New Meta

Horror isn’t just reliving the classics anymore — it’s redefining them. These films didn’t just scare audiences… they introduced characters and worlds begging for a permanent place in every collector’s display. Below: why each movie stands out + the figure that deserves to lead their toy line 👇 The Black Phone (2021) Why It Stuck With UsScott Derrickson taps into a very real nightmare: a world where children disappear and evil disguises itself behind a friendly smile and face paint. The Grabber is unpredictable — a man who speaks through violence more than words — while the film’s supernatural twist gives agency to the victims fighting to stop him. The tone is uniquely chilling because: It blurs the line between true-crime and supernatural horror The 1970s realism makes the violence feel dangerously plausible The mask work is Oscar-worthy character storytelling The Grabber isn’t just a villain — he’s a psychological profile with interchangeable faces. 🧸 Figure Recommendation: The Grabber — Mask Variant Deluxe Includes: 3 interchangeable masks (horned, smiling, closed mouth) Black balloons & rotary phone accessory Optional soft-goods coat “Basement Concrete” display base This is an instant must-have for horror shelves — NECA, where are you!? Sinners (2025) Why It’s Already IconicRyan Coogler reinvents vampires through culture, history, and family — a blend rarely seen in the genre. Set in 1930s Mississippi, the film fuses: Southern Gothic horror Delta blues tradition Oppression + the hunger for power (literal and metaphorical) Michael B. Jordan playing dual roles adds thematic symmetry — a story about blood, but not just the kind with fangs. The result feels like Blade meets True Blood meets historical drama… but far more grounded and dangerous. This isn’t a pretty vampire story — it’s a survival story with fangs.🧛 Figure Recommendation: Elijah “Smoke” Moore — Feral Variant Includes: Standard & blood-rage head sculpts 1930s work coat + boots (soft-goods) Rosary + hatchet Sun-scorched highlight paint on skin Juke-joint doorframe base (modular for future waves) A charismatic anti-monster collectors will follow into an entire wave. Late Night With the Devil (2023) Why It Possesses UsThe movie cleverly merges: Found footage formatting Occult possession horror A 1970s live talk show meltdown The tension builds from slick TV entertainment to apocalyptic dread — and the final act explodes with practical effects that feel like a cursed broadcast unearthed from an abandoned vault. But the film’s true heartbeat of terror is one character: Lily — a possessed child who oscillates between fragile victim and channeler of something ancient… something that watches the cameras watching her. Fans walked out talking about Lily — and imagining display shelves tremble. 😈 Figure Recommendation: Lily — “Demon Broadcast” Edition Includes: Neutral → possessed “eye-blackened” head swap Studio chair accessory w/ soft-goods restraints Microphone stand + cue card tablet Floor base with occult sigil decal Chase Variant: Full “Viper’s Tongue” transformation A child-figure done right becomes the centerpiece of terror. Honorable Mention: In a Violent Nature (2024) Why It Deserves a Brutal SpotThis slasher flips the viewing angle — it’s told mostly from the killer’s POV. No dramatic music. No “final girl narrative.” Just nature, inevitability, and brutal realism. It’s like living inside the legend of a forest revenant — an ancient curse that doesn’t care about jump scares… or your comfort. 🌲 Figure Recommendation: Johnny — The Forest Revenant Includes: Rusted hook-on-chain weapon Rotting torso sculpt with rooted details Moss-and-mud acrylic base Gore chase variant (ripped jaw or torso wound) Minimal dialogue. Maximum fear factor.   🎃 Final Word Freddy, Jason, and Chucky aren’t going anywhere…but the next generation of monsters has arrived. And they’re dying to be immortalized in plastic. Happy Halloween from New Meta —Where fear becomes fandom. 🕷️🦇🩸

