Planet of the Apes Circus Poster

I kind of swore off poster collecting here (I ran out of walls) but I couldn't resist this small one for the (officially licensed) Planet of the Apes circus shows that went on in the UK during 1974. This falls under the category of Mall Appearances and well, it's Planet of the Apes, so I'll find the wall space even if it means taking down my Marvel Alice Cooper comic.

Below is some footage from the UK that I believe may be connected to this event:

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Get the expanded digital edition of Rack Toys here.

A 1970s McDonalds Costume Catalog

My friend Justin sent this to me yesterday and I can say without hyperbole that it's the greatest thing I'll ever see. If you've ever wondered how much "the Hamburglar" cost or if there was a checklist for Ronald McDonald's magic tricks, your quest is at an end today. 

$975 for the Hanburglar, do you take Paypal?

When our local McDonald's opened our Ronald had a thick Ukrainian accent, leading many of us to believe that Ronald was supposed to sound like that.

Bless you Justin for this amazing look behind the curtain.

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Get the expanded digital edition of Rack Toys here.

Movember Batman

Just When I thought the very talented Tim Baron (Any child of the 1970s/80s will want to check out his creations here) could surprise me no further, he pulls out the funniest Mall Appearance photo I've seen in years.

 Seriously, whose older brother is playing Batman here? 

Also,  I know it's a pen but I wouldn't bat an eye if it was a Virginia slim in his hand, it totally would fit. 

 This is the kind of thing I'm looking for in my next book "Mall of Justice". 

 How you can get involved: I'm looking for your photos and your recollections! 

Even if you've submitted them to the site before, I would likely need higher resolution and I'd want to talk to you. 

 What am i looking for: Appearances of costumed characters during the 1970s and 80s, be they from comic books (Batman, the Hulk) , cartoons (, toy lines (Masters of the Universe, GI Joe) or movies (Planet of the Apes, Star Wars) , a date and place and a description of how you felt meeting these iconic characters. Did you think they were real? Does it have to specifically be in a mall: HECK NO! Car shows, county fairs, grocery stores, heck I'd even accept birthday party shots. It's all fair game.

 Learn more here: http://plaidstallions.blogspot.ca/2016/04/new-book-project-mall-of-justice.html 

 Or simply send me an email at Kid70s*at*gmail.com (replace the at with an @, i just don't want tons of spam from publishing my email(

Super Team!

No, this isn't a still from the upcoming Justice League movie (it's too bright for one thing) this my friends is from a clever late 70s promotion for a company that seems to brilliantly pioneer what we call "Cosplay" today. Take a better look after the jump. You'll be glad you did.

Major props to Robb for pointing this wonderful item in my direction.

Fake Vader

I have no idea who Crowd Pleasers is but I can only imagine they were not officially licensed by Lucasfilm and probably made a fortune doing this.

Love Darth's Kenner blaster, just like he never used.

This is the perfect type of photo I'm seeking for my next book project Mall of Justice, a love letter to the sensational personal appearances of our comic book, TV, movie and toy icons during the 1970s and 80s.

Whether it's Adam West at a car show, He-Man at a Toys R Us opening or an ersatz Chewbacca at a stereo store, Mall of Justice melds vintage photos with childhood recollection of these epic meetings.

While I will design andeventually publish the book (via PlaidStallions Press), it's a project we can all get involved with!

How you can get involved:
I'm looking for your photos and your recollections! Even if you've submitted them to the site before, I would likely need higher resolution and I'd want to
talk to you.

What am i looking for:

Appearances of costumed characters during the 1970s and 80s, be they from comicbooks (Batman, the Hulk) , cartoons (, toy lines (Masters of the Universe, GI Joe)  or movies (Planet of the Apes,Star Wars) , a date and place and a description of how you felt meeting theseiconic characters. Did you think they were real?

Does it have to
specifically be in a mall?:

HECK NO! Car shows, county fairs, grocery stores, heck I'd even accept birthday party shots. It's all fair game.

Download the PDF Concept booklet for Mall of Justice Here.

Download a PDF Here.

Check out a Little Flip Book Here.

Thanks everyone for reading and I hope you'll share your experiences with me!

Caught in Spidey's Web!

This wonderful shot was sent into me by Twitter user @naturalbornheel who met Spidey at the Wonderland Mall (I've actually been there!) in San Antonio, TX during the Summer of '79.

This is the perfect type of photo I'm seeking for my next book project Mall of Justice, a love letter to the sensational personal appearances of our comic book, TV, movie and toy icons during the 1970s and 80s.

Whether it's Adam West at a car show, He-Man at a Toys R Us opening or an ersatz Chewbacca at a stereo store, Mall of Justice melds vintage photos with childhood recollection of these epic meetings.

While I will design andeventually publish the book (via PlaidStallions Press), it's a project we can all get involved with!

How you can get involved:
I'm looking for your photos and your recollections! Even if you've submitted them to the site before, I would likely need higher resolution and I'd want to
talk to you.

