World’s Greatest Toys!

It’s been over 9 months since I posted a new blog. Didn’t think I ever would write another one… not, at least, about the book.

Tonight, however, I got a heart-warming note and photo from fellow Mego-Head (and Micronauts expert) Ray Miller.

Ray wrote:

“Heya, Ben! Here’s a shot of my youngest - Anya, 7 - enjoying WGT last summer after Collette won the copy you donated to Mego Meet!”

See you on Facebook.

-b

I am going through old Emails tonight, and I came across something too good not to share.

Here’s the background: Back in summer ‘06, I hit the proverbial wall trying to publish this book. Things went south with the first publisher that offered me a contract, and I thought the sky was falling. I wrote a couple of cryptic Blogs about my broken heart. The first was “Bad Day” from August 9, 2006. Realizing things were grim, I posted another rant two days later: “I have been offered a publishing contract” from August 11, 2006:

After posting these two “woe is me” Blogs, I got this amazing Email from fellow Mego-head, Roberto:

[August 12, 2006 8:14am]

Hey Benjamin,

Don’t know if you’ve tried this publisher yet:

http://www.twomorrows.com/

When you hit “contact us” on the homepage there’s even a phone number to call them and actually get to talk to a human being on the other end.

This was the company that I told you about at the Megomeet.  They published the Captain Action Collectors book:

http://twomorrows.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=52&products_id=197

And have published many other books and all of them have to do with Marvel/DC/Gold Key and other comic book companies.  I’ve met Roy Thomas who is in charge of the Alter Ego Magazine that they publish and have emailed Michael Eury the author of the Captain Action Book.  At the time I emailed Michael Eury he had told me that Twomorrows was either starting or thinking about a Mego book…but that was 3 years ago.

It seems that they would be a better outlet for your book…the only problem I see is that I don’t know if they have ever done any Hardcover books.

Give it a shot and see if you can get it done with them.  I and all the guys/gals on the Museum want to see this book in its entirety…so don’t give up on this book.  It looks too DAMN!!! Nice to let it go now.  Let me know if you need any other help.  I’m gonna be going to the Big Apple Comic Con in September.  I’m already putting Mego Museum Cards on the table before you get into the show…if you want me to put some Postcards on the table just say the word and send me some to put on the table and I’ll do it.

Keep up the great work…and DON’T GIVE UP!!!

Thanks.
Roberto Ligotti
yellsub69 (at) yahoo.com

As you probably know, TwoMorrows did in fact publish the book, and it is available as a HARDCOVER edition only (a negotiating hill upon which I was willing to die). Thanks, Roberto! Mego-heads around the world thank you for your generosity and tenacity!

I took my fiancee, Chelsea, to San Diego Comic-Con this past Saturday. Beyond anxious to see the recently announced Mattel “World’s Greatest Super-Heroes” line of 8″ Mego-style action figures, we made a bee-line to Mattel’s massive trade show booth.

Locating the gorgeous prototypes, I was pleased to hear a voice behind me… belonging to none other than Paul Clarke — A.K.A. “Dr. Mego” — one of the driving forces responsible for the retro line’s genesis.

Above, the proud Doctor (right) poses with me before the wonderful accomplishment he helped create.

The Good Doctor, my future wife and I spent the next hour talking (high-fiving, really) about Mattel’s latest action figure line… how it came to be, where it stands now, and where it *might* go (naturally, Paul cannot divulge any information that Mattel has not formally announced).

The first wave includes the MattyCollector.com-exclusive Green Arrow (reportedly available around Fall ‘09) along with the following Toys “R” Us exclusive characters: Superman, Green Lantern, Sinestro and Lex Luthor.

Along the way, I took some shots with the same trusty camera I used to create Mego 8″ Super-Heroes: World’s Greatest Toys! (still available on Amazon; click here to buy it!). I shared the primary photos with MegoMuseum.com’s Brian Heiler; for this blog, I did some zoon-in details and clever crops to illustrate my discussion with Paul. Enjoy the pics, along with pertinent notes and recollections from my conversation with Dr. Mego.

