Hey, Guy! Happy Birthday!

Fifty is on the horizon, but every day I still feel like a kid. I'm looking forward to a day out with my girl, some good eats, and fun times. First, it kicks off with my annual allotment of gifts from me, to me, for being me.

I don't tend to drift too far from Spider-Man titles when it comes to collecting comics, but this year, I did just that. Fantastic Four issue 207 wasn't a book that would have been on my radar any other day of the week. It was only has I was making my way through the chronological order of Spider-Man reading that I became aware of it. Had it just been a run of the mill team-up, I would have skipped it. However, this book features a key event in the life of Peter Parker.

Next up is a book that in hindsight, I probably would have skipped in the long run. Deadpool number eleven was overhyped by a Youtuber, which led me to tracking it down. It's unique for sure, but after reading it, it's not at amazing as I hoped it would be. I definitely won't be actively tracking down any additional Deadpool books in the near future.

The main haul that I got for myself were some straggler titles in the very few remaining cartoons of the 80's available in the US on DVD.

Pound Puppies (1986) never saw a complete series release on DVD. Instead, there were a handful of episodes originally released on VHS back in the day. In 2007, Family Home Entertainment produced a batch of DVD's that contained the original 1985 special, which got packaged with select Pound Puppies plush toys. While the disc can be found these days, it's kind of scarce in good condition. These were, after all, packaged with toys for little kids. I'm definitely glad I was able to find and nab one.

There are an abundance of Charlie Brown / Peanuts related DVD's out there. So many, that I had to take a hiatus from them after getting the main / most commonly known holiday specials. This year, I decided that I would at least grab the two 80's series which aired in syndication.

The first, The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show, aired from 1983 to 1985. Over the course of two seasons, there were eighteen episodes produced, making it one of the smaller multi-season series. Unlike the popular specials, the series didn't resonate all that well with kids, which ultimately led to its low production run. It did see a bit of a revival in 1998 when Nickelodeon aired the episodes as part of its, You're On Nickelodeon, Charlie Brown umbrella.

I also picked up the 1988, This Is America Charlie Brown, which encompassed one season containing eight episodes. Unlike most Peanuts related cartoons, this one actually shows adults from head to toe, mainly because they were historical figures being depicted. This series too was aired in the aforementioned Nickelodeon series in 1998.

Saber Riders and the Star Sherrifs was a series that had been on my radar for quite some time. However, what often kept me away was its high price tag, typically around $125.00 to $150.00, as well as the overall premise. I'd be lying if I said I was in to Japanese style cartoons of the 80's. Shows like Voltron, which subsequently were the same makers of Saber Rider, never really resonated with me. Truthfully, the only reason I ended up with it now was because the seller accepted my offer of $100.00. I'll give it a try for sure. Hopefully, it hits a high note. Either way, I'm happy to have it.

Last up, in the realm of DVD, is another incredibly hard, and subsequently high priced, series, The Adventures of Teddy Ruxpin. This was given a very limited DVD release from Image Entertainment in 2008 across three sets, which were then packaged together in 2009 under the title, Come Dream With Me - The Complete Series. It was released one final time, to date, in 2012 as The Complete Teddy Ruxpin Adventures. Regardless of which version you're on the hunt for, all are long out of print.

While you can find the three individual DVD sets more regularly than the box sets, only volume one is common, and as such, "affordable" (under ten dollars). The remaining two volumes can easily set you back fifty to eighty dollars each. Since this hit my radar, while I had seen the 2012 set come up occasionally, typically for close to $200.00, I had never seen the 2009 set. That is until early August when I came across one seller who not only had all the individual sets, but also the box set. I couldn't believe it when they accepted my offer of $95.00.

There's still some key titles I need to track down, but I'm honestly hesitant to get them. The biggest reason is that I know me too well. Once I finish getting everything I can from the 80's, I'll start looking at other eras. Everything is a rabbit hole.

At the last minute, I also ordered a few CD's. Frankly, I'm not surprised they all haven't arrived yet. What did show up were Janet Jackson's Control: The Remixes (1987), Icehouse's Sidewalk (1984), and Kansas's Vinyl Confessions (1982). Still in transit are Icehouse's Primitave (1982), and two albums from Sparks, 1982's Angst In My Pants, and 1983's In Outer Space.

The final item I got for myself was a log.

Hooray!

No, it's not the infamous log from The Ren & Stimpy Show. Rather, this is one of the few remaining accessories of the even fewer toys that I'm still actively collecting. Specifically, this is the break-away log, which came with the wave two Mr. Miyagi figure from the Remco The Karate Kid line.

This is the only line I have ever actively collected piecemeal. Meaning, figures which were incomplete. Fortunately, I bought all mine prior to the boom of Cobra Kai, but even then, I had to settle for several only having their karate gi.

