Super7 ReAction - LADY JAYE (DIC)!

ReAction Action Figures - G.I.Joe Target Exc - Lady Jaye (DIC) - Super7 2024

This figure has been a long time coming. In 1989, when DIC Enterprises took over production of the new G.I.Joe cartoons, all the main characters got redecos (Some more extreme than the others). The main female trifecta of Scarlett, Baroness and Lady Jaye all had simple color swap changes from the Sunbow designs. Eventually the new Baroness and Scarlett designs were reflected in the Hasbro toy lines, but Lady Jaye was not invited to the party. Perhaps it's because her muted-green DIC design was too similar to her classic army greens, or maybe it's because her action figure was already being re-released in camo and stealth versions, but either way, the new design was never represented in plastic until now. I found this figure last Sunday at Target. The news of her didn't hit the toy sites until the next day, so it was a true shock when I saw her on the shelf. Her Ultimates figure in this deco was unfortunately canceled, so I'm glad Super7 was able to get her out in some form. Let's check out Lady Jaye below!

Super7 ReAction - BARONESS (DIC)!

ReAction Action Figures - G.I.Joe Target Exc - Baroness (DIC) - Super7 2023

In 1989, two years after G.I.Joe the Movie aired and the Sunbow cartoon ended, a new animated series produced by DIC Enterprises began and ran for 44 episodes. In most ways, this new series paled in comparison to the 95 Sunbow episodes. The animation was more crude and most of the stories seemed like blatant attempts to sell toys (way more obvious than all the other 80's cartoons). But there were some cool highlights. I especially liked the Operation Dragonfire storyline. In this story, a jilted Baroness finds an ancient skull headdress with crystal horns that enables her to concentrate the Dragonfire power. This power is used to return Cobra Commander to his human form (after the events in the the Movie that left him in the form of a giant cobra). The power was also used to fuse vehicles and uniforms with animals - creating the Python Patrol. It was a pretty fun story. An added benefit is that all the character redesigns from DIC gives us fun color variants to collect. Let's check out the DIC Baroness below!

Super7 ReAction - PYTHON PATROL BARONESS!

ReAction Action Figures - G.I.Joe Wave 6 - Python Patrol Baroness - Super7 2023

When the Python Patrol faction of G.I.Joe was introduced in 1989, I was obsessed. It was such a fun way to re-introduce the classic Cobra villains and vehicles in thematic style that actually elevated the snake-themed organization. (The only thing I didn't love about it was that the logo plastered over all the vehicles said "Python Patrol" with a cheesy sticker instead of letting the uniformed decos and maybe a simple python symbol speak for themselves). The Python Patrol appeared in the toyline, cartoon, and comics nearly simultaneously, but I actually think the thing that captured my imagination the most were the short animated sequences in the toy commercials. You should check them out on YouTube. Of course, despite Baroness' crucial role in the creation of the Python Patrol, she never actually donned a scaled electronic-evading costume like so many others. Similar to the Tiger Force Scarlett, Super7 has given us another great "What If" figure. Let's check out Baroness below!

Legends of Dragonore - YONDARA!

Legends of Dragonore - Series 1.5 - Prophecy Vision Yondara - Formo Toys 2024

I've always been a sucker for a translucent figure, especially when it's not just a plain crystal clear plastic. In the case of this Legends of Dragonore Wave 1.5 Yondara redeco in her "Prophecy Vision" translucent plastic, her main skin area is indeed a boring clear color, perhaps with a tint of yellow or pink (she looks different in various lighting setups). But to offset that, she is accented with translucent blue hair and accessories and opaque painted clothing in pink and blue. The overall effect is quite stunning, although she suffers from the common translucent toy problem in that her joints become overly pronounced (especially the neck peg which you can now see behind her face). A subtle airbrushing in white or light blue in these areas would go a long way (similar to the MOTUC Goddess figure). This Wave 1.5 set features fun redecos of all the Wave 1 characters. The Build-a-Figure for 1.5 has been replaced by a minicomic finally providing some worldbuilding beyond the cardback bios. Let's check out Yondara below!

Legends of Dragonore - NIGHT HUNTER PANTERA!

Legends of Dragonore - Series 1.5 - Night Hunter Pantera - Formo Toys 2024

Legends of Dragonore is a retro-MOTU-styled line of sword and sorcery action figures from Formo Toys. The first wave was released last year with two great female characters in the lineup: Pantera and Yondara. And there is a second wave in production, with pre-orders still active on Formo Toys and BBTS, incuding another two female characters; Horri-Dame and Venatica (and an awesome Greenman homage, Arboryous). I can't wait to get them. But to tide us over before Wave Two is released, we got a surprise Wave 1.5 of repaints. Considering the swappable-parts construction of this line, this adds a ton of great fodder for kitbashing. But I personally like the redecos on their own merit.  This Night Hunter Pantera figure swaps the pink armor and blue fur for black fur and metallic bronze armor. I think she looks stunning and I'm excited for a potential Wave 2.5 with redecos of all the new figures. There is a lot of fun potential in this line. Let's check out Night Hunter Pantera below!

Mike Allred's IT GIRL!

AAA Pop Atomic Action - It Girl - Ace Toys & Fresh Monkey Fiction 2024

There have been a lot of great characters to spin out of Mike Allred's Madman universe, but I think the most iconic is It Girl. The team of superpowered humans now known as the Atomics started out as foes of our misunderstood hero, Madman, but eventually became his closest allies. The token female of that group was It Girl, who had been infected with alien spores that gave her the ability to absorb the powers and characteristics of any person, animal, or material she touched. Think of her as a combination of Metamorpho, Rogue, and Beast Boy delivered in Allred's signature mod/campy style. It Girl had her own solo one-shot in 2002, and in 2012 she led the 12-issue It Girl and the Atomics series. This figure was part of a 2023 Kickstarter collaboration between Ace Toys and Fresh Monkey Fiction (that also gave us a Madman and Madwoman figure). I hope the campaign's success inspires more figures because these are great, but they barely scratch the surface of the AAA Pop roster. Let's check out It Girl below!

Mike Allred's MADWOMAN!

