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Those of a certain age will recall MAJOR MATT MASON, MATTEL'S MAN IN SPACE, and the ads that appeared in U.S. comics at the time. However, it appears that the U.K. had their own series of ads, which I've never seen reproduced anywhere else before. Which doesn't necessarily mean they haven't been, just that I've not seen them. So, without claiming that the following ads are comprehensive (there may have been more), here are the ones which appeared in SMASH! in 1969. No doubt they appeared in other U.K. comics as well.
Did you have any Major Matt Mason toys, readers? Why not reminisce about them to your heart's content in our scintillating comments section? And if you want to see just a few Matt Mason items from my own collection, you can make yourself jealous by clicking here.
And below are two ads which appeared in U.S. comics...
I remember those last two ads (from American comics), and I had all of the action figures and some of the accessories. And the Whitman Big Little Book. I don't even want to think about the money that they would be worth now.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, they were fragile. The paint quickly wore off, and the wire skeleton broke after being played with a few times. They are probably hard to find in really good condition now, which, of course, contributes to making them so expensive.
Originally, the toy line was fairly realistic, and the equipment was based on real designs. Later, they went for more of a science fiction approach, with the aliens, Callisto, Captain Laser, and Scorpio.
Captain Laser (or "Lazer") was about a foot tall, jointed (like GI Joe, Johnny West, and Captain Action), and plastic, unlike the 6" rubber bendy figures. It may have been intended for a separate toy line, and got incorporated into the Matt Mason line when Mattel bought the rights.
Some other toy company brought out a knock-off 6" astronaut figure called Colonel "Hap" Hazard. It was hard plastic, and the head and arms could swivel or pivot, but the legs did not move. It was sort of to Matt Mason as Stony was to GI Joe.
I don't think Captain Lazer was anywhere near as articulated as G.I. Joe (or Action Man), TC, but was more basic. (As was Johnny West.) I had Sgt. Storm and Callisto, and perhaps Doug Davis. I did have a Matt Mason, but it was a second-hand one from a pal, rather than bought new for me. In fact, I've got more Matt Mason stuff now than I had then. Was always fascinated by the spinning 'wheel' in the rocket pack.
ReplyDeleteYes I had a Matt Mason and while he was a really cool toy he broke very easily. After the wire poked out of his arms and began poking you it was time to throw him out. The famous Colorforms Outer Spacemen were his companion toys. They were magnificently designed works of art and I have some of the New reissues. What was most interesting was you were never told who was a villain or friend. You had to decide for yourself.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame that the planned Major Matt Mason movie starring Tom Hanks never went ahead, PS. Just think of all the toy merchandise that would've followed. Modern technology may even have allowed them to reissue the original figures, but with paint that didn't peel, wire that didn't break, and rubber that didn't crack. If only, eh? I'm sure I've seen those Colourforms Spacemen in a book I've got on '60s action figures.
ReplyDeleteCheck them out. Beautiful design and colors. Plus those see through bubble helmets! They are little art sculptures. http://www.theouterspacemen.com
ReplyDeleteYeah, that's the ones in my book, PS. They look pretty nifty.
ReplyDeleteThanks SO MUCH for posting up these ads - I had not seen the b&w ones before (apart from the lunar pictures).
ReplyDeleteI really wish that Mattel might create/re-launch MMM for next year's Apollo 11 50th... What a dream THAT would be! - And with new equipment, too...! The mind boggles!
All the best - and thanks again!
Steve
If they'd only reissue Matt with a wire that didn't break and a paint that didn't peel, then I'd be a very happy big kid. It was reported that Tom Hanks would be starring in a Matt Mason film a few years ago, but so far nothing has happened. Glad you enjoyed the ads.
ReplyDeleteSat here pondering when I got Major Matt Mason, and I thought "Kid must have at least ONE blog on the Major and his chums". So I reckon that I got Matt and his sled and pals Steve and Doug sometime before Christmas 1969, on which day I got the Space Crawler as my major (ha) present. Thanks for posting that SMASH ad (do you know the exact issue/date?) advertising the 4 moon posters? Those posters were pinned to my bedroom wall for at least a couple of years.
ReplyDeleteThat ad from a DC comic showing the Space Station was burned into my cortex in those years, but knew that my parents would never have splashed out on such a grand toy (was it ever available in the UK?).
I'd have to dig out my Smash! issues to check the dates, B, and it'll be a while before I can do that as I'm currently trying to tidy up my small room and don't want to mess up my big room by digging boxes of comics out of a cupboard. I will get around to it eventually though and when I do, I'll get back to you about it.
ReplyDeleteI think the Space Station was available in the UK, no reason for it not to have been.
The Space Station was definitely available in the UK - I had one. But I NEVER saw the Astro Trac, nor the Astro Trac Convoy Set (with the Mobile Launch Pads)...! :-( Thankfully, we did get just about everything else in the range, including my probably all-time favourite UniTred & Space Bubble; how could were they?!?
ReplyDeleteI'd guess they were available, but probably sold out pretty quickly, SF. Unless the Matt Mason fad had passed by the time those items were released, resulting in them having a short shelf life. We can but wonder - unless someone knows for sure. Anyone?
ReplyDelete