The accessories are sparse, at best, with wave one being the most common to find. Once you get into the second series, forget about it. One pops up occasionally, and typically far overpriced. If the timing weren't right, my birthday, I would have probably passed on this one.

I just need one more break-away fighting pole for Sato (or Chosen - it was the same piece), one piece of the seat to, or a full replacement of the break-away chair for Kreese, the stand, or a full replacement of the break-away ice, version 2 for Daniel, and the weapon on a rope which came with Kreese. Of course, all of these are from wave 2, so the challenge and hunt remain active.

I suspect when Cobra Kai ends that all the fans who jumped on these figures will start to offload them in abundance once they've moved on to the next best thing. As such, I'm hopeful that the remaining pieces will eventually come to fruition. Until then, this is what I got myself for my birthday this year.

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Revised Remco Karate Kid Shelf

 

I've been in an accessory buying mood as of late. Specifically for those that contributed to my incomplete Remco Karate Kid line. Fortunately, I've found quite a bit. This, however, also necessitated the restructure of my single shelf of figures.

This top shelf represents the first film, and each figure, with the exception of Miyagi scrolls, is now 100% complete! Over complete, actually. I have two additional break away boards, and an extra break away wall that I had to put away because it didn't fit on the shelf.

Shelf two represents the second film, and the only accessory I would still "need" to make it complete, would be another break away pole for Miyagi (version 2). I might try to find two of them just to balance out both sides of the shelf.

I went from having zero break away ice for the longest time to having two in the same day. Fantastic find!

This last shelf represents the tweaked and re-released second series. This is the one I'm missing the most accessories for. I still need parts for the break away chair which goes with Kreese, and the weapon for Johnny.

I technically now have three break away fighting poles, but only one is shown because the others are in transit still. I don't honestly know how many came with Sato and Chozen, so I think I'm going to try and get four in total. That's how many are shown on the combined packages for the two figures.

Proving to be difficult to find are the accessories for Miyagi and Daniel, which are the break away log and stand, and a second version of the break away ice with stand. I have the two halves of the ice block, but no stand. I don't have any of the pieces for the log.

The search continues!

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The Flintstones (Remco)

 

The Flintstones
Remco
1961

Like The Flintstones? How about motorized wooden or plastic models? Okay, one more question, you enjoy collecting Remco toys? Well, if you said yes to any of those, but hopefully all three of them, then the 1961 line of motorized wooden and plastic models from Remco based on The Flintstones, may be what you're missing in you life. 

Each set, sold separately of course, featured a slew of pieces for kids to put together, including cardboard characters and animals to adhere to each one. If that weren't enough fun in the box, each set came with a comic book style instruction sheet, with full color illustrations.

Remco released three individual sets, Paddy Wagon, Sports Car & Trailer and Yacht. Ironically, if you've seen the sown, you know that neither Fred nor Barney could afford a yacht or sports car. Also not sure what they could have done to end up in the back of a cop car...er...dinosaur. Perhaps they stole the other two vehicles, and ended up arrested in the end?

While I dig the premise of these toys, I'd be lying if I said they were for me. I'm not a fan of building things, not even toys.

Then again, even if I did, the $200.00 complete in the box price is pretty rich for my blood for something like this. Still, they're pretty darn neat.

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Magic Magnetic Superman City (Remco)

Magic Magnetic Superman City
Remco
1966

If last week's Magic Magnetic Gotham City was out of your price range at $2000.00, then I'm afraid this week's Magic Magnetic Superman City isn't going to be much better. It's unfortunately just as rare and just as expensive.

Remco's Magnetic Superman City, much like the Gotham City playset, featured a magnetic Metropolis "map" which you could place cardboard buildings, such as the Hotel Metropolis and Daily Planet. To interact with it, the set included cardboard figures. These were, Clark Kent, Superman, Lois Lane, a robot, Strongman and a few cars. Once again, a plastic wand was included to move all the pieces around on their magnetic stands.

Admittedly, it's not as exciting as the Batman set, which seemed to include way more pieces than this particular one. Still, if you were a fan of Superman at this time, it's a pretty neat set. 

Not too many of these have been seen out in the wild, so unfortunately, chances are rather slim that you'll come across one. Like the aforementioned Gotham City set, these are Holy Grails for Superman and DC Comic collectors.

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Magic Magnetic Gotham City (Remco)

Magic Magnetic Gotham City
Remco
1966

These days, they just don't make play mats like they used to. Vintage ones have so much going on in terms of style, fun and play interaction. Be it a vinyl mat for the 4077, those generic, but always fun, city streets, or a magnetic Gotham City.

