He-Man and the Masters of the Multiverse #1

He-Man and the Masters of the Multiverse #1

© The Weirding, 2019

Ohio Art Sells Etch a Sketch

Etch-a-Sketch

Ohio Art sold off its Etch a Sketch division to the Canadian toy firm, Spin Master Corp., after shepherding the toy to great heights in American pop-culture. The company purchased the rights to the Etch a Sketch for $25,000 after seeing it at a 1959 toy fair in Germany. It changed the name, and began advertising it on TV. The Etch a Sketch soon became one of the hottest toys in American history.

While a spokesperson for the company called the sale "bittersweet," Ohio Art is a lithography company, and will focus on that - although it has not ended its toy line, entirely. Manufacturing of the Etch-a-Sketch line of toys was moved to China years ago. The Etch-a-Sketch was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 1998.

© The Weirding, 2016

Inventor of Etch-a-Sketch Dead at 86

Andre Cassagnes, inventor of the Etch-a-Sketch toy, died at age 86 on January 15, 2013. The Etch-a-Sketch premiered at the Nuremberg Toy Fair in 1959 and hit the market in 1960. It was the top-selling toy that Christmas and has gone on to sell over 100 million units so far. Etch-a-Sketches were made in Ohio by the Ohio Art Company until 2000, when production was moved to China due to rising costs.

© C Harris Lynn, 2012

Barbie Settles with Beverly Hillbillies Star

Mattel and CBS Consumer Products reached a settlement with actress Donna Douglas, who portrayed Ellie May on the popular TV show Beverly Hillbillies. Douglas sued the companies for producing a Barbie doll in her likeness. The companies involved claimed they had the rights to the character, and thus her likeness as well.

The amount of the settlement was not mentioned. The Beverly Hillbillies ran from 1962 to 1971.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Bluewater and Island Puzzles a Perfect Fit

Broadening their artistic endeavors, comic book publisher Bluewater Productions has “pieced together” a deal with Island Puzzles to render many of their popular comic book covers into limited edition jigsaw puzzles.

Starting with a commemorative puzzle taken from the cover illustration of the upcoming comic book featuring the April royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, Bluewater and Bermuda-based Island Puzzles will collaborate on several iconic comic-book themed projects over the next year.

"We at Island Puzzles are very excited to collaborate with Bluewater Comics for this limited edition engagement puzzle of the royal couple They are a beautiful couple and we wanted to make a unique puzzle to commemorate their momentous occasion," said Chris Lima, Island Puzzles owner.

In addition to the royal wedding project, Bluewater announced that Island Puzzles will also be creating jigsaw puzzles from other comic titles including Logan's Run, William Shatner Presents, The Misadventures of Adam West, Wrath of the Titans, Sinbad: Rogue of Mars, and several other from Bluewater’s Female Force line of biography comics.

The 500-piece (17.5” x 25.5”) handmade, limited-edition puzzles retail for $34.95 and will be available for shipment on April 1^st, 2011.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Christie, the "First" Black Barbie

Christie

In 1980, Mattel released Black Barbie, which is largely considered the first African-American Barbie -- except that there were two black Barbie dolls preceding it.

In 1967, Colored Francie was merely a Barbie with darker skin; Barbie's head was used unchanged, so Colored Francie lacked African-American features. The connotation -- though politically-correct for the time -- also offended the black community, so Colored Francie was quickly discontinued.

In 1968, Mattel released Christie, which self-proclaimed media "experts" consider the first black Barbie. Christie had coarser synthetic hair than Barbie, as well as facial features specific to African-Americans. Some historians credit this move as bold and empowering, as it was the height of the Civil Rights Movement. Christie was well-accepted, and continued to be popular up to the 1980 release of Black Barbie.

Mattel also released the first Latino Barbie, Teresa, in 1980.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

New Bluewater Collectible Figures

GO HERO is teaming up with ZICA TOYS to create new 1:9 scale collectible figures based on more of the exciting BLUEWATER PRODUCTIONS titles! Figures based on The Misadventures of Adam West, Logan's Run: Last Day, and Sinbad: Rogue of Mars.

Each figure features ZICA Toys' highly-articulated Z-Body (recently used in the BUCK ROGERS line - Available Now). The goal is to strike the best balance between the popular retro aesthetic and the modern quality and detail to deliver exciting figure designs.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Female Force: Ruth Handler - The Darker Side of Barbie

Female Force: Ruth Handler -
The Darker Side of Barbie

Every girl has one. It is one of the best-selling and most enduring toys of all time, and despite being made of plastic and only 7” inches high, Barbie is one of the greatest female forces of the last 50 years. That’s why Barbie and her creator, Ruth Handler, are the subjects of an upcoming Bluewater Productions biography comic title.

