The importance of Background items in toy collections.

 The Original Marvel Legends by ToyBiz came with small Diorama pieces to spice up Individual Character displays. Certain Dioramas could combine to have a Team-up display. Ever since the costs of plastic went up, the dioramas were replaced by BAFs. Now Displays can't be spiced up as well.

For example:

The display has an angry J. Jonah Jameson yelling at Peter Parker. It's OK for an it came from the Toy Chest where the focus should be the toy reviewed. But for a display that is not everyone standing in a vanilla pose.

Now using the Bookshelf from the Tobey-Man Peter Parker and the desk/chair from thw JJJ from that line. The file cabinet was from a Jakks WWF (yeah it's that old) accessory pack. BTW, I got it at a KB toys.

I COULD take it a step further and make a small diorama base with some foamboards, paint, clear plastic, printouts of NYC skyline, and other doodads... Maybe a Custom Robbie Robertson and Betty Brandt. I won't be able to because logistics... and that it strays from the point I'm trying to make. Action Figure Photography has been gaining popularity in the last few years and props help sell the illusion that blurs the line between toys and real life. We can use forced perspective for in the wild photography. Things like Savage Land, Eternia, etc. Heck, I even showed ya my FFVII figures at Aeris Lounge. But there are some things that you cannot use forced perspective. That is where Props come in. Not everyone is "customizing inclined" and pre-made 1:12, 1:10, 1:18, and 1:6 stuff comes to mind as a way to ease up their problems. (BTW, I have 1:6 and 1:12 dildos and assorted sex toys for the Snake Mountain review.) 

Anyway, the idea of having plastic props for plastic figures is that they look cohesive. Unless the toyline mixes materials, having real wood and real cloth items makes the figures look weird. Also some of the Doll stuff can look way too fancy for something like say, the TMNT Sewer lair.

So that is why I can get giddy for things like food or dildos for my action figures. In any case, getting things like arcade games, appliances, etc. can spice up a display in 10 seconds flat.

Also, I wanted an excuse to show custom JJJ on his desk as he should always be. Now to order a 1:12 dollhouse black couch...