Wrapping Up 2025: David "Crazylegs" Thomas (Night Force) from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

   Since I'm wrapping up the figures from 2025 that I received over the past month or so, it's time to start looking at some more G.I. Joe: Classified Series figures. Today I'm very excited to be checking out one of the stretch goals from the HasLab Dragonfly (XH-1): David "Crazylegs" Thomas in his Night Force gear. While we're almost guaranteed to get a standard Crazylegs figure at some point soon wearing his classic red and grey outfit (likely just a repaint of this figure), I was really excited for this guy as I love Night Force (in the Classified Series it might be eclipsing Tiger Force for me) and Crazylegs is the only one of the four Dragonfly figures that I had as a kid. Well, I had the original, not the Night Force repaint. Still, I've always liked the figure. Back in the day you could even send crush a Crazylegs Valentine! Crazylegs hasn't had many figures over the years (just the two from the vintage line, a Pursuit of Cobra update in 2011, and a Night Force parachute drop convention figure in 2014). Maybe that's just because he's not the most popular guy or doesn't stand out that much, but it could also be because he was one of the Joes who was actually killed in the Marvel series. Crazylegs was killed by a Cobra Maggot alongside Breaker and Quick-Kick. Bummer. It's nice to know that all those guys are still alive in the Classified Series, though, as Crazylegs still has plenty of missions ahead of him. Let's check him out after the break...

Prepare for the Wolf Man: Crypt Club 4-Pack from Universal Monsters by NECA

 

   

   Today I'm very excited to check out the Crypt Club 4-Pack of Universal Monsters from NECA! I preordered this set from NECA's online store back in September with the hope of reviewing it during 31 Days of Toy Terror. The release date changed a couple times; initially the release date was October 2024, then 1st quarter 2025, then it ended up at my door a few days before Christmas. It was a surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one. I had hoped to get around to a few Nosferatu reviews in December, though I ended up with all Dracula reviews. Anyone seen Nosferatu yet? My wife and I went a couple days ago and I loved it. She wasn't all that into it but I thought it was incredible. If you're looking for an incredibly well-shot vampire movie that's bleak, oppressive, moody, and absolutely a well-acted gothic story with a vampire who is utterly irredeemable, this should be right up your alley. Now, for January, we've got Leigh Whannell's Wolf Man. It's a new Universal Studios take on the classic character and I'm cautiously optimistic even though I'm not expecting anything traditional. The original The Wolf Man (1941) is probably my top Universal Horror film, but I'm excited to see something different and new as well. Lon Chaney, Jr.'s Wolf Man (directed by George Waggner) will always be here and Benicio Del Toro's The Wolfman (2010, directed by Joe Johnston) is a pretty solid re-make film. I'm glad to have a story I don't know this time around.
   Now, about the Crypt Club 4-pack? These are a tribute to the Burger King Kid's Club toys from 1997. I don't have as much memory or nostalgia for those as some folks seem to, though I do think I had the Wolf Man. I've never been a huge fan of the BK Lounge, so we didn't eat there as much as some other places. Still, these are a fun tribute, if a rather off-beat one. NECA originally offered these last year and early this year as parts of four different crates through Loot Crate (which they purchased in 2019), but this set is more convenient, less expensive, and comes with a red coffin for Dracula. I'm sure some folks who purchased Loot Crates just for these figures might be a bit miffed, but they got their figures early and perhaps a bit cheaper, too. Ready to take a look at this set? Then join me after the break...

Wrapping Up 2025: The Forgotten King from Operation: Monster Force by Big Bad Workshop and Fresh Monkey Fiction

 

   

   For now, this review of The Forgotten King is going to be my last review from the first series of Operation: Monster Force figures, though it's my first review of 2025 as I'm beginning to wrap up my 2024 reviews. In the story of Big Bad Workshop and Fresh Monkey Fiction's ambitious new toyline, the Forgotten King is the main villain. An ancient Egyptian pharaoh with a penchant for sorcery, the Forgotten King's reign was marked by evil and wickedness and his name was erased from history. Unfortunately, grave robbers have recently stumbled upon his tomb, freeing him to continue his reign of terror in the modern world. When the soldiers sent against him are turned into an army of the undead loyal to him (with help from Dr. Caligari, it seems), the United States military calls upon Declan Van Helsing for help. And then, Declan Van Helsing has to turn to the imprisoned Count Dracula to stop what might be an even greater threat. I'm really loving this line, especially the blend of classic monsters with a modern military feel. It's right up my alley! The Forgotten King is a unique take on the classic mummy and brings something new to the line. Ready to check out the Forgotten King? Then join me after the break...

