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At New Meta, we take our toys seriously… but we also know how to have fun. So we asked ourselves a totally reasonable question:If the biggest toy lines were fast food restaurants, which ones would they be?Turns out, the comparisons are surprisingly accurate—and hilarious. Let’s dig in: Marvel Legends = McDonald’s Consistent, iconic, and built to serve the masses. Marvel Legends is the Big Mac of the action figure world—familiar, dependable, and always evolving just enough to stay relevant. You’ll never go long without a new wave, and there’s something for collectors of every level.Sometimes the execution is brilliant (cue that deluxe Venom), sometimes it’s a repaint with a different fry box. But like McDonald’s, the brand recognition is unmatched. You know what you’re getting—and most of the time, it hits the spot. Transformers = Taco Bell Wildly inventive, occasionally chaotic, but secretly brilliant. Transformers figures are engineering marvels—robots in disguise that somehow fold into Lambos, jets, or prehistoric monsters. Like Taco Bell’s menu, it’s the same core ingredients (plastic and nostalgia) folded 500 different ways—and it keeps working.There’s a bit of unpredictability. Some figures transform like butter; others feel like a Rubik’s cube wrapped in a puzzle. But when a line like Legacy or Studio Series lands just right? Chef’s kiss. Spicy, nostalgic, and surprisingly satisfying. G.I. Joe Classified = KFC Bold, flavorful, and all about the American power fantasy. G.I. Joe Classified is finger-lickin’ good for collectors who want gear-packed, tactical figures. Each release is like a bucket of crispy, over-accessorized goodness.There’s a sense of over-the-top patriotism baked into the brand, but now with a modern sculpt and articulation twist. And just like KFC’s 11 herbs and spices, there’s always a little something extra—alternate hands, goggles, weapons racks. The value meal of the 6” scale. NECA TMNT = Domino’s Nostalgic, a little greasy, and totally craveable. NECA’s TMNT line is like late-night Domino’s: it scratches a specific itch. The figures ooze nostalgia—literally and figuratively. Whether it’s animated or movie-based, every figure is a slice of 80s and 90s bliss.But there’s a catch: availability. These figures can be harder to track down than a pizza guy in NYC traffic. You might get an overcooked crust (QC issues), but when it’s hot and fresh? It’s absolutely worth it. McFarlane DC Multiverse = Burger King Loud, flashy, and full of surprise menu items. McFarlane’s DC Multiverse line is like Burger King: bold styling, constant innovation, and a willingness to take risks that other brands wouldn’t dare.You never quite know what’s coming next—Glow-in-the-Dark Batmen? Ultra Gold Label exclusives? A figure with no articulation but massive shelf presence? It’s all on the table. You either get a Whopper or… well, something weirdly shaped but still kind of cool. Jada Toys (Street Fighter / Mega Man) = Chipotle Clean, precise, and quickly becoming a fan favorite. Jada’s entries into the 1/12 scale game are like Chipotle burritos—fresh ingredients, strong flavors, and solid build quality wrapped in a sleek, no-nonsense package.Street Fighter fans are loving the range of articulation and scale accuracy, and Mega Man collectors are finally getting affordable, display-worthy options. It’s not bloated, not gimmicky—just a great product line that respects its source material. And it’s only getting hotter. Bandai = Popeyes Bold, underrated, and full of flavor at every level. Bandai is the Popeyes of the toy world—bold, underrated, and packed with variety that keeps collectors coming back. Entry-level lines like Dragon Stars and Gundam Universe are your classic combo meals: affordable, flavorful, and easy to find. SH Figuarts steps