5 Awesome things on eBay this week

Buck Rogers Lampshade Kit- I can't think of anything that would light up a room better than Pamela Hensley and Erin Gray in this wonderful 3-D piece from the UK. I love it's not the stock art but an original creation.

Incredible Hulk light switch cover- Speaking of lights, this 1970s light switch cover is everything I love about 70s stuff, totally funky and just slightly off model, everybody wins!

Battle of the Planets Keychains- I am really in love with these, they're pricey but honestly, I'd never seen them before a week ago. I'd settle for the Phoenix and yes, it would become my key ring.

Tomland Strawberry Shortcake RipOff-  Toymaker Tomland Toys was no stranger to ripping off concepts, I mean these are the people behind the Sonic Man and the Star Raiders but they seemed to have run out of clever the day they named this. Seriously, Redhead? That's lazy Tomland, even for you....

Mattel Slime Monster Game- As a kid completely verboten to have Slime of any kind (Shag Carpeting) I do find the whole concept weirdly alluring.  This is the first time I've ever run into the game and had a looksie, now i want it.

Toy-Ventures 3- The Sonic Man and Sonic Woman by Tomland

 This week's episode examines the Tomland toys Sonic Man and Sonic, who look suspiciously like a certain Bionic Couple we all know and love. We also delve into Tomland's history of ripping off some of the 1970s most popular tv and movie properties. 

 You can see more Tomland toy merchandise at this site: www.tomlandmonsters.com

 Visit us online at www.plaidstallions.com 

 Twitter: @plaidstallions

New Six Million Dollar Man Shirt in our Redbubble store!

Don't forget to join our new facebook group.

Get the expanded digital edition of Rack Toys here.

Star Command Radios

Ah 1979, when if it wasn't Star Wars, it totally looked like Star Wars......

New Video: Tomland Famous Monster of Legend

Very happy to showcase my latest video collaboration with Jason Lenzi, this month we tackle one of my passions, Monster action figures in the most appropriate month to do so.

The Tomland Famous Monsters of Legend are one of the rarest sets of monster toys in the world and in this volume we try to give you the basics on a unique line of action figures.

See the video here and don't forget to subscribe to see our upcoming vintage toy short films.

Thanks for watching, Happy Halloween.

PodStallions 21: Bionic Man-ia

It was bound to happen, episode 21 talks of the Six Million Dollar Man television series which slow motion ran across our television screens (and our collective hearts) during the Polyester decade.

In this we discuss the series itself, the spin offs and the crazy/wonderful merchandise that made Christmas more memorable. We go through the fan club kit, discuss favourtie episodes and villains. Jason also gets to relay his experience working with the license some 30 years later and even 

Of course, that being said we get off track into discussions about Mego, Star Wars, West World, Penny Dreadful,  the career of John Saxon, Star Trek the Motion Picture , David Carradine and other things completely unrelated to our subject.

Episode 21 will have you looking your Bionic Eye.

Download the Show Here

Listen here

Show Links:

• The Japanese Spider-Man figure by Popy we discussed.
• The very first episode of Kamen Rider V3 sees his whole family murdered by a villain called Scissors Jaguar.
• The Ark diecast ad we discuss on the show that features Jason's beloved Baltan toy.
• How Star Wars figures were sold in Japan.
• The Captain Scarlet model kits Jason mention.
• Denys Fisher Cyborg toys based on Henshin Cyborg.
• A website devoted to the Shinsei UFO Commander toys.
• The Kamen Rider Henshin suit that keeps Brian up at night.
• Drool over the amazing Jumbo Machinders!

Plenty more content on the PodStallions Facebook page!

We'll be adding Bionic Man collectible photos to Facebook.



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The Six Greatest Bionic Man Knock Off Toys

I gave up writing a weekly list for Topless Robot, in order to finish writing Rack Toys. I will admit to missing it from time to time, so I’m going to keep fresh by churning out the odd one for PlaidStallions.

The Kenner Six Million Dollar Man toy line is one of the most memorable and successful toy lines of the 1970s.

With the bright light of big sales, you attract a few bugs. A lot of competitors come and try to "cut your grass" as a former boss of mine would say, as the list goes on we'll see it gets more and more blatant.

6: PULSAR (MATTEL) 

 When faced with the overwhelming popularity of Steve Austin, Mattel decided not to play in the Cyborg sandbox at all but went sideways and made an all organic superhero. 

 That's pretty clever, combating steak with a vegan alternative, as a bonus, Pulsar was super gross to look at which is a bonus for young boys. 

Mattel sold the character for two years and didn't pay anybody a dime in licensing.



Come see the Greatest Bionic Man Rip Offs here

More Top Ten Fun

Sonic Woman

I am pleased to reveal the latest update to our Tomland galleries, the copyright infringing superheroine herself, the Sonic Woman!

