Japanese Frankenstein Sketchbook

(this one from Matt tasks me a little as i seriously want it!)


This fabulous sketchbook from Japan was made in the 1970s. It features a Karloff Frankenstein from 1939's "Son of Frankenstein".

There's interesting artwork on the inside cover as well. Rather disappointingly, the sketch pages are completely blank, with no artwork in the margins. I can't read Japanese, so I don't know with the lettering on the inside of the book says.

The building that Frankenstein is looming over on the cover with the jet flying out of it looks familiar, but I can't for the life of me figure out what it's from.

Toy-Ventures: My Mego Meet Haul

I've just returned from my favourite toy convention of all time, Mego Meet and please excuse the sleepy voice but I haven't had much sleep!

Thought it would be fun to go over the various items I picked up at this weekend's festivities, stuff from Planet of the apes, the Monster Squad, Stretch Armstrong, Godzilla, Kolchak the Night Stalker and hey I even bought a Mego figure from Buck Rogers.

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Spectreman Trading Card Display

My friend Corey shared this awesome vintage display of Spectreman cards from Japan. As if I couldn't love Japanese stuff more.

I am truly a sucker for anything with Dr. Gori on it.

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And now, a whole page of diecast Shogun Warriors

This page is from the 1980 Popy toys catalog and even though i wasn't born in Japan, it feels like childhood.

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Coolest Rack Toy Ever?

I don't know about you all but I really want to see James Bond and Napoleon Solo team up with the Space Giants and how this all related to a flute/flashlight.

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Japanese versions of US toys

I thought it may be fun to look at a few (but not all) examples of how some American favourites looked like over in Japan, the land of amazing toys and cartoons.

We'll start with the Mickey Mouse Snowcone machine, a take on the Snoopy Sno-Cone machine. This one confuses me because SNOOPY IS REALLY POPULAR IN JAPAN! Not sure why they switched to Mickey here.

Much more after the jump!

Star Wars in Japan

I recently found a 1978 copy of Starlog magazine from Japan, I find it adorable how little Star Wars merchandise there is but this is very, very early in the game.

Of particular note is the infamous "Archive Minatures" which I've never actually seen before. These little figures (called "dolls" in the ad) were cranked out super quick but Lucas very quickly unleashed "Darth CeaseandDesist".




Yup, for a very short time if you like Star Wars and figures this was the only game in town. They're kind of charming to be honest...

Columbo on Moonbase Alpha

I owe this incredibly strange bit of merchandise to my pal Corey, who recent acquired it. A Japanese publication which seems to combine Space:1999 stories with Columbo? I fail to see the connection but also am happy it exists.

More after the jump:

Battle of the Planets Helmet

I seriously was trying to swear off Battle of the Planets merchandise after finding this and more importantly this in the previous few months.

However, a well meaning friend of mine forwarded me an auction and it was a) Super Cool and b) TWENTY MINUTES FROM MY FREAKING HOUSE. I'm not made of stone, more after the jump.

Space:1999 Space Eagle by Popy Japan

It's no secret that I love Space:1999 toys although I don't own many these days. An opportunity came up to own an item I have never even held before, I couldn't pass it up.

This wonderful diecast Space Eagle was made by Japanese toymaker Popy and as we'll explore they've wonderfully left some cultural fingerprints.

Battle of the Planets Feathers

Another cool Rack Toy for Battle of the Planets ( Gatchaman) that we never got in North America.

Although this toy wouldn't have made much sense to us, as most of the scenes of Jason (Condor Joe in Japan) stabbing goons with his steel quill feathers were by and large cut from the show.

But the even more interesting thing is the back of the card.



GAH! I would loved this as a kid. If I knew a kid who had this I probably would have friended him merely on ownership alone.

Must track down that helmet and cape! 

Grip Character Diecast Catalog

Click on the image to Enlarge.

Eidai Grip diecast vehicles were produced in Japan during the 1970s and featured many popular TV licences not unlike Dinky and Corgi did in the United Kingdom.

