GI Joe Memories from 1976 or I love Bulletman

1976 GI Joe Adventure Team Catalog Page

1976 GI Joe Adventure Team Catalog PageOver the weekend, a friend asked me to help him with toy research, which meant going through my catalogue collection.  That sort of activity is always welcome here as I get to thumb through some favourites from childhood. In particular, the 1976 Simpsons-Sears catalogue. In Canada, Sears partnered with a Canadian firm called Simpsons, and it remained dual-named until 1984. 

I had this catalogue as a kid, and as I’ve discussed, they’ve fascinated me since I can remember.  This page of GI Joe Adventure Team, well it’s technically the Super Adventure Team by this point is one so deeply ingrained in my consciousness it gives me endorphins looking at it.

Though many have decried this era as a low point for GI Joe, I counter with the thought that it depends on how old you were. This version of GI Joe was “My Era” because I was five, and trust me, I loved it. Here are my reasons for it:

 

https://youtu.be/1F8l44eR3Xc

1976 GI Joe Adventure Team Catalog Page

1976 GI Joe Adventure Team Catalog Page

 

https://youtu.be/1F8l44eR3Xc

 

Atomic Man joins the GI Joe Adventure Team

Mike Power: The Atomic Man was added to GI Joe a year earlier and was a hit. Yes, he was a Bionic Man Knock Off but I still played with him even after getting the real deal from Kenner. He was a cool concept and those clear arms were super neat. We won’t discuss how he runs with one “Atomic” leg.

As big of a departure Mike was for GI Joe, it was nothing compared to what Hasbro had planned for 1976. 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFgCpwiNXcs&t=2s

BulletMan, the Human Bullet, had a bad rap in GI Joe collector circles for decades, and it’s so unfair. I LOVED this character and was so excited about what was next with GI Joe. I was superhero crazy as a kid and they obviously didn’t have to be comic book based for me to fall in love with it. However, to be fair there is one character I didn’t get behind.

 

GI Joe Intruder

 

 

https://youtu.be/yMSd3ibyClk

The Intruder was a really out-there concept and one I’d love to know more about. Joe’s first real enemy seemed to be more of a minion than an evil mastermind. The Intruders probably needed a leader of some sort, it would have helped. However, the Intruder has one great defence, it inspired some amazing vehicles like the Capture Copter (which I got for my 6th birthday) and the Big Trapper, which is wonderful.

GI Joe Capture Copter

 

Toy-Ventures Collector Pins

Toy-Ventures Collectible Pins including the Lincoln Monsters

Do you miss toy collector magazines?

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

 

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

Mego Museum Newsletter

 

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

Polyester Pals from PlaidStallions

 

 

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

FACEBOOK GROUPS FROM PLAID STALLIONS


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


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

 

Tura Satana Action Figure Update!

Tura Satana Action Figure by Odeon Toys

 

Great news from the factory floor as White Elephant Toyz shared some new images of the “Fresh from the mould” pieces for the upcoming Tura Satana action figure.

The figure’s head has come out of the moulding process, looking just like the original sculpt. The figure will also come with custom-sculpted boots (based on Varla’s look) and gloves.

The official  action figure is almost here, sign up for our mailing list to get an exclusive art print and early notice when the figure is ready, so you can, as Varla would say, “Go get her!”

 

The Tura Satana action figure is being co-produced by White Elephant Toyz and PlaidStallions under license from Tura Satana Inc. and will be available in late 2022. This 8″ retro cloth figure will be a limited edition and come in an exclusive solid box with art by Joseph Michael Linsner.

The figure will be available in 2022 at Plaidstallions.com and Whiteelephanttoyz.com websites.turastuffmjm

About Tura Satana Inc:

Tura Satana Inc. is the only company authorized to grant official Tura Satana licensing and merchandise,Tura Satana Inc. was formed to ensure the credibility, quality, respect and attention to detail that Tura herself always demanded.

About White Elephant Toyz:

Formed by Jason Schiermeyer, a veteran toy designer and collector. He has helped bring several exciting, licensed properties to Action Figure collections: King Features the Phantom and Flash Gordon as well as a recent very successful kick-starter campaign for Strike Force Alpha.

