Masters of the Universe - FROSTA!

Masters of the Universe Origins - Cartoon Collection - Frosta - Mattel 2025

The Masters of the Universe Origins Cartoon Collection is absolutely thrilling me. One of the reasons I didn't become a toy collector earlier in my life is because three of my favorite nostalgic properties didn't have action figures. Jem, Transformers, and She-Ra all had toys, but I specifically wanted cartoon-accurate action figures of female characters.. and all we got was guys and dolls. Even in the superhero arena, if you exclude the occasional early Wonder Woman figure, female heros didn't hit the toy aisles until the mid to late 90s. When the Cartoon Collection gave us Teela, Evil-Lyn, and She-Ra early on, I was very happy, but not surprised. There had been multiple attempts to give us classic Filmation style versions of these characters. But it's this second batch of Frosta, Catra, and Shadow Weaver that has me giddy. Even the male characters like Leech, Vultak, Mantenna, and Grizzlor are filling huge gaps in the vintage lines. I can't wait to see who is next. Let's check out Frosta below!

DC Comics - JADE!

DC Multiverse - Green Lantern Corps Jade (Red Platinum) - McFarlane Toys 2025

Jade is one of those classic characters that I have always been aware of (and intrigued by) but have somehow never read a single comic where she appears. When I first started reading comics she was a frequent character on the covers of Infinity, Inc and Green Lantern. Of course at that age, my paltry paperboy salary meant I had to be very selective with my comics, and none of her titles ever made the cut. If I would have realized back then that her mother is Rose Canton (aka The Thorn) and that her green skin is due to her inherited plant powers combine with her father (Alan Scott's) mystical powers I would have been obsessed.. I only discovered her origin after the Blackest Night/Brightest Day storylines 15 years ago. It made her more than just a cool lantern design. Jade won the 2024 McFarlane fan vote (although Bizarro and Eradicator were also in contention and still got figures). She was definitely my top vote, but I was ecstatic to see the overall fan demand. Let's check out Jade below!

Super7 ReAction - VIOLET BEAUREGARDE!

ReAction Action Figures - Willy Wonka Wave 03 - Blueberry Violet - Super7 2024

When I think of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971), the dominant scene in my memory is when the compulsive gum-chewer Violet Beauregarde swipes a piece of "The most amazing, fabulous, sensational gum in the whole world." And starts experiencing the full three-course dinner of flavors: Tomato Soup, Roast Beef and Baked Potato, and finally... Blueberry Pie. At which point she turns violet and inflates into a gigantic blueberry and the Oompa Loompas roll her away for juicing. Without having even seen this movie in full, I was somehow very aware of this scene. I love how the contest winners are all challenged to resist their greedy temptations only to fail in spectacular ways. Violet stands out for having a physical transformation and special effects (Mike Teevee's shinking doesn't really count). I was pleasantly surprised to see a third wave of Willy Wonka figures that included this representation. Quite possibly the largest (standard size) ReAction figure so far. Let's check out Violet below!

Super7 ReAction - VERUCA SALT!

ReAction Action Figures - Willy Wonka Wave 02 - Veruca Salt - Super7 2024

The interesting thing about Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971) is how all the characters (aside from Charlie Bucket and Grampa Joe) are so wholly unlikeable. If the movie is a test of these different characters' self-control and manners, they all fail in amusing and spectacular ways. Veruca Salt was special to me for two reasons. Firstly, she has the coolest name (I also loved her namesake band in the mid-90s). And secondly, her greedy voice most matches my own embarrassing inner mantras - specifically when it comes to collecting. I like to label my habits as obsessions or compulsions, but I'd be lying if I didn't admit there was a fair amount of childish greed in the mix too. Anyway, because of that, I've always had a special affinity for the bratty bad egg, Veruca. These Super7 ReAction figures don't especially resemble the likenesses of the 1971 actors, but the essence is certainly there (and I'm more of a fan of the books anyway, so I'm especially lenient). Let's check out Veruca Salt below!

