A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…
“Luke, I am your father.”
“Noooooooo!” yelled Skywalker. “You are not my father, Master Chief!”
“Search your feelings, Luke. You know it’s true. I am your father, and Harley Quinn here is your sister”…
Okay, okay. Maybe this didn’t happen a long time ago in a galaxy far away but rather maybe it was just me with my toys at my desk…. this afternoon.
Having owned a collectibles store for the past 12 years, I know there are purists who would say that taking the toys out of the package decreases the value. But I say they are toys, and toys are meant to be played with! That, plus the fact I also have duplicates of them all, sealed, and in mint condition in their box.
Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always had a passion for cool toys. I believe it began when my parents gave me what I would call my first “geek toy”, a Steve Austin Six-Million Dollar Man action figure. Looking through the telescopic eye, and rolling back the skin on his Bionic arm, I knew I was hooked. The difference though between then and now, is that I don’t have to beg and plead to my parents to get me the newest toy. After all, I’m a grown man and can buy my own toys (as long as it’s okay with my wife).
Toys have come a long way in the past 40 years, with licensed toys leading the way in sales and collectability. Licensed toys are not something new; a quick search of E-bay for the 1973 Lone Ranger Marx figure and the price it fetches indicate the value of old licensed toys. But it wasn’t until 1977, when George Lucas granted exclusive rights to Kenner Products to distribute Star Wars toys, that collecting and fan toys became synonymous.
Collectible toys are big business. According to Stats Canada*, in 2009 for the hobby, toys and games stores counted for over $2.5 Billion in retail sales. That is up 8.5% compared to the 2000 census, and during an economic slump too.
Though, you don’t need to pull up sales statistics to see how popular toys are. At the recent Fan Expo in Vancouver, over 16,000 people showed up to celebrate all things geek. And a lot of those fans were there buying all sorts of collectibles, from comics, to clothing, and of course, licensed toys. It’s always a rush when you actually get that cool collectible you only heard about, and hold it in your hands. One look at your shiny new toy and you’re brain is thinking “That’s soooooooo awesome!”
Nowadays, there are thousands of licensed toys, appealing to kids of all ages. Companies like Hasbro, Sony, NECA, Funko, DC, and Mcfarlane Toys bring us the toy replicas of our favourite television shows, books, movies and of course, video games. Video game toy sales continue to rise, as more and more gaming companies realize that fans not only want to play with the characters and gadgets on screen, but in the real world as well. Gaming culture has permeated everyday life, so much so, that being a geek is not only cool, but almost the norm. So, naturally, toys that represent that culture also have gained popularity.
So, in an attempt to provide gamers like us with information about the latest and greatest video game toys, (and to prove to my family that I don’t need to appear on “Hoarders”), I invite you to follow me on a journey. Over the next few months, I’d like to show you what’s new and exciting in the world of toys, look at toy trends, showcase the companies that make the toys, and maybe inform you on how to keep your collectibles safe.
A “perfect storm” is brewing out there, my friend, and you need to be ready for it. With record video game sales being set, the popularity of shows like “The Big Bang Theory”, “Game of Thrones” and “The Walking Dead”, and Box Office successes like “The Avengers”, “Avatar” and “Transformers”, big business is paying attention to the “Nerd” market. “Geek-chic” is an annoying, but true fact of life. That, and technological advances are making it possible to own some pretty damn cool toys.
For example, arriving in stores this week, NECA releases their Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device, or in layman’s terms, “AN ACTUAL FRIGGIN’ PORTAL GUN!!!” It might not be able to blow portals through solid concrete, but with blue and orange lights, and actual sounds from the game, this beast is pretty awesome. Mine arrives this week, and I will have a full write up for you by our next meeting (if I’m not in Space, Space, gotta go to space).
Though, this journey cannot be done alone. I need your help. I’d like to hear what you think about toys. What are some of your favourites? What do you collect? What would you like to see made into a toy? You can help me with this journey, by sending me your suggestions, questions or comments.
Or, as my limited edition Halo 3 Cortana Holographic figure said this afternoon, “Help me Obi-wan Kenobi, you’re my only hope.”
www.canadiancollectorsclub.com
*http://www.ic.gc.ca/cis-sic/cis-sic.nsf/IDE/cis-sic45112rdpe.html