Kenner continued the ghost chasing action with the Monsters toy line. These monsters were well known to kids of the late 80s and each had an action feature produced from squeezing the toy's legs. Fans of old horror flicks often collect this line because of their affection for the old Universal Monsters properties. Personally, I'm just happy they got Frankenstein's Monster correct (the mad doctor's name was Frankenstein!!).
|
The Dracula MonsterDracula was packaged with a cape. He is dressed in a tuxedo fit for a coffin and his skin is a pale blue. For some reason his left eye is closed, like a bat pooped in it when he was looking upwards. When you squeeze his legs his mouth opens, revealing his fangs, and his arms raise up.
|
The Frankenstein MonsterThe Frankenstein Monster was a towering monstrosity compared to the other toys. He was clad in a business suit and turtleneck and I can't help but think of Zack Galfianakis when I describe what he is wearing. Squeeze his legs to get his arms to raise and his mouth to open.
|
The Quasimodo Monster |
The Zombie Monster |
Quasimodo, also known as the Hunchback of Notre Dame, is historically not portrayed as a monster. Yet, Kenner decided they needed 6 monster figures in this line, and why not use his physical disability to label him a monster? Eighties PC aside, Quasi was dressed in rages and had his hands bound by chains. Squeeze his legs, however, and he breaks free from the chains and his mouth opens up wide.
|
This figure is definitely a two for one figure. While he was sold as a zombie and has the characteristic pale plue skin, he is dressed as what I would describe a witch doctor. So, my loyal readers, we were lucky enough to get a zombie witch doctor to terrorize the Ghostbusters' customers with. Squeeze his legs and his arms raise, his hairs pops up, and his eyes spin around. Brains, anyone?
|
The Wolfman MonsterThe Wolfman was dressed up as a typical white collar worker with a white button shirt and blue tie. Unfortunately when that full moon comes out, so does the Wolfman. The transformation tears up his clothes and he can't help but to howl at the moon as he stalks out his pray. In fact, squeezing his legs cause his arms to widen, his head to rear back and his mouth to close, as if he were indeed howling at the moon.
|
The Mummy MonsterThe Mummy is probably the most frustrating figure in this line-up. Squeezing his legs causes his mask and left arm to fall off, but so does just about everything else. Once the mask comes off, his shrunken and mummified head is a nice touch. Even better from a collector's viewpoint is the arm and mask are tethered to his body via cloth, so very few of these figures show up incomplete.
|