Four action figures from the1981 film ‘Heavy Metal’ of ‘Taarna,’ ‘Harry Canyon,’ and two ‘B-17 Gunner’ variants made by hand by Aaron Moreno of Retroband, 2015. You can get a little better look at them, here.
So I’ve been laid up for a couple of weeks and have been watching entirely too much television—most of the time turning back the clock to eyeball what I consider a “comfort food” of sorts—vintage horror films and old-school 80s flicks.
While my love of horror cinema spans the decades, I usually end up digging through my go-to big three—the 1970s, the 1980s, and the 1990s. On a recent, particularly tough day, I watched the first two seasons of Tales from the Crypt which, if it’s been a while since you’ve seen it, still holds up in my rarely blinking eyes. Now that you know this, I’m sure you can understand my sheer fucking delight when I became aware of a toy company called Retroband that makes some pretty incredible action figures based on characters from notable horror and cult films. Such as 1980’s Motel Hell, the 1979 television miniseries based on author Stephen King’s 1975 novel, Salem’s Lot, and the terrifying character “Bobbi” from the 1980 film Dressed to Kill.
Before you start screaming “shut up and take my money” it’s best that you know that Retroband’s covetable figures, which are made by hand by Retroband’s owner and creator Aaron Moreno, sell for several hundred dollars apiece when and if they ever pop up on auction sites like eBay. For instance—and because it was the first one I looked for—the figure of “Bobbi” from Dressed to Kill was listed for a whopping $299.98. Figures based on the 1981 animated film Heavy Metal, which made their debut back in 2015, will run you a hundred bucks each. If you can find them, that is. I’ve posted images of Retroband’s awesomely eclectic, highly collectible action figure line below.
‘A bloody version of ‘Vincent’ from the 1980 cult-horror film, ‘Motel Hell.’
‘Bobbi’ and her trusty switchblade from the 1980 film ‘Dressed to Kill.’
Master vampire ‘Kurt Barlow’ from ‘Salem’s Lot.’
A bloody version of one of the ‘Deathguards’ from the 1982 film ‘The Beastmaster.’
‘Father’ from the 1982 film ‘Creepshow’ and the vignette ‘Father’s Day’ written by Stephen King and directed by George Romero. Cake platter included!
Speaking of Stephen King, here’s an action figure of ‘Jordy,’ a character portrayed by King in the film ‘Creepshow’ and the vingnette ‘Weeds.’ Comes with ‘Jordy’s’ shotgun.
‘Daniel Challis’, the hard-drinking, womanizing doctor from ‘Halloween III’ and his nemessis, ‘Conal Cochran’ the owner of the dubious ‘Silver Shamrock Novelties’ company. This was the only Halloween film to not include masked slasher Michael Myers.
Another figure based on ‘Halloween III’ that comes with the ever present television set featured in the film.
A skeleton figure based on ‘Halloween III.’
133 days ‘till Halloween! SILVER SHAMROCK!
Previously on Dangerous Minds:
‘Don’t f*cking Jimmie me, Jules!’ Foul-mouthed talking ‘Pulp Fiction’ action figures!
‘The Warriors’ action figures: Nunchucks, chains and knives included!
Bad motherf*ckers: Action figures from ‘Pulp Fiction,’ ‘The Shining,’ ‘A Clockwork Orange’ and more
Highly detailed action figures of King Diamond, Alice Cooper, Lemmy, Mad Max & more!
What have you done to BRAD? Meet the new ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ action figures