Blast from the Past #1: Space Ghost!

Since we are on the topic of ghosts: there was the Hot Toys 1:6 Ghost Rider preview pictures, Medicom 12-inch RAH Ghost Rider action figure posting, Hasbro Ultimate Ghost Rider Flame Cycle and 1:6 Ghost Rider riding Hell Cycle PLUS this is the "Hungry Ghost" month afterall (In Chinese tradition, the fifteenth day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar is called Ghost Day and the seventh month in general is regarded as the Ghost Month (鬼月), in which ghosts and spirits, including those of the deceased ancestors, come out from the lower realm to visit the living), there's one more ghost worth mentioning and that is SPACE GHOST!

I grew up with Space Ghost so I have some sentimental value attached to the show. Stick on two pointy ears and he'll be a dead ringer for Batman, my all-time favorite superhero :)

Space Ghost is a fictional superhero created by Hanna-Barbera Productions and designed by Alex Toth for CBS. He started out as a superhero who, with his sidekick teenagers Jan, Jace and Blip the monkey, fought supervillains in outer space. The original series debuted in 1966, ending in 1968 after 42 episodes. [source: wiki]

This is the action figure released by Toycom based on the Space Ghost's Coast to Coast TV series which aired in 1994 on Cartoon Network. He comes with a desk and chair, a series of cue cards, and a mug. Also included were several different sets of hands, allowing the figure to be used either as the talk show host or the super hero or both. The shoulders and neck are ball-jointed, with a light plastic yellow cape. Alas the effects of time and the elements has turned this oldie but goodie into yellow-ie :(

Space Ghost's powers seem to stem from his costume and the power bands he wears on his wrists. With it he can fly, and is able to travel underwater and in outer space without requiring further equipment. His belt hides an "inviso button" which can turn him invisible (hence "space ghost") or generate a protective force field.

He travels around in a heavily armed space ship called both The Phantom Cruiser and the Ghost Ship. That said, he can fly through space faster under his own steam, so presumably he only uses it to save energy or when he has company for the trip.

Alex Toth was the creator of Space Ghost and was best known for his animation designs for Hanna-Barbera throughout the 1960s and 1970s. His other work included Birdman, The Herculoids, Mightor and Super Friends.