2011 has been a stellar year for action figure collectors. Quality has never been higher, interest in the hobby is exploding, and great properties are being brought to life in plastic. It’s almost impossible to go wrong buying any new action figure. As quality becomes a given, attributes such as brand excitement and importance to the industry are becoming more important factors to collectors all the time.
If you do have to limit yourself to 5 action figures from 2011, then spend your money on the figures which blend quality and importance into one package. The following figures do exactly that.
1. Masters of the Universe Classics Panthor
Corey Tincher
Panthor is the evil warrior feline who serves as Skeletor’s sidekick. Much like the Panthor figure from the ‘80s, this updated version serves as a contrast to He-Man’s Battle Cat. It’s a large figure, looks great, comes with a variety of accessories, and has a lot of articulation points for a toy of its style.
- Importance: Despite each figure in the Masters of the Universe Classics line being an instant hit, Panthor still stands out thanks the gap he fills. His counterpart Battle Cat is one of the best action figures in recent years, and Panthor is a perfect foil to complete your collection, or an ideal place to start it.
2. Sideshow Collectibles Star Wars Yoda
Yoda is one of many beloved characters from the Star Wars universe, and he has never been better captured in plastic than by Sideshow Collectibles. Yoda comes in a 12-inch scale (putting the diminutive Jedi at 5 inches) and with real cloth clothes. The figure looks like it just stepped off the screen and onto your shelf.
- Importance: Sideshow Collectibles’ widely popular Star Wars line has featured an array of figures from the Star Wars universe, but because of the way 12-inch action figures are produced, shorter characters are often left out. Until now, a well-articulated and high-quality 12-inch Yoda figure has been missing. This one fills that gap and is one of the most important members of the Star Wars cast.
3. Marvel Select Captain America (Movie)
Despite most of the Captain America movie figures being produced in a 4-inch scale by Hasbro, Diamond Select Toys produced this incredible Captain America figure. Coming in at 6 inches, it manages to match the big-screen visual almost perfectly, including an accurate costume and actor likeness.
- Importance: This collectible style Captain America is important because it has the ability to reach a large audience. Unlike most of the figures found in toy aisles, this is a collectible which will appeal to adults and children alike, based on one of the most popular movies of the summer. That kind of reach changes the industry.
4. Thundercats Classics Lion-O
Corey Tincher
It has been a long time since Thundercats toys have been produced, and thanks to Bandai and a new cartoon, Lion-O marks the return of the once-classic license. The figure also manages to stand on its own due to its varied articulation, neat accessories, and good sculpting.
- Importance: The toy industry is driven by nostalgia for old brands, and Thundercats is a license for which fans had been clamoring. This figure marks the return of a classic action figure brand and reignites hopes for other licenses in the process.
5. Gothitropolis Scarabus
Unlike the other figures on this list, Scarabus isn’t based on a famous movie or from a classic toy line. Scarabus is a figure without a history and unknown to most of the world, but stands as one of the best figures of the year thanks to an incredible sculpt and design. This is a purchase for people who love action figures, not just licenses or brands.
- Importance: Scarabus is a Four Horsemen FANtastic Exclusive, meaning he wasn’t produced by a major manufacturer and isn’t based on a popular franchise. He marks a major step toward creativity in the toy industry. The world of action figure collecting is a derivative one, and successful figures like Scarabus can help change that.
