Toy Talk: Brian Heiler (Plaid Stallions)

Vintage toy collector and pop culture historian Brian Heiler pops by to discuss his collecting journey, explaining how his fascination with 70s and 80s ephemera led him to create Plaid Stallions, an extensive online archive that has become an invaluable resource for researchers and nostalgic fans alike. Heiler shares his process for acquiring and digitizing rare materials, reveals some of the weirdest and most obscure toy lines he's uncovered, and explores the deep connection between toy marketing and comic book characters during the golden age of action figures. He reflects on his favorite eras and toy lines, the holy grail items still on his wish list, and how the internet has transformed toy collecting communities. You can follow Brian on the Plaid Stallions website, plaidstallions.com, on YouTube @brickmantooth, or on Instagram @plaidstallions. Get his book, Knock-Offs: Totally Unauthorized Action Figures, on Amazon or wherever you get your books. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.