Marvel Select - LADY DEADPOOL!

Marvel Select -  Marvel Comics Lady Deadpool - Diamond Select Toys 2017

This post is an interesting one because I have already written it. Longtime readers might even have slight deja vu. In September of 2017 I purchased this figure and promptly photographed and reviewed her. There's plenty of evidence to support this, including hotlinks on other blog posts made years afterwards (which are created directly from the existing post). But at some point it got deleted. I don't know how that could have happened, but for years now I would notice the missing post and dead links. The photos were still uploaded and present, but no actual content existed. So I'm finally re-treading old territory for consistency's sake. I remember when this figure came out and my excitement at her quality and scale. A lot of previous Marvel Select ladies looked stiff and awkward to me, but this figure marked a turning point. She blends in with Marvel Legends scale-wise and her sculpt seems a lot more natural than previous figures like Gamora and Black Widow. Let's check out Lady Deadpool below!

Marvel Select - SCARLET WITCH!

Marvel Select - WandaVision's The Scarlet Witch - Diamond Select Toys 2021

Marvel Select makes me really happy. In my collecting, I love focusing on a specific character in a specific costume and then collecting every piece of merchandise I can find. Everything from mini-busts to Heroclix (I'm selective with statues due to space reasons). In these mini-collections, Marvel Select fills an interesting role by providing a unique scale. Most DST figures are noticeably larger than Marvel Legends at around 7" tall and give me the height variety I want in my collection. The production level is much slower than other companies - There were only 8 females in the Select line in the past five years. Meanwhile Hasbro has had more than that since November. But every DST character released is definitely one I need for my collection (so far at least). I also love that I get to run to my comic shops on release dates to pick these up. I miss the days of DC Direct and Collectibles releasing to specialty shops. This Wanda is the first Select lady in more than two years, but she's a good one. Let's check her out below!

Marvel Select - PSYLOCKE!

Marvel Select - X-Men: Psylocke (90s Jim Lee Version) - Diamond Select Toys 2019

I've always loved Betsy Braddock. There was something about her early appearances that really appealed to me. The lavender-haired, pink-garbed psychic never really got her proper dues. However, the Jim Lee / Chris Claremont run on X-Men in the early nineties changed her look (race), attitude, and costume and suddenly she became one of the most popular mutants out there. I was happy to see her finally get that well-deserved recognition, but it was a bit of a bummer that she had to transform so much to get there. But in the past few years her character has been reverting to her pre-ninja past in the comics. And in October I believe she is reclaiming the mantle of Captain Britain in the new Excalibur title. I do really love the 90's ninja look and all the toys we get of her, but for a character that has had many different looks over the years, I want some of that variety reflected in plastic. My fingers are crossed for a good retro figure. In the meantime, I think this Marvel Select Psylocke is the best so far. Let's check her out!

Marvel Select - ROGUE!

Marvel Select - X-Men: Rogue (90s Jim Lee Version) - Diamond Select Toys 2019

I love a good villain-turned-hero. One of my first exposures to Rogue was her appearances in ROM: Spaceknight when she was my favorite member of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. I also had a few random issues of Dazzler when she was being all villainous. All my comics in the mid-to-late eighties were from 25¢ boxes so I was living 3-5 years in the past. I didn't even realize she joined the X-Men until way late in the game. Then the double-whammy of the X-Men the Animated Series and the Lee/Claremont run in the comics launched her into superstardom. To this day I still run into people who aren't even into the genre, but if comics or X-Men come up, they inevitably start gushing over Rogue (and Storm). The Marvel Select line is really impressive lately. This Rogue figure is the second of four females due out this year (Psylocke and Captain Marvel are still coming). And the quality is getting better and better, so DST reveals at SDCC are something I'm really looking forward to. Let's check out Rogue below!

The Women of GHOSTBUSTERS!

Ghostbusters Select (Movie) Series 2-4: Dana, Janine, and Gozer - DST 2016-17

I always think it's odd how neglected the female characters from Ghostbusters were for the longest time. Considering how iconic Dana Barrett and Gozer the Gozerian were, it's shocking that they didn't have any toys made until 2004. Sure there were a handful of cartoon-based Janine Melnitz figures, but true movie figures just never made it into consideration back then. In 2011, Mattel took a shot and released an oddly unarticulated Dana, but no Gozer. But then in 2016, Diamond Select Toys thankfully took up the reigns and released their line of Ghostbusters Select figures. The sculpts and production aren't perfect, but I am very happy to have all three main characters (Dana, Janine, and Gozer) in the same scale finally. There is also a figure of the Library Ghost, but I never picked her up. I've had these figures since they came out, but I only opened them now in anticipation of a few Halloween-themed reviews I'm planning. I can't believe I was able to resist so long. Let's check them out (finally) below!

