Madballs: Difference between revisions

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Rawse1 (talk | contribs)
32 edits
Tag: section blanking
(322 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Series of toy rubber balls}}
{{Refimprove|date=September 2007}}
{{distinguish|text = [[Madball]], an American hardcore band}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox Toy
{{Infobox Toy
|name=Madballs
|name=Madballs
|image=Madballs_toys.jpg
|image=[[Image:Madballs toys.jpg|right|thumb|Advertisement for Madballs toys]]
|caption=1985 TV commercial title card for ''Madballs''
|type=[[Balls]]
|inventor= [[AmToy]]
|type=[[Bouncy ball]]s
|inventor= AmToy
|country=[[United States]]
|country=United States
|company= [[American Greetings]]
|company= [[Cloudco Entertainment]]
|from=1987-
|from=1985
|to=
|to=present
|materials= [[Rubber]]
|materials=[[Rubber]], [[foam]]
|website= http://www.madballs.com/home.action
|website= http://www.madballs.com
|slogan=
|slogan= "Freaky fun for everyone!"
}}
}}


'''Madballs''' is a series of toy foam balls originally created by AmToy, a subsidiary company of [[American Greetings]] (now [[Cloudco Entertainment]]) in the mid-1980s, later being revived by [[Art Asylum]] (2007–2008) and Just Play, Inc. (2017–2019). The balls incorporated [[gross-out humor]] and each was given a character synopsis and an odd name. The toyline expanded into a franchise with [[comic books]], [[direct-to-video]] cartoons, and a [[video game]] for the [[ZX Spectrum]], [[Amstrad CPC]], and [[Commodore 64]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldofspectrum.org/infoseekid.cgi?id=0002971 |title=Sinclair Infoseek − Madballs |accessdate=September 10, 2007 |work=[[World of Spectrum]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cpczone.net/index.php?game=553 |title=Madballs by Ocean Software |accessdate=September 10, 2007 |work=Cpczone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927001808/http://www.cpczone.net/index.php?game=553 |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lemon64.com/?game_id=1567 |title=Madballs |accessdate=September 10, 2007 |work=Lemon Retro Store }}</ref>
'''Madballs''' were a series of toy rubber balls created by [[AmToy]], a subsidiary company of [[American Greetings]] in the mid-1980s.
The toys incorporated [[gross-out humor]] in the vein of [[Wacky Packages]] and [[Garbage Pail Kids]]. Each ball had a character synopsis and an odd name.


==Overview==
The [[toyline]] was later turned into a short-lived [[animated television series]], a series of [[comics]] and a [[video game]] (which contained some elements from the cartoon) for the [[ZX Spectrum]], [[Amstrad CPC]] and [[Commodore 64]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldofspectrum.org/infoseekid.cgi?id=0002971 |title=Sinclair Infoseek − Madballs |accessdate=2007-09-10 |work=[[World of Spectrum]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cpczone.net/index.php?game=553 |title=Madballs by Ocean Software |accessdate=2007-09-10 |work=Cpczone }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lemon64.com/?game_id=1567 |title=Madballs |accessdate=2007-09-10 |work=Lemon64 }}</ref>
The toys were rubber or foam collectible [[bouncing ball]]s with grotesque faces and designs. The toys sold well as a passing fad. There were two series of the original Madballs collectible toys. Each series consisted of eight balls, as well as a collection of Super Madballs, a larger version of the original Madballs shaped like other sports balls, such as the [[Football (ball)#American and Canadian football|American football]]-shaped "Touchdown Terror," the [[Football (association football)|soccer ball]]-shaped "Goal Eater," and the [[Basketball (ball)|basketball]]-shaped "Foul Shot."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/newsday/access/99983112.html?dids=99983112:99983112&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+08%2C+1986&author=By+Susan+Whitall.+The+Detroit+News&pub=Newsday+(Combined+editions)&desc=The+ugliest+toys+ever+-+Madballs!&pqatl=google|last=Whitall|first=Susan|agency=[[The Detroit News]]|title=The ugliest toys ever—Madballs!|date=March 8, 1986|accessdate=August 21, 2010|url-access=registration |work=[[Newsday]]|page=2 (Part II)}}</ref>


