Finding a 1981 mego corp clown at a garage sale or tucked away in a dusty attic box usually brings back a very specific kind of nostalgia for anyone who grew up during the transition from the disco era to the neon eighties. It's a bit of a niche find these days, but back in 1981, Mego Corporation was trying everything they could to stay afloat. They were known as the "King of Action Figures" in the 70s because of their 8-inch super-hero line, but by the time the early 80s rolled around, they were getting creative—and a little weird—to compete with the likes of Kenner and Hasbro.
If you aren't familiar with these specific toys, we're mostly talking about the "Clown Around" line. These weren't your standard poseable action figures with cloth outfits. Instead, Mego went in a completely different direction, producing a series of small, stylized, and honestly somewhat creepy-cute clown characters. They each had their own names, personalities, and goofy accessories, and they represent a very specific moment in toy history just before Mego officially called it quits.
The End of an Era for Mego
To really understand why the 1981 mego corp clown figures exist, you have to look at what was happening to the company at the time. Mego had dominated the mid-70s, but they famously passed on the license for Star Wars, which basically changed the toy industry forever. While Kenner was printing money with tiny 3.75-inch space figures, Mego was struggling to figure out what kids wanted next.
By 1981, they were shifting away from the expensive-to-produce 8-inch figures with removable clothes and moving toward smaller, plastic-molded toys. The Clown Around line was part of this "throw everything at the wall and see what sticks" phase. It was a weird pivot, but honestly, it's why these figures are so charmingly bizarre today. They don't feel like a corporate product designed by a committee; they feel like something a group of designers made while they were given total freedom (or total desperation).
Meet the Clown Around Gang
What makes the 1981 mego corp clown figures stand out is that they weren't just generic circus performers. Mego actually gave them identities. You had characters like Dots, Bumper, Baffy, and Hoppy. Each one was about 3.5 inches tall and came with a little plastic base or a vehicle that suited their "gimmick."
For example, Bumper was the one in the bumper car (obviously), and Dots was the classic-looking clown with the polka-dot suit. They were made of a somewhat soft, squeezy plastic, which was common for the era but didn't always hold up well over forty years. If you find one today, the paint is often a bit tacky or peeling, but the bright, primary colors still pop. They had these oversized heads and big, expressive eyes that felt more like something you'd see in a Sunday morning comic strip than a traditional toy aisle.
Why Clowns Were a Thing in 1981
It's hard to imagine now, in an era where It and American Horror Story have turned clowns into the ultimate nightmare fuel, but back then, clowns were actually seen as wholesome entertainment for kids. Fisher-Price had their own circus lines, and the circus still felt like a major "event" for families. Mego was trying to tap into that classic Americana.
The 1981 mego corp clown line was marketed as something "collectible." You were supposed to want the whole circus. Mego even made a "Clown Around Town" playset and a "Big Top" carrying case. They were trying to create a world, much like they had with the Marvel and DC characters, just on a much smaller and sillier scale. It's funny to think about now, but at the time, this was a legitimate attempt to capture the hearts of preschoolers and elementary-age kids who weren't yet obsessed with He-Man or G.I. Joe.
The Design and Aesthetic Choices
If you hold a 1981 mego corp clown in your hand, you'll notice the tactile quality is very different from the hard plastic of a Star Wars figure. These were meant to be handled, tossed around, and maybe even chewed on a little bit (though we definitely wouldn't recommend that now). The molding was actually quite detailed for the size. You can see the ruffles in their collars and the goofy expressions on their faces.
The weirdest part about them? The scale. They don't really fit in with anything else Mego made. They're too big for the Pocket Super Heroes and too small for the World's Greatest Super Heroes. They exist in their own little bubble of 1981 weirdness. I think that's why collectors love them. They represent a "lost year" for Mego where the company was just trying to survive by being as colorful and loud as possible.
Why They Are So Hard to Find Intact
One of the biggest struggles for collectors looking for a 1981 mego corp clown today is the condition. Because they were made for younger kids, most of these toys were played with hard. They were thrown into toy boxes, buried in sandboxes, and left out in the sun. The soft PVC plastic Mego used for the "Clown Around" line is notorious for "leaking" plasticizers over time, which makes the figures feel sticky or oily to the touch.
Also, the accessories were tiny. Each clown usually came with a little hat or a specific prop that was lost within the first fifteen minutes of being opened. Finding a "Mint in Box" (MIB) 1981 Mego clown is like finding a needle in a haystack. When they do show up on eBay or at toy shows, they usually command a surprisingly high price, not because they're "cool" in the traditional sense, but because they are so rare to find in decent shape.
The Legacy of a Short-Lived Line
By 1982, Mego was filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The Clown Around line didn't save the company, and it mostly faded into obscurity while other 80s icons took over the world. However, for a certain generation, these clowns were a staple of the toy box. They represent the final gasp of a legendary toy company that redefined how we play with figures.
The 1981 mego corp clown isn't just a piece of plastic; it's a piece of history. It tells the story of a company trying to reinvent itself in a changing market. It's a reminder that before everything was a massive media franchise with movies and video games, toys could just be well, a bunch of funny-looking clowns.
Collecting Tips for the Modern Hunter
If you're looking to start a collection of these, my best advice is to be patient. Don't just jump on the first one you see on a bidding site. Look for the ones that don't have "tackiness" on the skin, as that's a sign the plastic is breaking down. Also, keep an eye out for the "Giggle Wiggle" variants or the generic clown figures Mego released around the same time—they are often misidentified, and you might find a bargain if a seller doesn't know exactly what they have.
It's also worth checking out the original catalogs from 1981. They show the full vision Mego had for these guys, including some playsets that are incredibly hard to find today. It's a fun rabbit hole to go down, especially if you appreciate the more "outsider art" side of toy design.
Anyway, whether you find them adorable or a little bit spooky, there's no denying that the 1981 mego corp clown has a character all its own. In a world of cookie-cutter action figures, these weird little guys from a dying company still manage to stand out on a shelf. They might not have superpowers, but they definitely have personality.