What's up, dudes? Remember GI Joe? This real American hero was developed by Stan Weston and licensed and produced by Hasbro in 1963. They even coined the phrase “action figure” to help market the toys to boys. In 1966, the British toy company Palitoy licensed GI Joe and created their version: Action Man. Action Man was primarily developed with British military themes in mind. To set themselves apart, Palitoy even developed flocked hair and gripping hands, though of course they eventually crossed over to the GI Joe line.

Consequently, time kills most toy lines, and sales dwindled until GI Joe relaunched itself in 1982 with 3 ¾ inch figures to compete with Kenner’s Star Wars figures. To keep up, Palitoy rebranded Action Man as Action Force, a mixture of international soldiers and specialists from Britain, Germany, Australia, and, of course, America. In ‘83 they were given file cards and character profiles and even had their own comic strip, Battle Action Force! Action Force battled the terrorist organization Red Shadows led by Baron Ironblood.

Meanwhile, the Action Force toyline branched out into video games, audio stories on cassette tapes, stationery, and even toiletries. In ‘85, however, Alfred Pallett passed away, and Hasbro bought out Palitoy, including their factory, copyrights, and molds. Basically they just produced GI Joe figures under the Action Force name. In fact, Action Force even began fighting Cobra rather than Red Shadows. Even the cartoon was retitled and re-dubbed as Action Force with its own theme song!

In ‘86, the Battle Action Force comic strip was canceled, and Marvel UK began publishing a weekly comic in ‘87. Action Force #43 from Dec 26, 1987 includes a Christmas story entitled "Silent Night." The snow may be deep and crisp and even inside the Norwegian arctic circle, but the Christmas celebrations turn a little sour for Footloose and Frostbite when a squad of Cobra snow serpents come visiting — and they aren’t there for a kiss under the mistletoe!

Explosions? Check. Harsh weather condition battles? Got 'em. Plum pudding MREs? Definitely! So grab your laser rifles, hop on your Snow Cat, and defeat Cobra with this episode!

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What's up, dudes? I need to release a new episode, but I only have a paperclip, some chewing gum, and a trash can. Guess I'll have to MacGyver it! Thank goodness I have Art from A Cozy Christmas and Joe from Now Watch This to help me! That's right! We're talking MacGyver! But wait! Christmas magic and miracles?!?! In a MacGyver episode?! Does he even come up with a cool hack? No. Is there at least a great version of a Christmas classic? You bet! So grab your pocket knife and an egg, hook up a battery to a potato, and rig up this episode!

A Cozy Christmas
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Now Watch This
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What’s up, dudes? It’s Candlemas! Yes, today we say goodbye to Christmastide. To celebrate, I’ve got Thom Crowe from ‘Tis the Podcast and Art Kilmer from A Cozy Christmas with to talk about the 1981 episode of SuperBook “The First Christmas!”

Once again, several Gospel pericopes are concatenated in this New Testament-inspired episode. While feeling nostalgic and missing his mother at Christmas, Chris, Joy, and his robot toy Gizmo find themselves transported by the mystical book. When the psychedelia settles, they stare up in awe at a vast dessert from another time! Finding themselves in the 1st century BC Holy Land, the trio arrive during the time for Caesar Augustus’s decree.

Accordingly, St. Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary make the trek to Bethlehem, their ancestral home. Simultaneously the Magi follow a star to Bethlehem in search of a new king. The trio meet the Holy Family and journey with them to the same town. That night they see the Angel’s proclamation of great joy, and follow some shepherds to the inn where Jesus was born. They also foil Herod’s plot to have the Magi followed and the child killed. Having saved the day, they return to their time and celebrate Christmas properly.

An inn with no room? Check. Magi following a star? Got it. Adoring the Holy Family? Definitely! So grab your gold, frankincense, and myrrh, stay with your clockwork robot in a shepherd’s house, and head to Bethlehem with this episode! O come, let us adore him in SuperBook “The First Christmas!”

'Tis the Podcast
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A Cozy Christmas
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What’s up, dudes? My scheduled plans fell through, so here’s a fun little game my son and I played. Season finale next week!

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What’s up, dudes? Peace on earth, goodwill towards men and women and chickens and bears… and Dizzy Gillespie! Yes, Mike Westfall of Advent Calendar House and Tim Babb from Can’t Wait for Christmas are with me to talk all about the 1979 special “John Denver & the Muppets: A Christmas Together!”



Advent Calendar House
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Can’t Wait for Christmas
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What’s up, dudes? Remember Band Aid and its mega-hit “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” It spun off countless relief efforts, including Carol Aid 1985. Ken Kessler from Sounds of Christmas introduced me to this concert, and he’s here to talk about its MTV and Music Box broadcast!

Carol Aid was a famine relief concert held at the club Heaven in London. MTV and Music Box aired a cut down version, leaving out several acts. In fact, the likes of Magnum, Captain Sensible, and Miquel Brown (to name a few) were cut for time. It’s quite unbelievable.

Cliff Richard kicked off the broadcast version with “Another Christmas Day,” while John Parr sang “Once in Royal David’s City.” Meanwhile, the Fixx pressed for donations and sang “Peace On Earth,” a hidden track from their following album. Subsequently, the event ended with the entire roster singing “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” rather heartily.

Chris De Burgh? Check. Anita Harris? She was there. Toto Coelo and the Flying Pickets? Got them too, though we have no idea what they sang. So grab your oversized checks, put on your red beret, and jam out to “Carols from Heaven” and Carol Aid 1985!

Sounds of Christmas
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What’s up, dudes? CM Chuck from Just Another Friday Night and Jeff Loftin from Lost Christmas join me to talk about an obscure Marvel Comic issue What The?! #10! Specifically, we’re digging into the short story “I’ll Be Doom for Christmas!”

Santa arrives at Doom’s castle on Christmas Eve, but is ensnared by one of Doom’s traps. The injured Santa convinces Doom to deliver the remaining presents by agreeing to give him his heart’s desire. Doom does so, but isn’t super stealthy at Avengers Mansion, waking several Avengers who tail him quietly.

Subsequently, he heads to the Baxter Building and is attacked by the Fantastic Four despite his protests of innocence. In fact, the Thing punches him and he flies several blocks. Finally fed up, he begins to defend himself against the heroes, and it’s revealed they’re battling in front of a hospital for sickly children. Of course, Doom tells a little girl the heroes are here to help him pass out toys, and he embraces her in a hug.

Weeks pass, and Santa is finally healed. As he leaves he tells Doom he’ll grant his wish, but Doom says it’s been taken care of. He’s cradling the teddy bear of the little girl from the hospital.

John Byrne art? Check. Scott Lobdell script? Got it. Heartwarming ending? Yeah, Doom’s a softy. So hitch up your snarky reindeer, put your Santa suit on over your armor, and ride out to this episode on “I’ll Be Doom for Christmas!”

Just Another Friday Night
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Lost Christmas Podcast
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What’s up, dudes? I’ve got a rad treat for you today! It’s an episode of Jingle Jank I was a guest on! Now you can hear me along with Scott and Jay talk about the ‘84 album “A Midnight Christmas Mess”! Or, even better, go over to Jingle Jank and listen there! Then once you’re hooked, you can like and subscribe and download their other shows! There are some fantastic episodes! Take a listen to this one then head on over and enjoy! There are some fantastic guests!!

Jingle Jank

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