it up with premium articulation and sculpting, like Popeyes’ spiciest wings—fiery, precise, and not for casual appetites. And then there’s Gunpla, the hidden gem: a hands-on build experience that’s more hobby than toy, but delivers deep satisfaction. Bandai might not always get the spotlight, but when you want depth, style, and serious collector flavor—it’s always a solid order. Mattel = Wendy’s Classic comfort, with just enough bite to surprise you. Mattel is the Wendy’s of the toy world—classic, dependable, and surprisingly sharp when it wants to be. With lines like Masters of the Universe, WWE, and Jurassic World, they serve up big-brand staples with just enough attitude to stand out. You might not always crave it, but when a new MOTU or WWE Elite figure hits just right, it’s a reminder that Mattel knows how to deliver a quality combo. It’s not reinventing the wheel, but it’s doing fast, familiar favorites with style—and an occasional spicy nugget of innovation. 🌌 Star Wars Black Series = Starbucks Drive-Thru Polished, familiar, and always part of the daily ritual. Star Wars Black Series is the Starbucks of action figures—everywhere, sleekly packaged, and often more about the brand experience than what’s in the cup. You get a polished, premium vibe, and when the figure’s on point—like a well-sculpted trooper or deluxe Darth Vader—it’s genuinely satisfying. But it also leans heavily on familiar favorites, with endless repaints and variants that feel more like seasonal lattes than bold new offerings. Still, collectors keep coming back, because even when it’s predictable, it’s comforting—and looks great on display. 🧃Final Sip: What’s Your Flavor? Whether you’re a Marvel guy grabbing your Happy Meal of Legends or a TMNT fan waiting on a greasy (but glorious) NECA drop, every line has its own flavor. The key is knowing what you’re hungry for—and building your collection like the perfect combo meal. Which toy line do YOU think is Chick-fil-A?(We have our suspicions it might be Mezco.)

For years, Hasbro has been the undisputed home of Marvel Legends—delivering collectors an ever-expanding, highly articulated roster of comic book and cinematic heroes. But let’s play a little “what if?” What if Hasbro decided to hang up the cape and pass the torch? Who would be worthy of picking it up? Option 1: McFarlane Toys Pros: Known for sculpt detail and bold design choices. Impressive work on DC Multiverse and Spawn figures. Larger figure scale makes characters feel imposing on display. Cons: Limited articulation compared to Marvel Legends. Todd McFarlane’s design philosophy sometimes prioritizes aesthetics over playability. Inconsistent female figure design and reuse of limited body molds. Option 2: Mattel Pros: Proven track record with WWE and Masters of the Universe Origins. Solid distribution and retail partnerships. Good articulation systems and accessories with their premium lines. Cons: Historically hasn’t held a major Marvel figure license. Tends to focus on mass-market over collector-grade detail. Could struggle to balance comic and MCU styling preferences. My Pick: Jada Toys While they’re not the first name people toss around in these conversations, Jada Toys has quietly become the dark horse contender. Their Mega Man line nails the stylized, nostalgia-fueled aesthetic, and their Street Fighter figures are arguably the most exciting thing happening in fighting game collectibles right now. Why Jada? Articulation and sculpt: A perfect balance of poseability and personality. Pricing: Highly competitive without sacrificing quality. Fan-first approach: They listen to feedback and iterate fast. Momentum: They’re on the rise and hungry to innovate. If Hasbro ever steps back from Marvel Legends, Jada Toys has the passion, execution, and creative chops to honor the legacy—and maybe even level it up.

