These GI Joe Wishbook spreads are some of my earliest memories, my mother even tells me that an overnight hospital stay once was made less traumatic by handing me a Christmas wishbook that was in her car.
No wonder that I smile every time I see one of these double-page spreads...
One of the things I love most about this vintage article about the launch of the gorgeous line of Lone Ranger action figures by Hubely/Gabriel.
The point made by the president about how parents would recognize these characters and buy them totally works. One Halloween I was told I was going to be the Lone Ranger by my mother and I think it's because she saw the costume, geeked out and bought it for me....
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:
Faced with this decision as a child, I went for Super Joe and you know what? I still would, especially since I don't have a "Gor: the King of the Terrons" doll. What about you folks?
I've blogged about Bugmen of Insecta in the past but recently realized I had the catalog in the archive, while I vividly remember the figures, I certainly don't remember the vehicles!
I believe they're repurposed from another Toyline called "Dragon Riders of Styx" which is interesting because they were made around the same time by a company called "Dimensions For Children".
For no good reason, except that it's insect-related, I am including this page simply titles "Bags of Insects". No need to sell it to children, they know exactly what to do with this kind of thing and hopefully, it includes army men.
We're back and once again joined by David Weiner, former editor of Famous Monsters and director of the upcoming film "In Search of Tomorrow" for a deep dive into Gerry Anderson's seminal 1970s space opera "Space:1999"
We discuss the interesting story behind the making, David's conversations with Martin Landau, first season vs second and of course, the merchandise!
Time for another Toy-Venture, this week we talk about the very underrated line of Tarzan toys produced by Mattel in 1978, actually we talk about the whole series of action figures produced that year using European Big Jim tooling. Grab a vine and join me, won't you?
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I vividly remember that day in 1976 when I walked into the Eatons (RIP) toy department and saw the Remco McDonaldland Characters right next to the Mego World's Greatest Superheroes, for a brief, nanosecond there was doubt but my love for Superheroes outweighed my love for fast food.
Before Destro, before Cobra Commander and just a year before Gor King of the Terrons, GI joe met his first official bad guy in the Intruders, Strong Men from another world. The Intruders are alien cavemen who want to take over the world and probably get some shoes.
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This week we talk about one of my "white whales" in knock-off monster toy collecting, the elusive and vexing "Evil Cowboys" action figures made by Zodiac Toys in the late 1970s. I wish I knew more about these but here is everything i have on the subject. Hosted and edited by Brian Heiler (@plaidstallions) PlaidStallions Facebook Page
If you find yourself saying "I don't remember this!" that's correct, it seems that the Kite with Stuntman figure set was cut short in it's release in 1978 (where i most definitely would have gotten this for Christmas). Depending on where you look the item was either recalled due to the Stuntman figure falling off or that the kite wasn't very good. Either way, if you see one in the wild, grab it!
This week we talk about one of the rarest action figures I've ever come across, the highly elusive Zython from the Mattel Space:1999 action figure collection.
I don't own this incredibly rare carded example but thankfully, I do know someone that has one and I examine it and give it's interesting back story.
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Today, 13 years ago, I had just put my (then tiny) daughter down for a nap and with the rest of the family out, I was that dangerous combination of bored and lonely. So, I decided to start a blog that I had been planning for months. Not that I had a plan, it was basically me scanning my collection of old wishbooks and adding some humour. It was crude and I didn't know if anybody would care, also I told nobody. It changed my life. Since that time, I've produced toys, found employment writing about the 70s, gone back to school to make this site better, thrown myself out of my comfort zone with podcasting and Youtube, written a book and made many close friends. I never intended to keep it going this long, five years was my original plan but I just never wanted to stop. Through the years, I've lost family, jobs, friends and even my house for a brief time but one thing I looked forward to doing each day was this, it's been a rock to me, a true comfort. I sincerely love and appreciate the feedback I get here, it brings me joy to read your comments, your captions (always better than mine) and your memories. Thank you for making this one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I am very grateful. Brian PS-It's especially fitting I write this just before I drop off that same daughter at an all-night laser tag party.
Toy-Ventures this week talks about the incredible Hombre Bionico from the Mexican series "Kid Acero" which is based on Mattel's Big Jim. We get into why I think this is the greatest incarnation of Big Jim and showcase some of the cool figures that were done fromn1976 to 1980. Trust me, these are the figures you wished you had as a kid! See more Cipsa Big Jim at our gallery page:
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This week's installment of Toy Ventures is all about the cool licensed School Supplies created by a company called Alco. Over a period of five years they made two styles of sharpeners, erasers and even a Batman Slide Rule? Visit us online at www.plaidstallions.com Twitter: @plaidstallions Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwYta3nz_7FAzPvP8FPSgpg?view_as=subscriber
This week's installment of Toy-Ventures is all about the wonderful and weird Maskatron knock off from France called "Robot Man with Four Faces" one of the more blatant (and charming) rip-offs I've ever encountered as a collector. Visit us online at www.plaidstallions.com Twitter: @plaidstallions Subscribe to our Youtube Channel:
We're back with another mini (well it's an hour, we can talk) and we're spending this time talking about the recently deceased character actor and genre veteran, Dick Miller who played "Walter Paisley" a whole bunch! We try to stay on subject but if you've ever listened to us, you know how that goes. Topics include Roger Corman's soothing voice, The Terminator, The Burbs, Jason's experience at the Stan Lee memorial, Chopping Mall, Brian has never seen Gremlins, Twilight Zone, V, Mego, Marty Abrams, Gary Sandy and Dinner Theatre souvenirs. Please Enjoy and we have a new PodStallions Facebook group, please join us.
