COLLECT THEM ALL!

Who can stop it!?! Who can control this monstrous creature!?! YOU CAN KIDS!!!

2007-05-23T01:18:00.000-05:00

I have recently uploaded some toy commercials from the 1960's, and will be posting some of them here. The first commercial is for Ideal's King Zor from 1962. Looks like a pretty fun monster toy, but it doesn't hold a candle to Marx's Great Garloo featured in the 2nd commercial! Enjoy!

Nice Meatloaf Jack costume Bob, glad you could make my annual Halloween party.

2007-05-10T16:36:00.000-05:00

Now Playing - Series 4

Mary Jane Never Looked so Tasty

2007-04-02T16:59:00.000-05:00

I blogged about this on my myspace page a few months ago, but since this is my toy blog, it belongs here as well.

I think this statue looks amazing, and if it comes out as nice as the prototype, I will probably be adding it to my collection. It is the upcoming Diamond Select, Marvel Zombies, Till Death do us Part, 9" statue, due for release in June, and limited to 2500 pieces.

I barely ever buy comic books anymore, and when I do, it is usually graphic novels, and collected volumes. I was curious about the Marvel Zombie comics, and somebody sent me scans of all the issues so I could read them. They were exactly what I expected. Crudely drawn, badly written cheese, but even so, they were a fun little read, and some of the covers are fantastic.

This statue is based on the cover of Marvel Zombies #5 which features a scene that unfortunately never really takes place in the comic.

Action figures from Marvel Zombies are also on the way from Marvel Select, and though not as nice as the statue, are pretty cool in their own right. The Capt. America even has a removable brain.

I can't highly recommend the comics, but the products so far look promising, and I look forward to their release.

"I shouldn't wish to attract attention"

2007-03-29T19:50:00.000-05:00

I don't care what you say, Adam West will always be THE Batman. I know it's ultra campy, and that is what I like about it! After all, the show was based on a comic book. The 60's Batman TV show was before my time, as I was born in 1972, but I did watch it religiously in reruns as a kid, always hoping for a Joker episode. I still enjoy watching the show to this day, it's a riot, and it would sure be nice to see it get a DVD release. So yeah, nothing against the many Batman movies that have been released since, but no matter what, Adam West will always be THE live action Batman in my eyes.

Lets change the subject for a minute. Another hobby I have, is customizing action figures. I also enjoy seeing other people's work. There are some very talented customizers out there, and the variety of styles is part of what makes it cool in my eyes. As far as I am concerned, custom action figures are works of art. Some of my favorite customs are Mego customs. They are loads of fun to make, and I am a huge fan of the 8" Mego figures from the 70's.

Many people sell their customs, sometimes myself included, but I rarely ever buy other people's work. Not because I don't think they are worth it, but because, well, if I want a character bad enough, I will usually take a stab at it myself. That being said, every so often, I will see one that I must own. This is one of them....

I have seen custom Adam West Batman figures before. Usually in the 1/6 scale (12"), and some of them have been pretty impressive, but one day while while surfing eBay for Mego Batman stuff, I came across an auction that made my jaw drop, and scream, HOLY SHIT, IT'S A MEGO ADAM WEST BATMAN!

I knew I must own it. The seller was a cat named Brian Leitner, who is an excellent Mego customizer, and well known in the Mego collecting community. I kept an eagle eye on the auction, and when it came time to bid, I excitedly entered my bid. Well, boo hoo, I was outbid on the figure in the last 2 seconds. That wasn't going to stop me though. I decided to send Brian a message, asking if he would be making anymore and selling them on eBay. I didn't get a reply....until a few weeks later. Brian sent me a second chance offer through eBay for my highest bid. I wasted no time in taking him up on the offer, and a few weeks later a mini Adam West sprung out of my mailbox and beat the crap out of my Mego Riddler.

Batman has a resin cast head that was hand painted, and a custom sewn outfit, all on a reproduction Mego body. The incredible box was created by Toyroom.

