Pop culture will fondly remember 1986 as the year that several cartoon hero shows debuted and departed. Among them was Silverhawks, a space-cop show featuring humans enhanced with cyborg technology to withstand the rigors of patrolling space. The show featured many of the same voice actors already working on Thundercats, but never really caught on and only aired for the one season.

   Toys from the ’80s, even ones from cancelled television shows, are experiencing a surge in popularity as Gen X’ers reminisce at high school reunions then get nostalgic about the toys of their youth.

   So here’s a little treat for those of you stepping into your own ’80s time warp – it’s Buzz-Saw with Shredator from Kenner’s short-lived Silverhawks line. Brings back memories of pastel polo shirts, peg-rolled jeans, and spiked hair, doesn’t it?

   Because of my dad's interest in old cars and courtesy of his subscription to Old Cars Weekly, I've been reading the automotive writings of John Gunnell since I was a kid. I met John during my first week of employment here at Krause Publications -- he was gracious, made sure I knew where the free copies of the magazine were stored, and told me to help myself.

   I called my dad that night with one of those "you're never gonna believe who I just met" stories that only come along once in a blue moon. When dad drove up here for the Iola Old Car Show that July, I introduced him to John -- which dad thought was pretty cool, indeed.

   Actually, after a lifetime in the hobby, I've come to the conclusion that car people just love to hang out and talk cars with other car people. That's what I did every time I ran into John -- talked cars and car shows. And that's what I'll miss most about his "retiring" from Krause Publications last Friday. He's not retiring from writing, thankgoodness, he's actually embarking on the full-time freelance writing career we all dream of -- John will get to spend his days working on cars, writing about cars, and in his words, "take the laptop outside on nice days and enjoy my backyard while I write."

   Congratulations Gunner, I'll see you at the car shows!

   Happy New Year everyone! After an extended holiday vacation, I’m ready for another year of sharing news and views of the old toys hobby.

   Expect more news from the wonderful world of farm toys – the Standard Catalog of Farm Toys 3rd Edition is officially a hit, and I love to hear input from the readers. Because of my affinity for old cars, I’ll probably feature more news from that fine hobby this year as well, and we’ll all have a great time.

   In the mean time, work here continues on the next edition of the Pez book as well as O’Brien’s Collecting Toys (wow, are you going to love what I’m doing with that book!), so if you have a toy topic on your mind that you’d like me to delve into, click “Comments” below and I’ll get right to it!

   And now that the title of this post has me thinking of Gene Autry, here are the lyrics to that tune:

I'm back in the saddle again
Out where a friend is a friend
Where the longhorn cattle feed
On the lowly gypsum weed
Back in the saddle again

Ridin' the range once more
Totin' my old .44
Where you sleep out every night
And the only law is right
Back in the saddle again

Whoopi-ty-aye-oh
Rockin' to and fro
Back in the saddle again
Whoopi-ty-aye-yay
I go my way
Back in the saddle again

I'm back in the saddle again
Out where a friend is a friend
Where the longhorn cattle feed
On the lowly gypsum weed
Back in the saddle again

Ridin' the range once more
Totin' my old .44
Where you sleep out every night
And the only law is right
Back in the saddle again

Whoopi-ty-aye-oh
Rockin' to and fro
Back in the saddle again
Whoopi-ty-aye-yay
I go my way
Back in the saddle again

   Had the pleasure of being a guest on the Rick Bergman radio show on KDKA out of Pittsburgh, PA this afternoon. Rick is a very thoughtful host and I always enjoy our annual chat. His audience called in with some terrific toys for me to appraise, and it is always a big challenge when you can't actually see the items under discussion.

   The doll questions can be real stumpers, and I always enjoy the callers with Hot Wheels cars or pressed steel trucks the most.

   Well, play time is over, time to dig in get those Christmas presents wrapped!

   Thought I'd share the cover of the 12th Edition. The book will be released in late Spring 2008, but here's a preview.

   Was working on the next edition of O'Brien's Collecting Toys today, and came across some toys to add to the Movies, Radio & Television chapter. Hop Harrigan started as a comic book flying ace and moved to 1940s radio on ABC and the Mutual networks. Hop and his mechanically-minded sidekick, Tank Tinker, were among the popular flying adventurers of the time and even fought the Axis during World War II.

   Most of the collectibles associated with Hop Harrigan are membership premiums from the Hop Harrigan All American Flying Club. Anyone have images of those items? I'd like to include them in the chapter. Thanks!

   Christmas is right around the corner and I've finally sent out all of my Christmas cards. Haven't finished shopping yet, but I have a plan of attack for next weekend and should be in good shape.

   Nostalgia grips me this time of the year and I remember my coolest Christmas ever -- it was the year that I got all 12 of the original Star Wars figures. Not just one or two, Santa delivered all 12 characters!! And yes, I still have them.

   It's your turn -- what was the coolest Christmas present you ever received? Click "Comments" below and let's hear from you!

   The "slogan" of the Marx Toy Company is easily recognizable by multiple generations of collectors -- as the world's largest toy manufacturer for decades, Marx toys were present in most 20th century households.

   It's always a pleasure to pass on information about fun toy-hobby places to visit and shop. The Official Marx Toy Museum in Glen Dale, West Virginia, will make your "must see" list in a heartbeat if you remember playing with tin wind-ups, plastic playsets, litho cars and trucks, or any of their famous action figures.

   Check out their store, the Museum carries a line of re-released toys that are sure to bring back memories as well. It's a nostalgic time of the year, so do yourself a favor and take the online tour of the museum.

   What was your favorite Marx toy? Click "Comments" below and let me hear from you!