#42: Transformers Masterpiece - MP-29 Destron Laserwave

A while ago I was considering picking up the third party version of Shockwave because he is one of my favorite Decepticons, and no Masterpiece version of him had been announced. Then one was announced. I'm assuming that there will be a domestic Hasbro release at some point, but I decided to be impatient and just go for the Japanese release (I wonder how many Transformers geek points one earns from buying Japanese versions of the toys). Just like the original toy, Shockwave's alt-mode is a sci-fi ray gun. It's a pretty good size, just slightly small for my hands. If one wants to display him in this mode, there is a stand.

Shockwave's robot mode is very nice looking. They even did a good job of correcting the too skinny legs problem with the original toy. For accessories, he includes a few alternate hands, some of which are translucent due to the light up feature. As far as I can tell, his chest and the end of his left arm can light up. Batteries aren't included.  Also, there is a smaller version of himself in alt-mode. So that means you can have your Masterpiece Transformers dual wield Shockwave and Megatron. There are also Decepticon logo stickers which I haven't applied yet.

#41: S.H. Figuarts - Freddie Mercury

Freddie Mercury was one of the greatest rock vocalists of all time. If you disagree, you can just leave right now, because I don't need that kind of negativity on my blog. So when I saw there was a Figuarts Freddie Mercury coming out, you better believe that I pre-ordered one as soon as I could. Not surprisingly, this is based on Queen's appearance at Wembley Stadium. I think every figure based on Freddie Mercury uses this look. This is the typical Figuarts quality we're used to, although this is the first Figuarts toy I've bought that doesn't include a stand. There are the typical Figuarts alternate heads and hands, as well as a microphone (with and without stand). This is one the few figures I own that is based on a real person. Obviously, a lot of figures I own are based on people, but they're for the character they are playing, not the person themselves.

Here are the alternate shouting and singing faces for Freddie.

#40: DC Comics Designer Series (Greg Capullo) - Catwoman

Just to show you how far behind I am with this blog, this is a birthday gift. My birthday was over two months ago. This Catwoman is from the Designer Series, based on the artwork of Greg Capullo. The Snyder/Capullo run on Batman was overall pretty great. Greg Capullo's style looks very cool, and translates well to action figure. Since this is DC Collectibles, the scale is larger than Mattel toys, but at least it will fit in with my Capullo style Batman figure. Catwoman's sole accessory is her whip, which is made from a soft enough plastic that it can function as an actual tiny whip.

#39: DC Multiverse - Arrow

Sadly, Mattel's take on the Arrow TV series version of the Green Arrow is not from the most recent season, where Ollie has a cooler costume and is actually going as Green Arrow rather than the Arrow or the Hood, or whatever. Fortunately, it is at least from the time after Barry gave him a mask, so he's not the greasepaint look. It's a pretty standard Mattel figure, so it's okay all around. Something about the likeness is off, and instead of Stephen Amell, I can't help but see Alfie Allen as Theon from Game of Thrones. For accessories, naturally a bow and arrow are included. The bow itself doesn't have a string of any kind to it, but the arrow (green, of course)  plugs into Ollie's knuckles as if he's about to draw it back in preparation of shooting it. That's a neat touch. The hood is only attached to his head, so it doesn't hinder the neck articulation.

#38: Marvel Legends - Thor

My local Target isn't necessarily the most happening place for moving Marvel Legends figures, so you can usually find some figures from a few waves back (and for some reason 5 Hyperion figures). I'd always thought it would be cool to get this Thor figure, but never committed to actually doing so. Then there was a half off coupon for Marvel Legends figures in their coupon app, and that's all I needed. The most noticeable thing about this figure is how massive it is. There’s a nice heft to it, and it’s tall. There have definitely been build a figures that are smaller than Thor. Since it’s a modern look for Thor, the colors are more muted than a classic version. For accessories, the only one that counts is included. Mjolnir looks like it could use a good cleaning. All told, it’s a good figure, and I’m glad I got it, despite how long that took.

