Funko Funatics by School of Art, George Mason University

Funko Funatics

By Marc Anthony Cuellar By Marc Anthony Cuellar

History of Funko

Copyright © 2021 by Marc Anthony Cuellar All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without the written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Funko Funatics

By Marc Anthony Cuellar

Table of Content 1

History of Funko 10 The beginning of the company

Funko Pops 14 Pops that are available for Funatics

Behind the Art of Funko Pops 28

Funko Funatics 34 Stories from current Funatics

My Journey 60

Welcome to the Funko Family 68

Developments of Pops

Stories of my journey

Introduction of future Funko Funatics

Citations

Funko Funatics

Acknowledgments To support my passion and allow myself to go above and beyond with my collection and hobby. Not judging me because of my collection, but supporting me to continue collecting and building my enthusiasm. Without your support, I would not be the person I am today. An especial thanks to my best friends, who joined the journey with me along the way, creating memories and supporting each other, collecting and building the bond and the collection. Without everyone who joined me in the Funko journey, I would not have and cherish today’s memories. Lastly, thank you to Funko; without the company, I would not be collecting and finding myself with the collection and building relationships with other collectors I will cherish forever.

Acknowledgments

History of Funko

It all started with a group of collectors and an idea that began with a large company that created a community of collectors. It began with the founding founder of Funko, Mike Beaker, who became friends with Rob Schwartz, one of the founding artists of Funko. Rob introduced Mike to the world of collecting. The Pop-Cultural items grew interested with both Mike and Rob collecting all different types of unique items. It was a fun hobby for them, and out of that, the Pop-Cultural item collection grew. They would go to yard sales or exchange meetings. There they would meet many other people, and this is how they met the second Funko founding artist: Sean Wilkinson, the third important member. Their collecting of fun

Funko Funatics

Funko 20th Anniversary Big Boy #24

History of Funko

History of Funko items eventually led them to the business ideas. Among the numerous ideas, the bobblehead collection stood out, and the birth of Funko was created. The company was initially called “Brain Works” (Fun), but Mike wanted to include fun into the name. The importance of having Funko into the company was based on the idea of their Hobbies of collecting fun things. Fun Company came to mind, and then with the combination of Fun Company, the Funko brand was born. Rob Schwartz was an interior designer who created the sculpting of a bobblehead named “Computer Bob.” (Fun). Mike started his journey to find a vendor to buy or develop their bobbleheads, and he went to Sparky and other places. Mike, at the time, was determined to get a Big Boy bobblehead. Burbank, California, became the birth of the Big Boy Bobblehead, which started it all. Funko began in 1998 in Snohomish, Washington, After the successful release of the Big Boy bobblehead. The business began to rise in popularity, having big sales off Big Boy.

The Raise of Funko After the success of Big Boy, the company began receiving offers to do bobblehead’s for characters like Betty Pop and many more. This started the era of Wacky Wobblers. Out of all the Wacky Wobblers created, the most successful one was with Austin Powers, which gained more recognition for the wobblers. With significant popularity from their products, Mike wanted to have a mascot for the company. He created a mascot that resembled himself and his favorite cartoon characters Squirt Boy and Big Boy, which led to Freddy Funko.

Funko Wacky Wobbler Freddy Funko

Funko Funatics

Every Wacky Wobbler that was announced was very special for the fans. Funko would host these special events called Funko Fundays. It would be a special event where they would reveal or giveaway bobbleheads. Most of the Fundays were chosen for lucky fans that would have special shows from the founder and creators of Funko. Fans received limited-edition event-only merch, i.e., Cereal and Wacky Wobblers. Funko contains many rights to different varieties of characters. Working with many characters, Mike

Box of Fun 2021 Fundays Mariotti & Becker 2-Pack

decided to create a character for the company. The original mascot was Freddy Funko, but they also made other characters, such as Diablo. Funko’s success was increasingly growing. Public media increased the growth of the company, and Wacky Wobblers began to appear in many magazines. The company that was functioning in a garage was now becoming very popular.

The Passing of the Crown July 16, 2004, The third Funday Mike passed the “crown” to a friend. Mike had been running the Funko business for seven years. He was past the five-year plan that he had initially wanted to invest in the company. He had decided that if the company were no longer fun, he would retire. On Funday Three, while doing another event for the fans of Funko, Mike announced his retirement from the company Funko. However, he passed the crown to another collector and friend who is still the CEO of Funko. Mike decided to give the company

to Brian Mariotti because he believed in him; he knew that Brain was a collector and had a passion for the company.

The New Era The new era of Funko began, Brian Mariotti was having a difficult time running the company. Brain experimented with many different collectibles from 2005 through 2007, but most projects did not work. Even though he was living a dream of working for a collectible company, it was hard to find something new that would capture more attention than the Wacky Wobblers. The goals were big for Brain’s vision; even though he was not very experienced with running a business, he believed that his passion for collecting toys and love for Funko would help run the business. Brains thought that he needed to get licenses from a large-scale company like Star Wars. Then, in 2010, things changed with the creation of Funko Pops.

History of Funko

Funko Pops

Funko Pops, a cute pop vinyl collectible, began with an offer from Warner Brothers. Warner Brothers always worked with Funko, but the company wanted unique, fun bobbleheads that said Funko was different from the Wacky Wobblers. The first plush was created by Rob Schwartz and Sean Wilkinson, the concept of having a large head with a petite body that looked like a vinyl figure. Warner Brothers liked the idea, so Brian wanted to develop the concepts and push the proportions further. The first Pops that Funko created were Batman, Green Lantern, Joker, Riddler, and Penguin. The first debut for Funko Pops was at Comic-Con in 2010. There were mixed feelings for the Pops when they debuted; some of the old school funko collectors were not fans of them since it

Funko Funatics

Freddy Funko with Pop Sign #03 Funko Shop Exclusive

Funko Pops

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Star-Lord #198

was something different from what they were collecting, like the Wacky Wobblers. That did not stop the Pops from growing in popularity. Funko Pops expanded the range of target audiences, starting from collecting pop music for women and children. Since most of the collectors of Funko were adult males, this was the period when Funko was a collecting company and started to lead towards being a pop-cultural company. There was a large section of characters from different genres that were transformed into pop-friendly figures. The characters were from tv shows to movies, with a multicultural environment, it allowed for any collector to collect. The Funko pops were attracting various fans, especially those that wanted to contain memories of their Funko Pops characters. Pops were also becoming a community where any collector could sell and trade. Bryan mentioned in an interview, “It is not about selling items, it is about a sense of community” (Fun).

Funko Funatics

Different Types of Funko There are many different types of Funko Pops, from regulars to exclusives with different variations. Funko pops always vary due to the popularity and demand of each pop. Pop values also depend on the pop’s condition, such as conditions scale from Mint to damage. The conditions of the box, to the Funko itself, are where the value of each pop is priced. The beginning of the list of different types of Funko pops is the Commons. When collecting Funko pops, Commons is the first pops any collector would see at any retailer. Common pops are essentially the starting base to any Funko line if it was Disney, DC comics or anime, or any genre. Commons are not retailed to any specific retail store. This line of pops could be found at any local retail store. When involving their appearances, each Common pop’s mold is regular with no specialty, although due to its popularity, some Commons could be hard to find or go up in value. With Commons,

prices tend to be cheaper, ranging from $8.99 to $12.99. There are not only Commons for the regular 4’ inch pops: there are also Mini pops, Pop towns, Super pops the 6’ inch and 18’ inches. Commons are not only found in one size, but they are the beginning of collecting Funko pops.

