Mego Corporation
Encyclopedia
The Mego Corporation was a toy
company that dominated the action figure toy market during most of the 1970s. The Mego Corporation was founded in the early 1950s by David Abrams and was mostly known prior to 1971 as a producer of dime store toys.
programs, and comic book
s, and started producing lines for Planet of the Apes
, Star Trek
, and the Wizard of Oz
. Mego used various licensed Marvel
and DC
superhero
characters to create their World's Greatest Superhero line, which became their most successful toy line. They also produced an original character, Action Jackson
, an unsuccessful competitor of Hasbro
's G.I. Joe
.
The secret of Mego's success was that their action figures were constructed with interchangeable heads. Generic bodies could be mass produced and different figures created by interposing different heads and costumes on them. Mego also constructed their figures primarily in an 8 inches (203.2 mm) scale - setting an industry standard in the 1970s.
. During this time period, Mego released the very first ever comprehensive line of DC and Marvel character action figures and coined the term "World's Greatest Super Heroes!" to umbrella the name for all the figures released in this line. (They later relinquished their rights and surrendered the trademarked name to both DC and Marvel Comics in order to maintain licensing privileges. In turn they were granted licensing rights to the name). The popularity of this line of 8" figures created the standard scale for the 1970s and featured several popular superhero and villain figures. The earliest Batman and Robin figures had removable masks but they were easily lost and Mego noted that it was less expensive to create a new sculpt for Batman with a molded on mask and simply painted the mask onto Robin. They were offered for an entire decade from 1972 until 1983.
Earliest figures were released in a solid box but the boxes were damaged in stores by shoppers who wanted to see the figure inside. The design was quickly changed to a window style box. To start the line, Mego introduced Batman, Robin, Aquaman and Superman. But others soon followed.
The complete offering of WGSH's in alphabetical order were:
National Periodical Publications/DC Comics Heroes:
Aquaman
, Batgirl
, Batman
, Catwoman
, Green Arrow
, Isis
, Joker
, Mr. Mxyzptlk, Penguin
, Riddler
, Robin
, Captain Marvel
(for legal reasons labeled as Shazam), Supergirl
, Superman
, Tarzan
*, Teen Titans (Speedy, Kid Flash, Aqualad, and Wonder Girl) and Wonder Woman
(*Tarzan was originally licensed to Mego by creator Edgar Rice Burroughs, DC later acquired rights).
Marvel Comics Heroes:
Captain America
, Conan
, Falcon
, Green Goblin
, Hulk
, Human Torch
, Invisible Girl, Iron Man
, Lizard
, Mr. Fantastic, Spider-Man
, The Thing
and Thor
. For the South Africa
n market a local radio play superhero, Jet Jungle
was included in the series.
) store chain. Although later carded figures followed, this particular early style of card placed the clear plastic bubble containing the action figure in the center of the card and is notably different than later cards, which placed the bubble toward one side.
Mego first attempted a fashion doll line in the early '70s to rival Barbie
with Maddie Mod, who had an extensive wardrobe, and her boyfriend Richie. The line was not a success. They also created a poseable eight inch (203 mm) scale of a Barbie-like doll, 1973's Dinah-Mite.
In 1975, Mego launched a highly successful 12½ inch celebrity doll
line, to directly compete with Mattel's Barbie
doll. The first dolls were Sonny and Cher, with Bob Mackie
designing an extensive wardrobe for Cher
. Then Mego added the Lynda Carter
Wonder Woman
doll line in 1976. Farrah Fawcett
, Jaclyn Smith
, Diana Ross
, Suzanne Somers
, and The Captain and Tennille dolls followed in 1977.
From 1976 to 1980 they produced a popular line of lucite 3" fully articulated figures called Micronauts
to compete with Kenner
's Star Wars
line. The Micronauts line was licensed from Japanese toy maker Takara
, and based on that company's Microman
line of toys.
Mego added 12 1/2 figures from the Superman movie in 1978, as well as the members of the rock 'n' roll band Kiss
.
figures had lost their popularity and before the revival of the G.I. Joe line in 3¾" format and also to compete with Spain's Madelman line of soldier figures. The 6 inches (152.4 mm) combat line was not a success, and knockoff figures were also released for companies like Woolworth's (or Woolco
in Canada, where the line was known as "World War Two Heroes, Brave Soldiers, Jest Force").
Eagle Force
was a 2+3/4 in die-cast
action figure
toy line marketed by Mego Corporation in the 1980s in the United States
, the line was similar to the G.I. Joe
action figures by Hasbro
. They were designed by Paul Kirchner.
, as Martin Abrams was currently hashing out a deal with Takara
to bring Micronauts
to the United States and was of the opinion that they would go bankrupt if they made toys of every "flash in the pan" sci-fi B movie that came along. This decision seemed of little consequence to Mego at first, although the movie was extremely popular and competitor Kenner Products
sold substantial numbers of Star Wars action figures.
