The McHappersons

Welcome to your double date from hell, they met at an improv class BTW.

The Six Greatest Bionic Man Knock Off Toys

I gave up writing a weekly list for Topless Robot, in order to finish writing Rack Toys. I will admit to missing it from time to time, so I’m going to keep fresh by churning out the odd one for PlaidStallions.

The Kenner Six Million Dollar Man toy line is one of the most memorable and successful toy lines of the 1970s.

With the bright light of big sales, you attract a few bugs. A lot of competitors come and try to "cut your grass" as a former boss of mine would say, as the list goes on we'll see it gets more and more blatant.

6: PULSAR (MATTEL) 

 When faced with the overwhelming popularity of Steve Austin, Mattel decided not to play in the Cyborg sandbox at all but went sideways and made an all organic superhero. 

 That's pretty clever, combating steak with a vegan alternative, as a bonus, Pulsar was super gross to look at which is a bonus for young boys. 

Mattel sold the character for two years and didn't pay anybody a dime in licensing.



Come see the Greatest Bionic Man Rip Offs here

More Top Ten Fun

Not the Han Solo I remember

I recently got a Denys Fisher catalog from the UK, they seemed to only carry the 12" Star Wars line and I couldn't help but notice something was different about Han.

''

Gaaah! It's Topher Grace! Run!

Sonic Woman

I am pleased to reveal the latest update to our Tomland galleries, the copyright infringing superheroine herself, the Sonic Woman!

Tomland was more well known for their Star Raiders and Famous of Monsters of Legend action figures, which both demonstrate how little they thought of paying for licenses.

I've known about these particular figures for a few years but never knew their actual names, below are a set of loose "Sonic People" featured here earlier. They were also shown in Rack Toys. It wasn't until a kind soul contacted me about this figure did I finally have a clue.

The arrival of the carded Sonic Woman clears the name mystery, thanks internet!

As obvious as this "fully jointed woman from the future" is she's not the most blatant Bionic knockoff by a mile, that will be revealed in a new list this Friday. Please check it out.


Also, please check Ebay as I'm selling a loose Sonic Woman right now. This is the only loose one I've ever seen, so if you're into this like I am, this is your chance.


I'm always buying Tomland Monsters, click here to email me.

More Tomland Galleries:
 

Isis knows what time it is

Another item in my mad obsession with Filmation's "Tarzan and the Super 7" merchandise, which 99% rack toy based.

I've had this boy's watch for a while but this is my first girl's version. This picture from the catalog suggests I've got more to track down. Come on Super Stretch!

Rack Toys: Cheap, Crazed Playthings is a limited edition 144 page book from the creator of Plaid Stallions and it's full of stuff just like this. Order from us and get three free promotional post cards.

A Green Celebration

Alternative title "Kiss me I'm 25% Irish".  I thought with it being St Patrick's Day, we'd look back at some of the greenest outfits of the 1970s. Yep, it's a clip show and I'm most likely hung over already, so let me catch a nap and you check out more after the jump:

Ultra Seven crashes into a toy store

Oh my goodness, where to begin? One, this is not only a mall appearance of one of my favourite characters but it's in a 70s toy store setting. 

On top of that it's in a 70s JAPANESE toy store. Adding to this frenzy is one of my holy grails just sitting on a shelf, the Popy Godzilla.

Come to Brian, you look so lonely....

I need to go lie down.

Send me your mall appearance photos!

Star. Team Day

I found this great promotional piece for Ideal's Star Team relaunch in the 1970s, I really haven't written much about these in years so I think they deserve some fanfare.

While Kenner was running around selling empty boxes and promises to kids for Christmas, Ideal resurrected an old brand used to market roll play space toys in the late 60s, dusted off some old molds and viola, they rushed some space toys to market.

They even released their own promotional marvel comic as mentioned above, I've scanned the book if you'd like to see it here.

The prototype Star Team cast.

Of course, the famous story is Lucasfilm sued Ideal but lost because all of the Star Team stuff was made prior to Star Wars. The Zeroids was a toy line from the late 1960s, Knight of Darkness utilized a Captain Action body and other parts, it's a rich tapestry.

While Ideal won, Star Team had a brief two year run before Kenner unleashed so much Star Wars goodness on us, our kids were born knowing who Chewbacca was....

