Pop Poses Over the Years

[ChanceDelTaco]

Hey guys, this is my first post and I’m not really sure exactly how it goes, but I figured I’d start by asking a question I’ve been asking my friends for a while.

What does everyone think of how Pops have expanded their flexibility over the years? If you look at the earliest ones 90% of them follow the exact same pose unless the character has a very distinct way of standing. Pops these days are found in various poses and even have variants of different poses. What’s everyone’s thoughts?

[ChanceDelTaco]

My personal opinion is I think pops were made to follow a specific formula and that’s what made them collectible and unique. I feel like if they stray too much from what they originally were then it fails to grow the continuity of a single collection. I am not a fan of the new Movie Moments they are doing because I feel like it just takes pops too far. I like my pops with their faces forward and hands curved around their sides.

[fbingha]

I'm split on this. I'm okay with Pops having gone more detailed with the bodies. What I don't like is the loosening of the original head style. I don't like when mouths are added and I don't like how many characters have a head that is not the classic rounded rectangle head.

[CaseyJones14]

I like the poses, but at the same time some of the poses make the Pops lose stability and fall over I've got lots of pops leaning against risers and use museum putty for others. The detail on some of the newer pops are extraordinary, but sometimes I miss the simplicity of older Pops.

[Oxayotl]

I'm split on this. I'm okay with Pops having gone more detailed with the bodies. What I don't like is the loosening of the original head style. I don't like when mouths are added and I don't like how many characters have a head that is not the classic rounded rectangle head.

This sums it up nicely for me as well. I like the increased detail on the sculpts too, overall, though it makes me wish we could get a "re-do" on some older ones comparatively.

Mouths bother me more than they should. Sometimes a mouth is a big enough part of the character, or their personality, I sort of get it. Some really didn't need to have it, and it bugs me they got one.

[Kaosu]

I like the action poses but I have noticed a lot of newer pops don't stand on their own when taken out of the box.

[masteryoda69]

I'm digging the new action poses. Makes me want them to re-release some vaulted pops so they can make action poses for them. DBZ would be very epic if they can work on action poses for them (hopefully a movie moments version as well)

[OtoriKohaku]

I really like the diversity of poses that are available. I still am a fan of some of the old classic poses (Mass Effect Shepard is still one of my faves) but i like how the various poses give more character to the pops. I do agree that some poses are a pain to display oob (I'm looking at you McCree), but i like the dynamic poses. They look cooler imo.

[FearlessPhotog]

i think it’s awesome and adds a lot of needed variety

[leosalion]

I enjoy the classic look and generic pose of the older one, but I do really like what they've evolved into now. The action poses are awesome, even if they don't stand properly.
The only ones I'm not much a fan of are when the character's head and body are more proportional, instead of having a comically over sized head.

[allamarane]

The evolution of sculpts is awesome! One of the sculptors mentioned that it's a lot easier to add variety to the poses now that everything is digitally sculpted instead of clay.

[Classier]

I love the new poses, but Funko really needs to put more thought into making sure they can stand. If the design just won’t stand, they really need to go back and find a new one.

[GetLostYouPsycho]

I enjoy the new sculpts. The old pose is cool, but for some characters I feel it doesn't suit them and the more dynamic action poses are better.

[AutumnsToyz]

I am torn as well. I love the detail of the new pops and the majority of times, the action poses are done well. However, with the action poses, they fall over or in rare extreme cases you find a chase Violet and her arm is broken

[Marvelfanatic86]

As Funko continues to grow I think we will see more different poses I think it’s a combination of Funko being more established and having the capital and technology advances. I do agree some characters need more exciting poses so we will see what the future has in store !

[ch_aeiro]

IMO the original look goes better with in box collectors while the newer poses definitely benefit oob collectors. It’s hard not to take a pop oob that has a great pose..

[lavery01]

I like all the poses of the Pops in our collection as we are in box collectors. But I can understand some of the challenges the newer Pops have regarding stance and poses if you're a oob collector because you have to get creative for the Pops that can't stand on their own.

[StarWarner]

I like the new action poses and especially Pops that have hair or capes that look like they are in motion. I do agree that sometimes it does make them less stable when they have tiny legs or skinny arms. The stands help but sometimes that is not enough. Although the tiny legs have been a problem for some time now. The original Willow and Buffy, as well as Charlie from Supernatural, have always had tiny legs and don't like to stand up. I currently have trouble with General Grievous. He has tiny legs and they are now bent and he doesn't stand upright anymore. His head is just too heavy for his body. The old stocky bodies were much more sturdy but they didn't allow the artists to be as creative or get as much detail. I think it's a give and take situation. I like the old style for the nostalgia and Funko history but I really do enjoy the details of these newer sculpts.

