It's pretty amazing that the first DCEU Wonder Woman we saw was so spot-on. Gal Gadot had a perfect blend of beauty, grit, and presence that set a high bar for all future live-action Dianas. Her four films, the Zack Snyder Cut, and two film Cameos (The Flash and Shazam) is a lot to live up to. I figure the new James Gunn casting will be leaked before too long and the comparisons will begin. But in the meantime, we are still getting slow trickle of Gal Gadot Wonder Woman product. This second wave of DC Defender Version (2.5" scale) Blokees features a DCEU Justice League assortment that thrilled me with the inclusion of both Mera and Wonder Woman. And if the DC lines are anything like the Transformers assortments, we are likely to see dozens of new characters over the next few years. I expect there to be themes like Batman '66, Teen Titans Go, or maybe Batman: Hush, but my fingers are crossed for some seriously obscure deep cuts. Let's check out Wonder Woman below!
UNITING ALL WOMEN OF PLASTIC
Showing posts with label Model Kit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Model Kit. Show all posts
Monday, August 10, 2026
DC Blokees - JUSTICE LEAGUE WONDER WOMAN!
Saturday, August 8, 2026
DC Blokees - JUSTICE LEAGUE MERA!
Although Mera's presence in the Justice League and Aquaman movies wasn't groundbreaking or even very memorable (I'm a big fan of the character and I can barely remember her role), that silver screen incarnation granted us eight action figures between 2017-2023 that fit in nicely with a comic-based display (thank goodness for a classic costume!). For comparison, the upcoming McFarlane Mera figure is only the third non-cinematic action figure of her we've ever seen (not counting the two Imaginext figures). So my little Mera shelf is dominated by representations of her fleeting three live-action appearances. This second wave of DC Defender Version (aka 2.5" scale) Blokees is based on the Justice League movie, but with a cartoon design aesthetic. The inclusion of Mera is what made me start obsessively collecting Blokees a few weeks ago. I had to make a detailed spreadsheet to sort out all the scales and characters. This could be a very slippery slope. Let's check out Mera below!
Thursday, August 6, 2026
DC Blokees - ARKHAM KNIGHT BATGIRL!
Blokees has been dominating both the collector and commercial toy markets in the last few years. They produce figures at a rapid pace, they have great character selection, they are inexpensive (these Blind Box model kits are $3), and they are fun to put together. Other cool thing is the wide variety of scales that exist within each license. These Defender scale figures are the smallest at around 2.5" tall. I think they are pretty fun and adorable. The Transformers Defender line is already up to Series 08 (in two short years), so I have hopes that same momentum will exist for DC and give us a flood of characters. My excitement for these is reminiscent of how I felt when I discovered Mini-Mates or Medicom Kubricks; A fun tiny scale, cool characters, and a lot of product. The Arkham Knight Batgirl design was never my favorite. I always felt that her cowl was too bulky and the gold gauntlets and boots contradicted the gritty aesthetic. But in this scale I find it much more palatable. Let's check out Batgirl below!
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
DC Blokees - ARKHAM KNIGHT CATWOMAN!
About ten years ago the Arkham Series of video games dominated the Gotham Girls merchandizing. For a brief period of time, I loved the new spin on my favorite characters. But I can admit it got old pretty quick. The darker, grittier designs were just too far of a stretch from the simplified comic designs that initially drew me to the characters. I would have been more excepting if almost every action figure of Catwoman between 2012 and 2018 wasn't in this style with a little tuft of hair on her forehead and unnecessary cleavage. But by the time her 2022 McFarlane figure was released, my criticism had abated a lot. So last week when I first learned that the third wave of the Blokees DC Defender blind box minis was Arkham themed, I was genuinely excited to hunt them down. And then within a couple days, my local toy shop got them in stock. Luckily the ladies are almost always the lightest figures in the assortment so they're relatively easy to pick. Let's check out Catwoman below!
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
MBreed Infinite Charm - AICYNUS PRIMERA!
