Hello All,

I’m happy to share a sneak preview of Toy-Ventures magazine issue 8. Due in October, this issue will showcase the new direction for the magazine but will also retain the flavour you’ve come to expect from TV.

Toy-Ventures Issue 8 will contain the most vintage toy articles we’ve ever attempted, covering genres from the 1960s to the 1980s, like Military toys, Monsters, unproduced prototypes, Anime, Science Fiction, Knock-Offs, and Halloween costumes.

Our Mego Planet of the Apes coverage continues, as does Steve Stovall’s (3DSuperJoes) incredibly well-researched look at Hasbro’s Super Joe. Also returning to issue 8 is toy historian Tony Roberts (Analog Toys) with another fantastic look behind the curtain at the creation of a legendary Palitoy collectible.

New voices to Toy-Ventures this month include Heath Smith, Raymond Castile, Chance Priest, Dave Keymount and George Spigot, sharing their vast knowledge on unique subjects that I can’t wait to reveal.

As for the pre-order/subscriber prize for this issue, Chris Franklin has cooked up something magical and insane.

Stay Tuned to Toy-Ventures magazine by visiting our Facebook page, and please share this post; every little bit helps us our toy collector magazine grow. Thank You!

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 unseen images and information written by some of the top collectors. We’ve got 7 issues and climbing; please check our page here or visit our store.

Our newest book “Knock-Offs: Totally, Unauthorized Action Figures,” is now available. It’s 130 pages of bootleg goodness.
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

FACEBOOK GROUPS FROM PLAIDSTALLIONS

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, 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 International, AHI, Mighty Gary, Tomland, Bogi, Demo Man, Mortoys, and other generic greats.

Toy-Ventures Issue 8 Sneak Peek

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Hey Everyone, I’m so happy to announce that issue 7 of Toy-Ventures magazine is now available to pre-order.

This particular issue is jam-packed with toy love, so let’s break down what you can expect:

The Aquatic Adventures of Marine Boy- Corey LeChat takes you on a merchandise journey for this early Japanese import.

K-O Mortal Kombat Knock-Offs– Newcomer Eric Gibeau talks about the fantastic Mego Knock Off Mortal Kombat figures from the mid-1990s from Paco.

The Super Juniors– Chris Franklin returns to Toy-Ventures to talk about some baby superheroes.

Hasbro Super Joe– Beginning our multi-issue look at the Gi Joe “middle child” expert Steve Stovall takes on a journey through the Hasbro Super Joe toy line.

The Martian Chronicles– How did a TV mini-series starring Rock Hudson get a toy line? Only in the 1970s…

Chew Gum Warriors– New contributor Michael Grifka talks about the candy-filled space characters of the early 1980s in this excellent article.

Get a Super Joe puzzle with Toy-Ventures Issue 7, just like the ones that drove you nuts as a kid totally free with every pre-order. While supplies last, this item depicts Joe duking it out with Gor, King of the Terrons. I will not help you if you can’t figure it out. I am no Einstein.

Subscriptions are now available

By popular demand, we are now offering subscriptions to Toy-Ventures magazine beginning with Issue 7. You’ll be at the front of the line and guaranteed each pre-order premium.

You can subscribe here.

Check out our Toy-Ventures Live Stream

We talk about issue 7, Tura Satana and some other little surprise things heading your way in 2022.

Oh yeah, we’re doing an action figure!

Check out our announcement for the Tura Satana Action Figure, coming soon from White Elephant Toyz and us! If you’re a fan, please spread the word on social media. We’d really appreciate it!

Speaking of Cool Action Figures

I did a little highlight reel for my friend Aleksander from BKC Monsters International. You can check out more of his fantastic work at his Facebook Page or his Instagram!

Like Toy-Ventures Magazine on Facebook!

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While the article itself is still a visual delight, some lines of text got cut, and we at Toy-Ventures feel that it’s important that you get to enjoy it as it was initially intended. So, we are offering it as a free digital download for everyone to enjoy.

