1992 Toy Island talking monsters

[raycastile]

It is too bad I have to start a new thread on these, as I would have preferred to post this in the original Toy Island monster thread I started in 2008. But that thread was recently locked.

To make sure that does not happen to this thread, I have enlisted the assistance of my Coffin Joe action figure.



Joe appears to be giving everyone the finger. I apologize, but I just cannot control the actions of Coffin Joe.

Oh wait, he is saying something in Portuguese.



It sounds like he is putting a curse on everyone who reads this thread. It doesn't matter who you are. If you are reading these words, you are now cursed. Again, I am sorry. I just can't control my Coffin Joe doll.

Now he is directing our attention to something.



Oh yes, the Toy Island monsters. He wants us to stop talking about him and look at the Toy Island monsters. Very well. I don't want to make him angrier than he already is. It is time to stop dillydallying and get to the point. Onward.

[raycastile]

Some of you (perhaps a very small number of you) might know that I have been searching a long time for the electronic talking monsters released in 1992 by Toy Island, the same company that produced some Universal Monsters action figures a few years ago.

The Toy Island talking monsters included a Vampire, Zombie and Werewolf. You pressed their chest and they emitted a sound or spoken phrase. Around the same time, Toy Island produced similar action figures of pirates, cowboys and astronauts. I remember buying the Pirates at Walgreens in the early 1990s. But for some reason, Toy Island only released the three monsters in the UK. I have never learned why they deemed them unsuitable for the U.S. market. But a magazine interview with the president of Toy Island circa 1992 confirmed that the monsters were exclusive to the UK.

At the time, I contacted the few toy dealers I knew in the UK and tried to get a set. The dealers had no idea what I was talking about. I called some U.S. dealers who specialized in international toys, but they could not help me.

I could not believe it was so hard to get these things! This was before the Internet, before eBay. My options were limited. I was out of luck.

Years passed. Decades passed. I never did find my Toy Island monsters. Boo hoo.

Then a UMA member, Maurice in Belfast, sent me pictures of a carded set he owned. I could not believe it! It was the first time I had seen clear photographs of these things. Maurice allowed me to share his photos on the UMA in 2008, in the thread that was recently locked.

You saw the carded Zombie that Andy Williams acquired a couple weeks ago. I had been trying to work a deal on that toy, but was striking out with the owner. He wanted trades for things I didn't have. Andy knew the owner, so I talked to him about it. Finally, I told Andy I was throwing in the towel on the Zombie and encouraged him to go after it if he wanted it. Andy was able to work out a deal with the owner and acquire that excellent figure. Congratulations to Andy on obtaining a very special toy.

Meanwhile, I contacted Maurice and told him my sob story of toy frustration. Maurice, bless his heart, took pity on me. We worked out a deal and I bought Maurice's set of all three carded Monsters. I was happy that it worked out that way, because Maurice is a good guy and the kind of person I enjoy buying/trading toys with. I hate it when toy collecting becomes stressful. Many times I have come close to ditching the hobby because the stress level was getting ridiculous. These are toys. "Stress" and "toys" do not belong in the same sentence. Anyway, Maurice and I had a stress-free experience. I cannot say enough good things about Maurice.

[raycastile]

So now, finally, here are the Toy Island monsters. My 21-year quest has come to an end.

[Count_Zirock]

Why does the Zombie need help? He's got a pretty good arsenal at his disposal.
Congrats on completing your Toy Island Talking Monsters quest. So...what's next?

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[monsternik]

Ray, Very cool set of figures, I completely understand why you have wanted to find a set. I dig the zombies rat belt! Id really like to find a loose set. Thanks for sharing!

[Gillfan]

I find the packaging very charming.

Congrats on the addition to the collection!

[marsattacks666]

Awesome!     They look very cool.

[aura of foreboding]

Does anyone else love the fact that none of them are wearing shoes?  Shoes were clearly not cool in 1992.

Plus, I'm digging the rat belt on the Zombie.   

[Mord]

The early 90s was a very casual era for monsters.

[marsattacks666]

Does anyone else love the fact that none of them are wearing shoes?  Shoes were clearly not cool in 1992.

Plus, I'm digging the rat belt on the Zombie.   

The Zombie is the coolest.

[fmofmpls]

Congrats Raymond! I'm happy that you have finally found the elusive Toy Island talking monsters. I'm afraid your elation will be short lived though. Coffin Joe will have none of this nonsense. He supremacy will reign over your Toy Island idolatry. You will worship him alone. He is your master, and you are his slave. Throw those false idols into the fire and repent before you get a bottle broken over your head. 

[Count_Zirock]

Does anyone else love the fact that none of them are wearing shoes?

How else can the Vampire hang by his feet from the rafters to sleep?
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[aura of foreboding]

The early 90s was a very casual era for monsters.

This is probably the aftermath of the Universal Monsters' Pepsi Party.  Sunglasses at night: Check.  No shoes:  No problem.   

How else can the Vampire hang by his feet from the rafters to sleep?

An excellent observation!

[Unknown Primate]

Yep - Maurice is a great guy - and those talking monsters are very, very cool! 

[mjaycox]

I would comment on this thread, but I fear reprisals from your Coffin Joe figure .

I think I love Dracula best. He looks kind of like "Fright Night" or "Subspecies"... In short, a perfect 80s vampire. And it's nice to see a Zombie from an era before they became the Du Jour monster.