Funko Pops are everywhere. You see them in comic shops. Walmart and Target have exclusive releases you can only buy at their stores. Even the Spirit Halloween store has exclusive Pops for when they open their doors for Spooky Season. With Funko Pops being omnipresent, it might seem overwhelming knowing how to get started on your own collection. What to focus on? Should I aim for rare or valuable ones? How much should I really invest? All great questions. Today, let’s give some ideas on how to kickstart your own personal Funko collection.
Start small, focusing on what you know you like.
With Funko having the licensing to so many different properties and fandoms, it may be overwhelming when it comes to knowing what to start collecting. For example, I’m a fan of the MCU, Stranger Things, and a lot of the things I grew up with: Ghostbusters, The Nightmare Before Christmas and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. All of these have collectible Funkos. So, where do I begin? Well, start small and try and pick a favorite to begin with. If I followed my own advice I’d say, “Well, I’ve always been Turtles fan, I can start there. Traditionally there were four turtles so why not start with those?” Once I collect all four ninja turtles then maybe I can start to look for Splinter, April O’Neil, and other side characters to add to them. Before you know it, I’ll have my own little collection started and I’ll be off to the races.
Forget rarity, collect for fun.
A lot of collectors started collecting for fun. Things like investment and making money from your collection come later on. It has to start with passion. Once you’ve been collecting for a while, you start to learn things just by being in the market and talking to retailers and other collectors. Slowly you’ll learn the things that make certain Funkos valuable or rare. You’ll also learn the things to look out for, such as fake Funko Pops. These things you’ll learn along the way organically. Eventually you’ll run into an opportunity to take home a rare Funko, and by then you’ll know the best way to make that decision. But for now, don’t Indiana Jones things, collect just for the fun of it.
Take it slow, and talk to other collectors.
Collecting things is communal. Not so much in big box stores like Target, but in smaller venues like comic shops and especially Fanboys, you have a chance to talk with other collectors about collecting. Part of the why comic shops can be so special is that people find community within its walls. Fanboys is no different. You’re in a room with other collectors, looking for things to add to your own collection. We’ve all been there. When you can, ask questions. “What’s your favorite Funko?” or “Where did you buy your first?” are all great ice breakers. You’ll find people love to talk about the things they love. And they love to talk about the things they love with other like-minded people. It’s a way to connect. So, take your time building your collection and talk to other collectors. Collecting is a slow burn. Collections are often built over the course of several years. That’s part of the fun of it. Enjoy it, take your time, and make friends along the way.
Some parting ideas:
Even after reading the advice of others, I still have trouble making up my mind. So below are a few more ideas to help kickstart your own Funko collection:
- Funko often releases a limited edition series of Pops. Such as Black Light editions, or Art editions of different IP. These are often smaller in scale. To narrow down your search even more, maybe you can start with just a limited series collection.
- Funko make several iterations of the same characters. Like, every MCU Spider-man film has a corresponding Spider-man Funko reflecting the newest costume design. You can focus on collecting Spider-man alone and have enough to fill a substantial shelf. Again, keep your scope narrow and focused in the beginning.
- Collect your favorite TV show. Game of Thrones has Funkos. The Office has Funkos. The Walking Dead has Funkos. You can start there.
- You could even narrow it down by subject. You could collect Funkos that are only birds. They make Big Bird Funko Pops. Mcdonald’s Birdie even has a figure. Or you could collect only vintage horror movie monsters: Frankenstein, Wolfman, Nosferatu!
- Celebrities have Pops as well. You could collect Brittany Spears, Madonna, and Selena.
So those are a few more ideas on how to get started on your own personal Funko Pop collection. Remember to just have fun with it! Take it slow and build your collection over time and before you know it, you’ll be moving into a bigger place just to house all your Funkos. They’re a lot like tattoos: addicting and it’s hard to stop at just one.
Power Rangers in Space Reunion Event!
On November 19th and 20th Fanboys Marketplace is hosting a Power Rangers in Space Reunion Event. VIP passes and photo tickets are available now for purchase ahead of time. Click the link here, and we’ll see you in November!
