TMNT Dimension X - APRIL O'NEIL (IN SPACE)!

TMNT: Dimension X - April O'Neil (Space Comrade) - Playmates 2016

I recently found myself combing through my old external harddrives looking for a spreadsheet I used to keep of all my MTG Cards. I never found that spreadsheet, but I did find tons of old photos intended for blog posts that never came to fruition. I now plan to pepper them in throughout the year.. most likely at the end of the end of the month when I feel I won't make my (self-imposed) post quota. These posts will be amusing because I pretty much dislike all the figures (there was a reason they never made the cut after all). But time has softened my disapproval. I now appreciate this April O'Neil figure for the sheer absurdity of the "in Space" trope. Four Ninja Turtles and a reporter floating around in zero gravity... it's pretty amusing. But on a more genuine note, I truly do appreciate female astronaut action figures. Even if they are nonsensical. "Astronaut" is one of the tags I rarely get to use on this site, so I'll jump at the chance to add another. Let's check out Space Comrade April below!

Stranger Things/TMNT - ELEVEN!

Stranger Things / TMNT Crossover Series - Leonardo & Eleven - PlayMates 2022

With the 5th and final season of Stranger Things set to air on Netflix later this year, I thought it would be a good time to finally post this unique PlayMates figure from the (very random) Stranger Things vs Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles crossover toyline back in 2022. As far as I am aware, this combination of properties did not exist any any media outside of this toyline. But the figures are cool and it was nice to see a new company (besides McFarlane, Funko, and Bandai) try their hand at Stranger Things toys. It's also pretty cool that the Turtles are also in their early-80s comic design with matching red bandanas. This Eleven set is the only purchase I made. I find her design and construction to be pretty great. The other brands tried really hard to capture exact actor likenesses (and often fell short), but these figures are bright and vaguely animated and instead just capture the essence of the characters. I think the result is my favorite Eleven in my collection. Let's check her out below!

World of Springfield - VAMPIREDNA!

Simpsons: World of Springfield - TRU Bongo Comics 3-Pack - Playmates 2002

Happy Halloween! I've wanted to purchase and review this figure for many years. I first saw this Edna Krabappel as Vampiredna at a vintage toy shop about a decade ago, but the shop owner wanted a ridiculous price for her. (Flash forward to 2023 and you can get her on eBay for ten bucks). The Simpsons were a major staple of my childhood and young adulthood. But the World of Springfield action figure line from Playmates, as beautiful and perfect as it was, was completely overwhelming for me. I steered clear. But one sub-genre I always thought about collecting was the Treehouse of Horror figures themed on the annual Simpsons Halloween episodes. The character designs from these episodes are always zany and fun. So when I saw this Edna figure, I knew she would be my first WOS purchase. But I actually didn't recognize her. It turns out she is from a 1993 issue of Bartman by Bongo Comics (which has seemingly been collected and reprinted several times). It's a shame she never appeared on the show.

Star Trek: Discovery - MICHAEL BURNHAM!

Star Trek Universe - Science Officer Michael Burnham - Playmates 2022

I started watching Star Trek: Discovery when it first came out in 2017. I loved it, but I had to drop it because I couldn't pay attention to the subtitles. The first story arc was dealing with a large inter-Klingon power struggle (all subtitled) and I needed to multitask while watching and was losing the story. But during the pandemic I started watching again and gave it my whole attention. It's a great series from beginning to end. That standout star is definitely Michael Burnham played by Sonequa Martin-Green (Sasha from The Walking Dead). The character goes through a tremendous story arc from criminal to science officer, to captain (and many other iterations along the way). And Sonequa's performance is engaging the whole time. There has been a decent amount of product for this character already: a Funko Pop, Mini-Bust, Mego-style figure, even a Hallmark ornament. But I have been waiting for a traditional action figure for a long time. Let's check her out in detail below!

Playmates Toys - CHUN-LI!

