Seven Soldiers of Victory - SHINING KNIGHT!

DC Multiverse - Shining Knight (Platinum Edition) - McFarlane Toys 2024

For over 60 years, the DC character Shining Knight remained largely unchanged. He was a rather stereotypical Arthurian knight with a Captain-America-like origin (a hero of old being revived in modern times, yada yada). He was a part of the Seven Soldiers of Victory and later All-Star Squadron. Plus he appeared in animation, live-action TV, and video games. In 2005, Grant Morrison worked his magic and revamped the Seven Soldiers of Victory. Among many reimaginings in these stories, Sir Justin the Shining Knight was now Ystin, a gender-ambiguous Knight who is thousands of years old. I read the Shining Knight mini-series back then and was really intrigued. In reading about it now, it seems like Ystin was a female who pretended to be male to enter King Arthur's Court. But in the comics, I don't think a gender was ever confirmed. Plus the character looked very androgynous. This McFarlane figure definitely highlights the feminine qualities, which I quite enjoy. Let's check out Shining Knight below!

Willow - PRINCESS SORSHA!

ReAction Action Figures - Willow (1988 Film) - Sorsha Tanthalos - Super7 2023

There's something I love about a Princess character that bucks the stereotype - especially when she picks up a sword and becomes a warrior. This isn't a rare theme anymore, but I always appreciate it. Osamu Tezuka's Sapphire from Princess Knight and Eowyn from Lord of the Rings come to mind (although Eowyn is technically just a noblewoman). But Sorsha is a classic example. Princess Sorsha is the daughter of the primary villain, Queen Bavmorda in the 1998 George Lucas and Ron Howard fantasy, Willow. Sorsha initially mimicks her mother's ruthless and cold outlook, but has a change of heart as she meets our heroes (and eventually falls for the mercenary swordsman, Madmartigan). She ended up being the savior of the infant Elora Danon, who she was originally hunting at her mother's command. Her character was further developed in the Chronicles of the Shadow War novel trilogy (by Chris Claremont) and in the 2022 Willow TV Series on Disney. Let's check her out below!

Flashpoint - WONDER WOMAN!

DC Multiverse Gold Label - Flashpoint Wonder Woman - McFarlane Toys 2023

I'm not always a fan of unique story-specific character designs. The way I display my collection is grouped by character and costume. I find it very aesthetically pleasing to see that color blocking on my shelves. So a one-off costume that strays pretty drastically from the classic look will rarely make the cut. But something about this Flashpoint Wonder Woman always caught my eye. At a glance, I always appreciate when a warrior actually wears armor. I know us comic fans perpetually overlook this, but a hero marching around in a glorified swimsuit isn't very logical, even if they're nearly invulnerable. I also appreciate historic themes so I find her Romanesque helmet very appealing. Her first DC Direct figure came out in 2011 and I always regretting not getting her. But this unexpected McFarlane figure certainly scratches that decade-old itch. Also notable is that this is a murderous evil version of Diana. The animated movie of this story was especially brutal. Let's check out Flashpoint Wonder Woman below.

Mythic Legions - SKELETON SOLDIER!

Mythic Legions: Advent of Decay - Skeleton Soldier Builder - Four Horsemen 2018

It's taken me seventeen months to open my Mythic Legions: Advent of Decay figures from Four Horsemen. I backed the original Kickstarter and got every female figure. But the problem with bulk toy purchases, is that I get absolutely overwhelmed at the prospect of opening and displaying them (let alone photographing/posting about them). That's why I currently have three large cardboard boxes in my basement: one full of dozens of unopened Boss Fight Studios figures, one with I Am Elemental, and one with Mythic Legions. The one good thing about Shelter in Place orders is that I'm forced to spend my excessive toy hunting time appreciating what I already own. This Skeleton Soldier Builder was one of my most anticipated figures from the entire lineup. As a kid I was kind of obsessed with skeletons: The skeleton girls on flying horses from the 1980 Return of the King cartoon gave me some of my first nightmares; I loved the Glo-Bones Pocket Power; and Jason & the Argonauts was always a favorite movie.

Funko POP! Asia - PRINCESS SAPPHIRE!

POP! Asia #55 - Osamu Tezuka Official: Princess Sapphire - Funko 2015

Several years ago I was in one of my local comic shops and picked up the first volume of the 12-volume manga epic, Phoenix by Osamu Tezuka. Many years prior I had notice an abundance of Phoenix figurines which prompted me to investigate and discover the manga. But at the time, the first volume was selling for well over $100. I was interested, but not obsessed enough to spend that much. So years later when I found it for cover price on the shelf I was really happy. Then overnight I became a huge Osamu Tezuka fan. I had heard his name all my life (I was a big fan of Astroboy in high school and I knew of the Tezuka manga award). His 44 year career in comics earned him the title "The Godfather of Manga" and in the course of his life he drew over 700 volumes (very few of which have been translated into English, relatively). I've read quite of bit of his work since then (and loved it all) but my favorite by far has been Princess Knight. For a comic published between 1953-56, it was shockingly relevant.

Mystic Knights of Tir Na Nog - DEIRDRE!

Mystic Knights of Tir Na Nog - Mystic Defender Deirdre - Bandai 1998

Saban and Bandai pretty much ruled kid culture in the late 1990s.  All the hot Japanese-import properties of the time were under their corporate umbrella.  Power Rangers, Masked Rider, Big Bad Beetleborgs, and VR Troopers barely scratched the surface of their empire.   One very interesting experiment by Saban was the single-season Mystic Knights of Tyr Na Nog.  This TV series followed a typical tokusatsu formula of a group of heroic teenagers being granted special powers (and costumes) in order to fight some form of mystical evil.  The twist with Mystic Knights is the setting.   The show takes place in a historical Ireland that is fully engulfed in mysticism, monsters, and mythology.  Princess Deirdre is the sole female hero and becomes the Mystic Knight of Air.  Each of the 4 heroes (later 5) embodied a natural element: Air, Fire, Earth, Water, and the latecomer hero has control over Animals.  It was a cool concept that resulted in some cool toys.  Let's check her out below!

Quest for Camelot's KAYLEY!

Your Favorite Arthurian Heroine, Quest for Camelot's Kayley - Hasbro 1997
 
Quest for Camelot is a classic tale of a young girl who dreams of big (boyish) adventure.  In this case, Kayley wants to be a Knight of King Arthur's Round Table like her father Sir Lionel.  She gets her adventure when Excalibur is stolen from King Arthur by a griffin and accidentally dropped deep in the Forbidden Forest.  This plot sets the scene for an adventure where brains and wit win over brawn any day.   I always like to point out how movies come out in pairs (Someday I may even figure out why), and this is prime example.  Warner Bros released Quest for Camelot in 1998, the same year that Disney released Mulan.  Both movies feature young girls who emulate their warrior fathers and run off (without parental consent) to have an adventure.  Both win out by using everyday skills and cunning, often finding unexpected solutions to seemingly impossible tasks.  Both are very good movies, but Quest for Camelot got the better toys out of the deal.  Hasbro did a great job capturing the animated quality of the characters.  Let's check out Kayley below!