Action Figure Review: Dr. Jack Griffin (Kemp House) from Universal Monsters/ Classic Monsters by NECA

 

   It's been a bit since I've reviewed a Universal Monsters item, so I'm glad I recently found the newest figure from NECA's Universal Monsters/ Classic Monsters line: Dr. Jack Griffin in his suave pajamas and robe look from when he visits his research partner, Kemp. 1933 The Invisible Man is my second favorite film from the classic Universal horror films and I'm always excited to get another take on the Invisible Man. Despite it not being how he first appears in the film, the pajamas and robe look does seem to be the more iconic of the Invisible Man's robes, doesn't it? I'm really glad that NECA is still putting out Universal Monsters figures, though I'd still love them to go deeper into the Universal catalog. For now, though, let's enjoy this incredible figure of Dr. Jack Griffin. More after the break...

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

 

   I'm going to go ahead and throw out another Marvel Legends Series review from the most recent X-Men series: Let's check out Marrow! What's Marrow's power? In addition to enhanced healing and constitution, Marrow can grow and enhance her skeletal structure, even creating weapons out of her bones. Crazy! Marrow has been a pretty common part of the mutant side of the Marvel Universe since her first appearance in 1994, though she might be most well known as a playable character in 2000's "Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes." Hasbro looks like they're going to start releasing a lot of the Marvel characters from those games starting this year (and Jada's Ultra Street Fighter 2: The New Challengers figures are a perfect fit) and they've made sure that Marrow is absolutely based off of her appearance in that game. Marrow's never had a Marvel Legends figure before; in fact, it's been 30 years since she had an action figure in Toy Biz's X-Men: Generation X line. She's a very welcome addition to the collection! Let's check out Marrow after the break...

Action Figure Review: Gambit (Age of Apocalypse) from Marvel Legends Series: X-Men by Hasbro

 

   The most recent series of X-Men Marvel Legends Series figures has been a really interesting mix of characters from different teams and eras. You've got four A-list big guns (Wolverine, Cyclops, Gambit, and Nightcrawler) from different teams and eras (X-Treme X-Men, X-Factor, Age of Apocalypse, and X-Force), and three 90's era creations who haven't had Legends releases before (Marrow, Husk, and Fabian Cortez). It's a real potpourri! Age of Apocalypse Gambit was a really nice surprise for this series as whole the Age of Apocalypse storyline is quite well loved by many, the two series of Marvel Legends figures based on it didn't seem to sell as quickly as most mutant focused series and thus ended up easily found on clearance at GameStop, Target, and Ollie's. They look great together and I'd love to see Hasbro continue to add to them little by little. Gambit is an excellent addition and is always a hit, right? We've also rarely had Gambit figures in any outfit other than his classic trench coat wearing look. Ready to check out the AoA Gambit? Then join me after the break...

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

 

   Today I'm jumping back in to take a look at another DC Multiverse figure from McFarlane Toys: Deadshot (DC Classic) from the most recent McFarlane Collector Edition series. This is the first set of McFarlane Collector Edition figures where I've picked up all three figures released (Deadshot, Batman: Year Two, and Adam Strange) but Deadshot was the first one I found at a Target. I've actually seen all of these guys in stores multiple times now, though I did get Batman online from BBTS and Adam Strange online from GameStop. This is the first figure of Deadshot/ Floyd Lawton that we've received from McFarlane Toys in the DC Multiverse line, so that's another major Batman villain checked off the list. This isn't the first appearance version of Deadshot from 1950 (where he wore a tuxedo, top hat, and domino mask) but is the version most familiar to comic fans from Detective Comics in 1977 where he escaped from prison and came back with a vengeance. If you're looking for a classic "Super Powers"/ style guide look for Deadshot, this is it. He's much brighter than I expected (at a glance I always think he's Negative Man for some reason) but he does look accurate to most of his comic book appearances from the late 1970s, 1980s, and into the 1990s. Ready to see if Deadshot hits the mark? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Bloody Ash & Cheryl Williams from The Evil Dead by NECA

 

   I've been on a bit of a vacation, but not to a cabin the woods! I'm back now and ready to hit the ground running with some new reviews. NECA has been making action figures from the Evil Dead series since 2006 (the S-Mart Ash from Cult Classics) but it wasn't until 2022 that NECA released a version of Ash from the original 1981 film The Evil Dead. This year we're getting another release and this time it's a two pack! NECA has bundled a somewhat different blood splattered version of Ash with his sister, Cheryl. It's pretty amazing that NECA is still giving us new figures from this property and I'm quite excited to get a new figure of Cheryl. This is a great set with some fantastic new accessories, too. Ready to check out these two siblings doomed to some intense sibling rivalry? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Monkey D. Luffy (The Raid on Onigashima) from S.H. Figuarts: One Piece by Bandai

 

   I'm going through a midlife crisis, everyone. Some guys hit their early 40s and buy a sportscar or a motorcycle. Others begin pursuing a younger mistress. Me? I'm apparently now into watching anime and buying anime figures. OK, not all anime, really. Just One Piece. I've mentioned a couple times before that my wife really got into One Piece a couple years ago and since then I've certainly learned quite a bit about it. I love the characters and character designs, but my knowledge of the show was just from what she told me or from catching bits and pieces of it here and there. I finally started watching it for my self a few weeks ago and I'm really enjoying it (for those of you who keep up with it, I'm currently at the Drum Island arc of the Alabasta/ Arabasta Saga, and have officially met Tony Tony Chopper and learned his heartbreaking backstory). I purchased the S.H. Figuarts Romance Dawn Luffy a couple months ago but over this past weekend I stumbled upon the newer The Raid on Onigashima Monkey D. Luffy at my local GameStop and decided to snap him up. There's a lot of reuse here on the man dedicated to becoming King of the Pirates, but there's also plenty of differences to not make it feel too similar. Ready to check out this new version of Monkey D. Luffy? Then join me after the break...

"Gum...Gum... Mouse click!"

