I collect Funko Pop figures. I have… a bunch. Like over 150 of them. That’s not nearly as much as some of the collectors you can find on Reddit, but it’s still a significant number of tiny big-headed toy folk.
I’ve discovered something interesting along my path of collecting Pops, though. It’s something that hasn’t happened with any of my other collecting adventures. And I’ve collected ever since I can remember in some way or another, as I like the hunt.
With most of the things I’ve collected, there was a Pokemon like drive to get “them all.” I felt that, for a moment or two, with Funko stuff. But there are some that are just insanely rare and hence become just ridiculously expensive. I decided early on that was going to be my purchase barrier. To date I’ve only paid over retail for two of my pops (I had to have Jay and Silent Bob, who I paid roughly double their retail to get).
I’ve re-thought paying more, and I’m sure eventually I will for some of the pieces I missed that I want. For example, I REALLY want Beavis and Butthead (because I loved them when I was in junior high AND because I have a shelf of famous duos going right now).
But another weird thing happened this time around. I went through a period were– like 90% of the Reddit Funko Pop community– I was chasing all the rare and exclusive releases. I don’t think I went absolutely crazy, but as I unpacked and set up my figures (I open them, btw– I like to actually look at them), I realized that I had purchased around 30 or so Pops that I didn’t really want.
This led me to reconsider the nature of collecting these little figures. I fell into an odd “covet” hole for a moment or two. The truth of collecting– at least for me– is that I want to enjoy my collectables. And that means being more selective so I’m not overwhelmed by 1) a massive volume of plastic figures or 2) the insane need to get every release.
I’ve only bought 9 Pops so far this year, which sounds like a bunch until you remember that they cost me less than running to Starbucks for me and Julie (can anything of merit be purchased for less than $10 anymore?). I’ve picked up:
- A Red Sonja for Julie
- Ren and
- Stimpy
- Gilfoyle and
- Danesh (I <3 Silicon Valley)
- The new Star Lord from TRU *because helmet*
- The John Stewart Green Lantern *because I have a thing for non-white Pops*
- Bill and
- Ted (I actually dismantled the display at a Hamilton, OH Gamestop to find Ted because I found Bill and the employee said “well, Ted is in there somewhere” but refused to help me)
I also have received a couple of my subscription boxes. The last Marvel one was amazing (it came with the Black suit Daredevil in a battle pose with Bullseye). I gave the Catwoman pop from the last DC box to Julie to add to her shelf of kickass woman power pops.
I have taken to being more selective, because almost every Pop is adorable in its own way, but I don’t NEED to have all of them. And on the plus side, if I keep myself on a reasonable collecting budget, I could buy some of the older harder to find pieces instead of trying to bulk the collection.
Most importantly, I want to make sure it stays fun. I had a few moments of intently watching for releases that were sure to sell out. In a way, I’m glad I did, because I got two of my favorite pieces by waiting and timing an online purchase just right. But I don’t want to live a life of constantly refreshing windows to collect. No one should. I just want to enjoy my cool little toys and live my life.