Following Star Wars great success, Mego negotiated the licenses for the manufacturing rights to any and all potentially successful science fiction motion picture and television shows, in hopes of finding a similar hot property. They produced 12½ inch figures for Moonraker
, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
, The Black Hole
, Star Trek: The Motion Picture
. None of these were as successful as Kenner's Star Wars products, although they were of much higher quality than Kenner's unsuccessful 12" figures.
In 1982 Mego filed for bankruptcy
, and by 1983, the Mego Corporation ceased to exist under that name and is now known as Abrams Gentile Entertainment LLC.
doll line, the Cher
doll (as well as certain rare Bob Mackie
designed outfits), and the Kiss
dolls are deemed as prized collectibles.
," a humorous photo comic-strip appearing in ToyFare: The Toy Magazine
. ToyFare staff pose and take photos depicting the figures in bizarre situations, with added dialogue bubbles. The series is well known in comic book
and collectors' circles for its distinctive, off-the-wall sense of humor. The strips (renamed, formerly "Twisted Mego Theatre") have even been printed separately in their own collection.
Toys similar to Mego action figures are used in the Cartoon Network
Adult Swim
show, Robot Chicken
.
repair their broken or incomplete Megos as well as make new custom action figures.
In 2005, a company named ClassicTVToys (CTVT) began to produce lesser quality 8 inches (203.2 mm) re-issue figures very similar in design to the original Mego figure. Various lines manufactured include facsimilied replicas of Mego's Mad Monster, Merry Men, Western Heroes and Super Pirates. These figures were produced in India and were made from a low quality recycled plastic, which caused the figures' hands and feet to crack and break easily. The accessories work well as replacement accessories for original Mego items that are missing parts, however, to the company's credit, they are usually marked "CTVT" and the lack of quality is quite evident as being easily spotted as a reproduced part. See Megomuseum.com/accessory check for details of how to spot a reproduction.
They also manufactured licensed, classic television characters, packaged on blister cards. Among the many included in the line: Happy Days
, a modified version of the series Mego made. And others, which Mego did not make, such as Married... with Children
, The Munsters
, The Brady Bunch
, Space:1999 (which Mego did produce to some degree in the 1970's, but only for the European market, as Mattel had the American license), and professional wrestler André the Giant
. Unfortunately the sculpting of the heads were harsh and lacked Mego's charm. These figures were quickly discounted by CTVT and can be found for 1/3 of their original retail price on eBay. Please beware of reproductions or original items bearing reproduction accessories. This will always be disclosed by an ethical reputable dealer and can be easily identified with some education in the matter.
In 2006, EMCE Toys brand was founded by Paul "Dr. Mego" Clarke and Joe Sena to bring back Mego toys with the blessing of Marty Abrams - former CEO of Mego Corp. Made in China, the new Star Trek figures have the high quality of the Dr. Mego parts, matching the original action figures. Working with Diamond Select Toys - holders of the Star Trek and Planet of the Apes licenses, these figures have been selling in comics shops and quickly selling out. Following their success, new characters are currently being produced that Mego did not originally make such as Lt. Sulu, Ensign Chekov, and "Space Seed" villain Khan.
The Gorn that Mego produced was a brown Lizard head (identical to the Marvel Comics villain) on a brown body wearing a Klingon outfit. Fans have frequently wished that Mego had made a TV accurate Gorn. EMCE Toys and DST have made a new green Gorn based on the TV episode "Arena".
EMCE Toys was even able to get original Mego packaging artist Harold Schull to illustrate new artwork for Sulu, Chekov, Khan and the Gorn.
Mego collectors have an annual buy/sell trade convention in Wheeling, West Virginia called *Mego Meet this occurs the first weekend in June. This event is open to the public. Anyone interested in obtaining these true landmark original early action figures as well as the recent incarnations and accessory parts are encouraged to attend. Expert panels are also provided for several educational topics.
In early 2009, co-founder Martin Abrams announced that he has reclaimed rights to the name Mego. No specific future plans for Mego Corporation have been disclosed to date.
In July 2009, EMCE Toys joined up with Mattel for the return of Mego's World's Greatest Superheroes dubbed DC Retro Action Superheroes, these were released in Toys R Us Spring 2010. The line includes completely revamped versions of Superman and Green Arrow along with Green Lantern, Lex Luthor and Sinestro.
Fall 2010 wave 2 was released - Batman, Two-Face, Aquaman, and Black Manta.
Winter 2010 wave 3 was released - Wonder Woman, Cheetah, Flash, and Capt.Cold.
