Cracktastic Plastic

This week on Cracktastic Plastic, we’re raising a glass to one of the weirdest, most wonderful corners of toy collecting: cups, glasses, mugs, tumblers, and whatever other drinkware somehow found its way onto our shelves. From fast food promo cups to cartoon mugs, character glasses, novelty bottles, and plastic sippers that probably should have been washed more carefully in 1988, we’re showing off...

As June winds down, we’re letting the bugs out of the toy box! On this episode of Cracktastic Plastic, we’re digging through our collections for all things creepy, crawly, winged, stinging, slimy, and suspiciously articulated. From heroic insect-themed characters to monstrous mutants, rubbery little weirdos, bug vehicles, bug accessories, and toys that make you ask, “Why did I buy this?” — we’re c...

This week, we're celebrating the dads, mentors, guardians, and father figures who helped shape the worlds we love. From wise leaders and tough-but-fair commanders to adoptive fathers and unlikely parental role models, we're showcasing the action figures and toy lines that gave us some of the most memorable father figures in pop culture. Whether they offered guidance, protection, discipline, or the...

In honor of Flag Day, we're celebrating the most famous flag in toy collecting history: the legendary U.S.S. Flagg! From aircraft carriers and pirate ships to speedboats, submarines, hovercraft, and everything in between, we're diving into the best boat toys ever made. Whether they sailed the high seas, patrolled dangerous rivers, or somehow fit in a bathtub, this episode is all about the watercra...

This week, we’re sharpening our collecting skills and diving into one of the coolest accessories ever packed in with an action figure: swords! From legendary blades and oversized fantasy weapons to futuristic energy swords and everything in between, they’re each bringing some of the best toy swords from their collections to show off and discuss. Which toyline produced the greatest blades? Which sw...

We’re officially halfway through the collecting year, which means it’s time for a little “Halfway Heat Check!” In this episode, the guys look back at the biggest toy wins, surprise pickups, sleeper favorites, and maybe a few purchases that didn’t quite live up to the hype. Think of it as a midyear report card for our collections before the big year-end awards roll around. What’s been worth the mon...

Last Saturday, the crew loaded up the van and hit the road for #JaysDay, an all-day toy hunting adventure through Des Moines with Elgn, John Tipton, Chris “Turnip” Simmons, and the family — including stops at all three Jay’s CD & Hobby locations in search of retro treasures, hidden gems, and questionable purchases we definitely didn’t need. Then, with Memorial Day setting the tone, Elgn and I...

This week, we’re strapping in and blasting off with an episode dedicated to Backpacks & Jetpacks from our collections! From action figures loaded with removable gear to outrageous rocket-powered accessories that somehow made perfect sense in the ‘80s and ‘90s, we’re digging into the coolest wearable toy add-ons ever made. Whether they were built for space travel, underwater missions, ghost bus...

This week on Cracktastic Plastic, we’re celebrating the real MVPs—moms! In honor of Mother’s Day, we’re digging into our collections to spotlight all the mom-related toys we can find. From iconic cartoon moms to action figure matriarchs (and maybe a few questionable choices along the way), it’s a tribute packed with nostalgia, laughs, and a surprising amount of maternal energy. Will these figures...

This week, it’s Toy Pitch Meeting time—because clearly the world needs another toyline, and we’re just the geniuses to make it up as we go. We’re talking genre, action features, names, and maybe even letting the audience steer the chaos. Will it be brilliant? Questionable? Accidentally amazing? Yes. We also spotlight Saturday Morning Toys during our Store Tour segment and talk about whether it’s a...

Slice into something sharp as we take a swing at one of the most brutal—and somehow most toyetic weapon choices out there: axes. From double-bladed beauties to chunky, chrome-plated choppers, we’re hacking through heaps of plastic to spotlight the most iconic, impractical, and just plain insane axes ever packed in a blister card. Along the way, expect some questionable design choices, a few safety...

Strap in—this episode is all about the gear that takes action figures to the next level. From ammo-loaded bandoliers to utility-packed belts, we’re highlighting the figures in our collections that came ready for anything. Whether it’s over-the-top firepower or just impeccably designed accessories, these are the looks that made us stop and say, “Yeah…that’s cool.” Join us as we dig into some of our...

