My Top 10 Toylines of 2025

 

I was originally going to announce these live on my YouTube channel but I've not been having great luck with a solid feed so I'm just going ahead and posting the traditional list first. I'll delay a livestream now and save it for a later event. 

   

   Every year when February rolls around I know it's time to put together my annual Best Of lists for the previous year. I know most collectors put theirs out in December but November and December are so packed with releases that I find it's tough to really give all of those new items that are still 2025 releases a fair shake, so I like to wait until February to give me some time to think. I also try to really go through my list and make sure that the releases I'm basing my picks on really did get released domestically in North America during the appropriate year. I did see more than Best Of list on YouTube tin the last two months that had releases from the end of 2024 and items that were pre-release items or early samples for 2026 but that hadn't truly been released yet, which seems kind of unfair. I have three lists that I do every year and you'll see one a week for the next three weeks or so. I'm starting off with my top honors, though: My Top 10 Toylines of 2024.

    

   I saw it every year but it's still true: Creating my "Top 10" lists is always one of my favorite things to do at Action Figure Barbecue and I always spend quite a bit of time pouring over my notes and reviews from the previous year to determine which toylines were my favorites to collect. This is the fourteenth year I've created a list (the first couple years were posted at The Epic Review) and it's always interesting too see how my lists change from year to year, often reflecting my changing interests and collecting trends. 2024's list feels very standard in that it didn't have too many shifts from 2024 but just enough to keep things interesting. 

   If anything dominated action figure collecting in 2025 it was increased costs and the influence of tariffs. Prices went up, sometimes ridiculously so, and importing stuff was was more expensive than ever. It really sucks to be a fan of import lines right now! Between tariffs and even the mainstream toy industry now publicly acknowledging that adult collectors are now the largest demographic of toy buyers, prices just kept going up and I'm not sure that trend will slow down anytime soon. 

   While mainstream companies like Hasbro, Mattel, McFarlane Toys, NECA, Jada, and Jazwares kept a wide selection of collectible toys and action figure lines at major retailers, we're still seeing that traditional retail just isn't necessary anymore, particularly for smaller companies: Great e-tailers, companies having their own webstores and distributing their wares through smaller stores, the growing industry of smaller conventions, and Kickstarter funded projects are the home of so many impressive toylines that do not depend on the whims of the retail giants. More import lines are getting easier to acquire, too. 

   One of the biggest stories for action figure collecting in 2025 was RossCon, the odd phenomenon where Ross discount stores (and later Burlington) were getting incredibly new, sometimes not even fully released, action figures, toys, and other collectibles at wildly discounted prices. It's somewhat of a mystery and definitely makes up for the fact that Ollie's still seems to be stuck with a glut of overproduced toys from 2021-2022.

       A number of years back I divided my Top 10 list into two separate categories: My Top 10 Toylines and My Top 10 Individual Releases. I always start with My Top 10 Toylines as it's my standard best of list. These are the 10 toylines (action figures, statues, minifigures, etc.) of the past year that I had the most fun collecting and enjoyed the most. They may not always be the best or the most expansive lines, but they're my favorites for one reason or another. As I reiterate every year, the two key word for this list are "my" and "favorite." My list isn't necessarily based on a toyline's true merits and I really don't go outside of what interests me. Take this as a snapshot of the ten toylines I had the most fun collecting in 2025. As always, these are listed alphabetically rather than by any order of merit. And now, for My Top 10 Toylines of 2025...

Wrapping Up 2025: Feral from Marvel Legends Series by Hasbro

 

   It's February 2026 and I'm winding down my "Wrapping Up 2025" reviews. I haven't been on YouTube in a bit but on Monday evening, 8pm EST I plan to do a live even of my first set of awards for the best of 2025: My Top Ten Toylines. Join me on Action Figure Barbecue on YouTube then! 

