What's an Action Figure?

It's an Euphemism and nothing but (an Euphemism is a word used to substitute another word that could be offensive or plain silly, e.g. Slow instead of Stupid).

An Action Figure is really a toy, but since toys are for kids it was decided to come with a term that could not be easily associated with kids and thus the term Action Figure was coined. 

Still it is true there are certain differences between a standard toy and what is considered an action figure.

First of all an Action Figure is usually a superhero, a comic character, a wrestler or someone popular at the moment. 

It is usually made of solid materials (not rubber or stuff) but hardened plastic and even light metals such as tin. 

An Action Figure has to look cool but not "nice".  Let's not forget they are purchased by young adults who are fans of some character and also by adults nostalgic of past times.

Action Figures are not made to be played with. They are so well made that their owners usually place them in some part where they can be admired. They can certainly move (they are not statuettes) but only in a limited manner

The image shows He-man riding his Battle Cat. This toy line, eh... line,  was particularly popular in the eighties. Action Figures have become collectors' pieces and therefore are not cheap. There is a market for these items and old action figures in excellent condition are usually sold at good prices especially if they were part of limited editions.

I remember that my mother gave me the entire line of the Star Wars giant size figures. If I had kept them (I gave them away long ago) and their boxes (I gave them away without the boxes) I would have made good money.