31 Days of Toy Terror Takes the Universe: Bride of Frankenstein #1631 from POP! Movies: Universal Monsters by Funko

 

   

   Happy Halloween! Today's the day to go out and enjoy lots of spooky fun, so don't just sit around online all day; make the most of this Halloween! Today I've got a rather brief review of the new Bride of Frankenstein POP! vinyl from Funko. This is a fairly new release and while it's not the first version of the Bride that Fynko has released, it certainly is the most colorful. On Funko's website they call this variant Bride of Frankenstein (Deco), which I assume is how they're referring to this cool colorscheme that reminds me of 1970s comic book art. Despite the Bride only being in The Bride of Frankenstein for under 4 minutes (and appearing in no other films) her unique appearance and the creepy mannerisms Elsa Lanchester gave her have still made her one of the most recognizable and iconic monsters in the world of horror. James Whale's  original cut of film would have been 87 minutes long but Carl Laemmle Jr. wanted it cut down, so the only version we have today is only 75 minutes. The film is excellent and top tier Universal Horror, but wouldn't you have liked to have seen that original director's cut? Let's celebrate the Bride of Frankenstein by checking out this cool, colorful POP! after the break...

31 Days of Toy Terror Takes the Universe: Wolf Man from Universal Monsters by NECA

 

   It's Werewolf Wednesday once again at Action Figure Barbecue's 31 Days of Toy Terror Takes the Universe and today I'm checking out an incredible figure of Lon Chaney, Jr. as Larry Talbot, the all time greatest Wolf Man of them all! Lon Chaney Jr. was in well over a dozen Universal classic horror films and played some of the main Universal Monsters including Dracula (in Son of Dracula), Kharis the mummy (in three Mummy films), Frankenstein's Monster (in The Ghost of Frankenstein), and, of course, Larry Talbot, the Wolf Man. While Chaney played roles made famous by other actors, he was the only person to play the Wolf Man during Universal's classic horror era. NECA released this figure in black and white in 2022 with this full color version following in 2023. I'm not sure a better, more accurate figure of the Wolf Man has ever been released. Ready for a definitive figure of my favorite of the Universal Monsters? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Sgt. Slaughter (Mad Marauders) from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

   Sgt. Slaughter was a huge part of the G.I. Joe: A Real American hero franchise in the 1980s and he had four different figures available during the decade. He also had a few groups of his own that he was the commander of. In the 1987 G.I. Joe animated movie Sgt. Slaughter led the Renegades (Mercer, Taurus, and Red Dog), released as a three pack of action figures, while in 1989 Sarge received his own subset: Slaughter's Marauders. In the Classified Series the name has been changed to The Mad Marauders. This version of Sgt. Slaughter is largely a Mad Marauders/ Slaughter's Marauders repaint of the first version with blue, green, and brown, though he does come with quite a few more accessories than the first release, making him a much better deal. While I'm nuts about Tiger Force and Night Force, the Mad Marauders figures don't appeal to me in quite the same way, though I do own the three already released (Barbecue, Spirit, and Low-Light). Ready to check out this Mad Marauders take on Sgt. Slaughter? Then join me after the break...

31 Days of Toy Terror Takes the Universe: Van Helsing from Universal Monsters Alliance by Pop Mart

 

   We are almost to Halloween and today I've got an unusual character from the Universal Monsters canon: Gabriel Van Helsing from 2004's Van Helsing starring Hugh Jackman. Yes, Van Helsing is a Universal Monsters film! Sure, everything I've been looking at is pretty much pre-1960 but the Universal Monsters have lived on not just in nostalgia and rewatches but in attempts to rejuvenate the franchise. 1999's The Mummy is without a doubt the best movie in the entire Mummy franchise (and I'm a guy who regularly wears a Universal Studios The Mummy had based on the Boris Karloff original) and due to the success of both that film and it's sequel, The Mummy Returns, Universal Studios returned to the same well, bringing back director Stephen Sommers and recruiting Hugh Jackman and Kate Beckinsale to fight the classic monsters with a mixture of Victorian charm and steampunk sensibilities. Dracula and his brides, Victor Frankenstein, Igor, and the Monster, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and a wolf man, too? Sign me up. Honestly, just hearing about it makes it sound like possibly the greatest film ever made. In reality... it's just OK. I saw it back in 2004 when it was released and I even watched it again quite recently. It's a decent  movie with a great visual style that just tries to jam too much stuff into one movie, over does the CG, and could stand to slow down a bit at times. It's a shame we never got another one, perhaps to rectify some of the issues with the first film, but it wasn't a hit. Still, Van Helsing is a recognizable character (Hugh's Van Helsing isn't directly Professor Abraham Van Helsing from Dracula, and may actually be the angel Gabriel, oddly enough) and Pop Mart's Universal Monsters Alliance line included him in their roster last year. Want to have Van Helsing chill out with the creatures he's sworn to hunt down? Then join me after the break...

31 Days of Toy Terror Takes the Universe: Bela Lugosi as Dracula from Universal Monsters ReAction by Super7

 

   Mondays mean Dracula reviews during 31 Days of Toy Terror Takes the Universe! Today's Dracula review for this week is the Bela Lugosi as Dracula figure from Super7's Universal Monsters ReAction line. The original ReAction Dracula was released by Funko back in 2014 while this version is from 2018. Most of the Super7 ReAction figures are superior to their Funko counterparts, but what about Dracula? I'm honestly not so sure. There's nothing wrong with him but there's also not much that makes him clearly superior to the previous Drac. Ready to check out this small version of Bela Lugois in one of the most iconic horror roles of all time? Then join me after the break...