Action Figure Review: Prince Xizor from Star Wars: The Black Series Phase IV by Hasbro

   What is Hasbro doing differently with the Black Series in 2025 than they did in 2024? They're releasing characters I have nostalgia for, baby. So far this year I've picked up the newest versions of the classic ANH Luke and Leia and now I've ended up with a third figure: Prince Xizor! That's more figures Black Series figures than I purchased in 2024 and 2023. Steve Perry's Shadows of the Empire came out in 1996 and just felt massive. As the marketing hype said, it was like a Star Wars movie release without a movie. I was really getting into Star Wars at that type and it was pretty exciting to have new characters who were getting action figures and other merchandise. I still have both of my Kenner Prince Xizor figures (one was sold by himself and another came in a 2-pack with Darth Vader); in fact, I think I have all of my Shadows of the Empire vintage figures. I've been hoping Hasbro would finally delve into this era of Star Wars as I really want Chewbacca as Snoova, Dash Rendar, Luke in his vest, Leia in the blue outfit, Leebo, and Guri. Prince Xizor's a great start, though. I believe the last time Hasbro made a Prince Xizor was in 2008 as part of a comic pack with Princess Leia. That's been a minute, as they say. Let's check out Prince Xizor after the break...

Action Figure Review: Power Girl (Power Girl: Reborn) from DC Multiverse by McFarlane Toys

 

   While Todd McFarlane is now known for his infamous interview a few years back where he talked about the difficulty of selling female figures at mainstream retail and how little boys just don't want female figures, he sure has been filling out the DC Multiverse roster with some incredible women as of late. Today I'm checking out Power Girl, one of the most powerful women (no pun intended) in the DC Universe. I mean, c'mon; she's cousins with Superman (though from Earth-2) and a fellow Kryptonian. You know she's an A-list talent. She's also the counterpart of Supergirl from Earth-2 (she's Kara Zor-L/ Kara Zor-El, Karen Starr, or Dr. Paige Stetler). Power Girl is part of the McFarlane Collector Edition series which is where McFarlane Toys has been putting more of the collector focused characters as of late. Ready for a great classic take on Power Girl? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Ghost Operator from Action Force by Valaverse

 

   It's been a little over a month since Valaverse did a drop with a few new figures but I'm finally getting around to checking out the second figure I picked up from the drop: The Ghost Operator. Like many lines these days (and some vintage toylines; heck, reuse has always been the name of the game), Action Force definitely relies on reuse, mixing together a number of base bodies and limbs with different gear and portraits to create new portraits. I think Action Force is a line that this concept works exceedingly well for since most of the figures are fairly standard soldiers using fairly standard military gear. It's kind of like playing dress up for adult collectors who dig military and tactical equipment! The Ghost Operator definitely is not a new figure by far but it's a new combination of equipment with a new camo pattern that's pretty appealing. According to the file card (and for those of you who follow the Action Force storyline), the Ghost Operators are special forces operators with the Republic Territory Guard who make daring incursions into New Colonia to gather intelligence and eliminate key targets. They're allies with the Action Force. Of course, it's also a fairly standard soldier in darker urban camo, so this guy can be whoever you want. In terms of the build, the Ghost Operator is the same as the Crimson Shadow Infantry, just with a different rifle and no grenade pouches. If you're experiencing some déjà vu while reading this review, that's why. Ready to check this guy out? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Cyclops (X-Factor) from Marvel Legends Series: X-Men by Hasbro

 

   I'm really glad that this year's X-Men build-a-figure series is all X-Men themed releases, unlike last year's Zabu series that was a hodgepodge with a few mutant and mutant adjacent figures and a few other characters I had to sell off (or am still trying to sell; anyone want a Black Winter?). Today I'm checking out the X-Factor version of Cyclops in his blue and yellow outfit. A few years ago Hasbro did release the blue and white X-Factor version of Cyclops in the Retro Collection (it was the same outfit the original Toy Biz Cyclops was wearing) but this one seems to be more in-line with the original X-Factor team. X-Factor Jean Grey is coming, so maybe this will be the next subset that Hasbro tries to fill out. Ready to check out the X-Factor version of Scott Summers? Then join me after the break...

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

 

   As I was putting the finishing touches on this review today I learned of the passing of Val Kilmer, AKA Bruce Wayne/ Batman in Batman Forever. This one is in memory of Val, who donned the mantle of the Caped Crusader.   

 You might feel like you're experiencing déjà vu while reading this review, but don't be alarmed! I reviewed the Gold Label fear gas demon version of this figure late last month. This is the standard version, though, and, oddly enough, I found him after I found the Gold Label exclusive version. This is your basic Christian Bale Baman from 2005's Batman Begins and he is a very different figure from the previously released The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises version of the character. This was a great take on the batsuit and it's definitely a figure most Batman fans and collectors will want on their shelf. Let's just jump right it and take a look at this take on Batman after the break...

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

 

   

   I'm moving slowly through latest X-Men series of Marvel Legends figures and today I'm checking out a villain from the set: Fabian Cortez. Fabian Cortez has certainly had some more recent appearances in the comics as part of S.W.O.R.D. and during the Krakoa era of X-Men but most folks will remember him from when appeared in 1991's X-Men #1 or his appearance in the animated series. A mutant who can enhance the powers of other mutants (or hamper them),  Fabian Cortez (sometimes known as The Power) is a complicated character. He's also never had an action figure before, so he's another figure in this series that not just new to Legends but new to any Marvel line. This version of Fabian is based on his look as the founder of the Acolytes which he also sported in the animated series. Ready to check out Fabian Cortez? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Batman (Batman 1989) from DC Multiverse by McFarlane Toys

 

   If you haven't been paying attention lately, Mattel has won back the rights to the DC license beginning in the second half of 2026, leaving things up in the air for McFarlane Toys and Spinmasters. Personally I'm not optimistic about Mattel's upcoming DC product as I like McFarlane's DC Multiverse toyline and how it blends well with most of DC Direct and DC Collectibles' releases from the past. I still have favorites from Mattel's years with the line but I don't find that most of their figures have held up all that well. Their last few years with the line were pretty rough, too. I'm optimistic, though, that since DC/ Warner Bros. still has the DC Direct brand, that McFarlane could still continue to release a more limited range of product through there. Things like Page Punchers and the figures with the digital counterparts. Maybe even online exclusive types of things. That being said, it makes the news of McFarlane losing the main DC license when we get excellent figures released like the Michael Keaton version of Batman from Tim Burton's 1989 film take on the Caped Crusader. Back in 2023 McFarlane Toys did release two takes on Keaton as Batman from The Flash as well as a 1989 Batman and Batmobile 2-pack and a Keaton Bats with the 6-figure Batman: Ultimate Movie Collection. I skipped those two larger sets, though, holding out for a single release, and I'm glad that I did. This is an excellent figure with plenty of gadgets to really make for lots of fun display options. Ready to check out this very classic Batman? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Scarecrow (Batman Begins) from DC Multiverse by McFarlane Toys

