Showing posts with label Action. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Action. Show all posts

Saturday, June 18, 2011

The Lord of the Rings Action Figures

Let the journey to Middle Earth and see what the Lord of the Rings action figures are now available.

Bottom

If you have not heard, The Lord of the Rings film trilogy of the book in three volumes of The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien is based. The movie trilogy consists of three live action fantasy epic films: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), The Two Towers (2002) and The Return of the King (2003).

Lord of the variety ofRings figures

The books and movies have a huge following, with games and toys will be created for the fans. Here you will find many of the Lord the Rings action figures ranging in size from 6 inches, 10 inches, 12 inches, and even 20-inch figures. The cost of individual figures, can be less than $ 4 to $ 130 or more.

Any character you're looking for is expected from the series in some form. It can be difficult to find someof the most obscure in large size. Here you will find the numbers of the most interesting creatures including Shelob, the spider monster.

An example of a particularly noticeable is the Lord of the Rings Aragorn Lord of the Rings Epic Scale 20-inch figure with sound. This highly detailed figure amounts to 20 cm in height and includes ranger Aragorn's sword, torch, knife to eat, Elven hunting knife, quiver and bow and arrows. Can be found online for sale in the area of ​​$ 35$ 39.

Bundle pack with different figures

There are signs bundled packages, some with up to 20 characters found. She Warriors and Battle Beasts.

If you buy the numbers for the game or viewing may be important for you to get figures of the same entity, or at least near the same size. In this case, the bundled packages can be very useful, as all figures are in a pack usually the sameScale.

Set of game, gift sets, boxed sets

There are armies of Middle-earth playsets, numerous figures and accessories are all to scale.

There are Lord of the Rings gift sets and box sets from $ 10 to $ 100 These rates are more than one figure, between horse and rider.

Poseable figures

Super poseable figures are usually a flexible wire frame so that it can be positioned in different ways.What makes it more fun to play in various scenes.

For collectors and players

The figures are collectors items and can also be used in various games. Some people will probably only get one or two of their favorite characters, while some want to collect all the familiar characters of the trilogy.

Whatever your interest in The Lord of the Rings action figures above, you are probably at least something that isenjoy for years to come.

Perhaps interested to know that in addition to action figures, there are many other types of Lord of the Rings merchandise. You statues, costumes, cards, posters, pewter, medals, jewelry, swords and much more. And 'Lord of the Rings really is a world buyers.

If you are a gamer, a collector or fan of Lord of the Rings books and movies, you can use products that will bring joy for a long time.Just look around for a while 'following the advice provided here and on our website, and you are sure to enjoy the journey.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Action Figures - For the Boys

Toys and games form an integral part of every child's life. A look at a child's toys collection can make you decipher volumes about his\her disposition. This is also where a boy child differs from a girl. Girls prefer kitchen sets and Barbie dolls, whereas boys like to play with guns, cars and Superman figures. This is why all toys shops whether virtual or on the high street have compartmentalized the toys and distinguishes between them on the basis of gender.

Focusing on what interests boys, a mention must be made of the plethora of action figures that have engulfed the toy market of UK. Special mention can be made of varied popular action figures like Doctor Who 5" Action Figure - Captain Jack and the Empty Child manufactured by Character Options, Guy of Gisborne 5" Figure and Deluxe Horse Set that features a well sculpted realistically galloping horse, and Thinkway's Spiderman - Interactive Green Goblin.

A plethora of companies have created a brand name for themselves by manufacturing children's favourite characters in the form of action figures. Getting to play with their favourite characters gives your child a high and fills him up with enthusiasm. Various popular brands in UK that have created a niche market for themselves include Hasbro, Vivid Imaginations, Dark Horse, Tokyopop, Character Options, Play Inc. et al.

Just like the brands, there are several popular characters that have grasped huge chunks of UK market by their mass appeal and liking amongst the kids. Some such popular characters include Transformers, Batman, Gundam Wing, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Power Rangers etc.

Action figures, robots, action figure playsets, super heroes and police\fire and rescue can easily be regarded as some of the best gift options when it comes to boys. Also, finding the one that best suits your budget and requirement is no hassle any longer. The World Wide Web offers you with enough options and variety in the same.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Wrestling Toys and Play Sets Are in Store For an Action Packed Christmas

No matter the trend, Wrestling toys are a big draw for fans young and old. Whether it's kids wanting to play and stage their own grudge matches between the stars of the ring, or collectors intent on gathering all of their favourite wrestling stars together, Wrestling toys and wrestling play sets are a great idea for Christmas gifts.

The range of officially licensed Wrestling figures and play sets available continues to evolve and grow, with new figures and new accessories to check out. As ever, action figures of the famous wrestlers are a major draw for fans. Some of the best selling Wrestling toys currently available include stars such as Jeff Hardy, Hornswaggle, Evan Bourne and many more.

There are single figure packs, double packs and box sets available. There are also fantastic play sets such as the WWE Spring Ring or even the a thumb wrestling arena! The arena play sets that are available are a great idea for both children and collectors, as they offer somewhere to display figures and other collectibles in a wrestling themed environment.

It may be best to check out which particular element of wrestling collectibles the person you;re getting a gift for prefers. If not action figure and toys then there are posters, rucksacks, t-shirts and lots of other things to choose from. Wrestling merchandise is a superb idea for a Christmas gift as they're not linked to any one season, meaning they'll be appreciated a long time after the festive period has passed.

Think creatively- what would they really get the most out of? How about a replica wrestling belt? There are several available to check out alongside all of the other official wrestling goodies out there. The possibilities are countless, and the best wrestling toys remain one of the best Christmas gift ideas for fans of in-the-ring excitement.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

7 Tips For Buying Action Figures

This short guide explains what you need to know before buying your action figures, where you should look for them, the best places to buy your figures, and how to decide who to trust if you're ordering online.

1) Know Your Subject

Make sure you know which figures were made, when they were made, how many, the rare or "chase" figures, and how much they originally sold for and their going price now.

Most of this information is available on the manufacturer's websites.

