Disclaimer: These links are sponsored, but the opinions are my own.

Archie Bunker Patches (sponsored link) —

I grew up in a post-All in the Family world. I was way too young for the show when it first launched (fun fact: I once thought this was the Archie from the comics all grown up), but I swear Mad Magazine never stopped with parodies and the reruns? Oi vey. These patches from ’72 are a prime example of how this show dominated when it first appeared. 

When I started collecting toys in the 1980s, I visited the backrooms of many dusty variety stores where the Archie Bunker card game was always present, right next to the Bionic Man game.

Star Blazers Desslock action figure (sponsored link) –

I’ve opined about these Nomura Star Blazers action figures at great length here and while the seller has the two main characters, getting a Desslock (Dessler) figure is really super duper difficult. I know it took me years to track him, Mark Venture and Captain Avatar down.

The Stretch Armstrong Prototype  (sponsored link)

For the person who has everything, the original Stretch Armstong prototype. Now you might be tempted to take a big old bite out of a stretch like I was when I was 7, but the 50-year-old corn syrup will definitely kill you.

Battle of the Planets Bootleg figures (sponsored link) —

Man, this one would disappoint me as a kid, desperate for ANYTHING Battle of the Planets at the time. 

McDonalds Mayor McCheese Animation Cel (sponsored link) —

I honestly do not remember seeing animated McDonaldland characters before but I love this very early 70s take.

THE LINCOLN MONSTERS KICK STARTER IS LIVE

Pod Stallions Facebook Group It’s a treehouse filled with grown-ups.⁠

Toy-Ventures Weekly- The Source for Mego Museum and Plaid Stallions news. Regular columns, CustoMego and more!

The Toy-Ventures Weekly Newsletter combines all the news from Mego Museum and Plaid Stallions and a lot of other fun stuff across the Interwebs. It’s got customs, new action figures, vintage finds and a lot of pop culture. Sign Up Here!

Issue #13 of Toy-Ventures will feature the never-before-seen plans for the 1983 World’s Greatest Superheroes toy line and a cover featuring artwork specially commissioned for Mego’s catalog, gloriously coloured by Robyn Adams, founder of the Mego Museum.
https://www.toyventuresmag.com

Issue #13 of Toy-Ventures Magazine will feature the never-before-seen plans for the 1983 World’s Greatest Superheroes toy line and a cover featuring artwork specially commissioned for Mego’s catalogue, gloriously coloured by Robyn Adams, founder of the Mego Museum.

The Blood-A-Rama Shock Festival Pack

Toy-Ventures Issue 12- Stretch MonsterClick Here for past installments of 5 Awesome Things on eBay this week

The post 5 Awesome Things on eBay this week appeared first on PS.

Disclaimer: These links are sponsored, gotta earn dem nickels!

Big Jim Dr. Bushido (sponsored link) —

Big Jim’s European Adventures in the 1980s felt a lot like it was mimicking 80s Italian cinema with its spy and science fiction mashups. Take Jim’s futuristic enemy, Dr. Bushido, who has this new wave “Ming the Merciless” thing going on, combined with a freaking glow-in-the-dark samurai sword! He looks like an extra from the unfilmed “Yor: The Hunter from the Future” sequel. Now, all we need is a soundtrack from Goblin!

Glasslite Blue Thunder Frank Action Figure (sponsored link)

Glasslite of Brazil is one of my favourite foreign toy makers, and I’m sure I only appreciate a 10th of their output.  These Blue Thunder action figures are something different from the Multi-Toys versions in the US. This Frank Chaney doesn’t resemble James Farentino, but the card art certainly bears a resemblance to Roy Scheider!

A sealed can of Mattel Slime (sponsored link) —

Wow, a true 1970s legend is sealed in there or is it? If you purchase this item, not only do you get a classic toy, but also a thought experiment in quantum mechanics. Is there still slime in there, or is it something else? This is Schroedinger’s Slime.

Gatchaman Japanese Pop-Up Book (sponsored link)

How did this excellent book escape my gaze? As some may know, I met my wife because of this cartoon, and hey, that really worked out, so I truly love the merchandise. I’m always a fan of stuff that features a lot of Zoltar and also the insides are gorgeous!

I mean, will you drink this in? It’s wonderful!

Micronauts BioTron Ben Cooper Halloween Costume (sponsored link)

I’m currently working on a Toy-Ventures episode about the amazing Micronauts merchandise not made by Mego. These Ben Cooper costumes are part of that discussion and SO up my alley. You’d think I’d own this, but no, I’ve never had that moment. 

