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***FAIR WARNING***
This is a LONG post!
TWO WEEKS in the making!
(well... what stolen moments I could grab here and there.)
With a budget of MILLIONS of dollars and a cast of THOUSANDS!
(ok... got a little carried away there.)
Filled with facts, informational tidbits, personal anecdotes and useless stupidity!
It ALSO promises
(and hopefully delivers) some
(never before seen?) "behind the scenes" photos and descriptions of one of "THE" pre-eminent collector's-items ever made...
The MARVEL WORLD Adventure Playset!
So, please read along at your leisure, enjoy the trip through time
(and my memories), and when it's over, you will be delighted - curiosity sated
(at least that is my hope) about this unique piece of Marvel history.
OK. Here we go.
If you're of a certain age-group, and you were reading comics at any time in the mid 1970's then you were used to seeing many types of advertisements peppered throughout your comics. Some, like the "sea monkeys", "sell seeds for prizes", "grit magazine" or even "hover-craft that you build yourself" you just instinctively knew were phony and you ignored them
(although, damn... who didn't want the hover-craft?).
However, there were
some ads that you saw and your whole existence seemed fruitless and hollow without the wares that were being sold. THOSE ads were most likely for the SUPERHERO MERCHANDISE / HEROES WORLD swag that seemed like the stuff-of-dreams-come-true for die-hard comic fans; Marvel & DC alike.
(And no... it doesn't really count if you were reading those issues at a later date - as back issues, because you understood that those ads were long-expired and thusly had lesser touch on your psyche. A softer grip on your fevered brow. You might still want the items, but knowing that they aren't within reach helps alleviate some of the burning desire.)
Possibly the most coveted piece of advertised comic book merchandise
(of the superhero variety) was found in
this ad from Heroes World - or as they were still known at that time; "Superhero Merchandise Inc.".
HAVE the WORLD of MARVEL IN YOUR OWN HOME!
*click to MARVEL SIZE*
This ad page, once again drawn by the Joe Kubert school, featured some cool silver-age swag:
-
Spider-Man web-shooter (a suction cup dart fired from a spring-loaded wrist band)
Possibly the closest to
"An official Red Ryder carbine action two-hundred shot range model air rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing that tells time" of it's time. But still, only overprotective mothers would worry about you
"shooting your eye out, kid". Definitely low-level kiddie-stuff.
-
Mego action figures (the best kind of action figure - ever)
-
Character wrist-radios (radios of all shapes and sizes were a big thing in the 1970's. Don't ask me why. They just were. Walkie-talkies, too. Must have been the ability to make them smaller and smaller as well as the licensing that was going into their production.)
But all of those items paled in comparison to the item atop the page.
Drawn hastily, almost as an afterthought to the other, better rendered items in the ad, so that it is nearly lost and overwhelmed by them.
The MARVEL WORLD PLAYSET!
Produced by Amsco (a Milton Bradley company) in 01975, this item is quite possibly the "holy grail" of Marvel superhero collectibles.
Amsco had produced two other playsets;
"PLANET of the APES", and
"SPACE : 1999". While VERY cool themselves, due to the fact that MARVEL comics is far more widespread in it's overall fan-base and far more enduring in it's place in pop-culture, the MARVEL WORLD playset is the most highly sought-after of the three.
As a lad, I saw that ad and almost missed the item due to it's lackluster drawing, and the fact that the Mego figures seemed much cooler at the time. It wasn't until a slightly later re-reading of a then-recently purchased comic
(you would never read a comic just once back then. Even a bad one. You got your 25cents worth!)... that I happened to notice one striking detail in the crude penwork:
...that
WINDOW design!
The one design that has permeated my being to this very day.
(As you can tell by the masthead of the blog as well as my avatar pic.)
The window design of
Doctor Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum!
It leapt off the page and once I saw it, I could never UNSEE it.
It burned itself into my mind and whenever I closed my eyes I would see it there, starkly contrast in negative, glowing in the blackness.
I had to have that playset.
For many years, however, it eluded me.
To the point where I even started to doubt that it was ever manufactured.
