Action Man is NOT a G.I. Joe RIP OFF!

[@AnalogToys]

During the late 1970s Hasbro was nicknamed ‘Hasbeen’ in the toy trade after the demise of GI Joe and later Super Joe. It was largely due to royalties for Action Man coming from Palitoy that helped the company stay afloat!

[@TheNightBadger]

Wow... that might mean that without the royalties Hasbro might not have been able to re-do GI Joe for the 3 3/4 line! I wonder if that's the case...

[@thegeorgiealityshow359]

Thanks for making this clear to those people who had no knowledge of this.Thanks so much

[@jacksonmcdaniel3250]

Wow thanks for the information I did not know that

[@BrillBrix]

I'm scottish and i pefer gi joe 1982-present

[@bradbrown8759]

SuperJoe Commander was my favorite. But the accessories and figures was strangely sparse. By 78 it was like panning for gold to find anything. Then I discover over seas the people and play sets were numerous. I coulden't get any human figure besides Joe. Despite they showed 3 - 4 guys in red tights. I feel it was under promoted.

[@TheToyBoy1978]

GI Joe was licenced all around the world by a number of different companies, Polistil of Italy, Ceji of France, Geyper of Spain, Toltoys of Australia, Schildkrot of Germany, Takara of Japan & so on. Palitoy improved GI Joe with the innovations it made to Action Man and by the time the 'Dynamic Physique' figure was on the market it, Action Man had truly become its own brand. Ive spoken to and heard from many GI Joe collectors that envy what we got here in the UK with Action Man.

[@ravenslaves]

Coming from the US and growing up with GI Joe and seeing the changes made from a "fighting man" to hunting a small ape, I was more than thrilled to see the amazing directions that Palitoy took the product. Weapons and uniforms that the US would never approach were readily available for Action Man, who didn't join the hippie commune that was The Adventure Team. Action Man also kept the 1/6 scale action figure alive when it was all but over in the US.

[@desertlion5215]

I remember when I was a kid, that when an Action Man was broken my mother would send it to be repaired at palitoy. Could you imagine a company doing that now. They were great and I have many fond memories of my childhood with my faithful Action Men (I still have them in loft).

[@BrickMantooth]

Nice summation, I totally agree and believe that Palitoy made my GI joe experience better as a kid.

[@IuriFiedoruk]

That is really funny that people think it is a ripoff. Hasbro actually also licensed GI Joe over the world during the oil crisis, so almost all countries had its own version, officially licensed it from Hasbro, just with adapted names. Plus, the figure's molds came from them. In Brazil, for example, we have Falcon action figure, that is currently back into production with limited runs, but still under the agreement with Hasbro, as the usage of the molds does not end with time, and Estrela, the Brazilian manufacturer, does not use the GI Joe name, that is a different story.

[@tankboyful]

you are quite right. palitoy was more of a partner to the US companies, they worked hand in hand. several companies came out with GI Joe ripoffs, cheaply made. many people don't understand the concept of licensing. please continue getting out the word.

[@morlockmeat]

I just kind of took it for granted that Action Man and G.I. Joe were the same, just different country versions. Actually, Hasbro might have been better off changing the name G.I. Joe to Action Man in the states, since G.I. Joe was spawned from the Vietnam War, and with the end of and controversies of the war, change him to Action Man. They sort of were doing this anyway, by making Joe into G.I. Joe and His Adventure Team line in the 70's. Should've just made him Action Man and His Adventure Team. Very enlightening!

[@theant9821]

They probably would have, but hasbro didn't get the rights to use the Action Man name until around 1990 ish, after they bought out palitoys parent company.

[@morlockmeat]

@@theant9821 - Well, that explains it, then.

[@robertbeard8207]

These people should do more research ridiculous to make that statement!

[@Winch67]

Which people your comment is ambiguous and could be read 2 ways! :o

[@robertbeard8207]

The statement refers to the title. Many toys get te branded in foreign markets to reflect what that particular market would respond to. Action Man in the UK Geyper Man in Spain, Group Action Joe in France etc.

[@ChapMeifan]

I will admit that I thought it was a rip-off back in the 80's but then the more I read about it the more I realized how much more creative Palitoy was with not only the 12 inch line but with the concept of the 3.75 Action Force figures and the play patterns they developed. Honestly, I found Palitoy had more love for characters like Mike Power (Atomic Man) and brilliantly used vehicles like the Big Trapper in a military green (which improved it exponentially). There was a lot of love and creativity there and I wish I had been able to get all of it when I was a kid.

