In 1968, the world was looking toward the moon. Meanwhile, a small company called Colorforms was making a big decision. This company, best known for its vinyl stick-on sets, decided to shoot for the stars. They released the Outer Space Men. These are also known as the Colorforms Aliens. This line of action figures would become a cult classic of the Space Age.
Legendary toy inventor Mel Birnkrant designed these figures. They weren’t just toys. They were psychedelic, bendable works of art. These figures captured the “Raygun Gothic” aesthetic of the late 60s.
The Concept: Aliens from Our Backyard
Many sci-fi toys of the era focused on generic astronauts. In contrast, the Outer Space Men were a “United Nations” of the solar system. Birnkrant designed seven distinct characters, each representing a different planet (or moon) in our neighborhood.
The Original Seven
Each figure was made of soft, bendable vinyl with a wire armature inside, allowing for “infinite” posing.
Why They Were Revolutionary
The Outer Space Men stood out in a crowded market for several key reasons:
- Exceptional Sculpting: At a time when many toys were blocky or crudely molded, Mel Birnkrant’s designs were incredibly detailed. They felt like they stepped right off a pulp sci-fi magazine cover.
- Translucent Plastics: Colorforms used clear and tinted plastics for helmets and accessories. These materials caught the light in a way that felt “high-tech” for 1968.
- The “Bendie” Mechanic: Eschewing the traditional joints of G.I. Joe, these figures used internal wires. This design choice made them look seamless. However, it also led to their rarity today. Frequent bending often caused the wire to snap. Sometimes, the vinyl would “skin” over time.
Collectibility and the “Lost” Figures
The original 1968 run was relatively short-lived. By 1969, the actual Moon landing shifted public interest toward realistic NASA gear rather than colorful aliens.
Birnkrant had designed a second wave of even more ambitious figures. These included Cyclops, an ancient giant from the Moon, and Gemini, a two-faced man from the twin stars. However, they were cancelled before production. These “lost” designs became the stuff of legend among toy historians for decades.
Fun Fact: The original figures were sold on cardbacks featuring stunning celestial artwork that many collectors now value as much as the toys themselves.
The Modern Revival
The legacy of the Outer Space Men didn’t end in the 60s. In 2010, The Four Horsemen (a renowned toy design studio) partnered with Mel Birnkrant to revive the line. These modern versions used high-quality “Glyos” joints, allowing parts to be swapped between characters, finally bringing the “lost” second wave to life for a new generation of collectors.
Whether you’re a fan of vintage mid-century design or a hardcore sci-fi buff, the Outer Space Men remain a vibrant reminder of a time when the universe felt a lot smaller, a lot weirder, and much more colorful.
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