Socket Poppers/Con-nec-tors "Saurus the Dinosaur" Vintage Action Figure - Ertl/Matchbox (1990)

Socket Poppers/Con-Nec-Tors Saurus the Dinosaur (1990)

Today we are looking at "Saurus the Dinosaur" from "Socket Poppers."

Saurus

Socket Poppers is a line of action figures from the early '90s.  They're designed with detachable heads and limbs that can be swapped between the figures to make crazy combinations.  They're mostly monsters, sci-fi, and fantasy figures, but they also have a few humans thrown in for good measure.  They are in the 3 3/4 inch scale and have classic Kenner style 5 points of articulation, but with the twist that the figures can be popped apart at each point of articulation.

Socket Poppers Monster Party

They were originally made by Matchbox Toys in 1990, as part of their "Con-Nec-Tors" line of action figures.  Matchbox is best known for their toy cars, and the Con-Nec-Tors were actually a spin-off of Matchbox's Con-Nect-Ables line of cars.  The figures didn't really take off, but a year later Ertl Toys picked up the license from Matchbox and rereleased them under the name "Socket Poppers."  There are a total of 16 figures in these toy lines.

"Say Cheese"

Socket Poppers/Con-nec-tors "Gozo the Pterodactyl" Vintage Action Figure - Ertl/Matchbox (1990)

Socket Poppers/Con-Nec-Tors Gozo the Pterodactyl (1990)

It's Day 6 of MONSTER MONTH!  Death beats it's reptilian wings when the Gozo the Pterodactyl Socket Poppers action figure descends from the sky!  Socket Poppers were action figures designed with detachable heads and limbs that could be swapped between the figures to make crazy combinations.  They are in the 3 3/4 inch scale and have classic Kenner style 5 points of articulation.  They were originally made by Matchbox Toys in 1990, as part of their "Con-Nec-Tors" line of action figures.  Matchbox is best known for their toy cars, and the Con-Nec-Tors were actually a spin-off of Matchbox's Con-Nect-Ables line of cars.  The figures didn't really take off, but a year later Ertl Toys picked up the license from Matchbox and rereleased them under the name "Socket Poppers."  There were a total of 16 figures in these toy lines.

Gozo Hunts at Night

Previously I have reviewed some other Socket Poppers monster figures, including:

Garza the Mummy
http://misfitdaydream.blogspot.com/2014/10/vintage-friday-socket-popperscon-nec.html

 Alantide the Mutant, Trilor the Cyclops, and Grumo the Swamp Monster
 http://misfitdaydream.blogspot.com/2014/10/vintage-friday-socket-popperscon-nec_25.html 

Dr. Dracula the Vampire
 http://misfitdaydream.blogspot.com/2014/10/vintage-friday-socket-popperscon-nec_31.html 

Moscos the Monster Fly
 http://misfitdaydream.blogspot.com/2016/10/socket-popperscon-nec-tors-moscos.html 

MORE PHOTOS AFTER THE BREAK...

Dragonriders of the Styx "Dragon Man" Action Figure - DFC Dimesions for Children (1984)

Dragonriders of the Styx - Dragon Man (1984)

It's Day 4 of MONSTER MONTH!  Dragonriders of the Styx was a cheapo sword and sorcery toy line from the 1980s that featured lots of weird and creepy monsters.  Yesterday I wrote about the "Guliz the Ogre" action figure from this line (http://misfitdaydream.blogspot.com/2016/10/dragonriders-of-styx-guliz-ogre-1983.html), and a few years ago I wrote about the "Demon" (http://misfitdaydream.blogspot.com/2014/10/countdown-to-halloween-random-toy-grab.html).

Face of the Dragon Man

Today I'm featuring "Dragon Man."  The figure has seven points of articulation (the standard 5 points you usually see on vintage 3 3/4" figures like this, plus additional hinges at the knees).  Dragon Man is cast in solid green plastic, with the only paint being on his eyes.  He originally came with a sword and shield (not the sword I have in my photos).

BONUS! MUSIC VIDEO
Dio - Killing the Dragon



More photos after the break...