The best and quickest way to find out a figures "selling price" is by doing an advance search on eBay for completed auctions.

You will then be able to get a list of all auctions for that item that have finished within your chosen time period, how many bids they had and the price they sold for.

Please note though that there are several other factors to be taken into account here, e.g. the category they were listed in, the item description, quality and the "sales ad" or "copy".

Also eBay is very much a "buyers" market, meaning that the prices achieved for items are generally a lot lower than retail.

2) Popular Doesn't Always = Valuable

Many people are under the false impression that the more popular an action figure is then the more valuable it will be; however this is often NOT the case.

A prime example was the Moore Action Collectibles series 1 Buffy The Vampire Slayer Action figures which had six Buffy figures, three Angels, two Willows and only one Giles per case.

So which sold for the most?

Buffy right?

WRONG!

The Giles and Willow figures became the most sought after and began selling for anything up to $30 each!

And Buffy?

Well she was being "dumped" for a mere dollar!

Why?

Simple because of the old Supply vs Demand rule.

Remember there were 6 TIMES more Buffy figures than Giles.

The moral of this story:

Be Careful with what you're buying and know you're market.

3) What Should I Consider Before I Decide Where To Buy My Action Figures?

There are several different factors that will ultimately influence where you buy from and how much you will pay, so we'll look at these first then where to buy.

New or Secondhand?

Before you jump to decisions and decide on only buying new figures first think about what you are going to do with your action figure.

For example if you are going to customize it (more on customizing later) then you would be wasting your money buying a new figure.

Production Quantities:

Most mass produced figures will be readily available from your local high street stores such as Toys R Us, Wal-Mark, Woolworths, K-mart, EB, Gamestop etc.

Limited production figures on the other hand are generally sold in specialist stores such as Forbidden Planet and local comic book shops.

Quantities

As with most things the more you buy the greater your bargaining power and the better your chances of negotiating a bigger discount.

Rarity:

The rarity of the action figure you are looking for will not only influence where you buy it from but also the price you are likely to have to pay for it.

5) Where to Buy Your Action Figures From

There are many different places you can go to buy your action figures and each has its own advantages and disadvantages.


High Street Stores: You're first and best place for buying any mass produced action figures.

Specialist Stores: Good for your "niche" market action figures, short production runs, and exclusives. Generally more expensive but you will usually get better and more individual service.

Car Boot & Garage Sales: Excellent places for finding bargains but generally any action figures found here are likely to be in poor condition, but great for spare parts, accessories or loose figure to use for customizing.

Online Shops/Stores: Excellent value and generally good service and most items can be pre-ordered. However shipping cost can be prohibitive and you need to choose your supplier carefully.

Collectors Fairs and Comic Cons: An excellent place to find any exclusives or action figures missing from your collection and to find out the latest news and gossip.

Magazines and Newspapers: Make sure you check the classified section regularly, you'll be surprised by what you can pick up at bargain prices.

Government Auctions/Local Auctions: These are held regularly to sell off any goods seized by customs, VAT Inspectors or bankruptcy. There are many bargains to be found at local and government auctions as they are generally not advertized and few people know about them

Online Auctions:

Dealing with online stores or auction sites brings its own unique set of problems and dangers and can be a minefield BUT they can also be a very good resources.

6) Who Do You Trust?

The biggest problem with buying your action figures online is finding an honest, reliable, and efficient trader with excellent service and reasonable prices without the extortionate shipping prices.

Below are the steps that I usually take when I'm looking for a new supplier.


Google search the item

Look at the top ten sites listed

Check the prices, don't forget to include shipping and bulk discounts.

Send an e-mail enquiry, if they take more than a day or two to answer then reconsider using them.

Google the site name: check reputation

Short list the top three and make a "trial" order from your top choice.

Follow these simple steps and you should find a trustworthy and reputable dealer to order from without running the risk of loosing your money.

7) A More Few Tips and Hints

The biggest scam on the internet currently is phishing or identity theft. NEVER EVER EVER give out any passwords, id's, bank details etc by email.

Always go to the companies or banks website through your browser, i.e. Explorer, Safari, Firefox or Opera etc.

Google Alert- this is an excellent tool and highly recommended. Let's say you are looking for a Rock WWF(E) wrestling figure. All you need to do is add an alert for The Rock, or The Rock WWF and whenever this is used on a forum or website (or eBay listing) Google will email you with a link to the site or auction concerned!

Register on any relevant forums or newsgroups, these are great sources for finding figures either for trade or sale, often in mint condition.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

He-Man Action Figures: Cartoon Series History

When He-Man first hit television screens in 1983, it took the cartoon world by storm. First and foremost, it was the first cartoon series directed at children that had a collection of toys, the He-Man action figures to accompany it. Generally, advertising directed at children was heavily censored so that the makers of the He-Man action figures, Mattel, used the cartoon to promote the brand was considered innovative at the time.

Also it was the first cartoon that had a certain amount of violence. Up until that point, cartoons typically fitted the Tom & Jerry slapstick mould but He-Man had a cast of characters and stayed true to its comic book origins. To get around the strict censorship concerning violence in children's cartoons, most of the episodes ended with a 'moral of the story' or 'life lesson' to justify the story lines.

It was also the first cartoon to be produced for syndication, which meant that for the first series a bulk of 65 episodes were made, which meant the show could be broadcast across thirteen weeks which allowed it to build its fan base and establish the brand. This series was hugely popular and before long every child in the UK and the USA wanted their own collection of He-Man action figures.

It is also thought that the series was one of the cheaper cartoons to produce when in fact it was the most expensive animation production of its time. However, the cast of voices that were used were kept to a minimum, so for example a woman named Linda Gary provided all the voices for all the female characters.

The production company that Mattel used for the first series was Filmation and when they decided to convert the story into a cartoon, they decided to expand the storyline to make way for a new range of He-Man action figures.

The story begins in Eternia where Prince Adam / He-Man lives with his parents, King Randor and Queen Marlena. Prince Adam is considered by all who know him as lazy, clumsy and generally useless. However, the prince has a secret power which the Sorceress of Grayskull who lives in Castle Grayskulls endows upon him.

