Shock monster history

[kreaturekid]

Hey guys, im looking for any info on the topstone shock monster mask, the date it originally came out, who the sculptor was, who did the artwork for the adds. anything like that would be awesom! Thanks for any info! Adam D.

[Minion]

Came out around 1956 or before, designed by Keith Ward who also did the artwork and possibly the sculpture.

Also seems to related to the Topstone Skull, also by Keith Ward. It looks like it was sculpted using the remains of the Skull mask after casting.

[Wich2]

Adam, there's this Mego-style tribute from Cast-A-Way Toys, too:

         

[raycastile]

Came out around 1956 or before, designed by Keith Ward who also did the artwork and possibly the sculpture.

Also seems to related to the Topstone Skull, also by Keith Ward. It looks like it was sculpted using the remains of the Skull mask after casting.

That pretty much sums it up.

[raycastile]

Here is an authentic production example of the Shock Monster.

Unfoamed.



Foamed.

[raycastile]

This is a later version of the Shock Monster.  Different sculpt, but still an authentic Topstone mask.


Unfoamed.



Foamed.

[raycastile]

This is a new casting made directly from the original Topstone master mold.

[raycastile]

For comparison, here is the original Topstone skull, unfoamed.







Here is a later Topstone skull, foamed.

[raycastile]

Hmm.

[raycastile]

Here is a West German knockoff that looks like it was made by turning a genuine Shock Monster inside-out.

[kreaturekid]

thanks so much guys!! i really appreciate the info. i love that figure!! I love those masks, iv been doing alot of searching for versions of the Shock monster, and there are so many different sculpts ranging from the 60's to new stuff, its amazing!

[raycastile]

The mask on the far right is another knockoff.  I'm not sure who made it.





These are rubber puppet faces based on Topstone masks.  The one on the left looks like the Shock Monster.





Here a UK bath toy apparently based on the Shock Monster.





These are vacuform Halloween masks made by Topstone, based on the Keith Ward designs.

[Wich2]

Great stuff, Ray - thanks!

[Minion]

Here's a shot of the inside of the vacufromed shock monster. I flipped the pic horizontally

[raycastile]

It definitely looks more like the Shock Monster sculpt from behind.