Meet Ampzilla

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(In our endless quest to preserve Mego history, we’ve decided to create a series of blog photo posts that showcase a rare and before now, little discussed toy on the Mego forums. )

We at the MegoMuseum don’t spend enough time talking about the Micronauts, especially considering their incredible success in the late 1970s, where their sales eclipsed the WGSH. So, it seemed a right time to showcase one of the rarer toys from the line, the smiling face of Ampzilla.

Ampzilla was slated for release in 1980 as part of a second wave of alien vehicles, the first wave consisted of the popular Hornetroid and Terraphant vehicles. Wave two was to consist of* slightly smaller items in the form of Ampzilla, Sharkos (a water vehicle) and Lobstros (a fearsome Lobster/Tank).

Ampzilla’s box lists him as being from Saurion, the same planet that the Repto figure is listed as being from.

However, 1980 would be the final year of the Micronauts, sales had been declining due to a number of factors and this second series of Alien vehicles would not see US release. However because foreign distributors such as Grand Toys (Canada)*and GIG (Italy) paid with [...]

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[samurainoir]

Such a cool mash-up of Micronauts, Superheroes, even Jaws and Godzilla. Now if only there were a giant gorilla vehicle as well. Love that kind of interchangeability.

[Godzilla]

My kids (ages 7 and 5) today love the Micronauts. It's a classic toy line deserving much love.

[justzeg18]

so was the superhero/ampzilla combo released in legit retail packaging or was it a catalog affair?

[palitoy]

It was never released to my knowledge, merely a toy fair proposed gift set.

If it existed, it would haunt my dreams.

[ScottA]

If I had to own only 1 Micronaut this would be it.

[nazgul]

Now that I've "met" Ampzilla....I wish Ampzilla would "meet" the rest of my collection...

[thunderbolt]

I remember seeing Ampzilla, Lobstros and Sharkos in the little Mego copyright box in the Marvel Comic and never being able to find them in stores, frustrating.

[palitoy]

Marvel added Ampzilla to the book, I had no idea...

[cjefferys]

Wow, I never knew he was in the comic.

I've always liked Ampzilla, he's so cute and cool. I just wish he was a bit more common and affordable.

[samurainoir]

he chums around with Lobros.

[nazgul]

Marvel added Ampzilla to the book, I had no idea...

Thats sick! Any idea what issue he was in?

[danadoll]

He was in several issues of the Micronauts, Volume 1. He appeared in Issues #35 and 36...And #46-50. He also appears on the cover of issue #40.

Dana

[nazgul]

Thanks, looks like I got some comics to track down now....

[acrovader]

I had several opportunities to buy this back in the 90's for about $200. I thought that was too much for a silly toy, never mind that it was a Micronauts toy. I thought it was too dopey to own and belonged with other depressing Micros, like Alpha/Beta/Gammatron, and the Rocket Tubes. I dropped the ball big time.