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Action Man is an action figure originally produced and sold in the United Kingdom by Palitoy Ltd of Coalville, Leicestershire from 1966 until 1984. The figure was originally based on the United States G.I. Joe figure but with a British military theme. Military styled Action Man made a brief resurgance in the early 1990s but since 1996 Hasbro has used the name without any military theme as a modern adventurer complete with arch-enemy.
Developmental History
Origins
Palitoy (a British subsidiary of General Mills) licensed a copy of GI Joe from Hasbro. Initially Action Man, his equipment and accessories were all straight copies of GI Joe, but after a while he developed independently. The range of accessories favoured the British themes, although American outfits and equipment were produced. One of Palitoy's innovations was the flocked hair which crossed over to the GI Joe line. The first Action Man figures were Action Soldier, Action Sailor and Action Pilot. They were accompanied by outfits depicting the participants of the Second World War. Over the subsequent years, Action Man's outfits and equipment tended to follow military themes, and British units and equipment featured. The non-military was also covered with adventurous elements such as mountain rescue, arctic exploration, and deep sea diving. Among the larger accessories produced for Action Man were versions (not to true 1/6th scale) of the Scorpion tank, Ferret armoured car, the 105 mm Light Gun, Airportable Land Rover.
Small Scale
In the early 1980s, a range of 10 cm (4 inch) versions of Action Man was launched as Action Force. By 1985, Palitoy had stopped making original figures and were repackaging G.I. Joe figures as Action Force. In 1990, the name Action Force was dropped and the toys were sold under their original G.I. Joe name.New Era
Action Man was relaunched in 1996 by Hasbro. This version of the toy tended away from the more militaristic theme in favour of an "extreme sports" theme, and introduced a fantasy terrorist antagonist in the form of Dr. X. The usual themed toys, stationery and other items have also been marketed.A computer animated television series, Action Man, and a video game are based on these characters. In most U.S. toy stores, various versions of Action Man toys may usually be found.
Appearance
The original Action Man had a completely moulded painted head,with a livid scar on the cheek registered as a trademark. The first innovation was a form of flocking giving the effect of a short "fuzzy" hairstyle. The Sailor (a very Royal Navy looking type) sported a similarly produced beard. This innovation crossed back over the Altantic and was introduced for GI Joe within a couple of years.
Gripping hands were the next feature to be introduced; the hard moulded hands of the original were replaced by rubber. The early rubber is prone to breakdown while later hands survive the years much better.
An improved head with "Eagle Eyes" followed later. A mechanism operated by a simple slide at the back of the head moves the gaze of the eyeballs back and forth - an improvement on the fixed stare of the original albeit at the price of a slightly larger head.
Towards the end of the original period of Action Man the flesh coloured pelvic area of the body was replaced with a blue section giving the effect of blue underpants rather than the sexless mannequin look; at the same time the body took on a more muscular tone.
In 1977, the official catalogue included four new figures. Three of them were variations on the standard Action Man; a cyborg Atomic Man (influenced by The Six Million Dollar Man), a dark-skinned (African ethnic) Commando Tom Stone, a red and silver superhero Bullet Man, and lastly a brutish Neanderthal look-alike The Intruder, which was a less articulated figure.
In 1980 two more figures not based on the Action Man doll were added: Captain Zargon (the Space Pirate) and 'ROM' the Robot. At the same time Action Man gained a new set of equipment under the Space Ranger title. These were futuristic outfits rather than previous space suits which had been based on the equipment of the Gemini and Apollo missions.
Villains
Dr. X is a mad scientist who is the arch-enemy of Action Man in its line of toys.In the toy-version plot, Dr X is bent on ruling the entire world and is prepared to kill anyone who stands in his way. He has recruited many villains into his army over the past years such as Plague Locust (from PC game), MAXX or 'the man with no name' (1999), Tempest (2001), Anti-freeze (2003), No-face (2004) and Professor Gangrene (1997, 2000, 2002, 2003).
During the battles with Action Man, Dr X has constantly been defeated and humilated. However the evil scientist never seems to give up and each time he comes back to do battle with our hero, he grows stronger. However Action Man always wins the battle and defeats him.
Dr X over the years has also seen new styles. In 1996 he had a Bio-Stomache, in 1997 - a firing arm, in 1998 - A chopper bike, in 1999 - A laughter button, in 2000 - A robotic arm, in 2001 - a Bronze arm and Ball & chain, in 2003 - a firing missile arm, in 2003 - A titanium arm and in 2004 a Dinosaur X.
Dr. X was one of the biggest villains in toy history and has been the enemy of Action Man for the past fourteen or so years. However as time went on, Dr X's influence began to decline so in a final showdown with Action Man, Dr. X was thrown from a high window and clung to the ledge for dear life. Action Man stood over his nemesis as Dr. X pleaded for help. The people voted that this ongoing battle for fourteen years had to end and so Action Man just stood there and cooly watched as Dr. X lost his grip on the ledge and fell to his death.
While a very popular character, people grew tired of the same villain coming back every time for fourteen years, so he was voted killed off. Doctor X was also the name of a 1932 motion picture filmed in Technicolor Process 3. Doctor X's henchmen have included: Professor Gangrene, Tempest, Anti-Freeze,The Man with no name, No Face and Plague locust.
See also
References
External links
- Action Man HQ - focusing on the "vintage" 1966-1984 figures
Dolls | Action figures | Playscale figures | Fictional mad scientists | Fictional villains
"Action Man"