My Year in Toys - 2010
Jan. 3rd, 2011 03:35 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
polychrome_penTwenty-Ten was a strange year – a year filled with periods of frenzied activity followed by periods of lax restlessness. I think this facet of real life spilled over to my toy collecting as well, as I seemed to go through spurts of buying and inactivity. Three major lines dominated my collecting this year: Monster High, Masters of the Universe Classics, and Barbie/Ken.
So while basically the first half of the year was pretty devoid of collecting, early summer was a huge month for Ken, Barbie, and similar-sized friends. I used some graduation money to reward myself with some items from the summer sale and a small line I’d been eyeing for a long time (One Modern Circle). Once I started thinking of some of them as characters from a story I’ve been kicking around a long time…well, I started on a quest to get a doll of every major character. XD
Late Summer/Fall saw the debut of Monster High, a wonderful line that I didn’t originally intend to get so caught up in. However, the attention to detail combined with unique characterization and stories for each character in their journals and the webisodes really won me over. The “core line” of eight is definitely my favorite, but newer lines are great as well!
Around the same time that Monster High came out, I ordered Prince Adam and Orko from Masters of the Universe Classics (MOTUC) online, which sent me on a quest to get the rest of the MOTUC for the year. This is such a fun line of figures (it helps that there are several great cartoon series out there for it), and I’m stoked that it encompasses all the eras of MOTU – mini comics, original line, 200X line, Princess of Power, and New Adventures! I also purchased the subscription for 2011, so definitely looking forward to one or two new great MOTUC figures every month in the coming year.
Firsts for 2010 included my first 1/4 scale doll (Tonner Zatanna in October), first Barbie playline purchase (the first wave Fashionista Ken in February), first MGAE products (Bratz Boyz Cameron and Dylan over the summer), first Integrity Toys purchase (NuFace Lukas) and the first time I’ve actually started collecting a line from the ground up as it’s being launched (Monster High). It’s also the first time I’ve really experienced an online retailer (Matty Collector). 2010 also saw no new Pullips/Taeyangs or Winx joining the collection, which felt a little strange. So 2010 could be said to be a year where the scope of what I collected really expanded, but older lines saw little to no growth.
Two Packs were very prevalent among my purchases this year for whatever reason: Deuce & Cleo, Harley Barbie and Ken, Toy Story 3 – Made For Each Other, Speed Racer Speed and Trixie, Vintage Repro Campus Spirit Barbie and Ken and Campus Sweet Shop Midge and Alan, Mary Poppins Jane and Michael, Bratz First Date Braden and Yasmin, Beauty and the Beast Mattel, He-Man vs Superman, Skeletor vs Lex Luthor.
And now for the Top Ten Dolls of 2010!
10. Barbie Basics Model #9
With her platinum hair and wonderful use of the Diva/Midge headmold, this lady is just plain chic. My first of the Basics line.
9. Fashionista Ken #1 - "Hottie"
When I got him back in February, this guy was my first playline purchase (he came shortly after I had gotten the Collector Star Trek Barbies), and remains one of my favorites. He's got a great shirt and hat!
8. Campus Sweet Shop – Midge and Alan Gift Set
I've always liked secondary characters, and this Midge and Alan vintage repro are no exception. I would love to see these characters re-released in a slightly more updated look someday. (Yes, I know they were in the "Family" line with kids, but I want to see them rejoin the cast of "young" characters again.)
7. Bratz Boyz – Braden
He's really a one-of-a-kind Boy with a taller body type. Actually, his body went on to see use in the new Moxie Boyz line. I really like his design overall (great hairstyle), and wish they'd done more with his potential.
6. Bratz Boyz 2010 – Cameron
I wasn't really excited about Bratz 2010 Comeback until I saw that MGA was putting out Cameron and Dylan to go with them. I like Cameron a bit better, but both are great and I hope to see more Boyz in 2011!
5. Dynamite Girls – Rufus Blue
My first Integrity Toys lady, Rufus is an awesome neon gal! I'm a sucker for non-natural hair colors, and electric blue fits the bill perfectly! The zipper design skirt and freckles really finish things off nicely.