AAA Pop Atomic Action - Madwoman - Ace Toys & Fresh Monkey Fiction 2024

One of my favorite indie comics of all time is Madman. I first discovered the comic in 1994 when it became a part of the amazing Legend imprint under Dark Horse Comics. Legend was home to such pop culture hits as Hellboy and Sin City, but every single property (there were only 11) was a gem by true icons of the comic industry. I was immediately smitten with Madman. The story follows the enigmatic amnesiac science experiment, Frank Einstein, as he ponders life and love and has zany adventures. I find the book refreshing, quirky, poetic, and beautifully drawn. The primary female of the series is Jo Lombard, Frank's love interest who was a complex and fully-realized character from the start. She was such a constant in the stories that I was completely blindsided when she became Madwoman years later in the 2008 issue of Madman Atomic Comics #12. This figure was part of a Kickstarter campaign in 2023 by Christopher Irving and Fresh Monkey Fiction. Let's check her out below!

Delta-17 - DEATH SPARROW!

Delta-17: War in the Shadows - Death Sparrow (Retrograd Leader) - 5by5 2024

There's something very iconic about a short-haired blonde Eastern European villainess. This Death Sparrow figure from the new O-Ring Delta-17 line reminds me of several memorable 80's characters: Elsa Schneider from Indiana Jones, Sgt. Callahan from Police Academy, and Baroness from G.I.Joe. Death Sparrow is the Commander of the Retrograd mercenary army in employ of the Shadow Dragon and his Dark Shadows. Her name also intrigues me because of my fascination with the mythology around Psychopomps, in which animals or deities act as guides or harbingers of death. And these are often represented as flocks of sparrows. So the name Death Sparrow instantly brings that lore to mind. I hope this line expands because these figures are really well made (dare I say better than the last few official G.I.Joe O-Rings I purchased). I have a feeling SDCC next week will unveil more O-Ring product for us, and I can't wait. Fingers crossed for some ladies. Let's check out Death Sparrow below!

Delta-17 - KESTREL!

Delta-17: War in the Shadows - Kestrel (Delta-17 Grenadier) - 5by5 Toys 2024

I sometimes forget how special O-Ring figures were. This construction style was revolutionary in my childhood with the G.I.Joe line. Compared to the previous 1:12 lines like Star Wars and Mego Superheros, these were lightyears ahead in style and playbility. But looking back, there were actually very few O-Ring toylines produced. But in the past few years there has been a resurgence in the nostalgia for them and several companies have new figures available or in the works. The first modern line to include female characters is this Delta-17: War in the Shadows line from 5by5 Toys. It is a military-themed property with several factions of good vs evil characters. This Kestrel character is my favorite. She reminds me of a female version of Falcon (complete with a bird of prey codename) paired with a color scheme reminiscent of the rare Canary Ann figure. This figure has me excited for the new Super7 Cover Girl O-ring as well as any new reveals at SDCC in a couple weeks. Let's check out Kestrel below!

SilverHawks Ultimates - STEELHEART!

SilverHawks Ultimates - Wave 4 – Steelheart (Toy Version) - Super7 2024

Every so often I get my hands on an action figure that reminds me exactly why I'm in this glorious hobby. To me, there's a seemingly simple recipe of nostalgia and aesthetics that makes for a perfect toy. Yet for some reason, the balance is usually off. But this Steelheart toy color variant figure fills me with so much joy. Right off, the purple chrome finish is beautiful. The vintage toy was more of a dark violet metallic, while this is more medium lavender, but I like the new color better. I thought the face sculpts and paint of the first (animated) release was perfection, but this version has slightly more simplified and stark facepaint, and it's even better. I was nervous about her metallic paint chipping or scratching so I was pretty gentle with posing and swapping her parts, but I had zero issues. She has me excited for potential new figures to add to my Ladies of the 80s collection. Fingers crossed for Octavia from Tigersharks, Nightshade from C.O.P.S., and Shaya from Power Lords. Let's checkout Steelheart below!

Super7 ReAction - TRON'S YORI!

ReAction Action Figures - Disney Parks Exclusive Tron Series - Yori - Super7 2023

Tron is such an iconic movie from my childhood. In a decade of amazing barrier-breaking movies, I always thought that Tron (1982) was the most visually inventive of them all. The backlit animation and film overlay created an effect that still mesmerizes me today. I find of fell into collecting Tron figures by accident. I was working on some customs about 15 years ago and needed 3.75" translucent bodies. At the time you could get beat-up vintage Tron figures cheap on eBay. But when I got them I found I liked them more than I expected and became a fan. A glaring omission from the major toylines was the token female character, Yori. (She had a Kubrick block figure released, but that was it). This ReAction line is really great. They fit in well with the classic figures, but have a cinematic deco that differentiates them from all the candy-colored transparent figures before. The issue is they are hard to get and prohibitively overpriced (like everything at Disney parks). It took almost a year for me to get her at a decent price.

Fraggle Rock - COTTERPIN!

Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock - Architect Doozer & Cotterpin - BFS 2024

In 2022, Apple TV+ premiered Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock, a faithful reboot of the amazing 1983 Jim Henson series, Fraggle Rock. I love this new series. Some of the character designs have been tweaked, mostly for the better. For instance, a lot of the puppets in the original series had thin wispy hair and dull colors. But in the reboot it's as if the material limitations of 1980's puppetry have been overcome. It honestly looks the way I imagine the 1983 series looked in my memory (but am always critical of when I actually watch the vintage episodes). Cotterpin is the main Doozer character from both series. She is a young Doozer from a long line of hard-hard-wearing construction Doozers who wants nothing more than to be a Fraggle (so she can dance her cares away). This updated design of Cotterpin has fuller hair, brighter colors, and now she appropriately wears her namesake cotter pins in her hair as barrettes. The Boss Fight Studio Fraggle line is very impressive. I can't wait to get the rest.

Marvel Select - LADY DEADPOOL!

