Action Figure Review: Kim "Jinx" Arashikage from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

  

 This summer was pretty filled with new G.I. Joe: Classified Series and I'm still making my way through them. Today I'm checking out Jinx, another new figure from the single packed main series. Well, Kim "Jinx" Arashikage, to be exact. You see, she's Storm Shadow's cousin and part of the Arashikage clan. I had the vintage Jinx as a kid (still do, too), but I actually prefer some of her later costumes like the Sigma 6, Valor Vs. Venom, and G.I. Joe: Retaliation versions. This one borrows pretty heavily from the vintage toy, sure, but we do get a couple new elements and some details brought over from other incarnations, so she's not just a straight up vintage rehash. Ready to kick it with Jinx? Then join me after the break...

Statue Review: Deadpool (The New Mutants #98) from Marvel by McFarlane Toys

 

   It was quite a surprise a few months back when McFarlane Toys announced they would be releasing a series of 1/6th and 1/10th scale Marvel statues and while I initially thought they would be something pretty easy to pass up for me, I did change my mind when I saw this statue of Deadpool on the shelf at GameStop. I've always loved the look of Deadpool and loved my Toy Biz Deadpool as a kid, so seeing this statue based on Wade Wilson's first appearance from the cover of The New Mutants #98 by Fabian Nicieza and Rob Liefeld, I was quite intrigued. McFarlane isn't putting out "high end" statues; this guy cost me a little under $30 dollars with my GameStop pro discount and is more like a "staction" figure than a statue made from a fragile material. Is there a market for these? The first series is all heavy hitters (a 1/6th scale Captain America and Spider-Man and 1/10th scale Deadpool, Wolverine, Iron Man, and Spidey) and they're all quite affordable, so that ought to help move these. With Deadpool and Wolverine being the hottest of hits right now, let's give Deadpool a bit of a tribute and check out a statue based on his first appearance. Join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: M. Bison from Ultra Street Fighter 2: The New Challengers by Jada Toys

 

   Today I'm checking out the third figure from the second series of Jada Toys' Ultra Street Fighter 2: The New Challengers figures: M. Bison! Originally known as Vega in Japan (a fact I didn't know until I was in Middle or High School and bought a copy of Street Fighter 2: The New Champions that had the bosses with their original Japanese names), M. Bison is the major villain of the Street Fighter universe and has recently returned to the series in Street Fighter 6. This figure is based on the classic depictions of the character, though. Well, at least the classic video game depictions, as Raúl Juliá's portrayal of Bison in the 1994 film is the true classic depiction of Bison and definitely the best part of film (with Ming-Na Wen as Chun-Li being the second best part of the film). This figure captures the buffer video game version, though, and does a fine job of it. Ready to check out M. Bison from Jada Toys? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Dhalsim from Ultra Street Fighter 2: The New Challengers by Jada Toys

 

   Jada Toys' Ultra Street Fighter 2: The New Challengers is the Street Fighter toyline I've always wanted. The figures are incredibly well articulated, come with great accessories, the character selection is wonderful, and they're quite affordable. I'm amazed that Jada Toys showed off the complete cast of 16 characters from the Street Fighter 2 era at SDCC 2024 and have started teasing some other characters, too. I mean, how companies would you expect to launch a series with 16 core characters and show them all ready for release in less than a year after the line has started. Usually companies like to drag their feet and not reveal the full main cast until later in the line. God bless you, Jada! You know what we want! Today I'm checking out another of the series 2 figures: Dhalsim, the Yoga mystic from India who can stretch his body beyond belief. Let's take a look at Dhalsim, a guy that loves meditation and curry, after the break...

Action Figure Review: The Penguin (DC Classic) from DC Multiverse by McFarlane Toys

 

   Today I'm checking out another DC Multiverse figure from McFarlane Toys. I'm going to be reviewing quite a few of these in the days ahead because, oh my gosh, the Toddfather is dropping DC figures left and right. Specifically Batman stuff, which is mainly what I collect with DC. The Penguin is part of the same "McFarlane Collector Edition" subset as Starfire (who I reviewed a few weeks back), and thus he comes in at a higher price point. I'm still not sure how I feel about these "Collector Editions" since most of them don't really feel any more deluxe than a standard figure. Still, I like the character selection of many of them and have thus far picked up Abyss, Bat-Manga Batman, and the aforementioned Starfire, who was gifted to me by a kind reader. There's a Platinum edition of the Penguin available as well based on the classic Kenner Super Powers or Toy Biz DC Comics Super Heroes paint scheme (I had the Toy Biz figure as a kid), but I haven't found him yet. There have been any Penguin figures over the years and I own quite a few (though I haven't reviewed many for some reason). This guy strikes a nice middle ground between looking like a standard gangster (think Gotham or The Batman) and looking like a complete monster (think Batman Returns or Dark Victory). He really looks like a classic licensing art version of Oswald Cobblepot, just given some more realistic features. Ready for a stop at the Iceberg Lounge? Then join me after the break...

🔥Hot Toy Summer!🔥 Flareon from An Afternoon with Eevee & Friends by Funko

 

   

We've got another installment of 🔥Hot Toy Summer!🔥 today and this time we're checking out the hottest of them all: Flareon! Flareon is a fire type Pokémon with an average body temperature of between 1,300 to 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit who can exhale fire at around 3,100 degrees Fahrenheit. Yikes! That's insane. If you're a regular reader, you probably know that my daughter Adora is obsessed with Eevee and all of the Eeveelutions, so this is a piece from her collection. Flareon is part of a Funko set of Eeveelutions called My Afternoon with Eevee & Friends. This figure was released in 2020 and is part of a set of nine mini-statues that can all be displayed next to each other to form one scene. Adora received a number of pieces from this set as Christmas presents last year and when I was looking for another toy to celebrate the heat of summer, Flareon jumped out at me. Since she's been quite little, my daughter has insisted that all of her Eevees and Eeveelutions are girls except for Umbreons (who are boys), so let's check out another lady who is out enjoying the summer heat after the break...

