Star Trek ALIENS card art

[Mikey]

Something i've often wondered about .....

When Mego started with the Aliens series, why did they change the card art to something that's very inferior to the first series cards ?

I'm talking about the card fronts.

Before you jump on me for my above comment, let's look at this closer....

Today, as collectors we all LOVE and appreciate the Aliens card art.
It's neat, it's clean, and it has a certain classic 50's nostalgic look -- almost like the 50's sci fi tin litho lunch boxes.

Now, let's look at it from a toymaker's point of view who's trying to sell as many units as possible.

I will play devil's advocate.

There is no Enterprise on the card.
There is no crew members on the card -- not even in the background.
There is no other Mego figures advertised on the card.

On top of this, 50% of the Star Trek Alien figures don't look like whom they suppose to represent from the show.

All this added together gives the entire Star Trek Aliens series a cheap drugstore knockoff look... Which is not Mego's way at all.

What were they thinking ?

[mightyquinn]

On top of this, 50% of the Star Trek Alien figures don't look like whom they suppose to represent from the show.

I like those quirky outfits, but how cool would it be if mugato came with a white shag outfit?

[scifiguy94]

Maybe all the colors were to catch a child's eye, cause let's face back in the 70's that's mainly whose attention you wanted on your toys.

[toys2cool]

I kind of like that cheesy look

[vulcan2074]

I personally like the Aliens alot but I see where your coming from. It would have been alot better if they were more like the palitoy cards. Now those are eye catching for sure
Sammy

[Mikey]

But,
If you personally were holding the Mego Star Trek action figure license in your hands and already had a big hit with the first series of figures, would you choose this art for the second series ?
Bare in mind, forget about future collectors thinking the card is quiant. ...
Your goal is the sell as many figures as you can today (today meaning the 70s')

I say it was a mistake not having Kirk, Spock and the Enterprise somewhere on the face of the card.

[The Toyroom]

^ Well if it's any consolation, they and the rest of the line are pictured on the back...But I understand your point about lack of "Trek recognition", besides the logo, on the front of the card. A little Enterprise floating above the planetscape would have been any easy fix....

[UnderdogDJLSW]

Perhaps the contract only allowed for likenesses or the Enterprise to be used with the main characters. Hence, the funky Mugato and the Neptunian being made and then with a generic background so then if these were slow sells, they didn't have figures that weren't going to get produced any more on the card?

[megoscott]

I wonder if the aliens and the crew (on original cards) were shipped together and hung on the shelves at the same time. Presumably the crew was always available...

[ctc]

>Maybe all the colors were to catch a child's eye

I can see that. Mego did a lot of testing on actual kids, and probably wouldn't have a problem tweaking the look of the aliens for ease of production, and appeal.

>would you choose this art for the second series ?

Hmmmm.... maybe it was a rush job?

Don C.

[scifiguy94]

Yes, series 1 and 2 of the Aliens were packed with the crew.