 

   

   Hello there, action figure fans! Today is a day that you might want to mark on your calendars as it's sort of a big deal. Know what it is? Today is the day I'm reviewing my first McFarlane Toys Red Platinum Edition figure, and I believe it's actually the first Red Platinum Edition figure released: Scarecrow from Batman Begins. What's a Red Platinum Edition (or a Platinum Edition, for that matter)? Glad you asked. While I love McFarlane's DC Multiverse line, it's still stuck in the 1990s in a couple ways, one of those being the love of chase figures. In DC Multiverse, there are standard figures, Gold Label figures (which are typically exclusive to a particular store), and, until this year, there were just Platinum Edition figures. Platinum editions were essentially "chase" variants and came short packed in a case. Usually the Platinum figures were variants of another figure in the series and initially they were simpler things like all grey "artist proof" figures or silver and gold variants. Later on we started seeing palette swaps, head swaps, and then full on different characters. Last year there were even unique characters who were Platinum Editions (The Question and Shining Knight come to mind). For 2025, any figures who aren't a variant of another figure but are just a more short packed figure of a character are now classified as Red Platinum Editions. Make sense? OK, good. While we've had a Batman Begins version of Scarecrow already (back in in 2023), this version is a bit more basic like, like we see him in most of the film and in The Dark Knight. He's wearing his mask but just sporting a standard suit. Ready to check this guy out? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Batman (Batman Begins) (Gold Label) from DC Multiverse by McFarlane Toys

 

  Batman Begins is getting ready to turn 20 years old this year. I easily remember that because it came out less than a month after my wife and I got married and we're about to celebrate our 20th anniversary. Imagine that, right? McFarlane has really leaned heavily into the Christopher Nolan directed film series and there are a few new releases so far this year: The Scarecrow in a regular suit, the standard Batman from Batman Begins, and the Gold Label Batman I'm looking at today, which is actually the fear gas induced hallucination that the Scarecrow sees. Surprisingly, I actually found this figure (and Scarecrow) before I found the standard version of Batman. This is a pretty crazy looking Batman figure and while it's not a look Bruce sports for long in the film, it is a pretty memorable moment. Ready to check out this Gold Label Batman (he's exclusive to Target)? Then join me after the break...

Statue Review: Nami from One Piece: Battle Record Collection by Bandai/ Banpresto/ Bandai Namco

 

   I'm in no way a One Piece expert but my wife has been nuts about the show for a couple years now and I've really been getting into it as of late. Last week I was browsing at GameStop when I saw this really nifty Nami statue. I think I still had my monthly $5 bonus coupon, plus I had my Pro-Membership discount, so I decided to scoop her up. She looks to be about in the same scale as the S.H. Figuarts line and maybe close to the Bandai Namco Anime Heroes line as well, so I thought she'd scale well with the few figures I have in those lines. I haven't seen this outfit in the anime yet but it's apparently from the Egghead or Future Island storyline, which is pretty recent. I'm nowhere near that far in the show! I like the somewhat futuristic look of this outfit, though, plus the sculpt makes Nami look like she's just about to whack someone with her Clima-Tact. This statue is from the One Piece: Battle Record collection which means that the statues are in dynamic, battle ready poses, hence the cool "about to whack someone" pose. Ready to check out Nami, navigator extraordinaire? Then join me after the break...

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

 

   The Masterverse New Eternia Skelcon was released at the end of 2024, but I found mine at retail at a toy shop local to me just last month, so I'm just now getting around to him. It's pretty cool to have a new army builder for Masterverse. Who doesn't love the Skelcons, right? Originally appearing in the Masters of the Universe picture books from Ladybird released in the UK in the 1980s, the Skelcons made their way into the 2012 DC Comics series, the Masters of the Universe Classics toyline (paired with the Roton), and Netflix's Masters of the Universe: Revelation. I love these weird, creepy guys and I'm pretty sure that this version of the creature is the creepiest yet. This guy seemed to be exclusive to specialty market retailers and e-tailers and, surprisingly, you can still find them available. Ready to check out Skeletor's malicious foot soldiers from the Dimension of Infinita? Then join me after the break...

Two-Face (DC: The Silver Age) Platinum from McFarlane Toys Digital: DC by McFarlane Toys/ DC Direct

 

   I've reviewed a bunch of DC Multiverse figures (and I've got a handful waiting to be reviewed soon) but, technically, this guy is part of a separate line. Like McFarlane's DC Page Punchers, the McFarlane Toys Digital figures are often stocked in a separate location at stores that carry them and they're listed as being released by McFarlane Toys and DC Direct. What separates these figures from DC Multiverse? Well, figure-wise they're no different but they do include a card which includes a download code for a digital figure on the McFarlane Toys digital app. I'm going to be honest and say that a digital figure does nothing for me. I did buy the Rebirth Batman with the alternate Bruce Wayne head and the Silver Age Joker last year, but I never even redeemed the digital rewards. The line-up for this line seems to be filled with some classic heavy hitters, so it's certainly still worth the attention of folks not interested in the digital codes. I was surprised to stumble upon the newest series of these this week and I grabbed Two-Face. While the figure is listed as a Silver Age Two-Face, that's actually for the standard version, which I didn't see (he comes in the orange and purple suit). This version is the Platinum version and is a more modern take (though not that modern, since Two-Face first wore black and white in Batman: The Animated Series). Batman villains are probably going to usually be my go to picks in any DC line and I'm glad to have a traditional Two-Face figure from McFarlane. Ready to check this guy out? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Butt-Head #1591 from POP! Television: Beavis and Butt-Head by Funko

 