Scheduled for a March 2011 release, Female Force: Ruth Handler, the Creator of Barbie follows the creation and impact of one of the most iconic and influential toys ever made. It examines the life and legacy of its creator, the late Ruth Handler

"Barbie and her creators, specifically Handler, are so iconic that it is hard to come up with something to say that hasn't been said, but I'm confident that this book will leave her (Barbie and Handler) maybe a bit exposed," issue author Tara Broeckel revealed. "Their collective story is so complex that often times, the darker narrative is left untold."

For over 50 years, Barbie has helped young girls come of age in the midst of an ever-changing social climate. But what do we really know about her? Female Force: Ruth Handler, the Creator of Barbie tells the story of how America’s favorite fashion doll emerged from the seedy underworld of German sex symbols and cigarette shop gag gifts to become one of history’s most iconic women.

‘I never knew the sordid roots of such a sweet and innocent toy. It’s peachy to draw as there’s a humour that runs through the great writing and history which allows me to inject some comedy and fun into the art.’ said artist Neil Alexander.

"This is the first time we have featured a subject who is no longer with us (Handler passed away in 2002). But her importance, and the impact of her idea, has shaped the lives of many young girls, influenced fashion and still sparks debate," said Bluewater’s president Darren Davis.

The title, written by Broeckel, was penciled by Neil Alexander, with cover art provided by Michael Szyksznian. The issue will retail for $3.99 and be available through most online venues as well as local comic book stores.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Fat Kids' Parents to Sue McDonald's

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), a consumer advocacy group out of Washington, DC, has threatened to file suit against McDonald's, alleging the fast food chain is "unfairly and deceptively" targeting children by including a free toy with each Happy Meal. The executive director of the CSPI, Michael Jacobson, likened McDonald's Happy Meal business model to that of a door-to-door salesman who calls on the family everyday and asks to speak privately with the children. Not surprisingly, some consider the Center for Science in the Public Interest an extremist group.

This is not the first time the CSPI has targeted the popular fast-food franchise: In 2004, the group took-out a full-page ad in the New York Times, urging McDonald's and other American chain restaurants to switch to trans-free cooking oils. Though the ad mentions several restaurants, the headline reads, "A Broken McPromise." The flagrant ad shows a heart attack victim receiving CPR. In 2009, CSPI filed a class-action suit against Coca-Cola for making fraudulent claims regarding Vitaminwater, a "health" drink.

It is important to note that the Center for Science in the Public Interest is, despite the name, not a scientific organization. The organization's ostentatious ad campaigns, controversial statements, and numerous lawsuits, have lead many - as noted above - to question the group's tactics, integrity, and actual agenda. But the CSPI insists it is only trying to cast a light on these large corporations' brazen sales and marketing tactics.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Trivial Pursuit Co-Creator Dies

Chris Haney, the co-creator of the popular boardgame, Trivial Pursuit, died Monday at the age of 59 following a protracted illness. Haney worked as a newspaper photo editor before teaming with a sports reporter to invent Trivial Pursuit in 1979, which took the world by storm when it was released in 1982. In 1984, Time magazine called it "an American social phenomenon." The two sold the rights to Hasbro, owner of Wizards of the Coast, in 2008 for a cool $80 million.

Haney is survived by his wife, his ex-wife, and three children.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Busty Barbie

Really?

Mattel has launched a new line of Barbie dolls called "Back to Basics." The collection features numerous, ample-bosomed dolls, both black and white, in revealing clothing. While parents are upset over the line in general, one in particular -- the black-skinned, Busty Barbie -- has them seeing red.

Some say the Busty Barbie sends young girls the wrong message, while others say many children see their own mothers wearing similarly revealing outfits when they dress-up for dates with their boyfriends or husbands, and there is nothing wrong with the girls mimicking such things. Others note that this is actually part of the problem:

Reality shows such as Basketball Wives and the Real Housewives series feature several women whose only accomplishment is having married well. Busty Barbie, with her too-perfect breasts some say are meant to emulate fake boobs, and her revealing outfit is simply another step in this direction. According to these critics, though Busty Barbie is only symptomatic of a larger societal issue, she reinforces the wrong message being sent to American girls.

