Howard The Duck Tales

Think of the worst movie that you've ever seen.  The 1986 film Howard the Duck is probably worse than whatever you just thought of.

Yet, as a kid, I was drawn to this bizarre live action movie about an alien duck (from a duck world---think of a darker, more adult version of Duckburg from Disney's Duck Tales) visiting Earth (specifically Cleveland, Ohio).  I just had to have the Howard the Duck Candy Dispenser that I saw at the Circle K store during a summer vacation in Florida.

This is probably the only toy made for this movie, which bombed big time during its brief run in theaters.

In addition to a person with a puppet head playing Howard, the film starred Lea Thompson and Tim Robbins.  They were young, and needed the work.

I cannot believe that I watched this movie on TV with my grandmother in the same room.  Howard is one dirty duck.

Howard the Duck (based on a comic book of the same name) was a Universal Pictures movie and the love child of Marvel and Lucasfilm. Now that Disney owns Lucasfilm and Marvel, I guess we could see a new version of Howard starring Donald Duck and Scrooge McDuck.  But I doubt that will happen.  Or maybe it will...

Loo-Kee Here! It's She-Ra and He-Man!

Don't let Loo-Kee fool you.  Most of the time, this colorful woodland creature stayed hidden in the animated TV show "She-Ra" and revealed his hiding place (and the moral of the day's story) at the end of each episode.  However, Loo-Kee was also brave enough to take on Skeletor and Beast Man.  Yep!

By the Power of Grayskull, Loo-Kee matched wits with He-Man's rivals in a cross-over episode of the He-Man spin-off show "She-Ra" in an episode called "Loo-Kee Lends a Hand."

He-Man and Battle Cat (a green tiger) have been fighting off Skeletor since the early 1980s.

When I was a kid, I think my neighbor had every He-Man action figure.  I only had one, and it was Battle Cat (a hard plastic toy with no moving parts, so I guess it was really just an accessory and not an action figure).

Put down those entertaining Mattel products, because it's time to watch He-Man on TV!

Mattel had been toying with the idea of a He-Man show, and turned to animation producer Filmation to create a series in 1983.

Mattel was thrilled with the success of He-Man, since their "Mattel and Mars Bar Quick Energy Chocobot Hour" did not do so well (as noted on an episode of "The Simpsons").

Marvel produced a Star Comics title for "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe."

Here we see He-Man fighting The Price Increase with R2-D2 and C-3PO from the Star Wars "Droids" series.  Notice Spider-Ham (Marvel's own Spider-Man spoof, Peter Porker) is in combat mode here as well.  Seeing one of the Care Bears joining them in the battle is especially hilarious.

Yes, Orko was friends with Snarf from "ThunderCats" and the Transformers, too.

Marvel's Star Comics made many different titles, including "Muppet Babies," "Alf," and "Silverhawks."

It was not unusual to see characters from different studios mingling together in comic book ads.

For publicity photos for Star Comics, Heathcliff defended his turf from Lion-O (from ThunderCats).  An Ewok and a Care Bare fought over who was more cuddly.  The Flintstone Kids were rocking with laughter because He-Man slayed 'em.

She-Ra was introduced in "He-Man and She-Ra In The Secret Of The Sword" in movie theaters in 1985.

This was not a big budget film.  It was like a big episode of the TV show.  Look at Mer-Man!  Lots of fun villains in the He-Man universe.

There were two big things that made She-Ra so popular:  Her personality and her courage.  What did you think I was going to say?

She-Ra also had a big, pink flying unicorn.  Those seem to be really popular these days.  Maybe this post will show up in a lot of Google searches.

Here's a different poster for the He-Man and She-Ra Sword movie.  This one has Hordak and Mantenna, two of She-Ra's foes.  I watched an episode of She-Ra on hulu.com, and it reminded me of Hanna-Barbera's "Space Ghost."  Very limited animation, but nice drawings.

Skeletor is standing next to another cool villain named Leech.

She-Ra also had a toy line.  This is priceless.  Meet Starburst She-Ra and Crystal Swift Wind.  Meet their friends, Sweetbee, Perfuma, Peekablue, Frosta, Flutterina, Mermista, Entrapta and Angella.  Meet their enemy, Scratchin' Sound Catra.

Dolls not shown:  Lipglossia, Nailpolisha, Pillowfightina, Ticklefightina and Tamponica.

Would you like to see the She-Ra origin story?  Here it is.

When there's trouble, you call Luke Skywalker, I mean, He-Man.

When She-Ra isn't a superhero, her name is Adora.

