Imaginext - POISON IVY!

Imaginext - DC Super Friends - Rivals Pack - Poison Ivy - Fisher-Price 2024

Poison Ivy has been having a bit of a renaissance in the comics recently. Her ongoing solo title is up to issue #26 already and is developing her character in new and interesting ways. The art by Marcio Takara is amazing and the first story arc is reminiscent to The Last of Us, which is gloriously dark. I've even been hearing comic shop chatter about Ivy being in the next Batman film. To be clear, people are wishing for her to be the next film villain. And I would love that too. Similar to Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy is another character that is often sanitized for young audiences. It's easy to reimagine her as a mild troublemaker snaring her foes with vines and pollen rather than a ruthless eco-terrorist leaving a trail of bodies in her wake. But at least Poison Ivy's slightly wicked persona stays pretty consistent regardless of the target audience. This Imaginext figure represents Ivy in the newest DC Girls launch. Time will tell if this is simply a Fisher-Price theme or a wider multi-media push. Let's check out Ivy below!

Imaginext - HARLEY QUINN!

Imaginext - DC Super Friends - Rivals Pack - Harley Quinn - Fisher-Price 2024

I always find it exciting when a character who is known for being villainously deranged, or violent, or any type of kid-unfriendly attribute gets marketed to children. I remember years ago seeing a Lobo Imaginext in the store and sending a pic to my friends.  We were incredulous that this was a preschool toy. Even recently I saw the Suicide Squad Little People set from Fisher-Price featuring four murderers and the label "Suicide" on the packaging (Yes, I'm aware that this set is marketed to collectors, but it's still jarring). Over the years, Harley has been sanitized to just be a little zany and irrational. Sometimes (annoyingly) she's written as being dim-witted and clueless. But I will always look at her and see the twisted psychopathic psychologist I fell in love with 25 years ago (I was a little late to the Harley party and didn't become a fan until her first solo comic series). This new Imaginext figure continues the cute-washed trend that makes her insanely popular across the generations, but belies the villainy beneath.

Imaginext - WONDER WOMAN!

Imaginext - DC Super Friends - Rivals Pack - Wonder Woman - Fisher-Price 2024

Every few years, DC revamps their effort to merchandise the collective "DC Girls" theme. The first notable time was 2012's Super Best Friends Forever animated shorts.  But the first significant girl-centric campaign came with the launch of DC Super Hero Girls in 2016. There were action figures, dolls, Legos, cartoons, comics, etc. To me, this was a genius move for DC/WB to mimic the success of Disney Princesses. And it was successful.. until it faded away (as all kid-focused properties do), but was rebooted in 2019 with new designs. There is also a current line of DC Girls Action Dolls and miniatures from Jakks Pacific following the same trend. But his newest Imaginext line is still a bit of a mystery. The characters are stylized and the playsets have had a unique matching color palette. There are animated toy shorts on YouTube, but whether or not it is tied something bigger (or just a self-contained Imaginext theme) has yet to be seen. In any case, I'm all-in. Let's check out Wonder Woman below!

Imaginext - BUMBLEBEE!

Imaginext - DC Super Friends - Rivals Pack - Bumblebee - Fisher-Price 2024

When I think of criminally underused DC characters, Bumblebee always hits pretty high on that list. Karen Beecher first became Bumblebee in the 1977 issue of Teen Titans #45 and is considered the first Black female (costumed) hero in DC Comics (Nubia appeared three years earlier but wasn't considered a traditional costumed hero, and Vixen wasn't introduced until 1981). Bumblebee's powers and overall concept weren't groundbreaking. She was essentially DC's version of Marvel's Wasp (who has been around for 15 years already). But something about her design, personality, and role in the Teen Titans lineup was much more appealing to me. She has been a regular team character in several comic series over the years, but she never hit the spotlight. Her animated presence has had a lot more momentum. Since the first Teen Titans animated series in 2003, she has been regularly included in Titans or various DC Girls media, Bombshells, etc. - with a decent amount of cartoony merch to support it.

