Mego Toys (pronounced MEE-go) is popularly known as a major producer of licensed action figures during the 1970s and early 1980s.
Based out of New York City, the family-owned company – founded by David and Madeline Abrams – began to produce "dime-store" dolls and other toys in 1954. Beginning in 1971, when son Marty Abrams was appointed CEO, Mego created the first 8-inch action figure called Action Jackson to compete with Hasbro's well-established G.I.Joe line.
Under the auspices of Abrams, Mego successfully branched out into pop culture, and produced the World's Greatest Super Heroes line of licensed DC and Marvel comic figures beginning in 1972. TV and film-based toy lines, such as Space :1999, Planet of the Apes, and Wizard of Oz, were added soon after and also became popular Mego products. Having succesfully turned the initially small family business into a multi-million toy company, Marty Abrams is considered as the "father" of the modern action figure by toy experts.
Based out of New York City, the family-owned company – founded by David and Madeline Abrams – began to produce "dime-store" dolls and other toys in 1954. Beginning in 1971, when son Marty Abrams was appointed CEO, Mego created the first 8-inch action figure called Action Jackson to compete with Hasbro's well-established G.I.Joe line.
Under the auspices of Abrams, Mego successfully branched out into pop culture, and produced the World's Greatest Super Heroes line of licensed DC and Marvel comic figures beginning in 1972. TV and film-based toy lines, such as Space :1999, Planet of the Apes, and Wizard of Oz, were added soon after and also became popular Mego products. Having succesfully turned the initially small family business into a multi-million toy company, Marty Abrams is considered as the "father" of the modern action figure by toy experts.