Universal Monster Army

I spoke to a fellow UMA about this about a week ago but I thought I'd run it by the board to see what everybody else thinks. To the best of your knowledge, would you say these four card variations are it for Morlock or are there others that I am not aware of.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v420/Roback/Roback2007/DSCF0035.jpg)

Greetings Robert. I'm not sure about the variations, but I am sure that's about the ugliest looking mug I've ever seen that's showing on your computer monitor!  ;D

Nice collection of Morlocks by the way!

Cool bunch of Morlocks.  There is speculation that the glow figure may have been released on the second series FMOL carback, but I've never seen one to verify that.  To my knowlege, you have the known examples right there.  Maybe Ray might know more here?

Really nice group you have there! 

Quote from: fmofmpls on December 04, 2007, 05:59:07 PM
Greetings Robert. I'm not sure about the variations, but I am sure that's about the ugliest looking mug I've ever seen that's showing on your computer monitor!  ;D

Nice collection of Morlocks by the way!

Hey, thanks guys. I appreciate your thoughts. I figured if anybody knew it was you guys. As a matter of fact, I spoke to Ray on the subject last week. He seems to agree that these four card variations are probably all that were released with exception to the possible FMOL card that has yet to be confirmed. Now obtaining them was another story entirely. What an adventure it turned in to trying to obtain a couple of these cards, especially the glow card. Let's just saying that it included a lot of nail biting. It seems that once these glow cards go in to a collection they rarely come out. And Terry, after years of coming here ( just found my 1st year UMA pin ) I just discovered the Flickr folders. Talk about drooling on your keyboard. Some of the images that I just saw are simply breathtaking. That's a great little resource in that format. Are those the same folders over in the Photos section of the old UMA site or are they different?

Hey Robert, Good to 'see' you over here at the new UMA digs!  All I've got a little bit of fact to ad to the Morlock mythos, along with some questions and some conjecture.

These are packaging variations you probably know about, but if I weren't aware of them I would want to be, so I figured I'd write 'em up:

The Star Raiders non-glow card was released in Itay with the same blue background/spaceships/planetoid graphics as the U.S. Tomland cards under the name Guerrieri Galattici (Galactic Warriors in English) by either Newgioco or Newgioco Roma (gioco being a combination of the Italian word  giocattolo - 'toy' in English - and the English word company, Roma the native name for Rome, opening the possibility that it could be the city the company was based in rather than part of the company name).  Capital GC inside a square with cut back corners is their trademarked logo.  GC produced 16 of the figures if their card back is to be believed, all with the same names as their U.S. releases.  I've seen a number of them, including Oov (the Fly) and Tago (the Yeti).  Italy had some very interesting laws regarding importation, which is why we see so many toys with Italian only on the package. As far as I know, the figures are the exact same as those on U.S. cards.

The Famous Monsters of Legend Morlock was released on at least two distinct cards: one as you have pictured, packaged for sale at Kresge stores - with printed 97¢ price tag and Kresge text at the bottom - and circular peg holes. The other with 'Combex' as a logo in the lower left, no printed price tag (which results in a cleaner, more desirous look for my taste) and 'bar with a half circle at the top' peg holes. 

My questions:  I've seen Kresge carded FMoL packages with typeset descriptions of the monsters on the back of the card and have never seen the back of a Combex card.  I've been told by more than one collector that they've seen FMoL figures with blank card backs, but no one has ever correlated it with the credited production company.  I've also been told of Kresge cards with no price or a higher price printed in the price area.  Anyone know anything about these matters?  Also, has anyone ever seen a FMoL with 'Tomland' (or any other releasing co.) on the card?  I would love to know the story of how these figures came to be produced, and what their year (or years) of release are.

The conjecture:  I think the Morlock was released as a glow figure on a FMoL. I was once told by a non-collector that he had several of the monsters in glow as a kid and recounted vividly that they were "Famous Monsters figures".  I dismissed this as misremembered, especially when he spoke of having a Frankenstein.  Ten years later and I reconsider after the loose Frankenstein and the carded Fly turn up. 

Anyone know if the glow FMoL cards have anything on the package back, and what the releasing company is listed as (if any)?

There's a buncha words about monster toys. 

Best,

Shannon

Good one Shannon, the Guerrieri Galattici type card slipped my mind. It makes sense that the Morlock would have been released on this type of card. Since we are all in the picture posting mood, I thought my next two points would be fun to talk about.
First off, I was always amazed at how both Tomland and Lincoln carded Monsters fit in to those tiny mailer boxes. My Glow in the Dark Rot, Morlock and Lincoln carded Dracula shipped inside these mailers and despite the way the card had to be bent in order for it to fit inside, I was expecting the crease to be much worse than what it is not to mention bubble seperation from possible stress.

slightly curled Dracula card
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v420/Roback/Roback2007/LincolnDraculawardsbox.jpg)


Interesting questions regarding the card backs Shannon. Hopefully somebody here will be able to shed some light on them for us.


