Name your top five greatest action figures of all time, and why...

[Mongoose1983]

No way, give me 80's toys all day over 70's...you're telling me welcome back carter, the hardy boys, and stuff like that were more fun then He-man and Gi joes? Hells no! were they cool yea, but come on..most were Ken looking dolls or dress up dolls...Give me the action figures you can stick in your pocket and take to school without your mom knowing

and no i'm not talking about WGSH's because megos were still being made in the 80's as well so it doesn't count...and some of my faves too, like Chips and DOH's

you're always going to pick your childhood toys first but to say 80's suck or horrible? come on now

Actually, if we were discussing what movies or TV characters were more exciting, YES, He-Man, GIJoes and most 80's stuff was awesome! The He-man series were amazing but here's the point: we're talking about toys, and as scale versions of those stars (He-Man, Rambo, Chuck Norris, the A-Team, the Dukes), they were not better in any aspect than anything the industry of the previous decade gave us as toys, as action figures, or even as representations of certain heroes and TV/movies characters. I remember having about a dozen He-Man figures and as a kid I was very disappointed as the bodies couldn't compete with the old megos. And what about Chuck Norris, and Rambo? I mean, they could have made awesome figures of such iconic stars, but all we got was molded plastic guys, painted clothes, and almost zero articulations. If Chuck Norris or Stallone figures were produced in the 70's, by 70's standards they would have been far better in quality and much more "playable". I always thought had I hadn't known the old 70's figures I would have never had any perspective over the toys I was playing with. Again, only exception to this would be the Transformers. They were original, super "playable", and in one word INCREDIBLE!

I fit right in the middle of the 70's/80's argument. I am old enough to have enjoyed the 70's toys but young enough to enjoyed some early to mid eighties toys as well. That said the thread is about YOUR favorite. There's is no right or wrong answer here. You could make valid point for either. You could love Megos because of the articulation and clothes. You could love Star Wars because of all the ships/playsets. I think we also sometimes forget how we thought of things as kids not adults. Today we see Mego Captain America and point out all the costume faults. I have a good memory and can tell you for a fact myself and my friends didn't care at that age: It was Cap, he had a shield and that was good enough. I can also tell you being seven years old when Star Wars figures were released the lack of articulation didn't matter. Having representations of the characters was all that mattered. It's been said by others before but it bears repeating: whatever you grew up/had as a kid is going to special to you and have a favored view. Everyone should respect that. Saying a particular period of toys "sucked" is basically disrespecting someone's childhood and it's memories.

Are we discussing toys for what they are or for what they represent? We can talk about toy figures as cultural products or representations, or are we discussing these things as commodities?

If we are discussing the action figures as mere memories, then you're completely right. But if we are discussing them addressing their complexities and abilities as a concrete product, specifically a toy figure, then I believe there is room for opinions and comparisons. Some toys have more articulation, some have cloth clothes instead of paint, and so on...

You all have a great Sunday!

[toys2cool]

Actually, if we were discussing what movies or TV characters were more exciting, YES, He-Man, GIJoes and most 80's stuff was awesome! The He-man series were amazing but here's the point: we're talking about toys, and as scale versions of those stars (He-Man, Rambo, Chuck Norris, the A-Team, the Dukes), they were not better in any aspect than anything the industry of the previous decade gave us as toys, as action figures, or even as representations of certain heroes and TV/movies characters. I remember having about a dozen He-Man figures and as a kid I was very disappointed as the bodies couldn't compete with the old megos. And what about Chuck Norris, and Rambo? I mean, they could have made awesome figures of such iconic stars, but all we got was molded plastic guys, painted clothes, and almost zero articulations. If Chuck Norris or Stallone figures were produced in the 70's, by 70's standards they would have been far better in quality and much more "playable". I always thought had I hadn't known the old 70's figures I would have never had any perspective over the toys I was playing with. Again, only exception to this would be the Transformers. They were original, super "playable", and in one word INCREDIBLE!




