DC Direct Watchmen SILK SPECTRE!

Watchmen Series 2 - Silk Spectre Classic Movie Figure - DC Direct 2009
 
I felt like a lot of the action figures that were released from the 2009 Watchmen movie left a lot to be desired. I personally felt that it was a fantastic movie and a great adaptation of the classic comics.  Of all the toys, I felt that the DC Direct Classic Silk Spectre and Classic Nite Owl were the standout stars. They have fantastic sculpts, great character representations, and display some of the best film-based interpretations of comic heroes I've ever seen. In the film, Carla Gugino plays Sally Jupiter (Juspeczyk), one of the original members of the Minutemen. For most of the movie, she is shown in modern times as the overbearing "stage mom" to her daughter Laurie, whom she convinced to take up her retired mantle and become Silk Spectre (II). The sculpt by Karen Palinko is predictably gorgeous. I especially love how her suggestive costume contradicts her angelic face.  And also how the ball-jointed head lets you pose her with subtle variations that completely change her demeanor. Check out the full review below.

Customized MADAME HYDRA!

Arnim Zola Series Madame Hydra - Hasbro's Marvel Legends 2012

Madame Masque was one of my biggest disappointments of the year.  Finding out that we were getting such a cool second-tier character as a variant was amazing news.  The prototypes looked wonderful.  Then, the actual production samples started showing up.  Suddenly her face looked pinched and pulled into a very mannish exaggeration of what we were shown before.  I almost didn't buy the figure, but then I thought how it would be a fun chance to experiment with customization.  I rarely do customizations unless it's a subtle altering of the same character.  I may break from that pattern some day, but it keeps my goals in check for now.  I reviewed both Madame Masque and Madame Hydra earlier this month and within the review, I challenged myself to fix her as best as I could by the end of January.  The fact that Hasbro casts their figures in flesh-colored plastic is actually a blessing in this case.  You can sand down and buff that plastic easily and really alter a figure with minimal effort and damage.  Check out the step-by-step photos below.

DC Universe Signature Series PLATINUM!

The Leading Lady of the Metal Men is a Mattycollector Exclusive from Mattel 2012

Team completion is one of the greatest feelings for an action figure collector.  It amkes you feel as if you've acheived a goal of sorts, and it makes you feel like the toy companies really care about us weirdos.  I was a regular on the DC Message Boards before they were axed last year with with New52 reboot, and team completion for the Metal Men was one of the most constant topics.  I honestly never thought it would actually happen, but these past few years have surprized me over and over.  Platinum is the third female figure in the first year of Mattycollector's Club Infinite Earths DC subscription program and they've really proved that they're going to squeeze in those desperately needed final figures for us.  The Metal Men have been fan-favorites since their debut in 1962.  They're quirky, fun, and adventurous, which is always a winning combination in comics.  All the members are a living metal, proudly displaying their elemental symbol (or at least a symbolic representation), and they all exhibit Plastic Man / Mister Fantastic body distortion talents.  Platinum has a Pinocchio complex and thinks she's a real girl.

Xyber 9: New Dawn - ANAKONDA!

Xyber 9: New Dawn's Forest Warrior, Anakonda - Bandai 1999

Xyber 9: New Dawn was an animated series from Saban in 1999.  It was cancelled after only 10 episodes, but an additional 12 episodes were eventually aired in syndication (in 2007).  I've never seen the series, but from what I gather, it's a post-apocalyptic tale with multiple kingdoms fighting for power over the realm.  The main character, Jack, finds a staff called the Xyber 9 which houses an advanced form of computer intelligence (from the technologically-advanced past we can presume).  This staff provides Jack and his allies with the power and strategy to prevent the kingdoms from falling under evil rule.  This character, Anakonda, is an ally to Jack and a fierce fighter.  She was raised by snakes in the Dark Lands and was given her reptilian nickname by Jack.  She has heightened senses, camouflaging talents, fierce fighting skills, and a quippy mouth.  She also has a serious crush on Jack and gets a little possessive when other girls come around.  On to the review!

Flash Gordon's PRINCESS THUNDAR!