Calfax card back
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v420/Roback/Roback2007/DSCF0036.jpg)


Famous Monster of Legend card back
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v420/Roback/Roback2007/TomlandFMOLbacks.jpg)


I don't know about you guys and gals, but after years of hunting down certain items I like to savor the moment when I finally find them. One aspect of this has to do when the item actually arrives at the house. One would think that I would open it as soon as it arrives but I hate to rush. I want to milk this moment for all that it's worth.  ;) What I do instead of rushing is to wait until after dinner, after we clean up, gather everybody around the tabel and then open that sucker up. Dubbed the " opening ceremony ", I proceed to open that package like a surgeon would operate on a brain tumor. Before you ask, yes, I do receive the hairy eyeball from family members along with their wondering if I went off my medication.  ;D  I don't care though, I'm having fun and that's all that matters.

studying the package before me like it contained the crown jewels.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v420/Roback/Roback2007/TomlandGlowMorlocckopeningbox.jpg)


The look on my face says it all. Now how in the hell did they fit this card inside that tiny box without it getting destroyed?

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v420/Roback/Roback2007/TomlandMorlockportrait.jpg)

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on December 05, 2007, 05:29:59 AM
 
Anyone know if the glow FMoL cards have anything on the package back, and what the releasing company is listed as (if any)?

Shannon

I've been told for certain that the FMOL cardbacks have the same type of line art as the star raiders, and yes they do have images of Dracula, Wolfman, Mummy and Frankenstein in the assortment.

All of my FMOL cards are Combex and they do have the legends on the back.  Andy, I guess you're in contact with either the owner of the carded glow Mummy or glow Fly.  As long as they are sharing information, can they give us a complete rundown on which characters are pictured on the back?

Yes, I just spoke with the owner of that figure, and all 4 monsters from series one are pictured in line-drawing form, along with the 4 monsters I mentioned.
YETI
FLY
MORLOCK
CYCLOPS
DRACULA
WOLFMAN
MUMMY
FRANKENSTEIN
and before you ask...I already tried to get a pic and there is NO chance that is going to happen.

So no Sasquatch?  Drat.  Thank you for the information.

Quote from: poseablemonster on December 05, 2007, 01:27:08 PM
Yes, I just spoke with the owner of that figure, and all 4 monsters from series one are pictured in line-drawing form, along with the 4 monsters I mentioned.
YETI
FLY
MORLOCK
CYCLOPS
DRACULA
WOLFMAN
MUMMY
FRANKENSTEIN
and before you ask...I already tried to get a pic and there is NO chance that is going to happen.

Quote from: poseablemonster on December 05, 2007, 01:27:08 PM
Yes, I just spoke with the owner of that figure, and all 4 monsters from series one are pictured in line-drawing form, along with the 4 monsters I mentioned.
YETI • FLY • MORLOCK • CYCLOPS • DRACULA • WOLFMAN • MUMMY  • FRANKENSTEIN

Super cool Andy, thank you.  That is the owner of the Mummy, right?  The lucky fiend with the Fly didn't turn up, did he (she)?  If yes, I'd love to know if that seller, zeus928 who is based in Hong Kong, gave any other info about it. 

Best, and thanks again,

Shannon

That's fantastic info Andy. Thanks for checking it out for us. Just for fun, what do you think a FMOL glow card would realize on the secondary market if one were to appear? Do you guys remember what the Mummy and Fly sold for? I think many of us would take a second mortgage to have a chance at owning one of these. I feel that the card art is superior when compared to series 1 and that's really saying something since they are amongst my very favorites.

Certainly the glow card art for the Fly is superior to the first series version.

Quote from: Roback on December 05, 2007, 05:56:46 PM
That's fantastic info Andy. Thanks for checking it out for us. Just for fun, what do you think a FMOL glow card would realize on the secondary market if one were to appear? Do you guys remember what the Mummy and Fly sold for? I think many of us would take a second mortgage to have a chance at owning one of these. I feel that the card art is superior when compared to series 1 and that's really saying something since they are amongst my very favorites.

I didn't even see the carded Fly on ebay.  When did that happen and how much did it sell for?  As for the carded Mummy, I think that collector has owned it for a number of years.

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on December 05, 2007, 03:51:32 PM
Super cool Andy, thank you.  That is the owner of the Mummy, right?  The lucky fiend with the Fly didn't turn up, did he (she)?  If yes, I'd love to know if that seller, zeus928 who is based in Hong Kong, gave any other info about it. 

Best, and thanks again,

Shannon

The carded mummy has been in his collection for a long time.  I'd guess at least 10 years, probably longer.  A friend of his found it at a thrift store in Florida for like $5 and I believe he paid $10!  So there you go...loose tomland mummy goes for over a grand and carded one goes for...well, ten bucks. ;D

Quote from: raycastile on December 05, 2007, 07:09:58 PM
I didn't even see the carded Fly on ebay.  When did that happen and how much did it sell for?

