Black Hole Figures

[jds1911a1]

Did you really play with the figures when you were a kid ? Weren't they too fragile ?

I had them as a kid (i was 10 i think) and they were actually fairly durable the reall issue in those early figs (gijoe, buck miconauts etc) was the shoulder joint but to be honest since the movie wasn't high action and the heroes had no gear their playability was REALLY limited unless you had extra star wars weapons. back then I pretty much played with all my 3" space figures together

[Dadioche]

Thanks for all your reactions, guys.
My question was not "Were the Black Hole figs collector toys ?" but more "Did you feel the figures were fragile as kids and did you pay attention to them much than to other toys because they were fragile and you liked them ?"
As a kid, I loved some of my toys so much that I kept them as complete as I could, even if I played a lot with them.

[cjefferys]

I never had any Black Hole figures as a kid, but had a couple of the similarly made Buck Rogers figures. I played with them a lot and the only problem I ever had was the inevitable broken thumb on one of the figures.

[AcroRay]

They were meant to be played with and to last a reasonable stretch of time for a toy. I don't think manufacturers then (or even now) expect a toy to last more than 12 months of regular play. They certainly didn't intend them to last decades.

They were more durable than most Micronauts, although not as much fun.

[BendyZaius]

They were a lot more fragile than the Kenner figures, but if I understand Dadioche's question right, he was wondering if MEGO Black Hole line were MEANT to be played with, or were they supposed to be collectors' items like so many toys are today.

The answer is yes, they were meant to be toys. In 1979, toys were still toys. The collectors market for Star Wars-era action figures wouldn't start until that generation of kids became adults.

Mark

I like the think that the actual moment in time when a majority of action figures stopped being toys and started being "collectibles" was the instant that Playmates Toys stamped the first number on the bottom of their first Trek figure. "Individually numbered for collectiblility!" Yech!

[ctc]

Hmmmm....

I played with 'em too. I lost a LOT of thumbs though. The forearm/hand pieces were made of a rigid plastic and would snap if you tried putting something too big in them.

Don C.

[palitoy]

I played with mine, I was that kid who liked Black Hole better than Star Wars. They lasted too, i broke the odd thumb but I still even have my Vincent on my desk here at work.

[Ranger 3]

They were a lot more fragile than the Kenner figures, but if I understand Dadioche's question right, he was wondering if MEGO Black Hole line were MEANT to be played with, or were they supposed to be collectors' items like so many toys are today.

The answer is yes, they were meant to be toys. In 1979, toys were still toys. The collectors market for Star Wars-era action figures wouldn't start until that generation of kids became adults.

Mark

[Dadioche]

Did you really play with the figures when you were a kid ? Weren't they too fragile ?

[PCofmisfittoys]

i have always loved the figures. I collected them and have continued with other items from the series. It's a great movie.
Back then I think they where all intended for playtime. The good years, now everything cheaply made and the toy designers know they are targeting the collector market. Clash of the titans figures are similar as well. A great toy line I have gotten over the years but wasnt meant to hold up forever. Gotta love the Kraken figure.

[Dadioche]

Some Black Hole figures are beautiful but not very playable, especially the ones who have stands (like Vincent or Maximilian). What do you think about them ? Were they really toys for kids ?