Welcome back to Fantastic Plastic, the collector-friendly column spotlighting some of the coolest collectibles from across the toy industry. Each month, professional toy photographer and noted pop culture journalist John DeQuadros – whose work has appeared everywhere from Toy Tales to ToyCollectr and even The Toy Book – introduces readers to his favorite new releases, spanning mega manufacturers and indie design houses alike. Did your favorite make the list? What was your standout release from January 2026? Sound off in the comments below and let’s talk toys...
5. Wild West C.OW.-Boys of Moo Mesa — Sheriff Terrorbull
Easily the surliest stack of sirloin lurking around Cow Town, Sheriff Terrorbull is a heaping hunk of plastic that perfectly captures one of the most memorable anthropomorphic antagonists to ever cast a shadow on Saturday mornings! Joining Marshal Moo Montana and Cowlamity Kate in The Nacelle Company’s all-new C.OW.-Boys of Moo Mesa line, Sheriff Terrorbull comes loaded with wild west wares, a solid range of pinless articulation, and one of the nicest looking alternate head sculpts I’ve seen in a really long time. Honestly, while this was a show I only vaguely remember growing up in the ‘90s, if this bad-tempered bovine is any indication of what we can expect MOOving forward, I may be in for the long haul – and that, my friends, is no bull!
4. Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991) — Godzilla
It seems like forever since this figure first went up for pre-order, but Hiya Toys’ latest Godzilla is finally here – and boy, was he ever worth the wait! Based on Goji’s appearance in Kazuki Ōmori’s time-travelling classic, this release marks the company’s first foray into the realm of classic King of the Monsters and features both a strong level of detail and range of motion. Hiya even went the extra mile and included a second head in the box after fans were disappointed by the initial solicited version. Add to that some strong paint applications and a price that just can’t be matched, and it’s easy to see why Hiya Toys is quickly becoming the go-to name in collectible kaiju!
3. DC Comics One:12 Collective — Nightwing
They say good things come to those who wait, and no where is that philosophy better represented than with Mezco Toyz’s long-gestating Nightwing figure. Part of the fan-favorite One:12 Collective line, Dick Grayson has never looked better, thanks to a nicely detailed faux leather suit and no fewer than four interchangeable head sculpts that do a really nice job of capturing the many moods of Bruce Wayne’s original ward. Of course, there’s also a generous spread of accessories and an impressive range of articulation that works equally well for display or play. It may have been a minute since Nightwing was first announced, but the final product speaks volumes while bringing a nice bit of expanded Bat-Family bravado to the fore!
2. S.H.Figuarts Star Wars — General Grievous (STAR WARS Revenge of the Sith)
While previous attempts at this iconic Star Wars super droid have left me wanting, Bandai’s latest take on General Grievous comes about as close to the real thing as you can get – sans the cough, of course. Drawing directly from Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, this release boasts dynamic articulation and superb screen-accurate detailing that perfectly captures the character down to the smallest detail. Grievous features his trademark four-arm configuration, a wired cloth cape complete with cleverly integrated interior pockets, and multiple lightsabers that are perfect for squaring off against Obi-Wan Kenobi Put simply, Bandai has raised the bar in a big way, correcting the mistakes of their competition to create a piece of plastic perfection that’s certain to make a fine addition to any collection!
1. Iconic Heroes Series — Captain Canuck
Richard Comely’s Canadian comic legend finally gets the fully realized action figure treatment courtesy of Executive Replicas. Outfitted with a bigger body, 34 points of buttery articulation, striking pearlescent paint, and his signature red-and-white tonfa sticks, this release delivers a commanding 1/12 scale take on a true homegrown hero. For me, Cap takes the top spot for more sentimental reasons, as the character has long held a special place in my heart. Having reviewed Captain Canuck comics for a number of Canadian outlets back in the day, I’ve been waiting for a figure like this for far longer than I care to admit. More than just another great collectible, Captain Canuck proudly embodies the spirit of the Great White North, making this an essential addition to any superhero shelf – especially north of the border!
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