Mego got a lot of mileage out of producing toys based on Televion shows in the Seventies. Happy Days, Dukes of Hazzard, Love Boat, Waltons, the list goes on to include Zorro and Dr. Who.
Mego went all out for it's Wizard of Oz license, a real feather in it's cap. Stars from the classic film were on hand at the Toy Fair unveiling of this detailed line of toys. With three playsets and nearly a dozen figures this was an important chapter in the Mego story.
One of Mego's more interesting Historical lines, it's pirates were a mix of fictional and real historical characters. Mego spared no detail where quality was concerned on this line.
World's Greatest Super Knights are DELUXE Mego offerings! Being characters in the public domain Mego could spend more money on accessories and detailing, and are therefore among their best work in the 8 inch scale.
Mego's Heroes of the Wild West series featured 6 historical figures. Of all of Mego's public domain series, it seems evident that the Western series was one of the strongest sellers.
This catch-all gallery houses some of the more obscure Mego lines or lines that don't fit into our major categories. With sports stars such as Muhammed Ali or the timely CB McHaul line, it's a fun tour through an era when Mego was willing to try anything.
There were several Monster lines in production in the Seventies, and Mego's popular collection is featured here. Monsters came in Solid and window boxes, as well as Kresge cards. They were re-released in 1980 under the Lion Rock name, and again by Classic TV Toys in 2004.
In 1977, KISS was, in many respects, the most popular band in America. The music world was hot for this Rock and Roll foursome of fantasy characters which were: Gene Simmons, the tongue flickering bat/demon/monster Paul Stanley, the Lover or the "Star Child" Ace Frehley, the Space Man or the "Space Ace" Peter Criss, the Cat.
A natural choice for a public domain action figure line, these four figures are delights of color and design.
Robin is a perect head sculpt capturing the essence of the Errol Flynne version of the character.
This line from 1977-78 took it's name from the Raquel Welch classic, but was not related to the movie. The cave man series produced a number of unusual features for the 8 inch format. The figures have no waist unit to accomodate the "Spear Throwing Action".
After the Star Wars explosion of the late 70's, licensing dynamo Mego wasn't going to be bested again. They backed any sci-fi project in the works, including Star Trek, Logans Run, Buck Rogers and Disney's the Black Hole.
Mego's "Eagle Force " line was truly a symbol of the times, the early eighties. Military toys were about to make a comeback.
Despite being developed independantly of one another, similiarities arose between Eagle Force and G.I. Joe are clear.
By the mid 70's it appeared that 12" boys action figures were in the decline, yet Mego was producing more 12" Boys action figures than they were their trademark 8" style. Look for more example of Mego 12 Inch Figures in the Television, Black Hole, and Star Trek The Motion Picture Galleries.
Tex Willers were based on a widely popular Italian comic book and are distinguished by their bright graphic colors taken for the comics.
Mego's most famous and popular line, the World's Greatest Super Heros defined the Mego Era.
Their initial success in 1972/73 lead to an expanded line of over 30 figures. This gallery includes the newly discovered Jet Jungle from South Africa.
These WW2 figures were too close to GI Joe to produce for the US markets but happily created them for Europe.
The figures themselves are exquisite, with authentically styled uniforms and tons of accessories.
Perhaps Mego's biggest success in movie and television based licenses, the Planet of the Apes line of action figures debuted in 1974.
The figures were accompanied by some very creative playsets and accessories.
Mego's first 8 inch figure, Action Jackson was an inexpensive alternative to GI Joe.
AJ was the line that took Mego from a dime-store discount producer to a larger player in the toy industry.
The Mego Flash Gordon line was supposed to be the begining of the era of 10" figures. Sadly, Flash Gordon became the sole 10" release in North America.
But make no mistake, Flash Gordon is one of the finest sets of figures in Mego history.
Re-Mego: Figures that look like Megos...but aren't!
EMCE, Cast-Away Toys, Classic TV Toys and more, this section focuses on lines that are reproductions of actual Mego bodies or modified versions of Mego bodies. Love them or leave them, here is a gallery of "Megos" that aren't Megos.
A) Move cursor over the map and click on a gallery you'd like to explore.
B) Click the playset icon to return to this map.
C) Visit the Mego Forums to discuss, buy, sell, and trade Megos.
The Accessory Check is a guide book for collectors, to help them identify original parts and distinguish them from reproductions. Through the use of photographs and thorough descriptions, collectors can now judge for themselves.
