ReAction Figures! By volume, these 3 3/4-inch retro-style action figures remain one of the key elements of Super7's oeuvre. (By dollars, probably Ultimates.) A lot of new and old stuff were on display, which makes sense as a trade show because what you want, as a buyer for a store, is to see stuff you can buy now as well as previews of future prospects. The in-stock Universal Monsters were a nice touch, as many stores had them sold out, but new things like Halloween Kids really got my attention. (True story, I tried to convince a few organizations to make Ben Coopery Halloweeny figures this year. No takers! I didn't even know Super7 was working on the same thing.) These figures are the likes of the Metaluna Mutant, Mummy Boy, Captain Deadstar, Batula, and The Fiend (of Misfits fame) as these old vac-form plastic-smock costumes that Gen X kids wore while begging for candy.
It's an area loaded for expansion possibilities, given how many off-brand monsters, devils, and ghosts exist along wildly inaccurate misinterpretations of 100% licensed properties. The old Boba Fett and Vader costumes are practically works of pop art, or folk art, as are other characters. None of these are known to be in the works, but I can dream.
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Some of the many highlights on display include Twisted Sister, Return of the Living Dead, Jimi Hendrix, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Motley Crue, My Chemical Romance, Dio, Gremlins, more Godzilla, and a glow-in-the-dark Vincent Price.
Sadly neither Vampira nor Svengoolie were on display, but I was told at least he would be shown soon. (Real soon.) As brands go it's amazingly fascinating to see how much obscure (and not) stuff exists in a format that's compatible with around 45 years of existing action figures.
--Adam Pawlus
