The Walter Melon Toy Line

## The History

The Walter Melon Action Blast Figures toy line was a series of action figures and vehicles published by Blamko Toys to coincide with the announcement of Walter Melon season 2. The toy line consisted of seven figures and two vehicles before being recalled and discontinued due to various health and safety violations, these violations along with numerous complaints and lawsuits lead to the bankruptcy of Blamko Toys and the arrest of the CEO Sheldon James Cooper.

## The Walter Melon Action Blast Figures

The Walter Melon Action Blast Figures consisted of seven, 5-inch, figures sculped in likeness of the original actors from the hit television series Walter Melon. Each figure came with a built in "Action Blast™" gimmick, two accessories, and a bag of blue raspberry flavored rock candy in reference to the infamous drug from the show, Sneero.

The seven figures within the line consisted of the following characters: Walter Melon, Erastus Bitterbug, Marzipan The Ape Man, Amelia, Professor Vortex, Vortex Ground Assault Droid (V.G.A.D), and the Vortex Air Assault Droid (V.A.A.D). Along with these figures were two vehicles that were purchased separately; Walter's Ford Pinto and the Vortex All Terrain Assault Tank (V.A.T.A.T)

### Mega Mash Walter Melon

#### "Blast into action with the greatest hero the world has to offer. Walter Melon! Mega Mash™ through Vortex's tropes and save the day, Action Blast™ style!"

Mega Mash Walter Melon was a figure of the title character, his design being a mixture of his season 1 and season 2 appearances. The main gimmick of this figure was a spring operated punch that would be activated by pulling the arms back and pushing a button on the back of the figure. His two accessories included a cheeseburger box he was able to hold and his bowling shoes seen in the first episode of the show. The reasons this figure were recalled consist of the following: Lead based paint used in the figure, arms prone to breaking off the figure during play, injuries reported of the figures arms getting lodged in eye sockets due to breaking off during play.

### Bitter Bite Bitterbug

#### "Chomp into the fight with Walter Melon's best freind. Erastus Bitterbug! Tear Vortex's forces apart with the Bitter Bite™ and save the day, Action Blast™ style!"

Bitter Bite Bitterbug was a figure of the supporting character Erastus Bitterbug, his design being solely his season 1 appearance. The main gimmick for the figure being the body opening up into a giant mouth and springing shut, something which was never seen in the show. The two accessories he included where his brief case seen throughout the show and the rifle he carried in the season one finale. The reasons behind the recall of this figure consist of the following: Lead based paint used in the figure, play gimmick prone to cause lacerations and dismemberment.

### Apeman Marzipan

#### "Crash into the fight with Walter Melon's ward. Marzipan!" Go Ape on Vortex's forces and save the day, Action Blast™ style!"

Apeman Marzipan was a figure of the supporting character Marzipan the Ape Man, also sporting his season 1 design for the toy. The main gimmick for the figure being that the figure could transform into an ape man with real fur. The accessories for the figure being a pizza box he is able to hold in both man & ape mode and a tire iron. The reasons behind the recall of this figure consist of the following: Lead based paint used in the figure, material used in the fur prone to cause allergic reactions and raspatory issues.

### Kung Fu Amelia

#### "Kick and Chop your way into the fight with the love of Walter Melon's life. Amelia Melon! Put some dents into Vortex's forces with deadly Kung Fu and save the day, Action Blast™ style!"

Kung Fu Amelia was a figure of the supporting character Amelia Melon, her figure looking nothing like the actress from the show likely due to licensing issues and the actresses' departure midway through season one. Her main gimmick being spring activated kicking and punching by pulling the limbs back. The accessories this figure comes with include a cell phone she is able to hold and a picture frame containing an image of Walter Melon. The reasons behind the recall of this figure include: Lead based paint used in the figure, the play gimmick causing the violent launching of the limbs, multiple reports of injuries similar to one with Mega Mash Walter Melon.

### Plutonium Powered Vortex

#### "Dominate the fight with the greatest villain the world is forced to endure, Professor Vortex! Irradiate the battle field with Plutonium Power™ and rule the world, Action Blast™ style!"

Plutonium Powered Vortex was a figure based off the main antagonist of the show, Professor Vortex. The design only resembling his season one appearance but in much more vibrant colors . The only gimmick this figure possessed was it was able to glow in the dark. The accessories the figures came with were a remote control and a diecast helmet he would wear, both implied to be how he controls his robots. The reason behind this figures recall include the use of uranium based paint for the glow in the dark feature.

### Vortex Ground Assault Droid/ Vortex Air Assault Droid

#### "Storm into the fight with the most formidable army the world has seen, The Vortex Drones. Outnumber the enemy and rule the world, Action Blast™ style!"

The Vortex Ground Assault and Air Assault Droids were army building figures fairly identical in design and apart from the air assault droids having a molded jet pack attachment. The main gimmick with the assault droids being their ability to be broken apart and reassembled. The accessories included with these figures are a laser rifle and rocket launcher. The reason behind the the recall of these figures include: chocking hazard, toxic plastics used in production.

### Walter's Ford Pinto

#### "Drift into the fight in The Melon Mobile! Remotely control the car and lead the whole team to their next adventure, Action Blast™ style!"

The Melon Mobile/Walter's Ford Pinto based from the show was a remote controlled car that could hold up to four figures inside of it. There were two different iterations of this toy, one that was just the car itself and one that included an exclusive repainted Walter Melon figure. The primary reason behind the recall of this toy was due to it being prone to spontaneously combust either due to the battery or the wiring.

### Vortex All Terrain Assault Tank

#### "Blast into the fight with the indestructible V.A.T.A.T™!. Remotely control the tank in land and water to transport your troops into the next battle, Action Blast™ style!"

The Vortex All Terrain Assault Tank was an original vehicle designed for the toy line, it was a remote controlled vehicle that could move on both land and in water, able to hold up to six figures inside of it and included a spring loaded turret. Each V.A.T.A.T included a Ground Assault Droid and an Air Assault Droid. The main reasons behind this toy's recall include: Prone to spontaneous combustion due to battery, electrocution in water.