Trick or Treat Through 31 Days of Toy Terror: Mayor Manor from LEGO Icons: Midnight Valley Collection by LEGO Happy Halloween 2026! Ever since today's set was leaked this past summer, I knew it was going to be the October 31st review for Trick or Treat Through 31 Days of Toy Terror. While I don't collect LEGO as heavily as I do action figures, I do love them and pick up sets fairly often. Usually I prefer the modular buildings and such but I'm absolutely a sucker for the spooky stuff and today's review, Mayor Manor, is the beginning of a new annual series from LEGO that is essentially a Halloween village. LEGO has been releasing a winter/ Christmas village theme for quite a few years now and the Midnight Valley Collection is the spooky counterpart of that concept. This set was officially released on September 1st but a few retailers and independent toy stores got the set in early. I built mine over a couple evenings in September and I'm quite thrilled with how it turned out. Besides just being spooky, the concept of the Midnight Valley Collection also seems to be focused on builds with distorted and asymmetrical construction. Mayor Manor might just look like your classic rundown haunted house but it's actively being twisted apart by a tree growing up through the right side of the model. That's a pretty cool design decision and it makes the set far more interesting than it could have been. Mayor Manor isn't one of the modular buildings; it's simply a façade. It looks excellent, though, and should be easier to store on a shelf. Rather than a standard review of the Positives and the Negatives, with building brick sets I'm trying to capture a little bit of what the building experience is like, giving you a glimpse of the set as it's being constructed about every 10 steps or so. I hope you enjoy that as I may be doing more brick building reviews on the site as I've been attracted to not many LEGO sets but also to some of the other companies putting out brick built sets like Lumibricks and Pantasy. Ready to dive inside the spooky Mayor Manor on this Halloween night? Then join me after the break... The Facts: Set Name: 11383 Mayor Manor # of Pieces: 1,420 pieces plus manual Figures Included: Mayor, Maid, Butler, and Suit of Armor Non-Scalper Price: $120 dollars The Butler: * The first thing you do with this set is assemble the Butler. What does he do? Why he buttles, of course. The denizens of Mayor Manor, and I believe for Midnight Valley as a whole, are not intended to be monsters. Instead, they're just meant to be odd and somewhat strange. With glow in the dark faces, these strange citizens are perfectly suited for the perpetual midnight of Midnight Valley. The Butler looks somewhat austere and is dressed in a fancy tux while toting what might be a jade teapot on a silver tray. Classy! * Be careful with that priceless heirloom! The reverse print for the Butler's head has a very worried face, as if he's about to spill the refreshments. * The back of the torso does have some printing, just showing off some white seams on the tuxedo piece. * Mayor Manor doesn't use a baseplate. Instead, the building stands alone with smaller plates positioned around the outside edges. The first part we're building is the center of the house. Part of the story of Mayor Manor is that the key to the city has gone missing. Well, it turns out that a rat has absconded with it, taking it to his layer. He even has a cheese wedge piece with printing on it to make it look like an actual wedge of cheese. The set came with two keys and two wedges, so you do get a few extra pieces of those desirable parts. * While there are multiple colors at the base (which will mostly be hidden soon enough), here you can see the main colors of the set: The olive green for the grass outside Mayor Manor, grey for the house, and brown for the wood elements and the tree growing up into the house. * The set uses a lot of little parts to show the damaged and uneven surfaces. Take a look at the steps with uneven parts and a root growing up on the side. * Here's a closer look at the front steps and the base of the tree growing up into the house. There's also a little green flower piece which will be hidden. This set has lots of little flower buds in the building steps that are eventually hidden, perhaps reflecting how nature is running rampant inside of this structure. * The base floors inside are a tan color. The rat's nest gets covered up but the presence of jumper plates means that the floor panel is easily removable, even once the set is fully built. That's pretty cool; I just love knowing that the key to the city is hidden underneath there! * The first floor is going to feature a cute little oval rug made from shades of purple and blue. Also notice that little white splotch on the floor? That's going to be some dribbled wax for a candle built later... * The roaring fireplace is quite nicely designed with some ornate detail and multiple little clear orange pieces to simulate the look of flames. It's one of the best LEGO fireplaces I can recall. * Here's a shot of the exterior left with the chimney being built up. You can see the candle on the mantle (dripping on the floor) and an odd white flower piece in the chimney build which will be completely covered. * The front wall and more of the wall behind the hearth is starting to come together. There's also more detail on the crumbling steps. * The large double doors on the front of Mayor Manor are entirely brick build rather than using pre-fabricated door pieces, giving them a very elegant and crafted appearance. Those brown ingot pieces and the gold door knobs really make for a classy look. * From the inside you can see the right side of the door frame and the insides of the floor. To attach the right side of the house at such an odd angle, ball socket pieces are used here. The balljoints themselves will be attached to other half and will connect the house securely together at an odd angle. That's definitely an uncommon LEGO technique. * Here's the right door, built and ready to be attached. With the use of nearly everything being brick built rather than using larger, preformed pieces, the set definitely takes more steps and more parts than the LEGO sets I remember from childhood. The detail is excellent, though, really differentiating the architecture from other sets. * The stained glass window on the left uses blue and yellow transparent 1x1 plates which are attached into a larger window/ door piece with a grated insert. It's a cool look, giving a glimpse at some of the manor's original charm. The windows have ornate decoration around the edges, too. * The top of the first story is coming together now with the tops of the stained glass window and the doorway now in place. There's also the wall of the right exterior which will hold the sets signature giant tree in place. * The tree is built in stages, too, with a multitude of uneven parts giving it a gnarled and aged appearance. * Now the tree is attached with branches and roots curving all around. There are also a few grayish green leaves and such growing on the old tree, adding a touch of beauty to the scene. * As we begin to build the right side of the house, the side that has been warped by the growth of the large tree, we are starting from a few small plates again. We'll build a large chunk of this side and then attach it to the main house. * Inside the foundation of the right side of the manor is another little white flour and a printed round acorn tile. That title will be completely covered, but an extra acorn is included with the set. Is this perhaps the remains of the acorn that this giant tree grew up from so long ago? * The right side of the house came together pretty quickly. There's another stained glass window, some more flooring, and a portrait of the beloved manor cat looking not at all happy to be dressed in a ruff, a bow, and a small top hat. All of the images in this set are printed tiles rather than stickers, so that's a nice touch. You can also see the ball joints that will attach to the corresponding sockets on the main house. * Now the right side of the house is attached to the main structure and the exterior details for the first floor are largely completed, giving us a glimpse at how the house looks to be warped from the growth of the giant tree. The Mayor * The Mayor is the second figure in the set and she's definitely my favorite minifigure included. Her outfit is really ornate with an interesting print and a large fur collar. I'm glad to finally have a figure with a fur collar as I've only seen this piece in my collection when it's used as a birds nest. Her ornate staff has a very fancy jewel at the end and her hair looks braided and tied up, giving her just a bit of a Bride of Frankenstein vibe going on. * The Mayor's head glows in the dark and she has two faceprints: One smiling and one looking a bit more stern, perhaps being a bit irritated by something going on in the manor or in the town of Midnight Valley. * The Mayor also has a bit of backprinting, giving some more shape to her dress on the rear. * This luxurious chair is a neat little build that's its own little series of steps . There are quite a few pieces here in this small piece of furniture, though it does make it looks quite plush and cozy. * The chair can attach to the little rug in front of the fireplace, allowing the Mayor to sit down and relax from her duties of managing Midnight Valley. An extra leg pieces is included, allowing the Mayor to look as if she is sitting down. That's a clever solution to the problem of characters wearing dresses and robes not being able to sit! * While the packaging doesn't advertise this as a minifigure, the suit of armor in the downstairs of Mayor Manor is indeed a minifigure. It's fully articulated and has chest armor, a helmet with plume, and a halberd made from a classic spear. There's no faceprint on the head, though. * The downstairs is pretty situated now with two stained glass windows, a portrait of the cat, the suit of armor, a table with two chairs, the luxurious red chair, a small end table with a beverage, the rug, the fireplace, a portrait of the Mayor holding the now missing key to the city, and a dripping candle. I'm surprised the floor doesn't have more tile, leaving so many exposed studs, though perhaps that's bias on my part due to being more familiar with the modular sets. * Now we're starting to work on