The original My Pet Monster doll was awesome in a once-in-a-lifetime way. He was just so big, so unique and so toothy!

If you’re looking to buy back a piece of your childhood, that doll is one of the few ‘80s toys that really lives up to its legend.

In fact, My Pet Monster was so cool that it used to be a favorite among set decorators. The doll appeared in several movies and on at least one TV show, which was all the more remarkable when you realize that none of those appearances were paid for.

With a ginormous assist from my pal Sammy Hain, I’ve compiled a list of the doll’s appearances in movies and on TV. See below, and if you spot our furry friend hiding in any other films or shows, please let me know! Read More…

Get set for a special Halloween edition of Five Random Action Figures! This time, we’ll be dealing exclusively with MONSTERS… like creatures with pumpkins for heads, and also creatures just named Pumpkinhead.

Samhain
Retro-Action Real Ghostbusters (2011)

Samhain was one of the “big bads” of the RGB universe, and among the few villains who appeared several times on the cartoon. (Most notably during the first two Halloween specials, where a pumpkin-headed demon was a natural fit!)

The character’s elegant design and sinister gravitas made him a fan favorite. Sadly, there was never an official Real Ghostbusters action figure for Samhain, who had to wait until Extreme Ghostbusters to be immortalized in plastic.

This figure came out much later. Toy freaks should remember that Janine/Samhain Retro-Action set, if only because Mattel made WAY too many of them. It was released in 2011 but remained on clearance racks until roughly fifteen minutes ago. (…which explains why such an extravagant set routinely fetches less than $20 on eBay.)

Samhain is around 8” tall, and he’s more doll than action figure. With flimsy limbs that make him tough to pose, Samhain still shines with that swank cloak and curiously hot bod. (Hot bod is not canonical as far as I know, but I guess it could be?) Read More…

This will likely be the final edition of 2017’s Best Halloween Junk Food, but that ain’t for lack of deserving snacks. This season may have been short on HUGE things, but the sheer volume of “pretty good” things was astounding.

Here are my five latest finds:

The Spider Donut!
Found at: Dunkin’ Donuts

Dunkin’ Donuts hit it out of the park this year, offering so many Halloween donuts that I’m struggling to even remember them all.

Their opus achievement, though, is the Spider Donut. Combining a donut with a Munchkin, Dunkin’ Donuts has created something that — depending on how blue you work — looks either like a spider riding a pool tube or a crowning baboon. It’s possibly the single greatest thing about the 2017 Halloween season.

Keep in mind, not every Dunkin’ Donuts carries the Spider Donut, and even the stores that do might not make them properly. Some forgo the Munchkin altogether, while even more neglect to add legs. I’ve seen at least a dozen Spider Donuts in person, and only rarely have they looked the way they’re supposed to.

GRADE: A+. This is Halloween. Read More…