What's Happening with Exo Squad!?
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- Опубликовано: 13 сен 2024
- What's Happening with Exo Squad!?
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Bobby Vala Reviews Playmates' Exo Squad Toy Line
Join us for an exciting episode on the Valaverse RUclips channel as Bobby Vala dives into the world of the iconic Playmates toy line, Exo Squad! In this video, Bobby takes a closer look at a few classic Exo Squad action figures, sharing his insights and personal connection to this beloved series.
Brief History of Exo Squad Cartoon
Exo Squad, an American animated television series, aired from 1993 to 1994 and quickly captured the hearts of sci-fi and action enthusiasts. Set in a futuristic universe where humanity has colonized other planets, the series revolves around the conflict between humans and the genetically engineered Neosapien race. The show is praised for its mature themes, complex storylines, and detailed character development, making it a standout in the realm of 90s animated series.
The Action Figures
Produced by Playmates Toys, the Exo Squad action figures were known for their intricate designs and articulation, reflecting the high-tech and militaristic elements of the show. Each figure came with its own exoskeleton suit, replicating the powerful combat machines used in the series. The toy line included a wide range of characters, vehicles, and playsets, allowing fans to recreate epic battles and adventures from the show.
Playmates Toys
Playmates Toys, established in 1966, is renowned for creating some of the most iconic toy lines in history. Alongside Exo Squad, they are best known for producing the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures. Their commitment to quality and innovation has made them a trusted name in the toy industry for decades.
Bobby Vala's Journey with Exo Squad
In this special review, Bobby Vala shares his passion for Exo Squad and reveals an intriguing story about how he almost acquired the rights to this legendary toy line for Valaverse. Discover the fascinating tale of how Bobby's plans were thwarted when Nacelle, another prominent toy company, purchased the rights to Exo Squad just before he could.
Watch Now!
Don’t miss out on this nostalgic journey through one of the most memorable toy lines of the 90s. Whether you're a long-time fan of Exo Squad or new to the series, Bobby Vala's detailed review and personal anecdotes will captivate and entertain. Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more exciting content from Valaverse!
Video Chapters:
Introduction
Brief History of Exo Squad Cartoon
Overview of Exo Squad Action Figures
The Legacy of Playmates Toys
Bobby Vala's Connection to Exo Squad
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
#ExoSquad #PlaymatesToys #Valaverse #BobbyVala #ActionFigures #ToyReview #RetroToys #90sNostalgia #SciFi #Animation
Do you think the new exo squad line will be worth it?
One of my absolute favorites to this day, show and figures! I would be all in with its return!
From what I’ve seen the fanbase is small, but the fans love the property. I really loved the line. I don’t think it would be feasible in a scale over 1:18 or 4”. 🤷♂️ it’s is a great line. I still want season 3.
1000x yes
You would make Robotech, Battletech, etc. fans excited too
I would like to see Valaverse bring E-Frames to Action Force.
I still have and let my 4 and 2 year old play with my Exo Sqaud They are very durable. I loved the show because it was so different than others because of the undertones. If you know you know. It's another reason I wanted to become a writer. And yes, for me the show still holds up.
ExoSquad was not a children's cartoon. The pirates did horrendous things. The NeoSapians were bred as slaves that were planning revenge on Humanity. The storyline was epic.
The main problem with the toys is that the missiles would launch themselves, and battle damaged parts would fly off.
i didnt even think anyone remembered exosquad except me.. unfortunate i see this randomly literally as im about to leave for work.. looking forward to clocking out sitting aside and huddling up over my phone and watching this diligently!!!
One of the greatest animated shows and toy lines.
I CAN NOT overemphasise how much I love this line; the toys, the show, the lore. I have a copy of the show bible, I’ve even written my own fan-update for my fantasy reboot 😂
I remember not being able to afford toys as a kid and everytime I went to Target I'd just stare at the exosquad toys, then finally bought the blue one when I saved enough money.
Exo Squad are some of the best figurines made. The quality is top notch.
I love Exo Squad, so underrated.
