This blog often causes me to dissect what I like and dislike about certain characters. Because of this introspection, I can lump the majority of my favorite characters into one or two categories. But my very favorite category is one I rarely discuss, because characters that fit the description are rarely merchandised. It's also hard to describe succinctly. But here is an awkward attempt: I love a mysterious character, often noncommunicative, who is at first feared, has an otherworldly appearance, but who other characters quickly find themselves being protective of. Like a secret friend no one else could possibly understand. E.T. is a universal example. But I like them ever more when they are more human-like (my absolute favorite example being Skarrow from the Courtney Crumrin comics). A powerful example of this type of character is Penance from the the first few story arcs in 2004's Generation X comic. Later writers completely changed her backstory, but for a while she was my favorite thing in comics.
UNITING ALL WOMEN OF PLASTIC
Showing posts with label Skin-Red. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Skin-Red. Show all posts
Sunday, August 7, 2022
Monday, March 14, 2022
Marvel Legends - BINARY!
When I was a young comic reader, I don't think there was a character who ever had more dynamic covers than Binary. Of course, I was biased towards elemental-powered-women even then. I first spied her on Uncanny X-men #164, and then later in Starjammers and X-Men Classic. I'll confess that her cosmic storylines were too complex for my young mind, but I was still absolutely captivated by this flaming inferno of a character. Because those stories were over my head, I can also admit that it wasn't until relatively recently that I realized that Binary was actually Carol Danvers. Ms. Marvel was on my radar back then, but to me she was just a silly character with "mom hair" that fought in a swimsuit with a scarf. I didn't warm up to Carol until I was an adult, and I didn't make a connection between the two characters until shortly before the Captain Marvel movie (which incorporated such a lame interpretation of Binary). But I'm over the moon that Hasbro gave us this comic figure. Let's check her out below!
Thursday, October 28, 2021
Mythic Legions - XARRIA!
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!
Tuesday, March 30, 2021
Marvel Legends - OMEGA SENTINEL!
Outside of robot-centric properties like Transformers and Go-Bots, robotic traits in comic characters bore me. It's my personal preference, but I want mutants and magic, not cyborgs and mecha. And oversize villains always seem like a lazy set-up. I'd much rather see the X-Men vs the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants than a giant Sentinel. So, despite years of unavoidable exposure to them, I always just kind of breezed over Sentinel stories. Then I found myself reading the Powers of X storyline in 2019 and I was suddenly exposed to new evolutions of human-sized Sentinels with unique names and personalities. I am still very naïve about their histories, but I've learned that Omega Sentinels are humans that were transmuted into Sentinels via nanotechnology. All I know is that they are visually stunning and make for great action figures. The idea to include alternate parts to make her an army builder of sorts is genius. One of the many reasons Marvel Legends sets the bar high. Let's check out Omega Sentinel below!
Sunday, June 5, 2016
Star Wars 6" Black Series - AHSOKA TANO!
Ahsoka Tano is exactly the type of figure I was hoping for when the 6" Black Series was announced all those years ago. As much as I love Rey and Leia, they aren't the most visually exciting characters. My favorite thing about the Star Wars universe is the various alien races. And there are tons of great alien females that I would love to see in this style (Hera Syndulla, Aayla Secura, Shaak Ti, Asajj Ventress, Luminaria Unduli, Taun We, etc.), and Ahsoka Tano is a great start to the roster. Ashoka first appeared in Star Wars: The Clone Wars as a Padawan apprentice of Anakin Skywalker. She was one of the central characters in that series, as well as in the current series Star Wars: Rebels. I think it's great to see an animated character stylized in a lifelike way to fit in with the movie lines. I know they are also doing this with the upcoming Sabine Wren, and I hope the trend continues. Mostly because the expanded universe incorporates many more alien females. Fingers crossed! Let's check out Ahsoka Tano below!
Thursday, October 29, 2015
I Am Elemental - Core Power COURAGE!
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!
Monday, December 29, 2014
Kickstarter - I AM ELEMENTAL!
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!
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Marvel Universe RED SHE-HULK!
It's a pretty common theme in comics for a civilian love-interest character to be granted powers similar to her namesake hero. The most notable examples that come to mind are Lois Lane's multiple transformations into Superwoman and Carol Ferris's becoming a Violet Lantern (Star Sapphire). I always enjoy this type of plot. Mostly because I love seeing how the same powers and abilities would be expressed differently from a female perspective. While I've always paid keen attention when these stories would appear, I've never before become quite as obsessed as I was when Betty (Ross) Banner became the Red She-Hulk. She had a brief 10-issue self-titled run from 2012-2013 which I thought was amazing. The art was beautiful, her characterization was well fleshed out. She was righteous, vengeful, compassionate, and of course angry. I loved every page of it. Unfortunately we haven't heard from her in the past six months. I would love a continuation of the unlikely Red She-Hulk / Machine Man team-up.
Friday, September 20, 2013
Green Lantern's SORANIK NATU!
One sure-fire way to experiment with a female version of an existing character is to introduce a long-lost daughter. We've seen X-23's popularity take off, May Parker was a surprisingly successful Spider-Girl for over a decade, and we're about to be fully introduced to the mysterious Joker's Daughter this month. In 2005 this formula was used to introduce us to Soranik Natu, the daughter of Sinestro. Natu was a very reluctant Lantern. She and her entire race judge the Green Lantern Corps (understandably) by the loathsome actions of their own sector's Green Lantern, Sinestro. Natu was a neurosurgeon who only accepted the power ring in order to save a patient's life. It took time and convincing (plus a convenient flash forward in the "One Year Later" storyline) in order for Saranik Natu to evolve into the upstanding Corps member we all know and love. This figure is beautiful - as were all the final DC Direct figures. Sam Greenwell's sculpt is very different from his typical style, but it still looks fantastic. Let's check her out!
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Marvel Legends RED SHE-HULK!
This figure is amazing. Prepare for a softball review because I have no issues with this fine red lady whatsoever. I honestly can't remember the last time I had no complaints or criticisms about a Hasbro figure. The sculpt is amazing, the articulation is great, the paint is flawless (and I ordered several to make sure I got a good one - all perfect), and she is just all around a very very cool toy. For those not familiar with the Red She-Hulk, her human form is Betty Ross-Banner who underwent the same process that created Red Hulk in some bring-her-back-from-the-dead scenario. I was unimpressed with her appearance and character when she first appeared, but when I saw her in the Fear Itself storyline a couple years later, her look had changed into what we see now and her character had become very interesting to me. After starring in the The Defenders (2012) she has now become the titular character in Hulk (Re-named Red She-Hulk as of issue #58). The stories are really fun, the art is beautiful, and I'm always a sucker for a good female anti-hero. Let's check her out below!
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