For a toy to be considered an "action figure", it must be more than a static piece of plastic. By "action", it implies movable parts - be they shoulder, elbow or knee joints, or a swiveling head or waist. In collector's jargon, these movable parts are called "points of articulation".
Action figures also include accessories (weapons, tools, clothing and vehicles) and action features such as combat moves, battle damage, transformation, and electronic light-up eyes.
In other words, if the figures have no moving parts they are not considered "action figures". This includes all of the following: statues, sculptures, and static (non-moving) figures of metal, plastic, vinyl, resin and/or PVC.
Dolls such as Barbie are also not considered action figures. If they are larger versions of figures with real clothing and movable parts (such as Star Wars and GI Joes), they are referred to as 12-inch figures, not "dolls".
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- Action Figure Collecting Resources from About.com for action figure collectors, including postcards, chat room, bulletin boards, and links.
- Raving Toy Maniac Expansive collectors' focus with information on action figures, old and new. Features archives, up-to-date news, previews, chat room, shopping and links.
- Action Figure Times Market rumors, collector alerts, news, and articles on toys.
- M.U.S.C.L.E. Revisited Dedicated to giving names and identities to every one of the original pink Muscle figures. Pictures and descriptions included.
- Bug Eyed Monster Encyclopedia and pictures of classic science fiction action toys from the 1960s to the 1980s, including from Logan's Run, Micronauts, and Zoids.
- OAFE - Online Action Figure Evaluators Reviews of new and collectible action figures, news and comment, figuretoons, humor, a discussion board and links to other useful resources.
- Action Figure Checklist Provides a source for keeping track of action figure collections, with the ability to search other users collections. Includes links.
- Figures.com Features news and information on toys and action figures.