Mattel Retro-Action Shazam

While I collected most of Mattel's 8" DC Retro-Action figure line that was launched a decade ago, Shazam was one I didn't have. I'd had my eye on him for awhile, disappointed by the recently revived Mego's failure to deliver on the14" Shazam solicited last year. There was a Black Adam also released by Mattel, and solicited along with the Mego 14" Shazam, ironically. Regardless, as a fan of Mego's World's Greatest Superheroes line in the '70s, I was drawn by nostalgia into Mattel's Retro-Action line in 2010, and this used sample scratched that itch again.

The first couple waves of these Retro-Action figures had unstable hip issues, but Shazam doesn't suffer from this and stands easily on his own. He has mostly solid uniform appointments, this used figures shiny cuffs a little worn at the extremities from age. The face portrait is stylistically in line with the rest of the series, and a great representation of the character. Figures Toy Company went on to release at least a couple reissues based on the original Mego Shazam, along with a ton of other DC characters, but Mattel made a valiant effort with their reimagined line of 8" Mego-like figures.

Below, Mattel 8" Retro-Action Shazam with Mattel 6" DC Universe Classics Shazam. Mattel also released a 6" Shazam figure for the 2019 film starring Zachary Levi, which I still haven't seen. I came to know the character as a child watching the Filmation live action TV show, which ran from 1974 to 1977 on CBS. Mego released an 8" Shazam during this period, but I'm unsure if I had him or not.

Above, Shazam with one of the first Mattel Retro-Action figures I got, Superman. The crooked chest insignia hasn't aged well, but this figure was integral to the genesis of this blog, and signaled my return to reading comics more as an adult. Below, Shazam with a few other Retro-Action figures I collected shortly after picking up Superman: Aquaman and Black Manta, Lex Luthor, and Flash and Captain Cold! See all these and more together in my April 2011 post, Retro-Action Retrospective!

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8" Mego-Styled Figures Toy Co. Super Friends Batman & Robin

This blog exists due in large part to the resurgence of these 8" Mego-styled action figures/dolls, modeled after the wildly successful World's Greatest Heroes line from the 70's. In fact, he second post on the Super-DuperToyBox was about Mattel's DC Retro-Action Batman & Superman, bringing the excitement of action figures from my childhood back to life. Check out the video:

Guest starring in the video above are the DC Retro-Action Batman and Two-Face. While the line suffered from some pelvic joint issues, these Figures Toy Co. figures had their own problems, namely a very loose head atop the Robin that had a hard times standing up due to balance issues. I'm unsure I prefer the wired capes on the Figures Toy Co. figures, but there quality and black inner-lined construction are certainly nice looking. I loved the Mattel Retro-Action figures and their upgraded styling, which Figures Toy Co. follows in this series, also making more exact replicas of the original Mego World's Greatest Heroes characters, complete with oven mitt gloves! In spite of their issues, Figures Toy Co. did reproduce the look and feel of the Super Friends Batman and Robin here, the Saturday morning cartoon from which was a childhood favorite and appealed to my desire for Mego World's Greatest action figures.

*Read my past posts on DC Retro-Action figures!

*Check out the online Mego Museum for all of what's new and old!

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Hey, Mr. Postman!

 

It's been a couple months since I got toys in the mail   :)    I ran across a couple things I've wanted for awhile, but wanted at a better price than they had been previously available. Some things I'll pick up no matter what, but some I'll hold out for a deal. My advice when searching on eBay for that special find would be to mix up your keywords. For example, with action figures, search with combinations of the figure's name, manufacturer, series, and height, such as Mattel 8" Retro-Action Martian Manhunter. You will often see more than you were looking for, and with luck see something you would not have when leaving out the height or manufacturer.

 

 

Speaking of J'onn J'onzz, I found yet another Mattel dolly I couldn't live without. I never saw one of these series 4 DC Retro-Action figures in these parts, and while I'd paid $20.00 + shipping for my Green Arrow off MattyCollector, I always held out on the Martian Manhunter- I knew there'd be plenty around later, in spite of the line being cancelled. This was smart as I finally scored him for $12.50. If you've been reading this blog for any amount of time, you have a pretty good idea of what a big nerd I am about J'onn, and this blog was really founded on my fond memories of the old Mego World's Greatest Superheroes and Mattel's revival of the 8" scale dolls action figures with real fabric outfits. I don't have any of my childhood Megos, but if you want to see a pretty sweet collection, go over to the Batcave Toyroom.

