Batman Classic TV Series - CATWOMAN Bust!

Batman Classic TV Series - Julie Newmar Catwoman Mini-Bust - DST 2015

I'm pretty obsessed with the mini-bust format. In the early 2000s and throughout the 2010s, these were everywhere. Bowen Designs, Gentle Giant, DC Direct, and Diamond Select seemingly had releases every month. Plus several companies came to the game late like Monogram and Eaglemoss and produced some great pieces. But unfortunately, since 2019 almost all production seems to have ceased - with the exception of Diamond Select who was still occasionally releasing Star Wars and Gargoyles busts until just a couple years ago. My favorite character to collect in this format was Catwoman. I believe I have 12 different mini-busts representing a variety of her incarnations over the years (surprisingly there were never Pfeiffer or Golden/Silver Age representations - two glaring omissions). I excitedly bought this Julie Newmar Batman '66 bust when it came out 11 years ago, but was pretty disappointed in the paint quality. The difference between the paint masters and the production version was simple, but impactful. The solicitation photos looked decently like Julie Newmar (not great, but close enough). 

Batman Classic TV Series - CATWOMAN Bust!

Batman Classic TV Series - Eartha Kitt Catwoman Mini-Bust - DST 2017

The curious case of the missing review. I bought this Eartha Kitt Catwoman Bust when she was released five years ago. I photographed her and have distinct memories of editing the photos. I even found three 'unused' photos still on my camera, proving these memories. But when I created the post for the new McFarlane figure earlier this week, I discovered that I apparently never actually created a review. And a quick glance at eBay let me know that she sells for a ton of money now and therefore turnaround pics are a good thing to have on record (since she would be a significant investment for a collector). It looks like a similar situation happened with the Julie Newmar bust, but Eartha seemed more urgent since the McFarlane figure has me so excited. These Diamond Select busts aren't the greatest thing ever. The likenesses are there, but somehow a little off. But I love collecting mini-busts, especially Catwoman ones, and my collection would be incomplete without these. Let's check her out below!

DC Gallery - BATWOMAN!

Batman DC Gallery PVC Diorama - Batwoman - Diamond Select Toys 2019

The modern trend of relatively-inexpensive PVC statues is making me break all of my collecting rules. I still only buy larger-scale collectibles of characters I really really like, but I used to refrain buying anything with an overly-decorative base or any that weren't perfectly sculpted. But these PVC statues can be so inexpensive.. often retailing for $30-50 bucks (and they seem to get clearanced pretty fast, I've picked up a few at GameStop for $10). This Batwoman is a prime example of a collectible I would have never bought a few years ago. The sculpt takes up a lot of shelf space, and if she were cold-case porcelain, she'd easily be priced at $150. But the price was right and she looked phenomenal so I caved. Plus I saw her at a local comic shop that I like to support, so I had added incentive to make a purchase. This is easily one of the best representations of Batwoman in my collection. And I think if her skin were more ghostly white she'd be perfect. Let's check out the DC Gallery Batwoman below!

DC Direct - MARY MARVEL!

Shazam! - Series 01 - Mary Marvel (Standard Version) - DC Direct 2007

One of my favorite things about the 2019 Shazam! movie is that it rejuvenated my interest in Mary Marvel. I wasn't very familiar with this character before she became a regular character in the early 2000s in the pages of Infinite Crisis and 52. She somehow escaped my notice for most of my life. Of course, during this reintroduction period she was going through some major character arcs, changing outfits and allegiances every time I tuned in. But I also became retroactively aware of her amazing history as one of the first female costumed heroes (introduced in Captain Marvel Adventures #18 from 1942) and was really inrigued. But even still, I never went crazy trying to collect all her figures until I realized that she would be in the new Shazam! film (and we would even be getting a toy of her!) So, I've been going back and collecting a bunch of her merchandise and reading reprints of her classic stories - and needless to say she's become a favorite of mine. This DC Direct figure is my favorite so far. She's a classic beauty.

Marvel Select - SPIDER-GWEN!

Marvel Select (Collectible Action Figures w/ Diorama) - Spider-Gwen - DST 2017

It's amazing how quickly Spider-Gwen has become an A-list hero. I've already decided not to be a completist with her merchandise because it's coming out at a very rapid pace. Considering that her first toy, a TRU exclusive Minimate came out only two years ago, that's a very impressive rise - especially considering she hasn't been in a film, or even had a significant role in a cartoon yet. The Marvel Select line from DST has been blowing my mind recently. Back in the day, I felt that these figures were awkwardly pre-posed and had awkward articulation and diorama pieces (I remember being very disappointed in She-Hulk). But between this Spider-Gwen and the recent Lady Deadpool, I am now super impressed with the line. The sculpt, articulation, and scale is just great all-around. The only thing that keeps me from being a die-hard fan is the very slow release schedule. Lines like Marvel Legends are much more satisfying purely due to the speedy production. I'm thinking we will eventually get a (movie) Gamora and an apology She-Hulk, but any figures with this level of quality will easily find a spot in my collection.

Batman Classic TV Series - BATGIRL Bust!

Batman Classic TV Series - Yvonne Craig Batgirl Mini-Bust - Diamond Select 2016

There is something so spectacular about the bright purple and yellow Batgirl from the classic 1960's Batman show. I have fuzzy memories of what my first exposure to Batgirl really was. It was either random Super Friends merchandise (like coloring books or lunch boxes), back issues of Batman Family or Brave and Bold, or the lovely Yvonne Craig in syndication on TV. I tend to think the show was the actual first glimpse, but they all happened around the same time in the mid-80s for me who know knows really. As an adult, the purple look is definitely my most nostalgic though, and that exclusive feeling is amplified by the overall lack of Yvonne Batgirl merchandise. I first saw this mini-bust in the DST booth at NYTF several years ago (I was allowed to take photos of her, but I was asked not to share them online). And I've been pining for her ever since. I actually got her as a Christmas present last year, but I didn't open her till last week. I don't know why the hell I waited, but she's worth it. Let's check her out!