For the latter, you'd have to look to the 1966 Remco Magic Magnetic Gotham City. The set consisted of a magnetic Gotham City "map", which you could place cardboard buildings, a bat cave and various punch out characters. The set even contained vehicles, such as, planes and cars - One of which, was of course, was the Batmobile - All of which were set up on magnetic bases.

As for the characters, these featured the likes of Batman, Robin, Catwoman, The Penguin and The Joker. With them, you could create hours of fun as the stories in your head unfolded on the mat before you. Basic design, but hours of potential fun.

Unfortunately, this set is by no means easy to come by these days. They're very few and far between. A complete set can easily set you back close to two thousand dollars. It's by no means for the average collector.

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Movieland Drive-In Theater (Remco)

Movieland Drive-In Theater
Remco
1959

I don't talk about many toys which predate the 1970's, so today is pretty special for me here at The Toy Box. Today, I'm looking at the 1959 Remco Movieland Drive-In Theater.

This is part playset, part toy cars and part projector. It's main feature, the projector, came with six film slides which could be displayed off the 4 X 6 playset screen. These included scenes from Have Gun Will Travel, Heckle and Jeckle, Captain Kangaroo, Dinky Duck, Mighty Mouse and Farmer Alfalfa.

While that alone would have made for a fantastic toy, the set also included interchangeable marquees and six tin toy cars. All of which could be displayed around the lot, snack stand and ticket booth. All of this for $5.98!...Which equates to over fifty dollars these days.

The real beauty to this set is the attention to detail. It looks exactly like a miniature drive-in movie theater.

You can grab one of these complete on secondary markets for around a hundred dollars with the box. That honestly surprised me, as I really expected this thing to be upwards of four figures. At the very least, if the commercial is still available on Youtube, I highly recommend you check it out.

I'd love to see Hot Wheels make some retro playsets and vehicles based on the fifties and sixties. Wouldn't it be awesome to get a drive-in movie theater, vintage style drive thru's for food, ice cream shops, etc.? I'm not a big car collector, but I could certainly endorse a line like that. 

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Arachnophobia (Remco)

Arachnophobia
Remco
1990

"Every boy wants a Remco toy."

You know, I've never seen this movie, and have no desire to ever do so. As such, I don't honestly know much about the film itself. Well, beyond that it's obviously about spiders.

By 1990, Remco had long since been the property of Azrak-Hamway International, Inc., and through them, they released this one and done Big Bob spider from the film under the Remco banner. For me, the figure stands out as something which would fit in line with the likes of Mattel's Gre-Gory. It's just this plastic / rubber giant creature.

Big Bob

I like how the "figure" was packaged to incorporate the backdrop of the movie poster. That's pretty genius right there. The package also consisted of a plastic bag like cover around it - For those of you who are interested in the logistics of the true "mint in package" style.

These days, you're not going to come across this thing often, and if you're on the hunt for it, it's going to set you back quite a bit. Carded ones, without the bag, sell for as much as $75.00. Throw in that plastic bag, and it can sell for $100.00 to $125.00. I've yet to see one loose.

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Hiya!

"Show me sand the floor. Big circles. Sand the floor. Sand the floor."

"Now show me wax on, wax off. Concentrate. Look my eye."

"Show me paint the fence. Up, down. Look eye! Always look eye!"

"Show me paint the house. Side, side. Lock wrist."

"Look eye. Always look eye!"

And with that, Mr. Miyagi taught Daniel Larusso the art of karate. Of course, all of this would only come to be as a result of Daniel all but stalking Johnny's ex-girlfriend, and then proceeding to pick a fight with him.

After losing said fight, Daniel would sadistically seek opportunities to embarrass Johnny in front of everyone - Even going so far as to assault him at a school function.

Left with no choice but to defend himself, Johnny would find himself at the merciless hands of the brutal Mr. Miyagi - Daniel's neighbor. With a lust for violence, Miyagi took it upon himself to train Daniel to fight in an effort to help him harass and torment Johnny more.

It was because of this, Johnny would need to seek the help of his mentor and teacher, John Kreese - an honored war veteran. Kreese would tutor Johnny in the art of karate to help the boy defend himself - Teaching him the only way to ensure Daniel's attacks stopped would be to, "Strike hard, strike first, no mercy." Something Daniel would surely do if given the chance.

Angry that Johnny would have the nerve to seek help, Miyagi and Daniel would challenge the young boy to a fight at a local tournament. This would serve two purposes. The first to feed Daniel's cravings to feel Johnny's jaw on his knuckles again. The second - The perfect opportunity to humiliate Johnny one final time. This time in front of a full audience.

Despite being reminded numerous times by the referee of the rules of the tournament, Daniel decided it was time to put Johnny down once and for all as he sent an illegal kick to the young boy's face.

