Mattel Retro-Action Figure Head Question

[ZICA]

For those of you who have put a Mattel-Retro Action figure head on a Z-Body I was curious to know how well they fit? Loose, tight, slightly loose, slightly tight? Are there any modifications that are needed before the Mattel head can be placed on the Z-Body?

[rodkeith]

I find they're a little loose. Not prohibitively so, though.

[Brown Bear]

The bodies will stretch the elblems as weel, causing cracks. Besides that, they look sweet on a Z body.

[MegoSteve]

Here's a picture of my Superman on a ZICA body:



The head fit was slightly loose. If you were to pick him up and shake him, the head would wobble back and forth, but not come off.

I think he looks great this way, except the Mattel skin tone is a little too light. Check out the hands vs. the head...

[ZICA]

Thanks for the info guys.

[Trappy Trek Freak]

Thats what I did to my Supes but his new body cracked his chest emblem. If the head is loose I just take a section of rubberband and glue it to the neck post for a snug fit.

[rodkeith]

Yeah, the Mattel costume emblem was a issue on Supes. On my Retro Batman, his symbol came "pre-cracked", so I had to create another new one for him on the ZICA body anyway!

Even so, it's a minor stretch but still worth doing for the overall effect.

Here's my upgraded Supes with my son's well-loved Mattel version:



And here's the difference with GL as well:



I think the skin tone difference is more noticeable with the flash on it than in person. Either way, the transfer is well worth the trouble, imo.

The great thing is, between the larger ZICA body, the Castaway/Dr. Mego mid-sized bodies, and the thin-torso Mattel body, I have a nice range on my shelf. I have Superman, Bats and GL on the ZICA bodies, compared to Green Arrow, Manta and Luthor on Castaways, and I left Sinestro, Two-Face and Capt. Cold on the Mattel bodies. The slightly different builds add a subtle variety to the display.

[HardyGirl]

You know, I realize the emblem has been a source of annoyance among collectors, but I just wanna say about Rodkeith's son's Supes, that's the way an action figure should look! Loved, used, played with. 'Cos just think, back in the day, your Supes emblem after all that play would have been GONE!

[HardyGirl]

BTW...those Zica bodies look very heroic!

[AAAAA]

the Z body looks so much better!