And we thought the art on this case was bad! Enlarge and have a good look.
(Images via eBay)
Archive for the 'Fantasy Toys/Playsets' Category
Fantasy Creatures Carrying Case (Baroco, 1984)
Published April 6, 2016 Fantasy Toys/Playsets 2 CommentsFantasy Figure Collector’s Case (Tara Toys, 1983)
Published March 14, 2016 Fantasy Toys/Playsets 4 Comments
Christmas Morning, 1983: The Saga of Crystar – Crystal Castle (Remco, 1983)
Published November 30, 2015 '80s Decor/Design/Fashion , Christmas , Christmas Morning , Fantasy Toys/Playsets , Remco Toys 4 Comments
Fortress of the Wizard King, Castle of the Three Headed Dragon, and Demon Mountain Fantasy Action Playsets (Helm Toy, 1983)
Published April 28, 2015 Fantasy Toys/Playsets 7 Comments
Very cool looking (but not very sturdy, I’m guessing) sets that followed in the wake of DFC’s popular Dragonriders of the Styx set and its many copycats. The pics are courtesy of Shaun Christensen’s definitive Fantasy Toy Soldiers blog, where you can see a lot more, including close-ups of the better than expected minis.
Dungeons & Dragons gave the traditional playset format one last push—players could use the sets as role-playing aids—before its final demise.
Dragonriders of the Styx Toys: Demon Flyer, Serpent Rider, and Skull Sled (DFC, 1983)
Published March 19, 2015 Dimensions for Children (DFC) , Fantasy Toys/Playsets Leave a Comment
The most priceless “free wheeling” fantasy toy line of the ’80s, and I’m not talking about cash value. The action figures are here.
Breaking: 12″ Cthulhu from Warpo Seeks to Eat Universe Before Debut at 2015 Toy Fair
Published February 11, 2015 Fantasy Toys/Playsets , H.P. Lovecraft , New Toys That Don't Suck Leave a Comment
You gorgeous monster! Ask and I shall obey.
(Background on Warpo’s Legends of Cthulhu line is here.)
Viking Warrior Kite (Spectra Star, 1982)
Published November 10, 2014 Fantasy Toys/Playsets , Kites 1 Comment
The actual figure on the kite is not as cool as the illustration on front (which is slightly Warduke-esque), but it’s clearly an attempt to cash in on D&D without going in for the license. This happened quite a bit starting in 1982.
(Images via eBay)
1984 Miner Industries Catalog: Dungeon Demons and Space Adventure Cosmic Action Playset
Published August 21, 2014 Catalogs , Fantasy Toys/Playsets , Miner Industries , Space Toys/Playsets 3 Comments
The Dungeon Demons, originally released as Pop-Top Horrors in the 1960s, were used in Miner’s Dragon Crest Medieval Fantasy Adventure Playset (circa 1983).
The Space Adventure set appeared in the 1980 Miner catalog (below) with the Star Base and Star Base Command Tower sets.
Dragons, Knights & Daggers: Battle Beast (Imperial, 1983)
Published August 21, 2014 Fantasy Toys/Playsets , Imperial Toy Corporation , Knockoff Toys Leave a Comment
Robots, Lasers & Galaxies was preceded by Dragons, Knights & Daggers. Hello, is that Castle Grayskull in the background? Poor thing is missing its eyes and nose. It was easy to go after both the D&D and MOTU fans, since MOTU was itself a D&D knockoff.
Wham-O Ad, 1982: `Fantasy Series’ Frisbees
Published August 15, 2014 Ads , Fantasy Toys/Playsets , Frisbees 2 Comments
You can’t make them out really well in the ad, but the series included Pegasus, a dragon, and, for some reason, a butterfly. How about a wizard, guys?
Here’s a close-up of the dragon. The copyright date is 1981. There’s no such thing as a D&D flying disc (“Frisbee” is a Wham-O trademark), is there? Yes, there is.
2 Warps to Neptune 