Avengers Infinity War Bruce Banner #419

Batman 80th (1989) #275

Woody Woodpecker #487

Funko Pops

Bullseye #118 2021 Targetcon Exclusive

What are exclusive pops? The first of the chain of exclusive pops are retailer exclusives. Like Commons, exclusive pops are only available at a specific vendor or a significant special event like Fundays or physical conventions. Being exclusive pops tend to vary in limitation for exclusives being called limited edition or due to popular demand. Throughout the years, Funko has done many licenses for pops from partnerships with different retailers, including Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Box Lunch, Hot Topic, GameStop, Target, Walmart, and many more. Furthermore, even to third-party vendors like Chalice Collectibles and so many others! Each retailer brings to the fans different unique varieties with their exclusives. If the pop is

Funko Funatics

exclusive to that company, then the exclusive pop can only be purchased and found at the company’s retailer stores. Some stores might only contain a limited quantity for each store. The complete pops with unique pose variations, and outfits as well including different size variations as well. Additionally, some might even glow in the dark or be metallic. Each exclusive pop comes with a unique sticker related to its brand, where the exclusive is shared. Funko, as well, has its own exclusive Funko Pops. Funko exclusives are released every week, sometimes once or twice a week. They are usually released on Mondays, Wednesdays, or Fridays, on their own Funko website Funko.com. Like retail exclusives, these are limited quantities and can only be bought at their website, and each pop will contain their own Funko Shop exclusive stickers, which are usually called Exclusive pops. They are sold Online and at two Funko stores: the first one at the Funko HQ

The Joker Gamer #295 GameStop Exclusive

Geoffrey as Batman #69 Toys R Us Canada Exclusive

Everett, Washington, and a recently opened store in Hollywood, California. Some of the exclusive Online stores can be sold at the two stores in these two locations. For the in-store exclusive pops, these pops are unique and different from those sold Online, which are more limited and harder to find and exclusive to the two locations. Funko also has its events called Fundays; usually, tickets are limited. At Fundays, you will find exclusive pops that are always high in value and limited in numbers which may be down from 5,000 to sometimes 100. These exclusives are only announced through Funko’s social media, so it is essential to follow and stay updated if seeking a Funko Exclusive pop. The third in the Exclusive list, which is more difficult to find, is Convention Exclusives. These exclusives are challenging to collect! These Funko pops are only sold at conventions like San Diego, New York, Emerald City Comic cons, to name a few. Funko attends these conventions and displays these specialized

Superman From Flashpoint #251 Hot Topic Exclusive

Santa Freddy Funko #87 Funko Shop Exclusive

Funko Pops

Funko Pops exclusives. To get in line for the Funko booth, it would require a ticket that is only won through a lottery system that Funko has for every convention they are attending. Within the Funko lottery, Funatics are randomly picked for entry to the Funko booth. Being a limited availability for access, and with pops, convention-only pops are very hard to get. It is not guaranteed that every fan will get everything they want within the booth entrance due to the limited quantity. Each convention that Funko attends has its convention stickers based on the characteristics and color scheme of the convention. Suppose a collector cannot attend in person, no worries, because the shared exclusives are available! Shared exclusive pops are the same pops that are sold at the convention minus the convention-only pops. These shared exclusives can be bought at specific stores, like the exclusive’s pops sold at large party retailer brands such as Target, Walmart, and other

stores. Each exclusively shared sticker will have its shared exclusive sticker, which is the same in every retail company. The Funko’s are based on TV and movies, but the shared sticker is based on seasonal conventions. There are summer, fall, and spring shared convention stickers. Not all of the Funko pops are found at the different retail companies. Some convention pops are shared for the Funko shop and could only be purchased at the Funko store. Just like the demand of the convention pops, these shared pops would carry the same popularity. They can be hot off the shelves and hard to get, but as I mentioned earlier, the shared stickers are for the fans who cannot make it to the convention and are still seeking to get themselves a pop without attending the actual convention.

Iron Man Stan Lee #656 Summer Convention Exclusive

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Dwight Schrute as Punish Recyclops #1041 New York Comic Con Ex.

Funko Pops

CHASE

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Star-Lord #198 Chase

What is a Chase? A Chase pop is a rare variant of a single common Funko pop. A certain number of Common pops could have a Chase included. A Chase is comparable to finding a golden ticket from the chocolate factory and given only one out of a six chance of getting a chase pop either in-store or Online. The Chase can now be found through bundles from third-party vendors. The majority of them can be bought by any retail store that contains them. Each store only includes a limited amount of about one to three Chases, so collectors need to camp out or wait in line for the first three days. The Chase, with its small quantities, is harder to get. Many collectors have difficulty finding Chases; it is much more challenging and requires a lot of effort. The hunting usually starts with finding the Chase. The concept of finding these variants is challenging which is essentially where the name came from

Funko Funatics

“chasing” this variant pop. Chases also have their variants, the first one being a regular chase with a yellow circular sticker. The second one is a glow-in-the-dark chase, which is named a glow chase. These pops glow in the dark and have a sticker with the colors black and green.

Dwight Basketball #1103 Chalice Collectible Chase

Chases are not only variants of Commons. There can also be variants of exclusives, and the most popular are from Hot Topic chases. Different variants, there are not only variants in regular sizes. There can be movie moment chases, minis, pop rides chases, and soda chases, and many more. Lastly, there is a flocked chase, those are unique, and the chases are bestial pops that are fuzzy with texture—the sticker having a color scheme of pink and white. The Chase brings more fun when collecting Funko’s, and They are the needle in the haystack for Funko pops. It is all about the hunt, and whenever a chase is found, it is the best feeling in the world.

Jack Torrance Frozen #456 Chase

Andy Stitzer Holding Steve Austin #1064 Chase

Death Metal Wonder Woman #385 PX Glow Chase

Funko Pops

Funko Sizes Large or Small, Funko has it all! The Pop vinyl is not the only pop size they have developed. There are many different varieties of sizes of Pops that can be overwhelming for a Funko Collector to have in their collection. Starting the different size varieties of Pops are the Pop minis, these minis are usually found for keychain’s purposes and displaying. These mini pops are sized two inches, like a regular pop vinyl six-inch pop. These minis are created with the same mold and art design. The smallest of the pops these minis are called by funko as “Pop! Keychains” or “Pocket POP Keychains” (Funko). Each mini-Pop includes a chain placed on top of each pop’s head, allowing any collector to place it on lanyards, wallets, and many more. Funko Keychain’s are fun and small, able to travel wherever the collector goes. Batman Gamer and Pocket #293 GameStop Ex.

Pocket Pop! Keychains

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Doc with Clock Tower #15 POP! Town

Second, on the list are the common four-inch size shown within most of the many lines of Funko pops. The common size pop viny l boxes can include a more extensive scale pop, and these pops sizes are between five to six inches that are still displayed in a four-inch box. These large-scale pops in a regular size box are referenced as “BIG-IN-BOX” (Funko). On special occasions, there can be different variants of common size pops with more add-on. Some pops can include rides or a town. Pops can be found riding a car or a unique creature or animal. The size of common pop is the same but based on the ride, and the overall pop can be changed. Most of these pop rides’ height is six inches, but the width varies based on character and ride; these pops are named “POP Ridez” (Funko). From rides to towns, these being the same concept but without the rides, they are locations. Movies to Tv Shows, there are special moments of the film or show or buildings that correlate to the character to create a fuller scene. The sizes of the Pop Vinyl

are the regular four-inch, but the down varies sizes based on the special building, which sizes from seven inches to six. Mini towns with the pop vinyl, these sets are called “POP! TOWN!” (Funko). The movie moment pops can contain more than one pp vinyl but usually create a scene of a particular moment of either show or movie. These moments are called “POP! Moment” (Funko). Moving a scale-up from pop Vinyl, these sets of pops are around the same size as the Pop Towns, but these sets are a larger scale pop vinyl. These sets are called “Super POP” or “Six Inch Pops” (Funko). These six-inch pops are usually focused on more prominent characters like Hulk, Thanos, and many more. Immense character’s details are visually more detailed, with different variants of the pops within the color or metallic and at times being able to glow in the dark. These figures can sometimes include a common size vinyl pop inside the six-inch pop, again based on the characters