Mattel has not yet responded to the matter, but said the Back to Basics Collection is not going to be pulled from shelves. Busty Barbie, along with the rest of the line, is $20.00 and available at many mainstream outlets, including Target.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

UPDATE:  I have no idea if the image included is actually "Busty Barbie," as there is apparently a porn starlet which goes by the same name, so I didn't dig too deep.  I suppose I should remind you that this blog is not always appropriate for children... and, if that Barbie doll is real, it probably isn't either. - 2018

Dark Horse Unveils New Dexter Bust @ C2E2

APRIL 14^th, MILWAUKIE, OR–Dexter Morgan, recently of Miami, is now securely detained and immobilized in a sculptural facsimile limited-edition bust. He is slated for release in July.

Dexter Morgan, Miami Metro Police Department blood spatter analyst, has a double life. When he's not helping the Homicide division solve murders, he spends his time hunting and killing bad guys who slip through the justice system.

These days, America's favorite serial killer has gone from freewheeling bachelor to doting dad. Maintaining an average-guy facade while satisfying his need to kill has never been easy. But now, after being drawn into a deadly game with The Trinity Killer, a killer every bit as dangerous and conflicted as he is, last season’s shocking finale has left him dealing with the devastating consequence of his own actions.

In bringing the SHOWTIME® character, brilliantly portrayed by recent Golden Globe® and Screen Actors Guild Award® winner, Michael C. Hall, into a sculpture, Dark Horse wanted to capture both “sides” of Dexter. Their solution: viewed from the front, he is examining a blood spatter slide, as he would do in his job for the police. But danger lurks hidden behind his back, as evidenced by a razor-sharp blade.

The detailed sculpture re-creates Dexter’s signature knit shirt, right down to the weave of the fabric. The likeness of Michael C. Hall is spot-on, sculpted expressly for the Dark Horse project by the artisans at Gentle Giant Studios, who are recognized as industry leaders in the collectibles and filmed entertainment fields.

The Dexter limited-edition bust is a hand-painted, numbered edition. It is produced under license with the cooperation and participation of Showtime Networks and Michael C. Hall. It will be packaged in full-color collector packaging, and contains a Certificate of Authenticity. Release is slated for August, 2010. Fans will have the chance to see the piece in person at this weekend’s C2E2 convention in Chicago.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Dark Horse C2E2 Domo Exclusive

MARCH 4, MILWAUKIE, OR—Dark Horse Deluxe, the product arm of Dark Horse Comics, has announced a special exclusive variant in their popular line of toys based on fashion and viral superstar Domo. The Domo Qee figure is unique to the Hong Kong–based toy company Toy2R and has been a massive hit since the line was launched in 2009.

The debut Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2) will be held at McCormick Place, located at 2301 South Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, Illinois. Dates are April 16–18, 2010.

The convention exclusive features Domo covered with a Hawaiian-style print, setting it apart from previously released figures in the series. Only 1,200 of this special variant have been manufactured, and they will be made available to both casual fans and collectors at the Dark Horse Comics booth in the exhibit hall on a first-come, first-served basis.

“We made a Domo Qee exclusive for Comic-Con International in San Diego last summer,” Dark Horse’s vice president of product development, David Scroggy, recalled. “We were surprised to find it had sold-out by the end of the first day of the show. We made even fewer of them this time around, and as this promises to be a very well-attended first-time event, we advise attendees to drop by early if they are interested in owning one.”

The release of the C2E2 variant closely follows the on-sale date of the second “mystery box” series of Domo Qee toys, which are scheduled for release on March 31, 2010. This “blind-box” assortment features figures individually packed at random. The only way to know which is inside is to purchase it! In the Domo blind-box assortment, figures are sold in counter displays of fifteen, and each display box of fifteen figures is packed into a master carton of four cases.

The special 2" version of the lovable mascot turned iconic viral superstar from Japan’s NHK television network is growing in popularity in the United States. Dark Horse was an early licensee of Domo, under the auspices of licensing agency Big Tent Entertainment, and has already produced sold-out limited editions of Domo as various sizes and colors of flocked vinyl figures, stationery, journals, and sculpted magnets. Party lights, sticky note books, and other new Domo items are on tap for summer.

Starting from a very unusual place as an advertising icon, Domo’s unique look and personality have catapulted the character from four hundred television spots in Japan into one of the Internet’s biggest sensations, sparking worldwide recognition. As the poster child for personalized, user-generated content, Domo has been able to transition from popularity within Japan to a worldwide following, spawning countless fan-made images, websites, and videos, along with a first-ever licensed product line including plush, toys, fashion, and collectibles selling at major trend retailers nationwide.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

On Your Paltry Star Wars Collection

We geeks often get a bad rep for, well, lots of things, and a lot of them have to do with our collecting hobby and our attitude concerning it. We are known to be rather anal when handling our collection and - maybe a little too - passionate when discussing it. Star Trek fans (Trekkies, or "Trekkers," as they now prefer) are the poster boys for arguing minutiae, though anyone who knows us knows we comic book collectors run a pretty good race, and Star Wars fans... well, Star Wars fans have their arguments, but they like to dress-up more than anything.

