We count down the coolest 70s Marvel comics toys ever made, if you think I missed one hop on twitter and tell me!

Plaidstallions Vintage Toy Store Photos volume twelve is different from previous entries in that it features images from a photo album of a former Mattel employee, who seemed to in charge of taking shots of retail displays and while Mattel stuff is in the foreground, there sure is a lot of neat stuff going on in the background as well like Barbie, Battlestar Galactica, Hotwheels, Weebles and Sesame Street items. Vintage Toy Store Photos Part Twelve.

Sun Products doesn't exactly ring a lot of bells for for many but I think everybody remembers the Hoppity Hop. Originally devised in Italy in the late 1960s (where it was known as the "Space Hopper"), Sun dubbed it the Hoppity Hop when it was introduced in 1971 to North Americans and the name really stuck. Sun Products 1980 Hoppity Hop Catalog.

I've progressed far enough now that I'm ready to launch a seperate web page for my upcoming book tentatively titled "Rack Toys:Cheap, Crazed Playthings". On the new page you will find: A basic outline of it's content, Teases as to it's look and design and lastly, details on how you can get involved! Rack Toys: Cheap,Crazed Playthings. The first book from Plaidstallions.com

After folding the G.I. Joe Adventure Team in 1976, Hasbro sought to give their rugged man of action a massive overhaul. Thus SuperJoe was born, bearing little resemblence to the soldier of the past, Joe had lost four inches of height and the G.I prefix. Superjoe was now set in the far off future and (I'm guessing here) on another planet. The Superjoe dolls were all electronic and the 1978 campaign was "They fight by night with light" meaning the figures were working penlights. 1977 Super Joe Catalog

Ok, it's December and not exactly the best time to launch a monster toy gallery. That is unless the mere discovery is a Christmas present to 70s kids. For years, the mythical second series of Tomland Famous Monsters of Legend figures has been a tough thing to see. Now for the first time you can check out the entire set in the new Tomland Famous Monsters of Legend Archive

Seeing that it's close to Christmas, let's take a trip back 30 years and see what toys were on special with the 1981 Child World Flyer, celebrating the best playthings that 1981 had to offer. Star Wars, Barbie, Mego Superheroes, Jordache dolls, it's all on sale in the 1981 Childworld Catalog

What better time to talk about the merchandising goliath that the Muppet Show was in the late 1970s, and who could be better to bring that to you than the good people at Fisher Price? Nobody. Come travel back to a time when Ms Piggy was new with the 1978 Muppet Show Catalog

Electronic games have come an incredible way since 1978 but it's hard not to fondly remember the simple pleasure of these awesome hand helds by Mattel. Without the sophistication available today, these games were not only fun to play but affordable as well. 1978 was a year of modest but popular offerings including a game I would consider the best hand held game of all time: Mattel 1978 Electronics Catalog

Marx was always known for their playsets and action figures but in 1976 they were poised to be one of the early entries into the world of 3 3/4" action figures with a series of generic environments. Sadly it looks like buyers were indifferent to the concept, so we never got a 3 3/4" Johnny West figure to my knowledge. 1976 Marx Play set Catalog

It's time once again to be whisked back to a simpler time, one that was dominated by "Mom and Pop" toy chains and the wonderful, almost chaotic way toys were distributed. Vintage Toy Store Shots Eleven is different from previous entries in that it features only images from 1979, where we are DEEP into a over proliferation of space toys lead predictably by Kenner Star Wars. Enjoy Vintage Toy Store Pictures Part 11

I originally thought this wonderful Canadian Halloween Costume Catalog from a company called Norben contained items from Collegeville but I've since realized it's mostly Ben Cooper stuff. Regardless what a fun catalog with Monsters, Star Trek, Thundarr the Barbarian, obscurities like Mighty Man and Yuck along with the usual, wonderful guesome goodies. 1981 Ben Cooper Catalog

When discussing Rack Toys, Imperial Toy has to come up, they were and still are kings of the industry. One of their formulas for success was to not invest heavily in licenses but create their own brands. It really did work as many of us had happy childhoods playing with Poopatroopers, Kooky Spooks and assorted Imperial animals such as ConVisit the 1976 Imperial Toys Catalog

Time for another Action Figure archive at Plaid Stallions. Tomland (a UK Company who was in the Marx family of companies) marketed these fun and strange 8 inch mego-like action figures under a variety of names but the best known is "Star Raiders" which were obviously meant to cash in on the renewed interest in Sci Fi thanks entirely to "Star Wars" coming on scene. The Star Raiders are a wonderful mix of creativity and ballsy moves, both add to their charm. Visit the Tomland Star Raiders Gallery

In 1978, Milton Bradley who had already been known for board games for well over 100 years, brought the world some inventive and memorable electronic offerings in the form of Simon and Star Bird. While primitive by today's standards in the late 70s, these were high tech and hours of fun. Bring your batteries and visit the 1978 MB electronics Catalog.

