Vintage Riddler Action Figure by Mego 1974-1978

The Riddler, that infernal Prince of Puzzlers, who has outwitted the Gotham City Police Department a dozen times and of course Batman's Arch Enemy. Like Mego's Joker and Penguin action figures, the Riddler was part of their World's Greatest Foes line. Although, the Riddler did have a fist fighting version of himself, he was not as big a seller as his counterparts.

In my opinion, The Riddler was just as well done as the other villains from The World's Greatest Super-Heroes series. Even though he wasn't as popular as the other villains, he now rivals The Joker in terms of collectors popularity. Probably because he is more rare.

The figure is simple. Standard screen printed body suit, similar to that of the Penguin and Joker, and purple utility belt. Originally, the Riddler had an elastic belt identical to early versions found on Robin. Except in purple. Later the belt was changed to the same mold as Batman's utility belt. Again in molded purple rather than yellow.

The Riddler came in both widow box and blister card versions.

Riddle me this: What has no flesh on nor nail, but has four fingers and a thumb?

Kenner Star Wars Micro Collection Action Figure of the Week # 4

Vintage C-3PO Star Wars Micro Collection

R2-D2, Where are you?

Random Pic(s) from The Batcave Toy Room Archive #16

Return of the Jedi toy insert

Return of the Jedi Toy Preview (backside)

The excitement of what was to come....

My Top 10 Favorite Vintage Action Figures of All Time

When I first thought about writing this post I thought it would be a snap, but it is has been hard as heck. It's like trying to pick which one of your children are your favorite. You just can't do it because you love them all equally. So I broke it down between the figures I played with most as a kid, the design of the figure, and the uniqueness. Man it was still hard.

10. Vintage Kenner Imperial Gunner

The Empire's gunners, who operate their turbo lasers aboard their Star Destroyer's and the main super laser aboard the Death Star, are just too cool. For some reason this guy reminds me of K.I.T.T. from Knight Rider. Must be the red visor. This figure should have been released in the first or second wave of Kenner's Star Wars line, but wasn't until the final wave of action figures. Like the Cloud Car and T.I.E. Fighter pilots, Kenner was behind the 8 ball on this one, as both the Death Star and Darth Vader's Star Destroyer playsets were discounted by the time this figure came out. Good thing I still had mine. Finally, someone to man the guns.

9. Vintage Kenner Anakin Skywalker

The figure that was released in the final wave of figures and the last of Kenner's mail in offers. Didn't really play with this one much as I was getting older and wasn't really playing with my toys (boy times have changed), but I was still collecting and actually never stopped. This figure is cool because it is now a character that was replaced by the new trilogies version of Anakin. I am sure poor Sebastian Shaw will be completely deleted in some re-released version of Return of the Jedi sooner or later.

8. Vintage Kenner Luke Skywalker (X-wing Pilot)

My first Star Wars action figure. I just love the detailing of this figure and probably one the first figures to have so much attention of detailed paid to it. From the Rebel Forces insignia on his helmet, to the blast shield tucked up in the helmet. Another one of those that came out after the vehicle was made action figures, but at least Kenner was still producing X-Wings when this one came out.

8. Vintage Mego Robin

Where there is a Batman, there needs to be a Boy Wonder. I very rarely didn't get a new Robin whenever I received a new Batman. Mainly because a would throw a fit if I didn't get both. Hey, can't have a Dynamic Duo without both. A very nicely done figure from the first wave of Mego's World Greatest Super Heroes line. Minus the oven mitt gloves an awesome figure. Poor guy can't hold on to anything expect a baking sheet with those darn things on.

7. Vintage Princess Leia (Bespin Gown)

My first female character action figure that I didn't think of as a doll. She was more just like one of the guys. I always liked the look of this figure. Probably because I thought Princess Leia actually looked like a Princess in this dress. Hey Leia, will you express your true feelings for me in the South passage?

6. Vintage Mego Superman

The Man of Steel himself. Like Mego's Robin, another well done figure from the first wave. I wish he had a better belt, but still a nice looking figure. Oh, and I wish Mego would have continued to put the "S" shield sticker on the capes like they did originally, Cheapskates!

