The PopCult Toybox

We have a quick photo review for you today of a great new figure from our friends at Vintage Toys and Trains and White Elephant Toyz.

A couple of years ago when Steve Stovall (of VT&T and Kentuckiana GI Joe Toy Expo fame) and Jason from White Elephant Toyz teamed up to realize Steve’s longtime dream of reviving the late 1970s Super Joe action figure, the idea of it being successful enough for them to revive his arch enemy, Gor: The King of the Terrons, was just a pipe dream.

However, the Super Joe Unlimited revival was successful enough to not only bring down the wrath of Hasbro, causing them to change the name to Adventure Command and Astro Command, but also to invest in the considerable tooling required to make a new incarnation of King Gor.

Like the Adventure Command figures, the newly-rechristened “Gargon” is not an exact reproduction. The construction is vastly superior, he’s a bit bigger, and he lacks the light-up function that won’t be missed by many. I think he has a couple of added points of articulation at the wrists, too.

Gargon is available in the same shade of green as the original Gor, but he’s also been made in a very limited Glow-In-The-Dark version, with accessories that glow as well. You may be able to snag one of the glowing Gargons if you act fast, but the original color is pretty cool by itself.

Seriously this would look right at home on a shelf filled with collectible vinyl monster toys. These are a godsend for collectors of the original Super Joe toy line, but they are so freaking cool that, even for someone like me who grew up before that line hit, they are well worth collecting on their own. I’m not going out on a limb to say that Adventure Command is a huge improvement over the Super Joe line, which may be the most fragile action figure line in history.  These new figures are built like a tank.

I’ve had these guys a couple of weeks, but things have been so hectic that I just had time to de-box them and take some pics yesterday. Because I don’t have the fancy lighting necessary, I faked the glow while editing the photos. However, later in the evening, I had left this guy under the lightbox, and when I turned it off, the glow effect was striking.

You can order Gargon at White Elephant Toyz or get one from Steve’s eBay store. There are also a limited supply at a few other online sellers, or if you go to JoeLanta, Steve will have them for sale there.

Check this guy out, he’s really cool…

Fresh out of the box, this is one impressive figure, with great sculpting and terrific color.

Just look at that face.

The extremely cool accessories are really sharp-looking.

“Ya see, foist I shoots him, thens I beats the hell outta him wit’ dis club!”

It’s important to remember to take the time to propertly strech before you conquer a planet.

The back view: This figure looks much better without the clunky battery cover, which is often missing on vintage Gor figures.

“I’m a big King, blah, blah, blah, bring me my crown and sceptre!”

Gargon with an Adventure Command figure, so you can see the size comparison.

Gargon discovers that someboy ate his leftover Domino’s.

This guy just wandered into my shot. I’m not sure what the hell he’s doing here.

Meanwhile the very limited Glow In The Dark Gargon, fresh out of the box. The glow is enhanced in editing.

“Dear, you’re positively glowing!”

“WHAT do you mean you were FAKING IT the whole time!?”

It was at this point that the photo shoot got a little out of control.

And that is a quick look at a very worthy new addition to your action figure shelf (or toybox). Remember, you can order Gargon at White Elephant Toyz or get one from Steve’s eBay store. I have a feeling were going to see this body mold done in more colors in the future, maybe with a different head…and I look forward to that because this is a cool-looking monster figure.

A PopCult Note: The planned book review that was going to be posted today has been bumped to next week. An MG flare-up has rendered your humble blogger a bit more humble than usual.