[@DougPalumbo]

Excellent clarification for those who had questions! This is the definitive video on the subject!

[@leebush4053]

Retroblasting rate the Palitoy Death Star higher than the Kenner if memory serves.

[@TheNightBadger]

@Shield Liger If I could have owned one as a child (never having owned either) I would have wanted the larger circular one (Palitoy), because the child in me would have seen that as being more Death Star-ish.

[@GarysActionManChannel1970]

Action Man became his own "Man" by the late 60s and was more of an influence on GI Joe after that. Great video👍

[@stevepilley6121]

Personally I just think its great that kids in the UK and the US got to enjoy these toys and remember them. I own a good number of both. I also see it as perfectly natural and correct that there be some differences since each country has their own particular characteristics and patriotism. In fact I am a result myself of an American Dad and a British mother. I spent my childhood in both places and have a great pride in both countries. So if anyone picks a fight with either one they have picked a fight with me.

[@leebush4053]

In the 80s and early 90s Mazda were producing a small hatch that was an earlier version of the Ford Fiesta. It was produced under licence from Ford. It wasnt a Ford knock off. Likewise with a current Peugeot small hatch back that is licenced from Toyota. Ignore the ignorant people. Keep up the good work

[@resolute123]

As well as the well beloved Ford Ranger was a Mazada B series pickup truck.

[@Mentski]

I can't think or a more symbiotic relationship than the one between Palitoy and Hasbro for Action Man and GI Joe, and it looks like Hasbro have enough respect for Action Man and Action Force to consider it "canon" within the new shared universe they've been creating for comics/movies/etc/ Imagine a GI Joe movie where the Baron Ironbloood and the Red Shadows turned up and GI Joe got back up from Action Man and Action Force... You know you want it. I know I want it.

[@AnalogToys]

Yes I want it!

[@kang11]

I loved when I discovered Action Man. It gave me a whole new bunch of stuff to add to my collection. I'm glad he became his own thing. So much variety!

[@13thBear]

Action Man, IMHO, is superior to GI Joe because Palitoy did more to increase the uniforms and vehicles. What I don't know is the manufacturing specs about the materials used to make Action Man vs. GI Joe. If you know about that aspect, please consider making a video about the quality of Action Man vs. GI Joe. And, you are 100% correct. Action Man was licensed to Palitoy based upon several books about the history of GI Joe and Action Man that I have read.

[@toysbackzen]

Palitoy also made the Death Star in Canada. I had one and have fond memories playing with it. Wish I still had it!

[@philipeccles3918]

I got Action Man aged 8 in 1966, yellow hair, my older brother got black hair version. On both they were stamped GI JOE & a copyright on their butt. The next one I got didn't, this was in the UK, have you heard of this before? Really appreciate your videos, so many memories and learning about toys I was too old for, would've loved Action Force

[@rockinbillyboy]

Philip, I do know that in the early days, demand outstripped supply, and Palitoy simply couldn't knock Action man out quick enough, so they to bring some Canadian Joes over to fill demand....... My very first Action was the Explorer with the white polo neck jersey, and he definitely had gingery hair and not blonde....i never thought much of it at that time, because to me he was just my toy....however, in later years when i started collecting Action man, i realised that what i had was probably the head of a Canadian Gi Joe.

[@Rebelxstudios]

I consider them sister lines. While Action Man started as just releasing GI Joe to a new market, it quickly did it's own thing, with more sucess. People forget GI Joe did not do well in the late 60s early 70s due to the Veitnam War. Meanwhile in the UK Action Man was thriving with their own original designs.

[@Forcemaster2000]

I grew up in the 70's with the 1/6 scale GI Joe's and loved them. I'd never heard of Action Man until a few years ago on the internet, and have loved learning about him on your channel. I personally feel that Palitoy did a better job with Action Man than Hasbro did with GI Joe! So much more innovation and accessories than we ever got here in the States!

