Action figure collecting: Action figures for adult collectors

We all know of the cartoons and children’s shows that turn their characters into merchandising gold mines by creating action figures of their characters such as He-man, Transformers, and Power Rangers. Star Wars got movies into the merchandising craze and Spawn has brought the comic books there as well and games just couldn’t be left out.

Action figures aren’t just the GI Joe’s you remember from being a kid. They are now highly detailed figures of your favorite horror stars such as Michael Meyers and Jason Voorheese and sometimes even their victims. Other types of action figures that an adult might own are the Superhero action figures such as Spawn and Venom. Both these types of action figure are generally larger than the common GI Joe and stand roughly nine inches to a full foot in height. There are as many types of action figures as their are collectors to collect them. Serious collectors are almost always adults that are into the action figure because of some other form of media such as movies, comic books or games.

Many adults grew up playing table top board games and role playing games such as starfleet battles and Battletech. These games produce action figures as well but instead of people they are vehicles. Such as the USS Enterprise (one of the best known)from Star Trek or the Madcat omni mech from Battle tech. I know many a collector that collect the giant robot action figures from Battle tech. This is in addition to having Spock, Kirk, McCoy, and Scottie relaxing around their bridge.

Sports action figures are also for adults. I have a couple of friends that collect wrestling action figures, Football action figures, and baseball action.

People that collect action figures are not always children and in many cases are older adults. It just goes to show you that action figures may have started for children but the children grew up and now they are for everyone. Children may play with action figures but adults collect them.