The PopCulteer
July 19, 2024

Before we get into today’s photo essay PopCulteer, I need to mention something.  We had one of those weeks where life happens and something had to give. This week that something was our regular STUFF TO DO column.  Between internet, car and power issues and with a trip to Louisville for Kentuckiana this weekend looming, I had to skip our weekly guide to Charleston-centric events this week. Rest assured, there’s a bunch of stuff you can do in and around Charleston this week. Google is your friend. 

Friends of ‘Berto Gathering

In late May, an avid comic book and Beatles fan and MEGO and action figure collector, Roberto Ligotti, passed away suddenly and it shook the collector communities. His fellow MEGO collectors and customizers wanted to do do something in honor of the man who sometimes called himself, “The Blue Meanie.” That ought to explain our feature image.

On very short notice a small gathering of friends was organized at The Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum in Wheeling, which was the site of the first ten MEGO Meet fan conventions. The “Friends of ‘Berto” gathering was small, intimate, bittersweet, but ultimately fun, helping some fans put aside differences and get together to honor the memory of a fallen comrade. Tables were set up, toys were sold and traded, custom figures were displayed, there were presentations and good toy fellowship and it’s safe to say that ‘Berto would have been pleased. Our impromptu trip to Wheeling came together very quickly and happened last Friday and Saturday.

Chad Gordy was the primary instigator of this fun gathering and he created a 3D-printed Blue Meanie, which was given to attendees in honor of ‘Berto and his love for The Beatles. I can’t thank Chad enough for his work putting this show together. There is talk that this could become an annual action figure show at Kruger Street, in Roberto’s memory.

An added bonus for Mel and I was the chance to take Lee Harrah with us. Lee has been through the ringer over the last few years and he needed a freaking break. It was nice to get him re-connected with his collecting buddies and out of town for a quick trip.

Below you will find photos from the show. I am rushing through this so I can get out of town for the Kentuckiana GI Joe Toy Expo, so most photo will be captionless. Sunday I’ll be running a five-minute video of the show here in PopCult, and maybe a few more photos too.

Tony DiTrapino showing off one of his custom GI Joe: Classified figures, which is sporting a head 3D printed by Chad Gordy

Scott and Austin from Power Comics. I will be telling you a whole lot more about them within the next couple of weeks.

You’ll find out about Green Cougar and BroHawk then, too.

Some of the amazing Customs on display. I think these were largely the work of Chad.

This Scooby Doo villain looked so cool that I would’ve bought it if it had been for sale, and I’m not even a fan of Scooby Doo.

A table filled with cool MEGOish goodness. I bought some.

And that is this week’s PopCulteer, check back for all our regular features and fresh content every day.