[@mortytheman4960]

All your videos deserve 10000000000000000000 likes and subs also I’ve been watching your channel for a year now and I got into your channel because of your Star Wars videos

[@georgeaitken2719]

Palitoy was the biggest toy company in the uk and they did a magnificent job of entertaining thousands of children in the 70s and 80s and they actually made some gi joes vehicles better

[@ravenslaves]

I was really not thrilled when GI Joe returned, having shrunk 6 inches, and having been reincarnated as the Village People action figures. Those were dark times for the kids who grew up in the 60's and 70's with real action figures (not dolls...even though they are)

[@troychristopher378]

As usual Spot On Tony setting the record straight for the misinformed. I didn't become familiar with Action Man until the 90s when the animated series hit the U.S. along with the Hasbro-Kenner 12 inch toy line. Even then i thought of Action Man as our Euro brother in arms marketed for what kids in Europe the UK Australia etc wanted. What was popular and sold in the US didn't translate overseas and Palitoy always quenched that thirst perfectly. My opinion the SOTW line was the finest Hasbro ever created unfortunately due to shirtless tree hugging hippies protesting The Vietnam War the series was cut short and The less political Adventure Team was born. I grew up with fuzz heads and Kung-Fu grip but after discovering all the Soldiers and Military heroes Palitoy produced in the 60's and 70's i found the line far more appealing.

[@gazz_N7]

Licensed partnership. How does that equal rip-off? In some cases Pallitoy even improved on the line, a great example on the table beside you, the RAM cycle and repaint of Scarlett. Your doing absolutely great work here Tony! Thank You!

[@georgeaitken2719]

Gazz not to mention the atc the panther and the wolverine

[@gazz_N7]

@@georgeaitken2719 too right!

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

@4:08 If my memory serves right, I think I have seen this photograph and some figures of these in a collectible shop in a mall from another city. I'd better get back there to confirm if they sell Action Man toys after the quarantine has been lifted.

[@keithhomesley1946]

I never knew of action man until I found your channel Tony. You have really taught me a lot. Although I see a lot of re paints of GI Joe figures I never considered that a rip off I just assumed that the 2 companies were either sister companies or had a partnership. I really enjoy the repurposed items and repainted figures and vehicles throughout both properties! I’m on the hunt for an Action Force ATC & Night Force APC to add with my GI Joe standard APC. Keep up the great work Tony!

[@georgeaitken2719]

What’s a night force apc

[@AnalogToys]

Its the GI Joe APC done in black, its really cool looking!

[@dinomonzon7493]

Nice clarification between G. I. Joe/Action Force. Remember getting several Joe figures on Action Man/Action Force cards like Rock 'n Roll & Stalker. They actually cost less than the original G. I. Joe carded figures, but the accessories & filecards were dead accurate to those of the US & Larry Hama's G. I. Joe filecards. One thing though, how come Action Force was international in nature (ie: Footloose was Scottish; I believe Lady J was Italian), and why was Sgt. Slaughter called Sgt. Slammer? I saw the Palitoy Death Star, and personally, I think its better than what Kenner did; at least it reflected the spherical design of the movie Death Star, compared to the free standing "building" look of the US version. The February release for Hasbro's G. I. Joe was meant to mark the simultaneous debut of Marvel's G. I. Joe comic, AND the animated G. I. Joe comic/toy commercials, as noted in Marvel's G. I. Joe Yearbook #1 in 1985. Still, another informative video, Mr. Tony. Thanks.

[@georgeaitken2719]

Dino Monzon in 85 action force was all gi and cobra figures but the company was shut down a year later then hasbro expanded its g I joe range to Europe but called it action force international heroes to maintain the brand name some name changes were made sgt slaughter was renamed slammer because It was deemed too violent and the wrestler he was based on wasn’t that well know in the uk

[@johnwyblejr6460]

If anything, I've always viewed GI Joe and Action Man as cousins.

[@cyborgroxx]

I didn't find out about Action Man until about ten years ago when I discovered him online. I never viewed him as a rip off. I always viewed him as England's G.I. Joe. I assumed that "G.I. Joe" was an American term and Britain had their term for it. Much like the difference between "fries" and " chips". We call them fries here, but they say chips in England. I live on the border of Canada and we have different terms for stuff too. So to me G.I. Joe and Action Man are the same thing. Although thanks to your videos as well as Toy Polloi, I have learned (at least it's my opinion) that Action Man has more quality and detail.

[@CharlemagneSupernova]

Odd how all this fuss is made about Action Man and Action Force when Japan did the exact same thing with Henshin Cyborg and Microman and no one seems to bat an eye.

[@lancedudero4318]

Long Before it became Transformers in the 80's

[@kingerikthegreatest.ofall.7860]

Thanks for clearing this up. I like what palitoy did with their version.