Up first: MattyCollector.com-exclusive GREEN ARROW!

Sadly, the bow had fallen down by the time I arrived, but Paul noted that Mattel will cast GA’s removable Bow accessory (including the infamous “boxing glove” arrow, ready to fire!) in GREEN plastic, as compared to Mego’s original BROWN plastic.

Green Arrow’s head is an updated version of Mego’s original sculpt. The sculptor did some notable work updating the beard and sideburns.

Note the ROUND belt buckle, as compared to Mego’s original SQUARE belt buckle. Nice touch!

I love the rubber-lined felt shoulder pads; just like the original Mego outfit! Paul mentioned merging the shoulder-strap Mego used for their “Robin Hood Merry Men” line, with Mego’s original GA Belt/Quiver accessory. Brilliant! Also, Mattel will produce the gauntlets using a green Pleather (Faux-Leather) material, adding detail of the cut-outs down the forearm… this is a HUGE improvement over Mego’s original felt cuffs. Paul assures me that the factory will attempt to COLOR MATCH the Pleather gauntlets to the Plastic boots… I love that!

Up next: SUPERMAN (available at Toys “R” Us around Easter 2010)!

Remember, these are PROTOTYPES! Stop asking yourself why Superman’s emblem appears to have some inkjet printer residue. It does have some inkjet printer residue. Get over it.

Seriously, though: Paul told me that Superman’s emblem will be produced using the ‘heat-sealed vinyl’ technique that Mego (brilliantly) used for their Fantastic Four and Teen Titans emblems. How sweet is that?!

Mattel is clearly taking this line VERY SERIOUSLY. Case-in-point: the tooling required by “Wave 1″ alone! The Superman hand details above represent the “standard” hand sculpts that most figures will use. However, add Green Lantern’s and Sinestro’s custom hands (those darned rings!) and you’re looking at FOUR different hands, right out of the gate! We all know that Mego — in the early going, at least — would have ignored these details in lieu of the ‘cookie-cutter’ methodology that worked so well for them.

Another interesting tidbit: Paul assured me that the “standard” hands will feature the requisite “U” shape (curve of the thumb and fingers) necessary for figures to hold accessories. Good thinking! Another major improvement over Mego’s original line…!

I love this photo, as it shows the clearly hand-cut belt buckle; this dearly reminds me of the Mego Superman Prototype (the only original WGSH prototype photo known to exist)! Paul stated that this detail will use the same ‘heat-sealed vinyl’ technique as the Superman emblem.

Next we have: (HAL JORDAN) GREEN LANTERN (available at Toys “R” Us around Easter 2010)!

Next we have: SINESTRO (available at Toys “R” Us around Easter 2010)!

Paul tells me Sinestro’s boots will be modified (Star Trek) Andorian boots.

Finally: LEX LUTHOR (available at Toys “R” Us around Easter 2010)!

I am awfully excited for this brave and bold new toy line from Mattel!

-b

A quick animation, comparing two head sculpts: Mego’s Vintage 8″ Green Arrow, and Mattel’s Modern 8″ Green Arrow.

Focus on: 1) Beard (Mattel will shorten the beard, considerably); 2) Sideburns (Mattel will shorten the beard, considerably) and; 3) Pupils (need I say more?!).

Ain’t it funny: Fashion is ever-evolving (yet CLEARLY cyclical). What was hip then is not hip right now. Conversely, what is hip NOW would surely not have been hip THEN.

It’s a big round wheel: What is hip RIGHT NOW will be passe for about 20 years. But don’t fret: Whatever is hip RIGHT NOW will become hip again… in approximately 2029!

-b

{EAV:f6f317fdffca24bd} My publisher recently received an Email from the very talented Scott Neely. Scott is an approved “Scooby-Doo” and Cartoon Network artist, working on such licensed properties as “Dexter’s Laboratory,” “Cow and Chicken,” “Johnny Bravo,” “Courage The Cowardly Dog,” “The Grim Adventures of Billy And Mandy,” “Powerpuff Girls” and “Ed, Edd, and Eddy”. He has also worked on “Pokemon,” “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse,” “Winnie the Pooh,” “Strawberry Shortcake,” “Bratz” and “The Lil Learners Club.”

