I still can't believe that I had all these Colourforms Outer Space Men when I was a kid in the Sixties. Created to tie into the immense success of Mattel's Major Matt Mason these aliens were similarly proportioned, rubberised and bendy. Each figure came on a different blister card containing a weapon and possibly a helmet. They really were fabulously well-designed toys and the backing card art was stunning. Looking back they were probably the most beautiful space toys and packaging of the Sixties but that's just my opinion. Alas, these toys are now as scarce as rocking horse doo doo, especially in the UK and I would need to sell body parts to acquire these again! The inventor of the line, Mel Birnkrant, is still with us and has a brilliant website covering all aspects of the toys' history.
Although the Colourforms originals are beyond the means of most collectors, the many knockoffs and hybrids aren't and often turn up on, for example, Ebay. One modern knockoff line we have covered before is STAR ATTACK and here's another interesting example currently on offer: Shooting Missile Launcher.
The small figure is a miniature of Colourforms' Electron + figure shown below from the mid -1960's. I have no idea if the domed spaceship is a clone from another line. Anyone?
Like SWORD there's a plethora of Outer Space Men copies, large and small, old and new and also like SWORD, some are within reach of meagre budgets and some aren't. There are some rare vintage Outer Space Men knockoffs commanding eye-watering prices equal to those reached by the original figures. These are the carded TOY HOUSE SPACE MARAUDER BENDABLES miniatures, of which there are two sets and the larger BULLMARK figures from Japan all pictured below.
pics: LandofCollectables
pic: skullbrainorg
pic: Ebay
Also like SWORD there is a dedicated fanbase for Outer Space Men [OSM] and it's really huge in the USA. There have been a number of modern re-issued and re-imagined OSM, which would add a cool contemporary feel to a collection. Probably the most well-known are the Four Horsemen toy studio's range of official modern OSM, which, to the joy of their many fans, have emerged in limited-editions and waves at comic cons and on their own online store. Below is an example of their work.
OSM inventor and designer Mel Birnkrant is still creating new concepts for the Four Horsemen to sculpt and bring to life. The most recent is TERRA FIRMA, a voluptuous earthling spacegirl pictured here.
pic: fwoosh
Mel's sketches for this figure and all the OSM can be found on his fabulous website http://melbirnkrant.com/sketchbook/page14.html
Yep, if I had the brass to collect another classic space line besides SWORD I think it would be the Outer Space Men. What do you think?
Let me try that again!
ReplyDeleteI don't recognize the dome ship as being from another line, but I have to assume it was inspired by Boba Fett's ship from The Empire Strikes Back.
I have mixed feelings about the Terra Firma photo. A female Matt Mason-styled character, and a female addition to the Outer Space Men, is something we've needed for a long time. This is SO close to being that. Unfortunately, the drawings and prototype make her look too much like a Jessica Rabbit-type sex object and not an equal in the lineup. I don't think the sole female character needs protruding nipples any more than the male characters should have bulges in their space trousers. (Or male nipples for that matter!)
To be clear, I'm not against Terra Firma looking sexy. If it was toned down just a notch, it'd be a lot better. I'd prefer it to be something space-loving parents could consider giving their daughters. I think the figure is beautifully designed, but in this one respect it goes over the top. Er, so to speak.
(I'd also like it better if her male counterpart had the exact same spacesuit design, with that Earth emblem in his navel as well!)
I never saw hide nor hair of the spacemen as a kid, so im surprised Woodsy had any.
ReplyDeleteAs to terra Firma, I think shes brilliant. Maybe doesnt tie into the OSM line as neatly as we might wish, but as far as sex appeal, just look at the vintage sci fi book covers - the guys would always be laden down with functional space suits and the ladies were romping about attracting the aliens advances in a nightie and a fishbowl helmet.
Also, these collectable toys arent bought by parents for thier kids, theyre bought by red-blooded geeks like me.
The Terra Firma figure is neat. I'd buy it. Judging from her appearnace it must chilly in space this time of year.
ReplyDeleteThe female Terra is ridiculous
ReplyDelete