the second floor. The basic floor build is constructed separately before being attached. * Both the main floor and the floor on the damaged right side of the building are attached here, along with continued work on the chimney and the bases of the second floor window exteriors. * The left side gets more attention now. The second floor windows on the sides aren't as ornate as the first floor windows although they do have some nice exterior designs. Some various plants and weeds have also taken root in the yard, most significantly a gorgeous pumpkin. * Here's more of the second floor exterior windows, particularly that center window coming together. I thought this might be a balcony here but, no it's a large window made from a few smaller pieces. Currently, only the bottom two pieces are there, but that will soon change. * Flipping the set around so the inside is visible, we can now see the second floor coming to life. There's a writing desk with a candle, a quill and inkwell, a sketch of Mayor Manor itself, and a tile that shows off various weird designs (a piece reused from the Harry Potter spell books). The lovable orange cat is also here, complete with a fishbone. There's also an interesting effect under the desk: A cup tipped over with some sort of green liquid spilling out. Maybe the cat knocked the goblet over? * The bookshelf is quite nice. I love LEGO bookshelves and I think I could build them all day. Quite a few nice colors are included and a variety of pieces are included to give the books some variety. You can also see the two swords hanging on the interior sides of the second floor central window. * Here's a look from the left side, showing the completed window on that side and more of the chimney. Ingot pieces are used in different places to give the chimney a bit more visual character, keeping it from looking all the same. * This shot from the center shows more of the window, including one of my favorite features. Check out the columns to the right of the central window: One has been cracked and bowed in by the tree. The tree is still being built, sure, but we're still seeing the effects of it here. The Maid * Now we have the third features minifigure: The Maid! She's wearing a nice, rather charming maid's outfit complete with a skirt piece and a feather duster. I think the feather duster was originally some sort of sea anemone from one of the underwater themes but I've seen it used for various flowers and even space themes. This is a pretty neat reuse for it, too. * The Maid has back printing that shows off the ties on her apron. * Both of the Maid's facial expressions on her glow in the dark head are rather pleasant. The first shows her giving a little smile while this one looks more pleased, perhaps even blushing a bit. * Now the center window on the second floor is largely complete with a small, decorative railing and lots of stonework all along the sides. * The most damage from the tree is apparent on the right side of the second floor, so there's a lot of detail in building up the uneven second floor here. Lots of little pieces are used to show how the growth of the tree is causing this section of the house to split apart from the main body. Lots of little slopes and root pieces are jutting out everywhere, giving the room there an uneven base to settle down on. * From the inside you can see the break in the floor. There's also a nicely rendered grandfather clock with a printed face that is set to midnight (something I believe all sets in this collection will feature) and a fancy candelabra on a little cupboard or shelf. * The second floor right side window is a little separate build that you build, then attach. It's similar to the left side window, though there are a few little differences such as the use of ingots for the base of the masonry around the window. * The top right window attaches on, looking like it's just a good gust of wind away from blowing out into the yard of Mayor Manor. The slope pieces on the sides also give the structure a cracked look, even allowing you to peer inside. * The roof isn't just crooked but also damaged from years of weather and neglect. The roof panels feature missing shingles, tree limbs twisting through at odd angles, and unusual angles. * Here's the chimney completed. It's also uneven thanks to a simple hinge brick. * More of the roof is assembled here on the left and right sides, showing more of how the tree limbs have cracked through the top of the building, even flowering in places. The blue leaves on the tree really add a nice pop of color to the set while still retaining the gloomy, gothic atmosphere. * There were some empty spots for Technic pins on the front of the set; now you can see that those are for the attachment of larger limbs coming right out of the walls of Mayor Manor. * Here's a look from the front to show the tree head on as well as the Midnight Valley crest over the second floor main window. The roof base for the central turret is also being worked on here. * Here's the turret, completed. There are some simple decorations on the turret and a little bat hanging in the belfry. * Now there's a little gargoyle added and the rest of the tree limbs attached to the massive tree showing this thing basically devouring the manor. If you've ever been impressed by the beauty of LEGO's Botanicals theme but you're not that interested in just having plants around, this is a cool set to scratch that itch while also having a structure to build. Front View * Here's a look at the completed Mayor Manor set from the front. This is such a fun and unusual build and I really am excited to see how future sets accomplish buildings with asymmetrical, uneven builds. I also really like the way this set balances a gothic theme while not going overboard with overt crazy stuff. Left Side View: * Here's a long shot from the side that shows the uneven chimney from the base of the manor up to the roof. Right Side View: * The right side is fai https://www.actionfigurebarbecue.com/2026/10/trick-or-treat-through-31-days-of-toy_01930712160.html #mayormanor #midnightvalley #toyterror #valleycollection #lego #days #treat #set #trick #butler #rss #feeds #linksharing #qwibbit

Trick or Treat Through 31 Days of Toy Terror: Night-Creeper (D.I.R.E. Tech) from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro Last year Hasbro released Crystal Ball into the G.I. Joe: Classified Series and he ended up being my October 31st review for last year's 31 Days of Toy Terror. With his introduction, Hasbro introduced something of a new Cobra sub-team into G.I. Joe as an adversary for Night Force: Cobra troops augmented with D.I.R.E. tech, or Dread-Inducing Responsive Energy. The D.I.R.E. tech is a mystical energy that can be used to both induce fear in adversaries and to create tangible constructs and it's a rather cool new concept for the G.I. Joe universe. Today I'm looking at the third figure released in this unofficial sub-team, the Night-Creeper (D.I.R.E. Tech). Like all of the D.I.R.E. tech figures released thus far, he's exclusive to Walmart. This guy showed up earlier this summer in rather limited numbers before showing up in September in greater numbers as part of Walmart's fall reset (there's also a new troop, the Cobra D.I.R.E. Hawk who actually started showing up in stores before he was officially announced on October 1st, but as of this writing I haven't procured one yet. Ready to check out the Night-Creeper (D.I.R.E. Tech) figure? Does anyone else, upon picking up a Night-Creeper, find themselves singing "Night-Creeper, Night-Creeper" to the tune of the BeeGee's "Night Fever?" All this and more will be discussed after the break... The Facts: Height:6 1/8ths inches Articulation: Swivel/ hinge ankles, boot swivels, double hinged knees, swivel thighs, ball jointed drop down hips, ball jointed waist, balljointed mid-torso, butterfly pecs, swivel/hinge shoulders w/ ballsockets, bicep swivels, double hinged elbows, swivel/hinge wrists, ball jointed neck base, and a barbell jointed head. Accessories: Kalis sword, barbed sword, 2 swappable portraits, crossbow, arrow, and 2 daggers. Non-Scalper Price: $28 dollars The Positives: * The D.I.R.E. Tech Night-Creeper (who oddly has a hyphen, while no other Night Creepers have had one as to the best of my memory) is what we used to call a Franken-Joe. He's largely a repaint, sure, but he does have some parts borrowed from other figures. Instead of the standard Night Creeper arms, he now has the arms from the reptilian "Once a Man" Cobra Commander, giving him a more supernatural appearance. He's wearing all black, grey, and silver, making him look a bit stealthier than your average Night Creeper. It's a really cool color scheme on its own and the addition of the transparent green arms just makes him look even more unique. * The standard portrait is basic, but in a good way, adhering to the color scheme of the rest of the figure. The Night-Creeper looks like he's wearing a gray balaclava with dark blue goggles, feeling kind of like a variant of Commando Snake Eyes. He's also sporting an interesting helmet with a silver protective dome and a scarf or cowl around his head. It kind of reminds me of Keshikten helmet. * To really transform this guy into a fear-inducing warrior, a second portrait is included. This is a very Cthulhu-like visage with long horns and a tentacle covered mouth. Glowing red eyes, transparent skin, and skull-like features really make this a creepy sculpt. Oddly, this is the same exact portrait that was included with Crystal Ball and it felt like something unique to him. I guess it's kind of a standard option for the D.I.R.E. tech crew, though one of the heads from the Ghost Viper might have been a better choice. Still, if you don't have Crystal Ball or don't care about him being terribly unique, this is a wonderful portrait. * Here's a closer look at the Night-Creeper's translucent arms with scales and the interesting arcane symbol on his shoulder-pads. * This is a G.I. Joe: Classified Series figure, so you know the articulation is excellent. This guy has plenty of bladed weapons to play around with and he can take a ton of ninja styled poses. He also can hold his crossbow with both hands, something that just strikes me as incredibly cool. Whether you have him as a sneaky, stealthy operative or a monstrous being wildly flailing around his blades made of necrotic energy, he's a fun figure. * The Night