Batman and Son (DC Direct)

Batman and Son
DC Direct
2007

Batman and Son is a story arc from the monthly Batman title of the same name. It ran from issue 655, and ended in 658. The story is actually a sequel to the 1987 Grant Morrison story, Son of the Demon - A title considered to be one of the best Batman stories ever written.

When DC Direct went on a big kick of pumping out figure after figure, a small series based on the Batman and Son characters got folded into the mix. For fans, it was great to see a classic blue and gray Batman hit store shelves. It also didn't hurt getting a classic looking Joker.

 Batman*Robin and Damian

Prices these days hover around $20.00 to $25.00 per figure. Unfortunately this means that fans jumping on the series at this point in time are going to pay a fairly hefty premium to get them all.

Joker*Ninja Manbat

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Scarface, Taxi Driver and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (Funko / ReAction Figures)

Scarface
Funko / Reaction Figures
2015

We touched on the overall story of Scarface in our original post based on NECA's collection of Tony Montana figures. As such, we won't go into the movie.

The whole Funko Reaction line seems to have slowed down a bit here. As of 2016 there's not a whole lot of buzz surrounding the figures. In fact, most retail stores have already put their back stock on clearance in an attempt to get rid of them. Suffice to say, there doesn't seem to be that big of a demand for them. What a shame.

One of the final figures to hit shelves in 2015 was Tony Montana from Scarface. The figure features the character in his familiar suit from the infamous scene where Montana shouts, "Say hello to my little friend!" as he opens fire on the invading cops.

Much like retail stores, secondary market dealers seem to be taking a hit on these figures. They can be purchased for as little as $5.00 mint on card.

Taxi Driver
Funko / Reaction Figures
2015

"You talking to me?" It's one of the most famous quoted lines in cinema history - Right next to the likes of Han Solo's, "I know," and Ratso Rizzo's, "I'm walking here, I'm walking here!" The best thing about all these quotes - They were all impromptu lines the actors spurted out as the cameras were rolling.

Taxi Driver is cited by critics as one of the greatest films of all time. It portrays the character Travis Bickle, an honorably discharged marine dealing with insomnia. To help with this, he takes a job as a late night cab driver, and from there spirals down a road of rage and vigilante tendencies.

As of 2005 a sequel was hinted at by Scorsese and  De Niro. However, the only known script to exist for the film was turned down by both the director and actor as not being good enough to continue the character's story. Ouch - What an insult to the writer. Since then , the duo have announced interest in a remake of the film, but much like the sequel, these plans have not gone any further.

The Funko Reaction figure of Travis Bickle was also one of the last to hit shelves in 2015. It too isn't faring too well on secondary markets, and can be nabbed for as little as $2.00 mint on card.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Funko / Reaction Figures
2015

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre films have gone through several iterations at this point in time - Which is why it's interesting that Funko selected the very first film to base its Leatherhead figure on. Personally, we appreciate that. It's a respectable nod at the film that started it all, even if the actors didn't go on to do much more after that.

Leatherface is as iconic a horror figure as Michael Myers, Freddy Krueger, and Jason Voorhees. In fact, out of all of them, Leatherface has been doing it the longest having started in 1974. Michael Myers followed in 1978, while Freddy and Jason didn't begin their terrorizing until the 80's.

Out of all of the figures in this post, Leatherface also fairs the best on secondary markets ranging between $6.00 and $11.00. However, as is the case with all the prices noted here, these are simply benchmarks of current prices, and those are always subject to change. They could go up, they could go down. Only time will tell in that regard.

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Meteor Man (Olmec Toys)

Meteor Man
Olmec Toys
1993

It would take a super hero to clean up the inner city gang problems - Or at least that's what the message of the film Meteor Man was panned as sending. Written, directed and starring Robert Townsend, the 1993 superhero comedy seems to have mostly poor reviews surrounding it. Not necessarily for its misconstrued message, but more so because it's just not considered to be all that good in general. Roger Ebert may possibly have summed it up best, "The movie contains big laughs and moments of genuine feeling, but it seems to be put together out of assorted inspirations that were never assembled into one coherent story line."

Olmec Toys produced a one and done bendable figure based on the character. Much like the film itself, the figure didn't fare to well, and was soon tossed in clearance isle bins.

Aesthetics wise, it's not a bad figure. Olmec captured all the bumps and ridges in the Meteor Man suit fairly well - Perfect in fact. If we had to nitpick, then sure the cape is too long, and the head sculpt is certainly lacking in accuracy to the actor. Nitpicks aside though, again, it's not a bad figure. It's certainly a conversation piece to have in one's collection alongside the likes of Batman, Superman, and all those other well known iconic characters.