Spring 2011 wave 4 was released - Captain Marvel (for legal reasons labeled as Shazam), Black Adam, Martian Manhunter, and Darkseid. In addition, mattycollector.com has 4 exclusive Green Lantern
Retro Action figures - one released each month, leading up to the Green Lantern movie. These include John Stewart, Guy Gardner, Kyle Rayner, and Sinestro in his Sinestro Corps uniform.
EMCE Toys is continuing the Mego revival by working with Diamond Select Toys
on more Star Trek figures, including Captain Pike and the Salt Vampire, as well as Universal Monsters.
Toy
A toy is any object that can be used for play. Toys are associated commonly with children and pets. Playing with toys is often thought to be an enjoyable means of training the young for life in human society. Different materials are used to make toys enjoyable and cuddly to both young and old...
company that dominated the action figure toy market during most of the 1970s. The Mego Corporation was founded in the early 1950s by David Abrams and was mostly known prior to 1971 as a producer of dime store toys.
Golden age
Starting in 1971, Under the direction of David Abram's son Martin, Mego began purchasing license rights to a variety of successful motion pictures, televisionTelevision
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
programs, and comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
s, and started producing lines for Planet of the Apes
Planet of the Apes (1968 film)
Planet of the Apes is a 1968 American science fiction film directed by Franklin J. Schaffner, based on the 1963 French novel La Planète des singes by Pierre Boulle. The film stars Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, Maurice Evans, James Whitmore, James Daly and Linda Harrison...
, Star Trek
Star Trek: The Original Series
Star Trek is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry, produced by Desilu Productions . Star Trek was telecast on NBC from September 8, 1966, through June 3, 1969...
, and the Wizard of Oz
The Wizard of Oz (1939 film)
The Wizard of Oz is a 1939 American musical fantasy film produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It was directed primarily by Victor Fleming. Noel Langley, Florence Ryerson and Edgar Allan Woolf received credit for the screenplay, but there were uncredited contributions by others. The lyrics for the songs...
. Mego used various licensed Marvel
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
and DC
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
characters to create their World's Greatest Superhero line, which became their most successful toy line. They also produced an original character, Action Jackson
Action Jackson (toy)
Action Jackson was a line of action figures and accessories manufactured by Mego Corporation in the 1970s. Three varieties of dolls were available...
, an unsuccessful competitor of Hasbro
Hasbro
Hasbro is a multinational toy and boardgame company from the United States of America. It is one of the largest toy makers in the world. The corporate headquarters is located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, United States...
's G.I. Joe
G.I. Joe
G.I. Joe is a line of action figures produced by the toy company Hasbro. The initial product offering represented four of the branches of the U.S. armed forces with the Action Soldier , Action Sailor , Action Pilot , Action Marine and later on, the Action Nurse...
.
The secret of Mego's success was that their action figures were constructed with interchangeable heads. Generic bodies could be mass produced and different figures created by interposing different heads and costumes on them. Mego also constructed their figures primarily in an 8 inches (203.2 mm) scale - setting an industry standard in the 1970s.
Official "World's Greatest Superheroes!"
In 1972, The Mego made a landmark deal and secured the licenses to create toys for both National Periodical Publications (later DC Comics) and Marvel ComicsMarvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
. During this time period, Mego released the very first ever comprehensive line of DC and Marvel character action figures and coined the term "World's Greatest Super Heroes!" to umbrella the name for all the figures released in this line. (They later relinquished their rights and surrendered the trademarked name to both DC and Marvel Comics in order to maintain licensing privileges. In turn they were granted licensing rights to the name). The popularity of this line of 8" figures created the standard scale for the 1970s and featured several popular superhero and villain figures. The earliest Batman and Robin figures had removable masks but they were easily lost and Mego noted that it was less expensive to create a new sculpt for Batman with a molded on mask and simply painted the mask onto Robin. They were offered for an entire decade from 1972 until 1983.
Earliest figures were released in a solid box but the boxes were damaged in stores by shoppers who wanted to see the figure inside. The design was quickly changed to a window style box. To start the line, Mego introduced Batman, Robin, Aquaman and Superman. But others soon followed.
The complete offering of WGSH's in alphabetical order were:
National Periodical Publications/DC Comics Heroes:
Aquaman
Aquaman
Aquaman is a fictional superhero who appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger, the character debuted in More Fun Comics #73 . Initially a backup feature in DC's anthology titles, Aquaman later starred in several volumes of a solo title...
, Batgirl
Batgirl
Batgirl is the name of several fictional characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, frequently depicted as female counterparts to the superhero Batman...
, Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
, Catwoman
Catwoman
Catwoman is a fictional character associated with DC Comics' Batman franchise. Historically a supervillain, the character was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, partially inspired by Kane's cousin, Ruth Steel...
, Green Arrow
Green Arrow
Green Arrow is a fictional superhero that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Mort Weisinger and George Papp, he first appeared in More Fun Comics #73 in November 1941. His secret identity is Oliver Queen, billionaire and former mayor of fictional Star City...