Crawler's curvy Kalis, a Philippine double-edged sword with a curvy blade, has been remolded with a gray handle and a translucent D.I.R.E. tech infused blade. Does it cover the blade or is the blade made of tangible energy? * The Night Creeper's second sword is a pretty nasty weapon and it's also glowing green. It's a long, straight blade with barbs down the side. It kind of reminds me of a something I found, a Kiribati blade called a rere made with shark teeth and other barbs from sea life, but this was probably made up by Hasbro designer back in the day. Do you think the blade hums when the Night Creeper swings it or does he have to provide the sound effects himself? * The excellent crossbow is included here, now in grey. The vintage Night Creeper's crossbow is a gem from the vintage line and this one is pretty nice, too. It's a larger crossbow than most we've seen and it doesn't fall apart as it's all one piece. There are spare arrows stored below it, too, so the Night Creeper can more quickly make multiple shots. The loaded arrow that's currently ready to fire is a separate piece. * Here's a shot of the crossbow from the bottom so you can see the cool foregrip on it. I've also removed the little arrow; don't lose it! * The backpack has two sets of arms to hold both blades and a rack of spare arrows. The loose arrow can pop right on. It's a bit askew, sure, but it's cool that it's an option. * The crossbow can also pop on to the backpack. There are two pegs that attach to it, keeping it on rather securely. * These two small, hooked blades are super nasty and look like something that the Night Creeper could really do some damage with up close. They also have glowing green D.I.R.E. tech infused blades. * Both can be stored in the sheathes on the back of the Night Creeper's belt, keeping them close at hand. I really like this guy. Maybe not as much as the first release, but then again, translucent green blades go a long way towards adding to the coolness factor. While he doesn't have the extra hands of the original release, the extra D.I.R.E. tech Cthulhu portrait is certainly more detailed than the original alternate Night Creeper head. The green reptilian arms are another nice addition that makes this guy more than just a repaint. Honestly, I still think he's a pretty Epic figure. He's fun, has a few display options, is loaded with weapons, and he can carry all of them. That's a heck of a toy if you ask me. If you're a fan, also check out the standard Classified Series Night Creeper. For more G.I. Joe: Classified Series reviews check out the following: Action Sailor (Recon Diver) Action Soldier (Infantry) Action Soldier (Special Forces) Agent Helix Albert "Alpine" Pine Alley Viper Alvin "Breaker" Kibbey Alvin "Breaker" Kibbey with RAM Cycle Arctic B.A.T. Arctic Mission Storm Shadow Baroness with Cobra C.O.I.L. Baroness (Rattler Pilot) Baroness (Retro) Baroness (Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins) B.A.T. B.A.T. (Python Patrol) Beach Head & Quick Kick (Night Force) Big Boa Blowtorch Blue Ninjas Bradley "Big Lob" Sanders Brent "Hit & Run" Scott Buzzer Carl "Doc" Greer Chip "Raptor" Talon & General Ledger Christopher "Law" Lavigne & Order Chuckles Clutch with VAMP (Multi-Purpose Attack Vehicle) Cobra Commander Cobra Commander (Once a Man) Cobra Commander (Regal Variant) Cobra Commander with Combat Armor Cobra Desert Scorpion & SKRP10N-25 Cobra Eel Cobra Infantry Cobra-La Pythona Cobra-La Royal Guard Cobra Ninjas Slice & Dice Cobra Officer Cobra Rattler Gunner Cobra Trooper (Special Missions: Cobra Island) Cobra Valkyries Cobra Viper Cobra Viper Officer & Vipers Cobra Viper (Python Patrol) Cobra Viper (Retro) Copperhead Courtney "Cover Girl" Krieger Courtney "Cover Girl" Krieger (Retro) Craig "Rock 'N Roll" McConnel Crimson Guard Crimson Guard [Female] (Retro) Crimson Strike Team Crimson Viper Croc Master & Fiona Darklon David "Big Ben" Bennett (Night Force) David "Crazylegs" Thomas (Night Force) David "Crazylegs" Thomas (Retro) David L. "Bazooka" Katzenbogen David L. "Bazooka" Katzenbogen (Tiger Force) Desert Commando Snake Eyes Destro Destro & Iron Grenadier Despoiler Dial-Tone Dreadnok Monkeywrench Deadnok Ripper Dreadnok Road Pig & Rawkus Dreadnok Torch Dr. Mindbender Duke Duke & RAM Duke (Retro) Dusty Dusty (Tiger Force) Edward "Torpedo" Leialoha Edwin "Lifeline" Steen Firefighter (Search & Rescue) Firefly Firefly (Cobra Island) Flint Flint (Retro) Flint (Tiger Force) Footloose Frag-Viper Franklin "Airborne" Talltree Gabriel "Barbecue" Kelly Gabriel "Barbecue" Kelly (Mad Marauders) General Clayton "Hawk" Abernathy Ghost Viper & D.I.R.E. (Dread-Inducing Responsive Energy) Beasts Gnawgahyde, Porkbelly, and Yobbo Gung-Ho Gung-Ho (Retro) Heavy Artillery Roadblock Heavy Duty Iron Grenadier Jane "Glenda" Mullighan Jason "Shockwave" Faria Jodie "Shooter" Craig Kamakura Kim "Jinx" Arashikage Kyle "Budo" Jesso Lady Jaye Lady Jaye (Retro) Leatherneck Low-Light Major Bludd Master of Disguise Zartan Metal-Head Mole Rat Mole Rat [Stage 2] Mutt & Junkyard Nemesis Immortal Night Creeper Night-Viper Parth "Wolf Spider" Varma Professor Rottclaw & Cobra Deinonychus Profit Director Destro Python Crimson Guard Python Patrol Officer Quick Kick Rafael "Zap" Melendez (Retro) Ralph "Steeler" Pulaski and Short-Fuze Ramp Rats Range Viper Recondo (Tiger Force) Red Ninja Richard "Crystal Ball" King Rip Cord (Night Force) Roadblock Roadblock (Special Missions: Cobra Island) Robert "Grunt" Graves S.A.W.-Viper (Semi-Automatic Weapon) Scarlett Scarlett (Retro) Scrap-Iron & Anti-Armor Drone Serpentor & Air Chariot Seymour "Sci-Fi" Fine Sgt. Slaughter Sgt. Slaughter & Felix "Mercer" Stratton Sgt. Slaughter (Mad Marauders) Sgt. Stalker Shadow Tracker Shipwreck Snake Eyes Snake Eyes Deluxe Snake Eyes (Retro) Snake Eyes (Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins) Snake Eyes (v4) Snake Eyes & Timber: Alpha Commandos Snow Job Snow Serpent Spirit Iron-Knife Steel Corps Troopers Storm Shadow Storm Shadow (v2/ G.I. Joe) Stuart "Outback" Selkirk Stuart "Outback" Selkirk (Tiger Force) Techno-Viper Tele-Viper & Cobra Flight Pod (Trubble Bubble) Tomax Paoli Tripwire, Aspara, & M.A.C.L.E.O.D. Tunnel Rat Tunnel Rat (Night Force) Vincent R. "Falcon" Falcone Vincent R. "Falcon" Falcone & Quarrel (Night Force) Vypra Wayne "Beach Head" Sneeden Wild Weasel William "Wild Bill" Hardy Xamot Paoli Zandar Zanya & Dreadnok Chameleon (Swamp Skier) Zarana Zartan Zartan (Ninja Force) Zartan (Retro) https://www.actionfigurebarbecue.com/2026/10/trick-or-treat-through-31-days-of-toy_01414318297.html #toyterror #classifiedseries #tech #hasbro #days #night #cobra #joe #ball #swivel #rss #feeds #linksharing #qwibbit

Action Figure Review: Blackbeard from The Black by Valaverse Valaverse launched a new toy line this year that is connected to Action Force: The Black. The Black features a group of modern day "pirates" who are made up of former Navy Seals. Blackbeard is the moniker taken by Austin Moore, the commanding officer of the group known as The Black. The Black don't seem to be straight up good guys or bad guys in the Action Force/ Valaverse lore; instead, they're just kind of their own faction.. Yes, they're protecting the coast of the now divided US from outside forces but they're also controlling trade and seemingly engaging in piracy. They're connected to and loyal to each other, rather than the warring factions of the Citadel, Action Force, or the SWARM. Modern day pirates? Cool stuff and not something you see that much in modern day action figures. Blackbeard shipped over the summer along with a few other new releases from The Black and Action Force and I've had him for a few months now. He's a solid figure and definitely one of the most interesting releases from Valaverse this year. Ready to check out the leader of the Black? Then join me after the break... The Facts: Height: 6 7/8ths inches Articulation: Swivel/ hinge ankles, boot swivels, double hinged knees, swivel thighs, ball jointed drop down hips, ball jointed waist, balljointed mid-torso, butterfly pecs, swivel/hinge shoulders, bicep swivels, double hinged elbows, swivel/hinge wrists, balljointed neck base, hinged neck, and a ball jointed head. Accessories: 8 swappable hands, vest, 4 vest holsters, 4 pistols, 2 swappable portraits, watch, knife, sheath, sawed off shotgun, holster, machete, machete sheath, and display stand. Non Scalper Price: $28 dollars The Positives: * If you're not familiar with Action Force, Valaverse's flagship line, then you should know that these are 1/12th scale military action figures that are very similar in design and feel to the G.I. Joe: Classified Series and the various Big Bad Workshop lines like Operation: Monster Force and Soldiers of Fortune. Action Force tends to focus on a more real world aesthetic with detailed, customizable gear. I didn't take off Blackbeard's vest for the shot above but it is removable, and it's all he's wearing on his torso. His skin looks like he's definitely spending a lot of time in the sun and has somewhat of a grungy feel to him. He's wearing just what he needs and what he wants to scare his victims. Tacti-cool definitely might be the perfect word to fit this guy. He's an excellent figure of a mercenary or soldier of fortune; someone who you just do not want to mess around with. * If you told me that Blackbeard had recently signed to the WWE I would definitely believe you. This guy looks like an absolute beast. He is, of course, sporting a full black beard, because it would be silly if he wasn't. There's some really nice detail in his face and you can see that he's getting some sun on the high seas. The Valaverse portraits can be very hit or miss but I think this one is definitely a hit. I think the details look printed and it's quite well done. There's some excellent detail and a lot of personality. His hair is cut in a high and tight but also pulled back in cornrows. * A second portrait is included which has a bandanna permanently covering Blackbeard's lower face. The paintjob looks quite crude and intimidating, like something done quickly and rather haphazardly. I really like the effect, especially when combined with his skeletal gloves. It seems like something done simply to intimidate his foes. * Check out the tattoo that runs all down his left arm. It's a skull with octopus like tentacles, something that seems to be symbolic for The Black. The Black is actually the name of a mysterious, seemingly