Action Figure Review: The Ghost of Jacob Marley (All-In!) from Figure Obscura by Four Horsemen Studios

 

   I had hoped to have this review up for Christmas Eve, but that clearly didn't happen, did it? Today I'm checking out the latest figure in the Four Horsemen Studios' Figure Obscura line: The Ghost of Jacob Marley! Jacob Marley is one of the most recognizable characters in Victorian literature and a mouthpiece of author Charles Dickens to share the changes and social reform needed in a society that purports to truly observe the celebration of Christmas. I've loved A Christmas Carol for as long as I can remember and I was thrilled when the Four Horsemen sent the teaser email around about this release. This is the first time I've went with an All-In! package for a Figure Obscure, so my version also came with Christmas Card, a mug, and an enamel pin. This is an incredible figure that arrived before Christmas to most collectors, so he really helped get us in the spirit. Ready to be visited by a spirit? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: The Marley Brothers from POP! Movies by Funko

 

   

   Christmas is almost here and I thought I'd do a very special review of The Marley Brothers, Jacob and Robert Marley, from The Muppet Christmas Carol. I love A Christmas Carol. I've been reading almost annually since I was a kid and I try to watch nearly every version of it I can. Of all of them, I think The Muppet Christmas Carol might be my favorite. It's a very faithful adaptation of Charles Dickens' story (it should be, since Charles Dickens himself is in it), Michael Caine is freaking on fire, and it's just a wonderfully delightful and fun movie with great music. Is it my favorite Christmas movie? Probably. It's tied with Jingle All The Way. One of my favorite parts of the fim is the introduction of the Marley Brothers, Jacob and Robert Marley. To incorporate both Statler and Waldorf, the film created a brother for Jacob Marley, Robert. Robert Marley. Bob. Bob Marley. We see what you did there, Muppets! I was incredibly surprised back in October when I stumbled upon the entire series of Funko POP! vinyls based on the film; I didn't know these were even coming out and they were part of a GameStop sale with 40% off of all POP! vinyls. Ready to celebrate Christmas Eve with a visit from these two cantankerous and crotchety sprits? Then let's join Marley and Marley after the break...

Action Figure Review: Sabine Wren from Star Wars: The Black Series Phase IV by Hasbro

 

   Star Wars: The Black Series has been pretty dull this year with not too many figures that appealed to me. Thus far I've only picked up the comic series Mara Jade and Doctor Aphra, though I have been looking for the Target exclusive Darth Vader (Duel's End) but haven't found it yet. I'm all about Mandalorians, though, and I was sold on both Sabine Wren from Ahsoka and Pre Vizsla. Today I'm checking out Sabine based on her portrayal by Natasha Liu Bordizzo in Ahsoka. The Ahsoka figures have been pretty nice and did manage to drop fairly close to the release of the show, so that was a real plus. I just really like Sabine and love collecting Mandalorians, so she was an instabuy. Ready to check out a new figure of Sabine Wren? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Wolverine from Marvel Legends Retro Series by Hasbro

 

   Back when I was in third grade we had an assignment shortly before Christmas where we had to draw what we hoped to find in our stocking. While plenty of kids drew goofy, oversized stuff that wouldn't fit in a stocking, there was another kid who drew an orange. I know that's traditional and all but it just boggled my mind that this kid would ask for an orange. What did I draw? The Toy Biz Wolverine figure. I kind of drew an amalgam of Wolverine v2 and Wolverine v3, though with a removable mask. While I would eventually have plenty of Wolverine figures, I'm pretty sure I didn't have one yet, so I was probably adding in bits of the original brown costume Toy Biz Wolverine as well. Wolverine isn't on my Christmas list this year but I did find this guy not too long ago at a bin store near my house. He was only $4 bucks and for that price I snapped him up. The only other figure from the 3 3/4ths inch Marvel Legends Retro Series I have is the Sentinel, which I bought to go with my 6 inch X-Men collection. This smaller scaled line can be found on clearance at most places now and it seems like Hasbro is done with it. ready to look at the Tiger Stripe version of Wolverine? Then join me after the break...

