Squirtin' Super Monsters

Over the years, I've waxed a good de about my desire to own these wonderful (and incredibly rare) creations by Azrak Hamway. Seeing them in their carded form (they were introduced in 1975, it seems) only exacerbates the issue.

I'd love to own a carded Creature or Frankenstein one day but I am not sure I'll ever have the opportunity to do so. So strange that I'm smitten with something that once probably cost $.88 cents.

Azrak Hamway Index on PlaidStallions/AzrakHamway.com

 

The Skull Machine

The Skull Machine sounds more like a Ted V Mikels film than it does a toy but it's actually quite a neat concept from Deny Fisher UK (inventors of the Spirograph).

Basically it's a child's first look at rotational molding, as the machine allows kids to make three different kinds of heads they can then paint. There were several variations on this theme but seeing as this is October, I chose the horror themed one to spotlight.

Pod Stallions 22: Store Bought Costumes

As the title suggests, episode 22 delves into the wonderful world of Halloween costumes but none of that "Home made with your mom's love" kinda junk, this talks about the good old "smock and mask" stuff you got at places like Woolco or Kresge's.

In what is probably our most visual episode, Jason and Brian go through the many catalogs on Plaidstallions from companies such as Collegeville, Ben Cooper and Kusan.

From deep discussions about Grizzly Adams, The Village People, Hee-Haw, Tattoo from Fantasy Island and of course, Flash Gordon. This one doesn't leave many 70s stones unturned. Look for cameos by your favourite Star Wars characters Yada, Darth Vadar and Baba Fett.

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Show Links:

• 1974 Collegeville Catalog
• 1978 Collegeville Catalog
• 1979 Collegeville Catalog
• 1983 Collegeville Catalog
• 1980 Ben Cooper Catalog
• The Ad for Village People Costumes
• Denys Fisher Cyborg toys based on Henshin Cyborg.

Plenty more content on the PodStallions Facebook page!

We'll be adding Halloween Costume photos to Facebook.



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Imperial Godzilla

Even though I was a teen when this stuff came out, I won't pretend I didn't go a bit nuts when I saw Godzilla merchandise in my local drug store. I still have my PVC Godzilla on my desk.

But children of the 80s, please tell me, did any of you do the obvious conversion to bubble blowing Godzilla in your college years?

Hairy, Scary Monsters from Collegeville

1982 saw the Universal monsters depart Ben Cooper and move over to Collegeville for a glorious rebranding. The monster were all given weaves, gorgeous new packaging and Collegeville even added the Metaluna Mutant to the mix.

This Friday's Pod Stallions is all about Store Bought Costumes of yore, hope you'll check it out.

For more on the Collegeville Universal Monsters, check out the 1983 Collegeville Catalog here.

Official World Famous Super Monsters Bend 'Ems King Kong

I think it's safe to say my favourite line of bendy figures are the AHI Bend 'Ems for the Super Monsters line. So I was pretty excited to pick up this missing character from my collection, the one and only King Kong. AHI put a lot of fun into these and I especially love the added detail of a little Fay Wray in his hand.

Azrak Hamway Index on PlaidStallions/AzrakHamway.com

 

The Creature goes drag racing

I've spoken about the cool copy right infringing monster SSP vehicles that Kenner put out in the late 70s before but until now haven't really ever seen one up close.

Thanks to my buddy Matt, we can now see the "Gargoyle" or as anyone with eyes would refer to him as the Creature from the Black Lagoon.

I'm elated that Matt shared this because these things appear to be really hard to find.

Want to see more, check out his Flickr album here.

1974 Kusan Halloween Catalog

Kusan may not be as well known as Ben Cooper or Collegeville for Halloween  and they certainly didn't get the "A" licenses but they sure knew how to create some innovative and highly creative costumes.

From ideas like combining a kazoo into a Halloween mask to

Licensing teen heartthrobs like David Cassidy,  this is not just a fun trip but it's also one of the prettiest and well designed toy catalogs I've ever seen.

Check out the 1974 Kusan Halloween Costume here.


More Costume Goodies

   

Jointed Avengers

My pal Corey had these in his collection, a series of Spanish walll hanging heroes that remind me greatly of the Our Way Studios stuff from the mid 70s. While the Hulk is nice, I especially dig the Thor.

If anybody knows how many characters were made or owns others, I'd love to see them,

More on the subject:

Countdown to Halloween

Well, it's my favourite time of year, the annual Halloween countdown. 

Being a monster kid and overall creepy adult, this is my time to shine. Expect some creepy content to start filtering in sometime next week. Until then, enjoy some of the best masks 1976 had to offer, seriously if I had to choose just one from this display as a kid I'd still be standing there.

If you need a daily monster toy or costume fix in the mean time, check my twitter feed for daily updates.

More Sky Diving Parachutists

 

Ever since I mocked up a set of parachuting AHI Super Monsters last year, I've been kind of smitten and inspired to make more. I had a major spurt of creativity this summer and here is the result.

Above is a Brick Mantooth Parachutist, this was inevitable and I'll likely do a bunch of different variations for him. I wish they made plaid spray paint.

 

We got AHI Parachutist figures for Space:1999, so why not Gerry Anderson's other 70s opus, UFO? I've got Ed Straker half done right now.

 

Finally I made this for my pal and podcast partner Jason Lenzi for his birthday (delivering a full two months late) it's the first of many TV detectives I plan to make. Seriously, I'm going to make a Quincy.

More soon!

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.