Dragonriders of the Styx "Guliz the Ogre" Action Figure - DFC Dimesions for Children (1983)

Dragonriders of the Styx - Guliz the Ogre

MONSTER MONTH marches on into Day 3!  Dragonriders of the Styx was a cheapo sword and sorcery toy line from the 1980s that featured lots of weird and creepy monsters.  I wrote about the "Demon" action figure from this line a few years ago: http://misfitdaydream.blogspot.com/2014/10/countdown-to-halloween-random-toy-grab.html

A Handsome Fellow

Today I'm featuring "Guliz the Ogre" from that line.  My figure is a well-played with toy.  It is physically in good condition, but the paint is worn off quite a bit.  This figure originally came with a curvy sword and a whip.

More photos after the break...

Socket Poppers/Con-nec-tors "Moscos the Monster Fly" Vintage Action Figure - Ertl/Matchbox (1990)

Socket Poppers/Con-Nec-Tors Moscos the Monster Fly (1990)

MONSTER MONTH begins today!  Tremble in fear before the loathsome Moscos the Monster Fly Socket Poppers action figure!  Socket Poppers were action figures designed with detachable heads and limbs that could be swapped between the figures to make crazy combinations.  They are in the 3 3/4 inch scale and have classic Kenner style 5 points of articulation.  They were originally made by Matchbox Toys in 1990, as part of their "Con-Nec-Tors" line of action figures.  Matchbox is best known for their toy cars, and the Con-Nec-Tors were actually a spin-off of Matchbox's Con-Nect-Ables line of cars.  The figures didn't really take off, but a year later Ertl Toys picked up the license from Matchbox and rereleased them under the name "Socket Poppers."  There were a total of 16 figures in these toy lines.

Previously I have reviewed some other Socket Poppers monster figures, including:

Garza the Mummy
http://misfitdaydream.blogspot.com/2014/10/vintage-friday-socket-popperscon-nec.html

Alantide the Mutant, Trilor the Cyclops, and Grumo the Swamp Monster
http://misfitdaydream.blogspot.com/2014/10/vintage-friday-socket-popperscon-nec_25.html

Dr. Dracula the Vampire
http://misfitdaydream.blogspot.com/2014/10/vintage-friday-socket-popperscon-nec_31.html

More photos after the break...

Kenner Star Wars Action Figures - Collect All 21!

I had a nice collection of Kenner Star Wars figures, vehicles, and playsets when I was a kid, but I gave them all away when I was in Jr. High, and thought I had outgrown them.  But I always missed them as an adult, so a little over a year ago I started buying up the vintage figures all over again, a few figures at a time.  A couple of weeks ago, I finished my collection of the original 21 figures Kenner released under the "Star Wars" banner between 1977 and 1979, before moving on to "The Empire Strikes Back" in 1980.

I had all of these figures when I was a kid except for Princess Leia and Death Squad Commander.  I never really wanted the Death Squad Commander when I was a kid, he just seemed like some generic background guy to me back then.  But I did want a Princess Leia, but nobody ever bought one for me for my birthday or Christmas, maybe thinking that I wouldn't want one because she was a girl.  I did end up getting a figure of Leia in her Empire Strikes Back Hoth outfit a few years later.  But the Leia with her white gown and buns in her hair has always been my favorite, so I'm really happy to have her in my collection now.

Now I have a decision to make:  what do I collect next?  Do I buy all of the 1977-79 playsets and vehicles?  Do I move straight on to the "Empire" action figures?  I definitely want to get the playsets and vehicles, but it might take me a long time to find affordable ones on my budget.  So I don't think I'll buy those right away, instead I'll just keep an eye out, and pick them up whenever I can find them for a good deal.

I think I might do some army building with the 1977-79 figures, and pick up some extra Jawas, Sand People, and Stormtroopers first.  After that I will probably move on to the Empire Strikes Back figures.

Mork From Ork Vintage Action Figure - Mattel (1980)

Mork From Ork Action Figure (1980, Mattel)

This Mork From Ork action figure was produced by Mattel in 1980.  It came packaged inside a space egg, kind of like the Xeonomorphs from Alien.  Mork was an insane space alien who had come to Earth to prepare it for conquest by his home planet.  At least I think so, I haven't actually watched the show since I was a kid... but that sounds about right.  He was played with psychotic verve by Robin Williams, who you may remember from his frightening role as killer Walter Finch in Insomnia.