[@bobastu]

Looking back, Hasbro was too caught up in "making toys that sell" rather than making innovative toys to realize the truth; Palitoy R&D, i.e. flocking and grabbing hands, was an asset to the industry! Hasbro would have been smart to keep Palitoy R&D on a separate, renewable, contract. The folks at Palitoy R&D truly loved the product. To be fair, GI Joe ARAH was a remarkable line in the first four to five years, while after that it became remolds in various forms. Such a shame they lost sight of the core fan base to GI Joe. An indication of this is the shoulder rivets. All shoulder rivets were painted. If one was to look at those shoulder rivets, the amount of paint left is relative to the amount of play that toy received. Great vid!!!!!!!

[@Qui-GonJohn]

Well said Tony. Bit like saying the Royal Marines are a rip off of the U.S. Marine Corps or vice versa. One is British and the other is American but they are both great.

[@theant9821]

To be fair, that would be the other way round, the US Marines grew out of the Royal Marines as a result of the American war of independence. They trace their history to the the Royal Marines.

[@Paul-fq9pj]

Action Man rocks

[@mattbutcher8331]

Great video-it is not a ripoff. Didn’t they just change the name away from the American-named G.i. Joe? General issue regular guy? When the Action Force comic book came out, we all knew it was just the British version of Joe.

[@Halbared]

I do like your rants though

[@resolute123]

19,000 subscribers! Congrats! Let's see 20k!

[@georgeaitken2719]

resolute123 damn right mate

[@resolute123]

@@georgeaitken2719 It's a great community to be part of meeting great guys like yourself!

[@papitoluis4175]

Thanks from Spain!!!!....see you soon!

[@carlorjj]

Each one took his own direction, thanks for another great Video

[@GhostWolf141]

Very informative. I like that. Screw the haters. Keep up your good work buddy 👍🏻

[@deopersad2915]

Awesome 👍🏾👍🏾🤙 they where great as a kid to play with, 👍🏾

[@topselecttoys]

When I hear these comments I always think to myself "Who cares?!?!?!" Hasbro licensed Transformers and I dont hear people making comments. Kids from different countries like the same toys. Leave it at that.

[@lepterfirefall]

I think it's down to national pride....the USA invented GI Joe. The UK licenced it. The UK developed action force pretty much at the same time as the US but didnt steal the idea. No one likes to be called a sponge.

[@beaker126]

Excellent! I don't know why it's a hard concept for some, all sorts of things are rebranded to fit their market. Just look at cars for instance. One thing I've always wondered, had the U.S. not been involved in Vietnam, and military toys had remained popular, where would the G.I. Joe line have gone. Action Man had a significant run after Hasbro stopped producing the Joe line.

[@ryanwike2780]

Most likely the same people who say Gobots is a Transformers rip off.

[@JamesSmith-rf8wo]

Very informative, thanks. Although to be honest it seems odd to me. The the tight schedule coincidence for two weeks looks like one of the two companies could have caught wind of the other’s idea and started a similar development, just who knows who beat who.

[@Sgt-lott10]

It wasn’t an accident that they put the thumb on backwards, they did it just for being able to take down copies

[@AnalogToys]

It was an accident, Don Levine is quoted as saying that he first noticed the mistake and told the sculptor to leave it alone and it could be used as another method of copyrighting the figure.

[@Sgt-lott10]

Analog Toys odd, I’ve always heard it wasn’t

[@brooksswitzer9080]

@@AnalogToys Tony, love the channel, first time posting. My understanding about the thumb nail was it was done on purpose. When they first tried to copyright the figure, they were told you cant copyright the human body. So thats when they put the thumbnail on the underside of the thumb. Thats why MEGO would have had to settle it they duplicated the thumbnail as Hasbro. It would have been a direct copyright infringement. Keep up the good work.

[@wiibrockster]

I'm not even a Action Man fan and even I know he isn't a G.I Joe knockoff beacuse he's officially licesned and even had his own cartoon in the early 2000's.

[@TheToyBoy1978]

Tarlo The Boar The Action Man brand belonged to hasbro by that point, Its the Palitoy brand of Action Man that in question here.

[@georgeaitken2719]

If you look on the articulated recoloured action force figures they still have the copyright hasbro name on the back of the figures

[@flextape2637]

You are good guy

[@Romulus_Wolf]

And a PS1 video game.

[@lepterfirefall]

Clear debunking of incorrect information. No nastiness..... Refreshing to watch.

