Azrak Hamway International (AHI) Monsters

Famous for their rack toys Azrak Hamway is probably best known these days for scooping Mego on the Universal Monsters license (Mego VP Neil Kublan once cited that he recalled Universal wanted more money than Mego offered) and creating their own line of 8" Monsters that were more than obviously influenced by the look and design of the Mego World's Greatest Superheroes. The line ran for a few years and Azrak Hamway changed the figures a number of times which resulted in many variations, some collectors liken the figures to snow flakes as there are often no two alike. AHI monsters are cheap and often times quite crude but they are revered by Monster Collectors world wide and are considered one of the best in terms of embodiment of the classic Universal characters. The AHI Monsters make a rare appearance in the 1973 Alden's Catalog as a two pack of figures. It was uncommon to see the Super Monsters in a Department store catalog, The Super Monsters as they appeared in the 1976 AHI catalog which can be seen in it's own gallery by clicking here. One of the best ways to get the Super Monsters was through Captain Company ads in the back of magazines like Famous Monsters of Filmland. You could grab a whole set for under $15, now that might get you a naked figure, if you're lucky... PACKAGING The AHI Monster packaging closely mimicks the Mego World's Greatest Superhero cards, it's bright pink colour is close to that of the best selling Superhero, Batman. Unlike the WGSH, the Monsters do not come on multi colour packaging, the bright pink was standard. Carded AHI Dracula on the late issue version that doesn't feature the names AHI or the Universal trademark. For almost the entire run of the series, Dracula doesn't appear on the other character packaging but on his own "Dracula Specific" card (and box in the UK) this is possibly due to likeness rights by the Lugosi family. The Wolfman pictured on the left is an earlier card that doesn't feature the Count. Carded Frankenstein has jointed wrists, another figure variation This carded Mummy is an earlier issue as it still features the Creature, note that the Mummy wears the same shoes that your grandfather did, The back of the card is clearly a swipe at the Aurora Monster Model Art, which I kind of enjoy. This carded Frankenstein is a later issue than the one above, the card now includes Dracula (and deep sixes the Creature) and the doll no longer has a green body or a shirt. As crude as this, I am really smitten with this one it looks like a guy wearing a Frankenstein Halloween mask! In the UK AHI produced a window box for their Dracula figure, it's not known why but the figure was marketed outside the "Official" line for a while. FIGURES AND VARIANTS The Creature is by far the most desirable piece in the AHI line, there are two variations, the early slim hipped version on the left (often referred to by collectors as the "Female" Creature) has rubber bedy arms and legs. It was later replaced by the hollow bodied wide waisted "Male" version shown on the right. (photo from the collection of Count Balicki) On the right is an early version of the AHI Frankenstein, the head is made of a hard substance and the hands are facing a different direction. When you pose him, he can do that classic walk that Gelnn Strange used to so. On the left is a later version, there are many differences, from the body, to the head, even the clothing isn't the same. On the left, is a third version AHI Wolfman doll, the most noticeable difference between earlier versions is the hairy chest. (Photo courtesy of the great blog Jon's Random Acts of Geekery) On the right, is a version with a flesh coloured body, later renditions of these figures saw all characters using a common flesh coloured body. Two versions of the AHI Mummy, the first having a yellow body and bloody bandages, the second has a flesh body and a "glammy" paint job on the head. The shoes were eventually dropped as the line wore on. These are early "hard head" AHI Monsters, Dracula has a generous helping of ears here. From the collection of Heath Smith. A group of loose Frankenstein figures show the number of variations that abound with AHI figures.Photo courtesy of Ebay Seller Megoioni. A Dracula party Photo also courtesy of Ebay Seller Megoioni. The Wolfman Variations, notice that some of the figures have hairy torsos. Photo also courtesy of Ebay Seller Megoioni. Not as many Mummy variants but still quite a few, notice the early slinged arm version. Ebay Seller Megoioni. These Monster Waterpistols are highly sought after now, one can only imagine how popular this displayer would be in today's market. AHI made adorable Bendys as evidenced by this Frankenstein, King Kong and Fay Wray Bendy Dracula is just too cute, Wolfman is no slouch either. How adorable is this bend em Creature from the Black Lagoon? I am in love! If anyone has a Mummy for sale, I'd like to discuss it with you. AHI also made sweet jigglers of the Universal Monsters, here is my precious Frankenstein, the only one I currently own.. ASTRO APES Even though AHI was an official licensee for the Planet of the Apes, AHI also produced these "Action Apeman" which obviously were meant to pirate sales from the Mego Planet of the Apes toys, legal action followed and AHI ceased making them. (Photo of the Action Apes are courtesy of Mike Jimenez). Back to the Plaid Stallions gallery of Rack Toys Azrak Hamway also owned Remco Toys, check out these links below for catalogs and toy information . .. Want More Monster Toys? . .. The Mego Museum Forum has a section devoted to toys like AHI where sellers can discuss, buy, sell and trade. It's the biggest message board for such things in the world and it's the offical message board for Plaid Stallions.