A few weeks ago I trudged nine blocks through a foot of snow to visit Barnes & Noble and pick up the YA Graphic Novel Snowlands (I was impressed by the art at the NYCC Scholastic booth and marked the release date on my calendar. Then when the snow fell I thought I needed a new winter-themed book to read). Surprisingly, the store was crowded. But that meant I was stuck in the line for a while where I noticed this fantastic Bumblebee Girl LED Keyring hanging on a low peg in the impulse-buy gift section lining the checkout area. I've been obsessed with Lego minifigures featuring animal costumes for years. Plus I love bumblebee-themed ladies. And finally, I'm very fond of these 3" light-up keychains. I always stumble across them in odd places like museum giftshops, bookstores, or truckstops and they appeal to me greatly. I know it's an odd novelty item to post about here, but she hits a few key facets of my collecting experience so I'm making an exception. Let's check out Bumblebee Girl below!
UNITING ALL WOMEN OF PLASTIC
Showing posts with label Keychain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Keychain. Show all posts
Thursday, March 5, 2026
Sunday, March 23, 2025
Lego LED Keychains - BATGIRL & HARLEY QUINN(S)!
I have several things going on in my life right now. Firstly, I'm on sabbatical and have ample free time for the next month. Secondly, I have a new computer and I'm struggling with all sorts of software and operating system issues. And thirdly, I have been focusing on finishing long-outstanding unfinished art projects and also reorganizing my toy room. The larger effects of all these events is that I will have less time for blog posts this month and the posts I do make will likely be products and photos from 5+ years ago that were never finalized (I have quite a backlog). This post features the latest three Lego LED Lites featuring the Gotham Girls. I've always loves Legos, but collecting minifigures is a who different genre from my norm that I find intimidating. But these larger 3" figures appeal to me greatly. The larger scale lets them blend in with my traditional action figures much better. And the limited character selection is actually obtainable. That said, it's been eight years and I'm ready for more. Let's check them out below!
Sunday, November 15, 2020
Marvel Vinylmation - SPIDER-LADIES!
It's hard to deny the popularity of vinyl collectibles. These days, when you visit a collectible toy store, chances are it will be largely dedicated to vinyls (which can be unfortunate). While the Funko Pop line is the current industry leader, they weren't the first, and they won't be the last. But about a decade ago, it seemed like every single company took a shot on the fad. One of the more prominent lines was Vinylmation from Disney. They started in 2008 as Disney park exclusives, but soon they were in every Disney Store and all over the secondary market. Vinylmation used the successful blind box formula of a standard quirky mold with unique paint designs. Bearbricks, Dunny, and Labbit had laid the groundwork, and Disney had a guaranteed hit with an iconic Mickey Mouse body and an endless supply of popular licenses to tap into. Of course, even successful toy lines rarely last forever, and by 2017 these were all but extinct. The Spider-Ladies were my obvious favorite. Let's check them out below!
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Suicide Squad Pocket Pops - HARLEY QUINN!
I never quite understood keychain culture. I wasn't one of those kids in school with a jingling collection of pop culture references dangling from my backpack. I wasn't one of those kids who bought a keychain for each of my friends at every vacation gift shop. Even now, my keys are a utilitarian jumble of metal with nothing decorative whatsoever. That's why I find it so interesting that in the past few years I've been compelled to buy so many keychains. The simple reason is that a lot of my favorite collectibles release miniature versions in this novelty format. Mini Mez-Itz, Lego Flashlights, Fast-food premiums, and of course Funko's Pocket Pops have all weaseled their way into my home. I usually have a hesitation about altering a collectible from its original form (some lofty notion about preserving the integrity of the hobby), but for some reason I have no qualms at all about de-keychaining these guys. Let's check out this de-chained Pocket Pop Harley below!
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
DC Comics Bombshells Keychain - HARLEY QUINN!