As long as I've been collecting Transformers, I have wished for there to be a female Optimus Prime. We've seen toys of Megatron (Megaempress), and I have 3rd Party figure of female Starscream (Star Queen), Bumblebee (Little Bee), and Cliffjumper (Little Red). But amazingly the most iconic Transformer never got a gender-swapped version... until now. MBreed is a 3rd Party manufacturer that reproduces the popular Furai model kits from Flame Toys but with an R-rated twist. I personally find the add-on rubberized breasts and buttocks pretty off-putting, but thankfully the figures still come with the pieces for the traditional body construction. This figure also comes with a very Optimus-like masked face, lots of bonus accessories, and awesome light-up eyes. This review is only highlighting the basic PG-13-rated display, namely because I was too rough and snapped her shoulder peg ... and was then too hesitant to swap parts for fear of more breakage. Let's check out Aicynus Primera below!
Saturday, February 28, 2026
Transformers Blokees - ARCEE!
It's amazing how quickly Blokees have become one of the most popular collectibles out there. Every store I stop in has displays or counterboxes. The mom and pop stores seem to have the best selection, followed by FYE, and then Walmart and other big box stores are good for a counter box or two. They seem to be filling in the void left by the dwindling selection of Funko product. The selection of female characters is not very impressive overall, but every one I buy I like better than the last and the lines are so prolific that there will undoubtedly be more. At the very least I predict Arcee to be repainted as a green Paradron Medic in the near future. When I went into my local toy shop yesterday, I was excited to see the Series 9 counterbox. I had been keeping my eye out for this new wave for months. But to my dismay, there were only two boxes left. One weighed a lot, and one was light as a feather. I took a gamble and bought the light one.. and huzzah! Got her. Let's check out the Arcee Blokees below!
Friday, February 20, 2026
Transformers Furai Model Kit - WINDBLADE!
The recent announcement of the pre-assembled figure releases of the Flame Toys Arcee and Windblade made me realize that I never posted a review of the original 2022 (unassembled) Windblade model kit - despite having photographed the figure three years ago. I love a good kit. There's not many opportunities to combine my toy hobby and my puzzle obsession (outside of assembling Ikea shelves for my displays) so it is a super gratifying experience. Windblade has become such a popular character and has had at least 11 action figures in 12 years. She's pretty great, and you know she has reached A-List status when the import companies start making sexified versions. Only the most popular ladies get objectified in plastic (not saying it's right, just a consistency I've observed). These Flame Toys models are definitely within that arena, but I give them a pass since they still look mostly robotic and combat-ready. I'm very curious to see if any other characters will be made. Let's check out Windblade below!
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Transformers - ARCEE!
It's easy to get a little confused by all the Arcee figures that have been coming out over the past few years. Between the official licensed product and various 3rd Party manufacturers, there have been a plethora of little pink robots invading my toy room. I'm not complaining, I'm just amazed (and a little embarrassed that I can't keep them straight). This non-transforming Yolopark model kit is the newest addition and she's pretty great. I first heard of Yolopark this time last year when they released two Transformers One Elita-1 figures before Hasbro mentioned one. They were fun pre-painted snap-together inexpensive model kits. This Arcee from the AMK Mini line is a (predictably) smaller scale with very condensed packaging. Her pieces were already removed from the sprues and contained in a foil pouch within the small box. I'm desperately waiting for one of these lines to make more G1 ladies beyond Arcee and Elita-1, and I have a good feeling Yolopark will be the first. Let's check out Arcee below!
Friday, September 19, 2025
Transformers Furai Model Kit - ARCEE!
