Mego Monday's: Green Arrow

Today's Mego Monday post is one of my favorite Mego figures I own, The Green Arrow. Now, admittedly, he was not one of my favorite characters growing up, but as I read stories like Identity Crisis and Blackest Night, I have gained a new respect for Ollie Queen. Enough to want me to hunt down Kevin Smith's Quiver graphic novel real soon.

Now, here's Ollie

This is one of Mego's better figures. The costume, colors and accessories help bring Green Arrow to life for the youth of the 1970's. It's figures like this that have me convinced that the toys we had growing up back then are way better than the stuff that comes out today. But, to me, the reason why this is one of Mego's masterpieces is this:

Check out that well sculpted kisser. Looks almost exactly like Oliver did in the Neil Adams drawn comics back in the 70's.

The back of the figure showing off the plastic molded sack in which he carries his many arrows. I'm sure he had a couple for the producers of the Super Friends. I'm sure Ollie was a bit peeved he was not in the show. I bet he was thinking, "You have a character named Apache Chef, but not me?? Are you kidding me?"

As with most Mego figures, posing these figures is just not going to happen. With this particular figure, he has the handles of the sack hindering his movements, plus this is the first wave of figures. You can tell by the wrists as they have the circular metal joint rather than the plastic joints the later figures would have. This is almost a 40 year old figure, so posing it in all these crazy positions could do some damage to Mr. Queen.

This figure was also my first purchase off ebay that taught me a lesson of trusting dealers. I paid a pretty penny for Green Arrow, $70.00 back in 2006. The listing said everything was original. But, when I got the figure, I looked him over and noticed that the bow and boots had a DM on them.That means they are Doctor Mego reproductions. The hat and costume are real. Not sure about the back pack. Now, I don't mind if they are repos. It's for my displaying purposes only. Just don't lie and say everything is original. I did nothing because I really wanted the figure. I'm glad I kept it. The price of this figure has gone up.

As a kid, Batman, Spider-Man, Superman and Joker were my favorite Mego figures. They still are to this day, but I have come to love this figure just as much. I'm kind of glad I didn't have this figure as a kid. I probably would have broken all the accessories and not have appreciated Ollie like I do now. As both a figure and character.

Batman Pop Up Game

You remember Trouble, don't you? Sure you do. We all played that game with the dice in the bubble dome and had a blast trying to land on your opponents and send him back to the beginning so they would have to start all over again. What fun. Especially when you sent your kid sister back to her room crying because of your sheer awesomeness. I bet I know what you were thinking as you watched that baby run back to her Holly Hobbies and Strawberry Shortcakes. You were thinking, "how cool would it be if they had a Batman Trouble"

Well fear not, citizen of Gotham. Your time has come.

OK, It's not exactly Trouble, but it's pretty much the same premise. First one to get all their pieces at their respective finish area wins. You land on your opponents piece and you can send that scum back to Arkham. Let's take a look at the board.

Board is almost the same as a Trouble board. One dice under the bubble dome, pieces for 4 players. The only difference is that the board has pictures of Batman characters.

Penguin

Killer Croc. Not sure why they went Croc. I would have gone either Riddler or Catwoman here.

Joker

Batman.

The pieces you will use to make your opponent tap faster than if he was in a Kurt Angle Ankle Lock.

This was given to me as a Christmas gift from my buddy, George. I could put this bad boy on my Batman shelf once I put it up, but I think I will play this game with my niece and nephew when they come over. I think they would get a kick out of playing with their geeky uncle.

Besides, I'm going to need the room for all the Batman goodies I will be adding this summer.

What I'm Reading: The Green Lantern Chronicles Vol. 1

I am a huge DC Comics fan. Batman is my favorite in the DCU, but I also have love for Superman, Wonder Woman, and Aquaman. I truly believe that DC is coming out with some great comics, with Batman and Justice League leading the way. One hero that I have always been intrigued with, but never really got into is the Green Lantern.

Oh, I like the character. I love the green, black and white suit, and the powerful ring.I grew up watching the Green Lantern on Super Friends. I have read Green Lantern: Rebirth and Blackest Night. Thought both were OK, nothing terrific. I saw the movie and liked it enough, even bought 2 of the mini figures. But to be honest with you guys, I don't really know too much about the character, aside from the basics. I thought a lot of the history of the character and some of the stories were kind of confusing. But, I wanted know more about Lantern. I know he has become extremely popular in recent years, so I wanted to see what everyone liked about Hal Jordan. To this is I decided to start from the very beginning.