Instead of "By the Power of Grayskull" She-Ra says "By the Honor of Grayskull."  Because she's a classy gal.

Catra clearly idolizes Eartha Kitt.

He-Man saves the day, but interrupts an entertaining catfight.

Spoiler Alert: She-Ra is He-Man's sister from the same mister!

This comic included an ad for a She-Ra Princess of Power Poster.  It looks like one of the characters drove a glittery swan vehicle of some sort.  I don't remember that in the TV show.

She-Ra and He-Man fought all sorts of kooky villains, including King Hiss and the Snake Men.

All the She-Ra and He-Man material here is from issues of Muppet Magazine and Marvel Comics published in the Eighties.

In 1987, Dolph Lundgren (as He-Man) starred in the live action movie, "Masters of the Universe."  The film was directed by Gary Goddard, creator of theme park attractions all over the world, including The Monster Plantation (now called "The Monster Mansion") at Six Flags Over Georgia.

Fans of the TV series "Friends" can see Monica (Courtney Cox) and her Mom (Christina Pickles) along with Skeletor in "Masters of the Universe."

By the Power of Grayswamp, Kermit is He-Frog in a Muppet Magazine parody.

Forget Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.  Here, Miss Piggy connects Disney, Marvel, Warner Brothers, Six Flags, Hanna-Barbera, Alf, Star Wars, Transformers, Friends, Heathcliff, Courtney Cox, ThunderCats and He-Man and She-Ra.

Loo-Kee enjoys hiding in the forest so he can spy on She-Ra and her muscular friend.

Loo-Kee can get away with lurking in the background because he is a cute little woodland creature.

If you ever see Loo-Kee when you are in the woods, there are a few rules you need to follow.  Don't shine bright light on him and don't feed him after midnight.  But there is one rule that is the most important, and for Grayskull's sake, you'd better not break the rule.  Never, EVER confuse Loo-Kee with "Loki" from "Thor."

Walt Disney World And The Spider-Man Shuttle: Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Van

This Summer, I'll be visiting Walt Disney World in Florida. I'll be staying on Disney property, and like many people these days, I'll also be visiting Universal's Islands of Adventure. I'd love to see Walt Disney World offer the "Spider-Man Shuttle," a service for Disney Resort guests who could take the Spider-Man themed "Spider-Van" to visit Marvel Super Hero Island and the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal's Islands of Adventure in Orlando. Disney could sell Spider-Man themed Universal ticket packages and even include special perks.

With Universal's recent announcement of upgrades to its fantastic "Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man" attraction, it's pretty clear that Islands of Adventure does not intend on dropping Marvel (a brand Disney recently acquired) from its Florida resort any time soon. Since Marvel has an existing, strong alliance with Universal, this could be a creative way to give Spider-Man and the Marvel characters a stronger presence at Walt Disney World.


If people are going to visit the very popular Wizarding World of Harry Potter anyway, it seems like the Mouse would want to get in on that action, with the help of Spider-Man and the Spider-Van. Disney's ABC Family already airs Harry Potter film marathons, so there's also that existing connection.

I visited Universal's Islands of Adventure for the first time in 2009, and had a blast. My favorite souvenir from this trip is a pressed penny of Spider-Man.

Of all the attractions at Universal Orlando, I thought the Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man was the best. I can't wait to finally experience the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.


Years before Universal's Islands of Adventure attractions were a twinkle in an ex-Disney Imagineer's eye, Spider-Man and the Hulk could be found with Universal characters like Frankenstein and Woody Woodpecker. The exciting new Flipits were available to order from comic books in 1979.

It looks like Flipit "puppets" (their word) were pieces of cardboard with a balloon stuck to them. You could also get a Flipit of Super Chick, a character I only know from this advertisement.


There was no Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man attraction to dazzle folks back in 1982, but there was the Atari Spider-Man video game from Parker Brothers. Here, the game's graphics are drawn in comic book form, and the images are priceless.

This ad is from a 1982 Smurfs comic book from Marvel.

Holy Hannah, Batman!


In 1995, McDonald's and the Fox Kid's Network (home to the Spider-Man animated series) teamed up for a contest for arcade games based on Spider-Man, X-Men and Captain America.

Second prize was a SEGA X-Men game. Not too shabby!


Spider-Man Cereal, with its nutritious crispy rice spider webs and marshmallow cameras, was launched in 1995 by Ralston.

Why didn't someone think of a spider web rice cereal 40 years ago? General Mills could have had Charlotte's Web cereal, with marshmallow spiders.


