This toy line was based on the popular 1983 to 1987 NBC television series starring George Peppard as Col. John "Hannibal" Smith, leader of the team, Dirk Benedict as Templeton "Face" Peck, Dwight Schultz as "Howlin" Mad Murdock, and Laurence Tureaud as B.A. Baracus. Mr. Tureaud was much better known as the gold-chained star of screen, toy, comic book, trading card and motivational speech, "Mr. T". Galoob must have had a good thing going with these toys as they did them in both 3-3/4" and 6-1/2" sizes. These figures don't show up often and the rarest of them all is the last of the 6-1/2" line, Amy A. Allen, based on the female character portrayed by Melinda Culea.

The action figure market remains a dynamic and evolving sector within the broader collectibles economy. As of mid-2024, the market reflects both strong demand for certain vintage and limited-edition figures and an oversupply of mass-produced figures that have failed to retain or appreciate in value.

Market Dynamics: Supply and Demand

The principle of supply and demand plays a crucial role in determining the value of action figures. Rare and vintage figures with limited production runs, particularly those from the 1980s and 1990s, continue to see high demand. These figures, often tied to nostalgia and iconic franchises, command premium prices on platforms like eBay. Conversely, modern mass-produced figures, particularly those tied to less popular franchises or overproduced lines, suffer from an oversupply issue. Collectors are increasingly discerning, focusing their spending on pieces that offer rarity, historical significance, or unique features.

Example Prices from eBay Auctions

Treasure:

• A 1985 Transformers G1 Optimus Prime (Complete) recently sold for $1,500. This figure's value is bolstered by its condition, completeness, and the enduring popularity of the Transformers franchise.
• A 1984 Star Wars Vintage Kenner Boba Fett (Factory Sealed) fetched $2,800. The value here is driven by Boba Fett's iconic status and the rarity of factory-sealed items from this era.

Trash:

A 2022 Marvel Legends Eternals Figure (Loose)) sold for $8. This figure, from a line tied to a less successful Marvel film, is widely available and has not gained traction with collectors.

A 2010 DC Universe Classics Aquaman (Loose) went for $12. Despite being a popular character, overproduction and a lack of unique features have kept prices low.

What’s Hot and What’s Not

Hot:

Figures tied to iconic franchises with strong fan bases, such as **Star Wars**, **Transformers**, and **G.I. Joe**, particularly those from the 1980s and early 1990s. Limited edition and exclusive figures from modern lines, such as San Diego Comic-Con exclusives, also see strong demand.

Not:

Figures from less popular or overproduced lines, like those from the **Eternals** or **G.I. Joe: Classified** series, struggle to maintain their value due to high availability and lower demand.

Conclusion

The current action figure market favors quality, rarity, and nostalgia. Collectors are willing to pay a premium for well-preserved vintage items and limited-edition modern figures, while mass-produced and less iconic figures struggle to find buyers. As the market continues to evolve, savvy collectors and sellers should focus on acquiring and preserving figures that meet these criteria.

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These large-sized "movable" 11-1/2" soft plastic figures of Johnny West and friends was one of the longest running action figure series in history. It was produced by Marx starting in 1965. The figures came with plastic accessories and clothing. Some very rare figures exist that were only available in England and Canada, making the series difficult for U.S. collectors to complete.

A number of box variations were used over the years, but the figures remained basically the same. For most of the years there was no uniform or logo or packaging style and series names such as Johnny West Adventure, Collection or Series appeared on some of the packages, or no series name was used at all. Unlike most other series, these packaging variations have no effect on value. The five Fort Apache Fighters figures are a sub-series. The four 9" figures are West kids, not a smaller scale line. The last figure in the series, Jed Gibson, a black cavalry scout, is the scarcest and most valuable figure in the series. There were also three figures that were only produced in Canada and/or England.