Cracktastic Plastic

This week on Cracktastic Plastic, we’re shining the Bat-Signal and diving headfirst into the world of Batman toys. From classic Kenner figures and animated-era favorites to modern takes on the Dark Knight, Batman has been a cornerstone of toy collecting for generations—and for us, he’s always been a must-have on the shelf. This episode is inspired by our very special guest and CORPS member, Mike W...

This week on Cracktastic Plastic, Jason and Elgn are getting cozy as they dive into the wonderfully soft world of plushies. From classic characters to weird, wild, and nostalgic favorites, we’re pulling plush from our personal collections and sharing what makes each one special. We’ll talk about why plushies hit differently than hard plastic, how they fit into our overall collecting habits, and wh...

In this episode of Cracktastic Plastic, we’re looking ahead to 2026 and laying out our toy-collecting resolutions for the year. From tightening our focus and setting smarter buying rules to hunting long-lost grails, improving displays, and breaking a few bad collecting habits, we’re putting our intentions on the table. Will we actually stick to them? That’s another story—but it all starts here. Th...

It’s that time again! In our annual Top 5 Toys of 2025 episode, Jason and Elgn each break down the five standout releases that ruled their shelves this year. From instant classics to surprise hits, we’re talking design, nostalgia, playability, and why these pieces rose above the rest in an absolutely stacked year for toy collectors. Agree with our picks or not, this one always sparks debate—let’s...

This week on Cracktastic Plastic, we’re going see-through! Jason and Elgn crack open their collections to show off some of the coolest translucent toys ever made — from crystal-clear figures to neon-glowing oddities and everything in between. We’ll talk about why translucent plastic is so dang appealing, which lines did it best, and share the stories behind our favorite transparent treasures. If y...

We’ve hit the big 1-5-0! To celebrate 150 episodes of toy talk, collecting chaos, and questionable decisions in plastic, we’re handing the reins over to YOU for a special listener questions episode. From your burning toy-collecting curiosities to deep-cut nostalgia, display dilemmas, grail chases, plastic regrets, and the inevitable off-the-wall questions that have nothing to do with toys at all—i...

Bundle up, folks — it’s a Snow Day on Cracktastic Plastic! This week, we’re digging into our collections to show off toys that shine in the palest shades of winter. From frosty figures to icy vehicles and everything in between, we’re celebrating the cool, clean look of toys that embrace the lighter side of the color spectrum. Grab your hot cocoa, crank up the nostalgia, and join us for a chilly go...

As Thanksgiving approaches, the Cracktastic Plastic crew is feeling a little bird-brained—in the best way possible! This week, we’re digging into our collections to showcase all the awesome avian figures perched on our shelves. From fierce feathered fighters to cute cartoon critters, we’re talking toy birds of every shape, size, and species. So whether you’re traveling, cooking, or just hiding fro...

Scrubs on, gloves snapped, and toys at the ready—the Cracktastic Plastic crew is heading into the operating room! This week, Jason, Elgn, and the gang dig into their collections to spotlight all things medical: doctors, nurses, medbots, field medics, sci-fi surgeons, first-aid specialists, and any figure who’s ever patched up a hero (or brought a villain back from the brink). We’ll examine who’s k...

Attention, collectors! The Cracktastic Plastic crew is reporting for duty with a special Veterans’ Day–eve live episode. This time, we’re diving deep into the barracks of our collections to show off some of the toughest, tank-driving, camouflage-wearing figures ever made! From classic G.I. Joe heroes to forgotten toy line soldiers of the past, we’re celebrating all things military in the world of...

It’s election eve, and the Cracktastic Plastic crew is hitting the campaign trail—toy style! Jason and Elgn are casting their votes for the best politician and royalty-themed figures in their collections. From kings and queens to presidents and power players, it’s a full-on plastic parade of authority! Join the live chat, make your picks, and help decide who truly rules the toy shelf in this pre-e...

It’s that spooky season again, and the Cracktastic Plastic crew is glowing with ghoulish glee! This week, we’re summoning the spirit of Halloween by talking all about orange toys — those pumpkin-colored playthings that haunt our collections and light up our toy shelves like jack-o’-lanterns in the night! From fiery heroes to frightful figures, we’re diving deep into the blazing brilliance of orang...

