Mego Corporation - Legacy

Legacy

In 2001, good quality reproductions of Mego bodies, heads, and accessories were made in China by Dr. Mego. Collectors could now repair their broken or incomplete Megos as well as make new custom action figures.

In 2005, a company named ClassicTVToys (CTVT) began to produce lesser quality 8-inch (200 mm) re-issue figures very similar in design to the original Mego figure. Various lines manufactured include facsimilied replicas of Mego's Mad Monster, Merry Men, Western Heroes and Super Pirates. These figures were produced in India and were made from a low quality recycled plastic, which caused the figures' hands and feet to crack and break easily. The accessories work well as replacement accessories for original Mego items that are missing parts, however, to the company's credit, they are usually marked "CTVT", but the lack of quality is evident and easily spotted.

They also manufactured licensed, classic television characters, packaged on blister cards. Among the many included in the line: Happy Days, a modified version of the series Mego made. And others, which Mego did not make, such as Married... with Children, The Munsters, The Brady Bunch, Space:1999 (which Mego did produce to some degree in the 1970s, but only for the European market, as Mattel had the American license), and professional wrestler André the Giant. Unfortunately the sculpting of the heads were harsh and lacked Mego's charm. These figures were quickly discounted by CTVT and can be found for 1/3 of their original retail price on eBay. Please beware of reproductions or original items bearing reproduction accessories. This will always be disclosed by an ethical reputable dealer and can be easily identified with some education in the matter.

In 2006, EMCE Toys brand (pronounced "MC") was founded by Paul "Dr. Mego" Clarke and Joe Sena to bring back Mego toys with the blessing of Marty Abrams, former CEO of Mego Corp. Made in China, the new Star Trek figures have the high quality of the Dr. Mego parts, matching the original action figures. Working with Diamond Select Toys, holders of the Star Trek and Planet of the Apes licenses, these figures have been selling in comics shops. Following their success, new characters are currently being produced that Mego did not originally make such as Lt. Sulu, Ensign Chekov, and "Space Seed" villain Khan.

The Gorn that Mego produced was a brown Lizard head (identical to the Marvel Comics villain) on a brown body wearing a Klingon outfit. Fans have frequently wished that Mego had made a TV accurate Gorn. EMCE Toys and DST have made a new green Gorn based on the TV episode "Arena".

EMCE Toys was even able to get original Mego packaging artist Harold Schull to illustrate new artwork for Sulu, Chekov, Khan and the Gorn.

Mego collectors have an annual buy/sell trade convention in Wheeling, West Virginia called "Mego Meet". This event is open to the public. Expert panels are also provided for several educational topics.

In early 2009, co-founder Martin Abrams announced that he has reclaimed rights to the name Mego. No specific future plans for Mego Corporation have been disclosed to date.

In July 2009, EMCE Toys joined up with Mattel for the return of Mego's World's Greatest Superheroes dubbed DC Retro Action Superheroes, these were released in Toys "R" Us Spring 2010. The line includes completely revamped versions of Superman and Green Arrow along with Green Lantern, Lex Luthor and Sinestro.

Fall 2010 wave 2 was released - Batman, Two-Face, Aquaman, and Black Manta. Winter 2010 wave 3 was released - Wonder Woman, Cheetah, Flash, and Capt. Cold. Spring 2011 wave 4 was released - Captain Marvel (for legal reasons labeled as Shazam), Black Adam, Martian Manhunter, and Darkseid.

EMCE Toys is continuing the Mego revival by working with Diamond Select Toys on more Star Trek figures, including Captain Pike and the Salt Vampire, as well as Universal Monsters.