Check out this tiny little beauty! It's amazing how much detail they can cram into a 3" tall keychain these days. If these existed in my school days, I totally would have been one of those kids with a tricked out backpack that jingled and rattled as I sprinted late to every class (tardiness is forever one of my biggest flaws). These keychains from Elephant Gun are amazing to me. I really enjoy Ant Lucia's DC Bombshells designs. I have an affinity for pin-up art, and regular readers will know I'm gaga over my DC ladies. So this property seems like a perfect fit for me. However, I never even considered buying the Bombshells statues due to price and lack of display space. I have kind of made it a habit to ignore anything related to the Bombshells during the past three years for just those reasons. However, these tiny keychain versions are well within my budget and they can easily squeeze into any of my shelf displays. I'm very excited to buy them all as they come out. Let's check out Bombshell Harley below!
Saturday, January 16, 2016
Arkham Knight Figural Keychain - HARLEY QUINN!
These new figural keychains from Elephant Gun are going to be a fun new obsession of mine. I knew they were on the horizon but didn't realize how nice they would be until I saw them in person at Hot Topic last week. The detail in the sculpt and paint apps is pretty impressive. Elephant Gun has historically been known for amazingly geeky car decals. I you want a superhero family lined up on the rear window of your minvan, Elephant Gun is the place to go. I'm especially excited about the DC Bombshells series of keychains that are already starting to trickle out. I'm not a big enough fan of the Bombshells design to splurge on a statue, but for a 3" tall little figurine I'll gladly accept them into my collection. This Harley is smaller than an Eaglemoss, but larger than Heroclix. It's an interesting size. Last year at Toy Fair NY they showed off some product in the Wonderland Toy Co booth so hopefully I'll find some new goodies on display next month. Hopefully a Catwoman and Poison Ivy in this style at the very least.
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
Lego Flashlight HARLEY QUINN Keychain!
It's pretty cool how the digital age has affected the toy world. The fact that we can have a perfectly enlarged Lego minifigure is a very cool feat. We see this pantogprahing technique used in very expensive ways with the jumbo Star Wars, He-Man, and GI Joes, but I think it's best used in fun novelty products like this Lego flashlight keychain. The first Lego keychain I bought was Catwoman who I stumbled across in a museum giftshop not knowing that she existed. This Harley however has been on my radar forever. I think I first caught wind of her over a year ago, but only first saw her last week in my local FYE record shop. I highly doubt they'll ever make a Poison Ivy flashlight, so I think my next (more realistic) wish is for a Harley Quinn or Catwoman Lego clock. That would make for such an interesting scale display. (I'm surprised someone hasn't posted any pictures of the Lego Wonder Woman clock/flashlight/minifigure comparison). Let's check out the Lego Harley Flashlight in detail below!
Monday, August 10, 2015
Mezco Mini Mez-Itz Keychain - POISON IVY!
I've been waiting for this little green vixen for years. I've become a big fan of Mezco's Mini Mez-Itz format since I bought my first Catwoman keychain back in 2012. Unfortunately the release schedule for figures is painfully slow. We first saw Poison Ivy on display at Toy Fair 2013 - supposedly in a "Girls of Gotham" 4-pack to be released in August 2013. Needless to say that never happened. The Batgirl and Harley Quinn were eventually released singly (as convention exclusives and blind boxes). So the only missing lady was little Miss Isley. Luckily the fine folks at Mezco found a way to get her to us as a 2015 SDCC exclusive (you can easily order her at mezcotoyz.com). Now my Gotham Girls are finally complete! I'm really excited about this. Now we just have to endure the long wait for the Michelle Pfeiffer Catwoman supposed due early in 2016. We'll see about that though. I least this Ivy reassures me that we'll see her eventually. Let's check out the lovely Poison Ivy mini Mez-Itz in detail below!
Thursday, April 23, 2015
DC Comics - KIDROBOT KEYCHAINS!
