Jiggler Supreme

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In 1979 Ben Cooper released a wave of jigglers that comprised of The Thing, Red Skull, Spider-Man and Dr. Strange. They also did corresponding Halloween costumes that year. They were misleading advertised as ersatz action figures in a Heroes World ad, so I really wanted to track them down as an adult.

Dr Strange never made it to the A-List in 70s comics, prior to this I'd seen a cameo he made in a Spider-Man comic. I think the big reason for his inclusion into this line was his TV movie that ran a year previous on CBS. I think it really helped raise his profile.

I'd never held the figure prior to last week and it's charming and a bit goofy, Dr Strange is really mad about something here!

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[johnnystorm]

The face reminds me a lot of THIS feller:


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[GlobalObserver]

I had heard rumors for years that Ben Cooper produced Land of the Lost jigglers. I kinda doubted it until I saw an actual photo of an Enik a few years ago. It amazes me how certain mass produced toys can remain so illusive that their very existence is often in doubt.

[MIB41]

I have to say of all the jigglers, this is one that got past me. I never knew they made a Dr. Strange. Very nice. Of course once you start getting into '79 and beyond, I begin to become less aware of some of the oddities in any series. High school life took over for me.

[Earth 2 Chris]

I remember that Heroes World ad. It haunted me for years, thinking Mego made a Red Skull to fight my Captain America. Heroes World did similar false advertising with those early 80s "Activated Heroes" figures. They were essentially plastic army men, but the ad called them action figures.

I think the Strange movie probably influenced this choice too, but I also think Ben Cooper was staying within it's wheel house. It specialized in Halloween and monsters, and Red Skull and the Thing looked like monsters, and Dr. Strange was somewhat Dracula-looking as well.

Chris

[Wee67]

I think he looks very vampire-like here (is vampiric a word?). Maybe its the wear, but the two black spots beneath his mouth look like blood drips. Or maybe he just has a mouthful of orange juice. By '79, I believe it was no longer just for breakfast.

[palitoy]

I had heard rumors for years that Ben Cooper produced Land of the Lost jigglers. I kinda doubted it until I saw an actual photo of an Enik a few years ago. It amazes me how certain mass produced toys can remain so illusive that their very existence is often in doubt.

This thing has been my grail since I first saw it.

[palitoy]

I remember that Heroes World ad. It haunted me for years, thinking Mego made a Red Skull to fight my Captain America. Heroes World did similar false advertising with those early 80s "Activated Heroes" figures. They were essentially plastic army men, but the ad called them action figures.

Oh yeah, I filled out the order form for those sight unseen. Glad I never sealed the deal because Activated Heroes were really disappointing.

I think the Strange movie probably influenced this choice too, but I also think Ben Cooper was staying within it's wheel house. It specialized in Halloween and monsters, and Red Skull and the Thing looked like monsters, and Dr. Strange was somewhat Dracula-looking as well.

Chris

That's a good theory, probably the best I've heard.

[Earth 2 Chris]

Oh yeah, I filled out the order form for those sight unseen. Glad I never sealed the deal because Activated Heroes were really disappointing.

I ordered them, and was disappointed when I got them. I was expecting true action figures. But they were still neat, and nice sculpts. I recall they offered two sets, and I ordered one of each. I got two of one set, so my Mom had to call them and get another set sent. So I had doubles of several of them. And somehow, none survived childhood.

Chris