, Isis
Isis (DC Comics)
Isis is a DC Comics superhero, as well as a separate Egyptian goddess also living in the DC Universe. The recent superhero character is modeled closely after the main character of The Secrets of Isis, a live-action American Saturday Morning television program that served as the second half of The...
, Joker
Joker (comics)
The Joker is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain published by DC Comics. He is the archenemy of Batman, having been directly responsible for numerous tragedies in Batman's life, including the paralysis of Barbara Gordon and the death of Jason Todd, the second Robin...
, Mr. Mxyzptlk, Penguin
Penguin (comics)
Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot III is a DC Comics supervillain and one of Batman's oldest, most persistent enemies. The Penguin was introduced by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, making his debut in Detective Comics #58 .The Penguin is a short, rotund man known for his love of birds and his...
, Riddler
Riddler
The Riddler is a fictional character, a comic book character and supervillain published by DC Comics, and an enemy of Batman. Created by Bill Finger and Dick Sprang, the character first appeared in Detective Comics #140 ....
, Robin
Robin (comics)
Robin is the name of several fictional characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, originally created by Bob Kane, Bill Finger and Jerry Robinson, as a junior counterpart to DC Comics superhero Batman...
, Captain Marvel
Captain Marvel (DC Comics)
Captain Marvel is a fictional comic book superhero, originally published by Fawcett Comics and later by DC Comics. Created in 1939 by artist C. C. Beck and writer Bill Parker, the character first appeared in Whiz Comics #2...
(for legal reasons labeled as Shazam), Supergirl
Supergirl
Supergirl is a female counterpart to the DC Comics Superman. As his cousin, she shares his super powers and vulnerability to Kryptonite. She was created by writer Otto Binder and designed by artist Al Plastino in 1959. She first appeared in the Action Comics comic book series and later branched out...
, Superman
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
, Tarzan
Tarzan
Tarzan is a fictional character, an archetypal feral child raised in the African jungles by the Mangani "great apes"; he later experiences civilization only to largely reject it and return to the wild as a heroic adventurer...
*, Teen Titans (Speedy, Kid Flash, Aqualad, and Wonder Girl) and Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman is a DC Comics superheroine created by William Moulton Marston. She first appeared in All Star Comics #8 . The Wonder Woman title has been published by DC Comics almost continuously except for a brief hiatus in 1986....
(*Tarzan was originally licensed to Mego by creator Edgar Rice Burroughs, DC later acquired rights).
Marvel Comics Heroes:
Captain America
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
, Conan
Conan the Barbarian
Conan the Barbarian is a fictional sword and sorcery hero that originated in pulp fiction magazines and has since been adapted to books, comics, several films , television programs, video games, roleplaying games and other media...
, Falcon
Falcon (comics)
The Falcon is a fictional comic book superhero in comic books published by Marvel Comics.Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Gene Colan, and introduced in Captain America #117 , the character is mainstream comics' first African-American superhero...
, Green Goblin
Green Goblin
The Green Goblin is a fictional character, a supervillain who appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, and first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #14 ....
, Hulk
Hulk (comics)
The Hulk is a fictional character, a superhero in the . Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1 ....
, Human Torch
Human Torch
The Human Torch is a fictional character and superhero appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, he is a member of the superhero team the Fantastic Four, debuting in The Fantastic Four #1...
, Invisible Girl, Iron Man
Iron Man
Iron Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, first appearing in Tales of Suspense #39 .A billionaire playboy, industrialist and ingenious engineer,...
, Lizard
Lizard (comics)
The Lizard is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe and enemy of Spider-Man. The Lizard first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #6 , and was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko...
, Mr. Fantastic, Spider-Man
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
, The Thing
Thing (comics)
The Thing is a fictional character, a founding member of the superhero team known as the Fantastic Four in the Marvel Comics universe. He was created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee in The Fantastic Four #1...
and Thor
Thor (Marvel Comics)
Thor is a fictional superhero who appears in publications published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Journey into Mystery #83 and was created by editor-plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and penciller Jack Kirby....
. For the South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n market a local radio play superhero, Jet Jungle
Jet Jungle
Jet Jungle is the name of a mid-sixties scifi adventure superhero, who appeared in a hit radio play: "The incredible adventures of the most amazing man of our time" broadcast on South Africa's Springbok Radio as well as a Sunday comic of the same name...
was included in the series.
Carded figures
Mego also created the first carded packaging for action figures. Initially, Mego figures were released in boxes but S.S. Kresge's did not have shelves on which to place them so they requested that something be designed for their "peg board" displays. To satisfy the need, Mego created a card which is referred to as a Kresge style card (named for the Kresge — later KmartKmart
Kmart, sometimes styled as "K-Mart," is a chain of discount department stores. The chain acquired Sears in 2005, forming a new corporation under the name Sears Holdings Corporation. The company was founded in 1962 and is the third largest discount store chain in the world, behind Wal-Mart and...