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

 

   What do you get when you cross Ken Masters with M. Bison's Psycho Power? Violent Ken! This deluxe figure released on Jada Toys' Next Level store over the summer (it's still available, too)  represents Ken surging with Psycho Power energy and intent on taking down everyone in his path. He's brainwashed by Bison, sometimes to be in his service but often just running with his own agenda to be the best and violently destroy anyone who stands in his way. The regular Ken figure shipped as part of the second series of Ultra Street Fighter 2: The New Challengers figures earlier this year and this is an enhanced version of that figure. He's a repaint with three portraits this time around, a new energy effect for his Shoryuken, and some barrels from the background that can be broken during a fight or attached during the bonus stage. Ready for battle? Then join me after the break.... 

Fight!

31 Days of Toy Terror: The Mummy from Universal Monsters Alliance by Pop Mart

 

   It's another Mummy Monday as we enter the week of Halloween and today I'm checking out the Mummy from the Pop Mart blind boxed Universal Monsters Alliance line. These came out last year and feature the classic Universal Monsters (and a few less often seen friends) chilling out in movie theater styled chairs with snacks. Get it? They're watching their films! I love it. This is such a cool and cute line of little figures. There are 10 figures in the set but only 9 figures in a case as Dr. Jekyll/ Mr. Hyde is a 1/108 chase figure. My case didn't come with him and he's pretty pricy, so I don't have him. I have the rest of the crew, though, and I thought this would be another fun chance to show off Boris Karloff's Imhotep. Let's take a look at this blind-boxed classic after the break...

Action Figure Review: Robin (Batman Forever) from DC Multiverse by McFarlane Toys

 

   

   Halloween is almost here and while this isn't a 31 Days of Toy Terror review, nor is it a scary action figure in any way, this version of Robin from Batman Forever absolutely reminds me of Halloween. In 1995, when Batman Forever came out, I though Chris O'Donnell's Robin was the coolest. I remember finding the Kenner Street Biker Robin on the same trip to Target that I found the Riddler and Two-Face, so that was a huge deal, but it took me quite a bit more time to find Hydro Claw Robin, the first Robin that was actually in his costume. I think I put the animated series Robin on that figure and gave him the staff from the Toy Biz Joker figure to complete my ideal Robin at the time. For Halloween that year I dressed up as Robin and had a great costume that actually had a hard plastic chest plate. Sadly, my parents have not been able to find any pictures from that Halloween, so that's a bummer. Recently a friend shared an old picture of him and his brother as the Riddler and Two-Face from 1995 and I really wanted to show off my Robin costume. I'm pretty glad to get this guy as Robin is definitely the best part of Batman Forever (though Dr. Chase Meridian, Sugar, and Spice are close). I don't dislike Val Kilmer but I think he's pretty much the most boring Batman we've ever had. Chris O'Donnell as Robin, however, really worked quite well. It's a shame we didn't get to see him teamed up with Michael Keaton's Batman. This guy is a darn fine Robin figure, so let's take a look at him after the break...

31 Days of Toy Terror Takes the Universe: Mole Man from Universal Monsters ReAction by Super7

 

   We're looking at a deeper cut today (some might say deep enough to satisfy a Hollow Earth theorist), though one that's supposed  to be getting a remake soon: The Mole Man from the 1956 Universal Studios sci-fi horror film The Mole People! Are you looking for a "fabulous funny freak-out" about Sumerian albinos that worship the Babylonian goddess Ishtar deep within the earth and who use a race of enslaved mole people to harvest mushroom? A film that is so bizarre that is was featured on Mystery Science Theater 3000? A movie about the people who make that nice Mexican sauce? Then let's check out the Mole Man from Super7's Universal Monsters ReAction series. Let's dig in, after the break...

Action Figure Review: Chun-Li (Deluxe Player 2 Exclusive) from Ultra Street Fighter 2: The New Challengers by Jada Toys

 

   I've been nuts about Chun-Li since playing Street Fighter II: The World Warrior on the Super Nintendo I got for Christmas when I was in 3rd grade. The only woman in the original roster, Chun-Li was captivating, quick, and fun as heck to play as due to her speed and cool attacks like the lightning leg. She's not just one of the faces of the Street Fighter but one of the most memorable video game characters of all time. I reviewed the standard Jada Toys Chun-Li release from 2023 earlier this year and today I'm checking out the Chun-Li Deluxe Player 2 Exclusive that was released on Jada's Next level website this summer for SDCC 2024 and which is still available as of this week. This is a pretty cool offering that gives you not just Chun-Li in one of her alternate color schemes but also offers up some new accessories and a new portrait. In fact, Jada Toys included two copies of the new laughing/ victory headsculpt: One for this figure and one with the correct colors so it can be used with your standard Chun-Li. How cool is that? I love when figures come with accessories and items like this that can be used with figures you already own. Let's get ready to throw down with Chun-Li after the break...

