With additional reporting by Sharri Hefner, Terri Hughes-Lazzell, Julie L. Jones, Alison Marek, Marie Raven and Brenda Ruggiero
Which action figures are the last ones standing? Knights, pirates, dinosaurs and mythical creatures are strongest in battle, 55 retailers told TDmonthly Magazine, with Papo figures by Hotaling Imports dominating. Many retailers witnessed a slowdown in the popularity of pirates and an increase in the popularity of knights. Some speculated this is reflective of the entertainment industry, since “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies made pirates popular previously.
Papo Gevean Knight Blue by HOTALING IMPORTS
These highly detailed Papo figurines and accessories are hand-painted and historically accurate. They stand approximately 3.5” tall. — “Papo knights and pirates are a huge hit,” Patti Tepper-Rasmussen, owner of Learning Tree Toys in Oklahoma City told TDmonthly in April 2008. — “They do really well,” Diana Gisolfu, co-owner of Sisters Kids in Springfield, Mass., said of the Papo line in her store. “We probably sell around 25 a month. The knights are definitely the most popular.” — In spring 2008, four of 50 retailers who spoke with TDmonthly singled out Papo playsets as the best-selling playsets in their stores. In May 2008, 20 percent of 55 retailers who spoke with TDmonthly singled out Papo knights as a best-selling action figure. Also in May 2008, two of 66 retailers named Papo as one of their top sellers overall.
This hand-painted and historically accurate figure stands approximately 3-1/2” tall. He comes equipped with knives, swords, a rope and an anchor. — “I probably sell 30 a month…a lot of knights and pirates,” Alicia Smith, owner of Juneau's Imagination Station in Juneau, Alaska, said of her store's Papo line. — Three specialty retailers who spoke with TDmonthly in May 2008 shared that their stores sell “hundreds” of Papo figures every month. — In May 2008, 40 percent of 55 retailers who spoke with TDmonthly named Papo as one of their best-selling lines of action figures.
This detailed action figure is modeled after the pre-historic Velociraptor. Many other dinosaurs are available in the Papo dinosaur collection, including Triceratops, Pachycephalosaurus, Stegosaurus, Allosaurus, Pteranodon and more. — “They've been strong for us for a number of years,” David Ekwall of The Wooden Toy in Wethersfield, Conn., said of the Papo line. “The knights are most popular, and the dinosaurs are number two.” — In May 2008, more than 9 percent of retailers named dinosaur action figures as a best-seller. — “We have tons of Papo [and they] do pretty well,” Ray Goodhart of Ages & Stages Toy Box in Golden, Colo., told TDmonthly in May 2008. The store sells “anywhere from 30 to 100” figures per month.
Eyela, the sublime one, is the last in the dynasty of the kings of the elves. She alone can save the land of the elves from doom. Launch date: May 2007. — “Schleich historical and mythical figures do very well for us,” Tye Steinbach of Thinker Toys in Portland, Ore., told TDmonthly in May 2008. — Over one-fifth of 55 retailers surveyed by TDmonthly in May 2008 named mythical action figures as a top seller. — More than 23 percent of retailers named action figures by Schleich as best-sellers in their stores.
The shipwrecked pirate set includes the bow of a ship, an anchor, a working cannon, a palm tree, a parrot, a turtle, two figures and more. Treasures can be hidden in a secret compartment and the shark can float. All pieces come stored inside an easy-to-carry box with a handle. Launch date: January 2008. — “[We] carry a big line of Playmobil,” Margy Pein, owner of Tree House Toy Shop in Cumberland, Md., told TDmonthly in May 2008. “So far this month, we have sold 1,700 action figures, including Papo and Schleich. In June last year, Playmobil sold 464 units average.” — Playmobil actions figures “always [do] well … last month I sold $800 [worth],” Children's Store Inc. Owner Jeanne McCullough in Boise, Idaho, told TDmonthly in May 2008. — Over 12 percent of 55 retailers who spoke with TDmonthly in May 2008 named Playmobil action figures as best-sellers.
Children marvel at the Wild Safari Dinosaur collection of some of the best-known dinosaurs to ever roam the planet. Hand-painted and phthalate-free, each dinosaur includes five-language educational information. The entire dinosaur collection features over 25 realistic dinosaurs for collectors of all ages. This triceratops measures 8" L x 3" H. — “Very popular,” Action Toys Manager Lisa Pippin in Billings, Mont., said of her stores’ line of Safari action figures. “[We] sell a lot of them … [and are] constantly reordering; [we sell] probably 100 to 150” per month. — Candace Williams of The Toy Maven in Dallas, Texas, noted that “dinosaurs from Safari” are an up-and-coming trend in her store. — More than 7 percent of the 55 retailers who spoke with TDmonthly in May 2008 named Safari action figures as best-sellers.
This poseable action figure stands almost 14” tall and features 25 points of articulation. He comes with a pop-out cape that dramatically extends into “gliding” position. — Jarunee Chantraparnik, owner of Toys Unique in Potomac, Md., told TDmonthly in May 2008 that although Toys Unique carries “very few” action figures, “[we] carry Mattel’s Batman.” — In May 2008, five of 55 retailers told TDmonthly that licensed action figures were selling very well in their stores. — In May 2008, two retailers singled out Mattel as producing the best-selling action figures in their stores.
Each pack comes with a dude with magnetized feet, a magnetized skateboard, a story about the dude and either a “jigsaw” piece of sidewalk and posing stand or a skate-able street obstacle. Launch date: 2008. — “Know what's good? The Tech Dudes — they’re from Spin Master” Carol Knight, owner of The Toy Store in Ketchum, Idaho, told TDmonthly in May 2008. — “They call it specialty action figures,” Knight told TDmonthly in May 2008. — The Dudes can be collected to build a Dude Street Pack diorama.
This Iron Man action figure wears the Mark III suit of armor. Launch date: May 23, 2008. — Iron Man action figures are “out the door,” Robert Tracy, owner of Fun-n-Games in Springfield, Mo., toldTDmonthly in May 2008. — Marianne Kearns of Second Star to the Right in Bridgehampton, N.Y., named Hasbro action figures as best-sellers in her store. — The “Iron Man” movie grossed over $104 million opening weekend.
Which action figures are the last ones standing? Knights, pirates, dinosaurs and mythical creatures are strongest in battle, 55 retailers told TDmonthly Magazine, with Papo figures by Hotaling Imports dominating. Many retailers witnessed a slowdown in the popularity of pirates and an increase in the popularity of knights. Some speculated this is reflective of the entertainment industry, since “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies made pirates popular previously.
