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...