Action Figure Review: Renee Young from WWE by Mattel

 I've always loved toylines that release action figures of side or supporting characters. Yeah, you almost always get the main hero and antagonist, but how cool is it when a character who helps to make your toy universe seem more alive? Maybe they're not part of the action but their presence really helps to make a toyline feel complete. Renee Young is one of those figures. She's my second favorite commentator/interviewer for WWE right now (only behind Mauro Ranallo because that dude sells every freaking match he commentates) and I was thrilled to find out that Mattel was releasing a Renee Young action figure. As soon as I could track one down I ordered her. Well, let's let today's review be a bit of a lesson on why you shouldn't buy an action figure sight unseen. More details on this new WWE basic figure after the break...

A New Batgirl Review: Batgirl (Kresge Style Card) from World's Greatest Heroes by Figures Toy Co.

   Today's review is going to be similar to my last World's Greatest Heroes! Batgirl figure review in that I'm not even opening the figure. I own the standard version of this figure and I've reviewed the First Appearance Batgirl on here, so today I'm mainly looking at the packaging for this figure Fortunately, the packaging is pretty interesting in that it not only mimics a Mego vintage style but even mimics a vintage style of Mego retailer exclusive packaging. This style of card is referred to as a Kresge style card. Ever heard of a Kresge store? I have, although the only reason is that my father was a manager for Kresge stores during the 1970s and I've heard him talk about them over the years (they essentially morphed into K-Mart, BTW). Since I've talked about this particular figure in a number of different reviews, today I'm just going to briefly talk about the packaging while leaving the rest of the space in this review to let my father talk about Kresge stores and his experiences there, particularly in regards to stocking and ordering toys. Ready for something a bit different today that might give you a bit of insight into the history of toy buying? Then join me after the break...

Happy Aliens Day! Better Late Than Never!

Happy Aliens Day! I didn't get a chance to put anything together today for Aliens Day but I did compile a few of the Alien themed reviews I've written over the past few years. Check them out!

Alien ReAction by Funko
Alien (with Metallic Flesh)
Kane (with Chestburster)

Aliens by NECA
Corporal Dwayne Hicks
Private William Hudson
Sergeant Craig Windrix
Xenomorph Warrior

Aliens/ Predator by Kenner
Alien versus Predator 2 pack
Series 1 Space Marines and the Power Loader
Series 1 Xenomorphs

Action Figure Review: Finn Balor from WWE Elite by Mattel

 I'm a WWE fan and I think Mattel is releasing some incredible action figures in their Elite series but, let's be honest, often the figures are just different men and women in different trunks and boots. There just aren't as many "gimmick" wrestlers as there used to be. Enter Finn Balor, AKA the Demon. Finn is an Irish wrestler who is currently part of WWE's NXT. Balor is an incredibly talented wrestler and has some amazing entrances when he shows up wearing his demon themed body paint and entrance attire. Finn Balor here is a figure that might just grab your attention even if you don't have much appreciation for sports entertainment due to his incredible paintwork and unique appearance. Ready for a closer look at Finn Balor, part of Mattel's WWE Elite series 41? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Undertaker from WWE Elite: Wrestlemania by Mattel

  I've been collecting WWE figures for a few years now but I haven't yet picked up an Undertaker action figure. The Undertaker is an insanely classic wrestler and probably one of the few wrestlers that even a non-wrestling fan with any cultural awareness can recognize. Mattel likes to release Undertaker figures pretty often and the figure I'm looking at today is from the new WWE Elite subset that's simply called "Wrestlemania." He's based on the Undertaker's match at Wrestlemania 31 against Bray Wyatt where the two horror themed superstars battled it out. It's pretty cool that this guy is match specific and based on a pretty recent event as well. Ready for a quick look at the Deadman himself? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Lana from WWE by Mattel

 Lana actually made her in-ring debut at WrestleMania 32 a few weeks ago, so we'll see how that turns out. A year or two ago, Lana and Rusev had one of my favorite story lines in WWE. The bizarre Lana and Dolph Ziggler storyline from last summer just got really strange, though, and now that Rusev's part of the League of Nations I find him less interesting, too. That's a shame and I'm hoping things turn around for them. Anyways, this version of Lana was released in the basic series at the end of 2015 but, like most other basic female figures, she has the same level of articulation as the Elite releases. Lana was originally released in a battle pack with Rusev in a red dress so this is just a simple repaint but if you didn't want to get saddled with a spare basic Rusev, this is the way to go. Unfortunately, while I was looking forward to Lana, this just isn't that great of a figure. Read on and find out why it might be best to leave her on the shelf after the break...

Action Figure Review: Batman (Last Rites) from DC Comics Icons by DC Collectibles

  DC Collectible's new DC Comics Icons line actually came out near the end of 2015, but I'll be honest and just admit that I was suspicious of it. It's a new line from DC Collectibles that didn't initially feature any Batman related characters other than Bats himself, it was the start of a new true 6 inch scale for DC Collectibles, and it featured more comprehensive articulation which had me a bit nervous. After seeing so many good reviews of this series, however, and hearing about the cool things DCC has in store for this line, I decided to bite by picking up a Batman figure. Let me say that I'm impressed based on Batman's appearance in the Last Rites storyline after Final Crisis, you may (or may not) be surprised to know that this is not Bruce Wayne! It's Dick Grayson! Thinking about it more, that's a pretty cool action figure first as far as I can remember off the top of my very tired brain. While this guy has been out for awhile, it's never the wrong time for a Batman review is it? Join me after the break...