Sonic the Hedgehog - TIKAL!

Sonic the Hedgehog - 4" Series Wave 24 - Tikal the Echnida - Jakks Pacific 2026

When I first noticed the character Tikal in the early 2000s, I wasn't a big fan. I thought he stylistic clothes were just too culturally specific for the Sonic Universe. All the other characters wore simple non-specific outfits, but this character (who I wrongly assumed was Egyptian) just seemed out of place. But over the years I would constantly hear her name mentioned from fans wishing for a toy of her, and I started looking at her in a new light. Learning that she was a fan favorite and actually in Ancient Mayan garb made me appreciate her a lot more. I still wasn't expecting to see her in the Jakks Pacific Sonic line, but I can admit she makes a pretty cool addition to the already-diverse character lineup. I also like that she is an Echnida, an animal that the science-nerd inside me has always been fascinated by (as one of only two monotremes on the planet!) and also because Knuckles the Echnida is an iconic character in the Sonic Universe, having a female Echnida just seems right. Let's check out Tikal below!

TMNT The Last Ronin - YI!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin (IDW) - Yi - NECA 2026

One of the exciting things about the new generation of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles that was introduced in The Last Ronin storyline was their secondary mutations. The secondary mutations are a side-effect of Michelangelo's DNA being infused into their Mutagen. April utilized the original mutagen and Michelangelo's DNA to ensure the legacy and spirit of the Hamato clan. Unbeknownst to April, Michelangelo had been irradiated when travelling through the radioactive plains of Mongolia after a nuclear fallout - and this affected his DNA. The mutagen in the systems of the four new Turtles is now continuously mutating as a result of this contamination. Therefore, the turtles begin developing secondary mutations at puberty - exhibited as unique powers/abilities (often debuting in times of great stress). The first to exhibit this change was Odyn who turned to stone mid-battle, but soon after Yi exhibits electrokinesis wherein she can emit sparks and generate an electrical barrier to protect her and her family. 

TMNT The Last Ronin - CASEY MARIE JONES!

TMNT The Last Ronin: Lost Years - Casey Marie, baby Uno & Odyn - NECA 2026

In the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin comics, Casey Marie Jones is the adult daughter of Casey Jones and April O'Neil. She is a skilled martial artist and leads the resistance against the occupying clans in this futuristic dystopian New York City. She also plans a major role in raising the four young members of the new Ninja Turtles: Uno, Yi, Moja, and Odyn. She received an action figure last year as a younger masked version wearing purple and black and riding a motorcycle. This pack caught my eye in the stores, but I never purchased one and therefore never learned much about the character. But then this Lost Years version was announced that included the second two baby Turtle pack-in figures and I knew I would have to get her. Typically straight-up martial arts characters don't thrill me, but in person I quite like this figure. Her color palette is somehow both muted and vibrant, and I really love the dynamic sculpt of her hair and her tough demeanor. Overall I'm glad to add her to my collection.

TMNT The Last Ronin - MOJA!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin (IDW) - Moja - NECA 2026

For fans of classic 80s and 90s toylines, you would be remiss not to read (or at least be aware of) modern comics based on these properties. I can only assume that the writers are longtime fans, just like me, and the love and respect shows. Boom, Image, and IDW Comics have all advanced these story canons in fun and interesting ways. I especially love the addition of new characters that fit nicely into the existing lore. Some personal favorites have been Dawn Moreno Snake-Eyes (G.I.Joe), Ranger Slayer (MMPR), Solila (Void Rivals/Energon Universe), Jennika (TMNT), a slew of female Transformers (Victorion, Nautica, etc), and of course the new generation of Ninja Turtles in The Last Ronin storyline. When I first saw Uno, Yi, Mojo, and Odyn on some random social media post, I was instantly drawn in. Their varied physical appearances and genders, while instantly looking like they belonged in this universe, appealed to me greatly. I've been hoping for a full Neca lineup ever since. Let's check out Moja below!

TMNT The Last Ronin - GRANNY APRIL!

