- The Very First Pop! was based on the Big Boy restaurant mascot
Unfamiliar, perhaps, to a UK audience, but the adorable Big Boy with his Tintinesque quiff, manga-dazzle eyes and sartorial style (oh, you gotta love those red-and-white checkerboard dungarees) was the pioneering figure of the Funko Pop! universe, all the way back in 1998. Oh yes, the 21st Century pop culture phenomenon that is Funko Pop! was first born in ye olde 20th Century, with a nod back to 1936 nostalgia when Big Boy first combed his hair into that famous coiffed curl.
- Funko Pops made their big debut at Comic Con (natch!)
The prototype line of Pops appeared at San Diego Comic-Con in 2010, branded as Funko Force 2.0, but Funko’s fanbase were not so keen on the figures, which included Batman and Green Lantern. However, creator Mariotti noticed a new raft of admirers, including female fans, who found the figures diddy dimensions delightful and gave him a bright idea! Soon afterwards, the company settled on Funko Pops! as the brand name of the figurines and the Pop Universe got ready to take over the world.
Comic Con continues to be one of the best places to pick up a limited-edition Pop! Expect to see fans queuing to feast their eyes – and flex their plastic – with an eye-boggling collection of everyone’s favourite little folk
3. Fans are demanding a Tomska Funko Pop!
There’s a petition to get London Comic Con’s favourite Youtuber immortalised as a Pop Vinyl figure. So far, more than 16,000 people have signed up requesting Funko start a new line of Pop figurines based on popular YouTube stars. The petition has even commissioned artwork to give an idea of what Tomska Pop! would look like. Swing by his stand at London Comic Con to check out the likeness.
4. Gotta collect ‘em all!
To coin a phrase from another popular franchise that has taken the geek world by storm, there are currently over 1,000 Funko Pops from more than 20 pop-culture brands from Disney Princesses, Doctor Who and Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, DC Comic and the Marvel Universe to cult classic mini series like Breaking Bad and Stranger Things.
Ever wondered what you’d look like as a Pop! Vinyl? Adorable, of course. Check out the Funko website to create your own mini-lookie-likey. But be warned: it’s addictive!
5. Funko Pops have become Big Business!
Some of the rarest Funko Pops sell for over $1,000. Like any collectible memorabilia, limited-edition versions are highly covetable, including Alex from A Clockwork Orange, Headless Ned Stark from Game of Thrones, and a metallic Harley Quinn from Batman. When you consider the recommended retail price is around $10 apiece, that’s a 100-fold return on your investment. Keep your limited-edition and rare models in mint condition, as you could be onto a mini gold mine as the Funko Pop bubble shows no signs of bursting!
Book your tickets to London Comic Con now for your chance to stock up on the latest and greatest Funko Pop! Vinyls. See what’s in store at London Comic Con October 2018 here.
