Collectible of the Week: Archie Bunker's Grandson (Ideal)

Board Game of the Week: Rocky and Bullwinkle (Ideal)

Board Game of the Week: King Kong (Ideal; 1963)

Days of Disco: Andy Gibb Action Figure (Ideal; 1978)

Board Game of the Week: Honey West (Ideal)

Bewitched Samantha Doll (Ideal)

Star Team: Star Hawk (Ideal)

Star Team: Kent and the Cosmic Cruiser (Ideal)

STAR Team Characters: Knight of Darkness, Zem-21, and Zeroid

STAR Team (Ideal) Gear: Space Boots, Helmet and Nebulizer

STAR Team Mission Badges

Comic-Book of the Week: Ideal STAR Team (Marvel Edition)

Advert Artwork: Ideal's Star Team

At Flashbak: Ideal's 1977 "Revolutionary Toy Sensation" -- Electroman

This week at Flashbak, I also remembered Electroman, a seventeen inch action figure from Ideal, from the year 1977.

Here’s a snippet and the url (http://flashbak.com/remembering-electroman-ideals-revolutionary-electronic-toy-sensation-of-1977-63014/)

“In 1977, Ideal released one of the most underwhelming toys of the disco decade, a giant superhero figure called Electroman. 

Described as an “amazing electronic sentinel," Electroman wore a bright red, black, and yellow uniform with a dazzling "E" (for Electroman, we presume.) emblazoned on his barrel-sized torso.

The promotional materials hawked these items in grand terms as his “prismatic emblem” and “multi-colored uniform.”

The hero's oddest fashion statement, however, was no doubt his elaborate helmet, a clunky red affair that fired “laser beams.” By adjusting a knob on the base of Electroman's neck, you could change the settings of the laser ray from Stun, to Radar, to Guard.

Toy catalogs described the settings: "Electroman's computer brain can detect the slightest movement and sound a warning...In radar position, he sends out flickering light that changes to a steady beam when he finds an enemy position." 

The knob had a “4 position power selector” and the horrible-looking helmet featured an “electro motion sensor.”

Electroman was supposed to “protect his friends” detect his enemies and “defeat his foes with laser-like beams of light,” but he really just had a glorified flashlight on his head.

Electroman's nemesis -- a so-called “awesome enemy” -- was sold separately, a brown hulking creature ("a powerful half man/half monster") with red eyes, white fangs and a reflector embedded in his head: "Zogg The Terrible."

Zogg was described on his black box as "A Creature so awesome only Electroman or you can defeat him…"

Please continue reading at Flashbak. 

Board Game of the Week: Mission: Impossible (Ideal)

Board Game of the Week: Wonderbug (1976; Ideal)

At Flashbak: The Mighty Zeroids (Ideal; 1968-1970)

This week at Flashbak, I remembered a great toy from the late 1960s: Ideal’s Zeroids.

Here’s a snippet and the url: (http://flashbak.com/brought-earth-ideal-remembering-mighty-zeroids-1968-1970-53861/ )

“In 1968, Ideal Toys released the Zeroids: a set of toy robots described as “incredible workers of the future” from “the Planet Zero!”

These pint-sized robots were powered by small, removable electrical motors, and they promptly became the must-have Christmas present of the year for children of all ages.

In the first batch of Zeroids released came Zerak (“the blue destroyer”), famous for his brute strength and “throwing arms.”

At the same time, Ideal released “Zobor” (“the bronze transporter”), who featured special “gripping claws,” and Zintar (“the silver explorer”) who came equipped with a lunar sled for dragging ore and other materials found on alien surfaces. 

Each of these nifty ‘bots sold in the United States for under $5.00.

In 1969, a new toy -- The Commander Action Set -- revealed the Zeroids’ team leader, Zogg, and a vehicle and control panel for him to operate as well. This set cost about twice as much as the original Zeroids had, owing to the additional items.

In 1970, two more characters joined the Planet Zero Universe.  These were Zemo -- a bright red Zeroid -- and an alien villain.

With all these futuristic characters of the space age, children were directed to become the “master” of the Zeroid automatons…”

Continue reading, please, at Flashbak.

Board Game of the Week: Tron (Ideal)

Board Game of the Week: Combat (Ideal)

At Flashbak: The Great Superhero Playsets of the 1970s

This week at Flashbak, I remembered some of the great superhero playsets from the disco decade.

Here's a snippet, and the url: (http://flashbak.com/great-superhero-playsets-1970s-45228/ )

"With companies like Mego, Ideal, and Amsco in the game, the disco decade was a great era to be a kid, and especially one who for fans of superheroes. 

In particular this was the golden era of large superhero playsets, impressive toys that -- while often made of laminated cardboard -- nonetheless provided hours (if not months…) of fun and entertainment.

Here’s a look at some of the great playsets of the era.

Superman and Spider-Man Play Cases (Ideal; 1973)

These sensational Superman and Amazing Spider-Man sets from Ideal are made of sturdy vinyl and each reveals three back drops for cardboard figures on stands. 

The Superman set features the Daily Planet, the Fortress of Solitude, and the Villain’s Hideout. The heroic figures include Superman, Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Perry White, Supergirl Krypto, and the villains featured are Mr. Myxlplix, Lex Luthor and Brainiac.

The Amazing Spider-Man play case set similarly features back-drops of the Daily Bugle, Peter’s city apartment, and a villain HQ. Figures include Spidey, J. Jonah Jameson, Green Goblin, and Doc Ock.

The Bat Cave (Mego; 1974)

A classic toy that every child of my generation must have owned at one point or another. Here’s how the box described this amazing headquarters for the Caped Crusader: "an all-encompassing play case built to accommodate all the bat vehicles.  There is a secret entrance way for the Batmobile, a landing platform for the Batcopter, and a garage area for the Batcycle.  Included in the case are the Batpole and Batcomputer.  Everything necessary to stimulate your child's imagination towards bold new adventures."

Continue reading at Flashbak.