#100: Transformers Platinum Series - Optimus Prime and Megatron

The main reason I got back into Transformers as an adult was the Classics line, which was updated versions of the old school G1 toys from when I was a kid. For whatever reason, I never got the Optimus and Megatron toys which were released at the time, although I did get the repainted Optimus as Ultra Magnus. Ten years or so later, fortunately both toys were re-released for the 30th anniversary of the animated movie as part of the platinum series. Since those are usually overpriced, it was doubly fortunate that they were apparently not selling well, and I was able to get the set for a reasonable price from Amazon. Overall, Optimus is a good robot, aside from the chunks of his cab mode that just kind of hang off his forearms. At least in this version, they're clear blue plastic, so maybe they are like energy shields. Oh yeah, the clear plastic. To set this re-release apart from the original. there is a dramatic increase in clear plastic being used. It's really weird, honestly. Similar to Optimus, Megatron is overall pretty cool aside from randomly having wings. At least they look cooler than the bits on Optimus's arms.

Optimus mostly looks good in truck mode, although the blue clear plastic pieces here are really jarring. I dig that there's a huge Autobot logo on his roof. Megatron turns into basically a Nerf gun. Although slightly undersized for my adult hands, it's still really fun as a toy gun. The trigger even clicks when you pull it, which is a nice touch.

#99: Star Wars The Black Series (Rebels) - Grand Admiral Thrawn

One of the good things about Disney getting rid of the old Expanded Universe is that it allows us to ignore all the bad parts, while a lot of the good stuff gets to crossover into the new canon. So of course Thrawn is back. While it remains to be seen if he will still be an important presence after Return of the Jedi, he is now prominent during the rebellion. Judging by the bio text on the back of the package, this is definitely based on Thrawn's appearances in Rebels. Which makes sense, since he's otherwise only appeared in one novel in the new canon so far. For as long as I had to wait for an update to Thrawn in the smaller scale, I'm glad that Hasbro got one out in the six inch scale so quickly.

#98: Pokemon - Mimikyu and Poke Ball

Like much of the rest of the internet, I've been a fan of Mimikyu since it was first revealed over a year ago. Since this toy was released, I've waffled between definitely wanting to buy it, to not wanting to spend 10 bucks for basically a minifigure, to finally just buying it anyway. It's just a little unarticulated Mimikyu, with a Poke ball that opens and can clip on to your belt. It seems way overpriced for what you're getting. It would feel like a better value if Mimikyu was released in a two pack with another Pokemon. Which is probably what will end up happening now that I've bought this version. But hey, now I have a little toy Mimikyu, and that's the important thing here.

#97: Star Wars The Black Series (The Last Jedi) - Luke Skywalker (Jedi Master)

Like his sister Leia, Luke Skywalker did not get a six inch figure based on The Force Awakens. Sure, he didn't show up until the very end of the movie, and he didn't have any lines. But come on. Ah, well, since The Last Jedi apparently picks up directly after the end of TFA, this is functionally a TFA version of Luke, so it works. Luke's only accessory is his hooded cape, which is soft goods. Unfortunately, there's no real good way to keep it in place. There are two very short strings that can be tied together to hold it on. I blame the costume designers for not making it a proper robe, which would stay on a little better in this scale. Because I'm sure costume designers are very concerned with action figure reproductions of their designs.

#96: Star Wars The Black Series (The Last Jedi) - Kylo Ren

Another Force Friday figure from The Last Jedi, here's Kylo Ren. He's wearing a similar costume to his appearance in The Force Awakens. For all I know, this is what was under the long robe and scarf, but now with a cape thrown on top. Now that he has a cool facial scar, it seems Kylo no longer feels the need to wear a helmet. Unfortunately, the scar on the figure is pretty hard to see. It's definitely sculpted in, but there's no paint to help it pop, son in this small scale it kind of gets lost. The cape is a plastic piece that is removable and just rest on the shoulders. Naturally, Kylo Ren's lightsaber is included in both activated and unactivated modes. The hilt plugs into his belt.

#95: Star Wars The Black Series (The Last Jedi) - Rey (Jedi Training)

So, this is basically the Rey figure we should have had from The Force Awakens. Sure, her hair and costume are different, but she actually comes with all the accessories that make sense for her. Aside from her trusty staff, she has her lightsaber (#reyisaskywalkerconfirmed) and the blaster Han gave her (#reyisasoloconfirmed) which has a holster on her belt. The costume she's wearing is very similar (Rey loves her armwraps), but with her legs fully covered and a more grey color scheme (#greyjediconfirmed). This figure is an improvement over the previous Rey in that her face is flesh colored plastic rather than being covered in paint. Oddly, she's more tan now. Sadly, Rey does not include a porg. She has three accessories already, so it's not a complaint. Word is that Hasbro will be releasing some sort of porg release in the six inch scale later on.

#94: Star Wars The Black Series (Rebels) - Hera Syndulla

In case you're wondering how far behind I still am, we have now reached my Force Friday haul. So, about three months. But here's another realistically styled character in the line who is from Rebels: Hera Syndulla! I'm always glad to get figures of more characters from Rebels, which is in the middle of its final season. As captain of the Ghost, she's one of the main protagonists from the show. Translated to a more realistic appearance, Hera makes for a nice looking figure. Her only accessory is a small holdout blaster, which has a holster on her boot.

#93: Marvel Legends - Man-Thing

I have on a few occasions in the past thought about picking up the older Marvel Legends Man-Thing figure, but never did. Since the only figure from this series that I was kind of on the fence about buying was Bullseye, Man-Thing was enough of an incentive to buy him as well. I don't really know much about the character, although I do remember he was randomly living in the "Danger Arboretum" at the Massachusetts Academy in Generation X. Mainly, I'm just interested in the cool design.

#92: Marvel Legends (Jessica Jones) - Jessica Jones

While half of the figures in this series are from Daredevil, one other Netflix Marvel show gets representation with Jessica Jones. Usually when a character is just wearing street clothes, the only way their figure is available is as part of a multipack, like Mary Jane, Bruce Banner, Coulson, etc. But Jessica Jones gets a solo release, so kudos to Hasbro for showing some faith. It's a very nice figure, with a great Krysten Ritter likeness. My only complaint is that she doesn't have a scarf. Word on the street is that the scarf from Jyn Erso can, with some modification, make for a good substitute.

#91: Marvel Legends (Daredevil) - Elektra

Although only briefly teased during the first season of Daredevil, Elektra was a major player in the second season (yeah, there was a lot going on in the second season). Although I'm glad there is an Elektra figure, this was released before the Defenders series, and I kind of wish they had waited to make that version of her, because she was wearing a more comics inspired costume. But this figure is a good representation of her onscreen appearance. Armed with, of course, a pair of sai, Elektra also has an alternate unmasked head.