) store chain. Although later carded figures followed, this particular early style of card placed the clear plastic bubble containing the action figure in the center of the card and is notably different than later cards, which placed the bubble toward one side.
Exclusive Secret Identity Figures
In 1974, Mego offered the first exclusive figures for Montgomery Ward's due to a relationship founder David Abrams had with Wards, which included Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson, Clark Kent and Peter Parker. These figures are now among the rarest of Superhero action figures. The figures feature the same heads as the corresponding superhero egos that Mego produced but because the run on these figures was separate from that of the hero figures, there is a bit of a color shift on the heads of several known examples that is unique to the SI figures themselves, distinguishing them from the superhero figure. The heads are known to exist with or without copyright information imprinted on the back of the neck.Celebrity, fashion and movie dolls
Barbie
Barbie is a fashion doll manufactured by the American toy-company Mattel, Inc. and launched in March 1959. American businesswoman Ruth Handler is credited with the creation of the doll using a German doll called Bild Lilli as her inspiration....
with Maddie Mod, who had an extensive wardrobe, and her boyfriend Richie. The line was not a success. They also created a poseable eight inch (203 mm) scale of a Barbie-like doll, 1973's Dinah-Mite.
In 1975, Mego launched a highly successful 12½ inch celebrity doll
Celebrity doll
A celebrity doll is a doll modelled after a celebrity.Celebrity dolls have been in production for a very long time. In the 1840s, several famous ballerinas were featured as paper dolls. Also in the 19th century, various military heroes were portrayed as dolls/figures. With the advent of silent...
line, to directly compete with Mattel's Barbie
Barbie
Barbie is a fashion doll manufactured by the American toy-company Mattel, Inc. and launched in March 1959. American businesswoman Ruth Handler is credited with the creation of the doll using a German doll called Bild Lilli as her inspiration....
doll. The first dolls were Sonny and Cher, with Bob Mackie
Bob Mackie
Robert Gordon Mackie is an American fashion designer, best known for his costuming for entertainment icons such as Judy Garland, Cher, Diana Ross, Liza Minnelli, Tina Turner, and Mitzi Gaynor...
designing an extensive wardrobe for Cher
Cher
Cher is an American recording artist, television personality, actress, director, record producer and philanthropist. Referred to as the Goddess of Pop, she has won an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, an Emmy Award, three Golden Globes and a Cannes Film Festival Award among others for her work in...
. Then Mego added the Lynda Carter
Lynda Carter
Lynda Jean Carter is an American actress and singer, best known for being Miss World USA and as the star of the 1970s television series The New Original Wonder Woman and The New Adventures of Wonder Woman ....
Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman (TV series)
Wonder Woman is an American television series based on the DC Comics comic book superhero of the same name. Starring Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman/Diana Prince and Lyle Waggoner as Steve Trevor, the show originally aired from 1975 to 1979....
doll line in 1976. Farrah Fawcett
Farrah Fawcett
Farrah Fawcett was an American actress and artist. A multiple Golden Globe and Emmy Award nominee, Fawcett rose to international fame when she first appeared as private investigator Jill Munroe in the first season of the television series Charlie's Angels, in 1976...
, Jaclyn Smith
Jaclyn Smith
Jacquelyn Ellen "Jaclyn" Smith is an American actress and businesswoman. She is best-known for the role of Kelly Garrett in the television series Charlie's Angels, and was the only original female lead to remain with the series for its complete run...
, Diana Ross
Diana Ross
Diana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway...
, Suzanne Somers
Suzanne Somers
Suzanne Somers is an American actress, author, singer and businesswoman, known for her television roles as Chrissy Snow on Three's Company and as Carol Lambert on Step by Step....
, and The Captain and Tennille dolls followed in 1977.
From 1976 to 1980 they produced a popular line of lucite 3" fully articulated figures called Micronauts
Micronauts
The Micronauts comic books feature a group of characters based on the Micronauts toyline. The title was published by Marvel Comics, Image Comics, and Devil's Due Publishing. Their first comic appearance was in Micronauts #1 with characterizations created by Bill Mantlo and Michael Golden...
to compete with Kenner
Kenner
Kenner Products was a toy company founded in 1947 by three brothers, Albert, Phillip, and Joseph L. Steiner, in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, and was named after the street where the original corporate offices were located, which is just north of Cincinnati's Union Terminal.Kenner introduced its...
's Star Wars
Star Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...
line. The Micronauts line was licensed from Japanese toy maker Takara
Takara
Takara Co., Ltd. was a Japanese toy company founded in 1955, that merged with another prominent Japanese toy company, Tomy Co., Ltd., on March 1, 2006 to form Takara Tomy, also known in English as TOMY Company Ltd....