Well, there's the rub.  It started 19 Nov 2005 at $24.99 and closed Nov-22-05, with the dreaded "The seller ended this listing early because the item is no longer available for sale".  The interesting part is that the seller is based in Hong Kong.

I was watching it, and erstwhile monster collector Dave Villard (with whom I corresponded a bit more at the time as we were trading Bandai Horror World figures) had bid $125 on it (visible once the bids were canceled).  I'd already emailed the seller asking all the questions (any more/ others, pix of the back, manufacturer's info, how he came about it, that I was in the market for a pallet full of 'em, etc.) to no response. When the auction was canceled I re-messaged him stating I had planned to bid $1000 (which at the time would probably have been in the running) and asking if he planned to relist or if it had sold, and if it had, at what price.  Nothing.  His history showed only watches and lighters sold before that, and with the exception of some die-cast Space 1999 items sold at the same time, it has been only watches and lighters since.   Every once in a while I'll e-mail and ask about monsters, cuz I'm vindictive and because he's listed as a favorite seller, so I get an e-mail of his listings with about 12 other sellers.

BTW, I know all of this because I tended to save auctions as html files then, not just because I'm insane.  Note I'm not stating I'm not insane, just that it does not take the form of some sort of ultra detailed recall ability. ;D

Auction text, just for fun.  Note the bit about it being the "first movie picture card", one of the points I'd asked for clarity on.

VINTAGE FAMOUS MONSTERS THE FLY 8" ACTION FIGURE 1980

VINTAGE THE FLY FAMOUS MONSTERS 8" DRESS ACTION FIGURE BY OF LEGEND TM, FULLY JOINTED MONSTER, GLOWS IN THE DARK, 1980 MADE IN HONG KONG, MINT AND SEAL ON THE COLORFUL FIRST MOVIE PICTURE CARD, BUBBLE STILL CLEAR AND IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, PLEASE SEE THE PICTURES, WHAT YOU SEE AND WHAT YOU GET, IF ANY QUESTION, ASK BEFORE YOU BID, SERIOUS BIDDER ONLY.

Best,

Shannon

Thanks for the information.  So the photo of the carded Fly that is floating around originally came from that auction?  I thought it was in a known collection.

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on December 06, 2007, 01:46:16 AM
Well, there's the rub.  It started 19 Nov 2005 at $24.99 and closed Nov-22-05, with the dreaded "The seller ended this listing early because the item is no longer available for sale".  The interesting part is that the seller is based in Hong Kong.

I was watching it, and erstwhile monster collector Dave Villard (with whom I corresponded a bit more at the time as we were trading Bandai Horror World figures) had bid $125 on it (visible once the bids were canceled).  I'd already emailed the seller asking all the questions (any more/ others, pix of the back, manufacturer's info, how he came about it, that I was in the market for a pallet full of 'em, etc.) to no response. When the auction was canceled I re-messaged him stating I had planned to bid $1000 (which at the time would probably have been in the running) and asking if he planned to relist or if it had sold, and if it had, at what price.  Nothing.  His history showed only watches and lighters sold before that, and with the exception of some die-cast Space 1999 items sold at the same time, it has been only watches and lighters since.   Every once in a while I'll e-mail and ask about monsters, cuz I'm vindictive and because he's listed as a favorite seller, so I get an e-mail of his listings with about 12 other sellers.

BTW, I know all of this because I tended to save auctions as html files then, not just because I'm insane.  Note I'm not stating I'm not insane, just that it does not take the form of some sort of ultra detailed recall ability. ;D

Auction text, just for fun.  Note the bit about it being the "first movie picture card", one of the points I'd asked for clarity on.

VINTAGE FAMOUS MONSTERS THE FLY 8" ACTION FIGURE 1980

VINTAGE THE FLY FAMOUS MONSTERS 8" DRESS ACTION FIGURE BY OF LEGEND TM, FULLY JOINTED MONSTER, GLOWS IN THE DARK, 1980 MADE IN HONG KONG, MINT AND SEAL ON THE COLORFUL FIRST MOVIE PICTURE CARD, BUBBLE STILL CLEAR AND IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, PLEASE SEE THE PICTURES, WHAT YOU SEE AND WHAT YOU GET, IF ANY QUESTION, ASK BEFORE YOU BID, SERIOUS BIDDER ONLY.

Best,

Shannon

If these three are they, then yes.  If not, please link up the other photos.  Threw in the Frankenstein & Mummy (from their auctions) for the fun of it.


Makes ya drool, doesn't it?

Quote from: poseablemonster on December 05, 2007, 08:22:04 PM
The carded mummy has been in his collection for a long time.  I'd guess at least 10 years, probably longer.  A friend of his found it at a thrift store in Florida for like $5 and I believe he paid $10! 

This is the same story that the owner told me. I also spoke with him on the phone a few years ago. An amazing story to be sure. This owner is also a member of the UMA, but I don't think he's too active with the message board. Great thread by the way!

