Many toy companies have been tasked with the desirable responsibility of producing action figures for DC’s cast of superheroes and supervillains. One of the companies entrusted with this duty was Kenner. The company was founded in 1946 and later purchased by various companies, ending with its incorporation into Hasbro. Kenner reigned over licensed figures for […]
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.
Top 10 Most Expensive Kenner M.A.S.K. Toys
Throughout the 80s, interest in action figures and transforming toys were at an all-time high. Kenner sought to marry these two concepts together with their M.A.S.K. toy line (often simplified to just “MASK’). The line debuted in 1985 and featured figures that were roughly 2 inches (5.08 centimeters) tall and vehicles with secret weapons. Unlike […]
Top 10 Most Expensive SilverHawks Toys
Kenner’s SilverHawks first landed on the scene in 1987, but was quickly shooed off of shelves in 1988. The line was based on a syndicated television show produced by Rankin/Bass Animated Entertainment. The toy line featured a cast of colorful characters, from the SilverHawks’ Quicksilver and the Copper Kidd to the Mob’s Mon*Star and Buzz-Saw. […]
The History of TigerSharks Toys
In the ever-evolving world of pop culture, few phenomena illustrate the cyclical nature of nostalgia better than the revival of vintage toy lines. Among the many resurrected relics of the 1980s, the TigerSharks toyline stands out. A product of its time yet remarkably timeless. This post delves into the history of TigerSharks toys and it’s […]
Moments in Toy History: Converting Japanese Toys into the Transformers
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. While Transformers made a huge splash, they were not the first toy to depict transforming robots. For instance, Bandai created toys with basic […]
When Were the Original Bone Age Action Figures Made?
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. But when exactly were the original Bone Age action figures created? Unearthing the Bone Age The story of Bone Age action figures began in […]
The Ten Most Expensive Takara Microman Toys
After years of producing 12” action figures, Takara decided to revolutionize the Japanese toy industry by introducing a micro-sized hero: Microman. The legacy of this toy line began years ago when Takara licensed G.I. Joe from the American manufacturer, Hasbro. These licensed toys became a perfect foundation for Takara to experiment with. Responding to the […]
Ten Most Expensive Transformers Toys
Throughout the 70s and early 80s, American and Japanese toy companies pushed forward universes filled with robots. While most robots were vehicles for humans to ride in during this era, some were presented as sentient beings. However, a world of form-changing robots that both functioned as vehicles and battle machines was on the horizon. The […]
The Ten Most Expensive WWF Toys
Wrestling is one of the oldest sports, where contestants prove their might by pinning down their opponents. However, the sport soared to new heights of popularity in the 1980s, as the WWF set a new standard for ring matches. The WWF originated in 1953 as Capitol Wrestling Corporation and later took on the name World […]
The Top Ten AFA-Graded Toys That Have Come Through Our Doors
Since we here at Wheeljack’s Lab have bought and sold toys for decades, we have seen many rare toys, like those that are AFA-Graded. It always excites us when we see one of these toys with professional grading pass through our doors. While finding a mint thirty-five-year-old toy is rare, these are even rarer. For, […]