Why are Marvel & Stars Wars Pops bobble heads?

[vegeta84]

I really don't like the bobble heads and prefer them to be vinyl figures. I've always wondered why Star Wars and Marvel are only bobble heads? There are so many figures I would like to buy, but the the few bobble heads one own, really bug me. Just wondering what's going on as everything else is not bobble.

[FunkoNewb]

If I remember correctly, it had to do with licensing. Someone else had the license for vinyl figures of that size, so they made them bobble heads to get around it.

[wenhol8710]

It's a licensing issue. They have to be bobbleheads so that they can't be considered action figures, since someone else owns that license (I think it's Hasbro?). It's why the Star Wars ones have the bases on them as well.

[vegeta84]

Interesting that's a license issue. I wonder how it works as Hasbro has GI Joe/Transformers Funko Pops and those are vinyl figures. Hasbro has Stars Wars and Marvel, so I would figure something could have been worked out. Hmm.

[wenhol8710]

It's something to do specifically with the license for their Mighty Muggs I believe, which is why it just affects those two lines in particular.

[sting7785]

It's always frustrated me that these 2 lines are bobble heads, but many people like them. If you keep them in the box, you don't notice them that much. Out of the box, their heads are often tilted in one direction or another. You can use some needle nose pliers and work on the spring a little bit to straighten them out though.

[Riotzact]

It's something to do specifically with the license for their Mighty Muggs I believe, which is why it just affects those two lines in particular.

Which is weird because Muggs haven't been around in forever now. I guess they didn't want to stop making them bobble heads half way through the line in order to maintain consistency or something. I can't imagine too many people would be upset if they switched them to figures though, I know I wouldn't.

[emk194]

The licensing thing makes sense. It's a good way to get around it by making these Pops bobble heads. I really don't like bobble heads, so the fact that Marvel Pops all bobble makes me kinda sad. I still buy them, but I'd certainly be happier if they were like regular Pops.

[Mos_Eisley]

I don't care for bobbleheads, which has prevented me from collecting the Star Wars line.

[newhousebailey]

I love that my Star Wars Pops bobble. Whenever I rearrange my collection I love the way they all bobble at me.

[Chase Variant]

Interesting that's a license issue. I wonder how it works as Hasbro has GI Joe/Transformers Funko Pops and those are vinyl figures. Hasbro has Stars Wars and Marvel, so I would figure something could have been worked out. Hmm.

GI Joe and Transformers are in-house properties, so Hasbro wouldn't have any issue licensing things out to others, as they'd still be making money. Star Wars and Marvel are brands they license, so they'd be giving something up.

[chezpopp]

Interesting that's a license issue. I wonder how it works as Hasbro has GI Joe/Transformers Funko Pops and those are vinyl figures. Hasbro has Stars Wars and Marvel, so I would figure something could have been worked out. Hmm.

GI Joe and Transformers are in-house properties, so Hasbro wouldn't have any issue licensing things out to others, as they'd still be making money. Star Wars and Marvel are brands they license, so they'd be giving something up.

This

[r2d2]

It's all about the $$$

[Kati]

I've wondered why for a while. Tbh that is what stopped me from buying Star Wars Pops. Both the bobblehead and the stands but even more the stand. It bothers me how it wouldn't look same. I don't have any Star Wars but a dumb question, would the stand come off?

[PinkeyPikaPika90]

I've wondered why for a while. Tbh that is what stopped me from buying Star Wars Pops. Both the bobblehead and the stands but even more the stand. It bothers me how it wouldn't look same. I don't have any Star Wars but a dumb question, would the stand come off?

Yes the stand comes off

[Kati]

I've wondered why for a while. Tbh that is what stopped me from buying Star Wars Pops. Both the bobblehead and the stands but even more the stand. It bothers me how it wouldn't look same. I don't have any Star Wars but a dumb question, would the stand come off?

Yes the stand comes off

Damn! I didn't know! So when it's off the stand it is same size of other pops, right? - Sorry for all the questions, but you are opening doors to a whole new range of Pops for me. My pocket might regret it! I have been wanting a Darth Vader (not sure if I'll get with or without helmet) and an Amidala (which I know will be hard at this point), but I was afraid it wouldn't come off, or that it'd make it smaller than other pops if I ripped it off it.

[DocRamon]

Which is weird because Muggs haven't been around in forever now.

actually, there’s a new mighty muggs exclusive at sdcc this year.

So when it's off the stand it is same size of other pops, right?

yeah, you can’t tell the difference at all.

[Riotzact]

Which is weird because Muggs haven't been around in forever now.

actually, there’s a new mighty muggs exclusive at sdcc this year.



No way that's awesome! It took me forever to give up on Muggs before switching to Pops.

[Sam88]

I also dislike bobble heads and as the Marvel and Star Wars franchises are my favorite ones, I am really sad that they aren't vinyl figures like all the other ones!

[Jezter]

My first Funko products were Wacky Wobblers, so I'm not against bobbleheads at all, but being a Marvel collector it can be annoying when the spring or head is messed up and I have to try to fix it, since it doesn't usually work very well. Granted, out of like 60 or 70 Marvel Pops I have, only a few are bad, some days I do wish they weren't bobble heads like the rest of my collection. At the end of the day, aside from crooked heads, if they are sitting on my shelf their appearance doesn't make much of a difference from a non bobble head.

[Apag]

Do they make stands for the marvel bobblehead pops? I tried heating them up, readjusting the feet, then cooling them but it did not help with their balance issues. I also noticed they do not have slots in the feet for a base.

[thejaimeh]

Love the info here! I had heard similar things about licensing issues, totally makes sense especially since Funko is relatively new to the game (compared to some of the older companies)