During the 1970s, super-hero fans were treated to one of the best action figure toy lines of all time: Mego’s 8” Super-Heroes: World’s Greatest Toys! No other toy line had the same diversity, with feature characters from Marvel Comics, DC Comics, and beyond. From this single line you could get your choice of Batman, Superman, Spider-Man, Conan the Barbarian, Iron Man, Clark Kent, The Falcon, Tarzan, Hulk, The Fantastic Four, Mr. Mxyzptlk, Teen Titans, and many others. Whether loose or mint in package/card, these toys are still highly sought after by fans and collectors.
Benjamin Holcomb’s book, Mego 8” Super-Heroes World’s Greatest Toys! is a comprehensive resource, examining every aspect of the toy line.
The book begins with a history of the Mego company, providing readers with insightful information on how Mego was formed. Holcomb then provides a history of the World’s Greatest Super-Heroes toy line. Next up are the action figures themselves – each given its own page and listed by the first year of their release. Holcomb also looks at the Christmas catalogs and store displays that were used by retailers to entice buyers, long before the advent of online shopping.
There are many clear and detailed photographs throughout the book, covering not only the figures themselves but also variations that popped up throughout the line. Photographs of the packages, whether box or card, also provide a glimpse at the different design and marketing used during the run of the toy line.
This book is everything a fan of the toy line could ask for, and more. With his attention to detail, illuminating photographs, and expert knowledge of the toys, Holcomb presents readers with a tour-de-force of Mego World’s Greatest Super-Heroes goodness. For fans of the toy line, the book will bring back fond memories of Christmases past, when getting one of the World’s Greatest Super-Heroes was a dream come true.
Unfortunately, the book is currently out of print, with copies going for hundreds of dollars online. Thankfully, a digital edition is available on the publisher’s website at twomorrows.com.
Ed Lute has fond memories of Mego’s World’s Greatest Super-Heroes toy line. He lives with his family in southern New Jersey.