When he lifts his magic sword, with the words, "By the power of Grayskull! I have the power!" the prince is transformed into He-Man, the most powerful man in the universe. The story line of the fist series is concerned with protecting Eternia from the evil Skeletor who is determined to steal the power of Castle Grayskull.

When Mattel wanted to extend the range of He-Man action figures, they looked to He-Man's sister, Adora who was kidnapped at birth and raised by the evil Hordak. She also has special powers and transforms into She-Ra.

After She-Ra, the creators of He-Man looked to the past for inspiration. So the next series of He-Man is based in Preternia, which is ancient Eternia. This series explains the origins of He-Man, how he got his special powers and was also the inspiration for a whole new range of He-Man action figures.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Disney Characters - Disney Toys Action Figures

When purchasing Disney Action Figures, there are two approaches you can take.

You can purchase it to play with, or...
You can purchase it to collect

In this article I would like to take a look at collecting. Although there are no guarantees on what will be considered a collector's item in the the future, you can at least try and be selective in what you invest in. I think it is safe to say that Toy Story 3 has solidified the Toy Story franchise as Disney's most successful animated franchise ever, at least for now. Many Toy Story Disney figures are highly likely to become collectibles. But which ones do you choose? The are so many out there, and most will probably fall well shy of collectible status.

In my opinion you should start with the official Disney / Pixar TS3 Toy Story Collection. These Disney figures can be identified by the inclusion of a Toy Story Collection certificate of authenticity. This collection also tends to have a bit more detail, which also plays a great deal into the collectible status probability. Although many websites may vary the figures name description a bit, most should tell you in the actual item description if a particular action figure comes with the certificate.

Now I must leave you with a final warning, especially if you are new to Disney Figures collecting. If you happen to have children and you decide to invest in a few of these Disney action figures, you may want to embrace both of the aforementioned approaches. If you do not, then be prepared to have a really good hiding place lest you be accused of being unusually cruel. As fun as these toys are to collect, lets be honest, they are even more fun to play with. Just something to consider. Happy collecting.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Do You Need to Have Your Action Figures Professionally Graded?

Professional Grading

It is because of the problems and unreliability of the C-Scale grading system that the demand for an internationally recognized and accepted grading system grew and led to the explosion in the professional action figure grading services.

Do You Need Professional Grading?

If you plan on selling any of your action figures, particularly any vintage or valuable figures you want to get the best bang for your bucks, so yes you should get them professionally graded. BUT If you are going to pay to have your action figure's condition and authenticity verified by a professional grading service make sure it is a well known, established and respected company that you use.

A Word of Caution... Having your action figure/s professionally graded can be expensive so only get those figures that are either vintage figures or valuable figures professionally graded.

What or Who Are the AFA?

The Action Figure Authority (AFA) was born from a frustration of all the different systems and scales that where being used in the market to grade action figures without any uniformity or standardization. More collectors are beginning to demand that valuable figures are professionally graded before accepting them and more dealers seem to be accepting that a valuable action figure should be professionally authenticated and graded. The AFA is committed to meet or exceed the action figure markets unique requirements while promoting a healthy and fun environment for all. AFA state that their main goals and aims are to:

give the collector the advantage by revealing each action figures true characteristics, thus promoting the healthy growth of sight unseen purchases of action figures.
to gain your trust and respect.
to create a consensus that AFA's grading standard accurately reflects the input of all collectors and dealers.
to promote interest in the collecting of action figures by the safe and enjoyable purchasing of AFA graded figures.

The AFA Grading Scale

The AFA Grading Scale consists of three levels, each with three sub-levels. These are there Gold, Silver and Bronze levels.

AFA Gold The Premium level is the AFA Gold level which consists of the grades 100, 95, and 90.
AFA Silver level The second level is the Silver level which consists of the grades 85, 80, and 75.
AFA Bronze Level The Bronze Level action figure consists of the grades 70, 60, and below. Action Figures that receive these grades typically have damage ranging anywhere from simply noticeable at first glance to extremely significant.

AFA Sub grades

There are three sub grades for AFA Graded action figures which are assigned for the Card, Blister, and the Action Figure. Once the grader has been established the overall grade for your action figure, they will assign individual grades for each of these three categories.

What Defects Will Affect My Action Figures Grade?

Creases, bends or tears.
Price tag marks
Blistering or bubbling
Discoloration
Broken limbs
Yellowing
Bubble or card separation

These are a few of the more common defects or faults found that will affect your action figures value.

Autographed Action Figures

Over the last few years that has been a large increase in the number and variety of action figures available of stars particularly from TV Series, Sports and Music which has resulted in an in figures autographed by the star or character depicted by the action figure. My guess is that with this becoming more and more popular the Professional Grading sites will begin to include autograph verification into there service, however this is an area fraught with dangers and hazards.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Collecting Action Figures - What's Behind This Modern Day Craze

Remember when you were a kid and your mom, dad, uncle, aunt or grandparent would take you to the toy store or some other leading big-box department store. As you rush towards the action figure aisle, your heart speeding in fervour as you make your means to this supernatural toy of imaginativeness.

Now a lot of men still might purchase an action figure or two sporadically. Action figures today have become so detailed, so artistic and so coveted. These so-called "toys" remind us of our freewheeling youth. I personally have purchased around 16 action figures in the past year.

Athlete Action Figures

What I'm really into, just like so many other grown men, are action figures associated to professional athletes. The detail in some of these pieces of new art are spectacular. They have a team jersey down to every tone of color. Currently manufacturers of action figures actually make licencing arrangements with companies who sponsor a specific athlete and professional sports teams. These are reflected in some action figures as well. I am a massive professional ice hockey fan, and really am a great fan of Alexander Ovechkin. Ovechkin has an endorsement deal with CCM, wearing a CCM helmet, gloves, hockey pants and skates. The Ovechkin doll that I have has all the logos in place just like the real Alexander Ovechkin when he takes the ice in the Verizon Center.

