Mattel Loses Most Of Their DC Comics License To Spin Master

Originally posted at Toyark

On December 21st, a seemingly innocent press release hit the web, announcing that Spin Master was signing a new license with Warner Bros. for the DC Comics brand. The release announced that Spin Master would be getting the license to produce “boy’s action category, remote control and robotic vehicles, water toys and games and puzzles” starting in 2020. At the time, it seemed like this was just an all-new license being granted for Spin Master to produce items for kids. But, on the 24th, news began to circulate that this was a much larger issue for Mattel, and fans of DC Entertainment toys.

Doctor Who's lost story 'The Macra Terror' is being recreated as an animation

Photo credit: Digital Spy

One of Doctor Who's classic 'lost' stories is to be revived as a brand new animation.

Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Gauntlet

Photo credit: Mystery Science Theater 3000

Fittingly, Season 12 of Mystery Science Theatre 3000 made its debut on Thursday, November 22nd! Subtitled The Gauntlet, the new 6 episode season can be viewed now on NetFlix.

Stan Lee Dead At 95

Photo credit: AAP Image/ Brenton Edwards Source:News Corp Australia

TMZ has reported that legendary comic book writer and editor Stan Lee has passed away. He was 95.

The World's Most Expensive Coin In Bottle Trick

Here is my S.M.M.U.R.F.F.F. (Society of Memphis Magicians Unique Reward For Finishing First) performance. No I didn't win. But I only lost by 4 lousy points!

Bag of Lights!

Lights are magically plucked from mid-air and tossed into a paper bag!

Magic is Brewing...

If you didn't already know, I am an amateur magician and here lately I have been devoting my energies in a magical direction... I have decided to enter the yearly magic competition sponsored by my magic club, the Society of Memphis Magicians. I have been pretty busy this month compiling and practicing the routine I plan to present.

RIP Norm Breyfogle

Artist Norm Breyfogle, best known for his iconic Batman work, passed away earlier this week at the age of 58. Details of Breyfogle’s passing are being kept private, but the artist’s passing was confirmed today by a family friend on Facebook.

The artist is known most though for his work on Batman, establishing a visual style that was all his own and helping to revitalize Detective Comics alongside writer Alan Grant. Breyfogle illustrated the Dark Knight in Detective Comics and Batman from 1987 to 1993. His art at time was fresh and iconic. He along with Alan Grant created many new characters including The Ventriloquist & Scarface along with Anarky.

KISMIF - A conversation with Dick Oslund

Shogun Warriors!

The Shogun Warriors were ground zero for many a future anime fan. Japanese pop culture had already hit U.S. shores in the form of TV's Speed Racer, the Godzilla movie series and others, but the Shogun Warriors showed American kids what U.S. toys had been missing all these years: giant, freaky-cool robots.

New on Netflix: He-Man Documentary "Power of Grayskull"

On Netflix – Power of Grayskull: The Definitive History of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, the latest in FauxPop Media’s Definitive Film series, digs into the rich history of what has become one of the most beloved and enduring pop culture icons for millions of fans worldwide.

The documentary is a comprehensive & intricate look behind the scenes on He-Man & all things related to it, and covers a lot of ground over its running time. The documentary is the brainchild of Isaac Elliott-Fisher, Randall Lobb, Mark Hussey & Rob McCallum.

The History of Saturday Morning Cartoons & Why They Disappeared

What If ... ? (World's Finest)

If String Theory is true then that means that somewhere in the multiverse there is a universe in which this actually happened... Why can't I be in that universe?

Doctor Who Series 11 Official Promo Pics

See them all at Doctor Who TV!

Won't You Be My Neighbor?

There's a new documentary in town that isn't leaving a dry eye in the house... in Won't You Be My Neighbor?, Filmmaker Morgan Neville examines the life and legacy of Fred Rogers, the beloved host of the popular children's TV show "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood."

Luke Cage is Back

After clearing his name, Luke Cage has become a celebrity on the streets of Harlem with a reputation as bulletproof as his skin. But being so visible has only increased his need to protect the community and find the limits of who he can and can't save. With the rise of a formidable new foe, Luke is forced to confront the fine line that separates a hero from a villain.