   For my money, last year's Saturday Night Live sketch of two random guys who look like Beavis and Butt-Head sitting in on an interview about the future of A.I. was one of the funniest things in 2024. Mikey Day, Ryan Gosling, and SNL's makeup team nailed the characters and watching Kenan Thompson seriously ask them questions while Heidi Gardner couldn't keep from laughing just made things all the better. It was such a goofy yet clever sketch and it definitely had my daughter asking me about Beavis and Butt-Head. I didn't watch a lot of Beavis and Butt-Head as a kid but I did see some episodes and they were such a pop culture juggernaut for a period that you couldn't avoid them. My wife and I ended up showing our daughter some clips of the show just for context and to talk about how controversial they were back in 90s when they debuted. I'm not really a huge fan of the characters but for Christmas my daughter bought me a Funko POP! of Beavis in his Burger World outfit holding up a dead rat. It's actually pretty funny and definitely an interesting addition to the collection. A few weeks ago we were at Needless Toys and Collectibles in Lincolnton, NC and she snuck up front and bought me this Butt-Head so Beavis wouldn't have to be alone. I thought it was a sweet gesture and decided I'd make sure to review this one. Ready to check out Butt-Head justifying why fast food restaurants need to pay higher wages to attract better candidates? Ready to find out if this figure sucks or if it's cool? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Crimson Shadow Infantry from Action Force by Valaverse

 

   The weekend before last there was an Action Force drop on Valaverse's website, offering up three new figures and two new weapons packs. I scooped up most of the new releases (I skipped the Maritime Corps) and they arrived in the mail very quickly. Today I'm excited to check out my favorite of the new releases, the Crimson Shadow Infantry. Crimson Shadow Technologies has been around since the beginning of Valaverse's Action Force and seems to be their take on the Red Shadows, the enemy unit lead by Baron Ironblood of Palitoy's vintage Action Force line that eventually becomes Cobra (Baron Ironblood becomes Cobra Commander in the "Battle Action Force" comic strip. In Valaverse's Action Force, Crimson Shadow Technologies is a weapons development group that grows into a massive private security force. This guy is also just a really cool looking troop figure with lots of nice accessories. Whether you're only collecting Action Force, mixing this guy with all of the other excellent 1/12th scale military lines available right now, or using him for some other purpose, there's a lot to love here. Let's check out the Crimson Shadow Infantry after the break...

Action Figure Review: Cosmo from Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 3 by McDonald's

 

   

   Back in February my wife and I went to the Hickory Comic Con in Hickory, NC, and I ended up with a few cool finds. One of the ones I was most thrilled about was a McDonald's toy that I either paid 50 cents or $1 for (I can't remember): Cosmo from McDonald's Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 3 Happy Meal promotion. Besides the main Avengers films, Guardians of the Galaxy has been my favorite of the MCU series of films and I did love Volume 3, but man, what a rough film in places, right? After watching it, I was shocked there was a McDonald's promotion for the film. An F bomb, some pretty intense violence, and animal cruelty? I'm kind of remembering how people flipped out at the Batman Returns Happy Meal toys when I was a kid. I rarely collect McDonald's stuff these days but when I saw Cosmo at a table at Hickory Comic Con I knew I had to take her home with me. I like to pick up toys that look like my dogs and for about 8 months, including during when GOTG3 was released, we had a beautiful golden retriever mix with reddish fur who looked a lot like Cosmo. She was a stray who came to our house and we kept after spending the first couple months trying to find her owner, but, unfortunately, we had to rehome her after she decided our senior Jack Russel/ beagle mix was her arch enemy. She was a great dog other than that and the family that has her now adores her. She guards their kids and their chickens. I've been picking up Cosmo stuff over the past year or two as she I love the character and Cosmo reminds me of our dog who we only had for such a short time. Ready to check out this fun little McDonald's Cosmo? Then join me after the break...

Toy Review: Harley Quinn from Teekeez by Cryptozoic

 

   A couple weekends ago my wife and I were traveling through Marion, North Carolina. We walked through the downtown, found a couple Geocaches, and stopped at All Things Geeky by 2 Nerds, a comic book shop inside of an old factory that's been converted into a mall. It was a pretty neat place and we walked around inside for at least 30 minutes. I didn't find much I needed but I did grab this little Harley Quinn vinyl tiki figure from Cryptozoic's Teekeez line. I remember these coming out in 2017 but I never had any of them. I did have some of the Eekeez from FOCO, though, which came out in 2018. These are different than the Geeki Tikis from Beeline Creative, which are actual drinking mugs. Looking at it, it's kind of wild that three different companies (off the top of my head, at least) have made DC Comics themed tiki items in the past decade. I grabbed this Harley for my Harley Quinn collection. At $7.99, she was at a pretty good price, too. Ready to check out a very stylized take on Harley Quinn? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Brook from Anime Heroes: One Piece by Bandai Namco

 

   No, I'm not going full on otaku or anything, but I do have another One Piece review for you today. This time it's Brook, the swordsman, musician, and senior officer of the Straw Hat Pirates. Having eaten the Revive-Revive Fruit, Brook came back from his death and is now Soul King Brook, a skeletal musician. I don't actually know as much about Brook as I do some of the other characters, but my wife thinks he's hilarious (though he's a bit of a perv, from what I hear), and he's a funky soul musician who dresses a bit like Jimmy Hendrix. This version is from after the time skip in the show, so he goes along with the other post-time skip pirates. I've never reviewed any figures from Bandai Namco's Anime Heroes line but I have seen them and admired them simply because they seem pretty affordable, I always see new characters from multiple different licenses, and they seem to actually get restocked at Walmart quite frequently. They're still available at retail for the $19.99 price point which is pretty darn impressive these days. It doesn't seem to me that Brook has been released in either the S.H. Figuarts or Megahouse Variable Action Heroes lines yet, so for $20 bucks I decided to snag him. Ready to see what this figure delivers? Then let's groove on in to this review after the break...

