Boys Action Figures

Victor Epand ask

Two of the most popular toy items for little boys are action figures and toy trucks or cars. If they were to see one of those items under a Christmas tree, they would most likely freak out with excitement and start playing with them immediately. It is true; action figures and toy trucks are a hit with young boys. But which one is more popular than the other?

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Remember when you were a kid and your mom, dad, uncle, aunt or grandparent would take you to the toy store or some other leading big-box department store. As you rush towards the action figure aisle, your heart speeding in fervour as you make your means to this supernatural toy of imaginativeness.

Now a lot of men still might purchase an action figure or two sporadically. Action figures today have become so detailed, so artistic and so coveted. These so-called “toys” remind us of our freewheeling youth. I personally have purchased around 16 action figures in the past year.

Athlete Action Figures

What I’m really into, just like so many other grown men, are action figures associated to professional athletes. The detail in some of these pieces of new art are spectacular. They have a team jersey down to every tone of color. Currently manufacturers of action figures actually make licencing arrangements with companies who sponsor a specific athlete and professional sports teams. These are reflected in some action figures as well. I am a massive professional ice hockey fan, and really am a great fan of Alexander Ovechkin. Ovechkin has an endorsement deal with CCM, wearing a CCM helmet, gloves, hockey pants and skates. The Ovechkin doll that I have has all the logos in place just like the real Alexander Ovechkin when he takes the ice in the Verizon Center.

Sci-Fi Action Figures

With the revitalization of sci-fi films and television, sci-fi action figures have also been best-selling. This movement started out with the successful Star Wars franchise films. These love affairs with the figures were rekindled when the original trilogy and the new prequel trilogy were released about a decade ago.

Original action figures were produced in celebration of these films. However this time the dolls were made with such detail and preciseness, it made accumulating these figures by grownups much more acceptable than in the past. The original marketplace for these toys were youngsters, nonetheless this higher level of detail can only be prized by the eye of an adult. This tendency retains today with other sci-fi characters of today’s pop culture.

Todd McFarlane Toys

Comic book creator Todd McFarlane has created a toy company that was really at the forefront of this new breed of action figure explosion. Being an artist of sci-fi and comic books he understood the detail that can be crammed into these action figures.

Collecting Action Figures

When garnering action figures, you should collect as if they are fine pieces of art. You must not collect for investing purposes instead for the admiration of these works of art. If you like what you see then buy it. Even if it does not go up in value you can still delight in the aesthetics of your action figure. If you ever desired to collect as an investing opportunity then there are a few things you should know.

When a new film or television series is premiered, especially if it is a sci-fi base project, then chances are action figures will be manufactured in alignment with the premiere of these motion pictures or television series. If this is the case, eBay has hundreds of vendors who deal these investment objects before the film or series premieres. Normally the price for these items will be modest and are fitting for purchase.

After the sci-fi movie or series is premiered, usually the cost of these action figures will rise. Especially if the film becomes an unanticipated commercial success. This is great because once the motion picture is popular there will be more need for their affiliated action figures however supply will already have been dried up. This is where, you as a collector or investor can turn a profit big time. Merely trade your action figure back on eBay. It’s that easy. I’ve been doing it for quite a while, with what I regard pieces of artistic creation that I no longer love or treasure any longer.

Wishing you the very best in your action figure investment opportunities and this incomparable form of art collecting.

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As  a collector I believe it is very important that you know the value of your action figures.  Having a professional recognized grading system is an access to all collectors of boys action figures.

Professional Grading

It is because of the problems and unreliability of the C-Scale grading system that the demand for an internationally recognized and accepted grading system grew and led to the explosion in the professional action figure grading services.

Do You Need Professional Grading?

If you plan on selling any of your action figures, particularly any vintage or valuable figures you want to get the best bang for your bucks, so yes you should get them professionally graded. BUT If you are going to pay to have your action figure’s condition and authenticity verified by a professional grading service make sure it is a well known, established and respected company that you use.

A Word of Caution… Having your action figure/s professionally graded can be expensive so only get those figures that are either vintage figures or valuable figures professionally graded.

What or Who Are the AFA?

The Action Figure Authority (AFA) was born from a frustration of all the different systems and scales that where being used in the market to grade action figures without any uniformity or standardization. More collectors are beginning to demand that valuable figures are professionally graded before accepting them and more dealers seem to be accepting that a valuable action figure should be professionally authenticated and graded. The AFA is committed to meet or exceed the action figure markets unique requirements while promoting a healthy and fun environment for all. AFA state that their main goals and aims are to:
give the collector the advantage by revealing each action figures true characteristics, thus promoting the healthy growth of sight unseen purchases of action figures. to gain your trust and respect. to create a consensus that AFA’s grading standard accurately reflects the input of all collectors and dealers. to promote interest in the collecting of action figures by the safe and enjoyable purchasing of AFA graded figures.

The AFA Grading Scale

The AFA Grading Scale consists of three levels, each with three sub-levels. These are there Gold, Silver and Bronze levels.

AFA Gold The Premium level is the AFA Gold level which consists of the grades 100, 95, and 90.
AFA Silver level The second level is the Silver level which consists of the grades 85, 80, and 75.
AFA Bronze Level The Bronze Level action figure consists of the grades 70, 60, and below. Action Figures that receive these grades typically have damage ranging anywhere from simply noticeable at first glance to extremely significant.

AFA Sub grades

There are three sub grades for AFA Graded action figures which are assigned for the Card, Blister, and the Action Figure. Once the grader has been established the overall grade for your action figure, they will assign individual grades for each of these three categories.

What Defects Will Affect My Action Figures Grade?
Creases, bends or tears. Price tag marks Blistering or bubbling Discoloration Broken limbs Yellowing Bubble or card separation

These are a few of the more common defects or faults found that will affect your action figures value.

Autographed Action Figures

Over the last few years that has been a large increase in the number and variety of action figures available of stars particularly from TV Series, Sports and Music which has resulted in an in figures autographed by the star or character depicted by the action figure. My guess is that with this becoming more and more popular the Professional Grading sites will begin to include autograph verification into there service, however this is an area fraught with dangers and hazards.

Note:  This article was sent to me without any notation of the original author… if you are or know the original author please notify me at boysactionfigures@gmail.com and I will add a link to your article