Roboskull & The Origin of Palitoy's Action Force

A message from Bob Brechin:
Hey Tony, what a great video you have produced to continue the legacy of probably my favourite design. If viewers look carefully they will spot the original 'very first concept' model I sculpted after doing those initial rough sketches. That lump of clay (time stamp 13:39) with attached bits of plastic was the first image of Roboskull that I revealed to Marketing. Comparing it with the outline drawings and final prototype they will see that it ended up bigger but it was worth it to get three figures in and extend the "play value". I wonder what the collectors think?

[@bloodforthebaron]

SUPERB VIDEO OF A SUPERB TOY!!!

[@AnalogToys]

bloodforthebaron thanks very much. I’m going to pin this comment to the top because I think all Action Force fans should be aware of the fantastic resource available over at www.bloodforthebaron.com

[@nicholasdickens2801]

Fantastic website gentlemen :)

[@nicholasdickens2801]

Analog Toys It is a fantastic website, thank you for this great video XD

[@bloodforthebaron]

Thank you!

[@georgeaitken2719]

Love the site like rereading the original battle action force in colour

[@jaygrinder7694]

Growing up in the States I never even knew of the existence of this toy line. I definitely would have played with these.

[@QuackersAhoy]

I had a Roboskull and used it with my Star Wars figures as Emperor Palpatine’s personal attack fighter. It was awesome!

[@martinanderson8815]

Was not aware of 3.75 action man figures roboskull absolutely amazing such a great design I can imagine justhow difficult this wojuld be to find

[@astaroth_sasazaki_yt]

If it weren't for the internet and social media and the comforts of today's generation, then I would have loved to be born in the 70s-80s. You sirs are evry lucky to have these kinds of toys.

[@retroblasting]

Truly fascinating history. Thanks so much!

[@AnalogToys]

Thanks for watching. RetroBlasting Rocks!!!

[@MrTranceOmatic]

Roboskull is a more an epic piece of art, than just a toy. Great video on its history.

[@laos85]

It's a creative genius of its own.

[@sanroman3461]

I love your videos on Action Force. They are a thing of beauty.

[@GrilloTheFlightless]

I had a lot of Action Force toys as a kid. I always wanted Roboskull, and nobody ever got it for me for Christmas. I longed for it and, to this very day, I have never held one in my hands. This video is therefore a great joy to me, as well as also being a great sadness!

[@banzaibobA7V]

I wanted one so badly as a kid. As it was, I only ever had a single Red Shadows trooper. This is why I shelled out for the upcoming Roboskull Mk 2.

[@idhcustomtoys]

Fuck yeah, Bob and yourself featured my custom Shadow Walker, Iron Skull and Skulltrak. Would have been nice to get an actual mention as Bob and I are friends. I've done about 10 various Roboskull customs and own 4 different complete vintage Roboskulls. All the pics are on my FB page IDH custom toys. Great vid btw.

[@FizzyJupiterJoopz]

Great video! There was a competition in Battle Action Force comic in the 80's to win a Roboskull, and I was one of the 20 lucky winners! You had to design a new piece of Action Force hardware. I designed and drew a Z-Force Multi-Mission Robot as I recall. A month or so later, a big lorry pulled up outside my house and a guy knocked with the Roboskull in its box. Best day of my life up to that point I reckon! I wish I still had mine, but I wish I had my original robot drawing even more. Sadly, they did not print the winners' pictures in the comic; just the names.

[@StWadge]

Great insight. Thanks mate!

[@leighjohnson3720]

I remember winning the Roboskull in a competition when I was a kid made a great bounty hunters ship when we played with our star wars figures

[@marcsandroni4898]

WOW! What an awesome video! As an American GI Joe collector I was always aware of Action Force and it's connection to GI Joe but there are still so many things I don't know about it. This video gave a HUGE history lesson and appreciation for GI Joe's British cousin. I still read the GI Joe comic by Larry Hama and it was so cool to see it mentioned in your video. I remember reading those particular issues when they came out a few years ago and thought it was so cool that the Action Force villains were actually being incorporated into "official" GI Joe continuity. Thanks again for a great video!

[@hihocooler6964]

that's one of the coolest toys I've ever seen and did not know existed thank you for the video

[@Michael_Johnson_5446]

Superb video: more of a comprehensive documentary than a review. Brilliant research. This was very helpful for putting the Roboskull together.

