Action Figure Review: Kyle Katarn from Star Wars: The Black Series Phase IV by Hasbro

 

   Without much new coming out from Disney over the past year or two, Hasbro has been having to go back to the OT, the ST, and the Legends canon/ Expanded Universe for inspiration. I'm A-OK with that as I've ended up with quite a few characters in the Black Series who I've wanted since the line started. Dash Rendar? We got him! Now I'm getting the chance to own another character who I've looked forward to in the Black Series for over a decade: Kyle Katarn! Kyle Katarn was originally the protagonist of the 1995 video game Star Wars: Dark Forces but quickly became an incredibly popular character in the Expanded Universe back in the days before it was relegated to "Legends" status. He starred in multiple video games, novels, and comic books and while Kyle hasn't made his return to the current official canon yet, he's still a prominent character for most of us who grew up during the height of the EU (Expanded Universe, not European Union). Star Wars: Dark Forces impressed me so much that it's one of the few PC games I've ever owned. I've always hated gaming on a PC but I wanted it so bad that I added it to my Christmas list when I was in 6th grade. From the beginning of that game, Kyle Katarn impressed me. I loved the idea of this guy who did the sneaky and off the books stuff for the Rebellion (a group who was already all about subterfuge and sabotage) and the game was incredibly fun and far more impressive than Doom on the SNES and Curse of the Catacombs, the only First Person Shooters I had played at that time. While this figure is based on Kyle's appearance in later projects, especially Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II, it's still a figure of the original man who stole the Death Star plans (I will admit, though, that Rogue One is the far better story, however, and one of the best Star Wars films of them all). Ready to check out Kyle Katarn? Then join me after the break...

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

 

   It should be no surprise to DC collectors that we're in the last year of McFarlane's time with the DC license. Well, at least with the main license for collector focused action figures; I think it's still likely that  we'll see some degree of DC merchandise from McFarlane Toys beyond 2026 through the DC Direct brand. The main DC Multiverse line should be going away so this year is really crucial to a lot of DC collectors as we're wanting to fill in particular gaps in our collections. While Mattel does have a collector line coming to stores next year, I think it's likely not going to be what most fans want: A modern take on DC Universe Classics with Marvel Legends styled articulation and character selection. Let's take the subject of today's review, Professor Pyg for example. How likely do you think it will be that Mattel would release a character like Professor Pyg? I'm not saying that Mattel would balk at the though since Professor Pyg is such a disturbing character but simply it doesn't seem likely that Mattel would be giving the DC Universe as much attention and depth as McFarlane has. Now, don't get me wrong, McFarlane started the line out as the Batman/ Superman/ Joker show, but over the past 5+ years the line has really gone deep and has built the most impressive roster of Batman heroes and villains that I can think of from any action figure line yet produced. The figures themselves have improved in some ways (character selection, sculpts) while remaining stagnant in other ways (articulation model, visible pins on joints). There has yet to have been a perfect DC line to date, but this one is a pretty solid one for folks wanting more modern takes on the characters (kudos to Mattel, still, for completing teams like the Metal Men, the Super Powers lineup, and a massive Kirbyverse roster). Professor is part of the most recent collector edition releases and there is a blood spattered Platinum variant available as well. I've seen him once or twice but passed as I just wanted this one for my display. Ready for one of Batman's most twisted and demented villains? With Batman's gallery of villains, that's saying something! Let's check out Lazlo Valentin, AKA Professor Pyg, after the break...

Figure Review: Dorry from One Piece Senzozekkei by Bandai Namco/ Banpresto

 

   

   Season 2 of the Netflix live action One Piece comes out this Tuesday so I've got another One Piece review for you: Dorry the Blue Ogre! The Straw Hats meet Brogy and Dorry not long after journeying on the Grand Line, so they're likely to appear pretty early in the new season of the show. After finding Brogy at Ross a couple weeks back, I ended up finding Dorry, too, so now I have the set. If you didn't read my review of Brogy from last week, you should know that like most other Banpresto products, this isn't a traditional action figure but rather a collectible figure. You know, something more like a miniature statue (or staction!) which you quickly and easily assemble out of the box. Bandai Namco/ Banpresto has multiple product ranges for One Piece figures of this type and Dorry is from the One Piece Senkozekkei line. What does Senzozekkei mean? It means "flashy, spectacular scene" and features characters in poses that are more animated and dynamic than the usual figures, often designed to pair with another figure so you can create a battle scene or a diorama. Dorry is one of the Giant Warrior Pirates residing on Little Garden and you can pair him up with his best friend and long term rival, Brogy. Brogy and Dorry are both really new figures that a lot of stores haven't even received in stock and Ross apparently has them already. Crazy! This is definitely evidence that some of Ross' stock isn't just due to clearance or overordering.  Ready to check out this small-scale version of the 74 foot tall giant? (Dorry is taller than Brogy.) Then laugh along with me ("gegyagyagyagya!") and join me after the break...