Imaginext - SUPERGIRL!

Imaginext - DC Super Friends - Batgirl Hero Hideout - Fisher-Price/Mattel 2024

I'm excited that Supergirl has become such a household name in the last 10 years. Between her solo live-action Supergirl TV show (on CBS then CW) and her role in DC Super Hero Girls franchise, she suddenly became a staple character in DC merchandising after decades of neglect. Sure, she had toys on the shelf before this, but her first true action figure was only made in 1998 (exactly 40 years after she was introduced). So despite her presence in the comics and supporting roles in cartoons, the general public didn't know anything about her. But all that has changed now. And once her solo film comes out in a few years, her high position in pop culture will be even more solidified (assuming it's good). This Supergirl figure from the new girl-centric DC Super Friends Imaginext line is one of my favorites of the first wave. She is sporting a super classic costume and a mischievous smirk. This character is not often portrayed as funny or wise-cracking, but this makes me think she should be. Let's check her out below!

Imaginext - BATGIRL!

Imaginext - DC Super Friends - Batgirl Hero Hideout - Fisher-Price/Mattel 2024

The new girl-centric line of DC Super Friends Imaginext toys has started off with a bang. In the first wave of releases we've already seen seven key characters represented in a fresh new style, a colorful palette, and supported by a series of animated shorts from DC Kids on YouTube. The style of these figures is reminiscent of the Teen Titans Go Imaginext line that was released 7-10 years ago featuring larger, more animated heads and slimmer limbs. I think I will always prefer the traditional Imaginext proportions, but this new series has grown on me fast. Batgirl seems to be the primary protagonist of this group. She seemingly owns the heroes' base of operations (the "Batgirl Hero Hideout") and she seems to be the focal point of most of the animated shorts. And that's impressive considering she is joined by heavy-hitters like Wonder Woman and Supergirl. (It's honestly most likely because she has the most impressive and notable villains of all the heroes). Let's check out Batgirl below!

Imaginext - CATWOMAN!

Imaginext - DC Super Friends - Catwoman Playhouse - Fisher-Price/Mattel 2024

When I first saw images of this new girl-centric Imaginext DC Super Friends line popping up this past Spring, I didn't think I would make the effort to collect them. The larger cartoonish heads and the limited articulation are a bit of a buzzkill after years of collecting the main Imaginext line. But when I saw pics of this reimagined Catwoman design, it really grabbed my attention. Having Catwoman be portrayed as African American isn't a new concept. Three of her (relatively few) live-action incarnations have been played by women of color, and numerous Elseworlds comics and animated series appearances have portrayed her as different ethnicities. But something about this simple little figure with her glittery outfit and hot pink details struck me as wholly original and really fun. Once I bought her, of course, I have to splurge and get all the rest - and now I'm committed for the long haul. I only hope they push out new characters instead of endless redecos like Fisher-Price is notorious for. Let's check out Catwoman below!

Imaginext - WONDER WOMAN!

Imaginext - DC Super Friends - Wonder Woman - Fisher-Price/Mattel 2024

About five years ago I swore I would never buy another Wonder Woman Imaginext figure. After all the product related to her solo movies and Justice League, my Imaginext shelf was being overrun with Dianas (plus a lot of them were extremely similar). So flash forward to 2024 and I find myself breaking my word and buying two Wonder Women in a single month. The new girls' line with the new design style was an understandable purchase. But this figure in this post caught me by surprise. She is the exact same mold as her 2012 figure (the second female in this line, after Catwoman). And her accessories are all repurposed. So why did I buy this figure? (In a multipack of figure and vehicles I had no interest in?) Simple. Because of the yellow. I'm a sucker for bright primary colors on my heroes. And this is the first Imaginext Wonder Woman that isn't painted in metallics. She just looks so classic to me and is easily my favorite Diana in the line. Let's check out this great redeco'd Wonder Woman below!

Imaginext - SUPERGIRL (FLASH MOVIE)!