5. Vintage Kenner Robin (Super Powers)

Very detailed and nicely done version of the Teen Wonder. I like the karate action feature as well. It kind reminds of David Lee Roth in the Van Halen video "Hot for Teacher." I've got it bad...got it bad...got it bad...I am hot for toys.

4. Vintage Kenner Darth Vader

The Dark Lord of the Sith. He had a nasty reputation as a cruel ass dude. They said he was ruthless, they said he was crude. Darth Vader was a staple in and still is in my toy collection. I am truly a man of peace, but boy did I dig the Empire's minions.

3. Vintage Luke Skywalker (Bespin Outfit)

My Star Wars collection was born in 1980 and I received 3 of these for my birthday that year. I wanted to open only one and keep the other two sealed, but my friends talked me into opening the others to act as clones. Will the real Luke Skywalker please stand up. This figure came with sun in yellow and golden brown hair.  Luke wore this outfit throughout most The Empire Strikes Back. From his landing on Dagobah, his Jedi training, and his light saber duel with Darth Vader. Boy, he must have been ripe. He was lucky Lando pulled him in the Millennium Falcon and didn't leave him outside. Dude, you need some right and left guard.

2. Vintage Kenner Boba Fett

A fearsome interplanetary bounty hunter and a threat to the Rebel Alliance especially Han Solo. Originally planned to have a firing rocket mechanism Kenner pulled the plug on that idea. We'd have to wait 32 years to see that one come to fruition. Although the rockets pack worked great. Just add two bottle rockets and way he goes. This time Kenner got it right. None of this releasing a character after discontinuing the ship or playset. Not only did the action figure come before his ship Slave I. It came before his movie appearance in The Empire Strikes Back. Although, he was later added to the Special Edition version of Star Wars. So, I guess it wasn't before his first movie appearance. Oh, wait, or was it? I feel some major paradox about to occur. In to the time machine Boba, we're sending you back to the future. Or past...or whatever.

1. Vintage Removable Cowl Batman

My first Mego action figure and the figure responsible for starting it all. It is so cool to be able to remove his cowl to reveal Bruce Wayne underneath. It was like having two figures in one. This figure remained pretty much untouched for the entire run of the line accept for, you guessed it, changing it to a molded cowl. Again, Cheapskates.

Honorable Mentions:

Vintage Mego Shazam

With a guy able to summon awesome forces by uttering a single word, Shazam! And having his own TV series, I had to give this one honorable mention. This guy along with Superman were the muscle in the group. I don't know what it was about this figure especially since there were some inaccuracies in the costume design, but I guess, which of Mego's early figures didn't? The yellow and red colors just work for me. Glad they didn't make a Mentor figure too. Mentor? What kind of name is Mentor. That's a job title. Not a name.

Vintage Kenner Han Solo in Carbonite

I had such a fascination with being able to freeze things from using Mr. Freeze's or Captain Cold's freeze guns to freezing things in carbonite. So, this figure was right up my alley. Kenner must have thought this figure was cool too because they didn't produce one carbonite frozen Han Solo, but two. Count them...two. Fist released with Slave I and then a separate re-designed action figure that you could actually remove or place inside a separate Han Solo. How awesome is that.

Like I was saying this was a hard one. I might as well have written a post about my whole collection. Let me hear from you on what you like about these action figures and what your favorites are.

Kenner Star Wars Micro Collection Action Figure of the Week #3

Vintage Kenner Star Wars Micro Collection R2-D2

Short people got no reason...

Star Wars Micro Collection R2-D2

Random Pic from The Batcave Toy Room Archive #15

Vintage Kenner Super Powers Superman & Brainiac

I would give him a HA! And a Hi-Ya! And then a Ouu-Wa! And I'd kick him, sir.

Vintage Penguin Action Figure by Mego 1974-1982

The Penguin, that pompous waddling master of fowl play, the criminal maestro of a thousand ubiquitous umbrellas and a pretty cool action figure.

Batman's Arch Enemy, Penguin

Like Mego's Joker action figure, Penguin was a popular selling character for Mego. He sold from is introduction in the Super-Foes line until the demise of The World's Greatest Super Heroes line in 1982, when Mego folded. Not only was the Penguin a popular seller like the Joker, his design and appearances in Batman toy commercials were just about equal. He often shared the spotlight with the Clown Prince of Crime in joint capers in the commercials.