Marvel Mini Bust - LADY DEADPOOL!

Marvel Mini Bust - Lady Deadpool - Action Figure Xpress Exc - Gentle Giant 2011

When I first saw images of Lady Deadpool when she was introduced back in 2010, I honestly wasn't a big fan. I normally love female versions of established male characters. But adding breasts and a ponytail was just a little too simplistic for me. However, about a year later I saw this very bust advertised in a catalog and I suddenly found myself really appreciating the design. I specifically remember thinking the sculpt of the abdomen and bustline looked very strong and feminine, but not overly sexualized like all the other minibusts flooding the market at the time. Of course I was a much different person seven years ago and I couldn't justify the expense. But this bust was always in the back of my mind, and when her Marvel Select figure came out last year I suddenly had an interest in assembling a little Wanda Wilson collection and my hunt for this bust was on. It took a while but I finally got her at a great price (and just in time for her new Legends figure in the coming weeks!) Let's check out Lady Deadpool below!

Batman & Harley Quinn HARLEY QUINN!

Batman & Harley Quinn - Blu-Ray Best Buy Exc Figurine - Warner Bros 2017

I really love the trend of deluxe DVD/Blu-Ray sets including little figurines. The first one I remember was the 2009 Wonder Woman animated movie. This included an awesome animated-style Infinite Heroes figure of Diana. The trend soon moved away from actual action figures to stationary figurines. The next one that caught my eye was a Catwoman figurine from the Batman: Year One movie, soon followed by another Catwoman with Dark Knight Rises and a Harley Quinn from Batman: Assault on Arkham. Then there was a brief period where Schliech took over the figurine production. But now it seems like the tried and true Gentle Giant have taken over the duties. This new Batman & Harley Quinn movie is written by Bruce Timm and drawn in The New Adventures of Batman style. Even Batman and Nightwing have the classic voice actors. It's a very entertaining movie and I highly recommend it. And while you're at it, get the special edition with the cool figurine. Let's check out Harley Quinn below!

Gentle Giant SPIDER-WOMAN Bust!

Marvel Universe Avengers Mini-Busts - Spider-Woman (7") - Gentle Giant 2012

I really like the mini-bust format. I avoided it for the longest time, but when I realized that it can truly be some of the best representations of my favorite characters, I opened my wallet and caved. I've assembled quite a collection of my A-list heroines over the years, but I've always been really disappointed by my options with the classic Jessica Drew Spider-Woman. There are a handful of high end collectibles out there, but none of them ever had that instant "wow" factor I need to make a purchase over 50 bucks. But then this lovely bust was introduced (way back in 2012) and I had a feeling this would be the one for me. I was really lazy about tracking her down because I have found so many bargains over the years by being patient, and luckily she was no exception. In person she looks great and really becomes a focal point of Spider-Woman collection. (She also happens to be one of the largest busts I own at 7.5" tall -- which makes quite an impact). Let's check out the Gentle Giant Spider-Woman bust below!

Batman: Arkham Knight - CATWOMAN!

Batman: Arkham Knight - #7 - Catwoman - DC Collectibles 2015

The Arkham series of video games has given us quite a few great action figures over the years. Surprisingly though, this is only the second DCC Catwoman to come out (Harley has six if you include the repaints). I feel like the Harleys have been getting better and better, but while this Catwoman is a distinct improvement over the Arkham City figure, it still pales in comparison to recent Comic versions. The digital design from the game gives Selina a long lanky body which looks great during gameplay but looks awkwardly stretched out in toy form. This is not a bad toy by any means, I just had high hopes after the recent Arkham Knight Harley and Arkham Origins Dr. Quinzel exceeded my expectations. Another pitfall of this specific figure is inconsistent and sloppy eye paint. Some of the figures I saw had pink eyes (where the white should be) and others, like mine, had heavy lower eyeliner, but very light eyeliner on top. It was an easy fix for me, but a disappointment overall.  Let's check out Catwoman below!

Gotham Select - SELINA KYLE!

