Getting into action

Feelings for the military run high in some circles, prompting individuals to look for something to remind them of the men and women who serve the country, or just show their patriotism in a figure-ative way. From the beaches of Normandy during WWII to U.S. soldiers in the Middle East, military figures are taking the likeness of troops past and present. Complete with modern gas mask carriers, bio-chem suits, rifles and more, retailers can offer their customers an array of life-like looks at the military.

G.I. Joe

The real American hero has a new look compliments of Hasbro, Pawtucket, R.I. The brand, which was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame last November, will release the G.I. Joe Sigma Six Commando figures ($14.99 for five-figure assortment). The 8-inch figures feature commando replicas like Storm Shadow, Heavy Duty and Duke with their signature accessories. A Ninja Hover Cycle, a motorcycle that changes into a hovercraft (SRP $14.95), is sold separately.

Military Series 1

A U.S. Navy Seal with amphibious gear or a U.S. Air Force Special Command CCT are among the new Military Series 1 figures from The McFarlane Companies, Tempe, Ariz. The figures (SRP $10-$12) come with accessories for specific regiments, including desert combat load out and grenade launcher for the U.S. Army Desert Infantry mode, or a spotter scope for a U.S. Marine Corps Recon Sniper. Other figures include U.S. Army Rangers and U.S. Marine Recon Soldiers.

Dragon Armor

More WWII figures arrive this fall from Dragon Model USA, City of Industry, Calif. The Dragon Armor line, will include a 1944 Jagdpanther tanker ("Hunting Tanker") with historically accurate three-toned camouflage, weather track links and display case (SRP $15.99). Also from Dragon Model comes the Georgian Legion Normandy troop, 1944. The four figure set features detailed figures modeled after the legion formed by the Red Army volunteers captured by Germans and forced to serve, before later joining local resistance movements in Italy and France (SRP $7.50).

From the world of comics to the cartoon networks and the big screen, animated figures are omnipresent—children and adults want to take home their favorite characters from TV cartoons, animated films and video games. Stocking up on the latest life-like animated characters of now, and of the past, can make an excellent window display (i.e. The Fantastic Four's The Thing battling it out with Master Chief from Halo 2), attracting a wider audience of figure buyers.

Marvel Heroes

Diamond Select Toys will offer the Sybiote Spider-Man this Wolverine, Thanos and the Ultimate Carnage figures (SRP $18.99 each) this fall. Minimate versions of Marvel from Diamond Select and Art Asylum, New York, will also be available this fall. Series 10 will feature characters like Sandman/Silver Sable. Series 11 will feature Rogue/Mystique and Bishop/Cable and more (SRP $7.99).

Halo 2

The characters of popular video game Halo 2 come to life in Halo 2 Series 4 figures from RC2, Oak Brook, Ill. Each figure includes several weapons and is a close likeness to characters in the game. Each assortment will include two 7-inch figures with one Blue Spartan or Ghost with mini Brute and one Tartarus Brute or Spec Ops Grunt.

Figure Factory

Customers can build their own favorite Marvel characters in mini form. The Figure Factory line from Toy Biz, New York, features 15 to 25 pieces for construction. Each series will include 8 identifiable figures and 12 mystery characters. Each package also contains four trading cards that form two 20 × 28-inch posters when all cards are collected; there are 64 cards in each series (SRP $5.99).

Halloween is three months away, but every day is monster day for mutant fans. Stock up on monsters just in time for the Halloween season or year-round for the avid collector—either way, the monster in figure form is not as scary as the filmed thing! Take King Kong, coming to the big screen this holiday season, the Creeper from Jeepers Creepers 2 or Mohawk from Gremlins 2 ready before October 31.

King Kong

Kong lives—in figure form. The new King Kong figures from Playmates, Costa Mesa, Calif., include Kong, T. Rex, Water Beast, and more. The features come in the basic, 6-inch style, 11-inches and the Supreme Kong (pounds fists over head and knuckle walk poses) at 14 inches. (SRP $9.99 to $19.99).

Now Playing, Series 2

The Creeper from Jeepers Creepers, Sota Toys, Van Nuys, Calif., will skulk into stores late summer/early fall. But don't forget the Killer Clowns from Outer Space (late summer) and Nightmares of Lovercraft figures line with creepy characters like Dagon and Cthulhu just in time for Halloween. Look out for Land of the Dead (George Romero) figures early 2006. (SRP $19.99)

Cult & Muppets

Oh My God Cheap New Figures Online, Rancho Cordova, Calif., brings back Mohawk from Gremlins 2, Eric Draven, The Crow, Jason Voorhees (Friday the 13th VII), American Psycho Patrick Bateman and Uncle Deadly from the Muppets this summer.

Metaluna Mutant

The Metaluna Mutant from Sideshow Collectibles, Westlake Village, Calif., comes in 12-inch form. The Mutant, based on the character from the 1950s series This Island Earth, features a miniature Metaluna spaceship. Also from Sideshow this fall are characters from Buffy the Vampire Slayer series, Oz and Zander.