Mike Allred's IT GIRL!

AAA Pop Atomic Action - It Girl - Ace Toys & Fresh Monkey Fiction 2024

There have been a lot of great characters to spin out of Mike Allred's Madman universe, but I think the most iconic is It Girl. The team of superpowered humans now known as the Atomics started out as foes of our misunderstood hero, Madman, but eventually became his closest allies. The token female of that group was It Girl, who had been infected with alien spores that gave her the ability to absorb the powers and characteristics of any person, animal, or material she touched. Think of her as a combination of Metamorpho, Rogue, and Beast Boy delivered in Allred's signature mod/campy style. It Girl had her own solo one-shot in 2002, and in 2012 she led the 12-issue It Girl and the Atomics series. This figure was part of a 2023 Kickstarter collaboration between Ace Toys and Fresh Monkey Fiction (that also gave us a Madman and Madwoman figure). I hope the campaign's success inspires more figures because these are great, but they barely scratch the surface of the AAA Pop roster. Let's check out It Girl below!

Mike Allred's MADWOMAN!

AAA Pop Atomic Action - Madwoman - Ace Toys & Fresh Monkey Fiction 2024

One of my favorite indie comics of all time is Madman. I first discovered the comic in 1994 when it became a part of the amazing Legend imprint under Dark Horse Comics. Legend was home to such pop culture hits as Hellboy and Sin City, but every single property (there were only 11) was a gem by true icons of the comic industry. I was immediately smitten with Madman. The story follows the enigmatic amnesiac science experiment, Frank Einstein, as he ponders life and love and has zany adventures. I find the book refreshing, quirky, poetic, and beautifully drawn. The primary female of the series is Jo Lombard, Frank's love interest who was a complex and fully-realized character from the start. She was such a constant in the stories that I was completely blindsided when she became Madwoman years later in the 2008 issue of Madman Atomic Comics #12. This figure was part of a Kickstarter campaign in 2023 by Christopher Irving and Fresh Monkey Fiction. Let's check her out below!

Mythic Legions - XARRIA!

Mythic Legions: Advent of Decay - Lesser Demon Xarria - Four Horsemen 2018

I still have an insane number of unopened Mythic Legions figures from the 2018 Advent of Decay Kickstarter. I realize now that when I buy a ton of figures all at once, I quickly get overwhelmed and end up putting them all in storage. But in the case of these Mythic Legions ladies, I now think it's kind of nice that I review a new one every few months and really give each figure its proper focus. Right from the very beginning this Xarria figure was one of my most anticipated characters from the line. She looks like the Lord of Darkness from Legend and she also reminds me of the cancelled red devil lady from Gothitropolis line (that I'm still pretty sore about). Considering how often we see devil lady imagery on mudflaps, air fresheners, and tattoos, there is a surprising lack of toys with this design. Beyond a handful Purgatoris, I can't think of any. But that doesn't really matter because this Xarria figure is devil-lady perfection. She has the perfect combination of strong, sexy, and sinister. Let's check her out below!

Mythic Legions - XYLONA!

Mythic Legions: Advent of Decay - The Legendary Xylona - Four Horsemen 2018

Of all the action figures in my collection, I think this Mythic Legions Xylona figure may possibly be the most unique. I go through phases where I love her, and others when she irks me. While her body is a standard female buck (although dressed in a leafy/foliage design) paired with the hoofed legs that we've seen on several creature figures, it's her head and neck that draws all the attention. She is a adorned with a large nondescript cervid head, which is turn is crowned with a massive set of antlers. They're so high that they add 50% to her height (I measured). The proportions are inhuman and are part of the reason I find her unsettling. Normal human proportions tend to place a vertical midpoint at the waist, but the midpoint of Xylona is her chest. When I imagine her at my scale, I think she's terrifying my eyes don't know where to go. That said, she is magnificent, utterly original, and perfect for the fantasy Mythic Legions line. I'm extremely curious to see this mold repurposed too. Let's check out Xylona below!

Mythic Legions - LUCRETIA!

Mythic Legions: Advent of Decay - Lucretia (Illythias Brood) - Four Horsemen 2018

I love vampire lore. It's pretty rare when there is a vampire story on television, on the silver screen, or in books that I don't appreciate on some level. I like everything from the scary and monstrous to the eye-rolling and romantic. And female vampires get even more love from me, but they are predictably much less prevalent. Up until this Mythic Legions Lucretia figure, I don't think I had ever seen a female vampire in the style of Count Orlok (from Nosferatu 1922); a more demonic, inhuman looking design. Females are usually vampy, goth, gorgeous, and ultimately human-looking which I certainly don't mind, but I never realized how awesome a demonic-bat character could look. She's quite possibly the most wicked-looking figure in my collection. And just imagine how epic she could look with white demon/dragon wings! I'm becoming very obsessed with these Mythic Legions figures. I still can't believe it took a quarantine to finally convince me to crack them open. (Sooooo many more to go). Let's check out Lucretia!

