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An action figure is a posable plastic figurine of a character, often from a movie, comic book, video game, or television program. These action figures usually are marketed towards boys. Redressable action figures are sometimes referred to as action dolls[1] as a distinction from those which have all or most of their clothes molded on. Image File history File links Zarbonbanpresto. ...
Image File history File links Zarbonbanpresto. ...
This is a list of fictional extraterrestrials (excluding the Saiyan race) who first appeared in Akira Toriyamas Dragon Ball manga, followed by the anime series, including the Dragon Ball films. ...
This article is about the Japanese toy manufacturer. ...
Son Goku with the four-star Dragon Ball. ...
For other uses, see Plastic (disambiguation). ...
A rare Dresden porcelain figurine 7th millennium BC anthropomorphized figurines found in modern-day Israel A figurine (a diminutive form of the word figure) is a statuette that represents a human, deity, or animal. ...
This article is about motion pictures. ...
A comic book is a magazine or book containing the art form of comics. ...
Computer and video games redirects here. ...
A television program (US), television programme (UK) or simply television show is a segment of programming in television broadcasting. ...
For other uses, see Doll (disambiguation). ...
History
1960s-1970s The term "action figure" was first used by Hasbro in 1964, to market their G.I. Joe figure to boys who wouldn't play with dolls. G.I. Joe was initially a military-themed 11.5-inch action figure proposed by marketing and toy idea-man Stan Weston. The action figure featured changeable clothes with various uniforms to suit different purposes. In a move that would create global popularity for this type of toy, Hasbro also licensed the product to companies in other markets. Hasbro (NYSE: HAS) is an American toy and game company. ...
1960s Action Soldier Adventure Team circa 1973 G.I. Joe is a line of military-themed commandos produced by the toy company Hasbro. ...
These different licensees had a combination of uniforms and accessories that were usually identical to the ones manufactured for the US market by Hasbro, along with some sets that were unique to the local market.
The Japanese had at least two examples where a Hasbro licensee also issued sublicenses for related products. For example, Palitoy issued a sublicense to Tsukuda, a company in Japan, to manufacture and sell Action Man accessories in the Japanese market. Takara also issued a sublicense to Medicom for the manufacture of action figures.
Takara, still under license by Hasbro to make and sell G.I. Joe toys in Japan, also manufactured an action figure incorporating the licensed GI Joe torso for Henshin Cyborg-1, using transparent plastic revealing cyborg innards, and a chrome head and cyborg feet. During the oil supply crisis of the 1970s, like many other manufacturers of action figures, Takara was struggling with the costs associated with making the large 11 ½ inch figures, So, a smaller version of the cyborg toy was developed, standing at 3-3/4 inches high, and was first sold in 1974 as Microman. The Microman line was also novel in its use of interchangeable parts. This laid the foundation for both the smaller action figure size and the transforming robot toy. Takara began producing characters in the Microman line with increasingly robotic features, including Robotman, a 12" robot with room for a Microman pilot, and Mini-Robotman, a 3-3/4" version of Robotman. These toys also featured interchangeable parts, with emphasis placed on the transformation and combination of the characters. The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979, also called The Seventies. ...
In 1971, Mego began licensing and making American Marvel and DC comic book superhero figures which had highly successful sales and are considered highly collectible by many adults today. They eventually brought the Microman toy line to the United States as the Micronauts, but Mego eventually lost control of the market after rejecting the license to produce Star Wars toys in 1976. The widespread success of Kenner's Star Wars 3-3/4" toy line made the newer, smaller size the industry standard. Instead of a single character with outfits that changed for different applications, toy lines included teams of characters with special functions. Led by Star Wars-themed sales, collectible action figures quickly became a multi-million dollar secondary business for movie studios. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...
Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...
Soccer redirects here. ...
Ryan Joseph Giggs OBE[1] (born Ryan Joseph Wilson on 29 November 1973 in Ely, Cardiff) is a Welsh footballer currently playing for Manchester United in the English Premiership, and formerly for the Welsh national team prior to his retirement from international football on 2 June 2007. ...
MUFC redirects here. ...
Mego can refer to: Mego Records, an Austrian record label. ...
This article is about the comic book company. ...