   I've been collecting X-Men (and all of their subsidiaries like X-Force, X-Factor, etc.) toys on and off since I was in grade school. It's always been fun and the major companies like Toy Biz, Diamond Select Toys, and Hasbro have typically done a pretty swell job of making sure there was a diverse roster of mutants available for purchase. In the past 10 years, however, Hasbro has been on an insane streak of knocking huge chunks out of most Marvel Legends X-Men wish lists. Over the past 3 or 4 years they've been really focusing on finishing some important teams and groups. While I'm still excited to keep collecting (as I have my ever changing wish list like everyone else), the last series of the "minicomic" figures delivered Feral and Rachel Summers, two major missing characters and part of one of my own personal collecting benchmarks: Getting every character depicted on Jim Lee and Scott Williams' 1992 X-Men door poster in action figure form. I've had a smaller version of this on the door of my study for quite a few years and when I finally got a smartphone in 2024 I made it my wallpaper. It's certainly not all encompassing of the X-Men universe or anything, nor does it even have the villains, but it's just such a darn good image. I'm excited to have Feral in my collection to complete the original X-Force lineup. ready to check out Maria Callasantos, the ferocious Feral? Then join me after the break...

Wrapping Up 2025: Ninjor from Masterverse/ Masters of the Universe: New Eternia by Mattel

 

It's February 2026 and I'm winding down my "Wrapping Up 2025" reviews. I haven't been on YouTube in a bit but on Monday evening, 8pm EST I plan to do a live even of my first set of awards for the best of 2025: My Top Ten Toylines. Join me on Action Figure Barbecue on YouTube then! 

   My local Walmarts and Target seemed to be filled with the vintage collection Masterverse figures and the various He-Man and Skeletor variants, so I didn't acquire most of the Masterverse figures I wanted last year until near the end of 2025. Ninjor was one of my must haves and I'm glad that I finally tracked him down. Who doesn't love Ninjor, the most uniquely and creatively named ninja in the universe? While overall I do still prefer the style and design of Masters of the Universe Classics, this MOTU: New Eternia Ninjor definitely feels like a figure that rivals the MOTUC version. Ninjor has had some real time to shine lately due to appearing in the Turtles of Grayskull comic series and he ended up with both a Masterverse and a Turtles of Grayskull action figure last year. In New Eternia, he's referred to as a demon king from the dimension of Noir who is searching for the Power of Grayskull for his own evil purposes. Let's take a look at the Masterverse Ninjor after the break...

Wrapping Up 2025: Wolverine (WWII Logan) from Marvel Legends Series by Hasbro

 

   I'm always a sucker for a good Wolverine figure and I was really excited when Hasbro announced this World War 2 era version of Logan in the Executioner Build-a-Figure series that shipped near the end of 2025. Besides the cool scene in the montage at the beginning of X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Wolverine has also been depicted fighting in World War 2 in an episode of the animated series where he teamed up with Captain America and in a number of comic stories over the years.  I'm not sure the figure is based on any specific depiction and is really an amalgam of different depictions. Really, it's just Logan decked out in a standard World War 2 army infantry outfit and that's enough for me. My grandfather was a veteran of World War 2 and I've always been interested in the history of that era, so mixing those factors with Wolverine was enough for me to scoop this guy up as soon as I found him. He's actually the only figure I grabbed from this series (and he's the one without a Build-a-Figure part).  I was somewhat interested in Phantom Rider, Enchantress, and Werewolf By Night but not at the new $28 dollar price point. Ready to check out Logan ready to stomp some Nazis? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Keldor from Masterverse/ Masters of the Universe: New Eternia by Mattel

 

   Now that I've checked out Despara and Dragstor it's time to look at the third new Masterverse figure for the beginning of 2026: Keldor.  The Masters of the Universe: New Eternia Keldor, to be exact. I'm going to take a guess that I probably own more Skeletor toys and action figures than any other character (probably even more than He-Man, Batgirl, and Batman) and I've largely been passing up many of the newer releases that don't really offer up anything terribly new. This new version of Keldor, though? Well, I'm a sucker for Keldor, especially when he has a burned face. Finally tying Keldor to Skeletor was one of the most significant story additions by the MYP animated series for the 200x era and it's one that has largely been retained (or at least referenced) by every new MOTU project since. This Masterverse figure definitely retains the general look of Keldor (a blue skinned Gar with fabulous hair) but dresses him up in an outfit that's quite different from the traditional Skeletor outfit. He really reminds me of some of the early MOTU concept art sketches for various wizard inspired villains, which is definitely part of the New Eternia/ New Etheria blending of old and new that makes it so appealing. Ready to check out Keldor? Then get your vial of acid ready (or maybe just a big, round shield) and join me after the break...

