I'm patient in almost every aspect of my life, except when it comes to toys. I have been wishing for a Trip the Sungazer (unmasked) in the Jakks Pacific Sonic line for years. We knew one was coming since several pictures of prototypes have been circulating the internet since last Fall. But I admit I was a little surprised to see her finally released in a giant Amazon-exclusive 16-Pack. If you collect either the Mario or Sonic lines from Jakks, you know almost every figure gets re-released in new packaging every few years. So I could gamble and wait for an eventual single-pack Trip. But FOMO won and I splurged. She is a very fun little figure and is bringing me so much joy, whether that feeling is worth 80 bucks or not is a question I'll ponder when my credit card bill comes. Coincidentally, I just discovered pics of Trip in her giant Golden Dragon from found on toy shelves in Mexico. There truly is a Trip renaissance happening right now. I hope a 4" Unarmored version is next. Let's check out Trip below!
UNITING ALL WOMEN OF PLASTIC
Showing posts with label Reptilian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reptilian. Show all posts
Monday, May 4, 2026
Sonic the Hedgehog - TRIP THE SUNGAZER!
Thursday, April 23, 2026
TMNT The Last Ronin - YI!
One of the exciting things about the new generation of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles that was introduced in The Last Ronin storyline was their secondary mutations. The secondary mutations are a side-effect of Michelangelo's DNA being infused into their Mutagen. April utilized the original mutagen and Michelangelo's DNA to ensure the legacy and spirit of the Hamato clan. Unbeknownst to April, Michelangelo had been irradiated when travelling through the radioactive plains of Mongolia after a nuclear fallout - and this affected his DNA. The mutagen in the systems of the four new Turtles is now continuously mutating as a result of this contamination. Therefore, the turtles begin developing secondary mutations at puberty - exhibited as unique powers/abilities (often debuting in times of great stress). The first to exhibit this change was Odyn who turned to stone mid-battle, but soon after Yi exhibits electrokinesis wherein she can emit sparks and generate an electrical barrier to protect her and her family.
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
TMNT The Last Ronin - CASEY MARIE JONES!
In the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin comics, Casey Marie Jones is the adult daughter of Casey Jones and April O'Neil. She is a skilled martial artist and leads the resistance against the occupying clans in this futuristic dystopian New York City. She also plans a major role in raising the four young members of the new Ninja Turtles: Uno, Yi, Moja, and Odyn. She received an action figure last year as a younger masked version wearing purple and black and riding a motorcycle. This pack caught my eye in the stores, but I never purchased one and therefore never learned much about the character. But then this Lost Years version was announced that included the second two baby Turtle pack-in figures and I knew I would have to get her. Typically straight-up martial arts characters don't thrill me, but in person I quite like this figure. Her color palette is somehow both muted and vibrant, and I really love the dynamic sculpt of her hair and her tough demeanor. Overall I'm glad to add her to my collection.
Monday, April 20, 2026
TMNT The Last Ronin - MOJA!
For fans of classic 80s and 90s toylines, you would be remiss not to read (or at least be aware of) modern comics based on these properties. I can only assume that the writers are longtime fans, just like me, and the love and respect shows. Boom, Image, and IDW Comics have all advanced these story canons in fun and interesting ways. I especially love the addition of new characters that fit nicely into the existing lore. Some personal favorites have been Dawn Moreno Snake-Eyes (G.I.Joe), Ranger Slayer (MMPR), Solila (Void Rivals/Energon Universe), Jennika (TMNT), a slew of female Transformers (Victorion, Nautica, etc), and of course the new generation of Ninja Turtles in The Last Ronin storyline. When I first saw Uno, Yi, Mojo, and Odyn on some random social media post, I was instantly drawn in. Their varied physical appearances and genders, while instantly looking like they belonged in this universe, appealed to me greatly. I've been hoping for a full Neca lineup ever since. Let's check out Moja below!
Sunday, April 19, 2026
TMNT The Last Ronin - GRANNY APRIL!
I told myself a long time ago that I would never buy an April O'Neil figure unless she was wearing her signature bright yellow jumpsuit. This was both because I display characters in groups (and I love visual uniformity) and also so I could avoid trying buy any odd variations or blue-suited comic versions. But tempting figures keep coming out that I just can't resist. I thought I would certainly be skipping this Granny April figure. I never read the Last Ronin comics, she isn't in her signature yellow, and utilitarian-looking characters just don't appeal to me. But I somehow missed the announcement that she would be coming with mini figure of young Yi and Moja, the two sisters in the second generation of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I'm rather obsessed with these new turtles. Their varying body types/species, genders, and secondary mutations are fascinating and very visually appealing. I bought Granny April as soon as I saw her and her adorable pack-ins. Let's check out Granny April, Yi, and Moja below!
