A quiet period for action figures, with notable but limited releases from Thrilljoy, Marvel Legends, and Masters of the Universe.
This past stretch has been relatively quiet for the action figures scene, with a few noteworthy releases and updates across popular lines, but nothing earth-shattering. Here’s what you should know:
Thrilljoy Events and Releases
Thrilljoy, Brian Mariotti’s new venture after his tenure at Funko, continues to make waves with their event-specific exclusives and creative takes on pop culture figures. According to She’s Fantastic, Thrilljoy premiered an event-exclusive version of Wonder Woman, tapping into the ongoing popularity of DC’s iconic heroine. While Diana is heavily merchandised, this exclusive seems to cater to collectors seeking a more ‘classic’ aesthetic.
On the Masters of the Universe front, a ‘PIXL’ version of She-Ra was also released. The publication highlights the lack of intricate She-Ra figures in the past, making this miniaturized version a rare addition that could appeal to those looking to complete a broader collection of the iconic heroines.
For Batman fans, the classic TV series Batgirl made an appearance in their ‘PIXL’ line as well, as reported by She’s Fantastic. This smaller scale figure seems to address some collectors’ desire for more compact figures, despite a limited character selection.
Marvel Legends Updates
The Marvel Legends line from Hasbro continues to expand with unique variants. A noteworthy addition is a Spider-Woman variant, based on a non-canonical Peach Momoko variant cover, released as an exclusive, described by She’s Fantastic. Such releases cater to super-fans who enjoy the novelty of owning a figure styled after a rare and unique visual design.
Similarly, there is the release of a Jean Grey figure, representing her X-Factor era costume, a favorite among many collectors for its aesthetic and nostalgic value. As She’s Fantastic explains, choosing a favorite rendition of such a storied character can be challenging, but this figure adds to the rich tapestry of options for Jean Grey enthusiasts.
Masters of the Universe Playsets and Star Wars Figures
In the realm of playsets, Mattel’s Masters of the Universe Origins line sees the release of the “Fright Pit,” a modern take on a vintage favorite previously called the “Slime Pit.” Due to trademark issues, Mattel renamed the playset, but as reported by Action Figure Barbecue, it remains a nostalgic nod to fans of the original 1986 release.
Over in the Star Wars universe, Jedi Master Dooku joins Hasbro’s The Black Series Phase IV, a younger take on the character known more prominently as Count Dooku. Although not heavily covered, the review praises its design, tapping into fans’ appreciation for lesser-represented characters from the lore.
Overall, while these new entries are certainly interesting, the lack of blockbuster announcements or debut lines makes for a quieter period in the action figures landscape. Collectors can enjoy these niche additions while anticipating bigger news in the coming months.
