Action Figure Review: Raven from DC Comics Bishoujo by Kotobukiya

  As anyone who has checked out my Top 10 Favorite Toylines of 2015 knows, I'm a huge fan of Kotobukiya's DC Comics Bishoujo line. They're without a doubt one of my favorite lines to collect. Honestly, I think they look way better than any other statues on the market, even statues that cost 2 and 3 times more money. Just in their DC Comics line alone, Kotobukiya has released some amazing product over the past few year: Batwoman, Zatanna, and Black Canary have all been incredible! Today I'm looking at the newest statue from Kotobukiya: Raven! Based on the art of Shunya Yamashita, this powerful sorceress is depicted in a floating pose with her hands directed out to perform some sort of magical spell. Is Raven as great of a statue as the others in the line? The answer, sadly, is no. Find out why after the break...

Action Figure Review: Professor Pyg from Batman: Arkham Knight by DC Collectibles

    Mutilated corpses positioned in odd manners. Creepy doll masks covering mutilated faces. Eerie opera music playing throughout the city. All of these things greet you when you embark on one of the most challenging and most frightening side-quests in Arkham Knight: Perfect Crime, where Batman must track down Professor Pyg. A more recent addition to Batman's rogues gallery, Professor Pyg first appeared in Batman #666 back in 2007. Since then the leader of the Circus of Strange has appeared in the New 52, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, and Beware the Batman. What he hasn't achieved yet is an action figure in his likeness. Thanks to DC Collectibles that has changed and we now have a figure of Professor Pyg from his appearance in Arkham Knight (where he was voiced by "Howling Mad" Murdock himself, Dwight Schultz). As part of the overall excellent third series of DC Collectibles' Arkham Knight line, Professor Pyg is definitely the most interesting release since he's a brand new character for the ol' Batman collection. Is he a worthwhile addition to your shelf, though? Read on and find out after the break...

Action Figure Review: Man-Bat from Batman: Arkham Knight by DC Collectibles

 The first encounter with Man-Bat in Arkham Knight was definitely one of the most surprising moments in the game. I mean, it literally surprised me and, unfortunately, my wife was in the room to see me jump. Arkham Knight features the first appearance of Dr. Kirk Langstrom, AKA Man-Bat, in the Arkham-verse in the form of a side-quest that gives Batman yet something else he has to do while dealing with Scarecrow and the Arkham Knight's plot to destroy Gotham City. I was really excited to see DC Collectibles introduce Man-Bat as part of their third series of Batman: Arkham Knight action figures and even mire surprised to see that despite his larger size (and larger packaging) Man-Bat sells for the same price as any other basic figure in the line. DC Collectibles released Killer Croc from Arkham Origins the same way, and I really appreciate seeing a company trying to actually give customers some value for their money. Man-Bat's definitely a large figure, but is he a good one to add to your collection? Find out after the break...

Action Figure Review: Cat Luigi from World of Nintendo by Jakks Pacific

  Today I'm looking at the first World of Nintendo that I literally have no idea about: Cat Luigi! I mean, I know who Luigi is but I have no idea why he is dressed like a cat. It turns out, most of the Mario cast has dressed like cats in the recent games, but I haven't played those games. I own a 2DS but I don't own a WiiU nor did I play my Wii much after 2007, so the newer Nintendo games just haven't been on my radar. Not that I don't like the idea of Cat Luigi. I love the idea! The cat suit, obtained by collecting the Super Bell, allows the characters to climb stuff, pounce on enemies, and scratch them with their claws. That's pretty boss if you ask me. Anyways, Jakks Pacific has put Cat Luigi in series 1-5 of their World of Nintendo line and he was one of the first two figures in the series I've found so far, so here he is! Join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Azrael from Batman: Arkham Knight by DC Collectibles

   I selected DC Collectible's various Arkham-verse releases as one of my Top 10 Favorite Toylines of 2015 based on the strength of the first series of Arkham Knight releases and the fact that they continue to fill in gaps from previous games, too. I've only recently gotten my hands on some figures from the second series of Arkham Knight figures and I have to say I've largely been disappointed by them. Of course, Arkham Knight series 3 has a great selection of characters and I decided to give them a chance. I'm glad I did as series 3 has some great figures in it, including today's review subject: Azrael! Based on the second major character to bear the title of Azrael (meaning "One whom God helps" in Hebrew), Michael Lane, this figure represents an interesting side character from last summer's Batman: Arkham Knight. Clad in the armor given to him by the Order of St Dumas and with a mission to become the next defender of Gotham, Azrael sets out to prove to Batman he is worthy to be the Dark Knight's successor. Ready for a closer look at this vengeful crusader? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Waluigi from World of Nintendo by Jakks Pacific

  Everyone needs an evil twin, right? Well, Mario got Wario early in the World of Nintendo line but only now is Luigi getting his evil twin rival, Waluigi! Well, calling Waluigi Luigi's twin isn't really accurate. He's more like an evil exaggeration of Luigi. Where Luigi is tall, thin, and has an epic mustrache, Waluigi is taller, thinner, and has an even more epic mustache. Originally appearing in Mario Tennis back in 2000, Waluigi has become a mainstay of the Super Mario Bros. crew over the past 15 or so years. He's one of the three new characters to be released in World of Nintendo series 1-5 (along with Sheik and Bowser Jr., whom I haven't found yet) and was probably the one I was most looking forward to. Ready for a closer look at this dastardly villain? Then pretend to twirl your villainous mustache, make a devious chuckle, and join me after the break...

A New Batgirl Review: Batgirl (Stewart & Tarr) from Batman Black & White by DC Collectibles

 In 2014 DC Comics took a different direction with Batgirl by switching up the creative team. While Brenden Fletcher and Cameron Stewart certainly helped to take Barbara Gordon's story in a different direction, artist Babs Tarr really helped to set the tone with her incredible new art for the series. The new style of the Batgirl of Burnside definitely struck a chord and I imagine that a number of fans looked at Tarr's art and decided they immediately wanted to see it as an action figure or statue. The first three dimensional version of the Burnside Batgirl available has been released in DC Collectibles' long running Batman Black & White mini-statue line. I preordered mine last year through Big Bad Toy Store but it only came in stock late last month, even though many folks seemed to have picked their up in August of 2015. This is a cool statue that I love, but I do have a bizarre mystery that I've been working to solve: Why does my statue have a magnetic, removable head? I've read and watched many reviews of this statue and I have not yet seen anyone's who has a removable head. I have some theories about this, but I'll share them in the main body of the review. Ready for a closer look at the Cameron Stewart and Babs Tarr's Batgirl? then join me after the break...