Willow -- Buffy's Best Friend

It's overdue that I talk about Willow -- Willow Rosenberg, Buffy Summers' best friend. I love Willow. She is amazing. Smart, funny, sexy and geeky. She's a great role model for all of us geeky girls.

One of the first ones I bought (and still, maybe my favorite) is "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" Series 1 Willow (which is a Clayburn Moore figurine). It's classic high school Willow. She is wearing this cute, cute top. She's got her Chuck Taylors on and she's got books and a laptop for accessories. I think it's my favorite because it really captures Willow -- and looks very much like Alyson Hannigan.

Another great Moore figurine is "Transformation Willow." Willow is a bit older, but maybe not any wiser.... The figurine is from Season 5 of the series and sports the shorter hair style and clothes of that season. This figurine has the black eyes of the darker Willow which makes it an interesting counterpoint to the Series 1 Willow.

One of the fun aspects of Willow's character is her clothes. She wore such interesting outfits in the series. I'm looking forward to starting the series all over again to enjoy the subtler aspects of the storyline, the acting and let's face it, the wardrobe. Willow, Buffy, they both always look fabulous.

At one point there was talk of doing a "Halloween" Willow action figure. I wish they had. I love that episode -- to see Willow go from wearing a sheet to celebrating her changing body was really wonderful. Is there anyone who doesn't have at least the tiniest crush for Willow?

The question is do you like good Willow or bad Willow, because you have your pick! The "vampire" Willow figurines are great. I think they did a great job of blending the vamp features with Willow's sweetness. Episodes "The Wish" and "Doppelgangland" give Vampire Willow lots of screen time. And later we get "Dark" witch Willow, contrasted with the "White" witch in the "Chosen" action figure.

That Willow, she's complex. I think that's what I love about her. She goes through so much in seven years. Shy, geeky high school girl to strong, powerful magic user. We get to share in the journey and be inspired by it.

Buffy Action Figures: Spotlight Spike

I couldn't help but like Spike from the very beginning. What's not to love about a Billy Idol wannabe vampire? He was a hero, sort of, for killing that snot-nosed kid "The Anointed One." He certainly ushers in a new era in Sunnydale. He and Drusilla were more interesting villains than the Master and the back story with Angel added some spice.

I love the scene of Spike battling the Slayer Nikki Wood on the subway. He looks like a coiled snake, ready to strike. Since I love the scene, I was doubly pleased that this figure is so great. It's an excellent representation of James Marsters. And I like the accessories. I'll pause to add my vote for a Nikki Wood doll. She was awesome in that fight scene and she deserves her own doll.

Spike's story arc is fascinating, so it's not just his "hottie" status that has me interested. At the end of Season Six, (spoiler alert!) Spike takes off for remote parts and we find out later he's sought out a legendary demon. He survives all these fights and trials and in the end he gets his soul back. It's a pivotal moment in his life and I'm glad it got commemorated with an action figure.

The events that lead up to that (literally) soul searching journey are among the most heart wrenching for me. I can't help but love Spike and to see him try to rape Buffy and then come to his senses and realize his mistake.....

It was just hard to watch. It was, however, the best motivation for his quest. Life or death, either would be fine because living with the knowledge of what he'd done was too hard. You'd have to be at that sort of crossroads in order to even attempt the trials set forth by the demon.

I'll always have a soft spot for "bad" Spike. He's just so gleefully bad and also just inept enough that he's fun to watch. There was something inhuman about the Master (and some of the other Big Bads) whereas Spike is very human. His reactions to the ups and downs of being an evil overlord, his love and exasperation with Drusilla make him very human and sympathetic.

There are certainly other men in Buffy's life, but Spike holds a special place. He's seen her at her worst, in ways that Angel never did. He brought out her worst, in ways that no villain ever did. And really when it comes down to it, who would you rather hang out with: Spike or Angel?

Buffy Figure: The Woman Behind the Figurine

I think it's interesting that there could be so many action figures for Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I mean, I get the outfits and all, but even positionable figurines versus the painted metal ones versus sculptures.....

I know I'm not alone in thinking that the figurine "Prophecy Girl" is the best Buffy figure out there. She's got that gorgeous dress, real (instead of plastic) hair, her special cross necklace, stake, and crossbow. It's a wonderful episode and it's great to have a figurine of this caliber to commemorate it.

There are many opinions about which figurines give the best likeness to Sarah Michelle Gellar. Ha, probably as many opinions as there are figurines. Obviously I really like the Clayburn Moore figures. He's kinda old school, I know. But there's something really wonderful about them. I don't think that all the Moore figures necessarily look just like Sarah Michelle Gellar, but eh, that's OK with me. There's artistry there.

