Surveying the Gen X landscape and the origins of geek
Beautifully illustrated ads that originally appeared in the comics section of the Sunday paper. They sold recently on eBay for a large sum.
50 pieces of Bazooka bubble gum for 79¢? A Spider-Man costume for $1.98? Speaking of which, the Ben Cooper Spider-Man costume is probably the first Marvel licensed product, originally appearing in 1963, just a few issues into the comic’s run. It’s got a very interesting story that you can read at Hero Envy.
That’s a box of raisins in Skeletor’s bag. God, I hated getting raisins for Halloween. You can see the He-Man costume (Ben Cooper) better below. That’s Tenderheart Bear next to the big guy.
(Images via thepeachmartini and Shane Woodall)
Not exactly Halloween-relevant, but I just couldn’t wait when I saw these. So much gold. That poor Ghostbusters kid. I hope he made enough money for some Nintendo games.
The Powers of Grayskull was supposed to be a 1987 Masters of the Universe spinoff, but the forces of justice prevailed, and we were not forced to endure another round of idiotic characters with names like He-Ro, who happens to be the guy standing next to He-Man. Not sure what’s going on with all the dinosaurs, and not sure why the designs have nothing to do with the cover of the product. The Cringer sweater is the best.
Disco Dracula is so much more fun than Halloween’s Come See What It’s All About (1979), and actually evokes some groovy, sexualized monster vibes. Read a review and see some hilarious European video at Disco Delivery. As of now, you can listen to the whole album here. A recommended seasonal treat! Lesbian vampire lovers not included.
Darkseid? Darkseid. It appears that DC/Ben Cooper were banking on the success of Super Friends: The Legend of the Super Powers Show, which debuted in September 1984 and was the first animated series to feature the super villain. The Kirby creation had been around in the comics since 1970.
“Hey, Mom, can I be an evil half-orc assassin for Halloween?”
“Sure, honey. Just don’t eat too much candy!”
Actually, I don’t think my parents ever shelled out for a “name brand” costume. My mom would make them herself from supplies she got at the thrift and craft stores.
Chock full of history about monsters and monstercons, Forry Ackerman (check out his office in the fourth photo down), Phil Seuling (early con organizer who developed the direct market distribution model), and James Warren, not to mention some glorious art and ads, you can read the whole program at From Zombos’ Closet, a terrific monsterkid blog. Also check out the equally interesting 1975 Famous Monsters Convention Program.
Found on eBay. These are all the masks included in the book. I posted some cool “punch out” Star Wars masks last year.
I have no recollection of Drak Pack. It aired right after Thundarr, so I don’t know what the problem was, unless I was on my bike by that time. The intro is spectacular! A “new generation” of monsters “dedicated to reversing the evil image of their forefathers,” the teenage mutants transform into “super mighty monsters” and battle Dr. Dred and O.G.R.E. (Organization of Generally Rotten Enterprises). Perfect seasonal viewing. The DVD isn’t readily available, but the single season run is currently on YouTube.
(Image via Once Upon a Geek)
2 Warps to Neptune 