Alteration Man - CARROLL!

Alteration Man - Carroll (Blue Knock-Off 2007 Movie Arcee) - Machine Boy 2014

Knockoff toys are something I rarely pay attention to. I typically buy items as soon as they are released, so picking up an unofficial reissue of a desirable figure is just not in the cards. But every now and then there is a redeco that I obsess over. When these Alteration Man Carroll figures were produced (by Machine Boy circa 2014), there was a main version which was a seemingly exact duplicate of the 2007 Movie Arcee from Hasbro in her dark fuchsia colors (so, a knockoff that I was barely aware of). But then there was this surprise blue variation that thrilled me. Any time I see a blue fembot, I think of immediately of Chromia. But in actuality, this is likely an attempt to replicate the Prime Arcee which was so popular in 2012-2013. Regardless of the intent, I was thrilled to have another variation of my favorite early fembot mold in my collection. The colorful lineup of variations is impressive (not quite as impressive as Energon Arcee, but a very close second). Let's check out Carroll below!

Transformers Movie - ARCEE (G1 COLORS)!

Transformers (Movie) - Deluxe Class - Arcee (Wonder Festival G1) - Hasbro 2008

When I first started collecting female action figures as an adult (circa 2002), I was really resistant to anything pink. I felt it was a reductive and 'simple' design choice. At least that's what I told myself. In retrospect, I realize I felt shame at the prospect of having a Billy bookshelf loaded with pink toys in the corner of my bedroom. Thank goodness I was able to shake off those deep-rooted societal hangups eventually. But the unfortunate fallout from my arrested development, is that the very pink figures I sneered at back then have become nearly unobtainable holy grails to my older (and wiser) self. This Wonder Festival Japan Arcee is a prime example. She was available on eBay and other sites back in 2008, but I scoffed at the "forced femininity" of her pastel deco and ignored her. It took many many years to finally get her into my collection, but I can only blame myself for that delay. I think this is a landmark figure and deserves more recognition. Let's check out the Wonder Festival Arcee below!

Transformers Movie - ARCEE (BLACK)!

Transformers (Movie) - Deluxe Class - Black Arcee (Japan) - TakaraTomy 2008

I normally don't go crazy for black "stealth" variants of action figures. I'm not completely opposed, but in general I am drawn to bright outlandish colors. And when there is a character that is defined by a signature color (like Arcee's pink), it's just seems odd to make a redeco that is practically devoid of color. However, when there is a great sculpt that is released in a variety of different colors, black is an expected variation that I wholeheartedly embrace. This variation of the 2007 Transformers movie Arcee was exclusively available in Japan and is apparently meant to represent the black motorcycle that Josh Duhamel's character rode at the end of the movie. So does that mean we are to believe that not only was this motorcycle a Transformer, but that it was Arcee? I think that's the implication, but I somehow doubt it's canon. (Ironically, the official Hasbro toy of this cinematic motorcycle transformed into a gun (cannon?) for Jazz). I'll pretend that was her first cameo though. Let's check out Black Arcee below!

Transformers Movie - ARCEE!

Transformers (Movie) - Deluxe Class - Arcee (Standard Version) - Hasbro 2007

Transformers fans who are well-versed in the toys and IDW comics know the roller coaster story behind Arcee's role in the Transformers cinematic universe. When the first Transformers movie was coming out in 2007, Arcee was a planned character. She was featured in the toyline and comics with a very interesting design. I was a fan. It wasn't the ideal Arcee I was envisioning for her live-action (CGI) debut, but it fit the weird techno-organic robot-alien look of the early Bay-verse. Of course, she never appeared in the final cut of the movie. We didn't see her on-screen until 2009's Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (in a confusing design that I would like to forget). In fact, it wasn't until 11 years after that original disappointing omission that we got a good cinematic Arcee in Bumblebee (2018). But luckily there was an amazing deluxe-scale action figure made of her original unused design. Plus several interesting color variants. I've been putting off these posts for far too long. Let's check out Arcee below!

Hero Inside - MUMMYGIRL!

Hero Inside - Action Figure and Bookcase Set - Mummygirl - Aurora World 2024

Hero Inside is a 2023 South Korean animated series featuring young comic geeks who can summon characters from within comic pages. It's a really great premise with a potential for almost limitless interesting characters (actually, there are only 100 comics with this power). I've been watching the show on Tubi (Season 3 debuts later in 2025) and I'm really enjoying it. The characters summoned from the comics are diverse and fun. The standout for me is Mummygirl, the daughter of a great pharaoh with the ability to generate and control her bandages. It's hard to describe, but it's very dynamic to see. I'm glad she was selected for the first wave of action figures. These toys are great, but information on them is sparse. I can see semi-recent press releases from Aurora announcing that they are expanding into action figures (from the plush toy market), but not much aside from that. I hope this is only the tip of the iceberg and many more exciting toys are coming. Let's check out Mummygirl 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!

Magic Power - BLACK WOLFSBANE!

3rd Party Transformers - MP-46BW Black Wolfsbane - Magic Power 2022

The world of 3rd Party Transformers can be a ruthless place. As a collector, these toys can be difficult to procure due to low production runs or unclear distribution. And as a producer of these toys, I can only assume there are minimal protections for your hard work. Since the product already skirts close to other (highly protected) IPs, I can't imagine any recourse when someone swipes your work. This Black Wolfsbane figure from Magic Power (2022) is a re-release (theft?) of the 2013 Perfect Effect Aranea, which is of course a 3rd Party Transformers Blackarachnia. This was one of the first 3P figure that I desperately wanted but slipped through my fingers. The preorders sold out instantly and I still have regrets about not buying her at a toy show for $99 ten years ago (within months she was selling for $300 on eBay). Normally I wouldn't have considered a reproduced figure, but I truly don't think an original Aranea was in the cards. So when this Black Wolfbane figure appeared, I pounced. Let's check her out below.

Marvel Legends Vintage - DARK PHOENIX!

Marvel Legends Vintage (Toy Biz) - X-Men: Dark Phoenix - Hasbro 2023

The Marvel Legends Vintage line on the large retro Toy Biz cards are very hit or miss for me. For the most part, when I think of this line I am in awe of the amazing new characters or character upgrades that we've received: Tigra, She-Hulk, Hallow's Eve, Blue-suited Wasp, Spiral, Titania, Gwen Stacy, Dazzler, etc. All of these are amazing figures that might not have easily found a home in a traditional BaF Wave. But on the flipside, I also see all the lazy repaints or kitbashed releases that fill the toy aisles: Black Widow, Storm, the newly-announced Mystique, Black Cat, Lady Loki, Scarlet Witch, and even Spider-Woman (which I loved, despite her just being a repaint). The problem is that there are much more interesting options for these slots. This Dark Phoenix is a good example of a slight retool and repaint that I feel wasn't entirely necessary. The bright colors and pinless joints are great, but the older version just looked more dynamic (IMHO) in darker colors and with longer legs. Let's check her out below.