Gotham Select - Series 01 - Selina Kyle - Diamond Select Toys 2015

Gotham is one of the most surprising shows in my TV roster. It's surprising because I fully expected to hate the show when it was being advertised all over San Diego last Summer. When you combine a Batman purist like myself with a network TV interpretation, it sounds like a recipe for disaster. But the show is great. It's creepy, funny, stylish, and I fully embrace it. Smallville, Arrow, and Flash were all disappointing to me. Sure, I like that they exist, but there is a style to them that I just can't get on board with. Gotham is very different though. Maybe it's because the actors aren't all underwear models. Maybe it's because it's not gleaning dramatic inspiration from soap operas. But I think it's largely because, despite the plethora of Batman mythos, this origin era has rarely been expanded upon. Even the most casual Batman fan could get sucked in. Camren Bicondova as a young Selina Kyle is one of my favorite parts of the show so it's super exciting to get an action figure so soon. Let's check her out below!

Evolve - Funko Legacy Collection - VAL!

Funko Legacy Collection: Evolve - #02 Valerie "Val" Wolski - Funko 2015

I want nothing more than for Funko's Legacy line to be long and prosperous. There are enough properties to go around and they have produced some pretty great figures already. The only worry I have is about their license selection. Game of Thrones and Firefly seem like no-brainers. But Fantastic Mr. Fox, Book of Life, and Evolve don't seem like especially profitable choices. Hopefully the outrageous success of POPs and the myriad of other Funko products can float this line until it really finds its groove. Evolve is a videogame released for Playstation and XBox earlier this year. I don't personally play games, but this one sounds really interesting. The game enables 4 players to be hunters on the alien planet Shear, then a 5th player is the alien monster they are hunting. It sounds as if the title comes from the ability of the 5th player to kill other monsters and animals and absorb their traits -- evolving it into a bigger, badder beast. It sounds fun (and I would always play the monster!). Let's check out Val below!

Arkham Knight HARLEY QUINN!

Batman: Arkham Knight - Wave 1, Figure 4 - Harley Quinn - DC Collectibles 2015

I really think the third time is the charm with these videogame-based Harley Quinn figures from DC Collectibles.  The Arkham Asylum "Sexy Nurse" Harley was a decent figure of an ill-conceived costume.  The Arkham City dyed-pigtails and baseball bat look was much better, but the figure was oddly-proportioned and overshadowed by nearly-identical Mattel figure.  I'm really looking forward to the Dr. Quinzel from Arkham Origins later this year, but in the meantime we got this fantastic early figure of the Arkham Knight.  This costume is by no means a favorite of mine.  It's kind of an odd blend of the first two Arkham outfits.  When I first saw images of it, I rolled my eyes.  (One of these days she better get a utilitarian costume.)  So, yeah, I wasn't thrilled in the beginning, but I have to admit this action figure is making me change my mind.  She's just gorgeous.  I'm so glad to have her in my collection.  Let's check her out in detail below!

Game of Thrones - BRIENNE OF TARTH!

Game of Thrones: Legacy Collection #8 - Brienne of Tarth - Funko 2014

Brienne is one of my favorite characters in Game of Thrones.  I credit a lot of that to Gwendoline Christie's portrayal in the HBO show.  The character in the books is great, but Gwedoline brings an interesting personality to the character that I just adore.  I was a little apprehensive about this figure because she has a very subtle look that balances between feminine and masculine.  Historically the execution of characters like this (in toy form) is a disaster.  I totally passed on Arya from this wave for that very reason.  But this Brienne figure is actually pretty good.  Funko is impressing me more and more every month.  They have so many successful lines already; Pop, ReAction, Legacy.. not to mention the Vinyl Vixens line I'm dying to hear more about.  They even have a dedicated endcap at Target now.  I have 5 more Funko posts lined up for the next few weeks. They're everywhere!  I can't wait to see future waves of Game of Thrones (and Magic the Gathering while we're at it).  Brienne awaits 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!

Magic the Gathering - CHANDRA NALAAR!

Magic The Gathering: Legacy Collection 6 - Chandra Nalaar - Funko 2014

I love saving the best for last.  I think Chandra Nalaar is the standout figure from the first wave of Funko's Magic the Gathering Legacy Collection.  Chandra is a red-mana-wielding planeswalker with a specialty in pyromancy.  I think you really can't go wrong with flame-hair on a steampunky figure.  She reminds me a little bit of Nikki from the 1990 Guardians of the Galaxy series and a little of Doctor Phosphorus' daughter Tinderbox from the pages of Catwoman.  Even though she's the least fantastical/mystical-looking of all the figures in this wave, she definitely has the most dynamic and interesting look.  She also has no QC problems at all as far as I can tell.  She's posed in a weird warped-leg stance in the packaging, but she can easily stand straight with some fancy articulation manipulation.  With the undoubted success of this line, I'm hoping we see a series two with character like Serra Angel or maybe a Bitterblossom Fairy.. I just want wings, dammit!  Let's check out Chandra Nalaar in detail below!

