The Incredible Shrinking 31 Days of Toy Terror: The Mummy's Tomb from Universal Studios Monsters by Jack in the Box

   Just this past weekend I reviewed the Mummy from the 1999 Jack in the Box "Universal Studios Monsters" promotion and I mentioned that there were actually two sets Jack in the Box Universal Monsters toys included with the kids meals from different years. Today I'm going to check out the Mummy again, but this time it's from the 2002 promotion where it was billed as "The Mummy's Tomb." Now, The Mummy's Tomb is the title of the 1942 film in he Kharis series, but I don't think this figure is really connected to that film. I did hint that I was going to check out something from this second Jack in the Box Universal Monsters promotion in a previous review, so, how about that? I try to always do what I say I'm going to do! This second set seems to be much more uncommon, perhaps even selling out fairly fast and causing many folks heading to Jack in the Box for Monster Tacos and curly fries to come up as empty as Dracula's coffin on a cold, October night. I actually remember being in a Jack in the Box where a friend of mine worked during this promotion and seeing at least one angry customer who was at the drive-thru come inside the store because their didn't get a "monster" with their order. This lady was really aggravated and was threatening to call the police for fraud since the store was advertising the product. She kept demanding that my friend come out from behind the counter and pull down the big cardboard standup or whatever that showed off the toys that were available since it was false advertising. 

   I get aggravated when restaurants don't seem to have availability or any knowledge of their own promotions, too, but this lady was taking it way too far! Anyways, I never expected that 23 years later I'd be writing about those Universal Monsters toys on my own website. While the 1999 promotion accompanied a rerelease of the films on home media, a Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights themed attraction, and the release of the remake of The Mummy, I don't think much happened with classic Universal Horror in 2002 except for a showing of many of the films on AMC's 7-day MonsterFest event. I guess that just shows there's never any event needed to celebrate the Universal Monsters! Let's look at the 2002 fast food offering of the Mummy after the break...

The Facts:

Height: Sarcophagus is 4 3/8ths inches tall

Articulation: Mummy is attached via a hinge.

Accessories: Sarcophagus lid

Year of Release: 2002

Original Retail Price: Included with a Jack's Kids Meal, so probably around $2 to $3 dollars.

The Positives:

* This toy of the Mummy doesn't really feel much like an action figure, even a simple or basic one; it's more akin to a magic trick or a gag/ novelty item. Of course, just at a surface level, Imhotep's sarcophagus is impressive. Really impressive. At around 4 3/8ths inches when standing upright, it's pretty impressive for a fast food promotional item. The color scheme is pretty neat and it's interesting that they went with the effect of a patina on the sarcophagus. It's a unique look for the toy.

* Here's a better shot of the front of the sarcophagus, showing off the impressive sculpting and detail. This one definitely surpasses the 1999 toy. Like that earlier version, it still has "The Mummy" emblazoned on it but this time it also has the Universal Studios Monsters logo, too. 

* Here's a look at the hieroglyphics down the left side. They're really sharp looking and are actually etched into the side.

* And here's the right side. I wonder who made these for Jack in the Box? They had a really good sculptor who did some great looking hieroglyphics.  

   So... what exactly is this toy? We've seen four pictures and we've yet to catch a glimpse of the Mummy. Well, here he is: When you slide the lid of the sarcophagus back it catches on a tab that located... well, it's right on his crotch. Is that a canopic jar in his pocket, perhaps? When the lid catches the tab, he rises from his sarcophagus. It's like those old toys where you open a box and a toy spider or something pops out. This guy has more of the DNA of a magic trick or practical joke than an action figure in him, so his play value is a bit limited to me. Still, he is a fun novelty and that sarcophagus looks great on display.

* Imhotep can stay raised like this if you keep the sarcophagus lid in place just right. He's a neat looking figure with sunken cheeks and a bit of a Karloff likeness. 

The Negatives:

*Unfortunately, the excellent paintwork on his sarcophagus isn't carried over to the Mummy himself. The previous Jack in the Box Mummy got some paint hits on his face and on his hands, but this guy is left rather plain. 

   As a toy, this guy is very gimmicky. I mean, I guess most food promo items are, but this guy doesn't seem like he'd hold a kid's interest very long. Still, it is a fun, novel concept and does seem rather impressive at first. The sarcophagus is excellent, though, and might display well with other 1/18th or smaller Universal Monsters toys like the ReAction figures or even the old Remco Mini Monsters. Considering this guy was packed in with a small hamburger, curly fries, and a drink, he's a Great little extra. Wouldn't the world be a better, spookier place if every meal came with a Universal Monsters related collectible?


   If you're looking for more of the Mummy, specifically Imhotep, I've reviewed the Universal Monsters Select The Mummy, the NECA Mummy (Black & White) and Ardath Bey, the Mummy from Pop Mart's Universal Monsters Alliance, the Toony Terrors The Mummy, the 1999 Jack in the Box The Mummy, the McFarlane Monsters Mummy Playset, the Mummy ReAction figure, the Funko POP! Imhotep #1082 and Bedtime Bear as the Mummy #1628, the Big Bucket of Monsters Mummy, the Mummy from Mezco's Tower of Fear, and the mummy included with the Mighty Max set "Mighty Max Conquers the Palace of Poison."

For more figures from Universal Studios Monsters by Jack in the Box check out the following:

The Mummy (1999)