You can tell a lot about a fandom from the merchandise it supports, which is just one of the reasons why Chronicle Books’ new Star Wars: The Ultimate Action Figure Collection is such an oddly compelling book.
Perhaps it’s a longing for simpler times – or maybe it’s that I wasn’t raised in the US and so missed out on these the first time around – but I’ve become obsessed with old-school television commercials for toys recently: Transformers! He-Man! Super Powers! Each one was sold separately, but seemed to promise so much happiness, it’s almost painful to watch.
Disney unveiled its line of toys for Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides last night, including multiple LEGO sets, action figures and a new LEGO video game from the people behind LEGO Harry Potter.
In an era where we think movie merchandising has run riot, it’s worth remembering that even classic movies once had ridiculously ill-considered tie-in products. Like, for example, an Alien toy.
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