TMNT The Last Ronin: Lost Years - Granny April, baby Moja & Yi - NECA 2025

I told myself a long time ago that I would never buy an April O'Neil figure unless she was wearing her signature bright yellow jumpsuit. This was both because I display characters in groups (and I love visual uniformity) and also so I could avoid trying buy any odd variations or blue-suited comic versions. But tempting figures keep coming out that I just can't resist. I thought I would certainly be skipping this Granny April figure. I never read the Last Ronin comics, she isn't in her signature yellow, and utilitarian-looking characters just don't appeal to me.  But I somehow missed the announcement that she would be coming with mini figure of young Yi and Moja, the two sisters in the second generation of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I'm rather obsessed with these new turtles. Their varying body types/species, genders, and secondary mutations are fascinating and very visually appealing. I bought Granny April as soon as I saw her and her adorable pack-ins. Let's check out Granny April, Yi, and Moja below!

Sonic the Hedgehog - TANGLE THE LEMUR!

SEGA S3 - Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW) - Tangle the Lemur - Jakks Pacific 2025

I just can't get enough of Sonic the Hedgehog toys lately. Luckily for collectors, Jakks Pacific has a sub-line of Sega figures that occasionally feature an additional Sonic character in the lineup. The unfortunate thing is that these are historically Walmart-exclusive figures that are erratically stocked. Tangle is from Wave 3 and (to the best of my knowledge) has only shown up in Canadian Walmarts and T.J.Maxx stores in the US. IDW Comics began publishing Sonic the Hedgehog comics in 2018, and in a similar fashion to what they did for the Transformers franchise, they introduced a bunch of new female characters and finally started closing the gender gap a little. Arguably the most famous are Tangle the Lemur and Whisper the Wolf who even had their own team-up mini-series and starred in a ton of games (9 for Tangle and 7 for Whisper). Whisper even supposedly has a toy coming in Sega Series 4 (there have been painted prototypes on eBay), but fate of the Sega toyline is uncertain - details will be shared at SDCC.

Toy Biz - MS. MARVEL (SHARON VENTURA)!

Marvel Hall of Fame - She-Force S3 - Ms. Marvel (Sharon Ventura) - Toy Biz 1997

In the late 80's I was about 9 years old and moved to a new town (from the boonies). This town had a main street I could walk to (alone) with three comic shops (plus ice cream parlors, newstands (with comics), and a Woolworths and a local drugstore that each had decent toy sections). It was amazing. Of course a few years later 90% of the storefronts were vacant - and the street still struggles to this day. But those comic shops kickstarted a lifelong passion for me. I only spent my meager allowance on G.I.Joe comics, but I browsed every item in the store with endless curiosity. I have vivid memories of this redhaired heroine wearing all the primary colors and seemingly holding her own in male-dominated titles. I never learned too much about her, and she didn't stick around very long, but I now know her as Sharon Ventura, the second Ms. Marvel. Sharon was a pro wrestler and love interest to the Thing. She underwent genetic enhancement, got powerhouse abilities, and took on a superhero persona. 

Super7 Reaction+ O-Ring - DAINA!

G.I.Joe RAH ReAction+ O-Ring Action Figures Wave 7 - Mara - Super7 2026

Super7 has given us yet another unlikely neglected character from the original G.I.Joe cartoon.... Daina. As young superfan of the G.I.Joe cartoon in the 80s, I loved the episodes when the Joes would clash with the soviet heroes, Oktober Guard. They were only in two episodes (about a year apart). The first was an episode about alien abductions called The Invaders and the second was the famous Arise Serpentor Arise. I always lean toward Sci-Fi themes (as opposed to straight-forward military plots) in my G.I.Joe fandom, so these stories were some of my favorites. The Oktober Guard's lone female member, Daina, was a standout. She was reimagined as a blonde mercenary decades later in the comics (which is where all her previous toy decos come from), but this raven-haired, sherpa-lined sharpshooter version from the cartoon was always my favorite. She is just the latest addition to the deep-cut characters in the Super7 Reaction+ line. I can't wait to see who's next. Let's check out Daina below!