Novelties come and go; most are short-lived in both production and in the memory of those that have fallen for their seductive allure. Every once in a while though, one stands out as being so darn cool that its memory far outlives its shelf life. And just about everyone that was sucked into buying a grotesque little creature called Suckerman has a fond recollection of a toy that managed to stick in their memories about as well as it stuck to walls, floors and just about everything else it was ever flung against.

In 1978, Mattel Toys introduced Suckerman, a toy that looked like a reptilian sort of vampire, complete with fangs, scales, and creepy eyes. Standing at a respectable 16” tall and available in black, red, green or glow-in-the-dark white he was creepy enough in appearance alone. What made Suckerman unique, however, was a series of 28 suction cups that lined his vinyl body on both sides giving him the ability to stick to any flat surface he was thrown against. Fling him towards the top of a wall and he would gradually slink down with the help of gravity. With a little forethought, he could give a sibling or parent a scare with his stealthy, slippery ways. And if one was fortunate to have the glow-in-the-dark version, the site of this alien monster crawling down a wall in the dead of night was the stuff that childhood dreams are made of.

Of course, there was little else one could actually do with a Suckerman and once everyone in the household had been subjected to his slithering ways, the novelty began to wear off. But mention Suckerman to anyone who ever owned one and watch their eyes light up with nostalgia. These fond recollections have served Suckerman quite well over the years in the collectors market and they can command a respectable price at conventions and on Ebay where they continue to enjoy a cult-like status.

Fads may come and go and many are quickly forgotten, but Suckerman remains one of the exceptions - a toy that remains stuck in the collective memories of anyone who ever had the fortune of experiencing his frightfully playful antics.