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Dec 10, 2015 By Mark Redfern

Action figures, games, and models used to be for kids only, but in the last 10 years or so it’s become much more socially acceptable for kids of all ages to collect toys and play board games. The growing market for collectibles has been catered to by ever more elaborately detailed action figures and statues, just as geek culture has been hitting the mainstream hard, with blockbuster movie franchises and hit television shows based on comic books seemingly everywhere. So welcome to part five of Under the Radar’s Holiday Gift Guide 2015, which centers on collectibles and games.

Christmas, Hanukkah, and Festivus (for the rest of us) are all on the way. Whichever holiday you celebrate, chances are you’ll have an occasion to give some gifts in the coming weeks and we’re here to help you make some smart purchases. Included in this final gift guide post are action figures and statues featuring movie and comic book icons, as well as a board game that will help you find the truth. There are gifts for both kids and the young at heart.

Also read our first Holiday Gift Guide post on graphic novels and books, part two, which concerned DVDs and Blu-rays, part three, which featured 2015’s best music reissues and box sets, and part four, which centered on technology and apparel.

Collectibles and Games:

Star Wars Commander Luke Skywalker - Hoth Sixth Scale Figure (Sideshow Collectibles)

SRP: $199.99

When I was a young child, pre the Star Wars prequels, I had some of the original Star Wars action figures, including a Luke Skywalker in his Hoth snow garb from Empire Strikes Back. But I doubt the six-year-old me could comprehend a future in which not only are some of those original action figures worth a lot of money if you still have them in the original packaging, but where there’s also such cool and richly detailed Star Wars toys as this Luke Skywalker Hoth collectible by the good folks over at Sideshow Collectibles. This is a beautiful sixth scale figure, meaning Luke is about a foot tall. He comes in hand-tailored insulated cold-weather fatigues clothing. Included also is an extra head with a hat and goggles, binoculars, a light saber, a blaster, various switch out hands, and more. If time travel was possible you could make your childhood self very jealous by buying one of these. Oh wait, it’s a gift guide, and you’re meant to buy this for someone else. You can do that too. (Buy it here.)

Star Wars R2-D2 Deluxe Sixth Scale Figure (Sideshow Collectibles)

SRP: $149.99

Star Wars fever is at a peak this year thanks to Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Hoping to wash away the bad aftertaste left by George Lucas’ poorly received Star Wars prequels, director J.J. Abrams is taking us back to that far, far away galaxy. A sequel to 1983’s Return of the Jedi, the movie is set around 30 years later and brings back all the major cast from the original trilogy (including Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Mark Hamill). Also back is Kenny Baker as everyone’s favorite beeping droid, R2-D2. A nice gift for a big Star Wars fan, the kind who bought their Force Awakens tickets months early, as soon as they went on sale, for the earliest showing possible, would be Side Show Collectibles’ deluxe R2-D2 figure. The sixth scale figure is one of the more intricate we’ve seen. Not only does it light up with sequencing lights, it has lots of cool features, including “a hidden Skywalker lightsaber hilt with a magnetic tip that allows access to a range of his internal gadgetry, including periscope, life-scanner, and multiple articulated arms for performing various intergalactic duties.” It also comes with Ben Kenobi’s table, a little figure representing Princess Leia’s secret holographic transmission, and the beverage tray that R2-D2 used while undercover on Jabba the Hut’s sail barge in Return of the Jedi. Despite Obi-Wan Kenobi’s best mind wiping efforts, this is the one droid you are looking for. (Buy it here.)

Superman (Christopher Reeve) - 1/4 Scale Action Figure (NECA)

SRP: $104.99

For the last couple of years Superman fans have debated the merits of 2013’s Man of Steel and Henry Cavill’s performance as the hero. And before that 2006’s Superman Returns and Brandon Routh’s take on the title role was under scrutiny. But few will argue that Christopher Reeve wasn’t perfect in the dual roles of Superman and Clark Kent. To those who grew up in the ‘70s and ‘80s he is the definitive Superman, bringing real strength and humanity to the super-powered alien from the planet Krypton. NECA have put together this very lifelike 1/4 scale action figure of Reeve as Superman. The figure is 18 inches tall and features the authorized likeness of Reeve (they worked closely with the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation and Warner Bros. when designing the figure). It features a tailored soft fabric cape and comes with interchangeable hands. The last decade was both tragic and inspiring, as he became a true life hero after becoming a quadriplegic following a horse accident and then lobbied on behalf of people with spinal cord injuries and for stem cell research. This handsome figure is a fitting tribute to the man who was a hero both on and off the screen. (Buy it here.)

DC Comics Bombshells Holiday Wonder Woman Statue (DC)

SRP: $99.99

DC Direct has had a great series of statues the last few years called Bombshells, which re-imagines some of their female heroes in new 1940s costumes. They have proven popular enough that there’s a recently launched Bombshells comic book series that features the heroines in World War II. Now DC has released a holiday themed version of their Wonder Woman Bombshells statue. Sculpted by Tim Miller from artwork by Ant Luca, this hand-sculpted cold-cast porcelain statue alters the colors of her costume to be a more Christmas-y red and green, instead of red and blue. Whereas in the original statue she was holding broken chains in her hands, here she holds vintage Christmas lights. It’s not so Christmas-y that it can’t also be enjoyed year-round, but it’d make a great centerpiece at a geek-themed Christmas dinner. And while you’re at, you might want to throw in to the package for your giftee a copy of Bombshells #1. Also available is a DC Comics Bombshells Holiday Harley Quinn statue, where she is dressed like a Santa’s elf. (Buy it here.)

