Toy-Ventures: Top Ten 1980s Peg Warmers

This is our follow up to our 70s peg warmers list. The 1980s were an incredible time for action figures, an era we'll never see again but like anything, some items didn't really sell. Let's count down some toys that hung around.

This list is meant in jest and not to be taken seriously. Tell me what i missed in the comments.

http://www.megomuseum.com/odeon/store/products/

BUY TOY-VENTURES MAGAZINE ISSUE ONE HERE:

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Toy-Ventures: Space Trek

 

For the last couple of years, I've been buying a collection of Knock-Offs and this month, I get to explore strange new worlds with the cast of "Space Trek" but this band of interstellar explorers sure are wearing some familiar cloths and actually some familiar heads too.

Yes Space Trek is another in a series of a toyline inspired by the left overs of another, much more well known one and in this case it's the Mego Star Trek line and The Ideal toys Star Team series. It's Knock-Off-A-Rific! 

Also, there is a major update about Toy-Ventures magazine, it's a good one.

Like Mego Knock-Offs? Join our Facebook group dedicated today, it's an intimate group that focuses just on vintage toys: 

The First issue of Toy-Ventures magazine is almost here:

Toy-Ventures Magazine Issue 1 is on the Press!

 

So happy to share these photos sent to me by my friends at Thompson Printing.

Toy-Ventures magazine is almost here!

Some updates, Shipping will likely begin next week, I will post an update when I have confirmation.

US Contributors- Your copies will be shipping from within in the US itself vis USPS.

Canadian and European Orders- I'll be shipping your orders from here but I'm prepped and ready to go.

Digital Orders- Expect an email with a link in the next week or so.

Extra copies will be available for sale on my website, ebay, etsy and more. I'll post links when they're live.

The main page for Toy-Ventures Magazine is right here.

Thanks, everyone for your support, it means a great deal.

Brian

Toy-Ventures: Maskatron (Kenner Six Million Dollar Man)

 Toy-Ventures this week looks at what we believe to be the greatest villain action figure of the 1970s and perhaps the best action figure of the decade as well.

Kenner's Maskatron, the robotic face changing robot from Kenner's Six Million Dollar Man toy line is a wonderful bit of toy magic when some licenses a property but takes artistic license (anticipate a callback joke) and sets out to also make a toy with tremendous play value.

Bionic Jump over to our facebook group PodStallions:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/podstallions

Toy-Ventures Magazine is coming this month:

https://plaidstallions.com/reboot/magazine/

Toy-Ventures Magazine Update!

Good news! The press proof for Toy-Ventures Issue one arrived, this video gives you a sneak peek into issue 1. I also want to use this time to answer some questions I'm getting, announce a second issue and of course, thank all the wonderful folks who supported this dream.

What would you like to see covered in Toy-Ventures Issue 2?

Toy-Ventures Magazine Web Page:

https://plaidstallions.com/reboot/magazine/

Toy Ventures: Top Ten Silliest Incredible Hulk Items

Marvel Comics The Hulk became a superstar in the 1970s and the licensing deals followed, as much as we love the big guy, not all of his merchandise made sense. This special episode counts down some of the silliest pieces of merchandise the Hulk put his name on. Special thanks to "Toynerd" David Lockwood for all the help on this one!

Like Mego Knock-Offs? Join our Facebook group dedicated today, it's an intimate group that focuses just on vintage toys: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Megoknockoff/

The First issue of PlaidStallion's Toy-Ventures Magazine is coming this July, the premier issue will be a salute to Azrak-Hamway international and features articles about Star Trek, Space:1999, World Famous Super Monsters, KISS and of course parachuting Superheroes. Learn more here:

Toy-Ventures: Conquerors of the Stars!

Time for another voyage to the realm of Knock-Off toys, this week we meet the early 1980s 12-inch series called "Conquerors of the Stars" and well, these dudes look really familiar... Join the conversation in our Knock Off Action Figure Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Megoknockoff/ Toy-Ventures Magazine is coming this July! http://plaidstallions.com/reboot/magazine/

Toy-Ventures: Top Ten 70s Peg Warmers

Somebody has to be last picked. No matter how cool the toyline is, there is likely at least one that kids didn’t want and was forced to get that dreaded big red sticker one. This week’s Toy Ventures takes a look at some beloved properties (that we love, I swear!) and looks at the “last picked” figure from every assortment counting down to the #1 least popular action figure of the 1970s. Agree with me? Disagree with me? It’s all good, I want to hear your thoughts.



Toy-Ventures Magazine Indie Go-Go ends tomorrow, if you’re into print publications, you may want to check this out: https://igg.me/at/7YMYRa6w7z4/x/23754935#/ Pod-Stallions FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/podstallions/

Return of the Space Apes!

A couple of weeks ago, I was introduced to the Space Apes, a vintage series of action figures that seemed to be knocking off Mego's Planet of the Apes line but upon further reflection, these appear to be factory seconds poly bagged and sold off to make a quick buck, more after the jump:

Toy-Ventures Indie Go-Go Campaign is Live!

My upcoming magazine Toy-Ventures is almost here!