31 Days of Toy Terror Takes the Universe: Grumpy Bear as Frankenstein #1627 from POP! Movies: Care Bears X Universal Monsters by Funko

 

   OK, I've got one more incredibly adorable review for 31 Days of Toy Terror Takes the Universe and this time it's Grump Bear as Frankenstein from Funko's POP! vinyl Care Bears X Universal Monsters line. I reviewed Bedtime Bear as the Mummy a few days ago and now I'm getting the chance to review this guy. Grumpy Bear is probably my favorite of the Care Bears and I love this combination of him and Frankenstein's Monster. His personality and expression just make this one work! I'm a little surprised that whoever was behind this design didn't try to find an already green Care Bear, but personality wise Grumpy Bear is the best fit. Ready for a review that's sure to make your day a bit grumpier? Than join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: The Riddler (Batman Forever) from DC Multiverse by McFarlane Toys

 

   The last three months have been crazy for DC Multiverse, especially for fans of Batman and his related allies and villains. I've actually had the Batman Forever set of figures since the middle of August but I've been so busy writing reviews for 31 Days of Toy Terror that I've had to put a lot of stuff on the backburner. I'm not planning on reviewing all of the figures in this set but I have a few that definitely hit some nostalgia buttons for me. First up, I'm going to check out the Riddler. Back when Batman Forever was released in 1995 I was in love with this movie. I liked Batman Returns at the time, too, but I appreciated the brighter palette of Batman Forever. That summer I wore my baseball cap with the Batman and Riddler's question mark logo on it all the time, carried the coin from Kenner's Two-Face coin in my pocket, read the comic adaptation quite frequently, and ate more than my share of McDonald's Super Hero meals. Batman Forever was a big deal and, being just out of fifth grade, I was digging the ride of it being huge all that summer. I've seen the film a couple times over the past decade or two and I have to say that it doesn't hold up for me. If you would have asked me a year or two ago which Batman film was the worst I would have said Batman & Robin, and there would have been a time when I wouldn't have even spoken that film's name. Ask me now, though, and I'll tell you that Forever is easily the worst of the Batman films. I'm not going to get into a movie review here, but the movie takes it's greatest strengths, Jim Carrey and Tommy Lee Jones, and just wastes them. There's no menace; just goofiness and cackling. Still, nostalgia. I remember how excited I was to find the original Kenner Riddler figure from the film at a Target that summer of 1995 and this guy gives me a bit of the same feel. Ready to check out the Riddler? Then join me after the break...

31 Days of Toy Terror Takes the Universe: The Creature from the Black Lagoon from Universal Monsters Select by Diamond Select

 

   It's Thursday again, which means it's time for another trip to the Black Lagoon! Today's review is the original 2010 release of the Creature from the Black Lagoon from Diamond Select's Universal Monsters Select line. There were two versions of the Gill-Man available in the first series of releases: A Toy 'R Us exclusive version with just a display base and this standard version which includes a different base and a figure of Kay Lawrence. I got this set for Christmas of 2010 along with the Mummy and while there isn't much articulation here, the figure certainly displays well. Let's dive in for another look at the Gill-Man after the break...

31 Days of Toy Terror Takes the Universe: The Wolf Man from Universal Studios Little Monsters by Fetch for Pets

 

Our dog, Zoey, did a special review for last year's 31 Days of Toy Terror and it was pretty popular. Zoey absolutely loves stuffed toys and carries them all around the house. She carries them, licks them, chews them a bit (though she is rather gentle), throws them around, and uses them like pillows. I tempted her into writing another review this year by buying her another Wolf Man toy. Ready to read a (dog) toy review written by Zoey, our 6-year old Kelpie/ terrier rescue dog? Then read on!

[Editor's Note: Zoey is a very, very good dog, but she's still not the best speller. She also doesn't always use the correct words. We've been working with her on this, though progress is slow going.]

   Hi. I Zoey. And I back. Back in black. And brown. With white. Girl say I look like Cimmammammon roll. I is good dog. Very best. And I like wolfs. Like, like, like. My Gram-Gram bought me stuffed werewolf when I younger. He Werewolf and he very nice. He big and delicious. Then for my birthday my family buy me purple werewolf. He Lon. I call him that. He purple, fuzzy, and delicious. He squeak. Two weeks ago Barbcue tell me he have gift for me. He hide it behind his back and make go squeak. Squeak, squeak. I kind of like a wolf but I not go squeak. I bark and am fierce. I sit and say "Want, want. Please give." I also say that when people have food. So Barbcue give me it. It little Wolf Man. Barbcue say it Wolf Man from Universe of Monster. He watch lots of old black white movies and say they Universe of Monster. I just sit and get pets. Or bark at deer. They friends. And snacks. Mostly friends. I talk about Wolf Man now. Hit button please. Thamks. 

Action Figure Review: Tatsu from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by NECA

   

  Getting an action figure of Tatsu from the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles films was a huge surprise. Even when I was a kid I was always hoping that we would get a Tatsu figure at some point, but he never materialized. With NECA going deep into the TMNT 1990s films over the past five years or so it seemed like it would be inevitable but for years it seemed that there was an issue with getting actor Toshishiro Obata to allow his likeness to be used. There weren't any concrete details I could find; there was some speculation it might have had to do with a religious or cultural belief or even that NECA couldn't get in touch with him, though apparently Mr. Obata still responds to fan mail. Whatever the case, a few months back Tatsu began appearing at Walmart stores in the US with no warning. What? That's crazy, right? Tatsu is an incredible figure and a standout in a year that's been full of standout toys. Coming up with top ten lists for this year is going to be insane! Let's check out this very cool take on Master Tatsu after the break...

