Photos from NYCC 2014!

A Small Collection of My Favorite Action Figure Reveals at NY ComicCon 2014

If I was to be perfectly honest, I would have to say that this year's New York ComicCon was the most disappointing toy-wise than it has been in a long long time.  There was a lack of vendors.  Mattel was absent; Hasbro is continuing the tradition of setting up shop several blocks away (and by appointment only); and DCC showed us nothing new.  And on top of that, my favorite small vendor seemed to be a no-show as well.  This is a booth that usually has tons of large bins of loose action figures in little baggies.  You have to be patient to get close enough because this booth magically turns everyone into kids digging for buried treasure.  I always look forward to spending a good hour there, and I was sad that I couldn't find it (although it may have been there for all I know.. I was an unplanned mess this year tbh).  Despite my overall disappointment on the toy front, I still enjoyed myself and found a few great gems to share.  Let's check them out below!

DC Super Heroes Grab Zags - CATWOMAN!

DC Comics - DC Superheroes Grab Zags - Series 01 - Blip Toys 2014

These little figures are kind of tough to name.  Technically the term "Grab Zags" isn't anywhere on the packaging.  But last year the Marvel Grab Zags were everywhere and these generically-named DC Figures are clearly the same type of figure and from the same manufacturer. Blip Toys are the geniuses behind the Squinkie phenomenon (which has seemingly died down.. unfortunately).  The sheer markup of those little collectible rubber blobs must be astounding, so I'm a little surprised we aren't seeing them flooding the market.  These Grab Zags have more oomph in the collector's market in my opinion, but their biggest downfall is that they are kind of hard to find.  Luckily Target has stocked them in their Halloween toy section this season making them readily available for all.. albeit temporarily.  The women in this first wave are Catwoman and a New 52 Wonder Woman.  As far as I can tell, there is no code system to the blind bags, so hone your squeezing skills and let's check out Catwoman below!

DC Collectibles HAWKGIRL (EARTH 2)!

DC Comics: The New 52 - Earth 2 - Hawkgirl - DC Collectibles 2014

I think the costume redesigns in DC's New 52 has been hit-or-miss.  In most cases I prefer the classic look over the new modernized designs.  Hawkgirl is definitely a huge exception to that judgement, though.  Don't get me wrong, her signature yellow, red, and green is perfect.  I just also happen to love this blue redesign.  In the New 52, Hawkgirl of Earth2 is Kendra Munoz-Saunders, a famous treasure hunter who was bestowed with wings from the Egyptian God Horus while on a mission.  She dons a unique blue costume that looks great with her skin tone.  In the New 52, Kendra is a dark-skinned Hispanic girl.  That ethnicity change is part of what makes Hawkgirl so intriguing.  Despite having the same name and wings, you just have a feeling that this is an entirely new character that you have to (and want to) get to know.  DC Collectibles is on a major roll this year. Aside from a couple cases of weird face paint, they've hit every lady out of the park.  Let's check out Earth 2 Hawkgirl below!

Transformers Generations WINDBLADE!

Transformers Generations Deluxe Class S02 - Wave 10 - Windblade - Hasbro 2014

The season of the fembot begins!  This Windblade figure is an amazing addition to the sparse, but soon to be not-so-sparse collection of females in the Transformers toy line.  A long-awaited Arcee and Chromia are due out in the next few weeks, but leading the pack is the mysterious and exciting Windblade.  Windblade has the unique distinction of being the first official fan-created Transformers character.  Her name, color palette, gender, vehicle mode, weapons, every single detail was determined by the fans.  Adding to that interesting origin was her actual storyline which was unveiled in an unheard-of female-centric solo comic series.  Windblade is Cityspeaker from Caminus.  In her solo series, she is an outcast on Cybertron charged with communicating with the injured and dormant Metroplex.  Maybe I just haven't read enough Transformers comics lately, but I was really impressed with the history and mythology unveiled in this story.  She's a great new character that I already love.

Funko Pocket POP Keychains - HARLEY QUINN!