The Penguin's head sculpt is similar to Mr. Mxyzptlk in the fact that their hats were molded to their heads. Later released figures in the line like Green Arrow or Speedy had removable hats. The rest of the head was complete with beak nose, monocle and evil smirk. Mego also utilized their fat torso design for both Penguin and Mr. Mxyzptlk.

Like other villains in the line, this figure has a screen printed outfit. The Penguin's is a tuxedo with bow tie, big black buttons, orange cummerbund, pin-stripped purple pants and white spats and matches the characters comic book look at the time. Like the Joker, he has a removable tailed jacket and shoes.

Penguin was sold in window boxes and on blister cards. The comic illustration is a recognizable depiction of the character from the 70's and the original drawing has him holding an umbrella, which Mego did not include, as was their usual practice not include to accessories. Expect for the before mentioned Green Arrow. How do not give the Penguin an umbrella? Sounds like fowl play to me.

Check out the Mego Riddler that was part of this series too.

Kenner Star Wars Micro Collection Action Figure of the Week # 2

Where is that kid!

Ion Cannon Han Solo on Tauntaun

Random Pic from The Batcave Toy Room Archive #14

I don't like the looks of this.

This one is for LEon author of Open The Toy. Any other request just ask.

Vintage Star Wars Creature Cantina from Kenner 1979-1980

The Star Wars Creature Cantina playset was either the first or second playset that was added to my toy collection. It's a toss up between the Cantina and the Imperial Attack Base. I don't remember which one came first. Although I do remember that both were bought with money I had received for my birthday that year.

May I have some blue milk please? 

The Kennner Star Wars toy catalogue insert describes the Creature Cantina as:

Recreate exciting action from the weird cantina scene. Find adventure by pushing the floor button to swing open the Cantina door so the STORMTROOPER can enter. Move the action lever and BEN KENOBI defends LUKE SKYWALKER against SNAGGLETOOTH. Move another action lever and HAN SOLO knocks over GREEDO in mock battle. Use the floor pegs around the bar to pose your action figures.

If anyone asks, I shot first.

Love how the catalogue description says Han Solo "knocks over" instead of "knocks off." Remember the days when Han Solo shot first?

Like most of Kenner's Star Wars playsets this one is pretty basic. It has a plastic base with action levers for added play and a cardboard background. The coolest feature is the swinging doors that are rubberband propelled by pushing a button in the base.

Check out the toy commercial for the Creature Cantina below:



(via 12back.com)

Full Length Pic of Anne Hathaway as Catwoman

Here is The Dark Knight Rises Selina Kyle/Catwoman in frontal view. Enjoy.

(via Bleeding Cool)

Vintage Die Cast Tie Bomber From Kenner 1980

From September to December 1980 my Star Wars toy collection grew by leaps and bounds. That years Christmas brought on an awesome score of action figures, playsets, and vehicles from a galaxy far, far, away. Not only were the sure number of toys impressive, but it also brought not only my first die cast Star Wars vehicle, it gave me one of the rarest...the Tie Bomber.

The Tie Bomber was one of the last of the die cast vehicles produced by Kenner, but it was also the least produced. Not just because Kenner pulled the line shortly after its release, but because Kenner only sold them mainly in Ohio and in certain test markets. Only about 10,0000 units were produced of the ship that had its one and only appearance in The Empire Strikes Back.

There wasn't much play value with this toy. It did have the same break away wings like it's larger Tie Fighter counterpart, but that's about it. You can also see a Stormtrooper in Hoth battle gear in the cockpit. The TIE fighter pilot had not been produced yet. It would have been cool if Kenner produced a larger size Tie Bomber to go along with its action figure line, but we would have to wait about 25 years for that.

I was never really a fan of the die cast vehicles, even though I loved Kenner's Micro Collection, so I never really played with it much. Mine has a few nicks and scratches and the wings have discolored. The discoloration is common and can be seen on action figures too. Especially, figures molded in white like Stormtroopers. With the lack of play this one received, I really wish I had kept it mint in the box. This is definitely a rare one.