31 Days of Toy Terror Takes the Universe: The Phantom of the Opera (The Silver Screen Edition) from Universal Studios Monsters by Sideshow Toys

 

   I've done a couple silly or cutesy reviews over the past couple days, so let's get back to something really scary with a look at the Silver Scream Edition of the Phantom of the Opera from Sideshow Toys' Universal Studios Monsters toyline. I've looked at one figure from this line already this year (Frankenstein from series 1), so let's jump in and take a look at a series 2 figure. Lon Chaney's Phantom was part of the regular series 2 alongside of the Bride of Frankenstein and the Creature, but was also part of a Toys 'R Us exclusive "The Silver Screen Edition" series which offered the figures in a black & white greyscale color scheme. Sideshow has been one of the most prolific companies to release Universal Monsters merchandise (they still do today), and they included far more characters than most other companies, going back to the silent era films and including more sci-fi characters like the Metaluna Mutant and the Mole People. The Phantom was one of the few characters to get a true non-color scheme variant in the line with a Mask of the Red Death variant in series five. This is the basic Phantom, though, and sculpt and paint-wise, I think it's held up pretty well. Let's check out the Phantom of the Opera after the break...

31 Days of Toy Terror Takes the Universe: Frosty Bite from Frosty Frights by Wendy's

 

   Today I'm being a bit silly again as we're taking a look at Count Dracula as.... a Frosty? Yup. Starting during the first week of September, if you got a kids' meal at Wendy's you could get a little minifigure of the Wendy's Frosty dressed up like a classic monster. Have you always wanted a Frosty dressed up like Dracula? Then Frosty Bite is for you! These should definitely appeal to fans of Halloween goodies like the classic McNugget Buddies. There are six different sculpts, five of which have two different color schemes, so you've got 11 different figures overall. Let's take a look at this chilly child of the night after the break...

31 Days of Toy Terror Takes the Universe: Bedtime Bear as the Mummy #1628 from POP! Movies: Care Bears X Universal Monsters by Funko

 

   Today's a Sunday so it's time for another review of the Mummy and this time we've got something really scary! It's.... a Care Bear? Yup. A Care Bear. One of the most unusual mashups of 2024 surely has to be Care Bears X Universal Monsters, a mixture of cute and creepy that I don't anyone saw coming. Why? I don't know but I'll be honest; I was kind of intrigued when I first hears about these and I picked up the Funko POP! vinyls as soon as I saw them at a local GameStop. Well, a couple of them. Bedtime Bear was the only Care Bear I had as a kid, so I'm sort of partial to the sleepy little guy. Well, sleepy during the day. You see, Bedtime Bear stays up all night to serve as the night watchmen for Care-a-lot, so no wonder he's drowsy during the day. Of course now he's awoken from his thousands of years of slumber and he's roaming the pyramids looking to restore his original power. Or he's just Bedtime Bear cosplaying. Let's check out Bedtime Bear as the Mummy after the break...

31 Days of Toy Terror Takes the Universe: Invisible Man from Monster in My Pocket by Matchbox

 

   

   The Invisible Man is back! This time we're checking out Griffin, the Invisible Man himself, from Matchbox's 1990 Monster in My Pocket minifigure line. I love these rubbery little guys! I had a few as a kid but over the years I've amassed more of them. They're always fun to look back at, especially as part of 31 Days of Toy Terror. I'm a huge fan of the Invisible Man, both the original H.G. Wells novel and the Universal Studios films. If you've never seen any of the sequels, they're worth checking out. Vincent Price is the invisible star of The Invisible Man Returns and plays Sir Geoffrey Radcliffe, a friend of Dr. Frank Griffin, the brother of the original Invisible Man. Radcliffe is convicted of a crime he didn't commit and Griffin secretly gives him the serum to turn invisible until his innocence can be proved. It's quite good! The Invisible Woman is also legitimately funny, though a straight up comedy that's not really related to the others. The lovable Virginia Bruce plays Kitty Carroll, a struggling model who volunteers for an experiment but uses her invisibility to get back at her boss, improve working conditions for her coworkers, romance a rich guy, and stop some gangsters (one of whom is played by Shemp Howard). Anyways, we're looking at the original Griffin today, so let's check out this minifigure after the break...

31 Days of Toy Terror: Frankenstein from Universal Studios Monsters by Sideshow Toys

 

   Today for Franken-Friday I'm checking out a Universal Monsters figure from the 1990s: Frankenstein from Sideshow Toys' Universal Studios Monsters line. And, yes, they do call him Frankenstein here. And, yes, that is perfectly acceptable. Anyways, I was looking back at my review archives and realized I've never reviewed any of these figures on the site. The Universal Studios Monsters was a cool set of 8 inch figures released by Sideshow Toys from 1998 through 2001. Sideshow did a lot with the Universal Monsters license back in the late 1990s (after Hasbro had a run with the license), including a lot of stuff on the lower end that was sold at retail in places like Target, Toys R' Us, and Media Play. Sideshow is still releasing Universal Monsters product but it's now mostly higher end collectibles. This line was definitely indicative of many collector lines of the time with limited articulation, diorama like elements, and a focus on display over play. Still, they were neat and they covered a wide range of characters from 1923's silent version of the Hunchback of Notre Dame with Lon Chaney to 1956's The Mole People. Frankenstein (or Frankenstein's Monster) was part of the first series in 1998, along with the Wolf Man and the Mummy. Ready to check out another tribute to the Boris Karloff's Monster? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Clock King from DC Multiverse by McFarlane Toys

 