Terminator 2 - 7” Scale Action Figure - Ultimate T-800 and The Terminator - 7” Action Figure - T-800 Endoskeleton in Windowbox Packaging

SRP: $24.99 (Terminator 2), $18.99 (Endoskeleton)

He did promise he’d back, and while this year’s Terminator Genisys, which saw the return of Arnold Schwartzenegger as the T-800 Terminator, was poorly received by critics and audiences, who doesn’t love James Cameron’s two original Terminator movies from 1984 and 1991? If only Cameron wasn’t too busy making a million Avatar sequels, it’d be great to see him take the reigns of the Terminator franchise again. NECA has returned to the glory of the first two Terminator movies with two new action figures.

The Terminator 2 Ultimate T-800 7” scale figure features the likeness of Schwartzenegger from Terminator 2: Judgment Day, when the early twist in the film was that he was the hero. This imposing figure includes three interchangeable heads: regular, sunglasses, and battle damaged. It also has over 25 points of articulation and comes with a bunch of weapons, including a mini-gun, shotgun, pistol, and grenade launcher. Also available is a 7” scale T-800 Endoskeleton figure, which is essentially what a Terminator looks like under its synthetic skin. It comes with a machine gun. Hasta la vista, baby! (Buy Terminator 2 figure here. Buy Endoskeleton figure here.)

DC Icons: Green Arrow Figure (DC)

SRP: $24.95

Green Arrow didn’t used to be a particular hip hero, but ever since Arrow, The CW show focused on the vigilante hero now in its fourth season, he’s been cool again. This new 6-inches tall Green Arrow action figure from DC is based on the design from writer Mike Grell’s The Longbow Hunter series. It comes with two bows and several arrows. The figure is part of the DC Icons series that also includes Arrow‘s CW counterpart The Flash (in Crisis on Infinite Earths mode), Brightest Day Deadman, Forever Evil Black Adam, Infinite Crisis Blue Beetle, Forever Evil Lex Luthor, and more. (Buy it here.)

DC Comics Super-Pets: Streaky Plush (DC)

SRP: $19.95

Streaky is Supergirl’s cat, although I wouldn’t bet on seeing the feline show up on CBS’ new TV show top-lined by the Girl of Steel. Streaky definitely belongs in the 1960s Silver Age during which he was created but was revived in the DC Nation animated shorts on the Cartoon Network featuring the Super-Pets (including Superman’s dog Krypto). This would make a great gift for your young daughter, niece, or a friend’s daughter (or son of course). The cuddly stuffed animal is 9 inches tall and super adorable. I’ll be giving it to my three-year-old daughter, who loves the Super-Pets animated shorts. (Buy it here.)

Funko POP TV: Sherlock - Sherlock Holmes with Violin Action Figure (Funko)

SRP: $9.92

There have been a lot of Sherlock Holmes of late, from Robert Downey, Jr.‘s two Victorian London-set films to Jonny Lee Miller as a contemporary Holmes in New York on CBS TV’s Elementary to Sir Ian McKellen as a 93-year-old Holmes in this year’s Mr. Holmes movie. But the most beloved Holmes of recent years might be Benedict Cumberbatch’s portrayal in BBC’s modern London-set Sherlock. Funko’s POP figures are a lot of fun and the range encompasses all sorts of movie, TV, and comic book characters. Now they have a new 3 and 3/4 inch one for Cumberbatch’s Sherlock in which he is clutching a violin. With a new Sherlock special coming on New Year’s Day (it’s actually set in Victorian England as a one-off episode), this is a timely gift for your favorite Cumberbatch-devotee or Sherlock fan. (Buy it here.)

Guardians of the Galaxy - Dancing Groot Body Knocker (NECA)

SRP: $11.99

This baby dancing Groot from the end of Marvel’s blockbuster Guardians of the Galaxy movie moves back and forth. No music is required, and neither are batteries, the six inch tall figure is solar-powered. So put it on your windowsill and watch him groove. I am Groot! (Buy it here.)

LittleBigPlanet - 7” Scale Action Figure - Series 1 Assortment (NECA)

SRP: $18.98 - $20.95

LittleBigPlanet is one of those kid-friendly video games that’s so imaginative that it’s actually a lot of fun for adults to play too. Now NECA has produced these three new LittleBigPlanet action figures. Each features a different version of hero Sackboy: there’s Happy Sackboy, Sad Sackboy, and Sackboy as Kratos from God of War. Each poseable figure is around 5.25 inches tall and would make a nice gift for a video game fan young or old. (Buy Sackboy Happy here, Buy Sackboy Sad here, Buy Kratos/God of War here.)

The X-Files Board Game (IDW) and The X-Files: Season 11 #1 Comic Book (IDW)

SRP: $59.99 (board game), $3.99 (comic book)

The X-Files legacy may have been slightly sullied by a less-than-great final couple of seasons and a disappointing series finale, as well as 2008’s poorly received second movie, The X-Files: I Want to Believe. But FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully are coming back in a big way in January in a six-episode event TV series on FOX. Any X-Files fanatic may appreciate IDW’s X-Files board game. It’s labeled as “a board game of paranormal investigation and cover-up.” The board is map of the United States and you must travel across the country gathering enough evidence to stop the nefarious Cigarette Smoking Man. It’d be perfect to pull out at a geek-friendly holiday party to get everyone pumped for the new X-Files episodes. In the long gap since the last X-Files movie Mulder and Scully have been kept alive in comic book form, most recently by IDW. The original X-Files lasted nine seasons and IDW picked things up with a series of comic books set during a potential season 10 and now they are onto season 11. If you’re giving someone the board game then why not throw in a copy of the first issue of season 11, which features Mulder, Scully, and the Lone Gunmen. The truth is still out there! (Buy the board game here. Buy the comic book here.)