HCC788 - ACTION FORCE! With Cyber -Tiger Retro Showcase & Reviews!

[@wengchiang9216]

The Black Major’s story is even more amazing than that. Unaware that it was the Baron who had betrayed the Red Shadows, the Major tracks down and confronts the Cobra Commander at gunpoint. He is shocked when the Cobra Commander addresses him by his real name and realises the Cobra Commander is Ironblood. The Cobra Commander manages to escape and The Black Major swears to get his revenge by killing the Cobra Commander and, at the head of the remaining Red Shadows, became an implacable enemy of Cobra.

[@sparkster1701]

Interesting review HCC788. As an adult toy collector I can appreciate the differences between the two toy lines, and I did find the backstory quite interesting.

[@JoeMotionVideos82]

You two hit a grand slam with that review!!!! I wouldn't have known about the original Action Force figures, I reckon that was the point. I would love to see more collaboration like this! Cyber Tiger thanks for sharing your collection with us!

[@HCC788]

Thanks Byron! Although it was't my intention to make *every* review a collaboration, several big projects just happened to line up together. We're in for a wild ride for the next few weeks. I'm a big fan of Cyber-Tiger. He's been a great guy.

[@antiquariancrafts2454]

Amazing video. I love this channel, but I never thought I'd get to see you review Action Force, the stuff I grew up with. This video is a huge step forward in uniting the GI Joe community around the world.

[@rodster6campingprepper]

I wish Hasbro would make some updates figures of the Red Shadows. I'd love to see them used in a cartoon or comics more too. It's nice for G.I Joe to have more enemies than just Cobra such as the Red Shadows or General Blitz and his IRON army.

[@diggitydave75438]

There is a Red Shadows Convention set. The individual figures are kind of pricey, but it's really cool seeing the Red Shadows figures with Joe style limbs/waist.

[@georgeaitken2719]

The z force troop transporter was a copy of the gi joe one but they improved it with a turret hatch and a different interior including a stretcher

[@diggitydave75438]

They also released Jammer, Gaucho & Lifeline in a Z-Force Convention set.

[@tycondrius23]

great video as a fellow Action force fan (we had them here in Ireland too ) they are a great nostalgia for me. I did learn a few things as a adult collector about the line that you didn't mention here but may not have known the orginal figures like the ground assault and space assault figure where actually scaled down version of ultra rare , Action Man 12" scale uniforms (they where only sold as a carded uniform set as far as I know not, with a figure) another interesting note is they did release the Palitoy action force line in Germany but changed a lot of it . the skull logos where removed from the red shadows as they feared it would remind people of WWII and some the factions where re-named with different logos. Example SAS became SATT .Z force became ATT and so forth.

[@timf7413]

I have to say, some of the Action Force repaints actually look better than the GI Joe originals. That said, I've never paid much attention to the pre-GI Joe action force figures, but they look great too.

[@JediDB]

Awesome vid, Really cool seeing the background and origins of Action Force.

[@grotezakhooi]

this must be a creation of Dr. Mindbender :D

[@MrJaneails22x]

I absolutely love collaboration videos between channels. I feel like they are cross over type episodes on tv or in movies. This was great! And Cyber-Tiger has some acting chops that I had no idea about!! Great episode. Love how thorough you are. I'm learning so much.

[@soterioncoil2163]

This video was stellar!! I had only heard of Action Force, but after seeing some figures I can say I would have been well pleased to incorporate them into my GI Joe dramas. Looks like England got some of the best older Joes during the late '80s also.

[@mattdawg83686]

Thank you for doing this review. I've heard about the Action Force line, but knew little about it. This by far has been one of the best reviews ever, and mad respect for bringing in Cyber-Tiger for the assist from across the pond!

[@christopherreed8865]

HCC....What a cool review! I had no idea those figures even existed prior to your review. That was one of your best yet! Thanks for sharing!

[@chrisnwi1209]

one of the greatest videos you have done yet my friend!!! I aboslutely love the original action force figures even though I don't own any yet they are extremely cool.

