And since we spoke of him in another installment this month here...
Here he is - Blackstar!
It was either this guy or the insipid "Power Lords" back then - and I couldn't stomach the latter's pathetic attempt at a power trip, so...!
A vast amalgam of elements borrowed
(or outright stolen) from various sources, Blackstar featured a plethora of tiny beings called "Trobbits" - not even a clever attempt at disguising a Tolkien Hobbit as something else...! Lest it was a mere homage...? Ah - okay then! ;)
For some reason, the first figure from this collection that I owned, was the above pictured, standing tall for thee PALACE GUARD! Stern-looking and boring as he looks, he filled his purpose, I'm sure... (Actually, I wouldn't know - I don't recall having EVER seen the cartoon featuring these characters! All I know is that the P.G. came in two versions - and I was stuck with the tritest one! The second revamped look had much better tones of color on him... But that same stern aura and bright beak! I took this as my cue to never again have a parakeet...)
Ahh - here is the meanie from the sea again - NEPTUL! Nep - tool? Anyways... I always took to the sea and, therefore, I liked characters who came from it... The atrocious Masters of the Universe had two: Merman and Hydron, that I recall... Popeye was a favorite (though redundant) cartoon Sinbad was a fave of sorts, too... And of course, there always was Aquaman! The sea is the only mysterious realm accessible to anyone of us - so, that is why all of my epic fantasy stuff allegiance adheres with greater ease to the seafaring heroes (or even ghouls, like Neptul here) than any space-faring dud...! (Hmm... Did I mention that Blackstar is a space-faring guy? One who rides some kind of giant dragon too... Horseback-riding on a dragon - in outer space. Rrrrrrrrrright... BUT - Blackstar's first name is JOHN - and as such, he is true hero material! :) Never known a John that wasn't! Make that JOÃO... ;)
But back to Neptul and the sea... *lol* Let's just conclude that just as in the case of the infamous Gillman (a.k.a. Gilly a.k.a. the Creature from the Black Lagoon) I am more than ready, still, to make an exception with Neptul as well... And label him, as Gilly, as a vastly misunderstood sea creature!
No such quarters for this next guy though...TO THE PIT YOU GO, GUY! This little critter above is one generic yellow demon that came usually in a twin pack with a villain... Palace Guard's little buddy - for instance! There was also a pink one... (No comments - but also no surprise to me! *LOL*) THAT, in a nutshell, was the big thing about Blackstar toys; they were ALL "twin figure packs" One of the earliest such things, I do believe! Kids were delighted to get two figures instead of just one per pack! Even though the second one was either a cheapie Trobbit or a cheapie demon...!!! But the concept would evolve and improve, in time - especially when the Toddster started making them toys too...!
Note: the Blackstar demons are not to be confused with the Super Powers ' own parademons! They're of the same ilk though - for sure...
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Born in the Age of Aquarius, destined to seek out truths in many an art form, trained as a historian and a journalist but truly a prose-lover... Luciano is out to dispel any clichés and reinvent them all both to the tune of a little something called the truth as also to his own image - and being old-fashioned, he does not mind that distinction one infinitesimal tiny bit at all...! "There are two ways to spread the light; be the candle... or the mirror that reflects It." I have chosen to be the latter... okay? ~*~
"To be not only a seeker of light... but a dream weaver of light" ~*~ For as surely as the moon reflects the light from the sun, you and I can reflect the Light from Above - and be, indeed, the light of this world! ~*~*~*~ NOTE: THERE ARE COOKIES ~ from at least three parties~ ON ALL OF MY BLOGS! ~*~ accept it!
TO THE PIT YOU GO, GUY!