Mythic Legions - JJUNO THE CRUSHER!

Mythic Legions: Advent of Decay - Jjuno the Crusher - Four Horsemen 2018

I have a love/hate relationship with female barbarian characters. One one hand, they are strong, dominant women who flip that hunter/gatherer dynamic on its head. But on the other hand I find the designs to be a little boring and repetitive. Metal bra? check. Fuzzy loincloth? Check. Big Axe? Check. Barbarian women and Jungle girls are two popular themes with abundant examples throughout comic and movie genres, but the characters often simply lack distinguishing characteristics. The Four Horsemen did their best to make Jjuno the Crusher stand out. Her blue facepaint and partially shaved scalp are indeed unique, but ironically these details made me not instantly fall in love with the design. It seemed like an odd blend of modern and classic themes which I found off-putting. However, with the help of some add-on wing accessories I made her look like a badass earth Valkyrie and suddenly she's one of my favorites in the line. I need to buy some more wings! Let's check out Jjuno the Crusher below!

Mythic Legions - ARTEMYSS SILVERCHORD!

Mythic Legions: Advent of Decay - Artemyss Silverchord - Four Horsemen 2018

I struggle with a lot of fantasy properties because the aspects I especially like (unicorns, mermaids, fairies, etc) are so often spun off into a separate genre - a genre of sparkles and pastels and rainbows and hearts. Not that I dislike any of that stuff, but it effectively segregates these "softer" elements from the warriors and swords and dragons. And I hate that. (For the Schleich nerds out there, I just want my Bayala and Eldrador in one world with a unified aesthetic). That desire is one of the reasons I fell in love with the Mythic Legions: Advent of Decay line. There were no females in previous Mythic Legions lines, but this wave gave us eighteen glorious ladies! And while most of the characters so far don't fall into the unicorns and mermaids category yet, this Artemyss Silverchord figure reads as a powerful fairy warrior Queen and is easily one of the most dynamic figures in the series. It gives me hope for some kickass unicorns and mermaids down the line. Let's check out Artemyss below!

Mythic Legions - SKELETON SOLDIER!

Mythic Legions: Advent of Decay - Skeleton Soldier Builder - Four Horsemen 2018

It's taken me seventeen months to open my Mythic Legions: Advent of Decay figures from Four Horsemen. I backed the original Kickstarter and got every female figure. But the problem with bulk toy purchases, is that I get absolutely overwhelmed at the prospect of opening and displaying them (let alone photographing/posting about them). That's why I currently have three large cardboard boxes in my basement: one full of dozens of unopened Boss Fight Studios figures, one with I Am Elemental, and one with Mythic Legions. The one good thing about Shelter in Place orders is that I'm forced to spend my excessive toy hunting time appreciating what I already own. This Skeleton Soldier Builder was one of my most anticipated figures from the entire lineup. As a kid I was kind of obsessed with skeletons: The skeleton girls on flying horses from the 1980 Return of the King cartoon gave me some of my first nightmares; I loved the Glo-Bones Pocket Power; and Jason & the Argonauts was always a favorite movie.

Kickstarter: SUPERHEROINE 1:10 BLANKS!

Superheroine 1:10 Scale (7") Action Figure Blanks - Maven Collectibles 2018

I'm really excited about this new Kickstarter campaign from Maven Collectibles. The Superheroine 1:10 Scale (7" inch) Action Figure Blanks campaign features two beautifully sculpted and highly articulated female bucks with a wide variety of interchangeable parts available (heads, hair, hands, and feet). Plus a number of stretch goals that include weapons, different skin tones, and a third (petite) body style. The two initial bucks are (1) Superheroine Tall - which measures 8" and seems like a She-Hulk or Big Barda type. And (2) Superheroine Athletic - which measures 7" and seems like a Rogue or Power Girl. I'm not even a customizer but I'm very excited to add these two to my collection (ideally with blue skin and white hair!)  And I'm even more excited to see what all the actual customizers do with them. This is only the 5th Kickstarter I've ever pledged, so you could say I'm pretty selective. I encourage everyone to check out the campaign page to see all the photos and make a pledge. I want all the stretches!

I Am Elemental - Core Power COURAGE!