, and based on that company's Microman
Microman
is a line of toys manufactured by Takara from 1974 to the present. Microman toys were originally imported to the United States by Mego Corporation as Micronauts until the company went bankrupt in 1982...
line of toys.
Mego added 12 1/2 figures from the Superman movie in 1978, as well as the members of the rock 'n' roll band Kiss
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
.
Military figures
A small collection of military-themed action figures were also released in the early 1980s, called "Johnny Action or Combat Man" in the US, they were also marketed in other countries (France, Italy, Germany, Australia, United Kingdom) released in 1976 under different names. Using the same 6 inches (152.4 mm) format, they were produced after the 12 inches (304.8 mm) G.I. JoeG.I. Joe
G.I. Joe is a line of action figures produced by the toy company Hasbro. The initial product offering represented four of the branches of the U.S. armed forces with the Action Soldier , Action Sailor , Action Pilot , Action Marine and later on, the Action Nurse...
figures had lost their popularity and before the revival of the G.I. Joe line in 3¾" format and also to compete with Spain's Madelman line of soldier figures. The 6 inches (152.4 mm) combat line was not a success, and knockoff figures were also released for companies like Woolworth's (or Woolco
Woolco
Woolco was an American-based discount retail chain. It was founded in 1962 in the city of Columbus, Ohio, by the F.W. Woolworth Company. It was a full-line discount department store unlike the five-and-dime Woolworth stores which operated at the time. At its peak, Woolco had hundreds of stores in...
in Canada, where the line was known as "World War Two Heroes, Brave Soldiers, Jest Force").
Eagle Force
Eagle Force
For the Solomon islands organization see: Malaita Eagle Force.For other uses of Eagle Force see: Eagle Force Eagle Force was an die-cast action figure toy line marketed by Mego Corporation in the 1980s in the United States, the line was similar to the G.I. Joe action figures by Hasbro...
was a 2+3/4 in die-cast
Die-cast toy
The term die-cast toy here refers to any toy or collectible model produced by using the die casting method. The toys are made of metal, with plastic, rubber or glass details. Wholly plastic toys are made by a similar process of injection moulding, but the two are rarely confused...
action figure
Action figure
An action figure is a posable character figurine, made of plastic or other materials, and often based upon characters from a film, comic book, video game, or television program. These action figures are usually marketed towards boys and male collectors...
toy line marketed by Mego Corporation in the 1980s in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the line was similar to the G.I. Joe
G.I. Joe
G.I. Joe is a line of action figures produced by the toy company Hasbro. The initial product offering represented four of the branches of the U.S. armed forces with the Action Soldier , Action Sailor , Action Pilot , Action Marine and later on, the Action Nurse...
action figures by Hasbro
Hasbro
Hasbro is a multinational toy and boardgame company from the United States of America. It is one of the largest toy makers in the world. The corporate headquarters is located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, United States...
. They were designed by Paul Kirchner.
Decline
In 1976, David Abrams rejected a deal to license toys for the upcoming motion picture Star WarsStar Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...
, as Martin Abrams was currently hashing out a deal with Takara
Takara
Takara Co., Ltd. was a Japanese toy company founded in 1955, that merged with another prominent Japanese toy company, Tomy Co., Ltd., on March 1, 2006 to form Takara Tomy, also known in English as TOMY Company Ltd....
to bring Micronauts
Micronauts
The Micronauts comic books feature a group of characters based on the Micronauts toyline. The title was published by Marvel Comics, Image Comics, and Devil's Due Publishing. Their first comic appearance was in Micronauts #1 with characterizations created by Bill Mantlo and Michael Golden...
to the United States and was of the opinion that they would go bankrupt if they made toys of every "flash in the pan" sci-fi B movie that came along. This decision seemed of little consequence to Mego at first, although the movie was extremely popular and competitor Kenner Products
Kenner
Kenner Products was a toy company founded in 1947 by three brothers, Albert, Phillip, and Joseph L. Steiner, in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, and was named after the street where the original corporate offices were located, which is just north of Cincinnati's Union Terminal.Kenner introduced its...
sold substantial numbers of Star Wars action figures.
Following Star Wars great success, Mego negotiated the licenses for the manufacturing rights to any and all potentially successful science fiction motion picture and television shows, in hopes of finding a similar hot property. They produced 12½ inch figures for Moonraker
Moonraker (film)
Moonraker is the eleventh spy film in the James Bond series, and the fourth to star Roger Moore as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond. The third and final film in the series to be directed by Lewis Gilbert, it co-stars Lois Chiles, Michael Lonsdale, Corinne Clery, and Richard Kiel...
, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (TV series)
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century is an American science fiction adventure television series produced by Universal Studios. The series ran for two seasons between 1979–1981, and the feature-length pilot episode for the series was released as a theatrical film several months before the series aired....
