Beginning as a cult hit in the comics scene, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was primed to take the world by storm in the 1980s. The idea behind these four teenagers formed when their creators, Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird had a random inspiration while brainstorming. Eastman drew a single image of a masked turtle wielding […]
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.
Ten Most Expensive StarCom Toys
Meeting the thirst for transforming, interactive toys, Coleco introduced StarCom: The U.S. Space Force to toy aisles in 1986. Unlike their competitors, Coleco decided to add a unique element to the play of their new toy line. Thus, each StarCom action figure came equipped with magnets on its feet. These magnets not only allowed them […]
The Ten Most Expensive ThunderCats Toys
In 1985, Rankin/Bass Animated Entertainment introduced audiences to the plight of the ThunderCats and their fight to protect Third Earth. The story of ThunderCats could be traced back to a single dinner between Ted Wolf and his daughter, Janice Wolf, in 1981. The two enjoyed workshopping ideas like superheroes, so they brainstormed the various characters […]
The Ten Most Expensive Shogun Warriors Toys
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. Instead, they saw a popular trend from Japan, the love for giant robots in Tokusatsu, and felt that America would also embrace the robots. So, they licensed several popular toy brands […]
Moments in Toy History: Revisioning A Real American Hero, G.I. Joe
The story of G.I. Joe began in 1963 when Stanley Winston from Manhattan created his prototype for a military-themed action figure. From the moment that Donald Levine, an executive at Hasbro, set eyes on the prototype, he knew he saw a hit. Thus, Hasbro became the home of G.I. Joe for only the sum of […]
Moments in Toy History: How Mattel Gained the Power through He-Man
Since its founding in 1945, Mattel has been one of the most influential toy manufacturers in both the United States and the world. While one of their earliest creations was the Magic 8 Ball, which continues to entertain children and function as a paperweight, their largest toy line, Barbie, emerged in 1959. With the unrivaled […]
Moments in Toy History: The Story Behind Kenner Star Wars
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. While George Lucas did not create the first movie to be labeled a blockbuster, his science fiction epic became a phenomenon of its own. By utilizing […]
Best Place to Sell Toys
Best Places to Sell Toys Here at Wheeljack’s Lab, we’ve been buying vintage action figures for over 20 years. He-Man, Thundercats, M.A.S.K., Transformers, G.I. Joe—you name it. If you’re looking to cash in your toy collection, we’ve got the tools and tips to help. Here’s how to determine how much your collection is worth as […]
Places That Buy Action Figures
Places That Buy Toys As toy collectors for over two decades, we understand that you are here because you have a collection of playthings that you want to convert to currency. Choosing the right place that buys auction figures is an important decision. As expert people who buy toys, we will show you how to […]
Best Way to Sell Toys and Action Figures
The Best Way to Sell Toys (Action Figures) Do you have an old toy collection you’d like to turn into cash? If you have a few old action figures that are doing little more than collecting dust, we can help you free space and earn cash by selling your old toys. Here at Wheeljack’s Lab, […]