Block-style figures
Encyclopedia
Block-style figures are a type of collectible
toy
action figure
s marked by a generally simplistic representation of the human form, usually made of block-shaped appendages and torsos. Generally, the block-style figures are no bigger than two to three inches in height.
The first widely produced block-style figures were arguably released by LEGO
in 1974 and known as "minifigures". Since their advent, multiple forms of the block-style figure have arisen in the collectible toy market. Since then starting in 1990's companies adopted the Lego figure look while incorporating their own changes. The designer block figures have gone from vinyl to more stronger PVC versions with more elaborate designs and added sculpted parts. The newer PVC block figures also have allowed customizers to make their own characters by using the basic block figure body and adding paint and made parts.
Collectible
A collectable or collectible is any object regarded as being of value or interest to a collector . There are numerous types of collectables and terms to denote those types. An antique is a collectable that is old...
toy
Toy
A toy is any object that can be used for play. Toys are associated commonly with children and pets. Playing with toys is often thought to be an enjoyable means of training the young for life in human society. Different materials are used to make toys enjoyable and cuddly to both young and old...
action figure
Action figure
An action figure is a posable character figurine, made of plastic or other materials, and often based upon characters from a film, comic book, video game, or television program. These action figures are usually marketed towards boys and male collectors...
s marked by a generally simplistic representation of the human form, usually made of block-shaped appendages and torsos. Generally, the block-style figures are no bigger than two to three inches in height.
The first widely produced block-style figures were arguably released by LEGO
Lego
Lego is a line of construction toys manufactured by the Lego Group, a privately held company based in Billund, Denmark. The company's flagship product, Lego, consists of colorful interlocking plastic bricks and an accompanying array of gears, minifigures and various other parts...
in 1974 and known as "minifigures". Since their advent, multiple forms of the block-style figure have arisen in the collectible toy market. Since then starting in 1990's companies adopted the Lego figure look while incorporating their own changes. The designer block figures have gone from vinyl to more stronger PVC versions with more elaborate designs and added sculpted parts. The newer PVC block figures also have allowed customizers to make their own characters by using the basic block figure body and adding paint and made parts.
List of block-style figures
- Kubricks (Medicom Toys)
- Mega BloksMega BloksMega Brands, Incorporated , formerly Mega Bloks, Incorporated, is a publicly traded children's toy company. Mega Bloks is the name of their most popular product, a line of construction set toys, with other brands including Mega Puzzles, Board Dudes and Rose Art. Mega Brands, Inc. distributes a...
(Mega Brand) - Mez-Its (Mezco ToyzMezco ToyzMezco Toyz is a toy company that makes action figures and other collectibles based on original and licensed properties. Its most popular product is the cult hit toy line Living Dead Dolls. Other popular licensed properties include Family Guy, South Park and Hellboy...
) - Minifigures (LEGOLegoLego is a line of construction toys manufactured by the Lego Group, a privately held company based in Billund, Denmark. The company's flagship product, Lego, consists of colorful interlocking plastic bricks and an accompanying array of gears, minifigures and various other parts...
) - MinimatesMinimatesMinimates are a block-styled miniature action figure originally created by Art Asylum in 2002 and now released by Diamond Select Toys. The basic Minimate figure design has a 2" tall body that resembles an extremely simplified human form with 14 points of articulation, higher than average for block...
(Art AsylumArt AsylumArt Asylum is a New York City based design studio and toy company.Originally started by Digger Mesch and Donna Soldano in 1996, Art Asylum was initially just a work-for-hire sculpting studio which designed various action figures, busts and statues for numerous toy companies such as ToyCom and...
and later Diamond Select ToysDiamond Select ToysDiamond Select Toys was founded in 1999 by sister company Diamond Comics Distributors to create collectibles for children and adults, and has since licensed a variety of pop culture properties, including Marvel Comics, Star Wars, Star Trek, Transformers, Ghostbusters, Halo, G.I. Joe: A Real...
) - Palz (Palisades ToysPalisades ToysPalisades Entertainment, LLC, better known as Palisades Toys, was a manufacturing and distributing toy & collectibles company geared toward the adult collector market...
) - QeeQEEQee are a collection of designer toys created by Hong Kong-based company Toy2R, which was founded by Raymond Choy in 1995.Qee figures vary in their design. The original Qee has a body that resembles an extremely simplified human form, somewhat similar in appearance to Playmobil or LEGO figures,...
(Toy2RToy2RToy2R is a designer toy company based in Hong Kong that was founded by Raymond Choy in 1995.-History:Choy spent 10 years as an employee of an American footwear company. During his tenure there, he developed skills in general business operation, especially quality control...
) - Shockinis (Shocker ToysShocker ToysShocker Toys is a company that manufactures limited release toys and collectible products based on comic book and cartoon characters, as well as original creations. Founded in 1998, the company is currently run by Geoff Beckett Jr. and Lance Buttiglieri, and is based in Ridgewood, New...
) - Be@arbricks (Medicom Toys)