 

Wrapping Up 2025: Seymour "Sci-Fi" Fine from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

   I only have a few 2025 G.I. Joe: Classified Series releases that I'm still planning to review and there is no way I'm leaving out Sci-Fi. While General Hawk v2 was my first G.I. Joe from the A Real American Hero line, Sci-Fi was my second. I don't think he has too many fans who would count him as their favorite Joe (he's not even on of my favorites) but I'm nostalgic for the guy since he was my second Joe and likely one of my earliest action figures. Sci-Fi was the second laser trooper in the line after Flash (who still isn't in the Classified Series yet, though he's been rumored to come out about every year) but it seems that he was originally intended to be a second version of Flash. There were a few figures in the line that seemed like they could have been designed as updated versions of the Original 13 (Short-Fuze/ Downtown, Grunt/Footloose) but by making most figures new characters in ARAH it seems Hasbro kept the line fresher. Sci-Fi is known for his distinctive bright green jumpsuit which does stand out, something that became important as the line continued on. Back in the 1980s, moms were considered to be the "toy buyers" for their kids and starting to offer more unique looks and visibly different figures was a way to clearly indicate that the kids didn't already have this one. It also does lend to his science fiction aesthetic. While Hasbro has still held fairly close to the vintage design for Sci-Fi in the Classified Series, they've also borrowed liberally from the 30th Anniversary version of the figure who really upgraded the vintage design a good bit and toned down the neon green. Ready to check out Seymour "Sci-Fi" Fine? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Dragstor from Masterverse: Masters of the Universe: New Etheria from Mattel

 

   While I'm still finishing off some 2025 reviews here and there (and I'm getting ready for my annual "Best of" lists for the previous year), it's the beginning of February and I'm ready to check out some new stuff. Sometime in January I made a trip to a collectible shop that I absolutely love, Needless Toys and Collectibles in Lincolnton, NC, and grabbed the three newest Masterverse figures and a handful of older Masterverse figures that I missed in 2025. Despara was one of those three new figures and today I'm looking at another one: Dragstor! I haven't reviewed many Dragstor figures on here, partially because Dragstor isn't all that popular and there haven't been many toys of the character made. I did review the Masters of the Universe Classics Dragstor back when he was released and he was, I believe, the last non-variant character released to complete the vintage MOTU and Princess of Power rosters. This Masterverse Dragstor isn't a significant hallmark in any way though he is a darn cool figure. Probably my favorite of the latest series of releases. Sadly, it sounds like Masterverse is coming to an end by the end of this year as Mattel shifts their focus to Masters of the Universe Chronicles. Will that make the 2026 Masterverse releases more difficult to find? Will there be a Phantom Series/ Wave? Who knows? For now, let's enjoy Dragstor. Ready, set, go...

Wrapping Up 2025: Ralph "Steeler" Pulaski and Short-Fuze from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

It's been nearly a week since I last reviewed a G.I. Joe: Classified Series figure and today I've got a two for one review for you: Ralph "Steeler" Pulaski and Short-Fuze. When they're doing a two-pack, don't you wish they would have just called Short-Fuze Eric "Short-Fuze" Freistadt instead? I think it would have definitely been nicer. I know why Hasbro has to use the real names on some figures but in a two pack why not just do it for both figures? Of course, I guess you can call them whatever you want when they're out of the package, right?  Steeler and Short-Fuze are two of the Original 13 G.I. Joe team members and just because of that fact alone the have a special place in most fans hearts. Overall, though, they're not the most memorable characters. Short-Fuze was known for being cool and calculating... until he wasn't. Yes, the guy had a bit of a temper. Steeler was a bit reckless, was the driver of the M.O.B.A.T., and did have a few small but important roles in various comics and cartoons over the years. If not for being part of the first series, it's doubtful either would be remembered as fondly. Still, I love the dynamic of the early team with a small, focused group of specialists. Hasbro is slowly completing the Original 13 and all we have left are Zap (coming soon in the Retro Series), Flash, and Grand Slam. Getting two of the original team at once is nice, although initially this set did put me off a bit as both figures felt rather bland unlike some of the other Original 13 members who got something of a nice update. Having them in hand, though, they're better than I originally thought, though not without their shortcomings. The set is a Target exclusive with a limited Hasbro Pulse release, and it's cheaper at Target. Heck, as of  publishing this Target has the set on sale online for $45 dollars, which is a pretty solid buy. Ready to check out Steeler and Short-Fuze? Then join me after the break...