And then there's this guy. (NOTE: Some ads NSFW-ish!)

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

Domo Now Available at Target

As part of a new vinyl toy test initiative by the Target retail chain, new packaging solutions and colorways have been created of this popular character with the mass-market audience in mind. For collectors, these special Qees have been produced in four new, exclusive colors that were previously unavailable. These new colors include solid yellow and solid orange, as well as translucent black and translucent blue. Domos in the new colors are now available in a special blind-box two-pack.

“We have tried to introduce the ‘mystery box’ genre to a more casual consumer, with an equally weighted ratio of four different colors packed in a blind box and paired with a visible brown Domo Qee,” said Dark Horse’s vice-president of product development, David Scroggy. “The customer has an equal shot at one of four possible surprise colors. The blister-carded package for the single Domo Qee choices are something new for both Toy2R and Dark Horse. None of these colors is a part of our regular mystery-box assortment, so we hope this will be of interest to collectors as well as the general public.”

“Obviously these are new outlets for designer toys, so you must step back and see what works best for them while still capturing the essence of the designer-toy genre,” said Toy2R founder and president Raymond Choy.

These exclusive Domo releases are available now at select Target locations. In addition, Dark Horse also announces a color change in the upcoming Dark Horse Deluxe line of 4” flocked Domo vinyls. The previously announced Raging Red color has been changed to Mint Green. The edition size will remain at five hundred pieces.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

New Tragic Toys from Tim Burton and Dark Horse!

The fertile imagination of Tim Burton is one of the most interesting creative resources in pop-culture today. While his many films are stamped with his unique vision, cinema is an inherently collaborative process. It was therefore with great excitement and pride that Dark Horse Deluxe brought forward a merchandise program based on Burton’s most personal work – the delightfully twisted characters who populate his book The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy and Other Stories.

Springing from Burton’s sketchpads and notebooks, these charming little characters have taken on a life of their own. They are his strange little children, and although some have described them as twisted or odd, as Burton himself has observed, "One person's craziness is another person’s reality."

Dark Horse has collaborated closely with Burton in making many of these characters "real," most notably in a series of faithfully sculpted miniature figures sold in boxed sets. After finding wide acceptance in the specialty market, these have been perennial sellers over the last several years.

Dark Horse Deluxe now proudly introduces large-size vinyl versions of these characters for the collector market. While the same faithful attention to detail is present, this new 6"+ size brings forward the special nuance of each individual creation, and fits very nicely into the ever-growing popularity of "designer vinyl" collectible toys. Three releases are planned for the end of 2009: Oyster Boy, Stain Boy, and Toxic Boy.

In conjunction with this, Dark Horse is refreshing the packaging of the original boxed sets, giving it a new graphic-design look and, in a reluctant bow to the increased cost of just about everything, a new suggested retail price (SRP).

The Tim Burton program is also being updated with a variety of new releases, including two heat-sensitive coffee mugs, a pull-tab journal that animates a Burton watercolor scene, a new light-up journal, playing cards, T-shirts, and note cards in light-up boxes.

"Dark Horse Deluxe has been privileged to work with many of today's [pop-culture] giants," VP of Product Development, David Scroggy, remarked, "But there is no one we get excited about more than Tim Burton. These characters are almost like his little children, and we are grateful that he trusts us with them. We have always told Tim that our mission with this program is to bring forward his artistic vision, and we take that responsibility seriously. The new items are a step forward on that journey, and while we don’t know exactly where it will lead us, we are certainly having some fun along the way."

As a capstone to a storied, ongoing career, Tim Burton is to be recognized with a career retrospective show at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The exhibit will run from November 2009 through March 2010. Dark Horse Deluxe products will be available at the museum, and the original sculpture maquettes for the figures will be part of the installation. With previously unseen characters being exhibited, it is likely that selected pieces will find their way into the merchandise line as Burton deems appropriate.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Uncle Scrooge Statuette Sold-Out Before Shipping!

JUNE 16, MILWAUKIE, OR–Dark Horse Comics has announced that its forthcoming limited-edition statuette of Disney’s Uncle Scrooge character has sold out its edition.

The Oregon-based publisher is giving one of the comic book medium’s most revered casts of characters the Syroco-style treatment in a new series of sculpted statuettes based on Carl Bark’s Uncle Scrooge stories. There are six statuettes scheduled for the initial series.

