tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6236392911768578462024-03-13T11:35:18.731-07:00Yesterville Toy RoomVintage Toys
Classic Toys
Toy collectingBrian Ashmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05052674477473738205noreply@blogger.comBlogger100125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-623639291176857846.post-87333636125705038472013-03-09T14:50:00.002-08:002013-03-13T20:38:35.554-07:00Almost Vintage: Bif Bang Pow! Six Million Dollar Man 8" Figures<br />
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In the 1970s, many kids tuned into the Six Million Dollar Man TV show week after week. Colonel Steve Austin was an astronaut that needed cybernetic replacements for some of his body parts after a horrific crash while flying a new test craft. These implants gave him extraordinary strength and abilities. To be like Steve, many of us dreamed of stopping runaway cars with our bare feet, jumping over 15 foot walls, and tussling with mythological beasts like Sasquatch (Big Foot).</div>
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Kenner made a great line of Six Million Dollar Man (SMDM) toys in the mid and late 70s and we loved them. They still hold a special place in the hearts of many "kids" from the 70s. However, the end of the show also ended the toys and we were left to leave childhood behind and begin to grow up. Many, many years later a lot of us started digging through boxes in the garage, scouring yard sales, and searching online for Kenner's old SMDM toys to reclaim a bit of our childhood. In a way, the end of the Kenner toys signaled the end of an era and Steve Austin was left to be mostly forgotten (apart from a couple of made-for-TV movies in the 80s).</div>
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Fast forward to 2012. A new toy movement has been in motion for a few years which many refer to as "Re-Megos." Several lines of 8" action figures from different companies have been released that follow the style and size of figures produced by the late, great company Mego in the 1970s. Mego never had a license for SMDM and so we never got 8" action figures of Steve and his "buddies" from the TV show. However, that has recently been remedied by a newish company called Bif Bang Pow! BBP has been producing Mego-like 8" figures for several years now and have just recently tackled the Six Million Dollar Man.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">As of now, BBP has released 3 versions of Steve Austin, a Bigfoot, and Dr. Rudy Wells.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">In the near future, they will be releasing figures of Steve's boss Oscar Goldman, a Fembot, Steve Austin in Astronaut suit, Barney Hiller (The SEVEN Million Dollar Man), and Mr. X (the character that the classic Maskatron figure was based on).</span></div>
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This first figure is Steve Austin in his iconic red track suit. This outfit is most associated with the SMDM and was featured in the opening credits each week. Bif Bang Pow! has also used an ingenious way of showing Steve's "bionics" if you look under his track suit. His left forearm and each lower leg is cast in clear plastic with "bionics" silk-screened in silver on each body part. We never really saw Steve's bionics in the television show very much except when he'd open a panel on his arm or take some bionic-revealing damage. So, the clear limbs aren't TV accurate but they sure are fun and a welcome way of showing that Steve has special abilities. Steve also comes with a red talking keychain that has dialogue from the show's opening segment and some bionic sound effects. Although it would have been neat to have Steve's sound-effects integrated into the figure, itself, as originally planned, I am glad that BBP found a way to give us this sound feature, anyway.</div>
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I have only two gripes with this figure. The first is the size of his head (and this problem seems to pertain to many of the figures in this line). It's a bit too big and seems out of scale when put next to many other Mego and ReMego figures. It's kind of a minor "nit," though, and I know that BBP is working on this for future figures. Regulating this with factories abroad must be a difficult thing to do.</div>
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The other has to do with Steve's likeness. In my opinion, it's a fair bit off-the-mark from the way that Lee Majors looked in the TV show (for one thing, Majors was always pulling his eyebrows down close to his eyes.. almost like a constant squint) . That's not to say it's completely off as there is SOME likeness there. Many collectors were turned off on this line by Steve's likeness and it may have hurt the overall acceptance and sales of this line. For me, I'm just thrilled to be buying SMDM toys in 2012 and 2013. This is a very reasonably priced toy. So, I'm not going to cry "foul" if a couple things are off. And, at the end of the day, this is a TOY. I like to consider what I would have thought of a toy as a 9 or 10 year-old with stuff like this. Would this have been good enough, back then? Absolutely… and I would have had a blast.</div>
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The packaging is a nice representation of how Mego packaging was produced in the 70s. I've shown one of the packages here. Each character is packaged on the same card art with just the character's name changing. This is just fine with me since this is how Mego approached their packaging, as well. </div>
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BBP also released Steve in his Khaki outfit that was seen on the show many, many times. They even included his trademark belt-buckle! This figure was released in two versions… with and without mustache. This was done to represent Steve's changing look on the show as Lee Majors did have a mustache for a season or two. It's a variant that actually makes me laugh. I never would have ever thought I'd have a SMDM figure with a mustache.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">Bif Bang Pow! chose a slightly different method for representing Steve's bionics on this Khaki version.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">They screen printed the same bionic graphics on flesh colored appendages instead of clear ones.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">It's kind of a nice effect, too.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">You can almost imagine that you are seeing Steve's bionics through open panels on this version.</span><br />
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Also recently produced was Bigfoot! Some of the show's greatest episodes centered around Steve finding and fighting the mythological beast. Bigfoot is on a taller body than the other SMDM figures and uses a stuffed suit to represent his fur and girth from the character on the show. The head sculpt is a very nice representation of Andre the Giant's costumed portrayal of this beast. Bigfoot also comes with a talking keychain that has many different sounds bionic should effects… different than Steve's keychain, I might add.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">Bigfoot's arms are a bit stubby in proportion to the rest of the figure, but again, this is a pretty minor "nit."</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">This is a great, fun figure that does great justice to the TV show and also Mego heritage.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Bif Bang Pow's 8" Steve and Kenner's 13" figure of Steve</span></div>
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"Get 'im, Steves!!"</div>
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I love this line of toys and am looking forward to all of the forthcoming SMDM releases from Bif Bang Pow! I don't know how many characters they can do past the ones that have been announced but I'd welcome any that might be announced in the future. </div>
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<br />Brian Ashmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05052674477473738205noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-623639291176857846.post-87748467741203956852013-02-25T11:05:00.000-08:002013-03-09T13:31:41.099-08:001978 Mattel Shogun Warriors Godzilla<br />
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In the 70s, cable television brought the Japanese Godzilla movies to a whole new group of young fans that hadn't had much exposure to the monster before. I remember it always being a pretty big deal when the Denver station would run a Godzilla movie. I didn't have cable but a friend up the street did. So, I got to watch a bit of Godzilla here and there at his house. </div>
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Mattel brought Godzilla over to the US as a toy in their large-sized Shogun Warriors line. It seemed a little bit out of "left field" to have a big green monster as part of a line of toys that we knew, exclusively, as a robot line of toys. Although it seemed a bit odd, it was still really cool to see a huge Godzilla toy on the toy shelves. He didn't seem to have as many features as most of the other Shogun toys but that almost didn't matter because he was GODZILLA.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">Godzilla is a bit shorter than the other toys in the line but if he had been in scale and also the full 24" tall, he would have needed a much bigger box than the rest of the line.</span><br />
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Godzilla features articulation at the shoulders, wrists, hips, and tail. He looks like he'd have neck articulation but the visible seam is just part of his construction and doesn't allow for any head movement. Godzilla is made of the same type of "shampoo bottle" plastic as his robotic brothers but seems to have a hard plastic head. This may be due to it needing to house the mechanism for his "fiery breath" tongue. More on that in a second.</div>
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Godzilla, despite NOT being a robot still has a couple of action features. His left fist shoots off at the press of a button (further up on his forearm) and actually packs quite a wallop. He also has a lever on the back of his head that extends his "ugly tongue" as one 1978 <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlX2Bn9Nrxk" target="_blank">COMMERCIAL</a> puts it. Another <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbZYIjVcYIQ" target="_blank">COMMERCIAL</a> called it a "blast of fire." It's basically a silk-screened piece of pliable plastic but is still a fun feature. Other than wheels on the bottom of his feet (like all Mattel Shogun Warriors), that's about it for features. </div>
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Interestingly enough, instead of using the superior <a href="http://www.clubtokyo.org/listings/itemListingRpt.php?catID=1&subCatID=26&contentID=360" target="_blank">Popy version</a> of the same toy and importing it to the US like the other Shoguns, Mattel opted to create their own Godzilla with a much less intimidating look than his Japanese counterpart. He's definitely a "softer" Godzilla than the Japanese toy.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">At any rate, this US version of Godzilla is a still a fantastic toy and provided hours of fun for the kids that had one.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">I didn't have one as a kid but enjoyed looking at the Godzilla box on the toy store shelf.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">I picked this one up last year and I'm very glad I did.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">He makes a very nice addition to my growing Shogun Warriors collection.</span><br />
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Now, I just have to decide if he's "friend or foe." As the commercial puts it, It's up to me to decide.</div>
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Brian Ashmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05052674477473738205noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-623639291176857846.post-51982727404872776082013-02-08T08:45:00.002-08:002013-02-08T09:36:36.280-08:00Mattel Shogun Warriors Mazinga<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Mazinga! I picked this guy up last year to add to my Shogun Warrior collection. I lucked out and found one in pretty nice shape. After tracking down a few original accessories, he's complete and all original.</div>
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The Shogun Warrior toys were distributed in the US by Mattel in the mid-to-late 70s. They were created by a Japanese company, Popy, and were produced as characters from several different Japanese licenses (cartoons). Mattel brought them over to the US with a few minor modifications and sold them under one banner and license… The Shogun Warriors.</div>
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As toys go, these Shogun Warriors were huge… around 2 feet tall. To a kid, these things were immense. Even as an adult, these things seem very large and Mazinga is no exception.<br />
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I didn't have a Mazinga as a kid but a friend down the street had one. I had a Dragun but was secretly jealous of my friend's Mazinga. Mazinga just had an intimidation factor that the other Shoguns just didn't have. His horns, pointy head, Vader-like grill on his face, and red chest armor made him look like something not to be messed with. He could shoot 3 rockets from his fist at the same time, or one at a time. He even came with two swords should he run out of missiles and have to cut down his foes "Medieval Style." If things got really dicey, Mazinga's pilot could jettison from the top of Mazinga's head in a separate craft. How cool is that?!</div>
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My appreciation for these large Shogun Warrior toys seems to grow with age. In the history of US toys, they were really something different and special on the toy shelves back in the 70s. While in Japan these characters' popularity continues today with new cartoons and toys, in the US we haven't seen true Shogun warrior toys in decades. I'd love to see Mattel or another company take the necessary steps to rerelease these guys or continue the concept with brand-new Shogun toys. I'm sure the fact that Shoguns are actually from different Japanese licenses is a hinderance. But, hey, they made it happen once, right?</div>
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As a kid, I was more into things like 12" Gijoe, Star Wars, and the Six Million Dollar Man. However, in adding more Shoguns to my collection lately, I have a renewed appreciation for them…. and, Dang! do they look cool on the shelf.</div>
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<br />Brian Ashmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05052674477473738205noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-623639291176857846.post-27531985710954541522011-09-25T19:16:00.000-07:002011-09-25T19:36:24.956-07:00Mickey Mask 1974<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8djkcWiaV5QFXzeUSNssAsgczmV3aUO8YuhdRHgS6OC34L1srUJh6NZHRj0p_fBNSnHkGQfA4t9X_LsXwzP33S7Q-4McEfwKYWbq66Dy_e4fem-Abw_xDFfgRQ_8pkf-0ebugjbwMEjg/s1600/Mickey+7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 385px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8djkcWiaV5QFXzeUSNssAsgczmV3aUO8YuhdRHgS6OC34L1srUJh6NZHRj0p_fBNSnHkGQfA4t9X_LsXwzP33S7Q-4McEfwKYWbq66Dy_e4fem-Abw_xDFfgRQ_8pkf-0ebugjbwMEjg/s400/Mickey+7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656487646174044274" border="0" /></a>This is one of the gifts I opened for Christmas last year from my Mom and Dad. Sure, it might not look like much but it's something I hadn't seen in quite a long time. This is another item that I made with my Dad when I was a kid... a Second Grader, to be more specific. I can't remember the specifics, but this paper mache mask was done for a school project. My folks kept it all these years. It's in pretty bad shape, but still very cool to see again.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWj3t1wVlLKYI7fAbq5wevq4QN8SoyqSgGMABAhJ7Vq570sjxQk4qiwdjBmLJY-ymhZB43P83SFcUX0RAYZpOiZSpg6jj_3GuRqFgq-hrq27xeKFwKEUqHZEUySiAWd4pcBPdLq2x0pZk/s1600/Mickey+6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 350px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWj3t1wVlLKYI7fAbq5wevq4QN8SoyqSgGMABAhJ7Vq570sjxQk4qiwdjBmLJY-ymhZB43P83SFcUX0RAYZpOiZSpg6jj_3GuRqFgq-hrq27xeKFwKEUqHZEUySiAWd4pcBPdLq2x0pZk/s400/Mickey+6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656487646157313746" border="0" /></a>When I was a kid, I was always "in" to something. In other words, I tended to fixate on television and movie characters and, most often, the toys that went with them. Among my young childhood obsessions were Disney characters like Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. Before I discovered things like Planet of the Apes and Evel Knievel, Mickey Mouse was a character favorite of mine in the very early 1970s. I watched cartoons, drew Disney pictures, and dreamed of one day visiting Disneyland and seeing all the colorful characters, in person.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_o47fwBzj4Ix8Vk52MV5jdussnIByVRyZewzE821Sbcv7q4jTULo2fYLWMR6fhXfLT5XU-zSyNhEw6wK-Ha86sL1FQchFavDB0B2kEYMu2hFhh4sos2SfQqKKETfK7V9xJwD6WXu2Zk/s1600/Mickey+5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 367px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_o47fwBzj4Ix8Vk52MV5jdussnIByVRyZewzE821Sbcv7q4jTULo2fYLWMR6fhXfLT5XU-zSyNhEw6wK-Ha86sL1FQchFavDB0B2kEYMu2hFhh4sos2SfQqKKETfK7V9xJwD6WXu2Zk/s400/Mickey+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656487529939323106" border="0" /></a>So, when the opportunity came to make a mask for a school project, Mickey was at the top of my list. I remember layering goopy, gluey newspaper strips all over a blown-up balloon to make the basic headshape and ears. Once dried, it was painted and a bent metal measuring spoon, painted black, served as the nose. At some point, Mickey's nose must have disappeared as he was sans spoon when I opened the box my parents wrapped up for me.