[@the_snobot]

I was always under the impression that the backwards thumbnail on GI Joe was not accidental like you imply at 2:34; it was intentionally sculpted that way because Hasbro wasn't able to secure a copyright (trademark? -- I am not a lawyer) on the human body. So they added the reversed thumbnail & facial scar as distinguishing features to allow them to secure the rights to their design. This way they weren't claiming rights over the shape of the human body, but rather that particular, mis-sculpted version of it. Later 12" GI Joe figures, like the '90s Hall of Fame line, retained the backwards thumbnail for this reason.

[@AnalogToys]

It was originally an accident but the sculptor realised what he had done the design director decided to keep the error as a way to copyright the figure.

[@kieronball8962]

Nice to have two new videos in one day, with camera hog (😁) Tony telling it like it is! Seriously though, for collectors of G.I. Joe, Action Man and Action Force, this definitive information is exactly what we need and Tony is one of only a handful of dedicated fans who can be relied upon to provide us with this type of knowledge!

[@georgeaitken2719]

kieron Ball I still suggesting he make a couple of action force vs video’s roboskull vs triad fighter and wolverine vs hyena come straight to mind

[@AnalogToys]

There on my list George!

[@열가지-r2l]

I love these figures. Always a pleasure to welcome.

[@guitardudeguy3139]

I actually think Action Man gradually did it's own thing and that's what I find amazing about it.

[@TheFullForcePodcast]

Well said pal!! Eff the haters!!

[@andrewflashchannelgibbs5384]

The name just sells better across the world as well, Action Man or Action Force. Much more appealing name for those outside of America. Ridiculous that Hasbro has let the Action Force brand name go. Another great video, you are spoiling us.👍

[@Halbared]

Andrew FlashChannel Gibbs objectively Action Force is a better name. More utilitarian

[@Elementa2006]

That would make more sense but outside of the UK, the rest of the world recognise the toyline as GI Joe and that's mostly because of the popularity of the cartoon series and to lesser extent the comics. The show was really popular here in Egypt during the 90s.

[@Halbared]

@@Elementa2006 Action Force comics/toyline were also in the Commonwealth/Anglophone countries.

[@Elementa2006]

@@Halbared didn't know that, now I know. And knowing is half the.... Ah, you know the rest.

[@theant9821]

@@Elementa2006 outside of North America Gi Joe is probably a lesser known name than action man, almost all of the licenced gi joe cousins across the world take a name akin to action man, like Geyperman etc. In Europe anyway many people have never heard of gi joe but almost all know action man.

[@geographyinaction7814]

Palitoy Death Star was sold in Canada too!

[@ivane5110]

But, which company is responsible for those creepy moving eyes? THAT is the real question! 👁👁

[@AnalogToys]

Hasbro developed the eagle eyes.

[@georgelea4297]

Awesome video Tony, very informative

[@ojodehalcon127]

I remember having an Action Force SAS more or less in the early 80s

[@dcohendmd]

Thanks for the information...I always thought of Action Man as a re-badging of GI JOE. For Action Force..are the figures the same Molds as Hasbro's?? The two weeks apart doesn't seem that decisive..as they both would have wanted to make a big splash at significant Toy Shows.

[@jacksonmcdaniel3250]

I don't own any action man figures but they seem cooler than to Joe especially the British uniforms

[@rockinbillyboy]

I wonder what bozo gave a thumbs down?....if you don't like it, just move along!....yet another tid bit from Tony the man!...I enjoy every one Tony, i just like your style mate.

[@jimmylincoln4082]

rockinbillyboy ....I’m sure some people fly through as many videos as they can, just to dislike them, they obviously have mental problems. It’s very rare to see a video without dislikes 🤨👍

[@rockinbillyboy]

@@jimmylincoln4082 Thanks Jimmy, of course you're right...but one thing i noticed about Tony's videos, and i even mentioned it on the video about the Lone Ranger and Tonto etc...that you never see a 'thumbs down' on Tony's videos...so this cretin ruined that for me...lol, thanks mate. :-)

[@georgeaitken2719]

I love my action force toy line palitoy are the company that really introduced me to gi joe through they recoloured vehicles then the 85 range which introduced cobra and duke etc hasbro didn’t even use gi joe when they started bringing out their own products still calling it action force shame they didn’t keep the roboskull and sealion

[@thegeorgiealityshow359]

Hey I'm surprised u never read my comment b4? I knew GI Joe got their idea from here.When I first saw an analog toy video I said to myself bet this is where GI Joe came from.Thx for schooling people with this that had no knowledge of such history.Be safe be blessed take care everyone.

