Monsterkid Magazine #1

[Monsterfink]

The first issue of Monster Kid Magazine and just trying to let people know. First issue features the Mego Mad Monsters, Shrimpenstein, the Great Garloo, Lego Mini Monster figs and more

https://monsterkidmagazine.bigcartel.com

[Mike Scott]

Is this a paper mag, or a PDF mag?

[Monsterfink]

It's a proper printed magazine

[Sir Masksalot]

Despite that cover, it'd be worth getting just to read about "Shrimpenstein".
I used to watch that show as a kid, never missed it. 

[Hepcat]

Welcome back, Monsterfink! Long time (seven years) no see. But where's your avatar?

The first issue of Monster Kid Magazine and just trying to let people know.

Are you actually giving us an arm's length heads up or are you involved in the publication of Monster Kid Magazine?

taking preorders for the first issue of the Haunted Toybox, a magazine of monsters toys, games and collectibles from the past to the present. $8.99 +$2.00 S&H, order here http://tomkrohne.blogspot.com/2013/10/haunted-toybox-preorder.html

What happened to The Haunted Toybox? Was it stillborn? How is it that Monster Kid Magazine is ripping off the same cover?

[Monsterfink]

Yep it's mine, the first attempt was the Haunted Toybox which saw a very limited print run years ago, the whole thing was upgraded and the focus is more broad and not just toys anymore.

[Hepcat]

What happened to all the pictures of your cool drawings on this board? They've all disappeared.

And I agree with Sir Masksalot. That cover doesn't rate one appearance let alone a second one. Why don't you use one of your excellent drawings? In fact, why don't you post a poll of several of your drawings that could serve as cover art and let us vote on our favourite?

[fearliath]

I just bought this for my kid (an actual monster kid, not an old fart)
BECAUSE of the cover and associated Lego content. I myself am not a fan of Legos but a significant portion of the US population would find the Lego cover much more interesting than a picture of some vintage toy from the 60's.

[Hepcat]

A significant portion of this board's population (including me) didn't even know that the figure on the cover was a Lego piece.

[fearliath]

A significant portion of this board's population (including me) didn't even know that the figure on the cover was a Lego piece.

That's my point haha.

[BigShadow]

The inside content and layout looks great, but covers are what sell.  If it's a good looking cover people will be more apt to check it out.  This cover does not, in my opinion, make me want to do anything but pass it by.  And I didn't realize that was a Lego on the cover either, and I'm in my early forties.  I think this was a missed opportunity for a beautiful cover filed with new and old monster toys.  But anyway, I hope the magazine sells and maybe hits a younger audience that will open them up to the classics.


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[Mike Scott]

I didn't know LEGO had official UMs. I know they had that old "Swamp Creature" toy, but this is different.

[fearliath]

In the regular format mini figs they don't make licensed versions. But they did make several (now VERY expensive) sets featuring classic monsters and their castle/environment of varying sizes. They are the only legos I've ever tolerated in my home. It shouldn't come as a surprise if you been in the toy aisles of any store that Lego is wildly popular. Last year LEGO accounted for the highest annual revenue of any toy company followed by Bandai Namco, Hasbro, and Mattel then followed VERY distantly by Jakks Pacific. Lego increased revenue in 2023, its next 4 closest competitors all had double digit revenue declines.

If the desire is to appeal to people overall, or even people under the age of 40, LEGO is a solid cover choice.and it probably shouldn't be offensive to older monster collectors considering the content of the magazine.

[Mike Scott]

But they did make several (now VERY expensive) sets featuring classic monsters

How long ago did they make the UMs?

edit: Looks like May of '23. Haven't seen any for sale anywhere.

[Hepcat]

If the desire is to appeal to people overall, or even people under the age of 40, LEGO is a solid cover choice. and it probably shouldn't be offensive to older monster collectors considering the content of the magazine.

"Offended"? That's the wrong mindset. Nobody's offended. But the idea here is to actually entice people to buy the magazine. And it's failing with too many of us vintage toy enthusiasts here on this board. Personally speaking I could well be intrigued by a Universal monster themed LEGO set. But that figure on the cover doesn't shout LEGO to me. It just looks like some kind of a variant of the Pillsbury Doughboy.

Moreover if the idea is to connect with younger LEGO enthusiasts, how recognizable is that single piece to a cross section of the kids who've built things with LEGO sets? Like I say, the piece by itself doesn't shout "Hey, LEGO!"