The Ladies of the BEAT BUGS!

Netflix's Beat Bugs - Fab Figures Series 01 - Lucy, Kumi, & Buzz - Blip Toys 2017

Beat Bugs is a Canadian/Australian animated series that is exclusive to Netflix in the US. Similar to Yo Gabba Gabba, this show is heavily focused on music - specifically music that parents will actually enjoy hearing... on repeat... alllll day. In the case of Beat Bugs, every 12-minute mini-episode is based on a Beatles song and usually culminates with a guest character (voiced by a famous musician) singing the title song in full. So far the show has starred P!nk, Sia, Rod Stewart, James Corden, Robbie Williams, Eddie Vedder, Regina Spektor, and Jennifer Hudson among others. This is totally going to be my go-to timekiller next time I'm stuck babysitting. The toys surprised me this Summer when I saw them in a collectible toy shop while on vacation. I had never heard of the show before, but I'm a sucker for insect-themed cartoons. They were overpriced, but I splurged and bought the Dragonfly. Luckily Target got them soon so I was able to get the other girls soon. Let's check them out below!

Marvel Legends - (A-FORCE) SHE-HULK!

Marvel Legends - TRU Exclusive A-Force 6-Pack - She-Hulk - Hasbro 2017

This Jennifer Walter She-Hulk figure is surprisingly my least favorite of the entire A-Force box set. Considering how great Hasbro has been with releasing a variety of different body types lately, I'm really disappointed at how off-base this one seems. The ironic thing is that this buck was used on the 2013 Red She-Hulk figure, which I still think is a fantastic toy. But for some reason it seems like a dud on Jennifer. Maybe it has to do with the fact that her skull size is the smallest of the set, or maybe that she has the most bored vacant stare, or maybe it's that all the other figures are using much newer bodies (that are vastly superior in direct comparison). Some other gripes are that her eyes are sculpted too flat and tend to reflect light like a mirror from certain angles (I think this is the Betty Ross head with new hair), and also that her skin tone is a few shades too dark. It's just a bummer all-around, but only because my expectations have been so high lately. She is actually a perfectly decent figure. Let's check out She-Hulk below!

Justice League Action 12" WONDER WOMAN!

DC's Justice League Action - 12" Series 01 - Wonder Woman - Mattel 2017

I suddenly have a lot of 12" Wonder Woman figures in my collection. Considering a few years ago I didn't like this scale at all, this is quite a shift. This figure also made me finally identify with doll collectors. I've never been a fan of rooted hair and cloth outfits (and I probably never will be), but I've also never understood the fascination with the scale of Barbies, Tonner, Sideshow, etc. But for some reason while holding this figure I finally got the appeal. Now I just need to be cautious with my collection because I literally don't have space for a ton of these. At the same time though, I would love some Spider-Ladies. With Spider-Gwen and Anya Spider-Girl in the new animated series, this is actually a possibility. So now I'm actively hoping for yet fearing the announcement of a 12" Mera, Hela, etc. because I know I won't be able to resist a purchase and I'll eventually have to buy a new house to accommodate them. But us collectors will always find a way. Let's check out the Justice League Action Wonder Woman below!

Marvel Legends - Warrior Goddess SIF!

Marvel Legends - TRU Exc A-Force 6-Pack - Warrior Goddess Sif - Hasbro 2017

This is the figure that thrilled me the most when the A-Force box set was revealed back in February. Before Jane Foster Thor, Thor Girl, and Storm as the Goddess of Thunder, Sif was the Asgardian Warrior I wanted to see take center stage more than any other. She's received a fair amount of attention from her appearances in the Thor movies, and although I like that they retained the general color scheme (and Jaimie Alexander is awesome), I always think a good Norse warrior needs a headdress of some sort - specifically the "winged headpiece" type worn by Thor and She-Ra. I also really loved Sif's bright red and white color scheme with her stark black hair. So, yeah, I've been waiting for this figure for years. You can always trust that a classic comic style figure is on the horizon when the character appears in a movie. It may take six years, but it will eventually happen if you're patient. Now we just need a proper movie version. (It's surprising we're getting a Valkyrie first). Let's check out Sif below!