Sci-Fi Action Figures

With the revitalization of sci-fi films and television, sci-fi action figures have also been best-selling. This movement started out with the successful Star Wars franchise films. These love affairs with the figures were rekindled when the original trilogy and the new prequel trilogy were released about a decade ago.

Original action figures were produced in celebration of these films. However this time the dolls were made with such detail and preciseness, it made accumulating these figures by grownups much more acceptable than in the past. The original marketplace for these toys were youngsters, nonetheless this higher level of detail can only be prized by the eye of an adult. This tendency retains today with other sci-fi characters of today's pop culture.

Todd McFarlane Toys

Comic book creator Todd McFarlane has created a toy company that was really at the forefront of this new breed of action figure explosion. Being an artist of sci-fi and comic books he understood the detail that can be crammed into these action figures.

Collecting Action Figures

When garnering action figures, you should collect as if they are fine pieces of art. You must not collect for investment purposes rather than for the admiration of these works of art. If you like what you see, then buy. Even if you do not go up in value, you can still enjoy the aesthetics of form for your action. If you ever wanted to collect as an investment opportunity then there are some things you should know.

When a new movie or TV series premiere, especially if the project is a Sci-Fi-based, then chances are action figures will be producedin alignment with the premiere of these motion pictures or television series. If this is the case, eBay has hundreds of vendors who deal these investment objects before the film or series premieres. Normally the price for these items will be modest and are fitting for purchase.

After the sci-fi movie or series is premiered, usually the cost of these action figures will rise. Especially if the film becomes an unanticipated commercial success. This is great because once the motion picture is popular there will be more need for their affiliated action figures however supply will already have been dried up. This is where, you as a collector or investor can turn a profit big time. Merely trade your action figure back on eBay. It's that easy. I've been doing it for quite a while, with what I regard pieces of artistic creation that I no longer love or treasure any longer.

Wishing you the very best in your action figure investment opportunities and this incomparable form of art collecting.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Where to Buy Buzz Lightyear Toys - Getting a Great Deal on These Hot Action Figures!

If you are wanting to know where to buy Buzz Lightyear toys, you will find out here! Buzz Lightyear action figures are much sought after toys by collectors and children alike. When you read through to the end of this article, you'll learn just why this toy - particularly the Toy Story 12" Talking Buzz Lightyear - is so wildly popular, and where you can find one in stock now for a great price.

Why are Buzz action figures in such demand?

Think back to when you first saw the movie - Toy Story. Remember immediately feeling a sense of kinship with the toy characters, like Mr. & Mrs. Potato Head and the green army men, which were already well known and beloved friends from everyone's childhood? These toys spanned the generations who watched this movie and it felt wonderful to see them again. Ah, the memories!

Then, with great anticipation of movie toys and audience both, Andy opens his birthday present - and we all got a new toy! Buzz was a sensation and became an immediate classic, even though the Buzz we saw on screen was really only an animator's dream - albeit a really clever, imaginative, humorous, and creative one.

There was actually no toy that could do what Buzz Lightyear did 15 years ago when he starred in his first movie. Until now, with the creation of the Toy Story 12" Talking Buzz Lightyear. This is one amazing toy!

This is the real deal - the real Buzz Lightyear come to life. So accurately recreated in the image of Buzz of 'Toy Story' movie fame that you might think you reached out in a theater somewhere and plucked him right off of the screen.

Here are 3 comments you will read over and over again when you peruse other people's reviews on this talking action figure:


This is an incredible replica of the Buzz Lightyear that every kid who ever saw a Toy Story Movie ever wanted - perfect down to the last detail. Even the back of the box matches the back of the box from the movie!
In space ranger mode this Buzz is intelligent and interactive - he listens to you, responds appropriately and even knows if you are shouting - and says up to 65 phrases.
He is completely movie stance pose-able and joints are all high quality.

There are lots of Buzz Lightyear toys on the market in price ranges for all budgets, but as one reviewer said, this is just Buzz. If you are a collector or the same Buzz Light year toys that Andy has presented us with his birthday, many years ago that the buzz you're actually looking for!

So, you want to know where to buy toy Buzz Light year?

There are many stores online toy Buzz Light year. Some of them sell their toys to the manufacturer's suggested retail price, thePrice, but some want discounts and coupons or sales running and some of them have only low prices. The best deals that include free shipping, and if you need to return or exchange your Action Figure - the return is also free.

What you need to know is how these toys or watch the large number of suppliers that sell these topics. It will naturally want to know how what is the overall best offer for the vote. It could be a very long time tosearch through all of the sites for all of this information. A better idea is find someone who is experienced in finding deals and savings and see what they have found.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

The growing culture of action figures

Action figures are not just for kids anymore. At one point it was thought that a fantasy action figure was only good, much to the relief of a child, fortunately, people have recognized that children and adults a lot of joy to collect and play with them. However, there is a dichotomy between ', in action figure form what, what the population. For example, adults can enjoy the hobby aspect of the collector, while the childrenwill appreciate the playability of the numbers.

When it comes to understanding an assessment of the value of an action packed pristine, like new toys, the box opens up more money as a surrender. However, there is little value in play and fun for a child if the toy does not break with his plastic prison. For this reason, some collectors buy two copies of each issue, although as a hobby can be expensive when it comes to toys, many ofavailable.

Ninja Turtles, GI Joe, Batman, Superman and Star Wars figures continue to be the most popular for collectors. Many of the figures give a vintage resale value of 100-200 dollars. Modern toys can usually be purchased thirty U.S. dollars in their twenties and up. As a general rule, if the toy was purchased for the season collectors value or higher value options are more parts that are moving moreRange of accessories. Strictly speaking, every character that is built for a period (eg, a picture of Barak Obama) continue to give more money years down the road, but will not be as fun to play.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Predator Action Figures - The Basics

Science fiction horror film fans (aren't they everywhere?) just love the Predator film series. Fortunately for collectors, there is no shortage of cool action figures representing the characters from these flicks.

