The last thing I ever expected was to start collecting a new Vinyl figure line. Funko provided me many years of fantastic products. I was an early adopter with the first Funko Force line in 2010 (coincidentally my first purchase was that 2010 SDCC Exclusive silver Batgirl) and I continued gleefully until recently in the last few years when the character selection just stopped being appealing to me (or were so scarce I couldn't obtain them). So I had checked out of the vinyl market and thought I would focus on true action figures going forward. But then at NYCC last October I walked by the Thrilljoy booth and saw this convention exclusive Batgirl '66 figure. Regular readers will know I'm a total sucker for a Yvonne Craig Batgirl. There was miraculously no line and I spontaneously bought her. And within a few months I also bought a She-Ra. I currently only own five Thrilljoy products (one purchased today at Box Lunch), and I'm kind of excited to see what random characters might come next. Let's check out Batgirl below!
UNITING ALL WOMEN OF PLASTIC
Showing posts with label Era - Sixties. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Era - Sixties. Show all posts
Friday, August 14, 2026
Thrilljoy PIX - BATGIRL '66!
Monday, February 9, 2026
Batman Classic TV Series - CATWOMAN Bust!
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).
Monday, January 12, 2026
Titan Vinyls - LADIES OF STAR TREK!
It's been a while since I've purchased or reviewed any Star Trek merchandise. But the upcoming waves of figures from Nacelle Toys have me excited and looking back to what I already own. I realized that I never posted these fun super-deformed vinyls from Titan. I've have them for nearly 9 years and I love how odd they are. I also love that they included so many of the women from Star Trek: The Original Series. I will always loved the TOS episodes most and the trifecta of Uhura, Rand, and Chapel bring me a lot of joy. Nacelle's announcement of all three ladies in Wave 3 of their new Star Trek is a gift. I'm still feeling loss over the cancelled Diamond Select/Art Asylum figures of Rand and Chapel... 17 years ago (I can hold a grudge). I kind of miss these Titan Vinyls. Somewhere I have Ghostbusters and Edwards Scissorhands ones too. They remind me a lot of the KidRobot Vinyls (of which I have many). Let's check out the ladies of Star Trek: The Original Series below!
Monday, October 27, 2025
POP Funko - MELANIE DANIELS!
The Birds had a powerful impact on me as a child. My Dad loved Alfred Hitchcock and we would always tune in to his (often wildly inappropriate for kids) films when they aired on TV. The Birds was always my favorite. But ironically. this was because I loved birds so much. You might think that a bird lover would hate a movie where all the birds are portrayed as violent unpredictable antagonists, but I was fascinated. I also loved the open-ended mystery of the attacks (fun fact: years later they discovered that the real-life incidents that inspired the film were caused by toxic algae). But when I was a kid, I was left wondering if my birds might suddenly attack me, too. The star of the film was Tippi Hedren (mother of Melanie Griffith and grandmother of Dakota Johnson). Her character, Melanie Daniels, was beautiful, smart, and mysterious and really made the movie great. In 2008, I missed out on a Barbie of The Birds. This Funko Pop 17 years later finally let's me add a piece memorabilia to my collection. Let's check her out below!
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
DC Direct Silver Age - LOIS LANE!
When I first started collecting action figures as an adult in the early 2000s, it coincided with me starting to collect comics again after a 5 year hiatus. I was in a new city with several comic shops (all my hometown ones had closed in the 90s), and those new stores were teeming with action figures from DC Direct. DCD had started just a few years earlier so I had never before seen the merging of toys and comics in one store like that. I bought a lot of these toys over the next few years. But these Silver Age Deluxe Box Sets were just too pricey for me at the time. I favored Batman over Superman and I preferred costumed heroes over civilians, so it took me twenty years to finally pick up this Lois set. Which is a shame because because this figure is gorgeous. Despite being a bit pre-posed and having sculpted-in accessories, the Tim Bruckner sculpt perfectly captures that Silver Age aesthetic. I know most people love her modern purple blazer, but these vintage browns will always be my favorite. Let's check out Lois below!
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
Cyborg 009 - FRANCOISE ARNOUL (Cyborg 003)!
