It’s an Action Figure not a Doll

I used to collect action figures when I was a kid. The rage back then was the seemingly endless G.I Joe line of toys but I was really more into the Masters of the Universe series because they’re bigger and badder (though the G.I. Joe cartoons had arguably better storylines). I actually wanted to get a She-ra action figure because I had a not-so innocent crush on her but my mom wouldn’t let me.

“Mom, I want a She-ra action figure. The one with the skirt.”

“At bakit!?”

“Ah…para may kasama si He-man?”

Little did I know that weeks after that exchange my mother harbored fears of me being gay because I expressed an interest in getting a She-ra doll. Ah, if she only knew back then the true purpose why I wanted that toy…but then again it may have been for the best that she didn’t.

Anyways, as I grew and developed a more serious pursuit of the arts I found a new use for my action figures as pose-able models. I used to own an artist’s dummy but the lack of details and articulation didn’t particularly help my studies of dynamic human anatomy.

I am particularly pleased with the kinds of action figures one finds at the toy stores nowadays.

Anatomically correct with so many points of articulation it’s the perfect model especially when drawing complex action scenes.

The action figure I use nowadays comes from the Baki the Grappler, a manga (also adapted into anime) by Keisuke Itagaki, line of toys. It even comes with its own adjustable stand and is quite sturdy.

Apparently, this is becoming a trend among comic book creators. I know that Jamie Bautista uses a Bullseye action figure as his reference model when drawing comics. I last saw him use it during the first Philippine 24-hour Comic Book Challenge back in 2005 in Puerto Gallera.

My gripe nowadays is that there seems to be a lack of fully-articulated PRETTY female action figures.

Know of any good ones?