MEGO MEET 2005!

Dealers, collectors and enthusiasts who have more than just a sentimental soft spot for the action figures that thrilled them when they were young gathered in Wheeling, WV at The Kruger Street Toy and Train Museum. The museum hosted it's first Mego Meet June 4, 5 & 6.

What might you ask is a Mego? The Mego Corporation rose to fame when they made 8 inch, posable action figures, who wore clothing, ( don't call them dolls!), but the attendees might correct you and point out they made dreams come true.  These toys have become a big part of their adult lives.

Mego action figures covered a wide variety of subjects such as Planet of the Apes, Starsky and Hutch, The Wizard of Oz, the classic Star Trek and most unusual for any toy company Superheroes from both Marvel and DC comics. A situation which has never happened since; nor likely ever will again. This game plan was so successful that Mego dominated the action figure market throughout the decade of the 1970's.

These figures were based on a standard, posable, male and female body design. Any character which was to be produced simply had to have the proper head and costume with accessories added. This sped up the process in getting product to the retailers and allowed Mego to recoup it's losses should a particular character prove un-popular. The bodies could be used in virtually any line for virtually any characters. Still some characters were strangely overlooked leading to debates bordering on the surreal as grown men argue over why The Flash and Green Lantern were never made for the hungry masses of kids.

 

Megomeet was a sucess in gathering together people from accross the country who had previously only known each other through the posts they typed on the internet site megomuseum.com, a graphically intensive website devoted to all things produced by Mego.

 

Bill Burger and Dave McCormick (pictured right) organized the event which was hosted by the Kruger Street Train and Toy Museum in Wheeling .    The real success of the event however, was the community support.  So many dealers, participants in talks, and just megoheads in general, supported the event in many ways.  Showing up, helping out, and just getting the word out.  It was true mego community event.

What makes Megos so special that people will travel accross the country to see them?   Yes, it's about the toys, but the event was really about the people.  Meeting the megoheads.  A great group of collectors taking a rare opportunity to meet up, trade, buy and just talk about the toys they love.

The success of this years Megomeet has made the decision to make it an annual event and easy one.  Megomeet will be held again at the Kruger Street Train and Toy Museum the weekend of June 2nd and 3rd in Wheeling , WV .  Keep an eye on the Megomeet website for details.  www.megomeet.com