Starcom: The U.S. Space Force is a 1987 animated syndicated television series inspired by a motorizedtoy franchise manufactured by Coleco.[1] The characters were adapted for animation by series creator Brynne Stephens, who also story edited the show. Starcom was produced by DIC Animation City and distributed by Coca-Cola Telecommunications. The plot detailed the adventures of an American astronaut brigade as they fought off attempted invasions by Shadow Force, a nasty collection of humans and robots led by the nefarious Emperor Dark. The toy line was popular in Europe and Asia, but was unsuccessful in the North American domestic market.
20 September (1987-09-20) – 13 December 1987 (1987-12-13)
The show was developed with the help of the Young Astronauts’ Council, with the original intention of sparking young viewers’ interest in the NASA Space Program.[2]
The show earned poor ratings, and was cancelled after 13 episodes.[3] The series was rerun in the late 1990s as part of DIC and Pax TV's "Cloud Nine" programming strand.
Like many 1980s toys, the development of the Starcom toy line preceded the development of the cartoon series.
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.
Cast
Colonels: John "Slim" Griffin (Starbase Command), Paul "Crowbar" Corbin (Astro Marines), James "Dash" Derringer (Star Wing)
In 2003, Sterling Entertainment released Starcom: The Search for Aliens on DVD containing 3 episodes.
In February 2015, Mill Creek Entertainment released Starcom: The U.S. Space Force- The Complete Series on DVD in Region 1 for the very first time.[4][5]
Defenders
Defenders in StarCom are divided into three categories:
Astro Marines
Col. Paul "Crowbar" Corbin
Capt. Vic "Dakota" Hayes / Laser R.A.T. Driver
Capt. Rick Ruffing / M-6 Railgunner Driver
Staff Sgt. Champ O`Ryan / H.A.R.V.-7 Driver
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
starcom, space, force, confused, with, space, training, readiness, command, 1987, animated, syndicated, television, series, inspired, motorized, franchise, manufactured, coleco, characters, were, adapted, animation, series, creator, brynne, stephens, also, sto. Not to be confused with Space Training and Readiness Command Starcom The U S Space Force is a 1987 animated syndicated television series inspired by a motorized toy franchise manufactured by Coleco 1 The characters were adapted for animation by series creator Brynne Stephens who also story edited the show Starcom was produced by DIC Animation City and distributed by Coca Cola Telecommunications The plot detailed the adventures of an American astronaut brigade as they fought off attempted invasions by Shadow Force a nasty collection of humans and robots led by the nefarious Emperor Dark The toy line was popular in Europe and Asia but was unsuccessful in the North American domestic market Starcom The U S Space ForceStarCom The U S Space Force title cardCreated byBrynne StephensDeveloped byBrynne StephensWritten byArthur Byron CoverBarbara HamblyLydia MaranoRichard MuellerSteve PerryMichael ReavesBrynne StephensDavid WiseMarv WolfmanDirected byMarek BuchwaldVoices ofPhilip AkinYank AzmanRobert CaitRob CowanDon FrancksSusan RomanCountry of originUnited StatesOriginal languageEnglishNo of episodes13ProductionExecutive producerAndy HeywardProducerRichard RaynisRunning time25 minutesProduction companyDIC Animation CityDistributorCoca Cola TelecommunicationsReleaseOriginal networksyndicationOriginal release20 September 1987 09 20 13 December 1987 1987 12 13 The show was developed with the help of the Young Astronauts Council with the original intention of sparking young viewers interest in the NASA Space Program 2 The show earned poor ratings and was cancelled after 13 episodes 3 The series was rerun in the late 1990s as part of DIC and Pax TV s Cloud Nine programming strand Contents 1 Toys 2 Cast 2 1 Starcom 2 2 Shadow