Ozzie Collectables - The Ozzie Blog

4 Times LeBron James Dominated the Pop Culture Collectables Game

2023-03-21T12:00:00+11:00

You already know he dominates on the basketball court. It’s no secret that the king of NBA has a long history of dominating in other areas, too, and the pop culture collectibles game is no different. Since the 2010s saw him skyrocket to fame with a plethora of MVP awards in his belt, his likeness has seen a variety of collectable merchandise, from basketball cards to toys to movie franchises.

Now, in 2022, fans are lucky enough to have a whole host of forms at their fingertips to celebrate their favourite NBA star. Let’s take a look at some of LeBron’s best influences on the pop culture collectibles game.

1. Fortnite

Gamers from all over will already know about the king of basketball and his appearance on the popular gaming platform, when it was announced he had joined Fortnite’s Icon Series in mid 2021. Arriving in the Item Shop in July of last year, this collaboration featured two outfits and LeBron’s signature shoes.

2. Space Jam

What bigger nostalgia boost is there than the classic 1996 film marrying NBA and Looney Tunes that for so many of us was one of the most iconic pieces of media from our childhoods? We might have had Michael Jordan, and it could have once been argued that nothing could possibly ever top that, but aren’t we all glad we were wrong?! Now, a whole new generation of kids (and, ahem, plenty of adults who snatched up tickets for that particular 2021 movie quicker than LeBron locks in a win) get to experience the joy of Space Jam with a new basketball legend. And I’m sure that they, just as we all do now, will be ranting about how iconic and nostalgic it is in twenty years. It’s funny how that works.

3. Funko

Yep, we had to say it. Funko’s Pop! Vinyl figures are some of the most collectable toys ever conceived for hardcore collectors, or at least as far as western toys go. They dominate the market, and with thousands of different characters, real-life icons, and variants, it’s no secret why. LeBron boasts more than thirty Pop! Vinyl figures himself, possibly coolest of which is this Lebron James (Heat) Pop! Vinyl, which currently values at an estimated $360 USD. It's a bit hard to come by, though - personally, we also love this NBA - LeBron James Pop! Trading Card, which adds a bit more visual interest to your Funko display, and retails for a much more reasonable $39.99 AUD. If you don’t already own at least two of them (one to display and one to keep mint-in-box, of course) are you even really a fan?

4. Trading Cards

The cards, the myth, the legend. Okay, these have been around longer than most of us have been alive, and probably our parents, too. Dating back to the 1860s (yes, you read that rght) sports cards have their origins in baseball, and these days, you’d be hard-pressed to talk to any sort of geek community without coming across at least one die-hard card collector. LeBron finds his likeness in pretty much every decent NBA card drop, and with exclusive cards going for as high as $300k on the market, it’s no wonder the guy is so sought after.

There’s no beating around the fact that he’s a legend, but if you’ve been in the collectables game as long as we have, you know there’s real merit in someone iconic enough to dominate more than a few different areas of the collectables game.

What did you think of our list? Do you collect anything LeBron or NBA? What do you think is his most iconic pop culture moment? Leave us a comment!

Fortnite Funko Advent Calendar on the Way

2019-08-10T11:41:00+10:00

Another year, another excuse to feel like a kid again, with the magic of Christmas steadily approaching. Yes, Funko have just released a brand new advent calendar to accompany the three that are still available (two Harry Potter calendars and a Marvel calendar.) It looks like gamers are finally getting the chance to enjoy the fun of counting down to Santa Clause’s arrival on December 25th… and getting a collectable treat each day along the way!

The new calendar will feature a Funko Pocket Pop! Vinyl figure each day beginning on December 1st (or whenever you decide to open it) that will form a larger collection of Fortnite themed mini figures. The figures are bright, colourful, and perfect for gamers of any age in my opinion.

Here’s what Funko had to say about unveiling the new product: “Do you prefer to drop into the battle with guns blazing or hide in the bushes and wait for your enemies to eliminate each other? Are you the first or last player off the Battle Bus? Whatever your battle strategy happens to be, there’s one thing players can agree on: Fortnite is awesome and this Fortnite-themed 24-piece advent calendar will bring holiday cheer to any household.”

I remember the excitement of being a kid and seeing mum or dad come home with a brand new chocolate advent calendar in the shopping bag-- Batman or Barbie or one of those cardboard Cadbury calendars with the vintage Santas on the front. Something about the extra sweet incentive to count down throughout the silly season made it all the more exciting. It’s great to see Funko staying on board with this idea and putting a pop culture twist on things. Now us adults (ahem, geeky adults) can have just as much fun!

Do you still use an advent calendar? What do you think of this one, and how does it hold up against previous releases? Leave us a comment!

SDCC 2019 Funko Reveals: Games

2019-06-21T15:27:00+10:00

Gamers, rise up. It's time to take a look at the two new Pop! Games announcements for this year's SDCC Funko lineup.

Pop! Games: Fortnite - Loot Lama (GITD) (Walmart)

Pop! Games: Overwatch - McCree (GameStop)

As always, there is no guarantee which exclusives will be available to which retailers, but it's always worth keeping an eye out.

You can stay up to date with all things San Diego Comic Con 2019 on the Ozzie Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter - pick your poison! Alternatively, keep up to date by checking back here for more posts as we draw nearer to the convention.

Tell us your favourite from this wave in the comments!