It seems like the older I get, the more I love super-cute things. When I was younger I held on tightly to some silly preconceived notions of masculinity that would have had me sneering at today's popular toylines like Funko POP, Imaginext, and Mini-Mates. Heck, I probably even would have turned my nose up at Legos. It's been a long slow acceptance for me to admit that I simply just like what I like. Sometimes those are gorey monster toys, sometimes they're adorable doe-eyed keychains. Who cares. These Kidrobot keychains are pretty great. They're cute, well designed, and their paint apps are on point. The best part is that I didn't realize that these are seemingly the precursors for the Kidrobot DC Blind Box figures that are in comic stores next week. The Blind Box figures have a different character assortment and are roughly twice the size of these mini keychains with some limited articulation. Depending on character selection, I think I'll be hoarding both scales of these figures. Let's check them out below!
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
TOY FAIR 2015 Coverage - OTHER COMPANIES!
Mezco - NECA - NJCroce - Madame Alexander - Monogram - Schleich - I Am Elemental
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
DC Keychains - WONDER WOMAN & HARLEY QUINN!
New York ComicCon was a bit of a bummer this year in the toy department. Mattel's absence, Hasbro setting up shop at a different location (again), and no DCC exclusives all combined to bring the bar down a bit. This 5-Pack of DC Keychains from Monogram was one of only two (!) purchases I made at the show. I saw them listed in the exclusives guide before the show and I wasn't overly impressed. But when I saw them in person at the Monogram booth I was hooked. What I like most about them is how they look like the Little Big Planet characters which I've always been fond of. The Keychains are also larger and heavier than I expected. Their heads are about the size of a walnut shell and heavy like a dense ball of rubber. I found myself handing the box to my friends just so they could feel the weight. The box was fairly expensive at around $40-45 (I forget). But it was one of my only purchases so it seemed justified. Let's check out the adorable little novelties below!
Monday, October 6, 2014
Funko Pocket POP Keychains - HARLEY QUINN!
Funko has a goldmine on their hands with their amazing Pop! line. I actively try to resist buying them because I can see the wriitng on the wall and I know that I could easily be drowning in these adorable little suckers if I don't look away. Even my non-toy friends are starting to buy collect them. People ask me advice on where to get "those cute Ghostbusters toys" or "those Domos dressed up like superheroes." It's kind of surreal. I now own 23 and I somehow convince myself I'm keeping it all in check. The only potentials on the horizon for me are Poison Ivy, Sif, and maybe Storm. That was of course until Funko announced these tiny 1.5" keychains. Now they could potentially release my favorite characters all over again in this addictive little scale. The best part is that I won't even try to resist it if they do. These Pocket Pops are showing up in Target stores mixed in with the trading cards near the front registers. (I never would have thought to look for them there). Let's check out this adorable mini Harley below!
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Lego Flashlight CATWOMAN Keychain!
There's nothing I love more than stumbling across a surprise product in an unexpected place. A few weeks ago I went to my local science museum to see the Pompeii exhibit and was wasting time in the gift shop before my IMAX show (playing with the Kinetic Sand on display) when I saw this little beauty hanging on a peg. I've seen these oversized LEGO keychains in the checkout line of Toys R Us for years (among other places), but they were always just generic LEGO guys or Chima.. with the occasional SuperBats in the mix. This 3" tall LEGO Catwoman is an exact replica of the regular 1.5" version down to every little detail. The only difference is that she does not have the alternate pair of eyes on the back of her head. (She also has no whip or diamond accessories if you were wondering). The helmet is a separate piece of plastic, but is hindered from being removed by the keychain mechanism. The LED light shines from her feet and is activated by pressing the square plate on her torso. Here's hoping for more superheroines in this line! Harley! Ivy! Batgirl! (My backpack is gonna be sooooo cool!)
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Mezco Mini Mez-Itz Keychain - HARLEY QUINN!
Harley Quinn is amazing. I've always been a little biased towards the lady villains, but to me she is so much more interesting than her main man Joker. I just picked up the introductory issue of her new ongoing comic series this week and I'm excited to see a new side of her (I haven't really paid any attention to her in the New 52 yet). I'm really digging her new "rollergirl" look, but these classic court jester duds will always be my favorite. I bought this keychain at NYCC 2013 from the Mezco booth. I think it was a convention exclusive, but I can't verify that and there isn't any indication on the packaging. As I've stated in past reviews, I always chop off the keychain apparatus right away. I'm way too impatient to wait for the regular versions to be released. This Harley Quinn Mini Mez-Itz is the first of two versions that will be made, the second version has a closed mouth with a winking eye and will be released in the DC Universe Blind Box assortments (already showing up on eBay). Let's check out Harley below!