Exo Squad was the last original toy line I bought. The cartoon was great, the lore was great, and the toys were amazing. I wish I had kept the boxes but that art is amazing.
I'm a Robotech fan and as a kid I was starving for mecha content growing up. Exo Squad was perfect with its mature content and deep lore. I ended up getting my hands on the transforming JT Marsh E frame that went from mech to bike which was my favorite design idea since I saw it on Robotech/Genesis climber mospeada. That suit did all 3 things that I loved from mech design as a kid. I also found the more gritty military busy design of the mechs over how clean Veritech fighters looked.
I loved the cartoon. It was as gritty as it got before Gargoyles came about.
The show, like many 90s shows was written by philosophy and / or history majors. The themes were seriously mature.
What happened?
Playmates got caught up in the Harmony Gold/ FASA/ Robotech controversy of the time. THAT took money and wind out of Exosquad focus and got them caught up in the lawsuits. You asked who owned the license- it was Universal. IIRC, there was a lot going on in mergers and acquisitions at the time, leaving EXOSQUAD to syndication hell.
The cartoon lost distribution, leaving the series in second season on a cliffhanger, and then the Playmates lost distribution and shut the faucet off in favor of Star Trek/ Deep Space 9 because of the FASA shitshow. (I have the 1st season on DVD, and the second partially on video.)
Later on, there was a bunch of second hand Chinese knock offs of lower quality. The designer told me, back in the day that they had at least 5 more years of designs and plans for ExoSquad mechs, characters, and mutants. They cut the line, because they got their hand burnt. so they stuck to solid based Star Trek, and it's resurgence.
I was in 11th grade when EXP Squad came out, was the last thing on my mind at that time, but now to look back, these were really ahead of their time! Very cool!
ExoSquad is one of my favourite shows, the story is excellent and the characters we all well written.
Even as an old man I still occasionally watch the series again
I'm 39 right and I loved these toys when I was a kid😊
My mom just ordered me a NIB Marsala rapid assault eframe for my upcoming birthday. I’m over 40. Exosquad and Battletech was my 1994 toy obsession.
As far as 90s cartoons are concerned, EXOSQUAD and Mighty Max were two of the most underrated!
Just wanted to say you are referencing my collection with the Gridiron and mail away figure. Thank you for the video, it's always nice to see and hear from other people who loved Exo Squad just as much.
Exo squad was badass. I used to wake up at 6:00 a.m. to catch the cartoon before school
HOLY COW! My Aunt Aleta Kozak worked on the show. I was obsessed with EXO-Squad…the toys were sooooooo good too
Exo Squad show was way ahead of its time. Great story.
I’ve always wanted the jump trooper set.
The inclusion of Robotech in ExoSquad was my introduction to Robotech. Because Robotech designs were used in Battletech, I thought all three properties were somehow in the same continuity. It wasn't until the Internet came along that I learned different.
I came into exo from hunger, I was a huge fan of Robotech and BattleTech and really any mix suit genre and there was nothing out there and then EXO squad hit and I loved it
I loved both the cartoon and the action figures. I was 30 when they were released but I went to Toys r Us and KMart and bought every mech that I could. When the jump packs were released, I bought those too. I still have them all in my storage unit.
I loved Exosquad growing up. The cartoon was super underrated
I've still got the Exo-Converting E-Frame MIB that I bought at a con over a decade ago.
I loved these toys when I was a kid.
I remember when these came out in an era of "safety first" toys and EXO Squad was unapologetically launching missiles that would take your eye out. Articulate, detailed and completely unique. Was a great line and cartoon. As a side note: that cartoon had no qualms about killing off main characters. It was awesome!
At 43ys old. I’ve kept very few childhood toys to share and pass to my kids. Video system and games, legos and my collection of exotic squad
I remember being very upset when the last episode came out
Yep knowing the past two seasons were just backstory and the real story was about to start with that final scene, then hearing it was canceled was a knife to the heart!
Or rather, very upset when the next episode didn’t come out.
