Happy New Year!

I'm back and I can think of no greater image to leave 2014 with.

On behalf of myself and the underpants navy, let's have some smooth sailing out there this evening...

Merry Christmas!

Hey All, I'm about to embark on my annual Christmas hiatus from all things polyester and plastic for a few days.

I'm not going to lie, 2014 was  rough and at times, it made me want to throw it all away . What really kept me grounded was all the positivity and kindness i received from you folks daily. Thank you for that, it means the world.

Plaid Stallions will return at the end of the month, this year Jason and I will be tackling the retro awards together (which was skipped last year due for unhappy reasons). I'll also be posting some Christmas toy memories on our facebook page all day today.

From my family to yours, I wish you all the very best. May your holidays be filled with joy. See you in 2015, I have a lot of fun things planned.

Brian

Battlestar Galacticup

I found this bit of weirdness recently at the flea market, I can safely say Lorne Green did not approve licensed materials....

Paul Lynde's Howling Commandos!

Not just any man can wear our neckerchief, to see if you have what it takes, visit your local recruiting center.

Colouring BooK Theatre: Spiderman's Christmas

Spider-Man's Christmas: Giant Story Colouring Book by Marvel Books

I found this book at a flea market the other and seeing how it's Christmas, I spent the money and nabbed this gigantic book from 1984.

It's done in '84 by the Marvel Bullpen so it's nicely done rip of the Parkes Run books from the 70s.

Grab your crayons and still suit and join me after the jump

Shopping with Hordak

My friend Corey sent this picture of his pal Darryl and Hordak at the Wyoming Valley Mall in Wilkes-Barre PA circa 1986.

He goes on to mention "I can safely say it wasn't the reason we went to the mall, it was just kinda there. I did take some more shots of Skeletor's castle which I'll dig out and send over."

As a teen I also had a (mildly unwanted) run in with He-Man, so I can totally relate.

Send me your vintage mall appearance photos!

Send me your mall appearance photos!

1975 Christmas Toy Store Flyer

Newspaper circulars for toy stores are a tough thing to find, often thrown out immediately it's a shame when you realzie what a wonderful window into our world they truly are.

Take this one for a store called "Hagensick's Playroom" (great name) in Wisconsin, which features a veritible "who's who" of hot items for the era.

Lots of old friends in here, like the Sunshine Family, Atomic Man, Mego Wizard of Oz, the Adventure People, Barbie and much, much more..

Dig into the 1975 Toy Store Flyer right here!

More Toy Store Flyers:

1981 Toys R Us Flyer

Childworld 1975

Childworld 1981

1975 Toys R Us

Shimmery Terry and the Boogie Bunch!

Join Shimmery Terry and her sidekicks Guido Satin and Johnny Pantsbuldge, as they solve dance floor related murders every Friday this fall on NBC!

Dukes Mania

Dukes of Hazzard was the first time as a kid where there was a show that I watched and enjoyed but when that avalanche of merchandise arrived, I had no desire to own any of it.

Boy though in 1981, if you could think of it, you could buy it with the General Lee on it...

Super Frame!

I found this little oddity in a local flea market, produced in 1978 by a Canadian company called "Friendly Photos" it features a rare appearance by Green Lantern. Even if he is blonde with large red gautlets, it's nice to see ol' Hal.

The biggest mystery about this piece is why I haven't slapped a third grade photo of myself in there....

Rack Toys: Cheap, Crazed Playthings is a limited edition 144 page book from the creator of Plaid Stallions. Order from us and get three free promotional post cards.

Bride of Mantique

Do not gaze too long at Mantique this holiday season for it's strong synthetic blends are both hypnotic and indestructible. Do not fall under it's musky spell! There is no escape!

Rise, Mall Vader

Another winner from Sean  (follow him on twitter) taken at the same time as this classic. I never bore of home made Vader appearances. I always wonder how these guys got past the whole breathing thing?

Send me your vintage mall appearance photos!