[@matthewsirois3705]

Wow! Great review! I had no idea Action Force began as a unique toy line. Those are some nice looking figures.

[@HCC788]

Thank you! Yeah, Action Force was it's own thing before it became all Joe-style.

[@michaelvegas8398]

Super cool video!!!! Thanks bro!! I'm very intrigued by Action Force now.

[@thedroidwhisperer2699]

The Baron Ironblood figure is the spitting image of Max Von Sydow

[@bramzwingli]

In my head canon The Red Shadows and Cobra were completely separate and the Red Shadows were wiped out by Action Force a generation before the rise of Cobra. A lot of Cobra's tech was left over Red Shadows stuff because Destro's dad was actually Red Jackal. Anyway, that's how I always saw them.

[@rtd1409]

Great collaboration on the part of you both. I have been a fan of the Action Force line since I found out about it with the advent of the internet. I have a few of the early figures in bare bones condition scored along the way and its fun to see here. One funny thing about the later ones were the filecards had additions and variations to them to make them from the U.K and there was also a unique Dreadnok logo. The Tiger Force versions have become cult like into themselves. Fun stuff as always lads great job to you both on this one! Cheers mate!

[@neobluemax]

Yes! Thank You for doing this.

[@HCC788]

Thank you for watching it!

[@williamsorrells6058]

Oh you should have talked about the red shadow roboskull vehicle.

[@The_Nerd_Alert]

Oh my God! I'm 40 years old and I never knew about Action Force! I guess it's because I grew up in the USA. These figures are beautiful! Great video as always!

[@Thor13332]

LOL! Great ending! Thanks for talking about Action Force. I knew it existed but didn't know all of the detail.

[@HCC788]

Thank you! My dad was a sport. He's getting a kick out of being internet-famous. :)

[@emchamberlain]

Played with these and love them to this day. We did notice the difference in figure design but had loads of fun all the same. I had loads of Z Force and my mate had the RoboSkull!!!

[@trentavery3821]

Awesome episode Hooded Cobra Commander and Cyber Tiger :) You guys just opened up a can of European awesome sauce.

[@HCC788]

Thank you! We had a lot of fun doing it. :)

[@crowningchristopher8273]

I'm so glad you did this video, and with help from our friends across the pond. Growing up I had heard of Action Man but I mistook it for a cheap knockoff inn my ignorance of the line. I'm really glad you cleared that up as this really was a cool and sophisticated line of toys after all.

[@tonywilliams6428]

Fantastic job, fellas! Entertaining. Informative. Top notch all the way. I've always wanted to know more about Action Force. Feel like I got my PHD here lol. Thanks for the assist Cyber Tiger and Happy Memorial Day to all of you on this side of the pond!

[@boblowes]

I have to admit, as a huge fan of Action Man, as a child, it was a shame to see him reduced to a 3.75" figure. But at the same time, the Action Force figures were fantastically detailed. One thing you didn't mention, was that Palitoy and Kenner were both owned by General Mills, which was what allowed Palitoy to produce Star Wars toys for the UK market. And obviously, once Hasbro bought up Kenner, they got Palitoy as well. However, before Polity switched Action Man to Action Force, they did in fact completely redesign Action Man from the original GI Joe 12" body, to a much cheaper production system in order to reduce costs and rejected parts. But, it was too little too late, and although the New Physique Action Man was a great toy, he wasn't nearly as cheap to make as a 3.75" figure, as there was still the cost of producing the uniforms, and Action Man's vehicles were fairly expensive. Palitoy had seen how well their licensed Star Wars toys were doing, and how different vehicles for different-sized wallets could add to the play value of the figures, and that was a huge part of the impetus to move to 3.75". Their agreement with Hasbro to use GI Joe parts and components allowed them to adapt various 3.75" GI Joe vehicles to Action Force, as you demonstrated. For instance, SAS Force got the Cobra FANG helicopter, and a large Jeep (can't remember the name) reworked for them. Sadly, I never owned any of the significant Action Force vehicles. Once Action Force became GI Joe: The Action Force, using only O-ring figures, I lost interest. I bought a few more, but they were never as much fun, to me, as Action Force used to be. *The name GI Joe didn't seem too weird to me. Polity had licensed children's Action Man novels, where he would often team up with his American friend, GI Joe, in order to save the day. *Battle was the comic. Action Force was a strip within the comic. Most British comics of the day were anthologies, with multiple strips within. The Eagle, 2000AD, Battle, etc etc. There were many. Battle was produced by Fleetway/IPC. So far as I can tell, once Action Force became the product of Hasbro rather than Palitoy, they had to drop the license, as Marvel UK had the rights going forward. Certainly, I don't remember a significant period between the two being available. Fairly sure it was Battle who carried the Gobots strip in the UK as well.