More detailed than a Adam West Batman Mego figure from the 70's would have looked, but he still fits in with the vintage figures nicely. I can't say enough nice things about this custom, and I have zero regrets on the purchase.

If you would like to take a look at some of Brian Leitner's other work, you can check out his page by clicking here. Brian does commission work, and if you ask nicely he just might make you an Adam West Batman too! Tell him Jason (TCM Hitchhiker) sent ya!

Want to see more cool Mego customs, stop by the Mego Museum Forums!

Spyda-Mon!

2007-03-28T22:45:00.000-05:00

If you thought the made for television Spider-Man movies from the 70's are campy, you ain't seen nothin' yet! In 1978 Japan had it's own Spider-Man show. This wasn't the Spider-Man us Americans know, no, he was quite different. This was more like Ultraman (or for the younger readers Power Rangers). Spider-Man pretty much has the same powers, wall climbing, super strength, web-spinning (Spyda stwiiing!), and oh so much more, and here is where the cheese starts. Spidey also had his own flying race car called the Spider Machine GP-7, that could combine with the Marveller (A space ship from the planet Spider) and form a giant robot called Leopardon, who carries a giant spider shield and battles giant monsters, saving Spider-Man's ass. Oh, and did I mention Spidey knows Kung-Fu!?!? Go figure, a Japanese show with Kung-Fu, giant robots and giant monsters. Amazing!

It almost sounds like I am making it up, doesn't it. Well, I have proof. Grab some Boston Baked Beans and enjoy the first episode of the show. It's all in Japanese, but who cares, when you can see Spidey Kung-Fu some super villain duck people! Enjoy, and when the show is over, read on about the Spider-Man action figure made by Popy!

I have to say, those wall crawling effects are nice! But enough about the show, lets talk about the action figure from the show.

Released at the same time as the show, Popy's 10" Spider-Man is similar to a Mego, or Big Jim action figure, fully articulated, with action action features that are as crazy as the show! This figure is AMAZING!

Probably the oddest thing about this figure, is that he has no gloves. Just flesh hands. Why they didn't mold them in red, or paint them, is beyond me. Ok, maybe that isn't the oddest, maybe this is. Spider-Man's left hand fires a missile, and man does it fly!

His right hand has a spring activated web inside it, with a hook on the end. You can hook this on to something, pull Spidey down, let go, and he shoots up the web! He can also pull objects towards himself.

Spider-Man also includes suction cups and magnets that connect to his hands for wall (fridge/window) clinging fun, as well as a web he can repel down. You also get two little black spiders.

I think hat you will agree, that although this figure has some wacky things going on, he would have been loads of fun to play with as a kid. And you know what, he is loads of fun now!

Hope you enjoyed this blog about Spider-Man from Japan! The Japanese made some incredible toys, and still do today. Expect to see a lot around here!

They're NOT dead Jim!

2007-03-26T15:31:00.000-05:00

If you were a kid in the 70's, or early 80's, you no doubt remember the 8" action figures made by Mego. For me, Megos were (and still are) IT. When I was a kid, one of my favorite Mego figures was Mr. Spock from their impressive Star Trek line. At the time, and for Mego standards, this line was a beauty. The detail in the clothing was top notch, the accessories were accurate, and the likenesses were pretty damn good for the 70's.

Well Megoheads and Trekkies, they're back! Beaming into your online stores, and local comic shops soon are Diamond Select Toys, Star Trek 8" action figures! Near exact re-issues of the original Mego action figures on vintage style packaging.

Promo picture of Diamond Select's upcoming Captain Kirk and Klingon figures.

They will be released two characters at a time about a month apart. There will be 8 figures in a case, 4 of each character, and no short packs.

Kirk & Klingon
Spock & Andorian
Dr. McCoy & Romulan

What makes this really good news, is that the original Andorian and Romulan Megos are high dollar collectibles these days. So this will be nice for collectors on a budget, or those that already have the originals, but want one to display and monkey around with. These would also be great toys for your kids!

