Collecting Indiana Jones Figures
It all started with Raiders of the Lost Ark
With a new Indiana Jones movie on the horizon many Indy fans will be dusting of their old collections of Indy paraphernalia and looking about for what's new
Merchandise and hit movies seem to go hand in hand these days and the Indiana Jones franchise in no exception. Beginning with Raiders of the Lost Ark in 1981 and continuing on Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull in 2008, books, comics, figures, videos and numerous other items have become much sought after collectibles.
Kenner Figures
The first action figures were released by Kenner in 1982 and consisted of four figures and 2 playsets. Five more carded figures and another playset were released a year later. The playsets were ‘The Map Room’, ‘Well of Souls’ and ‘Streets of Cairo’ to be collected with (played with?) Indiana Jones, Sallah, Marion, Belloq, Toht, Cairo Swordsman and German Mechanic. Each playset also came with an action figure. These Raiders of the Lost Ark sets have become the most sought after (and therefore expensive) of the Indiana Jones collectibles. Kenner also released a 12" Indiana Jones figure that was a remake of the Han Solo Star Wars figure, the same actor, different clothes.
LJN Figures
With the release of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom LJN took over production of the figures but despite greater plans only released three figures in 1984 – another Indy, Mola Ram and the Giant Huggee. A mine cart playset and figures of Willie Scott and Short Round were planned but never released. No domestic figures were released for Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade though some low quality figures were made in Europe.
Galoob MicroMachines
In 1995 a box set of MicroMachines containing ten different vehicles and one Indy figure was released. These included miniature aircraft and vehicles used in all three films. These were released in individual bubble packs in Europe and included additional figures.
Disney Figures
The next figures came out after the opening of Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye in Disneyland and are available in the ‘Adventure Outposts’ near the attraction along with an extensive collection of other items. Since then Indiana Jones attractions have been built in Disneyland Paris and DisneySea in Tokyo.
Indiana Jones figures were released in 2000 and are exclusive to the Disney Parks. They include Indiana Jones, Marion Ravenwood, German Mechanic, Cairo Swordsman and German Soldier. There was also a release of four micro playsets with an airplane, tank, motorcycle and a play set with 6 figures. Following these came a 10" statue of Indiana Jones, two Epic Stunt Spectacular Figures from the Walt Disney World show (one white, one black) and a 7" action figure of Indy.
New Figures
In May 2008 with the release of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull a number of 3 ¾" figures were released. Some of these are the same characters from Raiders of the Lost Ark released before by other manufacturers only smaller and in regular and deluxe packs. The later will come with more accessories. There was a release of figures tied to the latest film and will include the new characters of Mutt Williams, a Cemetery Warrior, Irina Spalko, Colonel Dovchenko, an Ugha Warrior and a Russian Soldier. A ‘Lost Temple of Akator’ playset has also come on the market. Throughout 2008 Hasbro has plans to release figures of over thirty heroes and villains from the four Indiana Jones movies with accessories and playsets for hours of collecting (playing?) fun.
Lego, the "it’s a new toy everyday" people will also release a number of Lego playsets with scenes you can build from all four movies. The first sets will include a motorcycle chase, a lost tomb, stolen treasure and a temple escape scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark. Later sets with scenes from Kingdom of the Crystal Skull will be released.
There are more manufacturers lined up as well with many other items including trading cards, books, vinyl figures, model kits, mini-busts and DVDs. 2008 promises to be a banner year for Indiana Jones collectors.
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