What am i looking for:

Appearances of costumed characters during the 1970s and 80s, be they from comicbooks (Batman, the Hulk) , cartoons (, toy lines (Masters of the Universe, GI Joe)  or movies (Planet of the Apes,Star Wars) , a date and place and a description of how you felt meeting theseiconic characters. Did you think they were real?

Does it have to
specifically be in a mall?:

HECK NO! Car shows, county fairs, grocery stores, heck I'd even accept birthday party shots. It's all fair game.

Download the PDF Concept booklet for Mall of Justice Here.

Download a PDF Here.

Check out a Little Flip Book Here.

Thanks everyone for reading and I hope you'll share your experiences with me!

General Spidrax at Toys R Us

It doesn't get more 80s than this does it? The badguy from the Sectaurs meeting a kid with a Ghostbusters Tee shirt!

Reminder: This is the kind of thing I'm looking for in my next book "Mall of Justice".

How you can get involved: I'm looking for your photos and your recollections! Even if you've submitted them to the site before, I would likely need higher resolution and I'd want to talk to you.

What am i looking for: Appearances of costumed characters during the 1970s and 80s, be they from comic books (Batman, the Hulk) , cartoons (, toy lines (Masters of the Universe, GI Joe)  or movies (Planet of the Apes, Star Wars) , a date and place and a description of how you felt meeting these iconic characters. Did you think they were real? 

Does it have to specifically be in a mall: 
HECK NO! Car shows, county fairs, grocery stores, heck I'd even accept birthday party shots. It's all fair game.

Learn more here:

http://plaidstallions.blogspot.ca/2016/04/new-book-project-mall-of-justice.html

New Book Project: Mall of Justice

It seems fitting that on the site's tenth birthday to announce my second book. After the wonderful experience and success of Rack Toys, I am ready to start on Mall of Justice : Recollections of Meeting our Heroes.

Mall of Justice is a love letter to the sensational personal appearances of our comic book, TV, movie and toy icons during the 1970s and 80s.

Whether it's Adam West at a car show, He-Man at a Toys R Us opening or an ersatz Chewbacca at a stereo store, Mall of Justice melds vintage photos with childhood recollection of these epic meetings.

While I will design and eventually publish the book (via PlaidStallions Press), it's a project we can all get involved with!

How you can get involved: I'm looking for your photos and your recollections! Even if you've submitted them to the site before, I would likely need higher resolution and I'd want to talk to you.

What am i looking for: Appearances of costumed characters during the 1970s and 80s, be they from comic books (Batman, the Hulk) , cartoons (, toy lines (Masters of the Universe, GI Joe)  or movies (Planet of the Apes, Star Wars) , a date and place and a description of how you felt meeting these iconic characters. Did you think they were real? 

Does it have to specifically be in a mall: 
HECK NO! Car shows, county fairs, grocery stores, heck I'd even accept birthday party shots. It's all fair game.

Download the PDF Concept booklet for Mall of Justice Here.

Download a PDF Here.

Check out a Little Flip Book Here.

Thanks everyone for reading and I hope you'll share your experiences with me!

Spider-Man shopping spree!

Spidey joined the winner of shopping spree back in 1981, I dream of these things sometimes....

Send me your mall appearance photos!

Meet Wonder Woman at Walgreens!

I would really enjoy it if somebody sent me pics from one of these appearances. We get tons of Spider-Man here and the occasional Batman but Wonder Woman? Never.

Send me your mall appearance photos!

Hulk and Spider-Man to tour

I'd love to read their contract rider.

Send me your mall appearance photos!

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!

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!

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!

The Incredible Hunh?

Clark sent in these shots of him and his sister Stef from the Harrisburg Auto Show meeting "The Hulk" and well, this is the worst and most awesome thing I have ever seen. I'm positive this Hulk was not endorsed in any way by Marvel comics as it would give Stan Lee nightmares.

I can see where the Hulk's make up ends! Not like the illusion was holding up previously mind you. I'd love to find a flyer for this, it probably proudly stated "KIDS MEET THE HULK!". I'm sure dozens of children had expectations of Lou Ferrigno, and they all learned the definition of "bait and switch" that day.

Bless you Clark.

Send me your vintage mall appearance photos!

Send me your mall appearance photos!

Mall Droid

Sean  (follow him on twitter) sent in this awesome shot of him and .....R7-D3? I'm not sure who that's supposed to be, oh wait it's R2-D2, says so right on the front. Wow, he looks different in person.

I think I finally found a companion for this Chewbacca...

Send me your vintage mall appearance photos!

Send me your mall appearance photos!

The amazing Spider Santa

Another terrific vintage entry from my pal Tim Baron (check out his awesome art and creations here) here he is meeting Spider-Man in a pose (and chair) usually reserved for another man in red.

That is truly one of the better Spider-Man costumes featured here, thanks Tim!

Send me your vintage mall appearance photos!

Send me your mall appearance photos!

Movember Batman

My pal Tim Baron (check out his awesome art and creations here) sent in this terrific early 80s shot of him meeting the caped crusaders. Tim tells me that "he wasn't fool by the moustache for a second".  Good eye Tim, that Batman has "Wendy's night manager" written all over him. 

Send me your vintage mall appearance photos!

Send me your mall appearance photos!