"Sure." I told myself. "There are LOTS of items that are advertised, but never make it into production." I consoled myself with the belief that "It never really existed beyond the rendering."
Then one day, a few DECADES later, long after it had receded to the dormant areas of my consciousness... I got proof positive that it in fact DID exist and that it was even more awesome than I had dared hope. I got a photograph in the mail, from someone who was a friend / fan of mine
(at the time, in the late 01980's / early 01990's, I was a professional comic writer/ artist working for some b/w independent companies). He had walked into a comic shoppe in NYC and there, on display was the complete playset. All assembled and in it's glory. The only downside was that they kept the figures tossed together in a plastic baggie. Obviously, to avoid losing them. However, due to their safety precaution, I was denied a glimpse at the figures.
Needless to say, they weren't selling the item. So all I had was a photograph and a dream.
I still have the photo but it is no longer the mocking representation of that which I long had sought.
No.
So hard to find in good
(or even complete) condition, I must admit that I now own TWO of these... but not out of some weird urge to hoard them.
It is only because the
first playset that I purchased, several years later, in 01996 did NOT contain the figures. It was a complete playset, in great condition with a near-perfect condition box, but no figures.
I got it for a steal, from a toy store / comics shoppe that I used to plunk many, many dollars into to feed my collector's mania. Spying it on display, I geeked out for a second and then, silently controlling my urge to explode, inquired the price. Figuring, all the while, that it would be too much, and that would be that.
However, fate smiled upon me that day, as the price quoted was a gift
(no I'm not telling you. It was such a deal, that I'm ashamed to reveal it). All I can guess, is that the owner of the shop knew me, knew I was in there every other day and spent crazy cash, knew that it wasn't a complete set, so he just low-balled it for me as a gesture of good will. Anyone else who wished to purchase it would most likely have NOT received that same deal.
After paying him I ran out of the door like I was on fire.
(ok. I didn't really. I'm sure I comported myself admirably for someone who had just pulled the equivalent of a grand bank heist, but in my MIND I was "Freaking. Out.")
I floated back to the car, where my then-gf
(now wife) was waiting and we drove to the park
(where we were headed for lunch) and I SET IT UP right then and there.
(Oh, yes. Always a geek.)
While she admitted that it
was pretty cool, she really had no frame of reference for just
how cool it was.
But, she was happy that I had found something long sought-after.
However, when I got home, I put it away
(in the box) waiting for such time as it could be set up and placed on display.
It lay dormant, only being taken out of the box on rare occasions, until the next year when we were married, moved away and had a place of our own.
Therein, I had set up a glass display case. A large floor model, purchased from the same toy / comic shoppe -
(oddly enough, purchased by them as a remnant of the then, recently-defunct Heroes World storefront on Long Island) and set up my Marvel World, along with many other goodies.
It was wonderful to finally have it out in the open.
Still... as stoked as I was, eventually, slowly, the knowledge of not having the figures gnawed at me over time.
To that end, several years later, a friend of mine who had a complete set mailed me HIS figures so that I could make color copies
(of the front and backs - which I will post images of below) and paste them together to make my own.
That was all well and good, but nagged at my "completists" mentality and I vowed to find the authentic figures.
Jump ahead a decade, to just a few months ago this very year and I found another entire playset, in box, complete WITH all the figures AND the instruction booklet, which I had never seen before.
Before obtaining this set, I had no instructions, save the final photo on the box, with which to assemble the diorama. Mayhap, a guiding spirit helped guide my hand...
"Insert tab into slot and fold into itself"
It's fairly evident how it goes together, but still... some of it is challenging.
Let's just say that SOME of the folds are daunting.
The cardboard with which it is made, is fairly durable and can take some beating, yet even with the amazing amount of detailed die-cut design that went into the production of the playset - and mind you, it is a
fabulous piece of engineering - still, there are a few places where the bends and folds can cause such stress upon the board that it will rend and/ or tear and/ or spindle if not for a gentle, yet forceful touch.