Marvel Select -  Marvel Comics Lady Deadpool - Diamond Select Toys 2017

This post is an interesting one because I have already written it. Longtime readers might even have slight deja vu. In September of 2017 I purchased this figure and promptly photographed and reviewed her. There's plenty of evidence to support this, including hotlinks on other blog posts made years afterwards (which are created directly from the existing post). But at some point it got deleted. I don't know how that could have happened, but for years now I would notice the missing post and dead links. The photos were still uploaded and present, but no actual content existed. So I'm finally re-treading old territory for consistency's sake. I remember when this figure came out and my excitement at her quality and scale. A lot of previous Marvel Select ladies looked stiff and awkward to me, but this figure marked a turning point. She blends in with Marvel Legends scale-wise and her sculpt seems a lot more natural than previous figures like Gamora and Black Widow. Let's check out Lady Deadpool below!

Masters of the Universe - TEELA!

Masters of the Universe Origins - Cartoon Collection - Teela - Mattel 2024

Would you believe this is the 21st Teela action figure released in the last 5 years? And that's not even counting statues, figurines, and novelty figures (but it is counting Goddess repaints). Luckily they keep finding new ways to give her a distinct update with each release. This Cartoon Collection spinoff of the Masters of the Universe Origins line gives us Origins-styled figures (in that updated-vintage construction) but in a deco and sculpt to represent the classic Filmation animated aesthetic. It very similar in spirit to the 2018-19 Masters of the Universe Vintage line from Super7, but with better articulation. This Teela is pretty great. Her armor, hair, and tiara is perfectly styled in that nostalgic cartoon design. The colors are bright and simple, and the rubber armor on her torso moves great without disrupting the waist swivel. The only odd thing is her super detailed face. It looks good by all means, but it looks more like a movie-styled figure than a cartoon. Let's check out Teela below!

Unicorn Academy - ISABEL!

Netflix's Unicorn Academy - Isabel Armstrong & River - Spin Master Toys 2024

Ah. I've finally reached the last post of the five Unicorn Academy action figures. I can only assume that these first five characters are just the initial release. There are at least two blatant omissions from the lineup: Rory Carmichael - the token boy of the Unicorn Riders, and Ravenzella the dark sorceress and primary antagonist of the series. As far as Rory goes, I notice that these female-centric action figure lines tend to treat male characters the same way females get treated in the boy lines - i.e. shortpacked or only included in expensive multipacks. Beast Boy from DC SuperHero Girls and Terence from Disney Fairies come to mind. But in the meantime, these first five figures are great. My favorite of the bunch is Isabel, mostly because her outfit looks the most costumey (the others look like they're wearing slightly outlandish street clothes). But Isabel is the sporty competitive member of the group so it's natural that her costume looks slightly more heroic. Let's check out Isabel and River below!

Unicorn Academy - AVA!

Netflix's Unicorn Academy - Ava Banji & Leaf - Spin Master Toys 2024

I find the character of Ava Banji to be both a joy and also disappointing. She has the most easygoing, likeable personality of the group. While characters like Layla are touted as the brainiacs of the show, it's actually Ava who teaches us the most about this secret magical world and the Academy itself. I also love that she and her unicorn steed, Leaf, have plant-based powers. It's my favorite of all elemental powers. But the disappointment is that my favorite color is green, and I wish she and Leaf were clad head-to-toe in that color. I feel like the overall palette of the Unicorn Academy characters is oddly devoid of green, and literally ever other plant-powered character I've ever heard of at least has some green. But alas, my favorite character and her unicorn are a Springy palette of yellow, pink, purple, and robin's egg blue. I hope these characters get power-ups in future season with new costumes (and toys) I would love to see them in stereotypical colors to match their powers. Let's check out Ava below!

Unicorn Academy - VALENTINA!

Netflix's Unicorn Academy - Valentina Furi & Cinder - Spin Master Toys 2024

One trope I love about young adult storylines, especially the girl-centric ones, is the mean snobby elitist character who is initially framed as an antagonist, but eventually becomes a frenemy, and finally a true friend to the heroes. In Unicorn Academy, the super-popular CGI animated show currently on Netflix, that character is Valentina Furi, the legacy student fashionista queen bee. It makes sense that she is paired with Cinder, the unicorn with the elemental power of fire. Both Valentina and Cinder are adorned with flame patterns and red and orange color schemes. Valentina is my favorite character from the show - probably because she isn't sugary sweet and always has a slightly dubious intent. I'm always a sucker for a villainous lady (even if they soften and become nice way too quickly). Season two debuts this week and hopefully introduces new characters that Spin Master can eventually immortalize in plastic. Fingers crossed. Let's check out Valentina and Cinder below!

Unicorn Academy - LAYLA!

Netflix's Unicorn Academy - Laya Fletcher & Glacier - SpinMaster Toys 2024

One thing I love about Unicorn Academy is that most of the rider-and-unicorn pairings have elemental powers and designs. Layla is the brainy one of the bunch (she's wearing glasses, duh!) and her unicorn, Glacier, has Ice-based powers. So both Layla and Glacier are adorned with pastel colors, lots of icy blue details, and of course snowflakes. I find it amusing that Layla is not an expert equestrian like most of the students. Luckily Glacier is around to keep her balanced and confident. Season two of Unicorn Academy debuts on Netflix this week and Target is promoting that with an endcap dedicated to this new line of action figures and dolls. It's been a while since there has been a female-based action figure line in the big box stores. Between 2016-19 we saw DC SuperHero Girls, Mysticons, WWE Superstars, and Miraculous filling the shelves. But since then there has been almost nothing. I have a strong hunch that Unicorn Academy marks the resurgence of action figures in the pink aisles. Let's check out Layla below!

Unicorn Academy - SOPHIA!

Netflix's Unicorn Academy - Sophia & Light Magic Wildstar - SpinMaster 2024

If you have any tween or adolescent girls in your life, you've undoubtedly heard of Unicorn Academy. Since its Netflix debut in November 2023, the series has become an extremely popular property. I personally didn't watch any episodes until I discovered these action figures at Target last week, but I understand the appeal. The series features a very Harry-Potter-like beginning with the main character, Sophia Mendoza, being unknowingly summoned to a secret magical school. Where the students are sorted into dorms and given a chance to bond with a unicorn. The pull of equestrian life is powerful for this young demographic, and the unicorn aspect adds the perfect amount of fantasy and wonderment. Then there is a Magical Girl aspect where the riders undergo a transformation to match their bonded steeds - ie sparkly outfits and streaks of color in their hair. The individual episodes feature magic, teamwork, fantasy, and adventure. I think Unicorn Academy will be around a while. Let's check out Sophia below!