Friday, April 10, 2026
Sonic the Hedgehog - TRIP THE SUNGAZER!
I'm a big fan of Sonic the Hedgehog toys. Despite not knowing a ton about the property, I think the characters are fun and cute. And the Jakks Pacific line has been making some awesome deep cuts in recent years. Roughly two Summers ago I made a wishlist for SDCC reveals and included Trip the Sungazer in my most-wanted from Jakks. I thought this was such a longshot, but roughly 18 months later we suddenly have her in two scales. Of course, this isn't quite the version I wanted. I prefer her unarmored look in all her reptilian beauty. But the fact that she was made at all is a major gift. I can admit, I was ready to skip this figure. But in person, the 2.5" version is adorable. She looks like a weird steampunk frog astronaut. The 4" version isn't nearly as appealing to me, so that one is unlikely to enter my collection. But beyond being cute, I also decided to pick up this figure because there have been several 2.5" unarmored Trip prototypes that have shown up on eBay and reddit, so I will definitely need both.
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
April O'Neil as THE FIFTH TURTLE!
When I first started collecting action figures seriously (about 25 years ago), I was obsessed with finding female characters from all the iconic properties of my youth. I was especially intent on finding a female Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. This is when I discovered Venus de Milo and Mona Lisa. But I also learned about this infamous 1994 issue of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures Special #11 wherein April O'Neil became the Fifth Turtle for a single 26-page story. April had infiltrated a lab to get some Anti-mutagen for Splinter's birthday (she wrongly assumed he wanted to return to his human form). But she was captured and turned into a turtle by the aliens secretly running the lab. In the end, there was only enough Anti-mutagen to return her to human form (and defeat the mutated alien enemy). It was a simple one-off story, but it notably had the first female turtle (three years before Venus). The comic issue is notoriously hard to come by, regularly fetching hundreds on eBay in good condition.
Saturday, March 21, 2026
New Eternia - TEELA!
This figure has had me on a rollercoaster of emotions for the last year. When first announced, I was excited to be getting another New Eternia lady. The 2024 Evil-Lyn was a favorite of mine. But soon leaked production pics started showing up... and they looked bizarre. Her head was tiny and her eyes had an elongated reptilian quality. But I convinced myself that you often see unimpressive prototypes that end up looking gorgeous in person (like the 1987 Movie Evil-Lyn). Then I got her in October 2025 and she looked just as bizarre and unfortunate as I had feared, at least in the packaging. I just opened her last week, and I can admit that (when she has her armor on), she is probably the nicest Teela figure I own. I realize the awkward head size is likely to accommodate for her headdress. And likewise, her weird eyes look fine when she's armored-up. The coppery color of her accessories is very eye-catching and the overall figure is stunning - something I'm still shocked by. Let's check out Teela below!
Friday, November 7, 2025
Super7 ReAction - UNDERSEA GAL!
The Nightmare Before Christmas was a slow-burn of acceptance and adoration for me. It was released when I was in High School and at the time I didn't love musicals or "dark" aesthetics. Yes, it was playful, but goth was a true social strata at the time that I just didn't fit into. The goth kids were eating this movie up. It was actually my high school art teacher who first started my appreciation of the movie. He made us watch the film (on laserdisc!) followed by the "making of" documentary every semester. In late high school I became huge fan of Ray Harryhausen, which in turn made me appreciate all stop-motion film a lot more. But the big plunge was a decade later when I dated an NBX superfan. I would be coerced to watch the movie several times a year, and I would research all the Neca figures and slowly purchase them as gifts for every occasion. Flash forward 20 years and I love it. Any my favorite character is Undersea Gal, the Creature from the Black Lagoon homage who has several cool cameos.
Sunday, October 19, 2025
G.I.Joe Classified - PYTHONA!
As a kid I was always mimicking the cartoon characters I idolized. It wasn't necessarily blatant or intentional. I wouldn't hold a stick aloft and shout "By the Honor of Grayskull" or anything so obvious. In fact, I think it was largely subconscious. I went through a phase where I couldn't pass a broomstick without performing some type of acrobatic vault. I realize as an adult I was mimicking Diana from Dungeons & Dragons. I once leapt off a dresser fully expecting to glide across the room to my bed a'la Princess Peach in Mario II (I was on crutches for months), and most disturbing to my young classmates, I went though a phase in 1987 where I chased kids around the playground with worms and slugs acting out all my Pythona fantasies. The opening sequence of G.I.Joe the Movie (1987) features the mysterious Pythona stealthily infiltrating the Cobra Terror Drome with a menagerie of gross biological weapons: electric eels, shellfish, tentacled larvae-like things, exploding spores, and her own acid-tipped claws.
