Starcom
Encyclopedia
Starcom: The U.S. Space Force is an animated syndicated series in the 1980s that spawned a successful motorized
toy
line franchise in Europe
and Asia
for Mattel
, despite its failures to succeed in its U.S. domestic market. The plot was based on the adventures of an American astronaut brigade as they fought off attempted invasions by Shadow Force, a nasty collection of aliens and robots led by the nefarious Emperor Dark.
The show was developed with the help of the Young Astronauts’ Council with the original intention of sparking young viewers’ interest in the U.S. NASA
Space Program. However, Starcom did not get much of a chance to make kids want to join the space program as it was cancelled off the air after one brief season. It was revived for a short run in the early 1990s, but no new episodes were aired. It was produced by DiC Enterprises and distributed by Access Syndication.
The plot was classic Flash Gordon
and Buck Rogers
fare. The evil members of Shadow Force, led by Emperor Dark, were trying to take over the cosmos, and it was up to Starcom to stop them. Young hero Col. James “Dash” Derringer, an ace Starcom pilot, was the star of the series, and several of his teammates were family members. He was also backed up by the resourceful ace pilot John “Slim” Griffin, whose niece was yet another Starcom pilot. Other heroes on the Starcom side included Col. Paul “Crowbar” Corbin and Admiral Franklin Brinkley. The show had very high quality production, with top notch animation and relatively mature subject matter and dialog.
Together, the members of Starcom fought Dark’s legions of robotic minions, flying into battle in a fleet of advanced spacecraft.
Like many 1980s toys, the Starcom line was developed as part of the merchandising for a cartoon
.
Starcom: The U.S. Space Force debuted on television screens in 1987, and the toy line hit stores around the same time. There was plenty of variety for the pint-sized empire builder to choose from: the complete series of Starcom toys offered 23 figures, 6 playsets, and 13 vehicles on the Starcom side, while the Shadow Force was represented by 15 action figures and 11 vehicles. The action figures were two inches tall and came packaged with a backpack, a weapon, and identification cards that explained who they were and what their equipment could do. Like the figures, the vehicles and playsets benefited from a sleek, attractive design.
The most unusual aspect of the Starcom toy line was its use of Magna Lock technology. The action figures had tiny magnets implanted in their feet. Not only did this allow them to stand on the vehicles and playsets without falling off, but it also activated devices in the playsets. For instance, if one placed a figure in the elevator of the Starbase Station playset, its Magna Lock magnets would cause the elevator to rise to the top by itself. On the same playset, if one put a figure within a cannon, the Magna Lock magnets would activate a mechanism that made it turn and fire its rockets.
The vehicles and playsets also delivered Power Deploy features, which uses automatic wind up mechanisms that allows them to perform multiple actions all in a touch of a button, without the use of batteries. For example, with the touch of a button, the Starcom StarWolf unfolds its front, and both its wings. All in all, they offered plenty of moving parts (hidden compartments, cannons, folding wings, etc.). Starcom toys never caught on in the U.S. due to poor promotion and the fact that its parent show only lasted a year in syndication. They were discontinued after two years but ended up doing very well in Europe, where both the show and the toys continued to be popular long after the American toys. The toys were successful and hugely popular in Europe
and Southeast Asia
only after coming under the production and promotion of Mattel
. That company removed the US flag and NASA
details from the Coleco
originals and launched the toys with a second line of promotions in the early 1990s.
13 years later after this cartoon was produced. Emperor Dark was played by a live actor in the Starcom toy commercials.
Electric motor
An electric motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.Most electric motors operate through the interaction of magnetic fields and current-carrying conductors to generate force...
toy
Toy
A toy is any object that can be used for play. Toys are associated commonly with children and pets. Playing with toys is often thought to be an enjoyable means of training the young for life in human society. Different materials are used to make toys enjoyable and cuddly to both young and old...
line franchise in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
for Mattel
Mattel
Mattel, Inc. is the world's largest toy company based on revenue. The products it produces include Fisher Price, Barbie dolls, Hot Wheels and Matchbox toys, Masters of the Universe, American Girl dolls, board games, and, in the early 1980s, video game consoles. The company's name is derived from...
