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Showing posts from October, 2020

Fisher-Price Adventure People: Set #353 Scuba Divers (1976-1981)

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Fisher-Price Adventure People Scuba Divers set #353 (1976-1981) The Fisher-Price Adventure People first went on sale in 1975 with four sets: #303 Rescue Truck, #304 Safari , #305 Rescue Copter and #306 Sport Plane.  Each set included one or two 3 3/4" action figures except the Safari set which included four figures!  The sets were so successful that Fisher-Price decided to add three new sets in 1976 ( #307 Wilderness Patrol , #308 Super Speed Racer, #310 Sea Explorer).  All of these sets sold well and were in production for several years.  However, the sets all included vehicles which meant that the cost for each of these sets would prevent parents looking for an inexpensive toy from buying them as impulse purchases.  Fisher-Price needed a lower-cost alternative. Summer fun with the Adventure People! To expand on the Adventure People line, in 1976 Fisher-Price started selling smaller sets that included a couple of 3 3/4" figures and some small accessories, but didn't incl

Action Figure Overview: G.I. Joe - Iceberg (Hasbro, 1986)

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1986 G.I. Joe "Iceberg" action figure (Hasbro, 1986) After having more than 10 years of huge success with the original 12" G.I. Joe action figures that came out in 1964, Hasbro took a break from the line for a few years.  During the late 1970s, the popularity of Kenner's Star Wars figures made 3 3/4" the new standard size for action figures.  In 1982, Hasbro came back with the "Real American Hero" re-launch of G.I. Joe and it was a huge hit! Iceberg keeps watch in the snow for G.I. Joe  In 1982, I was the perfect age for G.I. Joe and I was instantly sold on these new 3 3/4" action figures.  I still remember how excited I was when I first saw them in the stores and the agony of trying to pick just two of these awesome characters.  The first several waves of figures were amazing!  Sure, not every idea could be a great one, but for the most part, the first four waves specifically were pretty solid.  By 1986, when the fifth wave arrived, there

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Street Showdown set (Mega Bloks, 2015)

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Street Showdown #DPD79 (Mega Bloks, 2015) I started picking up the Mega Construx figures because of the Masters of the Universe releases, which I think are great!  Since then, I've been more aware of the Mega Construx and Mega Bloks sets, so when I saw this Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles set (still sealed in the original box) for $5, I picked it up without hesitation!   TMNT Street Showdown Box DPD79 This set is the Mega Bloks "Street Showdown" set # DPD79.  It's one of a series of sets that goes back to the original black & white Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic books prior to the cartoon and original action figures and it's full of nods to TMNT history.  The set contains two figures, Raphael and Casey Jones, and the "Second Time Around" second-hand store.  The Raphael figure has a metal shell, which is kind of cool.  He comes with his typical pair of Sai as well as one throwing star.  Casey Jones comes with a golf bag,