Tis the Season: The Ghost of Christmas Past from Figure Obscura by Four Horsemen Studios

 

   As of writing this review, I'm starting on Christmas Eve (I ended up finishing after Christmas). I took the pictures a few days ago but things have been busy with giftwrapping, church, helping my daughter clean and rearrange her bed and playroom in anticipation of getting a TV of her own for Christmas, cleaning for both my parents and my wife's parents, shopping for Angel Tree kids and such, and playing Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. My daughter and I have been reading through A Christmas Carol in the evenings before bedtime, though with school out bedtime has been getting pretty late. I'm really excited that the Four Horsemen are continuing with action figures from A Christmas Carol and while I kind of expected them to jump right to The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come or Ebenezer Scrooge himself, I like the commitment to form. Growing up I had the version of A Christmas Carol illustrated by Greg Hildebrandt yet to come, so while his take on the Ghost of Christmas Past was probably my first exposure to the character, it's not one of my favorites. The character is so mysterious and ethereal, constantly changing while also seeming to be multiple things at once (youthful and old, masculine and feminine, winter and summer imagery) that it's hard to capture. I really like the take on the character the Four Horsemen have done. Some folks seem to consider it plain but I think it's quite brilliant, taking some of the best elements of the book description. Last year we received the Ghost of Jacob Marley. Ready for a visit from the first spirit? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Declan Van Helsing from Operation: Monster Force by Big Bad Workshop and Fresh Monkey Fiction

   I've reviewed multiple versions of Count Dracula lately! Christopher Lee, Marvel, and the Operation: Monster Force Dracula. Plus, with Robert Eggers' Nosferatu just released; we're in need of a Van Helsing more than ever! I've had Declan Van Helsing from Operation: Force for well over a month now and I think he's one of the strongest figures in the first series. While Count Dracula was a cool figure, he was a bit light on accessories for being a $37 dollar figure. Most of the other figures in series one are loaded with accessories and Declan Van Helsing definitely delivers a modern military action figure with loads of gear for fighting vampires, zombies, mummies, werewolves, and anything else that comes his way. Declan is a descendent of Abraham Van Helsing and the man who is called to help fight against the Forgotten King, the main villain of the story. It's Declan's decision to, against the wishes of his family, release Dracula from Vault 13 to combat the Forgotten King. Declan's the main hero of the line and a great example of the really cool gear and weapons this line is capable of producing. Let's check out Declan Van Helsing after the break...

Tis the Season! Jacob Marley #39 from POP! Books: A Christmas Carol by Funko

 

   Advent is coming to a close and Christmas is almost here! Fittingly, it's time to take a look at a few action figures that are perfect for this time of year and today I'm starting with Jacob Marley from Funko's A Christmas Carol series. Last year Funko released characters from A Muppet Christmas Carol but this year they've gone with their own take on the timeless Christmas classic and have released these vinyls under their Funko POP! Books series. As a child my dad and I read A Christmas Carol every year from the version with illustrations by Greg Hildebrandt, so this is the first version of Jacob Marley I remember. While so many different actors, animators, and illustrators have put their own touch on the character, Funko's POP! vinyl really captures the most typical, recognizable take on the figure. I found the entire set of these back in early October at a GameStop while they were on sale and ended up scooping up the entire lot. Ready to receive a visit from Jacob Marley? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Jean Grey and Phoenix Force from Marvel Legends Series: Phoenix by Hasbro

 

   This year most of the Marvel Legends I've purchased have been X-Men related as that's been the focus of my Marvel Legends collecting for a few years now. I have grabbed a few figures here and there whom I really liked but didn't get around to reviewing (Ghost Rider, the S.H.I.E.L.D. 3-pack, the classic Ant-Man and Wasp set), but most of what I picked up was X-Men related. There were some very welcome, long overdue releases this year along (Patch, Destiny, Wolfsbane, X-Cutioner, Lilandra, and Goblin Queen) along with some well deserved redone characters (Sabretooth, Cable, Warbird, Ka-Zar, and Zabu) who hadn't been visited since the Toy Biz or early Hasbro eras. Today I'm looking at Jean Grey and the Phoenix Force, a new take on one of the most well-loved Marvel characters from one of the most well-known X-Men storylines. Interestingly, this take on Jean Grey, who is really the Phoenix Force having taken on the persona of Jean Grey while Jean Grey was safe in a cocoon of sorts underneath Jamaica Bay, is presented as something of a two-pack. The entire set is given the subset label "Phoenix" and the two included figures are listed as Jean Grey and Phoenix Force. I actually preordered this set when it went up immediately from Big Bad Toy Store for $34.99, which seemed right for a deluxe release. It turns out that was an error but BBTS honored that price. I do think I'd feel different about this set at $50 dollars than I do at $35 dollars. Jean Grey is one of my favorites, though, and I usually pick up any Legends of her that get released. How's this one? Let's find out after the break...