WorldMEGO: Where MEGOs Go! » BASA

BASA El Hombre Nuclear . . .The Peruvian Six Million Dollar Man

highquality — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 04:52:46 +0000

In the wild and wonderful world of vintage toy collecting, a steadfast and vigilant collector could (with enough years of active hunting) end up finding even the hard-to-find figures a few times over. But nothing else in this hobby can replace the thrill of a new discovery. Certainly, each new “find” is unique in its own right, but this one really stands out.

In 2007, WorldMEGO collectors discovered that BASA, a Peruvian toy company, released an 8-inch line of DC Comics Super Heroes as contemporaries to MEGO. The BASA figures had articulated bodies, vinyl heads and cloth outfits. Their likeness to MEGO World’s Greatest Super Heroes was uncanny. With MEGO’s initial release occurring around 1973, finding their South American counterparts 34 years later was like the geek equivalent of finding the Lost Ark. Each collector waited with intense anticipation as each BASA Super Hero showed up. First there was Superman. Then, Batman showed up on the scene. Many months later, Robin decided to finally show. It was a great trio for collectors and many were anxiously waiting for more and wondering if we would ever see some original BASA packaging.

2008 came and went with no new BASA characters emerging from the cracks of the earth. 2009 and still nothing. We assumed by this time that the complete offering was already out there. It was an exciting time and we were more than satisfied to see three great WorldMEGO DC Super Heroes. Some were still hunting to complete their trio. Others even managed to find some doubles, believe it or not. There was a great sense of contentment and satisfaction.

Then something happened that none of us expected. The WorldMEGO skies parted and this picture shone down:

Wow and WOW!!!! There was a collective gasp among Mego collectors around the world. Are you freakin’ kidding me? An eight-inch MEGO-esque Six Million Dollar Man and Lex Luthor?? 30+ years of MEGO collector prayers had instantaneously been answered from somewhere up and beyond the vinyl factories. It was an inspirational moment. This WorldMEGO blog probably began that day. All that is exciting about MEGO, BASA, Lili Ledy and all sorts of WorldMEGO collecting had come together with that one BASA lineup photo (sans Batman). And then, of course, once again, and with some SERIOUSLY renewed enthusiasm, the hunt was ON!!!

In early 2009, this exact specimen of BASA's El Hombre Nuclear (The Nuclear Man) was found. Bryan recalls working on some international trades when the seller mentioned another toy he would sell. And that is what you see here. Just "another toy" -- AAAAHHHH!!!! And just look at his left eye, it sure looks bionic.

It's hard to mistake that this is a Lee Majors Six Million Dollar Man figure. The head sculpt is very unique with the signature Lee Majors eyebrow lift. Still, some have likened the sculpt to Marlon Brando. However, the HUGE picture on Nuclear Man's shirt proves otherwise. Here's a puzzle: Could the head sculpt first belong to the mysterious (and unlocated) Lex Luthor figure, but really as Jor-El? Marlon Brando plays Jor-El in Christopher Reeves' "Superman." We think BASA released these figures near the time of that film's release. Leave a comment with your own theories.

Like the fashions of the seventies, the bodysuit is mostly polyester. BASA Steve Austin likely developed a massive case of static cling when traveling at nuclear bionic high speed.

Make sure you have authentic BASA boots on your Hombre when you find him. Look here at our Work-In-Progress WorldMEGO Accessory Check to see a closeup of his boot. It is (so far) most often found with three ridges, though a couple with two ridges have also been spotted: http://worldmego.com/WMAC/Pages/82.html

Even if you aren’t a vintage packaging collector, you will likely still get a thrill out of these original boxed shots of BASA El Hombre Nuclear. The action graphics really kick and the choice of color is a striking contrast against Steve’s red attire. At this time, there are only four known examples of this toy in his original box.

The following two video clips provide alternate views of the typical USA kid’s experience when he turned on his favorite show. There is some fantastic editing on these. Man, “El Hombre Nuclear” is so cool!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=BU5LWqr1f8c

Dig those seventies melodies, Dusty Springfield really nailed the Glen Larson theme song.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=OK8T-8GSkfY

It’s baffling how this eight-inch MEGO from Peru has been hidden for so long. This item appeals to so many different groups of collectors. Peru is obviously a great place to hide things. Please let us know if you have any more information. And if you ever find BASA Lex Luthor/Jor-El, then we will hand deliver a basket of freshly baked homemade blueberry muffins to your door.

Below, we hope you will enjoy reading the complete first issue of “El Hombre Nuclear,” a comic book originally produced in Colombia and sold also in Ecuador & Venezuela.

Click to enlarge the first photo of the cover and then you can navigate through from there. Go, Nuclear Man, Go!

