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S.T.A.R. Team Star Hawk Box Back |
In 1977, in a rush to satisfy the demand for Star Wars toys, Ideal revived a previous toy brand "S.T.A.R. Team" (which was originally a set of roll-playing accessories meant to be worn by a child, released in 1969). The new line featured a rehash of Zem XXI (now called " Star Hawk") along with a reworked Zeroid Commander Zogg, now called "Zeroid." Zogg lost his head (replaced by a light-up dome), his arms became all plastic (no metal tips and wiring to transfer power to various stations), and his motor became a memory.
The newly renamed "Zeroid" (Zogg) was joined by his robot companion, Zem-21 so they resembled R2D2 and C3P0. Presumably they flew around in the "Star Hawk" (ZEM XXI) fighting off the villainy of the Knight of Darkness, who resembled Darth Vader.
The following year Ideal added Kent and his Cosmic Cruiser, I believe realizing that there needed to be at least one human to better emulate Star Wars.
Ideal ended up getting sued by Kenner Products, the official licensee for STAR WARS-branded toy figurines, who sought a preliminary injunction against Ideal, alleging both copyright and trademark infringement. The Court held that “a finding of general ‘association' — that the toys ‘look like' the movie or remind someone of the movie — does not mean that the prospective purchaser thinks that the toys are derived from the movie or ‘sponsored' by the movie.” It was the preexistence of the S.T.A.R. Team brand that further supported Ideal's defense so the injunction was dropped.
"Zeroid" was released individually boxed in a blue and silver version, or with the Star Hawk flying saucer (a recolored ZEM XXI spaceship) in a silver and red version. The red Zeroid, called (gulp!) "Red Zeroid" in the Comic (see below) is identified as the "Pilot/Gunner."
Ideal 4600-3 S.T.A.R. Team Zeroid
Blue accented Zeroid issued in an individual window box in 1977. It has a passing resemblance to R2D2, especially when posed besides Zem-21.
Ideal 4601-1 S.T.A.R. Team Star Hawk
The 1969 ZEM XXI Explorer Module was basically reussed for S.T.A.R. Team with saucer color changes and updted box graphics.
Marvel Comics Ideal S.T.A.R. Team Comic Book Insert
This mini-comic could be found as an insert to 4601-1 Star Hawk (listing above).
Ideal 4602-9 S.T.A.R. Team ZEM-21
Ideal's Action Boy body mold gets retooled into a green-headed robot as a C3PO copy, in heriting the original Zem XXI Explorer Module name.
Ideal 4603-7 S.T.A.R. Team Knight of Darkness
Hard to miss the Darth Vader in this Knight of Darkness, which repurposed a Captain Action body molded in black with a new head sculpt.
Ideal 4606-0 S.T.A.R. Team Kent and his Cosmic Cruiser
At some point Ideal decided that Zem-21 and the gang needed the "humanoid touch" so they invited Kent to the party. The figure is a repurposed J.J. Armes.
Ideal 2039-6 S.T.A.R. Team Battling Spaceships Game
This game is basically a rehash of Ideal's 2340-8 "Battling Tops" game issued in 1969. It does have more of a game board feel with a spinner and spaces around the perimeter like a Monopoly board.
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