Funko Pop! Craze

Illusive Comics & Games—located at 1270 Franklin Mall, Santa Clara—got a surprise when twice the expected amount of Funko Pop! collectors showed up to their Saturday Trade Night.

The free event invited local Funko Pop! enthusiasts to come and bring their collectables to trade and mingle with others. Pops are small vinyl figures that have exploded in popularity, especially at pop culture conventions like San Diego Comic Con.

They are designed to look like characters from movies, video games and TV shows as well as celebrities like actors and athletes. They can be purchased at stores—like Illusive—for around $12 but can grow in value and be worth hundreds of dollars.

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The event usually draws 30 collectors, according to Amir Masood (the shop’s resident Pop enthusiast), but this time over 50 collectors packed themselves into the backroom of the comic shop. Illusive had set up tables to display the Pops, however, the shop had to set up overflow tables in the main area of the store and outside to accommodate the crowd.

The event drew an assortment of collectors. Parents brought their children and there were also couples and siblings taking part—even Masood had a table.

Masood said they have been holding the events for about a year and a half and it keeps growing.