 

 

Another favorite character of mine is obviously Robin the Boy Wonder- who for myself embodies a boyish spirit and youthful enthusiasm I find refreshing. Ask Denny O'Neil how important Robin is some time and he'll tell you about the consequences of writing Death in the Family (which I thought was great, not sorry). I 'd been waiting a long time to find this DC SuperFriends Robin to put in my Batmobile with my Batman. I'm funny like that  :D   I have several of these cute Mattel action figures, which feature cloth capes, solid construction, and great design. Their accessories are kiddie stuff, but their sculpts & colors are fun!  Always saw this MattyCollector exclusive online for north of forty bucks, but finally grabbed him for $16.50, shipping included. Love!

 

 

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Hey, Mr. Postman!

Gosh I sure love gettin' toys in the mail  :D  My postman is actually slender blonde beauty with sunny personality, but since I work 9 to 5 with the new job, I never see her anymore. Bummer. Well, at least she brought me these last week...

I told myself I wasn't gonna buy these from MattyCollector, and I didn't the first time around. When they recently re-released them all together, the bulk shipping was easier to swallow. Some of the first toys posted on the Super-DuperToyBox when I started 21 months ago were these Retro-Action DC Superheroes, which are so much like my childhood Mego World's Greatest Superheroes.

The Green Lantern franchise hot after Geoff Johns' Blackest Night saga, just before the Green Lantern motion picture premiere last summer, Mattel was all things Green Lantern so we got these. I've waited a long time! I have Hal Jordan and the classic Sinestro already, making a good portion of my Retro-Action collection GL Corps... What can I say? I'm a big Green Lantern fan! I love that Mattel gave John Stewart an Afro and Guy Gardner the bowl cut. I've read a couple Kyle Rayner books recently, too, along with the first six GL New Guardian issues released with DCs New 52 relaunch- I'm a big fan of Tyler Kirkham's pencilling! I love how these are packed old-school, no twisty ties, a simple backing card- just like when I was a kid!

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Hey, Mr. Postman!

Oh boy, oh boy! Let's take a look at  what wonderful toy came in the mail this week...



MattyCollector released their exclusive DC Retro-Action Green Arrow again, herald of the 8" Mattel action figure line inspired by the Mego World's Greatest Superheroes of the 70's- a childhood favorite of mine! I caught the end of sale in late November, having missed him the first time around- Ollie was one of these I'd been after for some time- a really fun dolly with great accessories!

Click this link to see all my posts on these fun action figures, now sadly discontinued... there were so many characters I would have liked to have seen produced in this format, such a shame!

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Captain Cold Vs. The Frost Giants!

As feared, the Frost Giant clan has become a little territorial over here at the Super-DuperToyBox. Several skirmishes have broken out in the toy vault, Mr. Freeze has been aloof & apprehensive, and then it happened: they attacked Captain Cold!

It wasn't pretty, and Cold is pretty shook up, so he'll be hanging with Flash & the guys in the Retro-Action bin for the time being. I don't know if it's a Mattel/Hasbro thing or a DC/Marvel problem, but I have a feeling neither matters to the Frost Giants- they are just T-R-O-U-B-L-E. They just looked all pissed off when I got cross with them about it... I don't think it got through and I'm a little worried about who will be next!

Hey, Mr. Postman!

No, I didn't get some new shoes from Zappos, though by all accounts they make a quality product- yes, I DID get some toys in the mail!

A couple weeks back after having purchased a Mattel Retro-Action Sinestro at Toys 'R Us, I stumbled upon a Sinestro/Green Lantern set from this series on eBay up for bid at a reasonable price! A couple folks were going back & forth, edging the price up bit by bit, but I sniped the set at the last few seconds for $41.00, shipping included! That's slightly better than if I'd bought them retail w/tax- not incredible, but pretty good considering how hard it is to find the Hal Jordan Green Lantern for around twenty bucks. As always, I had kept my TRU receipt, so I returned the other Sinestro. Victory is Mine!

ALSO... A couple weeks ago I won a mini-mate from the boys at The Articulated Monster podcast for sending in a listener question. James e-mailed a week after, saying his postage was inadequate, and that he would send it again...

...well, it came... with the envelope slashed & the said figure missing!  While stealing toys is a dastardly deed, I did laugh out loud  :D  The thief left the cards James sent in the envelope! Oh well. DO get over and give The Articulated Monster a listen- I find it amusing/fun listening to the guys talk about toys, and sending in listener questions might win you a PRIZE!

