Looking Back + Ahead

Go Figure is still young, fresh and nubile. The new kid on the block, and we'd actually like to stay that for a while - to continue to be meldable, shifting, changing, developing, experimenting. And we have so much more to share with you, our fellow collectors, in this new year. Though, as a community site dedicated to bringing you the latest news (and opinion) about several of the team here, wanted to share a quick glimpse at the past year (highs + lows) as we proceed. One thing as a site that we resolve to do in '15 is to refrain from any typical advertising, that does not mean we will stop offering all collectors out there links to vendors or special deals within our stories - however - we will reduce listing these on our social networking sites.

Speaking of which, to keep you best updated we recommend joining us on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram (and we are adding one or two in the new year - we are thinking Reddit and Vine - but do you have any recommendations?). We promise to continue bringing you quality stories, reviews, videos and such - though we really need your participation on these networks to give us fuel to go on, and your ideas, and participation. A community, brick by brick.....here's what the folks here have to say:

PATRICK GIBBS: In 2014 I embraced my action figure obsession, and my most triumphant find, and most embarrassing purchase was a gorgeous 2001 Angelina Jolie Tomb Raider figure (and what a figure that figure has, let me tell you). As this year ends she is currently the most significant woman in my life.

SAL RODRIGUEZ:

2014 was the year of Godzilla. Spearheaded by a fantastic movie, revitalizing the franchise; the selection of great Godzilla figures has never been so vast. Bandai, NECA, and Jakks Pacific have all taken part in recreating the world's favorite kaiju in figure form. Whether you like super-articulated figures at 12", or a mega-size figure at 40", 2014 did not disappoint. May 2015 bring more Godzilla awesomeness! Happy New Year.

DON MORTON:

2014 was the year I was introduced to the world of Funko, it was all by accident but once it started it became an out of control train. By the end of the year I found myself calling stores daily to see what new items they got in. I was buying an average of 6 Pops a week (because you can’t just buy one). In a matter of months my collection went from 0 to almost 200 Pops, 5 Hikaris, countless Mystery Minis, and a number of subscription boxes. Yes I’ve become an addict, and I keep saying I’ll cut back after the first of the year. But as the year comes to a close here come all of the announcements for 2015. It’s as if Funko has tapped into my brain and figured out all the things that make me tick, and they are feeding it to me.

So when you ask me what’s my favorite piece I just can’t answer that, it might be the SDCC Luke & Wampa (the piece that started all this). It really depends on the day and my mood. Well I have to admit that I’m a little concerned that the market is becoming over-saturated and the bubble is going to pop (no pun intended lol). When I started collecting I had to run all over town to find a Pop, now I can get them everywhere; the airport, the comic store, Universal Studios, Target, Wal-Mart, Kohl’s, Big 5, Hot Topic, Barnes & Noble, Walgreens, and numerous online sources. Not to mention the number of variation and exclusives, I know that should be a testament to the popularity of Funko but it raises some serious concerns. How do I know the piece I buy today won’t have a better exclusives version next week? And with so many exclusives it’s driving collectors away from the mom & pop stores that got Funko where it is today. With the market shifting towards major retail stores it’s just a matter of time before the local stores stop carrying Funko because they can no longer sell them, and once the retail chains move onto something else or limit the shelf space that may just be the end. Hopefully Funko recognizes this and has a plan for the future, for now all I can say is “Feed me, Seymour.”

LENNON GEORGE:

Well it has been one heck of a year… I have met a lot of wonderful collectors and made a new family here at Go Figure. It has been a blast sharing my thoughts with you all these past few months. Since beginning this venture I have grown as a writer, editor, business owner and collector. I’m grateful for all the knowledge I have acquired thus far and I look forward to learning more from all of you.

Ok now that the mushy stuff is out of the way lets talk toys! There were so many awesome toys released this year I have a bunch of favorites like my Gold Smaug 6" and GITD Comicaze Convention Storm Funko Pop vinyls. I also have fallen in love with the new Skylanders Game. The figures are so awesome (as always) and the graphics are phenomenal! I am happy to own a NECA-Reel Toys figure especially happy that is one of my favorite horror icons. In 2015 I am looking forward to see what Activision has in store for us. I think this year is going to be bigger and better than previous years (fingers crossed). I am over excited for all the new Funko toys coming out in 2015 as well. Now if only we can get a series 2 Power Ranger set with Zords as Pop! Rides, that can be connected to create a Mega Zord or at least make a 6 to 8 in Mega Zord that would be epic!

My New Years resolution is to beef up my collections, get into a few new lines, make it to Comic Con and Fundays this year, and continue to make Go Figure the place to be. I wish you all a happy New Year! Cheers!

TAYLOR SMART:

Hello GFN readers! This year I was very lucky to start exploring indie toys, if you haven’t looked in to them yourself I would highly recommend it. Some of my favorite releases this year include just about anything in the Star Wars Black Series six inch line, the Volkriun Space Force (November) drop from Onell Design, Deadly Foes of Spider-Man Minimates (a Lukes Toy Store exclusive), and both Marvel and Star Wars Hot Wheels caricature cars. 2014 was a great year for collectors of kinds, here’s hoping that 2015 will be just as good!

AUSTIN BECKNELL:

The year of 2014 was an amazing year for figure collectors. NECA with their new large array of figures from Predator, Godzilla, Planet of the Apes, Pacific Rim and many more. I'm really looking forward to another year full of amazing figures. I'm most excited for the Star Wars Black Series 6" because this year we are getting so many amazing figures, Hoth characters, Wampas and Taun Tauns - and hopefully some episode 7 figures for the upcoming film this coming December. I hope everyone is as excited for this year of collecting as I am. Everyone have a wonderful year full of memories and figures. Keep collecting and stay happy.

TJ NORRIS:

As I look back on 2014 I remember so many amazing figures. From Gentle Giant's jumbo Kenner-like Star Wars figures, to the gritty Sin City vignettes put out by Diamond Select Toys, more amazing and colorful characters from DC Collectibles than you can count, continued weirdness from kidrobot (we'll see what the NECA merger will do), refined sculpts from Hot Toys/Sideshow Collectibles and Mezco and Neca this year - just all keep getting better! Of course I have to consider that Funko has dominated the market by blanketing it with figures that are fun and affordable and re-kickstarted my whole collecting craze. I cannot argue with previous points about saturation though. I, like many collectors, really enjoy the opportunity to collect exclusives, and limited things - it just feels special when it's not available at all the big box stores - and I am in complete support of growing the network of smaller corner stores that cater to saavy collectors rather than baiting the average flipper. And I am not alone.

As an artist myself I have been exposed to countless creatives, young illustrators and urban artists who have contributed to the landscape of designer vinyl. In the new year we are hoping to increase the coverage on lesser known brands, artists and those using new technologies to bring us indie toys. We are hoping to bring in a writer who will be dedicated exclusively to non-household names, and soon if possible. My favorite figure series of the year was actually something that caught me quite off guard, the Garden Warfare Plants vs. Zombies duo kits from Diamond Select Toys which are perfectly zany, colorful and sculpted to the nth degree. Speaking of, here's to lots of growth in the new year. In good fun!

Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?

That is the question.

#tombraider #mezco #dccollectibles #marvel #hotwheels #onelldesign #deadlyfoesofspidermanminimates #jakkspacific #bandai #neca #funko #hikari #mysterymini #skylandersgame #reeltoys #starwarsblackseries #volkriunspaceforce #gentlegiant #kenner #diamondselecttoys #hottoys #kidrobot #sideshowcollectibles