Right up there with the figure enthusiasts question of why the Mego Corp. failed to produce a 12″ WIlma Deering from Buck Rogers In The 25th Century (in the likeness of Erin Gray) is where was the Lois Lane figure in the Superman line?
Its not as if Mego had any prejudice regarding female figures – see Ilia from Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Holly Goodhead from Moonraker and Kate McCrae from the Black Hole being fine examples from the Sci-Fi genre alone, arriving long after such Mego staples as Farah Fawcett & Cher.
Besides the ever-present rights/licensing issues (as documented here) inhibiting the Superman series, could the absence of the feisty Daily Planet reporter be a result of Mattel’s plans to add Lois Lane to their own ever-expanding Barbie doll collection? This newly-discovered concept art from the late 1970’s (top) would certainly suggest as much.
Presumably following the established Barbie tradition of offering a basic doll followed by a plethora of outfits, whether or not the dolls would bear the likeness of the divine Ms. Kidder (second pic) in her most famous role is unclear but the fact a Superman sweater worn by her for numerous publicity shoots represented in illustration here would hint at the possibility.
While this proposal sadly never came to fruition, ironically by 2006 Mattel did finally get to produce an official Lois Lane (in the likeness of Kate Bosworth) for Superman Returns – leaving fans deprived to this day of an official Lois Lane from the classic movies.
Thankfully, talented and creative Superfans frustration has evolved to fill the void with custom figures arguably tailored to a higher standard than the unmade figures may have been. I defy even the most fervent toy historian to look at the custom Mego Lois Lane (third pic) and deny it was anything other than a genuine factory prototype. In fact Ray Flores unmistakable Margot Kidder is a reworked Lynda Carter Wonder Woman housed in a reproduction box. And just to give a taste of how a Barbie Lane may have looked, check out ferdalump.com’s pitch-perfect Lois from Superman II (bottom pic)…
SUPERMANIA extends its thanks to Trev2005 for use of the Mattel art from his awesome flickr page…
I am actually the owner of the ferdalump doll. I freaked when I saw the picture, as the doll is currently in the collector’s curio cabinet to my right. The doll is a thing of beautiful and was especially due to the fact that I could not get my hands on the Mattel doll. Ferd did do any absolutely perfect job.
Welcome Lo!!
Sorry to cause you alarm regarding your figure 🙂 I agree completely its a thing of beauty and pleased to learn its in the possession of a true fan.
Could I trouble you for a better picture of her I wonder? The one above was taken from a forum and not the best, I’d love to feature a better one here. Feel free to email me here at martin-el@supermania78.com
I just finally got a chance to reply back. Just emailed you a few more snaps of her!