Pocket Pop! Keychains - Series 1 - Harley Quinn (DC Comics) - Funko 2014

Funko has a goldmine on their hands with their amazing Pop! line.  I actively try to resist buying them because I can see the wriitng on the wall and I know that I could easily be drowning in these adorable little suckers if I don't look away.  Even my non-toy friends are starting to buy collect them.  People ask me advice on where to get "those cute Ghostbusters toys" or "those Domos dressed up like superheroes."  It's kind of surreal.  I now own 23 and I somehow convince myself I'm keeping it all in check.  The only potentials on the horizon for me are Poison Ivy, Sif, and maybe Storm.  That was of course until Funko announced these tiny 1.5" keychains.  Now they could potentially release my favorite characters all over again in this addictive little scale.  The best part is that I won't even try to resist it if they do.  These Pocket Pops are showing up in Target stores mixed in with the trading cards near the front registers.  (I never would have thought to look for them there).  Let's check out this adorable mini Harley below!

G.I.Joe Kre-O Series 5 - ZARANA!

G.I.Joe Kreon Figure Pack - Collection 5 - Zarana - Hasbro 2014

Zarana is one of the very few female villains in the G.I.Joe universe.  Like just about every female character on the show, she was a master of disguise (seriously, think about it, they all had a remarkable talent for wigs and voices).  Zarana, however, has the family lineage to back up her skills.  Her brother Zartan and Zandar are masters of disguise and espionage.  The one skill her brothers exhibit that Zarana never did was the ability to change their skin color in a chameleon-like fashion.  Her original toy did this of course, but costumes and makeup were her main means of deception in the cartoon and comics.  This 5th wave of G.I.Joe Kre-O blindbags was a surprise to find on the shelves so soon.  Series 4 hasn't even appeared yet.  The inclusion of Zarana in this line is a great thing.  So far we've seen the requisite Scarlett, Baroness, Lady Jaye, and Jinx.  Zarana is a total bonus.  Although now we need a Cover Girl and Pythona.  Let's check out Zarana below!

DC Collectibles Arkham Origins COPPERHEAD!

Batman: Arkham Origins 3-Pack - Copperhead - DC Collectibles 2014

It isn't often when I have to give props to a video game for introducing a new character.  But Batman: Arkham Origins has done just that with this updated female version of the classic DC rogue Copperhead.  This character is the daughter of the original (New52) Copperhead and will soon begin appearing in the comics.  This action figure is amazing on a number of levels.  The most notable features of this toy are the incredibly detailed paint applications, and the high level of articulation.  Copperhead is a snakelike contortionist assassin, so the added articulation is really nice and appropriate.  I actually think the toy looks better than the video game screenshots on the web (I still don't play any games).  And that is a major rarity.  It's also nice just to get another female villain in the Bat-universe.  I know there are already a lot of ladies taunting Bruce, but a new character is almost always welcome.  Let's check out this creepy new villainess in detail below!

Marvel Legends SDCC Exclusive MEDUSA!

Marvel Legends - Thanos Imperative SDCC Exclusive Boxset - Hasbro 2014

Convention Exclusives are getting harder and harder to come by in recent years.  I remember even a just a few years ago lazily logging onto Hasbrotoyshop a month or so after ComicCon and casually deciding whether or not to pick up some of the exclusives.  This was the case with Sunfire, Ka-Zar and Shanna, and the Pink Prime Arcee at least.  But lately it's become a ruthless sport of screen refreshing and speed typing.  I'm horrible at that game.  Luckily I have made a few real-life toy friends who totally help me out (thanks again, Carl!).  Medusa is the Queen of the Inhumans, a prehistoric race that lives on the moon. I've read my fair share of comics starring the Inhumans and I always view Medusa as having a cold, detached, royal demeanor.. only to contradict herself by being fiercely protective and maternal.  This action figure was a long time coming.  I see Medusa as an underused A-list Marvel heroine with criminally few representations in plastic.  At least we got this beauty.  Let's check her out below!