Funko Pops

History of Funko and the different varieties. From six inches to ten inches, the ten-inch pops are the second largest size of Funko. Ten-inch pops do not mostly come with special poses or molds of the pops. The majority of the ten-inch pops are the same molds as the pop vinyl but in a ten-inch form. These ten inches require more room for either displaying in a box or out of the box. Even though the ten inches are usually the exact figures as the pop vinyl, there are unique ten-inch pops. They have varieties of glow-in-the-dark, metallic, and many more. These ten-inch Funko Pops are called “JUMBO” (Funko). The largest Funko pop a Funatic can have in their collection is “Mega Pop!”(Funko). These mega pops are sized at eighteen inches; being a newer size for Funko, there are only a common variety of characters as a Mega Pop. These mega pops being at eighteen inches, would take up much space. Mega pops are enormous but can make any collector room pop! The limitation characters created

range from Pikachu, dancing Groot, and the first eighteen-inch created was a Batman Mega Pop. These Mega Pops are based on the standard four-inch pop vinyl. The size of eighteen inches does increase the price. The large scale of the head is shown with the eighteen-inch, but Funko still managed to display regardless of its size. From commons to different variants of Pops and sizes small and large. Funko provides all different types of sizes for any collector to buy and display in their collection. These pops are just the surface of what they have created. Funko also creates Pint-size heroes, Mystery minis, Action Figures, Mini-Moments. With their special series Vinyl Sodas, similar to Common Funko pops, these Vinyl sodas do contain a new figure but have the same concept in which each soda can contain their Chase that is either a different color variation or glow and metallic.

Hulks Common, six inch and Ten inch Funko Pops

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Batman Gamestop Ex. and Batman eighteen Inch

History of Funko

Behind the art of Funko Pops

Funko holds over 1,000 licenses and contains almost every character from TV shows, comic books, novels, directors and singers, historical presidents and artists, and even people who help save lives like doctors and nurses. There is essentially a pop for everyone, as a slogan from Funko, “Everyone is a fan of something” (Forbes). Funko has been successful within the toy industry and has created funko products for almost over twenty-two years. There is essentially no limit to characters that Funko can make. It all requires containing the licenses for the characters. Who is the genius of designing and creating these Funko Pops? Sean Wilkinson, the creative director of Funko, and his staff of over 80

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Batman: The Joker is Wild #292 Earth Entertainment Ex.

Behind the Art of Funko Pops

Behind the Art of Funko Pops incredible artists, sculptures, designers, and many more. Just like the slogan of Funko, the mission is to have created many characters, so then eventually, a funko pop would be created for anyone who is a fan of the specific surface. Sean mentions in an interview, “I think our mission is to be sure that we are getting that something to everyone” (Forbes). Sean oversees the whole operation of each pop that is assembled from the concept and then to the collector’s hands. The attention comes from the art of the box; the pop is displayed from a small window that gathers the collectors’ attention. Pops being a cute and approachable toy, it is essential to pay attention to the design package to the sculpting and painting of the pop. The process of a pop from concept, getting the licenses, the design, the detailing, the packaging, and the shelves. The time frame for each Funko Pops from start to finish usually takes between four to six months.

The process begins with gathering the licenses for the character. Finding the character that needs to be created and getting the licenses is essential. After receiving character approval, it is crucial to find and gather each detail of the character, from getting the pose correctly and with outfits and carefully working closely with the creative team from Funko. It is finding an expert knowledge of the category or character from the creative team to make sure that every note or detail is finalized and correct before creating and designing. As well as getting proper feedback from fans via social media, Listening to what the fans are looking for and seeing what everyone wants to have or see from Funko. Input allows us to narrow down the search and see what role Funko needs to find for fans. The second part of the process for the Funko pop begins with the concept. The concept of the Funko pops starts with a sketch of the character. The designers can usually create the character’s drawing with pen and paper,

Robin Imperial Palace #377

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Demon Slayer: Zenitsu Agatsuma #869

or at times the sketch begins with digital sketching. It is a challenge to create the specific character differently in the sketch process, and not something is already done with the character. Some concepts are discussed with a team, figuring out the importance of a character regarding a critical scene or type of character intrigues the audiences or the poses that would want to be created. Each sketch is the base of producing the Funko pop, and it is essential to emphasize the character with every detail. Sometimes sketches miss the mark of a character in which the creative team would go back and work on correcting the forgotten things from the first sketch. If it is capturing the pose the character does or what the character is wearing or gathering the small details of the character, it is essential to be shown within the sketch. For the following process to understand and capture the character’s identity shown within the sketch. Wolverine Blacklight #802 Target Ex.

Behind the Art of Funko Pops

Behind the Art of Funko Pops After the sketch of the character is complete and done, the 3-D modeling comes to play. 3-D modeling or sculpting phase Brings the drawing to life. This phase of the funko pops, according to the sculptures, is not an easy task. (Forbes) The statues face challenges in trying to create a 2-D concept of a character into three-dimensional sculpting. Each pop contains its challenges, including helmets or pops that usually are full of small details that need to be placed with the pop. Each character must be broken down from its components because the details are shown from the sculpting process. If the details are not in the concept or the studying of the character, then the details will be missed. The creative team heavily depends on the references of each character which is putting the character into the sculpt. With any missing information, the loyal fans of the character will always find errors or mistakes, which takes a lot of time and effort not to miss a small thing from the character. Brain Mariotti mentioned, “Our job is to take these characters that people are a fan of and make them even more lovable and available and affordable” (CNBC). Sculpting also comes in a variety of sizes. Many sculptors are challenged with different types and sizes of Funko’s. The creative team must face proportions and make sure that it is suitable in the aspect of the character and with the funko style.

Spider-Man Blacklight #802 Target Ex.

Funko Funatics

After the sculpture is completed, the process of coloring the sculpture begins, usually using paint to color the sculpture of funko pops. Just like gathering the details of the character, the process is similar but with colors. The creative team focuses on capturing every detail correctly with the character’s colors, bestially having color callouts and going back and forward with the licenses of the character, and making sure that the colors are correct from the outfit of the colors and the hair, and clothing. Each detail of the color needs to be accurate, the process of coloring the pop is essential, and this process allows the ability to have feedback from the licenses, and help capture the most precise detail for each character that’s being made. Even though the Funko pop captures the audience’s attention,

the packaging is also as important as the pop. Many collectors take the packaging highly seriously and are a critical aspect of Funko pops. Packaging is the last process before being shipped off to the collector’s hands. The packaging process begins with making sure the name of the character is correct. They had to correctly use the license’s design elements to be included in the box. The details from the back to the side and front are correct with fonts and the proper use of color pallets that resemble the show and character. All this packaging needs to connect with the character and show, and everything is accurate and signed off by the license for last-minute approval, then it is ready to be shipped off to the collector. From the fan’s thoughts or wishes to the process of signing a popular fan collection, Funko needs to capture the spirit of the character in Funko Pops. Each pop is handled with care and hard work for fans to manage and to enjoy. Funko is gathering more licenses and ideas for more characters that need to be turned into a lovable and enjoyable Funko Pop Figure.

Dia De Los The Flash #420 Funko Shop Ex.

Michael Myers #622 FYE Ex.

Behind the Art of Funko Pops

Current Funko Funatics

The Funko community is a large community that comes with various collectors. Funko reaches out to many fans from different types of Fandoms. Funko fans from collectors since the Wacky Wobblers to Funko Pops. Each series of the fan is diverse. Fans collect for what they are fans of, whether a specific hero or a comical movie franchise. Some fans collect, trying to collect all the Funko pops, striving to gather an extensive collection, and enjoy collecting Funko as a hobby and more. Minor base collectors collect Funko pop because they were gifted or contained because the Funkos hold a sentimental value within each pop. The Funko community is massive, and every Funatic has a great story to tell. Here are a few of those stories.

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Freddy Funko with Funko HQ #12 POP! Town Spring Conventtion Ex.