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpme0x06BJPiEPGIQygRHbWPi5jEvkRsKvoMJs-QjdZC0ClyT5hFRFk7_rRvBjKPWLVycb0JRIUYLHsn0JefAknMXyGBEA2IvBZp_bVLuu5VIB-Dwpp9msIXsQHcG-kggBQ9LvFnaLvHU/s1600/Mickey+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 324px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpme0x06BJPiEPGIQygRHbWPi5jEvkRsKvoMJs-QjdZC0ClyT5hFRFk7_rRvBjKPWLVycb0JRIUYLHsn0JefAknMXyGBEA2IvBZp_bVLuu5VIB-Dwpp9msIXsQHcG-kggBQ9LvFnaLvHU/s400/Mickey+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656487530612942946" border="0" /></a>This is my "Mickey Collection," at the time. The ridiculousness of this photo cracks me up. Didn't I have more pressing things to do than this?! Anyway, my kid brother, Mike, was kind enough to stand-in and help me display my Mickey bounty. I'm holding a Mickey ventriloquist dummy that I got for Christmas a year or two earlier. My brother is holding a Mickey Mouse bust bank and Mickey doll, of some kind. On the wall, is a Mickey corkboard for keeping track of all the pressing things a 7 year-old would need to keep organized. I'm wearing a home-made Mickey Mouse Club shirt (don't be jealous) and an official, stylin' Mickey Mouse ears hat. A mysterious arm holds the Mickey Mask that is the subject of this post.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeFRDembRpTL64YAyHRG3fJi9QoanaFqWfvDuTEg2i1zzB9jNjYx3ANrGE6rphVNi00kgIZ3MLQshuJLVt21qisO61aLv-WlP_YRIBHxXLTdVGvRfzIoPsePGuOhIvqg6CGpR7DtAGz8c/s1600/Mickey+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 314px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeFRDembRpTL64YAyHRG3fJi9QoanaFqWfvDuTEg2i1zzB9jNjYx3ANrGE6rphVNi00kgIZ3MLQshuJLVt21qisO61aLv-WlP_YRIBHxXLTdVGvRfzIoPsePGuOhIvqg6CGpR7DtAGz8c/s400/Mickey+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656487525087122306" border="0" /></a>I still have the same Mickey bank that was one of the toys in the picture above. These two decorated my room when I was about 4 or 5 years-old and have just kind of stayed with the family, all these years. I think I adopted them, officially, into my collection of toys just a few years ago. I came across them recently when looking through boxes of toys in a recent "toy purge" to thin out my collection.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfB-nMRGhFZ2XYkvtCMh0Emj1ydBJRp8X7vhRlJkVKRRprCkJZ75C3sl4vxOeGU1HyUFf-9DaGCWYCufZcAFIi7Mj5URskaXUrcxNct_o6VN0CMih338-QXRVe8xwoAwBm2ndGUfXSpk/s1600/Mickey+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 324px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfB-nMRGhFZ2XYkvtCMh0Emj1ydBJRp8X7vhRlJkVKRRprCkJZ75C3sl4vxOeGU1HyUFf-9DaGCWYCufZcAFIi7Mj5URskaXUrcxNct_o6VN0CMih338-QXRVe8xwoAwBm2ndGUfXSpk/s400/Mickey+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656487525066579362" border="0" /></a>Being a good Mickey in 1974... waving to the crowd.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEAP13FsBmNunvseeY_FEgpCsRZarxnUQob5J9U5716vdmN5a9qcyUUnwubtqgwuMMgwrZ0wFpjrmeH-8qYR0v5sXmTcb3vt2_xP3LdxlDWSK77NmBeUNNdTO_AxLbij6tV2U8BeKd0jE/s1600/Mickey+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 316px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEAP13FsBmNunvseeY_FEgpCsRZarxnUQob5J9U5716vdmN5a9qcyUUnwubtqgwuMMgwrZ0wFpjrmeH-8qYR0v5sXmTcb3vt2_xP3LdxlDWSK77NmBeUNNdTO_AxLbij6tV2U8BeKd0jE/s400/Mickey+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656487521812935346" border="0" /></a>Another shot of my brother, Mike, and I. This seems like a lifetime ago. These days, we're all starting to get up in years, but it's always neat to have an object like this mask as a tangible reminder of the simpler, care-free days of being a child.Brian Ashmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05052674477473738205noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-623639291176857846.post-11929286225398048782011-09-18T13:35:00.000-07:002011-09-18T17:04:53.609-07:00Hasbro 1970 Gi Joe Adventure Team Land Adventurer<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWaMZ4czkfbqGOlWkZXJl0wMX95YgjfMJFdXJ7lZARUhINeXbgZnIeXcFoNsaU91-srDM7g0NTpGJEpr60997WuaPz33DaHy_G3oefeLlYuvJcZ0FpFK4lYx2rU985Y4ZIe-7DKSZY2Tk/s1600/Land+Adventurer+9.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 357px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWaMZ4czkfbqGOlWkZXJl0wMX95YgjfMJFdXJ7lZARUhINeXbgZnIeXcFoNsaU91-srDM7g0NTpGJEpr60997WuaPz33DaHy_G3oefeLlYuvJcZ0FpFK4lYx2rU985Y4ZIe-7DKSZY2Tk/s400/Land+Adventurer+9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653801725240750434" border="0" /></a>This is Hasbro's 1970 Land Adventurer from the GiJoe Adventure Team line of action figures. As I've mentioned before, with public backlash against military toys in the late 60's and early 70's, Gi Joe needed to redefine himself as an "adventurer" rather than a soldier. With newly-flocked hair and beard (vs. the beardless painted hair previous versions of Joe), the Adventure Team was ready to take on Mother Nature instead of foreign soldiers. This change from soldier to adventurer proved to be quite a success and millions of these figures found their way into countless backyard adventures everywhere.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil5T7W2XcM25ODinjOISQ1lDJcPH3Rrd0H24Vfqe2XGCl34_6-eHAQf39O89rHf5n3N4vuh67wqTLINkhoEC9q1h0iBZbPdr85zys2_6CKykcloOWqDXmI9xQW0frT5WW8gSG-QNCGH3Y/s1600/Land+Adventurer+8.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 279px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil5T7W2XcM25ODinjOISQ1lDJcPH3Rrd0H24Vfqe2XGCl34_6-eHAQf39O89rHf5n3N4vuh67wqTLINkhoEC9q1h0iBZbPdr85zys2_6CKykcloOWqDXmI9xQW0frT5WW8gSG-QNCGH3Y/s400/Land+Adventurer+8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653801718009749458" border="0" /></a>When I was about 5 or 6 years old in the very early 70's, it seemed that every kid had an Adventure Team GiJoe or two (and maybe even a few of the 60's military figures handed down from an older brother). Like the 60's GiJoe line before, when you got your hands on an Adventure Team (AT) Gi Joe, you weren't just introduced to a world of of action figures. No, you were inducted into a huge world of possibilities that included vehicles, playsets, and other uniforms and outfits. The amount of add-ons for Joe seemed endless and it was always a thrill to visit the toy store and drool over all the adventures your Joe (or Joes) could have if only Mom and Dad would pony up the dough for new Gi Joe stuff. Your Joe could capture a wild gorilla or white tiger, dig up an old mummy, or even recover a stolen idol (Yep, ol' Joe was doing it way before Indy). Most the time, the smaller accessory sets could be purchased with some saved allowance but the bigger sets usually ended up as Christmas or birthday presents.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2UXQU6ZGY0vw_MnhXjCKwjayRY_fgdfX0lkcK50SfqX6Djo0Khv6ZsAp_yPlQE1VNZjNpz3kBKZvQXcLkctFXrPHeHfqpxBV7oNtgT_vvfI8KWkPdrqcjRE5MrOmdqQxHUVoXnJPsBo/s1600/Land+Adventurer+7.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2UXQU6ZGY0vw_MnhXjCKwjayRY_fgdfX0lkcK50SfqX6Djo0Khv6ZsAp_yPlQE1VNZjNpz3kBKZvQXcLkctFXrPHeHfqpxBV7oNtgT_vvfI8KWkPdrqcjRE5MrOmdqQxHUVoXnJPsBo/s400/Land+Adventurer+7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653801716163514050" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkCbd57GmrYmzxxwSRweBDco8cRk6oIrd77du8mwufqQefzgLYLCQMrjPVY7vHROMmMHi0PRiqWyrFIwn5yTjSPC5ENVoYH7zhTxNxGHWB737EEZaEpiZlw_oT67OfW1bH92ULJwK439M/s1600/Land+Adventurer+6.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkCbd57GmrYmzxxwSRweBDco8cRk6oIrd77du8mwufqQefzgLYLCQMrjPVY7vHROMmMHi0PRiqWyrFIwn5yTjSPC5ENVoYH7zhTxNxGHWB737EEZaEpiZlw_oT67OfW1bH92ULJwK439M/s400/Land+Adventurer+6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653801714654941970" border="0" /></a>Although, there were five or six different figures in the Adventure Team line-up. The Land Adventurer seemed to be the "go to" guy for most missions. His visage (dark hair and beard) graced most of the add-on adventure sets' packaging. He also seemed to be the most prevalent Joe amongst neighborhood kids, for whatever reason. Mabye it was his camo outfit that attracted so many kids.<br /><br />The figure in the photos is a fairly recent addition to the Yesterville archives. He's the first version of the AT Land Adventurer with the "nose picker" (affectionately named for the extended index finger on the right hand) hard hands, pistol, and shoulder holster. Later versions of the Land Adventurer would feature "Kung Fu" grip hands and a scoped rifle. Although this original style of hands made it somewhat difficult to hold guns and accessories, they have held up much better over time than their Kung-Fu counterparts. The Kung Fu hands are made of a rubber material that has dried and broken (take note Hot Toys!) on many figures, while the original hands are made of a less flexible, sturdier plastic that has survived on most figures, just fine.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUm3J_G7b5XAUKzyb0CPApsE2UFg5ThOWd3XSpWMcC2Gi108lTVcbXADtK61TG3to9UQFBbB6xk1gHwaNEF8Mn1PJdu02uMWFp3_4GibOduoZLKn5scpyX6AGVOFdb0JNrCpnbtOf795c/s1600/Land+Adventurer+5.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 244px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUm3J_G7b5XAUKzyb0CPApsE2UFg5ThOWd3XSpWMcC2Gi108lTVcbXADtK61TG3to9UQFBbB6xk1gHwaNEF8Mn1PJdu02uMWFp3_4GibOduoZLKn5scpyX6AGVOFdb0JNrCpnbtOf795c/s400/Land+Adventurer+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653801401302086498" border="0" /></a>One of the coolest things to me, as a kid, about the AT GiJoes was their big, chained "AT" medallions around their necks. I loved the AT graphic symbol, for whatever reason, and almost viewed it to be like a superhero logo. This was a replacement accessory for the metal dog tags that came with the earlier 60's GiJoes. During a meeting at Hasbro during the development of the AT logo, one of the employees remarked at how much the AT symbol looked like a peace symbol (which was EVERYWHERE back then... t-shirts, posters, bumper stickers, etc.). The owner of Hasbro responded by saying, "Let's hope so!!" Hasbro was eager to leave the stigma of military toys behind and any similarity to the peace symbol certainly couldnt have hurt. At any rate, there's just something I really love about these huge, over-sized medallions that is just so indicative of the early 70's.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtH8WwcfCdUPDmspEpU7qK-0VeW8VfmVup0jNvwu6culy7sODAIz5il-Ot3u4fqLZeuU82WLJrjFTKObdB8JKXoHLReTa5av_Brzb2wz0-71ImUN44VvuC5Lc_LUW4t15ZaxjW9g_0lqI/s1600/Land+Adventurer+4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 364px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtH8WwcfCdUPDmspEpU7qK-0VeW8VfmVup0jNvwu6culy7sODAIz5il-Ot3u4fqLZeuU82WLJrjFTKObdB8JKXoHLReTa5av_Brzb2wz0-71ImUN44VvuC5Lc_LUW4t15ZaxjW9g_0lqI/s400/Land+Adventurer+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653801396500878962" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4hb07P8kvoC6w3zJz0u1Nm1uplGRqLW6-2DMVw5FSMvhtHF37J-ZObiundMjfBaQxnad5XnKK4OchOUFH5HSlA2FH33KhUM_YY7XNLrPQnwmHYOTcsnqN1yEHUKUYD5HRyrMPX4uchU/s1600/Land+Adventurer+3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 380px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4hb07P8kvoC6w3zJz0u1Nm1uplGRqLW6-2DMVw5FSMvhtHF37J-ZObiundMjfBaQxnad5XnKK4OchOUFH5HSlA2FH33KhUM_YY7XNLrPQnwmHYOTcsnqN1yEHUKUYD5HRyrMPX4uchU/s400/Land+Adventurer+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653801396867623842" border="0" /></a>One of the things that many younger action figure collectors are surprised by when they first hold and pose a vintage 12" GiJoe is just how well-articulated and posable they really are. I'm always a little shocked by this since GiJoe was the very first boys' articulated action figure and the development guys at Hasbro really did their homework and came up with an amazing base body for their new toy. In my circle of (older) friends, it's been pretty much common-knowledge that action figures started on a high point and had begun to de-evolve (articulation-wise), in the late Seventies with the onset of small 5-point articulated figures. Many younger collectors grew up in the 80's and 90's when action figures were smaller, simpler, and much, much less articulated than their predecessors like GiJoes and Megos. As more and more companies have started putting more and more articulation into their smaller all-plastic figures, many believe this to be a new development in the world of action figures. That's my guess as to why the "disconnect" happens, anyway.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHt34yFHa7yM69Juch71lSk6xb8-sB1IhGb-j1UKkKWoAUXukKVinR2foddI6cwkUwzi225vw6uOtT21iO9TnuUAiStDNt_eP9hV1OnJgHvYQliQCJfkG6i7E6tMTgI3YvkBKy7eZfCZI/s1600/Land+Adventurer+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHt34yFHa7yM69Juch71lSk6xb8-sB1IhGb-j1UKkKWoAUXukKVinR2foddI6cwkUwzi225vw6uOtT21iO9TnuUAiStDNt_eP9hV1OnJgHvYQliQCJfkG6i7E6tMTgI3YvkBKy7eZfCZI/s400/Land+Adventurer+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653801391948706162" border="0" /></a>The Adventure Team Land Adventurer was many kids' very first action figure. He predates even the first Mego Superhero figures by several years and the smaller 3 3/4 Joes by over a decade. He truly is a prime example of a much simpler time in the world of action figures. I can hardly believe he's over 40 years old this year. Someone put a brake on these years... they are rolling by much too fast.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ugXNIPc7q4X_QvC8i-MHWQBftGcieH4FCBbNo-fZ6JDXzVnhUAeLpMR33nUP3Bq9qVwOmTGT6ehSjl4Ylp3WjO-CHNziB63BB75-EHfzSDPFlkqpLE4TKhW42fKcTrjN9cClT2wlzY0/s1600/Land+Adventurer+1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ugXNIPc7q4X_QvC8i-MHWQBftGcieH4FCBbNo-fZ6JDXzVnhUAeLpMR33nUP3Bq9qVwOmTGT6ehSjl4Ylp3WjO-CHNziB63BB75-EHfzSDPFlkqpLE4TKhW42fKcTrjN9cClT2wlzY0/s400/Land+Adventurer+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653801390230593042" border="0" /></a>Brian Ashmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05052674477473738205noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-623639291176857846.post-80670300891631843502011-09-17T16:41:00.001-07:002011-09-17T17:10:30.357-07:00Ideal Evel Knievel Silver Hi-Jumper<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrOn2xolLIpu15cp4B9g9sBsrsK48gtPRDpYBOdySB-zCfQNkrXvbIkEx0NNmyT-f5Az8kGq-6iHcN-Tcldd-L3SFNmBsfZKwO2dfYLw9ZkFR0wIgjP5TpYbwWBvVn1SGtIAjPxwkErsw/s1600/Silver+hi-jumper+7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 380px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrOn2xolLIpu15cp4B9g9sBsrsK48gtPRDpYBOdySB-zCfQNkrXvbIkEx0NNmyT-f5Az8kGq-6iHcN-Tcldd-L3SFNmBsfZKwO2dfYLw9ZkFR0wIgjP5TpYbwWBvVn1SGtIAjPxwkErsw/s400/Silver+hi-jumper+7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653478271543438482" border="0" /></a>This is the Ideal Evel Knievel Silver Hi-Jumper cycle from 1977. This is one of the most rare Evel Knievel toys ever produced. In 1977, Knievel had a controversial parking lot altercation with a writer that slandered him in a "tell-all" book. The writer left the incident with two broken arms and Evel was left facing jail time. Rather than continue to produce toys that used the Knievel name, Ideal Toys chose to end their relationship with Evel rather than risk losing money on a toy line associated with the then-maligned Knievel name.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpukgw05JOzBA_dsKmkqy4hWbvYi-IRaTZQIKkRbpMtpJQP9bcphnwIkKW6_k2a2rzuN7gZyOiZMHtu3cR1y889CBfaDBZFPHomzR7pPjOy5hxjj_YDzZ2ab_Bzyl7YCr1ft3GqYO7ZE/s1600/Silver+hi-jumper+6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 303px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpukgw05JOzBA_dsKmkqy4hWbvYi-IRaTZQIKkRbpMtpJQP9bcphnwIkKW6_k2a2rzuN7gZyOiZMHtu3cR1y889CBfaDBZFPHomzR7pPjOy5hxjj_YDzZ2ab_Bzyl7YCr1ft3GqYO7ZE/s400/Silver+hi-jumper+6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653478270800025794" border="0" /></a>Consequently, some Knievel toys did not make it to production or were canceled not far into production. The Silver Hi-Jumper set was one that ended up having very low production numbers. Information online is sketchy but it seems that somewhere between 1000 and 1500 of these sets made it to toy shelves before the final curtain closed on Ideal's mighty and lucrative Evel Knievel toy line.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjnlraRjlii-nExnz-wDwtJA0FpmkdPS2UTxpaJQZ1qPBeOIUA1GfRk1M8x1ArbmpollwUNzrEzGk6BZyeOGlLSCfDqndDLFr04L52DDEPvqm7mNCRGvyF2A35R-8kRhvRPcvg38R_b4/s1600/Silver+hi-jumper+5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 303px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjnlraRjlii-nExnz-wDwtJA0FpmkdPS2UTxpaJQZ1qPBeOIUA1GfRk1M8x1ArbmpollwUNzrEzGk6BZyeOGlLSCfDqndDLFr04L52DDEPvqm7mNCRGvyF2A35R-8kRhvRPcvg38R_b4/s400/Silver+hi-jumper+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653478264338310834" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprYeg5geBzc6GAZMH8lwVrGBhc_b32U1TWM-IlcviEjQYllpNglew4kMSrjNPFufG443EAP381jKK5eIZHpEvW7lPzEsQ4bHR6t1biXR1wD0uzWm1QLj4e2sB7mxIhWLI3oAptEVg5og/s1600/Silver+hi-jumper+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprYeg5geBzc6GAZMH8lwVrGBhc_b32U1TWM-IlcviEjQYllpNglew4kMSrjNPFufG443EAP381jKK5eIZHpEvW7lPzEsQ4bHR6t1biXR1wD0uzWm1QLj4e2sB7mxIhWLI3oAptEVg5og/s400/Silver+hi-jumper+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653478114098023330" border="0" /></a>The full-set included the Silver Hi-Jumper cycle, Energizer (winder), a white-suited Evel Knievel figure with helmet, and a red ramp. If I'm not mistaken, this was the only vintage Knievel cycle set to come with a jumping ramp in the box. Other sets like the Scramble Van and the Stunt Stadium (both forthcoming in reviews) included ramps but not a cycle.<br /><br />This particular Silver Hi-Jumper pictured was acquired by me about a year ago. It's missing some silver paint here and there but is in nice condition, otherwise. It runs and nothing is broken. A blue-suited Evel figure is standing in for the white one that would have originally come with this set.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLrojCqNv2f9c8Iik9bA6tRLl-d35p7qSiMD789KOpCzpckwWhQGwrXY3hkqFMMKk8GPt0F3XJeVBv4Lg4TlaqnC8oHHZ4D5B6SliQmhnVw7XetiXc_QT2b-orFwmWhQckC7RnIVpIU8/s1600/Silver+hi-jumper+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 350px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLrojCqNv2f9c8Iik9bA6tRLl-d35p7qSiMD789KOpCzpckwWhQGwrXY3hkqFMMKk8GPt0F3XJeVBv4Lg4TlaqnC8oHHZ4D5B6SliQmhnVw7XetiXc_QT2b-orFwmWhQckC7RnIVpIU8/s400/Silver+hi-jumper+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653478115295373138" border="0" /></a>The cycle itself is actually a repaint of a much more common Knievel toy cycle called the Trail Bike. The Trail Bike body was black plastic with chromed engine and tail pipes but the Silver Hi-Jumper is painted in reverse with an all-chrome finish and black engine and tail pipes. Although, the distinction between the two bikes is somewhat minimal, the rarity of the silver bike makes it one of the line's "holy grails."