Starcom: The U.S. Space Force
| Starcom: The U.S. Space Force | |
|---|---|
StarCom: The U.S. Space Force title card
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| 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 Entertainment |
| Distributor | Coca-Cola Telecommunications |
| Release | |
| Original network | syndication |
| Original release | 20 September – 13 December 1987 |
Starcom: The U.S. Space Force is a 1987 animated syndicated U.S. television series inspired by a motorized toy franchise manufactured by Coleco. It was produced by DiC Enterprises and distributed by Coca-Cola Telecommunications. The plot detailed the adventures of an American astronaut brigade as they fought off attempted invasions by Shadow Force, a nasty collection of humans and robots led by the nefarious Emperor Dark. The toy line was popular in Europe and Asia, but was unsuccessful in the North American domestic market.
The show was developed with the help of the Young Astronauts’ Council, with the original intention of sparking young viewers’ interest in the NASA Space Program.Starcom did not get much of a chance to reach the intended audience before it was cancelled after one brief season. The series was broadcast in reruns in the early 1990s, but no new episodes were produced.
Like many 1980s toys, the development of the Starcom toy line preceded the development of the cartoon series.
Starcom: The U.S. Space Force debuted on television screens in 1987, and the toy line hit stores around the same time. There was plenty of variety for the pint-sized empire builder to choose from: the complete series of Starcom toys offered 23 figures, 6 playsets, and 13 vehicles on the Starcom side, while the Shadow Force was represented by 15 action figures and 11 vehicles. The action figures were two inches tall and came packaged with a backpack, a weapon, and identification cards that explained who they were and what their equipment could do. Like the figures, the vehicles and playsets benefited from a sleek, attractive design.
The most unusual aspect of the Starcom toy line was its use of Magna Lock technology. The action figures had tiny magnets implanted in their feet. Not only did this allow them to stand on the vehicles and playsets without falling off, but it also activated devices in the playsets. For instance, if one placed a figure in the elevator of the Starbase Station playset, its Magna Lock magnets would cause the elevator to rise to the top by itself. On the same playset, if one put a figure within a cannon, the Magna Lock magnets would activate a mechanism that made it turn and fire its rockets.
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