DC Comics is an American comic book and related media company. ...
A comic book is a magazine or book containing the art form of comics. ...
// Publishing History The Micronauts was originally a Marvel comic published between 1979 and 1986. ...
This article is about the series. ...
1980s-1990s In the early 1980s, the burgeoning popularity of Japanese robot cartoons such as Gundam encouraged Takara to reinvent the Microman line as the Micro Robots, moving from the cyborg action figure concept to the concept of the living robot. This led to the Micro Change line of toys: objects that could "transform" into robots. In 1984, Hasbro licensed Micro Change and another Takara line, the Diaclone transforming cars, and combined them in the US as the Transformers, spawning a still-continuing family of animated cartoons. The 1980s refers to the years from 1980 to 1989. ...
Cartoons started in the 1930s and 40s. ...
This article is about the anime series. ...
Takara Co. ...
Please wikify (format) this article as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ...
For other uses, see Cyborg (disambiguation). ...
Takara Toys Micro Change toy line were objects that could transform into robots to fight beside other Microman toys. ...
Hasbro (NYSE: HAS) is an American toy and game company. ...
Takara Co. ...
Takara Toys Diaclone toys were transforming vehicles piloted by miniature Micromen called an Inch-Man. ...
Various Transformers toys. ...
The 1980s spawned all sorts of popular action figure lines, many based on cartoon series' which were one of the largest marketing tools for toy companies. Some of the most successful to come about were Masters of the Universe, G.I. Joe, Thundercats, and Super Powers Collection, to name just a few. As the '80s were ending, more and more collectors started to surface, buying up the toys to keep in their original packaging for display purposes and for future collectability. This led to flooding of the action figure toy market. One of the most popular action figure lines of the late '80s and early '90s, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures were produced in such high quantities that the value for most figures would never be higher than a few dollars. In the mid 1990s, a new Star Wars figure line had surfaced and Spawn figures flooded the toy store shelves, proving action figures were not just for kids anymore. Clash of the titans: He-Man and Skeletor face off on the cover of a vintage MOTU graphic novel. ...
1960s Action Soldier Adventure Team circa 1973 G.I. Joe is a line of military-themed commandos produced by the toy company Hasbro. ...
ThunderCats is an American animated television series that was developed and produced by Rankin/Bass Productions, debuting in 1985, based on the characters created by Tobin Ted Wolf. ...
The Super Powers Collection was a line of action figures based on DC Comics superheroes and supervillains that was created by Kenner Toys in the 1980s. ...
For the band, see 1990s (band). ...
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures have been produced by the company Playmates Toys since 1988. ...
Spawn is a fictional comic book character created by Todd McFarlane. ...
It was during this time that popular characters were increasingly getting specialized costume and variant figures. Batman quickly became most notorious for this (i.e. Arctic Batman, Piranha Blade Batman, Neon Armor Batman). Rather than individual characters, these variants would make up the bulk of many action figure lines and often make use of the old figure and accessory molds. Glow-in-the-dark figures and accessories also became popular in the early '90s with lines like Toxic Crusaders and Swamp Thing. Toxic Crusaders is an animated series based on the Toxic Avenger films. ...
For other uses, see Swamp Thing (disambiguation). ...
2000s Today, the adult collector market for action figures is expanding with companies like McFarlane Toys, Palisades, and NECA. Said companies have given numerous movie characters, musicians, and athletes their very first highly detailed figures. These are commonly intended as statuesque display pieces rather than toys; however, child-oriented lines such as the Masters of the Universe revival and Justice League Unlimited still evoke adult collector followings as well. Comic book firms are also able to get figures of their characters produced, regardless of whether or not they appeared in movies or animated cartoons. Examples of companies that produce comic figures and merchandise almost exclusively include Toy Biz and DC Direct. McFarlane Toys, a subsidiary of Todd McFarlane Productions, Inc. ...
Palisades is also a general term for steep cliffs next to a river. ...
The National Entertainment Collectibles Association or NECA is an American manufacturer of collectibles typically licensed from films, sports, music, and television based in New Jersey. ...
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (2002) was a modern revival of the classic 1980s series of the same name, animated by Mike Young Productions, produced to coincide with Mattel and its revival of the Masters of the Universe franchise eleven years after its previous attempt. ...