Tomland was more well known for their Star Raiders and Famous of Monsters of Legend action figures, which both demonstrate how little they thought of paying for licenses.

I've known about these particular figures for a few years but never knew their actual names, below are a set of loose "Sonic People" featured here earlier. They were also shown in Rack Toys. It wasn't until a kind soul contacted me about this figure did I finally have a clue.

The arrival of the carded Sonic Woman clears the name mystery, thanks internet!

As obvious as this "fully jointed woman from the future" is she's not the most blatant Bionic knockoff by a mile, that will be revealed in a new list this Friday. Please check it out.


Also, please check Ebay as I'm selling a loose Sonic Woman right now. This is the only loose one I've ever seen, so if you're into this like I am, this is your chance.


I'm always buying Tomland Monsters, click here to email me.

More Tomland Galleries:
 

PodStallions Episode 10: Glows in the Dark (Monster Toys)

Our second October episode, Jason and Brain try to cram in as many monster toys as they can into an hour and a half. 

Aurora model kits, Marvel comics, action figures by Tomland, Remco and Lincoln International get discussed as does Cracked magazine, Power Records, the number of times we rented "LifeForce" on VHS (I've never seen the end)

As usual, the topic tends to veer off into a disscussion first experiences with theatre jumping (with first movie nudity) and Lee Marvin fishing, it may look like those pieces fit together but they do, they do.....

Download the Show Here

Listen here

Show Links:

• The Star Wars Issue of Cracked Magazine that Jason mentions.
• A late 1960s Collegeville Mr Spock Costume.
• Brian as Boba Fett.
• Lincoln International Monsters are some of Brian's favourite Monster Toys and Mr Rock is their spock knockoff.
• The Aurora Girl Victim model kit got them in a lot of trouble.
• Wind Up Super Monsters were $0.99 well spent.
• Jason brings up the Tomland Famous Monsters of Legend.
• The Famous Monsters Speak Record Jason traded for.
• Power Records Monster album is on Youtube.
• Star Trek: Passage to Moav features a blonde Lt Uhura and an off model Mr Sulu.
• The AMT Gigantics kits are incredible and should be owned by you.
• Remco Mini Monsters are beloved by both of the guys.
• The Jack Davis Frankenstein Poster Jason mentioned.
• Monster Squad action figures almost happened, Brian's pillow is soaking wet with tears every night.
• Henry Polic 2 passed away this year sadly.
• REAL dirt from Dracula's castle captivated Jason.
• The Incredible Melting Man got a Kid's halloween costume and a makeup kit.
• Life Force is on Blu-Ray in case you ever wanted to get us something for Christmas...
• Mattel Godzilla and Rodan are full of win, Gre-Gory the vampire bat is something Brian needs to own.
• Mattel Krusher Commercial from 1980.
• The Lee Marvin documentary that Jason mentions.

Plenty more content on the PodStallions Facebook page!

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Tomland Monsters Catalog

This picture from the 1980 Combex catalog is something I've been searching for years for, evidence of who distributed these darn things.  

It's kind of joyous to see the Creatures from Other Worlds mingling with the Star Raiders and Famous Monsters of Legend. Now I've just got to find the catalog from the next couple of years.

More Mini Monsters

Since I originally posted about these little guys three years back, I haven't added anything to the collection. In fact, I'm kind of the belief I may not be able to complete the set for the price I'm willing to pay.

Fortunately, I have a pal in Bill, who has some of the characters I don't and is willing to share.  Above is the Tomland Hunchback, who resembles the Lincoln International Hunchback and is one of the characters Tomland didn't do in 8" format.

And this is mini AH, one of the Star Raiders characters. Ah is a tough cookie to find as a regular figure, let alone this little guy.
Fun stuff! Thanks Bill!

More Tomland Toys:



Tomland Famous Monsters Gallery

Tomland Star Raiders Gallery

Super Monsters paint kits

This Super Monsters set from Combex/Tomland pretty much nails everything that I like about Monster toys. The generic monsters combined with that all too awesome box artwork.

While I've seen the boxed set surface (rarely) I've never seen the individual carded sets before. You never know with Tomland stuff though, they may surface.

Star Raiders Updates

It's been over a year since I launched the Tomland Star Raiders gallery on the site and I've had some good luck with regards to new images and information thanks to some lovely people who like to share.

For those not in the know, the Star Raiders were a brazen and rather kooky attempt to cash in on Star Wars without paying for it. These crude 8" figures are just so full of joy and a childish amount of creativity (that's a compliment)

So, many galleries have been updated with new photographs and information, although there is still a lot of gaps, so if you are a collector and would like to help, please drop me a line.

Visit the revised Star Raiders Gallery here.

More 8" Mayhem: