Action Figure Review: Doctor Caligari from Operation: Monster Force by Big Bad Workshop and Fresh Monkey Fiction

 

   Big Bad Workshop and Fresh Monkey Fiction's Operation: Monster Force action figures first dropped near the end of 2024 but this year they managed to get the second series out during the month of October! I had hopes to get at least one of the new ones reviewed for 31 Days of Toy Terror or Re-Halloween but, alas, it was not meant to be. How about squeezing one in before Thanksgiving? Absolutely! Operation: Monster Force is really drawing from across the realms of horror and the weird for inspiration and today we're looking at Doctor Caligari, a new take on the character from the 1920 German expressionist horror classic The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. In Monster Force, Doctor Caligari has been reduced to a brain in a jar who now uses his knowledge and expertise on dreams and somnambulism to create an army for the Forgotten King . Besides the silent film The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, there also seems to be a lot of inspiration from the word of Mike Mignola and the Hellboy universe in this guy. I really like him! How'd he turn out? Let's find out after the break...

Action Figure Review: Dreadnok Monkeywrench from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

   Do I gush over each new G.I. Joe: Classified Series release that I review? Often, sure, but hear me out: Monkeywrench is easily a top five figure of the year. Heck, he's easily a top three figure of 2025. That's right, Monkeywrench. A 1986 Dreadnok with a harpoon gun. Seriously, though; Hasbro's Joe team has taken each of the Dreadnoks released in the Classified Series and just radically improved them while still keeping them recognizable. Monekywrench was my first Dreadnok as a kid as the 1986 and 1987 lines were out when I first got into G.I. Joe. He's a cool figure, don't get me wrong, but the vintage Monekywrench was never one of my favorites. Honestly, as a young kid I'm not sure I quite knew what to make of the Dreadnoks. I got more into them as a teenager and young adult getting back into collecting the line in the late 90s/ early 200s and now they're easily one of the best 'subsets' of the Classified Series. Monkeywrench is incredible. Off hand, the only 2025 release I can think of that I like more than Monkeywrench is Crystal Ball. Am I the only one that kind of feels like Hasbro really goes out of their way to elevate some of the more average figures from the vintage line? Let's take a look Bill Winkie, (better known as Monkeywrench) a Welshman born on Guy Fawkes Day who left his hometown of Rhyl to make his way through London's East End and eventually to Australia to join up with the Dreadnoks. 

Action Figure Review: Sandman (Wesley Dodds: The Sandman) from DC Multiverse by McFarlane Toys

 

   While most of who I'm still waiting for from McFarlane Toys as the clock is running down on their time with the DC license are Batman villains who still have yet to be made or who need definitive classic editions, I still also have a few more of DC's more mystical characters/pulp heroes/ Justice League Dark members that I still want from the line. You know, characters like Madame Xanadu, Enchantress, a classic Etrigan, Zatanna, Black Orchid, and Phantom Stranger. They all look great together on a shelf and I'm eager to get as many as I can from McFarlane before Mattel takes over. I picked up Sandman back in October during a trip to Target and I was pretty pleased to find him. He's a Target exclusive and, since they've been running a decent amount of in-store deals using Target Circle, I think I got a nice discount on him as I was also picking up a few Marvel Legends on the same day. Remember last December when I reviewed The Question and said "I wonder if we'll ever see this body used to make the Sandman?" 

   Well, I guess I was right! Of course, I'm pretty sure McFarlane gives most of this body to anyone wearing a suit and a jacket, don't they? While Mattel released a classic version of Wesley Dodds' Sandman in DC Universe Classics back in 2011, this is a more recent take on the character from the 2023 comic books series. Ready to check out the Sandman? Then join me after the break...

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

 

   Sorry I've been absent for a few days! There has just been a lot going on around my house and such but I'm going to get a few new reviews in before Thanksgiving. New G.I. Joe, Action Force, and Marvel Legends stuff is dropping left and right and I'm just trying to keep up but falling woefully behind. Today I'm checking out one of the newer (but not newest) Retro styled figures from the Classified Series: Flint! Between Duke and Flint I've always preferred Flint and, since he's a major character in G.I. Joe, getting a Retro carded version of him isn't unwarranted. I still really like the original Classified Flint from 2021, though, as his gear is a bit more modern while he's still recognizable as Flint. The Retro series definitely captures the look and feel of the vintage 1985 Flint figure while updating him with a slightly newer body. Interestingly, Hasbro created a packaging chase variant for this figure, giving 82 of the figures unique card art by Rich Pellegrino. I'm not one for keeping my figures in the package but that variant is selling for crazy money so I guess if you have one you'd be pretty pleased. Imagine getting one, not knowing it was such a rare chase variant, and tearing it open. Yikes! Enough about packaging, though; let's focus on the figure inside as we check out Flint after the break...

