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Post by spockoda on Sept 22, 2015 19:10:49 GMT -6
Many of the first few ads starrunn posted I remember. The Big Jim ad featuring Jack Kirby art is cool and I recall seeing that ad although I was a tad too young to have been into Big Jim. One of the first figures I remember having outside of 8 inch Megos were some of the Six Million Dollar Man dolls. I had the huge rocket that went with that line as well. Never had the Bigfoot doll, don't know if I would have wanted it back then. When I saw Bigfoot on tv, he would scare me!
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Post by rihia2k on Sept 23, 2015 1:18:39 GMT -6
Those are awesome additions, Starrun2. The Zeroids ad is something of an epic and the Big Jim P.A.C.K. really rates. Those merchandising promos for Imperial's DK&D and Hasbro's TFs are nothing short of excellent. (possibly deserving of their own thread) Somehow they remind me of the investment attraction flyers for arcade games in the 80s. The following advertisement could be considered something of a contrast in the quality spectrum. (from Weird War Tales No. 85 Mar 1980) This copy of the ad is printed so poorly as to be illegible in parts. I'd be surprised if most kids didn't experience disappointment upon actually receiving these in the mail. But what could you expect from a company called 'Lucky Products Inc'. Better copy of the ad with toy example here: dougssoldiers.blogspot.co.nz/2012/08/comic-book-toy-soldiers-lucky-toys-132.html
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Post by waywardmonk on Sept 23, 2015 6:46:00 GMT -6
The first action figure I got was a Marx Geronimo, but the earliest one I have fond memories of is the Six Million Dollar Man. I had that Transport & Repair Station too Spockoda. That was really a lot of fun. The tubes and connector pins I think were the same that Kenner would use again in the Droid Factory for Star Wars, another great toy memory of mine.
I remember ordering the Toy Soldiers from the Duke's post. I used an ad from one of my brother's old comics. I remember my mom telling me it was old and might not work. I received an incomplete set with a handwritten letter from the owner saying they didn't make them anymore and had to dig around their storage and send me whatever leftovers he could find and hoped I would be happy. I was shocked how tiny and poorly molded they were. I don't rmember them being as nice as the Roman soldiers in Rihia's link.
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Post by waywardmonk on Sept 23, 2015 6:50:43 GMT -6
I would definitely like to see more of your trade ads Starrunn, those are fantastic!
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Post by spockoda on Sept 23, 2015 16:04:33 GMT -6
I saw the ad for the Roman Soldiers in a lot of comics. Curiously enough, I don't recall ever being tempted and after opening the link to see what you actually got I am glad I never "took the bait". I guess for $2.98 back then($8 today?)you got what you paid for but the guy whom painted them in the link at least made them look more respectable.
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Post by StarRunn on Sept 23, 2015 17:37:58 GMT -6
OK, I’ve gotten a couple of positive responses to the toy industry trade magazine ads. (Thanks, guys.) I’m still not sure if I should keep them here or start a separate thread. Since this thread is supposed to be about figures, a new thread would allow for all types of toys. However, I can’t imagine many (any?) other people coming up with trade ads, so it will basically be my show. Not that I mind doing it; I’m just afraid that if I slow down with new material, the thread could cool down and get lost. So, for now, I’ll just keep going with legitimate comic book ads about figures. Thanks for the kind words, rihia2k. You posted quite a selection of great advertisements. In fact, there were 9 that I would have gotten around to if I was doing this on my own. Waywardmonk, funny that you should mention Geronimo, as I just cleaned up a two-page Johnny West ad this morning! There’s some nice Jack Davis art on the chief and the rest of the West cast on that one.
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Post by waywardmonk on Sept 23, 2015 19:36:17 GMT -6
I think you're right Starrunn, your trade stuff definitely should have their own thread.
Man those Star Wars ads really remind me of where my love for figures originated. Those toys meant the world to me.
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Post by Thor Laserpunch on Sept 25, 2015 19:54:55 GMT -6
Somehow this is the only one that stuck with me over the years, but seeing them again I do remember the American Defense Force, Super Powers, Captain Power, and maybe a handful of others.
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Post by spockoda on Sept 27, 2015 21:49:47 GMT -6
The Captain Action, Matt Mason, and Johnny West stuff was about a decade or so before my toy wanting days but still very cool stuff. They call those days "the good ol' days" for a reason.