supernatural figure with a skeletal visage and Davy Jones from Pirates of the Caribbean like appearance. Is he an actual being, a tall tale and rumor, or a member of the team wearing a costume? I'm guessing the latter, but he does exist as a figure and this nicely printed tattoo looks a bit like him. * Blackbeard's vest is a removable piece but there's no reason that you'd want to take it off as this thing is really cool. First, it features four holsters (they are removable, though that leaves holes in the vest). Like the real Blackbeard, Edward Teach, this Blackbeard carries multiple pistols into battle. He's also sporting multiple SEAL Tridents (Special Warfare Insignias) on his vest. The lore says that these are the insignias of his fallen fellow SEALs and he wears them to remember their sacrifices. That's a really interesting piece of storytelling and the details look excellent. * Besides just sporting cargo pants, Blackbeard is also sporting kneepads and some boots with a lot of armor on them. The treads on the bottom of his boots are also really detailed, offering up a very cool design overall. * The articulation model on The Black is the same as on the newer Action Force figures, which means they're also quite similar to the other 1/12th scale military figures I mentioned above. The Valaverse figures feel like they're made of a harder plastic than most of those other figures, though, and they're pretty sturdy. The lateral "butterfly" joints work well here and you can get excellent poses, especially when using the multiple hand poses that are included. * Not only is Blackbeard's watch removable but it's also really detailed. I mean, you can actually see the hands and the larger numbers. That's crazy! * Eight swappable hands are included. Besides giving you multiple display options (pistol grips, fists, standard grips, and open palms for cradling a rifle), these also have sculpted bone details on them. These are some wild gloves and I would assume that the bones on them provide some additional hand protection. * Since life at sea can be cruel and harsh, a hooded cloak is included to protect Blackbeard from the elements. It's made from a good quality material and it doesn't look oversized or too thick and puffy. It's also wired, allowing it to be posed and fussed with so it fits over the figure perfectly. It's a nice extra and it does give you another way to display the figure. It works quite well, especially when posed with the masked headsculpt. * Blackbeard is loaded down with weapons that are perfect for close quarters combat. First up is a sawed off shotgun. It's a double-barrel shotgun with an excellent paintjob and the ability to "break" in half at the jointing. This little weapon is a piece of art. * Blackbeard keeps this weapon at the ready in a specially designed holster on his left thigh. There are even a few additional shells sculpted onto the holster in case he needs to reload. * His knife looks like a Ka-Bar and it also has an excellent paintjob. Most of the Valaverse accessories have excellent paintjobs and it's hard to overestimate how much that improves the look of each accessory. * The combat knife fits securely into the sheath on his right thigh. * I mentioned above that the historical Blackbeard carried multiple pistols into battle because reloading was a long and tedious process back then. Well, this Blackbeard carries multiple pistols as well, though they're automatics, so he has an ample supply of ammunition in each one. He's toting four short barreled M1911 pistols with two different finishes. Why bother reloading when you can just grab another pistol? That's the Matrix method right there! * The four holsters on the vest can hold all four pistols. It's really a cool feature and it's yet another feature that really make this figure stand out. * Last up is a really dangerous looking machete. Consider this the modern day version of the pirate cutlass. * There's a sheath that plugs into the hole on Blackbeard's back, allowing the machete to be stored securely for when things go from bad to worse. * A display stand is also included. This one looks like cracked pavement and features six foot pegs and a slit for displaying the file card (which is part of the backer card that you cut out). I wish every company would include a display stand with their action figures, don't you? There absolutely are a lot of Valaverse figures that reuse the same base bodies, armor pieces, and even helmets and such, but when they offer up more unique characters they really shine. Blackbeard is a very inspired 1/12th scale military action figure and it's really impressive by the amount of detail and value here for the $28 dollar price. Each of his many weapons has multiple paint applications, he has wired soft goods, two portraits, and a display stand. This guy is Epic and is definitely my favorite Valaverse figure of the year. Heck, he might end up being one of my favorites overall. This guy is loaded and punches far above his price range, which I suppose is one of the nicest things you can say about a pirate, right? This is the first figure of Blackbeard, AKA Austin Moore. https://www.actionfigurebarbecue.com/2026/10/action-figure-review-blackbeard-from.html #actionforce #black #valaverse #navyseals #monsterforce #swivel #austinmoore #rss #feeds #linksharing #qwibbit

Trick or Treat Through 31 Days of Toy Terror: Perfect Pairs from Peanuts by Just Play It just isn't Halloween without a visit from the Peanuts gang, is it? The first Halloween strip for Peanuts ran on October 31st, 1956 and they've ever since been key ambassadors of Halloween nostalgia. Five Below has had quite a few Peanuts themed Halloween items over the past few years and this year they have this little set from Just Play called Perfect Pairs. Who is the titular Perfect Pair? Why Charlie Brown and Snoopy, of course! They're both decked out for trick or treating with costumes, candy pails, and even some treats. Snoopy showed up earlier this month but I don't think there's anything wrong with giving him some more attention. Ready to check these two out? Then join me after the break... The Facts: Snoopy Height: 2 inches Articulation: None Accessories: None The Facts: Charlie Brown Height: 2 3/4ths inches Articulation: None Accessories: None Non Scalper Price: $5 dollars The Positives: * First of all, yes, you get both figures for $5 dollars. That's a pretty nice deal as they're decent sized minifigures and fully painted. The poses are really fun, too, with Charlie Brown waving happily and Snoopy eying a treat he just received. They're super cute. * I love Snoopy's skeleton costume. I have figures of Snoopy dressed as a lumberjack, Frankenstein, a World War I flying ace, a pumpkin, and wearing a Halloween mask, but I don't have a skele-Snoopy. Now I do! The print on the bones is really sharp and I love that they look like they're a glowing green, kind of like Scare Glow. * No matter which side of Snoopy's face you look at he'll still have this cute expression. He's really eyeing that treat, isn't he? Let's just hope it isn't coconut. * Check out the classic jack o' lantern pail! It's nicely done, especially considering how small it is. * You know what's visible from the back? Snoopy's cute little tail! There's a hole cut in the back of his costume for it. * Here's Charlie Brown, dressed like the Frankenstein Monster. It's a very simple costume, but it's fitting for a simple Halloween costume. This is something largely homemade with just a Frankenstein hat purchased from the local five-and-dime. The Charlie Franken-Brown from a few years back was a bit more sophisticated, but I like this one too. * That Frankenstein hat is really neat and I'd kind of like to have one like it. It's cartoonish and fun, looking like it's made from a plush material. Definitely something you'd expect from a younger elementary school aged child. * Rather than a pail, like Snoopy has, Chuck has a blue bag that says "Trick or Treat" and that has some candy flowing out of the top. Hopefully it's candy instead of rocks. * There's so much candy that Charlie Brown has dropped a piece and it's laying by his shoe. What could it be? If he's lucky, it's a Lindor Truffle, hopefully caramel or pumpkin spice or something. If he's not lucky, it's a a 36 year old peanut butter kiss that will absolutely yank out a crown or filling. $5 bucks for these two little guys? These are some quality minifigures! They're nice designs and they're fully painted. What more could you ask for? I really like both of them. Charlie Brown himself might be the technically more impressive figure but Snoopy gets my vote as the winner just because he's Snoopy. Skele-Snoop, in fact. These are really cute and far more affordable than many other Peanuts collectibles out there (Hallmark has some great stuff but they get really pricey!). I always associate Peanuts with Halloween and Christmas even though the decades worth of comic strips and cartoons cover every day of the year. This is an Epic set and definitely worth making a trip to Five Below for. Looking for more of Snoopy? I've also reviewed the Funko POP! Snoopy #330, Forever Fun's Snoopy's Doghouse Display, Just Play's Pumpkin Snoopy (Black & White), a Peanuts Halloween Sound Clock, and the Franken-Snoopy dog toy by G. Mason Group. Looking for more of Charlie Brown? I've also looked at a Peanuts Halloween Clock with Charlie Brown on it, the Just Play Charlie Franken-Brown, and the Funko POP! Ghost Charlie Brown #333. Looking for more of the Frankenstein Monster? Then check out Castle Frankenstein for all my reviews of the famous monster (or folks dressed like him!). For more Peanuts figures from Just Play check out the following: Charlie Franken-Brown Pumpkin Snoopy (Black & White) https://www.actionfigurebarbecue.com/2026/10/trick-or-treat-through-31-days-of-toy_0140469448.html #rss #feeds #linksharing #qwibbit