Jurassic World Dominion - MAISIE LOCKWOOD!

Jurassic World Dominion - Maisie and Velociraptor 'Beta' - Mattel 2022

Maisie Lockwood is a very interesting character. We first met her as Sir Benjamin Lockwood's granddaughter in 2018's Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. Lockwood was an old associate of John Hammond and we eventually learn that Maisie is in fact a clone of his daughter who had passed away. With the scientific advancements made by the Jurassic World scientists over the years, it shouldn't have been so much of a surprise that someone had attempted to clone a human, but it sure was. By the time Jurassic World: Dominion came out in 2022, she had been taken in by Claire and Owen as their adoptive daughter and hidden away from the same poachers that hunt down all the dinosaurs for their genetic material. She is a surprise focal point of the movie. This figure is especially great for the representation of a teenager - particularly in comparison to her previous figure when she was an adolescent. The subtlety of scale is impressive. Let's check out Maisie Lockwood below!

Jurassic World Dominion - DR. ELLIE SATTLER!

Jurassic World Dominion - Epic Battle Pack - Dr. Ellie Sattler - Mattel 2022

Ellie Sattler was always the most memorable character from Jurassic Park for me. I loved one of the earliest scenes where they are in a jeep entering Jurassic Park and she is so taken aback by the prehistoric leaf she has found that she is not even noticing the dinosaurs. I can totally relate to this level of obsession and distraction. I also loved her acrobatic sprint to turn the power back on and her search for berries in the Triceratops poop. I just thought she was so cool. And I give all credit to Laura Dern, because I had read the book when it came out a few years before and the character barely registered with me. I was very happy to see the original trifecta of Dr. Grant, Dr. Sattler, and Dr. Malcolm resuming their roles almost 30 years later in 2022's Jurassic World Dominion. I thoroughly enjoyed the movie and I'm glad so many of the characters got action figures. Ellie was definitely the hardest to get since she's exclusive to a large pricey boxset, but she's worth it. Let's check her out below!

Super7 ReAction - TIGER FORCE SCARLETT!

ReAction Action Figures - G.I.Joe Wave 6 - Tiger Force Scarlett - Super7 2023

Once again the Super7 ReAction line gives me vindication. I was a big fan of G.I.Joe in the eighties. Almost every kid was a fan, but for those of us that were obsessive and stuck with it as we grew up, we were rewarded with thematic factions like Python Patrol, Iron Grenadiers, Night Force, and Tiger Force. These were great because they almost always featured the classic characters in cool redecos. The problem for me was that they were always devoid of females. With the sole exception of Ninja Force Scarlett, the new factions were a total boys club. When the line rebooted in the early 2000s, Hasbro gave us a very cool Night Force Lady Jaye and a Tiger Force Jinx, but the initial exclusion still stung. This Tiger Force Scarlett feels like a figure we should have gotten back in '88 (albeit in 5poa), right down to the awkward stripes like Lifeline and Frostbite had. I hope they eventually make a ReAction Jinx so we can get her green Tiger Force repaint to pair with Scarlett. Here's hoping. Let's check out Scarlett!

Super7 ReAction - RAVEN!

ReAction Action Figures - G.I.Joe Wave 5 - Raven (Cobra Pilot) - Super7 2023

In November of 1986, there was a standalone episode in Season 2 of G.I.Joe called In the Presence of Mine Enemies. Based on the novel of the same name, the episode features Slipstream in a dogfight with a Cobra pilot over an unspecified region of Africa. Both planes go down and the two pilots find themselves on an abandoned Cobra base. The Cobra pilot is a woman named Raven who is steadfast in her belief that Cobra will come and save her. When her forces arrive, they predictably attack the two pilots indiscriminately. She is initially stubborn and obstinate, but eventually realizes that her allegiances to Cobra are not reciprocated. Raven and Slipstream must rely on each other for their mutual survival. I've always enjoyed this episode because it is so similar to my favorite, Memories of Mara, featuring Shipwreck and female Cobra soldier (a precursor of the Hydro-Vipers). Raven is one of those unexpected one-off characters that always keeps me excited for the ReAction line. Let's check her out below!

Dark Knight Rises - CATWOMAN!

MAFEX No. 009 - The Dark Knight Rises - Catwoman - Medicom Toys 2015

The MAFEX line from Medicom has come a long way since its beginnings in 2014. This specific Catwoman figure is the 9th release from 2015. And while this figure is very nice, it pales in comparison to the 2021 Hush Catwoman I recently opened. In fact, there is a version 2.0 of this Dark Knight Rises Catwoman released two years later in 2017 (MAFEX 050), that appears greatly improved. Unfortunately, that 2.0 figure's secondary market price is often in the hundreds of dollars. (But meanwhile you can easily get this MAFEX 009 version for $25 bucks today). I was really happy to finally open and review all my backlogged DKR Catwoman figures. I've had this one for seven years and she looks great finally displayed on my Catwoman shelf. My desire to do a group photo with the new McFarlane DC Multiverse figure made me finally dig all these figures out of the depths of my closets and finally give them the attention they deserve. Let's check out this (long-neglected by me) Mafex DKR Catwoman below!

Dark Knight Rises - CATWOMAN!

S.H.Figuarts - The Dark Knight Rises - Catwoman - Tamashii Nations/Bandai 2018

This figure sent me on a crazy internet-searching frenzy this week. When I was photographing this figure, I had the sudden realization that she looked exactly like Sarah Michelle Gellar. This idea got so implanted in my head that I couldn't unsee it and created the (fictional) idea that Gellar was possibly considered for the role before Hathaway was cast. We see a fair amount of toys that are based on pre-production design, so my theory had merit (in my mind). Alas, I was wrong and the likeness is just a coincidence. But, wow, there is a lot of fancasting out there for Gellar in the role of Catwoman. For a long time, this S.H.Figuarts figure from Bandai was the nicest DKR Catwoman out there. She has great textural details, excellent articulation, and perfect proportions. Plus she was the victim of some bizarre merchandising practices and was heavily clearanced at GameStop for $30. This purchase started my obsession Mafex, S.H.Figuarts, and Figma (which I had always avoided). Let's check out Catwoman below!