1978 Ideal Star Team Catalog

More Comic 3 Packs

I can't believe it's been over a year since I last raved about my mild obsession with Whitman comic poly bagged 3 packs of my youth. I guess that's because I haven't across many deals and actually let some awesome ones slip through my fingers.

Above is Shogun Warriors, while I never had any of the toys, I was really into this comic as a kid. Between this book,  Star Wars, Godzilla or Micronauts usually got my pocket money. 

That is, unless Hellcat or Batgirl was on the cover of something, then I felt oddly compelled to buy that book. 

This three pack of Gold Key Star Trek reprints is another personal best for me, while it has been opened, that just means I can enjoy the off model adventures of the Enterprise crew.

Bright future in sales

Either one of these gentlemen can easily  explain why a quadraphonic sound system is right for you.

Super Scissors

Another one of those products where, once you detach them from the card, they have no real connection to the characters after.

I do love the Batman card though, it looks like Robin is fed up with Batman's need to run with them.

Rack Toys: Cheap, Crazed Playthings is a limited edition 144 page book from the creator of Plaid Stallions and it's full of stuff just like this. Order from us and get three free promotional post cards.

The Horrors of Mesh

The brief fad of dad's wearing this monstrosity around the house has kept the therapy business alive since 1977.

Carnival Toys 1979

Carnival was the premier maker of toy musical instruments in the late 1970s. Their main focus was toy guitars and licensing, making sure they slapped the hottest acs of the time on their guitars (even when they primarily known for disco tunes).

So join KISS, the Village People, Hulk and Spider-man (!), the Bee Gees, Shaun Cassidy on a mystical, musical adventure.


1979 Carnival Toys Catalog

Swimming Senses Tingling!

Spidey used to be cool before he sold out man.

Rarely discussed here but Rack Toy manufacturer AHI had a second life as a manufacturer of pool related novelties, one of these days I'll pull up one of the catalogs.

Rack Toys: Cheap, Crazed Playthings is a limited edition 144 page book from the creator of Plaid Stallions and it's full of stuff just like this. Order from us and get three free promotional post cards.

Morning Glory

Drink him in folks, drink him in. I'm not sorry.

As an aside, he's wearing the same pattern as my kitchen floor as a kid.

The Day the Scary Creatures Took Over the World

I wanted to save this until Halloween but I just can't wait the 7 months to show this off. This is one of the greatest 70s Rack Toy displays I've ever seen, mostly because it looks like an amalgam of every single "movie for a Sunday afternoon" that scared the living crap out of me as a kid.

I will not rest until it is mine.

Rack Toys: Cheap, Crazed Playthings is a limited edition 144 page book from the creator of Plaid Stallions and it's full of stuff just like this. Order from us and get three free promotional post cards.

The Pleated Sleeve

This is not only a dignified outfit but it also serves as a fully functioning wing suit, you will truly make an unforgettable entrance as gently glide down from the roof top.

Phantom of the Theme Park

Adam submitted this great shot of him and the Phantom at Universal Studios circa 1979. Thank you Adam! I don't get enough Universal Monsters appearances here.

Send me your mall appearance photos!

Podstallions 14: Filmation Part One

We've probably mentioned Filmation in every one of our shows (it's our anniversary BTW, what did you get us?) so it's no surprise that Jason and myself are huge fans of the legendary animation company.

Episode one explore our earliest memories of Filmation and tries to relay the Saturday morning experience, look for a longer episode 2 in the coming months.

For now we touch upon the DC comics Superheroes, Archie, the Groovy Goolies, Fat Albert, Shazam!, bubble gum rock, dog toys and my obsession with Winnebagos.  

Download the Show Here

Listen here

Show Links:

• The Archies singing God Save the Queen from the minds who brought you Blue Peanuts.
• The Chemtoy Groovie Goolie figurines are gorgeous but also go for big bucks.
• Lou Scheimer: Creating the Filmation Generation is a must for any fan of their shows. Seriously, it's a terrific book.
• Filmation's Dick Tracy cartoon is largely forgotten which is a shame because it's more faithful than the better known 60's version.
• The live action Groovie Goolies mentioned in the show.
• Replacement Captain Marvel kinda let it all hang out...
• Brian treasures this promotional Mr Mentor autograph

Plenty more content on the PodStallions Facebook page!

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Belly Bumper

I'm probably going to get this, mostly because it'll give everyone I good shot of my ample man-cleavage. Eyes up here ladies...