[@PixelPipes]

That looks like one of the craziest and most awesome vintage toys I've never heard of.

[@theultimatek.i.m.m1504]

😲{THEEE GREATEST toy craft EVER in the history of EVER!!!...and I would NEVER have known ANYTHING about it if not for this vid!! Big, humongous THANK YOOOO!!!

[@miggypeso909]

This is simply awesome. I couldn't imagine a better toy for us kids in the 80s. Hell,even now. I watched this with my 6 y.o. son and he thinks its amazing. I wish these came out in the States. Reminds me of Spider Skull Walkers from the RPG Rifts too.

[@temazros6112]

I'm a Star Wars and Joe-collector, but I do remember this awesome Roboskull piercing through the clouds of time from the most distant remnants of my lost childhood.

[@bb7931]

That is the coolest looking toy ever! I'm sorry I just found out about it and went my entire childhood without a Roboskull

[@lostonwallace1396]

Thanks to you and Toy Polloi, I am a fan of the Red Shadow figures. I am trying to collect them all now! Roboskull is UNREAL!! I'd love to have one!

[@littledavevader]

I once met a guy dressed as Baron Ironblood at my local House Of Fraser and some where i still have a signed blue print style poster he gave me of this toy. Brilliant video, Subscribed!!

[@1971thedoctor]

Great video. This was a good toy history on a rare line up.

[@HasseBasseBingBong]

Here in Sweden, the entire American "G.I. Joe" line was relabeled and sold as "Action Force". In the toy catalogues that always used to come out around christmas, the Roboskull was always seen together with the G.I. Joe figures. In fact, later on, the Action Force logo used the same fonts as G.I. Joe.

[@rogertaylor9435]

I was born in 1970 and grew up with star wars, action man and action force and i must say that this video is fan-bloody-tastic mate.Like star wars i have been collecting these figures and vehicles for over thirty years and have amassed a massive collection and love them now as i loved them then.I love army building so to see this video makes me extremely happy . The Robo-skull is simply the best vehicle , so different .These are the kind of videos i want to see .Brilliant.

[@AnalogToys]

Roger Taylor thanks very much mate!

[@mrlurchAU]

Such a fantastic special video Tony. Very well done. And the words from Bob Brechin himself certainly made it memorable.

[@AnalogToys]

Mr Lurch thanks mate, Bob will be pleased to know that!

[@mrlurchAU]

Your contacts with the source material has made your Action Man films probably the best on KZbin. I've re-watched your original series a few times. - Jase

[@DavetheChimp]

you just made this old man very happy!!! Thanks!

[@AnalogToys]

You're very welcome!

[@iandonald525]

I had one of these. It was an amazing toy and possibly my favourite. Great review and interesting history information.

[@Pegwarmers]

Great Video! I was aware of RoboSkull, but you educated this American on a lot of details of Action Force I wasn't aware of.

[@AnalogToys]

SEO Toy Review glad to hear you learnt a bit about a classic uk toy line

[@dazwannawzad9272]

Okay, this is one vehicle (base?) that I wish was released in the US for GI Joe. Cool toy, great video!!!

[@wemailbill2]

This video was my introduction to Action Force. I’dnever heard of it before now. What a cool toy/toy line.

[@TeryJones]

2:54 - Well that was disgustingly charming XDXDXDXDXDXD 8:58 - Oh shit that thing is actually a flying vehicle? Damn man now it's even more horrifying......and the Wily Machine comparisons intensify to boot XD

[@gavalar7485]

Great video mate. I got chills seeing the A.F. adverts for the first time in years. I still have all my A.F. Toys but I played the helll out them (like u are supposed to do!) so they aren't boxed. I'm off into the loft to have a sneaky battle.......(I'm 44 yrs old now but I still get excited when I see 70s/80s toy ads etc) thanks again 😁 👍 SUBSCRIBED!!💀💃❤

[@FaustFlickzzz]

Absolutely Brilliant!!!

[@surrealcereal603]

This is the coolest thing I have ever seen in my whole entire life. I have never seen one of your videos before, sir, and I am now hooked. I regularly watch Retroblasting and Toy Polloi, so it was a matter of time before you were in my feed. This vid was just great. Thank you!

[@AnalogToys]

Surreal Cereal thanks for tuning in, we really hope you enjoy the content. And please share our videos!