Distracted by Mr. Miyagi who was causing a scene on the sidelines, the only thing the ref turned around in time to see was the young boy hit the mat, concluding the tournament in Daniel's favor.

Miyagi's plan worked and the evil Daniel swooped up his trophy to the roaring boos of the confused crowd. Johnny would die later in the hospital from a fractured skull.

Feeling pumped about his newfound power, Daniel decided it was time to take his bullying global. The plan - Humiliate one boy on every continent.

His next victim - The young Chozen, selected for no other reason than Daniel found it amusing to walk around saying, "I've Chozen you!"

Rekindled by his own rival, Miyagi and Daniel proceeded up and down the coast of Okinawa humiliating Chozen and his uncle, Sato, at every opportunity.

No joke was too funny to them.

No location was off limits as Daniel proved taking low blows at a local dance club.

Okinawa provided the perfect background for the Miyagi / Larusso humiliation train.

Insistent on further tormenting the boy, Daniel used the opportunity of a local town festival to unleash brutal slaps to Chozen's face to the beat of drums.

Despite defeating and humiliating Chozen, Daniel wasn't ready to stop. In the final moments, he unleashed his new Miyagi training...

...The honking of the nose!

Years later, the All Valley Tournament Committee would review footage from Daniel's first fight and call upon him to either give his trophy back or fight again. Because he had died, the Cobra Kai would present a new challenger - Mike Barnes. Under the tutelage of Johnny's old Sensei, the boy would attempt to honor his fallen comrade. But this is a story for another time.

For those seeking the art of humiliation from Miyagi, he has since gone on to produce a popular set of scrolls - Available wherever books are sold.

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Powerized (Remco)

Powerized
Remco
1980

Today we jump back to Remco to look at another super hero related line they produced.

The Powerized line is somewhat of a continuation of Remco's Energized line which we looked at a couple weeks back, and pretty much features the same figures from that line - With the exception of Captain America replacing The Green Goblin.

While some "figures" still incorporated the climbing feature which Remco used in its Energized line, the main schtick for the Powerized line was glow in the dark features as well as a "sliding cord for fast escapes". In other words, instead of vertical movement, the figures incorporated a horizontal one. The exception to this was Hulk.

Log-Throwing Hulk*Power Shield Captain America

As we mentioned above, Hulk was an exception to the features for the figures. Instead of having a cord for fast movement, he included a throwing feature - Thus the name, Log-Throwing Hulk. Oddly enough, his arms didn't spring forward. Instead, you "locked" the log in a spring loaded peg hole located in his head. With the push of a button on his back the log would shoot off. The figure even included cardboard cut-out crates which you could use as targets.

Climbing Spider-Man

Superman Speeding Figure*Batman Climbing Figure

Remco didn't produce any vehicles for the series, so we thought we'd throw out an honorable mention to the Spider-Man CSF Copter which Remco released around this same time frame. Remco actually produced numerous CSF style copters in various licensed styles, and finding any of them can prove quite difficult. Though we aren't sure just how many different ones there are, we have seen Spider-Man (obviously), Hulk, Batman and even an Enterprise spaceship for Star Trek.

Spider-Man CSF Copter

For those of you wondering, CSF stands for Controlled Space Flight. In other words, the copter was hooked to a long plastic line which sat atop a circular motorized pad. When activated, the copter would spin in a circle in a controlled space of flight. Learning stuff is fun!

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Energized (Remco)

Energized
Remco
1978 - 1979

There have been a ton of toys produced based on Marvel and DC Comic heroes. It seems like just about every toy company out there has produced some form of plastic item showcasing any one of the number of iconic characters from comic pages. As such, it's not surprise Remco got their chance in 1978 with their Energized line.

The concept for the figures was pretty simplistic with each of them featuring some form of motorized aspect in conjunction with a "string". For Spider-Man, Green Goblin and Batman this feature was designed to showcase the character climbing. Superman's feature was flying, and Hulks feature was pulling a stone wall down. Like we said, simplistic - But it works well for what it is. These are by no means bad figures.

Energized Web Climber Spider-Man*Energized Spider-Sense Spider-Man

Energized The Green Goblin*Energized Hulk

Energized Batman*Energized Superman

If you couldn't tell by how Spider-Man got two figures (as well as a villain), and everyone else got one, Spider-Man was definitely the focal point of the line. This concept was hammered home by the only vehicles and accessories released for the line being all Spider-Man based.

Energized Spider-Copter

Energized Spider-Man Accessories

In addition to the above, we've seen catalog photos of an Energized Spider-Man Command Center. However, we have never actually seen the physical toy. It's possible this item was never released.

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