In 2002, there was a 52-episode anime series Cyborg 009: The Cyborg Soldier. This was the third television series in the long-running Cyborg 009 franchise that began in 1967 with a manga that spanned 38 volumes until 1981 and spun off into seven films and several popular television shows. The series was created by Shotaro Ishinomori (the genius behind Power Rangers) and features nine cyborgs with unique powers that were created sequentially as new guinea pigs were kidnapped and experimented upon. The newest cyborg, Cyborg 009, is Joe Shimamura who wakes up with new powers, fractured memories, and soon leads a revolt with the previous eight cyborgs. The character design of the series has gone basically unchanged since the beginning, so when this new animated series started in 2002, it spawned a ton of toys that can represent all eras of the Cyborg 009 franchise. Cyborg 003 is the sole female, a French woman with enhanced vision and hearing. Let's check out Francoise below!
Saturday, March 16, 2024
The New Batman Adventures - BATGIRL '66!
McFarlane Toys' Platinum Editions are a double-edged sword. On one hand, you can get really cool variants of your favorite characters. Oftentimes it's just a subtle repaint that isn't necessarily crucial for your collection but adds nice variety if you want to hunt one down. But on the flip side, if you do want to hunt one down, these chases can be extremely hard to come by. Interestingly, the Platinum variants that I have no interest in seem to show up everywhere. But on the scarce occasions when I want one, I usually have to resort to eBay and overpay. I received some insider information that this current TNBA wave won't be carried in many (if any) stores, but is readily available on most online shops right now. I ordered several but got no chases so I had to buy her directly from a reseller. I never would have imagined a Batgirl from The New Batman Adventures in a Batgirl '66 Yvonne Craig deco, but it's a really cool variant that I'm now obsessed with. Let's check her out below!
Monday, October 30, 2023
Super7 ReAction - VAMPIRA!
Super7 ReAction figures just keep getting better and better. This is one of my favorite toy lines out there. I love how there is a consistent retro format across lots of different licenses. And that "consistent" style has evolved to state where it can have subtle variations to best represent different genres. The G.I.Joe line perfectly captures a vintage animated look, while pulpy live-action characters like this Vampira have more realistic proportions and details. This figure is also noteworthy for being the most curvy female ReAction figure so far (which is ironic considering they made a Jessica Rabbit in 2022). Vampira is a classic TV horror host from the 1950s who inspired characters like Maleficent, Elvira, and even the 1964 television incarnation of Morticia Addams. She has been largely unmerchandized until this year, but within a month we got both a Toony Terrors figure and this ReAction. I hope it's not the end though because a 1:12 figure from NECA or Super7 would be amazing. Let's check out Vampira below!
Sunday, October 8, 2023
LooseCollector - VAMPIRELLA!
I'm loving the character selection that LooseCollector has been producing. There are a lot of female comic and animation characters that are hypersexualized and not lumped into any large licensing group. Big toy companies won't bother with these ladies. Rather, they secure license deals that include hundreds of characters (not just one or two) and they have to stay pretty tame in order to market to big box stores and conservative audiences. This has left a whole genre of characters virtually unmerchandised for the collecting community. Vampirella is a prime example. Originally designed by Eisner-Award-Winning Trina Robbins in 1969, Vampirella has been oozing sexuality and dark vengeance for over five decades. But you would never see this costume in the Walmart toy aisles. But thankfully LooseCollector is on the case and is giving us great figures that blend in nicely with our 1:12 figures collections. (And I'll wish for it again, give us an Aeon Flux please!). Let's check out Vampirella below!
Monday, June 12, 2023
Batman '66 Comics - BATGIRL!
This figure is giving me all the feels. When I was a kid in the 80s watching non-stop syndicated episodes of Batman on the Family Channel, there was nothing quite as exciting as seeing that 3rd Season re-edited opening sequence with Batgirl inserted into the animation. That was the indicator that she would appear in that episode and it was a highlight of my TV watching in those days. I love almost all iterations of Barbara Gordon, but there's something special about those bright complimentary colors and campy episodes that always makes this version stand out from the rest. As toy collectors, we've all heard the stories about Yvonne Craig's estate being very strict with the use of her likeness, so merchandise of Batgirl '66 is pretty scarce. But thankfully there was a Batman '66 comic in 2013 that technically used generic likenesses and therefore provides a licensing loophole. (You'll note that packaging has the comic logo in place of the TV logo that the other characters have). Let's check out Batgirl below!
