Well, well, well. If it isn’t another Weird Ball figure by Mel Appel and Crayart. If you don’t remember Weird Ball cards or figures, don’t fret. I had no idea what they were either, until I managed to shed some light on the subject in my previous entry about “None Chuck.” And just like our little ninja friend, Runnin’ Ralph is a tad “politically incorrect” (exactly what he should be).
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If this toy was to be produced today it would have… um… well… it just couldn’t exist. You know, with it’s being a depiction of a sweaty, gluttonous (I only call him that cuz he’s running with his hoagie), middle-aged, obese white jogger, puffing on a cigarette. If a jogger toy did exist today, it would be some lame toy line made up of a team of joggers with “running-legs” action activated by squeezing their arms like the old Super Powers toys. There’d be six of them probably – males and females depicting each racial skin tone, and they’d be called “The Cardio Crew” or worse yet, “The Six Pack,” and their trainer would most likely be in a wheelchair.
Hmmm. Sounds like the makings of a Mr. Slim Goodbody toyline.
Anyway, I’d also like to mention that these Weird Ball toys are disturbingly flat.
He’s pretty slim for a fat man.
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Here’s the Runnin’ Ralph trading card this toy is based on. The artwork’s not bad at all. Wonder what the heck happened to the figure.
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