Biggest Collectible Not Popular Now but Will Be Again

Character toy figurine made unremarkably of plastic

Action effigy

Action figures, some stripped of their clothing and accessories
Type	Model effigy
Country	diverse
Availability	1964–
Materials	normally plastic

An activeness figure is a poseable grapheme model figure fabricated most commonly of plastic, and often based upon characters from a film, comic book, military, video game or television set program; fictional or historical. These figures are usually marketed toward boys and adult collectors. The term was coined by Hasbro in 1964 to market G.I. Joe to boys (while competitors called like offerings boy's dolls).

According to a 2005 report in Sweden, action figures which display traditional masculine traits primarily target boys.^[i] While about commonly marketed as a child'due south toy, the activeness figure has gained widespread acceptance as collector item for adults. In such a case, the particular may be produced and designed on the assumption it will be bought solely for brandish as a collectible and non played with similar a child's toy.

History [edit]

Precursors [edit]

A clay mannequin created past Albrecht Dürer, circa 1525. Like figures are produced today through mod action figure brands like Figma.^[ii]

Articulated dolls go back to at to the lowest degree 200 BCE, with articulated clay and wooden dolls of aboriginal Hellenic republic and Rome. Many types of articulated figures date to the early modern menstruation, including the artists' mannequin^[iii] and the Japanese ichimatsu doll. The mod brawl-jointed doll was first created in Western Europe in the late 19th century. From the late 19th century through the early on 20th century French and German language manufacturers made bisque dolls with strung bodies articulated with brawl-joints made of composition: a mix of pulp, sawdust, glue and similar materials.^[iv] These dolls could measure out between 15 and 100 cm (half dozen and 39.5 in) and are now collectible antiques.

Also the articulated doll, some other important precursor to the action effigy is the toy soldier. Military figures accept been found in ancient Egyptian tombs, and have appeared in many cultures and eras. Tin soldiers were produced in Federal republic of germany as early on as the 1730s, by molding the metal between ii pieces of slate. Every bit industry and demand advanced, so did production methods, with hollow casting first beingness utilized in the 1890s^[5] and polyethylene figures becoming common past the 1950s.^[6] The toy soldier market, ubiquitous thanks to its history and mass-production methods, would therefore become a natural home for the military-themed action figure.

1960s–1970s [edit]

The term "activity effigy" was first coined past Hasbro in 1964, to market their G.I. Joe figure to boys who refused to play with "dolls", a term primarily associated every bit a girl's toy. (A like toy named Johnny Hero was introduced by Rosko Industries for Sears in 1965, but was known as a "Male child's Doll" since the term action figure had non gained widespread usage at that point.) G.I. Joe was initially a military-themed eleven.5-inch figure proposed by marketing and toy idea-man Stan Weston. It featured changeable clothes with various uniforms to adapt different purposes.

In a move that would create global popularity for this type of toy, Hasbro too licensed the product to companies in other markets. These unlike 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 (in the United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland) issued a sublicense to Tsukuda, a company in Japan, to manufacture and sell Palitoy'due south Action Homo accessories in the Japanese market. Takara besides issued a sublicense to Medicom for the manufacture of activity figures.

Takara, even so under license by Hasbro to brand and sell 1000.I. Joe toys in Nippon, also manufactured an activeness figure incorporating the licensed GI Joe body for Henshin Cyborg-ane, using transparent plastic revealing cyborg innards, and a chrome head and cyborg feet. During the oil supply crunch of the 1970s, like many other manufacturers of action figures, Takara was struggling with the costs associated with making the large 11 1⁄two -inch figures, So, a smaller version of the cyborg toy was adult, standing at 3 3⁄four  inches high, and was first sold in 1974 as Microman. The Microman line was also novel in its apply of interchangeable parts. This laid the foundation for both the smaller activity 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 airplane pilot, and Mini-Robotman, a 3 three⁄4 ″ version of Robotman. These toys too featured interchangeable parts, with emphasis placed on the transformation and combination of the characters.

In 1971, Mego began licensing and making American Curiosity and DC comic volume superhero figures, which had highly successful sales and are considered highly collectible by many adults today. They eventually brought the Microman toy line to the United States as the Micronauts, but Mego eventually lost control of the marketplace after losing the license to produce Star Wars toys to Kenner in 1976.^[7] The widespread success of Kenner'southward Star Wars 3 3⁄4 ″ toy line made the newer, smaller size figure with molded-on clothing the industry standard. Instead of a single character with outfits that changed for unlike applications, toy lines included teams of characters with special functions. Led by Star Wars-themed sales, collectible activity figures quickly became a multimillion-dollar secondary business for pic studios.