Monday, August 1, 2022
BendyFigs - LT. UHURA!
I was very saddened to hear about the passing of Nichelle Nichols yesterday at the age of 89. When I think about iconic television women from my youth, she is right up there in the top (despite me never being a real Trekkie). My brothers and I had a weekly tradition of watching Star Trek on PBS every Saturday Night while staying up to for Saturday Night Live. But oftentimes when SNL would come on at 11:30, we would be too engrossed in the dilemmas of the Enterprise crew to turn the dial. Lieutenant Nyota Uhura was the communications officer on the bridge and I found myself fixated on her all the time. She was always calm and competent amid the perpetual chaos of the Enterprise missions, and her overall presence was just magnetic and comforting. I was a kid watching this in syndication in the 80s, so I had no idea of the cultural impact she had on the 1960's viewing audience. It was a huge ordeal to get a female character on the bridge at all, let alone a woman of color. It's was a different time.
Wednesday, July 13, 2022
Batman Classic TV Series - CATWOMAN!
As much crap as I want to give Todd McFarlane about his gender politics, I can't deny that his toy company has given me a ton of figures that I adore. Just in the last twelve months, I have picked up eighteen female figures from McFarlane toys and I only had negative critiques for two of them. The rest have been truly great.. including Carrie Kelley Robin, Eartha Kitt Catwoman, Batwoman Beyond, and Three Jokers Batgirl among them. This new Julie Newmar Catwoman is just one more example of a figure I have been wishing for since I started my adult collecting hobby. This specific portrayal of Catwoman is what launched a niche villainess to a household name. I have yet to experience a Halloween without seeing at least one Catwoman costume... often from people who have never read her comics or seen her on screen. She has just become a cultural icon, and I credit Julie Newmar with catapulting the character to that level. An action figure of this quality has been a long time coming. Let's check her out below!
Friday, June 10, 2022
Mezco 5 Points - CATWOMAN!
In the next 30 days I'm predicting the announcement of a Julie Newmar Catwoman from McFarlane Toys. And based on the Eartha Kitt figure we already got in that line, I'm expecting this to be the pinnacle Julie Newmar Catwoman toy. In the meantime, I would say that high honor belongs to the recent Mezco 5 Points Catwoman from the Batman Classic TV Series box set. This collection has an intimidating price point at $139, but I find it's very much worth the price. Included are seven 1:12 scale figures (six of which have alternate heads), a great Batmobile, and a detailed cardboard diorama of the Batcave (interior) and Wayne Manor (exterior). I picked up the whole set plus an extra Catwoman on eBay to display both heads. This figure easily has the best Julie Newmar likeness so far, although not perfect. But I have a hunch she has a face that's hard to capture. We should see how McFarlane fares soon enough. I'm very excited. Let's check out Catwoman below!
Friday, May 6, 2022
Hallmark Batman '66 - BATGIRL Ornament!
I often find myself speculating why Yvonne Craig Batgirl merchandise is so elusive. We've heard tales that her estate is very restrictive with likeness rights, but it makes me wonder why even when we do get product, it usually only vaguely looks like her. I personally think this Batgirl Hallmark ornament is stunning. The costume details, especially the treatment of the different purple fabric sculpts, is perfection. But the face, although beautiful, is pretty generic. The only Yvonne Batgirl product I've seen that actually looks like her is the Tweeterhead statue, but that's way over my budget. The rest of my collection is just vaguely reminiscent of the actress. It's possible Yvonne just had one of those faces that doesn't translate well when sculpted, but my suspicious side makes me think they might be intentionally/legally generic. If we ever get a McFarlane figure we will see. In the meantime, this Hallmark ornament from 2019 is the best looking Yvonne Batgirl in my collection. Let's check her out below!
Thursday, May 5, 2022
Hallmark - EARTHA KITT CATWOMAN Ornament!