Let me just state emphatically, that, despite the "AGES 5 and UP" notice on the package, it is NOT for a child to assemble. Perhaps, it is for that age-evaluation, that there is such a dearth of these in existence today. Five year-olds do not play nicely with papercraft.
I can only imagine the horrific "Godzilla-like" events, with some rampaging pre-pubescent stomping on the Daily Bugle and crashing down the Baxter Building to the mute impotence of the cardboard cut-out heroes.
My first set is on display in a different showcase now, and as such, all of these photos are of the newly obtained, 2nd set, which is still out in the open, waiting for me to give it a proper clean-up and thorough dusting of crevices.
Oddly enough, when I had the item shipped to me, I had NO idea that the seller would pack it up and ship it - FULLY ASSEMBLED! They were afraid to try to de-construct it, lest any number of things bend, fold, tear or be mutilated. Such is the intimidating power of this complex piece of cardboard craftwork. They would rather package the heck out of it
(and a well-packed colossus of a box it was) and hand it over to the less-than-tender mercies of the United States Post Office, than attempt to take it apart. That's saying something.
THIS one cost me a little bit more than the previous, but what I would still consider to be well worth it and far under the normal "going rate".
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By this point I thought it would be great to share this oft-rumored, hardly ever seen item to "the world"
(or, at least, I can now show it to the several dozen who hit up my blog every day).
AND... to make it worthwhile, I would give you a rough TOUR of the one square block of Marvel landmarks. There are many more people who have seen this item in photos than have seen it in actuality, and those photos are almost
always shots of the
front. I'm going to take you "behind" the facade. Behind closed doors.
(And later, we may check out the assorted shenanigans going down in Marvel town. It promises to be "randy".)
But before we do, I must apologize for the lack of "giant-sized" photos.
While most if not all of the pics are "clickable" to make more "Marvel Sized", I'm still new to this blogging thing, and wanted to keep the file-sizes of the pics down to manageable levels. So, to that end, you won't
really be able to appreciate the
insane level of detail present in this playset.
I mean it, every surface-inch of this thing, whether it's easily seen or completely obfuscated by other parts is heavily detailed with rich comic-style artwork. A real comic book setting brought to 3-dimensional "life".
That, is another point that I would like to toss out there into the web-o-sphere...
While I, and perhaps anyone from my age-bracket
(or even just sharp-eyed comic-art affectionadoes) might be able to just LOOK at this art and hazard a guess as to WHO DREW IT ALL, it has never been "officially" revealed.
I will state that, once having a chance to really go over the style of line-work and design, the familiar shapes and patterns seen thereupon, I have come to the conclusion that it is the handiwork of
Sal (Our Pal) Buscema.
To determine this, I have only recently sent out missives to help determine from the sources, as to whom the original artist might have been.
If I get any replies, I'll post them right here in an update (and maybe even a new post dedicated to that artist).
Still, my belief that it is Sal Buscema is not one that may be able to be confirmed or refuted.
When this item was in pre-production, and art was being worked up, it was probably 01974 or even 01973. Sal was a valuable and highly sought-after artist due to his speed and professionalism, and at the time, merely a little over a decade into the "Marvel Age", it wasn't unheard of for the "bullpen" artists to be called upon for promotional artwork, merchandising and the like. However, projects like this one, were probably handled in a rushed manner, to make sure that comic-book deadlines were met, and as such, it might not even be remembered by the person who
worked on it. It might simply be a case of "it was just a job".
If Sal didn't draw it, then he at least INKED it. Perhaps over John Romita Sr. designs.
However, certain details (like that WINDOW) are the way that Sal drew items in comics during that time.
Take a look at almost any 1970's era issue of the DEFENDERS. Look at the window, the interiors and decor of the Sanctum Sanctorum, the trees in any outdoors scene, the brickwork on any random building. All readily recognized as being from "Our Pal", and all replicated here.
Read any space-scene drawn by Sal and those multiple crescent moon-shapes that overlap each other, all are within the "Negative Zone" portal found inside a chamber room.
If it isn't Sal, I'd be very surprised.
Anyway, a picture is worth a thousand words, and I've got
over 30 pics here.
