I'm pretty obsessed with the mini-bust format. In the early 2000s and throughout the 2010s, these were everywhere. Bowen Designs, Gentle Giant, DC Direct, and Diamond Select seemingly had releases every month. Plus several companies came to the game late like Monogram and Eaglemoss and produced some great pieces. But unfortunately, since 2019 almost all production seems to have ceased - with the exception of Diamond Select who was still occasionally releasing Star Wars and Gargoyles busts until just a couple years ago. My favorite character to collect in this format was Catwoman. I believe I have 12 different mini-busts representing a variety of her incarnations over the years (surprisingly there were never Pfeiffer or Golden/Silver Age representations - two glaring omissions). I excitedly bought this Julie Newmar Batman '66 bust when it came out 11 years ago, but was pretty disappointed in the paint quality. The difference between the paint masters and the production version was simple, but impactful. The solicitation photos looked decently like Julie Newmar (not great, but close enough).
UNITING ALL WOMEN OF PLASTIC
Showing posts with label Diamond Select. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Diamond Select. Show all posts
Monday, February 9, 2026
Batman Classic TV Series - CATWOMAN Bust!
Saturday, May 31, 2025
Transformers Busts - ARCEE!
With all the great G1 Arcee products we've seen in the last two decades, it's amazing to look back and see one of the first official pieces to capture the token Transformers female in all her glory. The Heroes of Cybertron PVC figure was released at least five years earlier, but this DST sculpt celebrated her in a whole new way. It's still shocking to think they they only made 1000 of this mini-bust (and only 600 of Elita One). Back in the early 2000s, mini-busts were all the rage. So many different companies were producing them and every comic specialty store had display cases full of beautiful little statues. I avoided them for as long as I could (purely for budgetary reasons). But just a few months earlier I had purchased my first (Firestar). Arcee and Elita One were my next two purchases. Now I can't even count how many I have. But even through those multitudes, these Transformers busts stand out as perfect collectibles from a time when these characters had almost no representation. Let's check out Arcee below!
Friday, May 30, 2025
Transformers Busts - ELITA ONE!
For roughly seven years, this was the only Elita One piece in my collection (I now have over twenty). As much as I've always embraced her as a key character in Transformers lore, the tragic truth is that she had only appeared in a single G1 episode (that most diehard Transformers bros hated). And my handful of Transformers friends had never even heard of her. So this bust was a dream come true for me. She has a perfect classic sculpt from Mark Wong and I didn't hesitate at all to buy her. She was actually my second ever order from BBTS and also my second ever mini-bust purchase (after the 2007 Firestar Bust that opened the floodgates). The only downside to this purchase was my overinflated expectations. I either heard a rumor of a Chromia or just imagined it, but either way I was a little deflated they only made two fembots. But I'm so glad Diamond Select Toys made the first official classically-inspired female Transformers products. Let's check out Elita One below!
Sunday, January 26, 2025
The Muppets - JANICE!
It's sometimes a little odd to realize that for the longest time there were only two female Muppets in the main cast. Miss Piggy got all the attention, but the lead guitarist for Electric Mayhem, Janice, was there from the very beginning with her iconic lips, lanky stature, and valley girl drawl. I always knew the lore that she was based on Mick Jagger with Janis Joplin's name, but beyond the exaggerated mouth, I didn't see the connection. But then last night I saw her original concept sketch for the first time I finally saw the likeness. I've wanted a Janice figure forever, but back in the heyday of the Palisades line, I wanted the pink-shirted Chase version, but was unable to ever find her. Then all these years later I was finally able to add this amazing DST version to my Collection. This figure was originally released in 2018 in a set with Floyd, but this review is for the re-released "Best of" version last year. I'm playing catch-up with this line so I'm grateful for the reissues. Let's check out Janice below!
Friday, January 24, 2025
The Muppets - MISS PIGGY!
I have always been big fan of Jim Henson. And his flagship creation, The Muppets, is very hard not to love. Yet, somehow, I've managed to not have any Muppets in my toy collection until very recently. Many years ago, when I started collecting toys as an adult, the epic Palisades Muppets line was in full swing. There ended up being over 100 amazing figures, but it was just too overwhelming and intimidating for me. I never purchased any but I always regretted not picking up a few choice characters. Flash forward 15 or so years when Diamond Select Toys started a new Muppets line in 2018. I've been eyeing them since they started coming out and there have been several times where I almost took the plunge and bought them all. But it was the recent "Best of" re-releases last year, combined with a random bogo sale at FYE right before Christmas that finally made me pull the trigger. Now I'm addicted and I can't believe I waited so long to add these characters to my collection. Let's check out Miss Piggy below!