Trick or Treat Through 31 Days of Toy Terror: Sylvester #1675 from POP! Animation: Looney Tunes by Funko "Sufferin' succotash!" Halloween is getting nearer and nothing goes together better than jack o' lanterns and black cats. So how about one for today's spooky review? Well, at least we've got a jack o' lantern and a tuxedo cat. Yes, today we're taking a look at Sylvester J. Pussycat Sr. and a fantastic Halloween jack o' lantern that he's been using as a hiding place. Perhaps he was curled up in here waiting for Tweety? Sylvester is from a Halloween series of Looney Tunes from the Funko POP! Animation line and he's just such a fun toy that I had to pick him up. He's from 2024 (and was released alongside of a ghostly version of Bugs Bunny, a mummy Marvin the Martian, and a witch version of Tweety) but I actually found him at regular retail this year despite being listed as "vaulted" on Funko's website. Looney Tunes has had a great year in 2026 with the popularity of Coyote Vs. Acme and while Sylvester only had a small cameo, it was still nice to see this classic brand have an incredibly fun and well receive film. Of course, I bought this guy because he's coming out of a pumpkin. I'm a sucker for that kind of stuff. Let's check out Sylvester after the break... The Facts: Height: 5 inches (to the top of the stem) Articulation: Swivel head. Accessories: None Year of Release: 2024 Original Retail Price: $11 to $16 dollars The Positives: * If you're someone who hates Funko POP! vinyls, sees them as the decline of Western civilization, and berates anyone who buys them, you might want to skip this review. I'm not a fan of every POP! as some of them are quite boring, but some, like Sylvester here, are pretty interesting. I love that the jack o' lantern is the base of the figure and how Sylvester is clearly larger than the interior of the pumpkin. It's a fantastic cartoon aesthetic! He has a swivel head, so you can pose him a bit. * This is such a fun Sylvester portrait. It's interesting that they went with white eyes, though it does ensure that his eyes are visible against his black fur and it makes him look a bit more frightening. Sylvester looks kind of fierce here, doesn't he? I wouldn't usually think of him as fierce but, dang, he does look rather intense. The proportions are quite nice and exaggerated, making him look just a bit unhinged. If this puddy tat popped up, you can kind of understand why Tweety might be afraid of him. * The jack o' lantern looks great. I love the classic face that's quite friendly and simple. It's basic and classic, reminding me of the trick or treat pails that everyone had as a kid until they graduated to pillow cases. * Here's a shot from the back to show off the effect of Sylvester popping out of the top of the pumpkin. I really like how he still has the lid of the pumpkin stuck on his head, kind of like you're seeing him just as he has popped out. * Sylvester's sharp claws really add a lot to his look. I love how they're visible here rather than just being standard rounded fingers. This guy is just a really fun Funko POP! vinyl. The design of the full figure is really well done, the orange of the jack o' lantern adds some welcome color to Sylvester, and the entire sculpt has a lot of personality. I love that Funko seems to have more freedom to do weird stuff like this than a lot of other companies can. This is one of the few POP! vinyl figures I've purchased this year but it's unusual and fun concepts like this from them that grab my attention. I'm giving Sylvester a Great. He's a super fun toy and a delightful, colorful little piece for your Halloween collection. That's all, folks! This is the first toy of Sylvester that I've reviewed on the site. For more POP! Animation reviews check out the following: She-Ra & Kowl #1800 from She-Ra: Princess of Power https://www.actionfigurebarbecue.com/2026/10/trick-or-treat-through-31-days-of-toy_0728110003.html #rss #feeds #linksharing #qwibbit

Trick or Treat Through 31 Days of Toy Terror: Tauraton from Masters of the Universe Origins: The Powers of Grayskull by Mattel So today's review might not fit this year's theme perfectly but I've really been wanting to review Tauraton and I usually have at least one Masters of the Universe toy on the countdown. If you don't keep up to the minute with Masters of the Universe, you might be wondering who this guy is. Fret not; he's actually a new character that's part of the Power of Grayskull subset being sold exclusively through Mattel Creations. Tauraton was created by Axel Gimenez and Roy Juarez for the packaging of the Mattel Creations exclusive He-Ro and then was developed into a figure this year. He's a mighty minotaur inspired by Greek myth and Ray Harryhausen's "The Minoton" from "Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger." It's a cool design for a MOTU villain, especially one from the Preternian era (many years before the time of He-Man/ Prince Adam). For so many of us, our first experiences with the horror genre and horror toys were through toylines with creepy characters, so it's fun to check out one that feels like it could have existed during my childhood. I know I owned the old The Real Ghostbusters: Monsters long before I ever saw any of the classic Universal Studios horror films and I'm sure many others had similar experiences. Ready to check out a classic monster reimagined for MOTU? Then join me after the break... The Facts: Height: 7and 7/8ths inches Articulation: Swivel/ hinge ankles, boot swivels, swivel/hinge knees, balljointed hips, swivel waist, swivel/hinge shoulders (x4), swivel/hinge elbows, (x4) swivel/hinge wrists (x4), a barbell jointed neck, and a ball jointed head. Accessories: Battering ram, belt, chest armor, 4 wrist cuffs, and minicomic. Non-Scalper Price: $33 dollars The Packaging: * The Powers of Grayskull subset of Masters of the Universe Origins has some incredible packaging nicely inspired by the vintage concepts for the Powers of Grayskull expansion. The rear of the package, shown here, has some incredible artwork. You've got Tauraton battling Vikor and Wilda. There's also a green dragon warrior, similar to Draego-Man, swooping down to join the fray. The Positives: * Tauraton is a really cool looking character that has a very classic MOTU look and color scheme. His red, black, and gold is very basic in a way but it also stands out, making him feel rather unique. Still, he is a muscly animal-guy with a gimmick (four arms), so he fits in aesthetically with the early years of MOTU and the concept artwork for the vintage line. He has a lot of removable armored pits including his harness, his belt, and the armored wrist cuffs. The gold plastic looks pretty good here, fitting the MOTU Origins vibe of brighter colors. It's gold, not yellow, and it does have a bit of a shine to it. His body isn't furry at all except for on his hooves, which almost gives him the weird look of some sort of automaton version of a minotaur. * Tauraton is a big dude. Not only is he tall, he's wife as well. I had the MOTU movie inspired Origins Moss Man close at hand and you can see that Tauraton makes him look like a small fellow. There's a lot of plastic here! * Tauraton has a really weird headsculpt that could be taken as either a Destro styled mask or a primitive robotic take on a minotaur. All of those classic elements of the minotaur are here such as some dangerous looking horns, red eyes, and a loop through the nose, but the aesthetic of technology that feels both primitive and futuristic at the same time is present here, too. That's something that really feels reminiscent of the early years of the vintage MOTU line * Here's a closer look at the hooves I mentioned earlier along with the armored shin guards. Check out those spikes! * And here's a closeup of all of the removable armor. I love the belt with the metal studs and the chain across the front. The bracers are quite nice as well as you get two styles on Tauraton's arms and they're removable. * Of course, you also get two massive, articulated arms on each side of the figure. With four arms this bull can really deliver some damage. I know he's built quite differently but seeing this guy's built really makes me want an updated figure of Sagitar! * The articulation is pretty similar to nearly every other MOTU Origins figure except for the addition of two extra arms and both a neck and head joint. An abdomen hinge would have been really neat as you could easily put Tauraton in a charging position. Still, he's a solid, sturdy figure. It's a shame that an action figure as toyetic as this isn't on toy shelves to interest kids. He's much cooler than any Skibidi Toilet or Labubu. * What does Tauraton need? How about a battering ram? Mess with this bull and you get the horns. Ram horns, that is. This is a wicked looking accessory that feels like adding spikes onto the front of a tank. It's not really needed but it's just a cherry on top of a sundae of destruction! This is a really cool accessory and is definitely quite unique. * Like with most MOTU Origins release, a minicomic is included. It's a fun, simple little comic with great art and plenty of characters including Tauraton, the Great Black Wizard, Eldor, He-Ro, Sharella, and Moss Man. Tauraton is a Great and a 1/2 figure and a cool addition to the Powers of Grayskull subset of Masters of the Universe Origins. Sure, I'd love if all of the MOTU releases were in the same scale and style (MOTUC forever!) but I'm still thrilled to see new characters in the line. Tauraton adds another bruiser to the enemies and another much needed non-Snake Man villain for He-Ro and company to fight. He definitely feels like a character that would have appeared in vintage concept art and I love that he's just a real beast of a figure with a cool accessories. A sword, shield, or axe would have been nice, or perhaps a way to pose him charging like a pull (an ab hinge) but I'm still pretty thrilled with this guy. This is the first figure of Tauraton that I've reviewed on the site. For more Masters of the Universe Origins figures check out the following: 40th Anniversary 4-Pack Anti-Eternia He-Man Battle Armor He-Man Battle Armor Skeletor Battle Cat Battlefield Warriors Beast Man Beast Man (Lords of Power) Blast-Attak Bolt-Man Buzz-Off "Buzz Saw" Hordak Camo Khan Castle Grayskull Clamp Champ Clawful Digitino Dragon Blaster Skeletor Eternian Goddess The Evil Horde Evil-Lyn Evil-Lyn (200x) Faker Fang-Or Fisto Flying Fists He-Man Fright Pit Frog Monger He-Man He-Man (200x) He-Man and Prince Adam 2-Pack Hordak Horde Trooper Hypno Jitsu King Grayskull King Hiss King Randor (200x) Kol-Darr Lady Slither Land Shark Leech Lords of Power Man-At-Arms Man-E-Faces Maniacal Mimics Mantenna Mekaneck & Ground Ripper Mer-Man Mer-Man (Lords of Power) Mosquitor Moss Man Multi-Bot Mysteries of Grayskull Ninjor Orko Panthor Panthor (Flocked) Pig-Head Prince Adam & Sky Sled Ram Man Rattlor Rise of Evil Roboto Roboto (Minicomic) Rokkon Roton Scare Glow She-Ra She-Ra (PowerCon Exclusive) Skeleton Warriors Skeletor Skeletor (200x) Slamurai Snake Face Snake Trooper Snout Spout Sorceress Spikor Stinkor Stratos Stratos (Minicomic) Stridor Sy-Klone Sun-Man Sun-Man (Mattel Creations) Teela Teela & Zoar Terror Claws Skeletor Trap Jaw Tri-Klops Tri-Klops ("The Terror of Tri-Klops!") Tung Lashor Webstor Whiplash Wind Raider Wun-Dar Zodac He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Cartoon Collection (200X) Moss Man Tri-Klops The Powers of Grayskull Gray Great Black Wizard Sketchbook Series Man-E-Faces https://www.actionfigurebarbecue.com/2026/10/trick-or-treat-through-31-days-of-toy_01324460606.html #toyterror #universeorigins #masters #mattelcreations #grayskull #tauraton #powers #days #treat #motu #rss #feeds #linksharing #qwibbit