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswTVVOKMqXX5ngP7DAVf2ap5Yfi-_4hhePh1y3MYrpg-qjLkusUAT0kLnsF_z-xJff8uPIRSkd07Petx5xyvzCZxYNoJwQJR3FxyyQ4I3amAqkPqkVGV9uBJEygvWQT3pXu2u3_w1M-c/s1600/Silver+hi-jumper+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 334px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswTVVOKMqXX5ngP7DAVf2ap5Yfi-_4hhePh1y3MYrpg-qjLkusUAT0kLnsF_z-xJff8uPIRSkd07Petx5xyvzCZxYNoJwQJR3FxyyQ4I3amAqkPqkVGV9uBJEygvWQT3pXu2u3_w1M-c/s400/Silver+hi-jumper+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653478111110448466" border="0" /></a>I didn't have this cycle as a kid. In fact, I had never heard of it until more recently when researching the line of Evel Knievel toys. However, I came across this example for a screaming deal and had to pick it up. I was very glad to add it to the collection of Knievel toys I've gathered over the years.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8gTFpGMGZKkEu3MXDoxfKUL55Hvl111DJi5MIduzJfleEC6dwIs1uzqMfa-66Xfr8-2WluK6jwABoTnH_Mcw7rxrBBnJfFud_rfX58C2E-7pYbAHHg-GUAEk6hxSSDDWGbqukJmxsjE/s1600/Silver+hi-jumper+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 343px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8gTFpGMGZKkEu3MXDoxfKUL55Hvl111DJi5MIduzJfleEC6dwIs1uzqMfa-66Xfr8-2WluK6jwABoTnH_Mcw7rxrBBnJfFud_rfX58C2E-7pYbAHHg-GUAEk6hxSSDDWGbqukJmxsjE/s400/Silver+hi-jumper+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653478106651396482" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8B5JMzeJy15VEA0z5wmBudoRq93TGRmdWmTRmWwfpkbT1niGxSVFitMMHzDjX28NbinCW6iKGv8vyIhbYLuXEAXvJIKfy6dmOmgV4Q0bAVJlDkvZwFyjNEumgE7-WcVwZDehisYECP6c/s1600/Silver+Hi-jumper+0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 291px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8B5JMzeJy15VEA0z5wmBudoRq93TGRmdWmTRmWwfpkbT1niGxSVFitMMHzDjX28NbinCW6iKGv8vyIhbYLuXEAXvJIKfy6dmOmgV4Q0bAVJlDkvZwFyjNEumgE7-WcVwZDehisYECP6c/s400/Silver+Hi-jumper+0.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653478101992255938" border="0" /></a><br />This is the box that the Silver Hi-Jumper cycle set was sold in. I love these old illustrated, no-window toy boxes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNAZz7YS_Q03pbrg1Jez6of59E60mbvgdaL2Q_DcVw8lLxUO134TwfCGym2EZwDSo0wqahDVpL8ckTGCdm66Mj7lQYu1OY11tAFDmA3SJew-NJtb46X5R8aTGUI3a7A9QumPaD1j38N8/s1600/grave+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNAZz7YS_Q03pbrg1Jez6of59E60mbvgdaL2Q_DcVw8lLxUO134TwfCGym2EZwDSo0wqahDVpL8ckTGCdm66Mj7lQYu1OY11tAFDmA3SJew-NJtb46X5R8aTGUI3a7A9QumPaD1j38N8/s400/grave+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653479579335605778" border="0" /></a>Every year, we make a few trips to Evel's hometown of Butte, Montana for some of my boys' soccer games. Last year, we stopped at Evel's grave to see his final resting place and pay our respects. Evel was one of my biggest heroes as a kid and it felt pretty neat to be able to walk right up and visit the grave of such a famous and iconic American.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-o_bBbLY-Hj6TemuJ5TCslttA8Y69SzK3z_pBM8gW5waF6hCfTPVFzf7Eb5X71LO_wQXrMx53i-ibGqWh_vd0TMfSDT96MfXkp8Llf76OIOIrPzr4TZIPhVFRjNy_RmJG3uyvdbDM8QY/s1600/grave+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-o_bBbLY-Hj6TemuJ5TCslttA8Y69SzK3z_pBM8gW5waF6hCfTPVFzf7Eb5X71LO_wQXrMx53i-ibGqWh_vd0TMfSDT96MfXkp8Llf76OIOIrPzr4TZIPhVFRjNy_RmJG3uyvdbDM8QY/s400/grave+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653480853105113970" border="0" /></a>The backside of Knievel's grave was inscribed many years ago. Evel intended that this stone be erected as a commemoration of his attempt to jump the Snake River Canyon in 1974. When that didn't pan out, the stone was put into storage. Later in life, as Evel struggled with illness, he pulled the stone out of storage and had it transported to Butte to be used as his headstone.Brian Ashmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05052674477473738205noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-623639291176857846.post-37665057466884685212011-05-10T17:15:00.000-07:002011-05-10T17:33:54.258-07:00Hasbro GI Joe Adventure Team<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXro8x2pEDUNsN4S-yWy9swLPbi1Ve6ZQoB91RmbFftMX5ARQHtWdhGb0BMhnvj181U2_D-ILusulvTfUBUFsL-A6c58rFYRRLVtT1Uhock9hPTztoTrJhNZNb8SqK-SZjwnAeBMuCOQ/s1600/GI+Joe+Adventure+Team+posterized.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 332px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXro8x2pEDUNsN4S-yWy9swLPbi1Ve6ZQoB91RmbFftMX5ARQHtWdhGb0BMhnvj181U2_D-ILusulvTfUBUFsL-A6c58rFYRRLVtT1Uhock9hPTztoTrJhNZNb8SqK-SZjwnAeBMuCOQ/s400/GI+Joe+Adventure+Team+posterized.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605246165033240530" border="0" /></a><br />As I work my way back through my favorite toys of childhood, I find myself once again fascinated by GI Joe and the impact he's had on the toy world and culture, in general. I have a new appreciation for the open-ended "non-licensed" property of GI Joe. The 12" GI Joe vintage line is the kind of line that seems to have disappeared, for the most part, from modern toy store shelves. It's wasn't based on a licensed movie, TV show, or comic yet it prospered on the idea of giving kids enough to trigger their imaginations... to carry out their own adventures with the toys.<br /><br />The first GI Joes were 12" military figures (these were the very first true action figures). There were four basic figures available (Action Marine , Action Soldier, Action Pilot, and Action Sailor) and they all utilized the same headsculpt with different colored eyes and hair. Uniforms, weapons, and vehicles could be purchased to supplement the basic Joes. Hasbro used the basic razor and razor blades marketing strategy... and it worked. A child might buy or receive a figure but would then spend more money on items to be used with the figure. While I have a somewhat detached love for the first, military Joes (they were before my time), the GI Joe Adventure Team was MY GI Joe, growing up. The Adventure Team was introduced in 1970... right about the time I started really playing with toys as a child. I only had a couple of the AT Joes as a kid before moving on to such things as Mego Superheroes, Evel Knievel, and the Six Million Dollar Man (these licensed properties had a huge draw on me at such a young age) but I loved the Joes I did have. I never had any of the accessory sets or vehicles but enjoyed playing with the figures, all the same. In fact, my first "GIJoe" wasn't even a GIJoe, at all. You see my Dad wanted to buy me a GI Joe for my birthday but couldn't find one to purchase. So, on my birthday, I opened a Ken doll dressed in a GI Joe Marine Dress uniform (there you go, Bubba, have a field day).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGGayJzBFDFsQCMs-PBUuvucU4Kk34cbSSDY-xFkVjI6BSl5CD6FMVQ8OQ7n7ZCyQCKsEOE7qqEUJKmHMwRsftsUoTNZKoOtkZk6hdBqJmMlsKBgg1CEhcp1qttLI_Aq3o1AmAjHFl65U/s1600/AT+land+adventurer+and+logo+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 314px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGGayJzBFDFsQCMs-PBUuvucU4Kk34cbSSDY-xFkVjI6BSl5CD6FMVQ8OQ7n7ZCyQCKsEOE7qqEUJKmHMwRsftsUoTNZKoOtkZk6hdBqJmMlsKBgg1CEhcp1qttLI_Aq3o1AmAjHFl65U/s400/AT+land+adventurer+and+logo+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605246159727207058" border="0" /></a>The GI Joe Adventure Team was basically an upgrade of the military GI Joe figures. Hasbro took each of the four military figures, added flocked hair and beards, added a shoulder holster and pistol, and a giant AT medallion around their necks. Their uniforms were even identical to the ones used for the military figures. As America became embroiled in Vietnam, the idea of playing with toys based on war became less and less popular with the American public. So, Hasbro, in a brilliant move, transformed their military Joe line into an adventure line full of heroes that would rescue animals and search for lost treasure. They became more like Indiana Jones and less like Audie Murphy (you youngins will have to look that one up)... although, Indiana Jones wouldn't actually appear on the pop culture scene for another 11 years or so.<br /><br />Many great vehicles, playsets, and accessories accompanied the release of the Adventure Team and the line continued to grow and prosper until 1976 when competing licensed toys (like The Six Million Dollar Man) and high oil-prices made the line no longer profitable.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9b_-GMQ76qiRBMeQCWxSsFZgSTQYxwylTOHBevxontC2J_Fj-5xHl6x_pguzUHbLSUK1CdtY7U8L63oHO-yfHABhi1rM4Y4AHhw91SZL6GPuPma6sqpQ__Edgzjds47sYNpjvXWN5gI/s1600/atlogo2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9b_-GMQ76qiRBMeQCWxSsFZgSTQYxwylTOHBevxontC2J_Fj-5xHl6x_pguzUHbLSUK1CdtY7U8L63oHO-yfHABhi1rM4Y4AHhw91SZL6GPuPma6sqpQ__Edgzjds47sYNpjvXWN5gI/s400/atlogo2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605246158736705602" border="0" /></a><br />In the past few months, I've started to acquire more of the original, vintage AT GI Joes and am excited to finally bring more AT reviews to Yesterville. So, stay tuned, as I post on some of the individual vintage AT Joes and even some of the more recent AT replica figures. It's a fun line that harkens back to a simpler time for many of us when playing with our GI Joes in the backyard with a buddy or two was about as much fun as you could have with a toy line.Brian Ashmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05052674477473738205noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-623639291176857846.post-15600426586256253372011-05-08T12:00:00.000-07:002011-05-08T12:02:23.448-07:00Thanks for your patience...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdu2ubRfvccr-Q1ryO4j4EAXeUIywEUomkI9IiJrgjG5Oq6-NX6JA2fMHP8SZIfLrUcAEQjOi82Oc5ywyqajUTa-b6MgHaYsI4RFlgKEO5CXL-Bvs7R9Z649zeXwsQJBNFWePzokEGXwE/s1600/AT+COMING+SOON.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 328px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdu2ubRfvccr-Q1ryO4j4EAXeUIywEUomkI9IiJrgjG5Oq6-NX6JA2fMHP8SZIfLrUcAEQjOi82Oc5ywyqajUTa-b6MgHaYsI4RFlgKEO5CXL-Bvs7R9Z649zeXwsQJBNFWePzokEGXwE/s400/AT+COMING+SOON.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604422423821747394" border="0" /></a>Brian Ashmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05052674477473738205noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-623639291176857846.post-65093104820865057862011-03-10T10:00:00.000-08:002011-05-03T20:58:47.404-07:00Mego Bend 'n Flex Planet of the Apes Astronaut<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-AxpltghgJhIlB9PJaADMVwbt1lRGxTnG0VX3t27N7AHfvu9Df_IlgRGEo8SuLek-yLTbG5isTbMCJicmqv0QAkF3YO1sII1sEfOkenFybk4sAuGhwwrfbMvcPLFZdz7rm38A-ty1LE/s1600/DSCN4420.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 322px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-AxpltghgJhIlB9PJaADMVwbt1lRGxTnG0VX3t27N7AHfvu9Df_IlgRGEo8SuLek-yLTbG5isTbMCJicmqv0QAkF3YO1sII1sEfOkenFybk4sAuGhwwrfbMvcPLFZdz7rm38A-ty1LE/s400/DSCN4420.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582513157967759538" border="0" /></a>Quick post. This is Mego's Astronaut from their Bend 'n Flex bendy series from 1975.<br /><br />I picked this guy up last year from a Mego Marketplace seller. I'm keeping him carded as I love the cheesy, vintage artwork and, in this case, the packaging feels as much a part of the toy as the toy, itself. I especially love the illustration on the back of the package that shows all the characters in the series.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6Aft_CxplGzphnOR2HVR2bzz4XHMDBtzChymBeW_7eatVGJCeTgHQuSy3i-Xf8IAgxyPQKZsUjmwaVA7bexQjmRpkx1lN1eW2wb9SAp_wVudBVLLiXRvUzCIXHKQa-Glp18DG-JSCl0/s1600/DSCN4421.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW6Aft_CxplGzphnOR2HVR2bzz4XHMDBtzChymBeW_7eatVGJCeTgHQuSy3i-Xf8IAgxyPQKZsUjmwaVA7bexQjmRpkx1lN1eW2wb9SAp_wVudBVLLiXRvUzCIXHKQa-Glp18DG-JSCl0/s400/DSCN4421.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582513153748330994" border="0" /></a>I only had two of these Planet of the Apes bendies as a kid...the astronaut and a soldier ape. I got the Astronaut first and he accompanied me on a road trip from Minnesota to Montana to find a new house when I was about 8 years old. While visiting Montana, we stopped by a Kmart and I was allowed to buy a soldier ape. So, my strongest memory of these Ape bendies has to do with playing with them in the car for hours and hours while riding from state to state.<br /><br />Better than a Gameboy or Ipod for passing time? Eh, probably not... but there wasn't a whole lot for a kid to do on long road trips back then.<br /><br />I've said it before, but I love how Mego got away with making their astronaut toys look NOTHING like the astronaut characters from the films.<br /><br />Gotta love the 70's.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXwqTEIceF6RaL3D2KrjMhKaj22xxDS9IXac9AvMRNcP5iXvxLBmmcuDXi03X4RD1S5T71L1klHHNmnDEU2S8BtxnvDULkfijnmr9P8-m75IibMBUv5RnO4fCVIB3BxPjRy7LUW9TSFUk/s1600/DSCN4422.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 319px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXwqTEIceF6RaL3D2KrjMhKaj22xxDS9IXac9AvMRNcP5iXvxLBmmcuDXi03X4RD1S5T71L1klHHNmnDEU2S8BtxnvDULkfijnmr9P8-m75IibMBUv5RnO4fCVIB3BxPjRy7LUW9TSFUk/s400/DSCN4422.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582513148490232658" border="0" /></a>Brian Ashmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05052674477473738205noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-623639291176857846.post-12403894190347069652011-02-20T14:52:00.000-08:002011-02-20T19:21:21.762-08:00Mego Micronauts Baron Karza<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivZuGZiNwNINdoXOQwnZl-ilPVhX_aNdn2F9g60r2S1Lvw4wUT0-wbU5R0f8VvYwc7aRUxPCG4L673ziN536JrMkoLe5bS7KlLcDe8epa6E8mMRHZ9ymK41PijHjpfCY18wcO_j8Ac7bM/s1600/Baron+Karza+13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivZuGZiNwNINdoXOQwnZl-ilPVhX_aNdn2F9g60r2S1Lvw4wUT0-wbU5R0f8VvYwc7aRUxPCG4L673ziN536JrMkoLe5bS7KlLcDe8epa6E8mMRHZ9ymK41PijHjpfCY18wcO_j8Ac7bM/s400/Baron+Karza+13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575911659664904850" border="0" /></a>The Micronauts were a toy line that debuted in the US in 1977. Like Shogun Warriors (from Popy), they were created by a Japanese toy company (Takara) and imported by a US toy company for sale in the States. In Japan, the line was called "Micro Man" but Mego Corp. renamed the line "Micronauts" and sold it in the US.<br /><br />The Micronauts were a bit ahead of their time. They were a fully-articulated line of 3 3/4" inch figures that pre-dated Hasbro's 3 3/4" articluated GiJoe line by 5 or 6 six years. Although most of the figures were around 4 inches tall, there were some larger figures in the Micronauts universe. The subject of this post is one such figure. This is Baron Karza. He was kind of the "big bad" of the Micronauts line. Although Mego didn't really provide much story for the toy line, Marvel Comics produced a series of comics that did flesh out the story of the Micronauts.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjwboBc0BQJnqSlkuqk_7JrnGTMpb-S_O4mT_-irmbgpmmwktlCHtSfTu-mKG2H0K5akXbwa6LKpQdPyj4Wgl_al2dR2mtiaE6psiLWyYCWkGcNFG5eU9VfIgiDKk3Fn89-dEEEqj2QQ/s1600/Baron+Karza+12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 321px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjwboBc0BQJnqSlkuqk_7JrnGTMpb-S_O4mT_-irmbgpmmwktlCHtSfTu-mKG2H0K5akXbwa6LKpQdPyj4Wgl_al2dR2mtiaE6psiLWyYCWkGcNFG5eU9VfIgiDKk3Fn89-dEEEqj2QQ/s400/Baron+Karza+12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575911654691640930" border="0" /></a>Baron Karza is about 6" tall and uses a fairly unique mechanism for his articulated sections. Magnets. His shoulders, neck, and hips are all magnet joints that can be pulled apart and then put back together... in crazy configurations, if desired. Baron Karza's magnets also allowed him to be combined with a black magnetic horse toy called Andromeda to create a Centaur version of Karza.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVFfAPofxWw1wBJCNLPcH3CJbaJPwI6qAjs5JpifLMJ-SgpygTTfyxmBBwfXtxpV1-p6_nW-hZK6OGTBq8Iro_neDj_SfSCsk0BYJrd1U7E69QC2MkuPLJy9YjaK2CjJAhY-mKjQUOpjY/s1600/Baron+Karza+11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 366px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVFfAPofxWw1wBJCNLPcH3CJbaJPwI6qAjs5JpifLMJ-SgpygTTfyxmBBwfXtxpV1-p6_nW-hZK6OGTBq8Iro_neDj_SfSCsk0BYJrd1U7E69QC2MkuPLJy9YjaK2CjJAhY-mKjQUOpjY/s400/Baron+Karza+11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575911649461636226" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7T7ShOKvSUedxbuQ2cVtIT5eisFamSJf_3az-0TtX6L6X3j1dUcWSsg2OfrF2b_y4sqTbRReF_3dSTK4il11CHv7kHb4asVM2NtXHQyMTFsPQ5wVHKeyd-7D92DUk9u2pJZQhXhZCZxg/s1600/Baron+Karza+9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 362px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7T7ShOKvSUedxbuQ2cVtIT5eisFamSJf_3az-0TtX6L6X3j1dUcWSsg2OfrF2b_y4sqTbRReF_3dSTK4il11CHv7kHb4asVM2NtXHQyMTFsPQ5wVHKeyd-7D92DUk9u2pJZQhXhZCZxg/s400/Baron+Karza+9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575910979181825090" border="0" /></a>This example belongs to my younger brother (but currently resides in the Yesterville Archives). As a kid, I didn't have any Micronauts because they were being sold alongside Kenner's brand-new Star Wars toy line. Consequently, my allowance usually went to something Star Wars while my brother tended to be a bit more "open" to other toy lines. As an adult, I can now see just how cool this line of toys was. These toys seem to have a nice, quality build to them that you just don't see all the time. Baron Karza is a fairly heavy, solid-feeling figure with loads of play value.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2xiSQ5npM-x4gSDfYImV4INwwQiMqkzvj0WifrHgr8sGG01C7s0d-F4lQ9-CXanHTlvJiqC21KM4rP2EY6k-Xdf55HOylbGeICWXLosFgFGrjFhQv7n4Agfs8CBbj0jvOTKEN2m9-6FE/s1600/Baron+Karza+10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 382px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2xiSQ5npM-x4gSDfYImV4INwwQiMqkzvj0WifrHgr8sGG01C7s0d-F4lQ9-CXanHTlvJiqC21KM4rP2EY6k-Xdf55HOylbGeICWXLosFgFGrjFhQv7n4Agfs8CBbj0jvOTKEN2m9-6FE/s400/Baron+Karza+10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575910415034481970" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRl8nRhUIZtz3476UMz7YExLNekCnzwuN7l8V3W9IH2-lA6U34jrfuOtcRphFVvKDVcnW68GflSgOQbkP7hvhWPwQW0O-6l9eZVLXzd9kiZ1RJ2jLRXfOmsd8RfizUVUyqiq8bA9447E/s1600/Baron+Karza+8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRl8nRhUIZtz3476UMz7YExLNekCnzwuN7l8V3W9IH2-lA6U34jrfuOtcRphFVvKDVcnW68GflSgOQbkP7hvhWPwQW0O-6l9eZVLXzd9kiZ1RJ2jLRXfOmsd8RfizUVUyqiq8bA9447E/s400/Baron+Karza+8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575910403528568962" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwKfdzvilX1ulOxNpL6ZYUfLhAXLWPj8wUMaRf4R9Pg6CXg57KxwFWzjtc6pJ2LubrEAYOsXvidS6dE8aSNVQj4RZojMAganbG4YCPCEnglH8Eomf2KHYujD694OZkG923FOq89ojD4k/s1600/Baron+Karza+7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 384px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwKfdzvilX1ulOxNpL6ZYUfLhAXLWPj8wUMaRf4R9Pg6CXg57KxwFWzjtc6pJ2LubrEAYOsXvidS6dE8aSNVQj4RZojMAganbG4YCPCEnglH8Eomf2KHYujD694OZkG923FOq89ojD4k/s400/Baron+Karza+7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575910399982632242" border="0" /></a>Like Shogun Warriors, Karza has projectile fists that shoot off at the touch of a button. Also included with the Baron were two large cone-shaped missiles and several small 1/2" red missiles (not shown...long gone). Both kinds of missiles could also be shot from Baron Karza's wrists or the missile port in his stomach. There was even a missile storing attachment included that could be carried on Karza's back and a pair of non-firing "missile silo" arms.