[@AnalogToys]

What comment are you referring to when you say "I'm surprised u never read my comment b4?"

[@thegeorgiealityshow359]

@@AnalogToys not long ago I did say Im sure GI Joe got their idea from here but is ok u didn't see it.What makes me happy is that Action Man is no rip off like they say that was my point also.

[@AnalogToys]

Hasbro didn't get the idea for GI Joe from Action Force either. Both were copying the Star Wars scale.

[@Cobra-Commander83]

Those who think Action Man is a Rip-off of G.I. Joe are not looking at the wider legacy of both brands. After Hasbro got full ownership of Action Man, he was turned from a soldier to a covert spy, to an extreme sports star, to a spy again. I've stated this on a video somewhere, and I'll say it again: Action Man is a literal product of the times.

[@theant9821]

After that i don't see why they didn't do away with the gi joe name altogether, and just have action man in the states, its a far more adaptable name, gi joe sounds out of place as anything other than a soldier, i reckon action man would have lasted longer in America than gi joe simply because ot the name not being a military one when everyone was protesting Vietnam. I suppose Britain had the advantage over America of not going to Vietnam (Britain and France both told the USA it was a lost cause, and 20 years later both were atleast thinking it "told you so mate") and Britains sales were boosted by things like the Iranian embassy siege and the Falklands War. But still gi joe was his own worst enemy by the mid 70s.

[@carlosalmonacid8958]

He was always a mix of Extreme Sports Athlete AND Spy in the 1990s and 2000s.

[@demgutts]

Repurposed and rip off are two entirely different things, anybody calling action force a rip off is clearly blind. Never really knew anything about action force but I love the 5 poa figure designs, I even made customs using marauders figures

[@harryconnett4353]

I really hope one day they rerelease the action man figures like they did for the 40th I would love to get into it's the price that puts me off but I'm saving up for my first figure so fingers crossed I'll get one soon

[@genx7006]

My Action Force story is comic book related. And yes, I did think it was a "rip off" back in the mid-late 80s. My local comic shop started to receive this larger, almost magazine format comic called Action Force. It had Flint, Lady Jaye, etc. on the cover and I think they even went by different code names. But I didn't mind because the artwork was good and they were new stories. So whenever the UK comic came in, I excitedly scooped it up. However, then they started doing direct reprints of the American GI Joe in the Action Force comic. That killed it for me, and I dropped the comic. I was sad because they were doing so well with their original UK stories. I didn't understand why they had to "rip off" American GI Joe comics. This all happened back in the mid-late 80s so I don't have any negative feelings about it really, it was just one of those things I remember growing up reading comics.

[@georgeaitken2719]

The reason was gi joe was Rebranded action force international hero’s for the European market with it came the gi comic retitled and the lettering and characters rewritten to give them a more uk feel for example flint was British

[@AnalogToys]

With both comics being produced by Marvel, how could it be a rip off?

[@genx7006]

@@AnalogToys Well not rip off in the sense they were stealing the stories. More like rip off because the imported comic was like $2.50 at the time (if I remember correctly) which was a fortune back then if you wanted to keep up with the series. Paying that much for stories you already had felt like a rip off.

[@drozwalker9]

I loved learning more history covering both Action Man and Action force. Thank you for another fantastic video.

[@richardcoleman3425]

Nicely done, Sir! :)

[@troseljacdalibor9551]

First time i saw Action Man was in 90s,we didnt have G.I.Joe on tv here in Croatia,it was part live action but mostly animation, Action Man was played by Mark Griffin,he lost his memory and tried to find out who he is,also it had some lessons at the end of the episode.Main villain was Doctor X.After that there was 2000s version and Action Man was called Alex Mann

[@FiveLiver]

As a child in the 60s I really wanted an Action Man - never got one, but had to put up with 'Combat Johnny'. Now he must've been a rip off!

[@tonytee5435]

Anyone that thinks Gijoes brother Action Man is a knock off dont know the history of both. Like you said flock hair and kungfu fu grip came from Action Man as a matter of fact the grip hands are modeled off of the hands of one of the palitoy designers. The facts if its licensed it's not a knock off.