About PlaidStallions

PlaidStallions is a pop culture and toy website dedicated to the 70s and 80s created by Brian Heiler. The publisher of Toy-Ventures Magazine and the newest book “Knock-Offs: Totally Unauthorized action figures.” Under their Odeon Toys division, they have released licensed action figures of Captain Canuck, the Mego Museum Super Collector, and their mascot Brick Mantooth. Plaidstallions.com

 

I’ve also made a few other collectible pins based on knockoffs and characters from this website. Look for a few more designs coming very soon.

 

Toy-Ventures Collector Pins

Toy-Ventures Collectible Pins including the Lincoln Monsters

Do you miss toy collector magazines?

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

 

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

Mego Museum Newsletter

 

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

Polyester Pals from PlaidStallions

 

 

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

FACEBOOK GROUPS FROM PLAID STALLIONS


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


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

 

Mego Meet Flashback!

Mego fest

Mego Meet Flashback!
Who was lucky enough to catch this fantastic display of World’s Greatest Superheroes at Mego Meet 2007, generously put on by members of the Mego Museum Community? I still drool at this sometimes.
Will Mego Meet return? We’re hopeful to pull it off in the near future.
Keep abreast of all development of the longest running Mego convention here:

 

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

Polyester Pals from PlaidStallions

Do you miss toy collector magazines?

That’s why we created Toy-Ventures magazine, an old-school print publication dedicated to vintage toys from the 1960s to the 1990s. Each issue is packed with never before seen images and information written by some of the top collectors. We’ve got 7 issues and climbing; please check our page here or visit our store.

 

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

FACEBOOK GROUPS FROM PLAIDSTALLIONS


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


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

5 Awesome Things on eBay this week

#grimace #superheroes #racktoys

Toy-Ventures: Lincoln International Big Bad John

Toy-Ventures this week talks about Big Bad John, the rarest Lincoln International figure out there and a relatively new discovery. A generic bad guy figure for your Mego Starsky and Hutch figures. One of the best things online toy communities can do is work together and discover new things. The story of Big Bad John is one of those times that you’re proud to be part of seomthing.

Check out the Lincoln International Galleries here:
https://plaidstallions.com/reboot/plaidstallions-action-figure-galleries-mego-knock-offs/lincolnint/

Join Mego Knock-Off Head Quarters here
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Megoknockoff

 

Toy-Ventures Issue 6 is now available

Our newest book “Knock-Offs: Totally, Unauthorized Action Figures,” is now available. It’s 130 pages of bootleg goodness.
You can get this new book via the PlaidStallions Shop , On Amazon (Affiliate Link) or on eBay (eBay Link)

 

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

Order Rack Toys 2.0 Here through our Affiliate Linkhttps://amzn.to/3Bkm9z1

FACEBOOK GROUPS FROM PLAIDSTALLIONS


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


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

 

 

Vintage Mego: The Love Boat

Vintage Mego looks at the Love Boat action figure line and tries to tackle the question of “Why did Mego make these?”. It’s a power-packed episode with special guest stars Abe Vigoda and Ron Pallilo.
#mego #megomuseum #loveboat

Issue 6 of Toy-Ventures Magazine is now up for pre-order. Get a limited edition Star Team poster by Dave Waugh!
http://www.plaidstallions.com/reboot/shop

#mego #megomuseum #blackhole

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

 

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

 

Toy-Ventures Magazine Issue 6- PlaidStallions

Toy-Ventures Magazine Issue 6- PlaidStallions

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

Our newest book “Knock-Offs: Totally, Unauthorized Action Figures” is now available. It’s 130 pages of bootleg goodness.
You can get this new book via the PlaidStallions Shop , On Amazon (Affiliate Link) or on eBay (eBay Link)

 

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

Order Rack Toys 2.0 Here through our Affiliate Linkhttps://amzn.to/3Bkm9z1

FACEBOOK GROUPS FROM PLAIDSTALLIONS


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


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

 

Mego Planet of the Apes Soldier (Mint Off Card Review)

Mego Museum Mint Off Card has returned TO THE PLANET OF THE APES! This week we look at the Soldier, the latest Mego takes on a classic apes figure. It’s a new take on an old favourite but haven’t we seen that head before? We also talk about variations in the line. Let’s go to the forbidden zone together!

