Collectables
What we’ve been playing with this month
1 There’s a neat concept behind this set of 6” tall Star Wars character torso glasses (FPI price £14.99; product code D5827), but does it actually work in practice? They look okay when you’re looking directly at the front or the back, but viewed from the sides there’s an awkward join between the two sides. And after ten seconds of looking at an expanse of Han’s shirt you realise you’d rather be looking at his face. On balance we think we prefer one of manufacturer Half Moon Bay’s other glassware sets – like the Star Wars characters tumblers (D5828) or the quotes shot glasses (D5829).
2 Do you run an institution housing the most murderous and bug-nuts members of society? In need of some handy signage for your decaying gothic pile? Look no further than the Arkham Asylum tin sign (price £4.99) – measuring 21cm by 15cm, with screw holes in each corner, it comes complete with Joker graffiti. Alternatively, decorate the entrance to your secret hi-tech crime-busting lair with this Batcave tin sign. Warning: may act as a ruddy great tip-off to your local criminal community.
3 That’s no moon... it’s a condiment set. These ceramic Death Star salt and pepper shakers (FPI price £8.99; product code D5973) split the Imperial super-weapon into two hemispheres, with the salt side getting the deadly superlaser – appropriately enough given its deleterious effects on your health. The results look a bit odd. And who the hell actually uses a pepper shaker anyway? Anyone?
4 Part octopus, part man, part dragon and now all vinyl, this Cthulhu Pop! figure
(FPI price £8.99; product code C4095) won’t drive you insane if you gaze upon it – though the concept of a cutesy figure of HP Lovecraft’s ancient one does make you question your sanity. In a radical departure by Funko standards, he actually has eyelids. Our favourite detail is the trunks; it looks like he’s wearing a grass skirt. Two variants are available: one glows in the dark, while the other (perhaps aimed at Donald Trump) boasts a “gold patina”.
5 Calling all true believers! Stick this Vinyl Idolz Stan Lee (FPI price £16.99; product code D5549) on your desktop and perhaps it’ll inspire you to create some of the greatest comic book characters and stories ever! If not, you can always admire the curious finer details of this smooth, sturdy figure, such as the googly Homer Simpson-style eyes underneath his shades. Since Stan’s got four fingers here – one hand doing a Spidey web-flick – perhaps that’s entirely intentional.
6 These Harry Potter collectors’ tins (price £3.99) are definitely not for keeping smoking stuff in, y’hear? They’re 100% for collecting bits and bobs, so if you’ve got a pile of buttons, pin badges or even magic beans in need of stashing, you’re in luck. They come emblazoned with the crests of all four Hogwarts houses. Four more boxes, featuring “Quidditch captain”, Bank of Gringotts, Hogwarts Express and Hogwarts crest designs are also out.
7 This ceramic Darth Vader figural stein (FPI price £33.99; product code D5983) is not recommended for anybody who isn’t strong with the Force. Not only is the Sith-shaped flagon (which holds 22oz of beer – that’s just over a pint) a weighty arm-killer, but when the lid’s open, Vader has a tendency to topple over – which is why it comes with a stern warning to “hold stein firmly in hand when lid is open”. Still, he makes a fun puppet if you waggle his head up and down. Look for R2-D2, Boba Fett and Chewbacca steins too.