I've been hesitant when it comes to purchasing heavily stylized Transformers toys over the years. I specifically mean the super-detailed, almost cinematic, figures made for the Asian toy markets. Some of these are 3rd Party, and some are officially licensed by Hasbro. But while the male characters look strong, dynamic, and interesting, the predominant trait for the female characters is often sex appeal. The Arcee (Nicee) figure from Big Fire Bird (and all her retools/repaints) is a prime example. The figure features enormous organic-looking breasts on slim robotic body. I find it bizarre and off-putting personally. For a long time, I judged these Furai Model Kits in the same way. There is definitely some intended titillation in the underwear region (there is always a thong motif and a pronounced pubic mound), but at least they look largely robotic. The true reason I caved and picked up a couple of these, though, is that I love putting together action figure model kits. This one was very satisfying. Let's check out Arcee below!
Thursday, June 12, 2025
Transformers One - ELITA-1!
The Blokees obsession in the toy market today has seemingly come out of nowhere. Around this time last year I picked up my first Blokees figure (a Rise of the Beasts Arcee) that I was moderately happy with. My second purchase, however, was a Transformers One Elita-1 last year that I was obsessed with. But the current obsession has nothing two do with those two figures, but rather the smaller blindbox designs that have filled up every toy and comic shop overnight. This new Elita-1 is the first female to be included in the blindbox assortments so my firsthand knowledge is a little lacking. I believe there are two scale of blindbox figures. This Elita-1 is in the larger Galaxy Version, and then there is a super tiny and cute Defender Version scale which look like the old Playskool Robot Heroes, but super articulated and slightly SD. I hope they make a female character in that scale soon. The larger scales are not blindboxed and come in larger holographic packaging specific to the character you want.
Sunday, February 16, 2025
Transformers One - ELITA-1!
I love that action figure model kits are becoming so prevalent in recent years. Transformers One hit the theatres this past Fall and the majority of the products I've picked up so far have been model kits: two Yolopark kits from a few months ago, and now this Blokees kit. This is especially amusing since the main Studio Series Elita-1 from Hasbro isn't being released for another nine months. But these kits are an amazing way to pass the time until then. My first Blokees figure was Arcee from Rise of the Beasts. I had lukewarm feeling about her because of her odd proportions and construction. It seems like the majority of Transformers Blokees have been in a super-deformed style, so I assumed that would be a consistent design for the brand. But luckily this Elita-1 has perfect proportions and overall design. And with the cool light-up eyes feature and the $16 pricetag, I might even say this is the best value movie Elita-1 out there (if you can overlook the fact that she's non-transforming). Let's check her out below!
Monday, January 20, 2025
TF Upgrade Kit - ANTAGONESS!
When I opened and reviewed the Transformers Legacy Evolution Antagony figure twelve months ago, I had very mixed feelings. I loved that I finally had this character in plastic. I thought she was frightening - how she couldn't feel pain and was obsessed with inflicting it upon others. Plus I love insects, so she kind of filled the void of a missing female Insecticon. My issue, however, was with the figure itself. Antagony is destined to continually be a repaint of Inferno, who is unfortunately always extremely bulky and monstrous with no femininity at all. I personally love duality in a character, so the more aggressive and maniacal a character acts, the more beautiful and feminine I want her to look. In researching for that review, I had seen her IDW Comics redesign which had her looking more like Blackarachnia. I never expected to see a toy of that design but was pleasantly surprised to find this 3rd-party upgrade kit which lets you totally transform the original figure into a tall, sleek fembot. Let's check it out below!
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Transformers One - ELITA-1!
These Yolopark model kits are a really fun line to augment all the Hasbro and Takara Transformers product. I've noticed solicitations for a while featuring classic Transformers, Rise of the Beasts, and Evangelion, but the two Elita-1 figures for Transformers One were my first purchases. They were fun to assemble and display great. The two different modes in the One line come at different scales and pricepoints. Cog-Less Mode is 5.12" and runs $21.99 and the Cogged Mode is 6.89" and runs $36.99. Surprisingly, I had multiple issues with the larger, more expensive one (details below). But none of the issues were dealbreakers, just surprising quality issues. I eagerly look forward to the next female Transformer they might make (I'm assuming Arcee) and will gladly make the purchase. This review is for the larger 7" Cogged version - after Elita is rejoined with her Cog of Transformation and gets powered-up and is able to transform. (Note this model does not transform. Only robot mode). Let's check her out below!
