Collectible Action Figures - Toys Inspired by Television & Film

The term "action figure" was first coined by Hasbro in 1964, to market their G.I. Joe figure to boys who wouldn't play with dolls. G.I. Joe was initially a military-themed 11.5-inch figure proposed by marketing and toy idea-man Stan Weston. It featured changeable clothes with various uniforms to suit different purposes. In a move that would create global popularity for this type of toy, Hasbro also licensed the product to companies in other markets.

The different licensees had a combination of uniforms and accessories that were usually identical to the ones manufactured for the US market by Hasbro, along with some sets that were unique to the local market.

The Japanese had at least two examples where a Hasbro licensee also issued sublicenses for related products. For example, Palitoy issued a sublicense to Tsukuda, a company in Japan, to manufacture and sell Action Man accessories in the Japanese market. Takara also issued a sublicense to Medicom for the manufacture of action figures.

Takara, still under license by Hasbro to make and sell G.I. Joe toys in Japan, also manufactured an action figure incorporating the licensed GI Joe torso for Henshin Cyborg-1, using transparent plastic revealing cyborg innards, and a chrome head and cyborg feet. During the oil supply crisis of the 1970s, like many other manufacturers of action figures, Takara was struggling with the costs associated with making the large 11.5 inch figures, As a result, a smaller version of the cyborg toy was developed, standing at 3.75 inches high, and was first sold in 1974 as Microman.

The Microman line was also novel in its use of interchangeable parts. This laid the foundation for both the smaller action figure size and the transforming robot toy. Takara began producing characters in the Microman line with increasingly robotic features, including Robotman, a 12" robot with room for a Microman pilot, and Mini-Robotman, a 3.75 inch version of Robotman. These toys also featured interchangeable parts, with emphasis placed on the transformation and combination of the characters.

In 1971, Mego began licensing and making American Marvel and DC comic book superhero figures -- toys that went on to become extremely successful, and are considered highly collectible by many adults today. Mego eventually brought the Microman toy line to the United States as the Micronauts, but Mego eventually lost control of the market after rejecting the license to produce Star Wars toys in 1976.

The widespread success of Kenner's Star Wars 3.75 inch toy line made the newer, smaller size the industry standard. Instead of a single character with outfits that changed for different applications, toy lines included teams of characters with special functions. Led by Star Wars-themed sales, collectible action figures quickly became a multi-million dollar secondary business for movie studios.

The 1980s spawned all sorts of popular action figure lines, many based on cartoon series -- a market segment that is among the largest marketing tools for toy companies. Some of the most successful to come about were Masters of the Universe, G.I. Joe, Thundercats, and Super Powers Collection, to name just a few.

As the 80s were ending, more and more collectors began to surface, buying up the toys to keep in their original packaging for display purposes and for future collectibility. This led to flooding of the action figure toy market. One of the most popular action figure lines of the late 80s and early 90s, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures were produced in such high quantities that the value for most figures would never be higher than a few dollars. In the mid 1990s, a new Star Wars figure line had surfaced and Spawn figures flooded the toy store shelves, proving action figures were not just for kids anymore.

Today, the adult collector market for action figures is expanding with companies like McFarlane Toys, Palisades, and NECA. These companies have given numerous movie characters, musicians, and athletes their very first highly detailed figures. These are commonly intended as statuesque display pieces rather than toys; however, child-oriented lines such as the Masters of the Universe revival and Justice League Unlimited still evoke adult collector followings as well.

Comic book firms are now able to get figures of their characters produced, regardless of whether or not they appeared in movies or animated cartoons. Examples of companies that produce comic figures and merchandise almost exclusively include Toy Biz and DC Direct.

Since 1997, ToyFare magazine has become a popular read for mature collectors in providing news and embracing nostalgia with a comedic twist. Popular websites such as Toy News International also bring collectors information on upcoming figures and merchandise.

Adult-oriented figure lines are often exclusive to specific chain stores rather than mass retail. Popular lines often have figures available exclusively through mail-in offers and comic conventions which raise their value significantly. Ploys such as packaging "errors" and "short-packed" figures have also been used by toy companies to increase collector interest.

Action figures start out as aluminum wire, modeling clay -- with various tools being utilized to create a prototype. The actual figure is molded from a plastic resin, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), a very hard plastic. Softer plastics, like polypropylene and polyethylene, are commonly used to mold smaller accessory and costume pieces. Various fabrics, such as rayon and nylon, may be used for costume components including body suits, capes, and face masks. As a final decoration, acrylic paints of various colors may be used to decorate the figure. In addition, more elaborate toys may contain miniature electronic components that provide light and sound effects.

