Action Jackson Observations / Obsession!

[AJ-Paratrooper]

For some unknown reason, I told my son about my Action Jackson and his parachute at bedtime. (Actually, I believe it was because we were talking about one of our favorite movies, "Small Soldiers".) That parachute worked phenomonally well!! I mean, if I recall correctly, you could throw it as hard as possible and the chute would deploy & he'd float down perfectly every time!

I hadn't thought about AJ since the 1970s so I googled him and found those old commercials. Wow! I'm hooked! I've got to get some classic AJs! They don't make anything endearing and classic like those anymore so we're going to acquire some and relive the 1970s!!! This is so my kids can have a COMPLETE childhood! (ok, ok...that's what I tell the wife...I really want them for myself!!!

Anyway, I've observed a few things just from poking around on youtube and watching old commercials:

1. Mego obviously was very influenced by G.I. Joe's Adventure team! Adventure team had a distinct logo, so did AJ.

2. At least one Adventure team member had a pretty cool jumpsuit & they all had dogtags, so did AJ.



3. Action Man's commercials referenced some stickers to send in to get credit. AJ's "tattoos" apparently were to be used similarly but it looks like that idea was abandoned.

4. Even though GI Joe heavily influenced AJ, he's different enough to be really cool. Cool haircut! Cool unusual face! Cool clothing! Smaller and even more detailed!!!

I'd like to make some stop-motion movies with my kids and some AJs from ebay. Maybe we'll make some live-action sequences set to music like the commercials. I was thinking about customizing some R/C vehicles to use with some older AJs.

That's the diabolical plan!!!! Bring AJ to 2008!!!

Is there anything I should lookout for while acquiring these items on ebay?

Long live "The biggest little man in the world of adventure"!!!!

[Iron_fox85]

i'm hoping classic tv toys or dr. mego can reproduct those figures for retailers

[AJ-Paratrooper]

i'm hoping classic tv toys or dr. mego can reproduct those figures for retailers

Whoever does it has to make them exactly like the originals. I mean, AJ's face for instance....ha ha!!! He's not exactly handsome but he's a cool, dude!

I remember my little brother picking up my AJ in his "Secret Agent" outfit and saying to me....man, that thing is ugly! I snatched AJ away and told him he just didn't get it.

IMO: If anybody tried to update/improve/modify AJ, he wouldn't be AJ anymore. (Well, not to me, anyway) I'd like it if they made spankin' new perfect copies of the originals. That'd be great!

[AJ-Paratrooper]

Can you imagine if you put on a blue "Dickies" jumpsuit, put your own AJ logo on the pocket, got a white belt, white shoes, grew a beard and went outside!....ha ha ha ha.

Even if it was Halloween, people would be stepping out of your way and scratching their heads!!!! ha ha! It works for action figures, though!

[Iron_fox85]

i just want more repros' cant aford orginals so replucas are the next best thing.

[palitoy]

Can you imagine if you put on a blue "Dickies" jumpsuit, put your own AJ logo on the pocket, got a white belt, white shoes, grew a beard and went outside!....ha ha ha ha.

I did it all but without the beard, a guy turned to me in an elevator and said "The awful things I did to you, sorry about the fireworks"

I don't get repro AJs though, I see boxed originals priced cheaper than EMCE trek on a regular basis.

[AJ-Paratrooper]

I did it all but without the beard, a guy turned to me in an elevator and said "The awful things I did to you, sorry about the fireworks"

I don't get repro AJs though, I see boxed originals priced cheaper than EMCE trek on a regular basis.

Hey, cool! At least he knew who you were!

I just realized I put this up in the wrong forum...oops. Sorry. I'm a newbie.

[AJ-Paratrooper]

I'm in the right forum now, thanks for fixing that!

[megocrazy]

(Actually, I believe it was because we were talking about one of our favorite movies, "Small Soldiers".)

One of the guys I used to race with did the helicopter stunts for that movie. Can't remember his name but he was from Connecticut.

[Action Martin]

I don't get repro AJs though, I see boxed originals priced cheaper than EMCE trek on a regular basis.

True. I picked up one MIB for $25 from Joe DeRouen. His AA AJ cost me a little bit more but I think we worked out a great deal for the two of them. I even picked up another MIB AJ on eBay for less than $30.

[AJ-Paratrooper]

If anybody's got a good picture of AJ's dog tag could you post it? I'm getting ready to buy some AJs from ebay but they're not mint and have no dog tag.

I'd like to get a replacement or get a repro or maybe make one myself but I don't remember what it even looks like. Thanks.

[SlipperyLilSuckers]

Welcome! It's great to see another AJ lover

Figures: Action Jackson Gallery: Mego Museum You can see one fairly well on this page.

[AJ-Paratrooper]

Thanks, Slippery. Yes, over the past week, the childhood memories of 'ol AJ have flooded back and I've seen everything at the Mego Museum. Those are the best shots of the dogtags but I still can't make anything out. I guess, it's just one tag...can't tell what if anything is written on it.

Not to worry, I'll find one eventually from e-bay. "Bold Adventure is my game! "

[HardyGirl]

Hi Paratrooper!

Well, you see my avatar, so I guess you know that I really like AJ. He was my first (and only) Mego action guy. I'm a teacher and I used to have a kid in my class named Jackson. Guess what I got him hooked on? I bought him a few w/ accessories and recorded the commercials for him. He loved it!

Regarding the parachute, I do notice that you have to have it folded a certain way, and b/c of the pack, it's a little harder to fly b/c it's heavier. But it's cool on a windy day.

I have a whole shoebox full of AJ accessories, (including PM, which had some cool accessories, even though the guys sucked). I even have the AJ Colorforms (which are fun to interchange w/ GIJoe Colorforms).

I really like the box art too. I always wanted trading cards of the pictures of AJ and his outfits on the back.

[AJ-Paratrooper]

AJ!

Oh Yeah! Thanks, Hardygirl! The funny thing is, I haven't given Action Jackson a thought until very recently. I'm talking total amnesia! I do recall having the Secret Agent black outfit and the parachute.

I was amazed that the parachute even worked and fully expected it to become a tangled mess immediately. It didn't! It always worked!

The really bizarre thing is I actually became an Army Officer, a paratrooper, a special agent (ok, ok, not a "secret agent" but close enough). I owned and drove a jeep, was on a SWAT team and rapelled out of helicopters, etc.

I wonder if AJ somehow got into my subconcious! I believe he was a good influence!!!

Now to my quest of finding a dark haired, clean shaven, dark blue jumpsuited AJ from ebay so I can have some new adventures with my kids!!