In fact, they shared many licenses like Gerry Anderson's UFO (a personal favourite), Thunderbirds and Captain Scarlet. They also (understandably) covered Japanese favourites like Ultraman, Speed Racer and Battle of the Planets.

Above is a beautiful catalog I found, you can view it in larger scale by clicking on it. I've also broken it down after the jump including shots from my own collection of these. 

Pod Stallions 40: The Micronauts

For our 40th episode we are joined by actor/comedian Chris Tallman (@MrChristallman on twitter) for a celebration of the Interchangeable World of the Micronauts, the classic toy line from Mego that is about to get a major motion picture and new comic book series this year.

The discussion begins with the toy line's Japanese origins, it's halcyon Mego days, the influential Marvel comic book, our childhood impressions, later incarnations and then we pick out favourite toys from the line.

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Show notes:

• Micronauts Emperor from Italy as discussed on the show.
• The artwork of Ken Kelly.
• Innerspace online is one of the most comprehensive Micronauts websites.
• .Mego Meet is June 17 this year in Skokie Ill.
• A great Microman site that's in English.
• A brief look into the Micronauts Marvel Comic.

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Pod Stallions 37 : Godilla

Episode 37 is our first "lost episode" as we had to re-record half of it after a computer glitch (sorry), so we know it's not October. This one has J & B discussing all things Godzilla and his Toho pals, something we're both fans of.

Subjects include our highlights (and lowlights) of his film series, the Hanna Barbera cartoon series, the Marvel comic and of course the many, many awesome toys that take money from (mostly Brian's) our wallets. Sidetrack conversations include Majin monster of Terror, Rack Toys, Johnny Yuma, Ultraman, Rodan,  Psychotronic magazine and the Big Bopper.....

We also want to keep the conversation going on the Pod Stallions Facebook page, please drop a line as to your favourite Godzilla movie and toys. We anxiously await your thoughts.

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Show notes

• The HG ToysGodzilla vs the Tricephalon playset
• That Ultramanplayset Brian mentioned
• Knickerbocker Godzilla store display
• Combat JoeGodzilla set by Takara
• The amazingGLJ Toys Godzilla rack toy
• The ImperialToys Godzilla assortment from the 1980s
• The original commercial for Mattel Shogun Warriors Godzilla
• Popy Godzilla
• The MattelGodzilla game
• Godzilla'sgang toys
• The theme toJohnny Yuma
• The awesome new Shogun Warriors Godzilla by Toynami
• Jason's FlashGordon celebration at BAFTA still has a few seats left, click here to get tickets. 

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Popy Godzilla!

This year I managed to cross a toy off my want list that has been there since I first saw it in 1995. The Popy "Jumbosaurus" is the Japanese equivalent to the Mattel Shogun Warriors Godzilla. Mattel kept a few of the trademark items (like the firing fist and the wheels on the feet) but the differences outweigh the similarities as I'll detail below.

First off, I didn't get this guy in the box, I don't have that kind of money. Here is a shot of the box back in 1978. From a toy store appearance of Ultra-Seven.

As you can see, he's more "Godzilla-y" than our version.

The flicking toungue action that the US version has isn't here, instead he has a talk box in his stomach.

You can see the talk box here, wanna know what he sounds like? Thanks to some help from my daughter, I've created a little video that answers that.

And of course, it's inevitable that I'd see a "side by side" comparison with the two (expect another series of pictures when the Toynami version comes out)

The US G has is slightly taller and more rounded in general.

This looks like the greatest sandbox fight ever.

More Shogun Warriors

Toy Hunting in Japan

A couple pals of mine went to Japan this week and while I was unable to join them, they did the next best thing and took photos of everything they could while toy hunting. Here are just a few samples...


Japanese live action Spider-Man had a car and a killer robot, which seems to be a pricey item.


There was more Ultraman than you could shake a stick at, which is fine by because I LOVE Ultraman.


Wind up robots are a place I dare not go...

Keyop!

 
This whacky Thor is actually an American Toy


If Jack Kirby was replaced by Robert Crumb.

A whole store dedicated to American pop culture.


This store was all vintage Star Wars, I'd love to see this in person.

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