Since the start of time, people have stared at the stars and made tales about what was out there. In the beginning, they dreamed up awe-inspiring gods who looked down on them. However, by the 19th century, dreamers began to consider extraterrestrials and other aspects of the science fiction genre. These wars of the worlds […]
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 Ten Most Expensive Godzilla Collectibles from Online Auctions
In the wake of World War II, the devastating power of the atomic bomb loomed over all countries. However, no country felt the fear and unease, unlike Japan, which had two major cities bombed at the end of the war. Many had friends and family who perished and suffered after the bombs dropped. They also […]
The Ten Most Expensive Battlestar Galactica Toys
In the wake of Star Wars, both the entertainment industry and the toy industry raced to become the next smash hit. Believing that the space battles and science fiction setting were crucial to the film’s success, a wave of new science fiction stories hit film and television. At Univeral Studios, they gave Glen A. Larson […]
The Ten Most Expensive ALIEN toys
Ridley Scott awed and shocked audiences as he introduced them to the perfect predator in the science fiction horror film ALIEN. While he did not know it as he crafted the film, his work sparked a franchise that has remained strong for decades. Likewise, one company took a gamble to create one of the most […]
The Influence of Dune on the Star Wars Franchise
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 […]
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 […]