Thursday, March 28, 2013

Pulsar: Mattel's Ultimate Man of Adventure and Enigma ...

Remember Pulsar ? I know you do ! He was Mattel's answer to the Six Million Dollar Man line. Released in 1977 (even though he is stamped 1976), and billed as "The Ultimate Man of Adventure", Pulsar was a toy that had a lot of quirky features but little backstory. The box had a few catchphrases, but there was never a comic, cartoon, or any real support. I guess they left it up to your imagination what exactly he was and why he so "gifted".


Standing in at a massive 14 inches tall, Pulsar is imposing to sat the least. He is built like a tank and looks to be an older gentleman. A cool spandex jumpsuit that forms to his sculpted body with big white plastic boots adorn this guy. The figure sports some great detail and is really crafted well.

 
Here is where it gets weird .......
 
His head pops open and reveals a clear brain cavity that houses a sort of odd looking brain that holds two "mission discs". Apparently these discs are Holographic Mission Discs that I assume transfer information to him. The discs themselves are cool and spin around on a peg in his cranial cavity, but they do not do much else. The brain has a recess in it that I always thought should have held something, I think I put a Playdoh brain there at one time. Now looking at it, it just accommodates the hinge and band that open his head.

Pulsar's second feature is a clear chest cavity that reveals his circulatory system and groin. There is a button recessed in his back that you can push in and out that acts as a bellows. The pumping action expands and contracts his lungs/heart, while circulating liquid in his intestines. While this is a cool feature to play with, I cant imagine how this would help him at all. The fact that his reproductive system is missing is cause for concern. But it looks cool.
 


The third feature is probably the oddest. There are holes in the back of his head. While they are probably there to let the breathing action work, I imagine they were drilled in to let the "demons" out ! I remember someone explaining that they let the air out when you pumped him, but as a kid I was unconvinced. I talked and breathed through those holes like they were some sort of "Play Feature." Gross now that I think of it ......

 
Typical of the era, the figure is very solid and sturdy (even though mine has a broken hand, I'll need to get a new arm). There is limited articulation. Shoulders, knees elbows and neck move, but the lack of hand articulation is a huge downfall. His hands are stuck in a open Karate chop pose that allows no utility other than chopping his adversaries. Even a Hard Plastic Kung Fu grip would have been helpful. The jumpsuit is well made and durable. The lack of ankle articulation makes his pants difficult to maneuver on or off. The Hologram discs are cool but probably got sucked into vacuums quickly.
 
 
His shoes are pretty cool though. Instead of the "slip on" action that was common for the time, these hinge at the arch and snap together at the top. They are pretty easy to take on and off, but remain in place throughout tough play.
 
 
As a comparable, here is Pulsar in comparison to Steve Austin: taller and built thicker.



I had Pulsar early in the 70's and immediately he was an adversary of the Six Million Dollar Man. I never had Bigfoot (I was afraid of it), and only Maskatron was there to take on Mr. Austin, so Pulsar played the role. Stand alone, Pulsar is a weird toy that has no real use but as a supplement to the Six Million Dollar Man toys, he fits in good.
 
This figure is from a bygone era that is not likely to come back again. Big toys that were able to be played hard with. The price point back then was reasonable, but the lack of articulation and support of this line speaks of Mattel trying to keep the figure cheap enough to mass produce. My Pulsar got a lot of use beating up Steve Austin and my 12" Han Solo and I'm glad I now have him again in my collection. Now on to Ebay to find a new arm .....

Monday, March 25, 2013

Jones of Lanard's The CORPS ! makes a few corpses !!

His name is Jones. He is a member of the Lanard CORPS ! figure line.

John over at Revenge from the Cosmic Ark sent me a package of goodies (Thanks John !) and one of the figures packed in there was a curious little gem that instantly caught my attention.

This guy !!


Apparently, in Lanard's The Corps! timeline: his name is Jones, he is a "counter espionage and covert mission specialist. He is the Head of Mission Intelligence Services and a Professor of Archeology and History." (Thanks Corpscollector.com !) Since I'm not in to the obvious Indiana Jones rip off, I'll call him Dr. Calm, he is a Ranger, served as a LRRP Back Door gunner in Vietnam. The CIA recruited him after the war and he was sent to achieve degrees in Engineering, Psychology and History. He studied intensively at the highest levels of unarmed combat and espionage.
 