You aren't going to find these at your local Wal-Mart, or Target stores. Your best bet is to either go down to your local comic shop and ask them to order them for you, or pre-order them online. Pre-orders are being taken for the first two releases, Kirk & Klingon, right now all over the web.

I pre-ordered my set for just $32.38 from megoville.com
They also have cases available for $107.94

For more info. and updates on these Trek figures, check out the Mego Museum Forums!

Live long and prosper!

FREE with 6 Proofs of Purchase!

2007-03-25T12:31:00.000-05:00

I ordered one, did you?

They Call Him the Seeker

2007-03-24T12:16:00.000-05:00

Recently picked up the Transformers Classics Ramjet figure. This is the first Decepticon jet/Seeker I have picked up from this line.

Very reminiscent of the original G1 Ramjet from the 80's, with his classic cone head and all. This figure has much better articulation than the original, and the transformation is pretty easy, and loads of fun. Ramjet looks great in both robot form and alternate jet mode.

So far Hasbro has released 3 of the 6 original Seekers. Starscream, Ramjet, and Skywarp (Who is available in a Target exclusive 2 pack with Ultra Magnus). No word on whether the other 3 will be released or not, only time will tell, and time is what it is going to take. Hasbro has put the Classics line on hold while they focus on toys for the upcoming Transformers film. It is possible Classics won't return, and that would be a real shame, because in my opinion, other than the re-issues, these are the best Transformers Hasbro has put out since the originals.

As I stated in my Grimlock VS Soundwave blog, the Transformers Classics line, is one of the lines that has gotten me into collecting modern Transformers products, so expect to see more of them show up here.

Along Came a Goblin

2007-03-23T01:01:00.000-05:00

I am a big fan of the classic Spider-Man villains. In fact, if I were to list my top 10 villains from Marvel Comics, Spidey's foes would fill the list. The Lizard, The Rhino, Scorpion, etc., but the creep that will always be tops, is the completely mad Green Goblin.

There are tons of Green Goblin figures out there, old and new, and I try to snatch up as many as I can. Some of my favorites are the Mego 8" Green Goblin, Remco's Energized Green Goblin and the much more recent Marvel Legends 6" Green Goblin. Those will all be featured at some point, but first up, is the latest addition to my GG collection.

Marvel Legends Showdown, 4" Green Goblin from Toy Biz

As I am sure you know, Toy Biz's (and now Hasbro's) Marvel Legends line of 6" action figures is one of the hottest selling lines out there. Toy Biz took their Legends and shrunk them down to 4", calling them Marvel Legends Showdown. Unfortunately, these weren't that hot at retail, and the series 3 figures, which includes Green Goblin, got limited distribution. Not limited in numbers necessarily, but in retailers that carried them. In fact, I couldn't find him anywhere in my area. Luckily, a buddy of mine from the Unreal Spawn Board hooked me up with one that he found at Kay-Bee marked down to $4.00.

I really like this figure, he looks nice and maniacal. Not as great as the 6" Marvel Legends Green Goblin (that figure is phenomenal), but he is still a really cool little figure. He has all the articulation of the 6" ML figure, making for some great posing possibilities.

For the sale price, you can't beat him, so rush on over to your local Kay-Bee and pick one up. Then you can have him join forces with your Boba Fett, Acroyear and Zartan and destroy all of action figure kind!

This won't be the last you see of Osborn plastic, so if you are a Goblin fan, be sure and stay tuned!

The Chins That Never Were

2007-03-22T00:53:00.000-05:00

Some of the things I like to collect are action figure prototypes, and I will be showing some from my collection from time to time. The first one I am going to share, is probably one of my favorites.

What you see here is a 2up prototype of the Splitting Ash figure from the 4" Army of Darkness line by Palisades Toys (R.I.P).

