Misfit Robot Daydream: Universal Studios Monsters "Dracula and Mummy" Vintage Action Figures

Placo Toys Universal Studios Monsters Dracula and Mummy (1991)

In 1991, Placo Toys launched a new line of Universal Monsters action figures. The first wave consisted of Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, and The Wolf-Man. More monsters like the Bride of Frankenstein and The Creature From the Black Lagoon were planned for a second wave, but apparently the first wave didn't sell well enough to warrant it. The figures were 10 1/12 inches tall and featured very limited articulation, with swivel joints at the neck, shoulders, wrists, and waist, and no movement at all for the legs. They are sculpted in a very generic, cartoony style, based on the Universal style guide of the time, with no attempt to be accurate to the films. I was never very impressed with the photos of these I saw online, but I stumbled on these for very cheap on ebay recently, only paying about $8 for the set of The Mummy and Dracula. At that price, I figured, why not?

A Face Only Your Mummy Could Love

In hand, I kind of like them more then I thought I would. They have a solid, hefty chunkiness to them that feels good in my hands. I could see a kid having fun playing with them and just bashing them around. I don't really see them being a big part of my action figure collection, though. Their 10 1/2 inch size doesn't match up with any of my other action figures. I think these guys are going to become more of a Halloween decoration in my house, instead.