==Toys==
==Toys==
The [[toy]]s were high quality, foam rubber collectible bouncing balls; however, the toys only sold well as a passing fad. There were two series of the original round Madballs collectible toys, each series consisting of 8 balls each as well as a collection of Super Madballs, a larger version of the original Madballs, shaped like other sports balls, such as the [[Football (ball)#American and Canadian football|American-football]]-shaped "Touchdown Terror", the [[football (association football)|soccer ball]] named "Goal Eater", and the [[basketball (ball)|basketball]] named "Foul Shot". <ref>{{Cite news|url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/newsday/access/99983112.html?dids=99983112:99983112&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+08%2C+1986&author=By+Susan+Whitall.+The+Detroit+News&pub=Newsday+(Combined+editions)&desc=The+ugliest+toys+ever+-+Madballs!&pqatl=google|last=Whitall|first=Susan|agency=[[The Detroit News]]|title=The ugliest toys ever—Madballs!|date=March 8, 1986|accessdate=August 21, 2010|format=Registration required to read article|work=[[Newsday]]|page=2 (Part II)}}</ref>


===Original series Madballs===
* '''Screamin' Meemie''': A screaming [[Baseball (ball)|baseball]] with a large tongue.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.madballs.com/screamin-meemie.html|title=Madballs.com - Screamin' Meemie|website=www.madballs.com|access-date=August 21, 2018}}</ref>
* '''Slobulus''': A drooling green creature with one eye hanging out of its socket.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.madballs.com/slobulus.html|title=Madballs.com - Slobulus|website=www.madballs.com|access-date=August 21, 2018}}</ref>
* '''Aargh''': A one-eyed blue-skinned [[Frankenstein's monster|Frankenstein monster]]-esque creature with stitching all over its face.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.madballs.com/single-character?varname=aargh|title=Madballs.com - Single Character Page|website=www.madballs.com|language=en|access-date=August 21, 2018}}</ref>
* '''Horn Head''': A horned [[cyclops]] with a nose ring (which is chained to its ear in the Art Asylum era).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.madballs.com/hornhead.html|title=Madballs.com - Hornhead|website=www.madballs.com|access-date=August 21, 2018}}</ref>
* '''Dust Brain''': A [[mummy]] with rotting teeth and wrinkly teal skin.
* '''Oculus Orbus''': A bloodshot [[Human eyeball|eyeball]] (later sporting a mouth in the Just Play era).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.madballs.com/oculus-orbus|title=Madballs.com - Oculus|website=www.madballs.com|language=en|access-date=August 21, 2018}}</ref>
* '''Skull Face''': A [[Human skull|skull]] with large eye sockets sporting tiny red eyes, a big set of teeth, and a partially exposed brain (which is depicted as a sentient being named '''Lobe''' in the Just Play era).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.madballs.com/skullface.html|title=Madballs.com - Skullface|website=www.madballs.com|access-date=August 21, 2018}}</ref>
* '''Bash Brain''': A gory zombie head with a partially exposed brain. This Madball was originally named "Crack Head," but was later renamed "Bash Brain," due to the unpleasant connotations of ''[[crackhead]]'' as a slang term for a [[crack cocaine]] addict.


All Madballs toys were conceived in the early 1980s by the creative team at '''American Greetings Properties''', which was formally named '''Those Characters From Cleveland''', or '''TCFC''' for short: Ralph Shafer, George Chanter, Mark Spangler, Jim Elliott, Kim Hammeren, and Vint Gonser. Editorial by Clark Wiley and Tom Jacobs.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://mentalfloss.com/article/504365/have-and-have-snot-history-madballs|title=To Have and to Have Snot: A History of Madballs|date=September 14, 2017|access-date=August 21, 2018|language=en}}</ref>
There were a total of 4 super Madballs in the larger series. There was also a short series of Head-Popping Madballs, where bodies were attached. Each of the heads on the Head-Popping Madballs were interchangeable, creating more possibilities for enjoyment. There was also a vehicle made for the Madballs. It was called the "Madballs Rollercycle". There were countless other licensed Madballs items, such as stickers (non trading), shampoos, Valentine's cards, tablecloths, silly string, party favours, and more along those lines.


===Original Madballs===
===Second series Madballs===
* '''Snake Bait''': A forked tongue-sporting [[gorgon]] (later depicted in the Just Play era as a monster being devoured by a snake).