So please follow this link to download the article we titled “S’up Riches” (it was bigger than us) and enjoy a well-written look at this delightful and sadly short-lived line of toys.

DOWNLOAD THE ARTICLE HERE

INTRODUCING THE BIG BUNDLE OR THE EVERYTHING WE GOT SPECIAL

This limited edition set includes both books, all six magazines (with available premiums) and a Captain Canuck action figure. It’s a $150 value for a great price. I only can make six of these, so don’t wait.

Toy-Ventures Magazine Issue 6- PlaidStallions

Issue 6 of Toy-Ventures ships next week, order now from our shop and get a free Star Team Poster by legendary artist Dave Waugh!

Our newest book “Knock-Offs: Totally, Unauthorized Action Figures” is now available. It’s 130 pages of bootleg goodness.
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

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.

The post Free Download of a Toy-Ventures Issue 6 Article appeared first on PS.

Hey folks, I’m happy to say that Issue 6 is finally on the press, finding paper in 2022 isn’t fun but we got there! 

It’s a really great issue and one I’m proud of so let me walk you through it. First off, the striking cover is by my friend Dave Waugh, he was my first choice for this and well, he was the right choice. In our first conversation, he came up with the idea of doing a parody of the “Star Crash” poster.

Our cover story and main feature is  S.T.A.R Wars by David Lockwood (special thanks to John Kent).
The Knock-Offs that defeated The Empire, the Ideal Toys Star Team. It’s hard to defeat the Knight of Darkness.

 Ultra Mask by Corey LeChat Unmasking the 70s Ultraman College Halloween costume series. As usual Corey’s design sense and wonderful writing style make this a stand-out piece on this iconic bit of history.

 S’up Riches – Jonathan Sternfield
Exploring the short-lived toy company Dimensions for Children and their line of Richie Rich Toys by the leading expert on Harvey comics merchandise.

Mego Planet of the Apes Part 2 –
Variations of the Apes! We continue our ongoing coverage of the Mego Planet of the Apes line with this look at the wave one figure variations. Special thanks to Mike Armes, Mike Jimenez, Steve Moore and William Wilson on this piece.

Lost Land of the Lost – Brian Heiler
Aw man, we could have had Sleestaks! A showcase of the 1976 LJN toy line that never was.

SPECIAL LIMITED TIME OFFER- If you order Toy-Ventures magazine issue 6 through our store, your issue will come with a limited-edition fold-out Star Team movie poster based on the classic Star Wars rip-off “Star Crash”.This limited edition Dave Waugh poster will sell out fast.

The Future is Bright!

Look for it in the Diamond Catalog this March. Please tell your LCS to consider stocking it.

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

RACK TOYS IS BACK IN STOCK! GET THE BUNDLE OF BOTH BOOKS SIGNED!

Knock Off Book Bundle

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.

toy-ventures magazine

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I’m so thrilled to be able to announce that Plaid Stallions Toy-Ventures Magazine issue 5 is now available for Pre-Order (shipping this September).

Our Cover artist for this issue is the amazing Robyn Adams.

Let’s dig into what’s in between the covers, shall we?

I’m Not Like Other Guys– New contributor Tyler Ham joins us with a wonderful look at the cheeky line of toys based on the Michael Jackson “Thriller” video. The Powco toys Thriller line is charming 80s knock-off gold.

ElectroWow– David Lockwood gives us the history of the amazing exploits of Ideal’s Electroman and Zogg, bring some batteries.

The Ballad of Baby Frankenstein– Corey LeChat explores Universal’s cute version of the Frankenstein Monster and all the associated merchandise.

Toydom Come– Comics legend Alex Ross sits down with PodStallions’ Jason Lenzi and talks about his favourite vintage toys and reveals several fun bits of trivia.

Ms. Peel, we’re needed– Corey LeChat explores the rare 1960s figure based on the Avenger’s most popular character, Emma Peel.