Sunday, November 3, 2024
Transformers One - ELITA-1!
When the Transformers One product was revealed and started hitting shelves earlier this year, Elita-1 was depressingly absent from the character representation. As the primary female character in the movie, prominently featured in all the posters and trailers, this was baffling and disappointing. For a brief while, I thought the Burger King toy would be the best movie Elita figure. But things have turned around. When all is said and done, there should be seven new Elita-1 toys in this design, but the release schedule is very slow (The Hasbro Movie Masters figure currently has a release date of exactly one year from today, Nov 3rd 2025). But in the meantime, the first real articulated figures are two model kits from Yolopark featuring both versions of Elita, Cog-less (before she has the ability to transform), and Cogged (after her Cog of Transformation is reinstalled). Neither figure is transforming mind you. This review is for the smaller 5.12" Cog-less model kit. Let's check her out below!
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts - ARCEE!
It's a sad state of affairs that toys, for me, have become a purely aesthetic venture. I unfortunately no longer play with toys and my enjoyment comes solely from admiration, nostalgia, and the thrill of the hunt. However, the recent trend of action figure model kits is the remedy I needed. Sitting down for hours as you sort and assemble dozens of tiny pieces and slowly assemble an articulated action figure is the perfect kind of adult play for me. Plus, as a bonus, I have gained a whole new respect for the engineering that goes into modern toys. This Arcee from the Rise of the Beasts movie is the least expensive kit I've purchased (my fourth) at under $18, but it's impressive for having a battery-powered feature with light-up eyes and chest. She isn't my favorite Arcee figure proportionally; her head and chest seem slightly enlarged in relation to her limbs. But looking at other kits from this brand, it seems to be the style. But overall I think she's great and fun addition to my Arcee shelf. Let's check her out below!
Friday, August 26, 2022
Transformers Model Kit - ARCEE!
I need to buy more model kits. I had so much fun putting together this Arcee kit from the Transformers: Bumblebee movie that I immediately went online and started looking for more (ended up buying a handful of these kits from the Trumpeter line for holiday presents). I did a Bandai kit of Commander Palmer from Halo back in 2015 (bought at Toys r Us) and also enjoyed it, but having it be a character I'm truly obsessed with, like Arcee, made it all that much better. The kit was simple and needed no tools, paint, or glue. The sprues didn't leave any plastic nubs like the airplane models I made in my childhood. And some of the sprues had painted pieces, like the head(s). I sat in front of my TV and it took me the length of a movie to build her. This Arcee design is pretty great, she appeared in a just a few seconds during the opening sequence of the Bumblebee movie, but that brief glimpse made an impact. I love the blend of cinematic and classic aesthetics in her design. Let's check out the Arcee Trumpeter kit below!
Friday, January 16, 2015
Halo SprüKits - COMMANDER SARAH PALMER!
I never would have guessed an action figure could spark the reaction in me that this figure did. I bought this kit at Toys'r'us to appease myself after a fruitless day of searching for the X-Men Legends Wave (Storm in particular) back in December. I kind of forgot about the purchase until after the holidays when I dedicated an evening to clearing off the coffee table, popping in a movie, and hunkering down for a very nostalgic few hours. Just the muscle memories that were triggered from twisting all the little pieces off their sprues was euphoric. I spent many hours in my youth building model planes, submarines, and dinosaurs, and this figure just brought that all flooding back. For those unaware, Bandai's SprüKits line are snap-together model kits that build highly-articulated action figures. This figure had 113 pieces and it's only a level 2 (of 3). Aside from the nostalgic element, the fact that I've assembled all the little pieces of a double-hinged knee makes me respect the engineering of action figures so much more. I highly suggest picking one of these sets up. Let's check out Halo's Commander Sarah Palmer below!
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