[@superbubsymariobobcat1097]

I always knew GI Joe and action Man were connected. Your documentary on Action Man really clarified it more

[@paulsydenham1883]

My favourite Action Man from my childhood was Tom Stone,only one I still have 45years later.

[@ronparker8582]

Action Man and G.I.JOE are cousins like Americans and Brits. But I believe Action Man may be even more iconic in his own right. 🇺🇸 🇬🇧👨💂

[@lewispearson2569]

Naw, not at all a rip man. Great vid as always by the way!

[@tankboyful]

people picking on palitoy? that is funny. i saw so many true GI Joe ripoffs in the 70s it was hilarious. being in the states, i had no access to Action Man, wish i had. hasbro had lost their way by the mid- 70s. anyone remember fighting yank, sarge, yankee bravo, action jackson, bill champ, etc.... Action Man has some of the greatest military sets and figures i have ever seen.

[@eltenda]

Great video!!

[@anthonysabularse8562]

My 3rd G.I.JOE action figure as a child was the Cobra ELL that I got for Christmas of 1989. It was on an ACTION FORCE card. For sometime my friends and I thought G.I.JOE A Real American Hero line was originally called ACTION FORCE worldwide. I still have it in my collection room. I'm now curious if the stamp on the toy is different from Hasbro release. Good show sir Tony. :) Regards.

[@pigeon-man]

Cool video!

[@robertoacevedo6247]

I have gi joes from the US 🇺🇸in my collection, a few action man from England 🇬🇧, Geyperman from Spain 🇪🇸 I don't have Falcón from Brasil 🇧🇷 or aventureros de accio from Mexico 🇲🇽 not yet at least but as soon as I can I will get them in my collection. Thank you for all the valuable info. I enjoyed your video a lot.

[@wannabkain4400]

Being from UK I was confused when I seen GI Joe when I got older because he looked the same. But this video explains it a lot better :)

[@tf2whackyengineer]

I've got a message from the Action Man, "I'm happy, hope you're happy too!"

[@billpagan3070]

So actually GI Joe is the Rip Off!!! Got it!!😂😂😂 End of the day I thank all producers of these great toys all over the world that help fuel us kids with wonderful toys during are youth.......and 40’s and up!👍😁😂

[@JurassicRod]

I've always just thought of Action Man/Force as an offshoot of G.I Joe. But even if it was a rip off, who cares? If it's a good, fun product that's all that matters.

[@georgeaitken2719]

Rods toy box it never was a rip off palitoy had licences for Star Wars and action man

[@mrdan4020]

Action Man is GI Joe repackaged for the UK market, same same. I heard how the uk version actually improved on the idea with eagle eyes, karate chop etc. I love these toys... never really saw action force tho, sadly.

[@leeBoB4257]

All i can say is a Big thank you Gi Joe because without you we would never have had Action man and i would have never met my hero Don Levine Gi Joes Dad whom wrote his signature on a Box that i cherish very much when he visited Britain in 2006 .

[@tarmacscratcher]

Another excellent video, thank you.

[@Clay3613]

Now nearly every upscale action figure has "Kung-fu grip".

[@martinanderson8815]

Very well explained but you really shouldn't have to

[@timjames6190]

Nicely put Tony 👍

[@FrankKnight8846]

I just recently bought a British military action figure from the Netherlands. He is absolutely amazing, I love him. He is complete with its military uniform. Blond shaved hair with blue eyes and a scar on his right face. But I'm not sure if its an Action Man or a GI Joe. On the back of the figure it says made in England politoy from hasbro 1964. Would it be an Action Man or a GI Joe?

[@AnalogToys]

It’s sounds like an Action Man to me

[@FrankKnight8846]

Thank You

[@portland-182]

More excellent content. Well done again!

[@AnalogToys]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@bradbrown8759]

I've been keenly aware that toys over seas gets a different name. GI Joe = Action Man. More amusing is the boy scouts toys, Steve Scout became OK Mike.

[@torelly]

people say the same shit about Falcon and Comandos em Ação.

[@milesgentry850]

I love them also..it's all Hasbro! In my opinion! 😎

[@Black_Patriot-Veteran-1970]

Action Man was licensed under Hasbro and distributed by Palitoy. So.....hardly a "rip off."

[@leeBoB4257]

Hi am i right or wrong saying that i thought that pedigrees Tommy Gunn figure was a direct copy of palitoys Action man and because of that they were taken to court by palitoy .😮