[ddarko]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowflakian

You do understand the thin line between action figure and doll is solely because of fragile male ego not being able to handle that they are playing with dolls? .....

Didn't want to get into this particular subject, but why not ?

So while I think that you are right in observing the sequence of events, I think you are incorrect in the conclusions you have drawn.

There is a difference in the "dolls" marketed to the boys vs. girls (or at least there used to be). The dolls for the girls would usually have pretty dresses and accessories that girls would prefer (a comb, mirror, hair accessories etc.). The "dolls" for guys would usually not have these qualities. They may not even have rooted hair since the focus is not on combing the dolls hair and accessorizing them. Instead, they would usually have weapons and other "boy" stuff. So while girls enacted their feminine ideas with their dolls, boys would enact their masculine ideas with their "dolls". Perhaps to put it another way, the doll was usually seen as something one would be able to play dress-up with. The "dolls" for boys would usually be used in a different context.

With the above definition, the whole 1/6 customizing crowd, in my humble opinion, does fall into the category of doll collecting momentarily in their activity lol. But I guess there is still a valid distinction to be made, although rather weak, that they are just playing dress-up as a means to an end (and the end is the same as before with boys).

Now what about adult collectibles vs. toys? Well, while its murky when it comes to collecting Marvel Legends figures for sure, this murkiness becomes non-existent when you consider high-end collectibles like Hot Toys, XM or sideshow pieces. These things are not meant to be played with and usually do not do well under playing. They require a more mature taste to fully appreciate the sculpt, paintwork and how well a particular piece or figure communicates the character etc. All of this goes far beyond purely "this figure looks like xyz".

Of course, I also think that one can rightly argue that their reason for collecting Marvel Legends is also based on noticing the superiority of the sculpt etc. I think that claim could indeed be legitimate.