LIBERATION 51: BARBIE AS WONDER WOMAN
Wonder Woman is an unusual figure in the world of comic books. When she was created in 1941, comic books were read by an overwhelming number of children and adults of both sexes, and the story goes…
LIBERATION 50: THE OUTRAGEOUS VITAMIN C
Vitamin C is a bit of a rarity among teen pop sensations- she can sing. Equally rare is Mattel’s decision to create a doll based on her- before the Spice Girls dolls became a huge hit for…
LIBERATION 49: LOS ANGELES DODGERS BARBIE
Last fall, Mattel produced three fabulous Major League Baseball Barbies- one for the Dodgers, one for the Yankees, and one for the Cubs. Designed for the Barbie Collectibles line, as opposed to the play line, these dolls…
LIBERATION 47: PAJAMA FUN COURTNEY
Ever since Skipper was promoted to “Teen,” Mattel has done a fabulous job of giving her and her friends fun themes for their annual dolls. This year, the theme is sleepovers, an idea that brings to mind…
LIBERATION 46: SUPER MODEL CLUB NAOMI
Takara Japan’s lovely and perky Jenny dolls have been coveted by collectors worldwide since the ’80s, when they had obtained a license to produce Mattel’s Barbie character for the Japanese market. Thankfully, when Mattel terminated the license…
LIBERATION 44: BANDAI ASIA SPECIAL EDITION SAILOR MARS
The Sailor Moon license has gotten a steady workout since the first line of dolls was produced in 1993. In every country where the show has aired, fans of all ages have clamored for dolls of their…
LIBERATION 43: WINTER IN MONTREAL BARBIE
The City Seasons line has been one of the best of Mattel’s attempts to appeal to the adult collector. Each doll was designed with a gorgeous, realistic seasonal themed outfit. Unfortunately, Mattel decided to end the line…
LIBERATION 42: BRITNEY SPEARS
Every new group of high schoolers, it seems, promotes one of their own to the position of ‘video diva’. This position is usually held by a young woman with an overstated sexuality, a peppy song, and a…
LIBERATIONS 40 AND 41: THE TOY STORY 2 WOODY & BO PEEP GIFT SET
To mangle an old phrase, “Irony, thy name is Mattel.” When the original Toy Story movie was still in the very early stages, Mattel flatly refused permission for Pixar to use Barbie in the story, feeling that…
LIBERATION 39: SMARTEES’ ASHLEY THE ATTORNEY
The motto for the Smartees dolls is “Smart friends for smart girls.” It’s an ambitious premise, but I have to admit I like it. Rather than attempting to have one doll that is everything to everybody, Smartees…
