When Was The First Joker Figure Made?

Probably the most popular series of figures Mego ever produced was the World's Greatest Superheroes line. These 8-inch figures included both Marvel and DC Comics figures and were first introduced in 1972.

Initially these figures consisted of Outfitting Action Jackson bodies with new heads and costumes that were made in the likeness of well known super heroes such as Batman and Superman.

The first test sets of these were released for Christmas in the New York area. The premier release of the World's Greatest Superheroes consisted of Superman, RC Batman, RM Robin and Aquaman in solid boxes.

Then in 1973 Mego introduced the window boxes, as well as adding Spiderman, Captain America and Tarzan to the line.

Finally the more popular carded figures were introduced at the request of Kresge (who were later to become K-Mart).

Mego managed to get the scoop on these by signing a deal with both Marvel and DC to create more Superhero and Villian figures before anyone else cottoned on to how popular the figures were and therefore getting a jump start on other companies.

In 1974 Mego decided to introduce a line of villain figures, Super Foes, which featured the very first Joker figure along with the Riddler, Mr Myx, Penguin and Shazam.

Very few of these have survived the ravages of time although one will occasionally pop up on ebay.

The Joker figure is considered to be one of Mego's better figures and it certainly proved to be popular with kids. With his colorful character and outfit it captured the essence of the clown prince of crime to a T.

The Joker also allowed Mego to show off the advancements they had made in the silk screening process, as his outfit consisted of a drawn on suit complete with removable jacket and shoes.

Mego produced two body types during this period, commonly referred to as the T1 and T2 bodies.

The T1 body type had a skinnier body and metal rivets in the wrists and the later type 2 body had a "fatter" and more muscular body without the metal rivets in the wrist, making them a lot more "child friendly".

Despite this, and the Joker figure being produced between 1974 to 1981, he is generally found on a type 1 body.

The Super Foes Joker was available in both window display boxes and the Kresge cards with artist Carmin Infantino artwork from some of the sixties merchandising being used.

The Kresge Carded Joker is renowned to be the second hardest Super Foe to find on a Kresge Card with the Riddler being the hardest.

The Joker was also released in as part of the Fist Fighters line in 1975, but this line proved to be unpopular with fans and was short-lived. Probably because the "fighting" mechanism wasn't very well conceived.

Only two of the Super Foes were produced by Palitoy for the UK market and these were The Joker and the Penguin. It is also rumored, but has never been seen, that they released a carded Fist Fighter Joker figure.

In 1979 Grand Toys took over the distribution of the WGSH in Canada and examples of this figure are very difficult to find, but like the Kresge carded figure they do occasional appear on eBay and other specialist auction sites.

The Joker is also the only villain from the Super Foe line who was ever deemed worthy of getting his own set of wheels with the Joker mobile.

As for the Lily Ledy Joker?

This still remains elusive and although it is not mentioned in any of their sales material and nothing has ever surfaced in the market many believe that one was produced.

It seems rather strange and puzzling that many other minor characters were produced but not a Joker and so many collectors still hold out the hope that one will one day be found.

Mego figures were part of many a child's growing up and are remember fondly as a result Mego toys have long since become sought after collectors items but until the mid-nineties collectors were limited to local flea markets, car boot sales or garage sales in order to find them.

But since then the advent of eBay and other specialist auction sites and collectors sites locating your missing Mego figures has become much easier and even today eBay has a thriving market of Mego collectibles being bought and sold.

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