Action Figure Review: Zabu from Marvel Legends Series by Hasbro

 

   Has it really been over 2 months since I reviewed Ka-Zar from this series? Apparently. I haven't reviewed all of the figures in this series, only Ka-Zar and Wolfsbane, because three of them I sold off as soon as I could (Red Widow, Ikaris, and Black Winter) and Cable I just didn't get around to reviewing. I had to check out Zabu, though. I actually owned the 2008 Zabu from the SDCC 2008 Savage Land boxed set, but that was because the figure reused the body from the G.I. Joe Sigma 6/ Adventure Team Tiger that came with Storm Shadow. I sold him sometime last year, though, before this set was announced, as I had a strong inclination that Hasbro was going to revisit this guy soon. I was right! Zabu is the Build-a-Figure for the most recent series and a part of him came with each figure in the series except for Super Iron Man. This guy is the perfect companion to Ka-Zar (and hopefully we'll get Shanna the She-Devil soon, too), so let's check him out after the break...

🔥 Hot Toy Summer!🔥 Dreadnok Torch from G.I. Classified Series by Hasbro

   It's back to being incredibly hot and humid in southeastern US and that means it's time for another installment of 🔥Hot Toy Summer!🔥 This month I'm looking at some characters with fire based powers, fire based gimmicks, or characters who are literally on fire! Today I'm checking Torch, another member of the Dreadnoks and the guy most known for using fire as a weapon. In 1985 Zartan got three Dreadnoks to help him out, Buzzer, Ripper, and Torch, so these guys get a lot of love for being the first Dreadnok gang members. I've had this guy for well over a month now and I'm still not sure which of the Classified Series Dreadnoks from 1985 that I prefer; it's either Torch or Ripper. Ready to check out an Aussie with a penchant for fire? Then join me after the break...

🔥Hot Toy Summer!🔥 Starfire (McFarlane Collector Edition) from DC Multiverse by McFarlane Toys

 

   While we're dealing with lots of rain in the Southeast United States right now due to Tropical Storm Debby, the rest of August has been sweltering. What better time to celebrate 🔥Hot Toy Summer🔥, right? So, what is 🔥Hot Toy Summer🔥? It's a time for the hottest toys to get together in the hottest weather and live their best lives now! We're going to have four special action figures celebrating 🔥Hot Toy Summer🔥 with us this August and first up is Starfire, also known as Koriand'r, from McFarlane's DC Multiverse line. She's part of the "deluxe" McFarlane Collector Edition subset and, let me tell you, this Tamaranean princess knows what it means to be hot. No, it's not because of her looks (though she is a looker); it's because her Tamaranean physiology allows her to generate heat and convert ultraviolet radiation into energy. Her hair even looks like a stream of fire. Wait... did you think 🔥Hot Toy Summer🔥 is just about characters who are incredibly attractive? How shallow of you! No, it's more than that. This is a celebration of characters who have fire based powers, fire themed gimmicks, or who are literally on fire. 

   I'm trying something new this month: A mini review series over the course of the month that's decided by you, the loyal readers who check this site out and leave excellent, though provoking comments and/or who spam the page with links to sketchy nutritional supplements. Every month (except October because that's already covered by 31 Days of Toy Terror) I'm going to give one luck commenter the chance to come up with a theme for 3-4 reviews for the next month. What's the theme? That's up to you. Want reviews about a specific character, toyline, or action figures with some random connection? You pick. Within reason, that is. I'm not going out to specifically by stuff, but if I have it I'll review it. More "official" rules will follow in the days head but for now let's check out Starfire. This figure was actually kindly gifted to me by a reader, Chris, who had a duplicate. Thanks, Chris! Now, let's get 🔥Hot Toy Summer🔥 rolling after the break...

Action Figure Review: Wolfsbane from Marvel Legends Series by Hasbro

 

   It's actually been a little over two months since I last reviewed a figure from this series! Hey, I was busy this summer and a lot of my time has been spent prepping for 31 Days of Toy Terror. Wolfsbane's not the only werewolf I've been hanging around with as of late. She's definitely the most heroic, though. Getting Wolfsbane, AKA Rahne Sinclair, in her X-Factor uniform is definitely a very welcome addition to my collection. Hasbro previously released a Wolfsbane headsculpt and hands as a pack in with the Walgreens' exclusive Dani Moonstar figure back in 2019 (Dani also came with a Karma headsculpt as well), but this is the first time she's gotten an action figure of her own since the Toy Bix pre-Marvel Legends days. This series was a bit of a mishmash with two absolutely X-Men/Mutant characters (Cable and Wolfsbane), two X-Men/ Mutant Adjacent characters (Ka-Zar and the Zabu Build-a-Figure), and four other figures (an Iron Man variant, Red Widow, Ikaris, and Black Winter) and I'm kind of wondering if there was ever a point where Hasbro was going to include some Deadpool figures in here to capitalize off of Deadpool and Wolverine but instead went with making them their own series (the Deadpool Legacy Collection). Anyways, Rahne is a fascinating and complex character who can transform into a wolf or something more akin to a werewolf and has been a member of multiple X-Men adjacent teams such as the New Mutants, Excalibur, X-Factor, and X-Force. Ready to check out Rahne? Then let's get stated after the break...

Action Figure Review: Mister Zsasz from DC Multiverse by McFarlane Toys

   

   When it comes to collecting superhero action figures my two biggest loves are X-Men characters and Batman heroes and villains. With Marvel Legends being such an expansive line with a long history and a fairly unified style, I don't have to stray outside of that line to get the X-Men characters I need. With Batman heroes and villains, though, my collection is more of a hodgepodge. While I have multiples of many Batman villains (so many Harley Quinns and Jokers), I have a shelf with my favorite action figure incarnation of each Batman villain that really has a mixture of releases from different lines. There are DC Direct and DC Collectibles, Mattel's DC Universe Classics and its various spin off lines, and plenty of McFarlane Toys DC Universe releases. McFarlane is really digging deeper and they do surprise me quite often with some of their deep cuts. Speaking of deep cuts, here's Mister Zsasz. Victor Zsasz, or Mr. Zsasz (that's how it's usually written), is a psychopathic murderer who believes he's liberating their victims from a meaningless existence. He then keeps a tally of his victims by making cuts on his own body. Mr. Zsasz was created by Alan Grant and Norm Breyfogle and first appeared in 1992, just in time to play a role in the events of Batman: Knightfall. That's the era this figure is based on, and it's the first time a truly comic take on Zsasz has been made (DC Direct made an Arkham Asylum videogame based Zsasz and Diamond Select Toys made one based on his appearance in Gotham). This guy was exclusive to the McFarlane Toys Store and went up for sale in early April. How is he? Ehhh... he's kind of a disappointment. Why? Well, let's take a closer look and find out after the break...