He doesn't like noise.
 
Unfortunately for a few rowdy monsters that were included in the package, they found that out the hard way ....
 
 






Did I mention he doesn't like noise .....
 
Anyway, I outfitted him with a backpack and an M-60. He looks ready for action now !!
 

Special thanks to John, I really dig this guy ! It was a lot of fun to research his story, and then be a bit shocked that Lanard REALLY ripped of ROTLA to make this guy. I like him, he reminds me of Pre GI Joe Snake Eyes, ('Nam era, Before the accident - I guess I kinda ripped off that story to build my profile on him). It's alot of fun to get somehting new and kinda roll with it !
 
Got something to add ? All are welcome to leave a comment !

Saturday, March 23, 2013

1983's Stalker the Swivel Arm Ranger Heading for the Hall of Fame !!!

In 1983, Hasbro re-released the original GI Joe figures and incorporated one of the greatest running changes ever into them, The Swivel Arm Battle Grip !! Stalker was included in that group of iconic figures that could now swivel at the bicep and also had slimmer torsos to relieve pressure off the O-Ring (but introduced the "Crotch Blowout" that the new waists were susceptible to). I still remember getting Stalker the first time: CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT IT.
 
My original Stalker suffered from "Cracked Thumb" syndrome and he was quickly replaced by a new, Swivel Arm version that stayed with the team until the end. Although I loved my straight arm version, the swivel arms made Stalker a force to be reckoned with !! Couple the fact that this is a frikin' awesome figure, with the poseability that the new feature brings, Stalker goes from a great figure to an Epic Figure.


I remember getting a new Swivel Arm Grunt to replace the broken one, and the extra backpack was quickly given over to Stalker. I thought then, and still do to this day, that a great injustice was appropriated upon Mr. Wilkinson by not including a backpack for him. Hasbro made up for it with other versions and Larry Hama gave his character a huge role in the Marvel comics, but he should have gotten a backpack.
 
The camouflage made him one of my favorite troops and being a Green Beret instantly made me think he was basically invincible. His file card says that he is a Field Medic so I involved him in that role a bit, but for some reason, maybe his camo, I used him as a sniper a lot too.


Decked out in Full Camo and Green Beret, Stalker and his trademark M-32 Submachine gun !!

 
This year I have an agenda for my collecting habits: to immortalize the origins of the 3 3/4 G.I. Joe line. I will put together a "Hall of Fame" combining every original Joe and Cobra in both Straight and Swivel Arm versions. Click the link at the top bar to see the current state !
The newest inductee into the Toymorrow GI Joe Hall of Fame: Stalker !

 
Stalker, in both the Straight and Swivel Arm versions occupy an area of the Hall of Fame as the newest complete inductee !
 
 
To view the Current State of the Hall of Fame and see the other inductees CLICK HERE.
 
Got something to add ? All are welcome to leave a comment !
 

Friday, March 15, 2013

The Vintage GI Joe Duffel Bag !! Store the Bodies in Style !!

Hasbro, in the early stages of the GI Joe line, produced a Duffel Bag so kids could carry their gear while sporting the Real American Hero theme ! This was a total impulse purchase for me. I came across this while trollin' Ebay. I have never seen one before and if I would have seen it in 83', I would have been lugging my Dungeons and Dragons manuals back and forth in this !!

I could not find any information on it, but from the selection of characters I'd date it about 1983. Its made of very thick canvas. Measures 19 X 16, so its big enough to carry quite a bit ! The Screening of the graphic is done extremely well. The pictures do not do it justice. The detail has great depth to it and shows off well.

 
Two new characters of 1983's selection, Snow Job and Gung Ho !!

 
Stalker represents the Original 82' line alongside newcomer Tripwire !!

 
Oh yeah, look at the tag !! Made in 1983 by Hasbro Industries !! Thanks Spidey !!


It funny, I started doing this Blog to write about my collection. In the process I have found or been introduced to items that I never even knew about. I was a massive GI Joe addict and lusted over every item that came out. Then I find out there was more. Its like being a kid again, uncovering a lost gem on Ebay or getting introduced to the world of Remco reading Revenge from the Cosmic Ark. Even after all these years I can still find something new, that's really cool !!

