I’m turning 29 today for the fourth time, and Funko is giving me exactly the Marvel toy news birthday present that I would wished for (presuming a new Bowen Designs Marvel contract wasn’t an option): a half-dozen new classic X-Men Funko POP! Vinyls figures are up for order! Astonishingly, the armada of Funko POP Vinyls figures released up until now contained only three X-Men characters among the hundreds and hundreds of different POP Vinyls out there. But come November 2014, the count is about to be tripled…

If the ubiquitous rumors are to be believed (and I absolutely believe they are), Disney is not too keen on companies producing X-Men toys these days–especially X-Men movie toys. Luckily, the X-Men have a long and beloved history of comic book appearances, which Marvel collectibles companies have been all too happy to mine.

So although X-Men Days of Future Past was the only Marvel movie in the past two years to not have any Funko POP! Vinyls bobble head figures released for it, Funko is looking to satiate our appetites with a whole series of comic book-based Funko Classic X-Men POP Vinyls figures.

I had actually seen the concept art for this X-Men Funko POP series back in the spring (and wasn’t allowed to post it), but this is my first time seeing actual prototypes. And I have to say–they look great! Jim Lee era Cyclops, Storm, Professor X, Colossus, Magneto and Mystique? Sign me up!

The lack of a Funko Gambit POP Vinyl figure in this series is a little disappointing (and weird, because I swear I hallucinated seeing concept designs for one), but Funko definitely picked all-star, headliner characters.

Some people will argue that Funko is picking prominent characters from the X-Men movies to capitalize on the success of X-Men Days of Future Past. While that argument is technically true since all of these characters did appear in that movie, I doubt that’s why they were selected. Cyclops and Colossus aren’t exactly prominent in X-Men DOFP, but they are super A-List characters.

While Funko previously released a Wacky Wobbler of the South Park character Timmy, the Professor X Funko POP! Vinyl will set a precedent as the first-ever character in a wheelchair (yes, I know it’s a hoverchair, technically, but you know what I mean) in the POP! Vinyls line.  The Funko Xavier figure will have a little clear support stand base to make sure that he stays upright, which I believe is a first for the Funko Marvel line.

Especially exciting in this set is the inclusion of two female characters in the same set–a first for Funko Marvel! To the present, only three different women have been made as Funko POP Vinyls period (Jean Grey/Phoenix, Black Widow and Gamora), plus the upcoming Lady Sif POP Vinyls figure.

Considering that up until this year Jean Grey was the sole source of estrogen in the Marvel Funko lineup, I’d say Funko has done a good job of expanding into the realm of feminine superheroes in 2014!

These new Funko POP Vinyl X-Men figures will go great with the Funko Beast, Phoenix (now out of production) and Wolverine POP! Vinyls that were previously released. Assuming that these sell well (and I have little doubt that they will), could Funko Iceman, Gambit and Nightcrawler POP! Vinyls be in our future? Let’s hope so!

The Funko X-Men POP Vinyls series is now up for pre-order and will be released in November 2014 (just two months from now!). With these strategically placed for release right before Christmas, they should be hot sellers right out of the gate!

How do you like Funko’s first-ever full assortment of comic-based X-Men POP Vinyls, Marvel collectors? Will any of the adorable X-Men vinyl figures in this series be taking up residence in your home this winter?