He'll save everyone of us!

I've never really understood what possessed Mego to make these beautiful action figures based on the Flash Gordon comic strip, it was two years before the movie and animated series and while I admit I knew who the character was as a kid, I just didn't see this being a hit.

Anyway, I'm really glad they did, 'cause they're awesome! They're at a slightly larger scale then the Superheroes which allowed more detail in the outfits as well they come with a ton of stuff. I'm of the mind they are the best action figures ever made of the classic characters.

Speaking of Flash Gordon: One of my favourite modern Toy producers Bif Bang Pow! is releasing a set of Mego like 8" Flash Gordon figures based on the 1980 movie. If you read this blog, you'll know I am somewhat obsessed with that fine film, so it goes without saying that I'm pretty pleased.

Hopefully I can drive sales to convince Jason Lenzi to make an 8" Prince Vultan, I need a Brian Blessed doll in a bad way and so do all of you...

Check out Ming and Flash at Entertainment Earth.

Join the CB Convoy

Thanks to my sister, my family got all into the "CB Craze" of the mid seventies, my first conversation with a "real live trucker" was him telling me to get the hell off that channel.

That must have been really annoying, you have this great semi private form of communication and then all of a sudden every dork and his unsupervised spawn are on there as well. I went by the handle of "Red Godzilla" by the way...

The Penguin Strikes!

Second in our series of wonderfulcontributions to the site from Dan, this time we see Wonder Woman about to encounter the Penguin. I'd like to make a comment about how I've seen better Penguin outfits but I honestly haven't, the only other Pengun I've seen came from this show. Stay tuned next week for the thrilling conclusion!

And if you have anything to add, I'd be your friend for life.

LJN V Toys Catalog

"V" was an early 80s TV sensation, the brain child of Kenneth Johnson (responsible for the Six Million Dollar Man and the Incredible Hulk series) , V was a parable about facism wrapped in the amazing trappings of science fiction.

The original mini series were a ratings smash, so by the time a weekly series rolled around (Johnson bailed by this point) it made sense that toy makers were clamouring to get themselves some lizards. Sadly, the series was less than spectacular and LJN didn't roll out their entire V line for 1985 (save for the 12" doll). Below is a sad glimpse of what might have been.

Check out the 1985 LJN V catalog here

Other Unproduced Toy Lines

.

Celebrity Sighting?

I bought this catalog recently and the seller had postulated to me that this was Barbara Bach, originally I thought "That doesn't look like Daisy Duke!" but eventually clued in. I'm not 100% sure if this is Mrs. Ringo Starr but I certainly can't say I mind posting this photo.

Hey, "Caveman" is on DVD, I haven't seen that since I was kid, wonder if it holds up?

Kojak by Excel Toys

I've gone on record on many occasions as to not understanding the toyetic appeal of Kojak. Starsky and Huth or SWAT I readily enjoyed as a child but Kojak wasn't something I ever wanted a toy of.

I do admit I think that the Kojak office set is pretty damned skippy however, it even comes with a bad guy who appears to work at footlocker. If I ever happened upon one of these cheap, I'll give it to my Mego Starsky and Hutch dolls.

Drunk In Stereo

This is the slickest thing I have ever seen in my life.

Chutes Away!

Gabriel's Chutes Away was one of those games I often requested but never received. It's pre video game functionality is something we don't see much anymore.

Wonder Woman struts her stuff

This is is the first of many cool contributions to the site from Dan, the shot above is a great pic of the Wonder Woman from the show. I'd have been fooled as a kid.

And if you have anything to add, I'd be your friend for life.

Super Joe Toy Gallery

Created a new gallery for that often forgotten era in G.I. Joe's history known as Super Joe, the era when Joe got shorter and was blasted off into the distant future to do battle with "Gor King of the Terrons" (incidentally, Gor was only the second villian Joe ever had but not the first alien).

The Gallery features production drawings and early advertising along with shots of Super Joe items from around the world:

In the UK, Joe was called "Commander Power" but Terron was marketed as an enemy for his 12" doppelganger "Action Man".

In Mexico, Joe was called "Siglo XXX" (which translates into XXX Century) and he was marketed alongside his 12" counterpart. Finding these in the original Lily Ledy display boxes are a task and a half.

Check out More at the Plaidstallions Super Joe Gallery

Other Plaidstallions Action Figure Archives

Jumpsuits: Shapely, Sexy and So Very Seductive!