Dark Knight Rises - CATWOMAN!

Dark Knight Rises: The Bat 1:12 Collectible Set - Hot Toys/Sideshow 2014

This figure was the Bane of my existence for years (pun intended). As a surprise pack-in figure for the gargantuan deluxe The Bat vehicle from Hot Toys (MSRP $779.99), she was simply unobtainable for me. I had hopes that someone would split up the set and eventually sell her cheap(er) on eBay, and a mere eight years later I finally had her. Beyond the general character appeal and my obsession for collecting variations, I also wanted this figure as a rare example of a 1:12 scale figure from Hot Toys. As a company known for its large high-end 1:6 figures and smaller SD Cosbaby line, a traditional 6" scale figure is an oddity. And while she's not as detailed or articulated as her Mafex and SHFiguarts versions, she is still a fantastic rare figure. Her face and eye details are especially amazing. Although she kind of looks like she's about to cry with that Hot Toys' signature glassy shine and pink-lined eyelids. She probably saw her pricetag. Let's check out this rare Dark Knight Rises Catwoman below!

Dark Knight Rises - CATWOMAN!

DC Multiverse - Catwoman (Dark Knight Rises) Platinum Edition - McFarlane 2024

I had a provocative thought recently. Sometime in the past 12 years that amazing code-switching scene from Dark Knight Rises where a confronted Selina Kyle says "Oops. Nobody told me it was uncrackable" has become as iconic to me as the Michelle Pfeiffer "Meow" explosion. An almost blasphemous statement, I know, but I feel what I feel. The YouTube clip of that scene shows up on my playlist all the time because I've watched it so much. I think I, along with the rest of nerddom, was apprehensive about Princess Mia Thermopolis stepping into the coveted role of the greatest femme fatale of all time (imo). But that scene was when I breathed a sigh of relief and realized Ms. Hathaway could handle that responsibility just fine. This McFarlane figure is pretty great and has prompted me to open photograph a handful of other DKR Selinas I've acquired over the years. I will post them all in quick succession this week so bear with me. Let's check out the McFarlane DC Multiverse DKR Catwoman below!

Iron Factory - WING GUARD!

3rd Party Transformers - IF EX-27G Wing Guard - Seeker Trio - Iron Factory 2023

It's amazing to think that it's been six long years since the last (non-bishoujo) female Iron Factory release. Back in 2015-2018, it was these cool little fembots that first got me into the 3rd Party Transformers market. They were relatively inexpensive, very well made, tiny, and just a little bit cute. (Not so cute to be considered "cutesy" though). I got hooked pretty fast and had hopes that I would see all my favorite characters in this line. Once we got a great Elita One, I thought for sure Chromia and the rest would be coming. But no, the last new lady was 2018's Shrike's Feather (Slipstream) and then fast forward to 2023 when that Slipstream mold was reused in this awesome 3-Pack of female Seekers. I know Slipstream is considered a female Starscream, but seeing an actual properly-colored female Starscream is very cool. (This concept should totally carry over into the mainstream Transformers). I hope to see many more females in this line after the hiatus. Finger crossed! Let's check out the Wing Guard trio below!

POP Funko - SPOILER!

POP! Heroes #505 - Batman: Joker War Zone - Stephanie Brown - Funko 2024

Stephanie Brown needs so much more merchandise. I have high hopes we'll be seeing this new design in the McFarlane DC Multiverse line soon. The recent Cassandra Cain Target Exclusive figure was branded with the Batgirls comics title (which is a current ongoing series featuring Cass and Steph patrolling the city with Babs in their earpiece). So my hopes are high. But in the meantime, Funko has graced us with both ladies in their Pop line for Batman: The Joker War Zone (a 2020 comic that first focused on these two teaming up). Having Cass and Steph in Pop form really expands the Funko Bat-roster. My wishlist is now only an unlikely Kathy Kane Batwoman, Bette Kane Bat-Girl, Helena Wayne Huntress, and Bluebird. And that's a very short list for me. This design of Spoiler is an interesting blend of her traditional Spoiler costume with her Batgirl uniform, but I like it a lot. FYI In the Batgirls comic, Steph (wearing this same outfit) now goes by Batgirl. Let's check out Spoiler below!

POP Funko - CASSANDRA CAIN BATGIRL!

POP! Heroes #501 - Batman: Joker War Zone - Cassandra Cain - Funko 2024

It has been five long years since Funko has had a new comic-based DC Bat-character that got me excited. Back in 2019 they released a Batwoman and Huntress that gave me high hopes that we'd finally start seeing all the cool Bat-family characters that had been ignored up till then. But my hopes were dashed. There was nothing for years. I was still happy to get live-action versions of Catwoman, Poison Ivy, and Batwoman, but the comic stuff was always my favorite. In 2020 there was a comic (that I haven't read yet) called Batman: The Joker War Zone that featured Cassandra Cain and Stephanie Brown teaming up on a side adventure. I always liked their friendship dynamic ever since Cass handed the Batgirl mantle to Steph way back in 2009. And I've been enjoying the current ongoing title, Batgirls, featuring Steph and Cass patrolling the city (with Babs in their earpieces). But this Joker War Zone story is what cemented their adventuring partnership and inspired these long overdue Funko Pops. Let's check out Cass!

Marvel Legends - WOLFSBANE!

Marvel Legends - Zabu Build-a-Figure - Wolfsbane (X-Factor) - Hasbro 2024

For at least four years now, this X-Factor Wolfsbane has been a recurring figure on my annual pre-convention wishlist. Not so much because I love this version of the character or costume, but rather because I'm a sucker for team completion. (For the record, my other wishes are for an X-Factor Marvel Girl, Rachel Summers Phoenix, Marrina, and Feral - all are needed as the final members to complete their respective core teams). In 1991, the X-Factor roster was revamped for the first time in issue no. 71, ditching the original premise and lineup (which I had loved). Polaris and Wolfsbane are two of my favorite mutants so I was initially excited, but I can admit I didn't love the eventual re-characterization of these characters or the matching costumes. But there is still something very nostalgic and appealing about this era of Marvel Comics immediately preceding the Image exodus. Since 2020, Wolfsbane was the single glaring omission from this team in Marvel Legends. Let's check her out below!