Current Funko Funatics

Gabriel Maldonado

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“Don’t let one pop bring you down. Theres always gonna be more in the future. Just keep your head up high and hope you can beat the bots.” - Gabriel Maldonado

How did you start collecting Funko? It began on my birthday where one of my friends from the church gifted me my first Funko Pop. At the time, I had seen them around, but I never paid full attention to them. My friend gave me a Thomas Wayne Hot Topic exclusive Funko pop. I thought it looked interesting how it was shown and the concept of having it and being a part of my room like a collectible. The first thought that came to mind was how these figures looked pretty nice. But my collection didn’t start until the Avengers Infinity war Funko pop line came out and received help from some friends. I got my first Target exclusive pop of Iron Spider-man. The excitement of going to Target and seeking if they have it, asking the employees if they have it, and the surprise moment of the employee finding it gave me the joy of hunting. Ever since the first hunt for the Funko Pop started, my hobby for collecting Funko Pops.

of Marvel comics, but the start again Infinity War was the start of my Funko collection because that movie was terrific. The line out for Infinity Wars was a great line that I needed to collect to show out mainly. With the moment captured in the film, Funko did an excellent job managing all those favorite moments within the pop, which is incredible for a company to do. Moments like that mean a lot more of a connection with me and the pop through memories, which Is mainly why each Funko pop means a lot to me, and it’s sort of value as well.

What do these Funko Pops mean to you? These pops mean the little things I enjoy, like movies, shows, or a small passion. It is very cool for me to display that in my room and be surrounded by these figures. It brings a lot of joy to myself is what also Funko means to me. It brings joy to me by having figures related to the things I like, and the things I’m interested in. I never saw myself collecting anything in general, but again it’s the joy I get out of it. The more I collected, the more fun I had collecting, so I enjoyed collecting the pops. The immense passion I have, which is mainly surrounding my room, is the Marvel line. More Marvel and the MCU films. Since I was little, I’ve been a fan

Current Funko Funatics

What is your number one memorable moment with or collecting Funko? I’d say I’ve been collecting since 2018. During the time, I was busy with work, and it was hard for me to go to Hot Topic or any store to get a chance to get these pops, and my friend called me with an excuse I couldn’t remember to go to their house. But one of my favorite moments was a couple of years of collecting when a best friend surprised me with a Dragon Ball Z Super Saiyan Broly from the 2018 Summer shared Exclusive pop. My friend was playing it cool and asking me to get something from the trunk of his car, and then boom. The pop was there unexpectedly, and I was just in shock. I didn’t know what to say at the moment. It gave me so much joy, just the surprise from getting a pop I wanted but getting it from my best friend and him helping me out. That I would say was the best moment I have had so far that I will forever cherish that rush of emotions and the joy I had.

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What do Funko Funatics mean to you? I’ve heard about Funko Funatics, but the first thing that comes to mind when hearing Funko Funatics are completely crazy Funko Collectors. The Funko Collector can live without it, and the collector would go out of their way to get that Funko pop and do whatever the collector can to get it. Like to wake up super early in the morning to camp out at a store to be first in line, hoping to get a chase. All of that is a part of your lifestyle. As I don’t fully consider myself a Funko Funatic, but just barely enough, I can’t do certain limits during this stage in my life. But if I had the opportunity to camp out constantly and such, I would.

What’s appeals to you with Funko Pops? I would say the varieties of how many versions of Iron Man’s they are. I love the creativity of each pose for all the different iron men. Some have different color paintings, and others light up and glow in the dark; some are chrome. The varieties of certain characters are cool

even though they are different versions of the characters within the comics and movies. And the way Funko captures every single variation gives a lot of options. It is like a feast of them, a whole buffet that I want to keep getting every new pop announced.

Do you display your pops outside of the box or do you keep them in the box? The ones that are inside of the boxes are mainly exclusive pops. The ones out of their boxes are mainly common, and I enjoy how they look outside of the box with the excellent paint job and the different poses that each pop has. With the outside of the box, you can display them the way you want to, like lining up with other characters and just the way the bobble heads are. It is very entertaining and satisfying to see outside of the box. It’s like you appreciate them a little more when they are outside of the box.

Current Funko Funatics

Current Funko Funatics What’s the whole purpose of getting your Funko pops signed by celebrities? The signature pops that I mainly get have meaning to me if it’s either the character or the celebrity. This is because getting Pops signed is very costly, and if there is a chance to get a pop signed by a celebrity I adore or appreciate with a price range that I can afford, I tend always to get the pops signed. It is more leaning towards chance; when will someone get the chance again to see or meet that celebrity? When will that opportunity come? Maybe we don’t know in a couple of years, so you might as well get the pop signed then and there if you have the chance.

What’s something you like or dislike about Funko or the collecting hobby with Funko? The worst experience I have had with Funko is with the Online drops. It is like every pop I want, and it’s hard to get because of the Bots. Also, Funko at times lacks some pops that lack detail or effort because there can be a pop about Captain America holding a shield. Next thing you know, they release another Captain America pop with the same pose, but it’s chrome or a different color. They, at times, lack creativity. It seems lazy at times. If they were going to do a chrome pop, they should have a different pose or something different; not just using the same mold and just painting various lacks effort in those pops.

Would there be any advice you would give to the collector when facing bots? I would say hope for the best but prepare for the worst because the feeling is bittersweet. It is more the anticipation of you’re waiting in the queue, hoping if you’re going to get it or not. It isn’t enjoyable, but as a collector, you’ll have to be prepared for that. It’s a rough game and being composed of maybe not getting the chance to get this pop, don’t worry about not getting the pops you want. It’s hard like; if you get the pop, it is excellent, but you’ll not get it most of the time because of the bots. Either the pop is high in popularity, or many resellers want to buy it to make more money from it.

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What are you planning to do with these pops in the future? I thought about it because I know there will be a lot of Funko’s coming up in the future, but as of right now, I’m focusing on my signatures for the Avengers cast. So far, I have hands-on three of them and have three left. If I get all six of the avengers, cast I’ll be pretty much done having my pops signed, but with all the other pops I have, I would like to see them get passed down to my little sister. From a young age, she always saw me collect these pops, and she would always talk about my collection. If anything were to happen to me, they would get passed on to her, to have her keep my group because she will remember me collecting these pops and how much they mean to me, and I think she would appreciate them.

in time. So I say don’t go entirely all out; focus on your main interest that you have. Just go little by little because they aren’t going anywhere but be aware of the ones that are hard to get. Just focus on that a little bit more because those resellers will screw you over big time if you miss out on them.

Do you have any advice for any new funko collectors? All I have to say is be careful; you’ll notice how much money you are spending on these pops

Current Funko Funatics

Angel Luis Rivera Jr.

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“Know your market, know what you are getting into before you get into it. ” - Angel Luis Rivera Jr.

How did you start collecting Funko? My journey started back between 2014 and 2015. After one of the first guardians of the Galaxy movies, I started getting interested in checking out what Funko was about. I guess it also really began when I bought the destroy all humans game which came with a Wacky Wobbler. At the time, I liked these bobbleheads. I was interested in collecting them, but I never thought to look underneath a company called Funko that made it until I started getting interested. By slowly collecting some of the Guardians of the Galaxy Pops like Groot. Then I started collecting the Star Wars Galactic conventions one, and then I started expanding and realizing that I enjoyed collecting these collectibles.