Justice League Unlimited (or JLU) was the name of an American animated television series that was produced by and aired on Cartoon Network. ...
Toy Biz logo. ...
DC Direct[1] is the exclusive collectibles division of DC Comics, the Time Warner subsidiary that publishes comic books and licenses characters such as Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Flash, Batman, Batgirl and Hawkgirl. ...
Since 1997, ToyFare magazine has become a popular read for mature collectors in providing news and embracing nostalgia with a comedic twist. In the same vein, former ToyFare staffer Doug Goldstein and actor Seth Green produce the TV series Robot Chicken, which utilizes stop motion for satirical effect. Popular websites such as Toy News International also bring collectors information on upcoming figures and merchandise. ToyFare is a magainze published by Wizard Entertainment. ...
Look up nostalgia in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...
Seth Benjamin Gesshel-Green (born February 8, 1974) is an American actor, comedian and television producer. ...
Robot Chicken is an Emmy award-winning American stop motion animated television series produced by Stoopid Monkey, ShadowMachine Films, Williams Street, and Sony Pictures Digital, currently airing in the US as a part of Cartoon Networks Adult Swim line-up, in the United Kingdom and Ireland as part of...
Stop motion is an animation technique which makes things that are static appear to be moving. ...
Adult-oriented figure lines are often exclusive to specific chain stores rather than mass retail. Popular lines often have figures available exclusively through mail-in offers and comic conventions which raise their value significantly. Ploys such as packaging "errors" and "short-packed" figures have also been used by toy companies to increase collector interest. Mail order is a term which describes the buying of goods or services by mail delivery. ...
A fan convention, or con, is an event in which the fans of a particular TV show, comic book, or actor, or an entire style of entertainment such as science fiction or anime, gather together to meet famous personalities (and each other) face-to-face. ...
How action figures are made
Raw materials Aluminum wire, modeling clay, and various sculpting tools are used to create the prototype. The actual figure is molded from a plastic resin, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). This is a harder plastic used to form the main body. Softer plastics, like polypropylene and polyethylene, are commonly used to mold smaller accessory and costume pieces. Various fabrics, such as rayon and nylon, may be used for costume components including body suits, capes, and face masks. As a final decoration, acrylic paints of various colors may be used to decorate the figure. In addition, more elaborate toys may contain miniature electronic components that provide light and sound effects. Aluminium wire is a type of wiring used in houses and power grids. ...
Clay has been used for modelling from the beginning of civilisation. ...
Design Once the character has been selected, the actual design process begins with sketches of the proposed figure. The next step is the creation of a clay prototype. This model is made by bending aluminum wires to form the backbone of the figure, known as an armature. The wire form includes the outline of the arms and legs posed in the general stance that the figure will assume. The sculptor then adds clay to the armature to give the basic weight and shape that is desired. The clay may be baked slightly during the prototyping process to harden it. Then, the sculptor uses various tools, such as a wire loop, to carve the clay and shape details on the figure.
After creating the basic form, the sculptor may choose to remove the arms and work on them separately for later attachment. This gives the sculptor more control and allows him to produce finer details on the proto-type. Working with blunt tools, the sculptor shapes the body with as much detail as is desired. During this process, photo and sketch references are used to ensure the figure is as realistic as possible. Some sculptors may even use human models to guide their design work.
After the general body shape is complete, the sculptor adds the finer details, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth that give the figure its life-like expression. The designer may attach a rough lump of clay on the main figure as a temporary head while the real head is sculpted on a separate armature. This allows the sculptor to finish the figure's facial expressions independently of the body. At this point, the finished head can be attached to the main armature and joined to the body with additional clay. Once the head is attached, the neck and hair are sculpted to properly fit to the figure. Then, depending on the design of the figure, the costume may be sculpted directly onto the body. However, if a cloth costume or uniform will be added later, the prototype is sculpted without any costume details. During this process, parts of the clay may be covered with aluminum foil to keep it from prematurely drying out. Once everything is completed, the entire figure is baked to harden the clay.
