Road Rockets- Fire away at the Forces of Evil!

What's the ad for?

Road Rockets - Rapid Fire Target Game
Year
1981

Spotted in...

 

The Scoop

I wonder what the back story of the Road Rocket Universe is. It looks like cars are projected at Bad Guys who represent the Forces of Evil but why? What did these bad guys do? How much force does the evil wield. Check out that kids face. He's pissed! 

I wish I could find out more information on this "game". I couldn't find any info on the internet but when I did a Google image search I found was this...which I felt compelled to share. What a cute photo.

132 Roman Soldiers

What's the ad for?

132 Roman Soldiers. Two complete armies!
Year
1981

Spotted in...

The Scoop

This ad was featured prominently in back of comic books from the 60s to the early 80's. The art was by Russ Heath. Below is what Heath had to say about the ad in an interview featured at wtv-zone.com

A lot of people didn't know I did them because they didn't want them signed.  I did have a small "RH" on the lower left hand corner of the Revolutionary soldiers and I don't remember about the Roman soldiers.   Then they would blame me, I'd never seen the damned things, because they're like a bas relief or whatever they call it.  They're not fully formed, not three dimensional.  It would be flat things that were shaped a little and the kids felt gypped and they figured that it was my fault.

A lot of kids were disappointed with these toy soldiers. I guess it's another four color promise that never lived up to it's expectations.

Secret Wars Action Figures

What's the ad for?

Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars Action Figures.
Year
1985

Spotted in the inside back cover of...

 

The Scoop

We've featured ads about Marvels Secret Wars in the past and here is another. This time it's for the Secret Wars toy line from Mattel. One thing I don't understand is why Dr. Doom wants to make the earth into a living TOOOOOMB. What good what that be? Who wants to rule a living tomb. What is a living tooooomb anyway? Only thing I've heard of being refereed to as a living tomb is a sixteen years heart after a three-month break-up. Maybe that's Dr. Doom's problem. He just needs a rebound to soften his heart and get over his lost love...wait what?

The Saga of Crystar

What's the ad for?

Crystar- Crystal Warrior action figures
Year
1984

Spotted in...

The Scoop

 In 1982, Remco released a line of action figures and vehicles under the name The Saga of Crystar, Crystal Warrior. A year later a comic book series featuring the toys was released by Marvel. One would think that the comic book was based on the toys when in fact it the entire line was created and owned by Marvel comics.

The series lasted for 11 issues but it was issue 8 that interested me, or at least the cover. Glen Danzig swiped the Michael Golden drawn skull on the cover for the logo of his band. (see below)

Tournament of Thrills featuring Daredevil Dan

What's the ad for?
SSP Tournament of Thrills playset by Kenner
Year
1976

Spotted in

The Scoop

Made by Kenner, these cars had a ripcord that you pulled to make the wheels spin up to a reported 20,000 rpm (don't ask my source). This set was one of many. As a kid I had a crash up derby set. As you can guess these cars ended up getting pretty beaten up so a car or set in good shape can fetch a decent price on eBay.

The Power of Karate At Your Fingertips

What's the ad for?
Karate Kid Tri-Action Figures and playsets
Year
1987

Spotted in

The Scoop

Check out the site Metal Misfit for some great photos of the toys. Meanwhile here is the commercial that aired in the Eighties.

Energized Spider-Man

What's the ad for?
Energized Spider-Man and Green Goblin toys
Year
1978

Spotted in

 

 

The Scoop

Since when did Spidey use a flashlight? Doesn't matter...I'd still like one.

Energized Green Goblin

Chopcycles

What's the ad for?
Chopcycles
Year
1972

Spotted in

 

Heroes In Action! Command 'Em! Collect 'Em!

What's the ad for?
Marvel Character Halloween costumes
Year
1975

Spotted in

 

The Scoop

I can't imagine war toys released in the mid-seventies would be that popular. You know with the Vietnam war and all. Nonetheless Mattel offered us Heroes in Action. Below is a catalog page featuring photos of all the heroes. Image courtesy of www.plaidstallions.com

Hulk it for Halloween!

