Boys Action Figures

Boys Action Figures… Then and Now

photo by H P Holland;

My obsession with boys action figures began in the mid 1960′s with the original 11 1/2 inch G.I. Joe Action figure and no it wasn’t a doll, regardless of what my Dad thought.  His generation just couldn’t understand boys action figures.

The Sixties were a time of upheaval.  The Viet Nam War conflict was tearing at the nation, and many a parent bulked at the idea of their boys playing with a military action figure, but for the boys of the neighborhood, G.I. Joe ruled every sand pile, rock pile and backyard lawn.

By the time the seventies rolled in superhero and star wars action figures begin to rule the market.  This was also a time when action figures went from the standard 12 inches to the cost saving 3 3/4 inch models. Times were hard and energy cost high, there just wasn’t the available petroleum needed to make the plastic action figures.  Luckily there was no revolt from the boys of the world and they happily embraced the smaller versions.

The Eighties and Nineties brought in the collectors and spawned the cartoon line of action figures.  Gundam action figures were introduced along with popular Japanese and American cartoon characters.

The new century brought in even more collectors and added sports heros and action figures of popular celebrities and politicians.

For my son, his interest in boy action figures began with a Superman action figure and progressed to Power Rangers and Transformers..

I on the other hand, have enjoyed the Star Trek Action figures and their many renditions.

I have created this site to provide information and news for other action figure collectors and for Parents everywhere in the hopes that they will find the best places to purchase boys action figures.