(Note: This set does come with some accessories and effects that aren't clearly distributed to either character.)

Action Figure Review: Despara from Masterverse: Masters of the Universe New Etheria by Mattel

 

   While I still have a few 2025 reviews left for the coming weeks I do want to go ahead and start off some reviews for 2026. Usually January is pretty slow for new action figures but one of my local collectible shops received their stock of the latest Masterverse figures and I had to jump on them. I didn't review a ton of Masterverse figures last year though I did pick some up. I've actually got a few that I still plan to review, though, as I didn't find them until the end of the year, but I'm going to check out the newest series of three releases first: New Etheria and New Eternia versions of Despara, Keldor, and Dragstor. The trailer for the "finally, actually a real thing"  Masters of the Universe movie looks pretty impressive and just a day or two ago Mattel showed off the upcoming Masters of the Universe Chronicles figures at the Nuremburg, so there is a lot of excitement around the brand. I was excited to see Despara arrive in Masterverse as I'm a huge She-Ra fan (my kid is named Adora, after all) and Despara was a neat addition to the character's lore when she appeared in the DC MOTU series that was published between 2012 and 2016. She was a great addition to Masters of the Universe Classics, though the figure itself was a bit lacking. How does this one fair? It's definitely an interesting figure with some cool elements but it also it an example of how Mattel really is making the Masterverse figures as toys first and foremost, for both good and bad. Let's check out Despara after the break...

Wrapping Up 2025: OxKrewe Campside Collection from Cosmic Legions by Four Horsemen Studios

 

   While there are plenty of more traditional girls toys and dolls that still have what we'd call accessory packs (Barbie outfits, sets of doll furniture, etc.) on retail shelves, more traditional boys toys and mass market action figures really don't get accessory packs anymore. If it's not an action figure or a vehicle (and usually even a vehicle has to be packaged with an action figure), it's not getting released. The only ones  I can think of seeing at mainstream retail are some of the NECA Universal Monsters accessory sets. When it comes to lines that aren't sold at traditional retail, however, you're likely to see more accessory packs to supplement the line. Four Horsemen Studios has lone done accessory packs for Mythic Legions and Cosmic Legions comprised of additional weapons, hands, armor, wings, spells, and other traditional accessories but this is the first time I can recall them doing an accessory pack that features pieces for making a small diorama. OxKrewe- Book One: Thraxxon is the most recent full series of Cosmic Legions releases and while I only picked up one figure from the set so far (Kurnn Ray), I had to grab this incredibly cool accessory set when I first saw it. The OxKrewe Campside Collection is an accessory set comprised of two crates, a generator, a portable computer, and various cords for connecting them together. Whether or not you collect Cosmic Legions, this might be worth your attention at these accessories could nicely compliment many different 1/12th scale toylines. Ready to check out some really nicely designed and beautifully well worn pieces of sci-fi equipment? Then join me after the break...

Wrapping Up 2025: Catwoman (Batman Returns) from DC Multiverse by McFarlane Toys

 

   Christmas was a month ago but I'm just getting around to checking out a few action figures that I received as presents from my family. I had bad luck finding the Batman Returns action figures from McFarlane Toys but my Mom and Dad didn't! No, indeed. On Christmas evening when we went to my parents house I found three of the four figures I was looking for from McFarlane Batman Returns subset of their DC Multiverse line underneath the tree (still no Penguin Commandos yet). I've talked many times before about Batman Returns and Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman (I think we even did an episode of the Confirmed Epic Podcast about the film) but in a film that is absolutely insane and wonderful, offering an incredibly strange take on Batman and the denizens of Gotham City from Tim Burton at the top of his craft and including a killer circus gang, an army of rocket launching penguins, Danny DeVito as the most terrifying Penguin you could imagine who literally bites a guys nose off, Keaton in his best Batman performance ever using gadgets galore, and Christopher Walken being delightfully evil, Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman is still the high point of this film. As someone who can debate and critique different Batman media interpretations all day, this film is still pretty high on my list even though it's just so strange and unlike the comics. It's just a wild, Elseworlds take on Batman that works oh so well.