* '''Freaky Fullback''': A mutant [[American football|football]] player.
* '''Screamin Meemie''' : A [[baseball (ball)|baseball]] with a frightening face and large tongue
* '''Slobulus''' : A drooling creature with one eye hanging out
* '''Splitting Headache''': A monster with the skin on half of its face peeled off.
* '''Bruise Brother''': An ugly [[Motorcycling|biker]] with a battered blue helmet.
* '''Aargh''' : A one-eyed, blue [[Frankenstein's monster]]
* '''Wolf Breath''': A [[werewolf]] with large, rotten fangs dripping with blood (drool in the Art Asylum era).
* '''Hornhead''' : A horned [[cyclops]]
* '''Fist Face''': A severed hand clutching an eyeball (later depicted as a severed hand with an eyeball emerging from the wrist in the Just Play era).
* '''Dustbrain''' : A [[mummy]]
* '''Oculus Orbus''' : An [[human eyeball|eyeball]]
* '''Swine Sucker''': An ugly, drooling [[wild boar]].
* '''Lock Lips''': A creature with its jaw locked shut and one eye covered by a riveted plate.
* '''Skull Face''' : A [[human skull|skull]]
* '''Crack Head''' : A head with an exposed brain. This Madball was later renamed Bash Brain, due to the unpleasant connotations of ''[[crack head]]'' as a slang term for a drug user.

===Second Series Madballs===

* '''Snake Bait''' : A [[gorgon]]
* '''Freaky Fullback''' : A mutant [[American football|football]] player
* '''Splitting Headache''' : Unmatching left and right head sides stitched together
* '''Bruise Brother''' : An ugly [[motorcycling|biker]]
* '''Wolf Breath''' : A [[werewolf]]
* '''Fist Face''' : A hand clutching an eyeball
* '''Swine Sucker''' : An ugly [[pig]]
* '''Lock Lips''' : A creature with its jaw locked shut with a padlock and one eye covered by a riveted plate


===Super Madballs===
===Super Madballs===
* '''Touchdown Terror''': An American football with a manic grin and missile-like fins and tip.
* '''Goal Eater''': A [[Football (association football)|soccer ball]] with very large pointed teeth.
* '''Foul Shot''': A [[Basketball (ball)|basketball]] bursting open to reveal a face with [[worm]]s crawling out of one eye socket.


===Head-Popping Madballs===
* '''Touchdown Terror''' : An American football with a manic grin and missile-like fins and tip
These were posable figures with an ejectable/swappable head:
* '''Goal Eater''' : A [[football (association football)|soccer ball]] with very large pointed teeth
*Dust Brain, Skull Face, Screamin' Meemie, Oculus Orbus, Horn Head, and Slobulus from Series 1.
* '''Foul Shot''' : A [[basketball (ball)|basketball]] bursting open to reveal a face with [[worm]]s crawling out of one eye socket
*Bruise Brother, Wolf Breath, and Lock Lips from Series 2.


===TV/Comic Balls===
===Similar imitation toys===
Due to the popularity of the Madballs, there were many similar imitation toys, such as:
*'''"Blurp Balls" by ERTL:'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blurp Balls (ERTL) Action Figure Checklist |url=https://www.figurerealm.com/actionfigure?action=seriesitemlist&id=427&figures=blurpballs |access-date=2023-02-08 |website=www.figurerealm.com}}</ref> Boney Tossteeth, T-Retch, Count Heave-A-Heart, Spittooey Sooey, Biff Barfball, Sharkey Skullsquert, Retch-A-Rat Tomcat, and Croakey Bugchuck. These toys were designed by artist James Groman, with character names and editorial by Rick Reising.
*'''"Weird Balls" by The Mel Appel Company:'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Weird Ball Flyweight Wrestlers (revisited) |url=https://www.littleweirdos.net/2016/02/weird-ball-flyweight-wrestlers-revisited.html |access-date=2023-02-08}}</ref> Sewer Face, Brain Ball, Wart Hog, Spit Ball, Shrink Head, and Rock Slime.
*'''"Spit Balls" by Lanard Toys:''' Sharky, 20/20, Ba-Boom, and Crybaby.