BONUS ITEM!

Rarer AHI Mr Spock Bop Bag sold at Pool Stores (sponsored link) —

So AHI (Azrak-Hamway Inc) was famous for Rack Toys like the Mr. Spock Bop Bag (which is my doorstop here at the office) they also had a thriving pool toys business. This version of the Bop bag has a different design and is sold in a large baggie.

Hal Needham Stuntman Playset by Gabriel Toys (sponsored link)

This is a truly innovative toy concept from the mid-1970s, a doll based on the legendary stuntman Hal Needham. This allowed kids to do real stunt work. Obviously, this set saw some play, as Hal’s head came off, which is probably not something that happened to the real guy.

The Mighty Hercules Book and Record set from Japan (Sponsored Link) 

As a Canadian kid, I thrilled to the Adventures of the Mighty Hercules and his idiot sidekick, Newton, his idiot sidekick, Newton.  (if you get that joke you are cool) I am blown away that this show had any popularity in Japan but now this is all I can think of.

Spider-Man Super Klobbers by AHI (sponsored link)

I’m not surprised that AHI chose to rip off Socker Boppers; they sold a lot of inflatable toys and well, they had the Spider-Man license. What’s surprising is how rare these are, I guess they did not take off.

Big Jim Cipsa Kid Acero Lobomovil (sponsored link) 

This vehicle was known as “The Beast” in the USA and was the first vehicle available for the P.A.C.K toys, mainly because it’s a repainted Camper. In Mexico, they didn’t have the same characters so they drew over the (GLORIOUS!) Jack Kirby’s art and turned them into bad Guy Garfio and Good guy Hombe Bionico. I love this so much but this freaking thing is such a space killer. Ugh, this is going to bug me….

Oh God, I just realized Hombre Invisible was added! Agggghhhh I have no money!

Issue #13 of Toy-Ventures Magazine will feature the never-before-seen plans for the 1983 World’s Greatest Superheroes toy line and a cover featuring artwork specially commissioned for Mego’s catalogue, gloriously coloured by Robyn Adams, founder of the Mego Museum.

The Blood-A-Rama Shock Festival Pack

Toy-Ventures is our magazine; we’re an independent publisher trying to bring back print toy magazines; if you would like to support us, please check out the latest issue: https://plaidstallions.com/reboot/shop

Toy-Ventures Issue 12- Stretch Monster

Click Here for past installments of 5 Awesome Things on eBay this week

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The Super Collector Newsletter combines all the news from Mego Museum and Plaid Stallions and a lot of other fun stuff across the Interwebs. It’s got customs, new action figures, vintage finds and a lot of pop culture. Sign Up Here!

We co-produced this amazing action figure with White Elephant Toyz; it’s an 8″ Mego Style Officially Licensed Tura Satana figure with a beautiful box by Joeseph Linsner! Get yours while supplies last.

Knock Offs; Totally Unauthorized Action Figures the book

Knock-Offs Totally Unauthorized Action figures is from the demented mind that brought you “Rack Toys: Cheap, Crazed Playthings” and features hundreds of hilarious, charming, copyright infringing toys. Get a signed copy in our shop!

Facebook Groups we enjoy

The official FB group for PlaidStallions, come for the conversation, stay for the chill vibe. Remember, you keep the glass

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5 Awesome Things on eBay this week- G-Force Pops Up, Micronauts, Spock Bops, Micronauts, Blue Thunder & a Slime dilemma.

Glasslite, Blue Thunder, Frank Chaney, Mattel, Big Jim, Dr Bushido, Gatchaman, Battle of the Planets, Pop-Up Books, Slime, Mattel Slime, Mego, Micronauts, Ben Cooper, Biotron, Baron Karza, AHI, Azrak Hamway, Mister Spock, Star Trek, Bop Bags, five awesome things on eBay this week, 5 Awesome eBay, Plaidstallions,

The post 5 Awesome Things on eBay this week appeared first on PS.

EBAY LINK Popy Kamen Rider Stronger Challenge Machine Figure + Kabutoro 1975 Evel Knievel– We covered the Challenge Machines in Toy-Ventures Issue 3, they’re Japanese versions of Evel Knievel but featuring Japanese Superheroes. I want all of these, real, real bad.

EBAY LINK M*A*S*H HEAD QUARTERS-  I love Rack Toys and M*A*S*H didn’t go too many and this “Head quarters” by Ja-Ru is a real treat, it’s got BJ and Col. Potter on the card, so I’m going to say it’s early 1980s.

