurus & Spidey - Hasbro 2024

In the August 2024 episode of Spidey and His Amazing Friends titled "Go Dino-Webs Go!", the main three heroes, Spidey (Peter), Ghost-Spider (Gwen), and Spin (Miles) are given Dino-Web suits by their new shape-changing friend, Reptil. These suits each have green crystal spider logos on the chest, and when the heroes press that crystal they can transform into a dinosaur. Spidey becomes a T-Rex, Spin becomes a Stegosaurus, and Ghost-Spider becomes this awesome Pterodactyl. This is all done to combat the Green Goblin who is terrorizing the countryside in a giant mechanical Tyrannosaurus Rex. I really dig anthropomorphic dino characters in general, but when I saw this Ghostasaurus figure, she reminded me of the female Archaeopteryx Teryx from Dino-Saucers with her color scheme and wings (a sentiment I also had for Gormiti's Jessica). But this toy is very cool in its own right. That Spider-Gwen costume design would probably look awesome on anything. Let's check out Ghostasaurus below!

Miniforce X - LUCYBOT!

Miniforce X Commander - LucyBot Genesis Machine (KO Version) - Jumpgo 2018

This figure has been a thorn in my side for many years. I have ordered her multiple times but have been scammed repeatedly. Recently I tried again, after a several year hiatus, and was successful. Albeit, for a knockoff version, as the original is now scarce and expensive. The anthropomorphic fox character, Lucy, has had several bot forms over the many seasons of Miniforce, but I love this one because it looks the most like a G1 Transformer. Miniforce (and many other kid-focused South Korean shows I've seen) is amazing because it blends genres seamlessly. Lucy is a cute cartoony pink fox that would appeal to very young children. But when the action arises, she can change into a human Super-Sentai-esque warrior. And then that human form can pilot different robot mecha (like we see here), and then those bots even combine into a mega-bot. I can imagine kids growing with this series and just latching on to different aspects as their interests change. It's rather genius. Let's check out the knockoff Lucybot below!

GoGo Dino - VIKI MECHA!

GoGo Dino - Transforming Super Viki to Water Raptor Warrior - LDCX 2024

GoGo Dino is a long-running South Korean animated preschool show that first aired in 2016. The character designs look similar to Super Wings, another South Korean import, but instead of aircraft, they are all cutesy robot dinosaurs (see the box side below). I regularly dive into Korean pop culture to check out the toys, so I've been aware of the property for almost ten years, but I wasn't interested until I saw this new toyline. The newest iteration of the show has the five main robo-dinos transform into cool humanoid mecha. Two things to know: the popularity of this show apparently exploded in China and production of the shows seems to have moved there. The show logo on the packaging translates to "Bang Bang Dragon Adventure Pioneer 2", but who knows what the title will be when it is finally adapted for English audiences. The mecha each has an additional elemental theme, so Viki is a Brachiosaurus as well as "Water" alongside teammates Thunder, Hurricane, Fire, etc. Let's check out Viki below!

Mezco 5 Points - BTAS CATWOMAN!

Mezco 5 Points - Batman The Animated Series - Catwoman - Mezco 2024

I have a lot of hope for the Mezco 5 Points line. I only own four currently, but I really appreciate the quality sculpts and solid feel of the figures. They are more expensive and less-articulated than similar retro-inspired lines, but there is something I find super appealing about the character selection and final product. This Batman the Animated Series line breaks some new barriers by offering individually-carded figures in wonderfully retro packaging. Previous releases were only offered as convention exclusives or in large playsets (The Julie Newmar Catwoman was released in a 7-pack with a Batmobile for $130). I'm looking forward to the Harley Quinn in Series 2, but sad for (seemingly) cancelled Josie and the Pussycats and Birdman figures. I truly think the single-carded business model will increase sales and popularity for the line. I'm certainly more excited now. I hope to see more BTAS ladies, as well as all the Burton and Schumacher characters. Let's check out the BTAS Catwoman below!

Christmas Carol - THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST!

Figura Obscura - The Ghost of Christmas Past - Four Horsemen Studios 2024

It's amazing that after years of the Four Horsemen's Figura Obscura exclusive figure releases, 2024 brought us not only the first female figure, but the first two. The Bastet figure in May was a very welcome surprise. But to then get a second female in The Ghost of Christmas Past a few months later was icing on the cake. After the Jacob Marley figure in 2023, I figured all the A Christmas Carol spirits would eventually be made, but the speed and execution was still unexpected. I especially enjoy the Four Horsemen's macabre interpretation of the Ghost, taking inspiration from The Weeping Woman and various White Lady folklore. I always felt that the Ghost of Christmas Past was the creepiest of the A Christmas Carol spirits, despite often being represented as simply angelic, so giving her some darker visages and an otherworldly second set of arms is a welcome redesign. I don't like my figures to be overly gory or scary and tend to gravitate toward vampy and creepy - so this figure seems custom-catered to me. 

