Hey Kids, Comics! #157 - Toylandia: I Go Mego

Welcome to Toylandia!

Andrew Farmer and Cole Houston cordially invite you to join them as they explore another aspect of comic book-themed toys as the latest story arc continues.

As the title implies, this week your hosts delve into the history of Mego and the unprecedented Official World's Greatest Super-Heroes line.  Batman vs. Captain America was a reality easily within reach of kids when this line hit the stores.  Even Conan the Barbarian could join the fun!

Beginning in 1972, Mego brought a wide variety of heroes and villains to toy stores that were derived from popular Marvel and DC Comics titles.  For nearly ten years this line joined the company's Star Trek and Planet of the Apes lines (among others) as an alternative to the more expensive G.I. Joe Action Team figures of the day.  Alas the arrival of the 3.75" scale figure, pioneered by Kenner, would bring the series to its end.

Discover how Mego went from Action Jackson to one of the most successful toy lines in history.  What influence did one retail chain have on both the production of their toys and the industry in general?  What happens when Mego fans and collectors gather to celebrate their passion for these plastic and cloth toys?  What secret from Mego's past likely put the final nail in the coffin of the company?  These and other questions will be answered.

With such a storied history and an amazing line up of super-hero toys, it is little wonder that Mego rated its own issue of this arc.  

The Rantcor Pit #43 - The Altruistic Side of the Force

Note:  This episode of The Rantcor Pit was recorded on Sunday, November 8, 2015.  It heavily references the story of Daniel Fleetwood, the Star Wars fan granted his dying wish to see The Force Awakens before its official release in theaters.  I read this morning that Mr. Fleetwood died in his sleep overnight.  Eddie and I respectfully dedicate this episode to his memory. - JediCole

At its best, fandom of any kind goes above and beyond simply devoting time and money to celebrating its particular focus.  This has certainly proven true of Star Wars fandom over the years as groups large and small have utilized that Galaxy Far, Far Away as a vehicle to do good for others!

On this episode of The Rantcor Pit, hosts Cole Houston and Eddie Medina  discuss fan outreach and charitable projects.  From well known personalities like R2-KT to the many fund raisers and assistance campaigns spearheaded by the 501^st Legion and other groups. 

There is a veritable galaxy of stories out there about fans coming together for fellow fans or for others in need who are not necessarily Star Wars fans themselves.  Millions of dollars have been raised over the last few decades and easily millions of lives have been touched by the efforts of fans, costumers, and others who have expressed their largess via Star Wars. 

Fund raising  Rebels, Stormtroopers, and Mandalorians to name a few have aided children and adults in need.  The unique comfort that an Imperial “invasion” of a children’s hospital can bring inspire us all.  Star Wars fans show have a lot of heart and illustrate this in so many ways.  Sometimes a helping hand just happens to be wearing Darth Vader’s glove!

Hey Kids, Comics! #156 - Toylandia: Toys 'R' Super

Guess what JediCole forgot to publish on Friday?

Comic books and toys.  The two seem to be an inevitable pairing.  Rendering popular comic book characters in the form of three dimensional playthings has been a partnership over nearly all of the history of both mediums.  With this in mind, Hey Kids, Comics! proudly invites you to visit our newly established capital of this marriage of pop-culture collectibles, Toylandia!

Your guides through this fanciful realm are none other than Andrew Farmer and Cole Houston.  As this latest story arc begins, they explore the presence, history, and influence of Superman on toys and action figures.  As easily the first super-hero to be thus immortalized, the Last Son of Krypton’s impact can be felt across most of the chapters of this arc.  

From early tin toys to the modern high-end, cloth costume, multiple points of articulation action figures, Superman’s trademark “S”, in all of its stylized incarnations, has been a major part of many a toy line from many a manufacturer.  So take an hour to enjoy an exploration of the Man of Steel made man of plastic.  Or tin.  Or wood.

The Rantcor Pit Live #41 – It’s In the Cards

Welcome to the latest (archived) episode of The Rantcor Pit Live!  This episode aired live on Deep Ellum on Air on Sunday, November 1, 2015.

