Tron Kubrick - YORI!

Kubrick Disney's Tron - Set (A): Tron, Yori, & Orange Light Cycle - Medicom 2002

I've had this set for ages but finally got around to opening it last week. I frankly don't remember purchasing this, but when I was moving house four years ago, I found it buried in a closet encased up in bubble wrap with zero recollection of how I got it. I probably paid a fortune and blocked out the memory over guilt. It was funny to mark it off my "must have" checklist by accidentally discovering that I already owned it. I also found multiple Planet of the Apes Kubrick sets in the same box so it was a thrilling discovery. This figure is notable for being the first toy of Yori ever. As the token female of Tron (1982), and a pretty significant character, she was criminally neglected in the merchandise department. So far I have three Yori items, but hopefully there will be momentum for more in the future, but I definitely would love to see more. I think a company like NECA should take the reigns and give us a full vintage line (hopefully with characters unmade in the DST line). Let's check out Yori below!

POP Funko - TRON'S YORI!

POP! Movies #1855 - Disney's Tron (1982) Vinyl Figures - Yori - Funko 2025

When most people hear about modern movie sequels or reboots of classic pop culture films, there is a mixed bag of reactions. There is always an initial pang of nostalgic excitement, usually followed by the creeping dread that these things very rarely turn out well. But a third reaction I always have is speculative excitement about the potential classic product to ride the wave of renewed media interest in the property. When I first heard about Tron: Ares a couple years ago, my overriding reaction was that we might finally get more Yori products. Tron is a classic movie from my youth. It was one of the only VHS rentals my siblings and I could agree on. We frankly didn't understand the plot too well, but the visuals were mesmerizing and we loved it. The token female character, Yori, has been criminally under-merchandised. While the male characters got multiple vintage (and modern) toylines, Yori didn't appear in plastic for 20 years with a small Kubrick figure, and then another 20 until the next (Super7 ReAction). 

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.

Amazing Heroes Retroverse - FANTOMAH!

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

Fantomah, Mystery Woman of the Jungle first appeared in the February 1940 issue of Jungle Comics #2, published by Fiction House and created by comics legend Fletcher Hanks. She starred in a 7-page solo story and continued to be a regular feature in the next 50 issues until March of 1944. Fantomah appears as a beautiful blonde woman who transforms into a frightening blue skeleton to enact gruesome revenge scenarios on anyone bringing harm to her jungle home. Most comic heroines of the time were built on a solid foundation of beauty. Every other character was a model or a pageant queen in her backstory. And even in their masked crimefighting eras, beauty was always an essential trait. I believe Fantomah was the first female character to embrace being frightful. Even in modern comics, very few characters ever exhibit unattractive appearances. She has been rebooted in modern comics a few times and the skeleton effect is still jarring, even in these desensitized times. This figure is a standout in the series.

Amazing Heroes Retroverse - MISS FURY!

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

Miss Fury first appeared (as Black Fury) in the April 1941 in a Bell Syndicate Sunday newspaper comic strip created by Tarpe Mills. She got her own comic title in Winter 1942 (which initially consisted of reformatted black & white newspaper strips, but was eventually full color new material). Miss Fury is a wealthy socialite who is bequeathed a special panther suit from a mysterious uncle that gives her enhanced speed and strength. Although she has several recurring enemies, what I always found more evident was her recurring mission to avenge abused women. There is a lot of domestic slapping and women with black eyes even in the earliest newspaper strips. Her motivations still hold weight today, which is more than you can say for a lot of Golden Age comics. Plus, I'm a sucker for feline-themed vigilantes. Let's not forget that Catwoman didn't put on a cowl until 1946, and even Kitten didn't appear until December of 1941 - Making Miss Fury quite possibly the first feline femme fatale. Let's check her out below!

Amazing Heroes - QUEEN OF THE JUNGLE!

Amazing Heroes Series 7 - Queen of the Jungle - Fresh Monkey Fiction 2022

Sheena, Queen of the Jungle first appeared in the September 1938 issue of Jumbo Comics #1, published by Fiction House and created by Will Eisner. There was a seemingly endless number of nearly identical "jungle women" in the Golden Age of comics, but Sheena somehow has stood the test of time and is notable for being the first female comic character with her own title (debuting in March of 1942, three months before Wonder Woman's solo title). Like most Jungle heroines, Sheena has heightened agility and can communicate with animals. Since her debut she has had multiple comics series, two television shows, and a feature film. She always stood out to me personally because she is often shown riding a zebra, which is a visual I love (and I plan of seeking out an in-scale zebra for this figure). I assume the official name of Sheena is copyrighted in her past multimedia licensing, so this figure is officially going by her lordly title, Queen of the Jungle. Surprisingly, I think this is her first action figure ever.

