"Mego
Like" News
 MEGO SCALE OFFERINGS AT TOY FAIR 99
Almost twenty years after its demise, Mego continues
to have impact on modern toy offerings. Several companies exhibiting at Toy Fair 99 in New
York this past February displayed new action figures/dolls at or near Mego scale.
Toy Biz
Toy Biz's Famous Covers line continues to thrive
amidst the company's recent change in product focus from superheroes to video game and
entertainment properties (like professional wrestling). The nine inch superhero line,
popular with collectors because of their detail, removable costumes, and new lower price
point, will soon include Rogue, Nightcrawler, Cyclops and Magneto. No further assortments
were shown, leading to speculation of a possible shift to include video game and wrestling
properties in the "Famous Covers" nine inch format.
Playing Mantis
Playing Mantis, whose recent collector-friendly
offerings include reproductions Captain Action and Evel Knievel, have set now set their
sights on Action Jackson. The company plans to produce three different sets, including a
doll and costume. Unfortunately, though the company claims the dolls will be able to wear
the old outfits, the figures themselves will not be exact reproductions of our old
favorites, but brand new sculpts using "superior" modern technology. Blecch.
Hasbro
Mego and DC fans are frothing at the mouth over the
upcoming DC heroes shown at Toy Fair, but not a lot of information has been released about
them. The dolls, classic silver age versions of Aquaman, Green Lantern and Green Arrow,
are expected to be released in the fall.
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 Mmmm, DC Heroes.
The
Dukes of Hazzard
Mego Connection
Fun Mego Trivia -- Mego may have had a hand in the
end of the popular action show Dukes of Hazzard.
The television show was a runaway success, which
spawned a licensing blitz which included Dukes of Hazzard lunch boxes, t-shirts, die cast
cars, and, as Mego fans know, action figures and dolls from the Mego company.
When series stars Tom Wopat and John Schneider heard
about the millions of dollars in revenues that merchandising with their likenesses was
generating, they both demanded a larger cut of the pie. Producers refused, and the Duke
Boys walked.
Eventually, Bo and Luke were compensated fairly for
the merchandising, but not before they were replaced on the show (and in the Mego toy
line) with Coy and Vance Duke. |
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