[@show280]

I'm just hanging on for the Roboskull review now! Surely the most bizarre vehicle in either GI-Joe or Action force!

[@chrismayer3919]

Alas, ACTION FORCE is the 'unsung' subrosa of the Royal S.A.S. (Makes me proud to be part English)

[@alexanderjbateman7340]

Always nice to see some of the toys I had as a kid being reviewed. Hopefully one day you will get around to looking at the Roboskull, which was probably the most unique thing in the Acton Force line.

[@HCC788]

I really wanted to include Roboskull in this video, but I just couldn't find a place for it. Cyber-Tiger has suggested we do a closer look at the vehicles in a figure video.

[@samfrito]

As usual, nothing beats a new HCC 788 video and this was indeed a special one that I will watch again. Both (actually all three of you, including HCC Sr.) did a fantastic job. I finally know enough about Action Force. I think Micronauts were the first ones that did the 3.75 inch, but Mego was just releasing Takaras toys here in the US.

[@donaldthompson9938]

Also A lot of the Action Force comic were released here as European Missions

[@HCC788]

TBH, I have only the vaguest of memories of European Missions. I don't think I ever got an issue.

[@KrsBrs76]

Excellent review. Always wondered what the story was.

[@porkchopsandwiches487]

Brilliant review. very entertaining and informative. 😊

[@dennismendoza8904]

This must be the most brilliant thing the internet has ever seen!!

[@jasonkerest2517]

Great review. I read a few of the Action Force issues in 1988, one of them Destro KILLED Lady Jaye, and the next issue Flint took revenge. Interesting what happened to the Red Shadow in the UK comics, but those of us conspiracy theorists (AKA, customizers) know the true fate of the Black Major... **cough, cough, M. Bison/ Shadowloo.

[@LordZolric]

This is the main reason I didn't re-collect G.I. Joe, i would have ended up buying all the international figures and vehicles and that would have been a whole lotta toys not to mention a whole hell of a lot money. So I started collecting modern Star Wars action figures in 08 to present time. It would have been awesome as a kid to have all these international figures to go with the US version of the toy line. Great vid dude. 🤘🏻

[@chrismayer3919]

WHO GUESSED YOU WERE A WHOOVIAN, HCC788??? AWESOME BLOSSOM!!!

[@georgeaitken2719]

Still have a complete set of the original action force love the z force command centre with jammer and gaucho and the roboskull with red wolf

[@TheNightBadger]

Great video! A number of random points in no order... 1) Yes, it was confusing the way the artic and characters conflicted when they merged UK figures with US licenced ones, but not too bad (the US had toylines like that previously too, such as The Dukes of Hazzard line by Mego which had different levels of artic for different characters). 2) Action Force only really ended when the owner of Palitoy died, and there was no impetus to continue the company, so Hasbro bought it out and transferred the line completely to the same version as the US. 3) The Action Force weekly didn't sell well, and was cancelled after a year (1987 - 1988 though they continued releasing 'annuals' - hardback books with some comic material, some written stories, and some games / puzzles - yearly for a few more years). The story continued as a backup strip in the hugely popular Transformers comic, and then was given it's own UK only US format comic which lasted a year (1989-1990) until the series reverted to US only material as a backup in Transformers again under the title 'GI Joe' - all Action Force references had been dropped.