Auldey Transformers - ELITA-ONE!

Transformers - Alpha Elite Action Series 02 Blind Box - Elita-1 - Auldey 2025

I'm thrilled with the Alpha Elita Transformers blind box figures from Auldey. In quick succession they have given us the two most iconic female Transformers in amazing G1 designs and for a very reasonable price (for blind box imports of course). No, these figures do not actually transform. But for a collector of fembots with a penchant for classic animation designs, the modern Hasbro and Takaratomy transforming toys have so much kibble that the sleek animation references get lost pretty quickly. I realize that the female autobots in the G1 cartoon defied physics with their transformations even more than the male characters did, and that's exactly why these figures are so great. We've seen some great figures of Bumblebee, Megatron, and Optimus Prime that both closely resemble their animated appearance and also transform, but for the female characters we haven't been so lucky. Their petite designs just can't contain the sheer mass of their vehicle forms without a miracle of modern engineering. 

Gatchaman - JUN THE SWAN!

Gatchaman 1/12 Action Figures - Jun the Swan - Storm Collectibles 2025

Science Ninja Team Gatchaman is one of those properties that I discovered relatively late in life but meets all the criteria for a show I would have been obsessed with if I were aware of it in my youth. Although it first aired in Japan in 1972, the first proper English-language broadcast is from 1978 when it was re-christened Battle of the Planets. A later adaptation happened in 1986 under the additional name G-Force: Guardians of Space followed by yet another release in 1996 as Eagle Riders (in Australia). With all that staying-power, I'm surprised that I never knew anything about it until the early 2000s when a resurgence of interest hit the US comic and toy markets. The series features a team a bird-themed space adventurers solving environmentally-themed challenges. The token female is Jun the Swan (also called Princess and Agatha in later interpretations). I've been wanting a great toy of her for twenty years now, and this BBTS-exclusive figure knocked it out of the park. She's beautiful. Let's check out Jun below!

She-Ra the Princess of Power - GLIMMER!

Masters of the Universe - Collectible Figure #65 - Glimmer - Altaya 2024

She-Ra: The Princess of Power (1985-1987) was full of iconic female characters. The diversity of personalities, powers, and color palettes was frankly a little overwhelming. But one of the most steadfast and recognizable characters to me was always Glimmer. Glimmer was the daughter of Queen Angella and the Princess of Bright Moon. Before Adora defected from the Horde and arrived in the Whispering Wood, Glimmer was the leader of the Rebellion (but she quickly deferred to Adora's military prowess). In true 80's fashion, her "light" power was represented in dozens of different ways - from emitting blinding flashes to invisibility to flight (almost all the characters exhibited omega-mutant level powers if you paid attention). Glimmer was a constant presence in the cartoon as She-Ra's (best?) friend and a formidable warrior. She would appear in about half the episodes, but it seemed like more. This Altaya figurine perfectly represents her animated look. Let's check out Glimmer below!

Fastest Feline in the Universe - CHEETARA!

Masters of the Universe x ThunderCats - Wave 01 - Cheetara - -Mattel 2025

The MOTU mashup toylines continue to impress me. There is seemingly endless potential for crossover properties based on this classic MOTU aesthetic. Some notable mashup projects have included WWE, Stranger Things, and Transformers. But I personally feel the most exciting toys have come when two similar-but-distinctly-different licenses get to play off each other. We saw this with the Turtles of Grayskull line (April and Teela), and now with MOTU x ThunderCats. As a child of the 80s, I always wanted this crossover. They were both iconic fantasy cartoons that could potentially blend together nicely. But the action figures were just too different, both in scale and construction. Beyond being just a creative mashup of the two properties, this new line seems like a long overdue wish fulfillment to have these two genres occupy the same play space. And the fact that they come with the pieces to create the classic looks solidifies that theory. They're fantastic. Let's check out Cheetara below!