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Nov 30, 2016 By Mark Redfern Web Exclusive

We can all be grown-ups and work jobs to provide for ourselves and our families. But there’s nothing wrong with still keeping your inner child not just alive and well, but well fed. Sure, not everyone still gets that adults like to have their toys too (we just call them collectibles now), but it’s become much more the norm. If you’re a fan of comic books, movies, TV shows, and video games and you’ve got the extra cash then why wouldn’t you want to adorn your desk with some cool action figures, statues, and replica props? When I was kid action figures and toys were still pretty basic, not like the wonderful creations put out these days, so how can I not want to check out and write about some of these cool 21st century collectibles. As Jack Nicholson’s Joker says in Tim Burton’s 1989 Batman movie, “Where does he get those wonderful toys?” Well the answers are below in part 3 of Under the Radar‘s 2016 Holiday Gift Guide.

Also check out the first part of Under the Radar‘s 2016 Holiday Gift Guide, which centers on music reissues, box sets, and vinyl, as well as part 2, which covered adult board games. Over the next week we’ll also be posting more gift guides relating to DVDs and Blu-rays, books and graphic novels, and technology and apparel.

Collectables & Toys:

Alien - 1/4 Scale Action Figure - Translucent Prototype Suit Concept Figure (NECA)

SRP: $107.99

Wow, this thing is scary and very cool. While you wait for Ridley Scott’s latest Alien prequel, Alien: Covenant (the sequel to Prometheus), which is due out next May, check out this rather large figure. It stands over 22 inches tall and is based on H.R. Giger’s original design for the Xenomorph alien, which was at first going to have a translucent flesh-tone skin before the black-colored design was decided upon. This figure has a hinged jaw that opens to reveal a creepy inner mouth that extends out and there are 25 points of articulation. The attention to detail on this figure is astounding. (If you want to get extra scary, also available from NECA is a life-size Facehugger made out of foam.) (Buy it here.)

Ash vs. Evil Dead - 7″ Scale Action Figures - Bloody Ash vs. Demon Spawn 3-Pack (NECA)

SRP: $38.99

Ash vs. Evil Dead has got to be the goriest show on TV right now and that’s just what horror fans love about it. Now in its second season on Starz, Bruce Campbell’s Ash Williams has more than successfully made the transition to the small screen, no doubt in large part because Evil Dead creator Sam Raimi is involved. This action figure set from NECA recreates the season 1 finale and includes a 7-inch tall blood-splattered Ash (complete with a chainsaw and shotgun) along with two different 5-inch tall demon spawn figures. (Also available from NECA is an Evil Dead 2 Ash figure.) (Buy it here.)

Back to the Future: OUTATIME Dice Game (IDW)

SRP: $14.99

Getting back was only the beginning. It’s been 26 years since the final Back to the Future film, 1990’s Back to the Future Part III, and in that time there’s been an animated show, more comic book adventures, and a ton of merchandise. Now there’s this fun dice game from IDW and designed by Daryl Andrews. It’s good for 2-6 players, its recommended age is 8+, and should take about 15 minutes to play. This fast paced game includes 6 dice, a dice cup, 50 power cards, and one DeLorean card. The player that first gets enough gigawatts to go back to the future wins. “What the hell is a gigawatt?” (Buy it here.)

Batman: Arkham City - 1/4 Scale Action Figure - Harley Quinn (NECA)

SRP: $104.99

Harley Quinn entered the mainstream in 2016 thanks to Margot Robbie’s portrayal of her in the hit summer movie Suicide Squad. But there have been plenty of other popular versions of the Joker’s crazed girlfriend, including one found in the Batman: Arkham City video game and that’s the version that NECA has made this impressive figure from. It stands at 18-inches tall, features over 24 points of articulation, and comes with two machine guns and a baseball bat. This is a more dangerous version of Harley, one more likely to take you out than tell bad jokes or call you puddin’. (Buy it here.)

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice - Wonder Woman SWAT Shield and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice - Wonder Woman SWAT Sword (Factory Entertainment)

Shield SRP: $34.99, Sword SRP: $24.99

Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman was one of the highlights of this year’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and now you can more convincingly pretend to be her with Factory Entertainment’s replica Wonder Woman sword and shield from the movie. They are part of company’s SWAT (Soft Weapons and Tactics) line. Each soft weapon makes sound effects from the film, in the sword’s case when it hits something and in the shield’s case when it’s hit. These would work for adult cosplayers or younger girls who just want to run around and feel empowered. (Buy the shield here. Buy the sword here.)

Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure - Wyld Stallyns Clothed Action Figure Box Set (NECA)

SRP: $55.99

A third Bill & Ted movie has long been in the works, with both Alex Winter (Bill) and Keanu Reeves (Ted) eager to return to the iconic characters that helped launch their careers. Chris Matheson and Ed Solomon, the original writers of the first two films (1989’s Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure and 1991’s even better Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey), are also involved which gives hope it’ll maintain the silly tone of the original films. The time traveling teenagers have literally been to hell and back, so what challenges await them in part 3? Likely middle age for starters! While waiting for a third movie to materialize, why not pick up these wonderful Bill & Ted figures from NECA? They each bear the likeness of the actors and are clad in actual fabric clothing just like the classic action figures of the 1970s. These two 8-inch figures are in their Excellent Adventure mode and ready to rock out as their band Wyld Stallyns, complete with electric guitars. Also, the packaging includes an easy to assemble cardboard phone booth time machine. Excellent! (Buy it here.)

Cat Tower Building Game (IDW)

SRP: $15.72

Cat Tower is an adorable little game from IDW created by Taiwanese game designer Aza Chen. It’s described as “a papercraft, tower building, dexterity game starring cats.” You are dealt bendable cat cards that are stacked on top of each other until the tower falls or someone gets rid of all their cards. It’s good for 2-6 players (recommended age is 6+) and should take 15-20 minutes to play. Meow! (Buy it here.)

DC Comics Icons Wonder Woman Statue (DC)

SRP: $99.95

Wonder Woman turns 75 this year. She first appeared in All Star Comics #8 in December 1941. Back then she was the Justice Society of America’s secretary! She’s come a long way since then and made her first big screen appearance in this year’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, arguably stealing the show from the title characters, and next year she gets her first solo film, the much-anticipated Wonder Woman. In honor of her 75th, DC has released this new Wonder Woman statue. It was sculpted by Erick Sosa and features the Amazon princess holding the lasso of truth. (Also available from DC is the Wonder Woman Art of War statue designed by artist Amanda Conner.) (Buy it here.)

DC Super-Pets Joker Fish Plush (DC)

SRP: $14.95

A few years back, as part of the DC Nation block on Cartoon Network, DC introduced a series of funny kid-friendly animated shorts starring the DC Super-Pets. For example, did you know that in the original comics Supergirl had a pet Supercat named Streaky? And of course there’s Superman’s better known Superdog Krypto. Joker Fish was borne out of these shorts. He was a bit of an ineffective villain, considering he could only commit crimes in the water! Now the DC Super-Pets plush line has added Joker Fish to its ranks. Now you can cuddle up to this silly little fish. (Also new to the DC Super-Pets line are Ace the Bat-Hound, Wonder Woman’s kangaroo Jumpa, and Osito, the teddy bear Batman villain Bane played with as a child.) (Buy it here.)

Doctor Who: 3.5 Inch Silver Warrior Dalek Ornament and Doctor Who: TARDIS With Wreath Ornament (BBC)

Dalek SRP: $9.98, TARDIS SRP: $11.98

What your Christmas tree needs is more Doctor Who and these two ornaments should help. Alas the TARDIS ornament is really no bigger on the inside (so no hiding presents in there), but it does light up and has a wreath on the front. The Dalek isn’t as Christmas-y, but if you don’t hang him on your tree he may “EXTERMINATE!” you. (There are plenty of other Doctor Who ornaments also available at shop.bbc.com, including an orange Dalek, an Adipose, a Gingerbread TARDIS, and a Statue of Liberty Weeping Angel.) (Buy the Dalek here. Buy the TARDIS here.)

Doctor Who: Gold Dalek 3D Metal Model Kit and Doctor Who: TARDIS 3D Metal Model Kit (BBC/Fascinations)

Dalek SRP: $13.98, TARDIS SRP: $16.98

Go old school with these cool Metal Earth 3D Metal Model Kits from Fascinations. The pieces can be pushed out of the flat sheets and snapped together. They don’t require any glue or solder, although a good pair of pliers is recommended. (Also available are K-9 and a Cyberman head.) (Buy the Dalek here. Buy the TARDIS here.)

Doctor Who - The Twelfth Doctor’s Second Sonic Screwdriver (BBC/Underground Toys)

SRP: $29.98

The Doctor doesn’t like to use guns and avoids violence, and especially killing, whenever possible. His weapon of choice is a Sonic Screwdriver, which can open most locks, help control and detect technology, read bio signs, and do other useful things. Peter Capaldi’s Twelfth Doctor took a break from his screwdriver last season, instead opting for the controversial Sonic Shades, but later in the season, in the episode “Hell Bent,” he got a new Sonic Screwdriver and now the BBC and Underground Toys have made this fun replica of it. It lights up both blue and green and makes sonic screwdriver-y noises. Just remember that it won’t be much help with wood. (Buy it here.)