Enjoy.
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3/4 view from high above.
We see the DAILY BUGLE building in the foreground.
Note that some windows are "open" and all the doors can be operated.
Also, check out the "busted wall" on the lower left.
You'll see the reason for that "play-feature" later.
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3/4 view same angle - opposite side.
This is outside the PARKER's residence
(although, it makes more sense to have it represent Matt Murdock's brownstone, since Peter & Aunt May lived in Queens, NY. Not Manhattan.)
You'll also note the entrance to the BAXTER BUILDING (home of the Fantastic Four).
That door to the Baxter was really a "working" ELEVATOR!
(You'll see that later as well.)-------------
Side view of that same portion.
You can also now note that the BOX that the playset came in also served as the BASE for the set. This is one reason why finding a set intact in box is crucial, and also so hard to do.
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A montage of shots of the Fantastic Four's "pogo-plane"
or as it's listed in the package: the "sub-space vehicle".
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Here's a back-angled view. All of the rear sides to the buildings are "cross-sectioned", allowing for access to play and also with which to check out all the AWESOME DETAILS!
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The various levels of the Baxter Building. Reed Richard's lab on the top floor
(replete with kooky Kirby-style kontraptions).
The exercise-room
(with a table and chairs - for post work-out healthy snacks) is the 2nd level.
Main lobby on the ground floor - and access to the elevator
(which you could make slide up and down the shaft via a handle on the elevator-car).
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"Parker's Pad". A two-story townhouse for Peter & Aunt May
(or, as I mentioned earlier Daredevil).
- apologies for the flash-haze-
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The DAILY BUGLE top-floor office of J. Jonah Jameson.
Note the pic of Spidey on the dartboard to the left.
Perfect!
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The "basement" of the Bugle
(which is oddly on the main-level) .
The front door of the Bugle opens into this room.
If you look at the bookcase, the right side of it
(where light is emanating from behind) is the door out!
This was designed as a seedy flop-house environment for villains to live.
(surely no hero would leave their underwear drawer in such a state of disarray)
Also, the "break-thru" brick wall is on the right side of the room
(leading to the sidewalk).
Obviously meant as a fight-zone.
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Between the Baxter Building and the Daily Bugle is a large, squat piece of property with a "metal" swing-door. I've swung the door up to look inside.
The swing-door leads to where a character piece could be dropped through a trap door in the roof of this building (check out some of the exterior shots, you can see a small rectangle like a skylight. That's the trap-door) where they would drop into this chamber.
Best as I can imagine, it's supposed to be "AVENGERS H.Q." (if not Avengers Mansion).
Yet, oddly, there is, what appears to be a portal to the Negative Zone here.
That oddly shaped aperture on the far wall leads to an anti-chamber (really, the interior section of
Doctor Strange's Sanctum Sanctorum).
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Looking in the front door of the SANCTUM SANCTORUM, we see that multi-layered effect that
now seems to lead to an alternate dimension, filled with Ditko-detailing.
(That "Ditko-verse" is really the back surface of the aforementioned "swinging door" behind "Avengers H.Q.")-------------
The Sanctum unit - removed - from the playset.
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The reverse side of the Sanctum
(note the multiple crescent moon shapes and the side-walls featuring interior details for the Sanctum). The brazier and Orb of Agamotto (and the outer space) all seems very "Sal Buscema" to me.
The Ditko-space is a basic approximation of Ditko's otherworldly designs.
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Taking a look at the back wall of the Sanctum
(with the house removed) and the multiple layers found there.
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Front faces of the various hero and villain play-figures.
Each figure is approximately 3 inches tall.
(Yes. the Falcon's bird, Redwing, got a figure. Is your favorite character to be found?)
This is basically the major players of the M.U. circa 1974.
Note: NO X-MEN members. They hadn't yet hit the big-time since Giant-Sized X-Men # 1 wouldn't be released until much the same time as this playset.
