No Christmas For Aquaman

It seems Atlanteans don't celebrate Christmas, as, while Aquaman has been in an occasional holiday special comic, Aquaman hasn't really celebrated Christmas during his nearly 80 year publishing history.

But, since it doesn't seem fair to not include the King of the Seas this week, here's a cover of Mego action figures, with Aquaman taking on the JLA from Aquaman #12 of October, 2012....and proving to be a bit naughty, so maybe the Sea King isn't worried about coal in his stocking (after all, how would Santa get into a home in Atlantis with no chimneys?).

Star Trek Lands On The Planet Of The Apes

Well, it's been a fantasy for Mego collectors for decades...

...but, thanks to Boom Studios and IDW Publishing, the Planet of the Apes get new visitors...the crew of the starship Enterprise from Star Trek!

Boldly Going...Somewhere In the Universe

Written by Scott and David Tipton, with art by Rachael Stott and Charlie Kirchoff, Star Trek/Planet of the Apes: The Primate Directive mixes the worlds of Gene Roddenberry's original Enterprise crew with that of Arthur P. Jacobs' original Planet of the Apes movie.

Set during the first five year voyage of the Enterprise, Captain James T. Kirk, Spock, Dr. McCoy, Uhura, Sulu and Scotty find themselves dealing a Klingon plot of Kor....as well as monkeying around with Dr. Zaius, Cornelius, Zira, Nova and Taylor (all between Planet of the Apes and Beneath the Planet of the Apes).

Five issues (with multiple variant covers) with showcase all the 1960s future angst and hope, battling out in a crossover of incredible potential...mirroring the battle of a future where things would be wonderful for all...and that of a horrible end to mankind.  It's a battle we fight every day...and this one starts with Star Trek/Planet of the Apes #1 on December 31, 2014, with issue #2  scheduled in January 21, 2015, #3 in February 18, 2015, #4 in March 18, 2015 and #5 to be determined, but likely in April, 2015.

You'll want to get your stinking paws on these comics and beam them home!

These are the #2s.

A #3 and #4!

More #1s.

  

Universal’s Mutant Of The Opera

No, it’s not an addition to the X-Men to back up Dazzler, but instead, the latest series (#4) of Universal Monsters’ action figures to hit the shelves in time for Halloween!

The fourth series of Universal Monsters Retro-Style Action Figures is due out in October! The two new 8-inch, cloth-costume figures — inspired by the classic Mego figures of yesteryear — are of the Phantom of the Opera (as played by Lon Chaney) and the Metaluna Mutant from This Island Earth (as seen on Mystery Science Theater 3000).

The Phantom Of The Opera

The Phantom of the Opera was originally a novel by Gaston Leroux, and adapted as a silent movie in 1925 with Lon Chaney as Erik, the deformed Phantom, who haunts the Paris Opera house looking to make the woman he loves (Christine Daae…played  by Mary Philbin) a star…but things don’t go well for Erik.

She is given all by him, but is not suppose to look behind his mask.  Of course, that doesn’t go well….hence, his surprised look (which required extensive make-up at the time for star, Lon Chaney…quite painful as well…).

This movie has been remade a few times...and even been on Broadway...but, the classics are the best!

This Island Earth

The Metaluna Mutant is from the movie version of This Island Earth that came out in June 1955 as Universal was switching from the more gothic horror it had been known for to the science fiction based bug-eyed aliens invading Earth idea that became popular in the 1950s, and was their first in color, no less!  With Regis Parton as the mutant, he didn’t really have a lot to do in the movie, but he stole the show from alien Exeter (Jeff Morrow), Dr. Ruth Adams (Faith Domergue) and Dr. Cal Meacham (Rex Reason) who were helping to fight off the invasion of Metaluna by the evil Zagons (so, two intergalactic armies fighting it out, with Earth getting dragged in…sounds like the Kree-Skrull War…but it was first!).

Look for Dracula, the Mummy, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, the Wolfman, Frankenstein’s Monster and his Bride from previous series in stores now!

Son of Monsters are Universal

In this case, it is a son and a daughter!  But, either way, it’s more classics from the Universal Monster vault, this time being the Bride of Frankenstein and the Creature from the Black Lagoon in Mego-style!

The Universal Monsters Retro Cloth Action Figures Wave 3 stand 8-inches tall, with over 14 points of articulation and authentically detailed full-cloth outfits, packaged in re-sealable clamshell packaging…with the Bride in her cloth gown and the Creature all green and scaly.
Who wouldn’t love that around Halloween?

The Bride of Frankenstein

The Bride of Frankenstein came out in 1935, and was the first sequel to Frankenstein, and featured most of the same cast, adding Elsa Lanchester to the cast, as the titular character.

