In 1982, Hollywood released Rambo: First Blood, a story of a Vietname War veteran who was trying to adjust to civilian life. Then, when he faced harassment from the small town, particularly the police force, he suffers a mental break down and wages his own personal war. This Sylvester Stallone vehicle was decried by critics as the birth of gratuitous violence in film. Rambo bore two sequels. But, this time, he wasn't the mentally unstable person of the first film, but an action hero and a good guy.
The 1986 animated television show based on the movie franchise was more along the lines of the sequel. And from the animate film came an action figure line that featured John Rambo and some of his friends on the Force of Freedom, a group of men and women dedicated to ending oppression in the world. I never really saw the animated show (or, for that matter, the movies), but I did know there were a few APA action figures that came out of it. I don't know much about them...so, perhaps somebody can help enlighten me. If you can, please e-mail me at loren@javier.com.
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K.A.T. Rambo action figure line 1985, Coleco Individual Figure Okay, talk about scary. The first sentence on her bio on the back of the box is "Katharine Ann Talor, alias K.A.T., was an army brat who grew up playing with M-1's instead of paper dolls." I'm all for challenging gender stereotypes, but that's scary. I don't know really anything about this character...like, she's obviously of Asian descent in the cartoon and even on the packaging of the figure. But, why is her name Katharine Ann Taylor (K.A.T.)? Does this mean she's hapa? Does it mean she's adopted? The only thing I know is that she is the Mistress of Disguise and that she is one of the elite members of the Force of Freedom. If anybody can help, please fill me in at loren@javier.com. The figure comes with ball jointed arms and legs and features the character dressed in the costumes she wears on the animated program. She also comes with a battle action grappling hook and a couple of guns. |
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Black Dragon Rambo action figure line 1985, Coleco Individual Figure And, as little as I know about K.A.T., I know even less about the Black Dragon other than he was a ninja. The bio on the back says that he and the White Dragon, below, were identical twins who were taken to live with mystical mountain warriors. After years of training, they became powerful ninja. However, their paths turned out very differently. Black Dragon became a bad guy and turned to the Force of Freedom's enemies - S.A.V.A.G.E (I don't know what it stands for). If anybody can help, please fill me in at loren@javier.com. The figure comes with a battle action cross-bow, knife and throwing star. |
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White Dragon Rambo action figure line 1985, Coleco Individual Figure And finally, if you know anything about the White Dragon, again...let me know. All I know is that he is the identical brother to the Black Dragon. The funny thing is that if you look at the packaging and their illustrations. The White Dragon looks like he could be white while the Black Dragon looks more Asian. Strange for identical twins, huh? Is there a subliminal message in there? This figure comes with battle action ninja sword as well as a dagger and throwing stars |
The following are items I still need to complete the set. If you notice any other items that should be added, please e-mail me.
- None the I know of...
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