My God... THOSE EYES.

They say eyes are the window to the soul.  The Mork From Ork action figure has eyes that appear to be covered in flesh... clearly Mork HAS NO SOUL.

Mork was rarely seen without his gun and his blade (again, if my memories are correct... it's all a bit hazy).  But make no mistake, he could kill you just as easily with his bare hands.  And don't even get me started on his bizarre, alien powers.  Humanity doesn't stand a chance.

Star Wars "Han Solo" and "Chewbacca" Vintage Action Figures - Kenner (1977)

Today I'm taking a look at a couple of classic Kenner Star Wars figures from 1977, Han Solo and Chewbacca.  At least I thought I was taking a look at classic figures!  It turns out that the Han Solo is actually a reissue of the figure from 1995!  I guess I need to read those eBay ads a little more carefully before I bid on them.  I thought I was getting a really good price on a group of loose vintage figures in practically mint condition, and it turned out he reason they were in such good condition was because they weren't actually from the 1970s.  But you know what?  That's fine.  I'm not buying these toys as investments, I'm buying them because they are fun, and this Han Solo is just as fun as the original.  Let's check him and Chewie out after the break!

Star Wars Power of the Force "Landspeeder" Vehicle - Kenner (1995)

A few months ago, I decided to start collecting vintage Kenner Star wars figures again.  I had a pretty sizable collection of these when I was a kid in the '70s and '80s, but I gave them away to kids in my neighborhood when I was in Jr. high, thinking I was too old for them.  Since, then, I've considered buying them again, but it seemed like a daunting and expensive task.  I think it was the release of Funko and Super 7's ReAction figures, done in that old Kenner style, that pushed me over the edge and made me start collecting them again.

Fisher-Price Adventure People Alpha Star Vehicle and Figures - Fihser-Price (1983)

The "Alpha Star" is one of my favorite toys from the Fisher-Price Adventure People.   It was first released in 1983, and came with a motorized planetary rover and detachable trailer, both with a bunch of fun interactive features.  It also included an astronaut, a robot, and an alien creature.  It had everything a kid would need to have some awesome planet exploring adventures.  Let's check out all of it's fun features after the break!

Socket Poppers/Con-nec-tors "Dr. Dracula the Vampire" Vintage Action Figure - Ertl/Matchbox (1990)

The doctor is in, and he wants to suck your blood!  It's Dr. Dracula, the vampire figure from Matchbox's Con-Nec-Tors in Europe, and Ertl's Socket Poppers here in North America.  I reviewed a few other Socket Poppers this month, but to refresh your memory, these are 3 3/4 inch action figures with head and limbs that can be removed and swapped with other figures in the line to create wacky combinations.  Plus, they also make great cartoony action figures on their own, even without the parts swapping.  Let's check him out after the break!

Clash of the Titans "Charon" Action Figure - Mattel (1981)

For my second post of the day on this fine October 31st, I'll be looking at Charon: a 1981 action figure from Mattel's Clash of the Titans line, based on the Harry Hamlin starring film of the same name. Charon is the skeletal ferryman who ferries passengers across the river Styx.  We'll cross the Styx together... after the break!

Socket Poppers/Con-nec-tors "Swamp Monster, Mutant, and Cyclops" Vintage Action Figures - Ertl/Matchbox (1990)

Are you ready for a bonus Saturday edition of Vintage Fridays?  This week's theme is "BEYOND THE STARS AND BENEATH THE WAVES: A Week of Space Monsters and Sea Creatures!"  And we've got that covered and then some in this post!  Today I'll be looking at three vintage monsters from the Socket Poppers/Con-Nec-Tors toylines.  Grumo the Swamp Monster, Alantide the Mutant, and Trilor the Cyclops.  In addition to the toy review, I also made a scary (or maybe just a kind of weird) Halloween photocomic starring these figures, along with a few vintage action figure guest stars.  Let's check it out after the break...