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjKwErgCP69QVuA50KMcXIGL89fOxhVgBq7HLq9oC5BKEIjUBXhKSnDWGGrWNWcPK1UcGsOgt14Nz-vF1YJfQdEOUT_ytZIplZ_md5tJyXNSUb6vF-NLbjrQHjCeG2lJpjZqYvLogX0A/s1600/Baron+Karza+6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 312px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjKwErgCP69QVuA50KMcXIGL89fOxhVgBq7HLq9oC5BKEIjUBXhKSnDWGGrWNWcPK1UcGsOgt14Nz-vF1YJfQdEOUT_ytZIplZ_md5tJyXNSUb6vF-NLbjrQHjCeG2lJpjZqYvLogX0A/s400/Baron+Karza+6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575910396591530386" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVxs8lQ6tdFESINg37PE32ehpZx24mzjlXZGqqraYWTDZ5_am46VGHK1xoakNi0wU1CwqGnzcecNc_IdGf00sCxak2RGmWaotPx8hlRAWf5xiejbW8jAJZhhx-9ZMbsjkWLnOEtUJwRzY/s1600/Baron+Karza+5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVxs8lQ6tdFESINg37PE32ehpZx24mzjlXZGqqraYWTDZ5_am46VGHK1xoakNi0wU1CwqGnzcecNc_IdGf00sCxak2RGmWaotPx8hlRAWf5xiejbW8jAJZhhx-9ZMbsjkWLnOEtUJwRzY/s400/Baron+Karza+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575910113319980082" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinLFw-GdfRDeru93CVm6XuGF7-pFfgXmhl5RnKyvyJ0gr0cM0r5pfyFD0QGPQoljm8yakg-9kKcxfxC7DrAG8ZXzhJPRJzk9TOMl4n6dzlqV1bdhRUvLpZiUNagE_KxEIObCqh9xry7ZU/s1600/Baron+Karza+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinLFw-GdfRDeru93CVm6XuGF7-pFfgXmhl5RnKyvyJ0gr0cM0r5pfyFD0QGPQoljm8yakg-9kKcxfxC7DrAG8ZXzhJPRJzk9TOMl4n6dzlqV1bdhRUvLpZiUNagE_KxEIObCqh9xry7ZU/s400/Baron+Karza+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575910107442353698" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRfG3WbOf5_QxGa8CYBN1mNorW245Csx24lWhc2Z3l4uuJpIs97c6ReF8M-PlzMqI_NbW7EMY-KHES7il7o6AWKF_EgQZebyqKU9jI_jbwM8PBOUTlNTm_prbxA7dJYGYOnP4T0bO6B3M/s1600/Baron+Karza+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 377px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRfG3WbOf5_QxGa8CYBN1mNorW245Csx24lWhc2Z3l4uuJpIs97c6ReF8M-PlzMqI_NbW7EMY-KHES7il7o6AWKF_EgQZebyqKU9jI_jbwM8PBOUTlNTm_prbxA7dJYGYOnP4T0bO6B3M/s400/Baron+Karza+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575910103627986050" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The good Baron with a smaller, more-typically sized Micronaut, Pharoid.</span><br /><br />For information on the Micronauts Time Traveler (similar to Pharoid but the most recognizable figure in the series), please see Iok's (from That Figures) excellent post on the figure and the Micronauts series, in general:<br /><br /><a href="http://that-figures.blogspot.com/2011/02/vintage-view-micronauts-time-traveler.html#comments">MICRONAUTS TIME TRAVELER</a><br /><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8Gb7aDSsFKHp0MNX9txC8dl0NyljDMRdZJ54ErM5AwLBDQJx5eKNLzXWVpb1lvhUWmfH5_k720M-9xlicjMlY-adJZ2BE4leMWPw5rT9r3-Jyk5sztDmCQVt8PItBQ0MNThEOJpQ1kg/s1600/Baron+Karza+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8Gb7aDSsFKHp0MNX9txC8dl0NyljDMRdZJ54ErM5AwLBDQJx5eKNLzXWVpb1lvhUWmfH5_k720M-9xlicjMlY-adJZ2BE4leMWPw5rT9r3-Jyk5sztDmCQVt8PItBQ0MNThEOJpQ1kg/s400/Baron+Karza+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575910098690221538" border="0" /></a>The Micronauts were an insanely cool toy line that truly stood out on toy shelves in the late 1970s. They really had a unique look and unique set of play features that set them apart from other toys.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCyW8LOUUZICWWLO1EgblX9-Ye89HXrjmXA0q6MM-ZTcNTp56CF3UFKcn2ESQO-bh5rTU8HUsOS3Gb5B29HBbtPXld6OxAWEBvkE9Kq_InH6SwbygJFDxnKOuWccsOWdySNLnucnUOmg/s1600/Baron+Karza+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCyW8LOUUZICWWLO1EgblX9-Ye89HXrjmXA0q6MM-ZTcNTp56CF3UFKcn2ESQO-bh5rTU8HUsOS3Gb5B29HBbtPXld6OxAWEBvkE9Kq_InH6SwbygJFDxnKOuWccsOWdySNLnucnUOmg/s400/Baron+Karza+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575910093554795122" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Karza looks awfully Vader-esque, don't you think? Coincidence?</span><br /></div>Brian Ashmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05052674477473738205noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-623639291176857846.post-21750056501780763522011-02-18T08:58:00.001-08:002011-02-20T19:25:15.802-08:00Mego 1979 Diecast Metal Batman<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie59vadbbhfNk_GqqRDJgdz7WyVTFt6aigU0JguoQcgJ3pm0gkCggUNFRt9-ZmrulqpzSfibwQqXcOsXfpTCKXYYfSNI1qOEYL3bJpDxMRI0W29lb8pLC1ys2f7Wdx3r2BXBRZkFG-qEE/s1600/Mego+Diecast+Batman+8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 340px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie59vadbbhfNk_GqqRDJgdz7WyVTFt6aigU0JguoQcgJ3pm0gkCggUNFRt9-ZmrulqpzSfibwQqXcOsXfpTCKXYYfSNI1qOEYL3bJpDxMRI0W29lb8pLC1ys2f7Wdx3r2BXBRZkFG-qEE/s400/Mego+Diecast+Batman+8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575075131309584402" border="0" /></a>I've posted a full review of this figure at Yesterville's sister-blog, Under the Giant Penny. Given that this figure is from 1979, I thought some Yesterville readers might be interested in seeing more about this figure. This one "crosses the fence" for the focus of both blogs. Just click the link below to be taken to the full review and many more photos.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://underthegiantpenny.blogspot.com/2011/02/mego-1979-diecast-metal-batman.html"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mego Diecast Metal Batman</span></span><br /></a></div>Brian Ashmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05052674477473738205noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-623639291176857846.post-40365268248315789422011-02-14T13:19:00.000-08:002011-02-14T13:31:20.832-08:00Yesterville is TWO!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBrtJr3cKafXqum5ZKsWRCKLwv29IZgx1GRVQllCtmONWegVML-ix4mYPGW72VHuEtvIsNKWAxDWDSS9d-nDQxhlCN6mKdlIRT0OQSNamFeZGrVe-rtGFW-ze6LpzNkDAJF_XELrHJBuE/s1600/IMG_0663.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBrtJr3cKafXqum5ZKsWRCKLwv29IZgx1GRVQllCtmONWegVML-ix4mYPGW72VHuEtvIsNKWAxDWDSS9d-nDQxhlCN6mKdlIRT0OQSNamFeZGrVe-rtGFW-ze6LpzNkDAJF_XELrHJBuE/s400/IMG_0663.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573659887186435314" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBIkiuV9hiSu2hu_jSDqojKAvAj_JuKSV4WlNG6InrflbkDEWi5nHpF-xt3qGr3xPH_g1JFaiC28QFUtAj8WImahz46mF6yAOUqwuQm4gozmPoLNWw05bwipetnky-ZtEQAQhHrXfVDDU/s1600/IMG_0666.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBIkiuV9hiSu2hu_jSDqojKAvAj_JuKSV4WlNG6InrflbkDEWi5nHpF-xt3qGr3xPH_g1JFaiC28QFUtAj8WImahz46mF6yAOUqwuQm4gozmPoLNWw05bwipetnky-ZtEQAQhHrXfVDDU/s400/IMG_0666.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573659880480972306" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHf2hkDJGk10BFwYQ70ljuE5UTSWkxhMS_J4KTRFHxyJ7rqXR03iiSiSwnGSPfmZmJomCPSlm5XovCvlLXw4nGFsZnFL4ARgm_40iw4X6X2Ea7C5DbK2PS7M32wDchS4Px7_FNePPnos/s1600/IMG_0680.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHf2hkDJGk10BFwYQ70ljuE5UTSWkxhMS_J4KTRFHxyJ7rqXR03iiSiSwnGSPfmZmJomCPSlm5XovCvlLXw4nGFsZnFL4ARgm_40iw4X6X2Ea7C5DbK2PS7M32wDchS4Px7_FNePPnos/s400/IMG_0680.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573659871452871730" border="0" /></a>I was just sitting here working away when it hit me... Yesterville is two years old today!! So, because I didn't have anything prepared, I dug though some old photos to find something that might be relevant. I found these photos of an Artoo Detoo cake that my wife and I made for our youngest son when he turned two (about 6 years ago...yikes, time moves quickly). So, since it was his second birthday and today is Yesterville's second birthday, I thought these images might be appropriate (plus, it's Artoo Detoo!!...).<br /><br />I haven't been posting as much as I'd like over the past year or so but I'm trying to remedy that. There are also plenty of toys left in the Yesterville archive that I need to cover... so, stay tuned!Brian Ashmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05052674477473738205noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-623639291176857846.post-43632186898957627782011-02-12T16:21:00.000-08:002011-02-12T16:29:08.418-08:00Kenner Six Million Dollar Man Critical Assignment Legs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTKXoUl2TZa61wlu48DQzf-F1y9CQZdsK4Xn8l7hLfBSTOim6JPoAbB3Hs9jcqlPRqYTAsavp-WoWHpCfdeTJ8R-ISqZPUc0nZXVuqfPCLXYX6DfWHNOqAz41rSL460anoREf5iMEaOk/s1600/Critical+Assignment+Legs+9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 355px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTKXoUl2TZa61wlu48DQzf-F1y9CQZdsK4Xn8l7hLfBSTOim6JPoAbB3Hs9jcqlPRqYTAsavp-WoWHpCfdeTJ8R-ISqZPUc0nZXVuqfPCLXYX6DfWHNOqAz41rSL460anoREf5iMEaOk/s400/Critical+Assignment+Legs+9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572963351454505666" border="0" /></a>This is the Six Million Dollar Man Criitcal Assignment Legs set from Kenner, produced in 1977. This was another add-on set for the Bionic Man figure... similar to the Critical Assignment Arms set that I've <a href="http://yesterville.blogspot.com/2009/10/kenner-six-million-dollar-man-critical.html">reviewed previously</a>.<br /><br />Despite Steve Austin's legs being bionic (robotic) in the television show, the Kenner 12" action figure only featured bionics in his right arm. With this set, kids playing with Bionic Man figures everywhere could finally have bionic features in their figures' legs, as well.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwG19Wci5u5j1kHKME5IKEA1uIGOgxnd4GNocQ_UIAtz6qjPL42P0FvzfQTPQ-diL13CPmGBwW9k3ejBdSNKq3CcKjz95NCZ65A8ZgWHbXQJJ18K6dmjuUHQpxlVm6yzmCEzw9dG9ECA8/s1600/Critical+Assignment+Legs+7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 311px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwG19Wci5u5j1kHKME5IKEA1uIGOgxnd4GNocQ_UIAtz6qjPL42P0FvzfQTPQ-diL13CPmGBwW9k3ejBdSNKq3CcKjz95NCZ65A8ZgWHbXQJJ18K6dmjuUHQpxlVm6yzmCEzw9dG9ECA8/s400/Critical+Assignment+Legs+7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572963350568787522" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JdGJNnYyoTLuXk9wbj4fzGyepjqeTIZYsE-fc5mM656Q2o4oQPIGytVAZvonEOV-iQE_0AepWov85bqEoCtOI2SRBtakb_jhvoTu_jOQGOKYC7FTe33RGNDYyeTQIXbM-vjxoNS6YH0/s1600/Critical+Assignment+Legs+6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 341px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JdGJNnYyoTLuXk9wbj4fzGyepjqeTIZYsE-fc5mM656Q2o4oQPIGytVAZvonEOV-iQE_0AepWov85bqEoCtOI2SRBtakb_jhvoTu_jOQGOKYC7FTe33RGNDYyeTQIXbM-vjxoNS6YH0/s400/Critical+Assignment+Legs+6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572963344542859282" border="0" /></a>This set features two legs (naturally) that both perform unique bionic "actions."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjuv-Ezr79VkrLBr24AB2OZnAmJL6w8uQttwvcxLBAi4QasDmwTRINAwb0-dhbaifo7-veHdKE7mKavzIppz-8_Ny8XU98N92g-1C0FVGnj4Xlh2ZH2cOFLdYOW7Up2EWWBNlMIu7PzGA/s1600/Critical+Assignment+Legs+5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjuv-Ezr79VkrLBr24AB2OZnAmJL6w8uQttwvcxLBAi4QasDmwTRINAwb0-dhbaifo7-veHdKE7mKavzIppz-8_Ny8XU98N92g-1C0FVGnj4Xlh2ZH2cOFLdYOW7Up2EWWBNlMIu7PzGA/s400/Critical+Assignment+Legs+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572963341389768498" border="0" /></a>The left leg is an "exploding leg." It features flesh-colored panels that hide the true nature of Steve Austin's powerful appendages. When the appropriate button is pressed, "Pow!!!" the panels explode off the leg. According to the back of the box, this function is to simulate a "bionic malfunction." Ouch.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJtLthHgViwjbGuuQhVlsGfVKbkePuNF4htVg2lGmdkgRUcsZHDP7w5vZQSP8pvHDfni6KS09xwdKG6Z2l8216isnDTU7m3jurtWcPAUu8uWzG-CSpDjdSOJuBBdpz3Ibr5qAfsfVW0Q0/s1600/Critical+Assignment+Legs+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJtLthHgViwjbGuuQhVlsGfVKbkePuNF4htVg2lGmdkgRUcsZHDP7w5vZQSP8pvHDfni6KS09xwdKG6Z2l8216isnDTU7m3jurtWcPAUu8uWzG-CSpDjdSOJuBBdpz3Ibr5qAfsfVW0Q0/s400/Critical+Assignment+Legs+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572963336142323586" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipj6grug7KfESoUpB6eXMOZqsgLn1cesZFN8GHSL0x3Cb7R2dCXn-9zk-SNcW3B-BeaBWHToBV3zYx0dg_dXklUIhyphenhyphen89amDE5QQ4uAPGU5T6CLBsVg0_DTqgv61nLsmNkhFZ6pD2j4GY0/s1600/Critical+Assignment+Legs+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipj6grug7KfESoUpB6eXMOZqsgLn1cesZFN8GHSL0x3Cb7R2dCXn-9zk-SNcW3B-BeaBWHToBV3zYx0dg_dXklUIhyphenhyphen89amDE5QQ4uAPGU5T6CLBsVg0_DTqgv61nLsmNkhFZ6pD2j4GY0/s400/Critical+Assignment+Legs+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572963051039851378" border="0" /></a>The right leg features two opening panels. The panel in Steve's thigh opens to reveal wires and bionic circuitry. The panel in his shin provides the necessary tool to perform bionic surgery on Steve's leg, should he need it. It features a small blue hook that aids in pulling the wired panels from Steve's thigh... kind of like a mini Operation game without the lights and buzzer.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQRniAjGh85nWnRMkIu9SfqX-DynE6JKT9Wwd-HlsMVX9oYHZZsNrHwrleXKkBU8sdtq-QoHp9vgaIQkUWJskuEprefOChBMcKgehCsJDvf6k28ehqqDKJ5CaBL9PFW1G9RKY3FmYODQ/s1600/Critical+Assignment+Legs+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQRniAjGh85nWnRMkIu9SfqX-DynE6JKT9Wwd-HlsMVX9oYHZZsNrHwrleXKkBU8sdtq-QoHp9vgaIQkUWJskuEprefOChBMcKgehCsJDvf6k28ehqqDKJ5CaBL9PFW1G9RKY3FmYODQ/s400/Critical+Assignment+Legs+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572963044885589698" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPm9T52WbL6dy2Va4K8MJOpIAeT8xZjOAsRbHjxC-ZZio-UT8dc3MUtX0-xRJ34XtQ2p1JYvIg5sF6FZmcuJNZd5dWg97JrQ4e7r0TQ7ypBW1gVjSZwYFfOE4eW8hd0-SUvsOxYjAY1I/s1600/Instructions+front.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPm9T52WbL6dy2Va4K8MJOpIAeT8xZjOAsRbHjxC-ZZio-UT8dc3MUtX0-xRJ34XtQ2p1JYvIg5sF6FZmcuJNZd5dWg97JrQ4e7r0TQ7ypBW1gVjSZwYFfOE4eW8hd0-SUvsOxYjAY1I/s400/Instructions+front.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572963038784079714" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBa1wKa6yOC0C350pBUtVQ43Z4QwZwnlKfA4uqD9ml9ib4cA3c3I3hDFViPkVRSlDFbqh9nfZxyWGNzL2HJRdazp5farPVq1LL1oHefqqvXlps890Gt13CmwOralFM8tmIC_i9ChPq1SY/s1600/Instructions+back.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBa1wKa6yOC0C350pBUtVQ43Z4QwZwnlKfA4uqD9ml9ib4cA3c3I3hDFViPkVRSlDFbqh9nfZxyWGNzL2HJRdazp5farPVq1LL1oHefqqvXlps890Gt13CmwOralFM8tmIC_i9ChPq1SY/s400/Instructions+back.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572963034747998498" border="0" /></a>This set also features a pair of white shorts. In his regular, red standard-issue pants, it would be difficult to play with the features in Steve's new legs. The shorts allow adequate access to the various parts and panels in the legs. Cool beans.<br /><br />I didn't have this set, as a kid. I picked this one up close to this past Christmas on Ebay. However, I did have the Critical Assignment Arms as a kid and did always want to add this set to my Six Million Dollar Man. So, it was great to finally add this set to my collection. I still think it's pretty neat that Kenner would produce add-on sets like this that would allow kids to add new features to their figures without having to buy an all-new figure. I guess Kenner really did care. After all, that WAS their slogan.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjTCz49s6RX8Xv3oFire0YmtnbrnTM-lQ5LV22Egy7rmUj2FEsGqNyt7lO8c8unrHwR5wJL9YlPE0xvvcetW-zFDAbbLqjqPt2bxW3XLzxI3rzrQmFNIqeOAEz8km0OMnugtaheKJYO88/s1600/Critical+Assignment+Legs+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 399px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjTCz49s6RX8Xv3oFire0YmtnbrnTM-lQ5LV22Egy7rmUj2FEsGqNyt7lO8c8unrHwR5wJL9YlPE0xvvcetW-zFDAbbLqjqPt2bxW3XLzxI3rzrQmFNIqeOAEz8km0OMnugtaheKJYO88/s400/Critical+Assignment+Legs+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572963026486131426" border="0" /></a>Brian Ashmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05052674477473738205noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-623639291176857846.post-51771328048790266352011-01-17T11:47:00.001-08:002011-01-17T14:14:02.734-08:00Kenner Star Wars Large Size Jawa (12" Scale)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQQeTsk4k19TDY2u5T0B_ZkvZXn78M0YZQayqsFaUwmgo0PbyyZlwQQpQjGl-NxO0_R3GUsWQHUB3OY74UM4U1CKAUV5KoRPLW9v008gGJVF6_FGHDk1-IiR0bKQXonB1WxH2mwjCJQI/s1600/jawa+8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 307px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQQeTsk4k19TDY2u5T0B_ZkvZXn78M0YZQayqsFaUwmgo0PbyyZlwQQpQjGl-NxO0_R3GUsWQHUB3OY74UM4U1CKAUV5KoRPLW9v008gGJVF6_FGHDk1-IiR0bKQXonB1WxH2mwjCJQI/s400/jawa+8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563244345578778978" border="0" /></a>This is Kenner's Large Sized 8" Jawa from 1978. He's the last of the twelve that I'll be reviewing on Yesterville. Maybe I'll have to set up a Star Wars Large Sized "family photo" as a finale to finally finishing all the Large Sized Star Wars figures.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYIkVq3ESMW0GQQ42gFRYt2jGC6gVZfxoP4It7N49JBY79FxHN1kHcYom-gA4GaO3LT5WOk9ojLpdp7FA9mzlX8d7VcqL4vc-nQcv2r8OR_b7oXqpUoKSZTrjksVgtzOQXTsaQmvJHyg/s1600/jawa+7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYIkVq3ESMW0GQQ42gFRYt2jGC6gVZfxoP4It7N49JBY79FxHN1kHcYom-gA4GaO3LT5WOk9ojLpdp7FA9mzlX8d7VcqL4vc-nQcv2r8OR_b7oXqpUoKSZTrjksVgtzOQXTsaQmvJHyg/s400/jawa+7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563244335602078066" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0qRxDnBoHJiuJTpa-cd7RZbCAERQQq13SQfA7b9cDZixA9EgpIMbHkANCp7QIacc_CsjKf1za7DY8x2WQZzMP_I63VaYahtoO3CwSvc8qijFET7TjWPQxkMianfpK0v4kDZ68AJvpjI/s1600/jawa+6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0qRxDnBoHJiuJTpa-cd7RZbCAERQQq13SQfA7b9cDZixA9EgpIMbHkANCp7QIacc_CsjKf1za7DY8x2WQZzMP_I63VaYahtoO3CwSvc8qijFET7TjWPQxkMianfpK0v4kDZ68AJvpjI/s400/jawa+6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563244331198269266" border="0" /></a><br />One of the great things about the original Star Wars trilogy was the fact that George Lucas didn't feel like he had to explain everything... or give us a glimpse under every helmet or head covering. Who was under the Stormtrooper helmets? Who knows? What does Boba Fett look like? Is he human? Who knows? This was part of the fun of Jawas, too. As a kid, it was pretty fascinating to see Jawas for the first time in Star Wars. Those covered faces, strange voices, and light-up eyes were pretty startling. I always wondered what their faces looked like and if those lights were actually their eyes... or lights that they needed to see with. Who knows?