A Look At Deadpool Collectibles & More
by Lennon George
Since Deadpool exploded on the scene with his dirty mouth, raunchy attitude, and appetite for all things death, he has become a fan favorite - making appearances in comic books, video games, and action figure/toy series. With the Fox network recently releasing Deadpool test footage and confirming a February 2016 release for the movie there seems to be a Deadpool frenzy going on.
Here is a quick history lesson about our favorite taco-eating assassin. Artist and Writer Robert “Rob” Liefeld debuted the character Deadpool in issue #98 of the New Mutants comic book back in 1991 (yeah, he's still only 23!). A disfigured and mentally unstable mercenary, Deadpool originally appeared as a villain in an issue of New Mutants, and later in issues of X-Force. The character has since starred in several ongoing series, and shares titles with other characters such as Wolverine and the X-Men, Captain America and the Avengers, Spider-Man, and Cable. The son of Scott Summers aka Cyclops and Jean Grey aka the Phoenix from the future -- also known as the "Merc with a Mouth," Deadpool is famous for his talkative nature and his tendency to break the fourth wall, which is used by writers to humorous effect.
Deadpool’s real name is Wade Wilson and not much is known about his early life. Wade became a mercenary in his late teens assassinating those he felt deserved death. He routinely used plastic surgery and technology to change his appearance if he failed a mission. Wade found out he had cancer and broke up with Vanessa Carlysle, his prostitute girlfriend at the time, and joined the Weapon X program -- a joint US/Canadian superhuman enhancement project. He was given a special healing factor taken from the most popular member of the X-Men (now dead) Wolverine that put his cancer into remission. He went through a whole lot of other stuff that I won’t mention because most of you reading this are Marvel fans and know the basic history already. If not, you will just have to go and read his bio on marvel.com to get more familiar.
Ryan Reynolds will be reprising his role as Deadpool. Not everyone was happy about this at first, as they felt his character was a bust in the Wolverine: Origins movie. Though, after seeing the test footage I think it is safe to say that as long as Marvel stays true to the Deadpool character and let’s Reynolds be his usual smart-mouthed self this will be a great film. So far the movie has an R rated script but many speculate that it will be watered down to be given a PG-13 rating potentially dooming the movie before it is released.
Now that there has been confirmation of the movie, Deadpool merchandise is starting to come out of the woodwork! Marvel is celebrating their own 75th Anniversary by releasing Deadpool Variant covers of Bucky Barnes: The Winter Soldier, Black Widow, Captain America, Guardians 3000, Spider-Man 2099, and Uncanny Avengers.
Available in stores and online now, so make sure to visit Toy Wars to get your copies today. Now that we have covered movies and comics let’s talk toys shall we....?
There have been some really cool Deadpool toys released throughout the years. Below is a list of rare and hard to find toys which includes some of my favorites from back in the day until now.
X-Force Series 1
The very first Deadpool toy to every be released was made by Toy Biz in 1992. This figure is out of production and is a valuable collectible. It is a part of the Uncanny X-Men/X-Force 5 in action figure line (actually 4.8 in) and has 9 points of articulation with stabbing action not bad for a toy made in 1992.
Here is a bit of info you may not know about Toy Biz the original name of the company was Charan Toys a subsidiary of Charan Industries Inc. The Toy Biz name didn’t come into existence until the late 80’s when the company was sold. Toy Biz folded when Marvel fell into financial problems. Ok pop quiz!
What became of the Toy Biz Company?
Well if you didn’t know, Toy Biz was the toy division of Marvel. After many changes and financial woes throughout the years, Toy Biz merged with Marvel in 1998 to create Marvel Enterprises. This brought Toy biz out of bankruptcy, made it a division of the new company, and changed it’s name to Marvel Toys. Unfortunately the company was closed in 2008 and its licenses were sold.
X-Men FAO Schwarz 4-Pack Exclusive
Toy Biz produced this set exclusively for FAO SCHWARZ in 1994. The set included Cable, Deadpool, Fitzroy, and the X-Man Forge. This is the same exact Deadpool figure from X-Force Series 1. Supposedly it was repainted, but some speculate that it never received one. These figures came in a plain brown box individually packaged in plastic as pictured above. Did you know that FAO Schwarz is the oldest toy store in the United States? Time for another pop quiz!
