M&Ms - GREEN, MS. BROWN, and PURPLE!

Metalfigs - M&Ms Diecast 3" Series - Green, Brown, & Purple - Jada Toys 2025

Earlier this year I was obsessively stopping into all my local FiveBelow stores (I have more than 25 locations in a 15-mile radius, including the flagship store, so this is no small endeavor). There have been a lot of small collectibles that are either exclusive-to, or easiest-to-find-at, FiveBelow. At the time I was obsessive hunting the Easter deco Strawberry Shortcake and Rainbow Brite CheeBee figures from TLS Toy, and I stopped in my tracks seeing this Jada M&Ms series. I had picked up the two larger 4" Green and Brown figurines (with hopes that the third Purple would eventually be made), when I saw these smaller inexpensive ones with the whole lineup, including the new (2022) Purple character. This purchase made me so happy, especially since I didn't know these figure existed. (FYI, the Purple and Blue seem to be shortpacked with only one per case). I would still love to see a Purple in the 4" line or Hollywood Rides, but I have a hunch this is all we will see. Luckily she looks great. Let's check them out below!

M&Ms Spokescandies - MS. BROWN!

Metalfigs - M&Ms Diecast 4" Collectible Series - Ms. Brown - Jada Toys 2023

Ms. Brown was introduced to the M&Ms Spokescandies lineup in a 2012 Superbowl add. She was only the second female introduced since the creations of the modern characters eighteen years prior in 1994. She is notable for being a serious "Girlboss", being the tall non-nut character, and for being the only with an accessory (her glasses). I was surprised that she was voiced by a notable celebrity like Vanessa Williams. But then I researched and realized that Orange was voice by Owen Wilson, Jon Lovitz voiced Red, and John Goodman and J.K. Simmons voiced Yellow. Among many lesser-known but notable voice actors and comedians (like Mel Blanc and Amber Ruffin). This 4" Jada Metalfigs figure was released in 2023, soon after the third female, Purple, was introduced. I was very excited at the notion of getting three animation-perfect of these characters (I have this internal mantra of "three makes a collection"). But unfortunately a 4" Purple has yet to be produced. Let's check out Ms. Brown below!

M&Ms Spokescandies - GREEN!

Metalfigs - M&Ms Diecast 4" Collectible Series - Green - Jada Toys 2022

I remember when the Green M&M Spokescandy debuted in the late 90s. I loved that there was finally a female element in the wildly popular M&M commercials. (Plus green is my favorite color, both in my daily life but also in my M&M consumption). But the weird thing is that she was super sexualized right from the start. The male characters had a goofy Monsters Inc "Mike and Sully" banter, but Green was shown sauntering down the street fielding cat-calls of "mmmm.. I'd like a piece of that", lying seductively on a carpet, drawing attention to her mouth, and even stripping out of her candy shell (that last one might have been fan-made). Thankfully, she eventually became more that just a "sexy character" with witty brazen comebacks and being a voice of reason among the boys. And my fondness for her grew. I honestly wouldn't have ever picked up this diecast figurine for my collection if not for the introduction of the female Brown (2011) and Purple (2022) characters. I love a triad. Let's check out Green!

Amazing Heroes Retroverse - BLACK CAT!

Amazing Heroes Series 7 - Black Cat (BBTS Exc) - Fresh Monkey Fiction 2022

Black Cat first appeared in the August 1941 issue of Pocket Comics #1, published by Harvey Comics and created by Al Gabriele. Black Cat was a stunt woman and actress who used her skills to become a costumed heroine and thwart Nazi spies in Hollywood. She proved very popular and got her own title by 1946. I personally have always loved this character because it is one of the earliest examples of the style of pointed domino mask later worn by so many of my favorite comic characters. Of all the nearly-forgotten Golden Age heroines who have entered the public domain in recent years, I think Black Cat has had the most interesting second life. I don't know if this is just my experience, but when I go to conventions and art shows, I see her image everywhere. Painted on clocks, glued onto magnets, dipped in epoxy. There must be something about her simple stylish costume and penchant for acrobatics and motorcycles that appeals to these artists. Either way, I approve. Let's check her out below!

