Limited Edition two Piece DOCTOR DOOM  30 July 00
It looks like our friends over at 2GFX still have a few tricks up their sleeves.  They have released a limited edition version of their Doctor Doom mask in classic two piece style with a full coverage backing helmet.  Pretty cool stuff!  This special version is currently only available on Ebay, but if you'd like to check it out take this link:  Special Edition Doctor Doom on Ebay

Playing Mantis Updates Jonny Quest Page  26 July 00
PM has updated their Hyper Action section with some new pics and info on the Jonny Quest line.  Even tho their pics are not as cool as ours, they are worth checking out <g>.  Hyper Action

DOCTOR DOOM!  The NEW Custom Mask for Dr Evil  25 July 00
Announcing the newest release from 2GFX, Doctor Doom.  A very cool new face mask for Dr Evil, which is available right now.  2GFX is making a limited number of these available at the special price of $29.95 if you place an order before July 31st.  To take a closer look, just follow this link:  Dr Evil is Doctor DOOM

New Playing Mantis Exclusive Pics from Comicon 2000  24 July 00
The pictures have arrived from the west coast, and they look pretty sweet!  In all we have 18 pictures of the new retro boxed Green Hornet and Kato, as well the the Jonny Quest line.  In order to get them to you as fast as possible, we have thrown together some pages (we'll doll them up when time allows).  We want to extend a special thanks to Michael Murphy at Playing Mantis for all the info and help at their display booth.  These two links will get you there:
The Green Hornet and Kato
Jonny Quest

2GFX Announces Dr Doom at Comicon 2000  23 July 00
The newest 2GFX custom face mask for Dr Evil, Dr DOOM, was officially announced at Comicon this weekend, with a full color postcard featuring the entire 2GFX custom line (remember that great pic we posted?)  If you would like to have that post card mailed to you, just email your address to GamesandBeyond and we will send you your very own full color postcard through the mail.  They have also announced a pre order price of $29.95 for the mask, as long as your order before July 31st!  You can place an order by contacting them directly at vfx2g@earthlink.net.

The Need for Speed: Big Playing Mantis News From Comicon 2000!  23 July 00
Our West Coast corespondent has just checked in with some very cool announcements from Comicon.  It turns out that the upcoming Playing Mantis Jonny Quest line is very much alive, and the figures WILL be on Captain Action bodies (albeit with resculpted heads).  Quite simply this means that all the uniforms and accessories will be perfect for Captain Action (not to mention very cool as stand alones).  However, the REALLY big news is that although you won't be seeing a Captain Action/Kid Action Speed racer set, you WILL be seeing those sets as stand alone figures on (you guessed it) Captain Action bodies with resculpted heads.  That means all those superb accessories you saw in that prerelease photo of Kid Action as Speed Racer will be coming out after all!  So as they say, the reports of the death of Captain Action are a bit premature.  Don't forget, the Green Hornet and Kato are just weeks away.  We will have some GREAT pics up on line first thing tommorrow, so make sure you check back. 

Getting Your Vintage Stuff Clean  22 July 00
Seems like every time you get a fine lot of vintage stuff, there is always something stained, soiled or otherwise marked up.  Is this starting to sound like a commercial?  Well, fear not because Twin Pines of Maine offers cleaning solutions for all your Action Figure needs.  Check out their web site:  Twin Pines

KB Stock Dwindling? 21 July 00
Last time we looked KB Kids was down to Tonto, Kabai Singh and Ming the Merciless.  Nothing but bad guys and sidekicks left!  Still those brown Dr Evils are worth stocking up on, especially considering they won't be making any more.  Grab them before they are all gone:  KBKids

Prepare to be Dazzled...  20 July 00
...because here it is.  The 2GFX Custom line for Captain Action, including a preview of their latest creation.  A character so evil that we dare not speak his name.  Set your monitors on high res, click this link,  and just sit back and let this page load.  2GFX2000

2GFX Set to Unleash Their Latest Creation! 20 July 00
We've kept this one under wraps for a while now, and we are going to keep you in suspense just a little bit longer.  We have just gotten word from 2GFX (Makers of the Red Skull, Nick Fury, Bucky, and the elusive Green Goblin). That this weekend their latest and GREATEST custom Captain Action mask will be made available to the public!  In fact we are going to be posting a preview pic later tonight so hang onto your seats and watch this page.