Once the character has been selected, the actual design process begins with sketches of the proposed figure. The next step is the creation of a clay prototype. This model is made by bending aluminum wires to form the backbone of the figure, known as an armature. The wire form includes the outline of the arms and legs posed in the general stance that the figure will assume. The sculptor then adds clay to the armature to give the basic weight and shape that is desired. The clay may be baked slightly during the prototyping process to harden it. Then, the sculptor uses various tools, such as a wire loop, to carve the clay and shape details on the figure.

After creating the basic form, the sculptor may choose to remove the arms and work on them separately for later attachment. This gives the sculptor more control and allows him to produce finer details on the proto-type. Working with blunt tools, the sculptor shapes the body with as much detail as is desired. During this process, photo and sketch references are used to ensure the figure is as realistic as possible. Some sculptors may even use human models to guide their design work.

After the general body shape is complete, the sculptor adds the finer details, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth that give the figure its life-like expression. The designer may attach a rough lump of clay on the main figure as a temporary head while the real head is sculpted on a separate armature. This allows the sculptor to finish the figure's facial expressions independently of the body. At this point, the finished head can be attached to the main armature and joined to the body with additional clay. Once the head is attached, the neck and hair are sculpted to properly fit to the figure. Then, depending on the design of the figure, the costume may be sculpted directly onto the body. However, if a cloth costume or uniform will be added later, the prototype is sculpted without any costume details. During this process, parts of the clay may be covered with aluminum foil to keep it from prematurely drying out. Once everything is completed, the entire figure is baked to harden the clay.

The sculpted prototype is then sent for approval to the manufacturer. Once all design details have been finalized, the prototype is used to make the molds that will form the plastic pieces for the mass-produced figure. The entire sculpting process may take about two weeks, depending on the skill and speed of the sculptor. This process may be repeated several times if revisions must be made to the figure. Several months are typically allowed for this design phase.

We recently started watching Smallville. This led Mrs.Nerd to ask the question, "Who's Green Lantern?" I gave her a brief synopsis of what I could remember and tried to describe his Super Friends outfit for her to no success.

In order to show her, I decided to go to my comic archives. I have a long box that is odds and ends of stuff that I don't have very many issues of. In that box, I found an issue of the The Brave and the Bold from the '70s with the emerald archer in it. Success.

While I was in the box I decided to peruse some of the oddities it contained. I came across a cover with Iron Man's face on it, and decided to pull it out. I couldn't recall ever having a book with Iron Man in it, so I put it aside for later.

Turns out it was Avengers #139 from September 1975. I was never an Avengers fan, but I'm sure the dynamic cover had something to do with me getting it. Iron Man, Thor, Beast, and Yellow Jacket facing Whirlwind. What's not to love?

It turns out the story was pretty decent. I won't go into, but I can tell you after read a couple of DC JLA books and then this Avengers issue, I know why I never got into the DC continuity. I really just like the storylines in the Marvel group books better. (Single character books, Batman will always be my favorite. Sorry, Marvel folks, just what I grew up with.)

The Stan's Soapbox in this issue is a plug for the "Marvel-ous" Wizard of Oz. I remember how thinking the recent Marvel version was a pretty novel concept. Different looks for different decades my friends.

However, the ads were really what captivated me with this issue. They really are a sign of the times. There are few whole page ads, and obviously none of them even come close to the glossy photo quality ads that we enjoy today.

A lot of them are the same ads that we all remember. There was a number more Kung Fu ads in this issue than I would have thought. I guess that was the in thing in '75. There were also a number of body building ads, which I did remember. And there was an odd ad for fake facial hair. Apparently, in the mid-seventies you were supposed to be a mustached body builder who knew Kung Fu.

One of the big ads that caught my attention was for the "Marvel Comic Con 1975." This ad was hocking posters, buttons, and t-shirts. I found this ironic since NYCC just ended. I doubt that this year's festivities could be held at the Hotel Commodore. I bet you couldn't find a NYCC t-shirt for $4.95 either. Good stuff.

Another stand out ad is a text only ad for a John Buscema Comic Book Art class. I have a copy of "How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way" and would have loved to take a class like that. I was just a little surprised to see an ad in the middle of national comic for the class.

All in all, my little walk down memory lane was a pleasant one. A little dust made me sneeze, but that was the only downside. I wonder if I could still get me some stick on deluxe sideburns for $4?

Episode 1 (12-10-06) In this episode, we look back at the Vintage Darth Vader, check out the Sears Wish Book, and look at McFarlane's Lost Series 1.

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Episode 2 (1-16-07) In this episode, we look back at the Mummy Returns, check out the some current happenings, and look at what movies will be toy fodder in 2007.

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