The Toy-Ventures Indie Go-Go Fundraiser is now live. 

it's a pretty basic campaign and I'll walk you through what i'm doing, there are three options:

 

• Kick in a buck- We'll thank you with some spooky Super Monsters Wall Paper

• Get a digital copy- Even though we're fans of print, we realize you may not be and well, you can still help make this happen by contributing.

• Physical Copy of Issue #1 with two collectible Super Monsters Buttons featuring the photography of our cover artist Corey LeChat. We are doing a limited run of buttons and these will not be offered again should we sell out.
 

Stretch Goal:

If we get to 1500 copies sold, I'll increase the page count by eight pages and add scans of the 1975 and 1974 AHI toy catalogs.

Other Ways You Can Help

Please share this campaign on your social media accounts, your toy groups, and with anyone you think might want to read Toy-Ventures Magazine. Getting the word out is the most important goal of this publication.


It's really the most important thing right now, thank you for reading this and even being interested, I really appreciate it.

Toy-Ventures: Space Apes : Planet of the Apes Knockoffs?

After a long break, I have another wonderful mystery box of Knock-Offs from the United Kingdom, this week we're going to meet The Space Apes, a series of action figures that seem to resemble the Mego Planet of the Apes figures but with some noticeable differences. 

We're publishing a Toy-Ventures Magazine this Summer, here's a link on how to be kept in the loop: https://plaidstallions.com/reboot/magazine/ 

Like Mego Knock-Offs? Join our Facebook group dedicated today, it's an intimate group that focuses just on vintage toys: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Megoknockoff/

Sky Diving Parachutist

Lots going on behind the scenes at PlaidStallions right now, the new Toy-Ventures magazine is really taking shape and issue #1 will be a focus on the cool toys of Azrak-Hamway, like these Superhero parachutists. I sure wish that Shazam! one had gotten made, but I can't say for certain it didn't. I love stuff like this...

Toy-Ventures Issue #1 is coming this Summer, stay tuned for a launch announcement soon.

Special Toy-Ventures Announcement!

PlaidStallions.com turned 14 this week and I wanted to talk about some exciting projects we're working on. So please join me live from my grandmother's basement where I'll explain what I'm up to for the rest of 2020. Join us in the PlaidStallions Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/podstallions/

Toy-Ventures: More Knock Off Superheroes

Time to delve into the magical world of Knock Off or bootleg action figures again with these classics from the 1970s, the weirdest justice league ever consisting of Aquaman, Superman and um.......Bat-Phantom-Solider-Man?

Join the discussion in our knock off Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Megoknockoff/

PlaidStallions Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Plaidstallionsdotcom/

Toy-Ventures: Popy World Heroes

This week's episode is all about the greatest toys you never had as a kid, unless you grew up in Japan that is. The Popy World Heroes are an amalgamation of the Kenner Star Wars figures with the greatest TV Superheroes Japan had to offer. I'm talking Power Rangers! I'm talking Ultra-Man and his many, many brothers and my personal favourite Kamen Rider and his arch enemies. Popy World Heroes are the kind of crazy the world needs. Discuss this with us at the Pod Stallions Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/podstallions/

Toy-Ventures: Who are the Krazy Kreeps?

This week I share possibly my favourite knock off find of the last few years, meet the Krazy Kreeps, two eight Mego-esque monster figures that look so familiar. I'll explain where we've seen them before, lots of fun surprises and mysteries. Join our FB group Mego Knock Off HQ: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Megoknockoff/ Like us on FB: https://www.facebook.com/Plaidstallionsdotcom/

Don't forget to join our new facebook group.

Get the expanded digital edition of Rack Toys here.

Toy-Ventures: Toy Room Tour

Time for a quick tour of the toy room and show you what I've been doing for the last 35 years. Pod Stallions Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2226244254053126/ Mego Mania Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/megomania/ Subscribe to our channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwYta3nz_7FAzPvP8FPSgpg?view_as=subscriber

Toy-Ventures: Planet of the Apes Playset by Multiple

This week's Toy-Ventures takes us back to the year 3978, a time ruled by Apes. We look at one of the more memorable Planet of the Apes Playsets, while that's usually synonymous with Mego, this is by Multiple Toymakers.

We discuss some of Multiple's more popular toy offerings as well as why exactly Doctor Zaius is wearing a blue outfit.

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Toy-Ventures: Knock Off Superheroes

What's wrong with these superheroes?
This week I give you all I know about the "Heroes Accessories" line of toys, including their two waves and their relationship to Captain Action and the Mego World's Greatest Superheroes. Do you have any of these guys? Come talk about them in my new facebook group "Mego Knock Off Headquarters" an intimate group that is straight vintage toy talk: https://www.facebook.com/groups/231169224543263/

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Check out our cool designs at our Red Bubble store!

Toy-Ventures: AHI Super Monsters Discovery!

A bit of a departure this week, as we discuss this new find. I've heard of Azrak Hamway Super Monsters but who the heck is BBRB? Well, we find out this week. Special Thanks to Eddy Berst for solving this mystery for us. For more on the AHI World Famous Super Monsters Visit: www.azrakhamway.com Pod Stallions Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2226244254053126/

Why not subscribe to my YouTube Channel?

Check out our cool designs at our Red Bubble store!