Jack Kirby and the Fourth World

If anyone has been wondering what I have been up to this past month... I have been visiting Jack Kirby's Fourth World! I have known about the war between New Genesis and Apokolips along with Darkseid's search for the Anti-Life Equation for many years. My first introduction to Darkseid was actually in X-Men/Teen Titans from 1982! Later, Darkseid and his minions became Superfriends villains on the Legendary Superpowers Show cartoon. Then the Fourth World was re-introduced to comics audiences with the reboot of Superman in 1986. Despite all of this background, I actually had never read Jack Kirby's original story lines from the 1970s. Over the past month I have been compiling and reading digital copies of Jack Kirby's complete original Fourth World saga! It has been a wonderful journey.

New 5.5" Doctor Who Figures Are Coming!

12th Doctor Set

• Missy as seen in the Series 10 Episode Extremis
• The 12th Doctor as seen in the Series 9 Episode Face the Raven
• Bill Potts as seen in the Series 10 Episode The Pilot

Happy Star Wars Day!

original photo by JD Hancock

Hey!! Kids Comics: The Brave and the Bold 145 (1978)

The Brave & The Bold, Vol. 24, No. 145

Cover date: December 1978

Cover artists: Jim Aparo and Tatjana Wood

"A Choice of Dooms!"

Writer: Bob Haney
Penciller: Jim Aparo
Inker: Jim Aparo
Letterer: Jim Aparo
Colorsist: Jerry Serpe
Editor: Paul Levitz

Plot: Batman stops a diamond smuggling ring but the leader practices voodoo on his gang members and has an unusual way to prevent them from talking. Can The Phantom Stranger help Batman overcome this supernatural threat?

The Toys That made Us Returns To Netflix May 25th!

https://www.facebook.com/thetoysthatmadeus/

The eagerly awaited second half of the first season of The Toys Than Made Us is set to air on Netflix on the May 25th with episodes featuring Transformers, LEGO, Hello Kitty, and Star Trek.

Having Fun at the Mall...

Here are some of the latest goings on at the miWorld action figure mall... The custom arcade (Shadies Arcade) has been completely converted to miWorld: walls, base, even the stools. There is also now a Claire's for the girl action figures to hang out in. Really, a place needs to be made to put this on permanent display!

Review: 'Lost in Space' 2018 Netflix Reboot

Lost in Space is basically the Swiss Family Robinson... IN SPACE! The original series, which started off rather serious but became more humor oriented towards the end, lasted three seasons from 1965-1968. A big budget movie remake was made in 1998, but went nowhere. And now Netfix brings us a freash new re-imagining of the series.

The basic premise remains the same -- Earth has become crapsack world, so all the best and brightest (more likely the richest and powerfullest) plan to escape to and colonize a planet in the Alpha Centauri system and start over. After an accidental crash-landing on an unknown alien planet, surrounded by hidden dangers, the Space Family Robinson family must fight against all odds to survive and escape...

Obituaries: R. Lee Ermey and Harry Anderson

R. Lee Ermey ("Gunny") Dies at 74

Shortly after Art Bell's passing was announced, it was learned that R. Lee Ermey, our beloved "Gunny" had left us as well...

Probably best remembered for his role in Full Metal Jacket as Gunnery Sgt. Hartman, Ermey died this past Sunday from pneumonia-related complications according to his manager Bill Rogin. Ermey was 74.

Obituary: Art Bell, mysterious narrator of the nightime, dies at 72. RIP

With great sadness, it was learned that on Friday, the 13th of April, 2018, legendary host and pioneer of late-night radio, Art Bell died in his home in "the Kingdom of Nye" a.k.a. Pahrump a small town in Nye County Nevada. County Sheriff Sharon Wehrly confirmed Bell's death in a Facebook post to the community. Wehrly described him as a "longtime resident" of the area and stated an autopsy to confirm the cause of death would be performed later this week. Bell peacefully slipped away in his sleep, going into the next world to finally find the answers to the mysteries he had spent his life seeking, he was 72 years old.

Saturday Morning Flashback: Claws in the Lease

Originally a Merrie Melodies cartoon released by Warner Bros. in 1963 and directed by Robert McKimson, Claws in the Lease opens with Sylvester the cat and his son Junior living in the city dump eating garbage. Junior has had enough, so off he goes in search of a real home, something easy enough for a cute little kitten, but not so easy for mangy old Sylvester...