   It's time for another regular action figure review to break up the Halloween season and all of the Toy Terror I'm subjecting you to on a daily basis! Since time permitted, today I'm checking out another one of the "premium" DC Multiverse McFarlane Collector Edition figures: Clock King! Listen, the Clock King's history is a mess. There are multiple Clock Kings with different names and I'm not even going to pretend that I can keep them all straight. This guy is the original Clock King, though: William Tockman. Originally a bit of a Green Arrow villain in World's Finest Comics #11 from 1960, over the years the Clock King has tended to be an enemy of Green Arrow (he was part of the Longbow Hunters and in the show Arrow) but shows up more often in Batman related stories and media, including the 1966 series. He's been part of the Injustice League, the Suicide Squad, and Justice League Antarctica, has fought a number of Batfamily members, showed up in The Lego Batman Movie, and is married to the Riddler in the Harley Quinn animated series. For a Silver Age gimmick villain, the Clock King sure has legs. Or hands. He's a villain I'm quite surprised to see and while I'm pleased, it's pretty odd to get a more obscure villain when the DC Multiverse line hasn't even given us a comic book based Harley Quinn yet. No Harley Quinn, Power Girl, or comic Two-Face and Poison Ivy, but we got Clock King? Eh, we'll get to those eventually, right? I'm definitely enjoying McFarlane's random villains to add to Batman's Rogues Gallery. Let's check this guy out after the break...

31 Days of Toy Terror Takes the Universe: Creature from the Black Lagoon (Glow-In-The-Dark Costume Colors) from Universal Monsters ReAction by Super7

 

   Today's a Thursday, so I'm back with another Creature from the Black Lagoon review and this time it's a toy that isn't from my collection. This glow-in-the-dark version of the Gill-man is from Adora's collection and was a Christmas gift from a friend a year or two ago. Adora was thrilled to let me take some pictures of him for 31 Days of Toy Terror Takes the Universe this year. While I've now reviewed the Funko ReAction Creature from the Black Lagoon, I haven't owned any of Super7's versions of the Creature personally. While this is a wildly colored version based on classic 1970s era Halloween costumes, the sculpt is much sharper and nicer than the original 2014 Funko figure. This guy has a nice healthy glow, wild colors, and a cool display box that mimics an old Halloween costume package. Ready to dive in for another Creature from the Black Lagoon review? Then join me after the break...

31 Days of Toy Terror Takes the Universe: Wolfman from The Wolfman by Mezco

 

   

   While most of the reviews this month are based on the classic Universal horror films and silent films released between 1923 through 1956 or 1960 (there's a bit of differing opinion there), Universal has returned to these characters multiple times over the sixty plus years since the classic era ended. Today I'm checking out an action figure based on one of the better modern era remakes: Benicio del Toro's Wolfman from Joe Johnston's 2010 film. The move came out in February of 2010 and I was really excited for it. The Wolfman is definitely a top tier Universal Monsters film in my book and I actually liked how the 2010 film set the film in 1891, fifty years before the setting of the 1941 film. Mezco released a few products for the film at the very end  of 2009 and early 2010, including a blood spattered variant of this figure (as a Blockbuster exclusive!) and a 1/6th scale figure. I think I purchased this guy at Toys 'R Us and he's the basic version of the Wolfman. Ready to check out the Wolfman from one of his more recent outings? Then join me after the break...

31 Days of Toy Terror Takes the Universe: Ultimate Professor Burke from Classic Monsters Collection by NECA

 

   Let me start by saying that I am completely aware that London after Midnight, a 1927 silent horror film directed by Tod Browning (Dracula and Freak) and starring Lon Chaney, is a Metro-Goldwin-Mayer release and not a Universal Studios picture. This year is pretty much completely devoted to the classic Universal Studios pictures of the first half of the 20th century and their descendants but I do take liberties from time to time and I'm certainly willing to bend the rules for Mr. Browning, Mr. Chaney, and the film London After Midnight. I've not seen the original film but, I'm willing to bet, neither have you. You see, London After Midnight is a lost film with the last known copy destroyed in a vault fire at an MGM studios backlot in Culver City, California. There are some novelizations and such of the film available as well as a 2002 Turner Classic Movies reconstruction of the film, but what has kept this unseen film in the minds of so many horror fans to this day? The terrifying image of Lon Chaney as the Man in the Beaver Hat from multiple publicity stills and posters and the fantastic title and poster for the movie. I personally think London After Midnight is an incredible title that's very evocative and creepy. It also does tie into the plot, with the murder that starts the plot taking place around 1:00 am in London. In the film Chaney plays a dual role as both Professor Edward C. Burke, an agent of Scotland Yard investigating a murder, and the mysterious Man in the Beaver hat, the ghastly faced, vampiric man. The Man in the Beaver Hat is actually Professor Burke in disguise, attempting to learn the secret behind the murder of he's been investigating, but that's not revealed until closer to the end of the film. Inevitably, many folks who love the Man in the Beaver Hat as a horror icon would probably be disappointed to learn that the Man in the Beaver Hat is Professor Burke in disguise rather than a true villain, but the character still has an incredible appearance. This character is a great choice for NECA, a company who is really showing a lot of love to classic horror films. Ready to discover what happens in London when the sun goes down? Then join me after the break...

31 Days of Toy Terror Takes the Universe: Bela Lugosi as Dracula from Universal Monsters by Jada Toys

 

   I have a loose pattern for 31 Days of Toy Terror Takes the Universe that I'm using to try to give some variety to the festivities and Mondays are devoted to Dracula. Today I'm looking at a rather interesting figure from Jada Toys of Bela Lugosi based on his performance of Count Dracula in the stage play where he performed the role starting in 1927 for hundreds of performances. In fact, Lugosi performed the role in various stage productions up until 1951. Originally Lugosi wasn't the favored choice to play the Count in the Universal Studios film Dracula, really an adaptation of the play based on the novel rather than Stoker's novel itself. This figure was released on Jada's Next Level website alongside their Universal Monsters line but doesn't really contain any references to Universal Studios on the packaging. It's really marketed as more of a straight Lugosi item than as Universal Monsters product. What a fascinating concept: A figure based on a stage play! Also, how wild that you could have seen Lugosi play Dracula in the 1931 film and then seen him play the role on stage at different times within the next 20 years. That's just wild to me! Let's take a look at this rather interesting and unique set after the break...