One of the greatest sequels of all time, and a true delight for the fans of Frankenstein.  Sadly, she made no future appearances in the classic Universal Monster films, though her look and idea has become iconic…and is a favorite among female horror fans (and the male fans who adore them!).   

Phyllis Diller even took on the role for the 1967 Mad Monster Party (and she was quite the fright!).

The Creature From The Black Lagoon

The Creature from the Black Lagoon was the Gill-man, and the movie came out in 1954, starring Richard Carlson as David Reed, Julia Adams as Kay Lawrence (the girl in the poster),  Richard Denning as Mark Williams, Antonio Moreno as Carl Maia, and Whit Bissell as Dr. Edwin Thompson, with the Creature being portrayed by Ricou Browning underwater, and by Ben Chapman on land.  Guess he couldn’t share space like Aquaman does.  The film originally came out in 3-D, and had two later sequels, Revenge of the Creature (which came out in 1955, and had Clint Eastwood in a small uncredited role as a lab technician, and was also in 3-D, and Tom Hennesy taking over as the Creature on land), and it’s sequel, The Creature Walks Among Us, which came out in 1956, and featured Don Megowan under the make-up on land (Ricou played the Creature underwater in all three movies), with none of the scientists, creature hunters or victims moving on through the movie series…

Though only in black & white, these movies took advantage of advances in movie-making, which allowed them to film underwater (and, of course, the early 3-D process, which, when you donned your special red and blue lensed glasses, made you feel the action in the movie was coming at you!).  Well, it was early in the process, but it was the beginning of the idea…and tried to draw more people into the theatres.

With wave one of Frankenstein and the Wolfman, and wave two with Dracula and the Mummy, the majority of the early Universal Monsters have been translated into Mego-like figures.  Who will be next? Can we hope to see the Invisible Man?  Dare we dream of the Phantom of the Opera?

Return of the Universal Monsters Action Figures

The classic Universal Monsters have been reincarnated in Mego-style, with series two release of Count Dracula and the Mummy called Imhotep for EMCE Toys Retro Cloth line. 

Eight inches with 14 points of articulation for all your classic Universal monster needs!

Following the success of series one, which had Frankenstein's Monster and the Wolfman...

here are two more creatures that go bump in the night!

Dracula

Dracula, premiered in the movies in 1931, with Bela Lugosi as the titular monster.  A vampire lord of some power who plans on expanding his evil influence past his small castle onto the greater society, he is undone by the end of this movie. 

The Dracula idea continues with Dracula’s Daughter in 1936 (with no Dracula), Son of Dracula in 1943 with Lon Chaney Jr. as Count Alucard (aka Dracula!), House of Frankenstein in 1944, House of Dracula in 1945 (in both Houses, John Carradine was Dracula), and Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein in 1948, only the second time Bela Lugosi played Dracula, and the last of Dracula before the Hammer Films of the 1950s and 1960s, which took advantage of color in films, especially the color red! 

Each of those later movies were deep in blood red...

The Mummy

The Mummy, premiered in the movies in 1932, played by Boris Karloff, and was an ancient Egyptian priest named Imhotep who was revived, and tried to bring back his Princess.  He wasn’t successful. 

This movie franchise did not have direct sequels, but instead spawned remakes early on…starting with The Mummy’s Hand in 1940, The Mummy’s Tomb in 1942, The Mummy’s Ghost in 1944 and The Mummy’s Curse in 1944 (all with Lon Chaney Jr as the Mummy, Kharis). 

Kharis returns in Abbott & Costello Meet the Mummy in 1950, with Eddie Parker being the Mummy for this feature, which would be the last appearance of a classic, Universal Monster Mummy.

Future releases would be incredible, just to have versions of the Phantom of the Opera, the Invisible Man, the Bride of Frankenstein and even Dr. Jekyll’s alter-ego Mr. Hyde and the Creature from the Black Lagoon as well!

Monster Action Figures Are Universal

Two things were so far ahead of their time, that they are still important today.  Universal Monsters and Mego Toys.

Thankfully, these two things are still able to be enjoyed today with slightly more modern modifications.

The bestselling retro cloth line made its terrifying return in 2010 with the series one release of Universal Monsters action figures! Fans have waited for retro cloth figures of the true Universal Monsters for over 30 years. And here they are! Each sensational action figure stands 8-inches tall, with over 14 points of articulation and an authentically detailed cloth outfit. Scare some up for your collection...Frankenstein’s Monster and the Wolfman.

 

Frankenstein

Frankenstein’s Monster came alive in the movies with 1931 in Frankenstein, with Boris Karloff as the Monster.  Pieces of people animated by a scientist who wanted to show he had power over life and death, where the creature had more humanity than other people. 