Displaying action figures can be tough. Oftentimes it might feel overwhelming or daunting just getting started. Perhaps you’ve had too many heavy figures tumble over and take the shelf with them. Then there’s the issue of shelf space which we can never get enough of. Even for the seasoned displayer, it can be nice to get some inspiration from the ways others do things. Here’s a few easy ideas that can help your displays and make even limited space look great.-Tip 1: store the figures you aren’t displayingYou’ve seen it before: an entire shelf crammed full of action figures in single file lines. Their arms are at their side in the “sandwich man” pose and everyone is totally nuts to buts. If you prefer displaying this way, go ahead and do you. However, we’ve found that this isn’t the most flattering look for your figures. You paid good money for those things and you deserve to have them shine!If you feel like you have to fit every figure you own into a single display, there’s a good chance it will get a bit overcrowded. This makes it hard for your figures to stand out as they all end up blending together. With this approach you can rotate figures out by swapping those on display with those in storage to get more variety and remain within those pesky display space limitations that we all have.-Tip 2: add some heightEven with limited space, figures can still be arranged in a way that’s dynamic with depth. One approach is to introduce some variety by getting a few figures off the ground. For your fliers, this can be easily achieved with flight stands. Some flight stands come with figures (I’ve gotten a lot of use out of some that have come with my figures) but they can be bought in a variety of places. You can even make your own with a bit of 12 gauge wire. Any character can be elevated with plastic risers or whatever else you’d like to use (a few graphic novels stacked up can look cool for this too!) -Tip 3: make small scenes Sometimes it’s tempting to make the entirety of your display a single scene which can be difficult with limited space. It can also be hard to even get started on bringing that beautiful vision in your head to life. A way of addressing this can be to think of your display as several small scenes within a bigger one. Pairing characters together in groups of two or three can add more dynamics to your displays. Maybe Daredevil  and Bullseye are fighting. Spidey isn’t far away, looking towards DD and running to help but Carnage is lunging at him from behind! If you have a Captain America with the shield throw effect, the path of his shield might be heading right towards Carnage. This scene isn’t too complicated, but the interactions are linked together with small details that can work together to bring a shelf to lifeThose are some ways to improve your displays. If you like these and would like to see a more comprehensive breakdown on the topic (or anything else Marvel Legends), check out The Strong Collectors on YouTube. Stay Strong! Here's a link to the video some of this is taken from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPA6r7BQNm0 

The toy industry has long thrived on global manufacturing and international trade partnerships — but in recent years, it’s been caught in the crossfire of international tariff battles. With shifting U.S.-China trade policies, rising import costs, and supply chain instability, toy brands, collectors, and retailers alike are feeling the impact. The Hidden Cost Behind Your Favorite Toys Much of the world’s toy production still takes place in China. When tariffs spike — as they have in past rounds of U.S. trade measures — companies face higher costs on everything from raw materials to fully packaged action figures and playsets. The result? Price increases passed down to retailers and customers Delayed product launches due to uncertainty or retooling supply chains Cut corners in packaging or accessories to preserve profit margins For collectors, that can mean paying more for less. And for independent retailers, fluctuating landed costs make pricing and planning inventory especially challenging. Supply Chain Headaches Aren’t Over Yet Even as global shipping costs begin to stabilize post-pandemic, uncertainty around tariffs continues to cause hesitation in the industry. Brands may delay large orders or shift production — sometimes to new facilities in Vietnam, Mexico, or India — creating hiccups in availability and quality control during transition phases. What Could the Future Look Like? There’s no doubt the toy industry is adapting in real time. Some manufacturers are investing in regional production to insulate themselves from international disputes. Others are rethinking packaging and materials to reduce freight costs or qualify for exemptions. We’re also seeing more direct-to-consumer toy lines emerge — allowing brands to bypass some of the traditional retail markup that tariffs amplify. That could mean more innovation and better pricing for customers willing to buy direct. The Silver Lining: Innovation Born from Disruption Despite the turbulence, the toy industry has a strong track record of bouncing back. Tariff pressure is forcing brands to become leaner, more creative, and more connected with fans. Collectors and families are still eager to support their favorite brands — and companies are listening. At New Meta, we’re staying on top of these shifts and working closely with suppliers to keep your shelves stocked and your favorite characters accessible — even during uncertain times. Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes insights on the evolving toy world — and thanks for supporting independent retailers who work hard to bring the fun, no matter what trade winds blow our way.