Action Figure Review: Gnawgahyde, Porkbelly, & Yobbo from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

  It's been at least a week since my last review, but I assure you that I'm fine! I'm reviewing a hunter of sorts today, but I've been spending my time with a hunter of a different sort, a predator who turns the hunters into prey. October is getting closer, you know...

   At SDCC this year Hasbro showed off lots of new G.I. Joe: Classified Series stuff. G.I. Joe was even mentioned as a brand that grew for Hasbro in their most recent earnings report, so it's clear the line is doing well. Today I'm checking out another of the figure and animal companion 2-packs, though this one actually includes two animals and is labeled as a 3-pack (even though one animal companion is a nonarticulated minifigure): Gnawgahyde, Porkbelly, and Yobbo. Gnawgahyde is a Dreadnok poacher and was part of the 1989 series of figures. He's a figure I absolutely remember picking out from store shelves at a fairly young age as 1989 was a great year for G.I. Joes and was one of the years that I had every standard figure (all 17 of the basic figures). The 1989 line had some of the best accessories in the vintage run and Gnawgahyde certainly impressed. Hasbro has really loaded up this figure, too, though many of the weapons are reused from previous releases. Making the vintage figure's unnamed boar companion into a fully articulated and named figure was a nice touch, too. Ready to check out Gnawgahyde, Porkbelly, and Yobbo? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Leech from Masterverse: Princess of Power by Mattel

 

   I've definitely not been putting out as many reviews over the past month as you're probably accustomed to, so some of you have probably wondered if I'm OK. I am! I've been working on a special project that involves another swamp creature. October is less than 3 months away, you know...

   Masterverse is putting out the Evil Horde very slowly in the Princess of Power subset but Leech gives us at least one one new member for this year. While he's not an exact match for the Filmation version of Leech from She-Ra: Princess of Power, this take on Leech does seem to be inspired by the design of the Filmation version mixed with the vintage toy. I'm surprised we got this take on Leech rather than the Masters of the Universe: Revolution but only because it's the most recent show the character appeared in. Personally, I really hope Mattel gets to some of the Great Rebellion in the line. Anyways, I'm excited to have Leech as he's not a character we've seen in Masterverse yet. Ready to check him out? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Moss Man from Turtles of Grayskull by Mattel

 

   I'm absolutely loving Mattel's Turtles of Grayskull line and I was pretty thrilled a month or so ago when I walked into my local Walmart and stumbled upon a full row of the Turtles of Grayskull Moss Man. Turtles of Grayskull is far more well thought out than most of the TMNT crossover properties and there are some pretty interesting changes made to the characters. Moss Man is another of the unfortunate heroes who has been transformed by mutagen ooze and is now at the beck and call of Shredder and Krang. An evil Moss Man who reminds me of a Resident Evil villain? Sign me up! Let's take a look at Moss Man, the Mutated Master of Nature, after the break...

Action Figure Review: Royal Guard from Savage Crucible by Harvinger Studios

 

  Back in mid June I was at HeroesCon in Charlotte, NC and stumbled upon the Harvinger Toys booth which was selling figures from their Savage Crucible line. I'd heard of Savage Crucible before but I wasn't very familiar with the line. It started out as a Kickstarter funded line in 2023 and the first series of figures has already dropped. At the show the Harvinger Studios team also had test shots and prototypes of series 2 and a couple from series 3, all of which got me pretty excited for this line. I practiced a little restraint, though, and only ended up with two figures and one of the accessory packs. Kind of a big mistake on my part as these are some extremely impressive figures and I now wish I'd picked up a couple more as these are tough to find and pricey most everywhere else now (Harvinger Studios seemed to be giving a nice discount at the show). The first figure I'm checking is the Royal Guard, a Lemurian warrior. The Lemurians are a race of lizard people. This guy really appealed to me because of his cool black and white color scheme and there was an accessory pack for sale that had an alternate head for this guy with a raised crest or hood, kind of like a Dilophosaurus. Ready to check out my first figure in a new line? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Kirby from Eastman & Laird's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by NECA

 

   I haven't seriously collected a TMNT toyline for at least a decade now, though this year I have been collecting Mattel's Turtles of Grayskull due to their Masters of the Universe connection and I've been secreting away the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Universal Monsters (which are being set aside for some terrifying purpose!). I've been aware of this upcoming Jack Kirby figure from NECA's Eastman & Laird's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles toyline based on the 1980s Mirage Studios comic book series since it was revealed last year. I've read quite a bit of the Mirage Studios TMNT comics through the excellent hardbound editions released by IDW and I was familiar with the story that Kirby appeared in, "Donatello: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle #1" (Kirby King also appears in the 2003 series in the episode "Kirby and the Warp Crystal"). In the story Donatello meets Kirby, a new tenant of April's building, who is an artist utilizing a magic crystal he has found that brings his drawings to life. Kirby and Donatello end up travelling through a portal into another world where Donatello and Kirby help the human population fight off the monsters that Kirby has been drawing. It's a simple and neat story that was Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird's tribute to Jack "The King" Kirby, one of the most legendary creators in all of comics. Kirby is a Target exclusive and is part of their Haulathon promotion. I managed to just stumble upon him on a shelf one night right after it seemed like a fresh display had just been set. I didn't buy this figure because he's a TMNT character; I bought him because he's a tribute to Jack Kirby. Let's check out Kirby after the break...