Dark Horse has won countless accolades for this series of vintage-style statuettes featuring the best characters from comic books. Modeled after products that were popular in the 1930s and 1940s, these statuettes have been designed and manufactured to be consistent with earlier Syroco-style figures. These latest pieces, sculpted by Yoe! Studio, join the ever-growing collection of the world’s most famous characters from comic strips, books, and cartoons presented by Dark Horse in this unique style.

Described by Craig Yoe as "primitive but charming," the initial figures are limited to only 950 hand-numbered pieces per character. Uncle Scrooge arrives in August 2009, with the others following monthly. The second statuette will be of Donald Duck, with Gyro Gearloose, Magica De Spell, Gladstone Gander, and one of the Beagle Boys rounding out the program. The edition size will be reduced to an even more limited number after Donald Duck.

The Classic Uncle Scrooge Character series depicts the characters as they were originally presented in the comics. They are also somewhat more rough-hewn than is common, with features including nonslick surface textures, visible seam lines, and other slightly "distressed" aspects, for a vintage look and feel.

"We are delighted with the support from the collector marketplace," Dark Horse product development head, David Scroggy, stated. "Although it comes as no surprise, given the worldwide collector base for Uncle Scrooge. Many consider these to be among the best comics ever produced, and we hope to equal that high standard with these pieces."

Each hand-numbered statuette comes carefully packaged in a custom-tooled, full-color, litho-printed tin box. Also included is a small booklet about each character and a vintage-style pin-back button of the character.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Record Fine for Mattel

Mattel agreed to pay a record $2.3 million in fines for the sale of toys and toy products which contained unsafe levels of lead. The toys -- which included licensed properties from the Sesame Street line, Barbie, Dora the Explorer products, and toys from the Fisher-Price subsidiary -- were Made in China. An investigation proved that Mattel had knowingly allowed the tainted products to go to market in 2006-2007. The products were part of a series of massive recalls which dominated the news. The Consumer Product Safety Commission said it was the largest fine of its kind to-date.

Mattel was not the only company involved in the recalls of products made in China containing excessive amounts of lead, and this is only the first fine levied against any of those companies. Parties agreed Mattel acted quickly and has not had any lead-based issues since.

Lead poisoning can cause a number of problems in children, including neurological problems, learning deficiencies, and mental and physical retardation.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Behold: Geek-lactus!

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

Dark Horse's Comic-Con International DOMO Exclusive

APRIL 15, MILWAUKIE, OR – Dark Horse will offer attendees of this year's Comic-Con International the chance to grab a special, exclusive variant of their upcoming series of Domo "Qee" toys, a translucent variant produced in conjunction with Hong Kong based Toy2R. This special version will only be available at this year's event, held in San Diego, from July 23-26, 2009.

The special 2" version of the lovable mascot turned iconic viral superstar from Japan's NHK television network is growing in popularity in the United States. Dark Horse has been an early licensee of Domo, under the auspices of licensing agency Big Tent Entertainment, and has already produced sold-out limited editions of Domo as flocked vinyl figures, stationery, journals, and sculpted magnet products.

The Domo Qee program, to be launched nationwide in August, is Dark Horse's first try at the popular "blind box" or "mystery box" format. Individual figures are packed in small boxes; the only way to know which particular figure is inside a particular box is to purchase and open the box. In the Domo blind box assortment, figures are sold in counter displays of 15, and each display box of 15 figures is further packed into a master carton of four cases.

In addition, the boxes each contain one component of a "Build-A-Domo" clear transparent figure. When the correct six components are accumulated, the buyer can put together the complete bonus Domo. There will not be a "Build-A-Domo" component in the Comic-Con Exclusive figure.

"We presented a Comic-Con exclusive 5.5" Domo vinyl figure last year," recalls Dark Horse VP of Product Development, David Scroggy, "and were blown away as all of the limited-edition sold out. This year, with an entirely new toy, we expect an even faster depletion of our Comic-Con stock. Since last year's was a yellow variant, we chose the same color for the Qee toy."

Starting from a very unusual place as an advertising icon, Domo's unique look and personality has catapulted the character from 400 television spots in Japan into one of the Internet's biggest sensations, sparking worldwide recognition. As the poster child for personalized, user-generated content, Domo has been able to transition from popularity within Japan to a worldwide following, spawning countless fan-made images, websites, and videos, along with a first-ever licensed product line including plush toys, fashion, and collectibles selling at major trend retailers nationwide. Most recently, Domo has taken America by storm, being featured prominently at major retailers all over the U.S. and even starring in his first worldwide manga.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009