Update: Sea-Monkeys Order Form

Here is a Sea-Monkeys® order form created in Excel that can be used to order Sea-Monkeys® supplies from Transcience LLC. Just choose the items wanted and hide the rest. The form will do all the work automatically, just print it off and mail it along with payment to address on the form.

This form was recently updated to include only those items available and the latest prices on the Official Order Form. The form now includes radio buttons to choose payment type and a check box for foreign orders.

The Original Sea-Monkeys Ocean Zoo Review

“After hundreds of years, The Original Sea-Monkeys are back!”

This was what we heard back in January when the commercial for the new Original Sea-Monkeys® was released. Touting a new tank design and USA produced packets, everyone in the Sea-Monkey fan community was eagerly waiting to get their hands on this new kit. Fast forward to April and it’s finally here, the all new Original Sea Monkeys Ocean Zoo®!

Review: Ready Player One

In the year 2045, much of humanity attempts to escape the desolation of the real world by escaping into the the virtual reality world of OASIS.

When the creator of OASIS, James Halliday (Mark Rylance, looking a lot like Garth from Wayne's World!) died he promised his fortune and control of OASIS to whoever could complete his hidden game within the program, thus began the great hunt for Halliday’s Easter Egg a.k.a. the Anorak's Quest! Those on the Quest are known as "gunters."

After becoming the first player to complete the initial challenge, gunter Wade Watts (Tye Sharidan) is joined by several allies trying to complete the game before the indentured players working for IOI, an evil villainous corporation run by an evil villain named Nolan Sorrento (Ben Mendelsohn), can do so.

Super-Powers: Clark Kent's Office Diorama

And who, disguised as Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan
newspaper, fights a never ending battle for truth, justice and the American way.

Its Clark Kent in his office at the Daily Planet! Based mainly on the office set featured in the 1950s TV show The Adventures of Superman and also seen briefly in the first episode of the cartoon Challenge of the Super Friends entitled "Wanted: The Super Friends," this diorama is scaled at 1:16 and is suitable for use with 4.5" Kenner Super Powers Figures.

Papercraft Set Dressing

When making a diorama or scene for action figures, it takes more than just the figures themselves to make a scene stand out. Sometimes the small details in the background can make a scene pop. Take for example the scene to the left. There is more there than just Clark Kent, the phone booth, and Superman. There is a US Mail collection dropbox, an outdoor ice freezer, a Soder-Cola vending machine, and a newspaper rack!.

Review: The Ultarama Display System

The Ultarama is a complete action figure display system that is both flexible and customizable. With the use of the Ultarama's molded plastic platforms that contain 80 pre-molded peg holes and its proprietary pegging system, collectors can display their collections in three totally unique ways: stacked two levels high in the shape of a semicircle, clipped back-to-back in the shape of a circle, or configured as two separate and complete one level displays. With the purchase of additional Ultaramas, collectors can build their display many stories high!

Super Powers Jokermobile Custom Kitbash

This is a kitbashed custom Jokermobile for the Super Powers Collection. Its really easy to make and the parts for it aren't very hard to find. Keep reading for the recipe...

Super Powers Batcave

Batcave mock-up box art by Javier Garcia

Despite any speculation on what it may have looked like, we really don't know what an official Kenner Super Powers Batcave playset would have looked like. While conceptual drawings have been seen, it is unknown if they are actual official plans. However, given the time frame, a Super Powers Batcave playset would have only had influences from the comics and perhaps the 1966 Batman live action television show. The designs from the Batman movie with Michael Keaton would have had absolutely no influence due to the fact it wouldn't be made until 1989, three years after the last released wave of the Super Powers Collection. With this all in mind, a Super Powers Batcave diorama scene was assembled.

Super Powers Papercraft TroubAlert

Also known as the Trouble Alert, the TroubAlert is an advanced globally networked emergency monitoring system relaying information from the Justice League Satellite to the Hall of Justice alerting the Super friends to all sorts of dangers and natural disasters.