From 1972 to 1986 there was a famous line of Big Jim activity figures produced by Mattel.

1980s–1990s [edit]

The 1980s spawned all sorts of popular action effigy lines, many based on cartoon series, which were 1 of the largest marketing tools for toy companies. Some of the most successful to come about were Masters of the Universe, M.I. Joe, Thundercats, The Real Ghostbusters and Super Powers Collection, to proper name just a few. Early in the decade, the burgeoning popularity of Japanese robot anime such as Gundam as well encouraged Takara to reinvent the Microman line as the Micro Robots, moving from the cyborg activity figure concept to the concept of the living robot. This led to the Micro Change line of toys: objects that could "transform" into robots. In 1984, Hasbro licensed Micro Change and another Takara line, the Diaclone transforming cars, and combined them in the U.s. equally the Transformers, spawning a even so-standing family unit of animated cartoons.

Every bit the '80s were ending, more and more collectors started to surface, ownership upwardly the toys to go on in their original packaging for display purposes and for futurity collectability. This led to flooding of the action figure toy market place. One of the most popular action figure lines of the belatedly '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 shop shelves, proving action figures were not only for kids anymore. Beginning in 1997, ToyFare mag would go a pop read for mature collectors in providing news and embracing nostalgia with a comedic twist. And with the gaining popularity of the Internet, websites such as Toy News International would presently offer information on upcoming collectible figures and trade.

It was during this time that popular characters were increasingly getting specialized costume and variant figures. Batman quickly became most notorious for this (i.e. Chill Batman, Piranha Blade Batman, Neon Armor Batman). Rather than private characters, these variants would brand up the majority of many action figure lines and frequently make employ of the quondam figure and accompaniment molds. Glow-in-the-dark figures and accessories too became pop in the early '90s with lines similar Toxic Crusaders and Swamp Thing.

A 1999 report found that "the figures have grown much more muscular over fourth dimension, with many gimmicky figures far exceeding the muscularity of even the largest human being bodybuilders" and that the changing cultural expectations reflected past those changes may contribute to body epitome disorders in both sexes.^[8]

2000s Onwards [edit]

The adult collector marketplace for action figures expanded with companies such equally McFarlane Toys, Palisades, and NECA. These companies have given numerous moving picture characters, musicians, and athletes their very first highly detailed figures. The Cinema of Fearfulness activity figures were sold together with plush dolls, "screen grab" dioramas, and limited edition toys based on New Line Movie theatre's horror franchise. These kinds of activity figure are mainly intended as statuesque display pieces rather than toys. Child-oriented lines such every bit the Masters of the Universe revival and Justice League Unlimited, withal, still evoke adult collector followings as well. Comic book firms are besides 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 trade almost exclusively include Toy Biz and DC Direct.

Adult-oriented figure lines are oftentimes sectional to specific concatenation stores rather than mass retail. Popular lines often accept figures available exclusively through post-in offers and comic conventions, which raises their value significantly. Ploys such as packaging "errors" and "short-packed" figures have also been used by toy companies to increase collector involvement.

Production [edit]

Raw materials [edit]

Modelling clay and various sculpting tools are used to create the image. The actual figure is molded from a harder plastic resin such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Softer plastics and nylon may exist used for costume components including body suits, capes, and face up masks. Acrylic paints of various colors may be used to decorate the figure. More elaborate toys may contain miniature electronic components that provide light and sound furnishings.

Designs [edit]

Display case in Nippon featuring typical anime/manga action figures and figurines

Once the graphic symbol has been selected, the actual design process begins with sketches of the proposed effigy. The next step is the cosmos of a clay prototype, merely other materials such as wax tin can besides be used for the prototype. This model is made past angle aluminum wires to grade the backbone of the figure, known as an armature. The wire grade includes the outline of the arms and legs posed in the general opinion that the effigy will assume. The sculptor then adds clay to the armature to requite 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 diverse tools, such every bit a wire loop, to carve the clay and shape details on the figure.

Afterwards creating the basic form, the sculptor may cull to remove the arms and piece of work on them separately for later attachment. This gives the sculptor more command and allows him to produce finer details on the paradigm. Working with blunt tools, the sculptor shapes the body with as much detail every bit is desired. During this process, photograph and sketch references are used to ensure the figure is as realistic as possible. Some sculptors may even use human models to guide their blueprint piece of work.