   2026 might be the end of McFarlane Toys' time with the main DC license (it seems like they may still be involved, perhaps with the DC Direct license) but they seem to still be intent on putting out a massive amount of product. They've done a pretty solid job with getting out most film versions of Batman and most of the villains from said films but Batman Returns was what I've been really wanting for some time. These have been released with the moniker "Deluxe Theatrical Release," which seems like a marketing blurb, but they were also released for $35 bucks each. Yikes! That's a heck of a jump! McFarlane has done figures at higher price points, sure, but usually they came with some significant extras. That's not the case for these Batman Returns figures, though. Is this to cover licensing fees, tariffs, or because McFarlane may have (incorrectly) expected these to sell fewer figures? Who knows? This Catwoman has a solid likeness and is a long awaited release but do I feel she's worthy of a higher price point? I don't know. What I do know is that I feel so much yummier. Did I try to hard to force that line in? Maybe. Well, let's check out Catwoman after the break....

Wrapping Up 2025: Ghost Viper & D.I.R.E. (Dread-Inducing Responsive Energy) Beasts from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

   With this chilly winter weather affecting most of the United States this week I decided to offer up something else that will send a chill down your spine: The Ghost Viper & D.I.R.E (Dread-Inducing Responsive Energy) Beasts from Hasbro's G.I. Joe: Classified Series. This has been an incredibly strong year for the Classified Series, quite possibly the best to date, and this might be the best new concept/ new character that Hasbro has brought to the line. The Ghost Vipers utilize the research of Crystal Ball to emit experimental ectoplasmic extradimensional energies (try saying that five times fast) to create terrifying gaseous projections or even corporeal forms. They're the strangest and most unconventional subdivision of the Cobra Vipers but no less deadly. The Ghost Viper was a Walmart exclusive (with a limited number sold on Hasbro Pulse) and proved to be quite popular and rather hard to acquire. I found mine on Walmart.com shortly before Halloween and originally wanted to review the figure but I ended up just getting backed up. Well, here we are, about 3 months later, but I'm no less excited by this release. Let's check out the Ghost Viper & D.I.R.E. Beasts after the break...

Wrapping Up 2025: Portgas D. Ace (Fire Fist) from S.H. Figuarts: One Piece by Bandai/ Tamashi Nations

 

   Today I'm wrapping up my reviews of my 2025 S.H. Figuarts: One Piece purchases with a look at "Fire Fist" Portgas D. Ace, the adopted brother of Monkey D. Luffy. I'm not too far into the anime (still in Water 7) but my wife has watched it through a few times now and I'm well aware of most of what happens past where I'm at in the show. I really love Ace, especially his dynamic as Luffy's big brother. Despite not being related by blood, it's amazing how similar they are, though Ace is far more refined than Luffy. Then again, he has a few more years on him than Luffy. Ace is a popular character for One Piece merchandise and while it's no surprise that Tamashi Nations wanted to get him out to collectors, it's surprising we got him in hand before so many of the Straw Hats themselves. Still, like I said, Ace is a popular guy and a pretty dynamic character and this figure goes all out, giving Ace lots of accessories and alternate looks. I don't have many Figuarts figures in my collection but Ace is probably the most complex one I own that I can think of off of the top of my head. Ready to check out Fire Fist Ace? Then join me after the break...

