Links are sponsored, content and opinions entirely my own.

Carvel Fudgy the Whale Plush (sponsored link)

 I posted this here in the hopes of everyone reading it in Tom Carvel’s unforgettable voice. Also, we didn’t get Carvel in Canada, but we were flooded with the commercials, which must be considered some form of torture.  Even when my family visited the States and went to a Carvel, we couldn’t  get an Ice Cream cake, which doesn’t travel well. They were also out of Captain Carvel comics.

Dick Smith Horror Make-Up Makeup Kit (sponsored link)

I’m working on the next issue of Toy-Ventures magazine, and it’s all about influential Monster Kid toys that were gateways to real careers in filmmaking. This set, while not the focus, cannot be ignored.

Mask-a-Tron KO “Robot Man with 4 Faces” (sponsored link)–

This is a Knock-Off action figure that I have spotlighted at least once a year on this column but it bears repeating. An amazing combination of the Bionic Man, Planet of the Apes and a GI Joe Knock-Off? It’s that incredible chef’s kiss of sarcasm to it. Mind you I’ve got something of an obsession with bootleg Bionic Man toys, as you can see from the video below:

Kusan Sonic Battle Blaster– (Sponsored Link)

I want everyone to try yelling “Kusan Sonic Battle Blaster!” and mean it, because there’s catharsis in it. I really like Captain Haircut on the box as well, this toyu was released in 1983 and is a grandchild of the Sonic Fazer.

Redbox James Bond KO Agent 707 set (sponsored link)–

This is a toy I vividly remember from the showroom at my father’s office. It was a factory sample (which meant it had a tag in Chinese attached to it), and it really captured my imagination. I certainly wanted it but I’m inclined to think I never got it. Something about me shooting missiles all over the house from my cigarette packet probably didn’t go over big with my folks.

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

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This contains links that are sponsored, it’s my soup money.

Larami The Alien Glow Putty (Sponsored Link) —

You know, I think I like Alien rip-off movies and toys more than I like the actual Alien franchise. I don’t know why that is but thank you Alien for being so darn easy to copy.

The Fonz Shirt (sponsored Link) –

These 70s photo print shirts need to be brought back quickly and in a big way.

Durham’s Dare Devil Rider (Sponsored Link) —

This may be one of the derpiest action figures ever made, Durham was trying to cash in on Evel Kneviel. However, this dude’s entire skill set is just…..waving a flag. Makes you wonder if always wore his helmet.

Karate Defenders Ninja Head Band (Sponsored Link) —

Hey, if you want to be a Ninja, you’ve got to advertise. I love the angry swarm of divorced dads on the card. We all know the best Ninjas are ginger white guys.

Bootleg Planet of the Apes Cornelius (sponsored link)

After 18 years of doing this, I am going to assume I don’t have to explain why I like this. 

Krull Flying Glaive toy by Kusan (Sponsored Link) —

This is one of those things I’d like to think I have seen before, but when I see it again, it’s a total surprise. Kusan made a logical item that would have sold if Krull was a hit. (Narrator: It wasn’t a hit) 

I’ve tried to watch Krull more than one time but it’s slow and has many vistas. 

Mego Meet 2024 is at ZoloCon

Mego Meet 2024 is August 17-18 in conjunction with Zolo-Con! https://www.facebook.com/events/236781772848368

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

#mego #knockoff 

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

5 Awesome Things on eBay this week

Join our weekly newsletter.

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! 5 Awesome

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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Mego Knock Off Headquarters is a group created to discuss bootleg toys and customs. Totally chill vibe for fans of Tomland, Lincoln International, Mego and AHI. It’s a super fun group, join Mego-KO-HQ!

Check out the PlaidStallions store for Toy-Ventures magazine, Tura Satana and much more:

www.plaidstallions.com/reboot/shop

Join the fun at Mego Knock Off Headquarters, 1800 members and climbing:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Megoknockoff

Imperial toys, rack toys, glow putty, alien, the fonz, happy days, Imperial Ninja, Ninja toys, bootleg toys, knock offs, Planet of the Apes, Durham Industries, Toy-Ventures, Krull, Kusan, the Glaive,

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FuzzBuster Radar Detector (eBay Link)-
Stuff like this reminds me of my grandfather; he bought gadgets left and right. He had a TV tray with a police scanner next to his lounger, and it was a whole thing. Anyway, I could totally see this on the dashboard of his Datsun. It just looks like it will burst into flames, right? Like it’s not a matter of “if”; it’s more of a “when?”

Inpro Dinosaur lot (eBay Link)–

Oh, I can’t even. I had these little guys in the fourth grade (AKA my “Dinosaur phase”) and collecting them was a blast. Every ten years or so, I forget their names, google it and repeat! I would love to find a display box for these wonders.

Grape Ape String Art (eBay Link) –

When Courtney sent me this, I assumed I was dreaming. This is just something I didn’t think existed and to find out there is a Hong Kong Phooey too? Clearly, I’m the matrix, and I’m also super high.

Knock-Off Fonzie Black Light Poster (eBay link) –

Ayyyy, copyrights are for squares! Gotta love Arthur Presleyrelli here and the clever ruse that this might be actual happy days merchandise. Fun fact, the creator of this poster is now haunted by the ghost of Gary Marshall.

Micronauts Force Commander Helmet by Kusan (eBay Link) –

I want this thing badly, I know it’s rare and expensive. It’s also just a cheap kids helmet that has Micronauts written on it. The heart wants what it wants sometimes….

