Collector’s Guide

Buying Vintage Mego Figures: What to Look For

Mego figures have been highly collectible for decades, and prices reflect that — particularly for complete, carded examples in good condition. Whether you’re hunting at collector’s fairs, flea markets or online, here’s what to know before you buy.

Carded vs. loose

A carded Mego figure — still sealed on its original bubble card — commands a significant premium. The card itself must be examined carefully: look for creasing, water damage, fading, and whether the bubble is still firmly attached at all edges. A loose figure is far more common and, for most collectors, perfectly satisfying — provided it’s genuinely complete. At VintageActionFigures.net, we’re huge fans of loose figures … open the box, play with the toy, embrace the joy!

What ‘complete’ means

For Mego, completeness is everything. The 8-inch figures came with fabric clothing, shoes, belts, capes and various accessories depending on the character, and these small items are frequently missing from loose figures — lost over fifty years of handling. Before buying, check the character’s known accessory list. A Superman without his cape, or a Dracula without his cloak and shoes, is still displayable but significantly less valuable.

Type 1 vs. Type 2 bodies

The earlier Type 1 body uses metal rivets at the joints; the later Type 2 replaced these with plastic. Type 1 is generally considered preferable by collectors for both authenticity and durability — the plastic rivets on Type 2 figures are more prone to breaking. Check the hip and shoulder joints.

Elastic deterioration

The internal elastic bands that hold the figures together have a limited lifespan. After 50 years many are loose, snapped or absent entirely, affecting the figure’s ability to hold a pose or stand unaided. This can be professionally repaired — re-elastication is a common service among Mego restorers — but factor it into any purchase price.

Head condition

Some Mego heads, particularly those made with glow-in-the-dark material (as used for the Mad Monsters line), are prone to a deterioration sometimes called ‘melting eye’ syndrome, where the eye paint or material softens and distorts over time. Examine closely, particularly on the monster figures. The problem is more common on stored figures that have been kept in warm or damp conditions.

Reproduction clothing and parts

Reproduction Mego clothing has been widely available for years, sold legitimately as replacement parts. This is great for restorers, but means it’s easy — sometimes unwittingly — to sell or buy a figure presented as complete when some accessories are modern reproductions. Originals will show age-appropriate wear; reproduction fabric tends to look noticeably brighter and crisper. When in doubt, ask the seller.