Mego Museum Announces the 1978 Re: Imagine Project

[Meule]

Might I suggest the following:

Wizard of Oz Miss Gulch on bike/Winged Monkey/Winkie Guard/Uncle Henry and Auntie Em/Farmhands
Author: Thomas Meuleman (Meule)
Line: Wizard of Oz
Toy Execution (Vintage, Custom or Digital Art): Custom
Packaging Execution (Custom or Digital Art): Custom
Toy Customizers/Collaborators: Mikeoz
Packaging Customizers/Collaborators: Mikeoz
All these characters (and their boxes) have already been made


Star Wars characters
Author: Thomas Meuleman (Meule)
Line: Star Wars
Toy Execution (Vintage, Custom or Digital Art): Custom
Packaging Execution (Custom or Digital Art): Custom
Toy Customizers/Collaborators: Dave Mc
Packaging Customizers/Collaborators: TBD
Dave has quite a collection of Star Wars characters, don't know about the boxes tho


Star Trek characters
Author: Thomas Meuleman (Meule)
Line: Star Wars
Toy Execution (Vintage, Custom or Digital Art): Custom
Packaging Execution (Custom or Digital Art): Custom
Toy Customizers/Collaborators: Dave Mc/James Brady
Packaging Customizers/Collaborators: TBD
Don't think anyone can top Dave and James' creations

[imp]

This is great! In order to track the ideas, I'll document them. Following is the master list of Projects and Teams. As folks post information, updates/revisions and collaborations, I will update this list.

One quick note about ideas: While every idea is a good one, we should be mindful that we are developing a hypothetical 1978 catalog, which would have been created at the end of 1977, for distribution at the February 1978 Toy Fair.

This project will be especially cool if we develop ideas that are somewhat plausible. Even if not entirely plausible, we should avoid overly anachronistic additions (e.g. expanding the Dukes of Hazzard line, as the show wasn't even on-air at that point).

Also, when you post new ideas, it would really help me if you could copy/paste the following form and fill it out in a new post, so I can easily add it to this list.

[Project/Concept Title]
Author: [Your Name (Your MM ID)]
Line: [Mego Line]
Toy Execution (Vintage, Custom or Digital Art): [Choose One, or TBD]
Packaging Execution (Custom or Digital Art): [Choose One, or TBD]
Toy Customizers/Collaborators: [Choose One, or TBD]
Packaging Customizers/Collaborators: [Choose One, or TBD]
Author Notes: [Your inspiration or reason behind concept]

Here we go.

Wizard of Oz Flying Monkey
Author: Charlie Balicki (MegoGeek)
Line: Wizard of Oz
Toy Execution (Vintage, Custom or Digital Art): TBD
Packaging Execution (Custom or Digital Art): TBD
Toy Customizers/Collaborators: TBD
Packaging Customizers/Collaborators: TBD

Author Notes: Only because I remember a rumor when I was younger that one came with the Witch's Castle.

Marvel Fist-Fighters: Hulk and Thing
Author: Bryan Sanders (nayrbgo)
Line: WGSH
Toy Execution (Vintage, Custom or Digital Art): Vintage
Packaging Execution (Custom or Digital Art): Custom
Toy Customizers/Collaborators: N/A
Packaging Customizers/Collaborators: Anthony Durso (The Toyroom)

Author Notes: Hulk and Thing seem like pretty obvious choices for Fist Fighters.

Secret Identities: Line Expansion and/or Reimagining
Author: Bryan Sanders (nayrbgo)
Line: WGSH
Toy Execution (Vintage, Custom or Digital Art): TBD
Packaging Execution (Custom or Digital Art): Custom
Toy Customizers/Collaborators: TBD
Packaging Customizers/Collaborators: Anthony Durso (The Toyroom)

Author Notes: Apply the removable mask/cowl concept to other characters and let them change in and out of superhero to citizen with more ease being on the same action figure, rather than having a whole other figure.