The Predator Franchise

The Predator film series is a science fiction horror film franchise. The series started in 1987 with the film Predator, produced by 20th Century Fox. This was followed by a sequel, Predator 2 (1990), and numerous novel, comic book and video game spin-offs. There were also three more incredible films: Alien vs. Predator (also known as AVP, 2004), Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (also known as AVP:R, 2007), and Predators (2010).

Many Choices

Whether you consider them toys or (like us serious collectors) works of art, the many action figures associated with the Predator movies will thrill you with their variety of colors, sizes, details, and accessories.

There are really a great many Predator action figures on the market. There are dozens of related figures to be found using a simple online search. Quite a few companies have produced Predator action figures, including Sideshow Collectibles, NECA, and McFarlane Toys.

McFarlane Toys released, in 2004, a series of figures from AVP that range from 8-1/4 to 8-1/2 inches tall. These articulated (poseable) figures are finely detailed and some come with removable accessories. The five figures in this series are Scar Predator, Elder Predator, Celtic Predator, Grid Alien, and Battle Alien.

Cost

The cost of the Predator action figures runs a wide gamut. Some can be bought for about $7, while some of the figures from McFarlane Toys can fetch up to $300. Some of the rare figures that are no longer in production are hard to find in the usual retail outlets, but may be seen on eBay for $500 or more!

Other Features

The available figures differ in size, ranging from 2 to 24 inches or more in height. Some are rigid, and some poseable. Some figures require assembly, and the product description of these should include the terms "kit version" or "some assembly required".

Bundles and Related Products

You can buy sets that include two, three, or even four, separate characters in a single package. There are also bundles of characters with dioramas. There is an Alien Lunchbox With Drink Container, and several T-shirts with related artwork. You can even get an AVP Chopper Predator Mask Life-size Prop Replica.

Final Words for Buyers

Some people buy these figures as toys, while others consider themselves collectors. Be aware that some of the Predator action figures are known to be fragile, while others are quite robust. The best way is to get on some products, for contributions that go into the details to look for personal experiences. Do not buy an actual product for the small children who are swallowing. I'm sure you will find a great selection, lots of fun!

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Lord of the Rings Action Figures

Let's journey in Middle-earth and see what Lord of the Rings action figures are available now.

Background

In case you haven't heard, The Lord of the Rings film trilogy is based on the three-volume book The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien. The film trilogy consists of three live action fantasy epic films: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), The Two Towers (2002) and The Return of the King (2003).

Variety of Lord of the Rings Figures

The books and films have led to a huge fan base, with games and toys being created for the fans. You can find numerous Lord of the Rings action figures ranging in size from 6 inch, 10 inch, 12 inch, and even 20 inch figures. The cost of single figures can be from under $4, up to $130 or more.

Whatever character you're looking for from the series is likely available in some form. It may be difficult to find some of the more obscure characters in large sizes. You can find figures of the interesting creatures including Shelob the monster spider.

An example of a particularly striking Lord of the Rings figure is the Lord of the Rings Aragorn Epic Scale 20-Inch figure with Sound. This highly detailed figure stands over 20-inches tall and includes Aragorn's ranger sword, torch, eating knife, Elven hunting knife, quiver, and bow and arrows. It can be found for sale online in the range of $35 to $ 39.

bundle pack with more pictures

There are signs bundled packages, some with up to 20 characters. Vedas Warriors and Battle Beasts.

If you are buying the figures for games or a single display, it may be important for you to scale an equal number of stairs, or at least approximately equal. In this case, this unit packs can be very useful, because all the pieces of a package are usually in the samescale.

Playsets, Gift Sets, Boxed Sets

There are Armies of Middle Earth playsets that include numerous figures and accessories, all to scale.

There are Lord of the Rings Gift Sets & Boxed Sets from $10 to $100. These sets may include more than one figure, including horse and rider.

Poseable Figures

Super Poseable figures are flexible with usually a wire frame so that they can be positioned in different ways. This makes them more fun for playing in various scenes.

For Collectors and Gamers

The figures are collectibles, and can also be used in games of various kinds. Some people may want to get just one or two of their favorite characters, while some may want to collect all of the recognizable characters from the trilogy.

Whatever your interest regarding Lord of the Rings action figures, you're likely to find at least something that you will enjoy for years to come.

Perhaps interested to know that, in addition to action figures, there are many more types of Lord of the Rings merchandise available. You can statues, costumes, cards, posters, pewter cups, medals, jewelry, swords and more. It 's really a world of buyers Lord of the Rings.

If you are a collector, player or fan of Lord of the Rings books or movies, the products that you can bring joy for a long time.Just make an effort to shop around a bit, using the tips provided here and on our website, and you are sure to enjoy the journey.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Action Figures We Love to Collect

When action figures started to win the heart of children, it was thought that these would be limited to those kids only. With the passage of time, it has been found that adults also enjoy their time with these toys. People of all ages like to collect them and get pleasure playing with them.

Though both children and adults collect the figures, they may not have same inspiration and interest. Adults may collect them as collectibles. Children may want to play with them and so they need them. So, we should not be confused about this.

If you are not prepared to spend a lot of money on figures, you can choose an open box type. Otherwise you may go for pristine packaged action figures. You can buy a mint condition one.

To a child the strengthened packaging may not be of real value. He may like to have it close without any plastic covering on the figure. Enjoyment matters.

In case of breakages, some people take more precaution. They buy two copies of one figure. Expensive, isn't it? Still, to preserve one piece, some people spend some more money.

If I ask you to tell the names of most popular action figures, you will speak of Superman, Star Wars, batman and Ninja Turtle etc. These classic toys may cost you one to two hundred dollars at a resale value in some special cases.

A new toy can be purchased at the price range between twenty and thirty dollars. A toy which moves and more accessories attract people more whether it is being collected for keeping it as collectible or for playing with it. Cost also varies accordingly.

