I’ve been in the action figure world for about 20 years.  So, it’s safe to say I’ve got a fair bit of knowledge on the terms that tend to be thrown around by collectors with little or no explanation as to what they mean.  I generally try to explain a concept on its first appearance on this site, but much as Stan Lee once said to assume every comic book was somebody’s first, I too must assume that every review on this site might be the first to be read by a new visitor.  As such, I’ve decided to put together a guide to some of the more frequently used terms and names that might show up.

HOT TOYS

What is it?:

A company based in Hong Kong who are known for their high-end twelve-inch scale figures.  Their figures retail at a high price, are exceptionally lifelike, and usually include a large number of accessories.  They also have a tremendous after market, with more popular figures going for anywhere from two to six times their original value.