Since 1977 the Topps trading card company has been an important part of licensed Star Wars collectibles.  With the arrival of the first wax packs of cards (with bubble gum no less), fans young and old could amass a variety of rare images from the film in trading card form.

Cole Houston and Eddie Medina share their own experiences as collectors of Topps cards from Star Wars through Return of the Jedi and beyond.  They are joined in this endeavor by the VegaBomber, PJ Dunn.  Some of the more unique cards, stickers, and innovations (including one of a kind sketch cards) are presented and discussed.  The latest Topps series, Journey to the Force Awakens, is also revealed and reviewed! 

While Topps was not the only player in the trading card game, they were the oldest and most prolific licensee to produce wave after wave of trading cards based on the Saga.  Other trading card releases, and even POGs become part of this show that is all about the enduring nature of the trading card, especially those that give fans a piece of the movie series they love.  All of that and a whole lot of "Fun With Star Wars"!

Join a trio of cards as they talk about trading cards today...

The Rantcor Pit Live 11-01-15 by DeepEllumOnAir

Hey Kids, Comics! #155 - Here There Be Monsters!

Hey Kids, Halloween!  Well, tomorrow anyway, but why wait?

Welcome to the latest issue of Hey Kids, Comics! and a very special one at that!

Having passed the 150 episode milestone (over and above Annuals), Andrew Farmer and Cole Houston are proud to present an issue that is all about the place of monsters in comics.  From the outset horror and monsters have been very much a part of the four color mythos.  As the "monster holiday" fast approaches it seemed an ideal time to explore the dark corners of comic books past and present.

Joining your hosts this week is a very special guest indeed!  Comic creator and historian, musician, author, and all around font of pop-culture knowledge Michael H. Price lent HKC! his time for one of the most memorable episodes to date.  This issue delves into one of the most prevalent genres of comics with someone who has been in involved with the medium as everything from reader to publisher to writer and more.

You can find Michael H. Price's many publications on Amazon, click HERE to check them out and buy his amazing work!

The Rantcor Pit #42 - Collect All 10: Figures Sold Separately

A long time ago, but not in a galaxy far, far away, the first Star Wars toys arrived on the scene.  Since then thousands have followed, making the topic of this episode all the more daunting for your hosts!

Concluding "Collect All 10", Cole Houston and Eddie Medina talk about their own personal best when it comes to Star Wars toys other than action figures.   If you missed out on the previous two episodes, be sure and give them a listen for some insights on the Vintage and contemporary action figures that preceded the current run of Episode VII toys.  This time, however, it is about everything else ever made.  Well, ten toys from that category, anyway. 

But how does one reduce hundreds upon hundreds of choices to a mere five?  That was a question heavy on the minds of The Rantcor Pit's hosts as they shared their favorites.

Find out exactly which ten toys made the cut, along with some back story on each, as Cole and Eddie fondly express their love of these great collectibles.  From action figure-related vehicles and playsets to a unique piece from the 70s, there was so much to talk about that this episode runs over an hour in length!  

Photos feature the collection of Cole "JediCole" Houston

Hey Kids, Comics! #154 - Time Out

Take a moment to give some of your time to the exploration of comics past, present and future as Andrew Farmer and Cole Houston challenge time itself!

More accurately they delve into those who truly do rail against chronology within the comics.  Time travelers!  No comic book universe is truly complete without one.  And some have more than their fair share.  

In defiance of the inevitability of anomalies, a veritable legion of time travelers people the comics we love, wreaking havoc or righting wrongs.  Heroes and villains alike have leaped from their present to antiquity or the frontiers of tomorrow utilizing their own inherent powers or creations of advanced science.  

Your hosts took a timely journey into time with explorations of the multi-faceted king of the Marvel time travelers, who's got the best means of moving through the ages, and why time travel is more often not the best plot device out there.  All this and more because if you've go the time, we've got the Hey Kids, Comics!