Funko's Vinyl Vixens HARLEY QUINN Released!

Vinyl Vixens - Harley Quinn - Hot Topic Exc Pre-Release - Funko/Vinyl Sugar 2015

This figure was a surprise to see in stores before Toy Fair  A few months ago, I noticed a pinned post on a Funko forum asking people not to discuss or post pictures of the Vinyl Vixens before they were officially announced. I was clueless so of course I googled it and found these really cool glam shots of Catwoman, Harley, and Ivy in a new style from Funko. Then I hadn't heard anything until this morning when one popped up in my eBay feed with that little telltale "Hot Topic Exclusive Pre-Release" sticker. I hopped over to my local Hot Topic and sure enough they had three right on top of the new Harley display. I'm a little shocked at myself because I left the store empty-handed after some serious mental anguish. I love Harley. I love Harley even more when she's with Catwoman and Ivy. However, there were a couple aspects of this figure I was unprepared for (which turned me off). I'm still amazed that I overcame my temptation and made a rational collecting decision. I guess I'm growing up (a little).

Kickstarter: VITRUVIAN H.A.C.K.S.!

Series 01: Greeks (Spartans vs Gorgons) - Boss Fight Studios 2014

So last week I funded my second Kickstarter campaign.  This one is different than my first one (I Am Elemental) because it can potentially be much more expensive, but more likely has the potential to be an unprecedented value - thanks to the numerous stretch goals.  If all the stretch goals get met, there will be 39 unique figures (including 16 differently-hued blank bucks - and 23 unique sculpts).  Plus four additional weapons packs to spruce up those bucks.  The first series is an ancient Greece theme with a variety of Spartans up again Medusa and an army of Gorgons.  The female-centric antagonists are obviously the focus of this post.  There are 11 female figures sculpted and 8 colored female bucks (again, only available if all the stretch goals are met).  The Vitruvian H.A.C.K.S. (Highly Articulated Character Kit System) is a line of 4" scale action figures with easily separated body parts for endless customization potential.  As of today, there are 15 figures unlocked, with 20 days of funding remaining.  Here's hoping that everything gets unlocked!  Let's check them out below.

Kickstarter: I AM ELEMENTAL!

Series 01: The Seven Elements of Courage - I Am Elemental (Kickstarter) 2014
 
So I took the plunge and backed my first Kickstarter campaign today -- and I'm super-duper excited because it looks like the project is going to be a success.  I've been tempted by the Four Horsemen offerings in the past, and I unfortunately missed the boat with the Backyard Heroes.  But I'm almost glad I held out because the I Am Elemental campaign seems perfect for my first time.  The initial series of figure consists of seven brightly colored, highly articulated female characters representing different Elements of Courage (Bravery, Energy, Honesty, etc).  It has a ring of the "Seven Deadly Sins/Seven Holy Virtues" motif which I find very appealing.  The skintones are wildly colored (and racially ambiguous).  And the figures share a common core buck, but have unique accessories, heads, and variations on boots and gloves that offer some amazing variety while sticking to a common visual theme.  I think they're perfect.  Plus by the nature of the theology behind their design, they are tastefully sculpted and focused on true heroics rather than the typical thinly veiled titillation.  Let's check them all out below!

Marvel Legends SPIDER-GIRL Revealed!

Marvel Legends Spider-Man Infinite Series - Skyline Sirens - Hasbro 2014

This reveal is my most anticipated retail figure of 2014 so far!  Anya Corazon is the current Spider-Girl in the Marvel Universe (she's the former Araña from Amazing Fantasy).  I love this character.  Her solo title from 2010 only lasted 8 short issues but I loved it.  The art was fantastic, the character development was interesting, and the overall feel was fun.  I considered it to be Marvel's version of the Stephanie Brown Batgirl series.  I was very excited recently when Spider-Girl reappeared in the pages of Avengers Assemble (alongside Spider-Woman and Black Widow.. a Spider-Lady trio!), and now I'm even more stoked that she's getting an action figure - and an amazing-looking one at that.  Marvel Legends seems to have rebranded all their lines "Infinite Series" this year (with a focus on Movie themes), and Anya is a variant in the Skyline Sirens slot (partnered with Black Cat) in the Spider-Man themed Green Goblin Build-a-Figure series.  These variant slots are notorious for never appearing (Moonstar and Lyra anyone?), but these in-package shots are giving me a lot of confidence.  I can't wait to get my hands on her!