Sometimes bigger really is better. This episode of Cracktastic Plastic is all about the absolute units in our collections—the shelf hogs, space invaders, and gloriously oversized toys that make standard action figures look like accessories. These guys dig into the biggest pieces they own, from towering action figures to massive playsets and jumbo collectibles, sharing the stories behind these larg...

In this episode of Cracktastic Plastic, we’re going full beast mode as we dive into the wild world of animal sidekick toys! From loyal companions to scene-stealing critters, Jason, Elgn, and Mike dig into their collections to showcase some of their favorite furry, scaly, and robotic partners in plastic. Whether they’re helping heroes save the day or just looking cool on the shelf, these sidekicks...

In the world of toy collecting, we talk a lot about sculpt, paint, and articulation—but today, we’re getting a little more hands-on. Literally. This episode, “Hands Matter,” is all about one of the most overlooked (and sometimes most frustrating) details in action figures: the hands. Open palms, clenched fists, awkward grips—these tiny pieces of plastic can make or break a figure. Whether it’s a p...

In this episode of Cracktastic Plastic, we’re zeroing in on one of the most iconic accessories in action figure history: guns. From tiny pistols that disappear into couch cushions to oversized sci-fi blasters that somehow defy all physics, we’re showcasing our favorite firearm accessories from across our collections. Expect a mix of nostalgia, absurdity, and maybe a few questionable design choices...

It’s March Madness on Cracktastic Plastic—but we’re not talking brackets and basketball. We’re diving headfirst into the toy chest to spotlight the wildest, weirdest, and most unhinged characters in our collections. From cackling villains and deranged monsters to heroes who might be just a little… off, Jason, Elgn, and Mike showcase figures that prove insanity is sometimes the best accessory a cha...

This week on Cracktastic Plastic, Elgn and I fire up the engines and hit the open road as we dive into motorcycle action figures—the toys that proved two wheels were always cooler than four. From leather-clad loners to fully geared-up heroes and villains, we’re pulling bikes and riders straight from our collections and talking about what makes a great motorcycle toy actually ride. We may or may no...

In this episode of Cracktastic Plastic, Elgn and I suit up for Cape Crusaders, shining a spotlight on one of the most dramatic toy accessories of all time: the cape. From flowing fabric to molded plastic, capes can elevate a figure from good to legendary. We’ll be pulling examples straight from our own collections, showing off favorites, talking about what works (and what doesn’t), and why a great...

In Unpopular Opinions, the Cracktastic Plastic crew leans into those toy takes that don’t always line up with the majority—whether that means calling out beloved lines that never clicked with us or defending figures and brands we think deserve way more love. From hot-button collecting debates to surprising personal favorites, this episode is all about honest opinions, friendly disagreement, and ce...

With Presidents Day here, Cracktastic Plastic is spotlighting Leaders in Plastic—the figures who command armies, rule galaxies, run nations, or strike fear into their followers. From heroic commanders to ruthless villains, we’re digging into the action figures and collectibles that represent power, influence, and authority across pop culture. Along the way, we talk about what makes a great “leader...

From pixelated heroes to plastic powerhouses, this episode of Cracktastic Plastic dives into toys born from video games. We’re talking action figures, collectibles, and oddball tie-ins inspired by classic and modern games alike—how they captured the look and spirit of their digital worlds, which ones actually nailed the transition from screen to shelf, and why video game toys hold such a unique pl...

For this episode of Cracktastic Plastic, we’re looking beyond the action figures and playsets and diving into the wide world of toy-related merchandise. From bed sheets, board games, and cereal prizes to clothing, school supplies, and in-store promotions, we explore all the ways our favorite toy lines spilled out of the toy aisle and into everyday life. We’ll share personal memories, surprising fi...

This week on Cracktastic Plastic, Elgn and Jason crank up the nostalgia and dive headfirst into the world of cartoon theme songs. We’re each counting down our personal Top 5 favorites—the themes that instantly transport us back to Saturday mornings, after-school TV, and living rooms filled with toys on the floor. From catchy earworms to full-blown mini anthems, we play each theme on the show and t...

This week on Cracktastic Plastic, Jason and Elgn spotlight African American action figures from their personal collections in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We talk about the figures themselves, how representation in toys has changed over time, and why these pieces matter on the shelf and in the hobby. A collector-driven conversation about history, progress, and the power of seeing yourself...