Super Collector Newsletter Discussion Thread

[MRP]

Another fun newsletter. I really enjoyed the little spotlight on the D&D toy line. I wasn't part of the Levy list, but I have many fond memories of the mailing lists I was a part of in the 90s. Condolences to those who lost a fiend with Levy's passing. And it's a shame about the 14 inch line. I dug those figures.

-M

[Dan2Dan]

So much great stuff in this Weekly: thank you once again!

Where to begin to comment?

The repro Jet Jungle on ebay? One of my personal favorite Brick Mantooth stories was/is the one about the quest to identify that mystery figure and then to obtain one, in part by placing advertisements in, if memory serves, newspapers in South Africa. A really remarkable 'collector' story!

The LJN D&D figure line? I played AD&D as a kid at the time of its release. My related memories are: (1) I think these toys came out a little before the cartoon, (2) nonetheless, I agree with the assertion in the Weekly that the line would've done better had it been based on the cartoon, (3) as a D&D player/kid at the time, these figures seemed like generic fantasy characters and not really specific to AD&D or D&D (a definite missed opportunity, in my opinion), (4) I thought the same about most of the cartoon adaptation as well, a childhood impression seemingly validated when I read later in life that the show's creator, by his own admission, had never played D&D, and (5) that said, the LJN wizard did, to me, seem to be based on the wizard character in a series of advertisements for D&D that ran in comic books around this same time, which ads were serialized, 1-page comic book pages telling an ongoing story of a quest.

As someone with a lifelong affection for the Micronatus, I really enjoyed the photos of those rare 1980s versions released in Italy. (Agreed that best prescription for Pharoid addiction is more Pharoids!)

To my eye, the Black Panther custom looked particularly like it could've been in the vintage 70s line. Very well done.

I completely loved the photo of Marty Abrams standing between two people cosplaying as Mego Star Trek Aliens. I wonder what he was thinking in that moment? All of the life decisions that had led him to that particular, highly unique moment in time.

[PNGwynne]

Hey, who's that dashing felon in the black cutaway?

I didn't know Mr. Levy, but that's a lovely eulogy.

[palitoy]

Shah-Boom! Piping hot doll news fresh from our (filthy) kitchen.

https://mailchi.mp/f70b2ba21d68/toy-ventures-newsletter-the-blood-amulet-is-here

[MRP]

Great newsletter. Sending positive vibes for Steve's teen-ager who is ailing. Love seeing notices for toy shows in my neck of the woods there (I'm not that far from Columbus). Also loved seeing some of those customs, and the anecdote from the "Kid who played Spock"

-M

[Earth 2 Chris]

Sending positive vibes and best wishes to Steve and his family.

[TrekStar]

Fun newsletter and I love those Banana Splits customs, also adding positive vibes to Steve and his family as well.

[sprytel]

Sending my positive vibes as well. Hope everyone is doing better soon.

[PNGwynne]

Thanks for the newsletter, I really needed it this week and as usual, it did not disappoint. White Elephant and BrentzDollz, wow.

Steve, I hope your family is doing well.

[Dan2Dan]

First, I don't know Steve personally. But I have enormous empathy (from personal experience) for anyone with a child in the hospital. Excruciating. Good vibes! Fingers crossed! Everything! That's so tough.

Hard to transition from that.

Nonetheless, seeing the new White Elephant Toys 'El Amuleto de Sangre' figure pair confirms that their tastes eerily parallel mine. When I was 13, my family moved from a suburb of Washington, DC, to San Diego, CA, and there, pre-cable TV and pre-internet, I discovered all these awesome low-budget genre films featuring Mexican wrestlers. The most famous one in America is 'The Robot vs. the Aztec Mummy,' but there are so many more that I discovered on TV broadcast from Tijuana 40+ years ago. This new figure set reminds me so much of those films. If I have any quibble or hesitation about buying (beyond wondering about the price, before the official release in a few days), it's that I don't have any nostalgia attachment to that mummy sculpt. But I love that dark, blood-red color!

The 'El Hombre Lobo' custom is also totally awesome!

As someone who also really likes the White Elephant Toyz' Atomic Apemen, I completely loved those photos, especially the one where Space Ghost and his teen companions are caged: completely awesome!

[Werewolf]

Sorry to hear that. Best wishes to Steve and his family.

[Sonneveld]

Hope Steve and his family are doing the best they can.

[Sonneveld]

I like the "Elephant in the Room" addition.

[PNGwynne]

Is the newsletter on hiatus this week?

[MRP]

Is the newsletter on hiatus this week?

I got it in my inbox Friday afternoon.

-M