, despite its failures to succeed in its U.S. domestic market. The plot was based on the adventures of an American astronaut brigade as they fought off attempted invasions by Shadow Force, a nasty collection of aliens and robots led by the nefarious Emperor Dark.
The show was developed with the help of the Young Astronauts’ Council with the original intention of sparking young viewers’ interest in the U.S. NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
Space Program. However, Starcom did not get much of a chance to make kids want to join the space program as it was cancelled off the air after one brief season. It was revived for a short run in the early 1990s, but no new episodes were aired. It was produced by DiC Enterprises and distributed by Access Syndication.
The plot was classic Flash Gordon
Flash Gordon
Flash Gordon is the hero of a science fiction adventure comic strip originally drawn by Alex Raymond. First published January 7, 1934, the strip was inspired by and created to compete with the already established Buck Rogers adventure strip. Also inspired by these series were comics such as Dash...
and Buck Rogers
Buck Rogers
Anthony Rogers is a fictional character that first appeared in Armageddon 2419 A.D. by Philip Francis Nowlan in the August 1928 issue of the pulp magazine Amazing Stories. A sequel, The Airlords of Han, was published in the March 1929 issue....
fare. The evil members of Shadow Force, led by Emperor Dark, were trying to take over the cosmos, and it was up to Starcom to stop them. Young hero Col. James “Dash” Derringer, an ace Starcom pilot, was the star of the series, and several of his teammates were family members. He was also backed up by the resourceful ace pilot John “Slim” Griffin, whose niece was yet another Starcom pilot. Other heroes on the Starcom side included Col. Paul “Crowbar” Corbin and Admiral Franklin Brinkley. The show had very high quality production, with top notch animation and relatively mature subject matter and dialog.
Together, the members of Starcom fought Dark’s legions of robotic minions, flying into battle in a fleet of advanced spacecraft.
Toys
Cartoon
A cartoon is a form of two-dimensional illustrated visual art. While the specific definition has changed over time, modern usage refers to a typically non-realistic or semi-realistic drawing or painting intended for satire, caricature, or humor, or to the artistic style of such works...
.
Starcom: The U.S. Space Force debuted on television screens in 1987, and the toy line hit stores around the same time. There was plenty of variety for the pint-sized empire builder to choose from: the complete series of Starcom toys offered 23 figures, 6 playsets, and 13 vehicles on the Starcom side, while the Shadow Force was represented by 15 action figures and 11 vehicles. The action figures were two inches tall and came packaged with a backpack, a weapon, and identification cards that explained who they were and what their equipment could do. Like the figures, the vehicles and playsets benefited from a sleek, attractive design.
The most unusual aspect of the Starcom toy line was its use of Magna Lock technology. The action figures had tiny magnets implanted in their feet. Not only did this allow them to stand on the vehicles and playsets without falling off, but it also activated devices in the playsets. For instance, if one placed a figure in the elevator of the Starbase Station playset, its Magna Lock magnets would cause the elevator to rise to the top by itself. On the same playset, if one put a figure within a cannon, the Magna Lock magnets would activate a mechanism that made it turn and fire its rockets.
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
only after coming under the production and promotion of Mattel
Mattel
Mattel, Inc. is the world's largest toy company based on revenue. The products it produces include Fisher Price, Barbie dolls, Hot Wheels and Matchbox toys, Masters of the Universe, American Girl dolls, board games, and, in the early 1980s, video game consoles. The company's name is derived from...
. That company removed the US flag and NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
details from the Coleco
Coleco
Coleco is an American company founded in 1932 by Maurice Greenberg as "Connecticut Leather Company". It became a highly successful toy company in the 1980s, known for its mass-produced version of Cabbage Patch Kids dolls and its video game consoles, the Coleco Telstar and...
originals and launched the toys with a second line of promotions in the early 1990s.
Cast
Starcom
- Philip AkinPhilip AkinPhilip Akin is a Canadian actor who has been active for over thirty years in stage, film, and television. He has had featured roles in major American films such as The Sum of All Fears, S.W.A.T., and Get Rich or Die Tryin’...