I had a really frustrating couple days this past Fall trying to get the new Eartha Kitt Catwoman ornament. From the moment she was announced the April before, I put the release date (October 16th 2021) on my calendar and blocked my morning to go pick her up. Back in 2016 I casually walked into a Hallmark one afternoon during lunch and picked up the Julie Newmar (I didn't even know she was coming!) Then in 2019 I took note of the Batgirl ornament release date and went in the morning to pick her up - no issues. But something happened in 2021. I showed up to one of the bigger Hallmark stores in my area right around opening time, only to find out they had opened an hour early (completely undocumented online) and there was apparently a line of 25 people waiting for the doors to open. In the next hour I check three more stores and got the same story. I gave up and paid scalper prices on eBay and called it a day. Luckily this is likely the last lady in the series. Let's check her out below!
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!
Tuesday, May 3, 2022
Batman Classic TV Series - CATWOMAN!
A few times a year an action figure pops up in the toy aisles that shocks me by its very existence. Since 2013 there has been a surprising amount of Batman '66 product made: Mattel, Funko, Hallmark, DST, Mezco, and now McFarlane. The female characters have been predictably scarce, but none so much as Miss Eartha Kitt as Catwoman. I realize that she only appeared in five episodes of the show, and all in the final third season. Yet somehow she made a huge impact on me as a child. Sure, I loved Julie Newmar and Lee Meriwether in the role, but I tend to think that Eartha had the most fun with it. She took those previous purring performances and ramped it up by 100. I thought she was great. And I am beyond thrilled to finally have a traditional action figure of her in my collection. And honestly, I'm glad we never got a Mattel Eartha because those bodies were too tall and lanky, and the faces were hit or miss. But this McFarlane figure is near perfection. Let's check her out below!
Friday, October 18, 2019
Batman Universe Busts - CATWOMAN '66!
Every time I see an image of a 1966 Catwoman I get overwhelmed by nostalgia. Whether it's Julie Newmar, Earth Kitt, or Lee Meriwether, there is something about the costume that sweeps me back to my childhood in the early 80s. I grew up without air conditioning or cable, and during the hot summer months my siblings and I would block out the shades, haul out the electric fans, make tons of juice pops, and settle in for long marathons of Godzilla movies, Star Trek the Animated Series, and the 1966 Batman show (all of which were in constant Summer rotation on our weird local stations). This was my first exposure to Catwoman and I was instantly entranced by her. I've loved almost every iteration of the character since, in both comics and movies, but I think I will always hold this version as the gold standard. It's only a shame that the likeness to the actresses are so consistently off-base. The merchandise doesn't look bad per say, but they certainly don't resemble Julie, Eartha, or Lee. Let's check out Catwoman below!
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
Funko Pop 8-Bit - BATGIRLS!
I told myself I wasn't going to post a lot of full photo reviews for Funko Pops anymore. I find that they only get a small fraction of the page views that my other posts get and it's just easier to post a few simple pics on Instagram when I pick up the occasional Pop. However, these 8-Bit Pops are such an interesting shift in style that I felt a full series of turnaround photos would be appreciated. I've been buying the Jakks Pacific 8-Bit World of Nintendo figures for a few years so I'm already hooked on that style (FYI, Jakks showed off an 8-Bit Goomba and Bowser at Toy Fair). I think these Batgirl figures are especially cool because they look just like the original Pop Batgirls, just pixelated. It's also interesting that they are composed of solid plastic which makes them insanely heavy compared to the typical hollow vinyl figure. I'm curious to see what future characters they make in 8-Bit, but I wouldn't be surprised if these were the only two that make it into my collection. Let's check them out below!
Thursday, November 16, 2017
Batman Classic TV Series - BATGIRL Bust!
There is something so spectacular about the bright purple and yellow Batgirl from the classic 1960's Batman show. I have fuzzy memories of what my first exposure to Batgirl really was. It was either random Super Friends merchandise (like coloring books or lunch boxes), back issues of Batman Family or Brave and Bold, or the lovely Yvonne Craig in syndication on TV. I tend to think the show was the actual first glimpse, but they all happened around the same time in the mid-80s for me who know knows really. As an adult, the purple look is definitely my most nostalgic though, and that exclusive feeling is amplified by the overall lack of Yvonne Batgirl merchandise. I first saw this mini-bust in the DST booth at NYTF several years ago (I was allowed to take photos of her, but I was asked not to share them online). And I've been pining for her ever since. I actually got her as a Christmas present last year, but I didn't open her till last week. I don't know why the hell I waited, but she's worth it. Let's check her out!
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