[@donaldthompson9938]

With Hasbro now owning Action Force they have incorporated them into the Devil's Due G.I. Joe comic and IDW G.I. Joe comic which continues the original marvel comic story line. Larry Hama also writes that series.

[@KatchouroBlade]

The worst thing about Hasbro taking over the line is that they instantly increased all the prices by about a third. You also had Palitoy figures going on heavy clearance around the time of the Hasbro launch, so the Palitoy Storm Shadow was being sold in a shop like Poundstretcher for a fifth of the price the Hasbro Storm Shadow was selling for in other stores. Same with the bigger ticket vehicles like the Skystriker and Stinger. We did OK in the UK for getting most of the moulds thanks to Palitoy though. For the time they had the licence it was just Spirit and Cover Girl we didn't get.

[@TroySmith25]

Another great review. I knew nothing about the European GI Joe, or should I say Action Force. And now I know, and knowing is half the battle. Love the ending.

[@teenagefc]

Great reference to Aussie bushranger Ned Kelly

[@classicactionfigures3454]

Great Episode. Some of those early Action Force figures look awesome

[@donaldthompson9938]

Great Review. Been working on custom Red Shadows for a couple of month now.

[@HCC788]

Awesome! I hope you'll show me the final product. I'd be happy to put it on the Facebook page!

[@show280]

Top notch review! Such a high quality Action Force review was really worth waiting for!

[@lesliehapablap2848]

Really enjoyed this video, thanks for making it. What does the plastic quality feel like for the 5poa Action Force figures? They look kinda rubbery. Did you hear about the KMFDM/Ohgr tour this fall, and the new solo Ohgr album?

[@ForburyLion]

Quarrel, Jammer, Stalker etc were vehicle drivers because the repainted GI Joe vehicles needed GI Joe articulated figures to fit in them. The later carded Action Force version of GI Joe Stalker was, I believe called Stalker and didn’t have the Z on. Snake Eyes v1 was only ever available as the Panther (Vamp) driver and called Stalker, we had to wait for v2 as a carded figure. I have them both... was confusing reading the gi Joe comic: reprinted as Actuon Force featuring Snake Eyes who looked like my non cannon Stalker figure!

[@mgvillanmp478]

I was curious about these figures heard about them a while back nice work man this one's Definitely going in the favorite vids!!

[@HCC788]

Thank you! I think most American fans don't know much about Action Force. I thought this might be a fun overview. I'm glad you liked it!

[@mgvillanmp478]

HoodedCobraCommander788 definitely was a cool one I would have played with the old figures as well those definitely had some nice accessories

[@glennrobbins2372]

Great review. I grew up with the original 12" G.I. Joes and was getting out of it when the Adventure Team was around. One thing I did notice is on some of the head sculpts on the early Action Man reminded me of the original 12 Joe head sculpt.

[@TheToyBoy1978]

I believe they are based on eagle eye head and not the original 12" Action Man sculpt

[@tankstoner8496]

The Red Laser figure would made a great Crimson Guard General answerable only to Tomax and Xamot.

[@GumbosGhost]

People often wonder what would happen if Hama wasn't involved with Gi joe, I think something like what happen with action force, which seem kind of cool

[@KevinMayle1974]

Wow, that was fun! You two did a great job! Awesome episode!

[@HCC788]

Thank you! Cyber-Tiger should get a lot of credit, too. He helped a lot.

[@KevinMayle1974]

Awesome job, Cyber-Tiger!!!

[@markorollo.]

Had a few action force figures, along with my star wars figures, but took me aaaaages to remember what they were called years later when I wanted to search for them

[@snipedude4953]

During the 70's Action Man was the must have toy for boys in the UK. My first action force figure was the pilot, interestingly enough if you look at the face of figure the doesn't have an helmet, you can see the resemblance to action man if you look careful, I remember I had Breaker he even had the facial scar like action man.