Afterward the general body shape is complete, the sculptor adds the effectively details, paying shut attending to the eyes, nose, and oral fissure that give the figure its lifelike expression. The designer may attach a rough lump of clay on the primary figure as a temporary head while the real head is sculpted on a separate armature. This allows the sculptor to stop the figure'south 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 fastened, the neck and pilus are sculpted to properly fit to the figure. And so, depending on the pattern of the figure, the costume may be sculpted directly onto the body. However, if a material costume or uniform volition 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 unabridged effigy is baked to harden the clay.

The sculpted epitome is then sent for approval to the manufacturer. Once all design details take been finalized, the image is used to make the molds that will class the plastic pieces for the mass-produced effigy. 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 fabricated to the figure. Several months are typically immune for this blueprint phase.^{[ix] [10]}

Characteristics and features [edit]

Calibration [edit]

Action Figures come in fixed scales to allow compatibility within (and sometimes between) toy ranges.

Ratio	Inches per foot	Size	Examples[11]
i:32	0.375" [9.5 mm]	2.125" [54 mm]	two.12-inch HASBRO Star Wars: Unleashed toy soldiers and Wm.Britain Ltd. plastic figures, farm animals and vehicles.
1:30	0.4" [10.16 mm]	2.36" [lx mm]	Used for detailed metal toy soldiers (King & Country, BlackHawk, Wm.Britain).
1:24	0.5" [12.7 mm]	2.5" [63.v mm]	2.5-inch mini Action Figures (Hasbro'south Playskool and Star Wars: Galactic Heroes). Also called 1/two-inch scale for children's dollhouses.
1:18	0.67" [16.93 mm]	3.75" [95.25 mm]	iii.75-inch activity figures (Kenner Star Wars, Hasbro G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, Mattel Jurassic World). Also chosen ii/3-inch calibration for children's dollhouses.
ane:16	0.75" [19.05 mm]	4" [101.6 mm]	four-inch activity figures. As well used for near plastic toy fauna figures and Ertl's toy farm sets (animals, structures, and most vehicles). The Hasbro iii.75-inch K.I. Joe figures' vehicles are closer to this scale.
1:15	0.8" [20.32 mm]	5" [127 mm]	5-inch activeness figures (Kenner Jurassic Park, Bandai Ability Rangers).
i:12	1" [25.40 mm]	6" [152.4 mm]	6-inch action figures (Toy Biz Marvel Legends, Hasbro Marvel Cinematic Universe, Playmates Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and DC Direct Action Figures). Also used for "Classic scale" model horses and called 1-inch scale for dollhouses.
one:10	1.2" [30.48 mm]	seven" [177.eight mm]	7-inch action figures (Mattel "classic scale" He Human being and the Masters of the Universe, DC Universe and most NECA Figures).
ane:9	1.33" [33.87 mm]	8" [203.2 mm]	8-inch activeness figures and dolls (Mego World's Greatest Super Heroes). As well used for "Traditional calibration" model horses.
1:6	2" [50.80 mm]	12" [304.viii mm]	12-inch Articulated figures - Activeness Figures like Hasbro "classic scale" One thousand.I. Joe, Dragon Models New Generation Life Activeness Figures, and Hot Toys Movie Masterpiece Series. Style dolls like Mattel's Barbie or Volks' Dollfie. As well used for static display figures (commonly of anime characters).
1:4	3" [76.20 mm]	18" [457 mm]	18-inch highly detailed larger activity figures and fashion dolls.
ane:3	4" [101.60 mm]	24" [609.6 mm]	24-inch highly articulated large ball-jointed fashion dolls (Volks Super Dollfie).

Articulation [edit]

A common feature amidst action figures is trunk articulation, oftentimes referred to equally points of articulation (POA)^[12] or joints. The most basic forms of articulation include 1 neck joint, 2 shoulder joints, and 2 hip joints. Beyond these, rotating wrists, bending knees, and a swiveling waist are too mutual. Various terms have come into exercise such as a "cut" joint, oft used to let a bones head rotation at the neck or arm rotation at the shoulder. The "T" articulation at a effigy's hips commonly allows up to 180° of front-to-back leg rotation; although, this may vary. Brawl joints often allow more liberal move than a cut, such equally the figure'due south caput beingness able to tilt in addition to a cutting'southward strict vertical rotation. Basic knee joint oftentimes relies on what is considered a pin articulation.^{[13] [14] [xv]}