What do you like about the Funko Pops? I like the mold that they did. I thought it looked cool, like the eyes and how they look at you, which was pretty cool. I guess you can say I’ve been a sucker for collectibles since I was a young kid ever since the first generation of Transformers came out. I would always get those pieces and trade with people and sometimes acquire good things and let some extras I had to get more of the collectibles. But collecting when I was little is, I guess, where my passion came from. I like these items because I saw and researched and scattered not only to one series or movie or show. I saw that they catered with like DC Comics, Marvel, Disney, and years from watching those shows. I always thought to myself; it would be cool if they made this one. Next thing you know, they started coming out, and that’s what kept me going and trying to see if I could finish some sets. I have completed some of the sets, but I am

also working on completing some. Whether it’s OG pops before I started collecting or even more new ones were coming out recently. Some I try to finish, and others I take my time collecting; even though I love this hobby, this hobby can burn a hole in your pocketbook. But I like how funko is a pop-cultural company, with having merchandise from shirts to accessories and funko and they market to other series and being very spread out.

How many pops do you have and what is the current value? Collecting for quite some time, I’ve built a collection that even I have my items insured, I would say because I put my collection on like pop price guide or the Funko app. I have a collection that’s over 6,000 Pops that’s worth around $170,000 and going. This is with all the

Current Funko Funatics

Funko Pops

Funko’s that I have listed, and I still haven’t placed all of my pops under Pop Price Guide, so the price of my collection might be more with the pieces I have in storage. When it comes to protecting something, I think it’s a valuable pop vs. something working towards that. I would say that if pop is worth 30$ and above, they are worthy of a pop protector, in my opinion. Sometimes if pop is worth 29$, I do it, but if pop is worth 28$ or below, I don’t give them a pop protector. But not saying the pops under 29$ aren’t worthy of protection. You never know the value might change throughout the years. Some pieces get popular depending on if a new character appears in a series or fans are attracted to the series or movie, etc. That extinguishes the value.

Why do you collect Funko Pops? I say I am a true collector because I collect for my collection. Even though I might get extras due to having some damage and needing replacements, I always get the pops that I need

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for my collection. It also depends on some pieces that I think have value, and if I like it and I always tend to keep it in my collection or tend to keep it in a pile of extras where I tend to use it for trades or sale. I think Funko is a great hobby to get into. I am in many Funko groups on Facebook, including my own Facebook group called Funko Poppin. I have been associated with many other Funko collectors in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, some even out west and other parts of the country northeast and some even on broad. I think it keeps me going, I’ve also enjoyed going to several comic cons like New York Comic Con, which is my favorite so far. Even though there are many conventions, I haven’t been too much like San Diego comic con, but eventually, I’ll go one day. But overall, collecting Funko pop has been a good journey so far, and it’s been fun networking and meeting people, but the big thing for me is the many series Funko caters to is a big deal for me.

What’s the most memorable moment you had while collecting Funko? When I found my metallic chase at Walmart, this was when Batman vs. Superman came out. At the time, Walmart was putting out DC comics heroes, and there’s a chance to find a wonder woman chase, joker chase and as well with batman and superman pops. I have walked into a local Walmart around my area just from feeling to see if Walmart has placed them out. I walked in not knowing, and as soon as I saw they had them out, I rushed in there so fast, and I started looking but carefully, not trying to damage the other boxes. As I’m looking to the last row my eyes get so big. Then I yelled, I yelled so loud that I couldn’t believe that I found a batman chase. I immediately told other people in my group that I had found this pop. Oh my god, it was just unbelievable that I found it. I enjoyed the trill, and at that point, it was an excellent trill, it’s not. It was releasing those pops every week or every day. Comparing

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Funko Pops it to now can be frustrating, and that’s one memorable moment of finding something that was just so unexpected.

Do you consider a Funko Funatic? I do consider myself a Funko Funatic, and the reason for this is because I’ve been collecting Funkos for almost eight to nine years. Id, I have a collection of 6,000 pieces or more with a value over $100,000. I’ve been doing this for quite some time, waking up early in the morning, looking at my phone for releases, or checking social media to see what’s coming or that’s already out. I sometimes cringe with the new releases but knowing it’s going to be a crazy hunt. But I get up every morning and get in the mindset that this is what I do to build my collection and see what I can do. Funko is like the new antiques of our generation, thinking like funko would be a hot antique collectible that people will be auctioning pops years from now. I feel like Funko will be at that level, and I feel like Funko, and we found each

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other at the right time because I want to keep building my collection. After all, I wouldn’t say I like talking about it, but if the afterlife comes, I can pass this to someone or place it in a museum. I want to be one of the top funko collectors in us even though I’m not on the top, but that’s what I’m hoping for. If a collector had only ten pops of Freddy Funko’s but the grails ones that are high in value, I believe they can be considered a Funk Funatic or a collector that has a collection that’s true to them. Even if a collector sold all their collection but kept the ones that mean a lot to that collector, I believe they are considered a Funatic. But what I genuinely define somebody as a funko fanatic is someone who’s been collecting for a long time. Likes the different series and follows the series and the pieces they want. Tries to get them the best they can and go the distance to find these pops and mainly buys for their collection, vs. the bandwagon collectors, which are the collectors who have been collecting for six months because they don’t know the system yet. They don’t know the networks very

well. Or don’t take pride in the hobby. Or any flippers with bots just trying to take advantage of the true collectors and run the game, Who isn’t a true collector.

Any advice for a new Funko Collector? Know your market, know what you are getting into before you get into it. Just know it can be an addiction, so see how you can control it if you have an addiction problem. Learn how to play far. If you’re going into this to buy, make money on pieces, and sell them, you’re not doing this out of the heart of your collection. Move on and do something else. Don’t get into this hobby. Indeed, I don’t mean to be mean. I understand everyone should have a fair chance to get into this hobby, but if that’s only your attention, move on, because we have enough of those people who are making it hard for us who are trying to collect our collection. But for those collectors who are interested and like those Funko Pops, go at it. But be ready to deal with challenges and the Hunt and the competition because it can be cutthroat and a doggy dog out there. Yes, I understand it sucks not to get the pops you wanted, but eventually, they might come, but it’s not the end of the world. But overall, get out of your comfort zone and explore because you’ll find success if you dig. Because that’s what it is all about the Hunt.

Funko Pops

Pedro Valenzuela

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“Funko is a community like we all like to brand the latest Funkos we have and cherish the grails in your collection just like any collector would.” - Pedro Valenzuela

How did you start collecting Funko pops? At the time, I was working at GameStop, and I saw the Funko pops, and I knew what they were, but I never wanted to get into collecting Funko’s because If I were to have one, I would have liked to have everything on that one set. And sure enough, one day, I saw the San Diego Comic-Con Future Trunks pop during work, and one of my coworkers approached me with the question if I wanted to buy this funko, and I was like, “No, I’m not going to buy that one man,” and he would ask me why and I just told him I didn’t want too. It happened to be my birthday that week, so he just bought it for me anyway, and as soon as he bought it for me, it was more like a bittersweets gift. Because it was awesome, and I liked it, but at the same time, I was like, dang, I didn’t want to get involved in any way, shape, or form into Funko Pops. So, when I go that one at times on my break, I would start looking through the entire wall of pops that we had, then find every Dragon Ball they had. No matter the condition of the Funko pop, I just bought all of them, which started my collection.

I think when I saw Funko and what drew me to it is that they were taking things that I liked and putting a twist on it and making it like this cute, during looking figure that neither it was a toy or a bobblehead It was like its own new thing. So, I was more intrigued by the way they’re putting the brands that I like out there. So, like that would be Dragon Ball or video games or movies, like again the way they place the funko pops out there had brought me to it.

What’s the most memorable moment you had while collecting Funko? Oh, heck yeah, because the very first funko was a gift that meant a lot to me. So, when I went out of my way to go buy some, it was the fun of collecting like, “Oh yeah, I found this one here, I found this one over there.” It wasn’t until one of my best friends from ages ago was like, “Oh yeah, I know someone who collects pops

What do you like about the Funko Pops? So, I have no ties with the brand itself. Still, I would be lying if I said I know the manufacturing process or their ideas behind the company, but I definitely would say that I am more for just the nostalgia that it brings, like in a new quirky way. The best thing I can compare it to is shoes like you have the one style of shoes, and every other brand wants to regulate that one thing or like video games or movies. Everyone has different takes on it, so

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too” and met me up. I made another best friend out of Funko that grew into a deeper connection, and every pop I got from the two meant the world to me because I was like, here are these weirdos also collecting these funks and got me all into it now. So almost every quote-on-quote valuable pop that I have has way more sentimental value than it does monetary. Currently, I am sitting on five pops in total that were all gifted to me without me knowing, and I’m super in love with them, and I have them in glass boxes and everything.