What's the ad for?
Marvel Character Halloween costumes
Year
1975

Spotted in

A little late I know but I just came across it last night. Flame Retardant for Safety!

Battlestar Galactica Gold-colored Cylon Centurian Leader

What's the ad for?
Gold-colored Cylon Centurian Leader from Battlestar Galactica
Year
1979

Spotted in

I was down in Seattle this weekend and I stopped by the EMP museum. They currently have a Battlestar Galactica exhibit that features life-size replica Viper and Cylon Raider ships, along with various props and costumes. It's a small exhibit but was a nice bonus for any BSG fan. For me the main draw to the EMP was the Nirvana exhibit. If you ever get the chance, make sure to check out the museum. This was my third time there and it is always worth a couple hours of time to check it out. The permanent exhibits are worth it alone. I mean can you ever see this piece of Rock and Roll history enough?

Free! Lone Ranger Western Town!

What's the ad for?
Lone Ranger Western Town
Year
1982

Spotted in

Happy Hallowe'en

What's the ad for?
Space Age Solid State Walkie Talkie
Year
1975

Spotted in

How can you celebrate Hallowe'en without Vincent Price? I was saving this one for today! I wonder which apples worked best?

Space Age Solid State Electronic

What's the ad for?
Space Age Solid State Walkie Talkie
Year
1978

Spotted in

Patty Prayer- Republican Candidate

What's the ad for?
Talking "Patty Prayer" Doll
Year
1978

Spotted in

 

 The scoop

 Patty Prayer was a doll that recites a famous bedtime prayer and can also sings "Brother John!". The perfect toy in indoctrinate your child with. What makes me wonder is who are they trying to sell this doll to? The ad was the back cover to Marvel Team-up #65. Not a cheap advertisement. I wouldn't imagine that the average reader of this comic book would be interested in a praying doll. I've read that the doll sounded demonic once the battery started running low. 

MORPHODROIDS because if it worked for Tonka and Hasbro...

What's the ad for?
MORPHODROIDS
Year
1985

Spotted in

 The scoop

First came Gobots, then came the Transformers...or is it the other way around. Anyway, shortly after came MORPHODROIDS! The difference between the latter with the former was that MORPHODROIDS were remote control! Not wireless mind you, but remote nonetheless. The controller was attached via a cable.

Video from www.myspace.com/astyanax511

Lazer Tag

What's the ad for?
Laser Tag
Year
1986
Spotted in

The scoop
Lazer Tag...the toy (or game, or sport, or lifestyle?) that spawned a cartoon, video game and a new birthday party event in the eighties. The Lazer Tag set featured in the ad above peaked between 86-88. I bought my Lazer Tag set manufactured by Worlds of Wonder (or WoW...hmm) in 1990, in a bargain bin. We only had one set between my friend Jason and I so we created our own versions of the game to play in my basement.

Besides contributing all the above to our collective culture, Lazer Tag also helped teach a generation of kids how to incorrectly spell laser.

Star Trek V Collectible Figures

What's the ad for?

Star Trek V Collectible Figures

Year

1989

Spotted in

 The scoop

These 8 inch collectible figures were released by Galoob in 1989 to coincide with the release of the William Shatner directed Star Trek V: The Final Frontier. The film did was a box office disappointment and so were these toys as they were cheaply made (but not cheap at $19.95 each). Visit the "A Piece of the Action" blog for a detailed review of the Spock figure. Maybe Galoob should have stuck to making Game Genies.

G.I. Joe - Hasbro Direct

What's the ad for?

G.I. Joe figures and vehicle mail order offer
Year
1988

Spotted in

Go Joe! Have a good weekend.

Marvel trading cards

Don't tell anyone but I once paid a grade school classmate $10 to steal me a box of these cards...Can you identify who all the hands belong to?