3.75-inch Action Figure Size Comparison

Being new to the 3.75-inch scale, I have to experiment buying a number of figures. I wasn't able to find size comparison for figures in this scale so I decided to make my own.

(L to R)

Mattel Avatar Jake Sully
Playmates Star Trek Spock (Galaxy Collection)
Mattel DC Universe Infinite Heroes The Flash
Jakks Pacific UFC Shogun Rua
Hasbro Marvel Universe Mystique
Hasbro GI Joe Roadblock
Hasbro Marvel Universe Iron Fist
Hasbro Marvel Universe Wonder Man


The Hasbro toys clearly isn't 3.75-inch. I don't get why they don't just call it 4-inch (where 4 inches = 6 feet or 1:18 scale). It is easier to type and is more accurate.

Trekkie Time

Local toy stores are having a hard time getting rid of the 3.75inch Star Trek figures (Galaxy Collection) for years now. Every year, they decrease the price until they cost less than a dollar (US) now, hoping they can stop spending for the storage of these toys. We all know that any business space is better used for something that sells.

I used to watch the TV series and the last movie but I'm no Star Trek fan so I never considered buying these figures. It's only now that I'm liking the 3.75inch figures that made me consider buying them for parts I can use (in custom projects) like hands and holster.

I never really gave them a closer look. And when I did I saw that they came with a lot of props like a chairs  (in red and blue) and some computer dashboard thingamajig. I'm sold. Any furniture that can work with 3.75inch figures can work well with LPS Blythes.

The dashboard thingamajig, I can use with sci-fi scenes for my Marvel action dolls but for now fantard mini Pullip is enjoying the set..

Madelman Action Figure

I recently got a two pack modern Madelman action figure on sale.  These are 6.5-inch action figures produced by a loooong defunct Spanish company called Popular de Juguetes (PDJ). These figures are  a lot lot lot less popular  compared to the vintage Madelman. That is why the PDJ version are usually sold cheap.

I have been curious about the action figure initially because I thought it would be in the same scale as my Heidi Ott (HO) dolls. Although I already knew that they are taller, I was still curious as their props and clothes might still work with the HO's dolls. I left my HO dolls in the province so they were not included in the comparison photo.

From left to right: modern Madelman, Breyer doll, Britney Spears doll and Aaron Carter doll

The Madelman figures were in military attire, which I don't usually want on my dolls. The thing that made me buy are actually the two pairs of boots. HO shoes are expensive!!! Getting two pairs for US$4+ dollars is a good deal. I'm hoping they will fit the HO dolls. In the mean time I tried them on other dolls that more or less have the same foot size as the HO's like Licca and Skipper. I did have to slit the back part of the boots to allow the feet to slide in.

I have found out that some action figure props can be used in smaller dolls. More about that in the next entry.

How to keep your doll busy

 

 

Make it (the doll) work.

Hopefully, it will create something like this:

 

Marvel Universe Scarlet Witch Custom

It's sad that a number of collectors were fooled to believe that the recent Scarlet Witch is a rare figure, making them pay more for the item. Locally, somebody payed at around US$24 (poor guy) when internationally a lot of sellers let it go for US$14 or less. (I checked eBay selling history.) How did that happen? Simple, by controlling the distribution!

Here's how. Make the item scarce in a most areas, ideally where a lot of collectors reside (group A). Make that same item available where there are ample number of collectors who are willing to resell (group B). Create some good publicity about the item via blogs or video reviews to pique everybody's interest. Group B will hoard the items thinking that they can make a profit from group A. And the manufacturer wins because their item will sell out to group B whether or not group B will be successful in reselling them.

Magneto (center) with son Quicksilver(L) and daughter Scarlet Witch (R)

Unlike Mattel, Hasbro didn't have to resort to labeling/branding something as "collectible", "limited edition" or "for the adult collector" because branding means additional cost without adding value to the product. They are making their products sell faster (because selling slow makes the seller lose money) just by distributing cunningly. Don't you just love marketing strategies? I'm learning a lot each day.