Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Madeleine Baran
St. Paul, Minn.

Slow sales for Michele Bachmann action figure

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann and her action figure
U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann is seen here in a file photo from her victory party next to an image of an action figure modeled after her created by the company Herobuilders.
Image courtesy of Herobuilders and MPR File photo

If U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann's popularity was judged by the sales of her new action figure, she'd be in trouble.

The Connecticut-based toy company HeroBuilders has sold only 50 copies of the unlicensed action figure since its release on Sept. 25.

Bachmann, a Republican, represents Minnesota's 6th Congressional District and has been a high-profile critic of President Obama and the Democratic Party.

"I'll tell you this, she's no Sarah Palin," said Emil Vicale, CEO of HeroBuilders.

He said the company's action figure depicting Republican Sarah Palin, former governor of Alaska and former vice presidential candidate, sold 10,000 units within 24 hours of its debut.

The $34.95 Bachmann action figure also shares the catalog with former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, (a $149.95 limited edition figure), Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (sporting a t-shirt that reads "Let them eat yellow cake"), Joe the Plumber (with his own custom-made crow bar), and a talking Joe Wilson, among others.

Vicale said he had hoped the business-suit-clad Bachmann figure would draw buyers from around the nation, but so far about 90 percent of the sales have come from Minnesota.

Despite the slow sales, the company plans to keep the Bachmann figures in stock.

"I'm sure they'll all be bought," Vicale said. "I'm not even worried about it."

He said the company hasn't ruled out making more action figures based on the controversial congresswoman, particularly if she makes a presidential run.

"Things change here on a daily basis," he said. "So it's very complex to say what we're going to be doing."

Gallery
1 of 2
Bachmann and her action figure
U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann is seen here in a file photo from her victory party next to an image of an action figure modeled after her created by the company Herobuilders.
Image courtesy of Herobuilders and MPR File photo
2 of 2
Bachmann action figure
An action figure of Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., is posed with the "Sarah Palin Action Hero" doll. Both are produced by Connecticut-based Herobuilders.com.
Courtest of Herobuilders.com