Trick or Treat Through 31 Days of Toy Terror: Bride of Frankenstein Glow-In-The-Dark Character Spoon from Universal Monsters by Sonic/ C3 It wasn't until the first week of October that I realized that Sonic is running a Universal Monsters October promotion in their Wacky Pack kids meals. A quick trip to sonic and one milkshake later, I was the proud owner of the full set of all seven toys from the series. Five of the the prizes are more traditional toys while two are spoons. I've previously reviewed items from Sonic's He-Man and She-Ra promotions from a few years back and those included some spoons and straw caddies as well, which I guess is fitting for a place that sells various ice cream shakes, sundaes, and other sweet beverages. The Bride of Frankenstein is represented here as a glow in the dark spoon. It's not the most exciting prize on its own but, at the same time, it's pretty thrilling to pull in to a Sonic drive-in and get a glow in the dark spoon based on a film that's 91 years old. Burger King and Jack in the Box are famous for having Universal Monsters themed kids meals in the past (I've reviewed of them on this site) but now Sonic is stepping in. Ready to dig in with the Bride of Frankenstein? Then join me after the break... The Facts: Length: 5 and a 1/2 inches Material: Plastic Non-Scalper Price: $1-$2 dollars or included with Wacky Pack meal purchase The Packaging: * The prizes in this series come packaged in individualized foil bags with some really cute art. We've seen this style of art for the classic Universal Monsters before but it's still neat to see it used here. It's not a bad choice for kids' meal toys as many kids will likely be unfamiliar with the films and characters, so these are much more kid friendly and appealing. The Positives: * Sonic has a variety of sundaes and Sonic Blasts, Sonic's version of the Blizzard, concrete, or McFlurry, so including a special spoon for eating your treat isn't a bad move. It's a fairly sturdy plastic spoon with a fairly blunt tip and a reasonably sized bowl. The handle and neck of the spoon look like the Bride with her dress twisting into the shape of the bowl itself. * I'll admit that it's tough to see the design of the spoon in pictures because of the color of the glow-in-the-dark plastic. It's a solid take on the Bride, however, and her classic hair makes up a large part of the handle of the spoon. The face is cute and she's winking, which makes this just a bit more fun. * Like the name implies, the spoon does glow in the dark! The Negatives: * It's not a crazy strong glow, though. It's cute but it's not going to really standout too much on a shelf or while you're sitting there, eating your Banana Pudding Sonic Blast in the dark. How's this spoon? It's good. It's cute and a fun little extra. It's definitely not the most exciting of the prizes from this assortment but if you're a fan of the Bride of Frankenstein this will likely be an unusual piece in your collection. I wish the glow were a bit brighter, or that it was just a plane spoon with more visible colors, but for less than $2 dollars I'm not complaining too much. I got these during the first week of October but by that point I was already pretty much finished with my scheduled reviews for the countdown, but expect to see a few more of these during the week of Re-Halloween. It's a Good little treat and the fact that my local Sonic charged me $8 something to buy all seven was pretty reasonable. For more of the Bride of Frankenstein check out my reviews of the Funko ReAction figure of The Bride of Frankenstein, the Toony Terrors The Bride of Frankenstein, NECA's April O'Neil as the Bride of Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein (Glow-in-the-Dark), the Bride of Frankenstein from Tiny Nightmares, the Funko POP! Bride of Frankenstein #1631, The Hot Wheels "The Bride of Frankenstein" '40 Ford, and the Mystery Minis Bride of Frankenstein. https://www.actionfigurebarbecue.com/2026/10/trick-or-treat-through-31-days-of-toy_01257610581.html #rss #feeds #linksharing #qwibbit

Action Figure Review: Moss Man & Ram Man from Masters of the Universe Origins: Masters of the Universe (2026) by Mattel While Masters of the Universe has been out of theaters for sometime now and wasn't a hit, it's apparently been quite successful on Amazon Prime and the physical media versions (Blu-Ray, DVD, and 4K Blu-Ray) just came out last week and seem to be strong sellers. I really liked the movie and I'm still holding out hope that the numbers for streaming and toy sales are strong enough that Amazon wants to visit Eternia again. There was a fairly strong toy presence at retail but one issue that I think is worth talking about was the number of different scales and styles of figures available. These days it seems like most toylines for major media try to release a smaller number of characters in multiple scales and styles (so hitting multiple price points) rather than having one standard line with a wide selection of characters. The mainline figures seemed to have a decent number of releases and went fairly deep (with more figures apparently coming, though likely as Amazon exclusives) while Chronicles and the Movie-based Origins lines were a bit more limited. I like Origins for some things but I'm not sure they made a ton of sense for the new movie. Still, when I found out there was a Moss Man for the movie Origins line (who, to the best of my knowledge, is the only movie Moss Man yet released) I had to jump in. You all know that Moss Man is my dude and while I was maybe a 7/10 on his portrayal in the film with such limited screen time, I was absolutely devastated that he died so quickly. What? Why? Still, a Moss Man is a Moss Man and he can join my flock of Moss Men in my collection. I'm also a pretty big Ram Man fan as well, so I wasn't upset about getting him as the other figure in this two-pack which I believe is exclusive to Target. Ready to check out two of Eternia's most powerful warriors? Then join me after the break... The Facts: Moss Man Height: 6 inches Articulation: Swivel/ hinge ankles, boot swivels, swivel/hinge knees, balljointed hips, swivel waist, swivel/hinge shoulders, swivel/hinge elbows, swivel/hinge wrists, and a barbell jointed head. Accessories: Club and loincloth. The Facts: Ram Man Height: 5 3/8ths inches Articulation: Swivel/hinge knees, "springy" legs, swivel/hinge shoulders, swivel/hinge elbows, swivel/hinge wrists, and a ball jointed head. Accessories: Axe Non-Scalper Price: $45 dollars The Positives: * I really like the look of the figure so, even if I'm not thrilled that the movie killed off my guy so quickly, I still do like his appearance. Moss Man has two ways he can be portrayed: He's either a more beastly, sasquatch like guy with green fur or he's something more akin to a nature deity; wise, ancient, and kind of like the Green Man in folklore. The movie went with more of the green sasquatch inspired vibe which I do think fits the 1980s portrayals of the character better. He's not just green, though, he is flocked and has multiple shades of green and yellow on him, giving him a more impressive appearance. That's quite welcome, especially when MOTU Origins is kind of known for it's simplicity. The loincloth is a separate piece that sits over the waist (remember these guys are modular and come apart easily) and features various sculpted details like vines and chain along with painted bones or teeth hanging down. * The portrait is pretty good here. It's not a perfect match for the film but it's in the ballpark for sure, especially considering the MOTU Origins figures rely on a more vintage style and design aesthetic. I really do like this portrait. If the vintage Moss Man had been able to receive his own unique headsculpt rather than just receiving a repainted Beast Man portrait, this feels like what might have been. A lot of the vintage art of Moss Man really did lean into the green sasquatch look and that's kind of what we have here. There are definitely some nice paint applications here, keeping everything from looking too flat. * Is Moss Man flocked? Yes, he is! He isn't flocked everywhere but he does have a nice spread of flocking across his shoulders and chest and it actually looks pretty good. While not every Moss Man has been flocked, it's definitely something that most people think about when the character is brought up, so I'm glad it's present here. It's actually a nice balance between flocking, paint, and sculpting. * Moss Man is built like nearly every other MOTU Origins figure that's come out. That means he has some fairly decent articulation on a body with the proportions of the vintage line. He can move alright, though his hips are a bit stuff, and you can definitely pose him more than the vintage toys. He's also fully modular, so you can mix him together with other figures from any of the Origins lines, the WWE lines, or the Thundercats, Transformers, and TMNT crossover lines. * I don't think Moss Man carried any weapon in the movie but fortunately Mattel still gave this figure an accessory. It's the same club that the Origins Moss Man came with but now molded in a dark grey plastic with somewhat of a metallic look to it. * Let's talk about Ram Man! I thought Ram Man was also quite cool in the movie and I liked how the film portrayed his power and physicality. The MOTU Origins movie Ram Man does seem to utilize the arms and legs from the standard Origins Ram Man but the torso, hands, and head are unqiue for this figure. The MOTU movie really did a great job with the costumes and there is absolutely no doubt as to who you're