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Bravo Company Die Cast figure from Small World, he Names no Names and has no Story to Tell ....

Bravo Company Die Cast Metal figures !! Distributed by Small World Importing Co., Inc. in 1989, these figures made a huge impression in the Action Figure landscape of the time.
 
Not really.
 
This guy was sent over to me a while ago by John of Revenge from the Cosmic Ark fame some time back (Jboy rules !!!). I have done a bit of research into this line since I have no familiarity with it.
 
My findings ? Very little. They have also been named "Bravo Mission" (phryz.com) but I have not been able to get many factoids to add to this line's legacy.
 
The package is generic, gives very little information to lend to the line's use. The characters are not named or described in any way so you would have to use a bit of imagination to make them useful. The front art is nice. There is a bit of detail to the graphic and it displays well. The backer shows each figure offered in a group picture. No names or descriptions here either but my guess is the guy with the ski mask and bazooka is a "bad guy".
 

 
The figure itself is cool. Very SGT Rock-ish which I like. The hand placement reminds me right away of SGT Rock. Same articulation and similar molding makes me think that this was produced to be a knockoff of the SGT Rock line. They would have fit in well with the Rocks, die cast and all.

 
This guy reminds me of a figure that would be hanging on a peg getting overlooked, eventually getting clearanced at a low price. Its not a bad figure, but a bit too generic. Nothing to really hook someone into buying it. Mine is displaying proudly with all the other figures in my collection. Maybe one day I'll just make up a backstory for him as SGT Rock's pupil turned adversary .....
 
Got something to add ? All are welcome to leave a comment !

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Fisher Price Adventure People Black Rescue Pilot found a New Job !!

In 1975, Fisher Price released the Rescue Copter for their line of Adventure People. Two Pilots were included, both exactly the same except one was White and one was Black. I didn't get this guy with the Copter, he probably came to me carded or from a garage sale, etc. but he wound up having quite a career in my militia. First, lets check the figure out.
 
Typical Adventure People pose, super durable construction and as is common for the line, a few details and some decent head sculpting.


He is an Adventure Person and he is ready for action !!

 
The interesting thing about this guy is his designation as a medic. All I needed to see was that cross and helmet, then instantly he was the first GI Joe Medic. I flew deep into GI Joe mania when the line was first released in 1982, but before that, I had tons of Adventure People. The Adventure People were incorporated immediately into Joe adventures as support personnel. Hey, someone had to be collateral damage or hostages ...... This guy became the Medic. Even when 1983's release was rolled out and Doc took over that role, the Black Adventure Pilot was still part of the team. I designated him to the role of Field Medic. Doc would operate mostly at home base while the Field Medic would get the dirty assignments. The Dragonfly was released the same year and I saved up like mad to get that toy. After that, whenever the team needed a medivac, this was the guy flown in to extract the wounded.
 
Tough, Durable and Ready for Action, this Adventure Person took his role to new heights. I dont remember ever giving him a code name though ......
 
Got something to add ? All are welcome to leave a comment !

Thursday, March 7, 2013

OMG !!! Massive haul sent from JBOY !!!

WOW ! John over at Revenge from the Cosmic Ark is too generous for words ! He sent over a package that turned out to be a massive haul !! I kept pulling out stuff like it was magic :) Look at all that stuff !!


Massive thanks to John for sending over all that stuff. I will be playing and blogging about this stuff for a LOONG time :)

Thanks !

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Wrasslin Wednesday: RIP Paul Bearer but an Awesome Figure Remains !!

Sad news to report on this edition of Wrasslin Wednesday, William Moody aka Paul Bearer, has passed away at the age of 58 on Tuesday March 5th, 2013. Sad news for anyone who was witness to the Undertakers early rise to fame with Paul Bearer at his side. Condolences to friends and family of Mr. Moody.
 
Even though his departure is sad news, his figure is truly a classic ! Packaged with Mankind for the Managers Series 1 from Jakks Pacific in 1997. Paul Bearer is one of the best of the early Jakks figures.
 

Limited articulation is made up for with exceptional detail and one of the best accessories ever produced .... an URN !! This figure captures Paul Bearer's likeness perfectly. The urn fits well in his right hand while he points the way to the top for his Undertaker !!

 
Got something to add ? All are welcome to leave a comment !

