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 April 2026? Sound off in the comments below and let’s talk toys.
5. Garfield — Garfield
Garfield has ruled comic strips, TV specials, and movies for decades, and now—thanks to Boss Fight Studio—he’s finally clawing his way into action figure form! It may have taken a while for the first assortment to arrive (I was hyping it for Toy Tales back in 2024), but the final product was definitely worth the wait. At just over 4 inches tall, he’s a little on the short side, but what he lacks in size he more than makes up for with a whopping 25 points of articulation and a handful of accessories that feel purr-fectly on-brand for this lasagna-loving legend. Simply put, this figure—and by extension, the rest of his wave-mates—is a blast: playful, preformative, and packed to the brim with personality. As someone who’s been waiting since the ’80s for a dedicated Garfield action figure of my very own, I can honestly say this dream release absolutely delivers!
4. S.H. Figuarts — Mario & Luigi
Wa-Hoo! Mario Mania once again gripped the world this month thanks to the release of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, so it seems only appropriate that Bandai would take the opportunity to bring this pair of Figuarts classics out of retirement at the same time! The paint and sculpting are still on point, the articulation is levels above similar domestic releases, and the accessories are full-on Mushroom Kingdom magic. Yeah, I know they’re far from the newest plumbers on the block, but I missed them both the first time around and, since I refused to jump down the Warp Pipe of the secondary market and fork over more than my fair share of gold coins just to add these mustachioed monarchs to my collection, I’m slapping them on this list because they’re just as cool now as they were over a decade ago!
3. Rocket Knight Adventures Signature Collection — Sparkster
Okay, Premium DNA drama aside, Sparkster came out of nowhere this month and instantly hit me with 16-bits worth of ‘90s nostalgia! While no bigger than most of the other figures listed here, this powered-up possum packs in 30 points of articulation and all of the in-game accessories you could possibly want. Sure, his knees are a little on the thin side—and that price tag hits harder than a horde of hammed-up Pig Walkers—but this is an action figure I never thought we’d see! It’s the kind of deep-cut release that feels tailor-made for fans, not to mention the perfect piece for someone who spent one too many rainy Saturdays booting up this Konami classic on a secondhand Genesis. Sure to make a great addition to any gaming room, Sparkster brings the ‘greatest gaming era’ roaring back to life in full-fledged 3D, when Sega—for a brief moment—ruled the world and dared to kick the Console Wars into overdrive!
2. Metroid: Other M — figma Samus Aran
She’s Baaa-ack! From Metroid: Other M, Samus Aran returns in Good Smile Company’s hotly anticipated figma re-release—poised and ready for another adventure. Retaining all of the same poseability that made the original such a standout, this release comes packed with awesome accessories, including the ever-iconic Morph Ball and even a couple Beam effects that bring her arsenal to life straight off the screen. The use of flexible plastic allows for accurate proportions without sacrificing articulation, striking that perfect balance between form and function. Whether you’re recreating in-game moments or setting up a dynamic display, this figure can do it all! It continues to showcase exactly why figma remains a fan-favorite, while still standing out as the ultimate rendition of Nintendo’s beloved bounty hunter.
1. Laurel & Hardy, 1/12 Scale figure set
Wandering Planet Toys // $89.99
Not only did I play plenty of Rocket Knight Adventures as a kid, I also watched a lot of Laurel & Hardy on VHS! Wandering Planet Toys’ delightful two-pack—a beautiful exclusive featuring film canister-inspired packaging available exclusively through Big Bad Toy Store—perfectly captures the legendary duo in full Technicolor brilliance and is a must for any collector looking to add a dash of silent era silliness to their shelf. Another perfect example of a final product that was well worth the wait, this terrific two-pack not only offers tons of comedic charisma, but is the sort of release that has me all kinds of excited for whatever Wandering Planet Toys decides to throw our way next! Abbott and Costello, The Three Stooges, Red Skelton—I think I just may be down for them all!
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