The Rebellious Royal Lionid from Playmates 1996

I love love love cat-people.  While I wasn't the biggest fan the 1996 animated Flash Gordon series, I did love the fact that it introduced Princess Thundarr (I spell it with two R's here because all references to the show spell it Thundarr, while all references to the toy spell it Thundar.  Maybe it's mistake or a legal issue, but either way it's worth mentioning.)  This series of Flash Gordon revamped him as a daring teenage skateboarder.  I don't know who ever thought that kind of restructuring would be a good idea.  Anyway, back to the Lionid Thundarr, from her wiki bio she comes from a species of felinoids. She is an impetuous and excellent fighter, and an expert at hand-to-hand combat.  The bio card on the cardback (from Ming the Merciless' point-of-view) is pretty amusing.  I didn't realize the comical angle at first and thought it was a very unflattering depiction.  Princess Thundarr easily joins the ranks of Thundercats, Realm of the Claw, Seventh Kingdom, and all the other properties that have brought us fantastic Cat-Ladies.  On to the review!

Cadillacs & Dinosaurs HANNAH DUNDEE!

Scientist and Diplomat Hannah Dundee from TYCO 1993

Cadillacs and Dinosaurs was a Television Series and Video Game franchise based on the 1987 comic series Xenozoic Tales.  This series quickly made a name for itself, but unfortunately didn't have a lot of staying power, the cartoon only lasting 13 episodes (but retaining popular cult status to this day).  The plot is very interesting;  The earth has been ravaged by pollution and the human race heads underground for 600 years.  When they emerge, they find the earth has been reclaimed by prehistoric species of all sorts.  There are a lot of obvious ecological and political themes.. plus dinosaurs.. you really couldn't go wrong with dinosaurs in the 90's.  Hannah Dundee is a Scientist and Diplomat who is the love interest of the main character, Jack Tenrec.  She acts as a liaison between Jack and the rest of the world and generally keeps him out of trouble.  Tyco had previously made a major name for themselves with their 1987 Dino-Riders series, so their choice for this property was a given.  On to the review!

The Girls of WINX CLUB!

Believix and Concert Collections from Jakks Pacific 2012

This one is likely to spark up some "action figure vs doll" debate.  Winx Club is an Italian Magical Girl series (a'la Sailor Moon) featuring a group of girls who attend a special school for fairies.  There are neighboring witch and hero schools that create a very Harry Potter-like environment.  The main characters are six girls, each with a different "theme"  (i.e. Plants, Water, Music, etc).  The girls mostly appear as normal humans (albeit from a variety of different worlds), and only turn into fairies when called upon.  The change sequence is a staple in the Magical Girl genre, and here I thought He-Man and She-Ra were being original.  In 2012, the Winx Club were the 3rd most popular dolls in the world.  These dolls are usually large barbie-sized things with rooted hair and cloth.  The toys in this review however, are small, super-articulated, 3.75" scale, completely-sculpted little beauties.  There's something really fun about these toys.  I feel like I'm getting in on the ground floor with a new She-Ra-ish property.  You may love them or hate them, just check out the review and decide for yourself.

Marvel Universe SCARLET WITCH!

Marvel Universe Wave 19 #016 - Scarlet Witch - From Hasbro 2012

I never would have guessed that that little Wanda Maximoff would become the major player in modern comics that she has become.  In my comic book history, she has always been a B-List, or even C-List, mutant.. relegated to West Coast Avengers storylines and pretty much off my radar.  It wasn't until Oliver Coipel's work on Avengers began that I noticed her potential as the powerhouse she has become.  Within a few years, the House of M storyline unfolded and she truly cemented herself in Marvel history.  I must say that I absolutley love how she is a major catalyst behind one of my favorite superhero team books of all time, the Young Avengers.  Another fantastic thing about her is that her original costume is still so relevant and appealing.  Wanda Maximoff is the mutant daughter of Magneto and twin sister of the speedster Quicksilver.  While she hasn't always been A-list, she has definitely always been present.  Her representation in plastic has beena little sluggish over the years but is definitely picking up steam.  This newest figure is arguably the best so far.  On to the review!