Posted by Dan Greenfield on Dec 25, 2025
The TOP 13 Retro SUPERHERO TOYS OF 2025 — RANKED
The TOYHEM Finale! — Welcome to TOYHEM! For the seventh straight holiday season, we brought you a series of features and columns celebrating the toys of our youth, which often made for the best memories this time of year. Click here to check out the complete index of stories — and have a Merry Christmas, a Happy Chanukah and Happy Holidays! — By CHRIS FRANKLIN Last year when I ranked the TOP 13 RETRO SUPERHERO TOYS OF 2024, I discussed how nostalgia for decades past was the fuel really driving collectibles aimed at adults. Another year passes, and we have an even bigger embarrassment of riches. Manufacturers continue to comb the deep recesses of our minds and pull-out characters we thought we’d never see again in various formats… or perhaps ever! Given this is 13th Dimension, we’ll limit ourselves to comic-based toys and collectibles, but lines like G.I. Joe: Classified and Masters of the Universe: Origins are also out there fighting the good fight, brightening the hearts of us older kids who refuse to fully grow up. As last time, the criteria are that these toys must have been primarily released in 2025 (although a few may have squeezed out in late 2024) and evoke some nostalgic vibe from comics’ first three primary ages: Golden, Silver and Bronze. Again, like last year, these are the ones that jumped out at me. Some because of what they meant to me personally, some because they were yearned for by others like me, and others because they were so niche, I was gobsmacked to see them get made! Your mileage may vary, and please let us know some of your favorites in the comments. More nostalgic figures are on the way in 2026, so let’s hand out the awards to the best of the best for 2025, with a few Honorable Mentions to start us off! — Honorable Mention #2: Marvel Legends Warbow (Hasbro). In 2024 Hasbro stunned fans with their release of the Marvel Legends Crystar figure. Based on a very short-lived Marvel comic series from the ’80s, and the tie-in Remco toy line, Crystar is about as niche as you can get for a mass retail action figure. Until you start diving into his supporting cast and get to Warbow! The jade-like warrior has fans wondering what obscure Marvel character may get...
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