You know what? I'm kinda feeling it....

Toy Questions Part 3: Heroes in Action

This question comes in once a month, like clock work:

"I had these soldiers that were 3 3/4" and secured to a base, they made clicking sounds to simulate gunfire"

They are Mattel's Heroes in Action line, a neat little line of 3 3/4" soldiers that seems to have sold much better in Europe than here. I pictured the SWAT set up there for variety but the majority of the line was military themed.

I think the concept and execution were solid but it may have been too soon after Viet Nam for these things to be popular.

The Safari Shirt

The tire tracks on the left should suggest there are poachers, sound the alarm!

Bat-Tastic Rack Toys

Some new additions to the AHI Batman gallery today, above is the Phaser ahem, Batman water pistol. This is a Canadian Card, many AHI items were carried by Grand Toys.

The "L'il Zips" Batmobile looks like crazy fun for under a buck. I don't understand why folks keep things mint in package but decide to cut the packaging like that.

A close up of the detail on the tiny dynamic duo.

Lastly the L'il Zips Batcycle, which looks a lot like the Mego Batcycle, I guess DC had a role in it's initial design. The card art on this one is fantastic.

Caught in Spidey's Web

Completing the trifecta of awesome sent in by Scott during "Frogtown Frolics", at Thompson Park in Colts Neck, NJ. It's the classic Spider-Man appearance shot, notice that Scott is clutching a Mego Spiderman doll. Scott equates this event as not unlike "The Beatles at Shea Stadium" it's not hard to see why.

Thanks for the great memories Scott!

Send me your mall appearance photos!

Shindana Toys for 1976

Shindana (a Swahili word roughly meaning "to compete") toys was formed in 1968 after "Operation Bootstrap" was created. Their goal was to improve black self image by producing ethnically correct toys. According to their literature, they did this to promote understanding and love.

I've always wanted to do a feature about Shindana on Plaidstallions as their actions truly changed the face of toys. Before Shindana children of color often had to make due with crudely repainted toys if they could find any at all. Any look at a toy catalog in the early 1970s will see the dramatic impact Shindana had on the marketplace.

1976 was a hot year for the company, they were running with their successful baby dolls, had hot celebrities in the form of Jimmy Walker and OJ Simpson and they created IMO one of the most awesome action dolls ever, SLADE!

Visit the 1976 Shindana Toys Catalog Here.

More from 1976

Bear Hugs From Space

I blogged about my fascination with the G.I. Joe intruder last year. I still don't get why Hasbro thought an outer space cave man was a good first nemesis for G.I. Joe but I also can't deny I'm kind of smitten with him.

Above my newest cheap ebay score, a boxed UK version of Intruder. It seems that Palitoy's Action Man also got him as an enemy (although Action Man would get way cooler space villains to fight later on in the 1970s) and he got a super spiffy box. I really love solid box packaging like this, that artwork makes me smile.

Watch out for his crushing Bear Hug! I have a friend who should also come with this warning...

The Morrocco Look

I honestly don't remember anyone ever wearing stuff like this, it should have come with a warning that wearing it will give you an instant urge to kill Indiana Jones...

Toy Questions Part 2: Super Joe

Another recurring contributor to my mail bag is Super Joe, I get email from folks from time to time that say:

"I had this 8 inch tall Micronaut, he lit up, who was he?"- His name is Luminous and he's part of Hasbro's short lived GI Joe revamp called Super Joe. Luminous is clear like a Micronaut so the confusion is genuine.

"I remember this big Lizard that walked but if you hit him with a flash light, he stopped"- That's Terron, the big "get" for 1978 that many attribute to ruining the Super Joe line.

I think the big problem with Super Joe is he just didn't have the name recognition, kids didn't get that this was GI Joe and without some sort of tie in (ie TV show or comic book) he just became somewhat swept under the carpet next the Superfriends and Star Wars.

It's a bit of shame because Super Joe has some neat ideas, look for more on him at the site in the coming months.

DVD Alert!The Comedy goldmine known as Cinematic Titanic has released another live DVD, their last live DVD (East meets Watts) was the best I had seen by the former MST 3K gang.

Add to this that their latest victim, Alien Factor, is actually a pretty fun and creative film in it's own right. What happens when a space ship full of alien convicts crashlands in Baltimore.

You can see the first five minutes here and what's even cooler you can download the whole movie at their store for $10.00. If you're a fan, please support quality comedy and laugh your ass off.