Imaginext - DC Super Friends - Batman & Supergirl (Flash) - Fisher-Price 2023

Imaginext never fails to surprise me with the fun character selection under their DC Super Friends banner. This toy line actually inspired me to create this whole website when I learned about the Catwoman Imaginext via a similar blog (Toyriffic) back in 2012 and I realized none of the "big" websites had mentioned her. I was able to run out and buy her the same day I learned she existed yet she was somehow off the radar of all my many toy news feeds. Since then I've become a member of several Imaginext communities and I never miss a release, but somehow this brand still surprises me eleven years after their first DC female. A couple weeks ago I posted about the new Stephanie Brown Batgirl and soon after I learned that the Sasha Calle DCU Supergirl from The Flash movie was in a new 2-pack easily found at Kohl's. I thought this movie and this reimagined Supergirl were both great. But I'm still surprised Fisher-Price green-lit her for a figure, especially with such a new sculpt. Let's check her out below!

Imaginext - STEPHANIE BROWN BATGIRL!

Imaginext - DC Super Friends - Batman Family Multipack - Fisher-Price 2023

I think my absolute favorite DC character is Stephanie Brown - specifically her brief stint as Batgirl from 2009-2012. She is primarily known as Spoiler, a teen vigilante introduced in 1992 hellbent on thwarting (spoiling) her father's crime - Arthur Brown, the Cluemaster. She was a regular feature (and eventual love interest) in the pages of Robin. Then after twelve years she had the notoriety of becoming the first in-canon female Robin, and promptly being killed. Luckily she didn't stay dead for long. And by 2009 she was back and took on the mantle of Batgirl when Cassandra Cain stepped down. This was when I fell in love with Steph. The comic was funny and fresh with great art and relatable stories. It had a Spider-Man sense of playfulness with the grittiness of Gotham and all the tropes of a Coming of Age storyline. It was just great. Unfortunately it was a victim of the infamous New52 reboot of all DC titles. Steph is still around as Spoiler thankfully, but her brief time in the cowl will always be special.

A Busy Year of DC Heroines from IMAGINEXT!

An Assortment of Imaginext DC Super Friends Ladies - Fisher-Price 2022

The DC Super Friends Imaginext line from Fisher-Price is still going strong eleven years after I bought my first figure (Catwoman). I don't often post about these figures when I acquire them, but trust me I am quite the completist. There are new sculpts released occasionally. But for the most part, the line subsists on clever (and sometimes not-so-clever) re-use of existing sculpts. For instance, there is a newly sculpted Man-Bat hitting stores right now, but 99% of the figures on the shelves (including all 10 in this post) are simple redecos. The big gimmick in 2022 was the use of transparent plastics (aka "Bat-Tech"). The figures utilize light wells, often with holes cut in their capes, and accessories or playsets with pinpointed light sources to illuminate your figures from behind. It's a fun upgrade that has given us a handful of color variants (which I gladly purchase). I'm personally most excited about an upcoming Stephanie Brown redeco of Batgirl, a character who is shamefully underrepresented in plastic.

Super Pets - WONDER WOMAN (and PB)!

DC League of Super-Pets - Wonder Woman and PB - Fisher-Price 2022

Fisher-Price 6" action figures have been largely absent since the 1999-2009 era, when this was a standard format in the preschool aisle. My favorites back then were the Planet Heroes and the DC Super Friends Hero World. The Hero World line (a larger pre-Imaginext line) never included any females so this new Wonder Woman feels like a long lost apology figure. The DC League of Super Pets movie will be released at the end of July. According to the trailer, it features Superman's dog Krypto encountering a group of rescue animals who get exposed to a crystal that gives them powers and abilities reminiscent of the Justice League (except for PB who changes size). The pets mostly seem to pay homage to the comic pets (Ace, Ch'p, Merton, etc) albeit with new origins and no initial connection to the heroes.  I noticed that Jessica Cruz Green Lantern is also in the movie. Hopefully gets a figure! Superman and Batman are the only other humans so far. Let's check out Wonder Woman and PB below!