31 Days of Toy Terror Takes the Universe: The Mummy (Black & White) from Universal Monsters by NECA

 

   It's time to venture in to the mummy's tomb for another visit with Imhotep! Last week I looked at Diamond Select's original release of the Mummy so this week I'm looking at NECA's take on the Mummy. There are two versions of this figure, both a color version and a black and white version, but considering the mummy doesn't have a lot of color as it is, the differences are pretty minimal. I actually found this guy sometime time late last year or early this year on clearance at Walmart and picked him up for a killer price. NECA has Ardath Bey coming out in the near future, too, so this guy will go nicely with him. Imhotep in his mummy form doesn't show up much in the original film, just for a few minutes at the beginning, but the costume and makeup is so striking that Boris Karloff's take on the character is far more iconic than any other versions of the character or similar characters, whether they're Imhotep or not. Arnold Vosloo plays Imhotep in the 1999 remake film and sequel, and does a heck of a job there, too. Kharis was the star of the four classic era Mummy sequels with Tom Tyler playing Kharis in 1940's The Mummy Hand and Lon Chaney Jr. plays Kharis in the next three sequels. Klaris, Kharis' cousin, was played by Eddie Parker in Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy. Sofia Boutella played Ahmanet, the mummy in the 2017 Dark Universe film with Tom Cruise. I wonder if we'll see any of these mummies ever produced by NECA? For now, though, we'll stick with the classic Karloff mummy. Join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Cobra Commander (Once A Man) from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

   Sure, my main focus right now is on this year's 31 Days of Toy Terror Halloween Countdown (31 Days of Toy Terror Takes the Universe), but that doesn't mean I'm not reviewing plenty of other cool stuff as well. Today I'm checking out Hasbro 2024 SDCC exclusive, Cobra Commander (Once a Man), a Classified Series take on Cobra Commander from the 1987 animated movie. In the film Golobulus, the leader of the ancient Cobra-La grows tired of Cobra Commander's failures and exposes him to some spore pods that cause him to devolve into a snake-like creature. Besides the incredible opening a sequence where the G.I. Joe team fights Cobra at the Statue of Liberty and Sgt. Slaughter's "Slaughter House" training center, Cobra Commander wrapped around Roadblock and screaming "I was once a man!" in his screech, snake-like voice is probably the main thing most folks remember from the film. The G.I. Joe: Classified Series seems to be a big enough success that Hasbro is drawing from a variety of sources for cool new figures and this one seems to be pretty popular considering the movie isn't always held in the highest regard. Well, mostly Cobra-La, though they do have cool designs. Want a more serpentine Cobra Commander? Then join me after the break to check him out...

31 Days of Toy Terror Takes the Universe: The Invisible Man from Universal Monsters by Jada Toys

 

   Right now Jada Toys is a pretty popular company thanks to their various ad icons figures (Chester Cheeto, Tony the Tiger), their Mega Man line, and their excellent Street Fighter 2 line, but their 2021 Universal Monsters line went largely unnoticed. Kind of like Dr. Jack Griffin, the Invisible Man himself! Today I'm checking out the Invisible Man, one of the figures from Jada Toys' second series of Universal Monsters figures. The Invisible Man is one of my favorite classic Universal horror films (I'm even quite a fan of the sequels, too) and I really liked some of the unique accessories Jada Toys gave this guy. Sadly, this line seems to have quietly ended with only six characters in it as Jada apparently no longer has the license. I'm hoping to review most of them during 31 Days of Toy Terror Takes the Universe, so let's start by taking a look (or not) at the Invisible Man....

31 Days of Toy Terror Takes the Universe: April O'Neil as the Bride of Frankenstein from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles X Universal Monsters by NECA

 

   

   Today I'm back with another Universal Monsters themed review and it's another from NECA's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles X Universal Monsters line: April O'Neil as the Bride of Frankenstein! April as the Bride of Frankenstein was also released in 1994 as part of series 2 of the vintage Playmates TMNT Universal Monsters line and, thus far, she is so far one of only two figures that match the TMNT character and Universal Monster from the vintage line (Leonardo as the Creature from the Black Lagoon is the second). Interestingly, not only is this a figure of April O'Neil as the Bride of Frankenstein but it is based on Judith Hoag's portrayal of April from the 1990 live action film. Incredible! This is a figure of a lady (Judith Hoag), playing a lady (April O'Neil), disguised as a lady (Elsa Lanchester) who was playing another lady (Mary Shelley), imagining herself as another lady (the Bride of Frankenstein). This might be the most convoluted action figure ever made! Let's take a look at another excellent addition to the TMNT obsessed NECA's Universal Monsters tribute line after the break...

31 Days of Toy Terror Takes the Universe: Creature from the Black Lagoon from Universal Monsters ReAction by Funko

 

   While Super7 solely owns and handles the ReAction brand now, originally they partnered with Funko in distributing the brand back in 2014 after the success of Super7's recreated Alien figures. Some of the early figures were kind of rough but others were highly impressive. I still love the ReAction figures of the Universal Monsters and the modern horror icons and have them displayed proudly in my ReAction/ vintage Kenner styled collection. Today I'm looking at the Creature from the Black Lagoon, the titular creature (or Gill-man) from the 1954 Universal horror film. The first figure I reviewed from this series was the Mummy back in 2014 and now, a little over 10 years later, I'm finishing up my reviews of all nine basic figure in the series with the Gill-man. Funko also released a glow-in-the-dark Gill-man as an exclusive, but I don't have that one. Let's delve into the deep and check out the Creature from the Black Lagoon after the break...