What company now owns FAO Schwarz?
If you answered Toys R Us you are a toy geek just like me! In 2009 Toys R Us acquired FAO Schwarz due to the company going bankrupt a few years prior. Now Toys R US features FAO Schwarz boutiques in their stores.
X-Force Series 6
Released in 1995 by Toy Biz Deadpool II Mutagenic Hidden Nightmare figure with removable Mask is the second edition of the Marvel X-men/X-Force line. Figure stands 5 in tall and also has 9 points of articulation with removable hand.
Marvel Hall of Fame Series 1
Toy Biz released this figure in 1996 it is the same figure released in 1992 with a better paint job.
Marvel Universe Deadpool II Series 5
Toy Biz re-released the 1995 Unmasked Deadpool in 1996 re-painted.
Marvel Hall Of Fame Series 5 Unmasked Deadpool-1997
Toy Biz re-released the 1995 Unmasked Deadpool in 1997 again re-painted.
Marvel Universe Deadpool Deluxe Figure
Released by Toy Biz in 1997 this deluxe version of Deadpool stands a whopping 10 inches tall and has 9 points of articulation.
X-Men KB Series 2 Exclusive
Toy Biz re-released this figure in 1998 as a KB Toys exclusive; it is the same figure released in 1992 with a darker re-paint.
KB Toys was one of my favorite toy stores to go to as a kid next to Toys R Us. Heck when I was growing up there were only three major toy stores FAO, TRU, and KB everyone else was small fish. The company was founded in 1992 going on to operate 605 stores in 44 U.S. states inside of malls all over America. Unfortunately Kay Bee Toys began closing its stores and doing out of business sales in December of 2008 due to the company going bankrupt twice in five years. It officially closed its doors February 9, 2009. Guess what time it is? Pop quiz time that’s what!
KB Toys is still a functioning online company who owns it?
If you said Toys R Us you are correct they obtained the remaining rights of Kay Bee Toys including it’s website, trademarks, and intellectual property as of September 4, 2009.
Marvel Legends Deadpool Series 6
Toy Biz released this Deapool figure in 2004 it is said to be the best Deadpool figure to date standing 6.25 inches tall with 36 points of articulation, and an interchangeable unmasked head. It is a rare item due to it being distributed as one per case and even that wasn’t guaranteed.
Marvel Minimates Figures
Minimates figures designed by Art Asylem were created in 2002. They began a partnership to be distributed through Diamond Select Toys in 2003. The basic Minimate figure design has a 2" tall body that resembles an extremely simplified human form with 14 points of articulation, way more than the average block figures. The most popular and longest-running series of Minimates is based on Marvel Comics characters, with over 60 waves of figures in existence.
Marvel Minimates Toys R Us 2 pk Series 1
The first set released in 2008 featuring Deadpool was based on the Wolverine: Origins Deadpool character Wade Wilson played by Ryan Reynolds. This set also included the Hugh Jackman variant special ops Wolverine figure. This set was re-released twice once in 2008 as a series 2 set and in 2009 as wave 26.
Marvel Minimates Toys R Us 2 pk Series 2
This set was also released in 2008 as a Series 2 Toys R Us Exclusive. The set featured World War II Wolverine and Final Battle Deadpool from X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
Marvel Super Hero Squad Figures
Hasbro jumped into the Marvel Toy making business when Marvel sold over some of its license rights. The first Deadpool figure was introduced by way of the Marvel Super Hero Squad toy line in 2008. They recently renewed their agreement with Marvel for a time period lasting up to at least the year 2020.
Marvel Super Hero Squad Series 7
Released in 2008 by Hasbro, this set includes Deadpool and Punisher figures with 5 points of articulation.