looking at here; it's definitely Ram Man! His tunic looks like it's made from an armored material with many tiny rivets while his chest and shoulder armor has an interesting design that looks like metal with a patina. Remember: In the movie the heroes were on the run and in hiding, so it's probably been some time since Ram Man was really able to care for his gear as ideally as he should. * Ram Man's face is peaking out from his helmet and, given the style of MOTU Origins, it's a pretty decent likeness to actor Jon Xue Zhang. The head is a separate piece from the helmet although it isn't removable. * This Ram Man operates like the Origins Ram Man which also retained a version of his vintage action feature. It's a little different from the 1983 toy but I kind of think this one makes a bit more sense. When you push down on his legs, they go up into his body and lock into place. Push down on them again and they unlock, allowing him to spring upwards! It's kind of fun. Not overly impressive or anything but it does work about as well as the vintage toy and it feels like he has a nice, strong spring to him. He's fun to fool around with while knocking over figures over. * Ram Man doesn't seem to use an axe in the film, either, but he comes with one reused from MOTU Origins that nicely mimics his vintage accessory. * Ram Man is sturdy and well built and he has more articulation than the vintage figure. The Negatives: * Unfortunately, that's about it. His head barely moves and while the boot swivels are nice to have, the swivel/hinge knees are essentially worthless. Bummer. It feels like he could have had a bit more motion and still have retained his action feature but that's not the care here. I'm a fan of both characters here and these are... OK versions of them. They're fun and decent MOTU Origins figures but they're both a bit barebones, aren't they? You're paying a little over $20 for each of these ($45 for the set) and they're missing some of the cool stuff that the pricier MOTU Origins figures usually come with like a couple extras or a minicomic. They're just a bit light for the price. They're still solid and probably a Good and a 1/2 set, but unless you really want vintage styled figures of characters from the movie or you just really like these two, why go with the Origins line over the standard movie figures or the Chronicles? Moss Man (real name Kreann'Ot N'Norosh) is one of my favorite characters out there and along with the vintage Moss Man I've also reviewed the 200x Moss Man, the Masterverse Revelation Moss Man and the New Eternia Moss Man, the MOTU Origins Moss Man and Cartoon Collection (200x) Moss Man, the M.U.S.C.L.E. Moss Man, a stick of Eternia Pine Deodorant, the MOTUC Moss Man, the Dorbz Moss Man and Beast Man 2-pack, the POP! Moss Man #568, the POP! + Pez Moss Man dispenser, the Vinyl SODA Moss Man, the Pint Size Heroes Moss Man, the Monogram International Moss Man bag clip, the Masters of the Universe Minis Battle Armor Skeletor and Moss Man 2-pack, and the Mega Construx flocked Moss Man that came with the Battle Bones set and the standard Moss Man. If you're a fan of Ram Man/ Krass, I've also reviewed the 200x Ram Man, the Origins Ram Man, the Masterverse: New Eternia Ram Man, the MOTU Chronicles Ram Man and Fisto set, the Netflix Ram Ma'am (a Rule 63 Ram Man), the M.U.S.C.L.E. green Ram Man and traditional pink Ram Man, the ReAction standard Ram Man and Ram Man (Mini Comic), the Loyal Subjects Ram Man, the Eternia minis Ram Man, the Hot Wheels Ram Man emblazoned '41 Willys Coupe 2002 #91, the Turtles of Grayskull Ram Man, and the MOTUC Ram Man. For more Masters of the Universe Origins reviews check out the following: 40th Anniversary 4-Pack Anti-Eternia He-Man Battle Armor He-Man Battle Armor Skeletor Battle Cat Battlefield Warriors Beast Man Beast Man (Lords of Power) Blast-Attak Bolt-Man Buzz-Off "Buzz Saw" Hordak Camo Khan Castle Grayskull Clamp Champ Clawful Digitino Dragon Blaster Skeletor Eternian Goddess The Evil Horde Evil-Lyn Evil-Lyn (200x) Faker Fang-Or Fisto Flying Fists He-Man Fright Pit Frog Monger He-Man He-Man (200x) He-Man and Prince Adam 2-Pack Hordak Horde Trooper Hypno Jitsu King Grayskull King Hiss King Randor (200x) Kol-Darr Lady Slither Land Shark Leech Lords of Power Man-At-Arms Man-E-Faces Maniacal Mimics Mantenna Mekaneck & Ground Ripper Mer-Man Mer-Man (Lords of Power) Mosquitor Moss Man Multi-Bot Mysteries of Grayskull Ninjor Orko Panthor Panthor (Flocked) Pig-Head Prince Adam & Sky Sled Ram Man Rattlor Rise of Evil Roboto Roboto (Minicomic) Rokkon Roton Scare Glow She-Ra She-Ra (PowerCon Exclusive) Skeleton Warriors Skeletor Skeletor (200x) Slamurai Snake Face Snake Trooper Snout Spout Sorceress Spikor Stinkor Stratos Stratos (Minicomic) Stridor Sy-Klone Sun-Man Sun-Man (Mattel Creations) Teela Teela & Zoar Terror Claws Skeletor Trap Jaw Tri-Klops Tri-Klops ("The Terror of Tri-Klops!") Tung Lashor Webstor Whiplash Wind Raider Wun-Dar Zodac He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Cartoon Collection (200X) Moss Man Tri-Klops The Powers of Grayskull Gray Great Black Wizard Sketchbook Series Man-E-Faces https://www.actionfigurebarbecue.com/2026/10/action-figure-review-moss-man-ram-man.html #rss #feeds #linksharing #qwibbit

Trick or Treat Through 31 Days of Toy Terror: Starscream Armor Scare Glow from Masters of the Universe x Transformers by Mattel Today I'm checking out a figure that might not exactly fit this year's theme but I'm still going to go with it. When you have your own action figure blog, you can do stuff like this, too. Besides, I've reviewed Scare Glow action figures during 31 Days of Toy Terror a few times in the past, so let's just call it tradition at this point. Yes, today I'm checking out the Masters of the Universe x Transformers crossover version of Starscream Armor Scare Glow. If you've kept up with my reviews over the years you've probably realized that out of all of the big 1980s properties, I've never reviewed much when it comes to Transformers. I reviewed two of the Transformers BotBots a few years back and that's it. I'm just not that big of a Transformers fan. When it came to Mattel putting out a MOTU/ Transformers crossover, I was wondering if we'd get MOTU vehicles that transformed but, no, we got a couple characters wearing Transformer armor. He-Man is dressed like Optimus Prime, Man-At-Arms is dressed like Bumblebee, Skeletor is dressed like Megatron, and Scare Glow is dressed like Starscream. I skipped the others but I was interested in Scare Glow. Surprisingly, the first time I found this guy he was on clearance. That's wild, right? He was originally $30 dollars at Target and is now $33, and Mattel Creations had him for $30 at one point, too, but I only paid $8 to $12 bucks. That sealed the deal for me and now you can reap the benefits. Let's check out the spooky skeleton, Scare Glow, dressed up like a Transformer for trick 'r treating. Knock on the door and ask join me after the break... The Facts: Height: 5 3/4ths inches Articulation: Swivel/ hinge ankles, boot swivels, swivel/hinge knees, balljointed hips, swivel waist, swivel/hinge shoulders, swivel/hinge elbows, swivel/hinge wrists, and a barbell jointed head. Accessories: 2 wing blasters, cape, crown, 2 pauldrons, and minicomic. Non-Scalper Price: $30 to $33 dollars The Positives: * This isn't just Scare Glow or Starscream: It's Scare Glow wearing Starscream armor. What's that mean? I'm not completely sure. I think the idea is that Skeletor somehow finds armor imbued with the memories of Megatron, so He-Man has to use armor imbued with the thoughts of Optimus Prime. Somewhere along the way Scare Glow gets Starscream inspired armor. That's what this figure is: Scare Glow cosplaying as Starscream. There's clearly a buff skeleton under here, just like Scare Glow's usual look, but he's sporting the Generation 1 Starscream jet look as armor. It's honestly a bit like a variation of Bludgeon. There's a lot of color with purple pauldrons that tie in with the Scare Glow cape design. It clearly uses a lot of unique parts, so that's a pretty cool feature for folks who mix and match their Origins figures. * The head looks like a mechanical Scare Glow wearing Starscream's helmet. The glowing red eyes and skeletal teeth are pretty cool, definitely giving this guy just enough creep factor for our purposes here at 31 Days of Toy Terror. * There's a lot of very geometric looking armor here, so it's clear that Mattel put some effort into these. It's a pretty small line (just four figures, I think) but the designs are nice. I love the pauldrons, too. They're extra pieces that fit over the shoulders, so you can remove them if you choose. * Scare Glow's legs have the typical "painted bones over black negative space" effect though they're more ivory here. He's also wearing some incredible boots. He's upgraded from furry purple boots with purple leather wrappings, hasn't he? It's the future, baby. Technology. They're cloning sheep now. * Scare Glow betrays Skeletor in the minicomic and shows up wearing this awesome crown inspired by the crown of Cybertron. It fits on Starscream's head and looks pretty nice up there. Definitely a very regal look. * The cape is a piece that's easily removable and adds a bit more Scare Glow to the design. There are two plugs on the cape that correspond with two holes on the rear torso, making this easy to pop on and off. * If you're at all familiar with Masters of the Universe Origins or any of the crossover lines, you have a pretty good idea about what to expect. No, he doesn't transform. He does have a number of joints, though. The range of motion is decent, though not wild, given the somewhat beefy, vintage inspired proportions of the line. Still, it's a solid figure for play and being able to swap most body parts with other figures is a clever gimmick that Mattel has kept in place throughout the line. * Included are two "wing blasters" that can be removed to form two ax-like weapons. Or place them together for a longer weapon. They each get a paint application on the wing/ blade and a stamp of the Decepticons logo. * They can also fit onto the sides of Scare Glow's biceps or on his back, giving you a few ways to display the figure. * The minicomic is pretty standard fare for MOTU Origins and similar sub-lines. It's short with solid art and it's just a neat, nostalgic way to show off the characters. I'm always down for these being