Toy Bender

If you’re into toys and reading about them, then there’s a good chance you’ve heard of Micheal Crawford. No, not the guy who is in Phantom of the Opera, the other Michael Crawford. This fellow runs mctoys.com and every year he has a bunch of people who are “in the know” judge the best toys of the year. It’s called the Poppies and I’m pleased to say that this year I was a judge.

Here’s the press release thingy that I have that gives a lot more details and how you can vote in the People’s Picks. No, I really didn’t have much more of a point rather than wanting to brag it up that I’m a judge.

It’s time for the 2008 Poppies! The Poppies are the Pop Culture Collectibles Industry Awards developed in 2007 by Michael Crawford of mcwtoys.com. Each year judges from all aspects of the industry – from the artists that create them, to the companies that make them, to the retailers that sell them, to the media outlets that report on them, and even to the collectors that buy them – come together to vote on their favorites in over a dozen categories. For 2008, those categories include:

Best Overall Company
Best Overall Line
Best Male or Female Figure 18” and above
Best Male Figure 12 – 18”
Best Male Figure 5 – 11”
Best Male Figure under 5”
Best Female Figure (any size under 18”)
Best Build A Figure
Best Vehicle or Playset
Best Statue
Best Bust
Best Designer/Vinyl Figure
Best Prop Replica
Best Misc

This year, there are 147 judges from within the industry, from every aspect of the business and from across the globe. They have begun their voting as of January 5th, and will complete the process on January 14th. The votes will then be compiled, and the final results announced on January 20th.

But there’s also a chance for readers to give their input! Once again this year, Michael will be running his People’s Picks awards, only this time the readers will be voting using the same categories and nominees as the Poppies Judges. You can vote now for your favorites by going to this link.

Or by going to MCwtoys and following the link from the main page. People’s Pick voting will be available during the same period (January 5th until January 14th), and the announcement of winners will also occur on January 20th. Vote for your favorite pop culture collectibles now!