 

I found this graphic novel at a half price store I wandered into. The book was 4 bucks, so it came home with me and I started reading it on the train ride home. By the time I got home, I polished off 30 pages of the book and thoroughly enjoyed the early stories I read.

I got to read the first story where a dying Abin Sur gave Hal Jordan The ring and lantern. I really loved the art of these early stories, which was done by the legendary Gil Kane. I was a fan of his work on Amazing Spider-Man, so I knew these stories would be well drawn. I thought the stories, which was written by John Broome, was pretty good. I did think he should have gone into a bit more detail as to how Jordan mastered the powers of the ring because in the next story he was flying around like he was always a Green Lantern. Obviously, later on, this was explained, but I felt Broome should have tackled the subject from the beginning.  

Another reason why I picked this up was I wanted to read these stories in color. I have 5 volumes of Essential Spider-Man, a volume of Essential Iron Man as well as a volume of Essential Avengers and they are in black and white. I think the DC Showcases is also in black and white. In my opinion, the best way to enjoy these classics are in color, as they were originally presented. I do understand that the color books are a bit more expensive. Showcase is usually less than Chronicles. The DC Archives are really expensive. But, if you have the extra bread to burn, I would go with color. 

So far, I am enjoying my "crash course" into the history of the Green Lantern. I can see myself easily finishing the graphic novel within a weeks time and not because the book has just over 150 pages. So far, I have been sucked into these stories. I read how the Green Lantern saved a city from a missile and fought saboteurs all while trying to win the love of Carol Ferris. Already, I am wanting to read some of the classic Green Lantern/Green Arrow stories, How Jordan became Parallax and then The Spectre. I'm also hoping to see Sinestro pop up in a story. 

Needless to say, I'm enjoying the Green Lantern Chronicles Volume 1. This was one of those "should I or shouldn't I" buys for me and I'm glad I picked it up. I'm looking forward to finishing this book off and move on to the next one. 

Marvel Legends: Classic Iron Man

I was in Target yesterday, buying some stuff for da casa, when I strolled into the toys section, just to take a peek. I wasn't planning on buying any new toys as I am only wanting to pick up vintage stuff and the new toys based on the 1966 Batman TV Show later in the year. But then, I saw it on a peg. The new Marvel Legends Classic Iron Man figure. I knew it would be coming home with me. Finally, I would have a figure of the classic Iron Man and not just any armor either. I would add the classic "Horned Helmet" in my Iron Man Collection.

Not sure why this is my favorite of all the Iron Man armors. Maybe it's because it takes me back to when I was a kid and I would read the reprints of the classic 1960's stories written by Stan Lee and drawn by Don Heck and Jack Kirby.Then, I remember reading a reprint of Tales Of Suspense #48 with the new armor, which Steve Ditko redesigned. I loved the red and gold suit better than the bulky silver Mark I and gold Mark II. Plus, I thought the horns were pretty bad ass. The horns didn't last too long, maybe a year before Marvel did away with them and came up with the helmet we all know and love. 

So, here's the front of the package

And the back

And here's Iron Man

Love the way this is sculpted. The head looks like it jumped off the pages of Tales Of Suspense. The colors are awesome. The red looks nice and the gold just pops out at you. Initially, the joints on the figure were kind of stiff and I had a hard time moving them around and even getting him to stand. But, after playing around with it for a few minutes, I was able to get him standing up on his own. As for the joints, I will have to move them around to loosen them up a little more, especially he legs.

The figure comes with the right leg of the Iron Monger. You will have to buy all the other Iron Man figures to put it together. Right now, there is the Iron Patriot and the Heroic Age Iron Man. There will be a couple more Iron Man figures being released in the Fall of 2013 to complete Iron Monger. 

With the head, you can go from this

To this with a pop of the head

Getting the head off  back was pretty easy. Putting it back on was not. I had to really push it in to get the head back in place. You have to be careful though. You could snap the ball that the head goes on and what would you be left with? A headless Iron Man. The Mandarin would be so proud. 

Inside the package comes with a pamphlet that shows what the Iron Monger will look like once it's completed. Not sure I will be chasing the figures to complete the Iron Monger. Maybe one day I will. I would rather stick with my 2013 game plan and just get the stuff I really want and I really wanted this Classic Iron Man figure. I think it's a great pick up and it will look good in mine or any Iron Man collection.