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
Super7 Reaction+ O-Ring - PYTHONA!
I think Pythona was the character that first made me realize the desparity between male and female action figures in the 80s. When G.I.Joe the Movie first aired on TV (serialized) in 1987, I tuned in and taped it every day that week. The first episode seemed dedicated to this new intriguing character named Pythona. It wasn't long before I saw toys at the local Hills department store dedicated to the movie. There was a 3-Pack of Cobra-La characters, including Golobulus, Nemesis Enforcer, and a Cobra-La Royal Guard. It seemed like a blatant mistake to exclude her considering she received more screen time than any of the others. So, despite my love for all things Cobra-La, I never got this set. It just seemed like an incomplete roster without Pythona. Like the Fantastic Four without Sue or the Power Rangers without the Pink and Yellow Rangers (both of are common toy exclusions). But who could have guess that 38 years later that Pythona void would be filled so spectacularly. Let's check out this beauty below!
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Court of the Dead - GALLEVARBE (NAGA)!
I'm taking a leap of logic and labeling this version of Gallevarbe as a Naga. I base this purely on the lack of a final fluke fin on her tail and the sculpted reptilian scales on her shoulders. On the flip side, her written description and water effect accessory makes me think she might be another aquatic form like her Death's Siren figure. Either way, I'm mentally making making a Mermaid/Naga distinction in my head. This Eyes of the Queen version of Gallevarbe actually looks better than the Death's Siren version (in my humble opinion). Something about the color gradients and the headsculpt just appeal to me more than the mermaid form (which really surprises me as a mermaid loyalist). Plus they both have a sinister creepy vibe which made them perfect for October. I'm also curious to put the BFS parts-swapping intent to the test with these figures. I might just combine all my favorite parts into my ultimate sea witch. I'll add pics if I do. Let's check out Gallevarbe, Eyes of the Queen, below!
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Turtles of Grayskull - TEELA!
Toy property mashups are a pretty fun trend in modern toy lines. The longest-running and most notable examples are definitely Transformers with their early Crossovers lines with Star Wars and Marvel (2008-2010) and then their Collaborative line with Ghostbusters, Back to the Future, Jurassic Park, TMNT, Top Gun, etc (2019-present). But back in 2019, Mattel started doing mashups with their highly versatile Masters of the Universe Origins line and WWE. These we fun and I loved the three ladies produced: Chyna, Steph McMahon, and Becky Lynch. But it wasn't until the Turtles of Grayskull line where two truly iconic lines were combined that I got obsessed. While the two figures I've purchased haven't quite been the combination of two characters the way I expected, they are still fun reinterpretations of the characters in the other universe. In this case, Teela as an armored turtle warrior. She's very weird but very cool and I hope there are more in the works. Let's check out the Turtles of Grayskull Teela below!
Monday, February 3, 2025
MOTU Revolution - SNAKE SORCERESS TEELA!
My favorite thing about Masters of the Universe Revelation and Revolution was the constant evolutions of the two main female characters, Evil-Lyn and Teela. The journey of these characters was organic and fit into the Masters mythos seamlessly. Evil-Lyn was on her unquenchable quest for power, and Teela was facing her mysterious origins and family legacy. And as toy hobbyists, we have thankfully been blessed with action figures of nearly every incarnation of these characters (at this point, I think we are only missing Teela's final two forms). At the penultimate battle in Revolution, Teela has to call upon the ancient magics and become the ancient Snake Goddess to save Preternia. The lore of the familiar staffs (The Staff of Zoar, the Staff of Ka, and the Havok Staff) each being linked to a different form of Sorceress is genius. Plus the tie-in to the old Preternian Goddess stories from the vintage mini-comics is some glorious fan service. And who doesn't love a cool reptilian action figure. Let's check out Teela below!
Monday, November 11, 2024
Super Mario Bros - POM POM!
I've been collecting the Jakks Pacific World of Nintendo line for almost ten years now, but 2024 marks the first year that I was exposed to a new character that I had never seen before (and there's a new-to-me Sonic character coming, too). Pom Pom is a "new" Koopa Kid introduced in 2011's Super Mario 3D Land as a counterpart to Boom Boom. She has a face and body design very similar to Boom Boom, but with more proportional arms, pink skin, and feminizing details (like eyelashes, a ponytail, bows, and her namesake pom-poms). Since 2011, she has appeared in ten different games, but somehow I had never seem her image before. I stumbled across solicitation images of this figure on a foreign website back in June and have been eagerly awaiting her ever since. Her entire wave has been showing up at GameStop for a few months now, but Pom Pom seems to be excluded. I luckily picked mine up from a toy seller at NYCC in October and I think she's awesome. Let's check out Pom Pom below!
