CTVT - opinions please.

[Mr.Krusher]

Heres the deal guys, I have three of these figures, all are their take on the Mad Monsters. My Mummy and my Dracula are really crummy, I mean to the point where arms are popping out and feet/hand pegs arent even driven all the way in. Oddly, my Frankenstein feels fine - almost as if they improved their standards midway through the production run(s)?
My question is this: Are there certain lines that are BETTER than others, in terms of quality construction? (I mean, Jesus, my Drac's suit was made so SNUG that his arms wont even raise up - CHEAP!)

I am VERY interested in their 'Mad Clowns' dolls, and my wife is strangely obsessed with their 'Mad Monsters Series 2'. (The latter is Jim's fault, but..) Are ALL of these production runs CRAPPY?

I'd also love to hear about their Super Legends lines and their Space 1999 line. (Especially the latter...I'm working a deal for roughly a dozen of these guys, I'd like to know if they will be OK, or if I'm only buying suits and heads!)
Side note - I have ZERO knowledge when it comes to 'Space 1999'...havent seen one episode....but hell, they have some 'basic' looking aliens, a guy with a MELTED face, some dudes that look like they would be great 'space counts', and BRIAN BLESSED, so it cant be all bad!

Watch and listen here at around 0:15....I swear, this is MY experience with the CTVT dolls...only my WIFE is playing Sucklord!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuVQf8oQVDA

Thanks for your insights folks!

[jimsmegos]

While I am a sucker for the cheap price of these figures I am far too gun shy to really recommend them outside of the heads and costumes. I wish they didn't have so many issues. I know others have said that things are better but I'm not 100% convinced. Dawn O'Connell who makes the Little Buddies action figures used a CTVT body for the one she made of me and while it seems to be holding up okay I gotta admit I'm afraid it could snap at any moment.

As far as the 1999 figures I have purchased some of these just because I once again got 'em cheap. The costumes are kind cool but feel flimsy and not quite right when it comes to fit. Also the plastic they use for the boots is very thin. The purple clothed guy with the Peter Cushing head actually had the toes of the boots crunched in. The plastic seems almost like the same type they use for the bubbles which also crack easily.

Another 1999 figure I wasn't all too impressed with was the fellow with the rooted hair and beard. The strands are so sparsely and poorly placed it really looks like he has the mange.

Overall if you buy any of these don't expect much. Play value is limited due to the potential for breakage so I wouldn't recommend them for kids, too disappointing. Now as far as customizing or to use as "place holders" I'd give 'em a thumps up. Not the bodies mind you but the clothing and heads. But even then get 'em cheap and you won't be too disappointed.

There's my two really long and drawn out cents.

[SlipperyLilSuckers]

I left my 1999 figures on their cards...I usually take stuff off, but figure hey, they're in one piece on the cards and I know what other figures have been like. I did open a couple of spares and they weren't toooo bad.

[wayne foundation 07]

They had some real issues with the bodies when they first came out but have improved I think,I know they are good guys there and if you get busted bodies from them they make it right.For the price its hard to beat,the gloves and boots are pretty good.The clowns are really cool they go great for making Joker's henchmen.They display great and okay for minimal play.And if your going to order be sure to check out the free gift section,you get free stuff the more money you spend.

[ODBJBG]

I did a couple of reviews of Space 1999 figures:

Infinite Hollywood: Space 1999: David Kano Figure Review

Infinite Hollywood: Space 1999: Sandra Benes Figure Review

I also reviewed a Robin Hood figure:

Infinite Hollywood: Robin Hood: Will Scarlet Figure Review

I've had issues with both. I also have some that haven't broke or given me much trouble at all. They all seem to be strung too tight. Depends on what you're planning on doing with them. If you only want to have them sit around in a few poses, most will be fine. For harder play, they could be doomed.

My Happy Days Al shows up in a lot of reviews (I never reviewed him by himself) and he's quite sturdy.

[Nostalgiabuff]

the heads, boots, gloves, belts etc... are all pretty good and great for the price. If all you want is a figure to be displayed and never touched then the bodies are okay, if you like to play with them a bit or give them to kids as actual toys then don't bother. the bodies fall apart quickly. most of the clothes are very flimsy and also come apart after little play...i say mose because some use different fabric which seems to hold up better....the pirate costumes in particular. the guys over CTVT have always made good when I have brought up issues with broken bodies.

[ctc]

>Are there certain lines that are BETTER than others

It's more a matter of time: the later the body was produced, the better it was. The weird coloured ones were pretty good. The female ones are usually problematic; although I have a few that were fine.

Don C.

[mightyquinn]

I was pretty impressed with the glow bodies.

[chalwa]

I guess I've been pretty lucky. Out of the 30 or so I own I only had an issue with the Witch having a broken foot. They replaced it quickly and let me keep the first one.
I usually restring them and that's helped a lot.
My son plays regularly with all the monsters and they have yet to break.
Some I have used as parts for original megos without issue.
I lead a charmed life.
Chris

[tllgn]

these are very cheap,to get,you get what you pay for.if you keep them in the package for display,they are nice. if you want a set loose,get ready for repair jobs.i think the clothes are fine,heads not bad at all,its the bodies that suck.beware of the female bodies,ill bet you if you take maya or sandra from space 1999 out of their paclages,they will have broken ankles.get some dr.mego -emce bodies ,and they will be just fine,all in all cttv figures are nice and they do look good in a collection.i have a lot of loose figures,and if you can get a emce body on them,they fit right in with all the other emce figures very well.

[bp1701a]

I have a bunch of figures, LOVE THEM, had a few, but the company made good, far exceded what a normal company would do,I had a fonzie, came with a broken arm, i contacted CTVT, and they sent me a new figure real quick, I asked if they wanted the broken one back, they said "nope" Try that with Mattel...

[bp1701a]

I was hoping they would make more star trek cloths,weapons,, even expand on original TNG,,, star trek movies,,, and gasp,, star wars even,,, just call the items a diffrent name, lightsaber= lightsword,,,etc, but yes, I would love CTVT to make trek items..

[artskull]

I agree with a lot of other posts, "you get what you pay for". As a newbie to the next generation of Megos, I feel the CTVT figures are a good starting point. I purchased a CTVT Wolfman and Doc Mego body at same time. CTVT Wolfman to complete my monsters collection and Doc Mego body for Dracula repair. There is an immediate difference in the two just holding the different figure bodies in your hand (again, you get what you pay for). Overall, CTVT items might have "issues" but you can't beat their price point and speedy delivery. Boils down to… speed, cost, & quality… pick two because you never get all three. Even with issues I've encountered, I'll continue to order from CTVT. Overall, I'm just happy there are guys out there like CTVT, Doc Mego, etc. that make these toys for us and the next generation of Mego fans.

[ctc]

>I was pretty impressed with the glow bodies.

Yeah; THOSE were as good as an original Mego T2. Most of the time the broken bits are the right foot and left forearm. No idea why they're so consistent; although I've had a number of Mego bodies with stress cracks at the same points.

Don C.

[scoth70]

ive just recently opened my ctvt alan carter and paul morrow which ive had on card for a while..all looked fine on the cards ..when i opened them.... both alan carters feet had cracked... paul morrows hand was cracked ... really cheap stuff..the parts,clothes, are ok for spares custom etc ...even my carded ctvt zantors foot has now cracked.... longtime view of these figures lasting not very good at all...