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. Despite a valiant effort, the film crammed the novel into a film shorter than two and a half […]
Wheeljack’s Lab – Vintage Toy Blog
Follow this blog for the new, the unusual, the rare and cool Generation 1 G1 Transformers toys. Reviews, news, toy resources, galleries, unboxing, opinions and personal reflections on vintage toys.
The Top Ten Dune Action Figures, Vehicles, and Other Toys from LJN
When Frank Herbert published Dune in 1965, he introduced the world into his expansive science-fiction epic filled with political intrigue and mysteries. Following the plight of Paul Atreides, the young boy who survived the empire’s betrayal of his family after taking stewardship over Arrakis. Like many heroes that came before and after him, Paul Atreides […]
A Brief History of the Dune Franchise: From the Books to the Movies
When it comes to science fiction universes, few creatures define their property as much as the sandworms of Arrakis. Like other famous creatures, such as Cthulhu, Rankors, and Xenomorphs, these creatures defined the expansive universe that they came from. Both the natives and visitors to Arrakis feared and respected the power of these beasts, that […]
The He-Man and Conan Connection: Exploring the Myths and Reality
Even though Conan first appeared in the 1930s, his popularity honestly blossomed during the 1960s and 1970s, when two publication houses took over the character. First, Lancer Books revived Conan’s adventures, gathering Robert E. Howard’s tales, and finishing his unpublished words. Then, Marvel Comics took the gamble on the character, creating a hit series that […]
The Top Ten Conan the Barbarian Collectibles and Toys
Decades after Robert E. Howard’s character Conan appeared in pulp magazines, the barbarian began to gain mass appeal. While the original stories gained attention, Conan never found his way to a fully publicized book before Howard’s untimely demise. Still, his legacy remained as the rights to his Conan works shifted hands for decades. Finally, L. […]
A Look Back on Conan the Barbarian from the Comics to the Movies
When it comes to sword and sorcery tales, none have the legacy to match up to Conan the Barbarian. To many, the first taste of this ferocious fighter came from the film in the 1980s. While Arnold Schwarzenegger’s involvement in the film helped cement its place in film history, the character earned its reputation much […]
The Top Ten Monsters from Dungeons & Dragons
When Tactical Studies Rules (TSR) introduced Dungeons & Dragons to the public in 1974, they brought two things to the table. First, they crafted a series of rules for combat that took advantage of the 20-sided dice that the game became known for. Second, they encouraged both adults and children to use their imaginations to […]
The Top Ten Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Toys from LJN
When Earnest Gary Gygax and David Arneson combined forces to create the groundbreaking Dungeons & Dragons tabletop RPG game, they changed the landscape of gaming. Previously, all tabletop games either were traditional board games, family-focused games, or wargames. However, these two challenged gamers to use their imaginations as they delved into a fantasy world. While […]
The Ten Most Expensive G.I. Joe Toys from the Last Ten Years
Before 1963, no company seriously considered the thought of creating dolls and action figures for boys. Instead, Mattel had a stranglehold on the hearts of consumers with only Ken representing the male presence. However, Stanley Winston envisioned a new product that allowed boys to dress their favorite characters in military uniforms. With this thought in […]
Dungeons & Dragons: From the Tabletop Game to the Movies
Before the 1970s, tabletop games focused on one of three genres: family board games, traditional games like chess, and wargames. However, this all changed in 1974, when Gary Gygax helped create TRS (Tactical Studies Rules) to release their vision of a fantasy role-playing game, Dungeons & Dragons. Originally inspired by Wargames, Gygax similarly designed his […]