4. NuFace – Lukas and Takeo
These guys really tied for fourth since I couldn't decide who I liked better. Takeo has the distinction of being one of the few male asian dolls out there, while I think Lukas' bleached hair and unique face sculpt are just rad. Takeo's checkered shoes are awesome as well (I want a pair).
3. One Modern Circle – Wave 1
I had been eyeing this set on eBay for ages, and finally broke down and ordered them this summer. Again, unique hair colors combined with the vintage face sculpts and story tidbits on the boxes really won me over. I'm a sucker for stories to go along with my toys. There's a second wave that had all the characters in formal wear, but I'm not sure about whether to get it or not.
2. Tonner DC Stars – Zatanna
My first foray into the world of 1/4th scale, I knew when I saw photos of Zatanna from SDCC that I had to have her. All the clothing is excellent quality, though I wish she came with a magic want (and a hand able to hold it!) Still, she's a fantastic representation of what Tonner can do. (Now if only they could produce a non-fugly guy hero to go along with her!)
1. Monster High Core Line
Was there any doubt this would be first? If I didn't put them all together, I think nothing else would have made the list. This line really is something special, though I wish Mattel would be their production/distribution act together! I'm tired of hunting for everything and the rampant scalping on eBay.
Honorable Mentions:
Fashionista Ken #2 “Sporty” Great follow-up to #1. His clothes remind me of Abercrombie and Fitch.
Barbie Basics Model #5 The red belt is from one of the fashion packs. It matches her lipstick perfectly.
Monster High – Dawn of the Dance Monster High's second wave. The details and bright colors make these ladies POP.
Japan Ken & Barbie First asian Ken deserves a spot here. The pair's combination of high fashion with traditional stylings is also ingenious.
Harley Davidson Barbie and Ken This is an awesome Ken - very poseable and the best use of the Edward face sculpt yet. I feel the need to get a 1/6th scale motorcycle for him.
So Happy 2011 from my Barbie Family to yours!
Looking forward to in 2011:
1. Ken’s 50th Anniversary!
- Three guys in the next Barbie Basics line!
- My Favorite Ken Vintage Repro
2. Further amazing and creative lines from the Monster High corner.
3. First LIV boy.
4. Four new ladies in MOTUC (and Bow!)
So while basically the first half of the year was pretty devoid of collecting, early summer was a huge month for Ken, Barbie, and similar-sized friends. I used some graduation money to reward myself with some items from the summer sale and a small line I’d been eyeing for a long time (One Modern Circle). Once I started thinking of some of them as characters from a story I’ve been kicking around a long time…well, I started on a quest to get a doll of every major character. XD
Late Summer/Fall saw the debut of Monster High, a wonderful line that I didn’t originally intend to get so caught up in. However, the attention to detail combined with unique characterization and stories for each character in their journals and the webisodes really won me over. The “core line” of eight is definitely my favorite, but newer lines are great as well!
Around the same time that Monster High came out, I ordered Prince Adam and Orko from Masters of the Universe Classics (MOTUC) online, which sent me on a quest to get the rest of the MOTUC for the year. This is such a fun line of figures (it helps that there are several great cartoon series out there for it), and I’m stoked that it encompasses all the eras of MOTU – mini comics, original line, 200X line, Princess of Power, and New Adventures! I also purchased the subscription for 2011, so definitely looking forward to one or two new great MOTUC figures every month in the coming year.
Firsts for 2010 included my first 1/4 scale doll (Tonner Zatanna in October), first Barbie playline purchase (the first wave Fashionista Ken in February), first MGAE products (Bratz Boyz Cameron and Dylan over the summer), first Integrity Toys purchase (NuFace Lukas) and the first time I’ve actually started collecting a line from the ground up as it’s being launched (Monster High). It’s also the first time I’ve really experienced an online retailer (Matty Collector). 2010 also saw no new Pullips/Taeyangs or Winx joining the collection, which felt a little strange. So 2010 could be said to be a year where the scope of what I collected really expanded, but older lines saw little to no growth.
