Starcom: The U.S. Space Force facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Starcom: The U.S. Space Force |
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StarCom: The U.S. Space Force title card
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| Created by | Brynne Stephens |
| Developed by | Brynne Stephens |
| Written by | Arthur Byron Cover Barbara Hambly Lydia Marano Richard Mueller Steve Perry Michael Reaves Brynne Stephens David Wise Marv Wolfman |
| Directed by | Marek Buchwald |
| Voices of | Philip Akin Yank Azman Robert Cait Rob Cowan Don Francks Susan Roman |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of episodes | 13 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Andy Heyward |
| Producer(s) | Richard Raynis |
| Running time | 25 minutes |
| Production company(s) | DIC Animation City |
| Distributor | Coca-Cola Telecommunications |
| Release | |
| Original network | syndication |
| Original release | 20 September – 13 December 1987 |
Starcom: The U.S. Space Force was an exciting animated TV show from 1987. It was based on a cool line of motorized toys made by Coleco. The show was created by Brynne Stephens, who helped bring the toy characters to life.
Starcom was made by DIC Animation City. It told the story of brave American astronauts. They fought against the evil Shadow Force, a group of humans and robots led by Emperor Dark. The show was meant to get young people interested in the NASA Space Program.
Even though it had cool toys, the show didn't get high ratings. It was canceled after only 13 episodes. The series was shown again in the early 1990s, but no new episodes were ever made.
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Starcom Toys and Technology
Like many toys from the 1980s, the Starcom toy line came out before the TV show. The toys and the cartoon both launched in 1987. There were many different toys to collect.
The Starcom toy series included 23 figures, 6 playsets, and 13 vehicles for the good guys. The Shadow Force had 15 action figures and 11 vehicles. The action figures were small, about two inches tall. Each came with a backpack, a weapon, and an ID card. The vehicles and playsets had a cool, futuristic design.
Magna Lock Technology
A special feature of the Starcom toys was their "Magna Lock" technology. The action figures had tiny magnets in their feet. This allowed them to stand firmly on vehicles and playsets. It also activated special features in the playsets. For example, if you put a figure in the elevator of the Starbase Station, its magnets would make the elevator rise by itself!
Power Deploy Features
The vehicles and playsets also had "Power Deploy" features. These used wind-up parts to make things happen with just a button press. No batteries were needed! For instance, the Starcom StarWolf vehicle could unfold its front and wings automatically. These toys had many moving parts, like hidden compartments and cannons.
Starcom toys didn't become very popular in the U.S. This was partly because the TV show only lasted a year. However, the toys became very successful in Europe and Southeast Asia. Mattel later took over the toys. They removed the U.S. flag and NASA details. Then, they launched the toys again in the early 1990s, and they became hugely popular.
Characters and Voice Actors
Here are some of the main characters from the Starcom TV show and the actors who voiced them.
Starcom Heroes
- 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 Carver
Shadow Force Villains
- 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 Dark
Episode Guide
The Starcom series had 13 episodes. Here is a list of them:
| Episode | Aired Date | Title | Writer |
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| 1 | 20 September 1987 | Nantucket Sleighride | Richard Mueller |
| 2 | 27 September 1987 | Trojan Crowbar | Steve Perry |
| 3 | 4 October 1987 | The Long Fall | Brynne Stephens |
| 4 | 11 October 1987 | Caverns of Mars | Michael Reaves |
| 5 | 18 October 1987 | Fire and Ice | Michael Reaves |
| 6 | 25 October 1987 | Galactic Heartbeat | Steve Perry |
| 7 | 1 November 1987 | The Boys Who Cried Dark | Richard Mueller |
| 8 | 8 November 1987 | Dark Harvest | Lydia Marano and Arthur Byron Cover |
| 9 | 15 November 1987 | A Few Bugs in the System | Barbara Hambly |
| 10 | 22 November 1987 | Turnabout | Marv Wolfman |
| 11 | 29 November 1987 | Hot Enough for You? | Steve Perry |
| 12 | 6 December 1987 | Flash Moskowitz, Space Cadet | David Wise |
| 13 | 13 December 1987 | The Last Star Ranger | Steve Perry |
Starcom Teams and Vehicles
The heroes of Starcom were divided into three main groups. Each group had its own special roles and vehicles.
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
- Pfc. Shawn Reed
- Pfc. Rusty Caldwell
Star Wing Pilots
- 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 Pilot
Starcom Vehicles
- Laser Rat - Rapid Assault Tracker (driven by Capt. Vic "Dakota" Hayes)
- M-6 Railgunner - Ground Attack Vehicle (driven by Capt. Rick Ruffing)
- H.A.R.V.-7 - Heavy Armored Recovery Vehicle (driven by Staff Sgt. Champ O`Ryan)
- Missile Fox - Tactical Launching Vehicle
- SkyRoller - High Rising Supertank
- Starmax Bomber - Transport Missile Cruiser (piloted by Capt. Rip Malone)
- F-1400 Starwolf - Flexwing Astro Fighter (piloted by Lt. Tom "Bandit" Waldron)
- SF/B Starhawk - Strategic Fighter Bomber (piloted by Lt. Jeff "Bronx" Carrier)
- Battlecrane - Combat Cargo Lifter (piloted by Sgt. Bob Anders)
- Sidewinder - High Speed Jackknife Fighter
- Tornado Gunship - Space/Air Transcopter
- Six Shooter
- Double Fighter - Massive Attack Jet
Starcom Playsets
- 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 Pod
Shadow Force Invaders and Vehicles
The bad guys in Starcom were called the Shadow Force. They were split into two groups: the Starmada/Invasion team and the Robot Drones.
Starmada/Invasion Team
- Emperor Dark (a special edition figure)
- 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. Storn
Robot Drones
- General Torvek
- Capt. Battlecron-9 / Shadow Raider Driver
- Cpl. Agon-6
Shadow Force Vehicles
- Shadow Bat - Battle Cruiser (piloted by Maj. Klag)
- Shadow Parasite - Attack Fighter (piloted by Lt. Magg)
- Shadow Invader - Rapid Strike Vehicle (driven by Maj. Romak)
- Shadow Raider - Sneak Attack Vehicle (driven by Capt. Battlecron-9)
- Shadow Vampire - Enemy V.T.O.L. Fighter (piloted by 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 Trike