The average going price these days for a mint in the package figure is around ten bucks. However, there are a lot of sellers out there that seem to think that the asking price should be around $25.00 to $35.00. Those sellers naturally still own their Meteor Man figures.

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Peter Cottontail (Diamond Select)

Peter Cottontail
Diamond Select
2002

Rankin / Bass Productions was behind some of the most well known holiday specials which started airing in 1964. Their most famous being the stop motion animated short, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Though the company produced a fair amount of stop motion animated shorts (and films), they also dabbled in traditional animation as well as live action films.

These days you won't find any new Rankin / Bass Productions airing on television. The company closed its doors several years ago. However, that hasn't stopped the individual entities that have assumed the rights of their products from creating sequels, nor stifled them from hitting the air waves with seasonal reruns.

However, if you're looking for a more collectible, plastic, action figure based Ranskin / Bass Production, turn your attention to the 2002 Diamond Select Peter Cottontail line. The figures are based on the 1971 stop motion animated short, Here Comes Peter Cottontail starring Danny Kaye.

 Peter Cottontail*Donna

As is usually the case with this type of line, the series was rather small. It featured only four figures, and nothing else. It was aimed at a very specific target audience, and sadly said audience didn't seem to care much. Sales were bleak, and secondary markets these days are even worse. A full carded set can sell for as little as $40.00. However, this seems to not be a gauge of the actual value of the series as a full set of opened / complete figures can sell for the exact same amount. This is definitely a unique if not odd scenario.

Irontail*Sassafrass

It's not that the series was (or is) a bad one. It's just very confined to the type of person that would want it. First and foremost you have to find a Raskin / Bass fan - Which granted, there are probably a lot of them. However, you then have to have one that is also remotely interested in action figures - Or more specifically - Buying and collecting action figures. That's probably a very small demographic.

Though there aren't many toys based on Rankin / Bass shorts, there are still some to be found here and there. We've personally covered another of their series in our post on NECA's The Year Without A Santa Claus.

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Nickelodeon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Series 14 (Playmates Toys)

Playmates Toys starts off 2016 with a surprise for many fans of the Nickelodeon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles line. Five new figures that (as far as we know) were never announced.

Joining the collection are Dimension X sub-series figures; April O'Neil, Casey Jones and Robug. In addition, two all new special features Turtles; Spittin' Raphael and Spittin' Michelangelo. Two more figures are slated to be on the way (per the cardback) - Eye Poppin' Leo and Tongue Poppin' Mikey, respectively.

Spittin' Michelangelo

Spittin' Raphael

Dimension X April O'Neil

Dimension X Casey Jones

Dimension X Robug

In addition to the new figures, we've also seen the Fugitiod Ship with Space Captain Mikey. We'll update this post once we have a photo of it on hand.

***UPDATE***

Fugitoid Ship photo added.

Collectors that are seeking out the older released figures in the new 2015 style packaging should keep their eyes open for Snakeweed. He has finally been released on this new style card. His release was a long time coming for many fans that couldn't put their hands on the character.

The only remaining figures that need the updated packaging are all variations of the Turtles; all four Stealth Tech, all four Mutagen Ooze and Mikey the Elf. These figures are still fairly readily available on the original packaging though, and continue to be packed into current cases.

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Marvel Universe (Hasbro)

Marvel Universe
Hasbro
2009 - 2013

Many Marvel fans were disappointed when word spread that Toy Biz had lost its license to produce action figures based on some of the most iconic comic book characters in history. However, all was not lost. Hasbro had in fact picked up the license, and a full plan was in the works to revitalize the toy isle with a whole new series of comic book based action figures. The line, Marvel Universe - And, what a universe it panned out to be.

During its five year run, Hasbro churned out hundreds of action figures in wave after wave. Though they never produced everything (not that it was expected), they certainly covered enough ground to satisfy even the most picky of collectors.

Right out of the starting gate, Hasbro made sure fans were aware of their intentions to produce quality figures. Each figure contained a ton of articulation, a fantastic sculpt and paint job, and an individualized package geared towards each figure inside.

The first "series" of figures for the Marvel Universe line were released under the Fury Files banner. Nick Fury was featured on the back of each card, and packaged inside with the figure was a small envelope labeled "Top Secret". Inside the envelope was a Superhuman Registration Act card and official S.H.I.E.L.D. document for each character. 