More 1966 Batman Toy News And Pictures

With this weekend's exciting news that our stores and collections will be flooded with 1966 Batman toys from Mattel, even more pictures have been released and it seems that Mattel won't be the only company releasing 1966 Batman related goodies. Plus, more pictures have been released of the Mattel toys from 2013 Toy Fair, which was held here in NYC. Every year I wish I could be lucky enough to attend. I guess I'm lucky I wasn't in attendance. I would have been arrested for trying to walk off with everything. 

I stress that these are not photo's I have taken. I have found these photos online (Google rules). If any of them are yours, I would be more than happy to give you the credit you deserve for taking these awesome pictures.

First the Mattel toys

Here is what the blister card will look like. I'm drooling already.

Here is the box that Batman and Robin will come in. I'm an opener, but with a box like this, it makes it hard for me to want to open. it. Love that it has them walking up the side of the building. Wonder if there will be an opening for you to stick a figure out of the window, like when a special, unannounced guest star would in the show. By the way, Robin is only available in this box set.

 

Speak of the devil. "Holy Diablo, Batman!"

This cracked me up when I saw it. Yes, I have to have this too. I'm wondering if this is part of a 2 pack with The Joker in bathing suit. 

In case you were wondering, The Joker figure will indeed have Cesar Romero's mustache under the make up like in the TV Series. 

Oh, The Batmobile I showed the other day is exclusive to Toys R Us.

I posted this on my Facebook page. Yes, I realize they are Ken and Barbie dressed as Batman and Catwoman, circa 1966, but I don't care. I want them! I have the Barbie Batgirl figure already, (yeah, I said it. I own a Barbie), so these will fit right in with her. 

Looks like NECA will be releasing mini Batman figures. Here is a pic of the Batmobile that will accompany it. Sweet!

I love Funko Pop figures. I have a couple in my collection. Unfortunately, none of them are of the Batman. While I had planned on changing that this year, it looks like I will be adding some more Pop Figures to the want list. Check out the 1966 Batman line. What I am really drooling over is the Batman/Batmobile Pop. Pretty sneaky Funko for sneaking these beauties on me. 

There will also be Ensemble model kits made available from Moebius Models. There will be 6 models on Batcave rocks. When all are assembled will form the Bat Symbol. 

I will probably pass up on these for 2 reasons. I am not very good at assembling model kits and I want to pick up the other stuff more. Especially these other NECA 

An 18" Batman figure. From what I read, this will have interchangeable hands and, most importantly, will be UNDER 100.00. Yeah, I will be buying this one. Sorry Hot Toys. I believe there is a toy site that already has this for pre-order. 

Here's a close up of the face. Pretty good likeness on it. I haven't seen the Hot Toys Adam West yet, but I'm more than OK with this figure for my Bat-collection. 

NECA will also be releasing a Michael Keaton 1989 Batman as well. Not sure if this one will be under 100.00 as well. If it is, I will be grabbing it. I can't afford the Hot Toys version, so this will be a more than suitable option.

Guys, I've got to say, I haven't been this geeked out in a long time. I cannot wait until this stuff is released. I'm hoping it will be trickled out over the course of the year so that I won't put myself in the poor house trying to pick up all of this stuff...more so than I already am. I told John from the Batcave Toy Room on Facebook so much for concentrating on vintage alone this year. He told me that it took 47 years to get the licensing for this stuff. It is vintage!

I like the way he thinks.

I Want Them, I Want Them, I Want Them!

Looking at various toy related sites and blogs, I see that Mattel has officially released pictures of the 1966 Batman TV Series line. From what I understand, they will go for 15.00 per figure, while the Batmobile will be 49.99. 

I am very excited about this line. I have loved this series since I was 5 years old, maybe younger. I would watch the reruns of the show on Channel 5, then Channel 11. I never missed the show when it was on. It was my absolute favorite and still is to this day. 

Now that we have the figures coming out, I would love, love, love the series to finally be released on DVD/ Blu Ray. That would be the greatest!

Big thanks to USA Today for the pics. 

Love that this will come with a cloth cape, instead of a plastic one.

Batmobile looks fantastic!

The Riddler was my favorite villain from the series. Frank Gorshen was fantastic as The Riddler. I like how this one came out. Would love it if they released one with him in the bowler and suit.