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

 

   I was not expecting the newest Build-a-Figure series of X-Men Marvel Legends to hit stores until late spring but Hasbro surprised us by dropping them early. So far Husk is the only one I've picked up (I also saw Wolverine, but I'm slowing down on Wolverines for a bit and that design isn't one of my favorites or anything) and I've seen her at multiple GameStops. Weird, right? I like Generation X and I'm always excited to add more members of the team to my X-Men shelves. Husk is a very cool figure and it's especially nice to have her since Toy Biz didn't release her back in the day as part of their Generation X line. They didn't release a lot of the main cast, though, like Husk, Monet St. Croix, Leech, Artie, and Synch (though Synch did get a ToyFare exclusive release in 1998). Husk was planned for a third series of figures, but that never came to fruition. I do wish Hasbro would move a bit faster on Generation X, but they're working on so many X-teams right now that at least there is always something exciting to be found. Ready to take a look at Husk, the Kentucky born mutant (Sam Guthrie/ Cannonball is her big brother)? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Ardath Bey from Universal Monsters/ Classic Monsters by NECA

   While Imhotep wrapped in his bandages is the more iconic look for the titular mummy in the 1932 Universal Studios film The Mummy, it's definitely not the way Boris Karloff appears throughout most of the film. Instead, we mostly see the resurrected Imhotep in the guise of Ardath Bey, a Turkish historian with a tremendous knowledge of ancient Egypt. Ardath Bey has definitely been one of my most wanted Universal Monsters figures after NECA has completed the main roster of the usual suspects and it's nice to see they're continuing. The Invisible Man in his robe/ smoking jacket is set to show up any day now and at Toy Fair 2025 last week NECA also showed the Masque of the Red Death Phantom and the Metaluna Mutant. I'm still hoping for Henry Hull from Werewolf of London, Countess Marya Zaleska from Dracula's Daughter, Rondo Hatton as the Creeper, Bela Lugosi as Ygor, Colin Clive as Dr. Frankenstein, Abbott & Costello, Kharis, and Acquanetta from the Wild Woman/ Jungle Woman series, so this line, but the Toy Fair showing was a nice start. Ready for NECA's newest figure based on the legendary Boris Karloff? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Tony Tony Chopper (Reissue) from One Piece Variable Action Heroes by Megahouse

 

   Hey, don't leave! You're in the right place. You're probably surprised by the fact that I'm reviewing something from One Piece or an anime in general. I'm really trying to think if I've reviewed anything else from an anime before as I don't really watch anime all that much. Maybe something from Pokemon? Well, on this one I'm going to have to blame my wife. Over the past couple years my wife has gotten really into One Piece, having watched  through the anime series at least once and the live action Netflix show. Me? I'm just picking up pieces of the show as I go. So I know very little about it, but I do like the characters for how expressive they are and their designs. There are multiple companies who have put out One Piece merchandise, and it seems the presence of the Netflix live-action show really catapulted the popularity of the show even higher. My wife has quite a few little knickknacks that we've bought her as gifts or that she's picked up, but at some point in the last couple months I purchased a S.H. Figuarts Luffy at a GameStop sale and decided to add a few more characters to my shelf. I've seen the Bandai Anime Heroes Chopper a few times in Walmart's collectibles section but I ended up ordering this figure of Tony Tony Chopper from Megahouse's One Piece Variable Heroes line. This is actually a reissue figure, as the original version came out in 2016 while this one was released sometime in 2024. It seems like Megahouse (they're a company under Bandai) is really cranking out rereleases of this line due to the increased popularity of the show. So, who is Tony Tony Chopper? He's a reindeer who was rejected by his tribe because of his blue nose and is now the doctor for the Straw Hat Pirates. He's a humorous character (we like to reverse hide like Chopper at our house) and kind of a mascot for the series at this point. He's naturally a smaller character, too, so this figure is noticeable than the other One Piece Variable Action Heroes. Ready to check out the reissue of Tony Tony Chopper? Then join me after the break...

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

 

   The wave of the Classified Series gives us yet another 1986 figure and another Dreadnok: Make way for Zandar, a Dreadnok who is supposed to be such a master of camouflage and blending in that folks just tend to forget he's there. Honestly, that's a bit how I always felt about Zandar, at least as a kid. Back then I didn't know what to do with him. Not getting into G.I. Joe until late 1986 or early 1987, I never had Zartan or the early Dreadnoks and I never really had a huge use for them until later figures started coming out like Road Pig and Gnawgahyde who just kind of mixed in with my general Cobra figures. Zandar just always seemed odd to me and was definitely one of my least favorite figures. While he and Zarana always get brought up because people love Dreadnoks and they have a connection to Zartan, oddly enough Zandar only ever had two figures prior to this release: The 1986 vintage and the 2011 figure from the 30th Anniversary era Dreadnoks Battle Set. Like Zarana (and most other Dreadnoks in the Classified Series), this dude is pretty awesome and might be the stand out figure in this series for me (I don't have Dial-Tone yet, so we'll have to see). The Classified Series version just hits different than the prior figures of Zandar. Ready to check out Zandar? Then join me after the break...

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

 

   Just a couple weeks ago Mattel offered up a New Eternia version of Panthor on Mattel Creations and I decided to go ahead and snag him. I have a ton of different Battle Cat items, but Panthor doesn't always get the love that good ol' Cringer does. The Masterverse Battlecat (from Masters of the Universe: Revelation) was released in the summer of 2021, so it took almost 4 years between getting a Masterverse Battle Cat and the Masterverse Panthor. Like you might have guessed, there is some parts of this figure shared with Battle Cat but Mattel did give Panthor new paws, a new head, and all new armor and accessories. There really is a lot unique here. Panthor isn't flocked, but he does have an incredible metallic sheen to him. For the same price as Battle Cat in 2021 (and coming with a bit more stuff) this guy is definitely worth checking out (he is still on sale as of my writing this). Ready to ride with Panthor? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: S.A.W.-Viper (Semi-Automatic Weapon) from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

   It's time for another G.I. Joe: Classified Series review and this time we get another Cobra trooper: The S.A.W.-Viper (Semi-Automatic Weapon). A 1990 original, the S.A.W.-Viper is infamous for both the massive weapon included with the figure (it was at least as long as the figure is tall) and because of its connection to the S.A.W.-Viper named Robert Skelton, a S.A.W.-Viper from the Marvel Comics series who executed Doc, Thunder, Crankcase, and Heavy Metal (and later became the character Overkill). The S.A.W.-Viper is overall quite nicely updated here, though Hasbro has retained the mistake of the vintage line in asserting that S.A.W. stands for "Semi-Automatic Weapon" instead of "Squad Automatic Weapon." Unless referring to the fact that this guy comes with an autoloader, or automatic, pistol, this was surely a goof as he clearly is using a light machine gun of some sort (or maybe a medium or general purpose machine gun), which would be classified as a Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW). Semantics aside, this guy is pretty cool though I do have a few issues. Ready to check him out? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Princess Leia Organa (A New Hope) from Star Wars: The Black Series Phase IV by Hasbro