===Original Madballs re-release===
* '''Freakella'''
In 2016, the vinyl figure company Kidrobot released nine of the original Madballs in their original foam style, slightly modified.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-06-21 |title=Just Play's New Madballs Revealed |url=https://www.toyark.com/2016/06/21/just-plays-new-madballs-revealed-208147 |access-date=2023-02-08 |website=The Toyark - News |language=en-US}}</ref> They also released keychains and vinyl figure blind boxes. These are the Madballs that were released:
* '''Smasher'''
*Screamin' Meemie
* '''Crasher'''
*Oculus Orbus
* '''Trasher'''
*Slobulus
* '''Madbelle'''
*Skull Face
*Horn Head
*Dust Brain
*Freaky Fullback
*Swine Sucker
*Lock Lips


===Spin off's===
==Home video==
{{unreferenced section|date=June 2018}}
[[File:Madballs Escape from Orb.jpg|right|thumb|''Madballs: Escape from Orb'' VHS front cover]]
Unlike many high-profile toylines at the time, the Madballs did not have an accompanying television series. They did, however, have two direct-to-home video cartoons released by [[Nelvana]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-01-18 |title=Madballs: Loved By Kids, Hated By Parents - |url=https://www.everything80spodcast.com/madballs/ |access-date=2023-02-08 |language=en-us}}</ref>


The first one, released in 1986, was a 22-minute episode called '''''Madballs: Escape from Orb''''' in which the titular characters are a rock and roll band who performs across the galaxy but heads for Earth as music is illegal on their home planet, Orb.<ref>{{Citation |last=Shepherd |first=Laura |title=Madballs: Escape from Orb! |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0374014/ |type=Animation, Short, Adventure |publisher=Nelvana, Global, Téléfilm Canada |access-date=2023-02-08}}</ref> The video also featured a female, cartoon-exclusive Madball named '''Freakella''', modeled after the [[Bride of Frankenstein]]. It was directed by Laura Shepherd and written by Heather MacGillvray and John de Klein.
Due to the popularity of the Madballs, there were many spoof and bootleg toys, such as...


The second one, released in 1987, was another 22-minute episode called '''''Madballs: Gross Jokes''''' that was a series of jokes and skits performed by the Madballs.<ref>{{Citation |last=Shepherd |first=Laura |title=Madballs: Gross Jokes |date=1987-04-27 |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1332680/ |type=Animation, Short, Comedy |publisher=Nelvana, Hi-Tops Video |access-date=2023-02-08}}</ref> Both of these releases are only available on VHS and are not yet available on either DVD or Blu-ray.
*"Blurp Balls" by ERTL - Boney Tossteeth, T-Retch, Count Have-A-Heart, Spittooey Sooey, Biff Barfball, Sharkey Skullsquert, Retch-A-Rat Tomcat, and Croakey Bugchuck.


===Cast===
*"Weird Balls" by Mel Apple - Sewer Face, Worm Skull, Wart Hog, Spit Ball, Shrunk Head, and Snot Nose.
* '''Screamin' Meemie:''' A baseball with an eerie grin. He is apparently the Madballs's leader, as he often refers to his friends as the "gang." He also seems to be a friend of Freakella, because they are seen together near the end of the introduction and he is often seen speaking with her. He was voiced by Geoffrey Bowes.
* '''Horn Head:''' A cyclops face with a horn. He is the strongest member of the group. He was voiced by [[Keith Hampshire]].
* '''Aargh:''' A blue-skinned Frankenstein monster-esque Madball with one eye completely open and the other one completely shut. He is friends with Slobulus, even though he often abuses him and the two of them argue a lot, especially over which one of them is the Madballs's biggest fan. He was voiced by [[John Stocker (voice actor)|John Stocker]].
* '''Skull Face:''' A skull with a smile who is best friends with Horn Head and Dusty Dustbrain. He speaks with a slight stutter. He was also voiced by John Stocker.
* '''Dusty Dustbrain:''' A very intelligent mummy. He was voiced by Jeri Craden.
* '''Freakella:''' A [[Bride of Frankenstein]]-esque Madball who hates being called "Mophead." She was voiced by [[Cree Summer]] in the first video and [[Taborah Johnson]] in the second video.
* '''Slobulus:''' A drooling face with one eye hanging from the socket. He is friends with Aargh, even though Aargh often abuses him and the two of them often argue a lot, especially over which one of them is the Madballs's biggest fan. He was voiced by [[Dan Hennessey]].
* '''Bruise Brother:''' One of the evil Badballs who looks like a biker with a German helmet, eye patch and beard. He is Wolf Breath's right-hand man, also voiced by Dan Hennessey.
* '''Freaky Fullback:''' A purple monster wearing an orange football helmet, also voiced by Dan Hennessey.
* '''Oculus Orbus:''' A giant eyeball, voiced by [[Len Carlson]].
* '''Bash Brain:''' A normal face with its scalp ripped off to expose its brain, also voiced by Len Carlson. He made a cameo in ''Madballs: Escape from Orb'' and his first full appearance was in ''Madballs: Gross Jokes''.
* '''Wolf Breath:''' The leader of the evil Badballs. He is a werewolf who has a habit of using breath spray frequently, voiced by [[Don Francks]].
* '''Skip:''' The Madballs's manager on Earth, voiced by Christopher Ward.
* '''Sandy:''' Skip's sister, voiced by [[Alyson Court]].