Honestly, I never thought this thread would reveal such fascinating replies when I asked my question. Boy am I glad that I did.
As for the image you posted, my God Shannon, that is one of the most beautiful cards that I've ever seen. While similar to the non glow card as far as background art is concerned, the black overall coloring, green glow eyes along with " The Fly " in green makes for one hell of a card. As for the condition, that's gotta be perfect in every way. If that card can only talk. I would love to who the original owner was, where it was bought and how it made its way to its present location. Whenever I land an elusive piece I always ask the seller a number of these types of questions in an attempt to learn a bit about its history. Because of these questions, I've learned some fascinating information about where the item was before arriving in my hands. I find that it adds a another dimension to the item which is why I have a hard time parting with any of my collectibles.    Seriously Shannon, thanks again for posting this along with everybody else who chimed in. You made my day!

Guys .. may I add more mystery and intrigue to this thread? How many of you remember the discussion a few years back at the Yahoo group about the Troubador Press Monster Gallery coloring book and it's remarkable similarity with the FMOL artwork? The similarities are most deserving of scrutiny and research, and may very well allow an inside glimpse of what Tomland had:

1) either created and designed for their figure's cards  .. OR

2) blatantly stole, or purchased, for use on their figure's cards.

While the color book itself is dated 1983, the actual copyright inside the book is dated 1973. This meaning that the color book itself could be a re-release of older artwork? And thereby allowing for the use of this artwork on the 70s figures.

I submit the following evidence for your review:

---

Here is a pic of the Fly figure (courtesy of Gallery Of Monster Toys) -

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2014/2091696768_4fc67ffb61_o.jpg)(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2359/2091699976_30d116db52_o.jpg)

Pretty damn close, but not exact. Perhaps Tomland had toned down the art for more efficient printing purposes?

And now the Morlock:

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2339/2090919579_281d75aa81_o.jpg)(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2101/2091705996_3cedfd4734_o.jpg)

The Morlock artwork is not as close in resemblance to the card's art as is the Fly.

If any of this is to be believed at all, then is there any merit in suggesting that the Frankenstein art taken from this very same color book could have been the line art also used on this elusive figure's card?  I personally believe there is some connection somewhere down the line between this color book art and what Tomland (Combex) had decided upon during preliminary design discussions. I also believe in UFOs, Bigfoot, Nessie, and life beyond Yahoo groups.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2420/2090924613_2d306a1dd9_o.jpg) 

BTW, if anyone is interested in seeing more of this color book's artwork, just say so and I can post additional pics.

Based on the artwork that we know is on the Tomland Mummy figure's cardback, I'd say Tomland based it on the artwork from the Lincoln Monster boxes.  The heads are probably recasts of the Lincoln monsters in glow plastic as well. 
Is there a Mummy illustration in that coloring book?

Quote from: poseablemonster on December 06, 2007, 12:50:21 PM
Is there a Mummy illustration in that coloring book?

Yes, there is Andy. And I suppose your right on the Lincoln connection. Hard to argue about that.

Here is the FMOL Mummy on the card. Wolf Man is in the way. Sorry.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2117/2090987379_b419c86d21_o.jpg)

Here is the Mummy art from the color book. Appears to be no connection whatsoever. I don't think I believe in UFOs, Bigfoot, or Nessie anymore either.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2044/2090979167_b9c8a30378_o.jpg)

I've never noticed the subtle differences between the coloring book and the FMOL card artwork.  I always assumed they were an exact match.  I thought Tomland probably ripped off the book's art, just like they ripped off the licensed character of the Fly.  But no, they've added and deleted details, repositioned backgrounds, altered facial expressions.  But the book and the cards are obviously derived from the same source.  So which came first?  Or is there something that predates both?

Quote from: fmofmpls on December 06, 2007, 12:17:05 PM
Guys .. may I add more mystery and intrigue to this thread? How many of you remember the discussion a few years back at the Yahoo group about the Troubador Press Monster Gallery coloring book and it's remarkable similarity with the FMOL artwork? The similarities are most deserving of scrutiny and research, and may very well allow an inside glimpse of what Tomland had:

1) either created and designed for their figure's cards  .. OR

2) blatantly stole, or purchased, for use on their figure's cards.

While the color book itself is dated 1983, the actual copyright inside the book is dated 1973. This meaning that the color book itself could be a re-release of older artwork? And thereby allowing for the use of this artwork on the 70s figures.

I submit the following evidence for your review:

---

Here is a pic of the Fly figure (courtesy of Gallery Of Monster Toys) -

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2014/2091696768_4fc67ffb61_o.jpg)(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2359/2091699976_30d116db52_o.jpg)

Pretty damn close, but not exact. Perhaps Tomland had toned down the art for more efficient printing purposes?

And now the Morlock:

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2339/2090919579_281d75aa81_o.jpg)(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2101/2091705996_3cedfd4734_o.jpg)

The Morlock artwork is not as close in resemblance to the card's art as is the Fly.