Mego Planet of the Apes Part 1– A multi-issue series focusing on the Mego Planet of the Apes line, part one is a discussion with Marty Abrams about his near 50-year relationship with the brand.

SPECIAL LIMITED TIME OFFER– If you order through our store, your issue will come with a limited-edition Mr. Rock Cosmic Space Flyer. Supplies are limited, this will not be available through any other offer.

Check out our latest Live Stream!

GET TOY-VENTURES MAGAZINE:

Ebay: https://ebay.us/XSS1X7

PS Store: https://plaidstallions.com/reboot/shop/

Follow PlaidStallions on Social Media:
Twitter ► https://bit.ly/2UzxQ5q
Facebook ► https://bit.ly/3mfY73R
Instagram ►https://bit.ly/3yZ3kAV
Website ► https://bit.ly/3yZ3kAV

Buy Toy-Ventures Magazine here

https://plaidstallions.com/reboot/shop/

Pod Stallions Facebook Group

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

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 4 is available now:
Ebay: https://ebay.us/XSS1X7
Plaid Stallions Store: https://plaidstallions.com/reboot/shop/
Amazon: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, not others. It’s a fun group where we talk about Lincoln International, AHI, Tomland, and all those companies that never thought to put their name on things because….lawyers.

The post Toy-Ventures Issue 5 is ready for Pre-Order appeared first on PS.

The Munster Mash– We’re visiting 1313 Mocking Bird Lane when Corey LeChat gives us a tour of one of the greatest collections of Munster merchandise ever assembled. Many of these items have never been featured in print before.

Apemen down under– William Wilson has written a wonderful piece about this Australian line of Planet of the Apes knock off figures called “The Action Apemen”

The Expandable ones– David Lockwood explores the stretchable superheroes and villains made by Funstuff in the early 1980s.

He’s Glump! He’s Glump!– We talk about the weird world of dime-store action heroes created by Durham from Yung Kung Fu to Glump the Caveman, it’s a comprehensive guide.

Super Amicis– A fun pictorial guide to this cheeky line of figures based on the Mego World’s Greatest Superheroes.

The Toy-Ventures Guide to the Mego Mad Monsters– This issue we take an exhaustive look at this wonderful glow in the dark figure line by Mego with input and anecdotes by Mego’s own Marty Abrams.

LIMITED TIME OFFER

– If you order through our store, your issue will come with a limited edition Mad Monsters souvenir pennant. Supplies are limited, this will not be available through any other offer.

Thank you everyone for the fantastic growing support of Toy-Ventures, we really appreciate it when you spread the word as a small start-up, our best friend is word of mouth.

Ebay: https://ebay.us/XSS1X7
MM Store: http://www.megomuseum.com/odeon/store/products/
Amazon: This week

FACEBOOK GROUPS FROM PLAIDSTALLIONS

Pod Stallions is one of the most fun groups on Facebook. Join us for our all-day breakfast bar on Sundays and remember, you keep the glass!

Mego Knock Off Headquarters– The leading group discussing 70s dimestore goodness like Lincoln International, AHI, Tomland, Durham, you get the picture. Whether you like Mr. Rock or are more of an Astro Apes person, this is the group you need to be in.

The post Toy-Ventures Magazine Issue 4 Now Shipping! appeared first on PS.

As we send issue 4 of Toy-Ventures magazine to the printers, this is a good time to mention that our door is always open to reader submissions.

Some of our best articles in the past four issues came from people sharing with us, it’s always been the goal of this publication to seek out the people who know best, the fans,  because, heck, we don’t know everything.

If you are passionate about a toy line from the 1960s to the 1980s and would like to share your knowledge, we’d be interested in hearing your pitch. Is your collection truly unique and worth sharing? Let us know.  Did you work on a classic toy line and would like to share your experiences? We’d love to hear from you. Do you own a prototype for a never-produced toy and want to share it? drop us a line. We can’t guarantee a place but we’ll open-mindedly consider all submissions and pitches.

