I never really got over the Topps Ugly stickers (1965) when I was a kid and even now whenever I find myself doodling I always end up dredging one of these from my memory. Obviously I didn't know who Basil Wolverton was at the time but the cards he drew were my favorites. They're still affordable on eBay -- it's not like they're first issues of Superman -- but I want to avoid turning into the sort of person who spends money on recreating the childhood he threw away. Knowing they can be seen in their full color gruesome glory on the interweb is enough to make me a happy fool.

Currently going for $102.50 on eBay...


No, I didn't have this, but a friend of mine did when I was about ten. It might have been an English version but it was still called a Johnny Seven and had all those heavy-duty attachments. Although I remember thinking it was a ripoff because number 4 of the 7 attachments that gave it the name was the "retractable bi-pod" -- which while useful didn't come come up to the deadly standards of the grenade launcher and armor-piercing shell.

And the eBay auction is just for the box. Not the gun itself. There's one currently at $275 (with box but missing bullets) but there are another five days to go so it might make it to four figures.

Here's the whole damn thing, a veritable flashback to that decade of peace and love....

(Further thoughts from Mick Farren -- but make sure you see the fourth comment!)