Following the Disney animated film 'Atlantis: The Lost Empire' in 2001, Mattel released some really cool toys and models based on the designs in the film.
Production design for the creatures and a lot of the architecture was by Mike Mignola of 'Hellboy' fame and his arcane influence is clearly visible.
There's a good steampunk vibe to the submarines and land vehicles and the Atlantean craft all have a biomechanical look to them, with the natives riding huge sharks and fish. The Mattel submarines and vehicles have a number of interchangeable parts and a range of small figures, about an inch high, very similar to the Hot Wheels/Matchbox Megarig line.
In a similar biomechanical vein, the Tomy Zoids line also features two great mechanical fish - the Hammerhead shark and a Coelocanth-like one too, both with clockwork motors that can send them swimming in water, thanks to floats hidden in the bodies.
These are seriously beautiful toys. I've never even heard of that film! But the design is lovely - steampunk as you say, but with a touch of retro in there. Thanks for sharing! SFZ
ReplyDeleteNice designs overall, but the fish submarines look like knock offs of the Titan Terror Fish from Stingray.
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