TMNT vs Street Fighter - Michelangelo & Chun-Li 2-Pack - Playmates Toys 2022

Playmates Toys has really been upping their game in the the last five years. Shortly before then, the Star Trek and TMNT movie toys left a lot to be desired. The likenesses were off, the articulation was stiff, and the overall appeal was a bit lackluster. But since then there have been several really great toy lines with impressive articulation and design. The Mysticons and Miraculous Playmates lines in particular have brought me much joy. But now they've improved even further with their recent two-pack assortments. I'm especially impressed with this Chun-Li figure from the TMNT vs Street Fighter series. Firstly, I feel like it's been a while since I've seen a Chun-Li figure at retail, and secondly, her sculpt and articulation are perfect. (And the new Star Trek figures are impressive as well so I know it's not a fluke). The only improvements I can suggest for this figure would be a ribcage cut and alternate hands. I'm excited to see what surprise properties they'll unveil next.  Let's check out Chun-Li below!

The Land Before Time - RUBY!

The Land Before Time - Earthshakin' Mountain Playset - Playmates 2007

I have very fond memories of The Land Before Time. I was a little old for it when it came out in 1988, but even then I could appreciate a good juvenile adventure story like An American Tail or the Rescuers Down Under. And I thought The Land Before Time was the best of them. It's no surprise to look back and see that Don Bluth, George Lucas, and Stephen Spielberg were all involved. I knew that there had been a lot of sequels and spin-off projects. I worked in a video store all through the late 90s and there was literally a new direct-to-video movie every year. The fourteenth (yes, fourteenth) movie came out in 2016 - which must have set some sort of sequel record, but I can't prove it. Typical of most kid-focused properties, there were just two token females for the majority of the series, Cera and Ducky. Although both iconic and memorable characters, I never felt the need to get toys of them. But recently I discovered this new character, Ruby. I'm always a sucker for pink dinosaurs and dragons.

Miraculous - QUEEN BEE!

ZAG Heroez - Miraculous - Series 01 - Queen Bee - PlayMates Toys 2021

I love Miraculous Ladybug and Cat Noir toys so much. I've tried to watch the cartoon but I'm too far removed from the target demographic to fully embrace it. But these action figures just thrill me. Colorful female characters with animal themed costumes makes for a toyline seemingly custom-made for me. Plus, I always take notice when an action figure line is catered to a young female audience. It's surprisingly rare for there to be product beyond dolls. But Miraculous has never shied away from true articulated plastic action figures, and I adore them for that. Recently the toy license has shifted from Bandai to Playmates and the core characters are slowly being re-released in a slightly smaller scale and greatly improved accessories. It's a very well-made line, but the distribution is extremely spotty and only the five original figures shown have been released. I certainly hope there will be more, but only time will tell. There are tons of characters deserving of figures. Let's check out Queen Bee below!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - APRIL O'NEIL!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Series - April O-Neil (Reissue) -  PlayMates 1991

I am well aware of April O'Neil's iconic status among action figure collectors. When I hear like-minded hobbyists rattle off their favorite vintage female characters, she's always right up there with Teela and Scarlett. But until very recently I never saw the appeal. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles wasn't my favorite property. I had a personal aversion to martial arts, I liked more serious cartoons, and I never saw the appeal of surfer dude culture. So in the midst of this immensely popular cartoon, that I had very unpopular opinions of, was a sole female reporter who inexplicably wore a bright yellow jumpsuit all the time. She just failed to capture my imagination. It honestly wasn't until Super7 unveiled their TMNT Ultimates figure that I looked back and really began to see the appeal. I received this figure MOC in a random eBay lot many years ago but only recently opened her. While this orange-pocketed reissue isn't an ideal vintage representation in my opinion, she's a perfectly suitable stand-in for the yellow one.

Miraculous - RENA ROUGE!