The amount and way of effigy articulation used by toy designers have varied over the years. 2 of the virtually pop figure lines of the 1980s, G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero and Masters of the Universe, assorted one another greatly in articulation; the quondam included several points in their small, 3 3⁄4 " scale while the bulkier latter remained minimal. Both, however, used methods involving rubber cords at the hips that are piffling used today. In the 2000s, Toy Biz'south popular Curiosity Legends line became known for its loftier rate of articulation, even boasting points at the abdomen, toes, and fingers.^[sixteen]

Accessories [edit]

While not all activity figures include accessories, the additional items often prove essential to characters and their effectiveness as interactive toys. Typical 3 3⁄four " calibration G.I. Joe figures include several intricately sculpted guns or hand weapons that can be attached inside the figures' easily. Missile launchers are also commonplace in military and comic volume effigy lines and usually involve a spring-loaded mechanism. Nevertheless, possibly due to safety concerns, this method saw a pass up in the mid-1990s. Some figures, peculiarly of the Joker, have incorporated h2o-squirting weapons.^[17]

More than recently, Marvel Legends has popularized the "build-a-figure" concept. Each figure of a particular series includes a body part to a larger-scaled effigy. This encourages the consumer to purchase every figure of the given series, in order to consummate the larger figure. The concept has spread into Mattel'due south DC Universe Classics. Figures intended to appeal to the collector marketplace usually include a display base^[eighteen] and/or pack-in comic book. In such cases accessories may exist designed more for display than play.

Types of packaging [edit]

Manufacturers accept packaged their activity figures in a number of ways.

Window Box packaging Window box packages consist of a sturdy, but somewhat sparse cardboard box that allows for easy stacking. The box has colorful artwork to depict ane's attention. The front of the box will have an area of the cardboard that is cutting out and a thin slice of soft plastic then fills the cutout area. This ensures easy visibility of the activity figure within of the box. This type of packaging was used by companies such as Mego Corporation in the early on 1970s until they switched to the Carded Bubble style of packaging in the mid to tardily 1970s. Window Box packaging is notwithstanding used today, often for figures that measure 10" or taller in height.

Carded Chimera packaging This type of packaging consists of a sturdy piece of thin cardboard backing known as a "Card." The bill of fare is busy with colorful artwork to draw consumer attention. The activeness figure is placed on the card and a bubble of articulate plastic is then laid over the top of the action figure and attached to the card. The figure is and so clearly visible to consumers. Often the bubble will have several pocket-size, fitted compartments to hold the figure and its accessories in place. Kenner and Hasbro's packaging of Star Wars activity figures since 1977 are an example.

PVC packaging A more recent blazon of packaging that is common every bit of the 2000s decade is PVC packaging. With this type of packaging, the cardboard card is replaced past a clear PVC plastic backing. The front end of the parcel is a different piece of PVC plastic that is molded to include a bubble that will house the activeness figure and all of its accessories. Any colorful artwork designed to assist draw attending to the parcel will be printed on a thin piece of paper that is placed between these two pieces of PVC, or will exist affixed in sticker form to the front end slice of PVC. This blazon of packaging is popular today and tin can be seen existence used by McFarlane Toys for their Movie Maniacs line of activeness figures outset with Serial V. Other companies that utilize this type of packaging are NECA/Reel Toys (National Entertainment Collectibles Association) with their Cult Classics and Pirates of the Caribbean line of figures, and Toy Biz with its Marvel Legends action figures, which included a comic book placed between the two PVC segments.

Tube packaging Some other recent blazon of PVC packaging is a tube-shaped slice of PVC plastic surrounding the action figure. The tube may be cylindrical or oval in shape. Artwork on the parcel is oft in the class of a sticker affixed to the outside of the PVC tube. This type of packaging has been used by Hasbro for their Star Wars Galactic Heroes line of figures.

Action features [edit]

Figures of the original Masters of the Universe line included many unique "activeness features": Boxing Armor He-Man and Skeletor had rotating chest plates to correspond varying degrees of damage;^[xix] Leech featured suction cup limbs; Mantenna's eyes would pop out using a lever on his back; and Thunder Punch He-Man would thrust a punch and emit a loud bang from the ring cap in his haversack. Other features emphasized aesthetic rather than activity, such as the flocked bodies of Grizzlor and Moss Man too every bit the unique scents of the latter and Stinkor.

The success of the many Transformers lines has relied heavily on their signature characteristic of shifting from vehicle to robot. The popularity of this carried into Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' Mutatin' series among others.

In 1987, Mattel introduced figures for the television series Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Time to come. The line boasted an interactive game where children could shoot at the TV screen. However, while an ambitious concept, it was not a long-term success.

