Figure Friday: Preorders and Praise

There’s a bit more hope in the air this week. The roses that I thought were dormant for the season decided to bloom one last time. Mondo’s Boogeyman from The Real Ghostbusters shipped. The election results were better than expected, and we’ve got some cool toys to talk about.

The Raven Society by BigBadWorkshop

I recently picked up a few more Operation Monster Force figures, and I’ve been really happy with them. The quality is top-notch, and they scale well with a lot of lines that I collect. That’s why I’m excited to see the creators behind Operation Monster Force creating a new line of figures with BigBadWorkshop called The Raven Society.

Edgar Allan Poe action figure seated on a bench, holding an open book and quill, with stacked books nearby.

This new 1:12-scale collectible action figure line brings together an extraordinary cast of intriguing characters, mysterious figures, and sinister forces inspired by the timeless tales and eerie legends that have captivated imaginations for generations. Filled with mystery, intrigue, and unexpected discoveries, The Raven Society opens the door to a world where familiar stories take on new life and nothing is quite as it seems.

At the heart of it all lies a mysterious Library vast beyond comprehension; its endless shelves hold countless stories, forgotten secrets, and mysteries waiting to be uncovered. It is a place where the extraordinary becomes possible and where the boundaries between imagination and reality are not always what they appear to be.

Harry Houdini 1/12 scale action figure chained to two iron balls on a theater stage, with The Raven Society branding.

Blending gothic horror, literary adventure, and supernatural mystery, The Raven Society invites collectors to discover a richly imagined world filled with fascinating characters, strange occurrences, and secrets waiting to be revealed. With an expanding cast of characters and a larger mystery unfolding behind the scenes, each new addition offers another glimpse into a world where the unexpected is always just around the corner.

The first two figures in the line are Edgar Allan Poe and Harry Houdini. Who knew historical figures could be so toyetic? Add these to the shelf next to Wandering Planet’s Laurel and Hardy and they’d look right at home. My only complaint is how cool those chase accessories are. I suppose it incentivizes multiple purchases, but I don’t need to army build Harry Houdini. At least give me a chance to guarantee a chase for a couple extra bucks. I needs me a straight jacket!

Superman action figure in a black jacket revealing his iconic S emblem, posed in a graffiti-covered urban alley.

McFarlane Elite Edition Clark Kent

I have bought more McFarlane DC Multiverse figures since they announced they were losing the license than I did the entire run of the line. This Christopher Reeve Clark Kent is absolutely incredible and the first McFarlane figure I preordered. I’m not a fan of the $50 price tag, but I’m not about to miss out on this one. Guess I need to find myself a miniature phone booth to complete the collection.

Clark Kent reporter action figure in a trench coat displayed beside its Superman: The Movie Elite Edition packaging

McFarlane Toys is adding to its McFarlane Elite Edition line with the Clark Kent deluxe action figure based on Superman: The Movie! This figure comes with an alternate head, a couple of pairs of hands, and various accessories such as his trench coat, glasses, dress shirt, briefcase, and hat.

Superman Clark Kent action figure with interchangeable hands, glasses, clothing, briefcase, press badge, newspaper, and display stand

Jada’s Street Fighter The Final Challengers

I have been writing about Jada’s Street Fighter line since I first got my hands on Ryu, 3 years ago. Each release has been fantastic, and I’ve yet to have a bad experience with one of the figures.

When I began collecting the line, I loved the thought of having a clear beginning and end point. Jada’s done plenty of repaints and the Evil versions of Ken and Ryu, but I just wanted the main lineup of fighters.

This week, I finally completed my roster. I also added Akuma even though I had originally passed on him. (The sandals are what sold me.) Looking at this lineup is extremely satisfying. There’s not a bad figure in the bunch. Not an easy accomplishment for a company that had been making figures for less than five years when the line originally launched. Jada killed it. Thanks for making this line a reality. It was a pleasure to collect.

Collection of Street Fighter action figures arranged in a group against a black background
Photo by Josh Wallen

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