Whats your favorite funko pop and why? That would be hard for me to answer because I’m not sure if it’s all the pops I would want to collect or collected in the past; their color scheme is what intrigues me. I’m very much paying more attention to detail. Seeing how point they are with this character, like going back to Dragon Ball Z, I think the pop that intrigues me is the Super Saiyan God Super Sayian Vegeta and his glitter form like in the

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show. The fact that when they made that pop. They made it with the same color scheme as the show but also added sprinkles of glitter to the paint job. I was like I love that I was like that is detailed to its finest, but if anything, the one pops that I would look at is the venom series from the first wave I had all of the carnages, and I loved looking at them. It just seemed so gross and unique all of the same time.

How many Funko pops do you have in your collection? I recently just moved, and before I moved, I had around 512 between myself and my wife, but after I moved, we had some damages happen, so I think down to like 450.

What line are you collecting? When I first got into collecting Funko, I just wanted to do Dragon Ball Z. Still, like any good collector, we find that one thing that’s like,

“Oh, this one looks cool too.” So I went, and I got the spider-man sets, and one thing about Spider-man is like you’ll never finish that line because they always come up with new Spider-man. I got into the Venoms, and that’s where I cut myself off. But then I thought about the marvel’s series, they are great, but they are always going to come out with a whole bunch of Funko’s which I am not going to get into. But throughout the time, I just wanted to stay with my Dragon Ball Z’s, so I sold my Spider-man and venom series, then I started collecting the Apex series and with the Avatar as well, but three series is enough for me, that’s it.

How was it working in retail at GameStop selling Funko? What did you like or dislike about it? While I worked at GameStop, it was always great to see how the community would come

and show out for Funko. That’s something you want to see with any business having hype around their product. When you like to get the hype, you’ll know that the demand is there, then show out, then the businesses should put their products out there, make deals to whoever the third-party senators are going to be. So being at GameStop at the time, it was like their buy two get one and all their deals they would have. I think the problem that I found at GameStop is either we would have shortages or the demand that was being created or not limit the amount people could buy. You’ll have people that would wait out in front of the store at 7 am before the store would open, and as soon as the stores open, you’ll have them buy out like five or ten of them and then go out and flip it back. They can’t control that, and they are the people who create the products. But you’ll have to know that you are

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Funko Pops making the demand for people trying to touch others for it. That is the only thing I did not like for funko on their behalf is knowing that people are feeling or flipping their pops; why not create more for those coming in. I don’t think it is fair for people that Funko can’t start mid-way. Like if you weren’t starting your collection from the beginning, tough luck you can’t go back to get them now you are stuck with these new waves. You can’t start fresh at any point of the Funko journey without expecting to spend a lot of money and be prepared to have an enormous wall. When I was moving, many pops of mine got damaged or destroyed. Still, the good thing was most of them were common—and just saying that a common funko that’s something within itself has a separation between the common funko and rare Funko’s. Then these are my epic, only getting it only at one time and never getting it again. Even as a collector I’ve seen how people try to flip pops as a lively living. It was going to stores to buy like ten of them and converting them for 60$ apiece when it is only 12$ or 15$ retail. That is lame, and it’s entirely, like if you need a quick buck, sadly it’s a way to make it.

Do you consider a Funko Funatic? Funko Funatic, to me, would be the equivalent of someone who goes out to a football game. They would go out, buy their tickets, wear their merch, and be there early to represent and support that team. I feel like that’s Funko Funatic, in my opinion. A person that’s going out and showing out the brand they are collecting wearing merch and going out there waiting in line for a unique pop and knowing the history behind it. Whereas a flipper is like real estate as they will see the area and know what house to invest in and which you do as a funko flipper, you would know which Funko’s to support and camp out in line investing your time. The funny thing about flippers is that they usually hold the line trying to look at every pop to try to pick out the best one. Then immediately selling it, there’s nothing wrong with it, that’s their grind. But flippers will

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always find something to flip. But overall, that’s what I would define as a Funko Funatic, a collector who is a fanboy and would represent the company not compared to a flipper who isn’t attached to it.

Any advice for a new Funko Collector? My first piece of advice would be don’t be a bully. Honestly, don’t be a bully; I feel like people, especially in this time prevalent, now understand that community is better than solitude. And Funko is a community like we all like to brand the latest Funko’s we have and cherish the grails in your collection just like any collector would. So, I would say don’t be a bully, be out there, be social, be willing to team up with three or four people in a group chat, communicate with each other, and help each other out with getting pops for each other. Make it an activity for you to socialize. Let that be that bridge is where a lot of people are trying to get into collecting because what I’ve seen a lot as both a collector and a retail seller is

that many people are doing it solo, and there’s no fun in that. Sometimes I think they’re either trying to make a buck out of me, or someone is trying to take this one thing out of my hand. You have to be friendly, don’t be a bully to people, be nice and friendly, and I’m pretty sure you’ll make some good friends along the way. I know I did just by collecting some Funko’s.

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Ash Valenzuela

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“I found a passion for collecting, and it was also a hobby that I could do with my Husband as well. ” - Ash Valenzuela

How did you start collecting Funko? I remember my Husband Alex was working at GameStop, and I remember going in at his store. I would wonder a bit within the store to pass the time before he got off or anything else. While walking around I noticed that they had a Funko pop section. Then I decided to go ahead and browse around. I came across my first funko pop that I started my collection with, a Lilo and stitch, with Lilo with the camera. I created or picked that pop out because I had started my photography/videography business a couple of years ago. So, it reminded me of my passion for video, photo work and how just a personal Lilo story is to my life. So that’s what sparked the whole journey, and now, I was like, wow, this is reflective of my life. I thought deeply at that moment about What it was and just a representation, but I never knew it was going to string on to be a more significant collection than has the lead on from that one pop. Then I found a passion for collecting, and it was also a hobby that I could do with my Husband as well. Being able to pick up pops either for early releases or store openings for an exclusive, have friends who are also collecting, and be in a community with them. We were looking for different pops and helping one another, even to this day, as you may know, especially if we saw something. We always made sure that our friends needed the specific pops but just watching each other’s backs built a community around our lives, and I never expected that. It just showed me the joy that it brought just a simple collectible that could bring in someone’s life, and I saw that reflected with just my Husband Alex and just how bestially a simple token as a gift meant so

much to him how it expanded his collection too. As well as building our collection it just started something very symbolic and grew over time as a hobby and something we both enjoy, so that’s something it all started.

What’s the most memorable moment you had while collecting Funko? Yes, it was for me necessary, but it was for my husband Alex, and it was his birthday, and I, to be honest, don’t know much about the Dragon Ball Z world at all. Just so the little pieces that I’ve been informed off, but I know that he is a complete fanboy about the whole world of dragon ball z. A few years ago, he wanted a Friza pop, but it wasn’t just a particular one but the one with red eyes. If he could have a regular normal one with his gold armor, he would be happy. He tends to drop little tidbits of what

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he desires, but he usually throws it over his shoulders and keeps walking. So I always tend to pick up those tiny seeds, and I’m like, “Okay, that’s going to be his birthday present.” For months, I had done my research, making sure to be careful with fakes and be aware of anything that could go wrong because I didn’t want to get scammed or give him a fraud. I wanted this to be legit. Spending weeks or months were just scouting, making sure I wanted to get that one. Even though I knew it was a little pricey, it was just a fade of a moment and appeared to me and snag it, and it was perfect timing because it was a hard person to surprise. After all, he would always get the secrets out of me, and he doesn’t really like surprises, so this was just so perfect. When it came, he couldn’t believe it as soon as he opened it, and I was like, it’s the Frieza that you just mentioned that one time. With him being in shock and not believing that I got him the gift, his reaction is just so priceless because he is selfless. One of my highlights is just being able to get that for him, knowing that and how much that means to him and when his

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collection was so little at the time, and now it just has grown. But it was just priceless and just awesome to see the reaction of having that one pop be part of his collection was a moment I will never forget.