[@darryllharden9141]

Not only it was great to see an in depth video review,It was also great to see the classic Action Force adverts as well.And I can definitely see the Tie Fighter resemblance there,Tony.

[@seymourclarity8702]

was looking at GI JOE toy reviews from my childhood, and found this video. i subbed.

[@AnalogToys]

seymour clarity glad to have on board mate!

[@retrobiker5902]

I remember they had a load of these at a knock down price in my local Poundstretcher before Christmas 1986, before they revamped Action Force with GI Joe style branding the following spring. Action Force toys were hard to find and they were basically selling off old stock of the old branded stuff prior to the relaunch. I picked one up and enjoyed playing with it until it fell apart. I should have bought another one and kept it in the box - if only I'd had the money and known how collectable they'd become! Great video anyhow!

[@yaboym3247]

I got most of those early Cobra figures from Poundstretcher in 1987 too! So hard to find before then.

[@KingofPotatoPeople]

Love this. I completely went off the Action Force line when it merged and then became GIjoe. I was totally into the mythology of the red shadows and Action Force.

[@bobastu]

Excellent! I wish Hasbro would have requested the Roboskull and subsequent Red Shadow army for incorporation into 1980s GI Joe toys. It looks awesome, and with its size and potential speed and maneuverability, it could probably dominate a Skystriker!

[@emillkim13]

I've never heard of this (US citizen) but i watched this video because the roboskull is super compelling visually.

[@zombigreaser5669]

Tony, another most beautiful video. Thank you for making them, they bring me such joy and will serve as a record of the good people who made these toys throughout history.

[@canevrenol]

Your channel, Sir, is on par (if not better) than that that Netflix' Toys That Made Us series. I love your videos. The humor, research, information, pasting and narration are all top notch for the true vintage figure fans. I found out about your channel when I first watched the Rambo figures video. And this Roboskull video, in particular, is amazing; so much heart! I want to get hold of one now :) Please keep up the amazing work

[@ajwest5176]

Just the other day I was looking for a decent review on this classic, this video goes way beyond. Fantastic.

[@adrianmendozaux]

Fantastic intro to action force! Thank you this great video

[@darthraider514]

Thanks Tony, awesome upload once again and great to hear from the legend that is Bob Brechin and always good to see the original TV adverts again, many thanks once again..

[@TheAtariCreep]

Being from the states and not a G.I. Joe fan, I have never heard of this. What an amazing toy, in would have gone out of my mind to have one as a kid (today too). Amazing video bud, might have to keep my eye out for one or even model one up myself.

[@ScottSerkland]

I wish they had Action Man in the US. I would played the hell out of those toys as a kid! Awesome toy line, the Robo Skull in particular.

[@kleeklee4572]

Serkworks Art Labs they did, it was called gi joe, and it was better.

[@ScottSerkland]

Klee Klee “Now I know!”

[@SciFiFan2012]

Serkworks Art Labs can't really call one or the other 'better', it's subjective.

[@Jryder933]

@@SciFiFan2012 G.I. Joe is way better then Action Force, and I'm mean 10 times better!

[@SciFiFan2012]

@@Jryder933 I'm a GI Joe fan myself, but AM is curious to me, it was basically the US figure, but it went its own way and built a fan base just as big, some might say even bigger than GI Joe did. I would like an original Joe and AM figure myself.

[@KernowFishy]

What a fantastic toy this was. I had reached my teens when this arrived and completely missed it. What a joy for the kids who will have got their hands on this! Again a fantastic and informative video. Very much enjoying your content.

[@Merylstreep1949]

This is probably the only vintage toy I'd pay a 1000 dollars for. Bloody hell, that skull ship is pushing the boat out👌👌👍

[@easterbrooks7480]

Again another spectacular video! Keep up these astounding informational videos!

[@mattherbert2213]

Excellent video, one of my favourite toys of all time even though I sadly don't currently own one. Action Force was undoubtedly in my top three toy lines as a kid alongside Star Wars and Action Man. Great video!

[@thirdratecontent585]

I was a little to young for the original action force but was a huge fan of the UK re boot action force/gi joe in the late 80s. I bought this during that period in a clearence sale from John Menzies in that awesome box which looked retro already at that time. My cobra guys loved flying it. 👍

[@tbrasc0]

This is a really good video, wanted the Roboskull so much as a lad... never owned one.