included. The Negatives: * You can see the little scuff on Scare Glow's shoulder. I'm complaining about that specifically; it's that there are lots of little scuffs and paint marks all over the figure. There's a good bit of slop here, which is never a good thing. * What does Scare Glow (almost) always do? Glow in the dark. This figure is supposed to as well but even after leaving him under a bright light for awhile, when I cut the lights and went to take a picture I got nothing. That's a ...now pardon my language, but that's a real bummer. Starscream Armor Scare Glow isn't a bad figure at all, in fact I'd say he's a Good and a 1/2 figure, but it's weird that Mattel and Hasbro didn't consider making MOTU themed Transformers instead of Transformers themed MOTU figures. I'm not much of a Transformers fan, so this is one of the few MOTU themed products I'm not wild about, but having a transforming Wind Raider or Battle Ram, or even Battle Cat and Panthor, seems like a better fit than this guy. He is a cool figure, though but it's a shame that little things like the scuff marks in various places and the lack of a solid glow bring things down. This is the first figure of Starscream that I've reviewed on the site. If you're looking for more of Scare Glow / Scareglow/ Karak Nul fan, check out my review of the MOTUC Scareglow, the MOTU Chronicles Scare Glow, the Masterverse Scare Glow and Scare Glow (exclusive), the MOTU origins Scare Glow, the Mega Construx Heroes Scare Glow and standard Scare Glow, the Funko POP! Scare Glow pencil, the POP! Rides Scare Mare & Scare Glow #999, the Mondo Scare Glow and Scare Glow (Classic Variant), the Vinyl SODA Scare Glow, and the ReAction Scare Glow and Scare Glow (Clear). https://www.actionfigurebarbecue.com/2026/10/trick-or-treat-through-31-days-of-toy_0322665047.html #rss #feeds #linksharing #qwibbit

Trick or Treat Through 31 Days of Toy Terror: The Ambassador of R'lyeh from Operation: Monster Force by Big Bad Workshop and Fresh Monkey Fiction 2026 has been an awesome year for Big Bad Workshop and Fresh Monkey Fiction's Operation: Monster Force and its companion line, The Order of the Crimson Moon, and while I'm going to be reviewing a bunch of these guys during the last quarter of 2026, I wanted to give this Cthulhu inspired figure a spot on Trick or Treat Through 31 Days of Toy Terror. Who is the Ambassador R'lyeh? He's a Cthulhu-like representative of the sunken city of R'lyeh, the mythical resting place of the great Cthulhu himself. The ambassador is now part of the Forgotten King's army, bringing the eldritch menace of the elder gods into the world of Operation: Monster Force. This guy is a stellar release from Season 3, part 1 of this series and was my most anticipated figure from this set. I actually preordered the full set of six figures so I received the bonus head pack, but I'll look at that separately at some point. For now, let's basque in the cosmic horror of the Ambassador of R'lyeh... The Facts: Height: 6 3/8ths inches Articulation: Swivel/ hinge ankles, boot swivels, double hinged knees, thigh swivels, balljointed drop-down hips, balljointed waist, balljointed mid-torso, lateral pectoral hinges, swivel/hinge shoulders, bicep swivels, double hinged elbows, forearm swivels, swivel/hinge wrists, balljointed neck base, hinged neck, and a balljointed head. Accessories: Three swappable portraits, 2 tentacle hands, 8 standard hands, 2 spell effects, 1 closed spellbook, 1 open spell book with removable tentacle, and display base. Non-Scalper Price: $38-$40 dollars The Positives: * I absolutely love the look of the Ambassador of R'lyeh! Like so many of the Operation: Monster Force villains, he's clad in an outfit that definitely looks to have a fascist, authoritarian aesthetic to it. Does a denizen of R'lyeh actually wear clothing if he's built like the classic Cthulhu? Perhaps he's been given these clothes by the Forgotten King's forces, allowing him to better blend in. The outfit/ base body is shared with Major Noir from The Order of the Crimson Moon, but the green, black, and silver paintwork stands out more here and fits the Ambassador's vibe well. The paintwork is also really clean and sharp. BBWS and FMF have really tightened up these figures and they keep getting better and better. * This is an incredible portrait. How creepy is the Ambassador? He's definitely very Cthulhu inspired with his most-looking green head, those big, bulbous yellow eyes, and the squid-like tentacles draping down over his mouth. I presume that there are more spawn of Cthulhu roaming around the city of R'lyeh, helping to carry out their dark master's wishes while they await his awakening. The wash on this is so good and really brings out the detail, making every little segment of the tentacles and crevice in the head stand out. * Two alternate portraits are included, one of which looks to be a masked human. We've seen this hooded portrait before in both The Order of the Crimson Moon and the Soldiers of Fortune lines, though this time the hood has been painted black and green. Could this guy be a cultist of Cthulhu who follows the Ambassador? Or perhaps the Ambassador can disguise himself, allowing him to walk among other villains without driving them mad. * The third portrait is pretty wild, showing the hooded head turning into a Cthulhu-like being. Is this the Ambassador of R'lyeh revealing his true form or is one of the cultists being transformed? I love how the mask looks like it's dissolving while the eyes are now yellow with the squid-like tentacles spilling out from below the hood. It's an excellent portrait and may rival the basic headsculpt just because of how creepy it looks. * The tentacled hands are really weird and creepy, so they're perfectly fitting for this figure. There's a blend of colors here, really adding to the look of those long, slimy fingers. * Here's a shot from the back to check out the paintwork. One thing that Big bad Workshop and Fresh Monkey Fiction absolutely do not scrimp on are paint applications. There's even a drybrush effect covering the Ambassador's coat, making it appear like it's rather soiled and mildewed. It's a great effect for the clothing from a creature from a sunken city. * The Ambassador of R'lyeh (and so far all of the Season 3 figures I've messed around with) feel really nice and well made. Articulation-wise you're getting a figure that has the same joints as, say, a G.I. Joe: Classified Series figure or some of the newer Action Force figures, but the plastic feels firmer. Most join movement is nice and smooth, too. You can feel the improvement in the feel of the figures in this line. Sure, there is leg restriction due to the Ambassador's long coat, but the bottom of the coat is made from a very pliable and rubbery material, so most poses aren't really hindered. The style is worth the sacrifice in my book. * A set of standard hands is also included in case you want to have the Ambassador disguised or you want this guy to just be a Cthulhu cultist. There's a set of standard grips, a set of pistol grips, a set of gesturing or grappling hands, and a set of fists. They swap easily and really give you a nice variety when posing or displaying this guy. * We saw these magical effects with the Forgotten King but they've been recolored and included with the Ambassador of R'lyeh to give him some extra powers. Just pop off his hands and place on these magical effects. They fit over his wrists (just at the edges of his sleeves) and look quite nice. They look very clear here but they actually have a purplish color to them. They look pretty solid and are a nice inclusion. * Operation: Monster Force is filled with various spooky tomes. This book has some great design work on the covers and even some paint applications. The pages also get a paint hit, making them look like they're aged and ancient. * A second open book is included. First of all, the level of print detail on visible pages is crazy. It's such an intricate and clean print! Second, the tentacle coming through a portal on the page is amazing and really makes this one of my favorite accessories of this year. The tentacle can rotate and it's removable. It's also fully detailed with painted suckers on it. How cool is this? This is some quality work for sure. * Each figure in the Operation: Monster Force line comes with a really well designed gravestone with two foot pegs and their name on the front. I love the personalization on these. * One thing that sets the Operation: Monster Force stands above the rest is the ability to stand the display stands upright, allowing you to make your own little cemetery if you don't need the stands. * Another really cool thing about the Operation: Monster Force figures is that they come in a five panel box with an opening front flap. The front flap contains a pretty cool comic unique to the character. I love this as it gives the figures a welcome touch of the old fashioned storytelling that we used to see on action figure packaging. There's also a copy of the comic on the back of the backer card inserted behind the figures tray. The Ambassador of R'lyeh is absolutely Epic. He's one of the coolest figures I've purchased this year and another standout in Operation: Monster Force. Honestly, this line (and it's sister lines like Order of the Crimson Moon) comes second only to the G.I. Joe: Classified Series for action figures that I look forward to the most. This is such an incredibly well made figure and there's an exceptional quality to every part with no shortage of paint applications. Those extra portraits and high quality accessories really make this guy feel worth the price, too. If this guy isn't Cthulhu himself, he's certainly of the same breed. Looking for more of Cthulhu and his spawn? I've also reviewed the Conjured Cthulhu and Spawn of Cthulhu from Legends of Cthulhu, the red Cthulhu Idol and the Early Bird Collector's Package Series 2 from Mythos/ Mythos in My Pocket, and the Funko POP! Cthulhu: Master of R'lyeh. For more Operation: Monster Force reviews check out the following: Chatsworth Count Dracula Declan Van Helsing Doctor Caligari The Donner Party The Forgotten King Halloween Boy Lt. Griffin "The Eraser" https://www.actionfigurebarbecue.com/2026/10/trick-or-treat-through-31-days-of-toy_0723287214.html #monsterforce #toyterror #badworkshop #freshmonkey #monkeyfiction #bigbad #operation #days #treat #cthulhu #rss #feeds #linksharing #qwibbit