NewAge - PRIME SIF!

Legendary Heroes No. 48S - G.G.I.D. Prime Sif (3P Solus Prime) - NewAge 2022

I can admit I'm not fully apprised of newer storylines when it comes to Transformers. I usually see the new movies once in the theaters. And occasionally I will watch a modern animated show to understand the new character toys. But beyond that, I'm pretty lost. I first became aware of Solus Prime when I got the Mastermind Creation's 3rd Party Salvia Prominion way back in 2015. I researched her and learned that the origin of Transformers had been expanded upon to include 13 original "deities" which were the forebearers of the Cybertronian factions. The sole female was named Solus Prime - often appearing in shadows or silhouette with her signature mallet - the Forge of Solus. She recently had an appearance in Transformers One which seems to have really solidified her place in mainstream Transformers lore. And right on cue, Hasbro announced the orders for her first official action figure for later this year. This prompted me to finally post this 2022 NewAge figure. Let's check her out below!

Space Warriors - BIKE-TECH-FIGHTER!

Space Warriors - Bike Tech Fighter (Energon Arcee KO) - Agglo Toys 2005

In 2005, I remember being in my local BigLots and seeing this Space Warriors Bike-Tech-Fighter figure (I will refer to her as BTF from here on). I immediately recognized her as a massively upsized Energon Arcee but with better proportions - notably with longer retooled legs and overall a more traditionally female design (The Hasbro/Takara mold was a bit squat and blocky). I bought BTF and was immediately disappointed. As an inexpensive knockoff, she was predictably a mess. Her joints were loose, pieces didn't fit, paint was sloppy, and she couldn't stand. I sold her on eBay (for a lot of money). But two years ago when I got really into collecting the Energon Arcee molds, I regretted that sale and began the hunt to reclaim her. It took a few years but I finally have her in hand. Luckily twenty years of collecting has given me patience, tools, and a bottle of joint gum. Now she is the towering giant of my Transformers collection. Let's check out the Agglo Toys Space Warrior BTF figure below!

Batman: The Animated Series CATWOMAN!

Batman: The Adventures Continue #60: Catwoman V2 - DC Direct/McFarlane 2022

Near the end of DC Collectibles in 2020, there were a lot of Redecos and simple retools of previously released figures. The DC Essentials line was being re-released with zombie tooling and the original Batman the Animated Series figures from six years prior were being issues with slight paint upgrades. I ignored most of these toys and turned my attention instead to the new DC Multiverse line from McFarlane. A year later. McFarlane Toys surprised us by continuing these redecos under the resurrected DC Direct banner. I also ignored these. But eventually I picked up this Catwoman Version 2 on clearance. I hadn't noticed the significant improvement in her facepaint. And the previous ugly exposed pins on her hips were now gone. She is a beautiful figure. But I still didn't remember to open her until my recent Batgirl post (which was coincidentally the first cel-shaded figure I photographed). It took me a minute to find her buried in a closet, but here she finally is in all her glory. Let's check out Catwoman below!

Dr. Wu - NURSY!

Dr. Wu No. DW-MS32 - Nursy (3rd Party Paradron Medic) - Mechanic Toys 2022

Happy New Year! In the next few weeks I will have the new MS35 Alie (Elita-1) in my hands and it's inspiring me to finally post the backlog of Dr. Wu and NewAge figures I never got around to in the past. This Nursy is a straight-up recolor of the pink MS30 Amie in her Paradron Medic green deco. In a 1986 Transformers episode titled Fight or Flee, the Decepticons decided to plunder the peaceful planet of Paradron. The inhabitants of the planet had two simple designs for male and female. All the females were essentially green Arcees (without the shoulder wings). They were essentially background characters, but they make for fun variants of any Arcee mold. Note that the last few official Hasbro releases of this deco have been renamed Lifeline. I'm sometimes tempted to get them all, but there are several that pull in over $100 on eBay, so I'll just have to be selective. In the meantime, I'll appreciate the few seafoam green Arcees I've managed to collect so far. Let's check out Nursy below!