The Marvel Legends line has become a pillar of modern action figure collecting. With hundreds of characters, movie tie-ins, and fan-driven releases, it’s hard to imagine the toy aisle without them. But long before Hasbro perfected the line with face-print tech and crowdfunding campaigns, it was Toy Biz that brought Marvel Legends to life — and then unexpectedly handed over the reins. So why did Toy Biz lose Marvel Legends? And why did Hasbro end up with one of the most important toy licenses in the world? Let’s break down the key reasons behind this shift, what went wrong, and how it led to the Marvel Legends we know today. The Toy Biz Era: Marvel Legends Is Born Back in 2002, Toy Biz launched Marvel Legends, building off their earlier 5” and 6” Marvel figure lines. It was groundbreaking for collectors at the time — and some of these early figures are still prized today. Toy Biz Marvel Legends stood out for: 💥 Deep articulation (ab-crunches, finger joints, toe bends — the works) 🎨 Detailed sculpts and comic-accurate paint apps 📦 Packed-in comic books with each figure 🧩 Build-A-Figure (BAF) pieces, encouraging full-wave collecting Collectors were hooked, and Toy Biz set a new standard for 6-inch scale figures. But behind the scenes, the company was operating within a very different Marvel business model. Why the Handoff Happened: Marvel’s Corporate Overhaul By 2006, Marvel Entertainment was shifting gears. Toy Biz was essentially Marvel’s in-house toy division, but Marvel was transitioning to a licensing-first business model — aiming to earn royalties from its properties without taking on the risks of manufacturing. Here’s why Toy Biz lost the license and Hasbro stepped in: 📉 Rising production costs made toy manufacturing less profitable for Marvel. 🧾 Marvel wanted to reduce overhead and offload logistics and supply chain responsibility. 🏗️ Toy Biz Worldwide (a rebranded Marvel Toys) was still tied to old models and lacked Hasbro’s global retail power. 💰 Hasbro offered a lucrative licensing deal, with the scale and experience to handle mass distribution. In 2006, Marvel granted Hasbro the master toy license for all its properties — including Marvel Legends. This became effective in 2007, marking the end of Toy Biz’s run and the start of Hasbro’s. The Rocky Transition: Hasbro’s Early Struggles Collectors immediately noticed differences in Hasbro’s early Marvel Legends waves (starting in 2007): ✂️ Reduced articulation — no finger joints, missing ab crunches 🧼 Softer sculpts and paint apps 🚫 No comic pack-ins or figure stands 🧩 Simplified Build-A-Figure waves For many longtime fans, this felt like a downgrade. The once-pioneering line seemed to be cutting corners, and the early Hasbro years didn’t capture the same magic as Toy Biz. Redemption Arc: Hasbro Finds Its Footing To their credit, Hasbro listened. Over time, they improved the Marvel Legends line dramatically — and earned back the trust of the collector community. Here’s what helped turn things around: 🧠 Updated sculpts using digital face printing and refined proportions 🧩 The return of BAFs, sometimes even larger than Toy Biz’s 🎬 Cinematic Universe tie-ins that reached a broader audience 🛒 Fan channels and Hasbro Pulse exclusives that targeted collectors directly 📣 Livestreams and reveals that built a more interactive collector experience Today, Hasbro’s Marvel Legends line is one of the most successful collector-focused toy lines ever produced, with waves dropping almost monthly across comic, movie, and TV properties. The Legacy of the Toy Biz–Hasbro Handoff This wasn’t just a brand change. It was the moment the toy industry began to shift toward the licensing-driven model we see today, where toy companies act more like content partners than manufacturers. What we lost with Toy Biz: That gritty, comic-first style and hyper-detailed figure design The passion project vibe of an in-house Marvel team making toys for fans A sense of risk-taking with obscure characters and daring sculpts What we gained with Hasbro: Consistent, large-scale production and retail reach Movie-accurate sculpts and packaging A long-term, evolving product line that’s still going strong over 20 years later Final Thoughts: From Turbulence to Triumph What started as a worrisome transition in 2006 has become one of the great comebacks in toy history. Hasbro took over a beloved line with big shoes to fill — and eventually leveled it up with new tools, technologies, and resources. While many collectors still miss the golden Toy Biz era, there’s no denying that Marvel Legends is stronger than ever. And whether you're a comic purist or MCU collector, there’s something for everyone — thanks to a handoff that changed the game.