Mego inaccuracies...could they even exist today?

[enyawd72]

I was looking over my Comic Action Heroes collection last night at all the costume inaccuracies that Mego made, which is part of their charm IMO, and wondered. Would these figures even be approved by licensors today?

Robin: No sleeves on tunic
Superman: No yellow in "S"
Spider-Man: Black rear spider and all black eyes
Captain America: No stripes on torso or white sleeves

What about the 8" WGSH?

Would a circle suit or diamond suit Spider-Man ever get made today? What about Captain America without gloves or proper boots? (Not counting the reissues which are intentionally inaccurate.)

Interesting question.

[HardyGirl]

Probably not, for the same reason Ben Cooper costumes wouldn't make it either. Everyone is so focused on accuracy, that the imgination is lost. And even though I don't work w/ the after school group anymore, I still see them from time to time. Whenever they are told they can bring things from home, they all bring the same thing, tablets and IPads. I can't remember the last time I saw a grade school aged child playing w/ an action figure. It's sad, really.

[Hedji]

I agree. Even toys that mimic old toys get criticized for lack of accuracy. It was a different time.

[MIB41]

I not entirely sure there was a style guide that had to be adhere to back in the 70's like it is today. But there must still be some exceptions if a company is making retro toys since they have made a new circle suit Spidey and the old Titans where Speedy has trunks. So I'm sure the intent has to be written in. But as far as brand new ideas for product, I doubt anyone leasing the rights has artistic license to stray from the principle design like they did back then. Of course some folks do that today, but the intent is to skirt having to buy the license. That's a dicey area which I'm not too fond of when I see it.

[huedell]

It's all about da Benjamins.

Toy companies in cooperation with franchise/character licensors can afford to make more accurate figures nowadays at an acceptable retail price point----so it's a rule rather than an exception (as it was back in the 70's).

[Mikey]

Many modern toys are made for adults --- so the accuracy must be there to satisfy them.

The way things our going i'd bet good money when our generation is gone there will be no more what we call toys --- not counting baby preschool stuff.

For the unwashed masses toys in general is a relatively modern thing...

IMO just another fad that's finally waning

[Earth 2 Chris]

The closest thing is probably those 12" Marvel figures from Hasbro with their unpainted backs. I think for the most part we're not going to see those inaccuracies. That's both good and bad. Flagrant inaccuracies bothered me as a kid, like the Ben Cooper Batman having his name on his chest and a bat-symbol on his head. I still had the costume and loved it, but it bugged me. But I miss the days when every toy company had their own distinct look for their products, in the day before VERY strict style guides.

Chris

[XXXPHOENIX]

I have two children aged 6 and 9... they LOVE LEGOs...but totally dislike Marvel and DC action figures even if they both like the chars...
WHY?
They just tell that modern figures ARE NOT attractive...they are not nice items to play with...just that!

Federico

[Hedji]

That is so interesting. I can see that. Modern toys, in their striving for "accuracy", loose that toyetic look. Sometimes a toy should just be a toy, and a statue something entirely different.

[HardyGirl]

I'd agree w/ that. I don't like modern action figures either. They do look like little statues. Action figures of the 70s look like TOYS. Yes, if they're based on a character, they do bear some resemblence, but they belonged in a child's hands, not on a collector's shelf.

[enyawd72]

^I agree too. The last truly great modern superhero figures that were made are the Secret Wars, IMO. I love the sleek, simple sculpts and limited paint apps, even more so than the Super Powers line.

[hedrap]

MIB is right about the style guide. Production methods would eliminate the majority of MEGO's inaccuracies as a lot of it was due to a visual "lost in translation" effect. i.e - Cap's black mask.

But the licensing arms, if really pushed, would only care if it effects the trademarked designs. Spidey's mask, Batman/Superman's symbol, etc..if they didn't do something about those mistakes and let them go to market, it dilutes the veracity of the trademark.

[Gorn Captain]

Neca 8" just released their Soldier Ape without a bandolier.

[Earth 2 Chris]

^I agree too. The last truly great modern superhero figures that were made are the Secret Wars, IMO. I love the sleek, simple sculpts and limited paint apps, even more so than the Super Powers line.

Wow, you don't hear that opinion very often. I applaud your originality there. I don't agree with it, but I think it's great that someone loves Secret Wars more. I have a lot of love for them, but Super Powers is the be-all-end-all of DC lines for me. Yes, even more so than Mego. Mego means more to me personally, but that first wave of Super Powers is just comic book gold.

Chris

[PNGwynne]

I've always loved Mego at face value, the only figure I was disappointed with was Captain America: not because of the costume, but the head's paint apps.

I recall feeling discouraged that Captains America and Marvel weren't more accurate, or upgraded in later production runs. But I can enjoy them as-is now.

That said, I'm really pleased by FTC's new JLA wave--the tweaks on those figures are almost exactly what I did with some early "customs."