Are we discussing toys for what they are or for what they represent? We can talk about toy figures as cultural products or representations, or are we discussing these things as commodities?

If we are discussing the action figures as mere memories, then you're completely right. But if we are discussing them addressing their complexities and abilities as a concrete product, specifically a toy figure, then I believe there is room for opinions and comparisons. Some toys have more articulation, some have cloth clothes instead of paint, and so on...

You all have a great Sunday!

so then by what you're saying, you're saying that today's toys are the best right? because if you go by articulation, clothing , authenticity then nothing touches Hot toys correct? cause nothing in the 70's comes close to that..

this thread got off topic really quick..it was suppose to be about picking your favorite figure of each decade...I'm an 80's kid but I had all sorts of toys cause i started collecting from a young age, I had mego's, 60's joes you name it...and I loved them...but I never played with anything more then I did with my 80's , and my He-man..and I played with everything...But all i needed was a wrestling ring and my he-man vs my awa remco's or my gi joes vs my cobras and you could'nt get me off of my bed i even used my Zartan as the Ultimate Warrior

so in the end it's all about what you grew up with, i loved my rambo's and yes even my chuck norris figures but that's just me

[Random Axe]

I don't really think I can narrow down a list based on eras or decades, but here's my top five.

Mego Superman/Shazam - These were my first Megos and remain my favorites. I think I pretended they were brothers since they were so similar. Plus, watching the reruns of George Reeves and Jackson Bostwick's portrayal really cemented them into my childhood.

Micronauts Force Commander - Really, really dug this guy, all white with a touch of red, very striking. Still looking for a nice, minty one...

Shogun Warriors Dragun - This was the only SW I ever had and carried him around a lot. I don't know how much he qualifies as an action figure, but in my mind he was just a jumbo one.

Gi Joe Action team - I had the blonde with beard guy and played the crap out of him. I had so many cool accessories and weapons. I also loved the Viewmaster series with them. Of course he had kung fu grip.

Gi Joe RAH Firefly - I think this was the first one I had with the swivel arms so he could actually hold a weapon properly. What a cool design with the dark grey camo and mask. I'm pretty sure I turned him into a good guy, though.

[Boywonder0]

1960's - Captain Action Batman & GI Joe Adventure Team "Talking" Commander (Sorry... we have a tie)
1970's - Kenner Six Million Dollar Man Steve Austin in Red Jogging Suit
1980's - Mego 9.5 inch Robin and Mego 12 inch Non-Magnetic Robin (Another tie here)
By far the jewel crowns in my collection and personal FAVORITE to date...
1990's - Hasbro 9 inch DC Superheroes Silver Age Batman with removable mask
2000's - Hasbro 9 inch DC Superheroes Golden Age HasbroCollectors.com Exclusive Batman & Robin Set
2010's - Hot Toys Keaton Batman & Hot Toys Christopher Reeve Superman

[Mongoose1983]

so then by what you're saying, you're saying that today's toys are the best right? because if you go by articulation, clothing , authenticity then nothing touches Hot toys correct? cause nothing in the 70's comes close to that..

Yes, as toy figures the latest scale stuff is incredible. Perhaps the boxes are not as exciting and well presented as the ones from the 70's. Anyway, the new large scale Gene Simmons' figures says it all:

[...]
so in the end it's all about what you grew up with, i loved my rambo's and yes even my chuck norris figures but that's just me

Not that I did not liked them either!

[PNGwynne]

'70s--Mego Penguin, narrowly edging out SMDM & Pulsar

'80s--MOTU Skeletor, jeez how I loved that character, beating out Super Powers & Remco 9" Monsters

'90s--Batman: TAS Mr. Freeze, eclipsing Sideshow Universal Monsters

'00--GI Joe 12" BAT, outrunning DCUC.

Now--Mattel Black Manta, love those ReMegos!


So many other cool things though: GIJ: AT, Fighting Furies, Shogun Warriors, Micronauts, Megabug Gladiators, Kenner Star Wars & Indiana Jones, Joe Classic Collection & 40th, Action Man revived, MOTU Classics, etc.