Super7 ReAction - VIOLET BEAUREGARDE!

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory Wave 01 - Violet Beauregarde - Super7 2023

I never watched the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971) in it's entirety until I was in my 30s and was dating a big fan of the movie. I had seen snippets of the movie throughout my youth and was never a huge fan. This is mostly because I loved the books (Amusingly, I started with Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator and then backtracked to the Chocolate Factory). I remember having three big critiques of the movie: (1) Willy Wonka seemed more creepy than eccentric, (2) the chocolate river looked like dirty water, and (3) the factory looked too much like a factory. You could see big windows and pipes and it ruined the illusion I expected. I still stand by those opinions and I haven't truly enjoyed any of the adaptations of the books yet. But when Super7 announced these ReAction figures, my underlying nostalgia for the books won out and I had to get them. Violet Beauregard is the sole female from Wave 1 and is one of my favorite bratty characters. Gum-chomping and all. Let's check her out below!

ThunderCats Ultimates - WILLA!

ThunderCats Ultimates - Series 7 - Willa (Warrior Maidens) - Super7 2023

Willa was a regular recurring character in the original 1980's ThunderCats cartoon. I used to watch this show with feverish regularity, but somehow I have zero memories of Willa or her band of Warrior Maidens. I suppose I was too distracted by the outlandishly fantastic character designs of all the Cats and Mutants to commit the human-looking characters to memory. But Willa appeared in thirteen episodes, and she led a band of female treetop warriors who were fierce fighters and skilled archers. In any other environment, I would have been absolutely obsessed with her. But lined up against felinoid aliens, ancient mummies, and robotic teddy bears, her awesomeness was unfortunately diluted. One of my favorite things about modern toy collecting is that I am often exposed to these cool characters from the past that I had overlooked. Now when I watch the old cartoons I can't believe I ever ignored her. I'm also excited for Willa's younger sister, Nayda, due later this year. Let's check out Willa below!

Transformers - TRAINBOT YAMABUKI!

Transformers Masterpiece - MPG-08 Trainbot Yamabuki - TakaraTomy 2024

The Trainbots are an Autobot faction that transform into... trains. I don't know anything about them other than the fan excitement when these Masterpiece Series Trainbot figures started coming out. When I discovered there was a female train, I splurged and ordered her. I'm always a sucker for fembots that have heads that look reminiscent of the original Autobot and Decepticon insignias. I love the Optimus-like helmet and overall silhouette. I think her robot mode is really fun and her color palette is totally unique amongst my Transformers collection (I believe her name is a type of Japanese yellow rose). The transformation, however, was one of the most difficult I've even attempted. The train mode is (apparently) super accurate and her lower legs are essentially just the exterior train panels wrapped round-and-round her calves. I had to watch four different YouTube videos to figure it out. I can't say she was totally worth the high pricetag, but I'm glad to own her. Let's check out Trainbot Yamabuki below!

Petronix Defenders - EMMA & KITT-10!

Petronix Defenders - Emma's Pet Mobile and Kitt-10 - Giochi Preziosi 2022

Petronix Defenders is a French animated series from 2022 featuring four friends with technologically advanced backpacks that can transform into robotic pets. They go on adventures helping various animals with heavy-handed educational lessons throughout. The token female of the group is Emma (sometimes known as Bridgette, depending on your location). I had noticed this toy for several years on European toysites, but just picked her up while travelling abroad this past Summer. I love cat-themed characters and I'm always fascinated by the token female heroes in preschool properties, but buying this figure was a no-brainer. Luckily, she is significantly more interesting in person than in her solicit photos. Most of the images I was seeing online didn't ever have her pigtails showing (as seen on the cardback). She has a simple design with a minimal color palette, so little details like that make a huge difference. She makes a fun new addition to my preschool shelf. Let's check out Emma below!