Our magazine Toy-Ventures is available to order right now eBay: https://ebay.us/XSS1X7

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

You can Order the new Mego figures here: https://www.entertainmentearth.com/s/mego/c?id=ME-002202116

Vintage Mego: Secret Identity World’s Greatest Superheroes

https://youtu.be/Azl_ZKO-pd0

New to the channel? Subscribe! ►https://bit.ly/3D3zxJK
Vintage Mego this week talks about Bruce, Peter, Clark and Dick. The Mego Secret Identity outfits are one of the hardest if not the most challenging sets to collect in the world’s greatest superheroes pantheon. Why is that and what is the history? we touch on that and talk about myths and reproductions.

Our latest book “Knock-Offs: Totally Unauthorized Action Figures” is available at the PlaidStallions shop, more info here:
www.plaidstallions.com/reboot/shop

#mego #megomuseum #batman

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

New Book! Knock-Offs: Totally Unauthorized Action Figures by PlaidStallions Press

Knock-Off Book

Knock-Offs Book

Hey folks, if you didn’t catch my Livestream this Saturday,  I’m doing my follow-up to Rack Toys with a book I’ve titled Knock-Offs: Totally Unauthorized Action Figures.  This is a piece I’ve been working on since 2012 but stuff got in the way and I had to put it on hold. I’m glad I did because it just made the whole thing better. 

Knock-Offs is a celebration of the dimestore bootleg figure, the copyright-infringing silliness meant to fool our grandpeople. The subjects range from toys of the 1960’s to the 2000s and include every popular genre you can think of.

Knock-Offs Book

Knock-Offs Book

Knock-Offs Book- Nightmare Feddy

Knock-Offs Book- Nightmare Feddy

Chapters will include Superheroes, Science Fiction, Horror, TV/Movies and you’d better believe 80s toys. So many discount Darth Vaders and Skid Row Skeletors…

Knock-Offs Book- Robocops

Knock-Offs Book- Robocops

Knock-Offs will also celebrate the amazing bootleg toy art scene and I have to say, the work these folks create is pretty darn infectious.

Bootleg toy artist Knock-Offs Book

Bootleg toy artist Knock-Offs Book

Bootleg toy artist Knock-Offs Book

Bootleg toy artist Knock-Offs Book

The book is expected to launch in December, to keep updated, join our mailing list here: http://plaidstallions.com/reboot/subscribe/

 

 

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

Order Rack Toys 2.0 Here through out Affiliate Linkhttps://amzn.to/3Bkm9z1

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

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

Toy-Ventures Issue 5

FACEBOOK GROUPS FROM PLAIDSTALLIONS


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


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

 

 

Mego Planet of the Apes General Ursus added to Mego Museum

The Only Good Human is a Dead Human!
General Ursus added to the Mego Museum 2021 GalleriesMego Planet of the Apes 2021

General Ursus joins Caesar in Mego’s wave 13 assortment of characters. Technically Ursus was a figure in the classic Mego Planet of the Apes but this is not exactly a straight reproduction of that figure. Mego took the classic Ursus/Urko (More on that debacle in the classic Mego Planet of the Apes galleries) and added paints and details to make the figure match James Gregory’s Ursus from “Beneath the Planet of the Apes”.

Mego Planet of the Apes: General Ursus

Hasbro Super Joe added to Plaid Stallions Action Figure Archive

Hasbro Super Joe

Hasbro Super Joe

Added some new pics and information to our Hasbro Super Joe page at the Action Figure Archive.

I have a real fondness for this short-lived but unique toy line by Hasbro, most people at the time didn’t even realize it was supposed to be G.I. Joe, this is mainly because he’s eight inches tall. 