==Comic books==
*"Odd Balls/Ugly Balls" by Bonkers - Dirty Devil, Blood Bulge, Lace Face, Evil Knievel, and Ugly Ball
[[Marvel Comics]]'s former children's comics imprint [[Star Comics]] released a three-issue miniseries (September–November 1986),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comics.org/series/3193/covers/|title=Covers :: Madballs [1986 series] |website=Grand Comics Database|accessdate=August 2, 2018}}</ref> which continued with issue #4 (June 1987) as a bi-monthly comic book. The series was cancelled with issue #10 (June 1988).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comics.org/series/13571/covers/|title=Covers :: Madballs [1987 series]|website=Grand Comics Database|accessdate=August 2, 2018}}</ref> The main villains of the comic book were Dr. Frankenbeans, who was in many ways similar to [[Victor Frankenstein]], and his bumbling assistant Schnivelitch, who resembled [[Igor (fictional character)|Igor]].<ref>{{cite book |last =Rovin |first =Jeff |title =The Encyclopedia of Supervillains |publisher =Facts on File |date =1987 |location =New York |isbn = 0-8160-1356-X |page=92}}</ref>


[[Marvel UK]] released a [[One-shot (comics)|one-shot]] issue called ''Madballs Annual'' (1988). Produced by Marvel UK in hardcover format, it reprints the comic book story of the creation of the Madballs by Dr. Frankenbeans and also features games and activities.
Spit Balls by Lanard Toys - Sharky, 20/20, Ba-Boom, and Crybaby


==Madballs re-releases==
These items never became as popular as their Madball Counterparts.
{{unreferenced section|date=June 2018}}
In early 2006, toy company Art Asylum announced that it had partnered with original rights holder American Greetings to revive the Madballs toys, with both classic characters and new designs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Action Figure Insider- Toy Fair 2006! |url=http://www.actionfigureinsider.com/toyfair2006/artasylum.shtml |access-date=2023-02-08 |website=www.actionfigureinsider.com}}</ref> Toy company Basic Fun Inc. took up the task of producing/selling the new Madballs<ref>{{Cite web |title=OAFE - Madballs: Wolf Breath review |url=http://www.oafe.net/yo/mbwb.php |access-date=2023-02-08 |website=www.oafe.net}}</ref> designed by artist James Groman, who worked on the original line. As of November 2007, the toys began appearing in toy stores in the U.S.


==Animated series==
===Classic Series 1===
Madballs Classic Series 1 consists of five re-designed Madballs characters from the original Series 1 (Screamin' Meemie, Skull Face, Bash Brain, Slobulus and Horn Head) and also the first new Madballs character since the toy line's original demise in the mid- to late 1980s: '''Repvile''', an angry, blue, scabrous reptilian. Newly designed sculpts for two other Madballs, Dust Brain and Freaky Fullback, as well as Super Madball Touchdown Terror, were also shown at Toy Fair and Comic-Con 2006, but the former two would be held off until Classic Series 2, and the latter was never released. American Greetings also hinted at the creation of a Super Madball named '''Goalrilla''' which would mimic the design of a soccer ball (this was possibly a redesign of the original Goal Eater Super Madball). Aargh from the original Series 1 is the only standard-sized character that was not redesigned or mooted for redesign, although Repvile seems to be a homage to the original Aargh Madball.