Monday, July 1, 2024
Marvel Select - LADY DEADPOOL!
This post is an interesting one because I have already written it. Longtime readers might even have slight deja vu. In September of 2017 I purchased this figure and promptly photographed and reviewed her. There's plenty of evidence to support this, including hotlinks on other blog posts made years afterwards (which are created directly from the existing post). But at some point it got deleted. I don't know how that could have happened, but for years now I would notice the missing post and dead links. The photos were still uploaded and present, but no actual content existed. So I'm finally re-treading old territory for consistency's sake. I remember when this figure came out and my excitement at her quality and scale. A lot of previous Marvel Select ladies looked stiff and awkward to me, but this figure marked a turning point. She blends in with Marvel Legends scale-wise and her sculpt seems a lot more natural than previous figures like Gamora and Black Widow. Let's check out Lady Deadpool below!
Friday, December 29, 2023
Invincible - MONSTER GIRL!
Monster Girl is one of the more interesting characters in the Invincible Universe. At first glance, she has very typical Hulk-like powers transforming from a non-threatening human into a large monstrous brute. And the fact that she is a young girl just adds to that contrast. But as you get to know young Amanda, you quickly realize she is not all that she seems. Her abilities are the result of a curse and the tricky part of that curse is that, each time she uses her monster form, her human form gets younger and younger. She has the surly world-weary attitude of a wrongfully-cursed 24 year old trapped in the body of an adolescent, and the frustration of that reality comes out in pure ferocity when in her monster form. This Deluxe Monster Girl set was very unexpected, but makes a great addition to the Invincible lineup. I don't even mind that the human form has such limited articulation. She is still able to achieve the squat "ready for action" poses I would want her in. Let's check out Monster Girl below!
Thursday, December 28, 2023
Invincible - DUPLI-KATE!
The Invincible Select action figure line from DST is very impressive. When it started a few years ago I expected there to be a handful of core releases before quietly fading away. (I'm a little jaded and scarred by past toy lines based on indy comics). But after just a couple years there is already an impressive assortment of characters with at least two more on the way (Rex Splode and the Mauler Twin (single figure with alternate heads)). This Dupli-Kate figure gives us a similar multi-figure purchase. By giving us alternate heads and swappable chest numbers, we can army build as many Kates as we want. Dupli-Kate is a homage to Triplicate Girl of the LOSH with the ability to create (seemingly endless) copies of herself. But in an interesting secondary homage, Kate has a twin (evil) brother named Multi-Paul and together they visually remind me of the Wonder Twins. In the cartoon, Paul is incarcerated and will likely never get a toy though. But I can't wait to see who is next. Let's check out Dupli-Kate below!
Monday, December 25, 2023
Nightmare Before Christmas - MRS. CLAUS!
The Nightmare Before Christmas toylines are always pretty amazing. All the characters have great designs and are naturally very toyetic. But what is especially great is how both the older Neca line and the current Diamond Select line don't shy away from obscure characters. This Mrs. Claus, for instance, only appears in the background of one scene for a few seconds. Most toy lines would never consider a character like this for the full action figure treatment. But here she is, in all her weird Burton-esque glory. I actually own quite a few Nightmare Before Christmas figures, but this is the first one I have opened and photographed for a review. This is mostly because I always intend to save them for Halloween each year, but then my Septembers and Octobers get insanely busy and I never have time. But hopefully this review will break the seal and I'll finally review the rest soon (their large boxes take up a lot of real estate in my closet!) Plus I'm excited to put them on display. Let's check out Mrs. Claus below!
Monday, October 16, 2023
Marvel Gallery - LADY DEADPOOL!
For a few short years, Wanda Wilson was a pretty regular character in Marvel Comics. Wanda was Earth-3010's version of Deadpool. Known as Lady Deadpool in our world, she first appeared in 2010 and was instantly pretty iconic. Sporting a costume almost identical to Wade Wilson Deadpool except for a long exposed ponytail, she is the epitome of a reductive gender-swapped hero. There is nothing really new or reimagined about this character, but I personally felt drawn to her. And when the Deadpool Corps was established, she firmly establish her unique place in the comic universe. And she was pretty popular in the merchandise department as well. In three short years, she had three action figures, a mini-mate, multiple figurines, a Funko Pop, Heroclix, and several statues. By 2013, she was killed off, and by 2015 Gwenpool was introduced to fill the "female Deadpool" void, and Wanda was left in the dust. This Marvel Gallery statue is one of the nicest representations of her. Let's check her out below!