Jurassic World Imaginext - MAISIE!

Imaginext – Jurassic World – Indoraptor and Maisie – Fisher-Price 2020

There was one delayed release from 2018's flood of Jurassic World products that I was worried I would never get. I'm a big fan of Fisher-Price's Imaginext line, but I must admit distribution of final assortments can be dicey. I had chalked up this Maisie and Indoraptor set as being lost to the abyss of missed-movie-momentum. But then in Spring of 2020, right as the pandemic lockdown began, she started showing up in discount stores like Big Lots. What was really special about this Maisie figure is that she is the first female Imaginext on a smaller juvenile body. The Indoraptor is also a sought-after toy. The original Indoraptor in the Imaginext Jurassic World line was a big complicated contraption with wheels and posts to simulate a walking action. So this smaller free-standing versions was much more conducive to imagination play. So the rarity of this set, the unique body for Maisie, and the desirability of the dinosaur all convinced me that this set was worth of a post. Let's check out Maisie below!

Nick Jr - RAINBOW RANGERS!

Nick Jr's Rainbow Rangers  - Team Rainbow Rangers 8-Pack - Fisher-Price 2020

It's actually pretty surprising that there hasn't been a preschool-age magical girl series in the US before. The formula is so simple: girls with powers, transformation sequences, adventures. And if you want to have a really successful property, apply color themes to the characters. The most recent similar show I've watched was Glitter Force on Netflix (aka PrettyCure), and it followed an extremely similar format as this new Rainbow Rangers show on Nick Jr, albeit aimed toward an older preteen/YA audience. But the interesting thing about seeing this rainbow-themed genre interpreted for a preschool audience is that it instantly reminds me of many classic properties from my childhood like Strawberry Shortcake and Rainbow Brite. The show itself almost has a Dora the Explorer feel with a constant flow of adorable wildlife in need of rescue, but the costumed adventurer angle really makes it stand out. These toys are simple with only 4-poa, but they are really colorful and fun. Let's check them out below!

Little People - BATGIRL and WONDER WOMAN!

DC Super Friends Little People - Heroes 7-Pack - Fisher-Price 2020

If you think about, Fisher-Price's Little People is one of the longest running figurative toy lines out there. They started in the 60s (although rebranded in 1985) and have consistently been putting out product ever since. They were even inducted to the exclusive National Toy Hall of Fame in 2016. That puts it up there with the likes of Barbie, G.I.Joe, and Lego. It was only relatively recently that Fisher-Price started including licensed characters. I believe the first ones were actually DC characters in 2011, but since then they've includes licenses like K.I.S.S., the Beatles, WWE, Disney/Pixar, MOTU, The Office, Lord of the Rings, and Elf (among others). In the nine years since the first DC sets, the design has changed a bit, so it's nice to see this updated set hit the shelves for 2020. The figures now have a more slender body shape composed of a denser, heavier plastic as opposed to the older hollow squeezable bell-shaped bodies. Let's check out Batgirl and Wonder Woman below!

The Imaginext Ladies of TEEN TITANS GO!

Teen Titans Go! – Starfire, Raven, Terra, Jinx, and Ravager – Fisher-Price 2015-18

The Teen Titans have become such an unexpected presence in pop culture. I remember trying to explain the team to my friends way back in gradeschool only to have my excitement fall on deaf ears. But then flash-forward many years later sitting in a hotel room with my siblings on a rainy vacation day when the Teen Titans cartoon premiered on the Cartoon Network. It was a very weird re-imagining, and it honestly was not to my liking, but I felt a sort of vindication that this cast of characters I loved would be exposed to the masses. That original series from 2003 lasted five seasons and was rebooted with a more super-deformed redesign as Teen Titan Go! in 2013 (which is still ongoing). While all these shows are a bit too wacky and nonsensical for me personally, I keep getting drawn in to the merchandising. The character designs are fun and colorful. And when Fisher-Price started to release a Teen Titans Go sub-line under their amazing Imaginext brand, I was hooked. Let's check out the lady Titans below!