[@penmanovicxxxxxx2694]

What an amazing video. And to claim that it was just a "review" at the end? The inclusion of Bob's recollections and commentary was superb. Great job.

[@bc3137]

FANTASTIC video on the greatest Action Figure Vehicle ever made!

[@GaetanoMatruglio]

Sadly never seen or had such incredible toy as a child, it's absolutely amazing! Fantastic video, keep up the great work!

[@TOKAGERO1]

great video, it really makes me want to go back in time to the time in which playins with toys like this was the thing to do for kids

[@TOKAGERO1]

also suscribed

[@Halbared]

Wonderful vid, thanks fella

[@Larry]

Could Lord Buckethead be Baron Ironblood under the witness relocation program? :D

[@BooshmanLee]

And there you are again Larry. Seems no matter what corner of KZbin I visit, there is a high possibility you have already been there.

[@Senbei01]

If that is so... is Mr. Fishfinger the Black Major?

[@racerxgundam]

i love your channel and your work mr. bundy jr. the fact that you seemingly randomly appear on most of my youtube selections makes me like u more!!!!! i am saddened that on my side of the sea, i can't think of your equivalent!!!!! :-D

[@ryanfoley8035]

Baron iron blood is cobra Commander

[@therealhardrock]

"A headless molested Action Man. That's what we call G.I. Joe over 'ere." fancy bumping into Larry on this channel.

[@billpagan3070]

Tony, After you mentioning this video several times in your videos I decided to come check this one out. Wow, really cool toy! Too bad the price is so high on this one.😥

[@Darkglobe1977]

You knocked this video out of the park!, Very well done sir.

[@MrTrenttness]

Ha! What a funky looking toy! Thanks for the wonderful video! This really put a smile on my face.

[@mikewilson858]

Glad to see that Action Force got its due in America’s GI Joe line. Baron Iron Blood is a great villain for Gi Joe. Every great hero needs a few different villains.

[@theatlasproductions1]

I didn't have Action Force here in the US. But this is by far one of my favorite lines to collect these days. Fantastic review.

[@splodge71]

great video,i still have my Roboskull and its in good condition except i stupidly removed the enemy stickers to replace them with cobra ones(i did the same to my hyena),i think the replacement stickers were given away with Battle Action Force to convert your enemy vehicles to cobra just like what they did in the comic strip

[@drewlovelyhell4892]

Here in NewZealand we had both ActionForce and G.I.Joe comics, but I don't recall seeing any examples of the AF toyline. G.I.Joe toys didnt hit the shelves here until 1987. Interesting video! This was all new to me.

[@Halbared]

the UK AF orignal toys had been phased out by 1987, and by then the UK AF toys were the US imports.

[@georgeaitken2719]

The action range ran for 3 years the first year was just diver commando 2 para etc the next 2 years was the red shadows after 1985 it was action force before gi joe took over

[@markorollo.]

Star Wars and Action Force were my two main toy collections when i was a kid, as well as Diecast vehicles, but i have never seen that skull thing before. definitely never had that!

[@antonybullock2240]

One of my favourite toys from the 80s

[@TheToyBoy1978]

Absolutely fabulous review Tony! Totally agree with the 6 out of 5! Nothing else from Action force, Gi joe or probably any other toy line can top this vehicle! Bob is a genius and no wonder he has great pride in this wonderfully designed toy! I have the red wolf, maybe one day i'll get the vehicle he was made to pilot!

[@BluGhostCustoms]

Agreed, a master piece and sad I've never known of this beauty until my late 40's :(

[@OldManTheseDays]

Fantastic video! Fascinating background- I'm going to have to look for some of these.

[@scottcollins2616]

Worth the wait tony! Another top video mate. 👍

[@likonatera7452]

Amazing video. I had no idea of the deep and rich story of Action Force since the toys were not available in my land when I was growing up. I am both impressed and subscribed now.

[@AnalogToys]

Thank you!

[@KatchouroBlade]

It's a gorgeous toy. I remember having it and the Hyena when I was a kid which made up my Red Shadows army along with a few figures. Action Force was ahead of the GI Joe curve when it came to mixing sci fi elements with more traditional military style elements.

[@KarlEagleman]

Very well done. Extremely informative.

[@MATTYOGLE77]

What a great channel, watching this brought back so many memories, subscribed.