If any of this is to be believed at all, then is there any merit in suggesting that the Frankenstein art taken from this very same color book could have been the line art also used on this elusive figure's card?  I personally believe there is some connection somewhere down the line between this color book art and what Tomland (Combex) had decided upon during preliminary design discussions. I also believe in UFOs, Bigfoot, Nessie, and life beyond Yahoo groups.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2420/2090924613_2d306a1dd9_o.jpg) 

BTW, if anyone is interested in seeing more of this color book's artwork, just say so and I can post additional pics.

We should also note that there is a connection between the artwork and the toys themselves.  This is especially evident in the hands.  Look at the Fly artwork with that unmistakable Tomland "thumbs up" hand.  The Morlock's plastic hands also look just like the artwork.  The fingers are positioned the same.

Great stuff guys. I've been scoping out one of those coloring books for the longest. The minute that I saw that Lincoln Mummy the first thing that I did was to email Ray to note the similarities to Lincoln Internationals Mummy. I'm also in agreement about the hands. It'd be hard to argue against it. I wonder what did come first, the coloring book or the cards? I love threads like these.

It's one thing to rip off artwork.  But to base your sculpts on the artwork, or vice versa, that suggests a more intimate connection.  I've heard that Combex produced a lot of paper products.  Obviously, Tomland and Combex are closely affiliated, if not the same company.  Maybe Combex had something to do with producing that coloring book.  I've got a copy of the book, and it doesn't say Combex or Tomland anywhere.

Quote from: Roback on December 06, 2007, 03:02:31 PM
Great stuff guys. I've been scoping out one of those coloring books for the longest. The minute that I saw that Lincoln Mummy the first thing that I did was to email Ray to note the similarities to Lincoln Internationals Mummy. I'm also in agreement about the hands. It'd be hard to argue against it. I wonder what did come first, the coloring book or the cards? I love threads like these.

Quote from: raycastile on December 05, 2007, 07:08:44 PM
Certainly the glow card art for the Fly is superior to the first series version.

I'm a pretty big fan of Savee's illo's, even bastardized, and while the airbrushed close up of the glow cards is beautiful, I'm a bigger fan of the dirty trace versions on the non glow.  In many ways these represent the change of a age.  FMOL first appeared in the '70s, and have that sensibility to them.  The FMOL Glow were released in (or at least copyrighted to) 1980, and have much more of a '80s look:  full-bleed unframed graphics, modeled color and design which interacts with the figure by highlighting it.  Both the illustrations of the Mummy and, with greater dynamism, the Fly lead your eye directly to the figure, at once presenting it and bowing to it.  I can't think of another series which has such reverent to the object artwork.   

The Glow series are certainly designed higher.

sts

The Lincoln card artwork interacted with the figures about five years before the glow FMOL.

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on December 15, 2007, 09:31:24 AM
I'm a pretty big fan of Savee's illo's, even bastardized, and while the airbrushed close up of the glow cards is beautiful, I'm a bigger fan of the dirty trace versions on the non glow.  In many ways these represent the change of a age.  FMOL first appeared in the '70s, and have that sensibility to them.  The FMOL Glow were released in (or at least copyrighted to) 1980, and have much more of a '80s look:  full-bleed unframed graphics, modeled color and design which interacts with the figure by highlighting it.  Both the illustrations of the Mummy and, with greater dynamism, the Fly lead your eye directly to the figure, at once presenting it and bowing to it.  I can't think of another series which has such reverent to the object artwork.   

The Glow series are certainly designed higher.

sts

Who is Savee?  I looked back over the posts, but didn't see his name mentioned before this reference.  Did he create the FMOL glow art?

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on December 15, 2007, 09:31:24 AM
I'm a pretty big fan of Savee's illo's, even bastardized, and while the airbrushed close up of the glow cards is beautiful, I'm a bigger fan of the dirty trace versions on the non glow.  In many ways these represent the change of a age.  FMOL first appeared in the '70s, and have that sensibility to them.  The FMOL Glow were released in (or at least copyrighted to) 1980, and have much more of a '80s look:  full-bleed unframed graphics, modeled color and design which interacts with the figure by highlighting it.  Both the illustrations of the Mummy and, with greater dynamism, the Fly lead your eye directly to the figure, at once presenting it and bowing to it.  I can't think of another series which has such reverent to the object artwork.   

The Glow series are certainly designed higher.

sts

Quote from: raycastile on December 15, 2007, 04:49:39 PM
Who is Savee?  I looked back over the posts, but didn't see his name mentioned before this reference.  Did he create the FMOL glow art?

Hey Ray,  Mark Savee is the artist who illustrated the Troubadour Press Monster Gallery coloring book that the Famous Monster of Legend art work was copied and, in my opinion, copped from.  FYI, Amazon lists him as both Savee and Sovee, but it is Savee.

sts

P.S.  Keep the nails.

