As the title implies, the book focuses on the "vintage" toys—those from the Star Wars classic trilogy, Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi (the movies made between 1977 and 1985). It provides the most comprehensive and accurate documentation of these popular collectibles. This is the first book that covers these vintage action figures in such detail and with clarity and completeness. It "puts it all together" in one volume and is completely illustrated with high resolution full-color photos throughout. This publication sets a new standard for research in this field and will be the reference book for years to come.

Although the book focuses on the action figures, it also looks at the figure-related items, Kenner’s marketing material to dealers and merchants, and even in-store displays that helped advertise and showcase the action figures in the stores. This 268-page book contains a wealth of factual details and is supported with over 900 color photos of the actual toys. Many one-of-a-kind items are showcased including early drawings and mock-up packaging designs thus providing some insight to the preproduction process.

Author: John Kellerman
Hardcover: 268 pages
Company: Reynolds & Hearn Ltd (2005-05-19)
ISBN: 1903111307
List Price: $51.65
Amazon Price:
Used Price: $119.99

Toy action figures are tremendously popular collectibles, and many collectors argue that Mego is the premier maker. Super Heroes from comics, television and movie stories were made with interchangeable clothes, equipment and vehicles. In this new third edition of a classic collector's guide, all of these figures are shown with their original packaging in over 400 color photos, with newly updated values. Batman*r, Superman*r, Spiderman*r, Wonder Woman*r, Hulk*r, and the characters from Star Trek*r, The Dukes of Hazzard*r, The Wizard of Oz*r, Planet of the Apes*r, The Black Hole*r, Buck Rogers*r, Flash Gordon*r, and many more are included. Prototypes, never produced figures, and foreign exclusives join the regular production in this fun-filled reference.

Author: John Bonavita
Paperback: 192 pages
Company: Schiffer Publishing (2000-01-01)
ISBN: 0764312642
List Price: $19.95
Amazon Price: $16.96
Used Price: $14.98

Captain Action, the original super-hero action figure, was introduced in 1966 in the wake of the Batman TV show craze, and later received his own DC comic book with art by Wally Wood and Gil Kane. Able to assume the identities of 13 famous super-heroes, his initial career was short-lived, but continuing interest in the hero has led to two different returns to toy-store shelves. Lavishly illustrated with over 200 toy photos, the second edition of this critically acclaimed volume by author Michael Eury chronicles the history of this quick-changing champion, including photos of virtually every Captain Action product ever released, spotlights on his allies Action Boy and the Super Queens and his arch enemy Dr. Evil, an examination of his comic-book appearances, and Action facts that even the most-diehard Captain Action fan won t know! It features a foreword, cover image, and previously unseen package illos by Murphy Anderson, historical anecdotes by the late Gil Kane, Jim Shooter, Stan Weston (co-creator of G.I. Joe, Captain Action, and Mego s World s Greatest Super-Heroes), and Larry Reiner and Larry O Daly, formerly of Ideal Toys, plus never-before-published and classic Captain Action artwork by Gil Kane, Joe Staton, Carmine Infantino, Jerry Ordway, Paul Gulacy, Mark Sparacio, Ruben Procopio, and Tom Yeates. The revised second edition of this full-color hardcover includes behind-the-scenes material covering Captain Action s triumphant 2008 return to comics shelves in his new series from Moonstone Books, and spotlights on the new wave of Captain Action collectibles. Written by Michael Eury.

Author: Michael Eury
Hardcover: 176 pages
Company: TwoMorrows Publishing (2009-08-24)
ISBN: 1605490172
List Price: $39.95
Amazon Price: $28.46
Used Price: $33.51

From G.I. Joe*t to Star Wars*t John Marshall has provided a thorough, informative, and entertaining look at the action figures produced during the 1980s. In over 430 superb color photographs, fans of the pocket-sized G.I. Joes*t, of movie and TV characters, of fantasy figures, He-Man*t, the Thunder Cats*t, super heroes, of those ever-popular quick change artists of the robot world--the Transformers*t, and even pro-wrestling fanatics will find figures here to warm their souls! Price listings are provided for every figure shown and for every known figure produced within a particular product line. Price ranges are provided both for figures that are mint-in-the-box and for those which, while running loose, have retained all of their accessories and lost none of their finish.