Classic Batman '66 CATWOMAN Revealed!

Julie Newmar as Catwoman - Batman Classics 1966 Series 2 - Mattel 2013
 
I've been waiting for this figure for a long long time.  My first exposure to Catwoman was through the campy 1960's Batman television show.  I was obsessed with her, and I still am.  Eartha Kitt and Lee Meriweather also portrayed the character spectacularly, but Julie stole the show.  I feel like there has been merchandise made for almost every version of Catwoman except for this one.  I've been the guy in the forums begging for at least a mini-bust of the TV Catwoman for the last ten years. (Speaking of, with all the classic Batman goodies this year, a mini-bust would be really nice).  There are a lot of questions about this Mattel figure still to be answered.  What will her articulation look like?  Will the Masked version be a variant or a snap-on accessory?  And what is the likelihood of seeing a green-colored comic variant?  I was very excited when ActionFigureInsider revealed this figure earlier this week.  I thought for sure I would have seen her at ToyFair, but at least my fears of her being excluded for likeness-rights issues were unfounded.  She's beautiful and I can't wait until I can get my hands on her (4th Quarter 2013). 

Mini Mez-Itz Variant HARLEY QUINN Revealed!

DC Universe Mini Mez-Itz Blindbox Assortment 1 - Mezco Toys 2013

I was very excited to find this fun variant of the Harley Quinn Mini Mez-Itz figure that we saw at Toy Fair 2013.  The Gotham Girls set seen at the show is due in August 2013 and includes the SDCC 12 Catwoman, a new Batgirl, a new Poison Ivy, and a Harley Quinn with a wide grin.  Today on Mezco's site, I saw the solicitation image for the first wave of DC Universe Mini Mez-Itz Blindbox figures due out in September 2013.  Included among the ten figures are two Harleys.  The Gotham girls version is actually the rarer of the two with a 7% inclusion rate.  However, a new winking/smirking version is the more common figure at 14%.  These figures should be priced at approximately $5.50 each.  I wasn't a fan of Mez-Itz at the start, and I still haven't plunged in with the 6" larger figures, but these 2" Mini Mez-Itz are really hard to resist.  I only have the two Catwomen figures so far, but there's no way I'm not going to get my hands on all these new ladies.  Let's check out the pics below!

TOY FAIR 2013 Coverage - PRESS PHOTOS!

 Mattel - Hasbro - DC Collectibles

TOY FAIR 2013 Coverage - OTHER BRANDS!

Bandai (SHFiguarts) - Toynami - NJCroce - McFarlane - Little Mates

TOY FAIR 2013 Coverage - DIAMOND SELECT!

 Mini-Mates - Medicom Real Action Heroes - Munsters

TOY FAIR 2013 Coverage - NECA!

 Carrie  -  HeroClix  -  Gremlins (Sort of)
 

TOY FAIR 2013 Coverage - MONOGRAM!

 DC Figural Erasers, PVC Figurines, and Paperweights
 

TOY FAIR 2013 Coverage - SQUARE ENIX!

 Play Arts Kai (Arkham City, Dark Knight Rises, DC Universe)

TOY FAIR 2013 Coverage - FUNKO!

Funko POP! Vinyl   -  DC Mystery Minis

TOY FAIR 2013 Coverage - MEZCO TOYS!

DC Mini Mez-Itz  -  Mega-Scale ThunderCats

TOY FAIR 2013 Coverage - FOUR HORSEMEN!

Power Lords  -  Gothitropolis  -  Outer Space Men

JoeCon 2013 Exclusive CRIMSON ASP Revealed!

GI Joe Convention 2013 Night Force: Nocturnal Fire Boxset - by Hasbro

These GI Joe convention exclusives are killing me.  I still don't have Daina from JoeCon 2012 or either Jinx from SDCC.. not to mention all Collector's Club ladies starting to pile up on eBay.  I may actually have to call it quits with my Joe collection, which is a major shame because until Daina, I had every single female GI Joe (Including Glenda).  Anyway, despite my reluctance to shell out $60 a pop for these figures on the secondary market, this reveal of a brand new Cobra female is very exciting news.  When I read the announcement last week, I googled her name and found a concept drawing by artist Jimbo Salgado, I didn't know if it was legit or not, but based off the product images we now have, I'll say it was pretty authentic.  The figure makes a great re-use of existing parts with an original headsculpt.  The upper body and waistcoat come from Resolute Baroness and the legs come from Resolute Scarlett.  She will be available at JoeCon April 4-7 in Indianapolis, IN.  Check out the pics below!