Figure Review: Pirate Hunter Zoro from One Piece FigLife! by Bandai Namco/ Banpresto

 

   Before joining the Straw Hats, Roronoa Zoro was know as Pirate Hunter Zoro. A fearsome bounty hunter an an expert swordsman, Zoro is also a noble and kindhearted man who goes out of his way to rescue a young girl from the vicious pet wolf of Helmeppo, the son of the dishonorable Marine captain, Axe-Hand Morgan. While the Marines plan to execute Zoro (or simply just allow him to die), they lie to him by telling him if he stays tied up to a pole for a month they'll let him go and he'll have earned their respect. It's while tied up that Zoro meets Monkey D. Luffy and is asked to join his pirate crew. Initially Zoro declines but after he learns that the Marines are planning to execute him, the Pirate Hunter changes his mind, is rescued by Luffy and Koby, and joins the crew, getting his revenge. Zoro tied up to a wooden pole is really our first introduction to the character and a pretty memorable image. I was pretty interested in this figure (non-articulated) when I saw him go up for preorder and I picked him up about a month or so ago from my local GameStop. It wasn't until I had him in hand and started taking pictures that I realized that something is missing: The crossbeam that Zoro's arms are tied to. Where is it? It turns out that this figure of Zoro is actually a pencil or pen holder. No, I'm serious! As I've mentioned in previous reviews of the statues from Bandai Namco and Banpresto, they have multiple product lines for these non-articulated figures and this one is called One Piece FigLife! What's that mean? These are figures/ mini-statues that also function as a desk accessory in some way. There are paper clip trays, smartphone stands, and pencil and pen holders. So that's why the crossbeam for Zoro is missing; you place your pencil or pen there! Interesting. Let's check this one out after the break and see how a One Piece office supply turns out...

Figure Review: Brogy from One Piece Senzozekkei by Bandai Namco/ Banpresto

 

   Are you ready for another tale of RossCon goodness, toy fans and collectors? Just a weekend or two ago I was at a Ross and found a few new One Piece figures. Not action figures, but collectible figures that are more like miniature statues (or stactions!) which you quickly assemble and put on your shelf. Bandai Namco/ Banpresto has multiple product ranges for this type of figure and today I'm checking out Brogy from the One Piece Senkozekkei line. What does Senzozekkei mean? It apparently means "flashy, spectacular scene" and features characters in much more animated and action-packed poses than the usual figures. They also are usually able to pair with another figure in the line, allowing you to create a battle scene or a diorama. Brogy, one of the Giant Warrior Pirates residing on Little Garden, can pair with his best friend and rival Dorry. Guess what? A couple days after finding Brogy I found Dorry, too. These are really new figures that a lot of stores haven't even received in stock and Ross has them. Crazy! Brogy and Dorry first appear in season 2 of the anime and it looks like they'll appear in season 2 of the live action show as well. Ready to check out this small-scale version of the almost 70 foot tall giant? Then laugh along with me ("gababababa gababababa") and join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Moss Man from Masters of the Universe Origins: Cartoon Collection (200X)

 

   I haven't picked up many Masters of the Universe Origins figures over the past year or two, but when Mattel puts out a new Moss Man? Well, I just have to jump on that. Moss Man is one of my favorites and the 200x / Mike Young Productions era didn't use him much but, when they did, they really made some great changes. Moss Man felt less like a sasquatch or bigfoot type of creature and more like a nature spirit, kind of like the Green Man. Moss Man didn't get an all new figure in Mattel's original 2002 line; instead, he was an exclusive that was, once again, a repainted Beast Man with green flocking. This guy is the first figure that really tries to capture his unqiue look from the MYP animated series. Moss Man only appeared in three episodes during the show's short run but he made an impression for sure. While the MOTU Origins releases based on the vintage line and other toy related concepts have been exclusive to Mattel Creations for at least the past year or so, the Cartoon Collection figures have been available at most retailers who stock MOTU stuff. I picked mine up at Needless Toys and Collectibles in Lincolnton, NC back in early January but he's available at plenty of other places, too. Ready for another look at the Heroic Spy & Master of Camouflage? Then join me after the break...

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

 

   Big Bad Workshop and Fresh Monkey Fiction's Operation: Monster Force line has made my Top Ten Toylines list for the past 2 years. With an incredibly cool and lovable minigun wielding sasquatch joining the Operation: Monster Force lineup this early in 2026, it sounds like BBW & FMF are already firing shots to get a place in my top ten list for 2026. Today I'm checking out Chatsworth, the newest member of the good guys in the Operation: Monster Force team. Chatsworth is listed as a release from part 2 of Operation: Monster Force Season 3: "Red Moon Requiem" but considering the Season 3: Part 1 figures haven't shipped yet, that doesn't mean much. I mean, even if you had no story context and didn't know that Chatsworth is one of the last members of the Venerable Tribe of the Mountain Folk from the Rocky Mountains, a kind-hearted sasquatch who loves 1980s television, having a good time, and doughnuts, and whose strength is tapped by the Monster Force team so he can serve as a heavy gunner, would you really care? Wouldn't a cryptid wielding a heavy weapon and a Rambo inspired headband be enough on it's own? Let's check out this mysterious legend from the wilderness after the break...