There is one psychology about the action figures. Any contemporary figurine, for example, Barak Obama figure, may become very popular and even expensive for the time being but in the long run it does not attract much attention.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Marvel Legends Action Figures and the Wolverine Character

I love the X Men scene and when X Men toys asked me to take a sneaky peep at what there was on the market - I just couldn't resist. I figured that there maybe one or two things connected to Wolverine that I would like but hadn't really prepared myself for the onslaught of paraphernalia that there actually was.

Initially I decided to learn more about Wolverine as a character. Who was this beast of a man? What did his claws signify? And quite frankly what was the real attraction? I soon discovered who Wolverine actually is and what the fuss was about.

Wolverine is a mutant who has the power to have accelerated healing. This empowers him to have the ability to regenerate damaged tissue. The speed at which Wolverine is said to heal can vary greatly and is directly proportional to the damage sustained. He is a mutant possessed with a killer instinct. His hearing and vision are also enhanced so he can detect anyone a mile off at least!

Wolverine brandishes a pair of sharp steel claws. They are an excellent weapon when he is in combat with others. Although I have to admit whenever those steel claws slice out f his hands a shiver goes through my entire body. His entire skeleton is hardened with adamantium and this also makes him an excellent fighter, he is also handy to have on your team as he has extensive experience of explosives and weapons too.

So, with all the interest that this wonderful character creates, I then took a long hard look at what is around on the market. I found some excellent Marvel Legends Action Figures and bought them back to the x men toys office so we could have a closer look. These were our initial thoughts.

We absolutely loved the Wolverine Select figure. A wonderful 6 inches tall replica of Wolverine with a deluxe Weapon X Base too. The best features of it was the originality of it all. Or you could get the X Men Origins figures that Marvel have produced. There are four to choose from too. The first is a Wolverine Yellow Costume action figure that is taken directly from the comic series. There is the Logan movie version - Hugh Jackman as Logan in this 3 and ¾ figure! The third of these is Wolverine in a brown costume and the fourth of is Wolverine in his army gear as seen in xmen origins: wolverine.

So you see Marvel have thought of it all. Not only have they most of the characters as action figures, they have then taken the many faces of Wolverine and produced one to suit every taste. I may not have known lots when I started this search but as my journey took its toll I discovered heaps. So many bits of Wolverine on the market, you can buy a Marvel Legends Action Figure of Wolverine or you can buy a bobble head of wolverine, costumes of wolverine in every shape and size and not forgetting the unforgettable claws too.

In conclusion, I have to say that I enjoyed the thrill of learning about the x men and received far more than I gambled when my curiosity of the Wolverine figure took shape. I hope you enjoyed my synopsis of the Marvel Legends Action Figures but in particular my own assessment of Wolverine himself.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Evolution of GI Joe A Real American Hero Action Figure

It all started in 1963 when Stan Weston, a toy and licensing agent for the girls because of the success of the Barbie doll. He came up with a concept that the boys could be marketed a line of Barbie-like with a military theme. Don Levine, creative director of Hasbro was then launched the idea and approved. Mr. Levine was also the name of the line, from the 1945 film "The Story of GI Joe," inspired.

The first line of GI Joe was created 1964. Had same scale as Barbie dolls, 12 inches, and there were originally four figures, one for each branch of the armed forces.

In the following years saw some changes in the GI Joe theme of war, re-launched as "The Adventures of GI Joe," and later as the "Adventure Team" to try to bind away from the war with the theme of the Vietnam War. The original line of 12 inch GI Joe in 1976 ended in America.

A Real American Hero (1982)

GIJoe > Action figures have been re-launched successfully in 1982 when Hasbro figures produced on a line of smaller figures to try to compete with the popular Star Wars action. Deciding on a smaller scale, to go with can be a variety vehicles and play sets produce Hasbro to increase the excitement of the line with young people.

The line was canceled minor 1994th Some of the figures were published in 1998, the exclusive> Toys "R" Us, to commemorate the 15th Anniversary of the Line 3 by 4.3 inches.

Th return of 3 4.3-inch GI Joe

It did not take long line for a few years to see the little figures made a comeback on the shelves. In 2000, Hasbro released a selection of characters and vehicles, which lasted until 2002 and sold two packages. In 2002, the line is now called "GI Joe vs. Cobra" and any collection of2002 to 2005, centered around a theme. According to the Basic Edition of "GI Joe vs. Cobra Spy Troops" was, and then later the "Valor vs. Venom" theme.

After a brief interruption in 2005, when Hasbro issued a different type of GI Joe Action Figures (6 Sigma, an inch action figure-8), the 3 3 / 4 figure is back in the form of A-to-consumer direct was subsequently made available in retail because of the success with collectors.

25.Anniversary

2007 was the year of the 25th Anniversary of "A Real American Hero" line. To commemorate the event, Hasbro released another collection of sculptures, figurines new character based on original sketches of many of the most popular. The new numbers will replace the traditional O-ring "life" with a function oscillating sine and a lot more points of articulation increased.

This new line has been a complete success, and what should be only 2Collectors set of 5 numbers each, for a full-line running in 2008.

Friday, January 7, 2011

The hottest action figures for sale

Looking for a great gift for children or adults? Why not buy a pair of action figures? These toys are very popular not only among children but also for many adults. And mind you some are very expensive and designs are very meticulous. This article is your guide and best-selling action toys available on the market today, warmer

As I write, these are the best of the best:

Transformers > Toys

The success and hype of the recent blockbuster film Transformers figures renewed the interest of adults and children in this action. This transformation, such as robots Autobots (good) and Decepticons (bad) business. In particular, many people are buying the famous characters such as Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Megatron and the evil construction Devastator.

GI Joe

I remember crying on thisToys> 17 years ago, when my mother refused to buy me Ninja Snake Eyes. Fast forward 2009, these toys are hot again thanks to the recent movie GI Joe - Cobra.

GI Joe was originally started in the 60's by Hasbro. popular toys of recent years to stay, after all this is their innovative design and strong base, the character of the story to make children and adults to collect everything. popular characters are Ninja Snake, Duke, Storm Shadow,Ripcord, and bridgehead.