[@rodster6campingprepper]

FULL FORCE!

[@ViewpointProd]

Meanwhile here in australia, we actually had a mix of both AF, AM & Joe, the Action force toyline kept the parent name of Action man, it eventually changed to G.I.Joe, we even had reshot and reanimated Joe commercials (same thing was done with transformers over here).

[@lazarus30001]

The Black Major is strangely reminisce of Street Fighter's M. Bison.

[@sonicmagnus5312]

i love it mate Her Majesty’s Militree

[@mattlerch531]

Bravo! A well made production. Lots of easter eggs and a cameo. no mention of halfthebattletimmer, another great online reviewer. Since Gen. Hawk fled in terror after the icecream soldier review, will we see him wearing the crossbones when he returns? Thanks for the history lesson on the G.I. Joes european counterpart and subsequent merger. You guys are the best.

[@HCC788]

I'm a big fan of Timmer. Trust me, we'll be cooking up something together soon!

[@aerytful]

HoodedCobraCommander788 Wow, please tell me that Cobra Convergence 2 is coming...

[@dalesanteford7432]

is Captain action the Amigo figure that would basically be every hero in that line and it would disguise as them or you could have like a Superman and Batman and Captain America is he a part of the action team are just a similar name

[@gaulergolf]

Cobra commanders origin seems much more interesting in that canon. I always hated that he was just a failed used car salesman over here.

[@intense_pickle]

hey HCC, where did you get that sweater with the nade sash on it? it's awesome and i want one

[@asm42]

80's tees, warning, it's pricey

[@dazblue5515]

Great video - have to say though I much preferred the original Action Force (Z Force, SAS etc.) and much preferred Ironblood and the Red Shadows as villains.

[@intense_pickle]

nevermind...found it. for anyone else interrested it's the "G.I. Joe The Snake Men's Zip Costume Hoodie" from Mad Engine and it's 64.99$

[@philipjarvis5757]

The two of you are acting legends!!! :0) I love these reviews

[@ilarianannini2975]

Great review! I didn't know that Action Force figures were so well done. p.s. how does Marmite taste? Never eat it.

[@jmsberetta]

cool video and information on action force

[@lazarus30001]

I have the same T.A.R.D.I.S. tree ornament; great minds and all;-)

[@racerxgundam]

you did better on this foreign excursion than some of our more "orange" tinged diplomats! ;-) this has been my fav episode of your show....i LOVED the info u gave...very funny....and while i dun like dr who per se..loved the reference! keep up the great work man! u ROCK! cyber tiger added so much too...he is a funny guy!!!!

[@MiKeMiDNiTe-77]

Intriguing

[@jakeproven256]

Tracker was a name that would also be used on a G.I.Joe character. Action forces tracker looks far better than G.I.Joes tracker though.

[@seandowling935]

I've been looking out for the Z Force version of the APC. It is a really awesome take on the APC. I wish there were O-Ring version of Baron Ironblood etc.. they seem like cool characters with interesting backgrounds. www.yojoe.com/international/europe/afat.shtml

[@HCC788]

That Z-Force APC is pretty sweet. Even though I'm not looking for international toys, I wouldn't mind getting one of those.

[@neobluemax]

Sean Dowling there was a convention set of o ring red shadows and the Black Major. Blood for the baron.com also made an o ring Baron Ironblood too. they are out there.

[@seandowling935]

Thanks for the info

[@mikesmith2718]

Hell yes some Europe exclusive releases and a collab with cyber tiger

[@HCC788]

I hope you like it. We had a lot of fun putting it together :D

[@garygcrook]

Between the end of Battle Action Force and the start of Marvel's Action Force there were some stories with GI-Joe-esque Action Force in Commando/Starblazer sized comics.