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

The newest Inductee into the Toymorrow GI Joe Hall of Fame: CLUTCH !!

This year I have an agenda for my collecting habits: to immortalize the origins of the 3 3/4 G.I. Joe line. I will put together a "Hall of Fame" combining every original Joe and Cobra in both Straight and Swivel Arm versions. Click the link at the top bar to see the current state !

The newest inductee into the Toymorrow GI Joe Hall of Fame: CLUTCH in all his versions !

Clutch, in both the Straight and Swivel Arm versions, as well as the "Tan" version, occupy an area of the Hall of Fame as the newest complete inductee !


Clutch, in all his forms, fits in well with the rest of his comrades !

 
To view the Current State of the Hall of Fame and see the other inductees CLICK HERE !!!

Monday, March 4, 2013

GI Joe Clutch gets a Tan and The Battle of the Clutches has a Suprising Ending !!

In 1984, when the third series of vehicles were released by Hasbro for the GI Joe line, Hasbro decided that the VAMP needed a makeover! Driving the VAMP Mark II (Vehicle.Attack.Multi Purpose) is Version 2; "Tan" Clutch .

 
The second version (v2) has the new swivel Arms that not only bend at the elbows, but the biceps swivel making the figure infinitely more poseable. Also, the torso was changed to a thinner version that puts less stress on the O-ring, but does add to the possibility of the "Broken Crotch Syndrome" that can plague these figures. This version is molded and painted in the Tan and Brown colors  to match the new VAMP Mark II vehicle.
 
That brings us back to the battle ....
 
Tan Clutch jumps in to victory !!
 
 
He is an improvement on the original after all ......
 
It's been a Clutch o Rama around here lately ...
Version 1 Straight Arm Clutch was reviewed: READ ABOUT IT HERE !!
Version 1.5 Swivel Arm Clutch was reviewed: READ ABOUT IT HERE !!!
 
Thats a lot of Clutchin !!
 



Sunday, March 3, 2013

The Next Version of Clutch is a Swivelin Kinda Guy !!

In 1983, when the second series of figures was released by Hasbro for the GI Joe line, we got one of the greatest running changes ever, the Swivel Arm Battle grip ! The first wave of figures was re-released and the line had a slight variation to the original figures. Driving the "VAMP" (Vehicle.Attack.Multi Purpose) is Clutch v1.5.



The variation version (v1.5) has the new swivel Arms that not only bend at the elbows, but the biceps swivel making the figure infinitely more poseable. Also, the torso was changed to a thinner version that puts less stress on the O-ring, but does add to the possibility of the "Broken Crotch Syndrome" that can plague these figures. I only had the Straight Arm version as a kid, so how can I determine which version is the best ? COMBAT !!
 
 
Clutch v1.5 strikes a Boxing pose while v1 Clutch takes a Tae Kwon Do stance ..... who will prevail !?!?!
 
It's been a Clutch o Rama around here lately ...
Version 1 Straight Arm Clutch was reviewed: READ ABOUT IT HERE !!!
Version 2 TAN Clutch was reviewed: READ ABOUT IT HERE !!!

The First Version of GI Joe's Clutch is a "Straight" Guy !!

In 1982, when the first series of vehicles were released by Hasbro for the GI Joe line, we got one of the coolest vehicle drivers produced ! Driving the "VAMP" (Vehicle.Attack.Multi Purpose) is Clutch .

 
 The first version (v1) has the classic Straight Arms that only bends at the elbows. Also, the torso is the thicker version that puts more stress on the O-ring, but does not easily suffer the "Broken Crotch Syndrome" that can plague these figures. Another cool feature is that the chest is a completely original design, not reused on any of the other first series figures.
 

Clutch was one of my favorites from the first line. I got him in the Great GI Joe Birthday of '82 that completed my GI Joe collection that year. Not only did he drive the VAMP, which was a staple of my adventures, but his file card made him out to be a bit of a rebel. I used him as one of the most vital members of the team. Being the mechanic had Clutch constantly pulled into repair situations to get the team to safety, or driving like mad to exit a hot spot !

It's been a Clutch o Rama around here lately ...
Version 1.5 Swivel Arm Clutch was reviewed: READ ABOUT IT HERE !!!
Version 2 TAN Clutch was reviewed: READ ABOUT IT HERE !!!
Thats a lot of Clutchin !!