Wrapping Up 2025: Moss Man from Masterverse: Masters of the Universe New Eternia by Mattel

 

   Can you believe it has been around 8 months since my last Masters of the Universe review? At one point nearly every other review I wrote was a Masters of the Universe item but that's not the case right now. Maybe I'm just very content with the collection I have? I also think I'm not particularly excited by much of what Mattel has been releasing as of late. Origins has become rather stale to me and now most of the vintage figures are locked behind the "Club Grayskull" paywall. Many other products, like anything from Mezco, just seem arbitrarily expensive and we usually get the same assortment of 6 to 8 characters over and over again. I'm excited (and optimistic, I think) for the upcoming film and I still have a deep and abiding love for the property, I'm just not thrilled with much of what's out at the moment. Moss Man is my favorite character, though, and I was thrilled when he showed up in the Masterverse: New Eternia series. The "Heroic Spy & Master of Camouflage" is available online through Mattel Creations and was easy to get. Heck, you can still order him and he went up for order back in August of 2025. My first figure had a defect and I had to send him back and receive a new one. That's why I'm reviewing this guy so far after release (though let me say that Mattel Creations has very good customer service)! He's an incredible Moss Man figure and one that really leans into the Green Man/ Eternian nature spirit side of the character. I love Moss Man as some sort of cross between an ancient Eternian nature demi-god, an Ent, and an urban legend like Sasquatch or Bigfoot. Ready for some more of Moss Man? Then join me after the break...

Wrapping Up 2025: Iceman from Marvel Legends Retro Collection: Secret Wars by Hasbro

 

   I enjoy Marvel's Secret Wars comic just for the fun of the team-up of so many different characters but the toyline itself was before my time and I don't really have any nostalgia for it. The only Secret Wars toy I ever owned was a vintage Tower of Doom playset I scored at a vintage shop in the mid-late 2000s. As a primarily X-Men focused collector I didn't buy too many of the figures from Hasbro's Marvel Legends Retro Collection line this past year, either; just the new characters, Titania and a Beyonder I scored at Ross. When Iceman popped up for preorder I did jump on him, though. Not only is he one of the OG X-Men but he was one of my favorites as a kid. I excitedly looking for and finding the 1992 Toy Biz figure that came with a large ice slide. It was also molded in transparent plastic and really stood out to me at the time. This one jumped out at me too because of that, though in hand I'm a bit conflicted. Still, while so many Marvel Legends figures as of late have come with fewer accessories, Iceman feels like a fairly well equipped release. There's a lot I like about this figure and some I'm conflicted on. Ready to check out the latest take on Iceman? Then join me after the break...

Wrapping Up 2025: Lt. Griffin "The Eraser" from Operation: Monster Force by Big Bad Workshop and Fresh Monkey Fiction

 

   I'm still wrapping up 2025 purchases since the end of the year is usually just absolutely packed and the first month of a new year is usually a pretty slow time for new toys. Today I'm checking out a figure I was incredibly excited for from Big Bad Workshop and Fresh Monkey Fiction's Operation: Monster Force: Lt. Merrick Griffin, known "The Eraser," a descendant of the original Invisible Man, Griffin (Jack Griffin in the James Whale's 1933 film). The backstory for this guy is incredibly cool: In their inheritance from their grandmother, Merrick Griffin and his two siblings received a journal belonging to their ancestor, Dr. Griffin, the original Invisible Man. The siblings soon disappeared with Merrick's brother being murdered and his sister never being seen again. Merrick set off on a crime spree using his new powers of invisibility but was apprehended by MII-6 and forced into a role as an assassin. Injected with a neurotoxin that will kill him if he doesn't receive a regular suppressant from the British government, the Eraser can infiltrate the most secure locations and eliminate the most sensitive targets. Unfortunately, he's disappeared from sight as of late, though a string of murders targeting museum curators, antiquities dealers, and other persons of note in the fields of archaeology and such seem to suspiciously point to Griffin. It's likely he's now working for the Forgotten King, which is bad news as any one can see. This figure has so much going for it, though I do have to admit that there are some weird quality control errors here that, while fixable, did kill my excitement a bit. Ready to check out this cool new take on the classic horror icon? Then join me after the break...

