IDOL PURSUITS : "TOYS NIGHT OUT". A RECAP and PRELUDE EDITION

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IT FIGURES... this is going to be a multi-purpose post.

No, I'm not complaining or being sarcastic about anything.

"IT FIGURES" was the name I originally used as a subject header / tag-line for a continuing series of blog-posts that deal with "Action Figures", figurines and statuary. I soon realized that in keeping with the mystic nature of this blog's focus (i.e; Doctor Strange and the various magic characters which I collect), that "IDOL PURSUITS" would make more sense, since I am often in pursuit of these plastic (plaster, resin, rubber and/or paper) "idols".

One of the first series of posts when I began this blog were the "Idol Pursuits", wherein I started an extensive look into every action figure, figurine and statue of Doctor Strange, Man-Thing, Rom; Spaceknight and assorted other "6-Dimensions" characters.
However, somewhere in my 2nd year I got sidetracked into other posts (many epic essays and in-depth looks into the comics) and never got back to the "Idol Pursuits".

While I've been meaning to get back to it, I've sadly neglected to do so.

UNTIL NOW...

Since, as of late, I've been spending what (little) free time I have working on fixing up my "Sanctum Sanctorum" (man-cave), I've been surrounded by all of the many, MANY assorted "idols" that are stored within.

And so I feel compelled to light the candles on those alters and continue to pay homage to them here once again.

Just a glimpse of a VERY FEW of the many figures to be showcased in the weeks to come.


Since it has been a few years since I last posted an entry in the "IDOL PURSUITS" category, I feel it best to give a recap / run-down on what has come before with some pics and links to previous posts.

But then, make sure to continue on and read the comic story "TOYS NIGHT OUT" which was first printed as a back-up story in MARVEL FANFARE # 56 - and then come back next time for an IDOL PURSUITS SPECIAL EDITION deluxe entry!


So now in preparation of the continuance of the "IDOL PURSUITS" series, here's your recap of the posts dedicated to presenting detailed and comprehensive histories of DOCTOR STRANGE (and "6-Dimensions" characters) figures/statues/standees etc...:

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Part 1) - 1979 Ben Cooper “dangler” figure – [HERE]

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Part 1a) - ADDENDUM:  The pre-“Action Figure” figures
(Marvel World standees and "Rub-n-Play" standee) – [HERE]

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Part 2) – The DOCTOR STRANGE MEGO figure that almost was – [HERE]

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Part 3-A) – Gaming figures: TSR Standees – [HERE]

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Part 3-B) – Gaming Figures: TSR Metal Figurines – [HERE]

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Part 4) – The PVC Figurines: DOCTOR STRANGE – [HERE]

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Part 4a) The PVC Figurines - addendum 1: “MAN-THING” – [HERE]

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Part 4b) – The PVC Figurines  - addendum 2: “DEFENDERS” – [HERE]

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Special Editions:

Idol Pursuits: ROM SPACEKNIGHT "action figure" toy – [HERE]

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Idol Pursuits: ROM SPACEKNIGHT model kits: full size and bust - [HERE]

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Idol Pursuits: DR. ORPHEUS bobblehead - [HERE]

Of course, there were OTHER entries in the IDOL PURSUITS series (mostly ancillary and preview posts), but if you want to see ALL of the entries in the series (in reverse order) just click [HERE].

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Well. Before you go up and start clickety-clicking all those links, and (re)reading those previous entries, I'll post a special comic story here for you!

Originally printed in MARVEL FANFARE # 56, this is a story of a kid who can't seem to get his room in order and it's because he spends too much time playing with his... (NO, you filthy-minded people!) Action Figures.

But don't fret... there's a very good reason this story is being showcased here!

But don't worry, I won't spoil it here. I'll recap at the end...

Written by BILL MANTLO with art by DON HECK, enjoy...

 "TOYS NIGHT OUT".

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So, did you figure out WHY this is on my blog?

Not only is it a pseudo-biographical tale of my working on my "Sanctum" (well... except I don't have a mother breathing down my neck about it, and my wife is smarter than to threaten to "take my toys away") but it also comes down to DOCTOR STRANGE (and Dormammu) to save the day!

If only MY action figures and statues would do that.

I've got HUNDREDS of them... it would be a snap for them.

Better go check to see if any of their hands are smoking.

