7th May 2008

Mego Shazam: Hangin’ by a Thread!

posted in Daily Mego Adoration, World's Greatest Toys |

Mego’s Shazam is often overlooked, but the figure should be given a second look for the following reasons:

Shazam was among the final five “1st Issue” cards released in 1976, shortly before Mego completely converted all packaging to the “2nd Issue” card design (discontinuing both the “1st Issue” and “window box” packaging styles).

Also, the aforementioned “1st Issue” Shazam packaging variant is among the rarest of all Mego collectibles.

Furthermore, Shazam was not renowned for big sales back in the day (according to Mego insiders), yet Mego produced the figure nearly until the very end of the line. Sadly, the character didn’t quite make Mego’s final WGSH curtain call.

In 1979, Mego cut its WGSH character offering in half, from 27 figures in 1978 (i.e. all of ‘em) to just 13 figures. Mego continued to offer its most popular 8″ WGSH characters, which surprisingly included Isis and… Shazam!

Mego Catalog

In 1980, the line further dwindled to from 13 to just 9 figures:
Superman, Batman, Robin, Captain America, Spider-Man, Penguin, Joker, Hulk and… Shazam!

Mego Catalog

In 1981 (the year Mego opted to liquidate WGSH merchandise through an ‘offer they can’t refuse’ retailer promotion), Mego whittled the line from 9 figures to a paltry 7 figures, including:
Superman, Batman, Robin, Captain America, Spider-Man, Hulk and… Shazam!

Mego Catalog

In 1982, the last year Mego produced WGSH figures, the line was reduced by just 1 figure. The remaining 6 characters included:
Superman, Batman, Robin, Captain America, Spider-Man and Hulk… Shazam was finally axed.

Mego Catalog

1982 was the last year Mego formally offered WGSH figures. Shazam was, in fact, the very last character Mego intentionally discontinued from the WGSH.

And that’s gotta be worth something.

I shout out my love to you, Mego Shazam! I personally believe you are one of the coolest toys Mego ever produced.

You are handsome with your bright, clean, duotone costume… particularly compelling when contrasted against your exquisite, cobalt blue packaging.

You are likely the cause of countless “Mego-made-Flash-’cause-I-saw-it-at-Target-as-a-kid” rumors.

You share a head sculpt with the über-rare, Montgomery Ward Peter Parker “Secret Identity” outfit.

And you just plain kick ass.

Well done, Mego Shazam. Take a bow.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 7th, 2008 at 6:00 am and is filed under Daily Mego Adoration, World's Greatest Toys. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

There are currently 4 responses to “Mego Shazam: Hangin’ by a Thread!”

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  1. 1 On May 7th, 2008, jayihdz said:

    Funny….what’s with the Peguin on the pic on 79′, look at him what is he so “happy” about?

  2. 2 On May 7th, 2008, namtab29 said:

    that shot of Superman “waving goodbye” (as you put it in the book) makes me sad.

  3. 3 On May 7th, 2008, benjamin said:

    Ugh. Me too! When I went to write a ‘placeholder’ caption for that catalog image, I typed that ‘goodbye’ thing and I got a little depressed. Later, looking back (during editing), I realized I had to keep it. It’s sad, but true.

  4. 4 On May 7th, 2008, namtab29 said:

    its one of my favorite bits from the book. i’m sure mego didn’t mean it that way, but dang if it doesn’t look like that. i’m glad it stayed in there!

    it feels like an end of a era, encapsulated in that one photo.

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