Thursday, October 31, 2024
Halloween Kids - THE CREATURE!
Happy Halloween! One of my favorite recent toy trends is the representation of the simplistic Ben Cooper costumes of the 70s and 80s in action figure form. NECA has the Ben Cooper Costume Kids which are 5" fully-articulated figures wearing soft-goods costumes. And Super7 has the ReAction Halloween Kids line, which don't appear to be officially branded for the vintage costume companies, but they definitely give that classic homage. This Creature from the Black Lagoon girl is my first purchase from the line, and I'm quite obsessed. As my favorite of the Universal Monsters movies, she was always going to grab my attention. But the fact that the figure is female (as is the NECA Creature figure), further appeals to me because I feel it pays tribute to the creator of the Creature costume, Milicent Patrick, who was only properly credited in recent years (read The Lady From the Black Lagoon book for more!). I can't help but think the gender of these toys was intentional because of that. Let's check out Creature below!
Friday, August 30, 2024
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - JENNIKA!
There have been several attempts to introduce a female turtle to the TMNT universe over the years, but they never seem to last. Jennika is one of the most recent females in a half-shell and she has impressively been going strong for five years in the IDW comics (with two solo series and now two action figures). I even saw her graphic novel in Target last month, and their book department is (sadly) getting smaller and more selective each year. Jennika was introduced as a human foot clan assassin who was (four years later) injured and given a blood transfusion from Leonardo, triggering her mutation. I've always liked her design and the use of yellow as her signature color. In my mind, there has been a race to see which toy company would merchandize her first: Playmates, Loyal Subjects, or NECA. But my money was always on Loyal Subjects. Their work on the IDW versions of the other Turtles has been great, and Jennika is no exception. Let's check out her standard action figure and her SDCC redeco below!
Thursday, January 4, 2024
MOTU Origins - LADY SLITHER!
An amazing thing about a property as rich and celebrated as Masters of the Universe is the occasion to infuse the lore with new characters and stories. A whole arena of Eternian mythos that never quite appealed to me was the Snake Men. I remember the vintage toys being all the rage among my young peers. And I know the 200x series thrilled those same fans years later with further reptilian exploration. But I think the lack of female characters in the stories just kept me at bay. But then about ten years ago in the height of MOTU Classics, there was a mysterious new character introduced in the mini-comics: Lady Slither, the Queen Empress of the Snake Men. She was surprisingly the only MOTU character to have a serpent's lower body (a design choice I thought would be a given for a diverse reptilian race). The brief glimpses of her created buzz and the fan demand for an action figure was immediate. It took ten years and a new toy line, but we finally have her. Let's check out Lady Slither below!
Sunday, May 14, 2023
MOTU Origins - SNAKE TEELA!
I like that Snake Teela has become a unique variant of the traditional Teela character. This design originally appeared in a single Second Skin episode of the 200x show where several characters were temporarily turned into Snake Men. She was likely a visual nod to the early 80's Goddess character, but she was unique in most ways apart from the green hue. The 200x Snake Teela had actual scaly skin, reptilian eyes, fangs, and a forked tongue. In 2003 there was a ToyFare Magazine exclusive repaint of Teela in this scaly form and, in my mind at least, that solidified her as a unique iteration separate from the Eternian Goddess. That said, I still kind of groaned when this was announced as the next Origins female. With so many characters unrepresented in the line, a fourth Teela wasn't the most exciting option. But the figure actually has a new torso and boots, and uses the 200x head which we've only seen once. Combine that with the distinctive green coloring and she makes for a very unique variation.
Sunday, April 16, 2023
TMNT Cartoon - MONA LISA!
One of the main reasons I never fully bought into the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise was due to the lack of costumed (read:mutated) female characters. The main female (in my opinion) was Mona Lisa, a mutated human physicist (mutated into a salamander) who appeared in a single episode of season 4 ("Raphael Meets His Match"). The setting of the episode is a costume party where the Turtles think Mona Lisa is a human in costume. By the end of the episode they all reveal their true identities and a romantic tension with Raphael is formed. An action figure was made of her a few years later in 1993 (which incorrectly labels her as a lizard). This original toy was my first exposure to the character and I never saw her episode until recently. Different versions of Mona Lisa have appeared in the turtles franchise since those early days, but this figure is only her second piece of merchandise made. I'm excited to see what other TMNT ladies NECA might highlight in the future. Let's check out Mona Lisa below!
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