Dream Mego Figure... Concensus?

[Meule]

I stand by Superman.

Typical fray-able cape? Check.
Typical strip of fabic instead of real belt? Check.
Typical clunky plastic boots? Check.
Typical dopey expression on his face? Check.
Reusable head sculpt? Check.

Supes is the MegoMan!

Same goes for RC Batman, except for the belt. But a real belt is more common than a strip of fabric. Plus RC Batman has that cool cowl.

RC Batman is the MegoMan

[SlipperyLilSuckers]

Superman or Zorro.

[Earth 2 Chris]

I'm going to go with painted cowl Batman. The head is more representive of Mego as a whole than the admittedly cooler RC Bats. And he has the costume that Spidey has, plus the super hero boots common to many Megos, as well as the WGSH oven mits, the frayable cape, an easily lost sticker, and a plastic belt.

The quintessential Mego, IMHO.

Chris

[scottstoybox]

So this is kind of the way it looks now as far as choices go in no particular order. I am assuming Cher is a vote of humor, but please correct me if I'm wrong...

Spider-Man
Batman (classic painted cowl is probably more common)
Kirk
Hulk
Superman

This is for an interesting project that will be based mostly on the head sculpt of the figure in a new size/format. I'll have more information very soon.

Personally, I'm leaning toward the classic Batman or Superman myself. The reason being is that Spidey and Hulk have become more commonplace with what ToyFare Theater has done with them and Kirk is getting more publicity with EmCee Toys/Diamond. I love the sculpt, don't get me wrong...I just think that would be a bigger nightmare as well with Paramount/CBS and all.

keep sending your thoughts. We'll be looking at all the input come this Friday and will more confidently be able to move forward. If your fave isn't picked and everyone likes the concept, we'll most likely do more art pieces. This is a project for fans by fans so everyone will be heard!

Thanks for the input and keep those ideas flowing!!!

Scott

[Corellian Corvette]

I'm gonna vote Batman or Spiderman. I think, as a kid, you'd be hard pressed to have missed out on those. Also, for heads alone Superman isn't that distinctive.

[thunderbolt]

RC Bats for me!!

[scottstoybox]

Ok gang! Here's the concept...

We will probably start with Batman (classic painted head) as the base for our concept. Using a vintage Mego Batman head of our fearless hero, we will be producing a lifesized bust perfectly replicated using software technology similar to Gentle Giant. We'll also scan the upper torso section (shoulders up) which will be replicated as well. Both will be ''printed'' and cleaned up, then molded and cast in high-quality resin. After that, it's painted in pantone-matched colors (and finish! We'll get that glossy Batface down too!) to the original Megos, dressed in scaled up fabric, and ready for display on an enameled base. We'll probably limit each bust to 25 or so and we plan on doing the ''First Four'' first. That is, if demand is there for this. It is untried terretory and we don't know what will happen. They will definitely appeal to the high end collector and will be of the highest quality all around.

Please give your thoughts on this concept. We've crunched the numbers and it is possible to do this! I do this for a living with other concepts all day long and it will be fantastic if we actually get collector support on the idea! This is a high-concept art piece based on the figures we all love. I just don't know if fans other than myself are attracted to this idea. Let's see!!!

Updates soon!

Scott

[Mikey]

It think it's a good idea, but I should get a free sample because I gave free advice.
After all, it's only fair, right ?

M

[ABMAC]

Hmmm… another super-expensive limited-edition bootleg neo-retro superhero item targeted at a small group of seemingly gullible collectors. Where do I sign up?

[scottstoybox]

Sarcasm, ABMAC? If it's not your thing, I understand. But why the tone? Some folks, like myself, would like something like this. I'm doing it as a fan, not to make oodles of money on the deal. And who mentioned price?

If that wasn't your intention, sorry...But if you don't like the idea, try something like, "I don't think this is my thing. Just give me vintage Megos." or the like. Don't come off like a jerk to someone who's trying to bring something new to the hobby.