Action figures are generally sculpted twice the size they will be at retail, and eventually shrunk down. Since the figures in this line were 4", Splitting Ash stands at about 8". Hence the term 2up. The figure is cast in resin, and although some of his joints are cut, they are glued on, making the figure unposeable. 2ups are also "paint masters". Usually there are only two 2ups made for each figure, making these extremely rare. One will be sent to the factory in China and used as paint referance (where they are often eventually destroyed), and the other will make it's rounds at Toy Fair, conventions and trade shows.

Many changes in a figure's look can take place between the 2up stage and final production piece. This one got a couple extreme facelifts.

The final production piece had completely different head scults. They were much more cartoony, and personally I think the original heads look much better. This is one of the things that makes this one a hit in my collection. Makes it even more of a unique piece. Prptotypes are great, but unproduced prototypes are...well..."groovy".

I wanted to include a picture of the production Splitting Ash for comparision, but I don't have a photo right now. So, here is a photo of the regular Ash figure, which had the same head sculpt as the Splitting Ash.

As you can see, they are very different. They still came out cool though, and it's a shame this line wasn't a bigger hit.

I hope you enjoyed reading about my Splitting Ash 2up. I have quite a few other prototypes (unfortunately, no other 2ups) from the 4" Army of Darkness line that I will be blogging eventually. Stay tuned!

It's a WHAT!?!?

2007-03-21T02:17:00.000-05:00

It has got to be the craziest toy commercial I have ever seen, and believe me, I have seen some doozies.

Grimlock VS Soundwave

2007-03-20T21:58:00.000-05:00

So, there aren't many modern Transformers I buy, but every once in a while, I see one I gotta have. In the last couple years though, the "Gotta Have" list has been growing, and the lines that the following two figures are from are a couple of the reasons why.

First up is Grimlock from the Transformers Classics line. The figures in this line are based on the original designs from the 80's, but updated for 2006/2007. A very nice version of Grimlock, that is reminiscent of the original Grimlock (Take a look at that mug!). A couple things that I think would make him better, is a longer tail in T-Rex mode and a bit less kibble. His articulation is pretty good, and you can get some cool poses. All in all, a really cool toy, and by far the best Grimlock Hasbro has made since the original.

"Weeeeeeeee"

Yeah, Grimlock is cool, and well worth the $10.00 you will pay for him, but the following figure just may be my favorite Transformer released since 1984/85.....

Takara took the original G1 Soundwave, and shrunk him down to a wee little 2", and released him in their World's Smallest Transformers line. This guy is amazing! He is so tiny, and it is hard to believe that it can still transform at this size. He also comes with a super micro Ravage cassete that transforms (though looks crude) and fits in his tape deck which opens. Not only that, but he comes with outrageously small batteries/guns that fit in his back when in cassete player mode, and his shoulder and hands when in robot mode. I did not take pictures of these items, because I got my Soundwave for just $2.00 since he was missing his gear. I will get a complete one eventually, but these are going for $20 - $30 now.

So, it is those two lines, Takara's World's Smallest Transformers, and Hasbro's Transformers classics, along with the Masterpiece/20th Anniversary figures that have made me a collector of modern Transformers. Some really great stuff out there.

Vintage Toy of the Day

2007-03-20T21:36:00.000-05:00

If you are a member of myspace, and a fan of vintage toys, be sure and check out the page I run, Vintage Toy of the Day!

It's loads of fun for everyone!

Welcome to collect them all!

2007-03-20T21:07:00.000-05:00

Toys and collectibles through the eyes of me, TCM Hitchhiker. I have been seriously collecting toys for 21 years now (not including my childhood), and have pretty diverse interests. My main interest is in vintage toys, 60's through the 80's, but I also collect many modern toys as well. So roll a number, crack a beer, or grab a bowl of Boo Berry, and kick back to some plastic fun here at Collect Them All! - TCM Hitchhiker