Welcome back to Fantastic Plastic — the recurring column here at Pop Heist that tasks me with counting down my top five favorite toy and figural releases from the past month. I’m John DeQuadros — writer, photographer, lifelong collector. With 25 years of experience working within the wonderfully wacky worlds of play and popular culture, I’d like to think I’ve gotten pretty good at spotting the standouts: the sculpts that swoon, the designs that delight, and the releases that make collectors everywhere beg their bank accounts to hold out just a little bit longer.
From postal strikes to even a polar vortex, November seemed hellbent on keeping us all on our toes — and the toy industry was no exception to the rule! From Starfleet stalwarts to pre-code critters dating all the way back to the 3D craze of the 1950s, this had to be one of the wildest months on record for sheer variety alone. And I had to narrow it down to five! A titanic task to be sure, but one that resulted in a pretty strong compilation of collectibles if I do say so myself. Thus, whether you identity as a freewheeling fan or lean a little closer to a hardcore hoarder, consider this your paywall-free peek at some seriously boss bric-a-brac! Clear some shelf space, this is a rundown you won’t want to miss...
5. Universal Monsters ReAction+ — Creature From The Black Lagoon
While not for everyone, I see Super7’s ReAction+ line as a nifty little nod to playthings past. This month, Brian Flynn and the folks at that San Francisco design house grabbed my attention with a gloriously green-and-yellow Gill-man boasting classic O-ring construction and loads of retro charm. Inspired by Milicent Patrick’s iconic movie monster, this 3.75 inch figure features 12 points of articulation (including disk joint shoulders) and is the perfect size to tangle with a company of ‘80s-era Cobra Vipers as they trek tirelessly across the living room rug. Small in size but big in bravado, this ancient amphibian is sure to make a splash in any display!
4. G.I. Joe Classified Series — Wet-Suit
Keeping things waterlogged, it was great to see Wet-Suit finally making a splash in the G.I. Joe Classified line this month! A fan-favorite character who made his animated debut in Season 2 of the classic cartoon, Hasbro’s daring diver takes to the depths with no less than eight character-inspired accessories and enough articulation to make even an octopus feel overawed. Whether grappling with a Great White, exploring the secrets of a sunken Sea Ray, or making a quick escape via speedy sea sled, Wet-Suit is another awesome addition to the G.I. Joe ranks that fans are sure to love. Fingers crossed Deep Six surfaces soon so we can finally complete the dynamic diving duo once and for all!
3. Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country — Captain Sulu
From the ocean depths to the final frontier, the next entry on this list comes courtesy of EXO-6 and their amazing line of sixth-scale Star Trek figures. Based on his appearance in 1991’s The Undiscovered Country, Captain Sulu comes to the bridge in a tailored “monster maroon” uniform and a highly detailed, hand-painted head sculpt that perfectly captures George Takei’s unmistakable likeness with stunning accuracy. Radiating a sense of realism that reflects the charisma and dynamic personality that have made Hikaru Sulu a fan-favorite for almost 60 years, EXO’s meticulously crafted captain is ready to seek out new life and new civilizations – right after a quick cup of tea. Beam him into your collection today!
2. Transformers Combot — Optimus Prime
As we continue our trek across the stars, let’s make a quick pit stop on Cybertron to check out the penultimate figure on this list. Hailing from Unix Square, this fully painted, super-poseable take on Optimus Prime officially kicks off the company’s new Combot line, which allows collectors to reform characters from robot to vehicle mode by disassembling and reconfiguring parts. Unorthodox though this may be, the figure also boasts an impressive array of additional features, including over 50 movable parts, diecast components for added heft, a selection of extra accessories, and even LEDs built into his eyes and Matrix. While he may not be a Transformer in the traditional sense, Unix Square has not only pulled off something that feels surprisingly unique in this new age of non-transforming robots, but has also succeeded in getting me good and hyped for their upcoming Starscream and Megatron releases as well!
1. DC Multiverse — Batman Classic TV Series Batmobile (McFarlane Toys)
Turbines To Speed! This month’s winner takes us back to the streets of Gotham for a look at the Toddfather’s take on a Barris-built beauty some 60 years in the making. From its iconic front fascia to its ravishing red pipping and flashy rear fins, this glossy cruiser takes the most recognizable gadget in the Bright Knight’s crime-fighting arsenal and shrinks it down to a far more manageable 1/12 scale. Add rolling wheels, rubbery tires, and just a touch of pre-big-budget branding, and it’s easy to see why this rad ride has driven to the top of this month’s column. Now, here’s hoping Robin will be in the passenger seat before the Bat-Signal shuts off on this line come 2026!
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