Welcome to the latest edition of Fantastic Plastic, the monthly madness here at Pop Heist where I count down my top five favorite action figure drops from the past month! I'm John DeQuadros, and with 25 years in the toy trenches — teaming up with everyone from Beast Kingdom to Boss Fight Studio — I've seen everything from sculpted showstoppers to shelf-warming snoozers. But, this space? It's all about the rock stars — the figures that deliver the wow, the whoa and sometimes the what took so long?!
After the industry sidestepped a scare (for now), May 2025 came in swinging with a barrage of killer collectibles from across the board — and trimming the list was no easy task. But, after plenty of posing, photographing, and a fair bit of fanboying, I've locked in my favorites. Whether you're a longtime collector or just now diving in, this list is your fast pass to the month's finest. So, let's tear into those cardbacks and check out May's must-have masterpieces!
5. DC Multiverse Collector Edition — Adam Strange
One of my favorite DC characters, Adam Strange, first rocketed onto the scene in 1958 courtesy of creators Julius Schwartz and Murphy Anderson. Now, McFarlane Toys brings him to life as part of the DC Multiverse Collector Edition line based on his look from Tom King's excellent Strange Adventures series. The figure features an updated costume and comes complete with a charmingly retro jetpack, '50s-style ray gun, and no less than three swappable face plates for plenty of display options. While a few odd design choices and missing paint applications kept him from ranking higher, this is still a really fantastic release for fans of the cosmic adventurer! I just wish the line was sticking around a little longer.
4. Star Wars: The Black Series — Shaak Ti
A fan-favorite character from the prequel era, Jedi Master Shaak Ti gets a standout release in Hasbro's Star Wars: Black Series. The figure impresses with a strong facial sculpt that perfectly captures her serene yet powerful presence, complemented by her trademark blue-bladed lightsaber. The addition of a soft goods robe adds both depth and flexibility, letting her look great on a shelf while also aiding articulation. Despite her intricate design and headpiece, she's surprisingly posable and pulls off dynamic stances with ease. A welcome addition to any Star Wars collection, Shaak Ti shines bright as one of the best Black Series figures to date! Fingers crossed her Force Unleashed outfit isn't too far behind.
3. Marvel Legends — ROM
Easily one of the year's standout figures, ROM is retro done right! This bodacious bot boasts a slick retro-futuristic design, chunky proportions, and sculpted details that scream classic cool. It's a loving tribute to the original Parker Brothers toy, and honestly, it looks like he leapt straight off the comic page! Hasbro went all-in here — loading him up with articulation that includes a very cool layered chest design for added poseability, and packing him alongside some signature tech. Add to that sharp paint apps and a presence that demands shelf space and it won't take long to see why ROM isn't just a great Marvel Legends figure, but one of the best we've seen in years!
2. Corporate Mascots — Kellogg's Frosted Flakes Tony The Tiger
He's grrreat — and now fully articulated! Jada's all-new Tony the Tiger figure looks like he jumped straight off of a cereal box and into your collection. At an unbeatable $29.99 USD, he's a steal for fans craving a dose of Saturday morning nostalgia. Packed with fun accessories like a bowl of Frosted Flakes, a spoon, and a basketball, you can recreate some of Tony's most memorable TV moments with ease. While his bold, cartoony proportions can cause the occasional topple, he's still an absolute treat and scratches an itch I never knew was there. Sweet, stylized, and chock full of charm, Tony is a must-have for collectors and cereal lovers alike.
1. Epic H.A.C.K.S. — Red Sonja
The sword-swinging standout this month is Epic H.A.C.K.S. Red Sonja from Boss Fight Studio! Loaded with interchangeable parts, swappable hands, a sword, axe, and three fierce head sculpts, this stunning figure brings the She-Devil with a Sword to life with a stunning level of accuracy. Red Sonja is a character who holds a special place in my heart — one of my first professional gigs in pop culture journalism was reviewing Gail Simone's legendary run at Dynamite Comics. Plus, having worked with previous Boss Fight lines like Bucky O'Hare and Vitruvian H.A.C.K.S., I can honestly say they've outdone themselves. This figure is pure fantasy-fueled fun.
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