Gods of Ancient Egypt - BASTET!

Figura Obscura - Gods of Ancient Egypt - Bastet - Four Horsemen 2024

I have been wishing for a good line of action figures featuring Ancient Egyptian Gods and Goddesses since I was a young child. I was obsessed with Egyptian culture, religion, and treasures since I got my first library card at the age of seven. Even at a young age, I could see the toyetic potential in the pantheon of animal-headed gods adorned in colorful beads and gold. ThunderCats touched on it, and a few episodes of G.I.Joe teased me, but I went largely unsatisfied. In the late 90s, I was in college and missed an Egyptian Renaissance in pop culture. Mummies Alive! from Hasbro and Ramses the Golden Pharaoh from Giochi Preziosi were both too scarce and expensive to collect by the time I discovered them. But this new theme, Gods of Ancient Egypt, in the Four Horsemen's exclusive Figura Obscura line is the perfection I've always wanted. I couldn't be more happy. Bastet is easily my most wanted, but my mind is reeling with future potential: Hathor, Isis, Selkhet, Ma'at, etc. I can't wait to see who is next.

Marvel Legends - JEAN GREY!

Marvel Legends - X-Men '97 Disney+ Vintage Wave 2 - Jean Grey - Hasbro 2024

I just finished watching X-Men '97 and I am quite the fan. There was always something a little off about the original X-Men the Animated Series to me. I always had trouble taking it seriously. But this 27-years-later continuation is what I always wanted that show to be. Everything is a little elevated: the drawing style, the storytelling, the voicework, and the overall feel is more polished. My only issue is that way too much happened in 10 episodes. It buzzed through Inferno, Zero Tolerance, Trial of Magneto, and E is for Extinction storylines in rapid pace. It presented well, but the source stories are great and could have been expanded upon. Jean Grey got a decent amount of screentime, which was expected. But what I didn't expect was to get the nicest Jean Grey Marvel Legends figure to date from it. This 90's costume can be a little awkward in toy form, her shoulderpads and face-cropping headgear doesn't always translate well into plastic. But this one got it right. Let's check out Jean below!

Willow - PRINCESS SORSHA!

ReAction Action Figures - Willow (1988 Film) - Sorsha Tanthalos - Super7 2023

There's something I love about a Princess character that bucks the stereotype - especially when she picks up a sword and becomes a warrior. This isn't a rare theme anymore, but I always appreciate it. Osamu Tezuka's Sapphire from Princess Knight and Eowyn from Lord of the Rings come to mind (although Eowyn is technically just a noblewoman). But Sorsha is a classic example. Princess Sorsha is the daughter of the primary villain, Queen Bavmorda in the 1998 George Lucas and Ron Howard fantasy, Willow. Sorsha initially mimicks her mother's ruthless and cold outlook, but has a change of heart as she meets our heroes (and eventually falls for the mercenary swordsman, Madmartigan). She ended up being the savior of the infant Elora Danon, who she was originally hunting at her mother's command. Her character was further developed in the Chronicles of the Shadow War novel trilogy (by Chris Claremont) and in the 2022 Willow TV Series on Disney. Let's check her out below!

Willow - QUEEN BAVMORDA!

ReAction Action Figures - Willow (1988 Film) - Queen Bavmorda - Super7 2022

Willow (1988) is a classic fantasy movie by George Lucas and Ron Howard. It took years to develop and evolved quite a bit, but it's an oft-spoken piece of trivia that Lucas approached Warwick Davis about the movie when David was just 12 years old and filming Return of the Jedi as Wicket. I saw Willow when I was a kid, and honestly I  found it confusing. But I've been exposed to it again as an adult (by some rabid fans, and I even briefly knew a cat named Elora Danon) and I have come to really appreciate it. It has some classic story homages, like The Hobbit with an unlikely diminutive hero going on a grand adventure, or the story of Moses where a young child with a predestined path washes up on the banks of a river. Or my favorite, Snow White, where an evil queen hears a prophecy that a young girl will usurp her power. That insecure evil queen is the iconic Bavmorda of Nockmaar played by Jean Marsh. To me, she was always the standout of the film, but I am always partial to a wicked sorceress.

MAFEX - Batman: Hush - HARLEY QUINN!

MAFEX #162 - Batman: Hush (Jim Lee) - Harley Quinn - Medicom Toys 2022

Harley Quinn has become one of the most popular characters in the DC Universe. From her humble beginnings as one of Joker's henchmen in Batman the Animated Series to her leap to mainstream comics, a solo title, then to video games, the silver screen, and then back to animation with her own show, she has run the gamut of pop culture. Despite all her changes and evolutions, I will always hold her appearances in Batman: Hush (2002-2003) to be her most iconic. At this stage, she still retained her classic jester design, but she was showing her more sadistic and unhinged side underneath the wacky antics. I know her comic persona was developed greatly in her solo series since 2000, but Hush was just different. She was suddenly darker and more formidable, but still with that zany edge that makes her so unique. I think this Mafex figure from 2022 is the best representation of her from this era. Previous attempts have all been a bit off, but this just captures her perfectly. Let's check out Harley Quinn below!

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts - ARCEE!

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts - Model Kits - Arcee - Bloks/Buluke 2023

It's a sad state of affairs that toys, for me, have become a purely aesthetic venture. I unfortunately no longer play with toys and my enjoyment comes solely from admiration, nostalgia, and the thrill of the hunt. However, the recent trend of action figure model kits is the remedy I needed. Sitting down for hours as you sort and assemble dozens of tiny pieces and slowly assemble an articulated action figure is the perfect kind of adult play for me. Plus, as a bonus, I have gained a whole new respect for the engineering that goes into modern toys. This Arcee from the Rise of the Beasts movie is the least expensive kit I've purchased (my fourth) at under $18, but it's impressive for having a battery-powered feature with light-up eyes and chest. She isn't my favorite Arcee figure proportionally; her head and chest seem slightly enlarged in relation to her limbs. But looking at other kits from this brand, it seems to be the style. But overall I think she's great and fun addition to my Arcee shelf. Let's check her out below!