Author: John Marshall
Paperback: 160 pages
Company: Schiffer Publishing (1998-05)
ISBN: 0764304941
List Price: $29.95
Amazon Price: $25.60
Used Price: $21.00

Author: Paris Manos, Susan Manos
Paperback: 160 pages
Company: Collector Books (1995-09)
ISBN: 0891456686
List Price: $17.95
Amazon Price: $12.99
Used Price: $3.53

Chronicling the full range of figures which have been available since the inception of "Star Wars" in 1977, this reference guide contains more than 2000 images, comparing all of the action figure characters with their on-screen counterparts.

Hardcover: 192 pages
Company: Virgin Books (1999-04-15)
ISBN: 1852277394
List Price:
Amazon Price: $137.27
Used Price: $49.76

For the legions that collect the immensely popular DC Comics action figures, we have good news: the official visual compendium of more than 1,400 characters has finally arrived. The DC Comics Action Figure Archive is the definitive reference for the serious enthusiast. Assembled by lead collector Scott Beatty and the experts at DC Comics, this sturdy hardcover features more than 600 full-color photographs and an easily navigable A-to-Z structure. Here, too, are previously impossible-to-find release dates, variants and "redecoes," as well as detailed information on action figure scales and articulation points. From Ace the Bat-Hound to Zauriel, with lots of Batman and Superman in-between, this collector's must-have guide doesn't miss a beat.

Author: Scott Beatty
Hardcover: 208 pages
Company: Chronicle Books (2008-01-20)
ISBN: 0811858324
List Price: $40.00
Amazon Price: $4.38
Used Price: $2.32

This is a descriptive A-to-Z guide to action figures with 1001 full-color photographs. It includes comprehensive information on the characters, their dimensions, materials and production qualities, special features, packaging, where to buy and much more.

Author: Sally Ann Berk, Tom Tumbusch
Hardcover: 349 pages
Company: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers (2000-11-01)
ISBN: 1579120091
List Price: $14.98
Amazon Price: $52.36
Used Price: $12.07

This fascinating and entertaining book covers the complete range of action figures marketed during the 1960s. Included here are the soldiers and sailors, cowboys and Indians, space men and the spies that populated the action figure world from 1964 to 1969. Over 300 color photographs capture these often elusive and highly sought heroic "dolls for boys" including GI Joe, Captain Action, Johnny West, Major Matt Mason, Johnny Hero, and James Bond. This book spans the product lines of all the major action figure manufacturers of the day from Hasbro and Mattel to Marx and Ideal. Presented as well are the many accessories that accompanied many of these figure lines. Prices are provided in the text for the figures and their accessories. Both loose and mint-in-the-package prices are provided whenever necessary.

Author: John Marshall
Paperback: 160 pages
Company: Schiffer Publishing (1998-09)
ISBN: 0764304283
List Price: $29.95
Amazon Price: $22.76
Used Price: $22.00

"Eye-catching and portable packaging offers collectors solid facts in a fun format

Wide appeal - baby boomer-age collectors partial to Marx figures and the first G.I Joes, to younger collectors who favor McFarlane's Matrix figures and Peanuts

Capitalizes on a multi-billion dollar industry continuously infused with movie, comic book, sports figures, and ultra-popular anime-influenced characters

From G.I. Joe to the X-Men nothing has fueled more hours of childhood fun than action figures, but the excitement of action figures also drives one of the largest growing areas in toy collecting. This pocket-sized guide with its 250+ stunning color photos and up-to-date values gives collectors a handy and reliable resource. This action-packed field guide: *Offers collectors looking to buy or sell in the more than 110,000 online action figure auctions easy access to identification and value information *Provides collectors with detailed color photos, identifying descriptions and history on some of the great action figure toys *Allows experienced collectors to easily introduce their favorite hobby to would-be collectors

Just like the action figures, there's nothing small about the details collectors will find in this reference."

Author: Mark Bellomo
Paperback: 512 pages
Company: Krause Publications (2006-09-28)
ISBN: 0896894207
List Price: $12.99
Amazon Price: $3.25
Used Price: $1.52

Each Gears of War action figure features multiple points of articulation and comes with themed accessories and weapons.

Accessory: New version of Delta squad leader, Added articulation, 12 inches, Based on the popular video game, Complete your collection
Company: NECA
List Price:
Amazon Price: $7.89

Imported from Japan! It has been twenty years since the release of the original Metal Gear game for the Nintendo Entertainment System, and to commemorate the anniversary Medicom is releasing a line of figures based on the latest games in the franchise - Metal Gear Solid 3 and the brand-new MGS 4! Figures available are Boss (from MGS 3), Raiden (from MGS 4), Crouching Snake (from MGS 4), Crouching Snake "Clear" (also from MGS 4), Snake "Black Skull" Version (from MGS 3), Snake "Cold War" Version (from MGS 3), Snake "Tiger Camo" Version (from MGS 3), and Vamp (from MGS 4). Standing nearly 7" tall, these articulated figures come with accessories and weapon attachment points.