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Marvel Gallery - DAZZLER!
Dazzler is a character with an interesting history. She was pitched as a joint venture between Casablanca Records and Marvel Comics in the late seventies to sell comics, cartoons, and music a'la The Monkees and The Archies. If her first concepts would have been accepted, she would be a black hero (modeled after Grace Jones) named Evelyn Free using the codename Disco Queen to fight villainy with her powers to force the truth out of people. Thank goodness her name was tweaked and her abilities changed to light-based powers, but it would be awesome to see a multiverse Grace Jones version some day. This Marvel Gallery PVC statue is my favorite piece of Dazzler merchandise in my collection. It captures great great classic disco look in a statuesque pose at a very reasonable price. The Marvel Gallery, DC Gallery, and Femme Fatales statue lines from DST are very impressive. I currently own eight and I only expect that number to grow. Let's check out Dazzler below!
Tuesday, September 5, 2023
Astonishing X-Men - DANGER Bust!
I miss the days when mini-busts were all the rage and every comic shop had a display case full of new product for sale. My first purchase was the DST Firestar in 2007. She was a new release, but I got her for 20 bucks because the comic shop was closing. But that started an avalanche of purchases and I now have over 50. The sheer number of companies that were producing them was impressive too: DC Direct, Bowen, Dynamic Forces, Gentle Giant, Diamond Select, etc. And there was even a cheaper second wave of popularity with Eaglemoss and Monogram about 5 years ago. But in the era of the early 2000s, you could get mini-busts of almost any comic character. This Danger bust from DST is a great example. She is sentient embodiment of the X-Men's Danger room, originally a rage-filled villain, but eventually a teammate. Despite her cool origin and pedigree, she never gained popularity you might expect, but that didn't stop her from getting a pretty great looking mini-bust when she was at her peak.
Thursday, August 17, 2023
D&D Mini-Mates - SHEILA & DIANA!
As the releases of Diamond Select's Marvel Minimates line has slowed in recent years (due to sheer character exhaustion imo), I'm so happy to see so many other popular licenses now getting the Minimate treatment. It started with the ThunderCats way back in 2012. But since then it's been a growing roster of classic properties like Power Rangers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, G.I.Joe, Nightmare Before Christmas, and Transformers. But my favorite of the non-Marvel properties has easily been the Dungeons & Dragons Animated Series set(s). This cartoon was an iconic, but underrated and under-merchandized staple of 80s animation. Due to the 2023 live-action D&D movie, there was a burst of popularity for the vintage show which gave us the first real action figures for these amazing characters. Between the Iron Studios statues, the Hasbro action figures, and these Minimates, I am extremely happy. Now the DST Venger statue opened the door for even more. Let's check out the D&D minimates below!
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
Marvel Gallery - STORM!
I am infinitely impressed by Diamond Select's Marvel Gallery and DC Gallery series of PVC statues. The funny thing is that I don't really pay attention to them in the convention and solicitation areas. Rather, whenever I walk into this one local comic shop of mine, a store that seems to stock every single Diamond Select product, I see a new Gallery statue that I can't live without. I restrain myself and only buy one at a time, and this store is on the other side of my city (and they never order TPBs) so I only go there every few months. And this is a great thing because these statues only fit on the top of my shelves and a windowsill, and I'm quickly running out of room. My newest "must-have" is this very classic looking Storm. I saw it for a first time a few weeks ago (despite visiting the DST booth at multiple conventions since it was released in 2021). The sculpt is perfect and the pose is streamlined and dynamic (and not to overuse the word, but she is statuesque). Let's check out the Marvel Gallery Storm below!
Tuesday, January 3, 2023
Invincible - ATOM EVE!
Invincible was one of the small handful of superhero comics that I credit with re-introducing me to the genre in the early 2000s. Like a lot of people, the 90's "extreme" comics turned me off. I potentially would have ditched comics all-together, but I discovered manga and indie imprints that kept me nerdy. Then in short succession in the early 2000s, I started reading Darwyn Cooke's Catwoman, Coipel, Abnett, and Lanning's Legion of Superheroes work, and Invincible from Image Comics. I was so happy that superhero books were suddenly enjoyable again. Invincible was refreshing. The characters were likeable, the costumes were colorful, and the storylines were simple (yet mature). I was hooked from the very start. For a while, Atom Eve was the token female in the comics. I remember loving her character, but hating the pink outfit with her red hair. Of course now I love it and would throw a fit at any costume change. The Invincible Amazon series premiered in 2021 and is an amazing translation of the comic.