31 Days of Toy Terror Takes the Universe: Raphael as The Wolfman from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles X Universal Monsters by NECA

 

 

  Raphael is my favorite member of the TMNT and the Wolfman is my favorite of the Universal Monsters crew, so you can probably guess that I'm predisposed to liking this guy! Raphael as The Wolfman is another figure that's new in NECA's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles X Universal Monsters line for 2024 and, while there was a Wolfman figure in the vintage Playmates toyline, it wasn't Raph. Leonardo was the Wolfman in the first series of Playmates' figures from 1993 (Raphael was the Mummy in 1993 and the Metalua Mutant from This Island Earth in 1994). This version is fully in color though there's also a black and white variant partnered up for a double feature with Leonardo as the Hunchback, offered as a Walmart exclusive this past summer. I actually liked this guy so much I picked that setup, too. Ready to check out this "carnivorous canine creature?" Then join me after the break...

31 Days of Toy Terror Takes the Universe: The Phantom from Monster in My Pocket by Matchbox

 

   

   I always like to have at least one Monster in My Pocket minifigure as part of 31 Days of Toy Terror and this year The Phantom gets the first honors! No, he's not specifically base on the 1925 Universal Studios silent film The Phantom of the Opera starring Lon Chaney, but that's where most people remember him from. Or the 1910 Gaston Leroux novel. Or one of the musicals. Or the 1943 Universal Studios remake The Phantom of the Opera with Claude "The Invisible Man" Rains as the Phantom. Erik, the titular Phantom who helped build the foundation of the Palais Garnier Opera House and thus was able to craft secret layers and passages for himself, is quite a recognizable character in pop culture and literature, so his inclusion in the first series of Monster in My Pocket was well deserved. Universal's The Phantom of the Opera is actually a public domain film at this point (Universal didn't renew the copyright registration for the film back in the early 1950s) so you don't always see the Phantom with the regular crew, but I always like to see him in there. Let's take a look at this mini monster after the break...

31 Days of Toy Terror Takes the Universe: Tower of Fear from Mezco's Monsters: 5 Points by Mezco

 

   Today I'm really excited to check out the Mezco's Monsters Tower of Fear, a very classic feeling monster playset that was released earlier this year as part of Mezco's 5 Points. I've had this set in hand for about 5 months now and it's certainly a very unique and cool set. If you're not familiar with Mezco's 5 Points, they're essentially retro action (ReAction) styled action figures with better, more modern sculpts. This set is really quite neat and there's a lot I love about it, including the incredible art on the box (which is almost 2 feet tall). The figures are all top tier and blow away pretty much every other retro styled figure out of the water. They're much more in the vein of the now vintage McFarlane's Monsters than the ReAction figures released by Funko or Super7. If I were reviewing this set on the basis of the figures alone they would all receive the highest marks. They're not the Universal Monsters but when you have Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, a Werewolf, the Mummy, and a Sea Creature all in one place at one time, who do you think of?

   So, the figures are great, but what about the Tower of Fear itself? A lot of people who have purchased it and reviewed it seem to be surprised that the playset and the various elements like the coffin, sarcophagus, and lab equipment, are all made from cardboard. I knew the playset was cardboard though I didn't realize that the stuff like the coffin and sarcophagus were cardboard as well. I read back at some of the press releases and advertisement pages on multiple sites and I do agree that it wasn't always clear that the set was cardboard. Now, the set originally retailed for around $95 dollars, so getting five retro action figures and a full plastic playset for that price does seem to be a bit of a stretch, but I guess it was possible. There's still a lot of spooky fun to be had here, though, particularly if you go in with managed expectations. Want to check out Mezco's take on five of the main monsters? Then join me after the break...

31 Days of Toy Terror Takes the Universe: The Mummy from Universal Monsters Select by Diamond Select

 

   Sundays are getting a Mummy theme this month and today I'm checking out the 2010 release of the Mummy from Diamond Select Toys. This guy is now 14 years old and I remember receiving him as a Christmas gift from my parents along with Diamond's Creature from the Black Lagoon figure as well. These were the first two releases in the series that began in late 2010 and which ended in 2016, though Diamond did release a few other Universal Monsters products after that. The series is interesting because it really started with very statuesque releases, like most Diamond Select Toys product of that era, but eventually evolved into having figures with much more articulation. Many figures had multiple releases and the Mummy was one of them. You could get Imhotep in the large Diamond Select standard half box/ half blister card package with the sarcophagus (the one I'm reviewing today) or in a Toys 'R Us exclusive slimmer card with slightly more articulation and a display base. This guy definitely is an impressive figure but, at the same time, is pretty much a statue with accessories. Want to check this one out further? Then join me after the break as we unravel the mystery of this mummy...

31 Days of Toy Terror Takes the Universe: The Metaluna Mutant from Universal Monsters ReAction by Super7

 

   

   I love the Universal Monsters but they're not a particularly colorful bunch. I mean, the movies themselves are black and white, but even when depicted in color they're mostly a pretty muted looking bunch. Thankfully, the Metaluna Mutant adds some bright, bold Techniclor to our Universal Monsters marathon that is this year's installment of 31 Days of Toy Terror! This is the Super7 Universal Monsters ReAction figure which imagines the creature in a Kenner inspired retro action figure style. 

