Ben's Book Arrived Today!!!!

[LOU]

OH MAN!!! This book is abo****ely fantastic! I haven't even yet read even 20 pages in the thing and I am already in love with this!!! A labor of love on Ben's part to be sure! The pictures are gorgeous and are representative of some of the foremost Mego collectors in the world like Dan Crandall, Charlie Balicki, Mark Huckabone, Bill Frost, and more. Just a beautiful book. I'm sure I'll have LOTS more to say about this including some more detailed reviews once I really dig into this but so far this is my favorite book in the house that I know I will enjoy for many, many, years into the future.
Excellent job Ben and your hard work has paid off. This is a million times better than I imagined it to be and my expectations were already sky high.
Thanks Ben for making such a huge and momentous contribution to our great Mego collecting hobby. If anyone reading this doesn't have this book yet...YOU MUST GET ONE! Seriously, it IS a must-have!

[ScottA]

Sweet. Some good reading for sure.

[palitoy]

Heh, I was just going through my copy last night as well. I only wanted to find something quickly and ended up wasting a half an hour window shopping....

[starsky]

reminds me of going thru those department store christmas catalogs when i was a kid

[sauce]

i read it all the time !!! indispensable!!!

[imp]

The fact that people continue to enjoy the book, some nine months after its release, is a real joy. Thanks for the thumbs-up, guys.

Incidentally, while doing my first book signing at the San Diego Comic-Con, my publisher (whom I only see annually), leaned over and asked "when" we are going to do a second Mego book.

I laughed at first.

Until I realized he was deadly serious.

After pressing him a bit, I learned that, despite my initial fears, he is VERY happy with the book's popularity/sales in the marketplace. So much so that he assured me he will "happily" publish a follow-up Mego book.

Still not sure I want to go down THAT road, but it was really nice to hear the door remains open, should I choose to create another book.

If I were to produce another Mego book, it would likely feature both Star Trek and Planet of the Apes, which I consider the second- and third-most popular lines (behind WGSH) Mego ever produced. Based on Mego's original sales — not to mention collector interest — I'm guessing (hoping?) that would be another Mego book people might buy.

I just know it would be fun to design a new book cover that complements the WGSH book. Both books would have to look great, together, on any collectors' book shelf.

-b

[The Toyroom]

Benjamin, man....don't tease like that! It'd be awesome to have a Trek/POTA companion book!

[LOU]

Indeed guys..this is one hell of a Mego experience!

Ben,
Well I've worked through more of the book and I am just flabbergasted!!! There's even candid, and obviously personal, pics of the Mego employees at work! The character intro pages are also a thing of beauty! Such beautiful photos that you can make out the fabric details in the dolls' costumes! Probably the finest Mego pics I've ever seen in my 20+ years in the Mego hobby. In spite of my insatiable love for the look of a carded Mego; I've never really been too knowledgable about the card variations. Well, I can see I'll be an expert after I get through the book! I really just love the book and every facet of it that I am thinking about right now is a 10+ rating...really.

As far as a "sequel", I think it's a great idea as long as it's financially feasible. I don't even collect Apes or Star Trek and I know I'll STILL buy one as a companion to the original "World's Greatest Toys!"

I guess the only thing missing from my new book is the author's autograph!

I consider this book a milestone in Mego collecting, the likes of which no one in the hobby has ever seen...

[sauce]

I would definitely purchase, drool over and constantly consult any follow-up books on other Mego lines. If you have the desire, Benjamin, go for it!!! We'll be there!
:-)

[twilitezoner]

Ben if you did decide to go down that road again, please pencil me in for another Collector's Edition. No pressure though....

[palitoy]

That's fantastic news Ben. Obviously whatever I have would be at your disposal for a second volume.

[ScottA]

That's great news Benjamin. I would certainly like to help in any way I could.

[MIB41]

Do it Ben!!!! How often does a publisher ask for a followup? Imagine the sales your initial book would get from a followup? Imagine that initial hardback printing becoming a softbound version? Imagine demand to become a guest at conventions? Imagine the number of stories I can give you about my 70's experiences with Star Trek and POTA? We also just had actual make up pieces from Rodney McDowell at our Wonderfest convention along with a great discussion board talking about that makeup great John Chambers and his work on the films! Imagine... Well, you've got the general idea. Do it buddy!

[twilitezoner]

reminds me of going thru those department store christmas catalogs when i was a kid

That might be the best description yet!

[Hotfoot]

Apes and Trek Would be great. Add a Chapter of KISS and you got my order!