The Origin of Slade
It should be obvious by now that I have a mild obsession with the Shindana Slade doll, which most would instantly recognize as being a non licensed doll version of Richard Roundtree in Shaft, it’s pretty obvious but as I explored a little further I noticed some other factors that inspired the so called “Super Agent’s debut, namely Big Jim and his Wolf P.A.C.K….
More After the Jump
In 1975, Mattel had taken good natured sportsman Big Jim and transformed him into a crime killing super spy with a team of specialists. While Jim, Dr Steel and Big Josh got manly make overs for the P.A.C.K, Big Jack was actually dropped from the line. Leaving the P.A.C.K without a black character. This may have inspired the folks at Shindana to fill that void, even the packaging suggests seems to be aping the size and style of the first P.A.C.K window boxes.
The box carefully mimicks the first issue P.A.C.K window boxes, although the Jack Kirby artwork is sorely missing.
Everything I ever learned is from neighbourhood, war and college.
Even though he’s slightly shorter (I corrected that for the photo), Slade fits in incredibly easy into the P.A.C.K although he looks maybe too cool…
Damn! Thanks to this post, I want a Slade AND the rest of the P.A.C.K.!
Of course, if I get a Slade figure, he'll be making time with the Princess Leia figure (and the Uhura figure, and the Wonder Woman figure, and…)
Tex
(they say that Slade's a bad mutha…)
I'd forgotten about Slade, but being both a fan of both Shaft and the P.A.C.K. I would pay good money for a reissue. Otherwise, it's eBay time!
He's a cool operator! Is that pronounced Sla- Day?
I love him. Thanks for the great posts… keep 'em coming!
I'd kill for a Slade (and Shindana's Disco Wanda) but they are far too expensive for me at this point in time. Plus I rarely see them for sale to begin with!
I doubt I will ever own a Slade (I've seen the prices). So far the only Shindana item I have is the Marla Gibbs doll (with the box). I'd love to own a Jimmie Walker (the tall one with the plastic head).
That's an interesting connection with Slade and Big Jim. The closest thing I have to the PACK is the Whip. He was made a little later than the early figures and is a bit sturdier. I enjoy making him karate chop that plastic board.
I had no idea about this incredible action figure or this character. "Im Gonna Git You Sucka" is sooooooooooooo much more layered now, for me. Thank You