ThunderCats Mega-Scale CHEETARA Revealed!

ThunderCats Mega-Scale 14" Cheetara - from Mezco 2013

Toy news is always a little stale leading up to Toy Fair.  You get occasional announcements, but for the most part, the time between Christmas and NYTF in February is the duldrums of this hobby.  That's why I was doubly excited to find this beautiful Cheetara action figure listed on BigBadToyStore today.  I love love love Cheetara and we've been teased with a lot of products lately that we will likely never see.  Bandai mentioned an 8" classic Cheetara as the final figure in the line, but we haven't heard anything in roughly 18 months so I'm assuming it's scrapped.  Pop Culture Shock had released images of a decent Cheetara statue earlier this year that has also now been cancelled.  These Mega-Scale ThunderCats figures from Mezco are pretty awesome.  I see them at Toys'R Us all the time.  They are 14" tall with roughly 10 points of articulation and usually run from $30-$40.  So far we have, Lion-O, Panthro, & Mumm-Ra (with variants of Mumm-Ra & Lion-O).  Cheetara is due in June 2013 and I can't wait!

Sonic the Hedgehog's BLAZE THE CAT Revealed!

Your Favorite Other-Dimensional Pyrotechnic Feline Princess from Jazwares 2012

Jazwares surprised us with a long awaited reveal on Thanksgiving day as they finally posted a completed image of their 3" Blaze the Cat figure (which was announced eons ago.. correct me if I'm wrong, but I think she was first mentioned as an 'upcoming' figure back in 2010).  This past summer they posted an unpainted prototype that let us know she was finally in the pipeline, and now, just a few weeks before she will supposedly hit the shelves, we see a true confirmation.  I think she looks great.  I love these Sonic figures.  They have great character design, great articulation, and all-around great execution as a toy.  Blaze debuted in the 2005 game Sonic Rush and became a pretty popular new character, continuing on to appear in a total of 8 games so far.  The next female Sonic character we've been teased with is Rouge the Bat.  Hopefully we'll see a Cream the Rabbit in this style as well.  Check out my previous review of Wave the Swallow.  On to the pics!

Eaglemoss Chess BLACK BAT Revealed!

DC Chess Collection #28 White Pawn - From Eaglemoss Publications

Geez I take my eyes off the internet for one split second and I miss the reveal I've been waiting almost a year for.  Thankfully a thoughtful fan (Thanks Tommy D!) clued me in, because I would have surely been unaware until after my forthcoming turkey haze lifted.  Cassandra Cain has been such a great addition to the Batman family.  I reviewed all her various toys in a Character Spotlight from this past July where you can read a few quick tidbits about her history.  This incarnation of Cassandra, as Black Bat, is relatively new and definitely has some awesome potential.  It's such a coincidence that I first saw this solicit image today, because just a few hours ago I happened to order the Black Bat Heroclix piece - which will be the first version of this character in plastic released.  Heroclix fogires leave a lto to be desired however, so I'm deifnitely looking forward to picking up this gem.  On to the full-sized images!!

Eaglemoss Chess BATWOMAN Revealed!

DC Chess Collection #27 White Rook - from Eaglemoss Publications

With the Harley Quinn Chess piece being released today, I thought I would google around to see if either of the two remaining ladies had been unveiled.  Sure enough, I hit jackpot with the solicit pics of the upcoming Kate Kane Batwoman rook piece!  She looks great, much more like the JH Williams III style than the previous DC Superhero Collection Batwoman.  I can't wait to complete this chess set and do a thorough comparison review with all the bat-ladies together.  Batwoman is due out in January 2012.  Also just revealed was Alfred Pennyworth as a White Pawn.  The only female yet to be revealed in this series is the Black Bat pawn.  I'm assuming we'll see her before too long.  Click through to see the ful solicit images and a new photoshop assemblage showing the lineup so far.