BASA Batman, why are you so serious?

highquality — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 11:31:12 +0000

When it comes to Batman action figures, one glaring characteristic endures no matter the originating country. Batman is never smiling. Never ever. Not even a half grin. He always has a solemn, thought-provoking look on his face. Looking for a cheery Batman head sculpt is like trying to find a picture of Abraham Lincoln smiling.

BASA Batman from Peru seems to be the culmination of all that unhappiness. His austerity and furrowed brow hints at a man with no joy. The staff here at WorldMEGO sat around one night on a conference call and pondered Heath Ledger’s question. What follows is an artist’s rendition of that conversation:

Heath Ledger’s Joker posed a pertinent question: “Why so serious, Batman?” You’re a billionaire. You drive a cool car. Women love you. You even have a butler to see to your every need. Have to get through traffic in a hurry? Take the Batmobile. Can’t get there by land? Take the Batboat. Can’t get there by sea? Well, there’s always the Batcopter. Want to feel the wind in your face? Fire up the Batcycle. You could even swoop in by Batcape. But, why bother? The Batplane would be much faster.

Is it time to get to work? Use the Batpole! Need to make a quick phone call, just use the Batphone! How about some Monday Night Football on the Batmonitor?! Who knows? You could probably even Facebook on the Batcomputer. And surely the Batcave could be used for more than just business. C’mon guy, you’re living every man’s dream!

Remember when Jack Nicholson’s Joker asked, “Where do you get all those cool toys?” Surely they’d make you smile. Why take the stairs when you have a grappling hook? Need to make a quick getaway? Drop a few smoke bombs and zip out. You don’t have a simple boomerang, you have a Batarang. Is there any gadget you couldn’t pull from that utility belt? Let’s face it, man, you’re also living every kid’s dream.

Oh, and let’s not forget that suit. Is there anything cooler than the flourish of a cape? Is there anything more ominous than the specter of a bat? What wrestling federation wouldn’t make you their superstar?! You’re all mask’d and emblem’d and everything!

But oh no, it’s just not enough. You still have the grumbling cynicisms of a man who can’t find his way in the world. There is no laughter in your life. Oh, you say you’ve got some past tragedy? Well, haven’t we all? Get a clue, Batman. If indeed you are the World’s Greatest Detective, it’s time for you to rediscover the BIFF! the BANG! and the POW! that keeps you going. Enjoy all those things in your life. Take your money and buy a condo in Aruba. Settle down with some nice Batchica and have some Batkids. Maybe buy a Batdog or two. Life is too short. Does Cesar Romero’s Joker need to stop by and give you a hand with his joy buzzer?

Front of BASA Batman bodysuit in grey and black polyester. The turtleneck effect is very dramatic. Notice the sewn-on sleeves and Batman's attempt at a ballet second position.

Generous opening in the back. Very form fitting. Enclosed with a set of snaps. The BASA body is very similar to a Type 2 MEGO body, though a bit lighter and wigglier.

The BASA Hero boot in a lovely blue. While Lili Ledy boots have no ridges, and MEGO boots have two ridges, BASA boots are distinguished by their three ridges at the top.

Close-up pic of Superman's belt and suit material. (At the time we snapped this photo, we believed this belt was shared among all three heroes. SEE BELOW) It's a rigid plastic belt with a well-defined buckle. The belt is cinched in the rear within one of two separate openings. BASA bodysuits are very snug, even more so than a MEGO bodysuit. Shorts are the same material as the bodysuit.

Close-up pic of the BASA Batman cloth cape blowing like Marilyn's dress

All three BASA Super Heroes at attention and ready for action. Tsk, tsk, BASA Batman. Not even a smile for the group photo.

MAJOR UPDATE and Correction: He has a very MEGO belt.

Thanks to a fellow collector, we have been informed BASA Batman has his own UNIQUE belt! How cool is that? In this case, we love to be proven wrong. It's all a voyage of discovery.

Peruvian BASA Robin wears bracelets? Yup!

highquality — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 11:30:25 +0000

No figure represents such an absolute obsession quite like this Peruvian BASA Robin.

As each rediscovered BASA figure presented itself in the mid to late 2000′s, collectors were salivating all over themselves. The discovery craze was on! Each of us felt like modern day explorers. Who would be the first to lay their claim on these familiar friends from a foreign land? First, there was the wild-eyed Superman. Then shortly afterward, Batman made his appearance. It was only a matter of time, thought the excited MEGOheads. Where is he? No toy company would release a Batman without a Robin. That’s like Peanut Butter without Jelly. Sonny without Cher. Simon without. . . uh, the Other Simon.

