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Postcards From A Collector: Figure Fandango


I got too many figures piling up so let’s just open a few…whadda ya say?

I’m big on value. As in, what do I get for my money? This Diamond Select Toys Aliens 2-pack Minimates with “Screaming Alien” and Cpl. Hudson was only $7.95 at Toys R Us. That’s just under $8 for two tiny and articulated figures, two display stands (which are not needed), a gun that can fit in either hand, a removable helmet, an alternate scalp/hair piece and a facehugger that I don’t know how to attach. I would have paid $10 for the Alien figure alone.

I don’t think I’ve seen a Doctor Who episode in 30 years. Maybe longer. But I do like a lot of the figures from the show, especially when they’re on sale. Usually the prices of figures at Puzzle Zoo are nothing great…except when they have a blowout. When I saw this Peg Soldier figure by Character Options for $10 I jumped at it. I just wish his left arm was functional like his right, but I suppose that’s part of his character. It seems they’re also called Peg Soldier Dolls but I don’t think your average action figure collector would go for that on a package.

This next figure...wait a second, that’s not a figure, that’s a car! Oh did I mention I collect cars? This 1:31 scale, 1931 Ford, U.S. Marshall’s Van by NewRay was $14.99 at a local toy shop. Not exactly a bargain but I had to have it! The wheels turn, the side doors open, the back door opens and the hood opens. The only thing most diecast cars lack, which I love, are tiny drivers and passengers! You might think someone with a criminal record wouldn’t like police vehicles but…well…perhaps I’ve said too much.

I’m always a sucker for a decent Superman figure, and I don’t miss the underwear, so the New 52 design is fine by me. This figure was about $20 at Target. I think it was Target. But it could have been Kmart. And if that were the case then I could have paid $22.99 for it, with Kmart always charging a bit more. This fully articulated figure by Mattel is probably a must-have for any Superman fan. It was available at mass retail and the price was fair. There’s two versions of this figure: this one here, where his clothing is somewhat shiny, and the other, where his clothing have more of a matte finish. I have them both, of course. And I’m not particularly a Superman fan. I mean, I like Superman but I don’t love Superman.

Okay, it says “doll” right on the package. But you know what makes this doll different? This doll kills! Talky Tina, as part of Bif Bang Pow!’s Twilight Zone line, Series 3, is actually in black and white coloring, just like the original Twilight Zone. You know the episode? A little girl receives a doll as a gift but then her stepdad is mean to her and throws the doll around and so the doll speaks to him saying, “My name is Talky Tina and I’m going to kill you.” I won’t spoil it but she kills him. Okay I spoiled it. This is a must-have for the Twilight Zone fan. Yes, I got all of them. I wish they made a Rod Serling figure!

When this scanned at $19.99 at Toys R Us I was like, “Oh hell yes.” This is a beast of a figure! Imagine a Predator head on a Rhino body with Ultimate Green Goblin claws and horns. It has articulated everything, including a hinged jaw. This 7.5” figure of Goliath, from the Evolve video game, is made by Funko. I would argue that this Evolve line, and in particular this figure, positions Funko as a serious competitor to NECA and Mezco in this scale. This Goliath figure is bad-ass and a tremendous value. I stress value because that’s part of the criteria of a good figure. It will be on my list of Best Figures of 2015. (If I was going to make such a list. Every year I say “I’m going to do a Best Figures of the Year video” and I never do.) Remind me mid-December. (PS: Don't miss our previous review of this line).....

  • Sal Rodriguez began collecting figures upon discovering UFC and WWE figures by Jakks Pacific. He lives with his two cats, Fluff Daddy and Little Mister, and over 2,000 action figures. Subscribe to his YouTube channel.

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