What do you like about the Funko Pops? I remember when Funko released the first Stitched; now I refer to it in my collection as the ugly stitched, and I never wanted it in my collection at all, but over time it has evolved. But that first one was just like no, never. It is just a pop of nightmares. But over time, the colors of the details were getting the shading and details of the story, but those memorable aspects keyed on to the little tidbits from the movie because they meant a lot more from the symbolism. After all, one of my great mentors is from Hawaii, and her story speaks a lot to that and a lot of different aspects in Lilo’s story that I deeply connect with. Physically it is the dip it is from that they were able to home in from the first line that they drop from Lilo and Stitched series that attracted me from that. Now that

falls more to the line. It is incredible to see their creativity and how they made some beautiful pieces to the line.

Do you consider yourself as a Funko Funatic? I probably would have said that when I first started collecting because I was in a deep funko craze, just as many things in my life where I get deeply passionate for a season. But now, not so much. For that season for Funko, I definitely can correlate that with me and my husband wanting every single line, but at that point of my life, I would consider myself and my husband as funatics.

What was something you like or disliked about Funko? From that stage of the company, I think they did a great job by releasing a lot of personal pop

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that resonated with a lot of lousy pop culture and movies and games but just a lot of cultural topics, and I think that’s where Funko does well. I guess they tend to home in on a specific fandom and hear what people would like to see within their pops, and they get those details right, and I think that’s cool to see that in that fanatic stage to see all those details. You can always tell when those details were there, and also, you can tell when they were slacking. My husband and I were always able to look at a pop and see that they slack in terms of what they could have done a little more with the design, painting, glitter, and packaging. We appreciate those details when it wasn’t always in our quote standards of fanatic funko fandom. It was pretty cool to enjoy the different pops they come out with to appreciate the details they do well with the craftsman’s ship.

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Any advice for a new Funko Collector? My advice would be to take your time and research and pick out different pops you would collect. Not every pop you see holds that interest in value. Sure, they hold value monetary, but every pop should resonate with you. It may be considered too deep, but I think everybody has that one specific line in their collection that they connect with more than the others. Like if their entire collection Is that one line. Just take your time, and if there are more exclusive expensive ones, don’t let that be a distant fetch dream because of possible achievements., if not now, but one day you’ll be able to get it. But take your time collecting, enjoy the ride because it is just the joy of it, the community, the commodity that you are experienced with other people who like to order, and to be able to share your stories with them. So, take your time and enjoy the ride and have fun with it.

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My Journey

Many collections begin either from a gift or an extensive line from movies or TV shows, but the collection started differently for me. Hello, my name is Marc Anthony Cuellar, and I have a collection of over 500 Funko pops. The beginning of the Funko journey is always a mixed story. The first Funko pop that started my collection was the Hot Topic Exclusive Zebra & Bullseye Batman Vinyl Figure 2-Pack and many others around 2016. Remembering how two unique Batman in a small box, not as a toy but like a small figure, were standing on the shelf. Then, seeing more Batman’s, my inner child jumped out, seeing the different varieties of Batman’s was there and buying all of them right off the shelves. Coming home the same day and looking at them carefully and not

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My Journey

taking them out of the box and just displaying them. After every day, I would spend time just staring at the first pops I’ve gotten, and then my collection started to grow gradually. Many years after collecting Funko’s. Funko did not begin with Funko pops but with Wacky Wobblers. When I was thirteen or fourteen years old, I was a fan of South Park and would always buy their merchandise. I went to a Fye entertainment store and bought my first ever Funko Product without knowing what the Funko was. A South Park, Kenny Wacky Wobbler. It is hard to believe that I did not know about funko for all those years, and I had a Funko product before heavily collecting.

each pop. When I was little, I was and still am obsessed with Batman. Every morning, I would beg my mother to wake me up to turn on the tv to watch either Batman the Animated Series or any current brand Batman show. Seeing each Batman Funko brings me back to the time feeling of standing in front of the tv and seeing my favorite superhero save Gotham and beating up bad guys. Every single Funko holds a piece of my childhood or a part of myself with these pops, the shows, the movies, the character is what I grew up with. If it’s something that I watched when I was little or something that holds a memory, that is why those Funkos are part of my collection.

Until Funko started to release more popular movie pops like any DCEU movies like Superman or Batman Vs. Superman and MCU movies. Mainly focusing on the Batman Funko pops, it grew to different shows or movies and characters. Just like the first time I saw a Funko Pop, each pop holds a piece of myself within

The Start of the Collection

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When starting to collect, I would take my time collecting, and I was not buying or getting each Funko released at the time because, back then, Funko was not heavily surrounded in my area. It was easier to go to a store and not expect a large line in front of you, or the products

being sold out. However, the main issue I was having was the criticism as a kid for collecting toys from friends and family. Every time I bought a new funko or wore a keychain full of mini funko pops. I was seen as a toy collector or a child still buying toys. Not being bothered by the perception, the collection was still growing more prominently. As my collection expanded, I was a little shy about displaying it. Not many family members or friends knew about the collection I was growing. It was harder for me to start conversations as a shy person throughout my childhood, but Funko changed that.

The Hunting When it came to hunting Funko pops back then, you would usually bump into either one or two other Funko collectors. When meeting a collector, the best conversation always started there. Mainly it revolved around talking to other Funko collectors and discussing which

My Journey

Funko Pops Funko or Funko you own and conversing about the stores’ secrets or simply getting to know one another. Talking with various collectors allowed me to get out of my comfort zone, gain more friends, and learn more about the community Funko has. Growing knowledge and helping each other out, and geeking out when new Funko lines come out is a feeling that you can authentically share with a stranger. When Funko became more popular, I began to meet more collectors. Meeting new collectors was very nice, helping them with the ropes of collecting Funko and seeing their collection expand. Nevertheless, I was not aware of how large the community was until I started to go to the Conventions.

The Conventions The first convention I attended was at Awesome con 2017. It was a lively atmosphere, full of collectors of all kinds. Funko was not as large, but many Funko collectors were there and I purchased many Funko pops. This convention was the first time I got my first Autograph Funko Pop. I had never met a celebrity before, so meeting Dave Batista was a nerve-racking experience. Meeting him and being starstruck in combination with being speechless and shy, but conversing with him was a great experience that I would never forget. Getting a Drax Guardians of the Galaxy Funko Pop signed by him always holds the memory of the signature every time I look at it. I’ve held onto many great memories, especially those unique first-time moments when I got a funko or a chase. I will forever cherish the best memory with my best friend, during New York Comic-Con. Being a huge fan of Parks and Rec, there was a rare 500 piece, Funko pop, a mouse shirt sold by Fugitive Toys’ exclusive Andy Dwyer, and the same supplier who participated in the conference. The only way anyone could get that Funko pop was by pulling it from a Mystery Box. When it came to mystery boxes, my best friend always had terrible luck because we always pulled undervalued pops that we did not need in our collection. However, attending the convention, I told myself I was going to win the pop. I bought six

64 Funko Funatics

mystery boxes, picked three random number boxes, and my best friend picked three boxes. Suddenly, while opening every single box, I pulled a white slip of paper saying, “Winner Grand Prize”. Time froze, only hearing a rapid heart beating, and my best friend and I started to scream. I was running back to the vendors and showing them the slips. All the employee’s eyes lit up in shock. They grabbed the slip and headed to the back to have a meeting. It took a while for them to come back as if they were not aware they placed the ticket within their boxes. An employee walked out with the Andy Dwyer Funko pop on their hands and said “Congratulations!”. All of the eyes were on me as I stood in shock that a collector got the top prize, the Funko pop. The smile on my face was so large that even the Joker could not smile as big as I did. Nevertheless, the best part of that moment to this day is between myself and my best friend. We still have no clue who picked the winning box, but we were always told that we both got the pop. We both were the winners.

