Mindwipe Deluxe Class Figure (Titans Return)

Mindwipe is a Decepticon Headmaster who transforms into a robotic bat.

Titan Master Vorath can ride in the cockpit in Mindwipe's chest in bat mode. This figure has a fun and funky transformation scheme and is easily my favourite of the Decepticon Headmasters in this line. I don't have any strong connection to these particular characters but I have been intermittently watching the Japanese Headmasters anime though they don't really seem to have much in the way of personalities thus far. Still, a great update to a classic G1 toy and a super-80's-tastic robot that turns into a bat. What's not to love?

Jango Fett (Star Wars Black Series 6")

Jango Fett, the template for the Clone Army and "father" to Boba Fett. He actually did more on screen than his more famous and beloved offspring. Portrayed by New Zealand actor Temuera Morrison, Jango Fett was a bounty hunter in fearsome Mandalorian armour. This figure is most likely a direct repaint of a Boba Fett but I haven't the desire to bother confirming that just now. Articulation-wise Jango is pretty decent, he's got all the major points. His helmet is removable and doesn't look comically oversized so that's a plus. He also comes with his trusty jet-pack and his twin blasters that fit well both in his hands and in the holsters. I don't have a strong affinity for either of the Fetts but Jango was a bit of a peg warmer and he got lucky one day when pickings were slim. I don't regret the purchase and he adds some diversity to the Star Wars shelf.

Holiday Joker - B:TAS (DC Collectibles)

Hailing from the second produced episode of Batman: the Animated Series and the first to feature the Joker we have the Clown Prince of Crime in the relaxed festive garb he wore hosting "Christmas with the Joker"

This figure is the 37th released in the combined B:TAS/The New Batman Adventures line. I have been very strict with myself about only collecting the B:TAS figures and I nearly passed up this Joker but snagged him on an impulse just before I moved this past summer. It being the holiday season I thought it most appropriate to spotlight this figure now. I also finally realised that I should use a different coloured background for figures that are lighter coloured but didn't have anything really handy besides the backing card.

Darth Maul/Seventh Sister Inquisitor 3.75" 2-pack

Darth Maul (or rather his double bladed lightsaber) was the coolest part of "The Phantom Menace" despite barely speaking. The Clone Wars series did much to redeem aspects of the prequels and Darth Maul was one who was redeemed. He reappeared in season two of "Rebels" where he attempted to lure a naive Ezra Bridger toward the Dark Side and he also battled the Seventh Sister Inquisitor (voiced by Sarah Michelle Gellar opposite her husband Freddie Prinze Jr. as Kanan Jarrus). If I recall correctly the Grand Inquisitor was the only member of that order we saw in season 1 of "Rebels" and so it was fun to see some more Inquisitors in season 2. Their spinning double bladed lightsabers that somehow worked as helicopters were awesome and goofy at the same time.

Sentinel Prime Voyager Class Figure (Titans Return)

Orange is the new Prime.

Sentinel Prime is a larger Voyager-class figure and like all the voyagers from Titans Return he's also a triple changer and clearly the forerunner to an Astrotrain figure. But he's orange and I love orange so I was actually excited to get this dude. Sentinel Prime as a name has long been associated with Optimus Prime's predecessor as leader of the Autobots, often portrayed as being somewhat less than heroic. His incarnation in "Transformers: Animated" was voiced by Townsend Coleman and modelled to look a bit like the Tick which I loved. I have that figure around somewhere but I couldn't find it while making up this post.

Sentinel Prime's Titan Master partner is called Infinitus and looks appropriately "Prime-y." His blasters are cool and the seat for Infinitus actually looks alright and doesn't detract from the design as much as some of the others. The little pop-up neck things to make his head look more proportional are silly but kind of grow on you.

Hot Rod Deluxe Class Figure (Titans Return)

Hot Rod becomes leader of the Autobots in Transformers: the Movie and is Captain (and occasional co-Captain) of the Lost Light in the IDW Comics. This Hot Rod hews closer to his G1 appearance though sticks with a classic red paint job rather than the funky 80's magenta he sported in the movie.

Darth Vader/Ahsoka Tano 3.75" 2-pack

The epic second season of the excellent "Star Wars Rebels" cartoon ended with a mind-blowing finale wherein Ahsoka Tano finally confronts Darth Vader. And if you don't know why that would be intense then maybe the rest of this post isn't for you. I take no responsibility for any spoilers. The episodes I'm talking about did come out 2016 and the even bigger spoiler is from 1980 so that's on you.

Wolfwire Deluxe Class Figure (Titans Return)

One the main Decepticon Headmasters from the Japanese anime Weirdwolf is renamed Wolfwire for trademark reasons in the Titans Return toyline. The yellow and teal colour scheme with white highlights is so 80's-tastic. Plus the translucent pink in the wolf head. *Magnifique* This is a pretty solid figure for a character I know very little about but I'm glad he made the cut.