The TroubAlert is also connected to the Secret Department of Investigation (SDI). The SDI is an agency withing the United States government which alerts the SuperFriends when they are needed in case of danger and other emergencies. Colonel Wilcox routinely contacts the SuperFriends on behalf of the SDI using the TroubAlert.

Super Powers Bio-Cards

Hasbro started it all by printing file cards on the backs of G.I. Joe action figure blister cards. Kids were expected to cut them out and save them along with the figures. The figure collector cases even featured compartments to keep the file cards in.

This allowed kids to have a better idea about who was who in the collection, who the good guys were , who were the bad guys, and what their powers were. Kenner definitely paid attention to this when they designed the packaging for the Super Powers collection.

Super Powers: Papercraft Phone Booth

Clark Kent ducks into a nearby telephone booth for a quick change into Superman!

Kenner Super Powers Collection

In 1984, facing the real possibility that Return of the Jedi would be the last ever Star Wars movie and with Mattel's Masters of the Universe and Hasbro's G.I. Joe figure lines breathing down their necks, Kenner was looking at a future without a franchise.

Deciding to go for the DC Comics brand of Super-Heroes, Kenner won the license away from Mego to begin production of the Super Powers Collection, one of the, if not the, best lines of 4.5 inch Super-hero action figures ever made! Along with the figures, there were also vehicles and playsets, such as the Batmobile and the Hall of Justice, produced. Unfortunately, the line would last for only 3 waves and was cancelled in 1986.

Action Figure Scene Recreation: New Earth

The Doctor and Rose arrive on New Earth, in the year five billion and twenty-three

Here is a little oldie from a few years ago that I reworked last summer. I've been meaning to post this for a while and here it is, New Earth.

Deadpool 2 Trailer: Meet Cable!

Meet Cable in this awesome new trailer for Deadpool 2... Oh yeah, there's jokes and action figures too...

Zack says Get a *&#@ Job, You Lazy Bums!

Back in the late 70s and early 80s, when Saturday morning was devoted to cartoons, every half hour or so animated PSAs (Public Service Announcements) would air interspersed among the commercials, usually promoting such positive activities as healthy eating habits and personal hygiene. Using catchy tunes and humorous animations, these PSAs are fondly remembered by those of us who watched them back in the day. Zack of All Trades, part of ABC television's "Bod Squad" collection of PSAs, concerned a hip R&B singer teaching lazy teenagers valuable lessons about getting jobs, making career choices, and benefiting society in general instead of being worthless good-for-nothing bums!

RIP: Beetle Bailey Cartoonist Mort Walker

Bill Morrison, president of the National Cartoonists Society, has confirmed that "Beetle Bailey" comic strip writer and artist, Mort Walker died Jan. 27 at his home in Stamford, Conn from pneumonia. He was 94.

In 1949, Mr. Walker married the former Jean Suffill, with whom he had seven children. The marriage ended in divorce. In 1985, he married Catherine Carty. Besides his wife, survivors include his children and three stepchildren. A complete list of survivors was not immediately available.

Mystery Science Theater 3000 - Blu-rays, DVDs for 'Season 11' Announced

NORMALLY, ANYTHING REVIVED FROM THE DEAD IS SOMETHING TO BE FEARED.

But when fans broke crowdfunding records to bring back Mystery Science Theater 3000, it was an event worthy of the finest disco cannons! Hapless Jonah Heston (Jonah Ray) is trapped on the dark side of the moon and forced to watch cheesy movies by the evil, profit-obsessed mad scientist Kinga Forrester (Felicia Day) and her snarky henchman Max (Patton Oswalt). So Jonah does what any gadget-savvy kidnappee would do: make fun of the films with the help of his wisecracking robot pals, Tom Servo (Baron Vaughn), Crow (Hampton Yount) and Gypsy (Rebecca Hanson).

'Stranger Things' 3 Details: Will gets a Break

Image credit: Netflix

Stranger Things executive producer Shawn Levy tells Glamour Magazine that The show is scheduled to return for a third season sometime in late 2018 or early 2019. He goes on to tease that Noah Schnapp's character Will Byers, who has been put through the wringer for two seasons, will get a see a bit of a break this time around.

Scene Recreation: An Adventure in Space and Time

A scene recreation from An Adventure in Space and Time.