[JoeJoe88]

I love the updated poses, personally. IMO, the newer figures blow a lot of the old ones out of the water detail wise and I appreciate them updating the product.

[Xeverus86]

I like the action poses but I have noticed a lot of newer pops don't stand on their own when taken out of the box.

Oh you must be talking about regular Black Goku he should of came with a base

[Xeverus86]

I love the updated poses, personally. IMO, the newer figures blow a lot of the old ones out of the water detail wise and I appreciate them updating the product.

I can agree with this they look much better than before

[tigsabud1]

Personally, I'm all for the changes! I think it allows us to get as close as possible to a mini version of the character. A lot of the older Pops blended together because they worked off the same body type and couldn't fit as much detail. But now, at least for me, there's no mistaking who a character is, even if I'm not familiar with the character themselves. Some of the small details are incredible! Not to mention, as a company, Funko has to keep growing and evolving, or a lot of the market would drop out. I love the Movie Moments, personally, though I can see how someone may not be a fan of them; they're not meant for play like Pops or other figures are, but because I primarily just display my Pops, they're perfect. I will say that, as far as QC, it's gone down a hill a little over the years; sloppier paint, easier breakages or falling over, but this is to be expected as production moves into greater numbers.

Welcome to the forums, by the way! Great choice for a topic!

[Nemesis989]

My personal opinion is I think pops were made to follow a specific formula and that’s what made them collectible and unique. I feel like if they stray too much from what they originally were then it fails to grow the continuity of a single collection. I am not a fan of the new Movie Moments they are doing because I feel like it just takes pops too far. I like my pops with their faces forward and hands curved around their sides.

I tend to agree with the above. The more each pop strays from the formula, the less unique they are. Also when they are all displayed together (OOB of course) it can look....busier somehow if everyone has a different pose. Also regarding the new movie moments pops, while I initially thought they were a great idea, I also am now of the opinion that it is taking the pop brand too far, too much detail is required to pull those off in my opinion. Also, they are tough to display when you have a bunch of them. Just my opinion

[kyten]

I think it shows how Funko has evolved over the years, instead of just doing one pose they've expanded and added more details to the newer pops which I enjoy. The details are always what gets me in the pops - badges, props, jewelry, etc, I love all the little details and the different poses give them more variety.

[draemar]

My personal opinion is I think pops were made to follow a specific formula and that’s what made them collectible and unique. I feel like if they stray too much from what they originally were then it fails to grow the continuity of a single collection. I am not a fan of the new Movie Moments they are doing because I feel like it just takes pops too far. I like my pops with their faces forward and hands curved around their sides.

I tend to agree with the above. The more each pop strays from the formula, the less unique they are. Also when they are all displayed together (OOB of course) it can look....busier somehow if everyone has a different pose. Also regarding the new movie moments pops, while I initially thought they were a great idea, I also am now of the opinion that it is taking the pop brand too far, too much detail is required to pull those off in my opinion. Also, they are tough to display when you have a bunch of them. Just my opinion

The moments, like rides, I feel are an offshoot of pops.... while cool, i'm more about the figures themselves. Now if they made the pop rides the size of a 4" pop, that i might be able to get into.

[Nemesis989]

My personal opinion is I think pops were made to follow a specific formula and that’s what made them collectible and unique. I feel like if they stray too much from what they originally were then it fails to grow the continuity of a single collection. I am not a fan of the new Movie Moments they are doing because I feel like it just takes pops too far. I like my pops with their faces forward and hands curved around their sides.

I tend to agree with the above. The more each pop strays from the formula, the less unique they are. Also when they are all displayed together (OOB of course) it can look....busier somehow if everyone has a different pose. Also regarding the new movie moments pops, while I initially thought they were a great idea, I also am now of the opinion that it is taking the pop brand too far, too much detail is required to pull those off in my opinion. Also, they are tough to display when you have a bunch of them. Just my opinion

The moments, like rides, I feel are an offshoot of pops.... while cool, i'm more about the figures themselves. Now if they made the pop rides the size of a 4" pop, that i might be able to get into.

But if you change a pop ride into a 4 inch version I would assume you could lose a lot of detail. Although I suppose the idea of the Pop line is "cuteness" over excessive detail. I do agree that a 4 inch pop ride would be easier to display.....as you can tell I'm all about the display. A 4 inch pop might also look weird beside the 4 inch ride so it would have to be a ride that is so beloved that it is recognized and stands on it's own

[professorratigan]

I'm split on this. I'm okay with Pops having gone more detailed with the bodies. What I don't like is the loosening of the original head style. I don't like when mouths are added and I don't like how many characters have a head that is not the classic rounded rectangle head.