Before Mickey, there was The Penguin. The likeness of Burgess Meredith is pretty spot on. The Penguin utters my all time favorite line in the Batman Movie when after they vaporize the henchmen and he and Catwoman are sweeping the dust into vials, he tells Catwoman, Careful, careful. Everyone of them had a mother. Classic!

Let the drooling commence!

 

God, I Miss These...

I have to admit, as of late I have been on a serious Batman kick. I read nothing but Batman comics, watch Batman movies, peep out Batman cartoons (The day I finally bought Filmation's The New Adventures Of Batman on DVD, I danced a jig right in Barnes N Noble) buy Batman goodies,and rock my Batman t-shirts. I have been bitten by the Bat-Bug, if you will (Dusty Rhodes in da hiz-ouse).

Lately, I have been wanting to change out my shelf and display some of my Batman toys and memorabilia. As I started to think about what I wanted to display, I started thinking about some of the stuff I had as a child of the late 70's, early 80's. My first thought was "God, I'm old". Then I thought of all the cool things I owned and lost or had tossed out by my mom. 

Here are some of the awesome things I had and will someday re-own. These are not my photos, so to the people who posted these on the internet, I thank you for the loan.

1-Remco Batman Helicopter

This thing was pretty tricky to use. You had to use a set of 2 levers to lift and lower the Bat-copter and pick up cardboard figures of The Joker, Riddler and Penguin. If memory serves me correctly, that was pretty much it. Not even sure I ever mastered the maneuvering of the Bat-copter. 

Avon Batman Hairbrush

I remember getting this brush from my aunt one Christmas and using it to brush my mane everyday. I had long, hippy hair as a child and this brush came in handy, except for brushing out tangles. The bristles in this brush were soft, but still hurt when you had a determined mother trying to get that last and most difficult knot out. I believe this brush met an untimely end when it dropped off the dresser. I remember dropping to my knees like Wilhem Dafoe did in Platoon.

Duncan Yo-Yo

One side Caped Crusader, other side Dynamic Duo. I won this Yo-Yo at a Yo-Yo demonstration at the Riverdale Public Library. I don't remember what the contest was, but I do remember that I was handed a Yo-Yo of the Incredible Hulk and the other kid I was paired up with was given the Batman Yo-Yo. Now, I was (and still am) a huge fan of the Bill Bixby/Lou Ferrigno Incredible Hulk T.V. Series, but The Hulk was no Batman, dammit! Plus, the kid who got the Batman Yo-Yo was wearing a Hulk t-shirt, so you would have thought that the lady would have given the kid the Hulk and me Batman. The kid came up to me and asked if I wanted to trade. Um, did Burt Ward have a Holy something for everything? I accepted the trade and played with that thing until some dimwitt stole it off my desk at school. Sigh, I miss Walking The Dog with that thing.

Duncan Batmobile

I remember laying with this car on the floor of my room for hours, running over my other toys with it. All while singing The Batman Theme from the 1966 TV Series in a loud, obnoxious kiddie voice. I'm sure it annoyed my mom and sister to no end. Is it any wonder this turned up among the missing not too long after I got it? It turned me into Encyclopedia Brown, trying to learn it's location. I interrogated my mom and sister. They weren't talking. My mom claimed I left it at the park, but I know better. when Jimmy Hoffa is finally found and there is a Duncan Batmobile next to him, please return it to me.

Ben Cooper Batman Jiggly Figure

As weird as this thing is, I had an absolute blast with it. He fought crime, he bounced, he did the Bat-Tutsi. I think Ben Cooper came out with a few others. I have the Spider-Man one, but I would love to get this one back in my collection someday.

Mego Bat computer

Yeah, I know. I've talked about this thing ad nausea already. But I absolutely loved this thing, not I could actually make any communication with anyone on it. When my granddad gave it to me as a Christmas gift, little did he know that I would, again, drive my family crazy with it. It made a lot of sounds, picked up police and truck driver radio signals and oh those pretty, blinking lights. It was beautiful. I was the moth being led into the light. Plus, it's a Mego toy. This is one of my holy grails and I will have this again.

Sooner or later, I will come up on all these awesome toys from my childhood and I won't be able to resist adding them to my Batman collection. Once I re-added my vintage Spider-Man bank, it was on. I started a quest for my holy grails and I will not be stopped until my vintage Batman collection has all these goodies and more. Que the Indian Jones theme and hand me that Fedora and whip.