Micronauts Alien Invaders Vintage Action Figures - Mego (1980)

"Horrifying alien invaders from an unknown planet, with giant brains that glow in the dark!"  They were the Micronauts Alien Invaders, released by Mego in 1980, shortly before the company went out of business.  They were evil aliens with cybernetic weapons implanted onto their limbs, turning them in to living killing machines.  Let's take a look at these terrifying Space Invaders after the break!

The Saga of Crystar "Moltar, The Prince of Chaos" Action Figure - Remco (1982)

This is going to be the final post for week 3 of my Countdown to Halloween.  This week's theme has been HALF HUMAN, HALF HORROR: Vampires, Werewolves, Apemen and More, a Week of Human Beings Crossed With Horrible Things!  I've been focusing on half human, half animals all week, but this guy's a little different, he's half man, half lava!  It's Moltar, the Prince of Chaos and Leader of the Magma Men, from Remco's The Saga of Crystar Action figure line.  Let's check him out after the break in this bonus, non-Friday edition of Vintage Fridays!

"The Remco Dracula Picture Show," Featuring the 1979 Remco Mini Monster Dracula

The Mini Monsters were a line of 3 3/4 inch officially licensed Universal Monsters action figures released by Remco in 1979.   They are very similar to classic Kenner Star Wars figures and have the standard five points of articulation.  Dracula originally came with a vinyl cape that was black on the outside and red on the inside, but my figure has a replacement cape of all black.  The action figures joining Dracula in today's photo series are a vintage Kenner Princess Leia, Zica Toys' Six Million Dollar Man, and Funko ReAction's The Goonies Sloth.  One note, my Dracula figure has a piece of paint chipped of off his nose, but I touched it up in the photos.

And now, on with "The Remco Dracula Picture Show..."

Flash Gordon Beastman Vintage Action Figure - Mattel (1980)

Half human, half gorilla, and half Smurf... if my math is right, that equals one scary monster! It's "Beastman," a figure from Mattel's 1979 Flash Gordon line of action figures.  Let's check him out after the break, in this bonus Countdown to Halloween Thursday edition of Vintage Fridays!

Socket Poppers/Con-Nec-Tors "Garza the Mummy" - Ertl/Matchbox (1990)

Behold the mighty Garza the Mummy!  This figure was released in Europe by Matchbox Toys in 1990, as part of their "Con-Nec-Tors" line of action figures.  Matchbox is best known for their toy cars, and the Con-Nec-Tors were actually a spin-off of Matchbox's Con-Nect-Ables line of cars.  The action figures had removable heads and limbs which could be swapped out with the heads and limbs of other figures in the line, to create all kinds of crazy combinations.  The same figures were released a year later in North America by Ertl Toys, under the name "Socket Poppers."  I'll be doing a full post on the Socket Poppers/Con-Nec-Tors sometime after the Countdown to Halloween, where I will be swapping out body parts, but for now I'll be focusing on the individual figures.  Check out the Socket Poppers Mummy after the break!

Universal Monsters "Frankenstein" and "Bride of Frankenstein" Retro Action Figures - Funko/Super7 (2014)

This week I'm featuring Funko and Super7's Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein ReAction figures.  Long story short, I love these figures.  The only thing I'm not 100% on board with is the way they sculpted the Bride's dress.  I think they should have either made it a solid piece, like The Clash of the Titan's Charon action figure, or rounded it off, like how Kenner sculpted Princess Leia.  The split down the middle look Funko went for here makes her look like she has Gumby legs!  Don't get me wrong though... I loves me some Gumby... I just don't think it's the best look for this figure.  But it's still a great figure, and I love having it my collection.

So check out my photos below.  They feature Frankie and The Bride, and guest star Alan Alda as "The Mad Doctor."

The Saga of Crystar "Zardeth, The Wizard Who Worshipped Chaos" Action Figure - Remco (1982)

Every Friday, I review a different vintage 3 3/4" action figure, and today I'm featuring Zardeth, the evil wizard from Remco's The Saga of Crystar line of action figures.  Does he fit in with this week's "Mysterious Murderers" theme?  Err... kinda, I guess.  He does wear a Phantom of the Opera style mask!  Okay, that's settled, then,  Let's check out this EVIL action figure after the break!