Monday, March 24, 2014

Masters of the Universe

Time for a new post about classic action figures and what better line to cover than Masters of the Universe?  This line was everywhere in the 80's and covered all lines of the geek spectrum - comics, tv, action figures, and even a movie.  Do you remember watching the commercials and then begging relatives to get you the newest toy because they just seemed so much fun to play with? If so enjoy this video of old commercials...






How did Mattel come up with this genius of a marketing plan, well it all starts with George Lucas in a way. In 1976, Mattel's CEO Ray Wagner declined a request to produce a toyline of action figures based on the characters from the George Lucas film Star Wars. Upon the commercial success of the film trilogy during the next few years and all related merchandise, Mattel attempted to launch several unsuccessful toylines, none of which captured the public's imagination or made a significant dent in the toy market. Thanks to that fateful decision the media empire of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe was created.

The first toyline wave consisted of the following: He-Man, Man-At-Arms, Stratos, Teela, Skeletor, Beast Man, Mer-Man, Zodac, Battle Cat, Battle Ram, Wind Raider, and Castle Grayskull.





Eventually the store shelves were full of these toys and you could not get enough of the Masters of the Universe. There were some missteps over the years including the New Adventures of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe movie.








Since the 80's nostalgia wave got started back in 2000 Masters of the Universe has been there, even paying nods to the past when it comes to the figures.







This is a great line that doesn't seem to ever go away.  I think Mattel owes a thanks to those creators that decided to turn down Star Wars.  Here is hoping we get a new Cartoon and a better movie, especially if Jem and the Holograms can score a movie.  Make sure to swing by the show this September or the store as I am sure there will always be Masters of the Universe fans and toys to collect.

Social Media Sources

Hey everybody! If you guys haven't discovered them yet, we have Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ accounts that you  can use to keep up to date with even more of what we are doing. We are always getting new stuff coming through and we are always looking to buy up collections. Contact us if you have stuff you want to get cash out of, send us your wish lists, share your collections, or just talk geek.

Sunday, March 16, 2014

M.U.S.C.L.E.

The store has recently got in a bunch of the awesome M.U.S.C.L.E. figures by Mattel in recently.  Are you aware of this awesome toy series? Do you know about the history of this great collectible from the 80's? Please watch this video about the great toy series.



These figures are quite possibly the coolest line to come out of the 80's outside of the mainstream figures. Here is a quick blurb about the line (including what the acronym stands for):

M.U.S.C.L.E., (Millions of Unusual Small Creatures Lurking Everywhere), was a toyline of 2-inch tall monochromatic PVC gum wrestling figures produced in the United States from 1985 to 1988. The story involved intergalactic wrestlers fighting for supremacy of the universe. The toy line itself was straight forward and collectors continue to make the line a viable hobby. The US line included 236 official figures, a boardgame, a NES game entitled M.U.S.C.L.E., a championship belt figure holder, and a wrestling ring playset. The figures were distributed in clear, blister-packed random 4-packs, semiopaque garbage can 10-packs, and boxed fixed sculpt 28 packs. For a short time, the figures were also distributed as a bonus in Nestlé Quik (now known as Nesquik) cans.




Excited about seeing some of these in person or interested in collecting this great line?  If you are please come down to Classic Plastics Toy Store and check out the packages I have received in lately.  They are priced anywhere from $8-$15, heck of a deal.  Having them hanging on the pegs in their original packaging will take you back to the 80's and your trips to the toy store! Until the next time, take care and keep on collecting!




Friday, March 7, 2014

Guardians of the Galaxy

Who else is excited for this summer's release of Guardians of the Galaxy? If you have not heard or seen the trailer take a minute to take a look.


This looks to be an absolute fun action packed movie that has been needed, especially to shake up the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Below is a cast/character listing from Wikipedia to help get you familiar with the characters from a lesser known Marvel property:

Chris Pratt as Peter Quill / Star-Lord:
The leader of the Guardians, who was taken from Earth as a child in the mid-1980's.
Zoe Saldana as Gamora:
The adopted daughter of Thanos and an associate of Ronan, Nebula, and Korath who tries to find a new path for herself.
Dave Bautista as Drax the Destroyer:
A warrior in search of vengeance against Ronan after his family is killed.
Vin Diesel as Groot:
A tree-like humanoid who is Rocket's accomplice.
Bradley Cooper as Rocket:
A genetically engineered raccoon who is an expert marksman.

Here is the link to the wikipedia page so you can do some more research of everyone involved, including the villains. Guardians of the Galaxy Wiki

Here are some images from the upcoming toy line as well taken from the most recent ToyFair
Marvel Legends Line-up (sorry couldn't resist)

Pop Vinyl's
3 3/4" Line & Packaging

If you are a Marvel fan in general and are looking for figures or see if you can find that old Guardians of the Galaxy figure before they get popular stop by Classic Plastics Toy Store this weekend.  The store has Marvel figures ranging from $1-$30 that covers loose and carded figures.  Look forward to seeing you all at the store and don't forget to share the blog.  The show should have plenty of Guardians merch if that is your thing.


    Wednesday, March 5, 2014

    Batman: Arkham Knight

    There is a brand new game coming out for the PS4 and Xbox One coming out in October called Batman: Arkham Knight.  How many have played the previous games in the series?  I am pleased to also say that Kevin Conroy himself is back to voice Batman after a break from the last game in the series.  This is also going to be a single player only game for now as well.  If this is going to be anything like the others released it looks to be stellar. Below are some pictures that have been released so far from Game Informer and ComingSoon.net websites, including the all new villain, the Arkham Knight.

    Logo for the game



    New villain - Arkham Knight
    Harley Quinn makes a return!

    Oracle & Batman

    Two-Face (looking a lot like Tommy Lee Jones)

    The Batmobile is in the game and driveable!

    Who is looking forward to some toys from this game?  The last couple of lines that have come from the Arkham series have been fantastic and they haven't even begun to scratch the surface of his rogues gallery! Below are some of the figures that have been released in this line so far.  Who would you love to see from this game coming out in October?
    Arkham City Line

    Arkham Origins Line

    Arkham Asylum Line

    Be sure to leave comments about what you are excited to see.  If you are unfamiliar about the history between Batman and the Arkham Asylum swing by the show this September 13th and pick up some comics and talk with some people.  I guarantee you will learn a lot more than expected from talking with fellow Batman fans!

    Tuesday, March 4, 2014

    Arrow

    Many of you out there no doubt probably watch the superhero movies.  Make sure you also check out the Arrow television show on the CW. Below is a trailer for the last part of the season and it looks a lot more promising than some of the upcoming Hollywood movies. Have you seen the DC Collectibles figures of the Green Arrow and Deathstroke that have been released? Would you like for them to do more? If you enjoy the show be sure to come to the show and see if you can get some back issues or action figures of the Green Arrow's long published history!



    First Annual Show!

    Welcome everyone!

    I am proud to announce that this September 13, 2014 will be the First Annual Classic Plastics Toy & Comic Expo being held at the South Parkersburg Baptist Church in Parkersburg, WV.  I am very proud to bring this show to the masses and to help celebrate all things pop culture. We will also be partnering with Jim & I Brats and Dogs to serve drinks and food at the show as well. As a plus this show will be helping to support the American Red Cross Disaster Relief program.  Even if you don't like pop culture items at least stop by, enjoy some food and help support a great program.

    Please be sure to also like the stores Facebook page as well, Classic Plastics Toy Store.

    Stay tuned to the blog for more updates and pictures of the upcoming show.  Until then enjoy the following trailer for the new Transformers movie