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The Thin LineThe Thin LineThe Thin LineThe Thin Line Bug's Life

Class of Bootleg Class 2 - Duplicated and Modified
Class Notes: Duplicated Line name and duplicated artwork, all new toys
Bootleg Source: Disney/Pixar's "A Bug's Life"
Bootleg Rating: StarStarStar (Three out of five stars)
Sightings:Canada
Vintage:Winter 1998

Disney's Flik For Christmas in 1998, Disney and Pixar teamed up to bring the world a really cute and funny movie - "A Bug's Life". #1 at the box office for several weeks. One of the hottest toy properties for the '98 Christmas season.

Naturally, there were bootlegs made.

Does the image at right look familiar to you? It should.....even though it came from this bootleg's packaging!

Presenting "Bug's Life"....an odd combination of copyrighted imagery and names and all new goofy toys.
These bootlegs were distributed in Canada. There is a sticker on the back of the card that provides the following information:

Imported By
Venator Group Canada Inc.
Trademark: Canada
Made In China

A sticker on the front serves as a child safety warning (For ages 3 and up.)

Bug's Life Card Front As you can see from the image at left, the logo has been changed from the Disney version. The word "Bug" is now done in a truly odd font...made up of cartoon insects.

The image of "Flik", however, was lifted directly from movie promotional stills. I have no idea where his little friend comes from though. The styling is very similar, but is not from the Pixar character roster.

There are several sets in the Bug's Life bootleg, each consisting of:

The playset is done in true Bug's Life theme....the furnishings are done in leaves and small household objects like magnifying glasses and pencils.

There are colorful stickers applied as well...the one from the set at left reads "Home".

Bug's Life Card Back As seen on the package back at right, there are three sets in the series:

  1. No. 2214: Purple Ant, Caterpillar, and Doghouse looking playset
  2. No. 2215: Blue Ant, Grasshopper, and Lunchbox looking playset
  3. No. 2216: Red Ant, Brown Ant, and Pet Carrier looking playset
The colors used for the insects and playsets vary from the photos, at least on the example I've seen. This isn't very surprising, as why would the bootleggers care about such things?

Overall this is a fairly standard bootleg. It cashes in on the popularity of a popular property, modifies it a bit, and puts it out for the smaller business establishments to sell.

I wonder if the playsets are recycled from other toy lines. They are fairly original, and could sell well on their own merit.

If anyone has seen these playsets in another licesned line, please let me know.


Original Photos provided by Kevin Moore, text and retouched photos by Chris Doyle


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