Alexander Nitrokoff (Dynamite Man)

This captivating Limited Release (LR) pin from The Haunted Mansion Mystery Collection 2020 features Alexander Nitrokoff, famously known as the "Dynamite Man" or "Dynamite Guy" from the beloved Disney Parks attraction. The pin vividly depicts the bearded character, leaning against a wooden barrel, holding a lit firecracker, mirroring his iconic appearance in one of the Stretching Room portraits within The Haunted Mansion. In early concepts for the attraction, Alexander Nitrokoff was envisioned as an ambassador, and his grim fate of going out "with a bang" is a dark, humorous element of the mansion's lore. The Haunted Mansion, which first opened at Disneyland on August 9, 1969, and at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom on October 1, 1971, is celebrated for its 999 happy haunts and unique storytelling. This particular pin was part of a 9-pin (some sources say 8 or 10) mystery collection released on November 16, 2020, at both Disneyland Resort (DLR) and Walt Disney World (WDW), as well as online. The collection was designed so that all the pins, including characters like Madame Leota and the Hitchhiking Ghosts, could be assembled to evoke the pattern of the Stretching Room ceiling. Pins from this series are often sought after by collectors due to the enduring popularity of The Haunted Mansion attraction and the character's unique, memorable role within its spooky narrative. Some pins in this series also feature glow-in-the-dark accents, enhancing their collectibility.