And what did you learn?

[imp]

I just got my copy today and I dove right in, forcing my wife to listen as I read aloud from the book. She humors me that way. Tomorrow night I'll be reading it out loud to my son as his bedtime story. I can see it now...

"Okay son, here we go. 'Mego 8" Super-Heroes: World's Greatest Toys!'. Introduction to Mego. A family business founded in 1954..."

What did I learn? Alot! But I'll mention a few.

I learned that Green Goblin didn't have a solid colored face. I never noticed that he had the contrasting paint around the eyes, forehead, ears and mouth. I never noticed the eyelashes either. I don't own Green Goblin yet, so I guess my oversight is somewhat forgivable.

I also learned about "Kitchen Sink" figures. I had heard the term before but it never really clicked.

I also learned that someone really knows how to take excellent pictures! The detail is amazing! I've wanted to collect all of the WGSH since I rediscovered Megos, but the images in the book really fire up my need to own these beautiful toys. The pictures are beautiful! I don't know how to say it any better. THE PICTURES ARE BEAUTIFUL!

On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this book a 50 for sheer excellence all around. My God, it's beautiful. Thanks, Benjamin Holcomb (and all others involved) for making this book a reality. I almost wept when I first got it. I'm not even kidding.

Thank you for the brilliant and generous post. You had me actually laughing out loud. Well written, and much appreciated. Glad you're digging the… oh how did you say it... BEAUTIFUL pictures.



Glad to read a post about the book itself, too; it's been awfully quiet in this forum recently. So thank you for that.

Benjamin

[johnmiic]

Glad to read a post about the book itself, too; it's been awfully quiet in this forum recently. So thank you for that.

Benjamin

Well geezee Benjamin! Everyone is reading the book! Who wants to lift a finger to post about it. It's like an addiction. Eveyone is caught up in it!

[imp]

Well geezee Benjamin! Everyone is reading the book! Who wants to lift a finger to post about it. It's like an addiction. Eveyone is caught up in it!

I certainly hope that's the case, but it's hard to ignore the crickets and tumbleweeds in this forum since the book was published in November. Early on, a bunch of people posted about the book, and some even took time to write reviews here and/or on Amazon.com. I'm so thankful for that support. But I will say I'm surprised by the level of interest and discussion (or perhaps I should say, "disinterest and lack of discussion") on these boards over the past two months.

Of course, I'm more than a little biased!

As you suggested, this may have more to do with folks still digesting the book. It doesn't help that the book came out around the holidays, which are crazy for everyone.

I am really thrilled with the passionate (and often hysterical) comments many people have written, and I don't want to be a Debbie Downer. Given the 300+ active members on this Mego board, however, I was expecting a few more reactions and posts.

Here's hoping more discussion and comments are forthcoming!

Benjamin

[Overkill]

I'll definitely post about the book....when I get one! I've been drooling over the stories about it so I finally told my Borders to get with it and order some. Now only time will tell when I can get my hands on one! :D

[Sideshow Spock]

I certainly hope that's the case, but it's hard to ignore the crickets and tumbleweeds in this forum since the book was published in November. Early on, a bunch of people posted about the book, and some even took time to write reviews here and/or on Amazon.com. I'm so thankful for that support. But I will say I'm surprised by the level of interest and discussion (or perhaps I should say, "disinterest and lack of discussion") on these boards over the past two months.

Of course, I'm more than a little biased!

As you suggested, this may have more to do with folks still digesting the book. It doesn't help that the book came out around the holidays, which are crazy for everyone.

I am really thrilled with the passionate (and often hysterical) comments many people have written, and I don't want to be a Debbie Downer. Given the 300+ active members on this Mego board, however, I was expecting a few more reactions and posts.

Here's hoping more discussion and comments are forthcoming!

Benjamin

I purchased the book recently, and think it's magnificent. Truly an abolutely elite example of a toy reference book. I spent about an hour with it the other evening, and it felt like I'm just getting started. Congratulations on a truly outstanding job.

From my own perspective tho, much of the information in the book is way over my head at this point. I had a couple WGSHs as a kid, but mainly remember my Star Trek crew. I sentimentally love the Mego line now as an adult, but have been only a casual collector on the aftermarket. All the minutiae about which body type and which card and what year etc etc is, as I said, over my head. I can absolutely appreciate the interest a more diehard collector would have in details like that, but for myself, it just doesn't truly pique my current level of interest.