An Open Letter to Gwen and Playing Mantis 19 July 00

First of all Gwen I want to publicly say "thank you" for everything that you have done for those of us who are big fans of the Playing Mantis Captain Action line.  I know it must have been a bit frustrating for you with all of our questions and impatience!  Seems that nothing could ever come out fast enough or ship in large enough quantities.  Still you kept us informed, were always straight forward, and shared our enthusiasm.  You are our "friend on the inside" and that in itself is something rare, but to have a friend with so much patience who has been so helpful is special indeed.  For many of us Captain Action is more a passion than a hobby and with the release of the Captain Action line by PM it was like being reborn with a new future and undiscovered possibilities.  What you guys have done in two short years has been absolutely phenomenal: Not just to recreate so many old favorites but in the exploration of uncharted areas such as alter egos for Captain Action's nemesis Dr Evil.  From the original Story Book boxes to the retro boxes Playing Mantis has done first rate work, I proudly display every one of your figures along side the 60's counterparts.  Thank you for listening to our requests and improving the line with every release.  From the prerelease pictures I am sure that the retro boxed Green Hornet and Kato will be the jewel in the crown of the Captain Action line, a fitting finale for so Nobel an endeavor.  Before this gets completely out of hand I want to thank you one final time for all that you have done for me personally in my work with the Games and Beyond website.  It has been a real pleasure working with you on the Captain Action series and I look forward to all that Playing Mantis has to offer us in the future.

Let Justice be done!

Sincerely,
Daniel Webster

(reproduced from the "Hobby Talk" BBS at Playing Mantis)

Playing Mantis: It Looks Like The End of Their Captain Action Line  19 July 00
Directly from Gwen over at Playing Mantis:

It is with great sadness that I announce Playing Mantis will no longer produce the Captain Action line. Our final release for Captain Action will be the new Green Hornet and Kato costumes, which should be available by mid August or so.

There are a number of reasons why production of the Captain Action line is no longer possible for Playing Mantis. The desire to create high quality, detailed costumes for the figures at a reasonable price point and turn a profit was pretty much impossible for the market to support since production quantities were so low.  I think you all know that Captain Action's appeal today is mostly limited to nostalgic collectors who grew up with Captain Action and want to relive a little of their childhood. You've all suggested a number of ways to "bring CA into the new millennium", but in many ways, the tactics required to bring Captain Action into the year 2000 would destroy the very qualities that make Captain Action the toy it is.  I think we all remember the horror of the Pikachu Captain Action costume!  There's also the problem of licensing. Many of the costumes that were so popular for CA in the 60's are either too expensive for a small company like us to license or not even available to license. With all of these factors working against Captain Action, it just isn't in the company's best interests to continue production.

So, rather than compromise the quality of the costumes so we could turn a profit, or flood the market with Doctor Captain Action, Jungle Hunter Captain Action, etc., we're bowing out. Don't be surprised if someone else picks up where we left off. We know it's a great product, and it's been a lot of fun for us, especially me.

For the complete quote visit the Hobby Talk BBS: Hobby Talk

Tomart's Action Figure Digest Back Issues  18 July 00
If you are looking to complete your collection or just pick up key issues, back issues of Tomart's Action Figure Digest are available on line.  I just picked up Issue # 11, dated June/July '93, which features a good Captain Action write up with pics.  If you are looking for the definitive Captain Action issue, I highly recommend a copy of Issue # 57 (Oct '98) which has some of the best Captain Action pics around.  Take this quick link to their site (back issues are available in their store section):  Tomart.com

Keep Kool with the Kool Pops Captain Action Box  15 July 00
Yours free for only 3 box tops while supplies last!  Although I do get the sneaking suspicion that after 30 odd years supplies are probably running a bit low.  In 1968 (give or take) Kool Pops (from the makers of Kool Aid) ran a promotion for a free Captain Action card game.  You have probably seen the cards for sale on Ebay from time to time.  This is your chance to print out a copy of the original Kool Pops box that features that promotion.  Pretty cool box art, too!  Find it as the newest entry on the Captain Action Scans Page (the page that started it all) by clicking the Captain Action Logo in the Icon Bar.  As a side note, we have reached 10,000 hits and we wanted to say thanks to all of our readers!

