Funko, Creator of the Overly Sized Vinyl Characters, Looking For Possible IPO OR Sale
32 replies, posted
[quote]Sometime soon, drivers rolling down Wetmore Avenue in downtown Everett may see colorful, 8-to-10-foot statues of Spider-Man, Batman and other familiar characters looming over them from a skybridge and the ledges of an adjoining building.
They’re part of the plan for the new headquarters of Funko, the Everett-based pop-culture collectibles company that‘s been growing rapidly and has its eyes on a potential initial public offering of stock.
“We want you to drive by the building and say: ‘I’ve never seen anything like that before,’” said Brian Mariotti, Funko’s president and CEO.
“As the revenues continue to grow, we’re doing everything we can to prepare ourselves to potentially entertain going public,” he said. “We want to make sure we’re ready by next year.”
But Mariotti added that the company is remaining flexible, keeping “all paths open to what our future is, whether it’s becoming a public company or finding a strategic partner that might want to acquire us.”[/quote]
[url=http://www.seattletimes.com/business/retail/funko-is-growing-by-leaps-and-bounds-thanks-to-spider-man-maleficent-and-friends/]Seattle Times[/url]
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Honestly I'm surprised that they aren't already publicly traded considering how ubiquitous they are.
Personally, I never really liked the oversized heads design. Just doesn't work with most characters IMO.
They make great statues of non humans, like their Songbird one
As someone who doesn't collect this kind of stuff, the only reason why I know what Funko is is from Ashens shitting all over them every month when he gets one in a lootcrate.
I have way too many Pop figures to count
Pop figures might be seen as low-quality or weird looking, but I cannot deny how cheap they are and that's a big factor into buying. I have a couple of storm trooper ones because the big heads look better when there's a helmet on and I don't have to look into their deep, soulless eyes.
Absolutely hate those things, but I can't deny that it's cheap merchandise for almost any series/game and really easy to get ahold of.
[QUOTE=LoneWolf_Recon;51655674]Honestly I'm surprised that they aren't already publicly traded considering how ubiquitous they are.
Personally, I never really liked the oversized heads design. Just doesn't work with most characters IMO.[/QUOTE]
They just seem like western knockoffs of nendoroids to me. Although I have almost bought one or two of their models because I really wasn't expecting to find a model of that character
Honestly, the figurines that funko make that aren't super-deformed are really nice
Kinda sick of seeing the Pop figurines though
[QUOTE=RenaFox;51655896]Honestly, the figurines that funko make that aren't super-deformed are really nice
Kinda sick of seeing the Pop figurines though[/QUOTE]
I love their Vinyl Idolz line, I've bought so many of them. POP! ones I don't care for except for the Groot I have.
[t]http://www.thinkgeek.com/images/products/zoom/ijro_ghostbusters_vinyl_idols.jpg[/t][t]http://ep.yimg.com/ay/yhst-131532359532867/seinfeld-vinyl-idolz-complete-set-6-14.jpg[/t][t]https://www.showmecoolstuff.com/post-img/vinyl_idolz_back_to_the_future__1444819842_bigpic.jpg[/t]
As much as people like to rag on the Pop! Figures, they are making a killing. Not a style that everyone can appreciate, but those who like them seem especially keen. I know a fellow who collects them. He has every one! Must have cost him a fortune.
[editline]11th January 2017[/editline]
[QUOTE=Corndog Ninja;51655920]I love their Vinyl Idolz line, I've bought so many of them. POP! ones I don't care for except for the Groot I have.
[t]http://www.thinkgeek.com/images/products/zoom/ijro_ghostbusters_vinyl_idols.jpg[/t][t]http://ep.yimg.com/ay/yhst-131532359532867/seinfeld-vinyl-idolz-complete-set-6-14.jpg[/t][t]https://www.showmecoolstuff.com/post-img/vinyl_idolz_back_to_the_future__1444819842_bigpic.jpg[/t][/QUOTE]
I kindq like 'em, too. More than the Pop! Figures at any rate.
my roommate has like 30 of the pop figs, I don't really get it as i prefer scale models but to each their own
can they just issue their stock in vinyl too so we can collect that as well?
Can't forgive these guys for the shit they pulled with their Evolve action figure line. Advertising material had shown that the figures came with two guns. Turns out they only come with one gun and it's their shitty side arms.
[QUOTE=jimbobjoe1234;51656378]Can't forgive these guys for the shit they pulled with their Evolve action figure line. Advertising material had shown that the figures came with two guns. Turns out they only come with one gun and it's their shitty side arms.[/QUOTE]
You forgot to buy the second gun DLC season pass 1 and 2 for 4 guns each. Shouldn't Evolve fans be used to getting completely shit on by now?
[QUOTE=TheFilmSlacker;51656032]-img-
And this isn't even all of them. Been collecting with my girlfriend for the better part of 4 years.
I dunno why I like them so much. Probably just the diversity because there seems to be a figure for everything.
[editline]11th January 2017[/editline]
Holy shit, those look creepy, the eyes are way too...thousand-yard-starey.
Oh my GOD
-img-[/QUOTE]
I feel the same way about both as you do.
I think the reason why you and your girlfriend like the Pop! figures is because they're really cute and stylized. They have that chibi effect going on. I mean, just look at the Pop! Kylo Ren - he's freaking [B]adorable[/B] with that big helmet.
Whereas I find those vinyl ones that you quoted and posted to be creepy as fuck, and I personally can't see how anyone could like them.