ZAG Heroez - Miraculous - Series 01 - Rena Rouge - PlayMates Toys 2020

I think I could go out on a limb and say that Rena Rouge is my favorite Miraculous character. I don't really watch the cartoons, but I find her design immensely appealing. Her bright colors and fox-like hair is so fun. Plus, orange-clad female action figures are oddly rare, so she really stands out in my collection.  I also like how the civilian characters in Miraculous often evolve into different costumed characters. Marinette becomes Ladybug, Aquabug, Multi-Mouse, and Lady Noire. Chloe becomes Antibug, Queen Bee, and Queen Wasp. And Alya becomes Lady Wi-Fi and Rena Rouge. So they always give that "powered up" excitement that you would get from classic video games or Power Rangers. Even though Rena Rouge is the second fox character after the villain Volpina, Rena just seems special. I'm really glad she was included in the first wave of this new PlayMates line. She's honestly the main reason I decided to jump on board with this new scale after the Bandai line ended. Let's check out Rena Rouge below!

PlayMates Toys - MIRACULOUS!

ZAG Heroz - Miraculous - Ladybug, Marinette, Cat Noir - PlayMates Toys 2020

Sometimes I find myself totally obsessed with a line of action figures, but be completely indifferent to the source material. This happens all the time with video game properties (since I am not a gamer at all), but it's pretty rare with comics and cartoons (since I am fully immersed in both genres). But Miraculous is a big exception. I adore these character designs. Most of the figures have simple animal-themed and brightly colored costumes. And the base body type is definitely an animated style with spindly limbs and big heads, but they are actually more naturally proportioned than a lot of animation figures on the shelves. I was very excited to watch the cartoon when I first got the Bandai toys back in 2016, but I quickly realized I am very far from the target demographic of that show. I couldn't relate and I just didn't enjoy it. But my appreciation for the toys has been growing ever since. Last year at Toy Fair they announced that the Bandai figure line was ending and a new one from Playmates was launching. 

Music Video Series - BILLIE EILISH!

Music Video Series: Billie Eilish (All the Good Girls Go to Hell) - Playmates 2020

This figure had me really conflicted. Overall, action figures that are intended to be dark or spooky do not appeal to me at all. Another aesthetic I avoid is bloody, melting, or dirty designs. There's a visceral quality involved that doesn't mesh with my weak stomach. But on the other hand, I love love love character with wings. I am always intrigued by new construction by a reputable company (like Playmates). And I'm a genuine fan of Billie Eilish. So despite the creepy factors keeping me away, my overall curiosity got the better of me. "All the good girls go to hell" is a song and music video from her debut studio album. The video features an "angellic" Billie that falls into an oil spill and transforms into a dark angel in a world on fire. Playmates made a line of Billie Eilish themed products in 2020. Mostly larger dolls, but also this single action figure. The packaging is an event. There are instructions on the box to unfold it all into the large flaming set of the music video. Quite a feat. Let's check Billie out below!

Terminator Salvation - BLAIR WILLIAMS!

Terminator: Salvation - Blair Williams w/ Resistance A-10 Warthog - Playmates 2009

This action figure was a major mystery to me for a long time. I saw her once for sale on eBay in a loose lot and was instantly intrigued. With the absence of G.I.Joe in the toy aisles, I was kind of starved for new 3.75" ladies. The movie Terminator: Salvation was really under my radar. I never saw it, and I'm not sure I ever realized it had a toy line. But in true 3.75" fashion, there was a single female character made and she was rare and came exclusively packaged with a large vehicle (reminds me of Cover Girl and her Wolverine, Maria Hill with the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier,  or Uhura with the USS Enterprise bridge). In Salvation, Blair Williams is a pilot with the Resistance under John Connor who suffers from survivor's guilt and serves as a romantic interest for Marcus Wright. Her action figure comes packaged in a large deluxe vehicle set with her A-10 Warthog and seems to have been largely released in Europe with minimal (if any) release in the US.  Let's check out Blair Williams in detail below!