We like deep dives into the stuff nobody talks about, the weird toy lines, the foreign items, the knock-offs just as much we love the officially licensed stuff. Our goal is to spread some love and shed a little light on our favourite playthings.

If you have article ideas, hit us up through our contact page. Prefer is you use “Article Idea” in the subject line if possible.

Thanks for reading!
BrAiN

 Toy-Ventures magazine Issue 4 is shipping this month to pre-order customers and it’s loaded with cool toys and information. Issue 4 is set to launch next week and it’s our best yet, we just keep climbing with this and I hope you’ll support it.

FACEBOOK GROUPS FROM PLAIDSTALLIONS

Pod Stallions is one of the most fun groups on Facebook. Join us for our all-day breakfast bar on Sundays and remember, you keep the glass!

Mego Knock Off Headquarters– The leading group discussing 70s dimestore goodness like Lincoln International, AHI, Tomland, Durham, you get the picture. Whether you like Mr. Rock or are more of an Astro Apes person, this is the group you need to be in. Just toy talk, no BS.

The post Toy-Ventures Magazine is actively seeking submissions appeared first on PS.

My childhood bedroom carpet everyone! How i miss it.

This was a Mego toy book that I was attempting to write when I was 17, using photos of my collection (many toys were from childhood) and what little pre-internet knowledge I had to catalog toys, many of which I had never seen but only read about. The photos are made using my Kodak Disk camera (a terrible product) and the backdrop is my childhood bedroom and other parts of my parent’s house.

I believe what ended this dream for me at the time was the lack of resources and skill to make such a thing happen, I abandoned the project but the itch was still there, this felt right like something I should be doing.

I tried for decades to write a Mego book, in the early 90s I had another draft down using the computer lab at Ryerson, and my design school pals at the Academy down the road even designed a cover using this thing called photoshop, I got close with that one but while I was still working on it not one but two Mego books were released. The first not being very good but the second? It had stuff I couldn’t have imagined in it.

I gave up the dream, fortunately for me, this was the “dial-up days” of the internet and my new friend Robyn Adams started the MegoMuseum and I got to throw all that info, all those photos her way. Eventually, Robyn gave me the reins of the Museum which pushed me to explore HTML and Photoshop (my early work is pretty cringy, I know) which lead to the creation of PlaidStallions, one of my best decisions.

I would not see Alan Carter until 7 years later when I was 24 years old.

PlaidStallions lead me to enroll in night school for design, so I could publish Rack Toys, my first (but hopefully not last book) and then I attempted another Mego publication, this time a collaboration called “MegoZine” but the timing was bad, I was still tired from the book, everyone believed print media was dead and I put it aside.

Flash forward to now and I look at the pages of Toy-Ventures magazine and this recently discovered notebook.

Seeing the full circle of those initial very crude designs with the actual realization of what they finally became 34 years ago, well it’s not hard to get a little emotional.

So much so that derailed a day of production because this needed to come out.

At this point, I assumed the Denys Fisher figures were 8″ tall and by palitoy, I had only seen a photo of them.

I want to thank everyone who supported this not only by buying it but to the people in my life who could see what it meant to me and put their own feelings and life aside to encourage me, offer their time, skills, connections, honest advice and voices to spread the word. Your actions were appreciated so very much.

I am eternally grateful.

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 Coming Full Mego Circle – A Toy-Ventures Tale appeared first on PS.

Hello All,

I’m very pleased to announce that issue 3 of Toy-Ventures is now available. I’m so excited to be on our third issue, this has truly been a dream. I mean, our living room is a total disaster and my back is killing me from lugging boxes but I can’t complain because the response has been so overwhelmingly positive and it just keeps growing.

This issue fills me with pride, and I wanted to spend this time giving some much-needed attention to the folks that made this issue such a success.

Corey LeChat– Corey wrote and designed the breathtaking Evel Knievel article this issue but he is also responsible for every issue of Toy-Ventures looking as good as it does, without him, I couldn’t do this. His art direction on every issue is essential and issue 3 is no exception.