This sums it up nicely for me as well. I like the increased detail on the sculpts too, overall, though it makes me wish we could get a "re-do" on some older ones comparatively.

Mouths bother me more than they should. Sometimes a mouth is a big enough part of the character, or their personality, I sort of get it. Some really didn't need to have it, and it bugs me they got one.

I agree. Some characters, like Hercules and Megara, for instance, didn't need mouths. Whereas a character like Hades did. In my opinion. I feel this way about the Powerpuff Girls line. The girls all look weird, and their mouths are a part of the reason why, but Mojo Jojo and HIM would look weird WITHOUT theirs... Or Batman: the Animated Series. I haven't bought the Batman from that line because I'm grumpy they gave him a mouth.

[allamarane]

IMO the original look goes better with in box collectors while the newer poses definitely benefit oob collectors. It’s hard not to take a pop oob that has a great pose..

Agreed! I've had in box collector friends who started buying duplicates of their favorite new pops because the details were too good to miss.

[Kal-El-051]

Old poses or new poses I love them all!

[JBeard]

Old poses or new poses I love them all!

Totally I love the old ones and the evolution of the new ones Pops! Just keep getting better!

[monktoast]

Even though as a new collector I'm not having many older pops yet..I feel that just by comparing them..the older models are better. Their simplified look adds mystique to the nostalgic vibes

With the newer pops..it's almost like a totally different line..more actiony and detailed..and it loses a lot of the appeal to me.

At what point would the poses and details end? Eventually it's just like owning a technically prefect true to look mini statue and I'm not sure that is the best route.

I think it's not too bad right now but eventually it could get even more I to realism and less the classic poppy look.

[rontonsoup]

I love how they're becoming more detailed, but I really enjoy the simplicistic look of the original Pops, such as Disney series 1-5. So simple and so cute

[Xeverus86]

I love how they're becoming more detailed, but I really enjoy the simplicistic look of the original Pops, such as Disney series 1-5. So simple and so cute

Ya the old pose is iconic

[JorEl15]

I like to see the evolution but also see some of the new poses just being cash grabs. Also sometimes it defeats the having characters vaulted or being con exclusives.

Also I'm not a fan of the "jumping/flying molds"

[Xeverus86]

I like to see the evolution but also see some of the new poses just being cash grabs. Also sometimes it defeats the having characters vaulted or being con exclusives.

Also I'm not a fan of the "jumping/flying molds"

No problem as long as it fits the character but I see what you mean

[ruxy_100]

I was never a fan of the original body builder style. I was aware of Pops when they first came out, but it wasn't until 2015 that I started collecting. For me, I noticed the shift around that time - better quality plastic, better paint apps, and more realistic poses.

I don't need every Pop to be super dynamic. Having some neutral characters really make the dynamic poses stand out. But adding some movement or body language to a pop can go a looong way in capturing the essence of a character.

[Oxayotl]

I'm split on this. I'm okay with Pops having gone more detailed with the bodies. What I don't like is the loosening of the original head style. I don't like when mouths are added and I don't like how many characters have a head that is not the classic rounded rectangle head.

This sums it up nicely for me as well. I like the increased detail on the sculpts too, overall, though it makes me wish we could get a "re-do" on some older ones comparatively.

Mouths bother me more than they should. Sometimes a mouth is a big enough part of the character, or their personality, I sort of get it. Some really didn't need to have it, and it bugs me they got one.

I agree. Some characters, like Hercules and Megara, for instance, didn't need mouths. Whereas a character like Hades did. In my opinion. I feel this way about the Powerpuff Girls line. The girls all look weird, and their mouths are a part of the reason why, but Mojo Jojo and HIM would look weird WITHOUT theirs... Or Batman: the Animated Series. I haven't bought the Batman from that line because I'm grumpy they gave him a mouth.

Yes! Batman: TAS is a great example. Bugs me every time I look at him. Glad I'm not the only one.

[KoukiS14]

I actually enjoy both the old and new molds. It’s amazing to see just how far Funko has come with their Pop line and how it has evolved into its newer form. I’m hoping they stop focusing on details (for now) and go back to ensuring that quality is up to par with the amazing details. It seems that even though the Pops look amazing nowadays, just as people have mentioned, there are some that don’t stand correctly, misspellings on the boxes and they break so easily.

[BerserkerBlack]

I love the classic look because its part of the reason I started collecting, and I like how they've evolved. However, I not a fan of some of the pops that don't really look like pops. Overall I do have both in my collection, but I understand the company and product have to evolve.

[Kal-El-051]

Old poses or new poses I love them all!

Totally I love the old ones and the evolution of the new ones Pops! Just keep getting better!

I like having an evolution line of the characters that have multiple pops. Batman is the best for this. Looking at his very first pop and then his latest.