 

   Just last week I reviewed the new Star Wars: The Black Series version of Luke Skywalker in his classic A New Hope/ farm boy outfit and today I'm checking out the other half of the Skywalker twins: Princess Leia Organa. Like with Luke, the Hasbro Black Series Phase III version of Leia was also released in 2016, utilized soft goods, and hasn't aged well. In fact, it wasn't all that good to begin with. Like with my Phase III Tatooine Luke, I sold that Leia sometime last year as soon as I hear this one was coming. I only purchased two Black Series figures last year, but these two are two iconic and I want the best versions of the classic Original Trilogy characters from each film on my shelf (now we need an updated A New Hope Han!). I actually found Luke at retail but I ordered Princess Leia. I've since seen them both at a couple different GameStop locations, so they're out there for the hunting. I was just looking at my previous review and realized that I published it just 24 days before the passing of Carrie Fisher in late December of 2016. It's crazy to think about that. Since then, Hasbro's Princess Leia figures have really improved as they've been using the face printing technique since then. I'm shocked it's taken eight years to fully revisit this version of Leia (they did offer a repaint of the 2016 figure with the face printing for the 40th anniversary). Ready to check out this much improved version of Princess Leia Organa? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Night Ops Senshi from Action Force by Valaverse

 

   Action Force has been one of my favorite action figure lines for the past few years and I'm excited to start 2025 off with a very cool release: Night Ops Senshi. While the standard Senshi figure was a regular release, I held out for this incredibly cool Night Ops version that is exclusive to Big Bad Toy Store. While it was always cool to get martial arts themed figures in G.I. Joe, so often they seemed impractical as they were running around without shirts or shoes, not even carrying a firearm for when things got really nasty. Senshi doesn't have that issue, though. He's wearing a mixture of regular modern combat gear with some samurai themed armor over the top. He's carrying a katana, sure, but he also has a pistol and a submachinegun. Senshi reminds me of what Budo from G.I. Joe could look like in the Classified Series if he was released and not just a straight up redo of the vintage figure. Ready to check out Senshi? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Dark Avengers Warbird from Marvel Legends Series: Dark Avengers by Hasbro

 

   Just a week or so ago Hasbro Pulse delivered my Dark Avengers Warbird figure right to my door. So, boom, here's my first new Marvel Legends Series figure of 2025. I'm only just passingly familiar with the Dark Avengers, so who is this? The packaging and everything I'm reading says this is the supervillain Moonstone disguised as Carol Danvers, AKA Ms. Marvel. Not sure why they're calling her Warbird here unless Disney/ Marvel doesn't want anyone to use that name except for Kamala Khan, but you know what? I'm going to call her Ms. Marvel. In fact, I'm just straight up using this figure as a classic Ms. Marvel. It's pretty much exactly her second costume (the first had a big cutout and showed off her stomach). Whether you're wanting to build a Dark Avengers team (which Hasbro does seem to be working towards) or you want a classic Carol Danvers, this figure should have you covered. I loved last year's Warbird Carol, so it's nice to get another version of her so soon. By the way, is anyone else just baffled that Hasbro hasn't released a proper comic version of Carol as Captain Marvel since 2015? I have most of the Brie Larson ones, and they're pretty solid, but I want an updated comic version of Captain Marvel, too. She's like the only major Marvel MCU hero who hasn't received an updated comic version of their main look in the past 5 years. Let's check this one out after the break...

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

 

   Today I'm starting to look at the newest series of G.I. Joe: Classified Series figures from the most recent series to ship and I'm kicking things off with Leatherneck. Leatherneck was a 1986 release in the vintage line and thus was one of the figures I had when I was quite young. General Hawk v2 was my first figure and Sci-Fi was my second, so I either started collecting at the end of 1986 when these guys had been on shelves a bit or in early 1987 before that year's line shipped (I think Hasbro kept the figures in circulation for about 2 years before discontinuing them). Interestingly, three of the four figures from the newest series of releases are based on 1986 releases: Leatherneck, Dial-Tone, and Zandar. (The S.A.W. Viper was a 1990 release, though I was still collecting Joes by then, too.) On Leatherneck's vintage file card there was always a line that stuck out to me: "He is uncouth, opinionated and overbearing. And he has no patience at all with the indecisive, the lazy and the dishonest. Not a man you can like, but one you can trust." 
   That always has stood out to me as some excellent characterization. Leatherneck isn't really a likeable guy at all but he's a darn fine Marine. Interestingly, the vintage figure looks like it could have easily been a Gung-Ho version 2 at first (there are quite a few figures like that in 1986- Sci-Fi as Flash, Wet-Suit as Torpedo), but it's clear that by the time the figure was created he was a very different character from Gung-Ho despite them being both highly decorated Marines. The Joe team was expanding and needed more than one medic, more than one Marine, more than one SEAL, etc. Ready to check out Leatherneck? Then join me after the break...

Missing in Action: Toyline That Didn't Make the Cut in 2024

 

   Since 2015 I've followed up my Top 10 Toylines of the Year list with Missing in Action (no relation to the Chuck Norris film), a look at what lines made the list in the prior year's best of list but fell off for this year. This is somewhat of a reflective list where I look back at the Top 10 Toylines list from the year before and give my reasoning for why some of the lines from that year failed to return for the current year's list.  2024's top 10 list had five lines returning from 2023's list (2023's also had five returning lines while 2022's top 10 list had seven returning toylines and 2021 only had four returning toylines from the 2020 list). I find it interesting to look at the lines that failed to show up again in order to diagnose why they went missing. It's also fun to make some complaints and whine a bit, which might be part of the reason I enjoy this list so much. There's a lot of piss and vinegar here. There are a few reasons why a toyline might make this list:

Missing in Action: This is a toyline that gets cancelled, ends, or just didn't have any releases during the year. It happens a lot, unfortunately, and often to some of my favorites it seems, though not as much as in the past. There do seem to be more longer running lines today than, say, 10 to 15 years ago. 