Two Packs were very prevalent among my purchases this year for whatever reason: Deuce & Cleo, Harley Barbie and Ken, Toy Story 3 – Made For Each Other, Speed Racer Speed and Trixie, Vintage Repro Campus Spirit Barbie and Ken and Campus Sweet Shop Midge and Alan, Mary Poppins Jane and Michael, Bratz First Date Braden and Yasmin, Beauty and the Beast Mattel, He-Man vs Superman, Skeletor vs Lex Luthor.
And now for the Top Ten Dolls of 2010!
10. Barbie Basics Model #9
With her platinum hair and wonderful use of the Diva/Midge headmold, this lady is just plain chic. My first of the Basics line.
9. Fashionista Ken #1 - "Hottie"
When I got him back in February, this guy was my first playline purchase (he came shortly after I had gotten the Collector Star Trek Barbies), and remains one of my favorites. He's got a great shirt and hat!
8. Campus Sweet Shop – Midge and Alan Gift Set
I've always liked secondary characters, and this Midge and Alan vintage repro are no exception. I would love to see these characters re-released in a slightly more updated look someday. (Yes, I know they were in the "Family" line with kids, but I want to see them rejoin the cast of "young" characters again.)
7. Bratz Boyz – Braden
He's really a one-of-a-kind Boy with a taller body type. Actually, his body went on to see use in the new Moxie Boyz line. I really like his design overall (great hairstyle), and wish they'd done more with his potential.
6. Bratz Boyz 2010 – Cameron
I wasn't really excited about Bratz 2010 Comeback until I saw that MGA was putting out Cameron and Dylan to go with them. I like Cameron a bit better, but both are great and I hope to see more Boyz in 2011!
5. Dynamite Girls – Rufus Blue
My first Integrity Toys lady, Rufus is an awesome neon gal! I'm a sucker for non-natural hair colors, and electric blue fits the bill perfectly! The zipper design skirt and freckles really finish things off nicely.
4. NuFace – Lukas and Takeo
These guys really tied for fourth since I couldn't decide who I liked better. Takeo has the distinction of being one of the few male asian dolls out there, while I think Lukas' bleached hair and unique face sculpt are just rad. Takeo's checkered shoes are awesome as well (I want a pair).
3. One Modern Circle – Wave 1
I had been eyeing this set on eBay for ages, and finally broke down and ordered them this summer. Again, unique hair colors combined with the vintage face sculpts and story tidbits on the boxes really won me over. I'm a sucker for stories to go along with my toys. There's a second wave that had all the characters in formal wear, but I'm not sure about whether to get it or not.
2. Tonner DC Stars – Zatanna
My first foray into the world of 1/4th scale, I knew when I saw photos of Zatanna from SDCC that I had to have her. All the clothing is excellent quality, though I wish she came with a magic want (and a hand able to hold it!) Still, she's a fantastic representation of what Tonner can do. (Now if only they could produce a non-fugly guy hero to go along with her!)
1. Monster High Core Line
Was there any doubt this would be first? If I didn't put them all together, I think nothing else would have made the list. This line really is something special, though I wish Mattel would be their production/distribution act together! I'm tired of hunting for everything and the rampant scalping on eBay.
Honorable Mentions:
Fashionista Ken #2 “Sporty” Great follow-up to #1. His clothes remind me of Abercrombie and Fitch.
Barbie Basics Model #5 The red belt is from one of the fashion packs. It matches her lipstick perfectly.
Monster High – Dawn of the Dance Monster High's second wave. The details and bright colors make these ladies POP.
Japan Ken & Barbie First asian Ken deserves a spot here. The pair's combination of high fashion with traditional stylings is also ingenious.
Harley Davidson Barbie and Ken This is an awesome Ken - very poseable and the best use of the Edward face sculpt yet. I feel the need to get a 1/6th scale motorcycle for him.
So Happy 2011 from my Barbie Family to yours!
Looking forward to in 2011:
1. Ken’s 50th Anniversary!
- Three guys in the next Barbie Basics line!
- My Favorite Ken Vintage Repro
2. Further amazing and creative lines from the Monster High corner.
3. First LIV boy.
4. Four new ladies in MOTUC (and Bow!)
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Date: 2011-01-06 12:16 am (UTC)Did that card cover everything in sparkles? I now packing them all up made my desk very sparkly for a day or so!