, The Black Hole
The Black Hole
The Black Hole is a 1979 American science fiction film directed by Gary Nelson for Walt Disney Productions. The film stars Maximilian Schell, Robert Forster, Joseph Bottoms, Yvette Mimieux, Anthony Perkins, and Ernest Borgnine, while the voices of the main robot characters are provided by Roddy...
, Star Trek: The Motion Picture
Star Trek: The Motion Picture
Star Trek: The Motion Picture is a 1979 American science fiction film released by Paramount Pictures. It is the first film based on the Star Trek television series. The film is set in the twenty-third century, when a mysterious and immensely powerful alien cloud called V'Ger approaches the Earth,...
. None of these were as successful as Kenner's Star Wars products, although they were of much higher quality than Kenner's unsuccessful 12" figures.
In 1982 Mego filed for bankruptcy
Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy is a legal status of an insolvent person or an organisation, that is, one that cannot repay the debts owed to creditors. In most jurisdictions bankruptcy is imposed by a court order, often initiated by the debtor....
, and by 1983, the Mego Corporation ceased to exist under that name and is now known as Abrams Gentile Entertainment LLC.
Collectibles
Today, Mego action figures and playsets are highly-prized collectibles, with some fetching thousands of dollars on the open collectibles market. The World's Greatest Superhero line, The Elastic Superheroes line (a MINT Elastic Batman figure actually sold for over 15,000.00 in 2006), the Wonder WomanWonder Woman (TV series)
Wonder Woman is an American television series based on the DC Comics comic book superhero of the same name. Starring Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman/Diana Prince and Lyle Waggoner as Steve Trevor, the show originally aired from 1975 to 1979....
doll line, the Cher
Cher
Cher is an American recording artist, television personality, actress, director, record producer and philanthropist. Referred to as the Goddess of Pop, she has won an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, an Emmy Award, three Golden Globes and a Cannes Film Festival Award among others for her work in...
doll (as well as certain rare Bob Mackie
Bob Mackie
Robert Gordon Mackie is an American fashion designer, best known for his costuming for entertainment icons such as Judy Garland, Cher, Diana Ross, Liza Minnelli, Tina Turner, and Mitzi Gaynor...
designed outfits), and the Kiss
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
dolls are deemed as prized collectibles.
Other uses
In recent years, Mego's 8 inches (203.2 mm) figures, particularly the superhero line, have found new life in "Twisted ToyFare TheaterTwisted Toyfare Theater
Twisted ToyFare Theatre is the most popular feature in the monthly magazine ToyFare. Originally titled Twisted Mego Theatre, it is a humorous comic strip done in the fumetti style by photographing toys on sets built by the magazine's staff, and using Photoshop to add effects and word balloons...
," a humorous photo comic-strip appearing in ToyFare: The Toy Magazine
ToyFare
ToyFare was a monthly comedy and collecting magazine published by Wizard Entertainment that focused on collectible action figures, busts, statues, and maquettes. It previewed new and upcoming lines and figures each month, as well as providing a price guide for toy lines, new and old...
. ToyFare staff pose and take photos depicting the figures in bizarre situations, with added dialogue bubbles. The series is well known in comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
and collectors' circles for its distinctive, off-the-wall sense of humor. The strips (renamed, formerly "Twisted Mego Theatre") have even been printed separately in their own collection.
Toys similar to Mego action figures are used in the Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network is a name of television channels worldwide created by Turner Broadcasting which used to primarily show animated programming. The channel began broadcasting on October 1, 1992 in the United States....
Adult Swim
Adult Swim
Adult Swim is an adult-oriented Cable network that shares channel space with Cartoon Network from 9:00 pm until 6:00 am ET/PT in the United States, and broadcasts in countries such as Australia and New Zealand...
show, Robot Chicken
Robot Chicken
Robot Chicken is an American stop motion animated television series created and executive produced by Seth Green and Matthew Senreich along with co-head writers Douglas Goldstein and Tom Root. Green provides many voices for the show...
.
Legacy
In 2001, good quality reproductions of Mego bodies, heads, and accessories were made in China by Dr. Mego. Collectors could nowrepair their broken or incomplete Megos as well as make new custom action figures.
In 2005, a company named ClassicTVToys (CTVT) began to produce lesser quality 8 inches (203.2 mm) re-issue figures very similar in design to the original Mego figure. Various lines manufactured include facsimilied replicas of Mego's Mad Monster, Merry Men, Western Heroes and Super Pirates. These figures were produced in India and were made from a low quality recycled plastic, which caused the figures' hands and feet to crack and break easily. The accessories work well as replacement accessories for original Mego items that are missing parts, however, to the company's credit, they are usually marked "CTVT" and the lack of quality is quite evident as being easily spotted as a reproduced part. See Megomuseum.com/accessory check for details of how to spot a reproduction.