So, remember to come back next time for an IDOL PURSUITS SPECIAL EDITION deluxe entry - where I present the 

DOCTOR STRANGE BOARD GAME 

(Which was OFFICIALLY produced by MARVEL)!!

that YOU can download and print out!

[HERE]

Idol Pursuits : Master of the Plastic Arts - part 2 : The Dr. Strange MEGO figure. Sorcerer-by-Day, Disco-Warrior-by-Night

NOTE: This post could also be titled:

The "Magic" of Video - Part I-B:
DR. STRANGE - the 1978 TV movie;
The ACTION FIGURE *

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As I mentioned in the last installment (of BOTH labels; "Idol Pursuits" and "The 'Magic' of Video") I promised to discuss the MEGO action figure based upon the Dr. Strange 01978 TV movie.

DR STRANGE - 01978 TV movie logo

The figure's story is simple, yet convoluted. Sad, yet funny.

When the Dr. Strange TV movie was in production, the MEGO corporation, who had the Marvel license to produce action figures, obtained the rights to produce figures based upon the film.

For those who are too young, too inexperienced with the ways of action-figs, or hail from another plane of existence, and may not know of such things, MEGO was a company that, from 1971 to the very early 1980's, manufactured the BEST action figures ever to bear that designation. Sure, the present-day "Marvel Legends" figures - by Toy Biz and, later, Hasbro- are great little pieces of articulated sculpture, but for the sheer thrill of play and innocent fun, the MEGO figures were IT.

mego corp. logo

With fully articulated bodies, and real cloth costumes, these felt like you were playing with miniature, 8inch and/or 12inch versions of your favorite comic book, TV and/or motion picture heroes (or villains).

Sure, they had their down-sides:
One being that if your favorite character wore gloves, his (or her) Mego figure would either have their hands painted that color, OR would be wearing, what could best be described as... oven mitts.
Another was that the limbs were held in place by a tension-bearing rubber band, and when that rubber band dried out from age, or snapped due to rough play, that was the end of your figure (unless you were able to re-band it).

With a host of Marvel & DC characters, besides many other movie and TV properties, a Dr. Strange figure would have made an excellent addition to the line-up, and with the production of the TV movie, a Doctor Strange prototype was produced.

Wearing an amalgam of his comic book and movie costumes (neither one nor the other, really), this was a rough approximation of what the final product would have... may have been.

*click pic to make slightly stranger*

Figure from the collection of famed Mego collector and historian;
John Bonavita,
who authored a book on the Mego company and figures.

When the TV movie pilot didn’t get picked up as a new TV series, the figure was shelved. In 01981, Mego had a fashion line called Jordache, based upon the jeans / clothing line.
The head-sculpt for the Dr. Strange figure was repainted and placed upon the fashion doll body.
His hair was repainted blonde - or light brown - and his eyebrows and mustache were repainted in a less "angular" manner.

Could this be the subject of the WORST fan-fic ever?!?

The Mego Jordache "High Fashion" Male Doll (yeah... this is a "doll". Can't really call it an "action figure") came fully dressed in 1970's fashion! Jordache jeans, horse-head logo-emblazoned t-shirt, spiffy belt AND as the box touts; with "shoes included".

"The High Fashion Male Doll with the Look That's All Together."

*click pic to make more fabulous*

He's not anatomically correct, but I couldn't resist the easy comic-related wang joke.
Yes. I'm obviously 10 years old.
I DID show a LITTLE restraint, though.
I didn't make ANY jokes about him being 12 inches!

Since the official Dr. Strange figure was never produced, I was relegated to hunting down the "Male Fashion Doll". As pictured above, I own two. One; in package. The other; nekkid and waiting for customization.

As soon as I get the correct style 12inch mego body, I'll work on the proper costume and custom packaging.

Don't fret. I'll showcase that on the blog whenever it's ready.


While this was the 1st solo piece of Doctor Strange "action figure" merchandise to be conceived, it was actually released after a more official "Doctor Strange" item; the Ben Cooper produced; Dr. Strange "jiggler" figure - as showcased in this old post HERE as well as the other "non-action" figures - showcased in this old post HERE.

However, there are still continuing entries for both, the "Idol Pursuits" and "The 'Magic' of Video" subject themes.

We'll be continuing with both soon.

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* However, since the final "action figure" (*cough* DOLL *cough*) product has little to do with the film (and yet is still tangentially connected to Doctor Strange) it gets filed under the "Idol Pursuits" 'action figure' label.