Toy: Metal Gear Solid is Konami's long-lived action video game franchise, Solid Snake is one of video gaming's most popular action heroes, Each game in the series has been a bestseller at release, Medicom's UDF (Ultra Detail Figure) figures re-create the series' major characters, Each figure is highly detailed and comes with accessories
Company: Diamond Comic Distributors (2009-11-04)
List Price: $16.99
Amazon Price: $13.95

Intended for ages 6+, each 3 ¾â?- 4 ¼â? Avatar Basic Movie Figure features multiple points of articulation, and is accompanied by character-specific i-tag and weapons and/or accessories. Avatar Movie Figures Series 01: Avatar Jake Sully (Loincloth) is equipped with a spear.

In a Cairo marketplace, a band of local thugs attacks Indy and Marion. Relying on his fists, whip, and quick reflexes, Indy defeats the whole pack. During the melee, he loses track of Marion and instead discovers the black-robed Cairo SwordsmanTM. Despite his opponent's slick skills, Indy defeats him with just one shot from his pistol. Embark on your own thrilling adventures with this Indiana Jones action figure. A 16-inch whip fits in Indy's hand. Give it a press for whip-cracking sounds and action! A removable pistol fits in Indy's holster, and he also comes with a messenger bag for stowing Indy's treasures. Action figure comes with shirt, pants, pair of boots, hat, belt, messenger bag, holster with removable pistol and 16-inch whip.

Toy: In a Cairo marketplace, a band of local thugs attacks Indy and Marion., Despite his opponent's slick skills, Indy defeats him with just one shot from his pistol, Embark on your own thrilling adventures with this Indiana Jones action figure. A 16-inch whip fits in Indy's hand, Give it a press for whip-cracking sounds and action, Action figure comes with shirt, pants, pair of boots, hat, belt, messenger bag, holster with removable pistol and 16-inch whip, A removable pistol fits in Indy's holster, and he also comes with a messenger bag for stowing Indy's treasures, Relying on his fists, whip, and quick reflexes, Indy defeats the whole pack
Company: Hasbro (2008-04-01)
List Price: $24.99
Amazon Price: $27.78

Great set of Plastic Army Men in 4 colors with lots of different WW2 figures with over 40 poses. American GI's in Green, British Commandos in Yellow, German in Gray, Japanese in Light Green. Each army has it's own 4-1/2 inch tall flag. Nice quality and detail.

Toy: 186 Soldier Figures (Green GI's, Yellow Brits, Gray Germans, Pea Green Japanese), 4 Flags, 4-1/2 inch tall, Size: Up to 2-3/16 inches tall (56mm), Scale: Approximately 1/32nd
Company: HingFat
List Price: $39.99
Amazon Price: $12.50

This graceful, fierce and intelligent member of the Omaticaya clan is rightfully wary of humans. Yet Neytiri has become an unlikely ambassador to the earthly colonists on Pandora.
Clan Position: Daughter of Omaticaya clan leaders Eytukan and Moâat. Clan leader in-waiting.
Skills: Mastery of most Na'vi weapons, including various bows, spears, bolas and knives. Banshee and direhorse rider. Hunter. Proficiency in English.

Toy: Na?vi creatures from James Cameron?s new film Avatar, Accented with glow-in-the-dark bioluminescence, 4.25-inch Action Figure, Comes with a unique weapon or accessory, Includes exclusive character specific i-Tag to bring the battle scenes to 3-D life.
Company: Mattel
List Price: $11.99
Amazon Price: $11.85

This 5-1/4" (13.3 cm) tall, hard vinyl Edgar Allan Poe Action Figure captures the father of the modern horror story in stark black and white with a hauntingly pale complexion and a removable plastic raven. Pose him on your bookshelf next to your volumes of his poetry and prose.

Misc.: 5 inch tall, Edgar Allan Poe Figure captures the father of the modern horror story in stark B&W, He has a hauntingly pale complexion and a removable plastic raven., Pose him on your bookshelf next to your volumes of his poetry and prose., Comes on our illustrated blister card with Poe info on the back.
Company: Accoutrements
List Price: $12.95
Amazon Price: $7.95