Thursday, September 15, 2022
DC Gallery - POISON IVY!
Poison Ivy is one of those characters that is very hit-or-miss with merchandise. I personally feel that most of her products are a miss. The interesting thing about the personality of Pamela Isley is that she exudes a sense of cold sensuality and seductiveness, but without the obvious tropes of gravity-defying cleavage or tarty makeup. Not that those things are bad, but they just seem out of character for Poison Ivy. When I first saw this DC Gallery PVC statue from Diamond Select back in 2020, I remember not giving it much thought. I (wrongly) thought her legs looked stubby and I thought the base was too large for my personal aesthetics. But then a month ago I saw her in a display case in a comic shop and was suddenly mesmerized by how good the sculpt was. She seems lost in some deep Botticelli-esque botanical ecstasy, and I can't take my eyes off her. The flower base and flowing hair create a sense of movement that makes for dynamic views from any angle. She is amazing. Let's check out Poison Ivy below!
Sunday, August 21, 2022
Marvel Gallery - FIRESTAR!
Diamond Select Toys has been really impressing me with their Marvel Gallery line. Previous PVC statue lines (mostly from other companies) have typically been too stylized for my tastes. Or sometimes, the sculpts just aren't there for me. But the DST Marvel Gallery (and DC Gallery) statues have the design and sculpt quality of the high-end polystone statues, but at a price point that is far more palatable. I also love the character choices. It seems that all my favorite characters are added to the roster one-by-one. The designs are essentially classic, but there is always a slight redesign. In the case of this Firestar statue, her boots and gloves extend almost all the way up her limbs, which seems like a unique choice for this particular product. But I like it. A few short years ago, I only had one lonely Firestar product in my collection. It was just a simple Toy Biz Medusa repaint, but I was ecstatic. Flash forward a few years and this Marvel Gallery statue is the 13th item on my Firestar shelf. Here's to many more!
Wednesday, May 4, 2022
Batman Classic TV Series - CATWOMAN Bust!
The curious case of the missing review. I bought this Eartha Kitt Catwoman Bust when she was released five years ago. I photographed her and have distinct memories of editing the photos. I even found three 'unused' photos still on my camera, proving these memories. But when I created the post for the new McFarlane figure earlier this week, I discovered that I apparently never actually created a review. And a quick glance at eBay let me know that she sells for a ton of money now and therefore turnaround pics are a good thing to have on record (since she would be a significant investment for a collector). It looks like a similar situation happened with the Julie Newmar bust, but Eartha seemed more urgent since the McFarlane figure has me so excited. These Diamond Select busts aren't the greatest thing ever. The likenesses are there, but somehow a little off. But I love collecting mini-busts, especially Catwoman ones, and my collection would be incomplete without these. Let's check her out below!
Thursday, February 24, 2022
Marvel Select - SCARLET WITCH!
Marvel Select makes me really happy. In my collecting, I love focusing on a specific character in a specific costume and then collecting every piece of merchandise I can find. Everything from mini-busts to Heroclix (I'm selective with statues due to space reasons). In these mini-collections, Marvel Select fills an interesting role by providing a unique scale. Most DST figures are noticeably larger than Marvel Legends at around 7" tall and give me the height variety I want in my collection. The production level is much slower than other companies - There were only 8 females in the Select line in the past five years. Meanwhile Hasbro has had more than that since November. But every DST character released is definitely one I need for my collection (so far at least). I also love that I get to run to my comic shops on release dates to pick these up. I miss the days of DC Direct and Collectibles releasing to specialty shops. This Wanda is the first Select lady in more than two years, but she's a good one. Let's check her out below!
Saturday, July 24, 2021
Marvel Mini-Mates - SPIDER-WOMAN!
I generally like the trend of superheroes donning utilitarian versions of their costumes. Burnside Batgirl, Darwyn Cooke Catwoman, and most of the Marvel Ultimate Universe are all amazing. But the pendulum almost always swings back and the bright spandex makes a glorious return. Jessica Drew's Spider-Woman had a remarkably unchanged costume from her debut in 1978 all the way until 2015 when she donned this modern utilitarian getup consisting of a form-fitting (leather?) jacket and yellow glasses. She wore it for roughly two years in her solo titles, then was out of the limelight until her new 2020 title featuring a black variation of her classic costume. I was hesitant about this jacketed version at first, but it grew on me and I'm glad we got some merchandise to commemorate this phase in her evolution. And of course Marvel Mini-Mates would have to include her. No other toy line has shown more dedication to the pantheon of Spider-Ladies than them. Let's check her out below!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)