The Genesis of the Mego Soldier Ape Figure

[apes3978]

I always wondered why they had gloves on the soldier ape but not the others.

Because the Soldiers & Gorilla Police were the only apes wearing gloves on a "full-time" basis. Yeah, the orangutans sometimes wore them, but not enough to justify MEGO making them for Zaius, although they should have.

[jwyblejr]

At least they aren't that far off from the final product.

[UnderdogDJLSW]

This has been a fun week! Can't wait to "tune-in" tomorrow for more Ape-tastic stuff!

[Dave Mc]

You can see beginnings of that cool tunic used on the Stallion box, which is cool. The sock hands are hilarious!

[kryptosmaster]

Ok maybe it's me but I don't see anything different on "prototype #2" than any of the soldiers I already own except for the bandolier, obviously. It even has the copyright info on the back of the head (can't tell if #1 has any copyrights).
#1 looks pretty cool though.
Yeah, I was always disappointed that I could never find the ones pictured on the boxes. Especially that soldier ape tunic. Never really thought of things like prototypes when I was a kid. I just saw one I didn't have and wanted it.
The funniest thing is if I saw any of these for sale on ebay I would have never bid on them because to me they look like someone crudely fashioned some clothes after ruining or losing the original Mego clothes.
Rich

[mego73]

Great stuff. Again, I bet changing it from Ursus to Soldier Ape was a marketing decision so a kid might be inclined to get 2 or 3 Soldier Apes (like they would Star Wars Stormtroopers) to make an army.

[Meule]

It's definitely another soldier than on the add, but still so very cool. The "gloves" have me in stitches tho

[palitoy]

Great stuff. Again, I bet changing it from Ursus to Soldier Ape was a marketing decision so a kid might be inclined to get 2 or 3 Soldier Apes (like they would Star Wars Stormtroopers) to make an army.

That's likely but I swear I once read that in the original tv series draft, it was Ursus and not Urko. I just can't back that up. If it's true, then you can see why Mego would hold off on the character.

[apes3978]

I swear I once read that in the original tv series draft, it was Ursus and not Urko. I just can't back that up. If it's true, then you can see why Mego would hold off on the character.

Yes, that is true... There's even a Mark Lenard interview from MARVEL where he says when he auditioned for the role, he was originally named Ursus...

[mego73]

Yes, that is true... There's even a Mark Lenard interview from MARVEL where he says when he auditioned for the role, he was originally named Ursus...

Sort of gives a little insight to the Ursus/Urko labeling shenanigans in wave 2.