Scott wrote:

When I was down in Baltimore for the con I bought a bunch of books from Eric at the booth and got this INCREDIBLE Mego Toys book by Benjamin Holcomb. What a tremendous book it is! I scanned these pics of myself from pics at Christmas time in Dec of 1974 when I got the batcave and quite a lot of figures from Santa. I though Benjamin might like to see them since I also work for DC Comics on the side as well. Ha! I’ve attached them so you could see them.

Here are his FANTASTIC images depicting vast Mego Super-Hero goodness, including Batman, Robin, Superman, Spider-Man, Penguin, Joker and Riddler, as well as the Bat-Cave, Batmobile and Batcycle. Quite the haul, but Scott! No love for Aquaman or Mr. Mxyzptlk? Hey, you weren’t the only one. Heh.

-b

Since the book was published, I’ve gotten some amazing Emails and feedback about the book. In keeping with the spirit of this Blog, I want to document the entire process. Accordingly, I will post questions and answers here. If you have a question about Mego or the book, please Email me: benjamin(at)worldsgreatesttoys.com

On January 31, reader John asked the following:

Question: Wasn’t there a package or catalog that showed a super-heroes that were planned but never made? I’m thinking it was Green Lantern. Wasn’t this mentioned in a Museum thread last year?

Answer: No. Green Lantern is depicted on the Hall of Justice, and I discuss that in the book. There is very little documentation of planned or unproduced figures; it is mostly speculation and wishful thinking on the part of collectors.

Question: Why not a section on rejected heroes or heroes that got only as far as planning stages? Was this not included because no art or prototypes exist to support the text on it?

Answer: I do mention Doc Savage, but as mentioned above, there is little documentation of other figures not created.

Question: Everyone seems to lament the lack of Flash and Green Lantern. It’s nearly the first thing they ask when they join the museum. Why not address that topic in the book?

Answer: As previously mentioned, I discuss Green Lantern, but not Flash. What’s the point? You could have asked why I didn’t discuss Doc Oc or Doctor Doom or countless other characters Mego never produced. But to what end? The book is a careful documentation of what Mego DID, as opposed to what they did NOT do.

Question: There was a sculpt of Joanna Cameron’s face for the ISIS figure. It probably does not survive but I would have loved to see an example of it.

Answer: Yes, and the Cameron sculpt is in the hands of a well-known collector, who was not willing to share it for the book. I have seen pictures, but was not allowed to include it in the book.

Question: I was under the impression examples existed of the Greatest American Hero figures, Ralph, Bill and Pam. They did appear in some advertisement tho the heads have not surfaced to my knowledge. Why not include that in the last section? Could not the GAH figures in 8 inch have been seen by Mego as a return to Super-Hero figures in the 1980’s?

Answer: Not really. Since the packaging prototypes are known and documented, we know that GAH was NOT to be branded as “WGSH.” I did include Isis and Teen Titans, despite their lack of WGSH branding, but again: I chose to focus on what Mego DID produce, rather than dwell on that which they did not produce.

I look forward to more questions and comments. As you read the book, make a note and send ‘em in!

Benjamin

I am so excited for this year’s Wizard World convention in Los Angeles. I’m a HUGE fan of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, and Wizard is boasting an appearance by none other than… drool… Summer Glau!

I hope to see you the weekend of March 16-18. For more information about the show, check out the official site:

Wizard World

Better yet, click the cool banner to the left! I hope to see you there.

Geeks with kids, you may rejoice! Wizard World Los Angeles, the family friendly comics and pop culture extravaganza at the L.A. Convention Center March 14-16, announces it’s brand new “Children’s Area” on the show floor for the youngest fans.

In an effort to make the Wizard World experience the best possible one for all attendees, Wizard has expanded programming and events for children and added the following specifically for the 10 and under Wizard fan.

