Sorry... That's Not Vintage!!!

It's been 4 years since I was introduced into the underground world of toys. Along the way I have learned that there are different values in toys depending of the age, the quantity that was produced, and the condition the toy is in.

With so many people dealing in toys these days you see many people using the word vintage very loosely. I mean I’ve seen people referred to Transformers from just 10 years ago as vintage. I’m still learning this stuff and I look at them funny when the say something 10 years old (released in the 2000’s) as vintage. So I’m going to talk about some the language I have learned from my husband and other collectors to safely determine or to refer to the age of a toy/collectible.

 
Prototype or Test Shot: This is where a figure truly comes to life from a concept on paper to a physical figure. These figures are used for testing the fans reaction, and to create marketing hype at comic convention or at toy fairs. Because these figures are meant to create hype for the figure they normally present better, have cleaner sculpts, and have better paint apps than the massively produce figures you would see in the shelves later.

 Pre Ordered: This is a collectible that has not been release but it’s guarantees that when it's released you will have one for your own collections. Now depending on the situation, a toy pre orders can be used in two ways: 1) To guarantee sales of a product that is going to be mass produced in the long run or 2) it can be used to release a toy that has limited funding and it needs to reach a specific sales goal in order to be able to mass produce the product at smaller profit to the company/recipient creating the figure. Many art toys use sites like KickStarter in order to raise funds for a limited release of a unique toy.

Released or New Figures: Fresh out of the production line. Depending on the type of figure this means it was just realized in major retail stores as a normal product, store exclusives, online exclusive, convention exclusive, or comic book store exclusive. For most average collectors this is when they picked up the figures for their personal collections.

In stock / On Shelf:  This suggests that the figure has been out for purchase for some time. This could be anywhere from a few months to a few years.

Out of print / Out of Rotation / No Longer In Stock: Sadly at this point the figure/collectible has been out for some time and it’s no longer easily found in stores. These are the figures most people purchase in the secondary market like EBay, Flea Markets, Local Collectible Shop or purchase/trade with another collector.
Classic : A figure/collectibles that are old but is not quite vintage. These mainly refer to figures between the ages of 10-25 years. A good example are 1990's X-Men Figures. They had a specific look to them, and articulation that really dates them to that time period. Same thing goes with the first generation Spawn figures.
Vintage: these are figures that are around 30 years of age. So since I'm in my early 30's the toys I grew up with such as TMNT, MOTU, Jem, Original Star Wars line, MEGO dolls, and Secret Wars Marvel Figures are now becoming vintage figures. These figures are mainly found in secondary markets. Antique: These collectibles are around 50 years of age and older. Good example of this are some of the first Barbies that came out. Since the first release of Barbie was back in 1959 the Diva is officially 55 years old qualifying some of the first releases as Antiques.

Artifact : Simple.   Something that is so old it probably should be I'm a museum. If it looks like something a little cave girl/boy played with chances are is an artifact. LOL I hope you like this blog.

Remember I’m always learning so don't be shy to leave some constructive feedback on the matter.

Godzilla For Dummies

So there's a new Godzilla movie coming out and you know your have that one acquaintance, friend or family member that is just gaga over that big green rubber suite lizard. In my house , my husband Tom has many happy childhood memory attached to the giant green monsters. He got his first Godzilla's from his grandmother for being a good boy while attending a doll conventions as a kid with his grandmother and mother. He has loved the King of Monsters ever since. As for me I have seen some Godzilla stuff growing up but never quite got the story line. I always found it corny but I did like watching the monsters fight. Too much fun. Now that I'm married to a collector who knows about Godzilla he has been explaining things for me here and there and some of it makes more sense now.... Sort off. Lol

My husband Tom Khayos showing off his Giant Godzilla Collection.

Check out my husbands growing Godzilla collection at https://www.flickr.com/photos/ragingnerdgasm/collections/72157630057007551/ .

Basic stuff to know:

Now if you are related or acquainted with a Godzilla fan here are few facts to know before you speak about the King: 1) Godzilla is a Giant Kaiju (Monster) 2) First appearance was in 1954 which makes Godzilla 60 years old as of 2014. 3) He was created by Tomoyuki Tanaka, Ishiro Honda, and Eiji Tsubaraya, and appeared for the first time in Ishiro Honda’s movie title “Godzilla” back in 1954. He was designed by Akira Watanabe and Teizo Toshimitsu. 4) Godzilla is also known for his other title as “King of the Monsters”, but he also goes by other names as Gojira, Gigantis, Monster of Justice, Big G, G Man, God of Destruction, Big Gray Gecko, Kaiju Alpha, Goji, and Nautilus. 5) Godzilla's origins are a little different depending what story line you are currently watching but there are a few facts that always remain the same. He’s a giant sea monsters that rises from the deep waters, he’s big, violent, kind of looks like a giant dinosaur lost in time, and is powered by nuclear radiation. 6) Godzilla's size has increased through the years. His height has gone from around 50 meters back in the 1950’s (around 165 feet) to most recent 100 to 150 meters (around 500 feet tall). 7) Since 1954 he’s been in 28 films by Toho Co. LTd. and as best of my knowledge these movies are:

• 1954 - Godzilla King of the Monsters
• 1955 - Godzilla Raids Again
• 1962 - King King vs. Godzilla
• 1964 - Ghidorah, The Three Headed Monster
• 1965 - Invasion of Astro-Monster (Godzilla vs. Monster Zero)
• 1966 - Ebirah, Horror of the Deep (Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster)
• 1967 - Son of Godzilla
• 1968 - Destroy All Monsters
• 1969 - All Monsters Attack (Godzilla’s Revege)
• 1971 - Godzilla vs. Hedorah (Godzilla vs Smog Monster)
• 1972 - Godzilla vs. Gigan
• 1973 - Godzilla vs. Megalon
• 1974 - Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla
• 1975 - Terror of Mechagodzilla
• 1984 - The Return of Godzilla
• 1989 - Godzilla vs.Biollante
• 1991 - Godzilla vs.King Ghidorah
• 1992 - Godzilla vs.Mothra (Godzilla and Mothra : The Battle for Earth)
• 1993 - Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla 2
• 1994 - Godzilla vs.Space Godzilla
• 1995 - Godzilla vs. Destoroyah
• 1999 - 2000: Millenium (Godzilla 2000)
• 2000 - Godzilla vs.Megaguirus
• 2001 - Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monster All-Out Attack
• 2002 - Against Mechagodzilla
• 2003 - Tokyo S.O.S
• 2004 - Final Wars
• 2007 - Always : Sunset on Third Street 2

8) WARNING: Whatever you do, DO NOT compare the original Godzilla with the 1998 American version of Godzilla, also been referred as the large Iguana. Hard cored Godzilla lovers will deny the existence of this movie, give you a nasty glares and chances are they will be horribly offended that you compared that horrible abomination to the one and only true King of the Monsters.

9) The King has been seen not only in movies but also in video games, animated series, comic books, and television series.

10) Godzilla is such a popular icon is one of the most recognizable icons in Japanese culture and here in the US was granted a MTV Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996 and in 2004 was awarded a Star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

11) Unlike the Godzilla animated series released by Warner Brothers in the 1990’s the regular Godzilla doesn't really care much for humans. He will fight along side some humans when there’s a threat but he doesn't go out of his way to protect human’s property or their lives. In fact in a few occasions he has actually turn against his allies in a second. He doesn't eat people, but he does sustain himself on radiation and destroys everything on his path. Since he’s a monster he doesn't go by human values of good and evil. He’s just doing his own thing. 

About the Toys

Now it seems more and more common that with each movie there seem to be a giant frenzy of people buying toys related to that movie thinking they are going to be worth a fortune and Godzilla is no exception. So here are few thing I have picked up from my husband when it comes to his Godzilla Collection.

1) Godzilla toys use to mainly come in vinyls or as vinyl model kit (assembly required). These figures vary in size from a few inches to a few feet. I seen godzilla toys as small as around one inch to about 3 feet tall and six feet tall which is the Kaiyodo 3 foot by 6 foot Vinyl Model Kit (1/80th scale). INSANE!!! In recent years new Godzilla figures are starting to get more action figure type articulation.

This is the Kaiyodo 1/80th scale Godzilla and it's worth several thousands of dollars. 

2) Beware of bootlegs. If you are a Godzilla purist beware of buying bootlegs Godzillas and paying a steep price like a licensed product. This is very common since there’s such as fandome for the Big G for 60 years now. Unless you are into bootleg figures then go nuts. The easy way to find out if the big guy is genuine is the check out for markings. Almost all licensed Godzilla figures have markings that let you know about the figure and a year.

3) There are figures released in the US and there are the once released in Japan. If you are buying for a hard core collector they will be able to tell which one is which by the markings, materials and colors they have use on the figure. Yes believe it or not there is noticeable difference between them. So if you are looking for a Godzilla gift chances are you are better off asking them which one they want or even easier just give them cash.

4) Well sought out Godzilla figures are not cheap. They range from a couple of hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. So if you are a picky upscale collector I hope you have the deep pockets to satisfy your appetite. If not you can go the local toy store and pick up a pretty decent 6 inch to 8 inch figure for about $15 -$20 dollars.


I hope this helps out some new Godzilla fans, and family, friends or confused spouses. LOL Cheers. 

This is me holding the new 2014 US released Godzilla movie Giant figure.  If you can find it retails for $50 at the stores.

LWATC: Fear of Vacuuming Small Toy Guns

Recently I was riding with my husbands in his car and in the door handle I saw a small toy accessory gun. This reminded me of my why I have a fear of vacuuming around the house.  This sound silly but when you are living with a toy collector, more than likely there will have some toys that will not be in the package either because it fell apart from age, or because the collector himself opened it.  All these loose figures leads to tiny toy accessories such as guns, knives, grenades, bullets, belts, shoes, plastic flames and other pieces that can be easily be misplaced somewhere on the floor of your home.

RNG Shogun Warrior Collection
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ragingnerdgasm/collections/72157630057133405/

Losing an accessory here and there it’s not too bad on newer figures but imagine losing accessory to something really old or rare.  Now you are talking $20 - $50 to replace the accessory.  You would have to go online to look for someone who might have an extra piece or is willing to part their figure for money.  Great example of this is my husband Shogun Warrior Collection. To me these robots look cool, but I would never in a million years would have though they are worth a small fortune, especially since the plastic they are made from have the consistency of a shampoo bottle.  If one of these robots loses something as little as a missile you are have to go hunting online stores or forums and after shipping you are looking at  paying close to $20 at the least.  Lord forbids if I accidentally vacuumed something rare like a phaser gun to a vintage 1970's  Star Trek Mego Doll.

RNG Shogun Warrior Collection
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ragingnerdgasm/collections/72157630057133405/

So you can imagine why I’m afraid of vacuuming in our house. Since we have been together I have passed that task to my husband.  Even when he vacuums, he sorts through the vacuum dust tray to make sure he didn't accidentally sucked something up himself. As long as he vacuums I’m cool with dishes.