Wishbook Toys Excellent Captain Action Page  13 July 00
John Medeiros has posted a few pictures from his Captain Action collection that are first rate.  In addition to the usual suspects he has some great shots of the Ideal Comic Heroines series figures, and a pic of Dr Evil in biker garb that you have to see to believe.  Its all just one mouse click away: 
Wishbook Toys Captain Action Page

Phantom and Kabai are back to $7.99   13 July 00
It was fun while it lasted, hope you stocked up on them while they were on sale.  They are still down from their original price of $9.99, and they still have them in stock.

More About Comic Book Marketplace Issue #79   12 July 00
Last month we mentioned that Captain Action makes an appearance in issue 79 of Comic Book Marketplace, and we just realized that we never gave a run down on the article.  The four page write up focuses on the short lived silver age DC comic book series which ran for five issues from Nov 1968 thru July 1969.  It provides a breakdown of the story lines and information on the writers and artist of each issue.  Worth looking into if you are in the market for the Captain Action comics or just looking for some background on them.

Captain Action The SPIDERMAN Box Art!   11 July 00
By popular demand, the box art from the vintage Ideal Captain Action Spiderman Uniform and Accessory set.  To be technically correct, Ideal referred to the amazing arachnid as "The Spider Man" (choosing to drop the hyphen and emphasis the "The").  Either way, its yours to download and add to your Captain Action collection.  As always, follow the Captain Action icon in the icon bar or take this quick link:
Captain Action Spider Man Boxart

$10 off $30 Purchase at KBKids   09 July 00
If you are looking to make a purchase at KB Kids (perhaps to pick up a few Phantoms) you can get $10 off your order of $30 or more by entering the Keycode INFANT1 in the shopping cart section (just click the gift certificate/coupon icon).  This works for both first time and repeat customers.

Phantom $2.00, Kabai Singh $4.00?  Their Prices are INSANE!!  07 July 00
No really, its true.  You can get the Retro boxed Captain Action Phantom uniform and accessory set for only $2.00 plus S&H, and Kabai Singh for Dr Evil is just $4.00.  Maybe its their way of saying Happy Birthday to Joe from 2GFX.  At these prices they will not last very long so order a couple of extra sets for your loved ones!  Quick, follow this link before its too late:
Captain Action Phantom $2.00 and Kabai Singh $4.00

GI Joe Talking Action Pilot from the Timeless Collection  05 July 00
Now this is very cool.  Hasbro is re-releasing the GI Joe Talking Action Pilot, and it features the classic face sculpt and pull string mechanism that operates like the original.  The release date for these is scheduled for 15 October, but you can pre order them today from KB to assure that you'll get one as soon as they are available.  They even have an African American version!  Check them out at this link:
GI Joe Talking Action Pilot: The Timeless collection

Captain Action Phantom, Kabai, Lone Ranger and Tonto Price Changes  05 July 00
Greetings from the ever changing world of Captain Action pricing.  Still a bargain, KB has once again changed the prices on their Captain Action line.  The Phantom and Kabai Singh retro boxed uniform and accessory sets are now at $7.99 (up from 7.96, big deal) and the Lone Ranger and Tonto (which include a Captain Action figure) are now also $7.99.  They still have Ming the Merciless which includes the coveted brown Dr Evil for $9.99.  Take this quick link and see for yourself:  Captain Action Items

All American Independence Day with Captain America  04 July 00
Happy 4th of July!  In order to celebrate in true American style we have added something to the Captain America scans page.  Thats right, its the long anticipated backing card for the costume box.  Its mostly complete, give or take a bit, and its in glorious 75 DPI with an outline so you can get those flaps right.  So celebrate your independence with a home made Captain America costume box, complete with an authentic backing card to complete the set.  Fireworks are optional.  Find it under the Captain Action Icon on the scans page, or take this quick link:  Captain America Box Art Scans

Captain Action Photo Guide book  01 July 00
A month or so ago we put up scans of the Captain Action photo guide book published by Old Forest Press. (Captain Action Catalogue).  Well, if you want to obtain your very own copy (along with a bonus Captain Action Poster) you can order it for $10 (free US postage) directly from Old Forest Press.  Check out this link: http://www.homestead.com/MegoHeadToys/captainaction.html
 
 

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