Masters of Fantasy Celebrity 8" Figures: Rod Serling, Gene Rodenberry, Vincent Price and Stan Lee
Author: Joe DeRouen (jderouen)
Line: Masters of Fantasy
Toy Execution (Vintage, Custom or Digital Art): Custom
Packaging Execution (Custom or Digital Art): Custom
Toy Customizers/Collaborators: James Brady, Dave McCormick (DaveMC), Joe Derouen (jderouen)
Packaging Customizers/Collaborators: Anthony Durso (The Toyroom)

Author Notes: The Masters of Fantasy action figures include Rod Serling, Gene Rodenberry, Vincent Price, Stan Lee, Alfred Hitchcock, and Jack Kirby. The first four are finished and in custom boxes. The other two obviously aren't.

8" 2-Packs: World's Greatest Super-Pals™
Author: Benjamin Holcomb (imp)
Line: WGSH
Toy Execution (Vintage, Custom or Digital Art): Vintage with Custom (Flash)
Packaging Execution (Custom or Digital Art): Custom
Toy Customizers/Collaborators: Need volunteers
Packaging Customizers/Collaborators: Anthony Durso (The Toyroom)

Author Notes: Mego offered 2-packs in the U.S. (e.g. Fist-Fighters, never produced) and actually produced and sold them abroad (e.g. Western 2-Packs in Germany). It just seems like something Mego could have done, especially to better launch the Teen Titans. Please see: Wonder Woman and Wondergirl

Superman Daily Planet Playset
Author: Scott Adams (megoscott)
Line: WGSH and/or Superman: The Movie
Toy Execution (Vintage, Custom or Digital Art): Custom
Packaging Execution (Custom or Digital Art): TDB
Toy Customizers/Collaborators: Scott Adams
Packaging Customizers/Collaborators: Need volunteers

Author Notes: Daily Planet playset that uses the Tower design I used on my Baxter Building

Superman Phone Booth
Author: Scott Adams (megoscott)
Line: WGSH
Toy Execution (Vintage, Custom or Digital Art): Custom
Packaging Execution (Custom or Digital Art): Custom
Toy Customizers/Collaborators: Scott Adams (megoscott)
Packaging Customizers/Collaborators: Scott Adams (megoscott)

Author Notes: Please see: Phone Booth

Vulcan Explorer
Author: Authentic Mego Concept (Vinny Baiera)
Line: Star Trek
Toy Execution (Vintage, Custom or Digital Art): Digital
Packaging Execution (Custom or Digital Art): N/A
Toy Customizers/Collaborators: Scott Adams (megoscott)
Packaging Customizers/Collaborators: Scott Adams (megoscott)

Author Notes: Please see: Vulcan Explorer

1966 Batman Line
Author: Thomas Meuleman (Meule)
Line: TV Batman
Toy Execution (Vintage, Custom or Digital Art): Custom
Packaging Execution (Custom or Digital Art): Custom
Toy Customizers/Collaborators: Thomas Meuleman (Meule)
Packaging Customizers/Collaborators: Anthony Durso (The Toyroom)

Author Notes: I'll gladly participate for '66 Batman, but I have over 2 dozen characters from the show done now, with a couple more in the works.

Universal Monsters
Author: Thomas Meuleman (Meule)
Line: Mad Monsters
Toy Execution (Vintage, Custom or Digital Art): Custom
Packaging Execution (Custom or Digital Art): Custom
Toy Customizers/Collaborators: Thomas Meuleman (Meule)
Packaging Customizers/Collaborators: Anthony Durso (The Toyroom)

Author Notes: What if Mego got the rights to do monsters after the likeness of the Universal movies. I have a few of those done (did get the heads from others) with boxes made by Anthony. And I have more in the making.

World's Greatest Authors
Author: Thomas Meuleman (Meule)
Line: World's Greatest Authors
Toy Execution (Vintage, Custom or Digital Art): Custom
Packaging Execution (Custom or Digital Art): Custom
Toy Customizers/Collaborators: Thomas Meuleman/Todd Waters (Illegal Mego)
Packaging Customizers/Collaborators: Anthony Durso (The Toyroom)

Author Notes: Todd made a custom Edgar Allan Poe for me, I extended the line with Bram Stoker, Mary Shelley, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Robert Louis Stevenson (Starbuk and Mefiboshet helped me with some of the heads).

