John Ary here with a look at a few action figure lines making headlines recently. As always click on the photos for an embiggened pic and for more information follow the pre-order links...

G.I. Joe: Retaliation Snake Eyes

He may not have much to say, but this faceless ninja will slice his way through evil if the situation calls for it. Now, you can take home this 1/6 scale version of Snake Eyes from the next G.I. Joe film. He sports his “military ninja” bodysuit from the movie, multiple points of articulation, swappable hands, two katanas, two knives, a pistol, a submachine gun and a display base. He’ll swing into action in May or you can pre-order him here. Hot Toys is also promising to make 1/6 scale figures of Joe Colton, Roadblock and Storm Shadow in 2013.

Jedi Master Yoda from Sideshow Collectibles

Most 1/6 scale action figures stand around 12-inches tall. This one is a bit shorter. The creature who taught Luke Skywalker how to be a Jedi knight will soon get a deluxe action figure from the fine folks at Sideshow Collectibles. He’ll come with two heads, a cloth costume, a lightsaber, a cane, swappable hands and feet, a jedi bar stool and comfy space age Laz-Y-Boy chair. If you purchase him directly from Sideshow, they’ll throw in an exclusive holocron cube. He’ll release in June or you can pre-order him here.

Play Arts Kai Joker and Catwoman from Square Enix

In this corner, we have the clown prince of mayhem. In the other corner, Gotham's most infamous cat burglar. FIGHT! Square Enix brings Heath Ledger from The Dark Knight and Anne Hathaway from The Dark Knight Rises into its Play Arts Kai line of action figures with two new releases. The Joker features an alternate set of hands, two heads, a switchblade and playing cards. Catwoman comes with a handgun, an interchangeable hairpiece, alternate hands and a swappable head. These will release in June or you can pre-order Selina Kyle here and The Joker here. Quarter-Scale Predator 2 Series 2

After the success of the Classic Predator and Predator 2 1/4 scale figures, NECA plans to produce a new Unmasked City Hunter and the Guardian Predator from Predator 2. Each figure stands over 20-inches tall and features more than 25 points of articulation, cloth fabric netting, interchangeable hands and throwing discs. The Unmasked City Hunter comes armed with a collapsed spear while the Guardian Predator sports a telescoping extending spear. Each is strictly limited to a run of 5,000 pieces. Look for these two later this month or you can pre-order them here.

S.H.MonsterArts King Kong from Bluefin Tamashii Nations

Up to this point, the S.H.MonsterArts series from Bluefin Tamashii Nations has mostly focused on Toho kaiju creatures. Soon the lord of Skull Island will get the deluxe action figure treatment complete with multiple points of articulation, a ton of poseability and three interchangeable faces. Bluefin based their designs off the 2005 Peter Jackson film and the model work of WETA’s Richard Taylor. This collectible will release in April. For more info, check out the toy company’s blog here.

Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon from DeConte Figures & Collectibles

If you are a fan of both action figures and Behind the Mask, you are in luck. DeConte Figures & Collectibles has teamed up with Glen Echo Entertainment to produce a new 7-inch Leslie Vernon action figure. This serial killer features interchangeable hands, a scythe, and multiple points of articulation. He’s available for purchase here. Also you can pick up a limited edition version of the toy with a card insert signed by Director Scott Glosserman, Actor Nathan Baesel & Sculptor Neal DeConte sealed into the clamshell packaging. That will run you $80 and is limited to 100 pieces. A percentage of all sales will go back to Glen Echo Entertainment to help fund the second Behind the Mask movie.

Doc Savage from Go Hero

Go Hero specializes in resurrecting pulp heroes from our past and their upcoming 1/6 scale release is no exception. Doc Savage hit his peak in the 30′s and 40′s with a magazine series that chronicled his adventures as a physician, surgeon, scientist, adventurer, inventor, explorer, researcher, and a musician. These pics are of a work-in-progress figure, so the final product may have a few changes. The toy will feature two different head sculpts and two alternate guns. Look for more details about this adventurer soon.  

And finally this week, I would like to introduce you to TV's 17th most popular late night host. The Shell Show not only features some nice stop-motion action figure work, but it's also worth a chuckle or two...

That's all for now. Be sure to follow my toy blog ArticulationTimes.com on Twitter and Facebook for more news updates and subscribe to the AICN Youtube channel.