The sculpted prototype is then sent for approval to the manufacturer. Once all design details have been finalized, the prototype is used to make the molds that will form the plastic pieces for the mass-produced figure. The entire sculpting process may take about two weeks, depending on the skill and speed of the sculptor. This process may be repeated several times if revisions must be made to the figure. Several months are typically allowed for this design phase.[2]
Notable action figures An action figure can be appreciated or criticized for its sculpt, articulation, paints, detail, and/or likeness to the character; or by how successfully the manufacturer combines these often logistically exclusive elements.
To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...
Hasbro (NYSE: HAS) is an American toy and game company. ...
Mattel headquarters in El Segundo Mattel Inc. ...
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Mattel headquarters in El Segundo Mattel Inc. ...
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DC Direct[1] is the exclusive collectibles division of DC Comics, the Time Warner subsidiary that publishes comic books and licenses characters such as Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Flash, Batman, Batgirl and Hawkgirl. ...
This article is about the television series. ...
DBZ redirects here. ...
Jakks Pacific, Inc. ...
This article is about the Japanese toy manufacturer. ...
Several figures from the Dungeons & Dragons Miniatures Game The Dungeons & Dragons Miniatures Game (DDM) is a collectible skirmish miniatures wargame game played with pre-painted, plastic miniature figures based on characters and monsters from the Dungeons & Dragons games. ...
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero is a military-themed action figure (3 3/4 inches tall) that was supported by a Marvel Comic and a popular cartoon television show that ran in the 1980s. ...
Hasbro (NYSE: HAS) is an American toy and game company. ...
A selection of figures from the Gobot toyline Gobots was a line of transforming robot toys produced by Tonka from 1983 to 1986, similar to Transformers. ...
This article is about the Japanese toy manufacturer. ...
This article is about the anime series. ...
This article is about the Japanese toy manufacturer. ...
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For the Halo series comics by Marvel Comics, see Halo Graphic Novel and Halo: Uprising. ...
McFarlane may refer to: In business: McFarlane Toys, a toy manufacturer People with the surname McFarlane: McFarlane (surname) McFarlanes Evil Prophecy, a computer game McFarlan Category: ...
OotP redirects here. ...
Hellboy is a fictional Dark Horse Comics character created by Mike Mignola. ...
Mezco Toyz is a toy company, that makes action figures and other collectibles based on original and licensed properties. ...
He Man redirects here. ...
Clash of the titans: He-Man and Skeletor face off on the cover of a vintage MOTU graphic novel. ...
Mattel headquarters in El Segundo Mattel Inc. ...
The Incredible Crash Dummies from Tyco Toys. ...
For the feature film based on this book, see Jurassic Park (film). ...
Kenner Products was a toy company founded in 1947 by three brothers, Albert, Phillip, and Joseph L. Steiner, in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, and was named after the street where the original corporate offices were located. ...
This article is about the novel. ...
LOST redirects here. ...
This article is about the action figure line of Marvel characters. ...
Toy Biz logo. ...
Hasbro (NYSE: HAS) is an American toy and game company. ...
Marvel Select is a line of action figures based on heroes from the Marvel Universe. ...
M.A.S.K. was an animated television series directed by three uncredited Japanese studios, KK C&D Asia, Studio World, Ashi Production, and produced by the French-American DIC Enterprises, Inc (Jean Chalopin & Andy Heyward) and also the toyline of the same name sold by Kenner. ...
Kenner Products was a toy company founded in 1947 by three brothers, Albert, Phillip, and Joseph L. Steiner, in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, and was named after the street where the original corporate offices were located. ...
Max Steel is a Sci-Fi/Action, CGI, animated series which originally aired on February 25 2000 - June 23 2002 yet Season 3 had no air dates, although Cartoon Network aired the third series. ...
Mattel headquarters in El Segundo Mattel Inc. ...
McFarlanes Sports Picks is the name given to the line of sports-related action figures released by McFarlane Toys, a company founded by Spawn creator Todd McFarlane. ...
Mega Man, known as Rock Man ) in Japan, is a video game character created by Keiji Inafune and is the title character of what has been referred to as the Classic Mega Man series developed by Capcom since 1987. ...
// Publishing History The Micronauts was originally a Marvel comic published between 1979 and 1986. ...
Mego can refer to: Mego Records, an Austrian record label. ...