As William Hartnell prepares to shoot his final scene, he has a vision of the future: a young man
smiling reassuringly from across the TARDIS console.

The Last Webmaster: The story of the little website that could

Hello visitors. I’m the Sea-Monkey® Uncle and I want to thank Bill for the opportunity to write in this cool blog.

Click the image above or go here to take a peek at the official
Sea-Monkey© website back in 2006 from the Internet Archive.

I was the last webmaster of the ‘Educational Insights’ days. For me it was the golden era for the official Sea-Monkey® website, because I was revamping the whole site with new dynamic content and graphics under the direction of George Atamian. Mr. Atamian was the president of Exploratoy, the current licensee of Sea-Monkeys® at that time. Together as true lovers of Sea-Monkeys®, we were trying to create an interactive site with the highest standard worthy to the brand name. I was hired precisely because of my passion and extensive work done with my personal Sea-Monkey® fan site*.

Comics-Ads: Johnson Smith Co. Presents Kung-Fu for the Pathetically Hopeless

Ah, Johnson Smith Co., ripping off little kids since 1914, and yet they're still in business to this very day. Its really no wonder, because they knew exactly how to market crap to their target audience. I know I got ripped off by them a number of times, but I would still come back for more.

Latest Sea-Monkeys News, Web-Site Scam Drama, and New Blog Contributors

Latest Sea-Monkeys® News

Recently the whole Sea-Monkeys® legal drama was seemingly resolved. Amazing Live Sea-Monkeys® was licensed to Dragon-i Toys and re-branded The Original Sea-Monkeys® and Bandai was chosen as the distributor for the United Kingdom meanwhile a new commercial for Original Sea-Monkeys popped up on YouTube.

1985 Saturday Morning Preview - Back to Next Saturday

Back in the 80s the networks would have Saturday morning preview specials to showcase the upcoming saturday morning cartoons for the upcoming season. A great way back then to get kids talking and circling times in the TV Guide.

This is a full 1985 Saturday Morning Preview titled "Back to Next Saturday". It features Keshia Knight Pulliam (Rudy from The Cosby Show), Lisa Welchel (Blair from The Facts of Life), Soleil Moon Frye (Punky Brewster), the kids from Punky Brewster, the kids from Kidd Video, & Spider-Man.

Monster Scenes: Vampirella Rides The Giant Insect

It was originally intended that Vampirella would be able to ride the Giant Insect and a set of riding legs were proposed to be sculpted for the Vampi model. The extra legs were ultimately rejected for cost reasons therefore the insect was sculpted so the the existing legs included in the Vampirella kit could be utilized!

Plaid Stallions : Rambling and Reflections on '70s pop culture: Aurora Monster Scenes Store Display!

Enjoyable article featuring a vintage 1970s Monster Scenes store display! Thought I'd share:

Photo credit: Plaid Stallions

Plaid Stallions : Rambling and Reflections on '70s pop culture: Aurora Monster Scenes Store Display!: We've got an incredible treat this Friday before Halloween in the form of this incredible Aurora Monster Scenes store display , cour...
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Monster Scenes: Giant Insect - New Build

This is a brand new build of the Giant Insect. Once again orange suncatcher paint was used for the eyes and wings. To bring out the details I used a lot of dry brushing. I'm satisfied enough for now to quit working on it. I like this one best so far.

Monster Scenes: Giant Insect

Today I have been working with the Giant Insect... The wings and eyes were painted using orange stained glass paint.

Bandai named UK distributor of Dragon-i's Original Sea Monkeys

ToyNews reports that Dragon-i Toys has acquired the license for Sea-Monkeys® and that Bandai UK has been named the UK and ROI distributor of range which is being marketed as The Original Sea-Monkeys®. Read the full article here.

The Toys That Made Us | Netflix Original Series

The Toys That Made Us is a wonderful series that just debuted on Netflix just in time for the Holidays. The series follows each toy line from its conception all they way through its downfall. Star Wars, Barbie, He-Man, and G.I. Joe are just a few of the toy lies covered. It isn't shy either, as the sometimes seamy side of the toy business creeps out from time to time!

The first four episodes of a promised eight episode series are now available on Netflix. Check out the official trailer below: