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 September 2026? Sound off in the comments below and let’s talk toys ...
5. Godzilla: King Of The Monsters — Behemoth
Of all the critters to come crawling out of the Monsterverse (save for Godzilla), Behemoth might just be my favorite. Whether it's the gnarly tusks, the distinctively downhill build, or the fact that I still can't tell whether he's supposed to be an elephant or a sloth, I can't say. But one thing I do know is that Hiya Toys has managed to turn this single-scene savant into one of the coolest collectibles of the year! Standing just over 6 inches tall and featuring sculpted fur, vine-entwined incisors, and a surprisingly strong range of articulation, this Brazilian beast brings a uniquely primeval presence to any shelf and is exactly the sort of import modern kaiju collectors can't afford to ignore! Not bad for a guy whose last walk-on was in 2019's Godzilla: King of the Monsters, don't you think?
4. Batman: Hush Champion Class — Batman
It's no secret that I'm pretty obsessed with Blokees, and now that they've brought Bob Kane's Caped Crusader into the mix (alongside an equally excellent Catwoman) courtesy of a new Champion Class model kit based on his appearance in Batman: Hush, my mania has quite literally reached a fever pitch! With a build that's intuitive, engaging, and surprisingly simple – not to mention successful in retaining my attention – Blokees delivers a quality rendition of the Dark Knight that puts many a more expensive option to shame, complete with swappable heads and hands (one of which even brandishes a kryptonite ring) and a whopping 43 points of articulation! There's also an included grapnel gun, rebreather, batarang, and a wired fabric cape – all for less than $28! Let's see the competition try to pull that off.
3. G.I. Joe Classified Series Legacy Collection: Action Joe — Avalanche Response Trooper
Decked out in bright red winter gear and brandishing a loadout that includes everything from snowshoes and skis to a flare gun and collapsible stretcher, the new G.I. Joe Legacy Collection Avalanche Response Trooper isn't just a fantastic reuse of the previously released Snow Job figure – it's a prime example of what makes this fan-favorite brand such a banger! Hasbro's stellar in-house line remains light on licensing fees, allowing them to pack far more frills into the box than what we see with Marvel Legends and the Star Wars Black Series, delivering some serious bang for your buck in a marketplace that seems increasingly devoid of value. But I digress. The fact remains that the new Avalanche Response Trooper is a terrific piece of plastic and the ideal recruit for any mission. Now you know and, as the old saying goes, knowing is half the battle!
2. Where’s Waldo — Waldo
Have you found Waldo yet? Blitzway has brought Martin Handford's beloved globetrotter back into the world of plastic this month, complete with a highly detailed head sculpt and newly developed body designed to capture all of his signature poses. There's also an impressive assortment of accessories plucked straight from the pages of his many puzzle books, including a backpack, satchel, coffee mug, snorkeling gear, camera bag, cane, hammer, kettle, and more! Add in a book-shaped diorama stand, postcard, sticker pack, and an acrylic memo plate, and you've got a fun 6 inch tribute to one of the most iconic characters in all of children's literature – one that's sure to not only conjure up fond memories for many, but also add a dash of drollery to any display!
1. Transformers — Missing Link Grimlock
Stomping into the top spot this month is Missing Link Grimlock, Takara Tomy’s ingenious update that takes the vintage Dinobot design from 1985 and injects it with a bite of modernization. Available in two distinct versions paying homage to both the original Transformers toy and his animated counterpart, Grimlock features a newly engineered body, diecast components, articulated joints, and transforms from a fierce mechanical T. rex to renegade robot commander. Each version also features a heat-activated emblem, retro accessories, and a tiny human pilot that can sit inside the cockpit in dino mode. For someone who lost his entire Transformers collection at the tender age of nine, this bad boy brings all the nostalgia I could ask for – without the heftiness of a secondary market price tag! Yeah, the included sticker sheet still gives me PTSD, but when all is said and done, this is one dino-mite release that proves, like a ’67 Mustang or 1970 GTO Judge, some designs don’t die – they just get better with age!