Demoted: Sometimes a toyline just gets outdone by others. This isn't specifically related to the quality of the demoted line and more reflective of the quality of the lines that supplanted it or of my interest shifting to other things. You can be demoted simply because of my attention shifting elsewhere. 

Sunk: This is when a toyline has a severe drop in quality, becomes stale, or suffers an exorbitant price hike that causes it to fall off my radar. While most toylines get better as they go, some do indeed get worse and worse due to cost cutting, mismanagement, and quality control issues. Sometimes the price just outpaces the value, making a once impressive toyline now seem like a shell of its former self. 

Let's jump in and check out who went missing in action in 2024 after the break...

Action Figure Review: Luke Skywalker (A New Hope) from Star Wars: The Black Series Phase IV by Hasbro

 

   It's only February and I've already purchased as many Star Wars: The Black Series figures this year as I did last year! The number for both years is only two (and only three in 2023), which is more of a critique of the line and my interest in it for last year, I guess. This year started off with all new versions of Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia Organa from Star Wars: A New Hope and I really wanted both of them. It doesn't get much more classic than these two and it really was time for a new version of the Skywalker siblings from the original film. The first Black Series Luke in his Tatooine gear was released in 2016 in the Phase III line and it was just OK, even back then. Hasbro tried to go for soft goods for Luke's tunic; it was a decent choice, but the execution wasn't perfect nor was the headsculpt one to write home. Collectors will debate until the end of time about why Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford have likenesses that seem to be so difficult to capture but Hasbro has been improving, especially since they've been using the face printing work on their figures for better details. I remember how impressed I was when I upgraded my POTF2 Luke Skywalker (He-Luke!) to the Luke from the Purchase of the Droids cinema scene, and that was only about a 2 year gap. Heck, remember the "Flashback" Episode I tie-in Luke Skywalker with his rifle, floppy hat, and binoculars from 1999? He had elbow joints. Elbow joints! This new Black Series Luke feels like a worthy upgrade, so let's check him out after the break...

Action Figure Review: Jordy Verrill (First Bloom) from Monstarz: Creepshow by Amok Time Toys

 

   Guess what! This is my second new review for 2025. In fact, I think it might actually have been the first 2025 release that I received in the mail, though I did look at Mezco's Toht with the Ark of the Covenant first. Read for another review from a classic 1980s film? Then let's take a look at Jordy Verrill (First Bloom) from Monstarz. Based on the classic anthology film Creepshow, a collaboration between George Romero and Stephen King, Jordy Verrill is the country bumpkin from the second short story who gets infected by a space virus in plant form. Played in a wonderfully kooky and over the top manner, Stephen King's Jordy Verrill might be my favorite part of the film (story wise, it's between this one and "Father's Day"). It's just a wonderfully delightful performance with some wacky quotes ("meteror $#!%") and it cracks me up that the king of horror has no problem being so goofy. Garth Marenghi would never take on such a comedic role, that's for sure. Amok Time's Monstarz line has been around since 2008 with a mix of scales and styles, but their Creepshow line started in 2016 with the Nathan Grantham from "Father's Day" and then continued with the zombies from "Something to Tide You Over," the creature from "The Crate," and the Creep himself. Jordy Verrill was definitely a missing spot in the line and it seems like Monstarz has further plans for the line as they've recently renewed the license. Jordy Verill comes in two styles: The First Bloom version I'm looking at here on a green card with a smaller mossy beard and the standard figure with a larger mossy beard. Ready to check out that old lunkhead Jordy Verrill? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Wolfman from Universal City Studios Mini Monsters by Remco

   

   Today I'm taking a break from newer stuff and checking out something older that I've recently acquired: The 1980 Remco Wolfman. I had originally hoped to have this guy in hand for last month's Wolfman themed review series but it took a bit longer to get him. I'd been eying a Remco Wolfman for sometime and this guy was in excellent condition for a very decent price. It's not uncommon to find these figures beaten up or with the capes missing for Dracula and the Phantom, so finding a Wolfman in good condition was a win for me. This guy is one of the oldest action figures I've reviewed (the only older ones would be a couple vintage Kenner Star Wars figures) and the first figure I've reviewed from Remco. Remco released a series of Mego-like Universal Monsters and these 1/18th scaled Universal Monsters Mini Monsters, all of which are now very collectible. These were a couple years before my time so I never had any as a kid. Ready to check out the good old fashioned Wolf Man? Then let's jump in after the break...

The Best of the Rest: My Top 10 Favorite Individual Toys of 2024

 

   To supplement My Top 10 Toylines of 2024 I present to you The Best of the Rest, a listing of my top 10 favorite individual toys of 2024. I find that I typically am drawn to toylines where I can build a huge roster of A, B, and C list characters (with the odd Z-lister thrown in) that are part of a series with lots of releases throughout the year. I was born in the 1980s, so "Collect Them All" has always been my mantra. The Best of the Rest is my way of acknowledging single releases or  that odd figure that's cool enough for me to grab from a larger toyline I really don't even collect. Who's eligible? Most any toy or collectible released in 2024 could make this list. Who isn't eligible? Any toy from a line I picked in my 10 Favorite Toylines of 2024 list. Remember that these are just listed alphabetically, not in order of merit. Many of the figures I picked this year were from properties with limited characters released, import figures I ordered to supplement other lines, or my favorite figures from lines that just didn't make the cut in 2024. Ready to pick out some of my favorite one-offs of 2024? Then join me after the break...

Wrapping Up 2024: Pirate Captain Brutus (Port Borgo) from Star Wars: The Black Series by Hasbro

 

   Today I'm checking out the last of the action figures I actually purchased in 2024 and I think you'll be quite surprised that it's a Star Wars: The Black Series figure. It's been over a year since I last reviewed a Star Wars: The Black Series figure (I reviewed Sabine Wren from Ahsoka in 2023) and, to the best of my memory, I only purchased two Black Series figures last year: Osha from The Acolyte (who I found on clearance and am using as a mechanic/ tech expert with my G.I. Joe: Classified Series figures) and Pirate Captain Brutus (Port Borgo) from Skeleton Key. I haven't watched either of these shows and I haven't been tempted by much that Hasbro has released lately. In the days ahead I do have two Star Wars reviews of new releases, the recent Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia from A New Hope, as those are incredible versions of characters I'm legitimately nostalgic for. Last year was pretty boring for the Black Series to me, but Pirate Captain Brutus was absolutely a must buy. Why? Because he's a Shitsavane wolf man with five blaster pistols, that's why. I'm a huge fan of Lak Sivrak and Captain Brutus seems even cooler. Ready for a wolf man in space? Then join me after the break...