Does anyone have a Famous Monsters of Legend card with Tomland on it?  I'd like to see a front and back comparison of the Kresge, Combex and, if it exists, Tomland cards.

sts

I have yet to confirm its existence Shannon. Maybe somebody else can take a look? Can anyone confirm that a FMOL card came with Tomland on it?

Hey Robert,

Would you post a photo of the bottom of the Kresge card showing the addy and control number?

As often as I've read that Tomland released the FMOL, I've never come across anyone who's ever seen a FMOL w/ Tomland on the card.  I've also been told that the 4 FMOL were released BEFORE the Space Raiders by a year or so (1976?), which would fit in with personal suspicions about the line.  Do you have any loose ones to compare to your carded examples?

When I saw the "Cantina Kooks" in that Christmas catalog (Ward?), I recognized them immediately as Famous Monsters of Legend.  So if that catalog came out in 77, the FMOL had to have been out by then.  But the catalog might have been 78.  I did not see Star Wars until 78, but I knew what the Cantina creatures were when I saw that catalog ad, and I knew those were not genuine Cantina creatures!  I received a Yeti for my birthday, but I don't remember which year.

I suspect that the FMOL line came out first and were then used, perhaps as the linchpin which Star Raiders was built on.  I've got NOTHING to support this beyond a couple of people saying they got FMOL monsters in '76, however more have told me they saw them later.  Seeing none on Tomland cards adds to my suspicion, and I've got only the fuzziest of memories of FMOL in stores, mainly just "No Creature, so who cares?" frustration. 

I would love to know for sure if the FMOL figures are marked Tomland on the backs. I suspect they are (what else could they be?  Is there any 8in figure marked "Combex"?), but I have no way of knowing if my loose examples are from FMOL cards.  Anyone got some from childhood or on open cards that can find out?

Still looking for info on Combex / Tomland.  Brian over at megomuseum replied w this when I asked there:

Quote from: palitoy;73639Combex and Tomland were a part of Marx. Somewhere in the stacks I have a UK toy magazine that explained this.

Combex was based in the UK if I recall correctly. Seems to me a lot of cool figures come from there.

and said he'd try to find it. (Yep, I cross posted quotes from another board.  Feel the fabric of the universe unravel.)

Anyone seen that magazine or know more about the history of Tomland?

My loose FMOL are my childhood toys.  They all came on FMOL cards.  Yeti was a birthday present.  I bought the other three at one time using my allowance money.  It was quite a coup, walking out of the store with three monster figures instead of having to spend months begging my parents to buy them.  Yay!  All of my figures have the Tomland bunny logo on their backs.  I suspect the cards said Kresge, since I bought them all from Kmart.

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on January 03, 2008, 02:51:33 AM
Hey Robert,

Would you post a photo of the bottom of the Kresge card showing the addy and control number?

As often as I've read that Tomland released the FMOL, I've never come across anyone who's ever seen a FMOL w/ Tomland on the card.  I've also been told that the 4 FMOL were released BEFORE the Space Raiders by a year or so (1976?), which would fit in with personal suspicions about the line.  Do you have any loose ones to compare to your carded examples?

Shannon, What I do know is that this FMOL Morlock and Fly came directly from an S.S. Kresge store from a woman who worked there at the time of their closing. I've also never seen a FMOL card with Tomland on it. No loose figs Shannon as of yet but I'm sure somebody here must have a few loose specimens?

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v420/Roback/Roback2007/DSCF0070.jpg)

We are created by the great Lord Tomland.  On our backs he imprinted his image - a bunny rabbit.

(http://thegalleryofmonstertoys.com/TomlandMummy/mummyparty6.jpg)

Thanks Robert.  Anyone know if the C0ombex cards were sold in America?

And thanks, uh, Tom, for sharing your 'mark' of the rabbit god.

If I may attempt to clarify where I think Tom is coming from, the Tomland company logo is an Easter-style bunny rabbit.  The rabbit is on the back of every FMOL figure.

Heh, It's funny, but because I know Tomland's service mark and all, it didn't occur to me in the least that someone unfamiliar with these would have no idea what the hell we are discussing.  I mean, monster toy 'archeology' is very obscure anyway, but when you get into the short hand of it (T1 vs T2 Megos, the Pacifist Ape Sky Diver) it truly leaps over the edge.

Yeah .. I must admit that I wasn't privy to the bunny logo at all. In fact, I had to read Ray's post over and over just to make sure that there wasn't a joke somewhere that I missed.

Who'd a thunk .. an bunny rabbit logo on a monster toy? Monster toy indeed.  ::)

Oh, but it's an EVIL rabbit to be sure.

This little bunny? Evil? Blasphemy!! ;D

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v420/Roback/Roback2007/DSCF0076-1.jpg)

That's Him!  Stare not into His eyes, you very soul is in peril!

Quote from: raycastile on January 06, 2008, 12:29:23 AM
If I may attempt to clarify where I think Tom is coming from, the Tomland company logo is an Easter-style bunny rabbit.  The rabbit is on the back of every FMOL figure.