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Post by waywardmonk on Sept 28, 2015 6:59:03 GMT -6
I don't have many comics, but checked to see if I had any ads not posted. This Remco Sgt Rock ad was the only one. I did enjoy seeing a mailaway ad that I remembered though. I always wanted the X-Ray specs, but never ordered them for some reason. I did get a joy buzzer which was much bulkier than expected but worked well. I had that for years. I believe I also ordered the U Control Ghost, but my only memory of it is being disappointed.
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Post by StarRunn on Sept 30, 2015 4:59:06 GMT -6
Remco advertised Sgt. Rock quite heavily and ran several different ads. I think that I have three others. I don't have access to my computer right now, so posting any more toy ads will have to wait a while.
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Post by StarRunn on Oct 9, 2015 12:07:28 GMT -6
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Post by StarRunn on Oct 13, 2015 20:05:12 GMT -6
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Post by spockoda on Oct 13, 2015 21:21:24 GMT -6
I don't remember Steve Scout, but I do remember Duke for some reason. I never had the toy but I recall the ad. My Uncle had some of the Evel Kinevel toys.
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Post by rihia2k on Oct 14, 2015 0:12:22 GMT -6
Awesome addition with the Evel Knievel ads. I'd never seen the one showing 'adventure sets'. Evel Knievel - rescuing miners and trekking thru the tundra? Uh-huh. I also like how the first ad says, "jumps your set of encyclopedias volumes a through w !". Does that suggest he'll crap off the bike if he tries for x, y or z? I always wanted an EK figure, as an adult I've never seen one in the flesh which didn't have terrible condition clothing. White outfit was an unfortunate choice for a stunt riding figure that usually saw a lotta' outdoor playtime.
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Post by waywardmonk on Oct 14, 2015 13:55:35 GMT -6
I remember the Duke ad better than the others too Spockoda, those action pics of the dog are funny. I was too little to have many of my own comics at the time, but my older brother had a stack I used to take and read from all the time.
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Post by Thor Laserpunch on Oct 15, 2015 16:41:01 GMT -6
Duke seems both incredibly dumb and awesome at the same time. I love that he has his own hideout with a dogputer and dogoscope. And the ad is looking very similar to what the toy probably looked like sliding down his zip line all rigid like (if his jaw could even hold the thing that tight in real life). He looks quite massive also, way bigger than Joes or Big Jim, or at least way outta scale. I need to add Duke to the things I'll pick up if I ever find him at the right price at some point.
I'm super curious what the mini comics are all about. Some of the pics online are showing just the one "Duke Fights the Energy Crisis." Wtf?? Intriguing!
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Post by spockoda on Oct 15, 2015 18:14:21 GMT -6
Duke seems both incredibly dumb and awesome at the same time. I love that he has his own hideout with a dogputer and dogoscope. And the ad is looking very similar to what the toy probably looked like sliding down his zip line all rigid like (if his jaw could even hold the thing that tight in real life). He looks quite massive also, way bigger than Joes or Big Jim, or at least way outta scale. I need to add Duke to the things I'll pick up if I ever find him at the right price at some point. I'm super curious what the mini comics are all about. Some of the pics online are showing just the one "Duke Fights the Energy Crisis." Wtf?? Intriguing! I saw a Duke once on ebay when I happened to look and he was more than I wanted to spend but I thought it would be cool to own one. If I ever see him at a flea market for less than $20.....
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Post by Thor Laserpunch on Oct 16, 2015 5:28:25 GMT -6
I saw a Duke once on ebay when I happened to look and he was more than I wanted to spend but I thought it would be cool to own one. If I ever see him at a flea market for less than $20..... There's a couple on there right now, but without the accessories it's just a gigantic German shepherd... not particularly appealing. Definitely one to keep an eye peeled for.
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Post by spockoda on Oct 16, 2015 17:07:08 GMT -6
Thor- The Duke I saw had the accessories and the instructions as well if I'm not mistaken. The starting bid was something like $40.
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Post by StarRunn on Jan 3, 2017 12:54:50 GMT -6
It’s been more than a year since I (or anyone else) have added anything to this thread. Drbo started this just over nine years ago with the focus on action figure advertisements appearing in comic books. Although additions to the thread were sporadic, they pretty much kept to the theme. I purposely limited my 2015 contributions to figures and quickly used up the appropriate material that I had in my computer. I then started a new thread showcasing toy ads culled mostly from toy and hobby trade magazines. I opened the mix to all types of toys, not just action figures, and the acceptance of this wide range of subjects has been gratifying. So, I think that this comic book ad thread could get a shot in the arm by going beyond action figures. I’m going to try all sorts of things, including cereal and candy premiums and, this time, even a magazine subscription! I discovered more than two dozen GI Joe ads recently. Wish I had remembered these back in 2015; I sure could have used them back then. Anyway, there are way too many to post all at once, so I’ll start with two of the earliest and one of the latest. How’s this for an action figure? There were lots of bizarre things sold in comic books! Cracker Jack prizes are just bits of paper these days, but when they first started the toys were metal. During the 1950s and ‘60s there were lots of beautifully sculpted figures, vehicles and trinkets.