Action Figure Review: Cable from Marvel Legends Series: X-Men '97 by Hasbro

 

   Most of the new X-Men '97 figures arrived last month but with how busy things were with 31 Days of Toy Terror it has taken me a bit to get to them. I loved the first two series of X-Men '97 figures that Hasbro released in 2023 and 2024 and it's nice to get another series of characters. Hasbro is definitely putting out some solid X-Men '97 product and I'm excited to see when we get figures based on the upcoming second season as everything so far is based on season 1. Cable appeared in eight episodes in the original animated X-Men series and five episodes in X-Men '97 and this look covers most of his appearances throughout both shows. This is also a pretty great standard Cable for folks wanting one. While the X-Men '97 figures do have a bit of an animated style to them, I don't think they stand out in a standard comic collection, either. These really get me excited as I loved the X-Men animated series as a kid and wanted figures that more resembled the show than what Toy Biz released at the time. Ready to join Nathan Summers on a journey through time and space? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Cobra Commander with Combat Armor from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

   This new version of Cobra Commander with Combat Armor is definitely sold as Cobra Commander, but is it? Is it really? In 1987 Hasbro pumped put a new version of Cobra Commander, this time clad in some pretty serious battle armor with a built in-life support system. The original file card certainly proclaims that this is Cobra Commander and for a kid like me who didn't start collecting G.I. Joe figures until sometime in 1986 or very early 1987, this was my Cobra Commander growing up. In the DIC animated series this was also Cobra Commander. In the Marvel Comics, however? This was actually one of the identical Crimson Guardsmen, Fred Broca, AKA Fred VII, the man who stole Cobra Commander's identity for quite some time. Whether you take this as an armored upgrade to the classic Commander or an usurper using the Commander's name, Hasbro has released a pretty solid update that should probably please most collectors. Ready for an upgraded Cobra Commander? Then join me after the break...

Barbecue's Bonfire November 10th, 2025 Round 2! Use this one! It works!

Action Figure Review: Dash Rendar from Star Wars: The Black Series Phase IV by Hasbro

 

   This is actually my fourth review of a 2025 Star Wars: The Black Series release from Hasbro which is way more Star Wars: The Black Series reviews than I've done for a few years now. Why so many this year? Well, I've purchased six Black Series figures this year (I didn't review the updated A New Hope version of Han Solo or the larger R2-D2 on the ROTS card) as four were well needed updates of the original heroes and two are from Shadows of the Empire. That's the case for Dash Rendar here as he was one of the main protagonists for the 1996 multimedia project. I've been awfully bored of the Black Series lately as it feels like Hasbro just really doesn't know what to do with it, but I'm still really nostalgic for the Star Wars of the 1990s. Power of the Force II figures, the Expanded Universe, and Shadows of the Empire were all the rage at that time and I was the prime age for it. I loved my Dash Rendar figure from Kenner and I've been waiting for Hasbro to finally tackle him in the Black Series. How'd he turn out? Do you still need your Han Solo figures if this guy is around? Let's find out after the break...

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

 

   Lately I've been trying to start up a weekly livestream on Mondays at 8:30pm EST on YouTube as the latest iteration of my Barbecue's Bonfire posts that I used to post from time to time. Last Monday I tried to stream my second episode which involved me showing off some Jack o' Lanterns my family carved, talking about my dog Krypto, and doing a live review of the latest DC Multiverse version of the Riddler based on the 2003 Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee series Batman: Hush. About 25 minutes into the stream I think I cut out, though, so I did a live review of the Riddler and talked about the transition of the DC license from McFarlane to Mattel next year to myself. I blame my wife. I think that's when she started watching some One Piece and our internet just couldn't handle all the strain. Anyways, I had taken the pictures and I figure I should go ahead and also do a written review of the Riddler. I've been looking forward to this one as the designs of the characters from Hush are some of my favorites. When I think of the Batfamily and Batman's villains, their depiction in Hush is likely the first thing that comes to mind for me (stuff from the Knightfall era is probably second in most cases). Even with the story now being over 20 years old, I think the designs are still just very classic and definitive of an era of Batman comics. McFarlane has certainly visited Hush a few times now but there are plenty of characters from the series that could still be made. I still want a Hush version of Poison Ivy, Ra's al Ghul, Talia al Ghul, Catwoman, Harley Quinn, and Alfred Pennyworth before McFarlane Toys loses the license. For now, though, let's check out the Riddler, the man behind the Hush plan. Join me after the break...

