The Women of Marvel Universe NOG'NZ!

Seven Marvelously Squished Ladies - Nog'nz Blind Bag Series 1 - Zag Toys 2012

For those collectors who have a strong visceral reaction to Chibis and other abstracted superhero forms, you're going to just love these little monstrosities.  I definitely had a similar negative reaction when I first saw these.  It took me about a year to warm up to them, and now they just make me giggle.  When trying to describe them to someone who has never seen them, I can't seem to avoid the imagery of a small caramel candy that has been pinched and prodded into a shape.  This is especially true for Rogue whose hair gives her the right coloring for my analogy.  A big perk for me was also the character selection.   The first (and only) series had 45 characters, including seven females - pretty impressive for a debut aimed at kids.  They are made from a really dense plastic that click and clack like dice when jostled together.  There are actually some games you are supposed to play with these - seems like a cross between craps and marbles. (The tag line on all the packaging is "Heads will Roll!")  Let's check them out!

The Women of SPACE PRECINCT 2040!

Officer Took & Officer Castle - Space Precinct 2040 - Vivid Imaginations 1994

Gerry Anderson was the puppeteering genius behind the classic sci-fi series' Thunderbirds, Stingray, and Terrahawks (to name a few).  Space Precinct 2040 was one of his last big endeavors but was unfortunately plagued with problems.  The show began airing in 1994 and was cancelled after its first season.  Space Precinct was created for both US and UK distribution but was unable to find a tone to satisfy both markets.  It seems that there was a lot of sub-par work, exaggerations about funding, and inappropriate timeslots adding to its early demise.  There was even a documentary about the behind-the-scenes antics produced last year titled Space Precinct Legacy.  It's really a shame because underneath all the drama, there was a cool premise for a show that could have been a hit.  The series focuses on an NYPD Officer Patrick Brogan who is sent (along with a handful of other human officers) to serve as an officer on the far away crime-riddled planet of Altor.  They serve with other alien officers and solve crimes committed by aliens and humans alike.  Simple, weird, and Entertaining.  Think NYPD Blue meets Farscape.

Marvel Legends JEAN GREY (and Customization)!

Jean Grey (90's Style!) - Marvel Legends Racket Raccoon Series - Hasbro 2013

Jean Grey is the matriarchal guineapig of mutantdom.  She has been through more character upheavals than almost any other superhero I can think of.  We're not talking about the run-of-the-mill costume change every decade.  No.  Jean Grey has changed powers, names, costumes, allegiances, identities, and even mortality status with alarming regularity.  One of the most beloved iterations of Marvel Girl was the early 1990's Jim Lee & Chris Claremont version that we see here.  This look is not my favorite by any stretch of the imagination (it always seemed very illogical to be hanging out at the mansion in a uniform like that), but lately I've really come to appreciate the design as a relic of a bygone era of comics.  I'm frankly surprised we haven't seen this costume in 6" action figure scale before this.  And, noting that, it's a shame this didn't get put off a little bit longer until the new Moonstone body becomes the standard buck (which I'm hoping will happen soon!).  Let's check her out below!

Mezco Mini Mez-Itz Keychain - HARLEY QUINN!

DC Universe Mini Mez-Itz Keychains - Harley Quinn - Mezco 2013

Harley Quinn is amazing.  I've always been a little biased towards the lady villains, but to me she is so much more interesting than her main man Joker.  I just picked up the introductory issue of her new ongoing comic series this week and I'm excited to see a new side of her (I haven't really paid any attention to her in the New 52 yet).  I'm really digging her new "rollergirl" look, but these classic court jester duds will always be my favorite.  I bought this keychain at NYCC 2013 from the Mezco booth.  I think it was a convention exclusive, but I can't verify that and there isn't any indication on the packaging.  As I've stated in past reviews, I always chop off the keychain apparatus right away.  I'm way too impatient to wait for the regular versions to be released.  This Harley Quinn Mini Mez-Itz is the first of two versions that will be made, the second version has a closed mouth with a winking eye and will be released in the DC Universe Blind Box assortments (already showing up on eBay).  Let's check out Harley below!

WWE Elite TRISH STRATUS!