Logan's Run: Surface Dwellers
Author: Brian Heiler (Palitoy)
Line: Logan's Run
Toy Execution (Vintage, Custom or Digital Art): Custom
Packaging Execution (Custom or Digital Art): Custom
Toy Customizers/Collaborators: Brian Heiler (Palitoy)
Packaging Customizers/Collaborators: Brian Heiler (Palitoy)

Author Notes: Four new figures based on some of the more interesting characters in the first season. Some are literal translations, while others are a little more loose, they are: Carousel, Alien Captive, The Protector, The Riders

Hulk Expansion
Author: Steve Moore (stevemoore)
Line: Extension of Hulk line
Toy Execution (Vintage, Custom or Digital Art): Custom
Packaging Execution (Custom or Digital Art): Custom
Toy Customizers/Collaborators: Steve Moore (stevemoore), with parts from the usual sources
Packaging Customizers/Collaborators: TBD

Author Notes: To go with Hulk, I'll add Abomination, Rhino, and alter-ego Banner on custom cards.

Action Jackson 2099
Author: Scott Greer (gman)
Line: Re-Introduced Action Jackson
Toy Execution (Vintage, Custom or Digital Art): Vintage/Custom
Packaging Execution (Custom or Digital Art): Custom
Toy Customizers/Collaborators: Scott Greer (gman)
Packaging Customizers/Collaborators: TBD

Author Notes: Action Jackson was my favorite Mego and I always thought they could have and should have done more with him.

Legion of DOOM villains
Author: ? (PCofmisfittoys)
Line: Mego WGSV (World's Greatest Super Villains)
Toy Execution: Vintage/Custom (Riddler only; card backs on all others)
Packaging Execution: Custom
Toy Customizers/Collaborators: ? (PCofmisfittoys)
Packaging Customizers/Collaborators: ? (PCofmisfittoys)

Author Notes: The riddler has always been the only good villian released by MEGO. The oldest villians are included in the Legion of Doom. Giganta (1944), Lex (1940) etc. All thirteen are classic villians that are often overlooked.

Legion of Doom Headquarters Interior Playset
Author: ? (Pcofmisfittoys)
Line: Mego WGSV (World's Greatest Super Villains)
Toy Execution: Custom
Packaging Execution: Custom
Toy Customizers/Collaborators: ? (Pcofmisfittoys)
Packaging Customizers/Collaborators: ? (Pcofmisfittoys)

Author Notes: This is a goal of mine to produce the interior of the Hall of Doom so it could be used with 8" figures.

M*A*S*H
Author: ? (Pcofmisfittoys)
Line: M*A*S*H
Toy Execution : Digital
Packaging Execution : Custom
Toy Customizers/Collaborators: ? (Pcofmisfittoys)
Packaging Customizers/Collaborators: ? (Pcofmisfittoys)

Author Notes: The original toy line fell short in some regards. I could see an expanded line with more figures and Klinger with more of a dress-up doll as well.

Monday Night Football
Author: ? (Pcofmisfittoys)
Line: MNF
Toy Execution: Digital
Packaging Execution: Custom
Toy Customizers/Collaborators: ? (Pcofmisfittoys)
Packaging Customizers/Collaborators: ? (Pcofmisfittoys)

Author Notes: It's sports baby....Back in that time the catalogs and TV where covered in sports. The idea that Joe Namath was only produced is crazy. I can see Howard cosell, and other legends of the day in 8" form in their own WGSH feeling packaging.

Scooby Doo and the Gang
Author: Derek Combs (Megospidey)
Line: Scooby Doo and the Gang
Toy Execution: Custom
Packaging Execution: Custom
Toy Customizers/Collaborators: Derek Combs (Megospidey)
Packaging Customizers/Collaborators: The Toyroom (Anthony Durso)

Author Notes: Since this was on Mego's potential list of things-to-do, Derek has been gracious enough to revisit his some of Scooby Doo custom figures. This time, they'll be carded instead of boxed.