Accessory Review: Pandora Upgrade Gear from Action Force by Valaverse

 

   One of the things that's nice about an online, collector targeted toyline like Action Force is that there's plenty of room to be flexible and offer stuff like accessory packs and basic figures. Valaverse has done a great job of offering plenty of weapon and accessory packs and from time to time they've also released  Upgrade Gear kits targeted towards specific figures. I picked up a few of these recently but I wanted to show off the kit for Pandora as I just think it's a really well executed set. Whether you want to upgrade your basic Pandora figure, turn another base figure into a Pandora v2, create your own custom figure, or just equip other Action Force and non-Action Force) toys, you've got a nice kit to do that at a very affordable price. Ready to check out the Pandora Upgrade Gear? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Boo Berry from General Mills by Jada Toys

 

   I really liked Jada's action figures of Franken Berry and Count Chocula from 2021 and I really had hoped that we'd have all of the General Mills breakfast cereal monsters by now. With no new releases in 2022, 2023 at least has seen Boo Berry, the last of the Big Three of the cereal monsters. Frute Brute is my favorite and I'm really hoping we eventually get him, along with Fruity Yummy Mummy and Carmella Creeper. I really like Jada Toys' offerings but they seem to have a tough time of getting their action figures in regular retail (the same goes for their excellent Street Fighter line and the Universal Monsters figures). Fortunately, Boo Berry was pretty easy to find through online retailers, as are is two companions still, so he wasn't a headache to score or anything. Boo Berry was my favorite cereal and monster as a kid, though now my tastes have matured and I'm more of a Frute Brute fan. Ready to check out the 51 year old mascot of the first blueberry flavored cereal ever available? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Gemini from Action Force by Valaverse

 

   Time for the Action Force!!! Yes, it's time for another Action Force review and this time I'm looking at Gemini, one of the figures from the most recent drop back in October. I also picked up the newest weapons packs and the accessory packs, but since Gemini is a unique character I definitely wanted to review her. Why's she called Gemini? Because she has two rather extreme personalities. Apparently she goes from being a quiet, bookish individual and an absolute powerhouse when in battle. Ready to add Gemini to your team? Then join me after the break and see how she fits in...

Action Figure Review: Skeleton Warriors from Masters of the Universe Origins by Mattel

 

   Ready for another set of figures that I had intended for 31 Days of Toy Terror this year but which I just didn't get around to? Then let's check out the Skeleton Warriors from Masters of the Universe Origins by Mattel. This is a really cool set of some new troop builders for Skeletor and I think everyone has been excited for these ever since they first appeared in some of the wonderful Masters of the Universe Origins packaging art. They definitely feel like something that could have appeared in the early days of the vintage MOTU line or in the earliest minicomics and I'm quite thrilled to have them. These are sold as an exclusive 2-pack through Big Bad Toy Store and Entertainment Earth in the US (they might be available from other sources internationally). Ready to check out the Skeleton Warriors? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Slush Head from Masterverse: He-Man by Mattel

 

   I really like Mattel's 1989 "He-Man" toyline. It's often referred to as The New Adventures of He-Man, although that was technically just the name of the Jetlag Productions animated series, but it's a good name for the "He-Man in space" era. That's the name I use most of the time for the line and era. While I'm not that big of a fan of the New Adventures animated series, I do love the "He-Man" toyline, it's accompanying minicomics, and anytime it appears in other media. It has some great character designs and I'm thrilled that Masterverse is visiting it.  I'm really hoping that Mattel puts out at least a couple figures from New Adventures in Masterverse of characters didn't make it into Masters of the Universe Classics line. Slush Head (also known as Kalamarr) was one of the series 1 figures from 1989 and a mainstay in the animated series, so it makes sense that he's revisited in the Masterverse line so early with a pretty impressive figure. With the effort that Mattel put into this release you'd never know that he was from the red-headed stepchild of the property. Let's check out Slush Head after the break...

Action Figure Review: Dr. Loomis from John Carpenter's Halloween by Plastic Meatball

 

   I reviewed Annie Brackett from series 2 of Plastic Meatball's retro styled John Carpenter's Halloween collection last week and today I'm checking out the man who is hunting Michael Myers: Dr. Samuel Loomis. Dr. Loomis has had a few action figures made in his likeness before (NECA has released him in their various lines) but he's a vital character to the film and he's an absolute necessity if you're going to have a series of action figures based on the original 1978 film. Ready to track down the evil, soulless Michael Myers? Then Dr. Loomis is your man! Let's check him out after the break...