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Mezco Mini Mez-Itz Keychain - BATGIRL!
Mezco Mini Mez-Itz are one of my favorite designer collectibles on the market. There are so many good choices out there today; Funko POP, Lego, Mini-Mates, etc, etc - but these Mini Mez-Itz are really holding their own. I secretly gauge the momentum of a toy line by the characters they produce - yes, I know every collector probably does this - but I base my judgement on willingness to produce multiple versions of the same character. Usually this ends up being Catwoman. Funko POP has two, Lego has two (almost identical), Mini-Mates has one, but Mini Mez-Itz has two with an additional two on the horizon. The momentum is definitely impressive. Plus the upcoming Poison Ivy and Harleys are really going to round-out the bat-family roster. The only downside to these figures is that Mezco seems to have a pattern of initially releasing them as keychains at conventions, with non-keychain versions released much later. I'm impatient. But I dislike keychains. Luckily I have an Xacto blade and a wide array of Dremel bits.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
The Girls of W.I.T.C.H.!
W.I.T.C.H. is an Italian Magical Girl comic book created in 2001. Like most magical girl properties, i.e. Sailor Moon, Winx Club, Angel's Friends, etc, W.I.T.C.H. was extremely popular and was soon bought by Disney and turned into an equally popular animated series by 2004. The comics are currently being released in America in digest form and show up regularly at my lcs. W.I.T.C.H. follows a typical magical girl premise of five girls (Will, Irma, Taranee, Cornelia, and Hay Lin - catch the acronym there?) being granted elemental powers to perform a task. In this case, they are guarding portals to other magical realms. Despite the popularity of the comics and cartoon in the US, there has been very little merchandising of the property here. And frankly I find that a little surprising because the character design is very catchy - matching outfits, cool style, witchy stripes, and fairy wings... how can you beat that? Well in 2005 McDonalds released a series of 6 figural keychains that I personally think top all the Italian dolls and Kinder figures on the market. (After the keychain loops got chopped off at least). Let's check them out!
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Batman Beyond's INQUE!
Batman Beyond was very cool series. It had a fun premise, fantastic character design, and an overall tone that was a nice change from its animated predecessors. My only issue with it was a lack of strong female characters. Inque was hands down the greatest part of the show for me. She was a shapeshifting, relentless femme fatale who proved to be more of a threat than most of Terry's other rogues. It's a true shame that we didn't see more toys of these characters back in the day. This Burger King Kids Meal toy is pretty cool. I normally despise bendies, but with Inque's powers, it totally makes sense. She's a good size to blend in with other figures and her sculpt is surprisingly great. This figure also has an awesome, but very annoying, feature of color-changing skin. It's supposed to turn really dark, but it kind of just gets a dark tint. Plus, to expose her normal skintone for this review I had to keep submerging her in ice. This figure is also a keychain and subsequently has a plastic gadget coming off her head. I'll be sure to Xacto that off soon. Let's check out Inque below!
Friday, July 27, 2012
Two CATWOMAN Mez-Itz!
I swore a long time I would never buy any cutesy, Super-Deformed, Urban/Vinyl toys. They weren't "serious" enough for me and they just looked silly. Years later I have a small shelf dedicated to these little monsters. Kubricks, Mini-Mates, SHS, Blammoids, Cosbabies, Lego, and Funko Pop have invaded my heroic world and I don't think I will ever look back. I even made room for Imaginext, Little People, and Polly Pocket.. what is the world coming to?? My one caveat is that they have to be small, I don't want giant looming marshmallow men peppered throughout my collection. Because of this, Mez-itz were off my radar until they introduced their Mini line of 2-inch figures. These two Catwomen are my first Mez-Itz and I must admit I am won over.
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