[@stephaniemckeever7092]

HoodedCobraCommander788 z force were NOT the marines.they were based on the British army...even look at their leader...red beret from the parachute regiment (the paras).the royal Marines have green berets

[@SoundwaveNL1977]

Hahahah guys this is great. Love how you guys did this. Awesome mates. haha really love this I laughed my as of.

[@bartdman95]

I was just thing, in the G.I.Joe live action movie. Action Force maybe the the reason why Breaker was not an American.

[@yunoyuluvit]

So, how was your Marmite? :)

[@jakubbuszko3089]

It's was something new for me ! I remember old toy catalog from UK from my uncle . It' was 78 . But because our situation was bad in politically sense we just know that name exist ... For me these toys have something link with Bond movie style ! Any way thanks a lot for review !

[@HCC788]

Thank you for watching! And thanks for sharing your memory.

[@Timkasa82]

Great video HCC, you keep saying ZED-Force instead of the letter Z-force. Where they called Zed or Z.

[@JrrrNikolaus]

Alot of English speaking countries pronounce Z as Zed not Zee

[@TerryTurner]

👏

[@aerytful]

I should check out Cyber Tiger's channel. His content looks cool.

[@davv1975]

Does anyone know; If I wanted to read the history in comic form of this...where to start? Im a lil fuzzy on that.

[@davv1975]

Thanks! I'm gonna knock it out.

[@jakubbuszko3089]

It's sad that G.I Joe assimilated that British line ... They are original ...

[@HCC788]

Yes, they were unique when they started out. But I suppose the transition was inevitable.

[@bobjordan69]

5:43

[@raydeen4331]

you got the year wrong on Palitoy using the GI Joe Aventure Team figures. It was 1976, not 1974. Bulletman, the Intruders, Atomic Man and Eagle Eye Joes didn't even exist in North America in 1974 let alone in the UK

[@tonymassi1116]

Is there any German action force characters

[@HCC788]

That I do not know. Cyber-Tiger might know.

[@gegen_Dummheit]

Yes, there is a German character: SAS Commando.

[@SlinkiestTortoise23]

What is it with the word vehicle for Americans?

[@georgeaitken2719]

The z force apc was better than the old gi joe one

[@cruizerdave]

Mrs. HCC788 did it. She sabotaged the Tardis for the insurance money! Oh wait ... he survived ... kind of ... nevermind.

[@georgeaitken2719]

Slightly wrong how baron iron blood became cobra commander in the British comic the baron takes hostages though out the world and after getting a kings ransom he blows up the hostages outraged the world launches a massive attack against him only red jackal escapes to find the barons money and tracks him to the jungles in Thailand after a fight he becomes destro the black major and red laser manage to scape together the survivors to seek revenge on the baron there is even a story when cobra and sas force take on nazis in the South America jungle backed by red shadow renegades

[@koshar44]

Video starts @9.

[@Transfixed]

I only just realised, Eagle leads Z Force and Hawk leads the Joes =0

[@stephaniemckeever7092]

Transfixed actually eagle leads sas force..z force were led by Capt campbell

[@yeovillian1971]

Battle join with AF in 83 it then became a comic with in a comic in 85 . The red shadows did not all die they came back lead by black major and red lazor and fought both cobra and AF. In 85 the start of gi shit happened when the original 4 teams got side lined by Duke and his merry team . Red jackel tried to kill cobra commander and got sprayed by cobra venom in which he changed his looks... another officer to follow over to cobra but keep his name was red Wolf... I loved battle . I liked original AF So so on dukes lot .. But hated gi poo BLOOD IS OUR REVENGE ... DEATH TO COBRA... DEATH TO ACTION FORCE...

[@googleownsyou8510]

Action force was the GI joe of the rest of the west. Same figures tho. Have never seen these.

[@cobraisland2594]

bcc when is Cobra Month?

[@brianford8493]

Transcendetal trousers.......Bahahahaha......Brilliant!.

[@matthewneufer1758]

I remember I got mad when I got action force I said it was fake GIJoe

[@auryqueiroz7497]

Action force's line are weird!