BigBadToyStore’s latest collector update is less a single themed drop than a snapshot of how broad the modern hobby has become. The August 19 newsletter moves from Mezco’s One:12 Collective Kingpin and NECA’s long-awaited Powdered Toast Man to Legacy of Kain statues, Conan, Helltaker, Transformers, ThunderCats, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and original action-figure properties from BigBadWorkShop.
The most notable development is BigBadLaunchPad, a collector-driven platform intended to let fans follow projects, provide feedback, unlock additional items, and secure orders as a concept develops. That approach is particularly relevant to original properties, where collector participation can help determine whether a project remains a single figure or grows into a broader display-ready lineup.
BigBadLaunchPad puts original characters in the spotlight
The launchpad announcement includes NPC figures, described as characters designed to work across a variety of 1/12-scale collections rather than being tied to one storyline or fictional universe. For collectors, that positioning is important. A strong original figure does not need an established license if the design can function as a soldier, mercenary, civilian, villain, or background character beside existing Marvel, DC, military, science-fiction, fantasy, or horror shelves.
This kind of modular world-building has become increasingly attractive to hobbyists who customize displays and build original dioramas. Instead of asking collectors to commit to an entire unfamiliar universe, NPC figures appear intended to serve as flexible additions to collections that may already include established brands. The success of the concept will likely depend on the visual language of the figures, accessory compatibility, and whether future releases provide enough variety to justify building beyond a first purchase.
BigBadLaunchPad also reflects a wider shift in the collectibles market. Crowdfunding and fan-supported development have already demonstrated that collectors are willing to support niche characters when the presentation is strong and the manufacturer communicates clearly. The opportunity here is appealing, but the platform will need to show meaningful project updates and deliver designs that look complete rather than merely “generic” in the literal sense.
Mezco Kingpin and NECA’s Powdered Toast Man bring very different kinds of nostalgia
Mezco’s Kingpin joining the One:12 Collective is the most obvious choice for collectors building comic-book shelves. Wilson Fisk has long been one of Marvel’s most visually distinctive street-level villains, and his imposing proportions make him a natural centerpiece for a One:12 display. His presence should also create a stronger sense of scale beside Daredevil, Spider-Man, Punisher, and other characters already represented in the line.
Kingpin’s appeal is not simply that he fills a character gap. He is the kind of release that can anchor an entire section of a collection. Mezco’s One:12 format is especially suited to characters whose visual identity depends on clothing, tailoring, and layered costume elements, giving Kingpin a different display profile from a conventional plastic superhero figure.
At the opposite end of the nostalgia spectrum is NECA’s seven-inch Ultimate Powdered Toast Man from The Ren & Stimpy Show. The announcement includes interchangeable heads and hands, a Muddy Mudskipper figure, a can of powdered toast, and a toaster. That accessory selection gives the release more personality than a straightforward character figure and directly supports the absurd visual comedy associated with the character.
Powdered Toast Man is also the kind of license that can generate attention beyond the usual collector circles. He has the potential to sit comfortably beside other NECA cartoon releases, but his exaggerated design should also make him an effective crossover piece for displays featuring Earthworm Jim, vintage animation characters, or offbeat pop-culture figures. The inclusion of Muddy Mudskipper is particularly significant for display value, since it gives collectors an immediate character interaction rather than leaving the hero standing alone.
Legacy of Kain, Conan, and Helltaker expand the licensed range
Dark Horse’s Kain statue, produced in partnership with Crystal Dynamics, targets a more dedicated statue audience. Based on the vampire ruler of Nosgoth, the polyresin piece stands approximately 7.5 inches tall and measures about 11 inches at its widest point. It is designed as part of a diorama with the previously offered Raziel statue, placing the emphasis on composition as much as on the individual character.
That pairing is the strongest reason to consider Kain. Collectors who display statues as scenes rather than isolated portraits will likely get more from the release than someone looking only for a traditional character bust or figure. The hand-numbered edition and certificate of authenticity also reinforce its position as a limited statue product, although availability and aftermarket interest are naturally separate questions from the quality of the concept.
Boss Fight Studio’s King Conan: Ruler of Aquilonia brings Robert E. Howard’s character into the Epic H.A.C.K.S. line. This version is not the wandering barbarian or cinematic warrior most commonly represented in figure form; it focuses on Conan as monarch. That gives the release a more formal silhouette and a different storytelling angle, with royal costume elements and accessories intended to communicate his status as ruler of Aquilonia.
The figure should be especially attractive to collectors who want their Conan shelf to reflect more than one period of the character’s life. In a line built around customization and parts compatibility, King Conan may also offer useful components for builders interested in fantasy armies, royal courts, or original barbarian characters.
Good Smile Company’s figma Lucifer from Helltaker rounds out the pre-order section with a release aimed squarely at anime, game, and internet-culture collectors. Lucifer’s sharp character design and strong facial expressions make her a natural fit for the figma format, where interchangeable expressions and posing options are central to the appeal. The character also follows earlier Helltaker merchandise, giving fans another way to display the franchise beyond static figures and smaller-format products.
Props and exclusives give the arrival list plenty of shelf presence
The new-arrivals portion is dominated by display pieces. Trick or Treat Studios’ officially licensed Krang 1:1 prop replica is aimed at collectors who want a large-scale centerpiece rather than another standard action figure. Its appeal will depend heavily on how well the final piece captures Krang’s grotesque animated design and how practical it is to display, but the character is an obvious choice for a prop treatment.
The 35-inch Sword of Omens offers a more traditional replica experience. Trick or Treat Studios lists a light-up Eye of Thundera activated from the hilt, giving the piece a presentation feature that should help it stand out in a media room, convention display, or ThunderCats collection. At this size, the sword is less about articulation or play features and more about silhouette, recognizable details, and how convincingly it recreates the animated weapon.
A One Ring lamp adds a quieter Middle-earth option, using a warm-temperature LED lighting mode inside a PVC design. It is not a conventional collectible figure, but these ambient products can be useful for collectors who want their display spaces to carry a franchise theme without filling every shelf with character pieces.
For Transformers collectors, the Age of the Primes Deluxe Class Combaticon Vortex is a practical addition to the Combaticon team. The 5.5-inch figure converts between robot and helicopter modes in 19 steps and includes three blasters. Its major selling point is obvious: Vortex is intended to combine with the other Combaticons to form Bruticus, so the figure’s importance extends beyond its individual robot mode.
The update closes with the Operation: Monster Force Delta Red Bloodwatch Elite, a JoeFest 2026 exclusive in a limited production run. Listed as a 1/18-scale release, the figure offers a smaller-scale alternative to the line’s 1/12 products while continuing BigBadWorkShop and Fresh Monkey Fiction’s expansion of the Monster Force setting. The Delta Red color scheme should make it an appealing variant for army builders and collectors who enjoy convention-exclusive colorways without needing an entirely new character.
Collector verdict: This is an unusually varied BBTS update, but Powdered Toast Man, Kingpin, and Kain are the clear standouts for collectors looking for character-driven additions with strong display identities. The broader appeal comes from the range: anime and game fans get Lucifer, Transformers builders get another Combaticon, prop collectors get Krang and the Sword of Omens, and customizers get new options from BigBadLaunchPad and Operation: Monster Force.
Sources
- toyark.com
- bigbadtoystore.com
- darkhorsedirect.com
- trickortreatstudios.com
- reddit.com