Marvel Minimates Wolverine Wave 28
This is the 4th Minimate set released in 2009 by Diamond Select Toys featuring Deadpool and Wolverine; it is based on the comic book style of the characters.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine Deadpool Comic Series Wave 1
Hasbro released this single carded 3 and 3/4 inch figure in 2009 to celebrate the release of the origins movie. This figure is patented after the comic book style of Deadpool with multiple points of articulation. The figure compares in size to the popular Hasbro G.I Joe figures.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine Deadpool Weapon XI
Hasbro released this figure in 2009 as a Wave 2 variant which was based on the final battle Deapool in the X-Men Origins movie.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine Deadpool Comic Series w/Cannon
This 2009 re-release is from the wave one comic series previously released by Hasbro. This is referred to as a deluxe figure, because it comes with an ultra cool mega cannon.
Marvel Minimates X-Force SDCC Exclusive
This set was released in 2010 at the San Diego Comic Con as an exclusive. The set contains Cable, Domino, Feral and of course Deadpool.
Marvel Legends Toys R Us Exclusive
Released in 2010 as a Toys R Us Exclusive variant figure. This two pack includes Deadpool in his blue X-Men Suit and Warpath. (The brother of New Mutant Thunderbird) Warpath was also featured in the new X-Men: Days of Future Past movie.
Marvel Legends Toys R Us Exclusive
Also released in 2010 as a Toys R Us Exclusive variant figure. This two pack features Deadpool in his red Suit and Warpath in his X-Force uniform. Both figures have multiple points of articulation and stand 3.75 inches high.
Marvel Super Hero Squad Series 21
In 2010 Hasbro released its second Deadpool figure in the Marvel Super Hero Squad Series. The two-pack set includes figures Taskmaster and Deadpool.
Marvel Minimates Uncanny X-Force SDCC Exclusive
This set was released at SDCC 2011 as an exclusive. This sweet set incudes Deadpool, Wolverine, Archangel, and Psylocke in their X-Force uniforms.
Marvel Minimates Marvel vs Capcom 3 SDCC Exclusive
This Minimate set was also released at SDCC 2011 as an exclusive.
Marvel Minimates Heroes & Adversaries SDCC Exclusive
This Minimate set was released along side the Heroes & Adversaries set, the Marvel vs Capcom set, and the Uncanny X-Force set at SDCC 2011 as an exclusive.
Marvel Minimates Dead Pool NYCC Exclusive
This minimate set was released at the 2011 New York Comic Con. The set includes Deadpool, Kidpool, Championpool, and Lady Deadpool. These characters are based on the Deadpool personalities from an alternate reality.
Marvel Universe-Fury Files: X-Force
Hasbro released this set in 2011 as a box set. Included in the set are Warpath, Deadpool, and Wolverine in their X-Force uniforms. These figures stand 3.75 inches in height and have multiple points of articulation.
Marvel Universe-Fury Files: Deadpool vs Taskmaster
In 2011 Hasbro released this figure set in their greatest battles comic pack series . They are 3.75 inches in size and also come with an exclusive comic book.
Marvel Select Masked Deadpool
Released in 2011 by Toy Biz this figure has 22 points of articulation and is 8 in high.
Marvel Select Unmasked Deadpool
This is the Marvel Select unmasked variant of Deadpool released in 2011 by Toy Biz.
Marvel Legends Series 3 X-Force Deadpool
Hasbro released this single carded variant in its Marvel Legends line in 2012 featuring Deadpool in his X-Force uniform.
Marvel Legends Series 3 Deadpool
This is the other figure Hasbro released in its Marvel Legends line in 2012 featuring Deadpool in his traditional red uniform.
Funko Vinyl Toys
The Funko Toy brand has to be the most popular upcoming toy company in the world. The Funko Company hasn’t been around as long as toy manufacturing giants Hasbro, Mattel, or a few others, but they are becoming so popular even Hasbro decided to sell Funko some of their licenses. Mike Becker who got his claim to fame by creating the Wacky Wobbler Bobble Head line featuring Big Boy, the restaurant industry-advertising icon, founded Funko LLC in 1998.
Wacky Wobbler’s were such a hit that it became the signature line of the brand. However, more recently Funko has a new best seller; a Japanese Chibi styled vinyl figure known to us as Pop! Vinyls or Pops!
These vinyl figures are 3.75 in and have very little to no articulation, but it doesn’t hurt the toy one bit. The company was later sold in 2005 and since has expanded tremendously producing Funko products worldwide with unit sales in the excess of 10 million. Below is a list of our favorite “Loud Mouth Merc!” in Pop! Vinyl form. As you will see there is a bunch.