: Colonel John “Slim” Griffin - Yank AzmanYank Azman-Early life:Azman was born in a displaced persons camp in Bad Wörishofen, Germany to Cesia , a sales clerk and Kuba Zajfman, a tailor and furrier, Holocaust survivors from Chmielnik, Poland...
: ? - Robert CaitRobert CaitRobert Cait is a Canadian-born comedian and voice actor.Among the characters he voices are Duke the Golden retriever in Bush's Baked beans television commercials and Horace T...
: Colonel Paul “Crowbar” Corbin (also Shadow Force General Torvek) - Rob CowanRob CowanRob Cowan is a British music broadcaster and writer.Employed by music publisher Boosey & Hawkes for nineteen years in various capacities, his first record review was published in 1967. He edited CD Review for four years from 1985 and became a co-presenter with jazz and classical music writer Keith...
: Colonel James "Dash" Derringer - Don FrancksDon FrancksDonald Harvey Francks or Iron Buffalo is a Canadian actor, vocalist and jazz musician.- Life and work :Francks was born in Vancouver, British Columbia. He is a drummer, poet, native nations champion, motorcyclist, author and peace activist...
: Admiral Franklin Brickley - Susan RomanSusan RomanSusan Roman is a Canadian voice actress best known for voice acting the role of Lita/Sailor Jupiter in the North American DiC dub of the anime, Sailor Moon. She is one of the few voice actors to remain throughout the entire run of the series...
: Lieutenant Kelsey Carver
Shadow Force
- Louis DiBianco: Major Romak
- Marvin GoldharMarvin GoldharMarvin Goldhar was a Canadian actor, best known for his voice work in animated programs and in made-for-TV movies.Among his voice credits include Cedric Sneer on The Raccoons, Mr...
: General Von Dar - Dan HennesseyDan HennesseyDan Hennessey is a Canadian voice actor who, early on in his career, performed with a children's comedy troupe,...
: Major Klag - Elva Mai Hoover: Malvanna Wilde
- Neil MunroNeil Munro-Acting career:Born in Musselburgh, Scotland, Munro moved to Toronto at an early age. After graduating from the National Theatre School of Canada in 1967, he quickly established himself as one of the most compelling theatre actors in Canada, performing with Toronto Arts Productions, the National...
: His Supreme Highness, Emperor Dark
Episode list
| Episode | Aired | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20 Sep 87 | Nantucket Sleighride |
| 2 | 27 Sep 87 | Trojan Crowbar |
| 3 | 4 Oct 87 | The Long Fall |
| 4 | 11 Oct 87 | Caverns of Mars |
| 5 | 18 Oct 87 | Fire and Ice |
| 6 | 25 Oct 87 | Galactic Heartbeat |
| 7 | 1 Nov 87 | The Boys Who Cried Dark |
| 8 | 8 Nov 87 | Dark Harvest |
| 9 | 15 Nov 87 | A Few Bugs in the System |
| 10 | 22 Nov 87 | Turnabout |
| 11 | 29 Nov 87 | Hot Enough for You? |
| 12 | 6 Dec 87 | Flash Moskowitz, Space Cadet |
| 13 | 13 Dec 87 | The Last Star Ranger |
Credits
- Executive Producer: Andy HeywardAndy HeywardAndrew A. "Andy" Heyward is the former Chairman and CEO of DIC Entertainment, an animation production company.Heyward was born in New York City, New York, the son of Sylvia and Louis M. "Deke" Heyward, who was vice president in charge of development at Barry & Enright Productions...