That's odd. When the Tomland Mummy was on eBay, I asked the seller if the figure had the bunny logo on his back and she said no, but that he did have the word Tomland on his neck. Maybe she just didn't look very hard....
George

No, I just didn't look very hard.  (And I was trying to be funny with the bunny stuff.)   The Mummy does NOT have the bunny.  He looked like he did without actually removing his costume.  I didn't want to mess with him too much.  But I just bit the bullet and removed his costume to get a clear look at him.  No bunny after all.  Yes, it says Tomland on his neck.  So the seller was right and I was being a lazy bunny.  But no more!  I have redeemed myself.

Quote from: ramsey37 on January 07, 2008, 11:28:19 PM
That's odd. When the Tomland Mummy was on eBay, I asked the seller if the figure had the bunny logo on his back and she said no, but that he did have the word Tomland on his neck. Maybe she just didn't look very hard....
George

Quote from: raycastile on January 07, 2008, 11:51:39 PM
No bunny after all.

So, after that I went and finally found my long stored GID Cyclops / Ridal.  Guess what?  No markings what so ever.  Not on the neck, not on the back, not on the butt.  Nada.  Anyone else have ANY of the GID Tomland figures?  I'd love to know if any of those have markings...

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on January 08, 2008, 01:11:29 AM
So, after that I went and finally found my long stored GID Cyclops / Ridal.  Guess what?  No markings what so ever.  Not on the neck, not on the back, not on the butt.  Nada.  Anyone else have ANY of the GID Tomland figures?  I'd love to know if any of those have markings...

Hi Darkmonkeygod. I own most of the Tomland figures in the glow versions. Just missing Yog and Oov/ Fly. Some are carded, some are loose. I just looked at the first 5 I came across, and they all have the bunny logo on their backs. I didn't look at their butts. I looked at a few necks and saw no markings.
Some of the bunny markings on the backs are very faint, but they are there.
Maybe, since the GID versions came later, the molds were a bit worn, hence the faint detail on the logo.
Let me know if you have specific questions about any particular figures in the Tomland line. I have over 50 of the 8" and close to 100 of the 3 3/4". I've been collecting them for many years.

Quote from: kinostadt on January 08, 2008, 03:45:29 AM
I own most of the Tomland figures in the glow versions...

Well hello kinostadt!  Congrats on the major accomplishment of nearing a complete set of the Tomland glow versions and THANK YOU for chiming in.  I've got a ton of questions about these, but I'll try to take 'em slow.

First up, curious to know if you have the Famous Monsters of Legend glow monsters (Wolf Man, Mummy, Dracula, Frankenstein) as well as the Star Raiders glow figures.  If so, please post photos of anything you have.

Next up, I'm trying to determine if the four Famous Monsters of Legend (Morlock / Bico, Cyclops / Ridal, Fly / Oov, Yeti / Tago) were released as FMOL before, after or concurrent with the SR line, and if there is any physical difference between these figures dependent on which card they came on, either glow or non-glow.

Do you know anything about Tomland's connection to Combex?

We'd all love to see pix of your collection, both 8in and 3 3/4.  While never collecting them myself, I've always liked their styling and have great memories of them from childhood.  Oh yeah, got any extras you want to sell or trade?

Thanks again!

Shannon

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on January 08, 2008, 06:24:47 AM
Well hello kinostadt!  Congrats on the major accomplishment of nearing a complete set of the Tomland glow versions and THANK YOU for chiming in.  I've got a ton of questions about these, but I'll try to take 'em slow.

First up, curious to know if you have the Famous Monsters of Legend glow monsters (Wolf Man, Mummy, Dracula, Frankenstein) as well as the Star Raiders glow figures.  If so, please post photos of anything you have.

Next up, I'm trying to determine if the four Famous Monsters of Legend (Morlock / Bico, Cyclops / Ridal, Fly / Oov, Yeti / Tago) were released as FMOL before, after or concurrent with the SR line, and if there is any physical difference between these figures dependent on which card they came on, either glow or non-glow.

Do you know anything about Tomland's connection to Combex?

We'd all love to see pix of your collection, both 8in and 3 3/4.  While never collecting them myself, I've always liked their styling and have great memories of them from childhood.  Oh yeah, got any extras you want to sell or trade?

Thanks again!

Shannon

Shannon,
I do not have the Wolfman, Frank, Drac, Mummy. I've bid on most of them as they've shown up on Ebay, but never seen any in person. And I've never seen the Drac at all, if there is one. I know the rumor is that the Drac is pictured (line art?) on the back of the Mummy card, but it's unsubstantiated.

Even since I started collecting tomlands in the mid to late 90s, the name Combex has been associated with it. I don't know the relationship other than I thought Combex is listed as the distributor on the standard non glow FMOL cards.

I'll take a closer look at my GID Cyclops , Yeti, and Morlock when I get the chance.

I forgot that I also need the glow Flash, so that's three glows that I need.