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Post by waywardmonk on Jan 3, 2017 13:29:43 GMT -6
I think cereal bowls were my favorite mail away item. I only got a couple, but they were well made and fun to use.
ToyFare was a great magazine. I loved the action figure comic strip they had, and the mail away figures were a great touch.
Those original GI Joe ads are awesome. I imagine that was an amazing toy for its time.
That inflatable doll. WTF. I just googled it. Apparently they marketed the same ad in more adult places with additional copy to imply its use as a love doll. Kind of shocking they thought to market it to children. But I guess it's not much different than candy cigarettes. Creepy.
Great stuff as always StarRunn! Thanks so much for sharing!
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Post by figurecollector on Jan 3, 2017 20:40:50 GMT -6
I always remember looking at those Civil War soldiers and knights ads and still do not know why I never ordered them. I guess I was too much into army men.
I have two of the GI Joe figures shown. I used to have the Yogi Bear cup, but have no idea whatever happened to it. I have Yogi and Huck coin banks still too.
That grenade reminds me of a site I looked at last year and it showed that the year I was born you could get a 50 cal machine gun. Things have changed since then.
I wonder how many people ordered the inflatable girl from a comic book?
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Post by StarRunn on Jan 8, 2017 18:38:36 GMT -6
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Post by waywardmonk on Jan 10, 2017 15:43:37 GMT -6
Wow, Dick Dastardly brings back some fond memories. Really enjoyed those Hanna-Barbera shows as a kid!
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Post by figurecollector on Jan 10, 2017 18:40:24 GMT -6
I was a member of the Huck Hound Club (although I cannot seem to find the card from my first search) and the Banana Splits Club! There are likely still some of my photos of the kit I received from the latter still posted here.
I think every kid during that time had Silly Putty, but I really do not remember hearing of Nutty Putty. It may have been a forerunner.
I loved GI Joe and cannot say why I was not a member of that club.
I loved the Wacky Races with Dick Dastardly and his dog henchman, Muttley (especially his laugh), Peter Perfect, Penelope Pitstop, et al.
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Post by rihia2k on Jan 11, 2017 5:45:16 GMT -6
Even though the 100 Pirates would be of questionable quality and deep down I'd have known it - This is exactly the kind of ad I would have stared at for a long time, thinking up all the possibilities, heck, it even included Mermaids!
Has anyone seen anything like the Davy Crockett Comicscope in action, or know any sources showing it? I'm not familiar with it by name.
This may be an admission of being easily amused, but the first time I 'copied' an image using Silly Putty I was pretty delighted.
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Post by rihia2k on Jan 11, 2017 18:31:15 GMT -6
I loved the Wacky Races with Dick Dastardly and his dog henchman, Muttley (especially his laugh), Peter Perfect, Penelope Pitstop, et al. I wanted the Boulder Mobile to win everytime I caught that show.
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Post by figurecollector on Jan 11, 2017 19:10:10 GMT -6
I loved the Wacky Races with Dick Dastardly and his dog henchman, Muttley (especially his laugh), Peter Perfect, Penelope Pitstop, et al. I wanted the Boulder Mobile to win everytime I caught that show. A lot of the well known cartoon voices took part in that show. I was amused when I first got the Silly Putty, but once I copies a few Sunday comic pages and comic books, the interest seemed to wain. I think the various plastic soldiers/Vikings/Pirates would have been industrial strength. I found an old ad for a fire truck and fireman outfit I used to have and it was just about indestructible. I think I have one buried in a dark corner of the garage somewhere. When I get time, I will post the ad from the newspaper. My Dad had kept it for some reason and my Mom found it after he passed. I inherited it from her.
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Post by defzombie on Jan 11, 2017 23:41:18 GMT -6
Love these ads! I have that 3 3/4 inch Joe Colton "first gijoe" figure from the 1993 ad.
My best buddy who lived a street over from me mail ordered it back in 1993. We are still friends to this day. He gave it to me along with a bunch of other Joes a few years ago.
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