LOL, when Bobby speculated ~$50 for that smaller e-frame and figure, and I was like, "Wow that's not a bad price." Tells you how expensive stuff has gotten.
Growing up EXO Squad was my favorite thing for so long, I remember as a kid having such a hard time finding the whole line.
I used to own all these when they were released originally. So many toys i wish i still had or my parentss should have saved that would be worth so much money. The nostalgia.
Exo Squad was dope! And the toys were awesome. It definitely deserves a reboot or a live action movie.
Exo Squad was one of my FAV cartoons and toys as a kid.
I wish they the seasons would continue where it was left.
I got the whole set on clearance at KB... I remember having a blue jet and a orange jet with claws as well....
I think I still have an entire collection of Exosqaud toys buried somewhere in my parents ultra-cluttered basement. I had everything they produced for the first couple of years, up until they started doing Robotech and transforming E-frames and such. This was one of my absolute favorite toylines ever, the toys and the cartoon were way ahead of their time, and both still hold up to this day.
EXO Squad was one of my favorite lines to collect. Reminding me so much of Battletech.
MAKE ACTION FORCE MECH SUITS OR WE AREN'T FRIENDS ANYMORE.
I’m all in if you do
LOOOVE Exo Squad, still have 4 figures... but if they are coming out with a new line... PLEASE let it be close to show accuracy or accuracy of originals.
Of all my action figure line, these were my favorites. The intricacies and articulations stood above everything on the market that weren't just standing models, and were the closest thing to Gunpla in the states outside of what you'd find at only few specific comic shops in my town. The price was warrented, given just the complexity of the exoframes, WITH the character figurines themselves havine a comparable level of articulation and accessories to GI Joes at the time. Then the animation, with cream of the crop behind it's production, making a mature war narrative exploring adult themes of war, xenophobia and the human condition, it was so ahead of its time. We brought back X-Men with a great continuation. I formerly want to proclaim this series to get a proper revival.
The main draw for me as a kid was seeing an action figure with my last name for the first time ever. Alec De Leon was an instant buy for me. It was very rare to ever see Hispanic last names in cartoons, let alone De Leon. Great toy line and great video!
I always enjoyed Exosquad. The story was deep even when I was young kid. The technology, the undertones of racism and facism. It was the civil rights for neo sapiens. But also the fight for survival and learning to live together.
I love how every mech had unique gimmicks in their limbs their some of the best engineered 90s toys for sure.
The exo squad re releases of robotech just gave us 90s kids more variety. But as Adults with context, its crazy seeing the destroids in the robotech cartoon. And remembering the figures that you got four for ten dollars at KB Toys.
Just because you don’t have an Exosquad License, doesn’t mean you can’t make your own Mechs. 😁 I’d like 1/12 scale Action Force Mechs.
1/18 scale for me.
Oh man I don’t collect human figurines but Valaverse / Action Force mechs?
I could run pretty hard with that.
1/18 is superior
i loved exosquad. the tv show and the toys were awesome. I dont have any of my old toys anymore. would love to get them again.
Holy shit. I need to know more, I loved this series as a kid
Admittedly, I lost my original phaeton figure but kept his suit for many years and used it with my Joes. He was my first and only, but i had to have that suit.
Joytoy is the new exo squad - but this line needs to comeback
Underrated indeed. Exo Squad was next level back then.
I remember stumbling onto Exosquad and being wowed. Incredible storyline, themes & characters. The toys were also fun as hell. My favorites were Nara Burns & Marsala - she was always kind to him even when others discriminated against him because he was a Neosapien. Also recall that she started developing some interesting powers toward the end. Hated that the show ended on a cliffhanger.
My favorite underrated toy line is War Planets by Trendmasters, but can’t deny Exosquad needs more love and new toys. 🤘
Hey, Bobby! If you have any influence whatsoever to get the entire TV series officially issued as a nice blu-ray set, please do so! If you learn any new information about an official blu-ray or DVD release of the entire TV series, please let us know! If you have the ability to purchase the IP and issue an official physical media release of the entire series, I'll be your first customer! Please keep us in the loop!