The Girls of MYSTICONS!

Mysticons - Piper, Em, Arkayna w/ Izzie, and Zarya w/ Archer - Playmates 2017

When I first read about Mysticons a few years ago, the proposed team consisted of boys, but then about two years ago I read an article and it was suddenly centered around four young girls. Then I soon heard that Playmates would be making toys and my excitement has been building ever since. The actual cartoon (which began airing on Nickelodeon in August) is not exactly my cup of tea. I'm just not the target demographic at all (but I'll give it another shot eventually). But these toys. These toys are perfect for me. Bright colors. Mythical themes. Not too cartoony. Fun translucent accessories. And best of all, amazing flying griffin steeds with battle armor! It's very rare to get a female character who rides an animal, let alone actual action figures of those characters and beasts. So yeah, this property thrills me and I hope it's successful enough to warrant many more toys. Queen Necrafa seems especially ripe for the action figure treatment. Time will tell. Let's check out the first round of basic Mysticons figures below!

DreamWorks Antz - PRINCESS BALA!

DreamWorks Antz: Basic Figures - Princess Bala - Playmates 1998

I spent all of my college years working in video rental stores. I was a movie nut and easy counter work provided me ample time to work on my studies while simultaneously chatting up customers about the films I loved. During that time I became fascinated by movies that came out in pairs - within a year of each either and from different studios, but with incredibly similar stories. Volcano & Dante's Peak (1997), The Matrix, Thirteenth Floor, & Existenz (1999), Armageddon & Deep Impact (1998), I have tons of examples. But the most sensational was the Antz vs A Bug's Life fiasco in the Fall of 1998. It was the first time (in my memory at least) that the "swiped plotline" phenomenon was making headlines. The feud between DreamWorks and Pixar over their movies was well documented (Google it if you're interested and feel like taking sides). While A Bug's Life was fun and had an amazing assortment of characters, I much preferred the weird witty humor of Antz. Let's check out Princess Bala below!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - KARAI!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Karai (Tanto Sword Master) - Playmates 2016

I think Karai is probably the fan-favorite secondary character in the TMNT franchise. In the toy world, her figures are always in high demand and fetch a high price in the collector circuits.  I don't really know much about her beyond that fact that she is often labelled as the daughter of Shredder and usually has a vampiric look to her. Of course, she is tweaked and changed in every incarnation of TMNT so I never know what to expect. In the current Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon on Nickelodeon, Karai is a young girl who was indeed raised by Shredder (via kidnapping), but is actually the biological daughter of Hamato Yoshi, a wise sensei who is mutated into the rat Splinter. When her true origins are revealed to her, she has to reconcile her life of lies and evil with her newfound family. She reminds me a lot of Cass Cain in the Batman Universe. Last year we received a figure of Karai in her serpent incarnation which was cool and unexpected, but this is the one we've been waiting for. Let's check her out!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - KARAI SERPENT!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Karai Serpent - Playmates 2015

All my Turtle education comes from the original animated series from the 1980s. So when I was researching females in the TMNT line about 5 years ago, I belatedly discovered this elusive daughter of Shredder. I was impressed, but I also was bummed because I couldn't afford the eBay prices her action figures were fetching. This version of Karai is from the 2012 Nickelodeon cartoon. They changed her character a lot in this series. Most notably is that she is now Splinter's daughter, although raised and brainwashed by Shredder. In a scheme by Shredder to turn the Turtles into snakes, Karai accidentally fell into the mutagen and became a serpent herself - while retaining the ability to revert back to human form at will (albeit with reptilian eyes). This figure was first teased a long long time ago. So long ago that I had given up hope to find her almost a year ago. Then a couple weeks ago I found her in TRU sitting randomly on a shelf in front of the Power Rangers. It was kismet. Let's check out Karai below!

Star Trek (The 2009 Movie) - CADET UHURA!