I like to think that one of these days I'll have all of the Buffy figurines. The show means so much to me. Even so, a Buffy figure like "Primeval" is not my taste. It looks like some middle-aged woman in some sort of smock. Not a whole lot going on there.

I just got the "Vampire" Buffy from the First Season episode "Nightmares." That's a fun departure for me. I've not delved into the alternate versions much. No Dark Willow or Demon Giles. One of these days, maybe. I'll need a bigger house!

For me, the reason to even have these figurines is because the show, the story and the actors are so great. So what's behind my Buffy action figure craze? I love the show and having these figurines brings those stories closer to home for me. I can't describe it any better than that.

Buffy Summers: Buffy Action Figures

Today let's spotlight the one and only Buffy Summers herself. What collection would be even remotely complete without a Buffy from each season?


Let's start with Series 1 -- this Buffy action figure comes with crossbow and stake in hand. She has an extra stake and a dagger. I love her jeans! They have these squiggly designs on them. Really nice detail and I think it looks pretty close to Sarah Michelle Gellar.

This is not in chronological order but just looking at my shelf, there's the "Summers Family Album" figures. I'm pretty sure that is Joyce's only figurine. The Dawn is taller than Buffy which is awesome! And it's a little creepy to have the demon mask from "Dead Man's Party."

I also have the Prom set with Buffy and Angel. It includes the little umbrella, the "Class Protector" award. The two of them look really sweet. Buffy's dress is nice and seems to be a good color match for the original. She's wearing flats and I find it hard to believe that Buffy would ever wear flats, but I'd have to check the episode to know for certain.

I think the graduation day Buffy originally came packaged with a Faith doll. I got mine separately. She comes with a diploma, handcuffs and a yearbook! The leather jacket is nice. i swear at some point mid-series everyone got leather jackets. It was kinda weird like Giles went to Italy and came back with leather jackets as presents for everyone.




I also have another articulating action figure -- the "Once More With Feeling" Buffy. She comes with a pool cue! Love it. It's a great episode and I am enjoying getting the entire collection of figures from that episode.

There are a few Buffy action figures that I have NOT gotten. And it's because I'm not done with the series yet. I only started watching the show a year ago and I just started the last season. So I know there are Buffy action figures -- in particular Buffy herself -- that would be spoilers so I'm waiting.

Buffy Action Figures: Spotlight on Anya

It probably seems odd, but I want to start with a supporting character, Anya. She's one of my favorites on the show. Since I came to the Buffyverse so late, my collecting has been scattered.

I've basically bought what strikes my fancy and Anya in a bunny suit was irresistible! It's from the BTVS episode "Fear, Itself" -- one of my favorite episodes. There are two versions of the figure. One, the earlier one, the bunny suit is not removable. And then the later one, the suit is removable. I had to get them both! I also have Anya in her wedding dress -- the "Hells Bells" episode. It's expensive. Don't expect to find it for under $50. Once I had those two, I had to get the rest. I guess I'm what they call a "complete-ist." Who knew?

I love the "shop keeper" Anya. I know people complain that it doesn't look enough like Anya. Maybe I'm just smitten with the accessories. The little Magic Box counter and the bat are cute!




The Anyanka action figure is good too, but does anyone else thinks it's weird that she comes with the hammer from Season 5? I mean this is a Season 3 figure!

What's left? Oh! duh. OMWF -- I think this is the prettiest of the Anyas. It's an excellent recreation and the little bunny? Genius. And if you can find the boxed set that includes D'hoffryn and Anya, it's amazing. They did an excellent job with D'hoffryn. His little feet are perfect.

I'll end by saying that you can spend a fortune on this stuff or sometimes, especially on eBay, you can get the figures for cheap. But the cheap ones are usually out of the box. I like to have a set in the box and one to have out or to bring to work, where my coworkers think I'm nuts!

Buying Buffy Basics

One of the things I learned the hard way is that more expensive does not always mean that it's the best one. If you search on Amazon for Buffy the Vampire slayer action figures, you'll see a real range of prices. One action figure can be $20 and the same one can sell at another store for $50! What's the difference? That's a good question and oftentimes the answer is NOTHING!

I won't name names of course, but I've been burned a few times. It's best to do a little research before you hit that "place order" button. Here are a few tips. Check out the seller feedback. How long have they been in business? What's their lifetime rating? What's their return policy? Where are they located? How will they ship?