Before we talk about toys, we pause to reflect on the life of Bobby Beeman, a good friend, extraordinary human, excellent musician and influential toy collector who recently passed away.

After commemorating Bobby, we examine the Universal Monsters fast food premiums from the late 1990s and early 2000s. Burger King offered a beautifully designed set of four monster action figures in 1997, probably the best licensed Universal Monsters action figures since the 1980 Remco series. The lineup included Dracula, Frankenstein, Wolf Man and Creature from the Black Lagoon. Frankenstein and Wolf Man had Karloff and Chaney estate licensing.

A few years later, fast food rival Jack in the Box released two sets of Universal figures. The first included Frankenstein, Dracula, Wolf Man, Mummy, Creature and Phantom of the Opera.

The second serie ...