Action Figure Review: Prince Xizor from Star Wars: The Black Series Phase IV by Hasbro

   What is Hasbro doing differently with the Black Series in 2025 than they did in 2024? They're releasing characters I have nostalgia for, baby. So far this year I've picked up the newest versions of the classic ANH Luke and Leia and now I've ended up with a third figure: Prince Xizor! That's more figures Black Series figures than I purchased in 2024 and 2023. Steve Perry's Shadows of the Empire came out in 1996 and just felt massive. As the marketing hype said, it was like a Star Wars movie release without a movie. I was really getting into Star Wars at that type and it was pretty exciting to have new characters who were getting action figures and other merchandise. I still have both of my Kenner Prince Xizor figures (one was sold by himself and another came in a 2-pack with Darth Vader); in fact, I think I have all of my Shadows of the Empire vintage figures. I've been hoping Hasbro would finally delve into this era of Star Wars as I really want Chewbacca as Snoova, Dash Rendar, Luke in his vest, Leia in the blue outfit, Leebo, and Guri. Prince Xizor's a great start, though. I believe the last time Hasbro made a Prince Xizor was in 2008 as part of a comic pack with Princess Leia. That's been a minute, as they say. Let's check out Prince Xizor after the break...

Action Figure Review: Power Girl (Power Girl: Reborn) from DC Multiverse by McFarlane Toys

 

   While Todd McFarlane is now known for his infamous interview a few years back where he talked about the difficulty of selling female figures at mainstream retail and how little boys just don't want female figures, he sure has been filling out the DC Multiverse roster with some incredible women as of late. Today I'm checking out Power Girl, one of the most powerful women (no pun intended) in the DC Universe. I mean, c'mon; she's cousins with Superman (though from Earth-2) and a fellow Kryptonian. You know she's an A-list talent. She's also the counterpart of Supergirl from Earth-2 (she's Kara Zor-L/ Kara Zor-El, Karen Starr, or Dr. Paige Stetler). Power Girl is part of the McFarlane Collector Edition series which is where McFarlane Toys has been putting more of the collector focused characters as of late. Ready for a great classic take on Power Girl? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Ghost Operator from Action Force by Valaverse

 

   It's been a little over a month since Valaverse did a drop with a few new figures but I'm finally getting around to checking out the second figure I picked up from the drop: The Ghost Operator. Like many lines these days (and some vintage toylines; heck, reuse has always been the name of the game), Action Force definitely relies on reuse, mixing together a number of base bodies and limbs with different gear and portraits to create new portraits. I think Action Force is a line that this concept works exceedingly well for since most of the figures are fairly standard soldiers using fairly standard military gear. It's kind of like playing dress up for adult collectors who dig military and tactical equipment! The Ghost Operator definitely is not a new figure by far but it's a new combination of equipment with a new camo pattern that's pretty appealing. According to the file card (and for those of you who follow the Action Force storyline), the Ghost Operators are special forces operators with the Republic Territory Guard who make daring incursions into New Colonia to gather intelligence and eliminate key targets. They're allies with the Action Force. Of course, it's also a fairly standard soldier in darker urban camo, so this guy can be whoever you want. In terms of the build, the Ghost Operator is the same as the Crimson Shadow Infantry, just with a different rifle and no grenade pouches. If you're experiencing some déjà vu while reading this review, that's why. Ready to check this guy out? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Cyclops (X-Factor) from Marvel Legends Series: X-Men by Hasbro

 

   I'm really glad that this year's X-Men build-a-figure series is all X-Men themed releases, unlike last year's Zabu series that was a hodgepodge with a few mutant and mutant adjacent figures and a few other characters I had to sell off (or am still trying to sell; anyone want a Black Winter?). Today I'm checking out the X-Factor version of Cyclops in his blue and yellow outfit. A few years ago Hasbro did release the blue and white X-Factor version of Cyclops in the Retro Collection (it was the same outfit the original Toy Biz Cyclops was wearing) but this one seems to be more in-line with the original X-Factor team. X-Factor Jean Grey is coming, so maybe this will be the next subset that Hasbro tries to fill out. Ready to check out the X-Factor version of Scott Summers? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Batman (Batman Begins) from DC Multiverse by McFarlane Toys

 

   As I was putting the finishing touches on this review today I learned of the passing of Val Kilmer, AKA Bruce Wayne/ Batman in Batman Forever. This one is in memory of Val, who donned the mantle of the Caped Crusader.   

 You might feel like you're experiencing déjà vu while reading this review, but don't be alarmed! I reviewed the Gold Label fear gas demon version of this figure late last month. This is the standard version, though, and, oddly enough, I found him after I found the Gold Label exclusive version. This is your basic Christian Bale Baman from 2005's Batman Begins and he is a very different figure from the previously released The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises version of the character. This was a great take on the batsuit and it's definitely a figure most Batman fans and collectors will want on their shelf. Let's just jump right it and take a look at this take on Batman after the break...

Action Figure Review: Fabian Cortez from Marvel Legends Series: X-Men by Hasbro

 

   

   I'm moving slowly through latest X-Men series of Marvel Legends figures and today I'm checking out a villain from the set: Fabian Cortez. Fabian Cortez has certainly had some more recent appearances in the comics as part of S.W.O.R.D. and during the Krakoa era of X-Men but most folks will remember him from when appeared in 1991's X-Men #1 or his appearance in the animated series. A mutant who can enhance the powers of other mutants (or hamper them),  Fabian Cortez (sometimes known as The Power) is a complicated character. He's also never had an action figure before, so he's another figure in this series that not just new to Legends but new to any Marvel line. This version of Fabian is based on his look as the founder of the Acolytes which he also sported in the animated series. Ready to check out Fabian Cortez? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Batman (Batman 1989) from DC Multiverse by McFarlane Toys

 

   If you haven't been paying attention lately, Mattel has won back the rights to the DC license beginning in the second half of 2026, leaving things up in the air for McFarlane Toys and Spinmasters. Personally I'm not optimistic about Mattel's upcoming DC product as I like McFarlane's DC Multiverse toyline and how it blends well with most of DC Direct and DC Collectibles' releases from the past. I still have favorites from Mattel's years with the line but I don't find that most of their figures have held up all that well. Their last few years with the line were pretty rough, too. I'm optimistic, though, that since DC/ Warner Bros. still has the DC Direct brand, that McFarlane could still continue to release a more limited range of product through there. Things like Page Punchers and the figures with the digital counterparts. Maybe even online exclusive types of things. That being said, it makes the news of McFarlane losing the main DC license when we get excellent figures released like the Michael Keaton version of Batman from Tim Burton's 1989 film take on the Caped Crusader. Back in 2023 McFarlane Toys did release two takes on Keaton as Batman from The Flash as well as a 1989 Batman and Batmobile 2-pack and a Keaton Bats with the 6-figure Batman: Ultimate Movie Collection. I skipped those two larger sets, though, holding out for a single release, and I'm glad that I did. This is an excellent figure with plenty of gadgets to really make for lots of fun display options. Ready to check out this very classic Batman? Then join me after the break...