AWESOME SUGGESTIONS
We are seeking leaders for the following suggestions:

— Challenge of the Superfriends (suggested by Austin Hough)

— 8" X-Men (suggested by Joe DeRouen)

— Pulp Heroes Line: The Phantom, The Shadow, & Doc Savage. Maybe with an overseas Diabolik ala Jet Jungle (pitched by Tom Ligotti, Wannabemego)

— Heroes of Legend Line Expansion: 3 Musketeers + D'Artagnan (pitched by Tom Ligotti, Wannabemego)

— Dogtown and Z-Boys (suggested by Bryan Sanders, nayrbgo)
Suggestion Notes: These guys (Jay Adams, Stacy Peralta, Tony Alva, to name a few) rewrote skateboarding and made it the crazy lucrative trend it is today. This happened during Mego's company timeline and most certainly captured the minds of kids all over. It would be great to also make "The Dogbowl" playset (a drained swimming pool) and have these figures doing aerial tricks.

— Get Smart figures (suggested by ?, Pcofmisfittoys)

— Get Smart Shoe Phone Toy (suggested by ?, Pcofmisfittoys)

— Good Times figures, with Apartment Playset (suggested by ?, Pcofmisfittoys)

— Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew figures (suggested by ?, Pcofmisfittoys)

If you want to tackle one or more of the above, please create a new post to that effect.

Hopefully, more soon.

Benjamin

[sauce]

Being the fist fighter junkie I am, I would like to see more characters pounding flesh. Hulk and Thing seem like pretty obvious choices for fist fighters. Also, I think it would be fun to apply the removable mask/cowl concept to other characters and let them change in and out of superhero to citizen with more ease being on the same action figure, rather than having a whole other figure.

[palitoy]

I have plans, oh how I have plans.....

[MegoGeek]

OK....I'll start.

Wizard of Oz Flying Monkey.

Only because I remember a rumor when I was younger that one came with the Witch's Castle.

Now, get on it.

[imp]

So everybody is jazzed and some folks already have great ideas. Fantastic!

Perhaps we could start to share the ideas here so we can get started. Dan? Bob? Austin? …Bueller?

Benjamin

[megowgsh]

This is going to be great. Wonderful idea guys!

[HardyGirl]

Ditto, only I have 2 good ideas. (at least I hope their good ideas!) Would a customizer like to team up w/ me?

[UOBob]

I only have one good idea and no skills at all with anything resembling a tool, but I'd love to share my one good idea with folks!

[Megospidey]

love it - love it - love it!

I will donate what little customizing skills I have to anyone who has a project in mind. Just let me know.

[sauce]

Wow! Great project! I'm getting my wheels turning. And yes, I agree that the non-customizers play just as important a role in this with their ideas.

[imp]

Aw man...I wish I had a creative bone....I know what I would do...but have no prayer of making a cool looking custom.

That's an AWESOME idea though!

Dan, your response is exactly what I was hoping for. I see this project as an amazing opportunity for Mego heads to collaborate and work together to create Mego art. I am not a customizer, but I have some killer ideas that I hope will allow me to pair up with a customizer who can help me realize it.

I hope you will post your idea(s), because I suspect you will have several responses from other Mego heads who can make your idea a reality. Please share, as concepts are what will drive the project; execution is what will make it memorable.

Benjamin

[palitoy]

I'm really hopeful this is a project that everyone will get behind and have a lot of fun. This thing has already got a great energy about it and I'd love to see that spread.

[UOBob]

Wow, what a great idea! I can't wait!

[megoscott]

I hope it gets the creative juices flowing! Ever since we did that fake catalog page for the Vinny Baiera interview I've wanted to do a whole catalog, and after all the great customs we've seen over the past 10 years I know we can fill a catalog with dream Mego goodness! I'm thrilled that Benjamin is excited to do photography for it---He's become a master of Mego studio photography and a huge expert in how they did things like this. I think it will be a creative and educational experience for everyone.