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

 

   Now that Re-Halloween has come and gone I have a ton of non-spooky reviews to catch up on, one of which is Vega from Jada Toys' Ultra Street Fighter 2: The New Challengers line. Vega (originally named Balrog in the Japanese version of the game) is one of the original four nonplayable "boss" characters and the only character to use a legitimate weapon from the Street Fighter 2 roster. A claw? Imagine showing up to a martial arts tournament where everyone else is using their fists and feet and you whip out a metal claw. Hey, Vega made it happen, so more power to him. With a mixture of Spanish bullfighting techniques and Japanese ninjutsu inspired fighting, Vega stands out even among the already colorful cast of Street Fighter. Vega is named after the star, Vega, which is part of the constellation Lyra and it's also the fifth brightest star in the night sky, so I guess the name works for a guy who stands out with his star power. With Vega's release we are now 3/4ths of the way through the Street Fighter II: The New Challengers main roster which is pretty incredible to me. While I feel like Jada Toys could be releasing these much more quickly, they're steady enough that I'm confident that we'll finish the line and move on to the Street Fighter Alpha 3 roster. Ready to challenge Vega? Then jump in the cage and join me after the break...

Re-Halloween 2025: Michael Myers (Halloween H20: Halloween Twenty Years Later) from Halloween by NECA

 

   It's Re-Halloween and it's time for Michael Myers to... well, not come home. How about make a trip out to California? Sure, let's go with that! Michael Myers travels to California in 1998's Halloween H20: Halloween 20 Years Later in a continued pursuit of his sister, Laurie Strode. NECA has really been on a roll over the past few years as they've now released modern figures of Michael Myers from Halloween II, Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers, and all three of the 2018 trilogy films. Now they've tackled H20 and a Halloween: Resurrection version of Michael should start showing up any day now. If NECA gets around to the original film again along with Halloween 4, Halloween 5, and both of the Rob Zombie films they're have released a Michael Myers from every movie he's appeared in! (NECA did release figures from the original film but it was back in their Cult Classic days, so they're not well articulated.) H20 Came out when I was a freshman in high school and I caught in when it was released on VHS at a friend's house. Thinking back, it was probably the second or third of the Halloween films I saw as a friend and I watched the original quite frequently and I'm pretty sure we rented Halloween II at some point. I watched the movie again this week and I don't think my feelings on it have changed much over the years. There's a lot to like about the movie (Jamie Lee Curtis, good cinematography and some especially cool shots, a good story that does capture elements of the original film, solid cast) and a lot that still disappoints me (not sold on the overall look of Michael Myers, there's not a lot of fall or Halloween ambience in the film). Ultimately, it's pretty much smack dab in the middle of the movies in terms of my ranking of them. Still, am I going to turn down a new Michael Myers figure? Nope. Let's check this one out after the break...

Re-Halloween 2025: Michael Myers Candy Case from Universal Candy Cases by CandyRific

 

   You know who didn't make an appearance during 31 Days of Toy Terror this year? Michael Myers! We've got to fix that so for both today and tomorrow expect the Shape to be at the front and center! Today I'm checking out a Michael Myers Candy Case from CandyRific. I remember back as a kid when you could find candy in some elaborate containers that were far more enjoyable than the candy itself. Some of my favorites were a Slimer candy container that I used with my Real Ghostbusters figures, a plastic Batmobile from the 1989 movie, a Sonic the Hedgehog figure with moveable arms, a Snoopy driving a green car, and one of those bubble gum beepers which I covered with stickers and carried my Spin Fighters around in. Want candy or a toy? Why not both? My mom found this somewhere and gave it to me as an early Halloween treat which makes it even more special. I have to admit that I feel pretty blessed to be in my early 40s and still have a mom who will by me Michael Myers themed items when she sees them. Thanks, mom! Anyway, this guy is sold loose like this with a cardboard tag attached to his head which also seals the candy compartment. I believe he's sold in a tray alongside a Chucky Candy Case with four of each character or in a special boxed two-pack of both characters. Since Universal distributed the film, they have the rights to Halloween 2 which is why you see so much merchandise from it. That's also why the merchandise usually goes out of its way to note that it's from Halloween 2. Did you not get enough candy on Halloween and need both some more sugar and another Michael Myers collectible? Then join me after the break...