Every horror fan has their icons — the villains who define fear and keep us coming back to the genre year after year. For collectors, these characters aren’t just movie memories — they’re centerpieces, display anchors, and conversation starters. So here’s my personal ranking of the greatest horror icons, paired with figure recommendations that truly capture what makes each one unforgettable. 1. Chucky (Child’s Play) Chucky is everything horror should be — chaotic, funny, terrifying, and somehow charming. He’s the rare villain who evolved across decades while staying completely himself. The franchise jumped from straight slasher to meta comedy to TV drama, and he survived it all. Recommended Figure:NECA Ultimate Chucky (Child’s Play 2) – Includes multiple interchangeable heads, classic Good Guy weapons, and that stitched-up look that defines his perfect mix of humor and horror.Why it stands out: The sculpt nails his personality, from the grin to the blood splatter. Small figure, massive presence. 2. Jason Voorhees (Friday the 13th) Jason is the essence of horror mythology — silent, powerful, and unstoppable. Every era of Jason tells a new story: the boy who drowned, the vengeful son, the undead killer, even the space nightmare. He’s become the most consistent force in slasher history. Recommended Figure:NECA Ultimate Jason Voorhees (Friday the 13th Part 4: The Final Chapter) – Arguably NECA’s best Jason sculpt, with clean articulation and that iconic axe-to-head alternate look.Why it stands out: The realism and detail — from the wet, grimy skin tone to the texture on the mask — make it one of the definitive Jason releases. 3. Michael Myers (Halloween) Michael Myers is horror purity — emotionless, unstoppable, and mysterious. He doesn’t need a backstory or dialogue to terrify; the blank mask and slow walk are enough. The simplicity of his design makes him endlessly collectible — subtle but deeply unsettling. Recommended Figure:NECA Ultimate Michael Myers (Halloween 1978) – Comes with the pumpkin, knife, alternate heads, and the best mask sculpt NECA’s ever done.Why it stands out: This figure captures the quiet menace of the original film. Under low light, it looks like he’s actually watching you. 4. Freddy Krueger (A Nightmare on Elm Street) Freddy isn’t just a killer — he’s a showman. He gave horror villains a voice, personality, and creative flair. Every dream sequence in his films felt like stepping into an artist’s nightmare. His humor, even when cruel, made him unforgettable. Recommended Figure:NECA Ultimate Freddy Krueger (Dream Warriors) – The syringe-hand accessory, the screaming souls chest plate, and alternate head sculpts make this one the perfect mix of creepy and creative.Why it stands out: It’s the most expressive Freddy NECA’s done — cinematic, weird, and full of character. 5. Pinhead (Hellraiser) Pinhead brings elegance to horror. His design is more sculpture than slasher — every pin and stitch feels deliberate. He’s both horrifying and mesmerizing, speaking in calm tones while doing unimaginable things. Recommended Figure: NECA Ultimate Pinhead (Hellraiser) – Comes with the Lament Configuration cube, two head sculpts, and beautifully sculpted robes with real metal pin details.Why it stands out: The craftsmanship is unreal. It’s equal parts terrifying and artful — one of NECA’s most stunning horror pieces. 6. Leatherface (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre) Leatherface is the rawest of all horror icons — no magic, no dreams, just pure panic. His story feels uncomfortably real, and his unpredictability makes him horrifying. He’s less a villain and more a chaotic force of desperation. Recommended Figure:NECA Ultimate Leatherface (Texas Chainsaw Massacre 1974) – Features multiple head sculpts, bloody apron variants, and the iconic chainsaw with weathered detail.Why it stands out: It perfectly captures the grime and heat of the original film. It’s not a pretty figure — it’s supposed to feel unsettling. 7. Ghostface (Scream) Ghostface reinvented slashers by breaking the fourth wall. He’s the fan inside the movie — quoting horror rules while living them. Each killer behind the mask adds new motives, but the mask itself never loses its charm or chill factor. Recommended Figure:NECA Ultimate Ghostface – Comes with fabric robe, alternate knives, scythe, and multiple expressive masks.Why it stands out: The soft goods make posing cinematic. Under proper lighting, it feels straight out of the opening of Scream. 8. Pennywise (IT) Pennywise is childhood fear made real. Both Curry and Skarsgård brought something unforgettable — one playful, one predatory. He’s terrifying because he represents every irrational fear we had as kids, wrapped in a clown’s smile. Recommended Figure:NECA Ultimate Pennywise (IT 2017) – Includes multiple head sculpts, red balloon, and hands in various poses for subtle creepiness.Why it stands out: The sculpt is perfect — delicate ruffles, eerie eyes, and that unsettling grin. The contrast of color and menace makes it a standout display piece. 