Action Figure Review: Vincent Price (Ascot) from Vincent Price ReAction by Super7

 

   Today I'm looking at another ReAction figure I had picked up for 31 Days of Toy Terror: Vincent Price! I believe this figure is technically called Vincent Price (Ascot) as there is also a Vincent Price (Grey Scale) figure. Vincent Price has always been a big deal but it seems like he's really getting some attention from action figure makers right now as you have the Super7 ReAction figures of Mr. Price, Egghead from McFarlane's Batman: Classic TV Series line, and NECA's Toony Terrors and Vincent Price Ultimate figures coming out next year. The first real horror movie I ever saw was The House on Haunted Hill when I was in grade school and though I was familiar with Vincent Price from The 13 Ghosts of Scooby Doo and his narration in Thriller, his role in The House on Haunted Hill really made me a fan. The guy is such an icon that companies can just release a figure of him. Actor, narrator, chef, and art lover, Vincent Price was a multitalented individual. Let's take a look at this cool tribute to a true Renaissance man...

Action Figure Review: Seaweed Monster from Pre-Code Horror ReAction by Super7

 

   It's almost Christmas... so ready for something spooky? This is definitely an "out of season" review but I had a few figures I purchased with the intent of reviewing them for 31 Days of Toy Terror but I didn't have enough days in October. Today I'm checking out the very cool Seaweed Monster from Super7's Pre-Code Horror ReAction line. This is definitely a very deep cut for an action figure and I like the idea behind the line: Pay tribute to some of the great horror comics of the pre- Comics Code Authority era. Looking for some vintage horror comic based figures from prior to 1954? Then this line's for you. The Seawood Monster is the only figure from this line I picked up as I found him the must visually appealing, plus I found him on sale. The Seaweed Monster appeared in 1952 on the cover of issue #7  of Ace Comics' Baffling Mysteries. He's a spooky fellow and I don't know anything about, but when you're this creepy looking does it matter? This guy predates The Creature from the Black Lagoon! Let's check out the Seaweed Monster after the break...

Action Figure Review: Annie Brackett from John Carpenter's Halloween by Plastic Meatball

 

   I'm back to moving through all of the random stuff I've picked up and today I'm checking out Annie Brackett from Plastic Meatball's John Carpenter's Halloween toyline. Plastic Meatball is a company started by some former Mattel employees (the name Plastic Meatball is a reference to an inhouse joke name for the red Mattel logo, looking like a meatball) who are creating vintage inspired action figures. It's an action figure subgenre that's become pretty popular and we've seen an array of companies like Funko, Super7, Amok Time, Warpo, and even Hasbro delve into it. John Carpenter's Halloween is one of my favorite movies. While I love horror, I'm not the biggest fan of slasher films and typically prefer more supernatural horror; I'm a huge John Carpenter fan (he's hands down my favorite director) and the film's plot, pacing, characterization, atmosphere, soundtrack, and the question of whether or not there is a supernatural explanation for Michael Myers just makes it such a well done, classic movie. I originally wanted to cover some of these figures during October but things got hectic. I really like that Plastic Meatball is offering more characters than just Michael, Loomis, and Laurie. Series one had Michael Myers, Laurie Strode, and Lynda Van Der Klok while this year's series 2 has Dr. Loomis, Sheriff Brackett, and Annie Brackett, along with variant figures The Shape (Blood Splatter) and Laurie Strode (Final Girl). Annie Brackett was played by Nancy Kyes/ Nancy Loomis and is Laurie's best friend. She's somewhat of a comic relief character but she is sadly killed by Michael Myers on Halloween night. Plastic Meatball must really love this license and knows that there are plenty of us out there who just adore Halloween as they've really delivered a fun retro inspired toyline with great packaging. ready to check out Annie Brackett? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Joan Rivers (Stand Up! Records Exclusive) from Legends of Laughter by Nacelle

 

