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Action Figure Display Cases
Posted 9/25/00
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| There's a variety of display cases available for
the action figure collector today. Most of these are designed
for the larger figures, from 8" to 12", but could be used for smaller
figures in some cases as well. Here are four of the currently
available models, with my two cents on each one. Some of this
will be familiar to those that read my other web site, but I thought it
would be useful to put the info on several cases in a single place. |
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Ballqube (www.ballqube.com) makes
a wide variety of plexiglass cases for different
collectibles. They also provide wooden bases for these cases
at an additional cost.
Their
standard figure case works quite well for a single 8" or 9" figure - a
10" one might fit, but he'd be crowded, and there's no room for a 12"
figures. Exact dimensions are 5.20" x 3.90" x
10.45". You can see to the right that a Famous Cover figure
fits nicely.
At 2
for $14.96, or 10 for $66.10, they cost as much as many of the Famous
Covers figures themselves. I'm not sure that the value is
there for the average figure, but if you want to ensure that you will
keep your favorites dust free, I'd recommend these babies.
They make lots of other sizes as well, intended for all kinds of
collectibles, from sport jerseys to cereal boxes. One of
these other cubes is the Basketball Holder, and it's dimensions are
9.44" x 9.44" x 9.44" - it's too small for anything bigger than a 9"
figure, but it's squarer design will allow you to hold more than one
figure, or set up small dioramas under protection.
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| To the right you'll see this holder containing a
bundle of Star Trek Megos. I've also seen this case used to
set up the Flatt World Bela Lugosi with his coffin and
extras. If you're looking to set up a scene, but still want
the protection from dust, these larger models will do the
trick. This one costs $25.83 for one, $23.08 each for 2 or 3,
and for 4 or more they drop to $20.70 each.
All
of these cases open and close the same way - there are two pieces, each
one accounting for three of the sides of the cube. They slide
together to form the plexiglass box. This makes for a very
seamless container, but I found that you have to be very careful taking
them apart and putting them together to avoid scratches and breakage.
Overall
- ***1/2
Nice protection, and an attractive look. The price is a
little high, and probably prohibitive for lots of figures, but for the
special ones you want dust free, these are an excellent way to go.
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Dragon Models (www.dragon-models.com)
have just started providing a nice display case designed specifically
for their 12" military and police figures. Here you can see
Alfred inside the case. The black background is nice,
allowing you to have a good contrast against which you can easily see
the figure. I think I prefer this to the all clear
cases. The front of the case is angled, so you can easily see
the figure from all three sides. These cases run around $12
at most Dragon retailers.
One
of the more interesting features is the inclusion of two round brackets
of different sizes. These can slip around the waist of pretty
much any size 12" figure, and they attach through the back of the
case. This will hold the figure steady, which would be far
more important for some of the figures that are feet-impaired like
Barbies.
Overall
- ***
I'd have given this one a better score except for two
details. First, the price is a bit high - perhaps 8 bucks or
so would be far more reasonable. And second, the case needs
slightly more depth. As you can see in the picture, poor
Alfred can't even point his Luger out straight. Ouch.
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| KB Toys (www.kbkids.com) has a
very nice 12" case currently available both on line and at their
stores. Called the Collector's Doll Showcase, it retails for
about $10. They are designed to hold Barbie style dolls,
including the box. They are 11.75" wide, 15" tall, and 4"
deep. They come with a black plastic base and top and
plexiglass sides.
The
picture to the right demonstrates that they can hold the average Star
Wars boxed 12" figure just fine, although they are too small for the
extra deep boxes. They are also too small to hold two loose
12" figures comfortably, but they can hold two 9" figures
nicely. The extra space in height can allow you to place some
sort of interesting background picture on the back of the case, clearly
visible behind the figures.
Overall
- ***1/2
This case is large enough to allow you to add some extras with the
average loose 12" figure. The construction is extremely
sturdy, and the design is attractive. And the best part -
these are on sale right now at Kaybee Toys for $9.99 each. A
very good deal!
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Mcfarlane Toys (www.mcfarlane.com)
also makes slightly smaller lighted cases that are extremely useful for
their figures, as well as others in the 7"-9" range.
I've
bought several of these, and use them mostly for 8" figures.
The case construction is quite sturdy, and they are very
attractive. However, don't bank on the light-up feature too
much. The bulbs tend to burn out very fast, and you'll find
yourself replacing them quite often.
Price
point on these is around ten bucks, but it depends on where you pick
them up. I suggest trying to get them from McFarlane toys
directly at a toy show, as they tend to have a pretty good price
there. Also, some Mcfarlane figures come already in these
cases, and at times (i.e. sales) can be had cheaper than the individual
cases themselves.
Overall
- ***
If the light up feature functioned better, these would certainly rank
up there with the others. The construction is excellent, and
they look great on the shelf. However, their size also hurts
them, as they won't work for the average 1/6th scale collector.
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Another shot of the Collector's Doll Showcase
holding a 12" Tom Hanks kit bash figure.
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