   So... we must ask the question...is the Metaluna Monster considered a Universal Monster and is This Island Earth part of the classic Universal Horror collection? That's an issue of debate. It's a sci-fi film with a vastly different feel from the classic Universal horror pictures released prior to 1961 (The Leech Woman from 1960 is usually considered the last classic Universal horror film) and it wasn't included in the early 1990s Universal Classic Collection home video releases, so a lot of folks say no. 
  

   On the other hand, the film was intended to be scary, or at least thrilling (other films from the classic era clearly were more sci-fi than horror), it was released in 1955 by Universal Studios (the era of the Universal classic horror films), and it's been licensed to appear in multiple Universal Monsters toylines since at least 1994 when Raphael was blended with the Metaluna Mutant for second series of Playmates' Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/ Universal Studios Monsters crossover line. The era and the licensing usage for at least three decades now definitely says to me that Universal Studios considers the Metaluna a Universal Monster (maybe B or C tier), so that convinces me to include him here. Ready to check out the crazy mutant best known for his appearance in Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie? Then grab your interocitor and join me after the break...

31 Days of Toy Terror Takes the Universe: The Monster from Monster in My Pocket by Matchbox

 

   
   This month Fridays are going to be Franken-Fridays for 31 Days of Toy Terror Takes the Universe! Today I'm starting things off small with a look at the Monster from Matchbox's 1990 Monster in My Pocket toyline. I've always loved these rubbery little minifigures and while I didn't have that many of them as a kid, I've amassed a collection over the years. Based on Victor Frankenstein's Monster (who is commonly and rightfully called Frankenstein) from Mary Shelly's novel Frankenstein, the Monster borrows from multiple depictions of the creation, including very heavily from Boris Karloff's iconic take in the Universal Studios films. This little guy is the first Frankenstein and the first Monster in My Pocket review for 31 Days of Toy Terror Takes the Universe, so let's bring him to life after the break...

31 Days of Toy Terror Takes the Universe: Leonardo as The Creature from the Black Lagoon from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles X Universal Monsters by NECA

 

   This year's theme, "31 Days of Terror Takes the Universe," is absolutely a tribute to the Universal Monsters and the classic Universal horror films of the early 20th century. Along with plenty of toys of the classic monsters you know and love you're also going to see quite a few of NECA's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Universal Monsters figures. These guys have been out for a few years now but somehow I slept on them. I'm sleeping no more, though, and since grabbing some of the newer figures I've managed to pick up the whole series. It's quite fortuitous that NECA has both the TMNT license and the Universe Monsters license and was able to make these happen, though they're not NECA's original idea or anything: Playmates Toys actually released TMNT and Universal Monsters crossover figures back in 1993 and 1994. I wasn't collecting the TMNT any more in 1993 (the only figure I had from that year was Walker, and who knows why?) but I do remember the weirder and weirder variations coming out. The Universal Monsters Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles returned for a second series in 1994 and Leo as the Creature from the Black Lagoon was one of the releases. He was the second Leo released, too, as the first series had Leo as the Wolfman (NECA made Raphael the Wolfman, so my favorite turtle meets my favorite of the Universal Monsters). Ready to check out the terror of this swampy, slithery, drippin' dude? Then dive in and join me after the break...

31 Days of Toy Terror Takes the Universe: The Wolf Man from Universal Monsters by Jada Toys

 

   Part of the fun of 31 Days of Toy Terror is that I get a chance to review some stuff outside of my normal reviewing habits. Sometimes I review stuff that's way older than this blog while other times I go back to look for things I've skipped or missed. This year you're going to see quite a few figures from Jada Toys' 2021-2022 Universal Monsters toyline. The Wolfman is my favorite of the Universal Monsters and while I was tempted by this figure (and the rest) as they were coming out, I really never saw them in stores. The distribution was weird for the line (something Jada Toys seems to be getting a handle on with their Street Fighter toyline) and I wasn't sure how deep they were willing to go. I sometimes have a weird habit with some toylines where I don't want to jump in if I don't think there's a likely chance that the company is going to go deep enough into the line. Of course, the line didn't last that long (they never even got to the Mummy or the Phantom) but I managed to pick some of these up over the summer and they're really quite cool. Let's take a look at the Wolfman from George Waggner's classic 1941 Universal Studios film after the break...

31 Days of Toy Terror Takes the Universe: Dracula (Transylvania) from Universal Monsters by NECA

 

"I am... Dracula."

"I bid you welcome."

  Welcome to 31 Days of Toy Terror Takes the Universe, the 2024 edition of 31 Days of Toy Terror! This year is the 12th year of 31 Days of Toy Terror so I decided to do something extra special for this  countdown to the spookiest day of the year. This time we're focused on the Universal Monsters! These guys and gals are horror movie royalty and this year we're celebrating them all. To kick off the festivities this year we're starting with a look at NECA's Count Dracula in his Transylvania garb. Count Dracula isn't the first figure from NECA's Universal Monsters series of "Ultimates" figures but he is the first star of the Universal Studios horror films in the era of sound films. While Lon Chaney's Quasimodo and Phantom are typically placed alongside the later Universal Monsters, Bela Lugosi's Dracula is kind of the anchor of the films as a whole. I think he's a fitting subject for our first review, don't you think? 

“Welcome to my house! Enter freely. Go safely, and leave something of the happiness you bring.”

Join us after the break...