BTAS Funko POP! - CATWOMAN!

POP! Heroes #19 - Batman: The Animated Series Catwoman - Funko 2017

Funko is finally catching up with their Catwoman POPs - but the process is pretty slow. Considering she is the second most recognizable female comic character of all time, this is the only the fifth Catwoman POP released so far (DKR in 2012, Batman '66 in 2013, Gotham in 2015, and Classic Comic look in 2016). Considering a much newer character like Harley Quinn has 13 unique sculpts in the line (and an additional 10 if you count color variants - weird) there is a lot of catching up for Selina to do. (Coincidentally Wonder Woman has the same as Harley: 13 unique sculpts and 10 variants). I'm awaiting a modern comic Catwoman and an Arkham version at the very least. And the Gotham City Sirens movie will probably flood us with products. But in the meantime I'm really appreciating the slow trickle of Catwoman product. These BTAS POPs might be the coolest and well produced vinyls I have ever seen. The bright colors and crisp lines have been amazing and Catwoman is no exception. Let's check her out below!

Marvel Legends - SINGULARITY!

Marvel Legends - TRU Exclusive A-Force 6-Pack - Singularity - Hasbro 2017

Hasbro is pretty good at surprising me, but I can honestly say I never expected to see a Singularity figure in my lifetime. One of my favorite comic book tropes out there is the "mysterious stranger." I always get obsessed with these characters. Especially when they are timid (but suspiciously powerful) females. In Alpha Flight, I got hooked on Marrina; in Generation X, I fell for Penance; and in Legion Lost, I was obsessed with Shikari. That's just naming a few off the top of my head (let me know if you have others!) Singularity is the mysterious stranger who first appeared in 2015's A-Force #1. She is initially distrusted (as is always the case in these stories), but she proves to be a powerful ally. Singularity is a living pocket dimension. She is able to teleport herself (and others), make things disappear into a void, and track people psionically (just like Shikari from above!). I'm really excited to catch up on my A-Force reading now - I'm so behind. Hope everyone had a great Eclipse day! Let's check out Singularity below!

Funko Rock Candy - SHE-RA!

Rock Candy - She-Ra Princess of Power - SDCC Exclusive LE 1250 - Funko 2017

Every convention lately seems to have one exclusive item that I can't live without. Last year I went crazy over the NYCC  Dark Crystal Kira and Garthim box set. It was limited to 500 and seemed impossible to get. But I somehow lucked out and snagged a set at the show. This years must-have item for me was the She-Ra Rock Candy vinyl figure from Funko. She was frustratingly limited to 1250 pieces and wasn't offered as a shared exclusive anywhere. I ended up paying a pretty penny for her, but I don't regret it for a second. When the Rock Candy line first started coming out, I had a vision that they would release a She-Ra, Cheetara, and Jem. I would love that lineup and we're already a third of the way there! Of course I wouldn't complain about some more She-Ra characters either. Glimmer and Frosta would be awesome. Plus I realized when taking photos of all my Funko She-Ra product that a MOTU Mystery Mini set seems like a given (if the Loyal Subjects license isn't prohibiting that). But I have hopes!

Marvel Legends - (Netflix) ELEKTRA!

Marvel Legends: Marvel Knights (Man-Thing Wave) - Elektra - Hasbro 2017

Someday I'm going to watch the rest of Daredevil. I started watching it a couple years ago but I got distracted and never picked it up again. I definitely will though because I've been a big fan of Charlie Cox since Stardust and I have a real soft spot for Elektra. In researching this post I read a pretty scathing review of the character (on Screenrant of course). Apparently her overall characterization and origin are way off base. But I'm still interested in seeing it and judging for myself. I know fans weren't too thrilled with the Elektra movie from 2005 either, but I personally love it. That solo comic series from the early 2000s was pretty great too. Despite her popularity and perseverance as a major Marvel character, Elektra really hasn't received many good action figures. The best one was the the Marvel Legends 2-Pack from 2008, but she has that spindly old body style. So although this Netflix version isn't a classic look, I would definitely say it's the best Elektra figure so far (in my humble opinion). Let's check her out below!