The Hobby There have been a lot of ups and downs throughout the times of collecting Funko Pops. Establishing new relationships with other collectors and expanding the collection has been interesting for many years and will continue for many more to come. I get asked where these pops are going in the future? My answer is always the same: Everywhere I go, they will go with me, or I’ll pass it on to future generations. The collection identifies me, different variations 18 inches, 10 inches, movie moments, funko sodas, funko minis, and many more. Each one is connected to a memory of my childhood. Collecting itself is fun, but at times there are challenges that any collector will face. There were times I did not get the chase due to being fourth in line or at times third. There were moments when the Funkos were sold out in-store, as well as online. Gaining both positive and negative experiences in

Funko Pops

Funko Pops collecting, I observed other collectors argue or make friends. It is like a mixture of varieties of rating movies from Rated G to PG-13, and unfriendly at times. I witnessed collectors start big arguments or there were times I got into one as well. It is a roller coaster! However, it is essential to remember while on the roller coaster, the small collective enjoyable moments are the meaningful ones; it is the feeling of waking up in the morning and seeing all the pops held with your collection that makes it worthwhile. Thinking about the community, being open to meeting new collectors, going to conventions, attending local small community sell and trade events, have created strong memories.. Meeting and collecting with other collectors and sharing the same passion for the community is the heart and stone of collecting Funko. The advice that I would share with new collectors is to be ready to ride the roller coaster. Also, be prepared to make new friends, get out of your comfort zone, and be ready to become a fan of Funko, because once you begin, you will never stop collecting and making new friends.

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Funko Pops

Welcome to the Funko Family

Learn and love the company, and you will hear various definitions of Funko Funatics. As a collector, you feel it has only been for fans who hold or collect the expansive Funko’s or collectors with an extensive collection. The definition of being a Funko fan is a collector who loves the company and collects Funko. No matter how small or big the collection is. Either use Funko to collect from the first day or have been collecting recently. Anyone can become a Funko Funatic, and the Funko community is a large community you can join. Being surrounded by pop culture, Funko has captured it and portrayed it in the form of miniature vinyl figures. Fans may collect it and exhibit it in their collections to show the world their interests and personalities.

68 Funko Funatics

Freddy Funko Danny Zuko Carnvial Red 2018 Funko Funday’s Ex.

Welcome to the Funko Family

Funko Pops Why should you collect? When starting your collection, always remember to collect or do what you want to do with your collection. There are no rules, no requirements or structures, you will have to follow to collect Funko. The collection circles around the collector, from what the collector likes to connect with certain characters. Funko had different pop variations, sizes, and products. The collection is free to be used in any particular way the collector desires. The collector should use resources and Funko to build or express themselves through their collection. To also socialize and join many different local Funko communities to help make new friends and gain more knowledge and resources. Collecting and exploring is the key because any collector should collect Funko. Funko reaches out to different types of audiences, which creates a large-scale, diverse community of collectors. The main point of collecting Funko is for the hunt. The hunt gives thrill and excitement to any collector of Funko. For example, hoping to find the pop that’s missing from a collection or line or hoping to

grab a particular variant of grail like a chase. Searching and hunting bring the hobby of collecting alive. The relationships you build are what bring many collectors to Funko, and how funko reaches out to many different collectors as well. A company that started with only a few fans of pop-cultural culture and eventually built a large community of Funko lovers that go above and beyond collecting and sharing the love for Funko. Mike Becker mentioned in a documentary, “Funko is not really about the product, it is about the feeling”. (Fun) Pops had a large number of different variations from commons to exclusives and variants. There is a large-scale opportunity for anyone to become a fan. The collector does not need a requirement to become a Funko Funatic. As long as you enjoy collecting Funko and have fun while accumulating, you can be a Funko Funatic. Even though many Collectors have different opinions, in the end, it is the love we have for Funko that ties all of the collectors to the same passion.

A series of Different Freddy Funko’s

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Brain Mariotti 5000 PCS Making Fun Ex.

Welcome to the Funko Family Funko was created by fans of collectors, and Funko circles and interacts with the fans and collectors. At Fundays event, Brain Mariotti said “The thing is not really about Funko. It is about you guys and how Funko is this tiny common thread and weaves every one of you guys together as a community. It is all because we have the absolute best fans in the world.” From the community to the Funko products, Funko is an excellent company that circles back to the fans and the pop-cultural surrounding all of us. Your welcoming invitation does not start from the end of this book, but the journey begins from the first pop you purchase; that is your welcome to the Funko family invention.

Freddy Funko Funko Shop #01 Funko Shop Ex.

Funko Pops

Citations Bazaar, Hawkin’s. “Funko Pop! Faqs.” Hawkins Bazaar, H Grossman Limited , 16 Aug. 2019, www.hawkin.com/funko-pop-faq. Bennet, Tara. How Funko POP! Figures Get Made. YouTube, SYFY WIRE, 23 Dec. 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYIW28F _tY&ab_channel=SYFYWIRE.

Upgraded, Nerds. “What Are Chase Funko Pops?the Best Guide to Chase Pops -Funko Blog.” Nerd Upgraded, 8 July 2019, www.nerdupgraded.com/blog/what-are -chase-funko-pops/.

Whitten, Sarah. “From Concept Art to Your Collection: How Funko Pops Are Made.” Entertainment, CNBC, 20 Apr. 2019, Clark, Meridia. “Funko Pops! - the Sizes, Terms, headtopics.com/us/from-concept-art and Variants.” Funko, 27 Jan. 2021, www.funko. -to-your-collection-how-funko-pops-are com/blog/article/funko-pops-the-sizes-terms- -made-5425814. variants-guide. Forbes, director. How Funko Makes Its Pop! Figures. YouTube, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsbGjY6j-_0& t=6s&ab_channel=Forbes. Rasmus, Daniel. “How Funko Pops out a Pop! inside the Process of Creating Collectible Figures, from Idea to Product.” GeekWire, GeekWire, 26 Mar. 2018, www.geekwire.com /2018/funko-pops-pop-inside-process -creating-collectible-figures-idea-product/. Romero, David, director. Making Fun: The Story of Funko. Eddie Grace Arts & Film, 2018. Staff, Funko. “What Does w/Chase Mean?” Funko, 2021, support.funko.com/hc/en-us /articles/1500002558701-What-does -w-Chase-mean-. Staff, Funko. “What Is an Exclusive?” Funko, 2021, support.funko.com/hc/en-us/articles/36004 5175714-What-is-an-exclusive-.

Funko Funatics

Citations

History of Funko

Funko Funatics

History of Funko

Funko Funatics Many companies in 2021 will include their fan bases and communities. The collection community has grown to all ages in recent years, from collecting cards to collection bobble heads. A company that has developed within its community is the Funko Company. The Funko industry has connected to many new Funko collectors of all genres. Funko is a large company. It could be overwhelming for a new collector to enter the Funko collecting world. Funko Funatics is a guide for newcomers to the Funko community, with a brief history of the company itself. What’s more? A wide variety of Funko Pop is introduced, helping any new Funko collector understand the types of Pops! Stores from different Funko Funatics, including large and small collections. This book will cover everything a new Funko collector would need to begin their Funko journey and give a glimpse of how wonderful the Funko community is, as well as their Funko Funatics.

Funko Funatics

Funko Funatics

Articles inside

2 Funko Pops

4 Funko Funatics

5 My Journey

3 Behind the Art of Funko Pops

1 History of Funko

6 Welcome to the Funko Family