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.

Check and Mate

Check as in "Check your panties at the door"

PS you can never go wrong when clothing is described as "Jaunty"

Colouring Book Theatre: Star Trek color and activity book

The Amazing Spider-Man: "Star Trek Color and Activity book" by Merrigold Press

If anybody has been reading the blog, you'll know I pretty much adore Star Trek coloring books, mostly because a) They're terrible and b) often hilarious (see this for more)

When I bought this book it seemed familiar but I swore I'd never done it, that isn't totally true. This reprinted book is the other half of the story of "Rescue at Rylo" which I have reviewed here and commented that it made no sense.

That's because Merrigold Press broke the story into two pieces when they recycled it for the launch of Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Not a single kid probably cared, nor should, but I needed the closure.



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

The Superhero Sales Force

Another cool sales piece from LCA (licensing Corporation of America) extolling the virtues of DC comics superheroes. LCA was the engine that drove the superhero merchandise explosion of the 1970s, so it's safe to say I'm a big fan. Click on any of the images to see them larger. (Thanks to Corey for the scans)

I can't resist blowing up that mall appearance shot and the Superman boutique picture (which was previously seen here)

A blow reveals that Batman and Robin aren't played by just anybody but by Batman and Robin. Nice gig considering it's nearly a decade since the series was cancelled.

This is the Superman boutique at Macy's, we've previously featured it in the booklet below:



More LCA and DC comics goodness here.

Plenty of leg room

The added income of smuggling people into the country makes these babies pay for themselves in no time!

Evel Knievel for daredevil thrills and action!

It's no surprise that Ideal claimed at one point that it sold more than $125 million of Knievel merchandise, I think even the amish kids wanted one of these.

True fact: I have never in my life, played with one of these....

Flash Gordon Galaxy Aliens

These "Galaxy Aliens" are from the planet "RecyclusToyMoldus IV".

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.

Bowtie Camoflague

From the brief period when it was hip to dress like Mark Russell.

The fad lasted exactly 14 minutes and no one was harmed.

Colouring Book Theatre: The Amazing Spider-Man

The Amazing Spider-Man: "Spider-Man Unmasked" by Marvel Books

Recently a reader commented that I have never met a colouring book I didn't hate.

He was kidding but it did strike me that even though everything I do is done out of love, it does seem like i love to crap on them.

I'll counter that I'm drawn to the train wrecks for their comic potential but in the interest of fairness, I present a book that I have nothing but nice things to say about.

Published in 1983 by Marvel itself, this book retells the story of "Amazing Spider-Man #39" in coloring book format and well, they do a good job.

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

PodStallions 21: Bionic Man-ia

It was bound to happen, episode 21 talks of the Six Million Dollar Man television series which slow motion ran across our television screens (and our collective hearts) during the Polyester decade.

In this we discuss the series itself, the spin offs and the crazy/wonderful merchandise that made Christmas more memorable. We go through the fan club kit, discuss favourtie episodes and villains. Jason also gets to relay his experience working with the license some 30 years later and even 

Of course, that being said we get off track into discussions about Mego, Star Wars, West World, Penny Dreadful,  the career of John Saxon, Star Trek the Motion Picture , David Carradine and other things completely unrelated to our subject.

Episode 21 will have you looking your Bionic Eye.

Download the Show Here

Listen here

Show Links:

• The Japanese Spider-Man figure by Popy we discussed.
• The very first episode of Kamen Rider V3 sees his whole family murdered by a villain called Scissors Jaguar.
• The Ark diecast ad we discuss on the show that features Jason's beloved Baltan toy.
• How Star Wars figures were sold in Japan.
• The Captain Scarlet model kits Jason mention.
• Denys Fisher Cyborg toys based on Henshin Cyborg.
• A website devoted to the Shinsei UFO Commander toys.
• The Kamen Rider Henshin suit that keeps Brian up at night.
• Drool over the amazing Jumbo Machinders!

Plenty more content on the PodStallions Facebook page!

We'll be adding Bionic Man collectible photos to Facebook.



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