Hugely successful, this inspired many a sequel, including Bride of Frankenstein from 1935, Son of Frankenstein in 1939 (both still with Boris Karloff as the Monster), the Ghost of Frankenstein in 1942 (with Lon Chaney Jr. as the Monster), Frankenstein Meets The Wolfman in 1943 (with Bela Lugosi as the Monster), House of Frankenstein in 1944, House of Dracula in 1945, and Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein in 1948, all with Glenn Strange as the Monster. 

Though not officially one of Universal’s monster movies, Young Frankenstein with Peter Boyle as the Monster, is a priceless gem written by comedic genius Mel Brooks in the Universal Monster style, including being in glorious black and white.

Wolfman

The Wolfman changed for the first time in 1941, with Lon Chaney Jr. as Larry Talbot, a man cursed to change into a wolf creature at the full moon.

Lon Chaney Jr. was also the Wolfman in all his sequel appearances under the Universal banner, including Frankenstein Meets The Wolfman in 1943, House of Frankenstein in 1944, House of Dracula in 1945, and Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein in 1948. 

The Wolfman was also revived, as was Frankenstein, Dracula and the Mummy, as part of Hammer horror films (starting with The Curse of Frankenstein in 1957, The Horror of Dracula in 1958, the Mummy in 1959 and the Curse of the Werewolf  in 1961, with Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing being the notable actors in these productions, and took full advantage of color in the films, as well as later entries being…well, a little provocative and not for the children), and all four movie franchises enjoy some success today.

Let’s hope these retro-cloth figures continue, as it would be incredible to have versions of Dracula, the Mummy, the Phantom of the Opera, the Invisible Man, the Bride of Frankenstein and even Dr. Jekyll’s alter-ego Mr. Hyde and the Creature of the Black Lagoon as well!

Superman Retro Action Figures Series 1

Look...up in the sky!

It's not a bird, nor a plane...it's a line of Superman Action Figures from Figures Toy Company!

Superman Retro Figures Series 1

 

Superman and Supergirl are exact replicas of the original action figures that were released by Mego.

Mr. Mxyzptlk is also a replica, but is on the 6 inch teen body...so he's lost some weight!

Bizarro No. 1 is a Figures Toy Company original, all for the Superman Retro 8 Inch Action Figures.

The estimated release date for these is late November, 2014...but, as always, subject to change!

More exciting is what is to come in series 2...Superboy!  Lois Lane!  Clark Kent!  Jimmy Olsen!

Great Krypton and Great Caesar's Ghost!

DC Heroes Series 1 Featuring Wonder Woman

Great Hera!

Wonder Woman, series one is scheduled for September, 2014!

Cooler still, she comes in two packages, one of which shows future plans for Shazam! (aka the original Captain Marvel) and Supergirl!

Of course, Figures Toy Company has many future plans...like Ra's Al Ghul, Scarecrow, Commissioner Gordon, and so many more like Flash, Green Lantern, Hawkman, Jimmy Olsen, Sivana, Shazam Jr. (aka Captain Marvel Jr.), Mary Marvel, Starfire, Cyborg, Raven, Nightwing, Poison Ivy and more!

Teen Titans Retro Action Figures Series 1

It's the fab four...well, almost!

Teen Titans Retro Figures Series 1

These action figures are exact reproductions of the original ones that were produced by Mego.  Series one will include Wonder Girl, Aqualad, Kid Flash & Speedy.  Available in 7 inch only (as they were made slightly shorter than the regular 8 inch Mego figures, including, sadly, Robin, so he'll be a little larger than his friends!).

Batman Retro Action Figures Series 3

More of the Mego goodness from the folks at Figures Toy Company!

Batman Retro Series 3

These action figures are exact reproductions of the original ones that were produced by Mego. Series three will include Batman (with removable cowl), Robin (with removable cowl), Batgirl & Alfred.  Future series will include many more characters that Mego released over the years. Available in 8 inch only.

Batman Retro Action Figures Series 2

More Mego!

Batman Retro Series 2

These action figures are exact reproductions of the original ones that were produced by Mego, with cloth costumes and hair! Series two will include Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson, The Penguin & Catwoman. Future series will include many more characters that Mego released over the years. Available in 8 inch only.

Batman Retro Action Figures Series 1

From Figures Toy Company, reproductions of Batman Mego action figures!  

Batman Retro Series 1

These action figures are an exact reproduction of the originals produced by Mego.  Features 16 points of articulation, cloth outfit, & plastic utility belts.  Comes in a resealable plastic clam shell.  Figures in this series include Batman, Robin, the Joker and the Riddler.  Available in 8 inch only.  First of many lines!