Wrapping Up 2025: Monkey D. Luffy (Future Island Egghead) from S.H. Figuarts: One Piece by Bandai/ Tamashi Nations

 

   Since I just reviewed the S.H. Figuarts Tony Tony Chopper (Future Island Egghead) this past weekend, today I'll check out one of his fellow Straw Hat crewmates: Monkey D. Luffy (Future Island Egghead). I've reviewed a couple Luffy's previously this year but this one is quite different, featuring Luffy in his futuristic red coat from the most recently completed arc in the anime. As I've mentioned previously, I'm not there yet in watching through the series but I'm going to slip ahead and jump in there or in the Wano County arc when my wife finally decides to tackle it. S.H. Figuarts is currently focusing on releases from early in the show (this year saw releases of first appearance versions of Zoro, Shanks, and Ace with upcoming early versions of Usopp, Chopper, Mihawk, and Sanji), the Future Island/ Egghead arc (Chopper, Luffy, and Jewelry Bonney), and upcoming releases from the Marineford Arc (Luffy and Boa Hancock so far). It'll be interesting to see how they round out these rosters in the next year with the show seemingly becoming more popular, especially with the second season of the live action One Piece Netflix series coming. For now, though, let's enjoy this slick version of Luffy. Join me after the break...

Wrapping Up 2025: Halloween Boy from Operation: Monster Force by Big Bad Workshop and Fresh Monkey Fiction

 

   As I'm wrapping up 2025 expect a few more figures from Big Bad Workshop and Fresh Monkey Fiction's Operation: Monster Force series. Today I'm checking out Halloween Boy, another figure I preordered from this series, though one I'm not familiar with. You might say "Well, sure, Operation: Monster Force" is a new series, but Halloween Boy is actually a character from another comic book series, the self titles Halloween Boy by Dave Baker. I've never read Halloween Boy but the concept intrigues me. The first five issues of the series are being collected and will be released in May and I've already got a preorder in. According to the sales blurb, "Working as an archaeologist-for-hire, magical ghost hunter, and super-scientist explorer, Halloween Boy has a simple mission: help those who cannot help themselves. From routine artifact rescues gone wrong to helping the surviving members of an ancient religion enact a cosmic funeral dirge, Halloween Boy finds himself operating as the patron saint of the impossible. And yet, just how long can he win in this never-ending battle before things spiral out of control? When will the dark secrets of the Demon Who Lives finally rear their ugly heads?"

   I dig it! I like how Operation: Monster Force pulls in characters from film, literature, and other toylines to create something unique and interesting. This guy was just so fascinating that I had to grab him. How'd he turn out? Let's check him out after the break...

Wrapping Up 2025: Tony Tony Chopper (Future Island Egghead) from S.H. Figuarts: One Piece by Bandai/ Tamashi Nations

 

    One property I got into collecting in 2025 that was new to me was One Piece. My wife has been a One Piece fan for a few years now but I really only got into the show in 2025. I am not far in it (I'm only in the Water 7 arc) but I do know quite a bit about future arcs and have seen many of them do to catching it when my wife has it on. We just started getting Crunchyroll and I was hoping to watch the newer stuff with her but she has decided to go back and watch through the Crunchyroll version of the series from the beginning. She's probably watched 3/4ths of what I have watched in about 2 to 3 weeks. It's insane! I don't know much about the Future Island/ Egghead arc but I do love the look of the Straw Hats and other characters from the show in the SSG/ Special Science Group outfits. I've picked up a number of the Bandai/ Namco statues/ prize figures from the Future Island/ Egghead arc but this version of Tony Tony Chopper is a fully articulated action figure from the Bandai/ Tamashi Nations line. Well, as fully articulated as such a small figure can be, which is really quite a bit for his size and proportions. This is without a doubt the best action figure of a blue nosed reindeer doctor wearing an advanced uniform with rocket boots in my collection! Ready to check out the Future Island Egghead version of Tony Tony Chopper? Then join me after the break...

Wrapping Up 2025: Emma Frost from Marvel Legends Series: X-Men '97 by Hasbro

 

   As I've mentioned in previous reviews, I really do like Hasbro's X-Men '97 line of Marvel Legends. The figures are quite good and I'm a big fan of the style as it does capture the look of the animated series while still allowing the figures to blend in quite nicely with their comic counterparts unlike, say, the Spider-Verse figures. Hasbro has done a nice job of selecting characters who are major players in X-Men '97, sure, but they've also managed to select characters who are just welcome additions to a Marvel Legends X-Men collection. Take Emma Frost here, for example: The last Emma Frost figure was released in 2023 and was based on her Astonishing X-Men look and the one before that was the Hellfire Club version (so this one) but was an SDCC exclusive. While Emma Frost wasn't a major character in the first season of X-Men '97, she sure warranted an updated figure as she's a classic X-Men antagonist turned protagonist. Ready to check out a new version of Emma Frost, the White Queen? Then join me after the break...

