7 Reasons to Collect Urban Vinyl Action Figures
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A Brief History and Description of Urban Vinyl Action Figures
Hong Kong artist Michael Lau began the urban vinyl toy trend in the late 1990s. After making one action figure for an electronic music group, Anodize, the artist eventually turned all of his comic strip characters into similar vinyl action figures. Other artists, such as the Japanese artist Takashi Murakami, the Australian artist Nathan Jurevicius, and graffiti artist KAWS, started to create their own urban vinyl action figures. The figures typically depicted some aspect of hip hop, skateboarding, or graffiti youth culture. Unlike a child's action figure, an urban vinyl figure might be shown holding a gun or a beer bottle, or it might be displayed as a male character whose baggy pants hang low enough that his boxers are visible. Many urban vinyl characters are not depicted as humans at all. For instance, the popular urban vinyl Dunny character is a rabbit-like creature with an overly large head who is displayed in a variety of ways: as the Grim Reaper, as a killer holding a machine gun, as an angry man with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth, as an alien, as a ninja, and so forth. Human or not, almost all urban vinyl is influenced by other popular urban styles, such as graffiti art, manga comics, goth/punk rock, and skateboard art. Here are the seven best reasons to begin collecting urban vinyl action figures.
Hong Kong artist Michael Lau began the urban vinyl toy trend in the late 1990s. After making one action figure for an electronic music group, Anodize, the artist eventually turned all of his comic strip characters into similar vinyl action figures. Other artists, such as the Japanese artist Takashi Murakami, the Australian artist Nathan Jurevicius, and graffiti artist KAWS, started to create their own urban vinyl action figures. The figures typically depicted some aspect of hip hop, skateboarding, or graffiti youth culture. Unlike a child's action figure, an urban vinyl figure might be shown holding a gun or a beer bottle, or it might be displayed as a male character whose baggy pants hang low enough that his boxers are visible. Many urban vinyl characters are not depicted as humans at all. For instance, the popular urban vinyl Dunny character is a rabbit-like creature with an overly large head who is displayed in a variety of ways: as the Grim Reaper, as a killer holding a machine gun, as an angry man with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth, as an alien, as a ninja, and so forth. Human or not, almost all urban vinyl is influenced by other popular urban styles, such as graffiti art, manga comics, goth/punk rock, and skateboard art. Here are the seven best reasons to begin collecting urban vinyl action figures.
1. Urban Vinyl Action Figures Are Always Rare
When Hasbro or Mattell makes a new action figure, they are likely to produce tens of thousands at once. Urban vinyl action figures, however, are made for a small, exclusive audience. They also fall halfway between what is considered "art" and what is considered "toy." Given these points, the largest runs of urban vinyl figures are only about 2,000 pieces. It is not unusual, however, for a run of urban vinyl characters to number only 500 pieces. As the law of supply and demand dictates, whenever action figures are rare, collectors value them even more highly. Because urban vinyl action figures are always rare, their eventual monetary value is likely to be higher than an average action figure's value.
When Hasbro or Mattell makes a new action figure, they are likely to produce tens of thousands at once. Urban vinyl action figures, however, are made for a small, exclusive audience. They also fall halfway between what is considered "art" and what is considered "toy." Given these points, the largest runs of urban vinyl figures are only about 2,000 pieces. It is not unusual, however, for a run of urban vinyl characters to number only 500 pieces. As the law of supply and demand dictates, whenever action figures are rare, collectors value them even more highly. Because urban vinyl action figures are always rare, their eventual monetary value is likely to be higher than an average action figure's value.
2. Urban Vinyl Action Figures Appeal to a Variety of Audiences
Collectors of vintage Barbie dolls or G.I. Joes will always possess items that appeal only to a select audience. The only people who understand the obsession with vintage action figures and dolls tend to be other people who are equally obsessed. Urban vinyl, on the other hand, appeals to a much broader audience. For music fans, urban vinyl figures associated with a particular DJ or rapper are appealing as a type of music memorabilia. For art collectors, urban vinyl occupies a unique, Warhol-like place in contemporary pop art. For collectors of action figures, urban vinyl provides a brand new angle to their collection. Collectors who invest in urban vinyl, therefore, have a potentially wider audience to eventually buy pieces of their collection.
Collectors of vintage Barbie dolls or G.I. Joes will always possess items that appeal only to a select audience. The only people who understand the obsession with vintage action figures and dolls tend to be other people who are equally obsessed. Urban vinyl, on the other hand, appeals to a much broader audience. For music fans, urban vinyl figures associated with a particular DJ or rapper are appealing as a type of music memorabilia. For art collectors, urban vinyl occupies a unique, Warhol-like place in contemporary pop art. For collectors of action figures, urban vinyl provides a brand new angle to their collection. Collectors who invest in urban vinyl, therefore, have a potentially wider audience to eventually buy pieces of their collection.
3. Urban Vinyl Action Figures Start Already Valuable
A brand new Star Wars action figure still unopened and in its box will not be expensive. Standard action figures are inexpensively mass produced and are designed to withstand abuse at the hands of a 5-year-old. It is not unusual for a brand new urban vinyl figure, however, to be much more expensive when it is purchased directly from the manufacturer. Some figures are so limited and so intricate that they sell for hundreds of dollars even before they become collectors' items. The owners of Star Wars action figures may need to wait a decade before their figure is worth much more than what they paid for it. The owners of urban vinyl, however, already own figures that are relatively valuable. As long as they keep that figure in good condition over the years, it can eventually become quite valuable.