Glow-in-the-dark paint and plastic accept been utilized in various figure collections, particularly those of the early on '90s including Ninja Turtles, Swamp Thing, and Toxic Crusaders. Similarly, a color-changing feature has been demonstrated on some figures throughout the years. This concept involves dipping the character's caput into cold water and revealing a temperature-sensitive paint. Examples include Kenner'due south Sky Escape Joker^[20] and Cover-up Swamp Affair, as well equally Hasbro'south Desert-Camo Sgt. Savage.^[21]

The majority of figures in Kenner'due south Super Powers Collection toted a punching action upon the squeezing together of their legs.^[22] In a more than technically avant-garde method, the Ninja Turtles' Wacky Action series involved a wind-up gear that caused the motorized operation of certain actions like pond legs or a rotating wrist.^[23] Ii years prior also saw the release of Tyco'south Dino-Riders, which featured battery powered, motorized dinosaurs.^[24]

See also [edit]

• Toy Biz 5. The states (2003), which adamant that action figures of certain superheroes are legally toys, non dolls
• Glory doll
• Mode doll
• Figma, a line of highly articulated activity figures produced past Max Factory

References [edit]

1. ^ Nelson, Anders (2005). "Children's Toy Collections in Sweden—A Less Gender-Typed State?". Sex Roles. 52 (ane/2): 93–102. doi:x.1007/s11199-005-1196-5.
2. ^ "figma archetype adjacent: he - flesh color ver.(Rerelease)". Retrieved 18 Dec 2020.
3. ^ Marjorie Shelley (21 April 2016). "Mannequins: A Tool of the Artist's Workshop". Metropolitan Museum of Fine art.
4. ^ "Glossary of Doll Collecting Terms -- Composition". Archived from the original on xvi December 2008. Retrieved 26 May 2017.
5. ^ Hampshire Museums Service Retrieved on August 25th, 2008.
6. ^ Sheil, T., and Sheil, A., eds. Army Men. Retrieved on August 25, 2008.
7. ^ Action Effigy History actionfiguresbuff-jon.com. Retrieved on 2-26-10.
8. ^ Pope, Harrison; Roberto Olivardia; Amanda Gruber; John Borowiecki (26 May 1998). "Evolving Ideals of Male Body Image as Seen Through Action Toys". International Journal of Eating Disorders. 26 (one): 65–72. CiteSeerXten.1.one.507.3004. doi:10.1002/(sici)1098-108x(199907)26:1<65::aid-eat8>3.three.co;2-4. PMID 10349585.
9. ^ Figures: How Products are Made ^{[ permanent expressionless link ]}
10. ^ "How action effigy is fabricated - manufacture, making, history, used, parts, components, industry, History, Design". www.madehow.com . Retrieved one February 2016.
11. ^ Activeness Figure Fury: Action Effigy Scales – All You Demand to Know (9 September 2012)
12. ^ Batman Begins Collector Edition activeness figure MWCToys.com (2005). Retrieved on 5-07-09.
13. ^ Star Trek activeness figures MWCToys.com (2009). Retrieved on v-03-09.
14. ^ Terminator: Salvations T-600 and Marcus action figures MWCToys.com (2009). Retrieved on v-03-09.
15. ^ Review: These Watchmen action figures trade activeness for adept looks Archived 27 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine SYFY Wire (March 2009). Retrieved on 06-06-20.
16. ^ Marvel Legends 13 Green Goblin activeness effigy MWCToys.com. Retrieved on v-07-09.
17. ^ Batman (Toy Biz) – Figures BatmanYTB.com. Retrieved on 5-03-09.
18. ^ Hall of Heroes Snake Eyes (v41) YoJoe.com (29 April 2009). Retrieved on 5-06-09.
19. ^ Battle Armor He-Man Archived 27 Feb 2009 at the Wayback Machine He-Human being.org. Retrieved on 5-03-09.
20. ^ The Night Knight Collection – Series 1 BatmanYTB.com. Retrieved on five-03-09.
21. ^ Desert-Camo Sgt. Savage YoJoe.com. Retrieved on 5-03-09
22. ^ History Archived 13 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine ToyOtter.com. Retrieved on 5-07-09.
23. ^ Piece 'N Die Shredder Archived i August 2009 at the Wayback Motorcar NinjaTurtles.com. Retrieved on five-06-09.
24. ^ "Dino Riders: The Toys". toyarchive.com . Retrieved 28 September 2006.

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Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Action_figure

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