Exo Squad on a 1:12 scale is a profit magnet. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
“I’ll find it after the video.” That, ladies and gentlemen, is why power cells are so hard to come by these days 😂
I was a bit older so what made me notice EX-Squad was when they started to putting old Robotech/Macross
Mechs into the line.
The cartoon was awesome for its time. One of the rare cartoons where there were adult themes like racism and slavery. It ended in a cliffhanger too. I would definitely support a modern line of toys.
This will excite a lot of people ready for another flavour of nostalgia or forgotten fun.
Man this was my favorite show as a kid growing up
These and Dino-Riders were the best toys ever made.
Hell yeah I loved Dino Riders. I begged to get the T-rex and my parents wound up getting me the bronto which was awesome but my heart always longed for the rex.
This was the GREATEST toyline!!! I didn't get into it untill they were all on clearance at some store and my dad bought me their entire run for like $50
I really didn't appreciate that cartoon until much much later in my adulthood. The dynamics of political interests, multilayered personalities and the idea of not "perfect endings" just wild....and yes that abrupt end of the series with the aliens...😢
If..IF this line were to return... it'd have to be at a 4in scale .. that's how I think the figures and e frames could be super detailed and maybe have some small features sets.
Fantastic job with this video.
I loved those toys, the show was so ahead of its time.
You had me at Exo Squad. I had a few of the first wave mechs, but when they did the Robotech team-up, I was all in since I missed the original release of those toys.
A friend and I had a few E-Frames. I had JT Marsh, Alec DeLeon, and Kaz Takagi. My friend had Marsalla, Phaton, and the pirate-built Resolute II. I followed the show rather closely until it was pulled from the air and replaced with some kind of anime series in my neck of the woods. I always wanted Exosquad back because I was rather curious about an ominous threat they left off on with a cliffhanger.
Finally!! Dude i thought people forgot about how bad azz these toys were and still are. I have them complete put of box, but i need a better version of these with modern paint details.
I still have some of these and one of the repaints that came out years later.
The E-Frames had so many articulations, they were amazing, and large
It is completely and totally underrated. When I was a kid these were the coolest Mechs on the market I still have the purple one somewhere. One of the things I found really cool what is the fact that you had to put the chip in to start the machine
The power cell was called a “Fusion Pack” in the cartoon, the plug in the neck was a “Cyber Jack” that let the pilot have better control of their E-Frame. I loved the cartoon as a kid, but my family wasn’t well off so wasn’t able to get any of the toys. Rita Torres’s and Alec Deleon’s E-Frames were my favorite of the toys, I had them on my Christmas wish list for so long
I was a fan of both Robotech and Exo-Squad, when I was a kid, (80's and 90's). I was stoked, when they put out Robotech mecha for Exo-Squad. It ended-up sending me down a rabbit hole that led me to the Battletech table top game. At that point, I just became a mecha junkie. I ended up enlisting in the US Army as a tank crewman, because of my love for mecha. After basic training, Gundam Wing came out, and I'm still collecting mecha model kits to this day, (I'm 47). On vacation last Spring, I found a JT Marsh in EXCELLENT condition! It's missing the power pack, of course, but I can get 3D printed replacements on eBay.
Same here I got the robotech toy that came out with exotic squad and the exotic squad toys too. Miss them so much
it would be nice to bring back some of those old cartoons like on a weekend block: Pirates of Dark Water, Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors, Robotix, Visionaries, Exo Squad, etc, even some of the Voltron series. but it is what it is.
Exosquad and MASK both need a renewed line
I loved the animated TV series, discovered it after I finished up my tour in the Army '93-'94
Apparently Universal Animation Studios, which is owned by Dreamworks, now owns the ExoSquad license. NBC/Universal was the original license holder and they licensed playmates to make the toys back then. I don't know if that means Dreamworks/Universal plans to release a new version of the catroon & toys, but that would not be out of the realm of posibility.
