RadioShack
From MediaWiki
RadioShack is an American-based chain of electronics stores, which has sold some Transformers toys and merchandise over the years.
Toys
Galactic Man
- Galactic Man (Electronic Space Robot/Gun, 1985)
- Accessories: Gun barrel
- During the run of The Transformers toyline in the mid-80s, Radio Shack (as it was then known) sold an exclusive, Tandy-licensed version of the Shockwave mold, named "Galactic Man" (though, among the Transformers fandom, its often referred to by the nickname "Shackwave").
- The figure features four modes; a robot mode, an "Anti-Aircraft Gun" mode, a "Vulcan Base Destroyer" mode, and a "Handheld Laser Gun" [sic] mode. Much like Hasbro's Shockwave, the toy features lights and sounds that are activated by pulling the gun's trigger. There are two settings for this toy: rapid-fire sound effects and long-beam sound effects—both of which can be changed by flicking a switch. A pulsating light also flashes down the barrel to the rhythm of either of the sound effect settings.
- There are some small similarities between Galactic Man and Shockwave, as both were produced together in South Korea.[1] On the battery covers both have a "Made in Korea" stamp, whereas the original Astro Magnum has a "Made in Japan" stamp. Further, the copyright on the inside of Galactic Man and Shockwave's legs is stamped "ToyCo Trademark 1983"; however, the copyright on Astro Magnum does not include the "1983".
- Contrary to early-fandom belief, Galactic Man is not actually a knockoff and was fully licensed by ToyCo (the original owner and distributor of the toy's mold), despite the packaging omitting any form of ToyCo branding.
Merchandise
Transformers (2007)
- In conjunction with the 2007 Transformers movie, RadioShack introduced a variety of Transformers radio-controlled cars under license from Hasbro and DreamWorks, under their ZipZaps, XMODS Evolution and Micro IR brands, the last of which are capable of transforming to robot mode.
References
- ↑ "After the Astro Magnum was produced in South Korea, during the Transformers period, production shifted to China where the production cost was cheaper." - Interview with ToyCo at Tokyo Toy Show in 2008.
External links
- RadioShack at Wikipedia
- Tandy Corporation at Wikipedia
- Official homepage