I Am Elemental: The Core Power Series - Courage - Rebel Elements 2015

The next couple years are going to be groundbreaking as far as female-empowered action figures are concerned. We've all heard about Mattel's DC Superhero Girls at this point. They are making the claim that it will be the first ever action figure line aimed at girls, but let's not forget this great little line from last year that lit up Kickstarter like nothing I've seen before.  The first I Am Elemental series was a line of 7 "Elements of Power" heroines in 3.75" form.  This 6.5" Courage figure is essentially their Megazord/Voltron/Combiner form.  It is a very awesome toy that is worth every penny. (I ordered mine here). The next series is "Wisdom" and I'm eagerly looking forward to it.  Like I started mentioning above, this year is going to have a lot of girl power. Ladybug and Cat Noir are getting a toy line from Bandai, and Mysticons are being handled by Playmates.  Add that to the DC Superhero Girls, and I Am Elemental and it's going to be a stereotype-shattering season in the pink aisles.  And I can't wait!

Kickstarter - I AM ELEMENTAL!

I Am Elemental - Series 01: Elements of Courage - Rebel Elements 2014

What a great way to bring 2014 to a close! I was really anxious to get my hands on this  I Am Elemental series since it was my first foray into the world of Kickstarter and I couldn't shake the feeling that I was taking a gamble. I have friends who have backed Kickstarter campaigns in the past and have been disappointed by the final product (or lack thereof). My paranoia was assuaged though by the professional and thorough framework presented by creators Julie Kerwin and Dawn Nadeau. The concept, design, funding, and delivery of these figures was fully fleshed out before the Kickstarter even went live. It's amazing to think that a mere seven months after I first heard of the concept of these toys, I am holding a fully realized, beautifully made set of action figures. I know there is a future series in the works (Series 02: Wisdom), and I know without a doubt I'll be adding it to my collection. I'd also like to add that I had zero QC problems with this set;  no sloppy paint lines; no stuck joints; no casting seams. I don't have this much confidence in any of the top toy companies. Let's check out the Elements of Courage!

Kickstarter: Heroes of the World - DURGA!

Heroes of the World - Durga the Warrior Goddess (and Lion Steed) - Brillist 2014

I just backed my third Kickstarter campaign!  Unfortunately this one is off to a much slower start than my previous backings, which is a total shame because I think this concept and figure are brilliant.  Durga is a ten-armed Hindu Goddess who rides a Lion steed.  Without any further history lessons, that visual alone should have you throwing your money behind this endeavor.  Eastern religions always intrigue me with their other-worldly deities.  And the ornate decor and animal themes just add to my fascination.  Western religions are very boring in comparison (speaking visually of course).  Unfortunately for me, the history and stories behind individual Hindu figureheads is knowledge I am never able to retain.  I just read her entire wiki page, but barely absorbed a thing (aside from the fact that it made me want her in action figure form even more!)  Let's all rally behind this project people! :)

Kickstarter: VITRUVIAN H.A.C.K.S.!

Series 01: Greeks (Spartans vs Gorgons) - Boss Fight Studios 2014

So last week I funded my second Kickstarter campaign.  This one is different than my first one (I Am Elemental) because it can potentially be much more expensive, but more likely has the potential to be an unprecedented value - thanks to the numerous stretch goals.  If all the stretch goals get met, there will be 39 unique figures (including 16 differently-hued blank bucks - and 23 unique sculpts).  Plus four additional weapons packs to spruce up those bucks.  The first series is an ancient Greece theme with a variety of Spartans up again Medusa and an army of Gorgons.  The female-centric antagonists are obviously the focus of this post.  There are 11 female figures sculpted and 8 colored female bucks (again, only available if all the stretch goals are met).  The Vitruvian H.A.C.K.S. (Highly Articulated Character Kit System) is a line of 4" scale action figures with easily separated body parts for endless customization potential.  As of today, there are 15 figures unlocked, with 20 days of funding remaining.  Here's hoping that everything gets unlocked!  Let's check them out below.

Kickstarter: I AM ELEMENTAL!

Series 01: The Seven Elements of Courage - I Am Elemental (Kickstarter) 2014
 
So I took the plunge and backed my first Kickstarter campaign today -- and I'm super-duper excited because it looks like the project is going to be a success.  I've been tempted by the Four Horsemen offerings in the past, and I unfortunately missed the boat with the Backyard Heroes.  But I'm almost glad I held out because the I Am Elemental campaign seems perfect for my first time.  The initial series of figure consists of seven brightly colored, highly articulated female characters representing different Elements of Courage (Bravery, Energy, Honesty, etc).  It has a ring of the "Seven Deadly Sins/Seven Holy Virtues" motif which I find very appealing.  The skintones are wildly colored (and racially ambiguous).  And the figures share a common core buck, but have unique accessories, heads, and variations on boots and gloves that offer some amazing variety while sticking to a common visual theme.  I think they're perfect.  Plus by the nature of the theology behind their design, they are tastefully sculpted and focused on true heroics rather than the typical thinly veiled titillation.  Let's check them all out below!