Minimates are a block-styled miniature action figure created by Art Asylum. ...
Monster in My Pocket was a toy line developed by Morrison Entertainment Group, headed by Joe Morrison and John Weems, and released by Matchbox in 1990 consisting of small, soft plastic monsters from religion and mythology, literary fantasy, and unexplained phenomena. ...
For other uses, see Mortal Kombat. ...
The Nightmare Before Christmas - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ...
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InuYasha, a Feudal Fairy Tale redirects here. ...
Invader Zim, trademarked as Invader ZIM, is an award-winning[1] American animated television series that aired on and was produced by Nickelodeon. ...
Simpsons redirects here. ...
This article is about the franchise. ...
Zizzle is a company that makes many types of electronics and toys that is licensed from movies. ...
Power Rangers is a long-running American childrens television series adapted from the Japanese tokusatsu Super Sentai Series, though it is not simply an English dub of the original. ...
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Matchbox Superfast box art. ...
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For the rocket fuel, see Tonka (fuel). ...
This article is about the Japanese toy manufacturer. ...
Seiya redirects here. ...
Myth Cloth is the name of a line of action figures based on the TV animated series Saint Seiya (also known as Knights of the Zodiac). ...
This article is about the Japanese toy manufacturer. ...
This section has been identified as trivia. ...
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Shogun Warriors were a line of toys, licensed by Mattel during the late 1970s that consisted of a series of imported Japanese robots all based on then-popular giant robot anime shows. ...
Mattel headquarters in El Segundo Mattel Inc. ...
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Mego can refer to: Mego Records, an Austrian record label. ...
Lewis Galoob Toys, Inc. ...
Image:HK0635-Playmates. ...
Art Asylum is a New York City based design studio and toy company. ...
This article is about the series. ...
Kenner Products was a toy company founded in 1947 by three brothers, Albert, Phillip, and Joseph L. Steiner, in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, and was named after the street where the original corporate offices were located. ...
Hasbro (NYSE: HAS) is an American toy and game company. ...
[1] The subject of this article may not satisfy the notability guideline or one of the following guidelines for inclusion on Wikipedia: Biographies, Books, Companies, Fiction, Music, Neologisms, Numbers, Web content, or several proposals for new guidelines. ...
STIKFAS are 3. ...
Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars is the name of a twelve-issue Marvel Comics comic book limited series produced between 1984 and 1985, and a Mattel toy line that reflected the series. ...
Mattel headquarters in El Segundo Mattel Inc. ...
The Silverhawks Logo Silverhawks is an animated childrens television series. ...
Kenner Products was a toy company founded in 1947 by three brothers, Albert, Phillip, and Joseph L. Steiner, in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, and was named after the street where the original corporate offices were located. ...
For the rocket fuel, see Tonka (fuel). ...
The Super Powers Collection was a line of action figures based on DC Comics superheroes and supervillains that was created by Kenner Toys in the 1980s. ...
Kenner Products was a toy company founded in 1947 by three brothers, Albert, Phillip, and Joseph L. Steiner, in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, and was named after the street where the original corporate offices were located. ...
Spawn is a fictional comic book character created by Todd McFarlane. ...
Spider-Man swinging around his hometown, New York City. ...
Toy Biz logo. ...
Hasbro (NYSE: HAS) is an American toy and game company. ...
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures have been produced by the company Playmates Toys since 1988. ...
The name Playmates may refer to: Playmates, a popular song written in 1940. ...
ThunderCats is an American animated television series that was developed and produced by Rankin/Bass Productions, debuting in 1985, based on the characters created by Tobin Ted Wolf. ...
LJN was an American toy company and video game publisher in operation from 1970 to 1994. ...
Various Transformers toys. ...
Hasbro (NYSE: HAS) is an American toy and game company. ...
Takara Co. ...
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Hasbro (NYSE: HAS) is an American toy and game company. ...
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World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. ...
Hasbro (NYSE: HAS) is an American toy and game company. ...
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Toy Biz logo. ...
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References - ^ New York Times article
- ^ Figures: How Products are Made
See also Toy Biz v. ...
For other uses, see Superhero (disambiguation). ...
A teddy bear A toy is an object used in play. ...
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