Pop! Vinyl Deadpool Bobble Head
The was the very first Deadpool figure made by Funko way back in 2012.
Pop! Vinyl Deadpool X-Men Variant Bobble Head
Released in 2013 as a MegaCon exclusive
Pop! Vinyl Deadpool Inverse Bobble Head Fugitive Toys Exclusive
This is a variant produced by Funko exclusively for Fugitive Toys in 2013.
Pop! Vinyl Deadpool Glow In The Dark Variant Bobble Head
This is a variant produced by Funko exclusively for Harrison Comics in 2013.
Pop! Vinyl Unmasked Deadpool X-Force
This is one of two variants produced by Funko as a PX Previews Exclusive released in 2013.
Pop! Vinyl Unmasked Deadpool
This is the other variant produced by Funko as a PX Preview Exclusive released in 2013.
Pop! Vinyl X-Force Deadpool
Funko produced this variant exclusively for Hot Topic stores; it was made available in 2013.
Pop! Vinyl Black & White Deadpool
This is one of two figures Funko produced exclusively for Matt’s Cavalcade of Comics, Cards, and Collectibles when it was released in 2013.
Pop! Vinyl Glow In The Dark Black & White Deadpool
This is one of two figures Funko produced exclusively for Matt’sCavalcade of Comics, Cards, and Collectibles when it was released in 2013.
Pop! Vinyl Metallic Deadpool
This figure was produced by Funko and was released in 2013 at SDCC. It's limited production of only 480 pieces has made it a much sought after piece among collectors.
Marvel Funko Mystery Mini Deadpool
This is a new Funko product line released in 2014 they are blind boxed 2.5 in mini figures. Deadpool was included in the Marvel set. There were a handful of variants in this series because of funko's decision to release 3 different sets within this 1 series. In addition, a different set was produced for Hot Topic and released simultaneously with the original; while yet another set was created for SDCC 2014.
Deadpool Wacky Wobbler Bobble Head
This figure has recently been announced by Funko and will be released this month. Make sure you use our affiliate link for Entertainment Earth and snag one of these fast. I'm sure it’s going to be a hot item.
Pop! Vinyl X-Men Deadpool
This figure has recently been announced by Funko and will be released this month as well. This is a must have and it will be available for pre-oreder through our affiliate Entertainment Earth.
Sideshow Collectibles Sixth Scale Figures
Sideshow Collectibles started out in 1994 originally creating toy prototypes for major toy companies such as Mattel and Wild Planet. Sideshow began marketing its own line of collectible and specialty products in 1999 under the Sideshow brand. Universal Classic Monsters 8" Action Figures were the first licenses acquired by the company, and they were made available through Toys R Us and other major retailers. Sideshow began creating sixth scale figures to sell in specialty markets, which prompted the company to switch their name from Sideshow "toys" to "collectibles".
Marvel Deadpool Sixth Scale Action Figure
This has got to be my favorite Deadpool figure right now. I am overly excited about this new addition to the Sideshow Collectible line. This figure comes fully articulated with all kinds of weapons, interchangeable head and hands, and special comic word bubbles that can be customized to display words in classic
Deadpool fashion.
This Deadpool figure is sure to be a grail piece for collectors. If I were you,I would pre-order this figure now or you’ll be kicking yourself later.
As you can see Deadpool has had a pretty good run over the years and if the new movie is a success, his popularity is going to be crazier than he is! Well, not that crazy but you get the point. I got one last pop quiz question for you guys and this one has a perk.
Who is releasing an exclusive Limited Edition Deadpool figure this month?
If you guessed these guys then you, my friend, are definitely in the know.
I won’t even say anything else, the picture says it all. Just make sure you get your Nerd Block subscription, by the way this months subscription is curated by “The” Kevin Smith. Yup! it just got real in the Nerdiverse, until next time “Keep it Poppin”!
DEADPOOL So You Ask....What's Available Right Now? Check out our friendly affiliates: Entertainment Earth, Toy Wars, Big Bad Toy Store, Fugitive Toys, Popcultcha