An Assortment of Non-DC Comics IMAGINEXT!

Imaginext - Toy Story, Minions, Power Rangers - Fisher-Price/Mattel 2019-2020

While the DC Super Friends Imaginext gets the lion's share of attention in the preschool aisles and toy forums, the figures from the other lines are nothing to turn your nose up at. I tend to let a bunch of Imaginext figures build up and photograph them in a group. In this post I have a few characters from Disney's Toy Story 4, Illumination's Minions: The Rise of Gru, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, and two unbranded Fisher-Price lines... all released over the past few years. I'm always excited to see what surprises will come down the line. There are always new themes and blind bag series in the works and I think there's a very good chance of Masters of the Universe line in the near future (It's been hinted at by Mattel and they recently announced an MOTU Little People set). Plus I would love another Adventure People homage in the form of the X-Ray Woman. The X-Ray Man from a few years ago is lonely! Let's check out this recent collection of Imaginext ladies below!

Two Years of DC Heroines from IMAGINEXT!

An Assortment of Imaginext DC Super Friends Ladies - Fisher-Price 2018-2019

I love Imaginext so much but I get overwhelmed with the sheer amount of figures I've collected over the years. So this post is collecting 23 amazing DC Super Friends ladies I've assembled over the past two years (and there are at least two I couldn't locate amidst my clutter to photograph).  I'm exhausted from editing 214 photos, but giddy about having them all unpackaged now. Way back in early 2012, the release of the Imaginext Catwoman was the push I needed to start this blog - which is funny because I never ended up reviewing that particular figure. But every time there is a new release I feel a nostalgic sense of excitement. The presence of female characters in the line is increasing at a shocking rate, and the two female-centric 6-packs in 2018 is a perfect example of Imaginext's new focus on gender inclusion. It was a very slow trickle for may years, but lately it's been an absolute flood (and I couldn't be happier about it). Let's check out two years of DC Imaginext ladies below!

Rescue Heroes - SANDY O'SHIN!

Rescue Heroes - Series 01 - Sandy O'Shin (Water Rescue) - Fisher-Price 2019

Preschool toys have come leaps and bounds since my childhood. For some reason action figures were always reserved for older children, and the only ones we actually did get were blocky and rather boring. But kids these days have a ton of really fun options. They have aisles full of cutesy articulated animal characters, super heroes, and the most recent additions: the new Rescue Heroes from Fisher-Price. This line is a reboot of a pretty successful run with the same name from 1998-2004. However, these new figures incorporate the design aesthetics of the wildly popular Imaginext line with the larger and more durable construction of the original Rescue Heroes. The initial lineup of characters has been available on the Walmart website for a few weeks. There are seven different figures so far - all featured on a series of animated shorts on YouTube Kids. I'm eagerly awaiting more brightly-colored, punny-named heroes. Let's check out Sandy O'Shin (oh brother, that name) below!

Rescue Heroes - SKY JUSTICE!

Rescue Heroes - Series 01 - Sky Justice & Hover Pack - Mattel/Fisher-Price 2019

When I started really getting into collecting Imaginext figures back in 2012, I was mostly excited about their DC Super Friends characters. But after a while I started diving deep into the history of Fisher-Price "adventure" toys and I discovered Rescue Heroes. These were larger scale figures (roughly 5-6" tall) featuring characters from various heroic professions: Fire fighters, police officers, lifeguards, etc. The line ran from 1998-2004 and had a ton of figures - including at least 19 females! But before you get excited, there were only three unique female characters, just with a zillion redecos. These figures themselves didn't really appeal to me, but I instantly had dreams of them being included in the smaller Imaginext line. Then in 2014, my dreams came true and handful of Imaginext Rescue Heroes were released (but it didn't last). Then there was nothing until this year's Toy Fair when Fisher-Price unveiled a whole new Rescue Heroes line in the original scale but with the Imaginext Aesthetic. Let's check out Sky Justice!