#37: Ghostbusters - Stay Puft Balloon Ghost

When I saw the Mr Stay Puft figure in the new toy line, I wasn't sure if it's because the big guy was appearing in the new movie, or if it was just a throwback for the toys. Turns out, it is in the movie, but in balloon form. Hence the balloon ghost name. It's a pretty nice looking representation of everybody's favorite marshmallow mascot. It's from the cheaper segment of the Ghostbusters toy line, so it has reduced articulation, as well as a light up feature. The head swivels, the shoulders and hips have swivel hinges, and the wrists are either swivels or very restricted ball joints. The light up feature is activated by pushing the knot in his scarf, which cause his torso and head to light up with a red light. Not the most exciting action feature, but it's not obtrusive either, so I'm okay with it. If nothing else, I'm glad I finally got a Mr Stay Puft action figure.

#36: WWE Hall of Fame - "Macho King" Randy Savage

I was never really into wrestling, but I've been kind of curious about Mattel's line of wrestling figures. Target had them on sale for half price, so I decided to pick up this Macho Man... wait, Macho King? I guess that was a phase of his career? I don't know. He has a crown and a scepter, so that goes well with the king thing. The Macho Man Randy Savage is probably one of the most iconic wrestlers from his time, and thanks to Slim Jim ads (and Spider-Man!), he managed to stay present in pop culture consciousness while managing to avoid any public screw-ups. So he was an easy choice of figure to go with. Also, I was partly inspired in wanting a Macho Man figure due to the blog "Macho Man Wins." Interestingly, these wrestling figures are in a slightly larger scale than Mattel's superhero figure lines. The articulation is better than Mattel's current superhero figures as well. If I were into wrestling, I'd probably end up buying a lot more of these. Macho Man's crown and sunglasses are removable, and the scepter is the only other accessory.

#35: Ghostbusters - Jillian Holtzmann

Since I'm so far behind on my blog updating, I actually bought this figure at least a month before the new Ghostbusters movie came out. Based on the trailers, I figured Holtzmann would be the character I liked best (I was right) so I just bought her figure. It looks pretty decent, and the articulation is pretty typical for Mattel figures, so no real surprises here. That weird mismatch on the legs at the thigh swivels is something I never noticed until looking at this picture. Upon closer examination, it is only very slightly noticeable to the naked eye under normal lighting conditions. The neutrino wand is connected to the proton pack by a cable, and can hang off its side. It looks like the entire pack is removable, but I'm not planning to try and take it off. This is a toy blog, not a movie review blog, but I will say that I really liked the new Ghostbusters. The whole cast was hilarious, but Kate McKinnon really steals the show as Holtzmann.

#34: DC Comics Multiverse - Knightmare Batman

I still haven't got around to buying a figure of Batman's regular costume, but here's his crazy fever dream/vision of the future/whatever costume, dubbed Knightmare Batman. This costume is just so ridiculous, I can't help but love it. Gone is Batman's traditional cape, replaced by a trench coat. And now he's wearing cargo pants. Why does he have wrappings around his wrists, on top of his normal gloves? Who knows! The future is crazy! Since the evil Superman post-apocalyptic Earth is a desert world, there is also a scarf around his neck, and he has removable goggles. There are also three batarangs. It's the usual style of articulation, although the elbows basically don't bend at all.

#33: DC Comics Multiverse - Reverse Flash

Of the various superhero shows on TV these days, The Flash is probably my favorite. It's a lot of fun, and not afraid to be comic book-y as hell. Fortunately, Mattel's Multiverse line means they are making figures of the TV shows, that probably wouldn't otherwise support individual lines. I don't have Barry yet, but I do have his first season nemesis, Reverse Flash. I'm not sure how much Reverse Flash is a straight repaint (the head, chest, and left hand are different). Articulation is pretty standard for Mattel. The waist swivels, but there's no ab crunch. There are no accessories, except the build a figure piece.