G.I.Joe Classified - SCARLETT!

G.I.Joe Classified Retro Card Series - G.I.Joe Scarlett - Hasbro 2024

This Scarlett figure is the one I have wanted since the G.I.Joe Classified line launched four years ago. The first Scarlett, and even her repaint, just looked a bit off. The recipe of a red ponytail, crossbow, and some yellow-ish costume elements were all present, but somehow it just didn't look like Scarlett. The movie figure in 2021 looked a lot better, but of course she was in a dark cinematic costume. But then this surprise retro-carded figure was announced and finally gave us the iconic Scarlett design, seemingly with an all-new sculpt. This might be setting a good precedent for apology figures and/or massive retoolings in the retro line. Plus the cardback on this figure is super thick and durable like the Marvel Legends Vintage line (unlike the flimsy packaging of the first few releases). I admit I've been more excited by the Super7 Ultimates figures because I prefer classic animation aesthetics, but this figure has me very excited for the future of the Classified line. Let's check out Scarlett below!

G.I.Joe Classified - LADY JAYE!

G.I.Joe Classified Retro Card Series - G.I.Joe Lady Jaye - Hasbro 2022

Lady Jaye is probably my favorite G.I.Joe character. Even though I love outlandish costumes and gimmicks in my adventure properties, Lady Jaye stands out as being one of the few characters in a military unit that is actually wearing army greens. Typically I would find this boring, but like me and my lack of tattoos, the normalcy makes her a standout among her edgy peers. I also love that she's butch. I feel like they amplified her relationship with Flint and even had a full episode of her running around in a pink frilly nightgown just to soften her, but you couldn't disguise how tough she was. She also managed to convince me that exploding javelins were a standard weapon like the guns, crossbows, and swords the rest of the characters were wielding. She was iconic. This Retro Card repaint of her Classified figure is a nice variation. Her green outfit is a brighter hue like her vintage toy and her face paint is better. Her missing hairpiece is the only real downside. Let's check out Lady Jaye below!

G.I.Joe Classified - BARONESS!

G.I.Joe Classified Retro Card Series - Cobra Enemy Baroness - Hasbro 2022

The G.I.Joe Classified Retro Carded line had issues from the very start. In theory this was a great idea; vintage redeco'd homages on giant retro cards. The nostalgia potential was very high. But in actuality, we got re-released figures with very minimal changes (just fewer red and gold highlights in the case of Baroness), and a fraction of the accessories. So the main appeal would be the cardback display. But the original releases used the flimsiest cardboard. They were about as as sturdy as a cereal box and looked pretty banged-up and raggedy on the pegs. And if you pre-ordered them from Walmart, they likely arrived tattered in a soft mailer pouch (Note: later characters were on very sturdy cards). If my Walmarts are any indication, I think the Baroness and Lady Jaye Retro figures are the greatest shelfwarmers of my adult life. That, said, I actually prefer this Baroness to the elusive first release. Her skin tone and paint apps are better, and the simplified paint details look sharper and truer to the character.

Marvel Legends 3.75" Retro - SPIDER-WOMAN!

Marvel Legends 3.75" Retro Series - Wave 8 - Spider-Woman - Hasbro 2023

I've been delaying making a post about this figure because I find it so depressing that this was the final release in the amazing Marvel Legends Retro line.  It was a short-lived line from 2021-2023 but managed to give up nine awesome female figures, all in a nostalgic "Secret-Wars-esque" style with costume and character choices specific to the late-70s-to-early-80s era. In my mind, Dazzler, She-Hulk, and Mystique would have been among the obvious next releases. But even if we would be destined to only get repaints, Julia Carpenter, White Elektra, and Mary Jane Watson (from Black Widow?) would have been welcome additions. I just saw so much potential in this line and was so sad to see it unceremoniously come to an early end (or "pause"). But luckily the final two figures, Firestar and this Jessica Drew Spider-Woman, were my most wanted figures, and they are pretty perfect. Few characters embody the Marvel gender revolution of this era like Spider-Woman. Let's check out Jessica below!

Apex Legends - WATTSON!

Apex Legends - 6" Action Figures Wave 7 - 19 Wattson - Jakks Pacific 2023

Wattson is the most recent addition to the fun line of 6" Apex Legends figures from Jakks Pacific. I have never played this game, nor do I know much about it. But the action figures really appeal to me with their diverse designs and genre-mixing characters. Wattson is a technology-based character who is an expert in electricity. She seems to be wearing an insulated uniform with large conductors on her back. Her role in the game is largely to set up protective electrical perimeters as a defensive measure against your opponents. Jakks Pacific does a great job with human-scaled figures. The vast majority of their product seems to be for Super Mario Bros or Sonic the Hedgehog, so it's a treat to see them work on non-cartoony humans. The last line I remember them doing like this was for the World of Warcraft movie back in 2016. Wattson was released way back in March of 2023 with no word of new figures since. But I am certainly hoping for more soon. Let's check out Wattson below!

Marvel Legends - WASP!

Marvel Legends - Avengers Classic Giant-Man and Wasp 2-Pack - Hasbro 2024

Way back in 2010 when the Avengers (2012) movie was first announced and rumors started to fly, I was very excited at the prospect of seeing Janet van Dyne as the Wasp on the big screen (and of course getting lots of cool toys). Janet was one of the original Avengers from 1963 so I (wrongfully) assumed her presence would be a given. But no, in her place was Black Widow, a non-powered espionage-based character who didn't join the Avengers until 1991. I was baffled and upset. I eventually grew to really like the MCU Black Widow, but Wasp was a glaring absence to me. The character eventually appeared in the Ant-Man movies (not donning a costume until 2018) but as a new character, Hope van Dyne, the daughter of Janet and Hank. Janet eventually appeared in the MCU played by Michelle Pfeiffer and got decent costumed screentime in Quantumania (but almost no merch). In the time, a classic helmeted Wasp figure rose to the top of my most-wanted Legends list. It took years but she is perfect.