In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Spider-Man and his friends appeared in comic book ads for Hostess Snack Cakes.

Spider-Man was featured in a very funny comic with June Jitsu for Hostess Twinkies.

Revenge is a dish best served cold. June Jitsu could not stop eating the Twinkies that Spider-Man gave her, and she got so out of shape that she could no longer use her Kung Fu for evil.


The Hulk takes on the Roller Disco Devils in a Hostess Fruit Pie ad from 1980.

Hulk eat Hostess Fruit Pie now, or Hulk smash things!!


Are you Thor? Yes, it hurts. My sides hurt after reading this 1978 ad for Hostess Fruit Pies.

Best melodramatic lines ever: "By Thunder, he stops in his tracks at the sight of Hostess Fruit Pies." "Hostess Fruit Pies have re-awakened his own being and destroyed the spell." "Enjoy Thy-self! Eat thy fill of Apple, Cherry and Peach Fruit Pies!"


Daredevil and Johnny Clymbe are featured in this 1977 ad. I don't know much about Daredevil. Was Johnny Clymbe an established character, or was he created for this ad, and named Clymbe because he climbed to the top of a building for Hostess Fruit Pies?

"Now that I've reached the top, for my Hostess Fruit Pies there's no place left to go except the stores...because they are there, too!" Clymbe, there's nowhere to go but down now.


By 1995, Spider-Man was the spokesman for Drakes Cakes.

I grew up in the South, and had never heard of Drakes Cakes (we had Little Debbie Snack cakes).


This 1980 ad from an Avengers comic book features Spider-Man action figures and The Empire Strikes Back, in comic book form.

There's also a grudge match between Spider-Man and Superman. I wonder who won?


The Marvel Comics Fun and Games sound exciting! Really, REALLY exciting! Seriously, read what the Marvel Super Heroes are saying.

I'll have what they're having.


Disney and Marvel have worked together before. In 1995, Marvel produced comic books for Disney. Some of the titles included Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and the Little Mermaid.

You could also find The Disney Afternoon and Gargoyles Marvel comic books. The Spider-Man ads that I've posted from the 1990s are from some of these Disney comics.


Disney, Marvel and the Muppets could team up for a reboot of the 1980s official Marvel spoof, Spider-Ham!


I think Miss Piggy could be the love interest in a new Spider-Ham series.


I can't wait for my trip to Orlando---I'm sure there will be a trip report here!

Disney's Gargoyles Concept Art And My Marvel-ous Suggestion

In 1994, Walt Disney Television Animation launched a series called "Gargoyles." The show aired as part of The Disney Afternoon syndicated lineup, but the Disney stamp was not on the series. On merchandise, you'll usually find "BVTV" (Buena Vista Television) instead of "Disney." The show was darker in tone than other Disney Afternoon shows, more like "Batman: The Animated Series." In the original pitch for the show, the gargoyle characters were comedic and trouble-makers.


As the show was developed, changes were gradually made. Producer Frank Paur and character designer Greg Gular shaped the look and feel of the show, with input from Disney CEO Michael Eisner.

The impressive voice cast included Keith David (Goliath), Ed Asner (Hudson), Bill Fagerbakke (Broadway), Jeff Bennett (Brooklyn), Frank Welker (Bronx), Thom Adcox-Hernandez (Lexington) and Salli Richardson (Elisa Maza). Star Trek fans no doubt enjoyed hearing Jonathan Frakes (David Xanatos) and Marina Sirtis (Demona) as the major antagonists of the series.

The Gargoyles were stone creatures by day, and came to life every night. The series featured complex stories and character relationships. The show has a strong fan following, but it is not really promoted much, maybe because it is so different.

Marvel released a Gargoyles comic book in 1995.

Now that Disney and Marvel have joined forces, I think Goliath and his crew should be marketed as Marvel characters.

Maybe we'd finally see a Gargoyles movie!

Goofy, The Incredible Hulk

I found this crazy, bizarre picture in a box of photos when I went to visit my parents for Christmas. This was taken at a party, and I'm thinking it was in 1978, so it was definitely a groovy time. I'm the one with the Pluto mask.

This reminds me a bit of the movie "Ruthless People," with Bette Midler's character saying (of her cartoon character-masked captors) "I've been kidnapped by Huey and Dewey!"

It is interesting that Donald Duck is not in this picture, but Scrooge McDuck and Daisy are. Maybe Donald Duck left early for a piano lesson. I don't remember who the other children are, except for the kid with the Goofy mask (my older brother).