   A few weeks ago Stand Up! Records, a source for comedy albums, videos, and other merchandise, reached out to me and asked if I'd be interested in reviewing their exclusive Joan Rivers action figure from Nacelle's Legends of Laughter toyline. Of course, I said yes. I'm easily swayed by toys, you know. Nacelle's Legends of Laughter line is an interesting concept: An action figure line for stand up comedians. It kind of reminds me of some of the more offbeat lines from the early 2000s like X-Toys' Saturday Night Live line. We're definitely in a second golden age of action figures when there really seems to be no limits for who can get an action figure. Stand Up! Records' exclusive Joan Rivers action figure is based on the legendary comedian's various endeavors like being the first female late night host (The Late Show with Joan Rivers) and her stalwart presence on the red carpet. A plastic action figure of Joan Rivers seems like a suitable tribute to the Grammy and Emmy award winning talent as, according to Joan herself, "I've had so much plastic surgery, when I die they will donate my body to Tupperware." I'm most familiar with Joan Rivers as the voice of Dot Matrix in Spaceballs, and from her work on E! in the late 90s/ early 2000s, and I'm sure most folks will fondly remember something that she was involved with. Let's take a look at this limited edition figure (only 500 of them) after the break...

Action Figure Review: Tripwire, Aspara, & M.A.C.L.E.O.D. from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

   Today I'm going to review Tripwire from the G.I. Joe: Classified Series and then I'm going to take a break from reviewing G.I. Joes for a little bit. Don't worry! They'll be back. They'll be back for sure. Tripwire has never been one of my favorite characters or figures but I have long been interested to see how Hasbro's Classified Series team would approach him in this line. The vintage Tripwire is one of those figures who feels a bit antiquated and I really hoped that Hasbro was going to update him with a more modern military aesthetic. That is exactly what they did, giving him a selection parts so you can have a more vintage or a more modern Explosive Ordinance Disposal expert. The package also really sells this as a team as you get Tripwire, Aspara, and M.A.C.L.E.O.D. as part of the deluxe set. Ready to check out Tripwire, Aspara, and M.A.C.L.E.O.D.? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Crimson Strike Team from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

   I'm as shocked as you are that this G.I. Joe: Classified Series marathon keeps going and going and going! Today I'm checking out the Crimson Strike Team, the 2023 PulseCon exclusive that pairs thematically with Chuckles, the 2023 SDCC exclusive. Chuckles was released first but I actually received the Crimson Strike Team a week or two before I received Chuckles. The Crimson Strike team is based on the 2002 G.I. Joe Convention set of the same name which included the Baroness, Tomax, and Xamot in their Crimson Guard colors along with twelve crimson Vipers! In 2009 the Crimson Strike Team was revisited as a Joe Con set but this time with the 25th Anniversary figures. And yes, 12 Vipers Once Again! Aren't you glad Hasbro is selling the Crimson Vipers separately this time around? Let's check out the Crimson Strike Team after the break and see if it's worth it to revisit these three characters in the Classified Series again so soon. 

Action Figure Review: Vypra (Python Patrol) from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

   Who is Vypra? Great question! Vypra wasn't part of the original vintage G.I. Joe: A Real American hero toyline but was released as the driver of the Rattler 4WD in the 1998 Toys 'r Us exclusive line. There she was a repaint of Jinx in black and blue named Ann A. Conda who came from New Orleans. In 2004, two more figures named Vypra were released in the same set: The Toys 'r Us exclusive Ninja Cobra Strike Team. These two figures were both named Vypra and both used the Jinx mold, but were identified as the twin daughters of Onihashi, a legendary swordsmith who makes swords for the Arashikage clan. In 2015 the G.I. Joe Collector's Club released another version of Vypra who looked more like the 2004 release but now had a classified name, ninja training, and served as a daring courier. That actually seems to be the figure Hasbro is basing this one off of, though the colors are more like the Vypra twins. The Classified Series Vypra is part of the Python Patrol subset and is a Target exclusive. She's quite a cool looking figure, offering up something rather different for Python Patrol. With a nice mixture of parts, Hasbro has definitely released a neat take on a character that's not as well known as most vintage figures. Let's check out Vypra after the break...