And then he showed. BASA Robin poked out from the Baticueva. On that day, it was possible to hear the collective sighs of relief. Seeing BASA Robin for the first time is difficult for most to describe. It was like the first time hearing Nirvana’s hit song, “Smells like Teen Spirit”, when we were so accustomed to late 80′s Glam Rock. It flew in the face of convention. A Robin with boots? Is this for real? Maybe it’s a custom figure!? Nope, no way, it’s no custom. Then, after the shock came the attempt at acceptance. Do I like this? Can I embrace something other than the Glam of MEGO Robin? Yes. YES! I don’t just like him. I LOVE him! He’s no passing phase. No flash in the pan. No one-hit-wonder. He is a classic! A hit! And the World of WorldMEGO changed that day, but the Song still remains the Same.

Oh, and remind us to tell you a funny story one day about those silly looking green electrical tape bracelets on BASA Robin’s wrists. You might have thought that some creative Peruvian kid put them on his Super Hero action figure, but no, they’re actually from the factory. Yeah, make sure you leave them on.

Front view of BASA Robin's bodysuit. One piece with sewn-on sleeves. Material is most likely a high synthetic blend. Robin sports an ultra suave turtleneck. Oh yeah!	BASA ingeniously combined the ideas of the simple Lili Ledy Bodysuit with the bare leg stylings of MEGO. Nice pool table shade of green. Closed with a single snap. Very generous opening in the back.
Once again we see the best of both worlds. BASA Robin's vest slips over the bodysuit a la Lili Ledy, but has the finished look of a MEGO Robin tunic. Collar and cape are both attached to the vest.	Close-up shot of the cape. BASA's cloth capes really distinguish them from other action figures of the era. The overall look is very dramatic.
BASA Hero boot in green. Very lightweight plastic creates a translucent effect. Three ridges at the top distinguish it from the two ridges of a MEGO boot.	BASA Robin, Superman and Batman all share the same semi-rigid plastic belt. Although two holes are provided to cinch the belt, only the longer setting fits the figure. Notice the light scaly texture and the highly defined (inset) belt buckle.
Thanks to WorldMEGO Guru Bryan Sanders, gaze upon the awe inspiring beauty of an actual boxed BASA Robin. Jeez, ya think they saved on printing by using the box "R" for the emblem? Also seen are the original bracelets, which are essentially tape.	The back and sides of the BASA box is a collage of stock images also seen on MEGO and Lili Ledy boxes. This box represents the ULTIMATE in rarity. A loose incomplete BASA Robin hardly ever shows up. Rockin' Robin!

BASA Superman is using X-RAY VISION. . .

highquality — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 06:21:22 +0000

. . . or is he using Heat Vison? Maybe he actually does have a “Pocketful of Kryptonite”. . . Well, one way or another he’s looking at me funny, like some kind of wild-eyed cashier during the graveyard shift at Home Depot.

Who would’ve thought some 30 years after production, collectors would Rediscover this whole exciting line of Super Heroes from Peru? Each figure borrows a bit from MEGO and a bit from Lili Ledy, but they are ALL BASA. Just look to the head sculpt for a quick reminder that this is not your S.S. Kresge nostalgia. This is WorldMEGO, baby!

The boots are more MEGO-y, and the belts are more Ledy-y, as are the bodysuits. But while MEGO gave us mostly Nylon based capes and Lili Ledy gave us Vinyl capes, BASA gave us very wonderful stitched Cloth capes.

Production values seem quite high on these figures compared to Lili Ledy. They lack the overall refinement of MEGO, but aren’t quite as rough around the edges as their Mexican counterparts. BASA Superman was the first to reveal himself to the WorldMEGO collectors. Followed shortly by Batman and finally Robin. A complete collection is quite an accomplishment, as very few of these ever show up at market. Information on this era of BASA seems nonexistent. Any press, video, interoffice communiqués or advertisements would be greatly appreciated. Be sure to check back here for updates regarding the Oh So Wonderful BASA El Hombre Nuclear, the Peruvian Six Million Dollar Man.

Assisting in this next segment will be our lovely supermodel, Headless Half-Naked Hippie.

Here we see Triple H with a beautiful example of BASA Superman's original boots. Notice the 3 ridges at the top. MEGO boots have 2 ridges and are very similar in size and shape.

Notice the sewn-on sleeves and the thick collar. Finished off with a repro emblem.

Able to don the suit with a Single Snap. So tight, it must be aerodynamic.

OK Triple H, don't get too attached to BASA Superman's original cape. Just because he let you borrow it doesn't mean he doesn't want it back. Neat-o woven cloth texture.

Silly Hippie. Belts are for people with pants. Notice the two separate holes to cinch the belt. It only seems to work on the larger setting, however. The scaly look and the deep indent on the buckle separate this belt from the more rubbery Lili Ledy belts.

Unfortunately, most searches for BASA Superman will net you this. . . BASABaby! We already have a team of experts wondering if that Baby Doll (Apachurrito) emblem will work for an 8" action figure.