Rocketeer ReAction Figure - FUNKO 2014 Con Exclusive and Standard Editions

(Left) Closeup of Con exclusive graphic (Right) Front of blister card.

Funko is showing no signs of letting up, being that toy company with a finger so on the pulse of the toy industry and pop culture's hearts, that you'd swear they'd had jobs as heart surgeons prior...

...or something akin to whatever Mola Ram has for a job.

At first, I didn't like the idea of the ReAction figure line. Even as a kid, I had always wanted my action figures to be just that much more accurate to the movies and cartoons I watched. Sure, I enjoyed the hell out of whatever figures I had in the 70's and 80's, because it allowed me to have many endless hours of imaginative fun with them. But as I got older, I thought I wanted more detail, better plastics, etc, etc... not really realizing that prices from inflation, tooling, sculpting, paint applications, and marketing would make even many standard Star Wars retail figures sit at around $10 each as they do now days.

Some of the international info on the card back.

Now, the ReAction figures aren't promising incredible detail, and they are fully zoned to recreate or emulate the look of many bygone action figures, and the line does an admirable job of this. But the detail that is there is great, and especially on the regular retail version's paint application. 

(Left) A variant/error happened with this particular packed Exclusive, I got TWO rocket packs! (Right) Top of the reverse of the blister card.

Clearly aiming for the Gen X group, the Rocketeer figures here have just enough styling to them, and great overall presentation that you really don't want to open the packages to get him out. I'm not normally a keep the figure mint on card sort of fellow, but since I love package design so much it's great to see them keep the art imagery that accompanied the movie release as a prominent look on these.

Back and front of the regular retail version of the Rocketeer.

The two figures are essentially the same sculpts and details, but the Convention Exclusive one has a greyscale aesthetic applied to it as a whole. As well as the accidental inclusion of a second rocket pack that somehow got placed in with the figure.

(Left) The rocket pack is actually pretty highly detailed, including vents, rivets, and even a bit of paint for the bubble gum that was used to seal a leak in the pack. (Right) There's not much more than a passing likeness of the actor Bill Campbell

These are two of the first figures that I have no plans on opening ever, so I'm going to be looking into some archival clamshells to store and display them in. They aren't the highest grade, that I know, but Funko did a great job on capturing a bit of memory for me from my youth in both presentation and toy design, that it'd be a shame for me to mar that by opening them.

As a side note, both of these as I mention in the matrix below were bought retail side, I didn't go to the convention to get the limited edition one. Occasionally, you'll find some specialty stores that do get these variants in for the general public to get their hands on, and though it's a great bonus to find them like that, you can't always count on that for some exclusives.

Until next time, cherish the good things in life, keep your hobbies and interests alive, and be kind to your fellow beings. - Mario, the Rogue Hobbyist.
 

Stats	Rating/Information
Item	Rocketeer ReAction Figures
Made by	FUNKO
Rarity	Con Exclusive - Possibly unique - packing error of double rocket pack. Retail Edition - Common
Classification	Modern - Released in 2014
Condition	Good - some backing card bends evident
Procured	Hastings - Warrensburg / Barnes and Noble - KC
Worth	Con version $20 / Retail version $9
Investment	Con version $7 / Retail version $9
Further Research	http://funko.com/
Trivia & Fun Facts	The Rocketeer is one of those characters that has left an indelible mark on  pop culture that even years after the movie and the passing of creator Dave Stevens, the character has endured and shows no signs of being forgotten anytime soon.

Hordak Pop Vinyl Figure #21 - FUNKO / Masters of the Universe

"Blast! I must learn to control my rocket form better! Where could I be? Castle Grayskull? By Horde World, I'm back on Eternia!" - Hordak

Pop Vinyl is one of the lines that I swore I would not get involved in collecting, but after finding out just how much of pop culture they were covering, (and stumbling across my first one at a recovery outlet, HORDAK no less, I was hooked).

If you are new to this line of vinyl collectibles, prepare to end up investing a lot of time looking for them and in some cases, locating some pretty cool variants of them.  I really dig the super deformed aesthetic that these little figurines showcase.

Some are basic swivel head toys, and some are actual bobble heads. I cannot stand bobble heads at all, which is a bad deal since I believe most all of the Marvel ones are bobble head. It has to do with licensing issues for vinyl toy manufacturing rights. But when it comes to such a sprawling line of collectibles, this is when I just allow myself to collect certain themes from within the overall releases. In this case, my hunt is on for the rest of the Masters of the Universe line, of which are getting scarce to find.

I was not surprised by the selection of He-Man, She-Ra, Hordak, and Skeletor, but SPIKOR!? Really? I mean, usually you see Beast Man or Teela as the 5th wheel in these sort of licensing deals. And if it had to be an oddball choice why not Tri-Clops?! That dude was incredibly bad ass in the mini comic series (but kind of stupid in the animated show).

Anyway, onto the Hordak figurine.

Somehow, they managed to make Hordak cute. Tremble in the presence of baby headed Hordak.

Cargo Largo, a reclamation store, was the initial discovery of this fellow. At five dollars, it was too much of a deal to pass up, and it's Hordak.

The box isn't going to win any archival standards, between the new price stickers, and shelf/shipping wear, I was just hoping the figure was alright.

And little Hordak was! I guess those toy companies know a thing or two when it comes to creating some cushion in packaging with blister plastics. :D

There is literally ONE point of articulation on this figure. His head. He looks from left to right. The detailing and paint job on this guy is pretty well done. Nice nods to the original figure sculpts from Mattel.

So Pop Vinyl, you've managed to capture my attention with this effort, and I hear you've also done the Rocketeer and some for Big Hero 6?! Looks like I need to take up a 3rd job again...

Until next time, cherish the good things in life, keep your hobbies and interests alive, and be kind to your fellow beings. - Mario, the Rogue Hobbyist.
 

Stats	Rating/Information
Item	Pop Vinyl Hordak
Made by	FUNKO
Rarity	Uncommon - Retired figure
Classification	Modern - Released in 2014
Condition	Good / Packaging with heavy shelf wear
Procured	Cargo Largo Salvage
Worth	$11
Investment	$5
Further Research	http://funko.com/
Trivia & Fun Facts	The design inspiration for Hordak's face was based on the shape and dimensions of an African tribal mask.