A Guide to the 1970s Toys Featured on Friday's A&E Cover (or: Mike Russell Really Likes 'Star Wars' Kitsch)

Oh, hey, I drew Friday's Oregonian A&E cover. Ace colors by Mr. Bill Mudron. (I also contributed a few items to the "Holiday Gift Guide" inside.)

We had a lot of fun filling the cover with toys from the 1970s and early '80s. The Oregonian posted a key identifying most of those toys. I've also posted it after the jump.

(Links go to sites with more information on each toy.)

A. Evel Knievel Super Stunt Cycle

B. Kenner 1979 die-cast Millennium Falcon

C. Rubik's Cube

D. Merlin, the Electronic Wizard

E. "Six Million Dollar Man" Steve Austin action figure (with Bionic Transport and Repair Station)

F. Atari 2600 joystick and "Combat" game cartridge

G. "Empire Strikes Back" snowspeeder

H. "Strawberry Shortcake" doll

I. An issue of "Atari Force," A small DC comic included in select Atari 2600 game cartridges; enjoys a tiny cult following nowadays

J. Kenner 1979 "Star Wars" Power Droid action figure

K. Teddy Ruxpin

L. Car-window Garfield

M. Milton Bradley's Star Bird

N. Tandy Championship Football

O. Kenner's 1978 "Star Wars" Hammerhead action figure

P. Kenner's legendary 1979 12-inch-tall Boba Fett figure

Q. Kenner's hand-crank movie viewer -- see also this post on an effort to preserve the film in these viewers.

R. The Sabertooth Vampire -- this one's just shameless self-promotion, really.

________

Holiday Gift Guide 2011 (The Oregonian, Friday, Nov. 25, 2011)

Holiday Gift Guide 2011: Key to the cover's toys (Oregonlive.com)

Comments

[Paula@obagiclear]

Nice. I keep thinking of my old Mattel Merlin. Looked like a weird red telephone. I'll have to check out if they have a new "classic" version.