Action Figure Review: Arrizak from Mythic Legions by Four Horsemen Studios

 

   I usually only pick up a couple Mythic Legions figures a year, typically just the Masters of the Universe tributes, but the wizards from the new Poxxus series of figures really appealed to me. They just released this month and I was able to snag some from both the Four Horsemen's booth at HeroesCon on the 15th and from some other vendors at the show. It's pretty cool walking up to the booth and not only having the crew from Four Horsemen Studios there but also getting to see so many of the figures displayed out of the package in a variety of poses. They even had some customs out for display, too. Arrizak is an evil sorcerer who is part of the Circle of Poxxus, the followers of Poxxus, the evil god of sickness and decay and a new threat to Mythoss. Arrizak reminds me of Kelek, the evil wizard from the vintage LJN toyline. I've never owned Kelek but I've always liked the look of the figure. The Four Horsemen have been working more and more soft goods into this line and the is incredibly impressive. Ready to check out Arrizak? Then say some magic words and join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Ken from Ultra Street Fighter 2: The New Challengers by Jada Toys

 

   Jada Toys seems to have big plans for their Ultra Street Fighter 2: The New Challengers toyline, though they stated off slow with only three characters last year: Ryu, Chun-Li, and Fei Long. Series 2 has been hitting slowly over the past few months and it seems that Ken shipped before M. Bison and Dhalsim, the other two figures in the series. While Ken was a bit of a Ryu clone in the game Capcom worked over time to differentiate him from his best friend and rival. The Jada Toys Ken uses much of the same body as Ryu, but his outfit is different so they're not just the same figure with different heads and paint jobs. Ready to check out Ken and see if he's "Kenough" to win the World Warrior Tournament? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Iron Man (Model 01-Gold) from Marvel Legends Retro Collection: Iron Man by Hasbro

 

      For well over a year now I've really cut my Marvel Legends collecting down to just X-Men and mutant related characters (X-Force, Alpha Flight, etc.) and just the random figure here and there I really like. I've sold off quite a few Marvel Legends over the past 6 months that I'd lost interest in or that didn't fit into my collection. I did keep my core Avengers and villains, though, particularly in their most classic looks. I had multiple Iron Man figures but I sold off about half of them, keeping just my favorites. I didn't pick up the Mark I Iron Man last year but when I saw this gorgeous Iron Man (Model 01-Gold) from the new Iron Man Retro Collection I had to bite. These are packaged on cards that look like the old Toy Biz Iron Man cards that tied in with the cartoon, the only Marvel line I collected after I stopped collecting the X-Men line, so the nostalgia hit. But this guy really just appealed to me. I think he'll look great with the other core Avengers. I think the gold suit was Tony's third design, painted gold because he thought people found the original suit too frightening and one of his girlfriends thought gold would make Iron Man look like " knight in shining armor." Cute. I saw him at a local shop and debated grabbing him but I ended up picking him up at my nearest GameStop. With my Pro discount and my monthly $5 reward I ended up with him for less than a Jackson. Let's check out Iron Man (Model-01 Gold) after the break...

Action Figure Review: Batgirl Cassandra Cain (Batgirls) from DC Multiverse by McFarlane Toys

 

   

I haven't been reviewing too many DC Multiverse figures from McFarlane Toys lately as so many of the characters I've been interested in have been only offered as those McFarlane Collector Edition figures that are $5 to $10 dollars more than your average figure. I'm just not seeing the value their for me. I did really want he Cassie Cain version of Batgirl, however, and I managed to get a preorder for her from Target's website (she's a Gold Label figure and is exclusive to Target). Cassie has had a number of different personas, including Black Bat and Orphan, but being a Batgirl is probably her most well know. I really would like a figure of Orphan at some point, but this is definitely the best choice for a first DC Multiverse figure for her. This one is technically sourced to the current title Batgirls, though the costume does make me think of a bit older look for her, closer to even the No Man's Land look. Let's check out Batgirl Cassandra Cain after the break...

Action Figure Review: Orko from Masters of the Universe by Mondo

 

Today's a pretty big review of a smaller character: It's Orko! This version of Orko is a 1/6th scale figure from Mondo's Masters of the Universe toyline and he was available as a timed exclusive back at the beginning of the year. Interestingly, he was a timed exclusive, so as many people as wanted him could buy him from Mondo's website between January 23rd and January 30th, and yet he's already shipped! He surely wasn't made to order, then, was he? Usually open, timed exclusives like this have a longer waiting period as the company uses the timed window to plan the size of their run. Orko shipped right on time, though, and I've had him for a week or so at this point. I really like Mondo's 1/6th scale MOTU figures but the prices have really gotten pretty high on these guys. He-Man and Skeletor were $160 when they first came out in 2019 and now the recent Teela figure, who didn't come with any little companion figures, was $250. Yikes! I've been pretty selective with my purchases over the past few years and the last one I picked up was She-Ra. I kind of regret skipping Teela, but I just couldn't get myself to pull the trigger at the time. Orko was an instant buy, though. I love the guy and I love how many little unique smaller figures you get with him. Besides Orko you also get a smaller "animated" Orko, Dree Elle, and Daimar the Demon. Interestingly, the three smaller figures feel like they could integrate into a Masters of the Universe Classics collection, so that's part of what sold me on Orko. Let's take a look at most everyone's favorite Trollan (I know Uncle Montork has some fans) after the break...

Action Figure Review: Scarlett (Retro) from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

   So far, four of the five series one G.I. Joe: Classified Series figures have received updates in the retro carded subset (Duke, Scarlett, Snake Eyes, and Destro) while Roadblock got a mostly retro update with the Heavy Artillery Roadblock figure. I looked at retro Duke earlier this month and today I'm checking out Scarlett. I really like the original Scarlett figure and her "field" variant but there's obviously a large contingent of collectors who want figures that are as close to the original vintage toys as possible, which isn't a bad thing. Scarlett had a unique look that was more superhero or superspy than straight up soldier, so I'm not sure there's anything about her that looks really outdated. This is a completely unique figure from the first release and she's loaded with accessories. Let's check out Scarlett after the break...

Action Figure Review: Sla'ker from Turtles of Grayskull by Mattel

 

   

   I'm actually following up the recent review of the Turtles of Grayskull Krang with another Turtles of Grayskull review: Sla'ker! Sla'ker is an experiment of Krang, combining the evil mutant turtle, Slash, with the He-Man replica robot, Faker. So, my question is how would you pronounce this guy's name? Slay-ker, using the long "A" in Faker, or Slack-er, using the pronunciation you'd get from saying Slash? I've been saying Slay-ker for a bit, but the more I think about it, the more I think Slack-er might be right. It's also kind of funny. Who would have ever thought we'd need a cross between Faker and Slash? I had both of those figures as a kid and I'm probably more thrilled now with them as a comb than I would have been back then. Let's check out Sla'ker after the break...