WWE Elite Collection #24 - Flashback - Trish Stratus - Mattel 2013
 
I'm cheating and stealing this intro from Wikipedia:  Patricia Anne Stratigias (born December 18, 1975) is a Canadian retired professional wrestler, former fitness model, and a fitness guru, actress and television personality, better known by her ring name Trish Stratus. She is best known for her tenure with WWE.  After beginning her career as a fitness model, Stratus began working for the WWF, which was later renamed WWE. Early in her career, she was involved in sexually themed storylines, such as managing the team T & A and an affair with Vince McMahon. As Stratus spent more time in the ring, her perceived wrestling skills strengthened and her popularity increased. Because of this, she was made a one-time WWE Hardcore Champion, three-time "WWE Babe of the Year" and was proclaimed "Diva of the Decade". After nearly seven years in the business, Stratus retired from professional wrestling at WWE Unforgiven on September 17, 2006 after winning her seventh WWE Women's Championship, the most in WWE history.

DC Comics The New 52 - CATWOMAN!

DC The New 52: Super Heroes vs Super-Villains 7-Pack - DC Collectibles 2013

I just realized how incredibly long it's been since we've seen a comic-styled Catwoman action figure.  Sure, all the video game versions have been pretty close to her modern comic costumes, but technically it's been over 5 years (Infinite Heroes).  This fantastic version of Selina was an exclusive to a very expensive 7-figure box set that was released yesterday.  I've known this for months and have been debating the purchase ever since, but as soon as I saw her in the store today I knew it was a no-brainer.  Now I just hope I can recoup some cash by selling the surplus figures on eBay.  This figure is awesome.  She's beautifully sculpted by Jonathan Matthews, her articulation is some of the best from a DC Collectibles female so far, and her paint apps are great (and an improvement over the overly made-up prototypes we've seen at conventions).  I'm super happy with this figure.  DC Collectibles is really coming back and filling the DCUC void.  I can't wait to see what the future holds.  Let's check out Catwoman below!

Mezco Mini Mez-Itz Keychain - BATGIRL!

DC Universe Mini Mez-Itz Keychains - Batgirl - Mezco 2013

Mezco Mini Mez-Itz are one of my favorite designer collectibles on the market.  There are so many good choices out there today; Funko POP, Lego, Mini-Mates, etc, etc - but these Mini Mez-Itz are really holding their own.  I secretly gauge the momentum of a toy line by the characters they produce - yes, I know every collector probably does this - but I base my judgement on willingness to produce multiple versions of the same character.  Usually this ends up being Catwoman.  Funko POP has two, Lego has two (almost identical), Mini-Mates has one, but Mini Mez-Itz has two with an additional two on the horizon.  The momentum is definitely impressive.  Plus the upcoming Poison Ivy and Harleys are really going to round-out the bat-family roster.  The only downside to these figures is that Mezco seems to have a pattern of initially releasing them as keychains at conventions, with non-keychain versions released much later.  I'm impatient.  But I dislike keychains.  Luckily I have an Xacto blade and a wide array of Dremel bits.

Funko POP! Batman Classic TV Series CATWOMAN!

POP! Heroes #43 - Batman: Classic TV Series - Catwoman - Funko 2013

I've loving all the Batman '66 merchandise this year!  This Funko POP vinyl figure is my fourth Julie Newmar item this year, but hopefully not my last (there are still some Mini Mez-Itz, a Moebius model, and a yet-to-be-revealed DST mini-bust on the horizon).  This Funko POP vinyl figure is pretty great.  I thought she'd be extremely similar to the Dark Knight Rises figure, but she's actually very unique.  There are side-by-side comparison pics below.  I normally have a distaste for glitter, but in this case it really works - you just have to be careful in picking a figure with a nice even cover of glitter (some I've seen have a really glittery torso with unglittered legs... and on some I've seen glitter clumping in the necklace area).    Funko always amazes me with their speed at getting their products into the marketplace.  I'll bet they are the first to get us some Yvonne Craig Batgirl items - I'm guessing a Wacky Wobbler followed by a POP.  I also love how their products are carried in such a variety of retail locations.  I never have much trouble finding the figures I need.  Let's check out Catwoman below!