Force 3 Episode list 4 Home video releases 5 Defenders 5 1 Astro Marines 5 2 Starbase Command 5 3 Star Wing 5 4 Vehicles 5 5 Playsets 6 Invaders 6 1 Starmada Invasion 6 2 Robot Drones 6 3 Vehicles 7 References 8 External linksToys EditLike many 1980s toys the development of the Starcom toy line preceded the development of the cartoon series 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 Cast Edit Colonels John Slim Griffin Starbase Command Paul Crowbar Corbin Astro Marines James Dash Derringer Star Wing Starcom Edit Philip Akin Colonel John Slim Griffin Yank Azman Robert Cait Colonel Paul Crowbar Corbin Rob Cowan Colonel James Dash Derringer Don Francks Admiral Franklin Brickley Susan Roman Lieutenant Kelsey CarverShadow Force Edit Louis DiBianco Major Romak Marvin Goldhar General Von Dar Dan Hennessey Major Klag Elva Mai Hoover Malvanna Wilde Robert Cait General Torvek Neil Munro Emperor DarkEpisode list EditEpisode Aired Title Writer1 20 September 1987 Nantucket Sleighride Richard Mueller2 27 September 1987 Trojan Crowbar Steve Perry3 4 October 1987 The Long Fall Brynne Stephens4 11 October 1987 Caverns of Mars Michael Reaves5 18 October 1987 Fire and Ice Michael Reaves6 25 October 1987 Galactic Heartbeat Steve Perry7 1 November 1987 The Boys Who Cried Dark Richard Mueller8 8 November 1987 Dark Harvest Lydia Marano and Arthur Byron Cover9 15 November 1987 A Few Bugs in the System Barbara Hambly10 22 November 1987 Turnabout Marv Wolfman11 29 November 1987 Hot Enough for You Steve Perry12 6 December 1987 Flash Moskowitz Space Cadet David Wise13 13 December 1987 The Last Star Ranger Steve PerryHome video releases EditIn 2003 Sterling Entertainment released Starcom The Search for Aliens on DVD containing 3 episodes In February 2015 Mill Creek Entertainment released Starcom The U S Space Force The Complete Series on DVD in Region 1 for the very first time 4 5 Defenders EditDefenders in StarCom are divided into three categories Astro Marines Edit Col Paul Crowbar Corbin Capt Vic Dakota Hayes Laser R A T Driver Capt Rick Ruffing M 6 Railgunner Driver Staff Sgt Champ O Ryan H A R V 7 Driver Sgt Bill Travers Sgt Hector Morales Sgt Victor Rivera Pfc John Cowboy Jefferson Pfc Al Cannon EvansStarbase Command Edit 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 CaldwellStar Wing Edit 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 PilotVehicles Edit 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 JetPlaysets Edit 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 PodInvaders EditThe Shadow Force is divided into two groups Starmada Invasion Edit 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 StornRobot Drones Edit General Torvek Capt Battlecron 9 Shadow Raider Driver Cpl Agon 6Vehicles Edit Shadow Bat Battle Cruiser Maj Klag Shadow Parasite Attack Fighter Lt Magg Shadow Invader Rapid Strike Vehicle Maj Romak Shadow Raider Sneak Attack Vehicle Capt Battlecron 9 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 TrikeReferences Edit Perlmutter David 2018 The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows Rowman amp Littlefield p 587 ISBN 978 1538103739 John J Kao 2010 08 17 The entrepreneurial organization ISBN 9780132823289 Retrieved 2016 03 31 Erickson Hal 2005 Television Cartoon Shows An Illustrated Encyclopedia 1949 Through 2003 2nd ed McFarland amp Co p 789 ISBN 978 1476665993 David Lambert 5 December 2014 Starcom The U S Space Force DVD news Announcement for The Complete Series TVShowsOnDVD com Archived from the original on 4 March 2016 Retrieved 31 March 2016 Starcom The U S Space Force The Complete Series TV Shows on DVD 17 February 2015 Retrieved 27 January 2018 External links EditStarcom The U S Space Force at IMDb Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Starcom The U S Space Force amp oldid 1126191182, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