I think there are probably many people on the board who are similar to me, and while they're also enjoying the hell out of the book, they're left with a loss of words to express opinions or feedback on all the incredible detail of it. It's a lot to absorb, especially if their brain is as swiss cheese as mine is these days.

And then you have the others on the board who are the big boys; the obsessed ones. The ones who helped write and research the book; the ones who spend thousands of dollars every year collecting all the varities and rarities of the line. They know most (if not all) of it anyway, so what else are they supposed to say other than the joy and admiration they've already expressed?

So don't be discouraged by a lack of conversation. As was said, people *are* digesting. And appreciating. And learning. It just takes some of us longer than others.

[imp]

From my own perspective tho, much of the information in the book is way over my head at this point. I had a couple WGSHs as a kid, but mainly remember my Star Trek crew. I sentimentally love the Mego line now as an adult, but have been only a casual collector on the aftermarket. All the minutiae about which body type and which card and what year etc etc is, as I said, over my head. I can absolutely appreciate the interest a more diehard collector would have in details like that, but for myself, it just doesn't truly pique my current level of interest.

I think there are probably many people on the board who are similar to me, and while they're also enjoying the hell out of the book, they're left with a loss of words to express opinions or feedback on all the incredible detail of it. It's a lot to absorb, especially if their brain is as swiss cheese as mine is these days.

And then you have the others on the board who are the big boys; the obsessed ones. The ones who helped write and research the book; the ones who spend thousands of dollars every year collecting all the varities and rarities of the line. They know most (if not all) of it anyway, so what else are they supposed to say other than the joy and admiration they've already expressed?

Wow! Thank you for your concise and thoughtful post. It helps me appreciate the fact that the book's minutiae of detail is of limited interest to many Mego fans. And you beautifully corroborated what I hoped is the case, that people are still reading and processing the information.

I previously confessed disappointment in the board's deafening silence, but you've clarified that my reaction is probably premature.

I welcome and invite any discourse about Mego and the book's content (whenever that may happen), and I sincerely hope my journalistic, factual approach to the subject-matter doesn't deter people off from asking questions. Obviously, I love this stuff, and I look forward to talking shop with like-minded collectors.

So don't be discouraged by a lack of conversation. As was said, people *are* digesting.

Got it, loud and clear. Thanks for expressing what I truly hoped was the case. I am on these boards, fairly consistently, any time someone wants to strike up a conversation about Mego, Mego facts, history, chronology, outfits… the book itself. I look forward to it.

Benjamin

[nvmbrsdoom5]

I just mailed a copy of the book to Meule, so you know he'll be on here yapping about the book soon enough hehe ;-) I'm sure as time goes by, you'll see more and more people coming here to discuss the book.

I'll tell you this, though....I've found in my own experiences that alot of people usually tend to be the most vocal when they have complaining or criticisms to dish out. It seems like the harshest critics are often the loudest. So maybe the fact that there isn't much chatter is a good thing? LOL I can't really think of any real criticism to throw at the book, I think it's just about perfect.

[Meule]

I just mailed a copy of the book to Meule, so you know he'll be on here yapping about the book soon enough hehe ;-)

Yes, YES, YESSSSSSSS
*doin' the happy dance*

[Bionic Joe]

I have learned I NEED TO BUY THIS BOOK

[imp]

I have learned I NEED TO BUY THIS BOOK

You have 425 posts on the MEGO Museum forum, and you don't own the book already?



Seriously. Get the book already!



Benjamin

[Earth 2 Chris]

As a collector of loose WGSH figures, I must admit that the amount of carded information was staggering, but in no way boring. It's written in such a way as to make it interesting, even to someone who will probably never pursue any of the various iterations of packaging.

The fact that the book takes every aspect of the Mego WGSH line and examines it under an electron microscope makes it the most exhaustive, thorough toy book I have ever owned, and I own quite a few.I think the figure-to-figure detail and overall company history and timeline is very well-balanced out. And of course the photography is stunningly well done and pleasing to the eye. So many collector books are just horrid when it comes to photograph, layout and overall design. This book has truely taken the toy tome to a whole new level. Good luck to those who try to match it.

chris

[MIB41]

Just got mine yesterday. Without question it is the Holy Grail of Mego collectors. I spent the first day just looking at the different shots of my favorite characters. I'm sitting down today to start digesting the whole book (until football comes on anyway). It's masterpiece beyond anything I ever thought I would see. Benjamin, you have my eternal thanks and gratefulness for taking the time and care to show the brillance of Mego's World's Greatest Heroes. May we add you to that list?