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXa85OfS_q_FMS10OYdoNfkhF2o_km1_tm5OsJxZMtOHIfmJvcmGGltUfG7-Rlvt17mh0D1FhCn5Q-WGbUl7IJmY8Kn97abxPqLsbyuZfJ4yV8st-lQ5DzDvKf7_K1EGKXQqW5pn86umc/s1600/jawa+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 389px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXa85OfS_q_FMS10OYdoNfkhF2o_km1_tm5OsJxZMtOHIfmJvcmGGltUfG7-Rlvt17mh0D1FhCn5Q-WGbUl7IJmY8Kn97abxPqLsbyuZfJ4yV8st-lQ5DzDvKf7_K1EGKXQqW5pn86umc/s400/jawa+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563244211806710546" border="0" /></a>Kenner's Jawa is a pretty basic figure. He has swivel shoulders, swivel thighs, and swivel wrists. He's really not too different than his 3 3/4 inch counterpart. I am glad that Kenner included bandoliers that could be worn over his cloak this time, though, instead of being sculpted underneath the cloak.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdKwZMoquQsLeIpq2M2bLkpv4pboNMvdOZLy-l7vqbdHtegOmvfcPp3AViauQELgjSo8WXS1z_diiIUniH_ScVi7WqiaP5zGMGr-4S0y0vpbhX67Caa8IaCF6lVE-xBicPTSYTTyvhmk/s1600/jawa+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 362px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdKwZMoquQsLeIpq2M2bLkpv4pboNMvdOZLy-l7vqbdHtegOmvfcPp3AViauQELgjSo8WXS1z_diiIUniH_ScVi7WqiaP5zGMGr-4S0y0vpbhX67Caa8IaCF6lVE-xBicPTSYTTyvhmk/s400/jawa+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563244208412418610" border="0" /></a>I found this Jawa many years ago at a comic convention, as well. I would always make it my yearly goal to add one more 12" vintage Star Wars figure to my collection each time I attended a comic book convention.<br /><br />A complete Jawa should include his brown cloak, rubber bandoliers (one piece), and his blaster.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxS935kz37uZYAcivHcceMH_bz8_wdPjOnjXxIsVFjYBzfJKnt3OZORSE7a7cUJhFoYGXXhJAL7rjHf9_SxiG9nv-eKA6PRI9gnHNpIVBwiy0vlsIIjmlMJWEXXRHu97ogkrBISYKRBs/s1600/jawa+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxS935kz37uZYAcivHcceMH_bz8_wdPjOnjXxIsVFjYBzfJKnt3OZORSE7a7cUJhFoYGXXhJAL7rjHf9_SxiG9nv-eKA6PRI9gnHNpIVBwiy0vlsIIjmlMJWEXXRHu97ogkrBISYKRBs/s400/jawa+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563244204225866450" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHbgwkRse9fWapTMhQnj1M4wGYta-aXSlxxRR3Ur3w967y31jflasBN-SphmG98KwQ25sen1iUbU5x-A-hTUHUKqvp0yEZXixqWWCSNuFZPFgjW3aOzpGK5K26Gt-ddhyphenhyphenXNC1g1xz6kI/s1600/jawa+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHbgwkRse9fWapTMhQnj1M4wGYta-aXSlxxRR3Ur3w967y31jflasBN-SphmG98KwQ25sen1iUbU5x-A-hTUHUKqvp0yEZXixqWWCSNuFZPFgjW3aOzpGK5K26Gt-ddhyphenhyphenXNC1g1xz6kI/s400/jawa+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563244197876889826" border="0" /></a>Ooootini!!!</div>Brian Ashmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05052674477473738205noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-623639291176857846.post-34066896355679073562011-01-14T10:03:00.001-08:002011-01-14T11:33:44.281-08:001977 Christmas Sketchbook<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2ZcazjjT5onu0-d0Zt9DM4DQ_4wepiJB3Hz6n1gkl5qRFxHkLUj79WKehD8ZWYrNXW9E0TY_OYxr5dxPMi1Jq7K8aAKKgF8x-1-wA4AuMtIFVwh2dJCrwwzPdBjroolzIF0yJYAcvKE/s1600/small+cover.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 338px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2ZcazjjT5onu0-d0Zt9DM4DQ_4wepiJB3Hz6n1gkl5qRFxHkLUj79WKehD8ZWYrNXW9E0TY_OYxr5dxPMi1Jq7K8aAKKgF8x-1-wA4AuMtIFVwh2dJCrwwzPdBjroolzIF0yJYAcvKE/s400/small+cover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562108848408312098" border="0" /></a>This isn't really a toy... but I viewed it as one since it was a Christmas present in 1977. I was ten years old and I loved to draw. So, my parents bought me a sketchbook for all my drawings. I filled this sketchbook with many of my favorite things to draw for about 3 years... until 1980. I've managed to keep it all these years and it's one of my favorite "artifacts" from that time. So, I thought it might be fun to pull out a handful of drawings that might be of interest (or something to laugh at) for other toy and Star Wars geeks, like myself.<br /><br />It's hard to believe that this sketchbook is over 30 years old. I can remember drawing just about everything in it like it was only a few years ago. This is what I did for fun when I wasn't running around with friends. We only had 2 TV channels, no DVDs, no video games, no books (okay, we had books), and no internet. It was a different time when entertainment wasn't as instant or accessible. Consequently, we made our own fun (man, I'm sounding old) and learned quite a bit doing it.<br /><br />Because the cover of the sketchbook called it a "Sketch Diary," I really viewed it as such. That is why every drawing was labeled with the date and the age I was when I did the drawing. I'm glad I did.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlwvKUUAGMc-4Hce4AaFNPvJb39jrTQgLMvXS3wplxdtRkrD6JIVWziZPHJvI6DLoosC45C0_pSq-izdVZ2ZDnwgRWLaO3zyjIJiVrKcqpuEhtR-JVC5lEt_kqHwV2n4_CwNCMj_Hbl4/s1600/small+Stormtrooper+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 339px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlwvKUUAGMc-4Hce4AaFNPvJb39jrTQgLMvXS3wplxdtRkrD6JIVWziZPHJvI6DLoosC45C0_pSq-izdVZ2ZDnwgRWLaO3zyjIJiVrKcqpuEhtR-JVC5lEt_kqHwV2n4_CwNCMj_Hbl4/s400/small+Stormtrooper+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562108843265092866" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Star Wars Sandtrooper</span><br /><br />This was the first drawing I completed in the sketchbook. It just HAD to be a Star Wars drawing as that is about all my brain had knocking around in it, at the time. This was drawn on Christmas Day, 1977... I jumped right in. These days, I have to circle around a sketchbook for a few weeks before breaking the pristine newness of the book. Don't ask me why.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCkVU08NjgBoszAXmzXlqy78YjyKA87rhHHyXIBQLIpoIJGluCa-bqH5HZzUmxHYpcGQjOwCNUALKDGlAHbVMVXwye8YL05DXM5wNtgNuFg8BTAsWp8ZjtYfEN32KNffqnHf2g8glqGE/s1600/small+Nerf+Football+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 340px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCkVU08NjgBoszAXmzXlqy78YjyKA87rhHHyXIBQLIpoIJGluCa-bqH5HZzUmxHYpcGQjOwCNUALKDGlAHbVMVXwye8YL05DXM5wNtgNuFg8BTAsWp8ZjtYfEN32KNffqnHf2g8glqGE/s400/small+Nerf+Football+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562108841589824882" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Nerf Football</span><br /><br />One of my Christmas presents made it in as the second entry in my new sketchbook. Gotta love Nerf! This present made me feel like a jock without actually having to catch a real football...which I broke a finger doing later in life.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2NrQqAeXiMNuatSvC9LNTPVx8AZiWfspYjeTo7dYSVHsmRP9WHKR5ASdQYpQt5lUqP3WDOOgJT5KhxZzPiI7NLDaK1XM4Lp_pTZogt-hZWovLVS5NE5vUIXc2hptEn2W4fGYfP2S1XzM/s1600/small+bmv+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 340px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2NrQqAeXiMNuatSvC9LNTPVx8AZiWfspYjeTo7dYSVHsmRP9WHKR5ASdQYpQt5lUqP3WDOOgJT5KhxZzPiI7NLDaK1XM4Lp_pTZogt-hZWovLVS5NE5vUIXc2hptEn2W4fGYfP2S1XzM/s400/small+bmv+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562108570571209266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Six Million Dollar Man Bionic Mission Vehicle</span><br /><br />Another drawing of a 1977 Christmas present. Looks like I ran out of room while drawing the front of the craft. The OSI won't be using this as a blueprint any time soon.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj79qiHToqBvZs8dOjKT5icdfu4JHt6dk6cReyMcZCvwpF8vhZmUUW7yrLp9FqqsEbAHj7pZT70DMDfMq6YtlUFY2Kkapm0scu2nLd2DWESVDbHDsJnTleFzy4OgOF8YAo0lMnGQTMqm0o/s1600/small+Vader+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 340px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj79qiHToqBvZs8dOjKT5icdfu4JHt6dk6cReyMcZCvwpF8vhZmUUW7yrLp9FqqsEbAHj7pZT70DMDfMq6YtlUFY2Kkapm0scu2nLd2DWESVDbHDsJnTleFzy4OgOF8YAo0lMnGQTMqm0o/s400/small+Vader+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562108559745414962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Darth Vader</span><br /><br />I was really proud of this one, as a kid. One of my first forays into actually adding shading to something. Don't ask me why I drew it so lightly. I thought "Darth" was Vader's first name.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHTj4WQB_HVwNc7m0XKmtfzisTr3pK7adUdBO52Rng-MA_DhyB-IiC7Ptct8Hh35mnoTdsogaIiJLBBnczBcVVqAsKHVF0Wg6Sj1NHQfyShYRV1d9IINMdNtFWMkkkZ1OxvDaER9LYz4/s1600/small+R2D2+5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 340px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHTj4WQB_HVwNc7m0XKmtfzisTr3pK7adUdBO52Rng-MA_DhyB-IiC7Ptct8Hh35mnoTdsogaIiJLBBnczBcVVqAsKHVF0Wg6Sj1NHQfyShYRV1d9IINMdNtFWMkkkZ1OxvDaER9LYz4/s400/small+R2D2+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562108556003494994" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">R2D2</span><br /><br />I remember trying to get every detail right on this one. Good thing I labeled it so I know who this is nowadays.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7t4ECL38dTxJn-oBko3fl_6jeN3tnVk_XToPliC1RxHKLk6pxbwPfoY7q6tUzQJtaaddcq3xC4IqFXm5FvLZjcKDpLI5cjhyphenhyphen4TbTe00Qyt1yTouQ2oua_qUIGU3_qhRshr0OnTNLWCPc/s1600/small+Vader+6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 340px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7t4ECL38dTxJn-oBko3fl_6jeN3tnVk_XToPliC1RxHKLk6pxbwPfoY7q6tUzQJtaaddcq3xC4IqFXm5FvLZjcKDpLI5cjhyphenhyphen4TbTe00Qyt1yTouQ2oua_qUIGU3_qhRshr0OnTNLWCPc/s400/small+Vader+6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562108554132977266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Evil Lord Vader</span><br /><br />Crack!! Need I say more?<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcIfrTY22TO3ZmZZ0wsL0fYGTbc2LKvNOiTDD3QwMb4jRTzT1JoIe-9ImUlqbYTa_vNGeZBhO7dT5k4XpKB8xbGu_5cMRTyX65qgk34dGzw3PiFmElwl7Pvq8ZHoE_Txrc6ierGU6RzBk/s1600/+small+Leia+7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 340px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcIfrTY22TO3ZmZZ0wsL0fYGTbc2LKvNOiTDD3QwMb4jRTzT1JoIe-9ImUlqbYTa_vNGeZBhO7dT5k4XpKB8xbGu_5cMRTyX65qgk34dGzw3PiFmElwl7Pvq8ZHoE_Txrc6ierGU6RzBk/s400/+small+Leia+7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562108545132533410" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Princess Leia</span><br /><br />I must have switched to another, darker pencil to fill in her mouth. Otherwise, not a bad likeness for 11.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLoV_WrD1IJqkSRuFKwGIne6LfY1DEKQNGBFXoIdnIg04C9j46ojwztV88YZxMgcFAVV9cY2HdaCHRdAhepPuD2HsaZBkGvQxeClifoKcd4jgM2UTaEM0n8_fOFyaUmdGQ-je488Bw8M/s1600/small+Stormtroopers+8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 340px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLoV_WrD1IJqkSRuFKwGIne6LfY1DEKQNGBFXoIdnIg04C9j46ojwztV88YZxMgcFAVV9cY2HdaCHRdAhepPuD2HsaZBkGvQxeClifoKcd4jgM2UTaEM0n8_fOFyaUmdGQ-je488Bw8M/s400/small+Stormtroopers+8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562108142232134098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Stormtroopers</span><br /><br />I drew this one on the day that Star Wars was rereleased in theaters in 1978. Know how I can tell? Magic.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesPltt54mc4Atw6LdzlZwfBtbNnNQ-i0eX1OLgUEoRPj-ioFTx6eHG2oTnzMWnaDBwsZXZJTayRoCKYJl9QVmjmucZyafcM35AqfGUnyfQg3zQZjnDxS8pmvgZ7kyKhijCMdciRh74No/s1600/small+Jaws+9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 340px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesPltt54mc4Atw6LdzlZwfBtbNnNQ-i0eX1OLgUEoRPj-ioFTx6eHG2oTnzMWnaDBwsZXZJTayRoCKYJl9QVmjmucZyafcM35AqfGUnyfQg3zQZjnDxS8pmvgZ7kyKhijCMdciRh74No/s400/small+Jaws+9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562108135685426338" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jaws 2</span><br /><br />I remember drawing this one off of a bubble gum card. That is ONE doomed copter.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE0gHHUezRCWO_l5tb2CCUTuocA7pjP5eU7npSdhtNLFw6wDcdnkP3w1qPKroIKRanjEL_izzj-Vh03Vc2LEK9KnJyOTxmSQemObjGqubtKOJ3dgsUZQHc2jSLmBOamTd337ic6O1Jkbc/s1600/+small+Death+Star+10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 340px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE0gHHUezRCWO_l5tb2CCUTuocA7pjP5eU7npSdhtNLFw6wDcdnkP3w1qPKroIKRanjEL_izzj-Vh03Vc2LEK9KnJyOTxmSQemObjGqubtKOJ3dgsUZQHc2jSLmBOamTd337ic6O1Jkbc/s400/+small+Death+Star+10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562108129611349154" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kenner Death Star Playset</span><br /><br />I remember drawing this one for a specific purpose. Like Ralphie from A Christmas Story, I drew this as a ploy towards acquiring this childhood grail from my parents. Surely, if I had taken the time to actually draw the toy, my parents would HAVE to buy me one, right? It didn't work out that way. My younger brother ended up getting one, instead. You're welcome, Mike... I primed the pump on this one for you.<br /><br />Think about how crappy the ending to A Christmas Story would have been if it had been Ralphie's younger brother Randy that ended up with the Red Ryder BB gun on Christmas morning. Just sayin'.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItZQFYyPc2t1mfYi_xvl_uXSw683qeVBroQd64uvGiy90jrpaTrRsVs2TL_kvlQQxMo1l7W5b9H9xZgJ5RLJkubbFH3TJtbMwxGJxFlqH_dFUawlDEsy59l1rnKs5ximdw7mN_N3JiRo/s1600/+small+Ace+11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 340px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItZQFYyPc2t1mfYi_xvl_uXSw683qeVBroQd64uvGiy90jrpaTrRsVs2TL_kvlQQxMo1l7W5b9H9xZgJ5RLJkubbFH3TJtbMwxGJxFlqH_dFUawlDEsy59l1rnKs5ximdw7mN_N3JiRo/s400/+small+Ace+11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562108122466972482" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ace Frehley</span><br /><br />Everyone's favorite Rock Spaceman. That thing over his head isn't a dunce cap. He's basking in the spotlight while laying down some classic licks.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDqAqDXyZAfOsOoUj7_lHtzuycrMURnAIQy1tZ2AZqmHvVXudx6UD51N2vWchufnP526D8eQWars1zobPA2p8DgsfUoF12FhTIDS73ITcbEgYOtFI_awapE16Bgn_SuW6vaDr5Kl2ayY/s1600/+small+yoda+12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 340px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDqAqDXyZAfOsOoUj7_lHtzuycrMURnAIQy1tZ2AZqmHvVXudx6UD51N2vWchufnP526D8eQWars1zobPA2p8DgsfUoF12FhTIDS73ITcbEgYOtFI_awapE16Bgn_SuW6vaDr5Kl2ayY/s400/+small+yoda+12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562108117799559842" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yoda</span><br /><br />This is one of the very last entries in my sketchbook. Yoda was a brand-new Star Wars character, at the time, and needed to be documented for prosperity. Otherwise, how would future generations know about the wise and diminutive Jedi Master?<br /><br />I hope you enjoyed this little trip through my childhood sketchbook. Sure, the drawings are crude but I always enjoy looking back and remembering all those hours I spent just drawing for myself.<br /></div>Brian Ashmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05052674477473738205noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-623639291176857846.post-43658046488710892332011-01-13T07:58:00.000-08:002011-01-13T08:26:47.943-08:00Kenner Star Wars Large Size 12" Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMCHhlZl5ef3U0VUVsCr5zOhgPduVquZaabKqOeJk9s2VlKYyLpdyxCgF3fIObP0Q_fHxbThttm9v00VN5NfV0OvULIEENXI5-H7VMbSNy01cjRnK75EL26b6w7iBand6WlHB2QUaL3Y/s1600/Kenobi+9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMCHhlZl5ef3U0VUVsCr5zOhgPduVquZaabKqOeJk9s2VlKYyLpdyxCgF3fIObP0Q_fHxbThttm9v00VN5NfV0OvULIEENXI5-H7VMbSNy01cjRnK75EL26b6w7iBand6WlHB2QUaL3Y/s400/Kenobi+9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561700993696136642" border="0" /></a>This is Kenner's 12" Large Size Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi from 1978.<br /><br />Before the Star Wars prequels, we knew that Ben Kenobi had a past as "Obi-Wan Kenobi" but we still pretty much always referred to this character as "Ben." If I'm not mistaken, Luke even refers to him as "Ben" during the entire old trilogy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-1FS3A0qxSitYb6plXM4H30Vez9pdrA-N2XfUqPOsCLsDfJcPCs44IWZ0fncHsDWgvn2DZWjSNj83f-dvkvXIKUjJSHrAwpmP3lZLx7cNYv8JqhJJfjdgliAhb0BeKAVFX6i0T1J8rSI/s1600/Kenobi+8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-1FS3A0qxSitYb6plXM4H30Vez9pdrA-N2XfUqPOsCLsDfJcPCs44IWZ0fncHsDWgvn2DZWjSNj83f-dvkvXIKUjJSHrAwpmP3lZLx7cNYv8JqhJJfjdgliAhb0BeKAVFX6i0T1J8rSI/s400/Kenobi+8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561700991544210098" border="0" /></a>At any rate, I have to give Kenner credit for producing a large scale figure of the "old wizard" we know and love. Maybe I'm off base here, but it seems like companies would have shied away from producing toys based on older actors. Perhaps, the runaway sales of all the smaller Star Wars figures gave Kenner the freedom to say, "What the heck!"<br /><br />Like other characters in the line, Kenner produced a nice likeness to actor, Alec Guiness. He looks older and wise without looking geriatric.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3t9bsY8hE1Z5VyW-RqXMRPiSpkUnJCVkjbIz8-Fa7-2B3iDGzrrFiQmostB3vc7Vg9WjxGUDybPZAXpEFzBoLk96LrQdA7acB2F7u_uoT5e2KVQbQv5bCMXYE8iQkoEa0OCjboBTyBKo/s1600/Kenobi+7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3t9bsY8hE1Z5VyW-RqXMRPiSpkUnJCVkjbIz8-Fa7-2B3iDGzrrFiQmostB3vc7Vg9WjxGUDybPZAXpEFzBoLk96LrQdA7acB2F7u_uoT5e2KVQbQv5bCMXYE8iQkoEa0OCjboBTyBKo/s400/Kenobi+7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561700987290305330" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHla44-tk98uFgv0XrSWsyyp05n56G6QPGGpCpKGbWVHQ8CMcUUJLexK0mvCIE4dpSy-wM4xkRgoqJfYqKeJUwyeWExraztLBTGqQKkZopWA2QeH-lXYpZf5sB0MxyfB7T5SkuSgD34I/s1600/Kenobi+6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 248px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHla44-tk98uFgv0XrSWsyyp05n56G6QPGGpCpKGbWVHQ8CMcUUJLexK0mvCIE4dpSy-wM4xkRgoqJfYqKeJUwyeWExraztLBTGqQKkZopWA2QeH-lXYpZf5sB0MxyfB7T5SkuSgD34I/s400/Kenobi+6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561700983486377042" border="0" /></a>The only time I saw this guy for sale back in the 70s was at a small hardware store that had a very small toy department (our major sources of toys were Kmart, Labelles, and a mall store called Clown Town). We used to ride our bikes to this hardware store to see what new Star Wars action figures might be on the shelf. They only had one of the Large Sized action figures for the longest time... and that was a Ben Kenobi. He sat on the shelf for, what seemed, years. This store also kept an air-popper popcorn popper on the front counter with a well-stocked bowl of buttered popcorn for customers to enjoy. Free popcorn and other things like Wacky Packs and Cracked magazine were other reasons my buddies and I made frequent visits to this hardware store.