Be sure to bring your cameras for photo opportunities with an official Marvel Spider-Man character appearance as well as with Stormtroopers and Rebels from The 501st Legion: Vader’s Fist, The World’s Definitive Imperial Costuming Organization.

All Jedis-in-training will have a chance to participate in Lightsaber instructional classes taught by members of the New York and L.A. Jedi.

A slew of prize packages will be handed out as well as free comic books during our coloring and kids costume contest. Kids will also be able to sit down with friends to play games.

Mike Kunkel, winner of the 2007 Annie Award for best Character Design in an Animated Television Show and creator of the two-time Eisner Award-winning comic book series Herobear and the Kid (shown at right) and the critically acclaimed book “The Land of Sokmunster,” will be on hand doing sketches.

“We have always prided ourselves on making every Wizard World convention as family-friendly as possible,” said Senior Vice President of Operations Joe Yanarella. “By designating an area for our younger guests we hope to build a whole new generation of fans who share our love of comics and pop culture.”

For a complete list of events, registration forms, guests, activities, ticket prices and times, visit www.wizardworld.com.

It’s show-time again!

Rob Chatlin (editor of Mego 8″ Super-Heroes: World’s Greatest Toys!) and I will have a dealer table at this Sunday’s (02/17/08) Los Angeles Comic Book & Sci Fi Convention at the Shrine Auditorium.

As with last month, we will have a broad range of Mego figures — MOC, MIB and Loose — on display and available for purchase. We’ll also have vintage Kenner, Mattel, Popy, Medicom and more. It will be a vintage toy lover’s dream. I will also have copies of the Mego book on hand and can sign books for anyone interested in acquiring an inscribed edition.

If anyone out there in Blogland is in Southern California, we’d love it if you stopped by the show. We actually have THREE tables this time, and we’d love to see you there. Here’s the info:

Shrine Auditorium Expo Center
700 West 32nd St.
Los Angeles, CA

The official Web site for the con is here:

Los Angeles Comic Book & Sci Fi Convention

Guests include stars from TV’s Jericho, Katy Sagal and Teen Titans Year 1 Writer Amy Wolfram.

Hope to see you there!

Benjamin

It was show-time today, as Rob Chatlin and I had three dealer tables at the Los Angeles Comic Book & Sci Fi Convention at the Shrine Auditorium.

Above: Me (left), Rob Chatlin (middle) and our Mego buddy Jay (right)

As with last month, we had a broad range of Mego figures — MOC, MIB and Loose — on display and available for purchase. We also had vintage Kenner, Mattel, Popy, Medicom and more. It was a vintage toy lover’s dream, and we sold a lot of great toys. I also had copies of the Mego book on hand, and signed seven books!

I was also approached by a casting director, who discussed testing me for TV’s “Deal or No Deal” and “1 vs. 100.” I would dig being on either show! I will audition for them tomorrow, and I’ll report more here if anything comes of it.

Rob and I will have three tables at the next show (not until May, unfortunately). Here’s the info, for future reference:

Shrine Auditorium
Expo Center
700 West 32nd St.
Los Angeles, CA

The official Web site for the con is here:

Los Angeles Comic Book & Sci Fi Convention

Guests included stars from TV’s “Jericho,” actress Katy Sagal and Teen Titans Year 1 Writer Amy Wolfram.

Thanks to everyone who came out and said hello. I hope to see you in May!

UPDATE: MORE PICS!

Jay sent me more pics from the show:

Above: Rob sells a copy of World’s Greatest Toys! (left) and a young Mego-head-to-be (right) peruses the book

Above: Benjamin signs a copy of World’s Greatest Toys!

Above: Rob (far right) and Benjamin hard at work selling awesome vintage toys

Above: Benjamin (left) buying a little something for himself (the Blue Mego Batcycle with both Batman and Robin… for just $70!) and one of our repeat customers (right, a high-end comic book dealer), buying a Michael Jackson “Beat It” doll MIB for his brother’s birthday

Above: A sampling of Benjamin’s side of the table… a bunch of Mego goodness