Toy-Ventures: Mike Power Atomic Man

This week is all about one of my favourite childhood friends, the amazing Mike Power : Atomic Man from the GI Joe Adventure Team.

We talk about his origins, foreign incarnations, accessories and his sales. 

Special thanks to Chris at www.1964gijoe.com

Hosted and edited by Brian Heiler (@plaidstallions)


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Super People 78

When Star Wars figures came out, all my favourites from previous Christmases got sent to the Black and White pages often discounted. 

I didn't mind at the time but now it kind of makes me a little sad, save for the awesome team up of Steve Austin and Spider-Man, that just rules.

Hasbro on Parade

Sadly, Jerry Lewis was never part of the GI Joe Adventure Team, his presence was to promote a series of board games. What a missed opportunity to have sets like "Search for the Golden Ladieeeeeeee!"

1975 Christmas Toy Store Flyer

Newspaper circulars for toy stores are a tough thing to find, often thrown out immediately it's a shame when you realzie what a wonderful window into our world they truly are.

Take this one for a store called "Hagensick's Playroom" (great name) in Wisconsin, which features a veritible "who's who" of hot items for the era.

Lots of old friends in here, like the Sunshine Family, Atomic Man, Mego Wizard of Oz, the Adventure People, Barbie and much, much more..

Dig into the 1975 Toy Store Flyer right here!

More Toy Store Flyers:

1981 Toys R Us Flyer

Childworld 1975

Childworld 1981

1975 Toys R Us

PodStallions 21: Bionic Man-ia

It was bound to happen, episode 21 talks of the Six Million Dollar Man television series which slow motion ran across our television screens (and our collective hearts) during the Polyester decade.

In this we discuss the series itself, the spin offs and the crazy/wonderful merchandise that made Christmas more memorable. We go through the fan club kit, discuss favourtie episodes and villains. Jason also gets to relay his experience working with the license some 30 years later and even 

Of course, that being said we get off track into discussions about Mego, Star Wars, West World, Penny Dreadful,  the career of John Saxon, Star Trek the Motion Picture , David Carradine and other things completely unrelated to our subject.

Episode 21 will have you looking your Bionic Eye.

Download the Show Here

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Show Links:

• The Japanese Spider-Man figure by Popy we discussed.
• The very first episode of Kamen Rider V3 sees his whole family murdered by a villain called Scissors Jaguar.
• The Ark diecast ad we discuss on the show that features Jason's beloved Baltan toy.
• How Star Wars figures were sold in Japan.
• The Captain Scarlet model kits Jason mention.
• Denys Fisher Cyborg toys based on Henshin Cyborg.
• A website devoted to the Shinsei UFO Commander toys.
• The Kamen Rider Henshin suit that keeps Brian up at night.
• Drool over the amazing Jumbo Machinders!

Plenty more content on the PodStallions Facebook page!

We'll be adding Bionic Man collectible photos to Facebook.



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1975 Hasbro GI Joe Catalog

1975 was a very good year for G.I. Joe, well at least from where I stood, seeing as I was five at the time. The whole Joe line got a make over including the man himself  a new more muscular body, gone were the solid boxes in lieu of blister cards.

The Ad campaign this year was "The 50 adventures of GI Joe" which rested mainly on previously released adventure sets mingled with new ones all on the new funky orange packaging that still completely hypnotizes me. 

By this time Joe had a staggering amount of items available but this year would also see a new member.

Mike Power the AtomicMan was added to captilize on Bionic Mania sweeping the country and it really worked, until Kenner made us all forget about Mike...

Check out the 1975 Hasbro GI Joe Catalog

Trading Cards Again...

When I started out doing trading card #9, I wanted to do something for the ladies. The Fembot seemed like a great start, sure she's a girl but also a robot whose face comes off, total win/win.

For card #10, I felt the need to do something that wasn't action figure based, the Green Machine is by far the most demanded trading card so it was an easy fit.

As previously shown, Godzilla made it into the mix because he's just so awesome. This toy gave me chills as a kid.

Finally, it was time to give some love to the Atomic Man with the final card of the year. While a lot of Joe collectors don't like this chapter in the character's history, I cherish it. Atomic man was a pretty darn fun toy, sorry for the curse words...

DVD Releases:

Even though I don't own a Blu Ray player, this ultimate edition of the Planet of the Apes series is pretty tempting as I love all things associated with Planet of the Apes. So much so that I've bought the movies on nearly every format produced.

The extras for this set are pretty intense, lots of commentary, behind the scenes features and little fun things like public service announcements from ANSA.

More Mike Power Atomic Man

Mike Power had a big impact on me as a kid, he beat the Six Million Dollar Man to market by a few months and he was a pretty big deal on the play ground. He was of course, pretty much forgotten once Steve Austin lumbered onto toy shelves.

The Sea Wolf Submarine, also seen on this page is a fantastic toy, a working submarine you can put a Joe into and it comes with a "giant" Squid!

Source: 1975 Alden's Catalog