Mall of Justice Update plus a call to action

Posted on April 14, 2023 by megohead1

Mall of Justice Cover.

Mall of Justice Book Cover

It’s been a while since I posted any updates, so here we go.

As I begin laying out my next book, “Mall of Justice,” and hope for a 2023 release, I once again plead with you for submissions. I want to share your photos and stories if you met He-Man at Toys R Us or Captain America at a Car wash. It doesn’t matter if “Chewbacca” was a guy wearing loafers in a gorilla mask; that’s a bonus!

Store mascots are cool, too; the weirder, the better.

Send your stories and photos to toyventuresmag@gmail.com, and I’ll do my best to include them in the publication.

Mall of Justice is super (pun intended) personal for me, as an encounter with the Marvel heroes in a Woolco was highly impactful on my young brain.

I’ve been carefully curating many of these photos over the years, but I could use more. Hoping to launch the book this fall.

If you have photos before Cosplay showed them how it’s done, please get in touch with me.

Other ways to help, share this page or share the FB page on Social Media, let friends know. I could really use a leg up.

About Mall of Justice-
“Mall of Justice” celebrates the sometimes clunky and silly costumed character appearances that doted our suburban landscape in the 70s, 80s and 90s. Featuring a series of submitted photos and memories from the kids who experienced them. Before Cosplay, we had Mall Appearances.

Written by Brian Heiler, author of “Rack Toys: Cheap Crazed Playthings” and “Knock-Offs: Totally Unauthorized Action Figures” this new publication will be a photo review of wonky Darth Vaders, Batman with mustaches and truly disturbing He-Men.

Click here to submit a photo and story.

Click here for the Mall of Justice Facebook page.

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.

Our long running Pod Cast, Pod Stallions is now available on Spotify.

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

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.

Electra Woman and Dyna Girl toy collection

Knock-Offs Artist Spotlight #1: BKC Toys

Posted on December 19, 2021 by megohead1

Knock-Offs Artist Spotlight #1:

Aleksander for BKC Toys.

Chapter 6 in my book is called “Bootleg Toy Art” and it features profiles of a few of the people in this wonderful art toy movement.

I approached Aleksander from BKC to be my first subject because I am just in awe of his work. I’m fortunate that he was excited to be involved.

Aleksander chose to mimic the style of Lincoln International and not merely copy the original figures but craft inventive and stunning new creations based on their aesthetic.

Everything is hand made and honestly, these look like they were sold in dime stores back in the 1970s. I love the card backs, the clever use of header bags (which I really hadn’t seen used before) and of course, the concepts.

Knock-Offs Artist Spotlight #1

Please check out his work:

https://www.facebook.com/Bkctoys

For the next few weeks I’ll be doing more spotlights on bootleg toy artists featured in my new book “Knock-Offs: Totally Unauthorized Action Figures” shipping this month from PlaidStallions press.

#racktoys #knockoffs #knockoffsbook#bootlegtoys #bootlegs #bootlegactionfigure #monstertoys #lincolninternational #plaidstallions #toyventures #letsfenceagainsttheearth

Oh and I posted an Update on Issue 6 of Toy-Ventures in our newsletter, you can read it here.

We’ve got a new book coming! Knock-Offs Totally Unauthorized Action Figures is our follow-up to Rack Toys, click here for more info.

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 Link►https://amzn.to/3Bkm9z1

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

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

FACEBOOK GROUPS FROM PLAIDSTALLIONS

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

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

Get Toy-Ventures Issue 3 here with a comprehensive look at the Lincoln Monster line:
https://plaidstallions.com/reboot/shop/

Join Mego Knock Off Head Quarters Here;
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Megoknockoff

Order our book Rack Toys 2.0 Here through our Amazon Affiliate Link►https://amzn.to/3Bkm9z1

PS Store: https://plaidstallions.com/reboot/shop/
Follow PlaidStallions on Social Media:
Twitter ► https://bit.ly/2UzxQ5q
Facebook ► https://bit.ly/3mfY73R
Instagram ►https://bit.ly/3yZ3kAV
Website ► https://bit.ly/3yZ3kAV

PlaidStallions Toy-Ventures Issue 2 Announcement and Pre-Orders

Posted on December 7, 2020 by megohead1

PlaidStallions Toy-Ventures Issue 2 is now available for pre-order.
http://www.megomuseum.com/odeon/store/products/

Issue two covers a number of genres and has some exciting new voices from the hobby.

H.R. Puppet Stuff! By Kroffty
This colourful piece tracks the careers of the legendary Sid and Marty Krofft through puppet merchandise, it will make you smile.

The Lost Outer Space Men
Contributor Steve Fink returns with another tale of tracking down an impossible grail or in this case, six, the legendary second series of Colorforms Outer Space Men.

Godzilla’s Gang
Ray Miller does a deep dive into the 1978 Mattel “Godzilla’s Gang” toyline, highlighting their origins. This is a lot of fun.

The Guide to Denys Fisher Doctor Who
One of my passions, the Mego produced Doctor Who toy line is explored in great detail with prototype shots, variations and never before seen reveals.

A figure called Sloane
Chris G blew us away when he discovered the abandoned Kenner Toy Line to the obscure 1970s TV series “A Man Called Sloane”. Did I mention that I love that show?

Oscillating Vibrations
A love letter to the Saturday morning series “Monster Squad” with a complete merchandise guide featuring never before seen items.

BONUS FOR PREORDER CUSTOMERS
Everyone who pre-orders Toy-Ventures Issue 2 will receive 3 Monster Squad trading cards featuring the unproduced Ideal Toys action figures of Bruce W. Wolf, Frank and Drac.

Toy-Ventures Issue 2 will ship at the end of December 2020 and each US Purchase will include tracking.

Retailers, interested in selling Toy-Ventures magazine? Email us at toyventuresmag@gmail.com

Pre-Order Now:
http://www.megomuseum.com/odeon/store/products/