EBAY LINK VIC’s GIANT FRANKENSTEIN JIGGLER 
Apparently these were sold at Universal Studios theme park and related to the friendly Frankenstein that wandered the park, so is it a souvenir?  I need to know!

EBAY LINK Buck Rogers Shaker Maker Set- Who wants to spend a post-covid rainy day at my house making these? Come on, let’s paint a chubby Tiger Man together!

EBAY LINK Paper Hero Gatchaman- This is the Japanese version of the OurWays Studios Jointed Heroes but with Mark from G-Force, this is incredible.

GET Issue 3 of Toy-Ventures here!

FACEBOOK GROUPS FROM PLAIDSTALLIONS

Pod Stallions is one of the most fun groups on Facebook.

Mego Knock Off Headquarters– The leading group discussing 70s dimestore goodness, we talk vintage toys, not others!

The post 5 Awesome Things on eBay this week appeared first on PS.

I seriously was trying to swear off Battle of the Planets merchandise after finding this and more importantly this in the previous few months.

However, a well meaning friend of mine forwarded me an auction and it was a) Super Cool and b) TWENTY MINUTES FROM MY FREAKING HOUSE. I’m not made of stone, more after the jump.

While I think I would have freaked out for this toy as a kid, I’m sure I ever had a head this small. I do have a large head but this helmet almost fits my hand.

According to the photo at the time, mine is missing some stickers, I don’t really mind.

Can you all please witness me swearing off Battle of the Planets toys for a little while?

The post Battle of the Planets Helmet appeared first on PS.

Ever since I found this guy sitting at the cash register of Suspect Video on Queen and talked the manager out of it (good thing too because the store sadly burned down not long after) I’ve been wondering what the heck he was. I by and large just assumed a knock off figure sold in dime stores but happily I was wrong. 


Turns out they’re by a company called Jecsan of Spain, more figures and packaging after the jump.

As you can see this guy about 5 inches tall and has some limited articulation. 

 


Thanks to a hot tip from my friend Matt, I now have a carded Princess in the same style, I’m not sure why she comes with Mark’s Boomerang but who cares? I’m always thrilled to have a toy that isn’t Mark.

Looking forward to tracking down more of these!

The post Battle of the Planets by Jecsan appeared first on PS.

Well, my pal Dave over at ToyNerd (go check it out, I’ll wait) succeeded in two things 1) Showing me something I’ve never seen before and 2) Totally making me want a girl’s bicycle!


Follow me after the jump for this awesome Battle of the Planets piece.

Seeing as Princess rode a three wheeled bicycle this may be the most authentic piece of BOTP merchandise we saw on this side of the Pacific.

The sticker on the back is a reproduction but the seat is totally Gatchaman.

‘

Thanks again to Dave 

The post Battle of the Planets Tricycle appeared first on PS.

Eidai Grip diecast vehicles were produced in Japan during the 1970s and featured many popular TV licences not unlike Dinky and Corgi did in the United Kingdom.

In fact, they shared many licenses like Gerry Anderson’s UFO (a personal favourite), Thunderbirds and Captain Scarlet. They also (understandably) covered Japanese favourites like Ultraman, Speed Racer and Battle of the Planets.


Above is a beautiful catalog I found, you can view it in larger scale by clicking on it. I’ve also broken it down after the jump including shots from my own collection of these. 

I honestly can’t place all these vehicles, not great on my Ultraman Taro..

The Gerry Anderson stuff is a current obsession, especially the UFO ones. I hear tell of an Ed Straker car but I CANNOT FIND IT. Here is my collection:

Skydiver



Shado 2

Captain Scarlet’s SPV vehicle

Now Battle of the Planets (AKA Gatchaman) is one of my favourites, I don’t have them all but I had to find this one:

Aw yeah Phoenix!

The post Grip Character Diecast Catalog appeared first on PS.

Japanese live action Spider-Man had a car and a killer robot, which seems to be a pricey item.

There was more Ultraman than you could shake a stick at, which is fine by because I LOVE Ultraman.

Wind up robots are a place I dare not go…

Keyop!

 
This whacky Thor is actually an American Toy

If Jack Kirby was replaced by Robert Crumb.


A whole store dedicated to American pop culture.



This store was all vintage Star Wars, I’d love to see this in person.


Check out (and please like) the PlaidStallions Facebook page for dozens more.

The post Toy Hunting in Japan appeared first on PS.

• 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!






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