Funko Pop History

What Was the First Funko Pop?

The origin story of the Funko Pop! Vinyl format — which figures launched the line in 2010, how the format was developed and which early release is now considered the most valuable first-wave Pop.

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Quick Answer

The Funko Pop! Vinyl line launched in 2010 with figures from DC Comics and Marvel. The first figures in the line included Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Iron Man, Thor and Captain America. The very first Pop! Vinyl is generally cited as Batman (#01) from the DC Comics line, though several figures launched simultaneously at the line's debut.

The Pop! Vinyl Format Origins

Funko had been producing bobbleheads and other vinyl figures since its founding in 1998, but the Pop! Vinyl format as we know it today — the oversized round head, compact body, black dot eyes — was developed in 2010. The design was inspired by Japanese super-deformed ("SD" or "chibi") art styles that had been popular in anime merchandise, combined with an American sensibility for bold, simple, instantly recognisable character design.

The first wave of Pop! Vinyls launched with superhero figures because superhero films were at their commercial peak in 2010 — Iron Man had launched the MCU in 2008, the Dark Knight had reinvigorated DC in 2008, and Thor and Captain America were upcoming. The choice to lead with superhero Pops was commercially astute and helped establish the line's association with the major entertainment franchises that remain its core.

2010Launch YearThe Pop! Vinyl line launched in 2010 with DC Comics and Marvel figures as the inaugural releases.

#01First NumberBatman carries the #01 designation in the DC Comics Pop! line — the first numbered figure in the franchise.

SDCC 2011First ExclusiveThe first convention exclusive Pop! Vinyl figures were released at San Diego Comic-Con 2011, beginning the exclusive culture.

GlowRarest Early PopGlow-in-the-dark variants of early DC figures are among the rarest and most valuable first-generation Pops today.

The Most Valuable First-Wave Pops

Early wave Funko Pops from 2010 to 2012 are among the most valuable in the entire catalogue today, largely because they were produced in small quantities before the brand's commercial explosion and because many were discarded or damaged by owners who did not yet treat them as collectibles worth protecting.

Figure	Line	Year	Approx. Value (Mint in Box)
Dumbledore (GITD)	Harry Potter	2010-11	£1,000+
Batman (glow)	DC Comics	2010	£500+
Green Lantern (glow)	DC Comics	2010	£400+
Stan Lee	Marvel	2012	£300-500

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the first ever Funko product?Funko's first product was a Big Boy restaurant mascot bobblehead produced in 1998, the year the company was founded by Mike Becker. The company focused on nostalgia-themed bobbleheads before pivoting to the Pop! Vinyl format in 2010.

Are early Funko Pops worth more?Generally yes, particularly limited variants from 2010 to 2013. Standard early figures in used condition are not dramatically more valuable, but limited edition, glow-in-the-dark or convention-exclusive variants from the early years can be worth hundreds or thousands of pounds.

Do Funko Pops have number #1 for every line?Yes. Each licensed line has its own numbering that typically starts at #01 for the first figure in that particular series. Numbers are not shared across lines — a Star Wars #01 and a DC Comics #01 are entirely different figures from different series.

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