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaAT-KpABiyr6pXKJXh4_iO8HLUBVuMJZo_8lgLzNPMtQSOS8dRkzR-SBVn2sNvA6Itov6ZMGypWUfE2dGFAvaGACBt1R0C14ggXBRs2U2feaf2dQ9-hFp4b8LWE4mtuS0ALmU3Ac4wc8/s1600/Kenobi+5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaAT-KpABiyr6pXKJXh4_iO8HLUBVuMJZo_8lgLzNPMtQSOS8dRkzR-SBVn2sNvA6Itov6ZMGypWUfE2dGFAvaGACBt1R0C14ggXBRs2U2feaf2dQ9-hFp4b8LWE4mtuS0ALmU3Ac4wc8/s400/Kenobi+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561700849343446914" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2aPMlcTrC0Qv1eNYsA6bv9nlESAiGuEJjloSbL4zncYjgGPOeoO0Myzd1x7EtG01_ihkrnmBJ2NSFdGwyBvb99qpPLBBNBBmrbthOIb7Fyrv3IN-KgLg_HcqsNhhmIZaXojGzCzisAw/s1600/Kenobi+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 329px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2aPMlcTrC0Qv1eNYsA6bv9nlESAiGuEJjloSbL4zncYjgGPOeoO0Myzd1x7EtG01_ihkrnmBJ2NSFdGwyBvb99qpPLBBNBBmrbthOIb7Fyrv3IN-KgLg_HcqsNhhmIZaXojGzCzisAw/s400/Kenobi+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561700841808342338" border="0" /></a>I picked this guy up in a trade with a very good friend back in the 80s when collecting Star Wars action figures wasn't near the top of our priority lists. An offer was presented to trade Ol' Ben for a couple of comic books and the deal was made. Ben had a taped up, busted leg and was missing his lightsaber. I've since replaced the leg and given Ben back his weapon "from a more civilized age."<br /><br />Ben has the standard articulation for the human figures in the line... swivel hips, swivel shoulders, swivel neck, and very limited "click" articulation in the knees.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVqwa2bKHsPBGaX6yvG_1o5B_hcaW7X6UqNBjW5nKa0_wm2nTJfZl8d6du1USnOZIn4fWgzy9L5v00E4uAzRO959zVa8N91r3ivuzNM_GHdMrgNs6j4e-1v8Iar0Mk847gzfSNGpUcRI/s1600/Kenobi+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVqwa2bKHsPBGaX6yvG_1o5B_hcaW7X6UqNBjW5nKa0_wm2nTJfZl8d6du1USnOZIn4fWgzy9L5v00E4uAzRO959zVa8N91r3ivuzNM_GHdMrgNs6j4e-1v8Iar0Mk847gzfSNGpUcRI/s400/Kenobi+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561700835339972818" border="0" /></a>A complete Ben Kenobi should have his white tunic (with black neck and chest insert), brown robe, two rubber brown boots, and his yellow lightsaber.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikmliEIRShyxjbTpuVUg72kaq_wFKbLhAwc6kY7VNrkXvor8PFrVxCLKPZLVrInFABi302D_KJkjduUyhNPgcA5OZjOb3IN1yC5kzHAjsuTBfX9TMAUWtX9ZmvYcLAybH8-Kfuu3b_zwQ/s1600/Kenobi+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikmliEIRShyxjbTpuVUg72kaq_wFKbLhAwc6kY7VNrkXvor8PFrVxCLKPZLVrInFABi302D_KJkjduUyhNPgcA5OZjOb3IN1yC5kzHAjsuTBfX9TMAUWtX9ZmvYcLAybH8-Kfuu3b_zwQ/s400/Kenobi+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561700829982750578" border="0" /></a>Brian Ashmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05052674477473738205noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-623639291176857846.post-25631948697686881062011-01-11T21:10:00.000-08:002011-01-11T21:48:59.806-08:00Kenner Star Wars Large Size 12" Princess Leia<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwowUkfdT7QSfHalPq1PNezPrkhyphenhyphen5yuDkAkS762__vYt8_tDzVuXMbFqRXWyaHqTKOygyhTBNZsfqvPstzF9431xuf66-LEsSAgX8BMdqejUBMjjvY4fvSgha4_Yma6T48xuT_Kb9iKJU/s1600/Leia+7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 326px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwowUkfdT7QSfHalPq1PNezPrkhyphenhyphen5yuDkAkS762__vYt8_tDzVuXMbFqRXWyaHqTKOygyhTBNZsfqvPstzF9431xuf66-LEsSAgX8BMdqejUBMjjvY4fvSgha4_Yma6T48xuT_Kb9iKJU/s400/Leia+7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561162940204406066" border="0" /></a>This is Kenner's Large Size Princess Leia Action Figure from 1978. Alright, to be fair, this is a dolly... plain and simple. Sometimes, it takes the manliest of men to succumb to buying a DOLL to complete a collection. Convinced, yet?<br /><br />Princess Leia was one of the original four large sized action figures (dollys) that Kenner produced alongside Vader, Luke, and Chewie. However, she was marketed towards little girls and not the boys that were typically prowling action figure aisles in pursuit of "plastic gold."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9BSSSU3igP8KUQlkRyJN6MRJPSRWzLhOr0Xouax_8LDPAfbjBwbKdBjWC8ghfCfcUVeSusgDlTIlxSnHHxrPQnNgiE8jMKoPXCevE9ySK_HLH63qpkd2JG8q-HTpoSy9ekYJ42Rk4l4g/s1600/Leia+6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9BSSSU3igP8KUQlkRyJN6MRJPSRWzLhOr0Xouax_8LDPAfbjBwbKdBjWC8ghfCfcUVeSusgDlTIlxSnHHxrPQnNgiE8jMKoPXCevE9ySK_HLH63qpkd2JG8q-HTpoSy9ekYJ42Rk4l4g/s400/Leia+6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561162925207288834" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_WmP4PvBHP77gLHupkIEl0LjaYCFJkl7hnXHvUQHRQGQF8OUgKcTm9oYeOElX2PD56UfdykB4uK7mnD8SLPuRIEC_YnSB6ROCRPCwQxzMR-0QxcFD8JeglTjtD_hPeWHvqqylYHBxAQ/s1600/Leia+5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_WmP4PvBHP77gLHupkIEl0LjaYCFJkl7hnXHvUQHRQGQF8OUgKcTm9oYeOElX2PD56UfdykB4uK7mnD8SLPuRIEC_YnSB6ROCRPCwQxzMR-0QxcFD8JeglTjtD_hPeWHvqqylYHBxAQ/s400/Leia+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561162773746668018" border="0" /></a>As a kid, she was an easy pass. You could hide a 3 3/4 inch Leia at the bottom of your action figure case, if need be, but a ruler sized Leia was another thing altogether. If one of your buddies were to spot her in your collection, you could instantly become the target of constant ridicule and torture (having a Luke that looked like a Ken doll was bad enough, believe me). She didn't come with any kind of weapon or action feature. In fact, she came with a brush and comb set that allowed little girls to style her hair in several different hairdos. There was even a hairdo how-to booklet that came with Leia. Unfortunately (maybe fortunately), I do not own any of Leia's hair-styling accessories.<br /><br />Again, Kenner came through with a great likeness that looks quite a bit like Carrie Fisher did at the time. Sure, it's a doll-like sculpt but it does a nice job of looking like the character. More so than many more recent attempts from companies producing six-scale version of Leia. Articulation is fairly limited... swivel hips, swivel shoulders, swivel neck, and maybe a tiny bit of "click" movement in the knees.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPbzneScKFIflkl4X4LPNTQMsffBITXaXr3cn44KBd1_ektmXqeJkJdTBGDPSqrm3MesnCb0w92IJvnnzXnMFFeHnu9NJ_SfYJqbO5pSxpVMiKVr19yB3BBXOCpykjVjwUCOrm3D6eIc/s1600/Leia+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPbzneScKFIflkl4X4LPNTQMsffBITXaXr3cn44KBd1_ektmXqeJkJdTBGDPSqrm3MesnCb0w92IJvnnzXnMFFeHnu9NJ_SfYJqbO5pSxpVMiKVr19yB3BBXOCpykjVjwUCOrm3D6eIc/s400/Leia+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561162771811380290" border="0" /></a>I picked this figure up in 1988 at the San Diego Comic Con. I've only recently discovered that she's wearing the wrong shoes. Oh, well....one more thing to track down. (If anyone has a spare pair, let me know.)<br /><br />A complete Princess Leia should come with her white gown, two stockings, two white shoes, a belt, two donut-shaped rings (that are inside her ANH hairdo), a comb, a brush, and a hairstyling booklet.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Saryy6spu1yN_clAseilyP0gZAMpmIbQtwmBj9NMjUhewD6RzykyfLbjiqnsfdOVPqL8KV4GJvF72v46b3Zwk2MCaipB_Fb8K2SZWyysHjO7I0tDN0BE-4t24TRIt7aUAda2TMuYFEI/s1600/Leia+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Saryy6spu1yN_clAseilyP0gZAMpmIbQtwmBj9NMjUhewD6RzykyfLbjiqnsfdOVPqL8KV4GJvF72v46b3Zwk2MCaipB_Fb8K2SZWyysHjO7I0tDN0BE-4t24TRIt7aUAda2TMuYFEI/s400/Leia+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561162766039102594" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu29dXKn1kINZx0xw5x8n6uvOs7V7RxWAQrODQet1R_R93HdTarFSZeMWyqhyphenhyphencC2d7hkmBt2zD5-RWK2kOuBmeKKmXsNVjDo0w61T-MKKtdXzGV1tQWRvvT6HZ9oEvQNDG5gTZjTwvHH4/s1600/Leia+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 385px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu29dXKn1kINZx0xw5x8n6uvOs7V7RxWAQrODQet1R_R93HdTarFSZeMWyqhyphenhyphencC2d7hkmBt2zD5-RWK2kOuBmeKKmXsNVjDo0w61T-MKKtdXzGV1tQWRvvT6HZ9oEvQNDG5gTZjTwvHH4/s400/Leia+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561162762155494754" border="0" /></a>I've always thought that Kenner should have included a blaster with Leia. That way, girls could join in the "action figure" fun and maybe, just maybe, a boy or two might have wanted to add Leia and her "Empire Crusher" blaster to their collection. Eh, probably not.<br /><br />All in all, though, what Star Wars figure line would be complete without Leia? In that respect, I'm very glad that Kenner produced her and she makes a great addition to the Large Sized line-up.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYxeVDBbTIHQYipV327_V3cfn8KfxWHm4w4Kp-VB1-ts9DAP-VxC6hSQxypNFae8DcOF432-T6e8WGghn8YYuwtH6eEzsEGFVTEqWuwcuiBYv4MlPegdYC_o8SH8Nqa6Dwb5bqDirzdA/s1600/Leia+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYxeVDBbTIHQYipV327_V3cfn8KfxWHm4w4Kp-VB1-ts9DAP-VxC6hSQxypNFae8DcOF432-T6e8WGghn8YYuwtH6eEzsEGFVTEqWuwcuiBYv4MlPegdYC_o8SH8Nqa6Dwb5bqDirzdA/s400/Leia+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561162752459989122" border="0" /></a>Brian Ashmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05052674477473738205noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-623639291176857846.post-23751802126604665032011-01-07T09:27:00.000-08:002011-01-07T09:51:27.559-08:00Kenner Star Wars Large Size 15" IG-88<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJz7ryt407uuHgiibBnhnkGWhEdUr_c5B6_Ljl6ech2SeokyIFhhaRAdkGbKVNIjwn4nZOzgKCBwRmgIIHN4IBYoiWei7sRxQPh4zfJaZ1geQ9qiUde1QHuppdpNyxQD-yo_YO_bspILI/s1600/IG-88+0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 190px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJz7ryt407uuHgiibBnhnkGWhEdUr_c5B6_Ljl6ech2SeokyIFhhaRAdkGbKVNIjwn4nZOzgKCBwRmgIIHN4IBYoiWei7sRxQPh4zfJaZ1geQ9qiUde1QHuppdpNyxQD-yo_YO_bspILI/s400/IG-88+0.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559497541955755042" border="0" /></a>This is Kenner's Large Size IG-88 from early 1980. He stands about 15" tall and is scaled to the other figures in the vintage Large Sized line. He was released in an Empire Strikes Back branded box.<br /><br />IG-88 was the last large-scale figure that Kenner produced when the "Large Sized" line was phasing out as the new decade of the 80s dawned. Consequently, he's the hardest of the large sized figures to find... especially complete.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ZSSHGuHbHPV3Ml44aWiBqbU4lmrVUkteqb05CF6EpfSyUbkZ6IzUbqcuZEVPXtOHBL5WhfnZsadEFBJSr77gDwU1Izudp1tE9TD2178g6EN-SXoTqMLORGvLTWE1NpqmRbbdEFoODj4/s1600/IG-88+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ZSSHGuHbHPV3Ml44aWiBqbU4lmrVUkteqb05CF6EpfSyUbkZ6IzUbqcuZEVPXtOHBL5WhfnZsadEFBJSr77gDwU1Izudp1tE9TD2178g6EN-SXoTqMLORGvLTWE1NpqmRbbdEFoODj4/s400/IG-88+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559497537995056994" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7MtkaRo7P6VRsX1K6ABOt3Uhptu3_ch1HxFYyK-MtC2LN8Z-kdb6G6_Uq5UiH4cbNCnZKj_hbft_eUULGcMkAk2-8YE-XvwhKI-fkxuQOH7wh6ylqwwFm7bkUaF8elKrpJ2_wQns6wOw/s1600/IG-88+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7MtkaRo7P6VRsX1K6ABOt3Uhptu3_ch1HxFYyK-MtC2LN8Z-kdb6G6_Uq5UiH4cbNCnZKj_hbft_eUULGcMkAk2-8YE-XvwhKI-fkxuQOH7wh6ylqwwFm7bkUaF8elKrpJ2_wQns6wOw/s400/IG-88+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559497533590595250" border="0" /></a>I've always thought IG-88 was kind of an odd choice to get the sixth-scale treatment in the original Kenner line. In the film (Empire Strikes Back), IG-88 really doesn't do a whole lot... he just kind of stands there and adds an interesting and cool silhouette to the bounty hunter line-up that Vader has assembled. Of course, this is most likely why Kenner chose IG-88 to produce in this scale... he's just plain cool looking... and he's a robot.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgobNCI57wV7NkTXUNuyV_zxfUEBKHsdBJ7qNw503J-URZKzIRIcZmzF0GPbMq6q-UXq_TWiw1gat6vk5asSxUiwYqDc1OXLSOxeO3HmEsuD0EzfAkz7drd_YoNEZY6hP48jtlYYq4GI-Q/s1600/IG-88+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgobNCI57wV7NkTXUNuyV_zxfUEBKHsdBJ7qNw503J-URZKzIRIcZmzF0GPbMq6q-UXq_TWiw1gat6vk5asSxUiwYqDc1OXLSOxeO3HmEsuD0EzfAkz7drd_YoNEZY6hP48jtlYYq4GI-Q/s400/IG-88+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559497535726009938" border="0" /></a>I remember seeing this figure on the shelf at our local LaBelle's department store (which subsequently became a different dept. store, then a grocery store, and is currently a Hobby Lobby) back in 1980. The funny thing is, he was always alone. I don't recall ever seeing any other large Star Wars figures on the shelf next to him (I do seem to recall seeing 12" Mego Star Trek The Motion Picture action figures very close by, though.). Maybe being a late release, he shipped by himself... I don't know.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRiHZIW2OIERGJ6NxuLemVSjt-tB_ClLTrFq66eI-2GI_OWsNOsSnt_g-ZHL6lNFBm1QuzBdJ8mEVrU6-EVm8oaWNice9kcY635Y1n-sfFgW2y2Zj4rPYJuy-bZZTQbjyjhCW4cCPGWQI/s1600/IG-88+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRiHZIW2OIERGJ6NxuLemVSjt-tB_ClLTrFq66eI-2GI_OWsNOsSnt_g-ZHL6lNFBm1QuzBdJ8mEVrU6-EVm8oaWNice9kcY635Y1n-sfFgW2y2Zj4rPYJuy-bZZTQbjyjhCW4cCPGWQI/s400/IG-88+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559497338036919506" border="0" /></a><br />I picked this guy up in the 90's a little bit at a time. I started with the base figure and then added pieces as I found them available. I've found it's fun to collect figures this way, sometimes... "the thrill of the hunt" really comes into play, along with a healthy dose of delayed gratification as the figure slowly comes together.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy3uDAX8V9lJ9ItDN-yV5ZuXtzQS1gQ3xNWtWb1XUcq2sF1QdoyzoTSyO-Ul6Up94ztquQYuQkRSumz0umaLA6L2VyTIbnPtMmmpDpsr95EIECfOxNcIRLaOMSmixrKtC9pfkUo4TgAs8/s1600/IG-88+6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy3uDAX8V9lJ9ItDN-yV5ZuXtzQS1gQ3xNWtWb1XUcq2sF1QdoyzoTSyO-Ul6Up94ztquQYuQkRSumz0umaLA6L2VyTIbnPtMmmpDpsr95EIECfOxNcIRLaOMSmixrKtC9pfkUo4TgAs8/s400/IG-88+6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559497335060149762" border="0" /></a>At any rate, I think he's a great-looking figure. He doesn't have much in the way of articulation, though... swivel neck, swivel shoulders, swivel wrists, and swivel hips. So, he's not much for posing in front of the camera. Maybe he's just camera shy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0zW8GetguWuyhzgi-5gQKcdw-N96vhgbBa4iYUFElXn8tnMXXXLcDUyJYo2scrSs40NtsbhIVf5Fl_t0WPZghuG9VDZMjuoOIon0jKcFBUoQwSc638y8dWl-5qbUF2OujZP3RYiL0H4/s1600/IG-88+7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0zW8GetguWuyhzgi-5gQKcdw-N96vhgbBa4iYUFElXn8tnMXXXLcDUyJYo2scrSs40NtsbhIVf5Fl_t0WPZghuG9VDZMjuoOIon0jKcFBUoQwSc638y8dWl-5qbUF2OujZP3RYiL0H4/s400/IG-88+7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559497326424753682" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLfhoXn_nZLd6PX5-6teklFfCrHHJh-FIWLD9l2dokwhzmpKQFxBuIQmqvhugdbFi4U0ObEE00M_OxV3yTPsmVScroErUOeDXkVfvaWM-8_1JI9cWfeqhG-J5M0cHDG2mT6cMPf-8WQ4/s1600/IG-88+8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLfhoXn_nZLd6PX5-6teklFfCrHHJh-FIWLD9l2dokwhzmpKQFxBuIQmqvhugdbFi4U0ObEE00M_OxV3yTPsmVScroErUOeDXkVfvaWM-8_1JI9cWfeqhG-J5M0cHDG2mT6cMPf-8WQ4/s400/IG-88+8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559497319072115090" border="0" /></a>A complete IG-88 should include his bandolier, four red grenades (that attach to the bandolier), and two blaster rifles (one very long one and one shorter one).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodMs1O1A78d6ZmbfvOvtc12pZdhrgKgdH2PPyDfYcPTGZZxyGe9VfrNsC7RU5yl92AOdP95znnJCVP6V1Puh7xwr9M9fsyCrvmWuxlBF1z5p_34Q_d_yd1TYhGCfS5acUi5LuevZ-_2U/s1600/IG-88+10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodMs1O1A78d6ZmbfvOvtc12pZdhrgKgdH2PPyDfYcPTGZZxyGe9VfrNsC7RU5yl92AOdP95znnJCVP6V1Puh7xwr9M9fsyCrvmWuxlBF1z5p_34Q_d_yd1TYhGCfS5acUi5LuevZ-_2U/s400/IG-88+10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559497322537210386" border="0" /></a>Brian Ashmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05052674477473738205noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-623639291176857846.post-9031971886610930782011-01-02T19:46:00.001-08:002011-05-10T17:25:51.754-07:00Almost Vintage: Hasbro Gi Joe Talking Adventure Team Commander (Gi Joe Collectors Club Reissue)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZj22SsBk8LbFF6fp-hIaDwGaa1s62IIO_nZooVHOBaL1rQ184eSvVW_o5PW6ST3dQSSMpnOLWES7Wr1G81wE9dzbT9Ysszu951MMxSQhnG4t5-k3lMIWfEsnaKTokWhrJtog3E1RMLA/s1600/Gi+Joe+Commander+8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 353px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZj22SsBk8LbFF6fp-hIaDwGaa1s62IIO_nZooVHOBaL1rQ184eSvVW_o5PW6ST3dQSSMpnOLWES7Wr1G81wE9dzbT9Ysszu951MMxSQhnG4t5-k3lMIWfEsnaKTokWhrJtog3E1RMLA/s400/Gi+Joe+Commander+8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557801690716143794" border="0" /></a>There's something special about a Gi Joe. As kids, everybody had one (or more), it seems. Whether you are an older guy, like myself, or of a slightly younger generation, the world of Gi Joe has been kind of a collective experience for many of us.<br /><br />Gi Joes started as clothed, 12 inch articulated figures. In the early 60s, wooden artist mannequins served as the inspiration for creating a brand new concept in boys toys... a large, fully-posable soldier. Boys were used to playing with toy soldiers in a much smaller scale but larger clothed soldiers were a new concept. Hasbro, afraid of Gi Joes being called "dolls," prohibited everyone in Hasbro's office from using the "D" word in reference to Gi Joes. They were to refer to Gi Joe as a "movable soldier." They even went so far as to tell their toy reps that if they were caught using the word "doll" to sell Gi Joe, they would have their orders canceled.<br /><br />Gi Joe was the first true "Action Figure." All the great sixth-scale and smaller figures of today owe a debt to the ground that Gi Joe broke all those years ago.