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 August 2026? Sound off in the comments below and let’s talk toys...
5. Marvel Rivals Champion Class — Jeff the Land Shark
Okay, full disclosure: I know nothing about Jeff the Land Shark. Okay, not nothing. I know he was created by Kelly Thompson and Daniele di Nicuolo, first appeared in a 2018 issue of West Coast Avengers, was once a minion of M.O.D.O.K. (or was it B.R.O.D.O.K.?), and was adopted by Gwenpool following an attack on Los Angeles. Beyond that, though, his history eludes me. Still, I know a cool figure when I see one, and Blokees’ all-new Champion Class model kit is downright fin-tastic! The detail is surprisingly strong, and I found the build to be both straightforward and satisfying—which is saying something, because I tend to lose patience rather quickly with stuff like this. Jeff was jawsome from start to finish and, at under $20, he’s also an incredibly affordable way to add something genuinely fun to your collection. Bottom line: with so few options floating around out there right now, this 71-piece pup is sure to quickly become your next best chum! Sorry, not sorry, for all the shark puns. You know I can’t be trusted!
4. Longbox Heroes — Prestige The Tick (Radioactive)
Once again, I’m breaking my own rule about showcasing exclusive figures in this column, but that’s only because BigBadWorkShop’s Radioactive Tick—which was an exclusive at San Diego Comic-Con back in July before finding its way up for sale at BigBadToyStore just a few weeks later—is a perfect example of how a figure of this caliber should be handled! Cast in translucent plastic, Ben Edlund’s Arachnid of Justice gets a gloriously green glow-up, complete with glow-in-the-dark facial features, swappable parts, and a drippy display base. Also included are a canister accessory and a container of slime, cranking the playability—not to mention those old-school ’90s Bandai vibes—up to 11. While he probably won’t be for everyone, as most good convention exclusives should be (fight me!), this toxic twist on The City’s Big Blue Bug is just too fun to ignore! Spoooon!
3. S.H.MonsterArts — Godzilla Jr. & Destoroyah Evolution Set
From Takao Okawara's Godzilla vs. Destoroyah comes this all-new battle-in-a-box featuring two of the film's signature kaiju. Created using a variety of references, including the original prototypes produced by Shinichi Wakasa, this titanic two-pack delivers remarkably faithful recreations of the suits seen in the 1995 finale. Building on those original designs, with sculpt work courtesy of Yuji Sakai, Hiroshi Sagae, and Taichi Yamada, the set offers fully articulated versions of Godzilla Jr. and three distinct forms of Destoroyah, presented in both “night” and “dust” color variations. I don't know about you guys, but there’s just something great about a good two-pack, and this latest one is a monstrous success! Heisei era fans especially won't want to pass this one up.
2. DC Multiverse — Batman Returns Batmissile
There have been lots of Batmobiles, but I'd wager few are as memorable as the Batmissile from 1992’s Batman Returns. McFarlane Toys has done a fantastic job capturing the contours of this unique ride, fusing sleek sculpt work with no less than eight free-rolling rubber tires to create something that's guaranteed to stand out on a shelf. No, it's not 100% accurate. The canopy feels far too large, and I feel like an included flame effect for the rear thruster would've gone a long way toward upping the overall aesthetic. But this is still a fantastic update and a must for any fan of Tim Burton's Batman movies!
1. Hot Wheels Brick Shop — Lamborghini Miura P400 SV
Taking the checkered flag this month is Mattel’s Brick Shop version of the Lamborghini Miura, a mind-blowing 1/12-scale buildable model of what is, in my humble opinion, the most beautiful automobile in the world! This detailed and authentic set, presented in pristine Miura Orange, features functional steering, working doors, free-rolling wheels, and an opening front cowl and trunk. Add in two sets of metal wheel covers, licensed decals, a metal signature plate, and an exclusive 1/64-scale diecast car, and it won’t take long to see why this 1,523-piece recreation, not for the faint of heart, is the very definition of bella esotica!