Action Figure Review: Krang from Turtle of Grayskull by Mattel

 

   If someone had told you a few years ago that Mattel would be releasing a Masters of the Universe and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles mashup toyline at mass retail, would you have believed them? I mean, this line's starting to get pretty deep! Today I'm checking out the deluxe Krang figure which is actually Krang in an android body modeled after Megator, one of the rarest MOTU toys of them all! I remember getting the vintage Krang figure as a kid and then wondering why he didn't have the cool android body like he had in the cartoon and video games. I remember finally getting that figure when they made it and loving it! I had the full sized one, though Playmates did eventually release an android body for Krang that was scaled like a regular TMNT figure. This one combines the android with the giant Megator, or a "Megator android body" as the back of the package calls it. ready to check out the brains of the Foot Clan and his mega sized robotic ride? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Ka-Zar from Marvel Legends Series by Hasbro

 

   It's about time Hasbro updates Ka-Zar and Zabu, right? A Savage Land three pack with Ka-Zar, Shanna the She-Devil, and Zabu was an SDCC exclusive 3-pack way back in 2007, pretty much right around the time when Hasbro took over the Marvel Legends license. I remember the set so well because I actually bought a Zabu from someone because he used a mold from the G.I. Joe: Sigma 6 Adventure Team sets that didn't end up getting released. I've been wanting the trio in the modern Marvel Legends line and last year at some point I sold off my 2008 Zabu as I had a feeling this one was coming. It worked! I will say that I'm a bit disappointed with this series as it has three X-Men related characters and an X-Men related build-a-figure with four non X-Men characters. Usually the X-Men BAF series have tended to be all X-Men or mutant related, so I'm not sure what happened here. Why couldn't Shanna the She-Devil have been part of this set? This one is a bit of a wildcard. I ended up buying all of the BAF figures and selling off who I didn't want (Ikaris, Red Widow, and Black Winter), and it actually worked out pretty well. Let's pounce into action and check out Ka-Zar of the Savage Land after the break...

Action Figure Review: Sy-Klone from Masters of the Universe Origins by Mattel

 

   2024 might be the craziest year yet for Masters of the Universe Origins (wasn't the line supposed to end a year or two ago? 😅). Besides having Mattel Creations exclusives pretty frequently that are getting us towards completing the vintage lineup we've also got the Turtles of Grayskull subset and the Filmation series subset. Eternia shipped, vehicles are still coming out, and we're supposed to get a playset for the Snake men faction. This line is like a quiet juggernaut, continuing to march towards toy domination. Today I'm checking out Sy-Klone, the Heroic Fist- Flinging Tornado and defender of Anwat-Gar. Sy-Klone has an interesting role in my childhood Masters of the Universe collection as he's one of the only figures I can think of from my childhood that I had two of. I seem to recall finding him abandoned at a park somewhere or one of my cousins giving him to me. Maybe I received him as a gift from an aunt or uncle and then found a loose one abandoned? I was pretty young when MOTU was still coming out, so some of my memories are a bit hazy. Sy-Klone is a deluxe figure and Mattel really made him worth the deluxe price tag here. Not only does he come with some cool new extras but he also is fully functional. Yes, he rotates incredibly well! Let's check out Sy-Klone after the break...

Action Figure Review: Toxie from Toxic Crusaders by Trick or Treat Studios

 

   I somehow missed that Trick or Treat Studios is releasing updated action figures from the vintage Playmates Toxic Crusaders toyline but I discovered them in store at an FYE while on a business trip last month. Of course, FYE's prices are ridiculous, so I simply ordered it from another online retailer for the regular retail price. I loved this line as a kid and it's one I forever regret selling off at some point(I still have a couple of them). Who knows how deep this line will go, but so far Trick or Treat Studios has released Toxie and has Dr. Killemoff on the way. While these really resemble the vintage Playmates figures, there are some differences here. The line is a collaboration between Trick or Treat Studios and Varner Studios (who designed the original line), so you're getting some real talent here. Ready to check out Toxie? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Duke (Retro) from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

   
   It's been almost four years since I wrote my first G.I. Joe Classified Series review and it was for the series 1 Duke figure, back when the line had a different, unique look that felt more futuristic (though some called it Fortnite inspired). I thought that was a darn good figure back then and I still think it's a pretty good Duke figure now, but Hasbro has found that there are lots of collectors who pretty much just want 6-inch rehashes of the vintage line. I'll admit that I do like the Retro figures, but they're rarely my first choice, especially for a regular military guy like Duke. Could Destro still be rocking the same outfit he wore in the 1980s? Yeah, he's an exaggerated super villain and arms dealer. It doesn't look or feel off. But it does feel off to me when we get a soldier from what is supposed to be the most elite special forces team in the world with antiquated gear. I've talked about it in the comments of a few reviews with some of y'all and I think it's just different expectations I have for G.I. Joe versus, say, Masters of the Universe, TMNT, superheroes, or Star Wars. Anyways, we do have a really good Classified Series Duke already along with a Tiger Force repaint, so now we get a retro version. Not a bad way to handle it, really, and don't take my bellyaching as my thinking this is a bad figure. Not at all. let's check Duke out after the break...

