Michael Keaton, Lynda Carter and Christopher Reeve walk into a bar...

[EMCEtoys]

I guess I've looked at that philosophy as leading to the characters Mego would have added back in the day and eventually leading to more modern characters---after all the classics were done

And I'm with you on that, I think that introducing some of the more modern characters is specifically so the line is NOT seen as something specifically geared toward nostalgia. That it's a style versus a snapshot in time. And I think that's a business decision as well.

For example, I have my favorites from when I was younger, and was unaware that some of the "B listers" had, in later years, risen to "A lister" status. So, some of the characters suggested in the line had me scratching my head, but they've moved like hotcakes. And, even the folks at DC have been very vocal about what resonates with the audience on both a business and emotional level, with some surprising behind-the-curtain data.

-- No, I'm not saying which ones, because I ain't diving into that "who is really an A-lister" trap, thank you very much :-) --

[Delusional B]

Really great insight and I certainly appreciate the candid feedback. As you know, all of this insight gets brought back to the table when we work with the client (and I'm sure they read this board, as well). Not all the comments make it into the line, of course, for whatever larger business reasons apply to each individual case.

However, I need to stress that, from the beginning we've been trying to use "what if Mego never stopped producing figures in the 1980s" as our guiding philosophy, and it seems that stopping at a particular point in time seems to conflict with that.

I can respect that... and it does help to know what Emce's guiding philosophy is for this line. Maybe, it's the fact that some modern versions are finding their way into the mix before some of the Silver-Age must-haves. I guess it just triggered a knee-jerk reaction in me that modern versions of the characters may, ultimately, replace the classic versions I'm so looking forward to having.

I can certainly also understand that the line would need to eventually branch out into more modern versions of characters, at some point, for the sake of the longevity of the line.

At any rate, I think you guys are doing a fantastic job with these. I just want to feel like a "kid" again for as long as possible.

[Krypt0nite]

I think Guy Gardner is a pretty good 'interim' figure: the character existed much earlier, but came into prominence in that uniform after Mego had folded. Maybe Capt. Atom or Blue Beetle---who have history that coincides with or precedes Mego but achieved their greatest popularity later---would be an avenue to explore.

Oh, and please--pretty please--consider Metamorpho

[MIB41]

Its interesting to see how the Batman Returns Keaton/Batman is getting quite a bit of merchandise again. Oh how sweat it would be if we could get a deluxe figure of him during that period. There were never really any good ones MASSED produced. And the ones that were excellent, came in limited quantities and subsequently went very fast. Suffice to say they are worth a mint today. Could be something worth looking into for some up and coming action figure company.

[Delusional B]

Joe, I run a vintage toy blog called Yesterville Toy Room (link below) that gives one fan's opinions on the vintage Megos and what makes them so great. I even did a piece on the Retro Action Green Arrow a few months back.

I just wanted to point you to my blog, if you are so inclined, for more "Mego thoughts." They may not necessarily be relevant, but they are there.

[samurainoir]

But again, wouldn't this raise the ire of the purists? I'm just asking on a purely rabbinical level, not that there's anything in the works...

There is a nostalgic blind-spot for the beloved TV and Movie superheroes of our childhoods methinks.

I honestly don't think Lost or Dark Shadows are any less "Mego" because they have actor likenesses.

Mego was known to do some great likenesses when it came to their movie/TV lines as well. My personal favourites are Doctor Who and Leela. We also had Happy Days, Welcome Back Kotter, James Bond, Black Hole, Star Trek, etc and their attempts at Christopher Reeve and Lynda Carter in the 12" format, not to mention Terrance Stamp, Brando and Hackman.

Wouldn't it be great to do it "right" this time in 8" format?

[samurainoir]

sorry, i was focusing more on the michael keaton batman. i re-pose the question.

I present you with this super-duper 1989 Mego-esque Kid Biz 8" Batman with cloth outfit that those lucky Europeans and Australians got!


Still looks "Retro" to me, and I think it would even look cooler with a more accurate Michael Keaton in cowl headsculpt.

I finally got one at Mego Meet this year and I think it's terrific. Needs a Jack Nicholson Joker to pal around with though!

[MIB41]

Nice pic Samrainoir. Very nice Bikin Batman figure. I have one of those in my collection as well. And to add to your comments, I think the Keaton Batman has been overlooked as an action figure through the years. I think that is an untapped market that would make alot of money if they took the time to actually make one in Keaton's likeness.

[Delusional B]

I present you with this super-duper 1989 Mego-esque Kid Biz 8" Batman with cloth outfit that those lucky Europeans and Australians got!

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zYmZ4EHSDhA/Sk1xnLR3CZI/AAAAAAAAAzc/rnkc6eZnL4A/s400/kidbiz+batman+7.jpg

Still looks "Retro" to me, and I think it would even look cooler with a more accurate Michael Keaton in cowl headsculpt.

I finally got one at Mego Meet this year and I think it's terrific. Needs a Jack Nicholson Joker to pal around with though!

Hey, that's a pic from my blog!

That's MY Bikin Batman. Here's the whole review and more pics of the Kidbiz/Bikin Batman:

Yesterville Toy Room: Kidbiz 1989 8" Batman

[EMCEtoys]

Joe, I run a vintage toy blog called Yesterville Toy Room (link below) that gives one fan's opinions on the vintage Megos and what makes them so great. I even did a piece on the Retro Action Green Arrow a few months back.

I just wanted to point you to my blog, if you are so inclined, for more "Mego thoughts." They may not necessarily be relevant, but they are there.

bookmarked, and thank you :-)

[Delusional B]

bookmarked, and thank you :-)

You're welcome. I hope you have a chance to check it out, sometime.

Everyone else is welcome, too, of course. Lot's of old toys and Megos on the blog with more to come.

[Timothy2251]

I always took the Retro part of the figure line more as a salute to how the figures were designed and packaged back in the day more so than what character was from what era.

I'd snap up Retro versions of Reeve, Carter and Keaton in a freakin' heartbeat if they were offered. Plus, each would need a villain, so we'd need a Hackman Luthor, Nicholson Joker, and... well, a bad guy for Lynda Carter to wail on (didn't she fight a gorilla in an episode? SHE DID! Give her a big Retro Gargantua to fight, then!).