At some point i will re-photograph my collection. A number of my figures have been online for many years, including a bunch on Lou Melograna's Megolike site and Kevin Lentz's 3 3/4" figure site.

There is something terribly wrong with any monster toy that features a cute little bunny as it's logo.  :D

I looked on the backs of my loose Glow Yeti, Cyclops and Morlock. The Glow Yeti and Glow Morlock have the typical 1977 Tomland LTD, Made in Hong Kong and Bunny logo. The Glow Cyclops has a blank back.
This was the first time I've noticed a blank back. I checked both my non-glow Cyclops and they have the text and logo.
I have no idea what this means, as there's no way of knowing which packaging they came in.
Around 1996 I bought 11 glow Tomlands all together in one lot, including the glow Cyclops. I just assumed they were all from the same release since they were all in the exact same near mint condition. Weird.

I had mentioned something similar in a previous post about three of my Glow cards all coming from the same store ( mailers came with them, all had some store location code ). I made the same assumption you did regarding the 11 loose figures you bought. It doesn't really pertain to the markings that we're talking about, just thought it was worth bringing to your attention. I think it's kinda cool that all three cards came from the same source.

Quote from: kinostadt on January 08, 2008, 10:02:02 PM
The Glow Yeti and Glow Morlock have the typical 1977 Tomland LTD, Made in Hong Kong and Bunny logo. The Glow Cyclops has a blank back.

Well, that is a bit of a conundrum.  Of note, my glow cyclops has a very thinly cast rubber head.  How's that compare?

QuoteI don't know the relationship other than I thought Combex is listed as the distributor on the standard non glow FMOL cards.

Which brings up another question.  How many versions of that card are there?  We've seen Kresge and Combex.  Was there ever one with Tomland on it?

Anyone else have ANY glow Tomland figures they can check for the Rabbit mark or lack thereof?

Thanks again for chiming in Dave, and thanks for all the pics you posted on Lou's site.

Well, I just undressed my loose Tomland Grand and Gosh darn it, the bunny was staring me right in the face. Truth be told, I kinda felt creepy undressing him.  ;D

<<BTW, if anyone is interested in seeing more of this color book's artwork, just say so and I can post additional pics.>>

I'd love to see them all, honestly. I had this coloring book as a kid, and have been looking for it all over again for years. Also, I know I had this book during the mid-70's... I received it as a gift for my 6th birthday, which would have been 1974.
Seeing your pics brought all of those great coloring days flooding back!


Mike C.

Quote from: Roback on January 10, 2008, 06:06:00 PM
Well, I just undressed my loose Tomland Grand and Gosh darn it, the bunny was staring me right in the face. Truth be told, I kinda felt creepy undressing him.  ;D

Don't feel oddd Robert, it was strictly a medical check.  Is it a glow Grand, btw?

Quote from: mike c on January 11, 2008, 12:39:56 AM
I'd love to see them all, honestly. I had this coloring book as a kid, and have been looking for it all over again for years. Also, I know I had this book during the mid-70's... I received it as a gift for my 6th birthday, which would have been 1974.
Seeing your pics brought all of those great coloring days flooding back!

Hi Mike. Glad you enjoyed the color book scans. Here are a couple more that I didn't post.

(http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/4920/draculasv5.jpg)

(http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/7533/creaturewh9.jpg)

Just incredible how everything comes rushing back... I haven't seen these images since the late 70's at most, yet I can recognize every detail because I pored over them so often. Thanks SO VERY MUCH for posting them, very cool of you.
I finally found a few online, and I see they are going for between $70 and $90 or so... dang! I will need to get one now!

Thanks again-

Mike C.

If you can point me in the right direction regarding the title of the coloring book I'd appreciate it.
After seeing more of these drawings I'd like to get one if I can find one for a reasonable price. 

It is called 'Monster Gallery', put out by Troubador Press in '73 or '74. There was a companion coloring book called 'Science Fiction Anthology', put out the following year (I think?) with the same illustrator, this time with his brother writing one page syno's for various classic science fiction books and movies.
I had a few copies of both books during the 70's because everyone knew I was the monster nut in the family and I kept receiving them as gifts... I assure you I didn't mind at all... but I have lost them in the moves of the years... shameful really!

Mike C.

Mike, I saw a copy on eBay not too long ago, in a store. I think it had a BIN of $45.00 if I'm not mistaken.

I've got two quick questions that I was hoping that somebody could shed some light on. The first has to do with the club membership offer that I noticed was inserted in to one of the carded Morlocks that is posted on the first page of this thread. Did anyone join this club way back when as a kid? Also, my knowledge on the 3 3/4" line lacks a bit and I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on this figure that I posted below. This particular figure is currently on auction and already it is over the $100.00 mark. It has a glow head and I was wondering if all glow heads command these kind of prices?


(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v420/Roback/Roback2007/StarRaidersliterature.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v420/Roback/Roback2007/StarRaidersliterature1.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v420/Roback/Roback2007/TomlandDadoglowhead.jpg)