Send me your mall appearance photos!

Pod Stallions Episode 25: The Empire Struck

It's been nearly two years since we discussed all things Star Wars and what better time than when we all got teased with the further adventures of Luke Skywalker and crew.

Episode 25 takes us back to that fateful summer when the most highly anticipated film of our lives (at the time, it's been replaced by "Glitter" now) landed. It's a tumultuous time when we first discovered the word "Spoiler" (thank you Marvel comics!) and the heart break of us watching the bad guys win.

Of course along the way we discuss kenner action figures, competitive collecting, modern fandom, battle beyond the stars, Jason's fondness for the Ewoks  and give absolutely no opinion on the current trailer.

Download the Show Here

Listen here

Show Links:

• Jason almost was late for school watching this interview with Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill
• Billy Dee Williams on "The Jeffersons".
• The Empire trailer narrated by an overzealous Harrison Ford.
• A nice smattering of Kenner Empire Strikes back commercials.

Plenty more content on the PodStallions Facebook page!



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RC Batmobile by AHI

I found this cool little ad for AHI in a toy publication, it's kind of fun to see something like this with original artwork and not a single DC comics style guide image to be found.


More AHI links at PlaidStallions.

The Weekender

For those of you not feeling a pantsuit Christmas, may i suggest this 4 piece wonder? It has everything, even Batman's utility belt!

Charlie's Angels Beauty Set

There is nothing like the concerned face of Farrah Fawcett Majors to help you with your morning beauty routine.

I want to add that when working on the book, I couldn't find one of these flipping things, now I'm tripping over them....

Rack Toys: Cheap, Crazed Playthings is a limited edition 144 page book from the creator of Plaid Stallions. Order from us and get three free promotional post cards.

Let's make it a Knit Pantsuit Christmas

Wouldn't it be nice, just one year, to have a wrinkle free yuletide?

Sx Flags Star Wars

Danny (check out his awesome art here) sent in this fun shot of him posing with a pretty ersatz Vader and C3P0 from Six Flags great adventure in 1981.

Danny mentioned he likes to point out to family that Vader is wearing Adama's cape but they don't understand, however we totally do...

Send me your vintage mall appearance photos!

Send me your mall appearance photos!

1976 Clipper Toy Catalog from Holland

Sure things in Holland are a little different than here, their liquorice is salty and let's just say their definition of "dutch oven" differs from mine.

However, Christmases were pretty darn similiar to ours thanks to toy companies like Clipper who distributed some of the best selling toys and games the world has to offer.

You may not be able to speak the language but you won't need to.

Click here to visit the 1976 Clipper Toy Catalog.

Ole!

I don't know why i look, they never have them in size 15....

The Old West by Gabriel

In 2013, we got a pretty disappointing Lone Ranger movie, just like we did in 1981.

In 1981, we got a killer action figure line for that Lone Ranger movie that was so good, most kids loved them anyway.

Advantage 1981....

Gabriel Legend of the Lone Ranger Catalog.

Banana Splits Flute Set by Larami

Spied this shopping on the weekend, one thing I've noticed about Larami toys is often the connection to the licensed product was instantly lost when you took the toy of it's card.

Not that a sticker makes it more official but you get what I'm saying.

Rack Toys: Cheap, Crazed Playthings is a limited edition 144 page book from the creator of Plaid Stallions. Order from us and get three free promotional post cards.

And now, NFL players in double knit blazers

Collect them all!

colouring book theatre: The Incredible Hulk

The Incredible Hulk: Giant Story Colouring Book by Parkes Run

I recently discovered photos of this book, taken in 2011 at my pal Jeff's store Kool Stuff Toys. Parkes Run made these giant  books in the late 70s and I remember getting at least one for Christmas.

In order to use this for CBT I propped it up against a chair and photographed it, so today's feature is a little wonky but still a fun look at this nicely drawn but sparsely written book.

Grab your crayons and still suit and join me after the jump