Model Kit Mania: Child's Play 2

This customized Chucky model kit is an homage to the original Child's Play 2 movie poster, though instead of preparing to slice off a jack-in-the-box's head, the sadistic pint-sized killer is about to decapitate a familiar-looking mouse.

VHS OF THE WEEK: Speed Racer

VHS RELEASE DATE: 1990

VidAmerica might be an unfamiliar name today, but during the VHS boom of the late '80s and early '90s they released an assortment of Home Videos ranging from Debbie Reynold's exercise sessions to Horror of the Blood Monsters with John Carradine. Somehow, Speed Racer also fit into their varied selection of titles. A number of episodes ended up being released (a single 30 minute episode per tape), but they ceased production prior to releasing the entire series.

Featured Book: A Pictorial History of Horror Movies

Denis Gifford's A Pictorial History of Horror Movies was first published in 1977 (back then it could often be found for sale in the pages of Famous Monsters of Filmland).

Comic Book Retro: Superman In The House of Mystery!

In an unlikely crossover, the Man of Steel visited the House of Mystery in issue #53 of DC Comics Presents.

VHS OF THE WEEK: American Ninja

VHS RELEASE DATE: 1989

Back in the '80s Cannon Films were known for their vast number of action flicks. Bronson (Death Wish sequels), Stallone (Cobra), and Norris (Missing in Action) had huge success with Cannon. One of the studio's other long running cash-cow was the ninja genre, whether it be the many Sho Kosugi films or the America Ninja franchise. The first one in the series was released onto VHS in 1989. Altogether, five American Ninja films were released.

Advertising Wasteland: Japanese Anime on VHS

While we covered the high cost of anime on VHS in an earlier post, this vintage 1989 advertisement we've uncovered is also worth a look. Released under the "Just For Kids" Home Video banner, these tapes were going for $29.95 a pop. Fortunately, the advertisement offered a buy-two-get-one-free deal. Though unknown to many anime fans at the time, Just For Kids released some fairly atrocious English-dubs, but even the dialogue was nothing compared to how much they butchered the films via editing and undue censorship. 

Available at the time were: Battle for Moon Station Dallos, Clash of the Bionoids (the original Macross movie), Defenders of the Vortex, Locke the Superpower, Space Firebird, Techno Police, Space Warriors - Battle for Earth Station S-1.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Packaging Art

Many fans of the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles  fondly remember the toy packaging, though let's face it, we didn't think the artwork and backboards were as cool back then - we just wanted the toys!  Each backing often advertised images of what other figures were currently available and most had the coveted "pizza points" (see on the right next to the barcode). 

The backboard being featured here was from a Foot Soldier figure released during the original 1988 line - notice how only the primary characters were shown. This would soon change as the TMNT grew in popularity and countless figures became available.

Star Trek Edition SkyBox Master Series Trading Cards

More and more it seems that collecting trading cards has gone the way of the dinosaur, but back in the early-to-mid '90s, that was far from the case. 

The Star Trek Edition SkyBox Master Series was released in 1993 and included trading cards featuring original art compositions based on the classic TV series, the motion pictures, the Next Generation, and Deep Space Nine. There were 90 cards to collect and each sealed box came with 36 packs (6 cards per pack).

VHS OF THE WEEK: Tales of Terror

VHS RELEASE DATE: 1981

Directed by Roger Corman Tales of Terror featured an anthology format, breaking up the film into three separate stories starring Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, and Basil Rathbone. Renowned author, Richard Matheson (I Am Legend) wrote two of the vignettes. 

An early '80s home video release, Tales of Terror came in an oversized VHS box. 

Below, for your viewing pleasure, is the original receipt circa 1981.

Cracked Monster Party #19

Cracked Monster Party was an offshoot of the popular Mad Magazine rival, Cracked. 

Monster Party was first published in July 1988 and lasted a total of 46 issues, ending its publication Spring 2000. Let's take a glance back at their January 1993 'vampire' issue...

Featured Model Kit: Godzilla 1989

At over three feet tall and surpassing seven feet in length (counting Godzilla's tail) this astounding piece is the largest Godzilla model kit ever manufactured!

VHS OF THE WEEK: The Night Walker

VHS RELEASE DATE: 1993

Written by Robert Bloch (Psycho) and produced/directed by master showman William Castle (13 Ghosts, House on Haunted Hill, The Tingler) The Night Walker was released by MCA Universal Home Video and included the original theatrical trailer.

Stamp Collecting Goes Super!

In 2006 the United States Postal Service honored comic book superheroes with their set of DC Comics stamps (Marvel would also get the same treatment soon after). 

Toy Spotlight: Transformers - Takara Soundwave

Back in 2003 Takara released Japanese-exclusive reproductions of many popular G1 Transformer figures. Seen above is the box artwork for Soundwave, the Decepticon communications officer. The front panel of the box can be opened via velcro, and Soundwave, along with Laserbeak, can be viewed inside. There's also an informative "book" with artwork about the character and series (written in Japanese) on the inside cover-flap. Soundwave was #10 in Takara's G1 Transformers Collection.

When King Kong Invaded the New York Lottery

In 2005 Peter Jackson's King Kong spawned a number of merchandising tie-ins - though none stranger than the big ape's link with the New York Lottery. In honor of Kong's pilgrimage to New York City, the Empire State came up with a series of lottery tickets featuring the Eighth Wonder of the World. As can be seen in the picture, this ticket was not a winner of the $8 million dollar prize.