Bakugan

If you are not familiar with Bakugan is a game of creative strategy of a very popular anime TV series "Bakugan. Battle Brawlers" is very popular this action figure is 7 to 1 Bakugan Dragonoid Maxus. It contains a warrior named Neo Bakugan Dragonoid Bakugan and six cases (Grakas Hound, Dark Hound, Grafias, brachium and Spitarm SpyderFencer.) If you combine all together is a very powerful build Maxus DragonoidMonster.

Halo Action Figures

Unlike other action figures for sale, Halo is the 360th in a trilogy of video games created for the Xbox from Microsoft. These toys are ideal game for those who are fanatics. Many online and offline retailers reported sales figures this extraordinary action. The fact some providers argue that the demand for these action figures to commemorate theStar Wars hype in the early '70s. Popular games include Halo 3 Series Wave 6, Elite Combat Soldier, Soldier and Rogue Spartan War Chieftain Weapon Class.

Twilight Toys

Teens and tweens are so crazy, created with a fever the whole movie Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. These action figures are 7-inches tall and available character Edward Cullen, Bella, Jacob and Alice. And I see these toys are very popular with the ultraupcoming release of its sequel New Moon.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

He-Man Action Figures and Other 1980's Toys

Without question, one of the most popular toys of the 1980s was the He-Man action figures collection. The collection rose to popularity in 1983 with the release of the He-Man television series that ran for two years.

The full range of the He-Man toy figures collection is extensive. On its first release in 1983, the collection of He Man action figures included Skeletor, Beast Man, Blade, Blast-Attack, Buzz Saw Hordak, Clawful, Crocobite and Dinosorb.

In 1985, Mattel, the makers of He-Man action figures, decided to expand the range by bringing He-Man's sister into the fray, She-Ra. She inspired her own range of He-Man action figures including Angella, Arrow, Blue Lightning, Bow, Castaspella, Catra and Clawdeen.

But He Man and his companions were not the only toys that were popular in the 1980s. G.I. Joe, Thundercats and the Super Powers Collection were also big sellers. All of these characters became popular off the back of television cartoons which were the preferred way for toy makers to market their toys in the 1980s.

Also popular in the 1980s, particularly in the States, were a range of toys called Transformers. These were basically toys that doubled as cars or robots that could transform into something else, usually a warrior or a weapon. There were few little boys in the early 1980s that didn't have one of the transformers.

The competition between these toys was fierce. Today many people have vast collections of all these toys including the He-Man action figures confirming their heartfelt and lasting appeal.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

The Evolution of the GI Joe "A Real American Hero" Action Figure

It all started in 1963 when Stan Weston, a toy and licensing agent for the girls because of the success of the Barbie doll. He came up with a concept that the boys could be marketed a line of Barbie-like with a military theme. Don Levine, creative director of Hasbro was then launched the idea and approved. Mr. Levine was also the name of the line, from the 1945 film "The Story of GI Joe," inspired.

The first line of GI Joe was created 1964. Hadthe same scale as Barbie dolls, 12 inches, and there was originally four figures, one for each branch of the Armed Forces.

During the following years, G.I.Joe saw a few shifts in the war theme by being re-launched as "The adventures of G.I.Joe", and later on as "Adventure Team" to try to move away from the war theme associated with the Vietnam War. The original line of 12 inches G.I.Joe ended in 1976 in America.

A Real American Hero (1982)

G.I.Joe action figures were successfully re-launched in 1982 when Hasbro produced a smaller scale line of figures to try to compete with the popular Star Wars action figures. The decision to go with a smaller scale also allowed Hasbro to produce a variety of vehicles and play sets to increase the excitement of the line with youngsters.

The smaller scale line was canceled in 1994. A small assortment of figures were released in 1998, exclusive to Toys "R" Us, to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the 3 3/4 inches line.

The Return of the 3 3/4 inches G.I.Joe

It didn't take long after the last anniversary line to see the small figures make a comeback on the shelves. In 2000, Hasbro released a selection of figures and vehicles which lasted until 2002 and were sold in pack of 2. In 2002, the line was now called "G.I.Joe vs Cobra" and each collection from 2002 to 2005 was centered around a theme. After the basic edition of "G.I.Joe vs Cobra" there was "Spy Troops", and then later on the "Valor vs. Venom" theme.

After a brief hiatus in 2005, where Hasbro released another type of G.I.Joe action figures (Sigma 6, an 8-inches action figure), the 3 3/4 figure came back in the form of a direct-to-consumer line, which was available later at retail because of the success with collectors.

25th Anniversary

2007 was the year of the 25th anniversary of the "A Real American Hero" line. To commemorate the event, Hasbro released another collection of newly sculpted small scale figures based on the original designs of many of the most popular characters. The new figures replaced the classic "o-ring" waist with a swivel chest feature and many more increased articulations points.

This new line was a total success, and what was supposed to be only 2 collector set of 5 figures each became a full fledged line which is still running in 2008.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Predator Action Figure - Basics

Science-fiction fans of horror films (not everywhere?) Loves Predator film series. Fortunately for collectors, there are plenty of cool action figures, characters from these flicks.

The Predator Franchise

The Predator film series is a sci-fi horror film series. The series began in 1987 produced the film Predator, by 20th Century Fox. This was followed by a sequel, Predator 2 (1990), andMany novels, comics and video games spin-off. There were also three other exciting movie: Alien vs. Predator (aka AVP, 2004 note), Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (aka AVP: R, 2007) and Predators (2010).

Many choices

Whether you consider them as toys or (like us serious collectors) of art, action figures for the movie Predator is much more to delight you with their variety of colors, sizes, details and Accessories.

There are very many Predator action figure market. There are dozens of names for numbers in the query are displayed with a simple line. Many companies have produced Predator Toys Action Figures, including Sideshow Collectibles, NECA, McFarlane and.

McFarlane Toys released in 2004, a series of figures in the AVP series from 8-1/4 to 8-1/2 inches. This article (mobile)Characters> are finely detailed and equipped with removable accessories. The five figures in this series are Scar Predator, Predator, Celtic Predator, Grid Alien, and Battle Alien.