Game of Thrones - Direwolf Cub Wave 2 - Set of Three (Factory Entertainment)

SRP: $55.00

Game of Thrones doesn’t strike one as a warm and cuddly show, after-all “winter is coming,” but Factory Entertainment’s set of plush Direwolf Cubs are warm and cuddly. Your pre-schooler or elementary schooler may not be remotely ready to attend the Red Wedding, but they could hang with these adorable stuffies. (Buy it here.)

Godzilla - 12″ Head-to-Tail Action Figure - 2001 Godzilla (NECA)

SRP: $22.99

Godzilla made a Hollywood comeback with the 2014 movie starring Bryan Cranston, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Elizabeth Olsen being much better received than the generally disliked 1998 film starring Matthew Boderick, but in the monster’s native Japan they never stopped making Godzilla movies. This new NECA figure is based on the version of the character that appeared in the 2001 Japanese movie Godzilla, Mothra, and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack. That’s quite a title. The figure is 6-inches tall, 12-inches long from head to tail, and has over 30 points of articulation, including a movable tail. (Buy it here.)

I Am Sherlocked - Heat Sensitive Mug (BBC)

SRP: $12.98

Most of the BBC’s Holiday Gift Guide recommendations this year were understandably Doctor Who-related, but Sherlock fans need not be left out. This heat-sensitive mug comes to life when filled with warm liquid and features the phrase “I Am Sherlocked.” (Buy it here.)

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation - 8″ Clothed Figure - Santa Clark (NECA)

SRP: $29.99

Just in time for the holidays is NECA’s goofy and lovable Clark Griswold figure, dressed in the Santa outfit he wore in1989’s National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. This 8-inch figure looks just like Chevy Chase and, like NECA’s Bill & Ted figures, he’s clad in fabric clothing like the classic action figures from the 1970s. Clark comes with a Marty Moose mug, removable Santa hat, and a replica model pool. (Buy it here.)

Nightmare on Elm Street - 7″ Scale Action Figure - New Nightmare Freddy (NECA)

SRP: $21.99

In 1994 the late-horror icon Wes Craven returned to the Nightmare on Elm Street slasher film series he launched with the 1984 original movie. New Nightmare was a self-reflective take on the horror genre, as Robert Englund’s Freddy Krueger character comes into the real world and starts killing the actual actors who starred in the original film. This 7-inch action figure is based on New Nightmare appearance of Freddy, clad in his signature green and red-striped sweater. It has 25 points of articulation and includes a removable hat and interchangeable head. (Also available from NECA is a Freddy figure based on 1987’s A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, which really freaked me out as a child when I saw it at an elementary school birthday party when I was far too young!) (Buy it here.)

Rainbow Batman Action Figure 6-Pack (DC)

SRP: $69.95

In Detective Comics #241, from 1957, Batman dressed up in various different rainbow colored Batman costumes to draw attention away from an injured Robin and thus help protect Robin’s secret identity. This new six action figure set from DC pays homage to that kitschy classic. Because who doesn’t need a set of rainbow-colored Batmen? (Buy it here.)

Suicide Squad - Harley Quinn SWAT Good Night Bat and Suicide Squad - Harley Quinn SWAT Mallet (Factory Entertainment)

Bat SRP: $29.99, Mallet SRP: $39.99

Here’s a cool tie-in to this year’s Suicide Squad blockbuster. Factory Entertainment have re-produced Harley Quinn’s famous Good Night Bat and Mallet as part of their SWAT (Soft Weapons and Tactics) line. Like the Wonder Woman sword and shield mentioned above, each soft weapon makes sound effects from the film when it hits something. These are good for cosplay or just goofing about, since the weapons are harmless. (Buy the bat here. Buy the mallet here.)

Terminator - 7″ Action Figure - Ultimate T-800 (Police Station Assault) (NECA)

SRP: $24.99

2015’s Terminator Genisys was a poorly received dud, despite seeing the return of Arnold Schwarzenegger, and really none of the last three Terminator films could be considered classics, but at least we’ll always have James Cameron’s amazing first two films (as well as the underappreciated TV series Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles). This 7-inch action figure features Schwarzenegger’s T-800 killer robot as he appeared in the original Terminator movie from 1984, back when the character was a badass villain. In particular it features the character as he looked when he assaulted the police station. Bearing a perfect likeness to Schwarzenegger, this figure comes with three guns, two extra hands, and two bonus heads. “I’ll be back.” Indeed. (Buy it here.)