Best. Thread. Ever.
This thread is digging up such fond memories of my childhood - growing up in the 80's (back when kids played with toys and used their imaginations, and didn't just sit in front of the computer). My favorites (many mentioned already) were:
- Visionaries - I had the stupid comic book by Marvel's "Star Comics" line (basically toy ads in the form of a crappy comic)
- Starcom - little two inch astronauts with magnets for feet and decent sculpting. I just came across a few of these while digging around in old shoe boxes in my closet. and it was endorsed by NASA!
- Silverhawks - obviously influenced by Thundercats. Never had the toys, but thought they were shiny and cool!
- Inhumanoids - what a wonderfully weird concept - loved watching them on Ch. 13 in LA every Sunday morning. It was shown with Robotix and Jem! I have all the human characters in their beautifully sculpted armor suits and with their freakishly small heads (when helmets were removed).
- M.U.S.C.L.E - need I say more? based on the Japanese "Kinnikuman" series. What's better than a weird pyramid with a head? And I made my own wrestling wring with some plywood, four nails and some rubber bands.
- Eagle Force - wow - I totally forgot about that line. Little die cast figures with crappy paint and extremely limited articulation. A nice way for Mego Corp to distinguish themselves from GI Joes, but wtf? I had the main dude with the eagle and the bad guy in black and red with the cool flamethrower. And who would have thought that a disco version of Mozart's Symphony No. 40 could sound so good?
- Air Raiders - seriously, what the hell? I had one of these, and thought it was crap. Small two inch figures, and vehicles that were air-launched. wow. doubt this lasted very long. but that theme song was kick-ass!
- Crystars - I remember seeing these at K-mart. I think these were a K mart exclusive or something.
- Powerlords - I think it was made by Revell (plastic model kit company). for some reason they scared me.
- Dino-Riders. 'nuff said.
- M.A.S.K. - okay, not that obscure, but so cool!
- C.O.P.S. - never had the toys, but they looked kinda "Village People"
But for some reason, one of my most prized obscure 80's toy was the Gabriel 3 3/4 Legend of the Lone Ranger figure (I also had the Silver horse). Bought this on a trip to Phoenix. It had decent sculpts, and had twin revolvers that fit in the molded leg holsters! Gabriel also made a series based on the animated Zorro series.
For a trip down memory lane, check out
www.retrojunk.com
).