Re-Halloween 2025 'Masque of the Red Death' Phantom from Universal Monsters by NECA

 

   Can you believe that NECA is making action figures based on a movie that is 100 years old? It's pretty amazing that silent horror films have the staying power they do and still have fans! I mean, at this point I can't imagine anyone who saw the film during its original run is still alive, so everyone who is a fan is a fan of a movie that they weren't the original audience for. My wife has a grandfather who just turned 100 this year as well, but that means he would have been a baby when the film came out as he was born earlier in the year than the film's November 15th, 1925 premiere date. That's crazy to think about! NECA released their standard version of Lon Chaney as the Phantom of the Opera back in 2023 and now in 2025 they've released the 'Masque of the Red Death' Phantom dressed in his costume from the "in color" scene of the film where the Phantom crashes the masked ball. It's a memorable moment in film history and it's incredibly cool to have it commemorated here. Ready to check out the 'Masque of the Red Death' Phantom? Then join me after the break...

Re-Halloween 2025: The Invisible Man from Toony Terrors by NECA

 

   It's time for me to complete the most recent series of Universal Monsters inspired Toony Terrors from NECA and today we're looking at the Invisible Man, the star of my second favorite Universal classic horror film (all the films released from 1931-1960), The Invisible Man. While Jack Griffins' face is only seen at the end of the film, he certainly gets a nice variety of outfits in the film and this trench coat and fedora combo are what he wears at the very beginning of the movie when Griffin shows shows up on a snowy night at The Lion's Head Inn. Interestingly, NECA hasn't released this version of Griffin in their Universal Monsters 'Ultimates' line. Could they have a third version of the Invisible Man in store for us down the road? It's a cool design for Toony Terrors and while I expected them to go with the more iconic smoking jacket look, this one is very cartoonish, making Griffin look like a classic spy or detective which would track well for a Saturday Morning cartoon. Let's see what can be seen here after the break...

Action Figure Barbecue going live on Youtube tonight at 8:30pm!

 

Here's the link! Come join me for some post Halloween fun. 

Re-Halloween 2025: Assortment #4 from Dr. Malgam's Body Bags by ToadFrog

 

   I've got another set of Dr. Malgam's Body Bags by ToadFrog to check out today. It's tough to review these guys like a regular figure since you're getting seven mixed up parts with each figure rather than a complete figure that you mix and match with others but it is fun to show off all of the parts. At some point I'll probably add pictures of the completed figures so you can see who can be fully built with series 1. This feature is dominated by the amazing Sea Creature head but there are plenty of other cool parts in this set. Let's check out Assortment #4 after the break...

Re-Halloween 2025: Creature from the Black Lagoon from Toony Terrors by NECA

 

   The Creature from the Black Lagoon got a lot of love during 31 Days of Toy Terror this year, didn't he? Well, I've got one more Gill Man review for you as part of the Re-Halloween festivities and it's the Creature from the Black Lagoon Toony Terror figure from NECA. I really like NECA's Toony Terrors and while I don't pick up every release, I'm certainly grabbing all of the Universal Monsters and classic horror characters they put out. The Creature looks incredible hear! I think NECA has largely done an impressive of translating all of the horror characters they've tackled into a classic "Saturday morning cartoon" aesthetic but there are some that just standout and the Gill Man is one of those. He looks like he just stepped out of his own animated series! Imagine a funky 1970s or 1980s cartoon where the Creature and the other Universal Monsters solve crimes from Castle Frankenstein, probably with a couple of kids and a talking pet. Yeah, now you're in the right frame of mind. Imagine the PSAs at the end of each episode where the Creature shows up to talk to kids about the hazards of diving into shallow water, swimming alone, and not throwing plastic into the ocean. I want to live in that timeline! Let's check out the Toony Terrors Creature from the Black Lagoon after the break...

Re-Halloween 2025: Assortment #1 from Dr. Malgam's Body Bags by ToadFrog

 

   Guess what? Here at Action Figure Barbecue Halloween hasn't ended! In fact, I still have seven days of spooky reviews lined up for you and they're not just the leftover candy that no one wants. No, this is quality stuff! Join me today as we check out another figure in Dr. Malgam's Body Bags, a line that was launched through Kickstarter in 2024. Today I'm checking out Assortment #1 of the line which features the head for the Vampire along with a bunch of other assorted body parts. Now, I am aware that the toe tag on my body bag says Assortment #2. I really didn't think I mixed these up or around at all, but it seems like Assortment #1 and Assortment #2 got mixed up somehow. I don't have any missing parts between the two sets, so maybe I goofed or maybe something just got mislabeled. Anyways, this is either #1 or #2. Rather than sell these as complete figures that you swap (i.e. a Werewolf, a Vampire, etc.) ToadFrog is shipping these pre-mixed up, meaning you'll have to purchase multiple sets to get a full figure (the parts for which aren't all available yet). It's a mix and match gimmick, so it does make some sense, though I think I would have preferred being able to buy full characters with an extra included part. Let's check out this set that's dominated by the Vampire's head after the break...