Action Figure Review: Patch & Joe Fixit from Marvel Legends Series: Wolverine by Hasbro

 

   Today I'm checking out the last of the four Wolverine 50th Anniversary 2-packs from Hasbro's Marvel Legends Series: Patch and Joe Fixit. When your significant other sees you grabbing this set and says "Do you really need another Wolverine and another Incredible Hulk?" you can just point to the fact that this 2-pack doesn't come with Wolverine or Hulk. That's Patch and Joe Fixit. Of all four Wolverine sets that have come out for the 50th, this set has the most desirable Wolverine variant and the least desirable non-Wolverine figure. I like the Hulk, don't get me wrong, but I already had the BAF Joe Fixit and another one just came out pretty recently. He does look cool chilling with Patch in a white tux, though, but he wasn't a character or variant I really felt I needed. Based on Wolverine #8 from 1988 and that great John Buscema cover, this set definitely makes sense, though, and I imagine it'll still be a brisk seller even though more people want Patch than Joe. Ready to check out these two tough guys in their snazziest dud? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Techno-Viper from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

   Ready for another review from the G.I. Joe: Classified Series? Then let's take a look at the Techno-Viper, one of Cobra's battlefield technicians. The first few G.I. Joe figures I had were from 1986 but I recall having most of the 1987 series as well, so it's possible I started getting into G.I. Joe in late 1986 or early 1987 and started getting whoever was around. By 1987 we were definitely seeing more unusual colors in the line and the Techno-Viper managed to look really cool and serious while still having a bright purple outfit. It works, doesn't it? For being one of the earlier Viper types in the vintage line, the Techno-Viper didn't really get much attention in the 2000s line: We didn't get a "modern" Techno-Viper until the 2011 30th Anniversary line. That was a great figure but this one ups the size and detail due to simply being larger. He's also got one or two new tricks, though I also have a couple few nits as well. ready to check out the Techno-Viper? Then let's get things rolling after the break...

Action Figure Review: Hallow's Eve from Marvel Legends Series: Spider-Man by Hasbro

 

 
 Today I'm looking at a figure from the newest series of Spider-Man Marvel Legends Series figures that are packaged like the Marvel Legends: Retro Collection figures, but which don't have retro styled card backs and aren't based on older characters. Really, that seems to be the packaging Hasbro uses now when they just don't want to include a Build-a-Figure in a series. The figure I'm checking out is Hallowe's Eve, a character who I knew nothing at all about when I picked her up. Nothing, nada, zip. I grabbed her because she's a crazy lady with a Halloween themed gimmick and little masks as accessories. I dig, I dig. It turns out her real name is Elizabeth Tyne (though she also went by Janine Godbe for a bit) and she's in a relationship with Ben Reilly and at some point gets turned by Madeline Pryor, aka Goblin Queen, into Hallow's Eve. Enchanted by magic from the finger of S'ym, Hallow's Eve has the power to create masks with different powers that she pulls out of her purple satchel. She can use the masks on herself to obtain different powers and appearances or use them on her enemies to weaken and curse them. That's pretty cool, actually. We're still about four months away from 31 Days of Toy Terror and I didn't want to put off reviewing her for that long, so let's check out Hallow's Eve after the break...

Action Figure Review: Quick Kick from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

   For being one of the more recognizable G.I. Joe members who appeared in multiple forms of media, Quick Kick only showed up in the vintage line one time (1985) and didn't make a reappearance until 2008 as part of the 25th Anniversary line. My favorite version of Quick Kick is the 2010 Pursuit of Cobra version as outfitted the figure with shoes, a firearm, and a removable uwagi. Decked out in a black outfit with yellow trim, that version of Quick Kick felt like a great take on the character that modernized him, keeping the fun elements of the character while still making him seem like a legitimate part of a special ops team. For the Classified Series take on Quick Kick, Hasbro's Joe team has largely approached the figure as an updated take on the vintage toy. There are some great new features and he's quite cool, no surprise there, but it definitely doesn't try to reimagine the character at all. Let's take a look at Quick Kick, the G.I. Joe team's silent weapons expert, after the break...

Barbecue's Cache: Caching Gremlins from the Geocoin Club

 

   It's time for another visit to Barbecue's Cache! Today I'm showing off another Geocoin from my collection. It's another Chris Mackey design from Geocoin Club.com and was the coin for September 2020. This one is called "Caching Gremlins" and pays tribute (or perhaps offers a warning) to the ways that geocaches can end up damaged or missing. 99 percent of the time geocaches are placed outdoors (there are limited scenarios where they are allowed inside), so you're essentially having to find a way to shelter your cache from the elements and from muggles. Yeah, muggles. What's a muggle? Well, in the Wizarding World they're non-magical folk but in geocaching they're non-cachers. Caches are exposed to high and low temperatures, wild animals, environmental changes (floods, rockslides, forest fires), and, yes, folks who stumble upon it by accident. 
   The Caching Gremlins coin has an antique copper finish with a soft enamel for the colored details. The front of the coin has a crazy looking gremlin face in the middle with a very wicked intent. When something happens to your geocache that you can't explain, who can you blame? The gremlin! Gremlins came about in the 1920s as a excuse facetious excuse for malfunctions in aircraft and other machinery, especially in military settings. Surrounding the gremlin's face here are some icons reflecting the different issues that can effect geocaches: A snowflake for cold weather, an animal print for animals that sometimes disturb caches (or invade them), a landslide warning sign, what looks like an underwater ammo box cache leaking, and a flame for both high temperatures and forest fire. It's entirely possible to find an older metal ammo box cache in a heavily wooded area that has been through a forest fire. Sometimes the interior contents have melted but the metal boxes themselves are usually fine. If it's a plastic or Tupperware container, forget about it. I've seen photos where cachers have found melted hunks of plastic that were presumably the cache. 

   In between the icons hare images of different nature environments for hiding caches. Urban caches are very popular as well but they're far less adventurous (usually). Let's check out the other side of the coin after the break...

Action Figure Review: Metal-Head from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

   Oh my gosh! I hadn't realized it's been over a month since I last reviewed a G.I. Joe: Classified Series figure! Today I'm checking out Metal-Head, who I believe is the the most recent deluxe release in the line. From what I've picked up online, Metal-Head isn't the most popular release. I think some of that is because there does seem to be some ill will among collectors when it comes to deluxe releases; they just feel they're often overpriced for what you get. Another reason that Metal-Head seems unpopular is that there is a weird design decision when it comes to the missiles: They can't just go into the launchers without using the firing effects. That is a weird decision and I believe it's the first time that a missile has been designed that way in the Classified Series. Thirdly, Metal-Head was originally released in 1990, so there are a lot of collectors who were out of the line by that time and who just don't want anything but straight up vintage versions of the earliest characters in the line. I got into G.I. Joe a bit later as a kid so I absolutely was still collecting in 1990. In fact, I think it's one of the strongest years of the line. I had Metal-Head as a kid (in fact, I still own him) and I've always liked him as a upper level named Cobra characters, though he really is a member of the Iron Grenadiers. This is the first Iron Grenadiers release we've had in the line to date, right? Let's take a look and see how Metal-Head turned out, after the break...