Costs

The cost of the Predator action figure out of a wide range of colors. Some can be bought about $ 7, while some of the figures by McFarlane Toys can download up to $ 300. Some of the rare figures that are no longer in production are not hardfound in regular stores, but can on eBay for $ 500 or more to see!

Other Features

The available figures vary in size from 2 to 24 inches or more in height. Some are rigid, and some furniture. Some figures, assembly and description of this product should ", the words" as a kit "or" Some Assembly Required.

Bundles and related products

You can set, two, three, or closeas four separate characters in a single package. There are also some characters with dioramas. It 'an Alien Lunchbox with beverage containers, and various T-shirts with designs that you want. You can also get a chopper AVP Predator Mask Life-Size Prop Replica.

Final words for buyers

Some people buy these numbers as a toy, while others are considered collectors. Be aware that some of the Predator action figures are known,fragile, while others are quite robust. The best way is to get on some products, for contributions that go into the details to look for personal experiences. Do not buy an actual product for the small children who are swallowing. I'm sure you will find a great selection, lots of fun!

Thursday, December 9, 2010

What Action Figures Are Collectible?

What's Collectible? How do you know which action figures are collectible or will be collectible? Much of it is guess work or gut feeling. Part of it is an educated guess. A big part is knowing your market and target audience. So...

What added guidance and help can I give you? In short this simple guide is to help YOU make the decision based on my 15 years in the business.The simplest, easiest and biggest piece of advice I can give you is to remember:

"Today's toys are tomorrow's collectibles" Let me clarify that statement a little more. What are the kids into NOW? What drives their imagination? What games, cartoons, and comic books do they want? Which toys, games etc. will be the number one on this years Christmas lists?

These are the thing that are likely to be the collectibles of the future, the things that will be selling good money in another 10-20 years.

Why? Simply, because the collectors market is basically driven by nostalgia. Look at today's most valuable and collectible items. They're generally what were popular when we were kids (or at least when I was a kid!).

Good examples of this are they huge market for Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm Street, Halloween and Chucky collectibles. All of these are huge cult movies from the 80's.

Then there are the Star Wars toys and Pokemon collectibles. G.I. Joes, Action Man, He-Man, Masters of the Universe and Thunderbirds.

It's the memories attached to these toys and programs that makes them collectible now, as well as the desire to have what we couldn't have as kids.

So, what do I think will be tomorrow's hot collectibles?

Looking at today's markets I would think that the anime/manga series Naruto and Bleach will become more popular and collectible over the coming years as well as other popular anime series such as Ghost in the Shell.

Also popular video games such as Gears of War, Warcraft, Halo and Guitar Hero have a considerable amount of merchandise available, many of which are highly collectible and are likely to remain popular for many years yet.

Oh... And I nearly forgot about Ben 10. Ben 10 is another TV animation series that seems to have become popular recently and captured kids' imaginations.

And don't forget about normal, everyday items. Many of these are likely to become highly sought after and collectible as well.

A prime example of this phenomenon is the old Robinson jam jar labels. These featured a golliwog and were on EVERY jar produced back in the 70's.Thousands upon thousands were produced every year.

Now they sell for about $500 simply because they were banned. But who saved or collected them? Virtually no-one, because they were so common, an everyday item. Again it's the nostalgia and memories associated with them that drives' the market and demand.

Do you remember any of the toys you had? Do you still have any of them? Where are they now? By our very nature, as kids we want to play with our toys, we aren't interested in keeping them safe and undamaged or even collecting them.

They were there to be played with. They were banged and bashed about, thrown around and mostly destroyed, broken and thrown out over the ensuing years. It's only now that we look back to them with the fondness of memories and a longing for our lost childhood.

So again it's often these things that become collectible and valuable. OK, so what about limited editions, low production runs or chase and variant action figures, cards, stamps, toys or whatever that are produced today?

Again these are generally targeted at today's collectors so are often based on past or vintage subjects, e.g. Star Wars, Thunderbirds, Elvis Presley, Battlestar Galactica etc.

Some will target new toys, games, current trends or popular items such as Gears of War, Halo or even movies such as Hellboy.

These items will often be highly collectible initially due to their current popularity and high demand but will general see a dip in value after a few years and as new trends take their place, but...

If they became a popular part of our culture and, or childhood experiences they will generally gain in value again in the long term.

A very good example of this is the Pokemon cards. In the mid 90's they were HUGE, so big in fact that I would say that every child in the world ever knew or had heard about them. Even kids in the poorest parts of Brazil were trading the cards.

But eventually, something else came along. The kids grew up and its popularity dwindled.

But now after ten years it is regularly back in the top 30 searches each month. Prices of the cards are selling at a brisk rate on the auction sites and the demand for the old stuff is increasing. So, if you have an old Pokemon collection tucked away, maybe its time to dust it down!

This is because the kids who collected and bought it then are now "grown up" and look back at the fun days of collecting them and maybe getting some of them back again.

I know I certainly do. At the time I was BIG on Pokemon. I had them ALL! I even had an Illustrator Pikachu and a Secret Mewto, two of THE rarest cards.

But alas, being a trader I sold them all of, but now...

I often wish I had saved a few.

Another piece of advice is to look for niche markets. A niche market is a specialist market. If you can find a small "niche" that has a loyal following then again these are likely to become highly collectible simple because although there is a lot less demand the supply or amount of product available will also be a lot scarcer and therefore more likely to become collectible or valuable.

In the long term, if you "invest" in the right things, the return in 10-20 years can be huge. Certainly better than the average return on your bank savings.

So, in order to decide what will hold it's value or increase in value you should consider:


What's popular now.
Check the top comics, cartoons, TV programmes, films etc and look for the common themes.
What are popular household items?
What games or toys do your kids and friends want and trash?
What are the popular niche markets?
What has become part of our everyday lives, a part of our culture, our language (an excellent example here would be Google, even the term "to Google" something has become common) ?
Consider the answers to these questions, these are the things that are likely to hold their prices and increase in value over the years.