Balsquat
Public Enemies
I grew up with the old rubber figures too. It's amazing how far figures have come.
I've just started collecting them. I've fought it for a good while, since I collect a lot of 1/6 figures, particularly Hot Toys figures, and they can be quite expensive.
I was a huge wrestling fan during the 80s-90s, and I'm loving the articulation on the elites, and am particularly enjoying the Legends line. I miss the good old days of wrestling, and these are just wonderful.
When I was younger, I always wanted wrestlers with GI Joe style articulation, but the road from there to here sure was a bumpy one.
I had the old LJN rubber figures as a child. Hated that they weren't posable. Ugh.
Bought the Galoob figures, even though some of them were ridiculous. How anyone could think it's a good idea to sell an "action figure" with both legs molded together is beyond me. Again, I dreamed of more articulation, and more realistic proportions.
Jakks got the line, and had the bonecrushers which promised "hidden articulation." Turns out the hidden articulation meant the same thing to them as non-existant. Then Jakks started making the more articulated figures, but you could never quite get the legs to move. What good is a wrestling figure that can't even assume a seated position? I WANTED to give Jakks my money, but couldn't stand the lack of scale for the most part, and the identical bodies on everyone.
Finally, Mattel came along and gave me what I've always wanted... right as I started buying $150+ figures. hahaha! I would always look longingly at them in the toy aisle, but never would buy. Then I decided to buy just one or two every week as funds permit. That way, it's not getting out of hand. In my opinion, Mattel is doing everything right with these: multiple body types, reasonably accurate scale, excellent articulation.
It only took 30 years, but we're finally here. Now get Big John Studd and Andre the Giant on the shelf.