John “Toyzilla” Marshall– John’s articles and books were extremely influential to me, he had a wonderful sense of humor in his writing and it definitely influenced me when I started working on websites, it was such a joy to have him be our first collector feature.

Tony Roberts– I’m a big fan of Tony’s YouTube channel Analog Toys and I’m happy to call him a friend, his article about Captain Zargon inspired the issue’s artistic theme, so along with being highly informative, I’m grateful to him for that incredible inspiration.

Tim Baron– Tim is a brilliant artist who donated his valuable time to this issue and created one of the most striking covers we’ll ever have and was also totally down with our Iron-On promotion. Tim’s contribution to this issue set us on a whole new level.

Please take a look at the amazing stuff in his Etsy store:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/timbaronart

Chris Franklin– Chris not only delivered a fantastic article about the Mego Superheroes but he laid the whole thing out himself and according to my wife, he did a better job than me! It’s truly a milestone for our fledging publication.

Please check out Chris’s many fun podcast efforts:
http://fireandwaterpodcast.com/tag/chris-franklin/

Rob Chatlin– Rob is an extraordinary editor and his insight elevates every issue. He generously gives his time to each article and points out my passive voice a whole bunch!

Steve Moore– Steve is a brother from another mother and always catches stuff no one else does.

Murphi Cook– Not being a collector is an advantage, especially when you are this smart, her perspective changed many things this issue.

My Monster pals– Ray, Shannon, Andrew, Seth, Dave, Ian, Trenton, Devlin, Will, thank you for sharing your toys and your knowledge, you’re awesome people and have helped out others with your generosity.

Marty Abrams, Paul Clarke and Joel Rosenzweig of Mego Corp. It’s great to be able to “go to the source” for information and I’m grateful that they always have time for us.

And lastly, my wonderful wife, Michelle who packed every issue in the last 48 hours, is my rock, without her amazing support (and trust me, she’s a patient woman) I could never pull this off.

You can get Toy-Ventures issue 3 at our Ebay Store  or at the Odeon Toys Online Store.

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 A Toy-Ventures Thank you! appeared first on PS.

Pre-Order Toy-Ventures Magazine Issue 3 here:
www.plaidstallions.com/reboot/shop

Visit Tim Baron’s amazing website:
www.timbaronart.com

SHIPPING LATE MARCH 2021

Toy-Ventures issue three content includes:

Beware His Stingray Eyes-
Tony Roberts host of the analog toys channel on Youtube tells the story behind the development of Action Man’s greatest Foe Captain Zargon.

Megobase Alpha – We take a detailed look at Mego and Palitoy’s wonderful Space:1999 range with a complete collector guide including the line’s history and development, all known variations, knock-offs and its resurrection in the 2000s.

The Challenge Machines, Leave it to Popy of Japan to take the Evel Knievel toy concept and some homegrown tv heroes to the mix. Corey LeChat gives a beautiful look at these winning toys, you’ll want to play with them!

The Art of Mego Superheroes – Chris Franklin has created a knock-out piece sourcing the iconic origins of Mego’s World’s Greatest Superheroes brand.

Collector Spotlight – Our first interviewee is pop culture author John “Toyzilla” Marshall as we talk about the hobby and show examples from his incredible, eclectic collection.

Toy-Ventures Guide to Lincoln International Monsters
The centerpiece of issue 3 is an exhaustively researched guide to this incredible and highly collectible line of Monster Toys, including company history and a visual guide to every known figure and packaging variation.

Toy-Ventures Issue 3 will ship in late March 2021 and pre-order links are below. We even have a bundle where you can order all three issues of toy-ventures but act fast as Issue 1 is close to sold out.

http://www.megomuseum.com/odeon/store/products/

PlaidStallions Toy-Ventures Magazine is now available and it’s been called “not only an entertaining read, but it’s also an impeccable work of reference” by PopCult.

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 Toy-Ventures Issue 3 Pre-Orders are Open appeared first on PS.