9. Candyman (Candyman) Candyman’s power lies in tragedy. He’s not driven by hate but by pain — a haunting spirit that represents injustice and legacy. The elegance of his presence makes him unforgettable, and his mythology feels timeless. Recommended Figure:NECA Candyman (2021) – Based on the updated film design, featuring detailed sculpt work, mirror accessories, and incredible paint texture on the coat.Why it stands out: It’s one of NECA’s most realistic paint jobs — dark, moody, and full of atmosphere. 10. Jigsaw (Saw) Jigsaw isn’t a slasher — he’s a moralist. He doesn’t kill out of rage but to prove a point. That’s what makes his horror so unnerving — it’s psychological, forcing victims (and audiences) to confront their own flaws. Recommended Figure:NECA Billy the Puppet on Tricycle (Saw) – Technically not Jigsaw himself, but the most iconic symbol of his twisted games.Why it stands out: The paint, the eyes, and that perfectly creepy grin make it one of the most instantly recognizable horror display pieces ever made. Final Thoughts These figures aren’t just collectibles — they’re storytelling in plastic. Each one captures decades of fear, creativity, and cinematic history. Whether you’re into the supernatural elegance of Pinhead or the unrelenting power of Jason, there’s a figure here that embodies what makes horror so magnetic. For Halloween or any time of year, a shelf full of slashers is more than decoration — it’s a tribute to the monsters that made us love being scared.

One of the biggest debates in Marvel Legends Collecting is how important the aftermarket value of a figure is. When I first got back into collecting Marvel Legends I would watch a lot of Nerdzoic YouTube videos. My favorites were always his videos covering the after market value of the most expensive Marvel Legends or figures that had increased the most over time. I was interested in the rise and fall of the prices of the kinds of figures I collected.  Now, on the Strong Collectors Podcast, Jordan and I will often try to speculate what figures will rise and fall in the aftermarket to help listeners make more informed decisions of if they should buy a figure now, wait for a new version, or sell the current high value figure. For me, it’s helped grow my collection by selling the high value figures to buy more new figures as they come out.  Recently we’ve seen a lot of new release figures come out that immediately have a high aftermarket value because of exclusive releases. The biggest example of this is the recent SDCC exclusive Savage Land 3 pack. The Savage Land 3 pack sold out quick and just as quickly shot up in price in the aftermarket. This is where I started seeing a lot of very vocal comments about collectors wanting availability over aftermarket value. We saw this again recently with the “made to order” Dragon Man from Marvel Legends. A figure that was said to only be available during the pre order window was put up as an In-Stock item at Hasbro Pulse. I expected a bit of an uproar about how Hasbro misled the community. Instead, based off the comments on our recent livestream, collectors felt mostly positive. Many, noting that caring about aftermarket value of a figure makes you a “fake collector”.  I was surprised by the overwhelming response that aftermarket value is not something to desire with your figures.I remember ordering the entire AOA Colossus wave for retail. I was excited to have the figures when they came but not long after, they went on clearance for nearly $5 each. I was still excited to have my figures, but did feel a bit let down that they were no longer worth what I had paid for them. Similarly, when I order a figure that is a hotter seller than expected and it becomes more valuable on the aftermarket, I have an added sense of accomplishment knowing I was able to secure a figure I wanted at the best price possible.  I may be in the minority, but I actually like having figures that I’m hunting for. I want there to be something that keeps the chase alive. I could always go on EBay and buy a Fin Fang Foom, but how much sweeter would it be to find him at a lower price locally or at a random shop. If he was readily available for cheap, I wouldn’t have that hunt.  So where do you land? Do you care about the aftermarket value of Marvel Legends, or is the joy just in having the figures? Join the discussion with us on the Strong Collector’s YouTube page!  And until next time,  Stay Strong!