Amazing Heroes Retroverse - BULLETGIRL!

Amazing Heroes Series 7 - Bulletgirl (BBTS Exc) - Fresh Monkey Fiction 2022

Bulletgirl first appeared (in costume) in the April 1941 issue of Master Comics #13. In an origin that likely inspired Barbara Gordon 26 years later, Susan Kent is the daughter of Police Sergeant Kent - who was always trying to uncover the identity of Bulletman. Susan had been a character in Bulletman comics since his first appearance in August of 1940, but she didn't discover his identity and get her own helmet until 1941. When this Amazing Heroes Series 7 lineup was being teased back in 2021, Bulletgirl was one of the top characters on my wishlist (along with Kitten and Owl-Girl). One of my favorite things about golden age comics was the ever-present sidekicks. Back then it was a 50/50 shot whether the sidekick would be a young boy (a'la Robin and Bucky) or grown young woman. Mary Marvel is the only female sidekick from this era to truly stand the test of time, but I love the genre and I'm so glad this Bulletgirl figure is giving the character some long overdue recognition. Let's check her out below!

Amazing Heroes Retroverse - PHANTOM LADY!

Amazing Heroes Series 7 - Phantom Lady (BBTS) - Fresh Monkey Fiction 2022

Phantom Lady first appeared in the August 1941 issue of Police Comics #1, published by Quality Comics and created by Arthur Peddy. (She was a regular feature for 23 Issues). Her original costume was a yellow and green design that resembles her current DC Comics incarnation today. Over the years, her clothing got skimpier and skimpier and by the time Fox Feature Syndicate gave her a solo title in 1947, she was a notorious example of Good Girl art (and it was also her solo title which changed her color palette to red and blue). She was a focal point of the comic censorship campaign on the 1950's. One of her covers (#17) was famously touted as "a sadist's dream" (in that horribly annoying book that people are still quoting 70 years later). Phantom Lady was a gadget-based vigilante who used "black light" technology to blind her opponents and render her invisible. Of all the female heroes in this Retroverse wave, she easily has had the greatest comics legacy. Let's check out Phantom Lady below!

Amazing Heroes Retroverse - MISS MASQUE!

Amazing Heroes Series 7 - Miss Masque (BBTS Exc) - Fresh Monkey Fiction 2022

Miss Masque first appeared in the September 1946 issue of Exciting Comics #51 by Pines Publishing and Lin Streeter. Miss Masque was a popular debutante who unwittingly buys a mardi gras costume possessed by the "Spirit of Justice" and becomes the scourge of the criminal underworld. Her design always struck me as a little amusing because it looks like a cross between Carmen San Diego and Ronald McDonald. But it's just the bright colors that make those connotations. In many ways, Miss Masque reminds me of the most quintessential 1940's heroines because she looks like so many of silver screen actresses of the age. The hat and trenchcoat-style dress (not represented on this toy, but she almost always wore it) has instant ties to classic characters like Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca. She's had several modern reboots in 2003's Miss Masque, 2009's Masquerade, and 2022's Scarlet Sisters. It's very cool that she's still around nearly 80 years later. Let's check out Miss Masque below!

Amazing Heroes Retroverse - LADY SATAN!

Amazing Heroes Series 7 - Lady Satan (BBTS Exc) - Fresh Monkey Fiction 2022

Lady Satan first appeared in the December 1941 issue of Dynamic Comics #2, created by George Tuska. This character is a bizarre one. Mostly because for a long time her actions and origins didn't fit her ominous name. She was a masked vigilante roaming the streets of Nazi-occupied France avenging her husband who was killed at the hands of said Nazis. And her main weapon was a chlorine gun (?). The "Satan" name must have caused alarm in the conservative 1940s. The other characters featured in her anthology books were all wholesome like Dynamic Man, Dynamic Boy, Major Victory, K-9 (a police dog), Lucky Coyne, the Green Knight, and other milquetoast characters. Eventually she gained bizarre "shadow world" powers with no explanation. But even still, I think her name is the main gimmick here. But overall, I really dig her simple monochromatic costume. And fun fact: In 2022, she starred in the comic Scarlet Sisters from Dynamite alongside Miss Masque and the Woman in Red.