Magic the Gathering - NISSA REVANE!

Magic The Gathering: Legacy Collection 4 - Nissa Revane - Funko 2014

Hot on the heels of yesterday's Liliana Vess review comes the elven planeswalker Nissa Revane.  Nissa has been featured on four Magic the Gathering cards over the years and referenced in an additional six.  As I mentioned yesterday, this trend of character development in MtG is totally new to me, but I'm impressed.  My favorite thing about this character (aside from her penchant for green magic.. and green clothes.. and green eyes) is the fact that she reminds me a lot of my favorite Magic card from my youth; Earthbind.  If Nissa had fairy wings, she'd be a doppelganger for the lovely creature on the Earthbind card.  Funko's Legacy Collections are showing the potential to be a major powerhouse in the action figure world.  With the amazing number of cool licenses in their POP line, I can't wait to see if the same variety surfaces in the Legacy Collection.  I have dreams of Dark Crystal and Labyrinth figures!  Someday.. someday.  Let's check out Nissa in detail below!

Magic the Gathering - LILIANA VESS!

Magic The Gathering: Legacy Collection 5 - Liliana Vess - Funko 2014
 
The Magic the Gathering Legacy Collection was by far the most exciting thing I saw at Toy Fair 2014.  There was an announcement several weeks before the Fair about the Game of Thrones Legacy Collection from Funko and I think most collectors were ecstatic to have a new player in the 6-7" action figure market.  I certainly was.  But that excitement was taken to a new level when I walked into the Funko booth and saw these Magic the Gathering figures.  They looked like they had very similar bucks to the wildly popular MOTUC figures and the character designs were fantastical.  I used to play Magic in the mid-90s but never stuck with it.  Over the years, I was aware of various comics and "expanded universes", but I had no idea there were actual developed characters now.  Liliana Vess is a Planeswalker Necromancer with a very detailed backstory.  She has been featured on twelve MTG cards and referenced on another seventeen.  I learn new things every day.  Let's check out Liliana in detail below!

Character Spotlight on SUPERWOMAN (The Evil One)!

The Crime Syndicate's Evil Amazon from DC Direct, Mattel, and Heroclix

I know this character is more of a Wonder Woman homage than a true member of the Superman family, but there's no denying her a spot in this lineup with a name like that.  The Crime Syndicate first appeared in a 1964 issue of Justice League of America (#29) and quickly became classic JLA rogues.  This super-team is an other-dimensional version of the Justice League where all heroes are bad and the villains are good.  Superwoman is the anti-Wonder Woman, complete with a lasso and Amazonian heritage.  The backstory and design of the Crime Syndicate has changed a few times over the years, but the essence of the group has remained consistent.  Superwoman and her evil teammates have received very little merchandising over the years, which is a little surprising considering how "iconically evil" they look.  Any kid or mom would recognize them as evil versions of the the JLA, and I think that's always a recipe for a successful villain (ie. Knight Rider's K.A.R.R. and Garth, Goateed Spock, Bizarro, etc.  Plus my favorites: New Mutants vs the Hellions).  But I digress.  Let's check out these Superwoman figures below!

Halle Berry's CATWOMAN Bust!

Catwoman Movie Mini-Bust -  Halle Berry as Catwoman - DC Direct 2004

I know.  I know.  I've seen the movie.  I've shared in your pain.  I didn't like the plot.  I didn't like the costume design.  I didn't like the total-reimagining of such a great character.  HowEVER, I love Catwoman.  And I like to have some representation of all versions of her in my collection.  She's taken a lot of different forms over the years, most of which I've really liked, but several others which I really didn't.  The 2004 movie version is probably my least favorite look for the character.  I've analyzed what bothers me most about this looks, and for me, it's the gimmicky sex-appeal details combined with the non-functionality of the costume itself.  My least favorite parts are the cat-slashed leather pants and the ridiculous stillettos.  Seriously, if she were wearing plain leather pants and functional boots, this outfit would not be nearly as despised as it is. That said, by its very nature, this but spares be those awful below-the-waist costume details. I think this Bust shows an interesting variation of the Catwoman character.