7 criterias to consider when buying action figures

When buying action figures and other toys that are based on comic book, cartoon or live-action movie characters, what are the main criterias you look out for before deciding to add them to your toy collections?  Here are the 7 main points that I consider when I make my purchase decisions:

1) Sculpting - Firstly, the action figure must look like the real thing, especially the face!  Using the X-Men character Gambit (above) as an example, this one’s based on the comic book.  However he also bears a striking resemblance to the version in the X-Men Animated series from the 90’s, just a little different in the hairstyle. 

Naturally, his close resemblance to the actual Gambit that his fans are familiar with, makes this piece a popular choice as a collectible action figure.  Gambit here has reasonable detailed sculpting for a little 3.75-inch tall action figure.  We know it is harder to pack in details for smaller action figures and he turns out fine for his size. 

2) Price - This price factor is definitely a major deciding criteria for fans and toy collectors.  After getting attracted to an action figure because of its looks, we usually check the price tag next.  Is it worth the money to be paid?  Is it affordable, especially if you want to collect more than more piece from the series, or even the complete set?

Gambit here retails for USD 7.99 in the US and is priced at SGD 18.90 here in Singapore.  Besides the factory product cost, middlemen cost, shipping cost, currency conversion costs and departmental store cost (wages, rental etc.); we wonder what other cost is added to Gambit’s price in Singapore?

Bottomline is: If you really want him and can afford it, then buy him.  If not, wait to get him at a sale if you are patient and if have the time to return to the store again another time just to check if he’s still available for you.  Some people however, will just buy him on the spot and be done with it, while there are at least a few of him to choose the best one from.

3) Costume - Is the action figure based on its comic book, cartoon or live-action movie image?  Usually action figures like the X-Men that are based long running comic series come in a variety of costumes to signify the era and storyline the character is from.  Toy collectors called these “variants”.  The most popular action figures are nearly always in their classic or most famous trademark costumes. 

The choice a toy collector makes on which action figure to buy depends on his or her preference of attire the character comes in.  Sometimes, like for the “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” live-action movie action figures, there are multitudes of variant action figures for the main character Wolverine in the toy series.  If the character changes attire many times in the movie, and there is one action figure made in each of those attires, that’s a lot of variants to choose from!

4) Colors - Kids couldn’t usually care less if the action figure colors are correct or accurate.  Most of them wouldn’t notice it anyway, unless they are hardcore fans like the adult toy collectors.  This criteria definitely affects the latter group of buyers more. 

For me, I’m not too strict about the exact and precise color accuracy.  As long as the overall action figure resembles the actual character like Gambit (above), I won’t be so picky as to claim that his long coat is not in the correct shade of brown or even color!

5) Paint Job Quality - Basically, is the paint work on the action figure near perfect or sloppy?  These days, many of the China-made toys have dropped in standard when it comes to their paint work, especially on the finer parts like the face of an action figure.  Many action figures with stray color marks on them get past their factory QC checks too easily.  Maybe the QC standards have been lowered to reduce cost of destroying the sub-standard pieces and increase the number of ‘passed’ products ‘fit for sale’. 

Besides to the factories in China, they have this notion that their toys are for meant kids and not really for adults, so who cares so much about proper paint job?  Furthermore, their workers are probably overworked and very tired from so much fine painting, thanks to toy designers who didn’t realise the hard work behind manufacturing the finely-detailed toys they designed.

Nevertheless, I am very particular about paint job quality on my action figures.  Since I have to pay the same amount of money for a well-painted action figure and a not so well-painted one in a store, I might as well choose the better paint work one.  Besides, a good paint work one is easier on my eyes, especially when I later remove the toy from its packaging to display!

6) Articulation - This is a very major criteria for many toy collectors, especially when it comes to larger and more expensive action figures.  A lot of toy collectors emphasize a great deal on the action features and poseability of the action figure.  After all, that’s why it’s called an “action figure”.  Basically, the more points of movable articulation, the more it’s worth in play value and money paid.  Fair enough. 

To me, articulation is not as crucial as the sculpting.  Besides, too much handling loosens the joints, especially around the knees and ankles.  I get annoyed if my action figures develop loose ankle joints after just a few twitches, as it tends to affect their ability to stand on their own.  Most toy collectors tend to ‘play’ with their action figures during the first week of getting them, after which the toys would spend most of the time on shelves or in storage.

The most important thing about articulation for me is that the action figure is designed to, and is able to stand steadily on its own, without keeling over too easily.  There must not be too much effort in adjusting the legs till the standing pose is achieved.  Usually I’ll just hold down the feet and then adjust the angle of the action figure till it stands on its own. 

7) Accessories - Well, it depends if the character needs them.  Most action figures come with at least one or a set of weapons.  However, some accessories are just plain redundant, more to increase the price of the action figure or make the package look larger than it is.  These are extra items to ‘maximize money worth’.

If the action figure comes with weapons, they have to be relevant to the character.  The action figure must be able to hold or carry them properly without looking awkward or falling over easily.  These days, many weapons and accessories are made in such soft rubbery plastic that look so bent.  Probably another cost-cutting tactic by the China factories.  Some would say it’s less harmful to small kids.  You decide.  To me, soft weapons reduce the ‘play factor’ of the action figures.  But then again, how many toy collectors play with their action figures?

An afterthought:

8 ) Packaging - Yes, part of what we pay for the action figure goes towards the packaging - the backcard, box and plastic bubble, which most of us throw away.  Some toy collectors keep the backcard or flattened boxes if the pictures on them are worth keeping, and depending on the space they have at home.

Modern packaging are designed to give the illusion we’re getting a lot in return but in reality, the actual toys account for very little ‘volume’ compared to the whole mass of the packaging.  E.g. The Gambit packaging above - the parts behind words “Gambit” and “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” are empty spaces within the plastic bubble beside the toy. 

Good packaging can sell a product or improve its sales.  However when packaging gets excessive and the consumer has to pay for it but derive very little value from it, then it’s too much.  Furthermore the consumers end up with more trash to dispose. 

But most importantly, the action figure or toy is not too difficult to remove from its packaging, and I’ll be content with that.  The last thing you want is to ‘battle’ your way through layers of tape and lots of tightly twisted wires to release your toy!

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And that’s all I can think of.  Wow I didn’t realise that the article became so long!  Feel free to comment and share your criterias when buying your action figures and collectible toys!