The Incredible Hulk shirt is no longer out of place with Goofy, since Disney now owns the Marvel characters. This picture unknowingly (or knowingly?!) offered a glimpse of the future!

My Pitch to Disney: Mix the Muppets With Marvel's Spider-Ham!

I only know about the Spider-Ham character from advertisements seen in 1980s issues of comic books like Heathcliff, but I would love to see this pig superhero revived by Disney. It could be a great franchise for the Muppets! Marvel's Spider-Ham could be turned into a new Muppet character and Miss Piggy could play his love interest. Kermit the Frog could even be the villain for a change--Green Froglin! Would a Spider-Ham attraction not be amazing to see as part of the Muppet Studios at Disney's Hollywood Studios? It would essentially be a spoof of Universal's Spider-Man ride---sort of like how the proposed Muppet Movie Ride in the 1990s would have been a take on the Great Movie Ride.

Disney, hire me already.

We Will We Will Ewok You

Before Jar Jar Binks divided Star Wars fans, there were the Ewoks! The little critters first appeared in the Star Wars movie Return of the Jedi in 1983. In 1985, the Ewoks debuted in an animated series, which included a segment featuring Droids R2D2 and C3PO. The Droids were dropped from the show in 1986. The cute, furry Ewoks translated nicely to Saturday Morning television, alongside the fantasy worlds of the Smurfs, Pac-Man and Q-Bert (I loved Q-Bert). I thought the cartoon versions of the Ewoks were far more appealing than the characters in the film.

In 1986, Star Comics (part of Marvel Comics) debuted an Ewoks comic book. Star Comics also published comics books featuring the Droids, plus other favorites of the time like Thundercats, Fraggle Rock, Muppet Babies, and Peter Porker (a Spiderman spoof with a pig character---please revive this, Disney!).

I have an Ewoks animated series videotape I bought years ago at Big Lots. The problem is that I no longer have a working VCR. I'm pretty sure you can find the series on DVD these days.

Here's a great set of stickers from 1983, and a couple of comic books from 1986. Admit it, they are cute!

If you weren't a fan of the Ewoks from the film, maybe you should give these more animated versions a try.

Laffy Taffy: Bad Boy Banana Biker

This "a-peeling" slick character could be seen in a TV commercial for Laffy Taffy with other talking produce items and Daffy Duck in the late 1980s/early 1990s. I believe his name was Ben Ana, and I do know they at least made a plastic pen with his likeness (which I really want). Because of the association with Daffy Duck, I always wondered if Warner Brothers designed the Laffy Taffy spokes-characters. This image is from a plastic candy container, and "For Display Only." I'm not sure how I managed to add this to my collection.

*UPDATE on March 21, 2013:

This character is indeed named Ben Anna.  He was part of a group called The Laffy Taffy Bunch.  Not only did they appear in a TV commercial with Warner Brothers Looney Tunes star Daffy Duck, they could be found in comic books, too.  This particular advertisement was in a 1988 Archie Comic.

Besides Ben Anna, there was a Watermelon, Strawberry, Sour Apple, Sweet and Sour Cherry and Sour Grapes.  I haven't seen the commercial in many years, but I believe Nancy Cartwright (Bart Simpson on "The Simpsons") may have voiced at least one of the female characters.  Daffy Duck, getting short-changed as usual, was not in the comic.

Bananas are funny for many different reasons, so Ben Anna seemed to be a good fit for a joke-based candy mascot.  In 1988, Laffy Taffy had a joke contest, and some of the prizes featured the Laffy Taffy Bunch.  A Ben Anna pen was 3rd Prize, and to me it seems better than the 1st Prize (a Jar of Laffy Taffy chews).

The Grand Prize was a choice between a Laffy Taffy motorized funny car (cool!) or a custom-built doll house (perfect, I suppose, for a Special Edition Mattel Carmen Miranda Barbie doll).  The prize for 2nd Place was a Laffy Taffy T-Shirt.

By 1995, Laffy Taffy became a Concorde Brand (a division of Sunmark, Inc.).  The Laffy Taffy Bunch could still be found in comic books, though their commercials were no longer on TV.  Some new flavors and characters joined the Bunch, including Pink Lemonade and an Orange.

The Laffy Taffy Bunch got an updated look for this 1995 ad featured in a Disney Gargoyles Marvel Comics book.  Vanilla and Fruit Punch flavors are mentioned here, but I don't know if they had corresponding characters.

Eventually, the Laffy Taffy Bunch lost their job as mascots and the candy became a Willy Wonka Candy Company brand released by Nestle.  Who's laughing now?  Daffy Duck, probably.