- Produced by: Richard Raynis
- Directed by: Marek Buchwald
- Animation Director: Kazumi Fukushima
- Creative Supervisor: Robby London
DVD Releases
So far only the first 3 episodes have been released on Region 1 DVD but it has been discontinued and as of 18.05.2011 there are no plans for further episodes or rerelase of the initial DVDAstromarines
- Col. Paul "Crowbar" Corbin
- Capt. Vic "Dakota" Hayes / Laser R.A.T. Fahrer
- Capt. Rick Ruffing / M-6 Railgunner Fahrer
- Staff. Sgt. Champ O`Ryan / H.A.R.V.-7 Fahrer
- Sgt. Bill Travers
- Sgt. Hector Morales
- Sgt. Victor Rivera
- Pfc. John "Cowboy" Jefferson
- Pfc. Al "Cannon" Evans
Starbase Command
- Col. John "Slim" Griffin
- Capt. Pete Yablonsky
- Maj. Tony Barona / Starbase Command - Starbase Commander
- Sgt. Maj. Bull Gruff / Starbase Station - Station Chief
- Pfc. Shawn Reed
- Pfc. Rusty Caldwell
Star Wing
- Col. James "Dash" Derringer
- Capt. Rip Malone / Starmax Bomber Pilot
- Lt. Bob T. Rogers
- Lt. Tom "Bandit" Waldron / F-1400 Starwolf Pilot
- Lt. Jeff "Bronx" Carrier / SF/B Starhawk Pilot
- Sgt. Red Baker
- Sgt. Ed Kramer
- Sgt. Bob Anders / BattleCrane Pilot
Vehicles
- Laser Rat - Rapid Assault Tracker / (Capt. Vic "Dakota" Hayes)
- M-6 Railgunner - Ground Attack Vehicle / (Capt. Rick Ruffing)
- H.A.R.V.-7 - Heavy Armored Recovery Vehicle / (Staff Sgt. Champ O`Ryan)
- Missile Fox - Tactical Launching Vehicle
- SkyRoller - High Rising Supertank
- Starmax Bomber - Transport Missile Cruiser / (Capt. Rip Malone)
- F-1400 Starwolf - Flexwing Astro Fighter / (Lt. Tom "BAndit" Waldron)
- SF/B Starhawk - Strategic Fighter Bomber / (Lt. Jeff "Bronx" Carrier)
- Battlecrane - Combat Cargo Lifter / (Sgt. Bob Anders)
- Sidewinder - High Speed Jackknife Fighter
- Tornado Gunship - Space/Air Transcopter
- Six Shooter
- Double Fighter - Massive Attack Jet
Playsets
- Starbase Station - Strategic Deployment Platform
- Starbase Command - Headquarters
- Medical Bay - Mobile Action Pod
- Big Cannon Fortress - Mobile Action Pod
- Command Post - Mobile Action Pod
- Vehicle Repair - Mobile Action Pod
- Laser Artillery - Mobile Action Pod
- Missile Station - Mobile Action Pod
Starmada/Invasion
- Emperor Dark (Appeared only as a special edition)
- General Von Dar
- Capt. Mace / Shadow Vampire Pilot
- Maj. Klag / Shadow Bat Pilot
- Maj. Romak / Shadow Invader Driver
- Lt. Magg / Shadow Parasite Pilot
- Sgt. Von Rodd
- Sgt. Hack
- Sgt. Ramor
- Sgt. Borek
- Cpl. Slash
- Cpl. Storn
Vehicles
- Shadow Bat - Battle Cruiser / (Maj. Klag)
- Shadow Parasite - Attack Fighter / (Lt. Magg)
- Shadow Invader - Rapid Strike Vehicle / (Maj. Romak)
- Shadow Vampire - Enemy V.T.O.L. Fighter / (Capt. Mace)
- Shadow Spy - Disguised Enemy
- Shadow Bandit - Enemy Pod Lifter
- Shadow Blast Track - Enemy Tank/Transport
- Shadow Upriser - Elevating Land Vehicle
- Shadow Mini-Tank
- Shadow Attack Trike
Trivia
Starcom was one of the few Dic and haim saban productions in which Shuki Levy would later recycle most of the music tracks to be used later in the English dub version of the First season of DigimonDigimon
, short for , is a Japanese media franchise encompassing digital toys, anime, manga and video games. The franchise's eponymous creatures are monsters of various forms living in a "Digital World", a parallel universe that originated from Earth's various communication networks.-Conception and...
13 years later after this cartoon was produced. Emperor Dark was played by a live actor in the Starcom toy commercials.