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqRlgvnZPhjTrKgQRfaQCMXCnAUP0GR-SL-9ftI-0tG8UvfbAqxdxJpT00hVXXU6t3qRQSFoarL__6ZC_0BsTu7N7mtoSIZvY6KTFgyMG3pm5ZKoAS_PQmHP3RrKfDVPjELAO0YCEz-h8/s1600/Gi+Joe+Commander+7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 323px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqRlgvnZPhjTrKgQRfaQCMXCnAUP0GR-SL-9ftI-0tG8UvfbAqxdxJpT00hVXXU6t3qRQSFoarL__6ZC_0BsTu7N7mtoSIZvY6KTFgyMG3pm5ZKoAS_PQmHP3RrKfDVPjELAO0YCEz-h8/s400/Gi+Joe+Commander+7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557801683737273794" border="0" /></a>Hasbro enjoyed enormous popularity with Gi Joe during the 1960s. However, when America became involved in the Vietnam conflict, sales began to wane as Americans no longer wanted to be reminded of the realities of war as they bought toys for their sons. Hasbro, eager to move away from Gi Joe's military theme, released the Adventure Team in 1970. Gi Joe no longer fought foreign soldiers. He fought the elements and anything else Mother Nature could throw at him as he searched for wild animals and even buried mummies. These new Joes also sported "life-like" hair and beards for the first time through an inventive flocking technique.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD3PaYsl6WWtlIUKwX-4aumGRqX2pycZqwYRlbFex9QI9wsKdmb2jGExcWJ-9yCGT7WmHlSSueeKgED1GHOawIxNvFzZJQw98fysnDtMCjtMbWyQXdy_n6fTF4jmid4WhGJCJ2no2vrIg/s1600/Gi+Joe+Commander+6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 308px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD3PaYsl6WWtlIUKwX-4aumGRqX2pycZqwYRlbFex9QI9wsKdmb2jGExcWJ-9yCGT7WmHlSSueeKgED1GHOawIxNvFzZJQw98fysnDtMCjtMbWyQXdy_n6fTF4jmid4WhGJCJ2no2vrIg/s400/Gi+Joe+Commander+6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557801669678014738" border="0" /></a>The Gi Joe pictured is a recent (several years) Gi Joe Collector's Club reissue of the Adventure Team Talking Commander. It is a near-perfect recreation of the 1970 figure... right down to the box. I had an original Talking Commander for a short time in the early 70s. I had received him for Christmas and remember enjoying playing with him that Christmas day. However, I have no memory of ever playing with him after that Christmas. I'm guessing that something was broken (maybe I messed up his pull-string talking feature) and he was returned to the store. Whatever happened to that Gi Joe will always be a mystery to me.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_gIgrePWphvznrrXY0IIaT-vYtW9TcGFeA7rv_FK8QDpIpNnnFL4zYI-3GNFfOzTKSNlvC-dRyuvcBlDqH5ofMmIZnhq2ZJDXNQGJRA4-VGoSRVgmvvlg0OTpJxXbQy2nPTTtiEX9G4s/s1600/Gi+Joe+Commander+5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 283px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_gIgrePWphvznrrXY0IIaT-vYtW9TcGFeA7rv_FK8QDpIpNnnFL4zYI-3GNFfOzTKSNlvC-dRyuvcBlDqH5ofMmIZnhq2ZJDXNQGJRA4-VGoSRVgmvvlg0OTpJxXbQy2nPTTtiEX9G4s/s400/Gi+Joe+Commander+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557801468218343714" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicD_gDAtQDF-5At4bzItWIMy9G_LBGimhDgm97UoAVxegtCwlXcyu67I98aVUo_bLic2Z7e8xQMOtrzkw_8Mb0T_ci8xDDti2ySglwtXDBFWcwIs3UIBEyaE0xPK3mUChEWtiAR5hCnQ8/s1600/Gi+Joe+Commander+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicD_gDAtQDF-5At4bzItWIMy9G_LBGimhDgm97UoAVxegtCwlXcyu67I98aVUo_bLic2Z7e8xQMOtrzkw_8Mb0T_ci8xDDti2ySglwtXDBFWcwIs3UIBEyaE0xPK3mUChEWtiAR5hCnQ8/s400/Gi+Joe+Commander+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557801464367747202" border="0" /></a>I'm not going to give an overview or review of this figure, at this point. Hasbro used the same body and head mold for almost all of the AT Gi Joes. I'll go into more detail about the figure, itself, in a future Gi Joe post. I have some vintage and quite a few reissue Joes that I'd like to talk about.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6TLzYRCQZBTQrOTQxU5nlpG-AUT3mMC2okfl9cTrbzH0Xj3iWQ8oMJviP7dGH4t0Thfn-wraFnrqXzCwhjted2_mkS6Y7WZmd5GEOu8V-plMDMg0BpdSnIyzQy9W18Zu-nuRtJ7GV43A/s1600/Gi+Joe+Commander+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6TLzYRCQZBTQrOTQxU5nlpG-AUT3mMC2okfl9cTrbzH0Xj3iWQ8oMJviP7dGH4t0Thfn-wraFnrqXzCwhjted2_mkS6Y7WZmd5GEOu8V-plMDMg0BpdSnIyzQy9W18Zu-nuRtJ7GV43A/s400/Gi+Joe+Commander+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557801461427123810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">A few of the accessories that came with this reissue Joe</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm84vzcMP_krMSsLF4EMldpwv0cnceG8Iq655RWxLZskaM9I9FOFw0i8JgrTLf8hkTKAAOTTBeMkRbcGURlOv96ae7DiKkO38gfLNV9GYeEpKSE4vSWRmbetRrkPh_PAymgd4McgbdLsE/s1600/Gi+Joe+Commander+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 363px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm84vzcMP_krMSsLF4EMldpwv0cnceG8Iq655RWxLZskaM9I9FOFw0i8JgrTLf8hkTKAAOTTBeMkRbcGURlOv96ae7DiKkO38gfLNV9GYeEpKSE4vSWRmbetRrkPh_PAymgd4McgbdLsE/s400/Gi+Joe+Commander+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557801454844074562" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">When you pull Joe's pull-string, he says one of many different phrases like, "I've got a tough assignment for you!"<br /></span></div><br />I really love these figures. I love that they all used the same headsculpt and it was up to a child's imagination to create the different characters and adventures that these toys went through. Heck, they didn't even have names past monickers like "Land Adventurer," "Air Adventurer," and "Sea Adventurer." They were Gi Joes... and that was good enough for us.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiivUkgIUo5Nmy4_FI9PHIm9Qnv6rNBhIAENGdZM3kR_6x2uS9GKGdOlpvTUHTaQg0xVh38bxx7ykE_vsCPDkRAAvLBwuFnyTr79wYXYS7X0asoGlrhDZI-d0GBJvFBryrY7L1XKYxS-f8/s1600/Gi+Joe+Commander+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiivUkgIUo5Nmy4_FI9PHIm9Qnv6rNBhIAENGdZM3kR_6x2uS9GKGdOlpvTUHTaQg0xVh38bxx7ykE_vsCPDkRAAvLBwuFnyTr79wYXYS7X0asoGlrhDZI-d0GBJvFBryrY7L1XKYxS-f8/s400/Gi+Joe+Commander+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557801452896489074" border="0" /></a>Brian Ashmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05052674477473738205noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-623639291176857846.post-39401675381921403682010-12-06T20:20:00.001-08:002010-12-06T20:26:28.137-08:00Kenner Star Wars Large Size 15" Chewbacca<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEian_8eNVxwEqTvu4d2_YsH0SL49u5lVMP65okdpj3_x2vI2kyUYyRRvccTOdhKMnskUoux6C9nSBpot3vBfbyz9CeaoVh_ylONO5fkUCrz_g_PK-dIAJwc8d7yeWj0J017_GcngNrR7lA/s1600/chewie+6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEian_8eNVxwEqTvu4d2_YsH0SL49u5lVMP65okdpj3_x2vI2kyUYyRRvccTOdhKMnskUoux6C9nSBpot3vBfbyz9CeaoVh_ylONO5fkUCrz_g_PK-dIAJwc8d7yeWj0J017_GcngNrR7lA/s400/chewie+6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547790864705305986" border="0" /></a>This is Kenner's 15" (1/6 scale) Chewbacca from 1978.<br /><br />Chewbacca has always been a difficult character to "pull-off" for toy companies. We usually get a figure that's all plastic or one that's all plush but haven't really gotten one that's a mix of the two.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_-yx8VIy43aaZ1U7r6J_B5mJwy3lithMAhcvl_2Klh2cP_8UaPEltMVy4Lb_yGchB5F7FrBcFDqkfeVFPMqWykiOQTF8UMiZt6OGSRVq5WoMdrjAuMg6niCGgguQvm74H8a9YjfwFpE/s1600/chewie+5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_-yx8VIy43aaZ1U7r6J_B5mJwy3lithMAhcvl_2Klh2cP_8UaPEltMVy4Lb_yGchB5F7FrBcFDqkfeVFPMqWykiOQTF8UMiZt6OGSRVq5WoMdrjAuMg6niCGgguQvm74H8a9YjfwFpE/s400/chewie+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547790782281115922" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJcHJXCefQ_rCIqSwCqAl143Shfqdhd7fM18r9XVHX6o_QiTUMg6gMZtu49MLqTAnySlvVmEsPYDdyIcOVOVXZ2x9FNdJcjp45ezH6h5RW2ThLuD-pIR7zAoJO18QrtG_8upLerFZqtBw/s1600/chewie+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 276px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJcHJXCefQ_rCIqSwCqAl143Shfqdhd7fM18r9XVHX6o_QiTUMg6gMZtu49MLqTAnySlvVmEsPYDdyIcOVOVXZ2x9FNdJcjp45ezH6h5RW2ThLuD-pIR7zAoJO18QrtG_8upLerFZqtBw/s400/chewie+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547790775047199858" border="0" /></a>Kenner chose to go the "all plastic" route with their first sixth-scale Chewbacca action figure. In fact, Chewie's construction is very similar to another large action figure that Kenner produced for their Six Million Dollar Man line of toys... <a href="http://yesterville.blogspot.com/2009/05/kenner-six-million-dollar-man-bionic.html">Bionic Bigfoot</a>. In fact, early <a href="http://theswca.com/index.php?action=disp_item&item_id=49070">prototype images</a> of Chewbacca reveal that Kenner used a repainted Bigfoot with a bandolier strap as a stand-in for our intrepid furry hero until an official figure could be produced. If you examine both toys together, it's very apparent that they were "cut from the same cloth," so to speak.<br /><br />Chewbacca was one of the first four large-sized action figures produced along with Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, and Princess Leia. Chewie's articulation is somewhat limited. He has ball-jointed shoulders, of sorts (held in place by rubber banded tension), and swivel hip joints... that's it. Due to the way he is sculpted, there is no head or neck articulation.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSg1PkLhksDlj_pe9lGQKYYeau3viE2tgMyUq5cGKuP6Q-Facj_rSKOBV2BEDODEUf74tn6CDyenKB3Q767kacDXEQwl6ejNR0UODWWV4M94XA-CAQNZsXn0_Dn84CixqYn_E0qoeqBug/s1600/chewie+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 258px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSg1PkLhksDlj_pe9lGQKYYeau3viE2tgMyUq5cGKuP6Q-Facj_rSKOBV2BEDODEUf74tn6CDyenKB3Q767kacDXEQwl6ejNR0UODWWV4M94XA-CAQNZsXn0_Dn84CixqYn_E0qoeqBug/s400/chewie+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547790769100038562" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs5JOG9NWiOoMstqp1alpB7m8HoRN9ICLienHLpzVMUk_jIkmFsQf6X1zcxe-oMAuM2tPBZ3IbR5A2F6KTLHvaV7UmgL0sUEbnhzjG4VH6TaEK2sdHVz1vucudGOnKMEKV5XsvpLBqhj4/s1600/chewie+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 283px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs5JOG9NWiOoMstqp1alpB7m8HoRN9ICLienHLpzVMUk_jIkmFsQf6X1zcxe-oMAuM2tPBZ3IbR5A2F6KTLHvaV7UmgL0sUEbnhzjG4VH6TaEK2sdHVz1vucudGOnKMEKV5XsvpLBqhj4/s400/chewie+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547790764039174690" border="0" /></a>I like the way that Chewie is sculpted. There's plenty of sculpted fur detail but not too much. He's somewhat simplified and this choice works well with the somewhat simplified features of some of the human characters (like Han or Luke) in the line.<br /><br />One neat aspect of this figure is that the cartridges on his strap are actually removable and can be placed on a peg on his crossbow blaster.<br /><br />A complete Chewbacca comes with crossbow blaster (make sure the crossbow piece is present. It's a separate piece), bandolier strap with plastic pouch, and enough cartridges to fill all the slots on the strap.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQGjJuzxv1V9jc3PBCB8OT-CLjBr4KxfRDCYVY8mpk_1JEjKi9qSxu_hYUrjtvjfY-Npd74IfUrUsz4ZnnPX_x_7D9zUpVx3yJUgb3jXkPHLh408xAVIYPsIhhdJaaje7KqOZU7_jcWs/s1600/chewie+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQGjJuzxv1V9jc3PBCB8OT-CLjBr4KxfRDCYVY8mpk_1JEjKi9qSxu_hYUrjtvjfY-Npd74IfUrUsz4ZnnPX_x_7D9zUpVx3yJUgb3jXkPHLh408xAVIYPsIhhdJaaje7KqOZU7_jcWs/s400/chewie+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547790760874504850" border="0" /></a>Chewbacca has always been one of the more lovable characters in the Star Wars saga. This figure is fun representation of the beloved furry oaf.Brian Ashmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05052674477473738205noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-623639291176857846.post-77553488463716336732010-10-13T12:29:00.001-07:002010-10-13T12:46:00.692-07:00Kenner Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back Toy Brochure #2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGEMWv7Ul4HS7wimycMDIqxbNqCJ5LngoZo8fk_FlNQIqCMiHvauWp29qCswJd7DPw6Y_1pf20PiSO6PHD4OU1h5oK4w6oOMYZrf65IuqjZWk6NqUuL_pzoHHlpIKbNJ2bTeZ-FTRbbQ/s1600/Empire+booklet+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGEMWv7Ul4HS7wimycMDIqxbNqCJ5LngoZo8fk_FlNQIqCMiHvauWp29qCswJd7DPw6Y_1pf20PiSO6PHD4OU1h5oK4w6oOMYZrf65IuqjZWk6NqUuL_pzoHHlpIKbNJ2bTeZ-FTRbbQ/s400/Empire+booklet+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527615917683495762" border="0" /></a>This is another pack-in toy brochure from 1981. These usually came with the bigger toys like vehicles, playsets, and larger figures. I was always excited to find a new one of these in the box. I used to pour over these little brochures as it was almost the only way to know what other toys were available or were being released soon. Notice the upside-down Tie Fighter.<br /><br />More vintage 12" Star Wars and other vintage toy reviews coming soon.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRm9xnYzHMtJuxEj2JZYOH9gRhZ78bg_XNgtLUFQZyPXh4n4QbWI0qPNFBEQB69aYdYiI1wF1UvdxCGwJT9Js0lmarXksOiZL_wXG2M3oKw-sVPBxQJRanh1FMHbxxcy5wx0LEqkGM1mw/s1600/Empire+booklet+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 137px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRm9xnYzHMtJuxEj2JZYOH9gRhZ78bg_XNgtLUFQZyPXh4n4QbWI0qPNFBEQB69aYdYiI1wF1UvdxCGwJT9Js0lmarXksOiZL_wXG2M3oKw-sVPBxQJRanh1FMHbxxcy5wx0LEqkGM1mw/s400/Empire+booklet+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527615907220959730" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYE_GS_nNlpZbLXPuA3aUiWbR8S4vAPZhlG_B0-5UvKzTcbWnBm69cId5YA2qGVJBbQB7pP8xIa9YmtuGU_w4fXPlwoNfS4C2erF1esOAzz5TXEJ7qRpD8X8tNvpfK0_icEGpN52a9rJU/s1600/Empire+booklet+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 137px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYE_GS_nNlpZbLXPuA3aUiWbR8S4vAPZhlG_B0-5UvKzTcbWnBm69cId5YA2qGVJBbQB7pP8xIa9YmtuGU_w4fXPlwoNfS4C2erF1esOAzz5TXEJ7qRpD8X8tNvpfK0_icEGpN52a9rJU/s400/Empire+booklet+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527615632443055858" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6b_O86qJ1ACQT0kLOI_f2GqZrSqVH_-L-H1flksZDNIhjFGZl3pXUbGoSMdUVAYOs5E4fSetOE9U8Si9iQ_t1UbY5r8mBLZGXjmpik3LVIuORnhSXnQFAp-OZEI69APk_WgrlKHjKZ0/s1600/Empire+booklet+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 139px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6b_O86qJ1ACQT0kLOI_f2GqZrSqVH_-L-H1flksZDNIhjFGZl3pXUbGoSMdUVAYOs5E4fSetOE9U8Si9iQ_t1UbY5r8mBLZGXjmpik3LVIuORnhSXnQFAp-OZEI69APk_WgrlKHjKZ0/s400/Empire+booklet+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527615611638048418" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqT-wb25nEcn1aZU_QqRPmZPqvl5qmnxFcXqqlHlDCesC02QDx8UYTse7gcld63qVEU86rx4KZyWg-_vaRlpQxbUqsO7ItzhDuQT70dSJuQc0W2C2f7EGdU3xiwN_fwkDOCZAKeD1i5DQ/s1600/Empire+booklet+5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 137px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqT-wb25nEcn1aZU_QqRPmZPqvl5qmnxFcXqqlHlDCesC02QDx8UYTse7gcld63qVEU86rx4KZyWg-_vaRlpQxbUqsO7ItzhDuQT70dSJuQc0W2C2f7EGdU3xiwN_fwkDOCZAKeD1i5DQ/s400/Empire+booklet+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527615604817239810" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPyBDpncZv8FTJPvslGoqV4oMPqAXS3ciyaDSmhRsWLy7VfS8Nzh9OTaw_skiXJJMJlllkp09Ncz7Lhrk9K6zmHSzS3c3O5xaHGeSI5B0KE0ZsNqSlf_oEShFSvHWHtXeI4WrbrEzJiE/s1600/Empire+booklet+6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 138px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPyBDpncZv8FTJPvslGoqV4oMPqAXS3ciyaDSmhRsWLy7VfS8Nzh9OTaw_skiXJJMJlllkp09Ncz7Lhrk9K6zmHSzS3c3O5xaHGeSI5B0KE0ZsNqSlf_oEShFSvHWHtXeI4WrbrEzJiE/s400/Empire+booklet+6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527615598567798066" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUPy5GsYVmXd0CDGtbMP6SyYP5qH0x0rQXDtQ5d4Zy353gdkdaUvuWlcPzFSXKs6vp1A-CeaRXHr4K5hNgVOClADvaDmlrxSS0RYhHtmWAYglI0dSB2CSao9Xo0o3wnAxICg3nhSf_TZo/s1600/Empire+booklet+7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUPy5GsYVmXd0CDGtbMP6SyYP5qH0x0rQXDtQ5d4Zy353gdkdaUvuWlcPzFSXKs6vp1A-CeaRXHr4K5hNgVOClADvaDmlrxSS0RYhHtmWAYglI0dSB2CSao9Xo0o3wnAxICg3nhSf_TZo/s400/Empire+booklet+7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527615584655091826" border="0" /></a>Brian Ashmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05052674477473738205noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-623639291176857846.post-37855753095450994152010-07-20T14:24:00.000-07:002010-07-20T15:43:56.187-07:00Mego 8" Fonzie<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1u-KmqBsgHmTXA1xDfn-F-c5aky_brHn1cqpoOlkRQJQLzxIYYrqYT8jNdiGtxOPD4aBGe6EXm_1Z4sqYzODdtF0F7dBz8hKD8dal4ldOR3oZlefa1qnbYqdI6fqhRBv5A4YzkJIpXM/s1600/fonz+10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1u-KmqBsgHmTXA1xDfn-F-c5aky_brHn1cqpoOlkRQJQLzxIYYrqYT8jNdiGtxOPD4aBGe6EXm_1Z4sqYzODdtF0F7dBz8hKD8dal4ldOR3oZlefa1qnbYqdI6fqhRBv5A4YzkJIpXM/s400/fonz+10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496103365306278434" border="0" /></a>This is Mego's 8" Fonzie from the Happy Days television show. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMxkMy9JvXI&feature=related">Happy Days</a> was a popular TV program that aired from 1974 to 1984. Mego Fonzie was released in 1977. The show was a nostalgic look back at a family (the Cunninghams) during the 1950s and early 1960s. To kids watching at the time, Happy Days depicted an era that seemed almost as ancient as the Depression of the 1930s or the Wild West of the late 1800s. To parents, the Happy Days era probably seemed fairly recent as it depicted a time that was only 20 years previous to when the show aired. One's age and how it relates to the perception of time passing is a very strange thing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZp8MhczODafjxcVjvQfyS-5NB6FF_zmI7cQq-15gYNjdYNYUMNhLByjRVes8U_xF4XRC6vaEclwDjgAguOQuHz3re39ibalo9tPYBjjkHIGNgLB-wxW-Q8XNchezbnw5y9UZ67zUpcaM/s1600/fonz+9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 253px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZp8MhczODafjxcVjvQfyS-5NB6FF_zmI7cQq-15gYNjdYNYUMNhLByjRVes8U_xF4XRC6vaEclwDjgAguOQuHz3re39ibalo9tPYBjjkHIGNgLB-wxW-Q8XNchezbnw5y9UZ67zUpcaM/s400/fonz+9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496103360629464642" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvz87bhbR14Usna7VywFSRukp4cLWaBhZbmwLoR5Z-5DMlXwLQ4H6vkn70oyb1OyCnVTyODK0Ugm-N0KvxaDdGP9iEDXx_xkqUOCaOP1W7xEIhYnotNjQOAiGXm3mVcTbjGklbbRlCsA/s1600/fonz+8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 387px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvz87bhbR14Usna7VywFSRukp4cLWaBhZbmwLoR5Z-5DMlXwLQ4H6vkn70oyb1OyCnVTyODK0Ugm-N0KvxaDdGP9iEDXx_xkqUOCaOP1W7xEIhYnotNjQOAiGXm3mVcTbjGklbbRlCsA/s400/fonz+8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496103360349273746" border="0" /></a>It's difficult to describe Fonzie (aka The Fonz, Arthur Fonzarelli) to someone that hasn't seen the Fonz "in action" on Happy Days. You see, Fonzie was the coolest of the cool... the leather-jacket-wearing-guy that could never fail and always kept his cool no matter the situation. He was almost like Superman, James Dean, and Evel Knievel all rolled into one. Fonzie could best almost anybody at anything (he even jumped a shark on water skis... which eventually led to the term "jump the shark). Few dared to oppose him and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NxGO2lx-A0">many looked to him to help them out of sticky situations</a>. The character became such a cultural phenomenon that he spawned such things as t-shirts, lunch boxes, toys, and even an official Fonzie kids leather jacket (that I tried on while shopping for school clothes once... My Mom said "No." Can you tell that I've been scarred for life?).