I have a small amount of boxed Brick Mantooth: The Plaid Stallion dolls ready to go, this is an 8" action figure that comes complete with an outfit and boots in a groovy vintage feel solid box. Seriously, this whole thing wasn't a joke, well it kind of is but it's one that's gone too far. Order yourself a Brick Doll, you totally deserve it!.

Knickerbocker was always known for plush novelties but in the late 70s, they decided to enlist some super powered talent, in the form of the hottest TV and movie superstars. Knickerbocker chose some of the more popular TV and movie characters to captilize on for some interesting plush and construction sets. Snuggle up with the the 1979 Knickerbocker Superheroes Catalog.

one of the bigger mysteries I've enjoyed is the interesting amount of merchandise that appeared in the 1970s devoted to the character "The Shadow" whose heyday seemed to be at least 30 years prior to my birth. Fortunately my pal Matt decided to shed some light (get it?) and share his awesome collection. Don't miss the Shadow Merchandise Gallery.

One of the biggest spashes in the toy industry is when game (and nerf) giant Parker Brothers decided to make an action figure. Not just any action figure but an electronic space hero with bells and whistles not seen before. Rom was truly a toy ahead of his time and while he didn't prove to be the smash that Parker Brothers hoped, thanks to a relationship with Marvel comics, he became a much beloved comic book character. 1978 ROM Spaceknight Press Kit.

To cap off all the fun we've had with Ape Week on the blog, there was nothing more fitting to celebrate the release of "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" than this cool promotional newspaper from the far off future of 1990 that promotes the Classic film "Conquest of the Planet of the Apes" Grab your blazer and turtleneck and Go Ape!.

With the movie coming out, I thought it would be fun to do a retrospective of all the cool merchandise Captain America got in the 1970s, which was a pile. Thanks to uber fan Tim, I've got toys from all the greats including Mego, AHI, Fleetwood, Hasbro, and more unique, oddball items than you can throw a shield at! Captain America 1070s merchandise gallery..

Transogram isn't really a company I know much about, mostly because to my knowledge they never made action figures. However in 1975, they sure made a lot of things kids liked such as Doctor kits, target sets and Drum kits. Licenses include Planet of the Apes and a whole bunch of oddball M*A*S*H items I doubt were made. 1975 Transogram Catalog.

1978 saw the return of Mattel's "Ultimate Man of Adventure", this time he had a new foe in the form of Hypnos, the alien who hates pants. Sadly, this was the last year as the nation's interest in all thing bionic was declining and Pulsar did not return in 1979. 1978 Mattel Pulsar Catalog.

Located in Kentucky, Johnny's Toys was one of those independant Toy retailers you sorely miss in this day and age. The store was very customer friendly, sending children birthday cards that contained a key that could unlock a free gift on their next visit. In addition, they printed these fun catalogs that showcased some of the merchandise available in the store. 1977 Johnny's Toys Catalog.

In 1982, LJN toys beat out rival toymake Mego for the rights to produce toys based on the popular TSR role play game "Dungeons and Dragons" and a great underrated series of toys was born. The LJN D&D line was sort of a grown up version of Masters of the Universe with it's Elves, Wizards and Orcs populating a somewhat dark middle earth environment. Sadly, the line didn;'t fare well, most likely due to then strong opposition to the game itself and it's themes. it's all in the 1983 LJN Dungeons and Dragons Catalog..

You know I've had a lot of fun at the expense at Kenner's "Milky the marvelous milking Cow" toy with easy comments like "they must have been drunk that day" surfacing. However a deeper look into the Kenner 1978 catalog provides the insight that Milky was not the result of a vodka soaked luncheon but actually a premeditated series of preschool toys based on animals. 1978 Kenner Milky Catalog.

We've got our own facebook page set up, so drop by and share your craziest 70s memory, Check it out Here and while you're at it, why not become pals with PS Spokesguy Brick Mantooth.