Action Figure Review: The Ghost of Jacob Marley (All-In!) from Figure Obscura by Four Horsemen Studios

 

   I had hoped to have this review up for Christmas Eve, but that clearly didn't happen, did it? Today I'm checking out the latest figure in the Four Horsemen Studios' Figure Obscura line: The Ghost of Jacob Marley! Jacob Marley is one of the most recognizable characters in Victorian literature and a mouthpiece of author Charles Dickens to share the changes and social reform needed in a society that purports to truly observe the celebration of Christmas. I've loved A Christmas Carol for as long as I can remember and I was thrilled when the Four Horsemen sent the teaser email around about this release. This is the first time I've went with an All-In! package for a Figure Obscure, so my version also came with Christmas Card, a mug, and an enamel pin. This is an incredible figure that arrived before Christmas to most collectors, so he really helped get us in the spirit. Ready to be visited by a spirit? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: The Marley Brothers from POP! Movies by Funko

 

   

   Christmas is almost here and I thought I'd do a very special review of The Marley Brothers, Jacob and Robert Marley, from The Muppet Christmas Carol. I love A Christmas Carol. I've been reading almost annually since I was a kid and I try to watch nearly every version of it I can. Of all of them, I think The Muppet Christmas Carol might be my favorite. It's a very faithful adaptation of Charles Dickens' story (it should be, since Charles Dickens himself is in it), Michael Caine is freaking on fire, and it's just a wonderfully delightful and fun movie with great music. Is it my favorite Christmas movie? Probably. It's tied with Jingle All The Way. One of my favorite parts of the fim is the introduction of the Marley Brothers, Jacob and Robert Marley. To incorporate both Statler and Waldorf, the film created a brother for Jacob Marley, Robert. Robert Marley. Bob. Bob Marley. We see what you did there, Muppets! I was incredibly surprised back in October when I stumbled upon the entire series of Funko POP! vinyls based on the film; I didn't know these were even coming out and they were part of a GameStop sale with 40% off of all POP! vinyls. Ready to celebrate Christmas Eve with a visit from these two cantankerous and crotchety sprits? Then let's join Marley and Marley after the break...

Action Figure Review: Sabine Wren from Star Wars: The Black Series Phase IV by Hasbro

 

   Star Wars: The Black Series has been pretty dull this year with not too many figures that appealed to me. Thus far I've only picked up the comic series Mara Jade and Doctor Aphra, though I have been looking for the Target exclusive Darth Vader (Duel's End) but haven't found it yet. I'm all about Mandalorians, though, and I was sold on both Sabine Wren from Ahsoka and Pre Vizsla. Today I'm checking out Sabine based on her portrayal by Natasha Liu Bordizzo in Ahsoka. The Ahsoka figures have been pretty nice and did manage to drop fairly close to the release of the show, so that was a real plus. I just really like Sabine and love collecting Mandalorians, so she was an instabuy. Ready to check out a new figure of Sabine Wren? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Wolverine from Marvel Legends Retro Series by Hasbro

 

   Back when I was in third grade we had an assignment shortly before Christmas where we had to draw what we hoped to find in our stocking. While plenty of kids drew goofy, oversized stuff that wouldn't fit in a stocking, there was another kid who drew an orange. I know that's traditional and all but it just boggled my mind that this kid would ask for an orange. What did I draw? The Toy Biz Wolverine figure. I kind of drew an amalgam of Wolverine v2 and Wolverine v3, though with a removable mask. While I would eventually have plenty of Wolverine figures, I'm pretty sure I didn't have one yet, so I was probably adding in bits of the original brown costume Toy Biz Wolverine as well. Wolverine isn't on my Christmas list this year but I did find this guy not too long ago at a bin store near my house. He was only $4 bucks and for that price I snapped him up. The only other figure from the 3 3/4ths inch Marvel Legends Retro Series I have is the Sentinel, which I bought to go with my 6 inch X-Men collection. This smaller scaled line can be found on clearance at most places now and it seems like Hasbro is done with it. ready to look at the Tiger Stripe version of Wolverine? Then join me after the break...

Accessory Review: Pandora Upgrade Gear from Action Force by Valaverse

 

   One of the things that's nice about an online, collector targeted toyline like Action Force is that there's plenty of room to be flexible and offer stuff like accessory packs and basic figures. Valaverse has done a great job of offering plenty of weapon and accessory packs and from time to time they've also released  Upgrade Gear kits targeted towards specific figures. I picked up a few of these recently but I wanted to show off the kit for Pandora as I just think it's a really well executed set. Whether you want to upgrade your basic Pandora figure, turn another base figure into a Pandora v2, create your own custom figure, or just equip other Action Force and non-Action Force) toys, you've got a nice kit to do that at a very affordable price. Ready to check out the Pandora Upgrade Gear? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Boo Berry from General Mills by Jada Toys

 

   I really liked Jada's action figures of Franken Berry and Count Chocula from 2021 and I really had hoped that we'd have all of the General Mills breakfast cereal monsters by now. With no new releases in 2022, 2023 at least has seen Boo Berry, the last of the Big Three of the cereal monsters. Frute Brute is my favorite and I'm really hoping we eventually get him, along with Fruity Yummy Mummy and Carmella Creeper. I really like Jada Toys' offerings but they seem to have a tough time of getting their action figures in regular retail (the same goes for their excellent Street Fighter line and the Universal Monsters figures). Fortunately, Boo Berry was pretty easy to find through online retailers, as are is two companions still, so he wasn't a headache to score or anything. Boo Berry was my favorite cereal and monster as a kid, though now my tastes have matured and I'm more of a Frute Brute fan. Ready to check out the 51 year old mascot of the first blueberry flavored cereal ever available? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Gemini from Action Force by Valaverse

 

   Time for the Action Force!!! Yes, it's time for another Action Force review and this time I'm looking at Gemini, one of the figures from the most recent drop back in October. I also picked up the newest weapons packs and the accessory packs, but since Gemini is a unique character I definitely wanted to review her. Why's she called Gemini? Because she has two rather extreme personalities. Apparently she goes from being a quiet, bookish individual and an absolute powerhouse when in battle. Ready to add Gemini to your team? Then join me after the break and see how she fits in...