[@oz2776]

Get vid. I have got a robo skull. Unfortunately not quite as in good nick as yours. Brings back the memories.

[@dodgyb2001]

This is so bizarre, it's refreshed my memory of the comics, which I'd completely forgot about, with all the Shadows and Action Force.

[@johnwild8336]

Thanks for this excellent video. Now I have the fever to start adding action force to my collection.

[@tyrranos9688]

Great video, very informative!

[@giannistoysdios7152]

Great video! Answerd a lot of questions that I had about these toys! Thanks!!

[@handpickedheat2906]

Just found one in a charity shop, being from the states I thought it was a GI Joe cobra vehicle. Bought it anyway even though it was incomplete and I couldn’t find a date/brand stamp. Such a cool vehicle, thank you for all your hard work and in depth information!

[@fleacaesar7144]

Great article Tony. Still have my Roboskull and all my Action Force. Did Not know it was worth so much. Writing a book on growing up in the 70s-80s and Palitoy feature heavily in the toy section. Unbelievable what happened to them considering the toy lines they had. A really sad story indeed.

[@IntergalacticDustBunny]

Man, I wish they would've found a way to bring this vehicle to the States, maybe by making the Red Shadows a new faction with their own agenda that could give Joes, Cobras and Destro's Iron Grenadiers a hard time. Basically just a big, evil wildcard to shake everything up. Then Cobra Commander finds out that Destro has been selling the Red Shadows vehicles the whole time as well.

[@MakGohae]

I clicked on this by mistake and stayed for the whole video.

[@AnalogToys]

Mak Gohae glad to hear it. I hope you’ve subscribed to the channel!

[@chrisnwi1209]

Please do more action force toy reviews. This Yank absolutely loves them!!!

[@AnalogToys]

Chris Michalec the videos or the toys lol

[@chrisnwi1209]

@@AnalogToys both!!!

[@dazatronsdioramallama6370]

Such an iconic design! Great video - loved seeing the designs 👏

[@daishi529]

Great video I always wished that they had the Roboskull in the original GI Joe Cartoon.

[@ryanbarker5217]

how is it that i've never seen this bad-ass hunk of gorgeous plastic?! it's funny, too, because when this video first started i thought to myself just how much it looked like a TIE fighter, lol. so, very cool! and the video is very, very good, too.

[@dinomonzon8853]

Great video! Appreciate the tie ins between G. I. Joe & Action Force. Hope you'll consider a video on Action Force: International Heroes, the UK take on G. I. Joe itself. And the UK version of the Red Shadows was far more interesting- and Original- compared to DDP's lukewarm attempt with its version of the Red Shadows in their G. I. Joe comics run from 2001-2005. In the DDP Joe Comics, their "Red Shadows" were a riff on Marvel Comics' Advanced Idea Mechanics, and took elements from DC Comics own Bane, with their Red Shadows dependent on 'adrenal accelerators', obviously based after Bane's Venom implants as seen in the Batman Knightfall arc in 1993. A Team Up between Action Force and Marvel's SHIELD and Action Force vs AIM and the Red Shadows should've been considered. Great video! One of your best! 👍

[@marcrichardson2814]

Another fantastic video Tony!

[@stofopdenaald132]

I was lucky enough to find a Roboskull many moons ago. It isn't complete (misses almost all te guns and the red booster/ feet thingamajigs) but I wouldn't trade it for anything. Never seen one again in all those years.

[@autoneurotic]

This might be your best yet!

[@AnalogToys]

Brian Fitzgerald thanks mate!

[@stephaniemckeever812]

Analog Toys cool video Tony.it's great to see an action force video by someone who knows what they are talking about.

[@AnalogToys]

Thanks Stephanie!

[@stephaniemckeever812]

Analog Toys you're every welcome...it's actually amazing the amount of collectors from the usa that have never heard of action force.☺

[@jackywhipet]

Awesome video

[@cubed123]

I have one of these boxed in the attic, I won't be selling as it holds serious sentimental value to me. Although if someone offered me a grand haha Great video great research and a great blast from the past

[@psirus1979]

Fantastic part of my childhood, I really wanted it when I was younger. Shame I can’t afford it now.

[@digital_doomsday]

Great video mate, very well researched!

[@vincentfranklin17]

Wonder if Ironblood could take on Cobra Commander? Very good job, Tony!