The Old Times (2007)

Collectible Action Figures

By Britt Aamodt

PLYMOUTH, MINN. – Action figures, they’re not just for kids anymore. Or were they ever, wonders Eric Holm, who at 43 has amassed a collection of the 3 3⁄4” figures numbering in the hundreds. And they are figures, not figurines or dolls, explains Holm. (The reporter made the mistake of calling them “figurines” twice.)

Besides having direct tie-ins to movies, comic books and cartoon shows, action figures set themselves apart with the “action” part of their name. Anyone familiar with Saturday morning programming will have seen the commercials. Action figures launching missiles, throwing punches and leaping sand pits on battery-operated motorcycles. It’s hard to imagine Barbie performing such stunts.
The whole concept of action figures evolved in the early ‘60s with the introduction of G.I. Joe by Hasbro. The 12” figure was aimed at boys who didn’t want to play with “dolls.” Joe came with changeable uniforms and, as the idea caught on, loads of accessories.

In 1980, Hasbro re-released Joe in the 3 3⁄4” size and paired him with a “mobile strike force team” with catchy names like Snake-Eyes, Stalker, Grunt and Scarlet. But by this time, Kenner had introduced the enormously popular line of “Star Wars” action figures (1977) that like the movie on which they were based trounced the competition.

To date “Star Wars” merchandise, including action figures, has grossed an estimated $4 billion.

Holm was among the original collectors of “Star Wars” figures, though he has very few in his current collection. “Actually, the original figures weren’t that good. They were kind of stiff and not very posable,” says Holm.

Posability refers to a figure’s ability to take on various positions using an articulation system similar to human joints. That along with balance and sculpting constitute the artistic value of a figure, though actual prices depend on the market.

Besides “Star Wars,” Holm also collects “Star Trek,” “Tron,” Disney’s “Haunted House” (based on the popular Disneyworld ride), “Planet of the Apes” and “Harry Potter.”

He has paid as little as 25 cents at a yard sale and as much as $90, for a set of “Herculoids,” a late ‘60s cartoon series.

Because some action figures were manufactured in the millions, for example “The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” of the ‘90s, prices will always remain fairly low. Others like the limited editions, exclusives (sales limited to one retail outlet) and semi-exclusives (sales limited but to more than one outlet) can fetch prices in the hundreds. Original “Star Wars” figures are among the most collectible.

One trend people outside the action figure world don’t know about, says Holm, is the marketing of action figures to adults.

“A toy company will usually design the first generation of figures for kids,” he explains. “So that if you squeeze a leg a light saber will swing or they’ll have a quick-draw movement. I go for the second or third generation. Those they make for collectors. They’re multi-jointed and more posable.”

Holm stores his action figures on basement shelving units. But to say he stores them is an understatement. A former television news director, Holm has assembled his figures in groupings that read like stories:
The moment in “The Empire Strikes Back” (1980) when Han Solo drops into Carbonite freeze. The droid foundry from the “Star Wars” prequel “Attack of the Clones” (2002). The “Star Trek” control room.

“I use the figures as an art,” says Holm. “It’s like having paintings on the wall. And the fact that I can change the scenes and the actors around, turn a scene into something humorous—that’s a trigger for the imagination.”

Holm’s set-building has also earned him a film credit. He and his collection will be appearing in Minneapolis filmmaker Mike Hallenbeck’s documentary on action figure collectors. As yet untitled, the film has a projected 2008 release date.

Journalist

http://www.theoldtimes.com 

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