Action Figure Review: Skeletor & Demogorgon from Masters of the Universe X Stranger Things by Mattel

 

      Stranger Things is definitely one of the biggest hits in pop culture from the last decade or so. While pop culture and entertainment is so often heavily segmented these days, Stranger Things managed to capture a pretty wide audience and gain some wide spread pop culture recognition. My daughter is10 and we've been watching through the show with her. She's absolutely loving it. While we're waiting for the fifth and final season, many companies have still been releasing lots of toys and merchandising items for the show. There have been some crossovers between Stranger Things and a number of other 1980s pop culture staples and now we're getting Masters of the Universe X Stranger Things from Mattel. While some of the other crossovers have used the human characters from the show, Mattel's Masters of the Universe X Stranger Things line seems to be just using the monsters so far with a storyline that Skeletor has accidently broken into the Upside Down, allowing Vecna to come through and attempt to take over Eternia. That's a decent setup and, to be honest, you could simply consider these as a Masters of the Universe meets Dungeons & Dragons crossover, too. The Demogorgon in this set is actually a pretty cool Masters of the Universe Origins styled monster figure and Skeletor has more paint applications and a darker color scheme than the basic Origins Skeletor figure. It's a pretty good set, really, and I think it's a decent crossover though it's probably of more interest to MOTU fans than just Stanger Things fans. Ready to check out Skeletor and the Demogorgon? Then join me after the break..

Barbecue's Cache: The Great Frontier from The Geocoin Club

 

   
   Last week I showed off a geocaching trackable item that I found in a geocache and that I took some pictures of and moved along. This week I'm showing off a newer piece from my collection: The Great Frontier geocoin from The Geocoin Club. The Geocoin Club has been making amazing trackable coins for almost 20 years now and I've recently joined the club, so I get a coin sent to me every month. The Great Frontier geocoin is the monthly coin for March 2024 and was designed by Chris Mackey. It's a 3.5 mm thick coin with a shiny silver finish and soft enameling with an epoxy dome. The coin is trackable (the code is on the side, so you can take pictures of it without having to hide the code) and comes with a pathtag companion. 

   While the majority of geocaches are on dryland, they can absolutely be hidden underwater, requiring scuba gear to get to. I haven't found any like this yet but I'd love to someday. I mean, 71% of Earth's surface is water, so that's a lot of space. The front of the coin shows off a giant octopus in front of a compass rose whose tentacles are extending out to some little designs on the sides that represent different aspects of nautical exploration. There are a couple different knots, a paper map, a spyglass, an anchor, a hook, propeller, an anchor, and maybe some oars. The blue and white rings actually have little bubble like designs in them, which is a great effect. Let's check out the other side of the coin after the break...
   

Action Figure Review: Wolverine & Psylocke from Marvel Legends Series: Wolverine by Hasbro

 

   Another Wolverine two pack today? Yup! Another Wolverine two pack. This time we get Wolverine in his sleek black outfit from his time operating in Madripoor and Japan and Psylocke in her armored outfit. Well, this is Betsy Braddock as Psylocke, but, thanks to the machinations of The Hand and Spyral, she's inhabiting the body of the assassin Kwannon and going by the name of Lady Mandarin. Huh. I think quite a few collectors were wanting to see Betsy's earlier armored costume, but this one is a solid pick as well. It really offers up something quite different. This Wolverine seems to be tied with the Brood Wolverine as the least popular of the four new Wolverine figures as he was released in the Retro Series a few years back, though this is clearly a much better figure than that one. Still, wouldn't a figure of Matsu'o Tsurayaba have been a cool addition? Of course, then the pack wouldn't have fit in to the Wolverine theme. Ready to check out these two ninja level warriors? Then join me after the break...

Just Passing Through: Delfts Blue Tulip from DutchTagZ

 

   I've been geocaching since 2005 and, while I've mentioned it once it once or twice before, today I'm going to start a series of posts focusing on Geocaching trackables. I'll probably try to do some posts related to the subject a couple times a month, some with trackables I've found or discovered ("Just Passing Through") and others with coins and trackables from my personal collection. Today I'm checking out a trackable I discovered in a geocache about a month ago: A DutchTagZ "Delfts Blue Tulip" that began it's journey in North Holland, Netherlands in 2016. 

  If you are unfamiliar with Geocaching, it's basically a worldwide high-tech treasure hunt using a handheld GPS receiver or smartphone to track down containers that other geocachers have found. While there are some variations, typically you use the coordinates and GPS receiver to reach the location and then have to find the geocache, or cache itself. Caches can come in all sizes and while the classic example is an ammo box, over time most caches have become smaller. Inside is typically a paper log which you date, sign, and then log online at Geocaching.com. Some larger caches have items in them which you can trade for. Usually little trinkets like pins, keychains, minifigures, etc. Geocaches stay in place and aren't meant to move, but they can house little trinkets called trackables or travel bugs, which are intended to move. 

   Trackables and travel bugs are usually a metal item, like a dogtag, keychain, or coin, and they have a code on them. Typically you don't share these codes online. Instead, if you find the trackable item in person you can use the code to discover it online. You can either discover it and put it back or you can pick it up and take it with you. Some trackables and travel bugs have missions while others just go where ever anyone takes them. They can be tracked online as geocachers discover them and log their journeys. Some hang around and travel for years while others quickly disappear.

   Today I'm looking at Delfts Blue Tulip trackable from DutchTagZ. This particular trackable departed from North Holland, Netherlands in 2016 and was placed in a cache in Minnesota, USA by the owner. Since then it has been travelling the United States. I've not found a cache large enough to accommodate it yet, but I'm hopeful I will tomorrow. Let's take a closer look at this trackable after the break...

