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BEST OF 2010 - Best Exclusives
Must-have toy treasures...
For a great selection of action figures and collectibles, check out BigBadToyStore.com, ToyDorks.com, BriansToys.com, ToyWiz.com, SmallJoes.com, PastGenerationToys.com, Urban-Collector.com, MonkeyDepot.com, HobbyLinkJapan.com, and Sekaido.com.
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#4 HASBRO'S SDCC EXCLUSIVE BLISTER-CARDED GALACTUS
In 2010, Hasbro's Marvel Universe toy line grew to "Galactic" proportions with its addition of the colossal eater of worlds: Galactus. For those who attended the San Diego Comic-Con this year, Hasbro released a limited edition blister-carded version of the electronic Galactus figure several month before the regular version was released at mass retail. The Comic-Con exclusive version measures almost 2 feet in height and features exclusive artwork by Joe Quesada. This gigantically-sized exclusive figure can be conveniently carried around thanks to its suitcase-styled cardboard box. While the same exact figure was later released at mass retail in different packaging and with a bonus Silver Surfer figure pack-in, the gigantic blister carded SDCC version is one of the ultimate Marvel convention exclusives of all time and a timeless treasure to be kept mint in package next to all your regular Marvel Universe carded action figures.
#3 SPIN MASTER'S SDCC TRON VINTAGE FIGURE
Here’s another instance of something old that's new again: Spin Master released a vintage figure based on the 1982 computerized Disney classic, TRON. The figure not only had light-up capabilities but was packaged into a retro cool Tron arcade game box. With a very limited edition size of 1500, this was an exclusive that did not last long at all, but its nostalgic nature is what really won us over.
#2 MATTEL'S SDCC EXCLUSIVE DC UNIVERSE INFINITE HEROES STARRO THE CONQUEROR
2010 was in a lot of ways the year of the 3 ¾ inch figure, and unfortunately it was also the final hurrah for Mattel's DC Universe Infinite Heroes line. It was fitting then that their San Diego Comic-Con exclusive was one of the coolest things toy collectors had seen in a long time: a Starro the Conqueror Introduction of the JLA box set! Packaged in a huge window box was a perfect recreation of the JLA's first appearance on the cover of Brave and Bold #28 with figures of Aquaman, the Flash, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter, and Wonder Woman surrounding a huge poseable Starro toy. And while the figures and their presentation were cool, Mattel packed in LED lights and a soundtrack describing the comic and its players recorded by none other than the animated Batman himself, Kevin Conroy! If you chose to open up that beautiful package you got great Infinite Heroes figures with new parts or articulation, including the first (and only) Aquaman in the line. Oh, and did I mention that all of this came in at only $50? This was truly one of the coolest and most "bang for your buck" exclusives in years.
In the spirit of the '80s, Hasbro reintroduced fans to the vintage package designs for their new Star Wars Saga figures (including the prequels) and with that came the return of the "Free Figure with Proofs of Purchase". Paying homage to what has come before and giving older fans something they've always wanted, Hasbro gave fans reason to rejoice with a retooled retro vintage Boba Fett with actual firing Rocket Launcher. Finally! Fans need only buy FIVE Star Wars figures and send in a check for shipping and handling.
What makes this exclusive so well liked is that everyone could do it and there were no limits to how many you could get. If you wanted three Boba Fetts, simiply buy fifteen figures. And this exclusive didn't come in a cheap baggy with a cardboard box. No, this Boba Fett figure came in its own retro vintage packaging for fans to display carded or loose. What's old is new again. Or perhaps the old is still the very best?