[MIB41]

Well, I'm three quarters through it and alot of things are surprising me. On the value front (and Benjamin please correct me if I read this wrong), the french carded Hulk is considered very scarce...really? Wow I have a couple of them and picked them up at Children's Palace back in the late 80's where they hung next to Batman, Robin, and Spiderman (also French cards). How did the Hulk card become scarce while the others don't appear to be?
The other head scratcher is how every line after wave 2 are basically viewed as bad sellers. It sounds like Mego only had a couple of good years with the WGSH and the rest were modest at best (with the exception of the late blooming Hulk once the TV show got started). Did Batman, Robin, and Spiderman basically carry the line?

[imp]

Well, I'm three quarters through it and alot of things are surprising me. On the value front (and Benjamin please correct me if I read this wrong), the french carded Hulk is considered very scarce...really? Wow I have a couple of them and picked them up at Children's Palace back in the late 80's where they hung next to Batman, Robin, and Spiderman (also French cards). How did the Hulk card become scarce while the others don't appear to be?

You are no doubt referring to the caption at the bottom of page 183, which states:

Foreign Hulk cards represent the extremes of Mego scarcity. While the Canadian ©1978 Parkdale card is very popular due to its unique artwork, it is not particularly scarce. The French ©1978 Pin Pin, the ©1979 Harbert and the Canadian ©1979 Grand Toys [cards] are incredibly scarce and difficult to find in any condition.

The key to that scarcity is which Pin Pin Hulk you're talking about. The one described and pictured in the book is the ultra-rare ©1978 Pin Pin card, which utlizes '1975' artwork. The cards you picked up at Children's Palace are likely the ©1979 card, which are not rare. I still have several of them from Toys "R" Us, too, and I remember seeing the end-caps at Children's Palace. I wish they were rare! I will add that it is becoming increasingly difficult to find a sealed Hulk without broken limbs, so their value may increase.

If you have examples of the ©1978 Pin Pin card, though, PLEASE send me a PM!

The other head scratcher is how every line after wave 2 are basically viewed as bad sellers. It sounds like Mego only had a couple of good years with the WGSH and the rest were modest at best (with the exception of the late blooming Hulk once the TV show got started). Did Batman, Robin, and Spiderman basically carry the line?

That's a tragic reality of the line, which I was loathe to document. To be fair, both Joker and Penguin (from the Super-Foes wave) did quite well, and the 4th Wave Fantastic Four figures were reasonably successful overseas, even though most of them ended up getting shipped back to the States and sold at clearance. And, as you mentioned, Hulk initially sold poorly, but took off after the successful TV show, resulting in massive sales later on.

The Mego folks I interviewed referred to Batman, Superman and Spider-Man as "the big three," and it's reasonable to assert that those characters gave longevity to a line that never matched the success of its first two waves.

Benjamin

[MIB41]

Thanks for the clarification on the carded Hulk Benjamin. Unfortunately mine is the '79 version. Yeah, when I was reading about the decline of sales after wave 2, it really hit me in the gut. I thought to myself, "Were my friends and I the only ones who had battles between the Thing and Hulk nonstop every weekend?" I still have audio tapes of our battles. We use to get our figures together and call a blow by blow fight on our Sears tape recorders. We were calling them like it was the latest fight between Ali and Frazier.

I'll tell you something else. Louisville didn't have Toy's R Us until the early 90's (We had Thornburys and Children's Palace until the late 80's). I hung my head when I read Teen Titan figures were on discount bins through most of the 80's. The add you displayed from the Heroes World comic, which I still have from my childhood, was the only depiction I ever saw of Kid Flash, (which I wanted so bad when I first saw him).

By the time my parents got around to letting me order him the following year, it was too late. He was gone. All the Titans were available at Thornburys EXCEPT Kid Flash. It wasn't until 1991 that I saw him for the very first time at a convention in Lexington called Lex-Trek. I finally won myself one off an Ebay auction with no time left for only $98.00 complete! What made that night so ominous was it was the eve of September 11th, 2001. I'll never forget it. So from the time that ad came out it took me 15 years to actually see one and another 10 to own one. I guess patience is a virtue! Sheesh!

Oh I do have a mail order Green Goblin from Heroes World, but unfortunately the figure is the only thing that survived (type one body). I do recall the mailing box looking very much like the Montgomery Ward samples you had pictured for the RC Batman, which was probably a standard shipping box for those figures back then. Gobby sits in a beautiful reproduction box these days.