Action Figure Review: Tri-Klops from Masterverse: Masters of the Universe: New Eternia by Mattel

 

   Today I'm looking at another Masterverse figure from the Masters of the Universe: New Eternia assortment, and this time it's a villain to add to Skeletor's Evil Warriors: Tri-Klops! Tri-Klops is evil, sees everything, and differed a little bit in his earliest minicomic appearance when compared with the vintage figure. He was also, according to Roger Sweet, originally a Heroic Warrior. Tri-Klops definitely might be the most well known character with the fewest number of unique looks, so it's quite fun to get a version of him that tries to add a bit of old and a bit of new into the mix, leaving us with a rather cool New Eternia take on Trydoor Esooniux Scope. No wonder he goes by Tri-Klops, huh? Let's hop in and check out the Masters of the Universe figure preferred by 4 out of 5 optometrists. Oh, and the other 1 out of 5? They dig Optikk. More Tri-Klops and optical humor after the break...

Action Figure Review: Logan vs Sabretooth from Marvel Legends Series: Wolverine by Hasbro

 

   If there's one of the four new Wolverine 50th anniversary 2-packs that everyone seems to be going nuts over, it's this one: Logan vs Sabretooth. Who doesn't love these two guys? In this set you get Logan in his casual duds, looking like he's hanging out in some country road dive bar or a smoky old pool hall, and Sabretooth at his biggest and baddest. Seriously, he's a pretty big dude! I didn't collect many Toy Biz Marvel Legends back in the day (and I only own one or two of the ones I did collect), but Sabretooth was one of them. Having grown up with the X-Men Sabretooth with the "healing" wound, the Toy Biz Marvel Legends Sabretooth was an insane upgrade! This new version of Victor Creed just makes the guy even more menacing. This is an excellent set and I'm excited to review it in what is definitely one of the best years for the X-Men to date. Let's check out Logan vs Sabretoooth after the break...

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

 

   It's been a couple weeks since I last reviewed a Masters of the Universe action figure and since I failed to put anything up for Masters of the Universe Day this year (oops!), consider this look at the Masterverse: New Eternia Mekaneck a belated Masters of the Universe Day review. I love Mekaneck and I've always been obsessed with doodling him. For some reason in middle school and high school I just got pretty good at doodling Mekaneck. Well, at least his head and helmet. I'd often give him different bodies, but I'd usually stick with his classic and cool helmet. Why? I don't know. Mekaneck is one of the New Eternia themed figures, so he's somewhat of a classic Masterverse take on Mekaneck with some new accessories and features that help him stand out a bit more. Ready to sneak a peak at Mekaneck, the Heroic Human Periscope? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Angel from Marvel Legends Series: X-Men by Hasbro

 

  Over the past couple years I've largely focused my Marvel Legends collecting on just the X-Men and I tend to grab them as quickly as I can. While most of Hasbro's product has been easier to come by in recent years with reliable online retailers and Hasbro Pulse itself, I still try not to snooze on X-Men releases. You never know what's going to disappear quickly and skyrocket in price when it comes to mutants. Today I'm looking at the new "deluxe" Angel figure, who is priced about $10 dollars higher than your average Marvel Legends figure because of his wings. I managed to bundle a GameStop sale with my Pro discount and some reward points, so I decided to go ahead and snag him. It's been a long time since this costume was made in Marvel Legends (all the way back in series 10 of the Toy Biz era!), so it's definitely time for it to be revisited. This is the costume Warren wore during his time with The Defenders/ The New Defenders in the early to mid 1980s, before his return alongside the original five X-Men in X-factor. Hasbro could easily turn this into the blue costume Magneto gave him after Angel was attacked by Sauron's minions (which this costume is inspired by) or his X-Factor costume, though the question remains if we need multiple variants of a deluxe figure. If X-Men '97 continues to be as well received as it is now and the Marvel Cinematic Universe starts to lean fully in to the mutant side of Marvel, odds are we'll see many more versions of one of the X-Men's original team. Let's check out this version of Warren Worthington III, better know a the highflying Angel, after the break...

Action Figure Review: Count Orlok from Nosferatu by NECA

 

   I'm really loving how NECA is going further and further back into the history of horror cinema and Count Orlok from F.W. Murnau's 1922 silent film Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror is an iconic character who is truly deserving of a figure of this quality. I don't exactly remember when I first watched Nosferatu, but I'm pretty sure I was in high school. My dad received a DVD player as a Christmas gift in 1999 and shortly afterwards I found a boxed set of silent horror films while out browsing for bargains. I think I was first introduced to Count Orlok and the film by the Are You Afraid of the Dark? episode. Looking back, it was probably "The Tale of the Midnight Madness" from 1993, an episode featuring a fictional film take on Nosferatu which has Count Orlok coming out of the screen. NECA has had a very solid run of the Universal Monsters, and while there are still plenty to do, I'm really excited that they're branching out more. Count Orlok isn't a Universal Monster but he'll display well with them. Of course he'll display well with the Phantom of the Opera and Lon Chaney from London After Midnight. I rewatched Nosferatu a few nights ago in preparation for this review and I'm still of the opinion that Max Schreck's Count Orlok is still one of the creepiest film characters ever to appear on screen. Over 100 years later and he's still just so incredibly disturbing and frightening. He's obviously the best part of the film and the reason it's still remembered today. Ready to check out NECA's Count Orlok? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Batgirl (Batman: Three Jokers) Jokerized from DC Multiverse by McFarlane Toys

 

   The other day I had the opportunity to get this Jokerized Batgirl figure in the wild at Target and decided to jump on it. I don't own all of them but I have quite a few of the Jokerized DC Multiverse figures and I like them quite a bit. They definitely aren't everyone's cup of tea for sure, but I love the color schemes on these and how well they fit within my collection of Joker action figures. There have been plenty of Jokerized Batman figures along with the Jokerized Dark Knight Trilogy series and Jokerized Red Robin (who I skipped), but this is the first Batgirl. There has been quite a bit of Jokerized Batgirl art and cosplay over the years, but as far as I can recall, this is the first official Jokerized figure of Babs out there (though there was a Harley Quinn POP! dressed like Batgirl). This one is a straight up repaint which uses the Batgirl figure from Batman: Three Jokers. Ready to check out a Jokerized Batgirl? Then join me after the break...