[BATMAN89]

1. Batman, Spderman, and all Megos

2. Action Jackson

3. SMDM

4. Atomic Man

5. G.I. Joes

In 1980, I was 16, so no more action figures.
I turned my attention to girls, and dirt bikes! LOL

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

[toys2cool]

Yes, as toy figures the latest scale stuff is incredible. Perhaps the boxes are not as exciting and well presented as the ones from the 70's. Anyway, the new large scale Gene Simmons' figures says it all:





Not that I did not liked them either!

oh crap now I need me one of those Gene's

[SainthoodDenied]

This one took alot of thinking,

70s is a tie between Mego Batman with the Empire toys batcopter and the Lone Ranger with the solitary trapper set.

80s would be G.I. Joe Gung Ho figure.

90s Masterpiece edition Joe Action Soldier.

I just never got into the new figures after that, lots of neat stuff but my limited toy budget gets reserved for vintage stuff.

[toys2cool]

Honorable mention is my Starting lineup Dan Marino...that line doesn't get the credit it deserves

[HardyGirl]

Now now, Damien, no need to get personal. Remember, I'm the HardyGIRL. And it's Welcome Back KOTTER. And like I said, I'm not trying to be disrespectful. But I am entitled to my opinion.

No way, give me 80's toys all day over 70's...you're telling me welcome back carter, the hardy boys, and stuff like that were more fun then He-man and Gi joes?



you're always going to pick your childhood toys first but to say 80's suck or horrible? come on now

[toys2cool]

Now now, Damien, no need to get personal. Remember, I'm the HardyGIRL. And it's Welcome Back KOTTER. And like I said, I'm not trying to be disrespectful. But I am entitled to my opinion.

yea that's why I threw that hardy boy in there I was just messing with ya, Meh...Kotter, Carter ...never cared for that crap, the only thing i remember was Travolta

you're not being disrespectful at all, it's just that you feel about the 80's how I feel about the 70's , no biggie

[Bionicfanboy66]

1970's-Kenner's Six Million Dollar Man Steve Austin. Mego's and GI Joe were cool, but Steve Austin in the 13" scale really introduced me into the action figure hobby. Honorable mention goes to Kenner's Turbo Tower of Power Six Million Dollar Man because it was cool to have a 3" scale Steve Austin figure. The vehicle was cool too.

1980's-Really didn't collect anything during this time, but a co-worker at the time got me interested in Hasbro's GI Joe RAH line towards the end of the decade.

1990's-Despite his He Man wanna be appearance, Kenner's SW POTF 2 Luke Skywalker(red card) signaled the return of the SW line to toy isle pegs.

2000's-Any of the updated Takara Microman figures, especially the Biomachine Hack because of his name.

2010's-BBP's Six Million Dollar Man Steve Austin, despite the fact that his head sculpt looks nothing like Lee Majors.

[megokissface]

Gee, this would include at last 4 decades of toys!
Most which I didnt own...but some I wished I owned today!
1970's
1.All the original KISS Mego dolls, Wonder Woman Lynda Carter toy line,Planet of The Apes,Six Million Dollar Man,Mego Christopher Reeves Superman and Godzilla ShoGun Warriors,Charlie's Angels
1980's: Voltron lion version,the Super Power's Collection
1990's:Most of the Spawn main character figures
2000's Did I run out of stuff besides more KISS reMegoeasque dolls? Oh, wait Dr Who Tom Baker,a davros figure and some Daleks with a Tardis....and more Elvira stuff along with more monsters (Unversal) classics stuff

[convoy357]

1. GI Joe Action Soldier
2. Johnny West
3. Mego Batman
4. Big Jim
5. 3 3/4" Darth Vader

I didn't go by decades because after the 70's I didn't mess with toys.....until the 90's when I started collecting stuff. The toys I listed here are ones that I think are iconic. They are the original prototypes of all action figure toys right up to the present day.