Series 1
Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 — No Comments
The first series of MIMP toys was released in 1990 by Matchbox. The brainchild of Joe Morrison, the toys quickly exploded in popularity a second and third series were released shortly after, as well as a number of spin-off products to capitalize on the success.
Series 1 featured 48 monsters in four different colors–red, yellow, purple and green. The monsters were based on legends, myths and folklore from around the world, including everything from a vampire and the Frankenstein monster to Bigfoot and Medusa.
Each monster was not only numbered (the number printed onto the foot or base of each figure), but also assigned a point value from 5 to 25, determined by (according to the list of figures included with each box) “intelligence, strengths, weaknesses, speed and range.” The point value could be used to play “Monster War,” the instructions for which were printed on the same list, and later became the basis for determining a winner in both the Battle Cards game and Decipher board game and the points awarded for destroying each monster in the video game.
The monsters were originally released in boxes of four, twelve, and 24, and the complete series could be purchased in a Monster Mountain display case. They were later re-released in neon colors (similar to but not quite the same colors as series 2) in boxes of 12 and 24. Series 1 monsters were also given away as premiums for a number of different promotions, which accounts for the occasional oddly-colored figure (Frosted Wheat Squares, for example, gave away monsters in dark green, pink, blue and orange).
Countless other items were released featuring the series 1 monsters, including another board game, Monster Clash; stickers, a poster, a third board game, and a tote bag were all available through the original Collectors Club, as well as trading cards, which were also available as premiums from 7-11; an Aladdin lunchbox; and Collegeville Halloween costumes.
Later on, monsters from the first series also featured prominently in the comic books, video game and cartoon, and three of the four Howlers were based on series 1 monsters, despite the fact that they were labeled “Super Scary” Howlers, unusually suggesting they would be based on figures from series 4.
Occasionally, an odd, previously unknown item will pop up on eBay, such as a pin or kite–due to their rarity, however, not much can be said about them.
Globally, unusual MIMP items pop up as well; Argentina and Mexico have both brought forth uniquely colored series 1 MIMPs and single-monster fun packs were available in parts of Europe and Hong Kong.
Morrison Entertainment and Matchbox got in trouble with Hindu leaders for featuring the goddess Kali as one of the monsters. An official apology was made later, yet the series would feature other Hindu gods twice more in future series.
Related entries:
No comments have been posted so far. Be the first to comment below...