New Action Figures Bring More Detail, Sex, and Blood To Collectors Television shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Charmed created a voluptuous female action figures. The new figures take horror into the same realism and collectors are loving it.
When someone hears the term action figure they often think of the G.I. Joe Star Wars, Captain America, Batman, Superman, and Spiderman toys. The name, “action figure” came from Hasbro which was the first to use it for G.I. Joe because the name action figure instead of doll because it was more inviting to young boys. The original Joe was similar to Mattel's Barbie doll, which however the action figure had better articulation, which meant the soldier could be bent into a variety of poses. Furthermore, Joe came equipped with numerous accessories and outfits based on real-life military equipment.
In 1977, The success of the movie Star Wars greatly expanded the toy market and ensured the popularity of licensed action figures. Consequently, a host of other movie and TV show-based toys soon followed, including Star Trek, Battle Star Galactica, and Buck Rogers in the Twenty-fifth Century.
In the 1980’s, federal regulations prohibiting the creation of children's programming based on toys were lifted and a new era in action figures was born. "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe" and the "Transformers" series, action figures reached a new level of this sophistication and popularity.
In the 1990’s the introduction of a line of characters based on Todd McFarlane's comic book Spawn, caused the action figure industry to evolve again. Mainly because the figures were made with a much higher degree of detail than any previous toys and propelled action figures from toys to collectors items.
For the last 10 years or so action figures have continued to evolve depending upon the latest trends in movies and books. Television shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Charmed have created a movement toward very realistic, voluptuous female action figures.
Recently, gift and collectible stores like Big Fan Gifts and Collectibles have been adding figures and memorabilia to their shelves from shows like Dexter, Battlestar Galactica, and Heroes. As well as, new highly detailed figures from older shows and movies like the Exorcist, Friday The 13th, The Grindhouse, and Nightmare on Elm Street.
