If you're like me, you've been practically doing cartwheels over the upcoming release of G.I Joe: The Rise of Cobra. Not only am I little-girl-with-a-pony excited about the release of the movie, but what I'm really drooling over is the release of the action figures! I've been waiting for a live-action G.I. Joe movie since I was 10 and the new action figures are just another way to celebrate my childhood hopes being brought to life.

This past week, official G.I. Joe movie figures have started hitting the internet toy-sellers, giving many of us our first looks at some of the new figures, vehicles and playsets. Considering the bulk of the collection, it looks like Hasbro is not pulling any punches and giving the fans what they crave.

Reports are starting to spread among the action figure blogs about people finally beginning to see some of the new figures in retail stores as well, although I predict that the wave of toys will hit full force in about a week or so. If you find yourself swinging by Target for some laundry detergent and cat food, you may just want to take a peek at the action figure aisle and you may be pleasantly surprised.

Entertainment Earth is already offering such G.I. Joe movie goodies as the G.I. Joe Movie Action Figures Collection 1 Wave 1, G.I. Joe Movie Action Figures Collection 2 Wave 1, Night Raven Vehicle with Air-Viper Figure, Rise of Cobra MARS Troopers Action Figure Set, and the Pit Mobile Headquarters Playset.

Some of the above mentioned toys are only available for pre-order, but are listed with a release date of July, 2009. Well, that's right now! And now you know, and knowing is half the battle.

Mezco Toyz takes yet another swing at everybody's favorite teenager-killing boiler-room worker with their new stylized version of A Nightmare on Elm Street's Freddy Krueger. As if the razor-fingered burn victim wasn't creepy enough, Mezco took it several steps further by introducing a new, and truly inspired, stylized sculpt to the figure, making it look like they took Wes Craven's most frightening horror movie franchise and ran it through a distorted Alice in Wonderland filter. And I mean that in a good way.

Here's the brief description given by Mezco:

"Mezco gives Freddy the stylized treatment and creates and instant classic. Standing 9 inches tall he features 8 points of articulation. Freddy comes complete with a scale Elm Street sign, a removable cloth sweater and hat, and the infamous tongue phone."

First of all, I find myself wondering why on this good, green Earth would anyone want to take his shirt off. And secondly, if you're on the fence as to whether or not you want to add this figure to your collection, I ask you; How many of your other action figures come with a tongue phone? Yeah, that's what I thought.

The Stylized Freddy Krueger action figure is available for pre-order at www.mezcotoyz.com.

So far, it seems I have my work cut out for me as we have two serious action figure fanatics that really know their stuff! Last week's mystery action figure was correctly guess by Bubbashelby (who wasn't exactly sure, but narrowed it down) and then confirmed by Charles as the Cyberwoman action figure from Torchwood. Congratulations again to you both!

But don't let their towering knowledge of action figures scare the rest of you away. All you have to do is check in every Friday to take a stab at being the first to guess at that week's mystery figure. Who will be the one to knock Bubbashelby and Charles off their thrones? It could be you! You hear that fellas? I'm calling out for a challenge, so prepare yourselves.

The Cyberwoman action figure was released in the first wave of Torchwood figures based on the hit British TV series of the same name. She stands at 5" tall and was joined by the releases of Captain Jack Harkness, Gwen Cooper and the Weevil. The popularity of the show seems to have leaked over into the action figures as the Cyberwoman figure is sold out at most online stores. Of course, I'm sure it helps that traditionally, women partially covered in what amounts to a chrome swimsuit are officially considered in the sci-fi fan circles as "hot."

Now on to this week's mystery figure! Think you know who it is? Then get those fingers typing and take a swing at the latest installment of Name That Action Figure!

You know you're a full-blown action figure geek when you get all excited about brilliant action figure packaging. MAtty Collector has released a video on YouTube showcasing their stunningly genius package design for the forthcoming San Diego Comic Con exclusive Wonder Twin 2-pack, complete with flashing lights and voices of the characters.

The box comes in two parts, hinged together that allows collectors to fold the two sections together, making Zan and Jayna bring their clenched fists together in their classic power igniting pose, thus triggering the lights and making the sound chips start projecting their voices to bellow things like, "Form of water!' and, "Form of an eagle!"

Most SDCC action figure exclusives (and there seems to be a ton of them this year) are already destined to be hot commodities, but add to this an astounding package design like this and collectors are going to be clawing over each other to get their mitts on one.