Marvel Action Figures
Marvel Comics characters have become some of the best-known comic book characters in pop culture due to the success of movies such as Spider-Man and The X-Men. Marvel’s success in film adaptations has also fueled the sales of its comic books and allowed it to surpass its closest competitor, DC Comics, in terms of sales to become America’s largest comic-book publisher. The popularity of its characters has resulted in a flood of merchandise featuring their likenesses. But Marvel action figures are undoubtedly among the most popular with collectors; below are short reviews of some of the best of them.
Marvel Select is a line of Marvel action figures that are distributed by Diamond Select Toys, the collectibles arm of Diamond Comic Distributors; this means that the figures are available only from specialty retail outlets such as comic shops, rather than mass-market stores. The figures are all seven inches tall and come with a display base and painted backdrop so they can be displayed like a diorama on a collector’s display shelf. Among the most popular figures in this line is Ghost Rider, due to the hit movie that featured the character. Ghost Rider comes with a flame-encrusted display base and has multiple points of articulation. Also popular with collectors is the Marvel Girl (Jean Gray) figure because instead of a base, it comes with part of the Xavier mansion’s gate.
With Iron Man 2 about to land in theaters, Iron Man Marvel action figures are sure to be highly collectible. The Invincible Iron Man action figure is likely to be among the most wanted due to its functionality. The figure features light-up chest and hands, and comes with a variety of accessories, including weapons and a flight pack.
Collectors who want to get on the ground floor of hot future collectibles are looking at action figures of characters that will appear in upcoming movies. A Venom spin-off film has been discussed for quite some time, although the project still remains in limbo. If a Venom movie ever materializes, you’ll be ready if you get Hasbro’s Toxic Blast Venom, which features an almost four inch figure with two accessories: a blast gun and web missile; the collectability is further enhanced by the inclusion of three Fiercest Foe battle cards, so you can pit Venom with the other villains in the line, who include the Green Goblin and Dr. Octopus.
With the Thor movie set to be released next year, collectors are preparing by snapping up merchandise related to the character now. Hasbro’s Thor figure from the Marvel Universe series 7 release stands almost four inches high, and features the modern Thor, complete with his enchanted hammer. The figure has multiple points of articulation and comes with a ‘classified file’ on the character.
US $.01