A brand new Star Wars action figure still unopened and in its box will not be expensive. Standard action figures are inexpensively mass produced and are designed to withstand abuse at the hands of a 5-year-old. It is not unusual for a brand new urban vinyl figure, however, to be much more expensive when it is purchased directly from the manufacturer. Some figures are so limited and so intricate that they sell for hundreds of dollars even before they become collectors' items. The owners of Star Wars action figures may need to wait a decade before their figure is worth much more than what they paid for it. The owners of urban vinyl, however, already own figures that are relatively valuable. As long as they keep that figure in good condition over the years, it can eventually become quite valuable.
4. Collecting Urban Vinyl Is a Way to Collect Art
Art comes in many forms. From handmade quilts from Appalachia to Renaissance-era paintings, what people use to add art to their home and work spaces varies widely according to taste. For individuals who appreciate urban culture and graffiti art, urban vinyl from a well-known artist is the three-dimensional equivalent of hip hop album art or high-quality street graffiti. Collecting urban vinyl, in this sense, is almost the same as collecting figurines, fine china, or delicate carvings from other types of artists.
Art comes in many forms. From handmade quilts from Appalachia to Renaissance-era paintings, what people use to add art to their home and work spaces varies widely according to taste. For individuals who appreciate urban culture and graffiti art, urban vinyl from a well-known artist is the three-dimensional equivalent of hip hop album art or high-quality street graffiti. Collecting urban vinyl, in this sense, is almost the same as collecting figurines, fine china, or delicate carvings from other types of artists.
5. Collecting Urban Vinyl Is a Way to Own a Piece of Pop Culture
One of Michael Lau's popular designs is a series of Brando-esque characters from the classic Godfather movies. Not only are these figures rare and valuable, they also represent a piece of pop culture history. Collecting urban vinyl styled after specific characters or historical figures is a good way to document passing trends in popular culture.
One of Michael Lau's popular designs is a series of Brando-esque characters from the classic Godfather movies. Not only are these figures rare and valuable, they also represent a piece of pop culture history. Collecting urban vinyl styled after specific characters or historical figures is a good way to document passing trends in popular culture.
6. Urban Vinyl Action Figures Are a Great Addition to a Regular Action Figure Collection
Although true urban vinyl action figures are specifically designed to reflect urban or pop culture, there are also vinyl action figures carefully crafted to represent traditional action figure heroes. This type of action figure is sometimes known as a "designer toy." For example, vinyl Batman figures made in the style of urban vinyl look like anime-style renditions of a normal Batman action figure toy. For collectors of other types of action figures, these urban vinyl figures are a great way to add depth and style to their collection.
Although true urban vinyl action figures are specifically designed to reflect urban or pop culture, there are also vinyl action figures carefully crafted to represent traditional action figure heroes. This type of action figure is sometimes known as a "designer toy." For example, vinyl Batman figures made in the style of urban vinyl look like anime-style renditions of a normal Batman action figure toy. For collectors of other types of action figures, these urban vinyl figures are a great way to add depth and style to their collection.
7. True Urban Vinyl Action Figures Are Utterly Unique
Excluding the vinyl figures made to look like traditional action figures, urban vinyl figures are truly one-of-a-kind. The characters and representations of real-life people created by urban vinyl artists are not found anywhere else in art or in toys. One example of the unique nature of urban vinyl action figures is the line of Predator Vs. Alien urban vinyl figures in baby form. The line features the imagined babies of the monsters from the Predator and Alien movies. Each baby has an oversize, manga-style head with a small body and equally large feet. There is even a Predalien baby, or the imagined offspring of a Predator and Alien crossbreed. Another example of a unique urban vinyl piece is the Dweezil Dragon, sold by Kidrobot and designed by the popular Kronk Studios. Dweezil is a dragon who appears to have a street-smart sensibility. In one version of the dragon, he wears a top hat that leans jauntily forward and is decorated by an ace of spades stuck into the hat's band. The line of Dweezil's boxer shorts shows above his sagging pants, and his feet are adorned by Converse-like sneakers.
Excluding the vinyl figures made to look like traditional action figures, urban vinyl figures are truly one-of-a-kind. The characters and representations of real-life people created by urban vinyl artists are not found anywhere else in art or in toys. One example of the unique nature of urban vinyl action figures is the line of Predator Vs. Alien urban vinyl figures in baby form. The line features the imagined babies of the monsters from the Predator and Alien movies. Each baby has an oversize, manga-style head with a small body and equally large feet. There is even a Predalien baby, or the imagined offspring of a Predator and Alien crossbreed. Another example of a unique urban vinyl piece is the Dweezil Dragon, sold by Kidrobot and designed by the popular Kronk Studios. Dweezil is a dragon who appears to have a street-smart sensibility. In one version of the dragon, he wears a top hat that leans jauntily forward and is decorated by an ace of spades stuck into the hat's band. The line of Dweezil's boxer shorts shows above his sagging pants, and his feet are adorned by Converse-like sneakers.
Conclusion
Urban vinyl action figures provide their fans with a way of collecting both action figures and art at the same time. Although they are toy-like in size and appearance, urban vinyl figures were never meant to be played with by children; they were designed with adults in mind. Almost always produced as limited edition, small run items, popular urban vinyl characters become almost immediately valuable as soon as the toy maker sells them out. To find good deals on urban vinyl items and rare urban vinyl action figures, visit eBay. The international site connects fans of urban vinyl from New York City to Hong Kong, making it easier to find unique urban vinyl pieces from all around the world.
Urban vinyl action figures provide their fans with a way of collecting both action figures and art at the same time. Although they are toy-like in size and appearance, urban vinyl figures were never meant to be played with by children; they were designed with adults in mind. Almost always produced as limited edition, small run items, popular urban vinyl characters become almost immediately valuable as soon as the toy maker sells them out. To find good deals on urban vinyl items and rare urban vinyl action figures, visit eBay. The international site connects fans of urban vinyl from New York City to Hong Kong, making it easier to find unique urban vinyl pieces from all around the world.
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