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The flip-sides to the figures. Some of whom, if they had a secret identity, would have that ID shown on this side. So, Steve Rogers or Tony Stark are represented instead of Captain America or Iron Man. However, characters whose ID's
were known (or not too different from their "pajama'd" identities), wouldn't, like Doctor Strange or Kraven the Hunter.
For a close-up shot of one of these figs (Doctor Strange, natch) you can check out the blog post that I dedicated to the Marvel World "pre-action" figure -
here.
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Front page of the Instruction manual.
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2nd and 3rd pages.
I'll note that they erroneously refer to Doc's home as the Sanctum Sanctorium (with an "i").
I hate it when that happens.
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Back page.
(and last stop before we go "behind the scenes" of the going's on in Marvel World)
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Dr. Doom paying a house-call to the F.F.
Here he's being cordial and using the elevator.
The Thing won't be impressed with Victor Von Doom's civility.
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Just WHAT the heck is going on here?
While Reed is otherwise occupied with some technothigamigigawitz, Namor is making time with Sue in the "work-out" room. Desperate Housewife, indeed.
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Inside "Avengers H.Q.", the Scarlet Witch is about to cast a hex that might cause more trouble for Hawkeye. Poor Clint. Maybe he should shoot her now, before she gets all "House of M" on him. Bursting from the Negative Zone is Captain Marvel (or is it a Skrull? Oooh! Topical.)
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HULK no like walk around to door!
Hot sidewalk HURT HULK's FEET!
HULK make OWN DOOR!
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HULK AM HOME!
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Poor Bruce Banner.
Look at the fold-away cot he has to sleep on (on the right side wall).
The indigities are compounded by the fact that the elevator (left wall) opens right into his room.
No privacy
(and no bathroom! - unless... hmmm... maybe THAT's why many NYC elevators smell like that.)
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Spidey paying a call on J.J.J. (probably coating his chair with a layer of web-goo).
Ah... that is ALWAYS hilarious.
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Obviously impressed with himself, old Petey makes the moves on gal-pal (and not wife. No. Never tied the knot, those two), Mary Jane Watson.
Gettin' it on (Pete, what are you going to do with that camera, you rascal?) while Aunt May frets downstairs.
"Oh, Peter is so fragile. I hope he's careful with whatever he's doing. It sounds like he's knocking around with something."
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Tired of her constant nagging
(and getting in the way of his gettin' some), Peter does nothing to stop Galactus from claiming Aunt May as his new Herald; "Golden Oldie"
(anyone remember THAT issue of What If? a classic.)
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Meanwhile, the Defenders pay a visit to Doctor Strange.
"Where is stupid magician? He invite Hulk over for lunch. Hulk wants Beans!"
"Foul beast, even beneath the waves in the deepest trenches I can smell that you have had MORE than enough beans"
"Good one, Namor. Air-5!"
"Men!"
They wait... and wait... and wait...
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...and leave.
"..."
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"Ah... I thought they'd NEVER leave."
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Paparazzi cameras follow Strange into the weird and wild psychedelic landscape of his mysterious home, looking for dirt to sell to the tabloids.
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Pay-dirt.
Doc "educating" the Scarlet Witch.
"Stephen? Why is the room pulsating? Were those 'magic mushrooms' on your 'mystic pizza'?"
"Just a little something to help you
relax, my dear. Some special 'herbs' and spices."
"I feel VERY relaxed.
TeeHee"
"Ah, yes. Maybe you should loosen your garment...By the Mystic Moons of Munnopor! Yowza!"
Oh, we all KNEW that what Doc does in his down-time, right?
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Well, things have degraded pretty fast around here into the realm of potty jokes, double-entendre and just plain "entendre".
So I guess I should wrap it up.
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A few of Doctor Strange's friends say good-bye, and thanks for stopping by!
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"Now get the hell off of my lawn!"
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~fin~
*IMPORTANT UPDATE *
GREAT NEWS OF INTEREST TO ANYONE WHO LOVES
(and wants)
MARVEL WORLD!
--
Keep an eye out for a future announcement!
WATCH THIS SPACE!
Tamam Shud!
~P~
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NEXT ISSUE :
* HOUSING CRISIS *
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