Frankenstein Unlike series 1 figures, packaging does not name-check actors
Universal Monsters ReAction+ Figure
Item No.: No. 80344 Manufacturer:Super7 Includes:n/a Action Feature:n/a Retail:$25 Availability: July 2026 Other: An exceptionally specific Karloff face sculpt on this one
A few years ago, Super7 did (well, redid) its ReAction Figure based on the monster by hiring sculptor Steve Geddes to do it, and the Kenner-flavored creation was a real winner. "Oh, maybe I'll never buy another Frankenstein's monster toy!" I wrongly thought. For 2026, Super7 made this new Frankenstein o-ring ReAction+ figure from a completely different sculpt. This one has different proportions, G.I. Joe post-1984-levels of articulation with a ball-jointed neck, and a Boris Karloff likeness so good I had to check the packaging for this (and previous) figures for any mention of licensed likeness rights. I saw none - Karloff goes uncredited on the packaging yet again.
Each new take on this guy seems to make new creative choices, from color to make-up to bodily proportions. I also found myself constantly hitting reload after my employee purchase from work was marked "shipped," which I find is a thing that usually mostly happens with retro-style 3 3/4-inch action figures. I opened Frankie first, despite being the most excited for the Mummy.
For the 2019 figure, Super7 made him a little wider, with a longer torso and shorter legs. This one has longer legs (and shoe lifts) plus a much skinnier build. For o-ring style figures, Super7 nailed the vibes of Hasbro's (and Lanard's, and Galoob's) work in the 1980s. 2026 Frank can fit in most vehicles I threw at him with no problem, whereas other figures add greeblies that prevent sitting in some of those too-skinny seats. All of the joints move about as well as you can expect, even though there's an added piece getting in the way a bit. There's a "skirt" that makes up the lower part of his coat, rather than sculpting the bottoms of the coat to his legs like Marty McFly's vest. Which reminds me, I need to order a Marty.
Looking at old photos, I'm not sure which kind of body is better. In some shots, Karloff's Monster is a wider, more cobbled-together looking homunculus. This figure looks more like Boris Karloff wearing a suit, which fits a little better and whose body appears to be his own parts. And in some publicity shots, that's how he looks. Which is better? Neither - and there's the rub. I wish I could say to you, "get this one, it's better" but each has its own personality and feel. The previous one is highly recommended to Star Wars Kenner kids, while this one is for everybody who had a lot of toys from when the Viper was coming.
The sculpt is wholly new, but has the same basic parts and language as the previous release. One button is closed, his sleeves are a little short, he has lifts in his shoes (which look better this time), and the other landmarks are all there. Staples on the head, bolts on the neck, even some really gnarly scarring on the forearm are visible. He also has the best Boris Karloff Frankensculpt in my collection. I really liked the previous one for its handmade retroness, but this one seems to just answer the question "What if someone put a shrink ray on Karloff's life mask and used that?" Maybe it's not that good, but it's unmistakably his face under the Jack Pierce make-up hair and bolts and everything else. The costume doesn't feel nearly as rumpled (or dug-up) as the last one, but it does feel more like a later-era Hasbro sculpt from the 1980s or early 1990s.
The details are also really good here. I'd argue the previous 5-jointed figure has more personality and life to it, but this one is a lot more ornate than other o-ring figures. The pants are a bit more lived-in, with more wrinkles in the jacket. The hands look a little more generic - which is how they would be in a Hasbro line. All of the joints move nicely, although the o-ring is a bit tight so there may be value in sourcing a slightly larger replacement. Everything looks really nice, including the painted rivets in his shoulders. He also has a red scar on his chin and extra black around the eyes - it might not be a perfect match for the movie but who cares? It looks cool.
It's also fun. Super7 gave him the backpack hole, so he's compatible with all other Super7 ReAction+ figures' backpacks. Those pegs are slightly bigger than Hasbro's, so you can't give him your 1980s Snake Eyes Jansports. He works perfectly well with the new Super7 ones, though, and his hands are larger. He can easily hold most weapons I gave him, but the hands were a bit big to hold them tightly. If you're the kind of person that likes to mix up accessories and play around, you're going to have fun with this one. I was delighted and surprised he easily fit in some Adventure People vehicles I had handy, as those tend to be skinny seats for the skinniest figures.
If you're the kind of kid that wished you had monsters to menace your other figures in the same scale, this might be your lucky day. I'm still holding out hope for someone to make 3 3/4-inch Mulder and Scully, but now that I've got Ghostbusters and Frankenstein and a bunch of others that fit in with the entire world of Kenner and Hasbro 3 3/4-inch figures? I'm pretty happy. I'm slightly annoyed that Super7 found a way to get me to re-buy figures that I had in a new style, but they're fun. They look good. They have me pulling out other toys to test and play. There may be no higher calling for a figure than to get me to run around my house to grab things and mess with stuff, so I would call this one of this year's big winners. If you're happy with the Frankensteins you have, skip this one - but if you could use the monster, and you have armies of Cobra figures at home? $25 is a bargain. Sure, I wish he had an accessory, but the best I could hope for would be a torch or a pitchfork to hand other figures.
There is no reason that a 1931 movie should get a toy in 2026 that is modeled after the finest toy soldiers 1986 had to offer, but here we are. It is my hope that I will not find another reason - save for glow-in-the-dark plastic - to revisit 3 3/4-inch Frankenstein Monster figures. But I also know that if Mattel ever did Masters of the Universe monsters, I'd probably have to buy those, too.
16bit.com is best not viewed in Apple's Safari browser, we don't know why. All material on this site copyright their respective copyright holders. All materials appear hear for informative and entertainment purposes. 16bit.com is not to be held responsible for anything, ever. Photos taken by the 16bit.com staff. Site design, graphics, writing, and whatnot credited on the credits page. Be cool-- don't steal. We know where you live and we'll break your friggin' legs.
RSS 