They also manufactured licensed, classic television characters, packaged on blister cards. Among the many included in the line: Happy Days
Happy Days
Happy Days is an American television sitcom that originally aired from January 15, 1974, to September 24, 1984, on ABC. Created by Garry Marshall, the series presents an idealized vision of life in mid-1950s to mid-1960s America....
, a modified version of the series Mego made. And others, which Mego did not make, such as Married... with Children
Married... with Children
Married... with Children is an American surrealistic sitcom that aired for 11 seasons that featured a dysfunctional family living in Chicago, Illinois. The show, notable for being the first prime time television series to air on Fox, ran from April 5, 1987, to June 9, 1997. The series was created...
, The Munsters
The Munsters
The Munsters is a 1960s American family television sitcom depicting the home life of a family of monsters. It starred Fred Gwynne as Herman Munster and Yvonne De Carlo as his wife, Lily Munster. The series was a satire of both traditional monster movies and popular family entertainment of the era,...
, The Brady Bunch
The Brady Bunch
The Brady Bunch is an American sitcom created by Sherwood Schwartz and starring Robert Reed, Florence Henderson, and Ann B. Davis. The series revolved around a large blended family...
, Space:1999 (which Mego did produce to some degree in the 1970's, but only for the European market, as Mattel had the American license), and professional wrestler André the Giant
André the Giant
André René Roussimoff , best known as André the Giant, was a French professional wrestler and actor. His best remembered acting role was that of Fezzik, the giant in the film The Princess Bride...
. Unfortunately the sculpting of the heads were harsh and lacked Mego's charm. These figures were quickly discounted by CTVT and can be found for 1/3 of their original retail price on eBay. Please beware of reproductions or original items bearing reproduction accessories. This will always be disclosed by an ethical reputable dealer and can be easily identified with some education in the matter.
In 2006, EMCE Toys brand was founded by Paul "Dr. Mego" Clarke and Joe Sena to bring back Mego toys with the blessing of Marty Abrams - former CEO of Mego Corp. Made in China, the new Star Trek figures have the high quality of the Dr. Mego parts, matching the original action figures. Working with Diamond Select Toys - holders of the Star Trek and Planet of the Apes licenses, these figures have been selling in comics shops and quickly selling out. Following their success, new characters are currently being produced that Mego did not originally make such as Lt. Sulu, Ensign Chekov, and "Space Seed" villain Khan.
The Gorn that Mego produced was a brown Lizard head (identical to the Marvel Comics villain) on a brown body wearing a Klingon outfit. Fans have frequently wished that Mego had made a TV accurate Gorn. EMCE Toys and DST have made a new green Gorn based on the TV episode "Arena".
EMCE Toys was even able to get original Mego packaging artist Harold Schull to illustrate new artwork for Sulu, Chekov, Khan and the Gorn.
Mego collectors have an annual buy/sell trade convention in Wheeling, West Virginia called *Mego Meet this occurs the first weekend in June. This event is open to the public. Anyone interested in obtaining these true landmark original early action figures as well as the recent incarnations and accessory parts are encouraged to attend. Expert panels are also provided for several educational topics.
In early 2009, co-founder Martin Abrams announced that he has reclaimed rights to the name Mego. No specific future plans for Mego Corporation have been disclosed to date.
In July 2009, EMCE Toys joined up with Mattel for the return of Mego's World's Greatest Superheroes dubbed DC Retro Action Superheroes, these were released in Toys R Us Spring 2010. The line includes completely revamped versions of Superman and Green Arrow along with Green Lantern, Lex Luthor and Sinestro.
Fall 2010 wave 2 was released - Batman, Two-Face, Aquaman, and Black Manta.
Winter 2010 wave 3 was released - Wonder Woman, Cheetah, Flash, and Capt.Cold.
Spring 2011 wave 4 was released - Captain Marvel (for legal reasons labeled as Shazam), Black Adam, Martian Manhunter, and Darkseid. In addition, mattycollector.com has 4 exclusive Green Lantern
Retro Action figures - one released each month, leading up to the Green Lantern movie. These include John Stewart, Guy Gardner, Kyle Rayner, and Sinestro in his Sinestro Corps uniform.
EMCE Toys is continuing the Mego revival by working with Diamond Select Toys
on more Star Trek figures, including Captain Pike and the Salt Vampire, as well as Universal Monsters.
External Mego-related links
- Mego Museum-The leading authority on Mego Toys
- Mego Museum Forum-Mego Community
- Comprehensive list of Mego action figures and accessories
- Foreign Mego Focusing on Mego products from outside the US
- Megocollector - A comprehensive guide for Mego Star Trek, among other guides.
- Joseph's Star Trek Mego - Dedicated to Mego's line of Star Trek toys.
- Mego Crazy
- Superunderdoggie.com - Rare examples of non-licensed Mego Corporation Toys and Items of Corporate History