Star Trek: Warp Collection - Cadet Uhura - Playmates 2009

2009's Star Trek movie was a perfect example of how amazing a well-done property reboot can be. It was exciting, funny, faithful to the original series, and I certainly left the theatre wanting to see more. For such a great movie though, the toys were pretty lackluster. In all my stores they just sat on the shelves for months collecting dust. I can't speak for everyone's reluctance to buy them, but I thought they looked awkward and sub-par to every other line out at the time. The character likenesses were way off-base. This Uhura doesn't look a thing like Zoe Saldana. The scale was another issue. If they would have been scaled to fit in with the DST Star Trek line, I would have definitely been more interested. But as is, we were presented with something very different than what the collector community was expecting. It's a real pity because a well-done toy line for this movie could have been very successful. This figure isn't horrible by any means, but it falls way short of its potential.  Let's check her out below!

Turok: Dinosaur Hunter - ADON!

Turok: Dinosaur Hunter - Adon: Keeper of the Forever Light - Playmates 1998

My first exposure to Turok was in the 1980s when my Dad would buy me and my brothers stacks of vintage comics from flea markets. My older brother would grab all the war and combat-themed issues, my younger brother would get the Sad Sack-type "funny" books, and that left the horror and Turok: Son of Stone issues for me. I still have a ton of them and I love them all. I loved feeling like an expert among all the kids at the comic shop when Turok made a comeback in 1993 from Valiant comics and everyone thought he was new. Ever since then he's had a constant, but low-key presence in pop-culture (including a current comic series by Dynamite and a series of well-received games). This action figure series is based on the second game (of six) called Turok 2: Seed of Evil. In these games (and most of the more modern comics) the simple concept of a pre-Colombian Native American man being trapped in a dinosaur valley was drastically changed. Now Turok is a modern man. There are guns, aliens, and vehicles. The best thing to come out of all the changes, however, was this blue-skinned alien named Adon.

Earthworm Jim's PRINCESS WHAT'S-HER-NAME!

Your Favorite Video Game Insect Princess from Playmates 1994

I first became aware of this figure early on in my collecting days (roughly 10 years ago).  She was raved about on my favorite online toy resource at the time, Action Girl's Guide to Female Figures.  At the time, however, I was very picky and would only buy non-cartoony 80's figure like GIJoe, He-Man, and ThunderCats.  So it wasn't until very recently that I picked up this figure in a lot on eBay.  I must say I'm very impressed with this little lady.  She's fun, well-sculpted, and a great likeness of both her cartoon and videogame counterparts.  I'm not too knowledgeable on the Earthworm Jim franchise, but from what I can gather it was a pretty unique development.  Playmates developed the characters for an original videogame with the intent of creating merchandising potential.  The original Sega/Genesis game was released in 1994, the same year as the first action figures.  The cartoon series didn't debut until a full year later in 1995.  However, the action figures seem to incorporate the details of the cartoon moreso than the videogame.

Ninja Turtles Movie Figures - APRIL O'NEIL!

(Teenage Mutant) Ninja Turtles - Basic Series 1 - April O'Neil - Playmates 2014
 
I have a feeling that Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a property that will continually reinvent itself.  I'm not a diehard fan by any means, but I'm still excited for the new movie.  I love all the classic cartoon toys coming out.  And I definitely love the original comic figures.  Not to mention all the weird animated and live action versions in between.  Seriously, I can't imagine what a TMNT superfan's collection might look like.  I'll bet it's pretty awesome though (my favorite color is green!).  April O'Neil has become such a classic pop culture lady.  A modern Lois Lane in a yellow coat.  I sometimes imagine myself amassing a whole shelf of canary-hued journalists, but alas, I only have three.  This newest toy depicts Megan Fox as April in the upcoming live action film.  When I found her in the stores this week, it was the first good look I had of this figure.  The blurry pictures on the internet up till now made me think she was going to be a larger deluxe figure, but in actuality, she's a 5" basic figure with limited (but good) articulation.