Are action figures the ultimate time capsule?

[enyawd72]

I recently set out to accomplish something that will likely take me many years...I'd like to collect the basic versions of every Marvel comics action figure ever made. I realize that sounds impossible, but really, outside of a dozen or so, many characters have only gotten one or two figures over the years.

I began with The Lizard, and have just completed my collection of him with eighteen different figures. Seeing them all together is pretty impressive. Captured in plastic is every representation of the character from every era in comics, cartoons, and film. There's the classic Mego which represents the Ditko/Romita era, animated versions from the 90's, MTV, and Spectacular Spider-Man series. There's a McFarlane comic version, an Ultimates comic version, a video game version, and of course the new movie version.

It's just amazing to see the evolution of both the character and manufacturing techniques on display. It really is like a time capsule.

[Earth 2 Chris]

That's pretty neat, and I'd agree that action figures are a time capsule of sorts. I have 100s of Batman figures, from the Captain Action to the latest Batman Unlimited figures, and it is amazing how much the characters change over time, from comics to movies to toons and so on. By looking over the figures, you can discern what visually HAS to be there for the image to read "BATMAN". Basically it's the ears and the cape, the rest are open to interpretation, and of course, the length and shape of those are up for grabs too!

Chris

[enyawd72]

^So Chris, do you collect only the "standard" versions of Batman, or do you get all the wacky variants too?
I'm focusing on only the regular versions of characters, so no fireman Spidey or neon repaint Spidey, but I am including variants of the regular versions.
Iron Man is gonna be a real challenge. I'll have to do individual collections for gray, gold, neo-classic, classic, silver centurion, modern, extremis, ultimate, and movie versions. Yeesh.

[Earth 2 Chris]

I have very few "Day-Glo Street Luge" Batmen in my collection. For the most part, they are canon of some kind, or are as close to canon as that particular line got. Or maybe a hybrid of two different styles, say Michael Keaton in a blue and gray suit.

Iron Man will indeed be a challenge. Heck Spider-Man has had so many alternate costumes in the last few years, I can't keep up.

Chris