Daily Mego Adoration: Kresge Aquaman!

[imp]

I've been blogging a lot recently. I realize there hasn't been much discussion about the book on the boards lately, but I really enjoy posting pictures and memories. I don't always post 'new blog' links here, but I realize that folks here periodically check in.

Tonight, I'm kind of peeved, and here's why: In most blogs, I try to link to the book on Amazon.com, since they reward 'affiliate' linkers like me; this revenue helps pay for my bandwidth, just like the Amazon links on these boards help pay for the Musem's costs. Frustratingly, I just noticed that Amazon has raised the price of the book! Amazon now offers World's Greatest Toys! for the full 'cover' price ($49.95) instead of the discounted ($32.97) price it's always been.

Sigh.

I don't know if this is a good thing (i.e. "the book actually finally selling, so let's capitalize") or a bad thing (i.e. "It still isn't selling, so let's maximize the return"). Who knows?

Anyway, in lieu of spamming the boards with 'new blog' links anymore, I want to let everyone know that I've started a new daily blog series. I also re-opened the Comments section on the blog, allowing folks to post thoughts and comments directly into each Blog entry. If you're interested, I invite you to check out the blog as time allows; I added a category link called "Daily Mego Adoration" that links to all related blogs. This link will allow you to catch up on any entries you may miss.

Tonight, I posted the very first "Daily Mego Adoration" blog.

Read the blog.

Benjamin

[monkey tennis]

I love this stuff.
B, I know you are Exhausted, but any plans to do another Mego book,
on some of the other lines, Trek, Apes, Dr Who, The Love Boat etc ???

I just want more of a good thing.

[imp]

I love this stuff.
B, I know you are Exhausted, but any plans to do another Mego book,
on some of the other lines, Trek, Apes, Dr Who, The Love Boat etc ???

I just want more of a good thing.

Yeah, I want 'more of a good thing,' too. And that's why I'm blogging, really. Another Mego book does not appear likely. It's not so much a question of my exhaustion, but more related to the fiscal viability of producing another high-end book. Publishers have this nasty habit of wanting to recoup their investments (pffff!) and, to my understanding, this first Mego book has, thus-far, underperformed.

Furthermore, my personal passions are squarely focused on Super-Hero properties. While I have been offered two other book deals as a result of World's Greatest Toys!, neither relates to subject matters I'm terribly enthusiastic about.

Thank you for posting, Monkey. It's wonderful to hear that you're enjoying the blogs!!



Benjamin

[Meule]

Yeah, I want 'more of a good thing,' too. And that's why I'm blogging, really. Another Mego book does not appear likely. It's not so much a question of my exhaustion, but more related to the fiscal viability of producing another high-end book. Publishers have this nasty habit of wanting to recoup their investments (pffff!) and, to my understanding, this first Mego book has, thus-far, underperformed.

Furthermore, my personal passions are squarely focused on Super-Hero properties. While I have been offered two other book deals as a result of World's Greatest Toys!, neither relates to subject matters I'm terribly enthusiastic about.

Thank you for posting, Monkey. It's wonderful to hear that you're enjoying the blogs!!



Benjamin

I'm very sorry to hear the book is underperforming, I wouldn't have thought it possible. And out of curiosity: what 2 books do they want you to write?

[imp]

I'm very sorry to hear the book is underperforming, I wouldn't have thought it possible. And out of curiosity: what 2 books do they want you to write?

Two different publishers want two different books that I don't want to write.

I won't say anything specific about either project, because things may change. But as of now, there is no development toward any books about "Trek, Apes, Dr Who, The Love Boat" or related licenses.

In the mean time, I am posting a lot of blogs on WorldsGreatestToys.com, so I hope you'll continue to check it out.

Benjamin

[palitoy]

I missed my shot with Kresge Aquaman and I regret it.

[ScottA]

So which is tougher - a kresge carded Aquaman or a regular carded Aquaman? Either way I think he looks really cool on a card. The purple was such a great color choice.

[LovetheLizard]

So which is tougher - a kresge carded Aquaman or a regular carded Aquaman? Either way I think he looks really cool on a card. The purple was such a great color choice.

Scott,

My guess would be the regular carded Aquaman is definitely more rare if you go by card variation. If you combine the 76' & 79' numbers, I would say it is real close. Funny just how 1-2 years ago a Kresge Aquaman was thought by some to be among the rarest carded Megos.

Aaron

[Bionic Joe]

Back in 74 i had one and opened it, What was i thinking

[misterdroid]

After reading this thread I went to amazon real quick to order the book. It was still only $32.97. Can't wait to get it.

[Bionic Joe]

After reading this thread I went to amazon real quick to order the book. It was still only $32.97. Can't wait to get it.

Believe me it's the best 33 bucks you ever spent and you won't be able to put it down after it arrives

[dumbldor]

Scott,

My guess would be the regular carded Aquaman is definitely more rare if you go by card variation. If you combine the 76' & 79' numbers, I would say it is real close. Funny just how 1-2 years ago a Kresge Aquaman was thought by some to be among the rarest carded Megos.

Aaron

Aaron is right on the mark. The rarest of the 3 purple cards (1st issue style, 1976 2nd issue card, and 1979 2nd issue card) is the 1979 card. I still know of only 4 sealed 1979 purple cards. There are probably 10 or so 1976 purple cards. As for the 1st issue card, Mark H told me he had 6 or 7 of them at one time and never thought of them as 'rare'. Several 1st issue cards have popped up in the last year or so.

[megozilla13]

I would think the 1st issue kresge style card thats not marked "kresge" would be the rarest of the 4 variations. The word on the street is that it has to exist but to date has never surfaced.

mikej

[imp]

I would think the 1st issue kresge style card thats not marked "kresge" would be the rarest of the 4 variations. The word on the street is that it has to exist but to date has never surfaced.

mikej

Amen! I gotta go with Mike on this one, for sure. While no specimens have yet surfaced, Mego undoubtedly produced a small quantity of this Aquaman packaging variation.

Given that Robin is the solitary character confirmed to exist on this particular package variant, however, I suspect we'll see a Batman or Superman (or perhaps another Robin) before we see an Aquaman. Casepack quantities (i.e. production numbers), alone, put the odds in the favor of the other, more heavily-produced characters.

Still, I am supremely confident that the 1st Issue Mego-branded Aquaman card is out there, and that we will eventually see one.

And when it does appear, it will match the solitary Robin specimen's high-water mark for mass-produced Mego rarities.

Benjamin

[Bionic Joe]

I know they existed, I rember seeing them at the BLACKWOOD N.J K-MART, but i don't rember if they were the unbranded or branded cards, Probaly the branded cards since it was in 74