Wheeljack’s Lab Vintage Toy Blog

Bone Age action figures have long been the subject of interest among vintage toy collectors. These artifacts from childhood continue to enthrall enthusiasts with unique prehistoric designs and innovative play features.

In the fantastic world of Blackstar, a NASA astronaut John Blackstar found himself trapped on an alien planet called Sagar after passing through a black hole.

Bionic Six was one of the most memorable animated series of the 1980s. With the iconic action-adventure setting and the family-oriented storyline, the series captivated audiences of all ages.

In an era when the vintage toy market is booming, understanding the roots of iconic figures is invaluable. For lovers of ’90s nostalgia, few action figures hold more appeal than those of the Biker Mice from Mars.

Beetlejuice is a widely known film that has captured audiences since its inception. Released in 1988, the quirky and dark comedy film directed by Tim Burton starred Michael Keaton in the titular role and took the world by storm with its distinctive aesthetic.

The Beetleborgs, a group of costumed superheroes that have captured the imaginations of countless kids, sprang from the popular TV series “Big Bad Beetleborgs” in the mid-90s.

The saga of Battlestar Galactica action figures began in the late 1970s. It was 1978 when Mattel, a renowned American toy manufacturing company, took up the challenge of bringing beloved characters to life as toys.

The original Battle Beasts action figures can be traced to the late 80s in Tokyo, Japan. Takara, a Japanese toy company, created these miniature but mighty action figures in 1986.

As both vintage toy stores and collectors ourselves, we have gained an intimate understanding of the value of vintage collectibles and toys.

The world of vintage toys is full of treasures from past decades that continue to fascinate collectors, and the Army Ants action figures are no exception.

Many toy collectors love to see their favorite toys receive a high grade from services like the Action Figure Authority (AFA).

Ridley Scott awed and shocked audiences as he introduced them to the perfect predator in the science fiction horror film ALIEN.

For as long as human civilization has existed, there have been those that love to gather collections. The contents of these collections have ranged from valuable trinkets to sentimental belongings.

Beginning as a cult hit in the comics scene, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was primed to take the world by storm in the 1980s.

Mattel introduced the Shogun Warriors to America in 1977. Unlike most of Mattel’s catalog, the American toy maker did not develop this toy line.

In 1984, Hasbro created history when they introduced the Transformers action figures to the market. With a powerful story and exciting gameplay, these toys captured the hearts of children across the planet.

The story of G.I. Joe began in 1963 when Stanley Winston from Manhattan created his prototype for a military-themed action figure.

Since its founding in 1945, Mattel has been one of the most influential toy manufacturers in both the United States and the world.

For decades, services like the AFA (Action Figure Authority), which is a part of the CGA (Collectible Grading Authority), and the CAS (Collector’s Archives Services) have helped to preserve toys from the past.

For most who grew up in the 1970s, there was one major event that defined the decade: the release of Star Wars and the launch of Kenner’s toy line.

Have you been considering grading your toys in 2023? For many collectors, services like the CGA, the parent company of the AFA, and the CAS have provided an essential service.

Do not miss out on your chance to meet up in person and sell your toys to Wheeljack’s Lab in December 2022.

Are you looking to purchase AFA (Action Figure Authority), CAG (Collectible Grading Authority), or CAS (Collector’s Archive Services) graded toys and add them to your collection?

After the release of David Lynch’s Dune in 1984, audiences left the theaters confused and downtrodden. One of the best chances to see the epic of Dune on the big screen had ended in a panned flop.