Cheap Dept 56 Monsters at TJ Maxx/HomeGoods

[packy120353]

Well now so far my Homegoods has about five Draculas (which I don't need) and the TJ MAX had one with Frank and  Bride in the lab. It's not like the other scenes, the figures are attached so you can't reposition them, too bad cuz if I could  I'd can the figures and use a different Frank instead. There is no AC adaptor - batteries only - and to be honest the figures are kind of disappointing compared to the other D56 Monster scenes. But of course I got it nonetheless.  I am still on the prowl for the Creature's Lair or whatever it's called, in my opinion the coolest one!
END REPORT

[Gareee]

Thanks to Jim, I got the creature dio now. After picking up on ac adapter that had the wrong plugs, I just snagged some dollar store c batteries, until I can pick up an ac adapter at Michaels.

I also picked up some aquarium plants as well, to hide the leds, as others have done.

Only thing that has me puzzled, is why they didn't back the creature up a little more, so the lights would illuminate all of him, instead of just his sides? Could have been a assembly issue at the manufacturing plant.

I was going to put mine over a mister, but it's far too heavy for that mister shield stand, so I'll have to either make something custom, or find something that could be used in it's place.

[Mike Scott]

Thanks to Jim, I got the creature dio now.

Me as well! Thanks, again, Jim!

[Monsterkid71]

Wow! I dont know if there is still a TJ Maxx in my area. Im gonna have to look around!

[NekroDave]

I actually posted a review of the Creature's Lair at CollectionDX (http://www.collectiondx.com/node/2738) a few days ago and I'm working on a Dracula one now. In so doing, I noticed something I missed before....Dracula is wearing a cross! I mean, the bottom is not that long but it still counts as a cross to me. How strange..

[packy120353]

Not trying to review your review and it is a very well done review in which you mention the <others in the series being Dracula's Domain and Frank's Lab (with Bride)> I was wondering about the Wolfman Gypsy Wagon and the Frankenstein Burning Windmill? Is that a different series? They are both beautiful and are worth owning or at least seeing if you haven't yet. I'd flip a couple pics up but I'm at work.

pk

[aura of foreboding]

I was wondering about the Wolfman Gypsy Wagon and the Frankenstein Burning Windmill? Is that a different series?

That is indeed a different series.  That was the first line of Universals that Dept. 56 did.  Castle Dracula with Bela was the first release, and Frankenstein and the Wolf Man followed.  Those were my favorite releases from Dept. 56.  They were really great. 

These dioramas were the second thing Dept 56 did for Universal.  While these are still pretty neat, they definitely aren't as good as the first series.  The latest Universal releases from Dept 56 are Snow Village figures.  The two they did for Snow Village are Dracula and Frank/Bride.  (Both are new items for this year.)  Because they are made for the Snow Village, they lack the detail of the original first series figures, but they still carry the Universal trademark.

So, so far Dept 56 has released three series of Monster items.  I hope that they do some more in a similar vein to the first series.

[packy120353]

Thanks for the info, I had forgotten about the Dracula Castle too! And don't forget the "Monster Park" three bronze statue figures of Frank Dracula and Wolfman.  I also have a big stein from D56 that says "Frankenstein's Lab" or something on it and is in the shape suggesting a Strickfaden apparatus.

[NekroDave]

Not trying to review your review

By all means, please do! Feedback of all kinds is always welcome, especially if I've gotten something wrong. After I basically finished all the robot stuff in my collection, I wasn't planning on posting monster stuff because I didn't really feel I had the proper knowledge (plus the site was mostly Japanese robots). But my friend who owns the site wanted me to stay involved so as my monster collection is growing, so too is the monster database on the site (clicking the blue "monster" link in the category section brings up everything else we've got so far). But I know full well that I've got a long way to go before I know as much as the people here.

[packy120353]

But I'll be the first to call myself the Sgt Schultz of the group!
( I knooow naaathink)

I've got a long way to go before I know as much as the people here. 

[Jim Bertges]

Garee and Mike, it was my pleasure to help out my fellow UMA members. And now I have the opportunity to help out one more. I visited that same TJ Maxx today and picked up their last Creature's Lair Diorama. So I have one available for another member who is lacking a TJ Maxx in his or her vicinity. The first person to contact me through PM or e-mail gets the Creature for cost ($14 with tax) and shipping ($27 Priority Mail or $12 Parcel Post, it's a big box and costs extra). Just let me know...quick.

[Gareee]

Building up UM karma for October and Halloween? 

[HARRY HAMMOCK]

Went today to both and still nothin.

[aura of foreboding]

Went today to both and still nothin.

Do you have a Marshall's?  I heard that they have some.  I don't know the price on them though.

[HARRY HAMMOCK]

Nope, no Marshalls.