Action Figures and Heroes

Quick Picks for New Action Figures





Buying an Action Figure for a Child

Kids love to play -- and play they do. Age appropriateness is the key point to remember. A collector quality action figure   is unsuitable for a young child because it is too easily broken, whereas a gift for a teenager who wants to collect them is another story. Most of the playthings sold for kids are made to last unlike collector's pieces that feature intricate designs and accessories made to impress. Toy action figures have solid, easy to move joints made of heavy duty plastic and the details are kept to a minimum.

When shopping, besides looking at brands or what's hot, be sure to consider the following points:

Major Brands

Looking to buy action figures or action heroes? Clicking on the links below will send you on a shopping search. If you know about buying any of the following items feel free to start a buying guide about them. For more information about creating a buying guide, click here .

Best Action Figures for Young Kids (3-5)

Imaginext  

Power Rangers  

Toy Story  

Rescue Heroes  

Over the Hedge  

SpongeBob SquarePants  

Gumby  

The Incredibles  

Mickey Mouse  

Bendos  

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles  

Yu Gi Oh  

One Piece  

Popeye  

Superman  

Spider Man  

Monkey Shout  

Batman  

Star Wars  

Avatar  

Best Brands for Older Kids (5-9)

Transformers  

Pirates of the Caribbean  

G.I. Joe  

Mego ( Marvel   & DC   )

WWII Marine  

Dragonball Z  

Spawn  

Predator  

Dragon Flyz  

Munsters  

Buying Collectible Action Figures

Since their initial sucess in the 1960s with Hasbro's creation of the G.I. Joe, action figures have captured the hearts of both children and collectors. They were initially made in a reaction to Barbie, but as soon as that can of worms was opened, there was no stopping the boy's toy market that would fuel children's imaginations for decades to come. Today there are hundreds of figures in each manufacturer's line, each with its own personality and following.

Choosing an action figure is mostly a matter of personal tastes, but for collecting there are some important things to note, especially if you are wanting to make an investment. If collecting is purely spawned by your love for toys, the best purchases are those that make you feel good about the toy and about getting to play with it.

Starting Off

For new collectors, start with a collection line that you want to stick with for at least a little while rather than just buying whatever you see. For example, say you want to collect Superman   action figures, a very clearly defined direction to pursue. It gives you a starting point for getting to know the market: developments, demands, rarities, prices, and collector's communities. Then in the future you will have a better knowledge base to branch out into other lines. Another option for starting off is to focus on a particular year, time period, or even style of action figure. When initially considering which line of action figures to start collecting, keep in mind how many figures there are to collect in all, your interest in the character, and what meaning the collection will have for you.

When shopping, look out for any variations in a product you already own. Let's say you own a particular series of He-Man   and you find one with a different set of accessories -- buy it! These and any figures with strange packaging (not damaged) are worth more than those that came off the production line with a million other look-alikes.

Collecting Tips

Knowing the Basic Terminology

Collecting always has its own set of terms that people are familiar with in order to set standards across the board. Here are some of the most essential things to know about value of an action figure. You should also check out Raving Toy Maniac's Action Figure Collecting Glossary .

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External Links

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