And to be perfectly clear, I didn't even know Pop! figures were an American thing - the only way I've heard of their existence is from an Australian friend who collects them, so I assumed they were an Australian thing. Then beyond that, I don't buy memorabilia or collectibles. Posters, figurines, anything like that - I don't buy any of them.
So it's not like I have any investment in either figurines.
I dunno, I think they're dumb but at the same time, I want the Kagamine Rin pop figure
[QUOTE=Megaman1811;51656500]I dunno, I think they're dumb but at the same time, I want the Kagamine Rin pop figure[/QUOTE]
with anime merch theres nendroids tho
i kinda wish there was a western equivalent in terms of quality
[QUOTE=Chaplin;51656587]with anime merch theres nendroids tho
i kinda wish there was a western equivalent in terms of quality[/QUOTE]
Wish people would stop comparing Pop figures to nendos. Nendos are typically at least 3x as expensive.
Nendos also cover a much less wide range of characters for obvious reasons.
[QUOTE=Keychain;51656610]Wish people would stop comparing Pop figures to nendos. Nendos are typically at least 3x as expensive.
Nendos also cover a much less wide range of characters for obvious reasons.[/QUOTE]
And Nendos have some articulation and additional faces and props included
[QUOTE=Darth_Kris;51656633]And Nendos have some articulation and additional faces and props included[/QUOTE]
But that doesn't change the fact that they're more expensive. I'm not saying they're overpriced, I'm saying purely from an affordability and collectability standpoint Pops kinda serve there own purpose. I doubt any Pop figure collector had been persuaded to buy a Nendo instead because they are just entirely different kinds of figures.
[b]Edit:[/b] I just re-read your sentence and I realized you might've just been reinforcing my point. My bad if so! D:
Pop Vinyls are ok when they're stormtroopers/non-human etc. those big black eyes bother the fuck out of me. I've got a Han Solo one on the way from a crate I nabbed cheap at Loot Vault, I'll probably put it up on Ebay.
Nendos I wasn't too hot on at first, but after I bought the Nyaruko one I was hooked.
[QUOTE=Keychain;51656658]But that doesn't change the fact that they're more expensive.[/QUOTE]
But isn't it better to have something that's more expensive yet just generally better in every way? Sure, the stuff like Nendroid is limited to Anime/Japanese Video Games, but you can at least pose them, they come with interesting accessories, and feel interesting to look at. Pop is just standing there, taking up space, looking god awful.
I mean, if your goal is to fill up a shelf with figures, then yes, I can see why you would go for Pop. The other problem is of course, as mentioned, absolute lack of anything western media outside of Pop, is fucking awful, and anyone tapping into that market would be capable of making a lot of doshmoney.
[QUOTE=Corndog Ninja;51655920][t]https://www.showmecoolstuff.com/post-img/vinyl_idolz_back_to_the_future__1444819842_bigpic.jpg[/t][/QUOTE]
Marty looks like he just snapped and is about to start killing people
I bought a pair (Thrall and Sylvanas, to be specific) cause they were only like $4 each. Not horrible quality, but not something I'd be willing to pay more than $5 for.
[editline]12th January 2017[/editline]
[QUOTE=J.Barnes;51658534]Pop Vinyls are ok when they're stormtroopers/non-human etc. those big black eyes bother the fuck out of me. I've got a Han Solo one on the way from a crate I nabbed cheap at Loot Vault, I'll probably put it up on Ebay.
Nendos I wasn't too hot on at first, but after I bought the Nyaruko one I was hooked.[/QUOTE]
I bought the MM Link nendo about a week or so ago and I'm absolutley in love with it. Gonna pick up the WW Link and Zelda soon, as well as Kirby and Isabelle when I get the chance. Was also able to find a good deal on Red with the gen 1 baby starters.
[QUOTE=gufu;51658633]But isn't it better to have something that's more expensive yet just generally better in every way? Sure, the stuff like Nendroid is limited to Anime/Japanese Video Games, but you can at least pose them, they come with interesting accessories, and feel interesting to look at. Pop is just standing there, taking up space, looking god awful.
I mean, if your goal is to fill up a shelf with figures, then yes, I can see why you would go for Pop. The other problem is of course, as mentioned, absolute lack of anything western media outside of Pop, is fucking awful, and anyone tapping into that market would be capable of making a lot of doshmoney.[/QUOTE]
Like you said, lack of western media is what is dragging Nendos down. There's still a few, like Suicide Squad/Batman, etc. But if they were to start pumping out Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, Ghostbusters, Minions, Ninja Turtles, Harry Potter, etc they could grab the West by the balls. :v:
[QUOTE=Corndog Ninja;51655920][t]https://www.showmecoolstuff.com/post-img/vinyl_idolz_back_to_the_future__1444819842_bigpic.jpg[/t][/QUOTE]
Haha Mcfly looks like he could be the protagonist of a Hotline Miami game.
[QUOTE=Keychain;51661322]Like you said, lack of western media is what is dragging Nendos down. There's still a few, like Suicide Squad/Batman, etc. But if they were to start pumping out [b]Walking Dead[/b], Game of Thrones, Ghostbusters, Minions, Ninja Turtles, Harry Potter, etc they could grab the West by the balls. :v:[/QUOTE]
Dammit, I want a Negan Nendoroid now.
[QUOTE=fulgrim;51661458]Haha Mcfly looks like he could be the protagonist of a Hotline Miami game.[/QUOTE]
Or maybe hitch a rocket to the Mun.
I shall buy it for a single Troll doll.
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