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmxKF0vDi3Xdgdo4RUm6I-Qopn3OnZ7GN4ytA32s-9Sje_qWARiNbLVf-qQ0PFURw9iTyx3F_8Uf3Q-sVFuk7uzGqD2F_2NrSERdG3MRkbmXCFwjEre15_JCb6t-TNphyUiauofmVSc4/s1600/fonz+7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 376px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmxKF0vDi3Xdgdo4RUm6I-Qopn3OnZ7GN4ytA32s-9Sje_qWARiNbLVf-qQ0PFURw9iTyx3F_8Uf3Q-sVFuk7uzGqD2F_2NrSERdG3MRkbmXCFwjEre15_JCb6t-TNphyUiauofmVSc4/s400/fonz+7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496103353645805906" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbm75z2yCy5C0_7ciIoXDuK0t7YFqJrRCcWj3fjAvzmJzOOAWecNwNF7cxH7GCf8XK9OFWID85BqkgOvPswcYysVla__SHT7oDaVAYrhD5tYTyXlPkhmgOiF_0_XU3l5RFFGeMs-KPy1U/s1600/fonz+6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbm75z2yCy5C0_7ciIoXDuK0t7YFqJrRCcWj3fjAvzmJzOOAWecNwNF7cxH7GCf8XK9OFWID85BqkgOvPswcYysVla__SHT7oDaVAYrhD5tYTyXlPkhmgOiF_0_XU3l5RFFGeMs-KPy1U/s400/fonz+6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496103346565053586" border="0" /></a>Point of Shame: When I was about 9, I was a such a Fonzie fan that I started a "Fonzie Club" in my neighborhood... individually drawing Fonzie with markers on each "club member's" white t-shirt.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_GodDgcQHEpiv4fTv4_-A2Yo4Gn8y2BzkHphaTZMvFVgSlcYNMM2b2bFXhxNtsi7H1lFRx_nDmPjLrTnD3wb1hXihG9Id5aALC3ADSxAz9qKeTnnend_Yeh4lrVbRsALhiBCR1hNQYz0/s1600/fonz+5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 278px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_GodDgcQHEpiv4fTv4_-A2Yo4Gn8y2BzkHphaTZMvFVgSlcYNMM2b2bFXhxNtsi7H1lFRx_nDmPjLrTnD3wb1hXihG9Id5aALC3ADSxAz9qKeTnnend_Yeh4lrVbRsALhiBCR1hNQYz0/s400/fonz+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496102942191512050" border="0" /></a>Mego did a nice job on Fonzie. The head sculpt looks very much like a Mego-ized Henry Winkler (the actor that played the Fonz). This figure also includes an action feature that is unique to this figure. His thumbs swivel into a "thumbs up" position on each hand and a lever on his back thrusts his hands up from waist to chest level. You see, on the show, the Fonz would thrust both thumbs up and utter his famous-at-the-time line, "Aaaaaaaay!!" The Fonz would often do this to show his approval of something... or he could change the inflection to reflect something more like disappointment with someone (sans the thumbs). I can't tell you how many kids walked around in the mid-Seventies saying "Aaaaaay!!" or "Sit on it" (another catchphrase popularized by Happy Days).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBX7jgq6lZNeNJkNpHX1U3Hr_VjHadRKMNqP_u2uxFZ8oTT04yOC7lYI7yg5dUV9APjUT2o2GAj3oEBs8zZ62ksw89-Sx3dEn9CIVDI52cr871gLOjgkIwibaQ59NAyFoYC9L8_ye8doo/s1600/fonz+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 342px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBX7jgq6lZNeNJkNpHX1U3Hr_VjHadRKMNqP_u2uxFZ8oTT04yOC7lYI7yg5dUV9APjUT2o2GAj3oEBs8zZ62ksw89-Sx3dEn9CIVDI52cr871gLOjgkIwibaQ59NAyFoYC9L8_ye8doo/s400/fonz+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496102937005845506" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwoazKAXx_MRpXu_esDfI_oyAvfh8XOv9-E7gc-3zZ0s3TiXc7N6imr7F61Qe9UhV19ZLHY8e3cPu82tFG43brfOLX1wB3UcZevbz4-kjt5LrVDh4PTXnR_u2JaDmrzOo2CaShFVg4Oe0/s1600/fonz+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 168px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwoazKAXx_MRpXu_esDfI_oyAvfh8XOv9-E7gc-3zZ0s3TiXc7N6imr7F61Qe9UhV19ZLHY8e3cPu82tFG43brfOLX1wB3UcZevbz4-kjt5LrVDh4PTXnR_u2JaDmrzOo2CaShFVg4Oe0/s400/fonz+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496102933880085298" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBsSNExpUpzhO1W9p_3xsp-OV1vegMe6zjlHEyMC72ggXCketWsgvm32LwZO62ALoEYrp0hWI9rRVl1azFTPnPYr_9OsvQ1gkACAVNVOQJQFuHw-06AUc01I0XavUJcPZgiB1h1VSROc/s1600/faonz+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBsSNExpUpzhO1W9p_3xsp-OV1vegMe6zjlHEyMC72ggXCketWsgvm32LwZO62ALoEYrp0hWI9rRVl1azFTPnPYr_9OsvQ1gkACAVNVOQJQFuHw-06AUc01I0XavUJcPZgiB1h1VSROc/s400/faonz+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496102926975060530" border="0" /></a>A complete Mego Fonzie should include his leather jacket, white sleeveless under-shirt, jeans, and black boots.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1aQ0RZdx1xUi9U3w5JNJfQfroymzhUx3iTnaI8nEFRtnULBUQgjG5K2NdpAh7Ya11iSd-y1ScSowUbMOMtyAUhoR2qWZZj3LwNysbWA5d_Q_BsQ60Vaz9RBDdaovfDbLfEKd7zh4eISY/s1600/fonz+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1aQ0RZdx1xUi9U3w5JNJfQfroymzhUx3iTnaI8nEFRtnULBUQgjG5K2NdpAh7Ya11iSd-y1ScSowUbMOMtyAUhoR2qWZZj3LwNysbWA5d_Q_BsQ60Vaz9RBDdaovfDbLfEKd7zh4eISY/s400/fonz+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496102925778613586" border="0" /></a>The original "shark jumper."<br /></div>Brian Ashmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05052674477473738205noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-623639291176857846.post-17333273227591715452010-05-23T12:50:00.000-07:002010-05-23T13:02:11.154-07:00Laurel and Hardy Finger Puppets 1972<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQiYlaSTeBSQTqRALc_gYO1nduEwqlI11TMSEJ2xjfnAVPryiX1bnomQyS3gOuQXv_tLUoj-Sui2xOcShXzvZYHQKEn381pjaAKvGVnL4nOLqPdPENLSjoap32BHkLDM53MRaUKnHZXQ/s1600/Laurel+and+Hardy+5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQiYlaSTeBSQTqRALc_gYO1nduEwqlI11TMSEJ2xjfnAVPryiX1bnomQyS3gOuQXv_tLUoj-Sui2xOcShXzvZYHQKEn381pjaAKvGVnL4nOLqPdPENLSjoap32BHkLDM53MRaUKnHZXQ/s400/Laurel+and+Hardy+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474555885845340242" border="0" /></a>Sometimes, I like to try to remember toys from my very early childhood. Often, they are just fleeting fragments of memories of things that may not have even existed at all. When I was about 5 years old, my folks would put me to bed on Saturday nights but then allow me to wake up a few hours later to watch some of the old movies that played on one of the local channels. Sometimes, they were old Universal monster movies like Dracula or the Creature from the Black Lagoon... and sometimes, an old comedy like a Laurel and Hardy movie would be shown.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJLxP2yr6TGEU1xraZCXKOZ8tGYvR9wmK186ENRbkLR79gqQH0JvBjaLxRhKmzQrqpgzym6K-j15guquXYry8pd4ojQ-nnSjzhRJbnyqo2VV-1AzNtYNv0KmRIVs9mWGwXOru22F2lWrA/s1600/Laurel+and+Hardy+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJLxP2yr6TGEU1xraZCXKOZ8tGYvR9wmK186ENRbkLR79gqQH0JvBjaLxRhKmzQrqpgzym6K-j15guquXYry8pd4ojQ-nnSjzhRJbnyqo2VV-1AzNtYNv0KmRIVs9mWGwXOru22F2lWrA/s400/Laurel+and+Hardy+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474555695592669138" border="0" /></a>Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy made 106 films together between 1926 and 1951. Today, I couldn't tell you much about them, or even the name of a single film they made. However, when I was five years old, Laurel and Hardy were favorites of mine. <br /><br />At any rate, I had a vague memory of having a pair of Laurel and Hardy finger puppets and was curious whether they were something real or something I had concocted in my head. Thirty-eight year old memories can be a bit fuzzy. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CAT4veNv2HGM8zgU0n66nQSsLr_MDFL8DYMqPmw3JP5SqKd4_p8CpU3GR7VGY45WpnYaWnbdKaC_gke2_1wTDmOJIUZQlWC1XNctME9Jyi-zdYdYWgGySuccTV0TdNAbAYa5BVA4rBI/s1600/Laurel+and+Hardy+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 284px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CAT4veNv2HGM8zgU0n66nQSsLr_MDFL8DYMqPmw3JP5SqKd4_p8CpU3GR7VGY45WpnYaWnbdKaC_gke2_1wTDmOJIUZQlWC1XNctME9Jyi-zdYdYWgGySuccTV0TdNAbAYa5BVA4rBI/s400/Laurel+and+Hardy+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474555694087724482" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjadu0ygmvaviwl6g0kcxtv6DU6P_RTY1wOvam_i1kb-MSYYqJ0D0c9idrJCXE0NTY_XMysp6PBnndKhxKbDYSNL26nPkwRLudBe5HUaL-mITL1yeWeL6nqA5xz_j9DAbsK6CN_8vh0KMs/s1600/Laurel+and+Hardy+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjadu0ygmvaviwl6g0kcxtv6DU6P_RTY1wOvam_i1kb-MSYYqJ0D0c9idrJCXE0NTY_XMysp6PBnndKhxKbDYSNL26nPkwRLudBe5HUaL-mITL1yeWeL6nqA5xz_j9DAbsK6CN_8vh0KMs/s400/Laurel+and+Hardy+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474555681542435698" border="0" /></a>The internet is a pretty astounding thing, really. After only five minutes of searching, I had not only discovered that the finger puppets were indeed real (from 1972) but also for sale... cheap. My priceless memories were someone else's junk drawer fodder. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyEtXpUkOgCR-mrcGhey3tSi69Lt_Ismr_DdY0JdRcsLzuzJHGN41vocZgYDj6Q4QqUwlskkaYltGZbrIq1rUXrEUDDg2V7T3aVeDFMwRhedS8cK1DFrY8JInsXau04w_7-CDjsATH1Ls/s1600/Laurel+and+Hardy+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyEtXpUkOgCR-mrcGhey3tSi69Lt_Ismr_DdY0JdRcsLzuzJHGN41vocZgYDj6Q4QqUwlskkaYltGZbrIq1rUXrEUDDg2V7T3aVeDFMwRhedS8cK1DFrY8JInsXau04w_7-CDjsATH1Ls/s400/Laurel+and+Hardy+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474555677959140114" border="0" /></a>And so, a box arrived in the mail and time folded back on itself as I held these two fleeting bits of memory in my hands once again. It's a strange feeling to have such vague and distant memories come to such vivid reality in an instant.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5fSkFft-iWFNTKFnpuo7BCRVy-Uf4MP2k4fSkMgFG0n6MEKIoWbpTyBOhdyHQVHcykaPoLoZWWzgAw-G3SXjFp5IY7T_UTyugTTq9DG7GkBWmC-IfyOE_mSRro7jIGW1qAKeYnKbBck/s1600/Laurel+and+Hardy+0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5fSkFft-iWFNTKFnpuo7BCRVy-Uf4MP2k4fSkMgFG0n6MEKIoWbpTyBOhdyHQVHcykaPoLoZWWzgAw-G3SXjFp5IY7T_UTyugTTq9DG7GkBWmC-IfyOE_mSRro7jIGW1qAKeYnKbBck/s400/Laurel+and+Hardy+0.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474555670317037154" border="0" /></a>Brian Ashmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05052674477473738205noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-623639291176857846.post-88296930308320272092010-05-20T09:42:00.000-07:002010-05-20T09:49:14.928-07:00Wham-O Bullwinkle Bendy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYF5PUIxBVZ5lMG19Q12BY6XNOSf20CxtDTJXiHatIhbqhMVpRgKgotVs7LVVi8-vmf7Qdr4c1PyuW7pUO3QGp6ceyhpkq5o4eMJHBKfNXdVB1cTB8GGbUElMCuA8Iw787tTwc3EWrCqM/s1600/Bullwinkle+5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYF5PUIxBVZ5lMG19Q12BY6XNOSf20CxtDTJXiHatIhbqhMVpRgKgotVs7LVVi8-vmf7Qdr4c1PyuW7pUO3QGp6ceyhpkq5o4eMJHBKfNXdVB1cTB8GGbUElMCuA8Iw787tTwc3EWrCqM/s400/Bullwinkle+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473393921299430242" border="0" /></a>There were a lot of bendy figures being produced in the early 70s... superheroes, TV Heroes, cartoon characters, etc. I had quite a few bendy figures during this time and this was one of them... Bullwinkle the Moose from the Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoons. This is another bendy from Wham-O that was produced in 1972. Wham-O produced quite a few characters from the Rocky and Bullwinkle/Fractured Fairy Tales cartoons. Hopefully, I can get my hands on a few more of them.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xWPWcvzzvMVZM2P3qh6PJmzRJ-3pJyIRrKlNWo_ppTi2al_pVhd-UP4oGaT7W92pp719Kg2wm7ED-G5WJlNHzqMpPEZmkcqlWZ7LVqOJb3zNN8Bu-i02mwGtBV06AvMcuPDQu7NZOz8/s1600/Bullwinkle+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 358px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xWPWcvzzvMVZM2P3qh6PJmzRJ-3pJyIRrKlNWo_ppTi2al_pVhd-UP4oGaT7W92pp719Kg2wm7ED-G5WJlNHzqMpPEZmkcqlWZ7LVqOJb3zNN8Bu-i02mwGtBV06AvMcuPDQu7NZOz8/s400/Bullwinkle+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473393917866255042" border="0" /></a>Bullwinkle was produced in true bendy fashion... that is, he was produced as a three-dimensional figure but the term "dimensional" is pushing it a bit. Most bendy figures were produced as thinly as possible. That is, from the front, they look correct. When you turn them sideways, they almost disappear. I'm not sure if this thinness helped with way the internal wires worked or if it was a cost cutting measure but it's definitely a trademark of bendy figures from this era.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRoIX_tTLHSC6_9XYYpMTP0s03mulg8f4vhyphenhyphen25T_5RBxdVgzj4_-OMfpnH47lyYvEU-ApO1wO7ru7V9RPad8GHmoDu0PFEkSbr3f6sgSrYSxi2c3-hrIWls5VsKTuy6Ad3gSx_i6xby5M/s1600/Bullwinkle+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRoIX_tTLHSC6_9XYYpMTP0s03mulg8f4vhyphenhyphen25T_5RBxdVgzj4_-OMfpnH47lyYvEU-ApO1wO7ru7V9RPad8GHmoDu0PFEkSbr3f6sgSrYSxi2c3-hrIWls5VsKTuy6Ad3gSx_i6xby5M/s400/Bullwinkle+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473393913678038002" border="0" /></a>Consequently, Bullwinkle looked good in the package but wasn't much to look at once you tried to utilize him as a 3D character. As you can see, his antlers don't quite work once you try to adjust him out of the package.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix46Xq9Ku0bnerUp1b7RhmWyXBMw0-Is0cHOOgMevSYjpoDH39aVLx4vo9xssQmANdbsiOnCh66Nc2PY2re_RTqLbIewWNmH_2jKF_bjzsiE-ejOb6-QdHeiUQxyqph1eWj964ZkMMMQw/s1600/Bullwinkle+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 317px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix46Xq9Ku0bnerUp1b7RhmWyXBMw0-Is0cHOOgMevSYjpoDH39aVLx4vo9xssQmANdbsiOnCh66Nc2PY2re_RTqLbIewWNmH_2jKF_bjzsiE-ejOb6-QdHeiUQxyqph1eWj964ZkMMMQw/s400/Bullwinkle+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473393905725501154" border="0" /></a>I love these old bendies from the early 70s. They are just so...TOY. I don't know how else to put it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtyVS5LZLVrxDk67SO7sBaEeONXaYGIHPbCuyVRWdWpPHg-Ear4YEoSlg7uZzAwamAE4zb5e6rQ-4qRypRvfWJoHY9_CZIG-n0q9td31qb8awdqOV1IjB4-CnuQGPF6Wt03FkaTuhHSg/s1600/Bullwinkle+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtyVS5LZLVrxDk67SO7sBaEeONXaYGIHPbCuyVRWdWpPHg-Ear4YEoSlg7uZzAwamAE4zb5e6rQ-4qRypRvfWJoHY9_CZIG-n0q9td31qb8awdqOV1IjB4-CnuQGPF6Wt03FkaTuhHSg/s400/Bullwinkle+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473393897089634882" border="0" /></a>Brian Ashmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05052674477473738205noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-623639291176857846.post-33766760838706929382010-05-19T12:16:00.000-07:002010-05-19T12:36:29.566-07:00Mego 8" Planet of the Apes Astronaut Peter Burke<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7olW7709rvgI-UMG1IM2ZvE7F4FS6C7XDr5sy2JcFfLxJ2zAjQb38V5VcciW1m0i_e6lJ5OD2esm2AecTFFFleDk5_5appgwvtcId8wPfgwHJnwM6z7X1goc-B3B0F5TmueCWOCDj0CA/s1600/Burke+6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7olW7709rvgI-UMG1IM2ZvE7F4FS6C7XDr5sy2JcFfLxJ2zAjQb38V5VcciW1m0i_e6lJ5OD2esm2AecTFFFleDk5_5appgwvtcId8wPfgwHJnwM6z7X1goc-B3B0F5TmueCWOCDj0CA/s400/Burke+6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473063309377591538" border="0" /></a>This is Mego's Peter Burke from 1974. He's the other astronaut that was stranded with Alan Virdon on the TV version of Planet of the Apes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6CbQmHagjcxIi6koCQsNzrIYlaMIfEZAIie5HmKd88MXLyBkfxzzVk1CGIFW54f4pmqqGZMWeEafsLtRUQIJfMOZNYQ4EpE8hNbD880wWxYrsDCq3bbiKAciGjPQQ5SELc5XcQNZfxM/s1600/Burke+5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 342px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6CbQmHagjcxIi6koCQsNzrIYlaMIfEZAIie5HmKd88MXLyBkfxzzVk1CGIFW54f4pmqqGZMWeEafsLtRUQIJfMOZNYQ4EpE8hNbD880wWxYrsDCq3bbiKAciGjPQQ5SELc5XcQNZfxM/s400/Burke+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473063168616788946" border="0" /></a>As with Virdon, Mego did an outstanding job of capturing the actor's (James Naughton) likeness... especially by 1974 toy standards.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDhqYCV8VkpS9M5sH84U3l3vc4lNhckmkt_dNqJxteIYAkPu1CV5zMUAUxAiQj4EiBSBhPrXwFT1pAf_66RD2tOchnDHsP0cCYapP8-6tcJoPtS5ZssfMCZOFnV8JzEIyjKBEKqyc54DI/s1600/Burke+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 276px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDhqYCV8VkpS9M5sH84U3l3vc4lNhckmkt_dNqJxteIYAkPu1CV5zMUAUxAiQj4EiBSBhPrXwFT1pAf_66RD2tOchnDHsP0cCYapP8-6tcJoPtS5ZssfMCZOFnV8JzEIyjKBEKqyc54DI/s400/Burke+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473063165313893266" border="0" /></a>To be complete, Peter should have a brown long-sleeved shirt, tan pants, a burlap (yep, it's even rough and itchy) vest, and brown moccasins (same as Virdon and Cornelius/Galen).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkDDar9vToxpmM09M9qoN7YBX5rYSNXOAuvU2PT2_n2Wrqtxf5_kI7meqt3pGjeczbSCsBbRWOXYaOBiRPoQLtFv-625X4vtl8lA2t14aWLDj3Z1MQzHE2F1-L40OqqnCFHyyFOTdBPY/s1600/Burke+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 334px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkDDar9vToxpmM09M9qoN7YBX5rYSNXOAuvU2PT2_n2Wrqtxf5_kI7meqt3pGjeczbSCsBbRWOXYaOBiRPoQLtFv-625X4vtl8lA2t14aWLDj3Z1MQzHE2F1-L40OqqnCFHyyFOTdBPY/s400/Burke+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473063159083877394" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-BeoZi2DvgrP1Ys66tr0WYmyeevgZozSgttYUPVBNxU_laSTk2sX0P7egiQZ85vhFSfQ_nvoy47EGNfLHx0FlZmjLsUY1oY1FRioEIr7Y3ehQj8LFAQerj0Bd7GhF3DVOVGXG3LhYE2k/s1600/Burke+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-BeoZi2DvgrP1Ys66tr0WYmyeevgZozSgttYUPVBNxU_laSTk2sX0P7egiQZ85vhFSfQ_nvoy47EGNfLHx0FlZmjLsUY1oY1FRioEIr7Y3ehQj8LFAQerj0Bd7GhF3DVOVGXG3LhYE2k/s400/Burke+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473063153784514770" border="0" /></a>This concludes the Mego Planet of the Apes action figure line. Mego produced 9 individual figures from the films and TV show (ten characters... as Mego used the same figure for both Cornelius and Galen). Although, we really didn't care what movies or shows the figures came from as long as we had a good assortment of Apes and Astronauts to play with... and Mego delivered. I think Mego did an outstanding job on the Planet of the Apes figure line. For Megos, they are well-detailed and come with a nice assortment of accessories (at least the Generals did). For me, this will always be the quintessential Planet of the Apes figure line and I'm glad I was the right age when they arrived to enjoy them like I and many others did.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC54n6dhieTEuItZJxZ9GRLExS71MH03_ZXo8C8YMhImOT-hWZljJ7rq9j7fJ8dzOEQhr0yprKtwVY0mpkOk7bAUjTWhaf5OOq5hAVe0-45hkZBTDqluzsb2njJ8C1efB0t9oZJaZTY5I/s1600/Burke+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC54n6dhieTEuItZJxZ9GRLExS71MH03_ZXo8C8YMhImOT-hWZljJ7rq9j7fJ8dzOEQhr0yprKtwVY0mpkOk7bAUjTWhaf5OOq5hAVe0-45hkZBTDqluzsb2njJ8C1efB0t9oZJaZTY5I/s400/Burke+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473063146390526466" border="0" /></a>Brian Ashmorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05052674477473738205noreply@blogger.com2