Let's move on.

[imp]

...try something like, "I don't think this is my thing. Just give me vintage Megos." or the like. Don't come off like a jerk to someone who's trying to bring something new to the hobby.

Ignore Ant. He aims to be succinct, sarcastic and downright mean. But he generally does so with a wink and a nod — which, unfortunately, forum readers can neither see nor detect.

Scott, I was wondering where you were going with the thread, and I must confess I didn't have high hopes. Now that I know what you're trying to do, however, I'm truly intrigued.

I am inherently interested in the nature of Mego-as-art; in the Mego book (annnnnny day now!) I included four original oil paintings of Mego goodness, and my author photo is original art-inspired-by-Mego. I see your project as an extension of similar belief and adoration. I, for one, am extremely interested in the life-sized busts.

For me, the deciding factor here won't be price, but aesthetic. Is it really possible to capture the tactile qualities of a 1st Issue Batman outfit? The thick-ribbed polyester? The stiff nylon cape? The painted rubber head?

And how do you propose to handle Batman's Removable Cowl or Robin's Removable Mask (you did say you plan the original 1st Wave Heroes, right?)?

I suspect you have an uphill battle on this front, but if you can resolve the design issues, perhaps even create a prototype to photograph and share, I think there will be a small faction of collectors who would totally groove on these. I'm certainly one of them.

And Ant can sit back and cast acerbity at all of us "gullible collectors" (nice, Ant. Really nice.) throughout, wishing all the while he hadn't been so quick to belittle and judge.

Benjamin

[David Lee]

Scott,
I think it's an awesome Idea, and I want one for sure. I love that you are doing something different and it's a great homage to the World's Greatest Action Figures! I think it will look great in ye old display room, with your Greatest American Hero figure . Thanks for doing this and for involving us, it does not go unappreciated.

I actually did this on a smaller scale back in 2004 for the MEGO-CON... I blew up a Spidey head to around 300 percent for a trophy style collectible.



-Dave

[The Toyroom]

I'm intrigued as well Scott! Looking forward to seeing what you come up with!

[scottstoybox]

Thanks for the kind words, Ben (CAN'T WAIT FOR THE BOOK!!!!), David, and Anthony! I was wondering if I was totally off base. Anywhoo....

Ben, the art angle was truly my intention as well. I see Mego as generational art to be certain. Looking at them by today's standards leave a younger generation scratching their collective heads and wondering why these were ever cool. To the Mego generation however, these defined action figures and the appeal is in that old vintage feel as art.

As for the removable cowl/mask angle, we are struggling with that one. For logistics, we'd probably have to do the more common molded cowl, painted mask versions. The paint ops would be the trick, and we'd have to use paints that simulated to look, but not neccesarily the feel unfortunately, of the vintage heads. If we can't get the prototype to look perfect, it would probably die there. I am pretty confident we can get it with Pantone color matching.

And David, your Spidey looks great! I love it!!! What an homage to this great line of figures!

Thanks again for your support with this. I'll keep you updated. We have alot of other projects in the works, most unfortunately not Mego related, but I'll keep you all in the loop.

Scott

[ABMAC]

Sarcasm, ABMAC? If it's not your thing, I understand. But why the tone? Some folks, like myself, would like something like this. I'm doing it as a fan, not to make oodles of money on the deal. And who mentioned price?

Nice straw man. I didn't say you'd make "oodles of money." I don't care whether you make any profit at all. I predicted that these things – if they ever appear – will be super-expensive. If I'm wrong, prove it.

If that wasn't your intention, sorry...But if you don't like the idea, try something like, "I don't think this is my thing. Just give me vintage Megos." or the like. Don't come off like a jerk to someone who's trying to bring something new to the hobby.

Let's move on.

Was anything that I actually said wrong? I'd love to be proven wrong for once, instead of this ad hominem stuff.