Wrapping Up 2024: Iron Grenadier from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

   As you are likely aware, Hasbro's G.I. Joe: Classified Series was on the list of My Top Ten Toylines of 2024. In fact, it has been since the line began in 2020. Today I'm checking out the last of the 2024 release I have lined up to review: The Iron Grenadier. The Iron Grenadiers came into the line in 1988, so during the time I was the most heavily interested in G.I. Joe as a young child (for me it was 1986 to 1990). I had the Iron Grenadiers Destro (which was my first Destro figure), the Iron Grenadier trooper, and the Nullifer with the Anti-Gravity Pod, so the Iron Grenadiers were a small but formidable force in my collection. Over time, the look of the Iron Grenaders has morphed into a decidedly more "fascist" looking group with ties and fancy coats. They first sported this look in toy form in the 2012 G.I. Joe Convention set: The Oktober Guard: Operation Bear trap where the IG's reused the coat wearing body from the G.I. Joe: Resolute Destro figure. It's a great look and nicely separates them from Cobra's legions. Ready to take a look at the main troops of Destro's private army? Then join me after the break...

Wrapping Up 2024: Guile from Ultra Street Fighter 2: The New Challengers by Jada Toys

   Since February is when I present my annual awards for the best action figures and toys of the previous year, it's highly likely that you've just read  me gush about Jada Toys' Ultra Street Fighter 2: The New Challengers line. Last year the line didn't make my Best Top 10 toylines, but it only had three figures released and I didn't find most of them until the very end of the year, though Chun-Li did make my Best of the Rest list, however. This year? Street Fighter II is definitely one of my top 10 toylines of 2024. Each release is a super high quality figure and Jada is absolutely impressing me every chance they get. Today we're checking out Col. William F. Guile, the guy who was definitely my favorite World Warrior as a kid. When I first discovered the Street Fighter 2 subset of Hasbro's G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline Guile was the first figure I wanted. Heck, I even had a Jean-Claude Van Damme based Guile from Hasbro's movie line. This guy really thrilled me when I opened him, though, as he's such a cool Guile figure and I was excited to pair him with Cammy as part of the squad to take down Bison! So, yes, I do absolutely revere the 1994 film. Why do you ask? Let's take a look at this tough American after the break...

My Top 10 Toylines of 2024

 

   Once again it's February, and that means it's time for my annual Best Of lists for the previous year. I see a lot of other collectors putting out their lists in December, and sometimes even November, but I usually like to give myself a month or so to find items released at the end of the year and give them their fair shake. I also try to really go through my list and make sure items I'm basing my picks on really did get released domestically in North America during the previous year. I have three lists that I do every year and you'll see one a week for the next three weeks or so. I'm starting off with my top honors, though: My Top 10 Toylines of 2024.

    

   Creating my "Top 10" lists is always one of my favorite things to do at Action Figure Barbecue and I always spend quite a bit of time pouring over my notes from the previous year to determine which toylines were my favorites to collect. This is the thirteenth year I've created a list (the earliest ones were posted at The Epic Review) and it's always interesting too see how my lists change from year to year, often reflecting my changing interests and collecting trends. Like is often the case, 2024's list had some long time favorites, some returning champions, and some new comers. 

   In 2024 I noticed what seemed to be a continuing trend of lots of toylines being marketed directly to collectors and being sold just online or through specialty vendors. I know it's been the case for quite a few years now but no longer is traditional retail required to have a successful toyline. Lines like Mythic Legions & Cosmic Legions, Action Force, Savage Crucible, LooseCollector's Coffin Comics, Animal Warriors of the Kingdom, anything from Boss Fight, or Chicken Fried Toys are impressive, robust lines, some going for a decade now, and the bigger retail giants have nothing on them.

  Going straight to collectors is the order of the day once again, even for Hasbro, Mattel, and NECA. They have continued to sell product at retail, sure, but also have lots of online exclusive products targeted to collector's base. Heck, NECA might even ship you product you didn't order! At regular retail, you'll find most product marketed to kids in the action figure aisle is based on videogames, probably even more than superheroes, Trasnformers, wrestling, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and the now perennial Jurassic Park/ Jurassic World right now. Super Mario, Sonic the Hedgehog, Bendy, Pokemon, and something called Skibidi Toilet. Heck, Walmart even has classic Sega stuff, including toys from Altered Beast! Altered Beast at Walmart in 2024!

   Unlike last year where it seemed like lots of box office bombs led to lots of product sitting, getting clearanced out, and ending up at Ollie's and the like, this year toy companies seemed to be more conservative. As mentioned earlier, Hasbro was even conservative with Deadpool & Wolverine, The Acolyte, and Skeleton Crew. This year most toylines that collectors care about from the big players seemed to be produced in smaller numbers. It's been rare to see much new stuff hitting discount stores and liquidators in any significant numbers. 

   It's also been interesting seeing which smaller companies have made it into Walmart, Target, and the like. At my local Walmart and Target I can find figures from Super7, Nacelle, Trick 'r Treat Studios, NECA, Mego, others. It reminds me of the good ol' late 1990s and early 2000s where there was crazy stuff everywhere, though especially at places like Media Play.

      A number of years back I divided my Top 10 list into two separate categories: My Top 10 Toylines and My Top 10 Individual Releases. I always start with My Top 10 Toylines as it's my standard best of list. These are the 10 toylines (action figures, statues, minifigures, etc.) of the past year that I had the most fun collecting and enjoyed the most. They may not always be the best or the most expansive lines, but they're my favorites for one reason or another. As I reiterate every year, the two key word for this list are "my" and "favorite." My list isn't necessarily based on a toyline's true merits and I really don't go outside of what interests me. Take this as a snapshot of the ten toylines I had the most fun collecting in 2024. As always, these are listed alphabetically rather than by any order of merit. And now, for My Top 10 Toylines of 2024...