Action Figure store to celebrate opening with costumes, prizes – Redlands Daily Facts

By DOMINIQUE PERKINS, For the Daily Facts

REDLANDS – Superbad Action Figures is opening in Redlands on June 11, and the grand opening celebration will feature contests, prizes, and appearances by professional costume organizations.

Guest appearances so far will include the 501s Southern California Garrison, Cobra 3rd Night Watch, Forbidden Panel, Character Masters, Stranger Things Studios, and comic book artist Nathaniel Osollo.

“All these different characters are going to be there taking pictures with all the customers,” said Superbad Action Figures owner Tim Samra. “It’s just going to be a lot of fun.”

Guests are encouraged to dress up like their favorite villain, superhero, actor or character, Samra said. There will be a costume contest, games, food and drinks, and raffles and giveaways from the store and product manufacturers.

Superbad is one of only a few stores of its kind, Samra said. Most action figure collectibles are sold through comic book chains, he said.

Superbad specializes in action figurines and props from comics, movies, television and anime. The figures vary in size and quality, ranging from small children’s toys to full-size, limited-edition designer figures.

“It’s a very unique business,” said Samra, who also owns Tribal Reptile in the same complex on Indiana Court.

Samra, who owned Hollywood Cinema, a movie collectibles business on Orange Street, said there has been a push in the collector market for character figures of the highest quality. Many of the store’s limited-edition figures are created by the special effects company that designed them for the original film. Other figures are made by private companies who have purchased the original film designs and molds, Samra said.

“It’s basically an art form, bringing these characters to life,” he said. “It’s almost like being able to go into a movie studio’s art department and literally own something that was used in the film.”

Because of the growing  popularity of collectible action figures, buying and selling the limited-edition items has become a lucrative investment, Samra said. Some items can double or even triple their value within two years of their release. A collector can often fund their collecting hobby by buying one extra piece, Samra said.

“Instead of buying one, they buy two, and then wait and sell it a year later,” he said.

“It’s just very mind-blowing to see stuff like this,” he said. “The quality, the likeness, the craftsmanship, things that collectors used to only dream about owning.”

Superbad Action Figures

1235 Indiana Court, Suite 111, Redlands

909-772-8661

Hours: Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Grand opening: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 11.

Event commercial: www.youtube.com/user/superbadactionfigure

Superbad can also be found on Facebook

via Action Figure store to celebrate opening with costumes, prizes – Redlands Daily Facts.