2024 is a year where I pivoted my collecting habits towards a particular series: Funko POPs. While 2023 already gave signs that my collecting hobby is going to focus, this year it's a major shift.
Accuracy: Did this figure capture the likeness of the source material? This is subjective since 'likeness' might also be in the eye of the beholder. There is a definitive look for a character, but there are also many different artists for someone like, let's say, Spider-Woman, which makes "definitive" really subjective.
Price: Regardless of the price paid, did it meet its overhead price? Enough bells and whistles to justify its price tag?
Availability: How rare is this figure? Was it hard to get? It's not a BIG factor to a LOT of the action figures on the list but it is something that plays a small part.
Preference: Of course some of my fandoms do come into play. This might very well be the biggest factor as to WHY these action figures are on the list.
This year's categories will be very small since I've dwindled on what I collect. I'm almost positive we will see the same thing throughout the years so without further adieu, let's get into 2024, shall we?
POPs
This year it's just about POPs. I have so many POPs that there are two categories for them (more on that). But let's take a look at my top 10 POPs, shall we?
Runner up - "Stitch w/ Candy Cane"
I got a few POPs that I gifted to a few special folks. This cute little guy is one of them. It was a toss-up between this and another Holiday Stitch, but I just like this one more. Yes, he's a runner-up since I just couldn't take him out of the list.
Runner Up - "Catwoman Halloween (Gamestop)"
Catwoman made a mark this year for the Holidays. Some hitters that I didn't see coming!
Runner Up - "Nezuko in Web (Deluxe)"
The new Carnage series for Marvel characters could go somewhere. Though with the Venomized POPs already a thing, not sure where the Carnage version will take us. Still, BLack Panther looks pretty sick and he had some good details.
10.) "Tyrannosaurus Dinozord"
I got this one as a Christmas present for 2023 and suffice to say, it counts as a 2024 addition. Lots of details with this one! And as my Power Rangers POP collection grows, I'm hoping I find more Zords to add!
Yes, another T-Rex on the list! This gifted to me and I can't help but adore this little thing. It's cute, funny, and just so wild that it had to make the list. It also has a lot of good details and coloring so it deserves a spot.
I'm not saying I hate how Stephen Strange looks in the MCU, but I will say that I am not entirely overly impressed. But this POP right here, made me realize that there are plenty of things to like! Another gifted POP from my friend! I love this! I think she regrets giving it to me ever since seeing my review! I still appreciate her giving it to me though!
While I'm not going to go crazy with the Wolverine variants, I will say that the brown(Gaijin), the yellow (Classic), and the black (X-Force) are a must for me. I love this one, and while I swear that I will get a non-battle-damaged Gaijin Wolverine if I only have this one, I'll be pretty content.
For a while, I did stay clear of the blacklight POPs. With the Daredevil Blacklight series coming out, I was curious how it would look in my collection. Also, I love Shadowland Daredevil and as a POP on its own, he's got some strengths!
5.) "Omega Red"
This POP has a lot of sentimental value, let's just point that out. But beyond that, Omega Red's got lots of good work put on him, and not to mention he's got those vibranium tendrils out and about ready to ensnare Jubilee or Psylocke!
4.) "Tigerzord"
Wasn't aware that this POP existed but the moment I saw him, I knew I needed him! The MMPR collection is growing, for sure, and having the Tigerzord as part of the lineup gets that nostalgia going!
3.) "Catwoman (Xmas 2024)"
Holiday POPs are always welcome to the list. And while there had been plenty of good ones in the past, this Catwoman did hit a lot of the right bells.
2.) "Chainsaw Man"
He is a surprise hitter! The anime, the POP, yeah Chainsaw Man came out of nowhere!
Everything you need to know about why I love POP is in the review itself. Check it out! Getting the Chase would have been cool too but the common isn't a bad deal at all.
There's so much to love about this POP that I'll just leave it there. As a POP collector, I'm very happy to have had this gifted to me!
