The Zany Wonderful World of Funko Pop Collecting

For the uninitiated, the world of Funko Pop collecting may seem baffling. What inspires collector fans to gather at cons or camp outside stores for the latest vinyl figures? What drives them to meticulously curate shelves of beady-eyed pop culture characters? A peek inside this zany subculture reveals a community bound by nostalgia, fueled by fandom.

Funko traces its roots back to the late ’90s, churning out lumpen bobbleheads of restaurant mascot Big Boy. But their fortunes changed in 2005 when they acquired rights to classic cartoon characters, birthing the wobbly Wacky Wobblers. Suddenly, Popeye and Mickey were bobbling on collectors’ shelves, launching Funko’s journey into nostalgia-fueled licensing.

The first proto-Pop arrived in 2010, the caped crusader, Batman. Early Pops sported rigid poses and soulless black eyes, like charcoal-stained PEZ dispensers. But anime-style cuteness prevailed, giving way to expressive, clear-eyed Pops. As Funko acquired major licenses left and right, Pop designs exploded.

By 2019, Funko had over 1,000 licenses and 6,000 Pops hopping around. From Jedi to sorcerers, robots to rockstars, Funko tapped every corner of pop culture. For fans, spotting a new wave of Pops was like kids finding eggs on an Easter hunt! Huddled outside Target at dawn for that Vaporeon exclusive? It’s a Pop culture revival!

Funko shook up their vinyl formula too. Hulking 10-inch Mega Pops flexed their plastic biceps. Town sets let Pops explore new worlds together from Jurassic jungles to Emerald Cities. And Deluxe Pops arrived with spectacle from Angelus’ looming wings to the towering Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. No character was safe from getting the supersized treatment!

But at their vinyl hearts, Pops stay minimalist. Those cute, beady eyes and oversized noggins capture characters we love, without the detail overwhelming their charm. Like clever cartoons, Pops are designed with exaggeration and simplicity to tickle our funny bones. We can’t help but smile seeing our favorite heroes with a vinyl cuteness.

For collectors, the hunt inspires as much joy as the Pops themselves. Tracking down that 1-in-6 chase rarity, or an ultra-exclusive con-only Pop is a collector’s delight! Trading tips about upcoming releases and rumored grails consume online forums. For collectors, amassing Pops means more than just shelving plastic trophies. It’s about the stories and characters they love and have shaped popular culture.

Their unique devotion speaks volumes about what it means to be a fan. Funko tapped into that inner fandom of joy. They bottle nostalgia that transports us back to beloved worlds, or childhood afternoons waiting for the next episode. So let skeptics scoff about “shelf clutter” or “waste.” For aficionados, Funko Pops revel in the stories that shape who we are.

So here’s to the crazy, quirky, lovably obsessive world of Pop collecting! May your shelves keep filling with plastic happiness for years to come. In the wacky Pop universe, there’s always another coveted vinyl trophy around the corner!

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JEFFREY WELLS | Writer   
POP-COOLEDTURED SPECIALIST
cooledtured.com |  GROW YOUR COLLECTION