Not every toy lives up to its reputation—some just don’t deliver. In this episode of Cracktastic Plastic, Jason and Elgn dive into their Top 3 most overrated toys, the ones that get all the love but maybe don’t quite earn it. From plastic duds to collector disappointments, we’re calling out the figures, lines, and trends that left us scratching our heads. Get ready for some hot takes, a few broken...

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Cracktastic Plastic crew is turning up the brightness and celebrating the color pink! From Barbie dreamhouses to Power Ranger suits, from My Little Ponies to obscure retro figures decked out in fuchsia, we’re diving into the rosy side of toy collecting. We’ll talk about how pink has been used across toy lines through the decades — sometimes bold, some...

This week, the Cracktastic Plastic crew dives deep into the pixelated world of Minecraft toys! From blocky action figures and mini playsets to massive buildable environments, we’re exploring how this video game phenomenon made the leap from screen to shelf. We’ll share our favorite Minecraft figures, talk about the creativity these toys inspire, and debate whether they truly capture the charm of t...

Get ready for some plastic mayhem! In this episode of Cracktastic Plastic, Jason and Elgn break out their top toy weapons of all time. From blasters to blades, we’re talking about the coolest accessories that made our favorite figures even more epic. Each of us is bringing our top three picks to the table—so load up, power on, and join the fight for toy weapon supremacy! Then we'll talk about Jak'...

Ever buy a toy that says “Ages 4+” and think, “Perfect, I’m 40+”? This week the Cracktastic Plastic crew is tackling those mysterious age classifications you see on toy packaging. Why does one action figure come with a choking hazard warning while another says “Collector Item, Not a Toy”? We’ll break down the USCPSC guidelines (that’s the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission for all you acronym...

On this episode of Cracktastic Plastic, the guys are talking ink—specifically, toy-inspired tattoos! From Transformers logos to Ninja Turtle shells, we’ll be sharing the coolest toy-themed tattoos we’ve seen (and some we might secretly want ourselves). Whether you’re rocking your fandom on your sleeve—literally—or just curious how far toy collectors will go to show their love, this one’s for you....

Yeah, yeah… we know. It’s September. Definitely more than halfway through the year. But that’s not going to stop us from calling this one Halfway to Awards! In this episode, we’re each picking two of our favorite toy releases from 2025 so far and talk about why they’ve earned a spot on our shelves. Will these mid-year-ish picks still be standing strong when we put together our Top 5 lists in Decem...

This Labor Day, we’re shining the spotlight on the toys that go to work! From uniforms and job-themed figures to the everyday heroes of the toy aisle, we’re celebrating the action figures that punch the clock and keep the world of play running. It’s the ultimate Labor Day Lineup! Then we talk about Polar Bear's Pop Culture Shop to see if we should go there someday. Watch here: https://youtube.com/...

Keeping your collection looking fresh isn’t just about dusting—sometimes your toys need a deeper clean. In this episode of Cracktastic Plastic, we roll up our sleeves for Action Figure Clean-Up! From tackling sticky figures and grime-covered accessories to restoring that shelf-ready shine, we’ll share our favorite tips, tricks, and tools for cleaning your toys safely. Whether you’ve got vintage tr...

It’s time to put our toy knowledge to the test! In this episode of Cracktastic Plastic, we’re diving into a game of Toy Box Trivia — where each of us takes turns asking five trivia questions about our own favorite toy lines. From obscure character names to surprising production facts, we’ll quiz each other, keep score, and maybe even learn a thing or two along the way. Bragging rights are on the l...

As summer winds down, we’re taking one last victory lap through the sunny days of action figure fun. In this episode of Cracktastic Plastic, we’re celebrating the toys that made this summer unforgettable — from epic backyard battles to porch-side photo shoots and road trip toy hauls. It’s all about the figures that stuck with us through the heat, the adventures, and the good times. So before the l...

Up, up, and away! In this episode of Cracktastic Plastic, we're stepping away from the toy shelves and heading to the big screen to review the brand-new Superman movie. Is it a triumphant return to form for the Man of Steel, or just another cape in the crowd? We’ll break down the action, the casting, the callbacks, and whether or not Supes finally gets the respect he deserves. To help us bring the...

In this episode of Cracktastic Plastic, we’re diving into the shady world of false scarcity in toy marketing. You know the drill—"limited edition," "only 500 made," or the dreaded "sold out in minutes"... but was it ever truly rare? We’ll break down how toy companies manipulate demand, create artificial hype, and prey on collectors’ FOMO. From vintage tactics to modern pre-order panic, we're calli...