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palitoy · Oct 6, '11, 8:09 AM

While Krueger might have been a poor choice for Matchbox to lead with, I've always blamed over-reaction by religious groups to that character for killing Maxx before he ever really got rolling ... as opposed to concept or marketing (though one reason I never really cared for Maxx was that the base character was so generic and Ken-like).

If you read Mel's account of what happened, it's more Matchbox's fault than anything. The religious groups were upset (rightfully so IMO) with the marketing of a plush Freddy to children, not so much Maxx. Matchbox did a kneejerk move and killed both products.

It was unwise to lead with Freddy but downright stupid to make a plush of a child killer. The adult collector community wasn't recognized then.

PoorMansJB · Oct 6, '11, 12:57 AM

Originally posted by SeattleEd

Turns out that Matchbox ran this series straight into ground at the starting gate.

While Krueger might have been a poor choice for Matchbox to lead with, I've always blamed over-reaction by religious groups to that character for killing Maxx before he ever really got rolling ... as opposed to concept or marketing (though one reason I never really cared for Maxx was that the base character was so generic and Ken-like).

I recall around this same time a campaign against Masters of the Universe products for their tempting of children into worshipping false gods.

What with interest in Krueger, et al, never completely dying out, I could see a relaunch succeeding. On the other hand, in the intervening years Universal has gotten much more protective of its properties so licensing of Frankenstein, Dracula, etc. could be a show-stopper.

Outside the toy line -- that is, the comic book and so on -- there was much more emphasis on the backstory of Captain Action himself (which I believe is also the case with the current revival) and it would be interested to see Maxx relaunched with some kind of history ala Lon Chaney (or Dick Smith or Rob Bottin); for whatever reason I had always imagined Maxx was someone along the lines of the Bryan Brown character in the movie F/X (in part because that was released in the same year as Maxx).

Saroyan · Oct 5, '11, 10:44 PM

Some of those proto monsters are F@#$%#$@ awesome! One the one hand, I hate that they never got made- on the other hand I'm relieved they never got made- so I don't have to search for them!!!

ironman1188 · Sep 16, '11, 6:33 PM

Another tale of potential that was too easily wasted.

LonnieFisher · Sep 16, '11, 3:45 PM

They were only $5 at a local discount place back in the day. I bought a lot of them. Most are long gone now. And none are packaged anymore. Just so you know, the parts make great pieces for 1/6th scale customs!! I made a few G.I. Joe custom Freddy figures.

david_b · Sep 16, '11, 3:24 PM

I love the Maxx body, it's great to buy MIB ones; if nothing else, than to replace the Denys Tom Baker bodies with broken ankles with (same body mold..).

I scored a MIB Freddy a few years back for around $20, just for that purpose. Wasn't a bad deal at all.

tylerh · Sep 16, '11, 3:03 PM

These are ACHING to be made now!!!!! I wonder if he would be interested in doing a small run? The coolest ones are the Public Domain type characters - Love the werewolf (Although the Alien is my favorite I think - def NOT Public - ha)

kennermike · Sep 16, '11, 1:40 PM

Originally posted by ealdrett

Yeah, but the problem is I would rip open the box so no point.

The one I got was loose so better for customization which was the point.

man I wanted to be their to see you rip it to shreddsssss!!LOL

SeattleEd · Sep 16, '11, 11:02 AM

Originally posted by kennermike

Dud when we took that trip to Spanway WA that lady had one MIB!

Yeah, but the problem is I would rip open the box so no point.

The one I got was loose so better for customization which was the point.

SeattleEd · Sep 16, '11, 11:00 AM

Originally posted by samurainoir

I am totally obsessed with Maxx Fx. Love the fact that his regular look in the prototype is Max Headroom.

Don't blame you, Ed. He even has a link to your blog site. Very cool.

I really feel this line should be made. It has brilliance written all over it and will cater to the collector market. More so now that the 1/6 is hot in the market. I'm sure Cotswald Collectibles will carry them.

Of course he can hook up with Cast-A-Way Toys or ZICA and go the 8" route!

SeattleEd · Sep 16, '11, 10:58 AM

Originally posted by MIB41

It's interesting that in that shot he appears to have a GI Joe body. At least the hands are indicative of that.

According to the site, the idea for this line was to be 1/6 scale and he utilized GI Joe bodies and sculpted the parts onto them. It was later that he switched to the 9" Mego bodies. More cost effective.

MIB41 · Sep 16, '11, 10:49 AM

Originally posted by samurainoir

I am totally obsessed with Maxx Fx. Love the fact that his regular look in the prototype is Max Headroom.

It's interesting that in that shot he appears to have a GI Joe body. At least the hands are indicative of that.

kennermike · Sep 16, '11, 10:35 AM

Originally posted by ealdrett

Never heard of this line until last night when I won an auction for a Freddy Krueger 9" on a mego type body:

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Loose-FREDDY-KRUEGER-8-figure-MAXX-FX-89-EX-Cond-2-Trading-Cards-MEGO-GI-Joe-/00/s/MTAyM1g3NDE=/$(KGrHqJ,!jYE5,zz!)LWBOc(vTnkgg~~60_12.JPG

Did more research and came across this site, The Life And Death of MAXx FX
Glad I did. If this line did come to fruition in it's truest sense, this would be one killer series. The premise is similar to the Captain Action toy series but a monster version. You have one figure, Maxx, who wears monster outfits just like the Combat Joes from Japan that wear Kaiju outfits like Godzilla, Gamera, etc.
Turns out that Matchbox ran this series straight into ground at the starting gate.
Apparently Matchbox found a "warehouse" full of Mego 9" bodies and decided to go that route. Interesting choice since they could have gone for better base bodies.

But check out the site that recounts the history of the line. The prototypes for the initial line are truly works of art. I like the nod to Westworld as well.

Somebody needs to bring life back to this line.

I think Mel Birnkrant is a museum member as well?

http://melbirnkrant.com/maxxfx/images/grouplarge.jpg

http://melbirnkrant.com/matchbox/images/alienright.jpg

http://melbirnkrant.com/matchbox/images/creature1.jpg

http://melbirnkrant.com/matchbox/images/vampireright.jpg

http://melbirnkrant.com/matchbox/images/monster1.jpg

http://melbirnkrant.com/matchbox/images/3unpainted.jpg

http://melbirnkrant.com/matchbox/images/alienhead.jpg

http://melbirnkrant.com/maxxtoyfair/...alogue1_01.jpg

Dud when we took that trip to Spanway WA that lady had one MIB!