G.I. Joe was getting killed by smaller competitors like Big Jim and the Mego World’s Greatest Superheroes, so they shrunk him down to Mego size and sent him to space. What resulted was a fun toy line that just sold well for the first year thanks to Star Wars but laid an egg in the second, thanks to Star Wars toys finally landing on shelves.

So come celebrate the Adventures of Super Joe, The Shield, Darkon and Gor, King of the Terrons in the Hasbro Super Joe gallery.

Also, if you have something I don’t and want to share it, drop me a line, I love adding to these pages!

 

Plaid Stallions Action Figure Archive

PlaidStallions Action Figure Archive

Much more at the Plaid Stallions Action Figure Archive.

 

 

Issue 4 of Toy-Ventures magazine is now shipping, get it while it’s hot!

FACEBOOK GROUPS FROM PLAIDSTALLIONS


Pod Stallions is one of the most fun groups on Facebook.


Mego Knock Off Headquarters– The leading group discussing 70s dimestore goodness, we talk vintage toys, not others!

Mego UltraSeven :Mint Off Card Review

https://youtu.be/lFQZJOKg_e4

Mint off Card takes a long look at the next Ultra-Man figure from Mego Corp, the amazing Ultra-7. Which Ultra character would you like to see next?

Pre-Order Toy-Ventures Magazine Issue 3 here:
http://www.megomuseum.com/odeon/store/products/

I bought this at Entertainment Earth and they sponsor this channel
https://www.entertainmentearth.com/s/mego/c?id=ME-002202116

Pre-Order Issue 3 of Toy-Ventures here!

Mint off Card: Swamp Thing by Figures Toy Company

https://youtu.be/QNlGy8-rXmQ

Mint off Card takes a look at the new 8″ Retro Figure from Figures Toy Company, SWAMP THING! One of my favourite characters from DC Comics.

Get Swamp Thing here:
www.figurestoycompany.com

Mego Mania Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/megomania

Mego Museum Forums:
www.megomuseum.com/community

Buy Toy-Ventures Magazine issue 1 here:

PlaidStallions Toy-Ventures Issue One (September 2020)


Limited Edition Gift Sets Available Now!
Rather than crowdfund the next issue of the magazine, I thought I’d whip up these gift sets full of merch we’ve created in the past. Just that thing for the retro fan in your life. Thanks for indulging me, more content soon!
OUR STORE: http://www.megomuseum.com/odeon/store/products/

 

 

Subscribe to the MegoMuseum Newsletter here

MegoMuseum Links:

MegoMuseum Forums                       MegoMuseum Facebook Page

MegoMania Facebook Group            MegoMuseum Twitter

MegoMuseum Instagram                  Mego KnockOff Facebook Group

MegoMuseum YouTube Channel

CustoMego Links

CustoMego Facebook Page             CustoMego Instagram 

PlaidStallions Links

PlaidStallions Facebook Page         PlaidStallions Twitter

PodStallions Facebook Group         PlaidStallions Instagram

Friends of the MM:

Mego Ambassadors                  Figures Toy Company

Dr.Mego                                    LaserMego

 

 

 

Vintage Mego: Battlin’ Superheroes (Close out Mego 2)

Vintage Mego answers the question no one asked: “What are the Battlin’ Superheroes” in this second look at closed out Mego Superheroes from the United Kingdom.

You can get Mego Stan Lee from Entertainment Earth and help the MEGO MUSEUM

Subscribe to the MegoMuseum Newsletter here

MegoMuseum Links:

MegoMuseum Forums                       MegoMuseum Facebook Page

MegoMania Facebook Group            MegoMuseum Twitter

MegoMuseum Instagram                  Mego KnockOff Facebook Group

MegoMuseum YouTube Channel

CustoMego Links

CustoMego Facebook Page             CustoMego Instagram 

PlaidStallions Links

PlaidStallions Facebook Page         PlaidStallions Twitter

PodStallions Facebook Group         PlaidStallions Instagram

Friends of the MM:

Mego Ambassadors                  Figures Toy Company

Dr.Mego                                    LaserMego