I Love Action Figures in Karate Outfits

(Many thanks to my friend Eddie for this awesome image above) 

The Martial Arts explosion of the early 1970s was not lost on action figures, growing up in this time, it gave me a lifelong obsession with the culture.

 It also turned out to be a real positive influence in my life, so I've decided to start collecting all the various 70s action figures I can find in Karate Gis and compiled a list of ones that i have and would like to have after the jump:

Mego's Action Jackson

I have a strange bond with Mego's Action Jackson, I was slightly too young for him when he came out but thanks to my father's business of buying closeouts, I had a small army of them during childhood.

Action Jackson became a character actor in my backyard adventures becoming Sinestro, Klingons, Planet of the Apes Astronauts and even Aquaman to me.

Also, if you invited me to your birthday party in the years between 1975 and 1980, you got an Action Jackson, a scuba set (it was my favourite) and a Mego General Urko doll, you're welcome.

And Hey, the big Mego convention is next weekend. I'll be there at the front desk, come say hi!

Superheroes 3 for $5.99

This page will be my happy place all day.

Action Jackson on the Planet of the Apes

I've posted this photo on the MegoMuseum before but it needs to be put here because it's awesome. Courtesy of Ken Abrams, I present Mego CEO dressed as Action Jackson atop the Mego Planet of the Apes parade float.

The gentleman in the Ape costume is VP of Mego R&D Neal Kublan and the "human captive" children are likely Neal's son Chris and Marty's son Ken. So great!

Please send me your mall appearance shots!

Send me your mall appearance photos!

Colouring Book Theatre : Action Jackson

Today's colouring book is a personal favourite of mine, Mego Action Jackson.

For those not in the know, Action Jackson was Mego's attempt to muscle into the boy's market dominated by G.I. Joe with a new character and plenty of TV advertising.

Action Jackson was a sportsman/adventurer/military man who kids just had to think of what they wanted to be and call on him.

AJ sold brightly but not for a long time, Mego went on the superheroes and the rest is history.

My Dad's company bought a lot of Action Jackson overstock back in the mid seventies, so I was bringing AJ's to birthday parties up until the late 70's.

First off, I love the art in this Saalfield publication, it suits the character perfectly.

The story itself is all over the map, Saalfield tried hard to incorporate all of AJ's outfits and accessories into this so AJ parachutes in, then goes surfing, takes a dangerous mission, crashes his plain in the jungle. Above he gets stuck in quicksand but is quickly rescued by the Action Jackson helicopter.

After being rescued, AJ goes on a sporting tear, playing football, hockey, baseball (his favourite sport!) and then Karate. When does he sleep? AJ then hops in another plane, which crashes again and he's rescued by a boat. Which brings me to my favourite page......

Yep, AJ takes a little coffee break and indulges his sweet tooth. Think this page is weird?

What if I told you it was a double page spread! Judging by the extra cups of coffee, I get how AJ gets things done. I guess Saalfield had to stretch a bit. The remainder of the book, AJ has anunderwater adventure, gets stranded in the jungle again, finds mayan treasure, gets trapped and then he straps on his helicopter backpack (something I still want to be able to own for myself) and sails off into the sunset.

Hopefully he goes for a nap.

Got a colouring book you'd like to guest review? Drop me a line!