By Pamela Hazelton
Truth be told, I’m not a huge collector of lines of products. But I’m a huge Eddie Van Halen fan, so you can bet I’ve plenty of goodies representing the GOAT at home and the office. EVH guitar Christmas tree ornaments? You bet! The MicroStack (which I initially bought as a cool prop, but my husband actually uses it at house parties)? Guilty. And… Funko POP!
As a fan since the early days (revealin’ my age there), this vinyl figure hits all the right points. The classic Eddie hairstyle, the red, white and black striped 5150 guitar, and the scissor kick!
Admittedly, this will be my first Funko POP! Not that there aren’t plenty of extraordinary renditions in the line, but mainly because I’m not as much a collector of coveted things as I am a user of the things I collect.
Look, I grew up in the ’70s and ’80s, when Easy Bake Ovens and Lite-Brites were time-passing norms. I read all my comic books many times over. I can’t recall how many Rubik’s Cubes teachers had stashed away in their desk drawers — times when kids were more apt to play with things than set them on a shelf, never to receive the wear and tear that stems from otherwise boredom.
So, when Funko POP! Figures emerged in 2011, I kinda rolled my eyes. Another line of shelf-sitting props people can’t get enough of. No thanks.
Until Funko honored Eddie in classic 1984 fashion. The design is so spot on (it really does make me wanna Jump!). And the idea that it was already a work in progress before Eddie left us makes it even more special.
“Dad signed off on this Funko way back in 2019 and it’s wonderful to see it finally come to fruition. So stoked with how it turned out!” – Wolfgang Van Halen
A thumbs up from the GOAT himself seals the deal for me — this baby is on my Christmas wish list. And I don’t care much about a protector box for it because I want to appreciate it in all its glory. I’m thinking a battery-operated mirrored mini-turntable to boot.
If Santa determines I need to keep one for collectability’s sake, he can give me two. I certainly won’t complain.
Don’t have one yet? Get the Eddie Funko at Van Halen Store.