Tarzan the Epic Adventures Wrist Watch (eBay Link)–

I really liked “Tarzan the Epic Adventures” TV show, a 90s syndicated series starring Joe Lara definitely trying to cash in on the popularity of “Xena.” The trouble with the show was it didn’t have much of a budget and played in weird markets at odd times. I’ve seen toys from the series before but never one with the actor on the package. Also, this watch design is insane. I don’t speak much Italian but this thing has to have the yell. I mean, why bother otherwise?

Toy-Ventures Collectible Pins including the Lincoln Monsters

Do you miss toy collector magazines?

That’s why we created Toy-Ventures magazine, an old-school print publication dedicated to vintage toys from the 1960s to the 1990s. Each issue is packed with never before seen images and information written by some of the top collectors. We’ve got nine issues and climbing; please check our page here or visit our store.

The Mego Museum News has rebranded into the Super Collector Newsletter! Encompassing more from sites like PlaidStallions and more. Check it out even if you don’t collect Mego figures.

Our long running Pod Cast, Pod Stallions is now available on Spotify.

The PlaidStallions Polyester Pals have arrived and come in green and orange. Be the first kid in the sandbox with our Podcast mascots!

Our latest book is “Knock-Offs: Totally Unauthorized Action Figures” a love letter to cheeky copyright-infringing toys. You can get this new book via the PlaidStallions Shop, On Amazon (Affiliate Link) or eBay (eBay Link)

FACEBOOK GROUPS FROM PLAID STALLIONS

Pod Stallions is based on our podcast and is one of the most fun groups on Facebook. Toys, Comics, Movies, TV, it’s all up for grabs, and remember, folks, you keep the glass! If you like our show, then you have found your tribe.

Mego Knock Off Headquarters– The leading group discussing 70s Dime store knock-offs and bootleg action figures, we talk vintage toys and not others. We know the difference between Astro Apes and Action Apeman.  It’s a fun group where we talk about Lincoln Monsters, AHI, Mighty Gary, Tomland, Bogi, Demo Man, Mortoys, and other generic greats.

5 Awesome Things on eBay this week

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1979 Toys R Us Catalog- Mork and Mindy

From our video this week, here is the 1979 Toys R Us Catalog in it’s full-colour glory. This wonderful time warp of a publication really encapsulates the late 1970s toy and pop culture crazes. Starting of course with Mork Mania, the popularity of “Mork and Mindy” spawned some really fun merchandise from Mattel and others. I had that Mork doll with the (recycled Big Jim) back pack as a kid. Mork came boxed upside down, which was clever for the time.

Mego‘s 2-XL cost $50 back then but was a surprise hit for the world’s greatest toy company.

This is probably my favourite page in this Toys R Us Catalog, it’s got a lot of stuff I drooled over. Mego Superman, Kenner Alien, Mego Micronauts and the Elastic Hulk? I’ll take ten of each. I really want an adult version of those Hulk muscles for the beach this year.

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That Big Bird chair is freaking me out.

I don’t ever want to play “Snoopy’s Pound-A-Ball” if it’s anything like when my dog jumps in my lap.

The ABC football game had the real voice of Howard Cossel, for ten bucks more you could get it without his voice.

That Spider-Man bike is awesome sauce.

I am not familiar with that Matchbox Spider-Man Race track. Speed Burners was Mego‘s attempt to get some Hot Wheels action. The radio-controlled Hulk Mobile is by one of our favourite toy companies here, Azrak-Hamway.

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Those pyjamas really show that in 1979, if they made it, they slapped the Incredible Hulk on it.

Remco’s Reggie Jackson Bat Away was a big seller for the company.

Star Cruiser 1 was supposed to be a network TV spin-off of Space:1999 that never got off the ground. The model, however, sold for years after. The Superheroes Fiddlesticks set is a regular subject of emails here, people can never remember its name.

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We hope you’ve enjoyed this look at the 1979 Toys R Us Catalog, look for updates like this in the very near future.

We have a new book out called “Knock-Offs: Totally Unauthorized Action Figures” it’s a 132-page tribute to bootleg toys.

You can get this new book via the PlaidStallions Shop , On Amazon (Affiliate Link) or on eBay (eBay Link)

Our book Rack Toys, Cheap, Crazed Playthings is now available again! Order through our Affiliate Link

Order Rack Toys 2.0 Here through our Affiliate Link►https://amzn.to/3Bkm9z1

Toy-Ventures Magazine is our newest creation, an old-school print magazine about vintage toys! Professionally laid out and written, each issue is brimming with obscure and rare toys from companies such as Mego, Kenner, Remco, AHI, and much more. Monsters, Superheroes, Adventurers, Knock Offs, Apes, and so much more, it’s in Toy-Ventures.

Toy-Ventures Issue 5 is available now:
Ebay: https://ebay.us/XSS1X7
Plaid Stallions Store: https://plaidstallions.com/reboot/shop/
Amazon Affilitate Link:https://amzn.to/3d9Q0AS

FACEBOOK GROUPS FROM PLAIDSTALLIONS

Pod Stallions is one of the most fun groups on Facebook. Toys, Comics, Movies, TV, it’s all up for grabs and remember, you keep the glass!

Mego Knock Off Headquarters– The leading group discussing 70s Dime store knock-offs of Mego action figures, we talk vintage toys and not others. We know the difference between Astro Apes and Action Apeman! It’s a really fun group where we talk about Lincoln International, AHI, Tomland, Bogi, Demo Man, Mortoy, and other generic greats.

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One section of any wish book that I love is the “other” action figure pages in the era of Star Wars. There is a lot of great stuff on this page!

While my time with the Mego Superheroes decreased sharply in 1979, I still viewed them like old friends. I still kinda do….

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Kusan toys combined household appliances with zoo animals and had a major hit in the 1970s, who says LSD didn’t have it’s merits?

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From ideas like combining a kazoo into a Halloween mask to

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