And finally... I've heard a lot of cryin' about DC Comics giving the whole Universe a reboot- Good Grief! Like that hasn't happened before. Who cares?? What if it's great??  Why don't you take a minute to read my friend John's comparison of the situation to the book "Who Moved My Cheese" over at the The Batcave Toy Room. John, you're wonderful! That's the kind of attitude I like- a positive one!  Change is often difficult, and people don't like it- it's inevitable & unavoidable however, so you try embracing it. Don't worry about it- look at this bitchin' new picture of Wonder Woman instead!

Have FUN With Your Life- You'll Live Longer!

Mattel DC Retro-Action Retrospctive

Just wanted to share a few pics of my 8" Mattel Retro-Action DC Superheroes I took while I was shooting Flash & Captain Cold the other night... I had them out, so I thought I'd have some FUN...
The Heroes: Batman, Aquaman, Superman, & Flash!

 

The Villains: Black Manta, Lex Luthor, Captain Cold, & Two-Face!

I'm 39 years old and (laughs) playing with my dollies! My mother not-so-jokingly remarks how I've reverted to my childhood lately, and while I may not be able to go back, taking these photos and yammering about how I love these toys is how I play. Playing and/or being playful is important to your mental health and happiness, which brings about vitality. I'm a fun guy, and maybe I am reverting to my childhood- I DO feel great, and people have been commenting on how young I look since I stopped drinking, lost weight, trimmed my beard/hair! I mean, would a man nearing his forties dress like this?! He would if he were me! LOL!

Retro-Action Flash & Captain Cold!

I scored a couple more of Mattel's 8" DC Retro-Action dollies action figures last week, two that I couldn't resist: Flash and Captain Cold! The colorful outfits on these two make for a great hero/villain combo! I bought six of these when I started this blog six months ago, and seeing these on the pegs at Toys 'R Us was too much to resist. Like many of us of a certain vintage, my love for these goes back to my childhood Mego World's Greatest Superhero dolls, now lost to time and rigorous play.

Unlike the original Megos, these Mattels have an assortment of differently styled boots across the line, Flash sporting his own winged variety with saw-tooth tread. Very Cool! It seems as though Mattel has largely solved the pelvic issues earlier toys in this line suffered from, unfortunately they are still difficult to pose due to the rubber band construction for the torso and hips. A child, however, would not be concerned by this- they would more likely be playing with the toy. I love the bright happy colors and smile on Flash's face- this is a FUN toy!

Like Two-Face, Captain Cold is a standout in this line of toys due to his excellently styled outfit- a triumph, I say! The blue fabric even feels retro! Like the Flash, Captain Cold has his own, individually-styled boots, his with icicle pattern around the tops.

A lot of these Mattel dollies come with no accessories, but Captain Cold comes with his trademark freeze gun, which neatly holsters into the substantial belt they gave him. He doesn't grip it very well, but I appreciate that it's molded in magenta plastic, adding to they playful look of this retro toy.

I've really enjoyed this line of toys, and  eagerly await the release of the Sinestro Corps Sinestro and Jon Stewart Green Lantern (which has an afro!) coming out in the next couple months. Unfortunately, these, along with a Kyle Rayner and Guy Gardner Green Lanterns will be sold only at Matty Collector's website, and on seperate occasions so I can be fleeced for shipping twice. The price of these seem a little high at twenty buck a pop, though my friends overseas probably (laughs) don't want to hear about that! Why Batman came without a grapple hook and batarangs is beyond my understanding. And couldn't they have fiven Two-Face a couple .45 Magnums? But does it matter really matter to Mattel when people like myself will buy them? And while Mattel got a few things wrong with these, they did a lot right as well, including keeping the spirit of those old Megos intact with styling and packaging- and that's what I came for, Kids  :)

*Read Poe Ghostal's review of these action figures at Points of Articulation!

Saturday Swag

Was running around town doing some clothes shopping today and picked up some cool superhero shirts at Target today, then stopped by Toys 'R Us to pick up a couple of those bitchin' Retro-Action dollies by Mattel...

Captain Cold!

The Flash!

I saw these during the February toy-fast, but resisted, and Alex & Kingkaiju waved 'em in my face recently as well. They were too cool to let get away, and I'm doubly glad I got these today, as stock was down significantly upon my return. I am mad for these DC Retro-Action dollies as they remind me so much of my childhood Megos. Pure love. I also have Superman, Lex Luthor, Batman, Two-Face, Aquaman, & Black Manta. I see a photo session in my future!

And...

...my lovely Postlady brought me yet another Martian Manhunter action figure yesterday, because you know I can never get enough. I won this DC Direct Series 2 Secret Files J'onn J'onzz on eBay for $11.24 (price included shipping)- I'd only been spotting him for north of $18.00 for months, but someone finally came down to where I was comfortable. Patience wins the day...

Have a Super-Duper weekend!