Ahead of the main events at San Diego Comic-Con, the preview night's most sought-after items are limited-edition vinyl figures from Funko. Fans queued for hours to purchase exclusive collectibles, with Funko CEO Josh Simon describing the event as the company's "Super Bowl" and "World Cup."
Among the most popular releases were figures from the Prime Video animated series "Invincible," with a rare "Movincihawk" figure limited to only 100 units. Other highly desired items featured characters from "One Piece," "Persona 5," "Solo Leveling," and "Baldur's Gate 3."
The scarcity of these limited-run items fuels a significant resale market. For instance, the "Movincihawk" figure, which retailed for $60, has seen listings on eBay for as much as $5,000. Attendees were observed carrying multiple oversized "BIG CON BAGs," some measuring over two feet in length.
One collector traveled from Europe specifically to acquire a limited edition "Cyberpunk" figure, which retailed for $15. Unable to secure one through the initial sale, the fan resorted to signaling interest to potential resellers directly on the convention floor, stating a willingness to pay any price.
Simon stated that Funko's objective is for all items to reach genuine fans and that the company does not design collectibles with the primary intention of creating resale items. Funko aims to maintain fair pricing and has been refining its distribution mechanisms to better bypass resellers and bots, acknowledging that these efforts are not always successful.
To address the challenges of distribution and provide a more equitable marketplace, Funko introduced "Pop! Mystery" at San Diego Comic-Con. This new line of blind box figures is featured in interactive activations themed around various popular franchises, including "KPop Demon Hunters," Warner Bros. horror icons, "One Piece," and original Funko characters. The "Pop! Mystery" line includes some one-of-one figures, which Funko will buy back for $10,000, aiming to replicate the gamified experience of attending conventions for a global audience.