Wrapping Up 2025: Cobra-La Pythona from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

   Wait... so does everyone love Cobra-La now? It sure seems that way. Back in the late 1990s and throughout the 2000s (maybe even well into the 2010s) it seemed like everyone hated Cobra-La. Now? Cobra-La seems to be very popular. What happened? Maybe the Joe fans on the younger end of the fandom have finally began showing up in great enough numbers? It's kind of like how everyone hated the Star Wars prequels until the 2010s and how the 200x Masters of the Universe was apparently hated by Mattel and fans seemed to cheer that, though now everyone is making 200x era MOTU product. We're all down with Cobra-La now. OK, got it. Maybe their inclusion in the Energon Universe comics has helped? That being said, Cobra-La does have some incredibly cool designs and it's nice to have Pythona in the Classified Series. Pythona (or "Cobra-La Pythona" as she is officially named) was sold on Hasbro Pulse and at a couple of fall conventions, probably since there was no Pulse-Con this year. To be honest, she didn't seem to be that difficult to acquire, so I think most folks that wanted her picked her up fairly easily. Pythona has played a role in the new Energon Universe comics from Skybound and had some of the best action scenes in the 1987 animated movie. A snake-woman assassin? OK, throw her into a line with an organization called Cobra who has a crocodile man and an accountant who identifies as a bird of prey. Why not? Let's check her out after the break...

Wrapping Up 2025: Morph from Marvel Legends Series: X-Men '97 by Hasbro

 

   As I'm wrapping up reviewing the huge number of action figures I picked up during the last quarter of 2025 it's time to check out some more X-Men '97 releases. I'm not going to be reviewing all of them as there were quite a few but I'm trying to cover the ones that standout a bit more and Morph definitely stands out a bit as the character was largely created for the original X-Men animated series and has been revised quite heavily for X-Men '97. Morph was based on the character Changeling and was brought into the show specifically to have a character to kill off. People liked Morph though and Morph appeared later in the series, back from the dead and with a lot of trauma from the experience. While Morph was male in the original series, in X-Men '97 Morph is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns. Morph also seems far more powerful than before, not only transforming into multiple characters (including Mr. Fantastic, Psylocke, the Incredible Hulk, Magik, Quicksilver, and Juggernaut) but also gaining some of their powers. Morph is definitely more than just a shape-shifter as they take multiple energgy bursts when disguised as Colossus. Ready to take a look at this new interpretation of Morph? Then join me after the break...

Wrapping Up 2025: Red Sonja from Red Sonja by Boss Fight Studios

 

   Happy New Year! 2026 is here and while the calendar has already made a fresh start, it's unlikely that you'll see too much new in the toy aisles for a bit. January is usually a fairly dead time for new releases as most companies try to ship out their product well in advance of the Christmas and holiday gift buying season. Because so much new stuff makes its way out during the last quarter of the year and because I scored so many new action figures for Christmas, I usually spend January playing catch up. To start, let's check out Red Sonja, the She-Devil with a Sword! Boss Fight Studios has been announcing quite a few Red Sonja figures in various styles and scales but this one is part of their Epic H.A.C.K.S. (Highly Articulated Character Kit System) range, so it's a 1/12 scale figure with lots of swappable parts. Loosely inspired by the Robert E. Howard character Red Sonya of Rogatino, this Red Sonja was created by Roy Thomas and Barry Windsor-Smith. She was part of the Marvel Universe for quite some time though for a the past twenty five years or so she's been owned by Dynamite Entertainment and is still one of their major stars. Whether you're a Marvel Legends collector, a Dynamite comics fan, a Conan the Barbarian enthusiast, or just someone with a passion for swords & sorcery warrior women, this figure is probably on your radar. Ready to see if this take on Red Sonja is worthy of your shelf? Then join me after the break...