Category Archives: 1980’s

A Hodgepodge of Video Game Tie-In Merchandise

The holiday hustle and bustle is over, and while I usually write about things that I personally found, I’m actually dedicating this entry to gifts that I received from my family and my sister’s boyfriend this past holiday. While this … Continue reading

Posted in 1980's, 1990's, Ben, Toys | Leave a comment

The Amazing Variety of Gumball Machine Monster Jigglers

It’s that time of year where I like to write about monster toys. Well, for me that is any time of year, but it is most important to make this a tradition in October so here it goes! Today I … Continue reading

Posted in 1960's, 1970's, 1980's, 1990's, Amy, Art, Halloween, Humor, Monsters, Toys, Weird | 2 Comments

Kenner’s Battle Brawlers: Awesome Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Monsters

As a collector of action figures, I understand that amassing a complete “set” of any one line usually requires amassing at least four or six action figures and at least a vehicle and maybe a playset. By collecting mostly obscure … Continue reading

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Telecoma Canned Food Fighters by Takara (Yet More Mealtime Combat)

I don’t know if Happy Meals are as big a deal as they were in the 1980s, when parents were blissfully unaware that all that fast food was putting their children at risk for obesity and type II diabetes. Honestly, … Continue reading

Posted in 1980's, Action Figures, Advertising, Ben, Food, Humor, Kitchen, Toys | 1 Comment

Skateboard Smack-Ups Manny Manhole

I think I tried skateboarding about twice in my life. There’s an old adage about how if you don’t succeed, well, by golly, you just pick yourself up and try again. Not me. I couldn’t get the hang of it … Continue reading

Posted in 1980's, Action Figures, Ben, Humor, Toys, Vehicular, Weird | 1 Comment

Solitaire for Two (I’m talking about Rock Lords again)

As I detailed in 2012’s Snarlie Narlie entry, I’m a big fan of Tonka’s Rock Lords toys. It’s a collection I’ve been slowly chipping away at for several years, but in recent years, my collection has grown by leaps and … Continue reading

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My Love Affair With LIFE (Magazine)

This tenth anniversary issue of Life magazine shows the first issue with the famous Margaret Bourke White cover. I’m sure my love affair with Life began when I was about ten years old. Unlike just about every middle class family … Continue reading

Posted in 1930's, 1940's, 1950's, 1960's, 1970's, 1980's, 1990's, Advertising, Americana, Carol, Ephemera | Leave a comment

Mortimer Ichabod Marker from Bill Cosby’s Picture Pages

A few years ago, for some reason, I got slightly obsessed with Bill Cosby. America’s number one funnyman and TV dad has to be one of the most recognizable figures on the planet, and while he occasionally says something controversial … Continue reading

Posted in 1980's, Art, Ben, Humor, Toys | 8 Comments

Meet the Ugglies!

I love monsters.  I always have ever since I was a kid.  They are colorful, creative, weird, and interesting.  The great thing about growing up in the 80’s and 90’s is that there were all sorts of cool monster toys … Continue reading

Posted in 1980's, Action Figures, Amy, Humor, Monsters, Toys, Weird | 2 Comments

Reversible Plush Gremlins (Mohawk and Daffy)

It took me a very, very long time to get over my fear of Gremlins. As a kid of the 1980s, I was inundated by product after product of all the various popular movies, television shows, and toys that a … Continue reading

Posted in 1980's, 1990's, Ben, Monsters, Movies, Toys, Weird | 5 Comments