I'm sure they didn't even know they owned it until somebody inquired
@@zufalllx I wouldn't be surprised lol
a friend of the families kids had figures from this in the 90s and i remember seeing them and thinking they are the coolest things ever! now as an adult i want nothing more then new figures with modern tech
I loved ExoSquad. I just finished watching the series last month. They had some of the best figures!
That flat one was the neosapien frame from the commercial. I had quite a few of those including the one in the commercial. I do remember that time when they cheaped out on them and they started having less articulation among other things. I'd like to thank whomever decided to give the 3.75 inch joes those exosquad style mechs later in the line.
Thank you for reigniting this memory :-) God I loved Exo Squad.
Exo Squad had a lot of potential. A Steel Brigade Exo-Suit / E frame would be amazing 😍
I regret selling my boxed JT and Phaeton mechs more than anything else i’ve sold. It was an awesome line. Represented the show so well.
I absolutely loved the cartoon. Didn't have any of the toys since I was in High School when it was on, but I really enjoyed it.
Vinnie was in charge when RePlay re-released the eframes as Tech Wars. I’m sure he could share details of the deal, and how it worked with Playmates/IP owners.
Love seeing the spotlight on ExoSquad, it’s my all time second favorite brand!
Check out the Starcom figures and vehicles if youve never seen em. Crazy amount of detail like these
Starcom was much more detailed, though at a smaller size. Second only to Transformers for detail and best sci-fi toys of all time I think.
Exo Squad, Spiral Zone, and a cartoon about soldiers collecting oxygen (I can't remember the name) were great one season cartoons from the 80's and 90's.
I collect Exo Squad, I have 12 of the E-frames complete, and I am always on the hunt for more. I loved the line and the show.
TechWars was the name of the secondary toy line that used the molds. I have all the exo squad toys including loose and sealed with all the box variants and most of the toy variants. Exo Squad is an amazing toy line and with a great cartoon. Highly recommend it.
EXO SQUAD was one of my ABSOLUTE favorites. As a young teen this was the ONLY line that I actually had more "bad guys" then good guys. Just a great freaking line... WOULD love for these to come back❤
This was my ish when I was a kid. The motorcycle was the only 1 my parents would buy me
I had most the toys as a kid. The only things in my toys I ever sold was exosquad and my Nintendo, I wish I never sold them! Its so sad trying to buy the old toys now and seeing them and the crazy prices. The small ones were like 10 bucks too.
I’m looking at my childhood right there. Love it!
This is too cool. I remember being totally blown away by Exo-Squad as a little kid back in the ay.
Doing an Exo Squad line without E Frames is like releasing a Black Series Ahsoka Peridea without a cape. Oh wait.
this was the best thing Playmates ever did and maybe the greatest toy line of the 90s
Did you ever see the Battletech figures? They were released one or two years before these came along. Released in 1994 by Tyco these toys were so much fun and had battle damage as well as a volley of missiles to launch.
I just completed my 1st edition set. Check'em out!
The show was fun too. Not as adult like but ended on a great level that I would have killed to see the end of. It's not available on physical media so look into that show as well as these toys. :)
I loved the Exo Squad toys and show. Even though you can't do Exo Squad, you could still make an Action Force mech suit. Some of us have been buying Dollar Tree mech suits and modding them to fit Action Force and Joe figures. Articulated Ninja made a video earlier this year about one mod. There's a market out there that no one is servicing.
I still have mine, in a box with all my military micro machines and playsets, and gi joe stuff. oh how much I loved EXO as a kid. Would LOVE to see a come back, but so nervous how bad it would be in todays culture and market. :\
One of THE BEST lines from my childhood, JT marsh was the one I had, I wanted the big villain sooooo bad but I think that year I go GI joes or something for Xmas. Man I loved that mech suit and always found something new and cool when I picked it up. Had to always make sure the power cell was in place and TJ was plugged into the bio-plug thing in the mech lol
Exo Squad was the best toy line of the 90s. The cartoon was simply epic.... It had similar themes to those found in the rebooted BSG. Such an underappreciated gem from the 1990s and one of my favorite toylines that Ive ever collected.