Iron Man*Spider-Man*Silver Surfer

Punisher*Black Panther*Wolverine

Human Torch*Daredevil*Iron Man (Stealth Ops)

Bullseye*Human Torch*Captain America

Hulk*Grey Hulk*Green Goblin

Ronin*Iron Fist*Black Costume Spider-Man

The Thing*Punisher*Iron Man

Ms. Marvel*Ms. Marvel*Hand Ninja

Spider-Man (Dark Blue)*Human Torch (Dark Blue)*Union Jack

Moon Knight*Red Hulk (Gloss)*Red Hulk (Matte)

Blade*Hobgoblin*The Thing (Dark Blue)

Electro (Gloss)*Electro (Matte)*Guardian

Spider-Man (Upside Down)*Spider-Man*Iron Man

Sub Mariner*Iron Fist (Black Logo)*Spider-Man (House of M)

Wave six, released in November of 2009, brought with it the shift to H.A.M.M.E.R. Files. Though still officially known as the Fury Files, these particular waves of figures were based on the Dark Reign story arc where Norman Osborne has dissolved the S.H.I.E.L.D. organization, and replaced it with H.A.M.M.E.R. - His own organization. As such, he also replaces Nick Fury on the back of the cards.

Wolverine*Warpath*Gene Grey

Sunfire*Vision

Captain America and Klaw*Wolverine and Torch*Spidey and Thunderball

Hulk and Cyclops*Iron Man and Spider-Woman*Magneto and Black Suit Spider-Man

Iron Man and Goliath*Iron Man and Goliath (Red and Blue Variant)

Captain America II and Skrull Giant Man

Nick Fury

70 Years of Marvel Comics with Human Torch, Captain America, Red Skull and Namor

Captain America

Daredevil, Iron Man and Silver Surfer*Soldiers and Henchmen

Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends

Iron Man*Captain America*Luke Cage

Bucky*Black Widow*Thor

Wolverine (New Head Sculpt)*Colossus*Juggernaut

Archangel*Archangel (with Death Mask)*A.I.M. Soldier

Kitty Pryde*Havok*Havok (Classic)

Iron Patriot*Iron Patriot (Unmasked)*Wrecker

Iron Spider-Man*Iron Spider-Man (Translucent)*Winter Soldier (Short Hair)

Winter Soldier (Long Hair)*Mary Jane*Skrull Soldier

Captain Britain*Team X Wolverine*Multiple Man

Mystique*Ghost Rider*Constrictor

Dark Hawkeye*Yellowjacket*Iron Man 2020

Thanos*Captain Marvel*Doc Samson

The H.A.M.M.E.R. Files line ran through October of 2010, but then shifted back to S.H.I.E.L.D. as of December that same year. This time, it was S.H.I.E.L.D. as overseen by Captain America. This change brought with it Steve Rogers being depicted on the back of the cards. Unlike series one and two, this series did not include file cards for the characters inside.

World War Hulk*Modular Armor Iron Man*Spider-Man 2099

This wave brought with it a very frustrating aspect for collectors - Hasbro began packing specific new characters one per case, making them all the more difficult for buyers to find. This was made all the more frustrating as re-packed figures took up precious space in each case. Short packaged figures included; Captain Marvel, Doc Sampson, Spider-Woman, Cable, and Cyclops. Fortunately by July of 2011, Hasbro stopped short packaging new figures - For the time being - Making new releases a little easier to obtain.

Spider-Woman*Daredevil*Bullseye

Ronin*Ms. Marvel*Warpath

Vision (Translucent)

Mr. Fantastic and Ultron*Hawkeye and Piledriver*Thor and Enchantress

Storm and Nightcrawler*Doom and Absorbing Man*Thing and Bulldozer

Dark Spider-Man and Dark Wolverine*Cyclops and Dark Phoenix*Wolverine and Captain America

Spider-Man and Sentry*Thor and Iron Man

Galactus and Silver Surfer (Classic)

Galactus and Silver Surfer (Ultimate Alliance Variant)

Archangel (X-Force)*Galactus

WWII Ultimate Captain America

Age of Thunder Thor

Spider-Man The Movie

Iron Man Vs. Black Panther*Iron Man Vs. Punisher

Spider-Man Vs. Green Gobline*Wolverine Vs. Hand Ninja

Cable with Baby Hope*Cable (No Hope)*Wolverine

Apocalypse*Cyclops*Gladiator

Doctor Strange*Doctor Strange (Translucent)*Falcon

Scarlet Spider*Scarlet Spider (Upside Down)*Dr. Doom

Skaar*Skaar (Son of Hulk Stand)*Ultron

Darkhawk*Sub Mariner*X-23

Steve Rogers*Electro (Translucent)*Tony Stark, Iron Man (Unmasked)

Tony Stark, Iron Man (Iron Man Stand)*Iceman*Absorbing Man

Absorbing Man (Metal)*Astonishing Iron Man*Magneto

There was no theme for the series with the December 2011 shift. Now instead of having a circular logo, cover art specific to the character was showcased. Instead of featuring Steve Rogers on the back, a rotation of characters was utilized such as Deadpool (Wave 17), Rocket Racoon (Wave 18), M.O.D.O.K. (Wave 19), Sasquatch (Wave 20) and Dazzler (Wave 21). Each character had numerous text bubbles which were used for the various figures in each wave. Frustrating to fans was that the series did away with the action figure stands which were packaged in with all prior waves.