POP Spiderverse
Yeah, I started a series for my Spider-Men POPs in 2024. It really-REALLY took off this year to the point that I have to have my own TOP 10 for them. So without further adieu, let's take a look at this collection, shall we?
Runner Up - "Spider-Man (Captain Universe)"
The beginning of 2024 was such a long time ago. I thought this POP was 2023. At one point, Uni Spidey was at the top but he had a lot of competition that brought him down.
Runner Up - "Spider-Boy"
Was hard not to include this guy. He's got a charm. I like his suit and I do like this pose quite a bit.
Runner Up - "Superior Octopus"
I got Superior Octopus at a good price point. I love the outfit, the simple pose, and the details on his tentacles. This was a good POP.
10.) "Spider-Girl"
Off to a good start when we got a Spider-Gal swinging through with Ben Reilly's Spider-Man suit. Mayday got her POP and I'm happy for it.
Speaking of Ben Reilly! Here we have a Scarlet Spider from the Spiderverse Across the Spiderverse movie. I love this POP. They tried to replicate the aesthetics of the film!
The pose could make or break a POP, you know? With Spider-Man (or most of the spider-folks), a dynamic or iconic pose is almost always a must. The upside-down pose with a humorous/casual spin is more than welcome. This POP did a lot of things right.
He's got the pose, the details, and he looks like the classic Spider-Man turned Space Sheriff. This one is awesome for nostalgia and the fact that it's a good POP.
6.) "Spinnernet"
At first, I wasn't very fond of this Maryjane Spider-Woman. Heck, I'm still not a fan of the siphoning off Parker idea. But the costume, yeah the costume is cool and the POP is pretty unique in pose and the colors match the comic book counterpart.
While there was an undeniable quality drop from the 2018 Spider-Man to Spider-Man 2, I will say that the POPs that came out were mostly good. This particular piece, yeah, I like the idea of it, the work put in, and, overall, I just love Symbiote Spider-Man.
4.) "Spider-Man (Blue)"
Gifted and appreciated, these POPs that came in a collector corps is a thing of joy for me. Despite the simple pose, the colors and the idea of these two sold this POP for me and I'm glad to have snatched them for 2024!
3.) "Spider-Man (Oscorp Suit)"
This is a surprise hitter. Didn't think a Spider-Man POP with an obscure suit would hit the list. But it's got a lot of good things going for it!
I am a huge fan of Symbiote Spider-Man. I love that outfit and I love what it does. Heck, I don't even care if it's just a regular black suit Spider-Man without the Symbiote, I just love how it looks! This POP does a lot of things for me so despite it at the tail end, it was going to win a spot!
1.) "Superior Spider-Man 2.0"
As one of my favorite Spidey suits, I knew I was going to get this POP and rank him high. Symbiote Spidey almost took number one but with the amount of work and bells & whistles this POP came with, I could not have put Superior Spidey as number one.
Imported Figurines
I've been more of a POP collector than anything else. But I still grabbed a few imports. I'm sure this list is going to continue to dwindle in 2025 but, heck, whenever I get them, I can't help but appreciate them. So here are the two I have that I love.
I love how the anime gave 2B (and the others) more life for merch. 2B got a slew of them and I had to be a bit more selective. I had to get this one. Simple but detailed. A beautiful statue.
Yes, I got a Bishoujo this year. I pre-ordered this some time ago and she arrived beginning of 2024 and I remember her fondly. She's not as gimmicky or full of shenanigans as other Bishoujos I've reviewed, but she has the sculpt, the details, and the pose to properly represent X-Men's Southern Belle.
So that was 2024. I know, we're not as diverse in terms of action figures like we were in the past but as the years go by, I found that I don't have the same passion for alternate faces, swappable hands, extra weapons, etc. And while I can appreciate the Adult Collectors' industry growing to new heights, I'd rather just enjoy them on the sidelines. Will see me posting and reviewing Bishoujos but I will continue to be selective. Expect to see POPs though. That's never going to stop for a while.
With that said, goodbye 2024! You've been really good! Here's to 2025!
Until Next Time!
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