Labyrinth - SARAH!

Labyrinth Retro Style Action Figures - Wave 1 - Sarah - Plastic Meatball 2023

Few movies bring me as much joy as Jim Henson's Labyrinth does. The first few times I saw it in the eighties, it actually quite scared me. But in high school I had an art teacher who loved the movie and his adoration was contagious. I swear it was always playing on the TV in the background and I am now a fan for life. It's surprising how sparsely Labyrinth has been merchandised considering its cast of iconic colorful characters. I have all the Funko Pops from 2016 and the Neca and McFarlane Jareth figures. The only modern collectibles I don't own are the ones from Weta Workshop. But even at this early stage, I'm most excited for these 3.75" figures from Plastic Meatball. The first wave had the expected assortment of Jareth, Sarah, and Hoggle. But the sneak peeks at the second wave show Sir Didymus and Ambrosius, which to me signifies a commitment to giving us a more complete cast. I can't wait to see who is next. Ludo and a few random goblins are my most wanted. Fingers crossed!

The Princess Bride - PRINCESS BUTTERCUP!

ReAction Action Figures - The Princess Bride - Princess Buttercup - Super7 2023

I'm loving the recent trend of merchandizing the major 80s fantasy/fairytale movies that were such an instrumental part of my childhood. In a few short months last year I picked up figures for Willow, Labyrinth, and The Princess Bride. And, despite not even being from the same toy company, they were all produced in the retro 3.75" Kenner style so they display perfectly together. The wave of nostalgia was palpable. I'm hoping the trend continues with the likes of Legend, Ladyhawke, or The NeverEnding Story. Few movies have such visually iconic characters as The Princess Bride, despite not being a particularly "costumey" movie. Aside from Westley's mask, all the costumes could easily fit into any generic medieval or storybook setting. But when you put those characters side by side, they are absolutely iconic. And thankfully Super7 put out the main five characters in one wave instead of making us wait. I would love more characters, but perfectly happy with just these. Let's check out Princess Buttercup below!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - ALOPEX!

BST AXN Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Alopex (Target) - Loyal Subjects 2024

Alopex is my favorite new character discovery in a long time. When this toy was first announced a few months ago, I had never heard of her, but I was immediately interested because I love fox characters. In the time since, I have read a handful of issues and have become quite a fan. Alopex is a mutated Arctic Fox (sometimes known as Alopex lagopus) who first appeared in TMNT Micro Series #1: Raphael (2011 IDW).  She is generally an antagonist working with the Foot as Shredder's personal assassin. But she has a romantic connection with Raphael that plays on her allegiances. The first story I read of hers was wonderful. She reminded me of an amalgamation of several favorite characters (namely Elektra from Marvel Comics and Jinx from G.I.Joe) but unique in her fox appearance and cunning viciousness. This BST AXN figure is the Target Exclusive deco with red facepaint (the standard version is blue). I think she's amazing and I can't wait to get both to display both heads. Let's check out Alopex below!

Marvel Legends - GOBLIN QUEEN!

Marvel Legends - X-Men '97 Vintage Wave 2 - Goblin Queen - Hasbro 2024

Sometimes I feel bad for all the casual X-fans tuning into the movies and cartoons and trying to figure out the history of Jean Grey. She is an intriguing character that finds herself in the epicenter of the X-Men's greatest stories. But even as a longtime fan, I can't deny it gets a bit confusing. One of her most iconic incarnations (for me) is when her clone, Madelyne Pryor became the Goblin Queen in the Inferno storyline from 1988-89. I was an avid reader of The New Mutants (and X-Terminators) at this time so I was getting a live feed of this story as it was being published (albeit focusing on Illyana). When the promotional material for X-Men '97 was first shown last year, I was excited to see the Goblin Queen. The Inferno storyline was one of the few major X-events that wasn't ever touched on in X-Men: The Animated Series. Amusingly, even though we've now seen the Goblin Queen in the new series, the story was barely scratched. But, hey, at least we got this great figure of her. Let's check out Madelyne below!

Batgirls - CASSANDRA CAIN BATGIRL!

DC Multiverse - Gold Label (Target Exc) - Cassandra Cain Batgirl - McFarlane 2024

One thing I have always loved about Cassandra Cain is that she is the first Bat-female to be unmistakably badass. As a specific sub-genre of comicdom (that I am wholeheartedly obsessed with), the female characters in the Batman universe are always strong, independent, and capable. But the comics community is inundated with fanboys who think Wolverine, Deadpool, and Lobo are the pinnacle of cool. And trying to convince them that characters like Barbara Gordon were deserving of their respect was always a tough task. But then Cassandra Cain took on the mantle of Batgirl from Huntress in 1999's No Man's Land storyline and changed all that. Cass was a violent assassin with a deadly pedigree (she is the daughter of David Cain and Lady Shiva). She was raised to be as lethal as possible, even foregoing verbal communication to dedicate all senses to body language. She was awesome, and her costume was cool. And she has remained as a consistent, but underused, character ever since.

X-Men '97 - ROGUE!

Marvel Epic Hero Series - X-Men '97 5-Pack (Target Exc) Rogue - Hasbro 2023

X-Men women are some of the most interesting characters in all of comicdom. Their powers, personalities, and histories merge together to create a dynamic fully-realized person. I think the most widely-embraced example of this is Rogue. She's powerful, but delicate. She's flirty, but untouchable. And she is widely viewed as oozing sex appeal, but she is covered head to toe and is essentially chaste (out of necessity). And all that intrigue doesn't even take into account her villainous history and relation to Mystique. She has also had a lot of great costumes. This yellow and green bodysuit with a bomber jacket and headband is actually my least favorite, but it has really grown on me in recent years. And clearly, it's her most popular look. I'm impressed with this Epic Hero Series. Typically 1:18 scale ladies have weird limbs and oversized joints. It's like the engineering needed for the articulation is always fighting against the smaller female sculpts. But these figures look great. I can't wait to see who is next.