Thor, Ages of Thunder*Marvel's Patriot*Storm

Shadowland Daredevil*Psylocke*Iron Fist

Patch and Silver Samurai*Deadpool and Taskmanager*Wolverine and Sabretooth

Cyclops and Marvel Girl*Spidey and Captain Britain*Luke Cage and Iron Fist

Quicksilver and Wonder Man*Bullseye and Daredevil*Thanos and Adam Warlock

Mister Sinister and Gambit

Classic Avengers*X-Force

Fantastic Four*Fantastic Four (Future)

Fantastic Four (Translucent Invisible Woman)*Guardians of the Galaxy

Savage Frost Giant and Loki*Goliath and Ragnarok

Sentinel and Astonishing Wolverine

Sentinel and Astonishing Wolverine (Classic)

Victor Von Doom

Compound Hulk

Sentinel

Ultimate Gift Set

Captain America*Hulk*Iron Man

Thor

Giant Size X-Men

Giant Size X-Men (Deco Variant)

Spider-Man*Spider-Man (Dark Paint)*Kraven the Hunter

Hulk*Beast*Beast (Upside Down)

Beta Ray Bill*She-Hulk*Punisher

Unfortunately for fans, starting with wave 19 in 2012 (She-Hulk and beyond), Hasbro returned to short packing new figures. These short packs included; Kang, Scarlet Witch, Angel, Nova and Puck.

Spider-Man*Spider-Man (Bag Head)*Marvel's Kang

To date, Bag Head Spider-Man is one of the most sought after figures from the line. It was gobbled up by collectors from store shelves, and quickly became one of the most expensive to purchase on secondary markets. Though prices have tapered off drastically from its heydays, it's still going to set you back about fifty bucks to obtain these days.

Scarlet Witch*Marvel's Hercules*Marvel's Nighthawk

Marvel's Nova*Marvel's Puck*Angel

Professor X*Marvel's Jubele*Marvel's Blastaar

Marvel's Blastaar (Energy Hands)

Wolverine and She-Hulk*Captain America and Magneto*Doctor Doom and Spider-Man

Spider-Man and Rhino*Iron Man and Mandarin*Colossus and Juggernaut

Wolverine and Hulk*Falcon and Captain America*Doctor Strange and Silver Surfer

Heroic Age Heroes

Old Man Logan

Black Panther*Black Widow*Captain America

Extremis Iron Man

Captain America*Thor

Masters of Evil

SHIELD Super Helicarrier

X-Men Collector Pack

Victor Von Doom

Fans got worried for the life of the series in November of 2012 when no new figures were marketed. It wasn't until July of 2013 that new products finally started to hit store shelves. Figure stands were a thing of the past at this point, and as such the new waves continued to not have them.

The artwork to the side of the figure was also removed, replaced with a blank black rectangle. In addition, the photos of the promotional figures on the back didn't necessarily contain those of the newer figures being made available, but rather older figures from prior waves.

Rhino*Captain America*Marvel's Mysterio

Elektra*Marvel Knights (Cloak)*Marvel Knights (Dagger)

Two unique variants included in this particular series are Cloak and Dagger titled as Marvel Knights, and Abomination and A-Bomb titled as Marvel's Abomination.

Iron Man*Marvel's Abomination*Marvel's Abomination (A-Bomb)

Hulk*Hulk (Gray)*Baron Zemo

Marvel's Colossus*Warpath*Omega Red

It is rumored that much like Marvel's Abomination and Marvel's Knights as mentioned above, Alpha Flight was supposed to be a variant package situation that would have included Aurora and Northstar. Only Auror was produced, and Northstar was held for a future release under the current series - Marvel Infinite Series (more on that below)

Alpha Flight*Nightcrawler*Marvel's Black Knight

Inhumans*The Uncanny X-Men

The West Coast Avengers

El Guero Taqueria

Hasbro ended the Marvel Universe line in 2013, but immediately began production on the follow up series, Marvel Infinite Series which launched in March of 2014. Unlike the Universe line, Hasbro seems more reserved with the quantity of figures they are pumping out for the Infinite line.

Thank you all for stopping by for what will be our last regularly scheduled post. The Toy Box may continue in the future, but as of now there are no plans to post consecutively throughout 2016 and beyond. We hope you've enjoyed reading over the years as much as we have enjoyed posting. Best wishes to all of you.

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