===Classic Series 2===
<!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:Madballs_show.jpg|right|thumb|The Madballs Televison Show Logo]] -->
Six more Madballs forming Classic Series 2 were released in the U.S. in 2008 (Freaky Fullback, Wolf Breath and Swine Sucker from the original Series 2, plus Dust Brain and Oculus Orbus from the original Series 1 and new Madball '''Blech Beard''', a puntastically named ghastly pirate). The rebooted Madballs line was noted for its vastly more detailed sculpts;{{Citation needed|date=August 2018}} this was especially noticeable in the redesigned original characters.
The toys eventually spun into a [[Saturday morning cartoon]] beginning in September 1987 created by [[Nelvana]] Limited.{{Citation needed|date=October 2008}} The Second Series Madballs were named the Badballs, an evil organization, led by Commander Wolfbreath, who conquered the planet Orb and outlawed music.


===Sick Series 1 and Sick Series 2===
In this show, the madballs perform humorous skits that are accompanied by a laugh track. Some of the animation is similar in style to animations created by [[Terry Gilliam]] from [[Monty Python's Flying Circus]] television series.
In addition to the standard Madballs Classic Series, there was an entirely new Madballs variant in stores called Madballs Sick Series. Each of the (so far released) two series in this line featured three re-designed Madballs characters from the Classic Series (Bash Brain, Slobulus and Skull Face composed Sick Series 1 and Freaky Fullback, Dust Brain and Blech Beard composed Sick Series 2) which could be squeezed to reveal their insides (for example, Bash Brain had brains that bubbled, Slobulus contained eyeballs that popped out and Skull Face concealed spiders that squirmed out).


===Classic Series 3 and Classic Series 4===
They had two direct to home videos. The first one was a 30 minute episode in 1986 called "Escape from Orb", which featured a female Madball named "Freakella". She was featured in the cartoon only and never made into an actual Madball toy.
Two more Madballs series, Classic Series 3 and Classic Series 4, were planned but never made (however, see International modern revival below).


=== Madballs by Premium DNA Toys===
The second home video released the following year was a series of Jokes and skits in Monty Python animation style, called "Madballs-Gross Jokes"
Premium DNA Toys have produced Madballs 6″ Scale Action Figures. The figures were announced in June 2020. These 6″ scale figure will feature weapons and "MADular" interchangeable parts. They are modeled after the classic "Head Popping" Madballs figures from the late 1980s; however, these do not feature the head popping gimmick, opting for articulation and a more "action figure"-like approach.


Wave 1 of the Premium DNA toy line includes Hornhead, Splitting Headache, Bruise Brother and Oculus Orbus. Wave 2 will feature Slobulus, Swine Sucker, WolfBreath and Clang Fang<ref>{{cite web | url=https://news.toyark.com/2020/07/24/preview-of-two-upcoming-madballs-action-figures-from-megalopolis-396414 | title=Preview of Two Upcoming Madballs Action Figures from Megalopolis | date=July 24, 2020 }}</ref>
===Characters included in the animated series===


==International modern revival==
* '''Screaming Meemie''' : A baseball with an eerie grin. He is apparently the Madballs leader as he often refers to his friends as "gang". He also seems to be a friend of Freakella because they are seen together near the end of the intro and is often seen speaking with her. He was voiced by [[Geoffrey Bowes]]
{{unreferenced section|date=June 2018}}
* '''Hornhead''' : A cyclops face with a horn. He is the strongest of the group and was voiced by [[Keith Hampshire]]
In 2009 European territories, including Italy and the U.K., began receiving a series of 10 officially licensed miniature water-squirting '''Giraprendi Madballs'''. The Italian Madballs are slightly larger (golf ball-sized) and more rubbery than their U.K. counterparts. In the U.K., they are dispensed sealed in small semi-transparent plastic spheres from vending machines which also distributed Nintendo- and Disney-branded toys. Some of the toys are based on the planned (but never made) Classic Series 3 and Classic Series 4 Madballs, some simply with name changes; others are entirely new creations. They are as follows:
* '''Aargh''' : A blue Frankenstein with one eye totally open & one totally shut. He is friends with Slobulus even though he often abuses him and argues with him a lot. He was voiced by [[John Stocker (voice actor)|John Stocker]]
*'''Scum Chum''': A mutant anglerfish.
* '''Skullface''' : A skeleton face with a smile who is best friends with Horn Head and Dusty. He was voiced by [[John Stocker (voice actor)|John Stocker]]
*'''Brain Rot''': A zombie scientist.
* '''Dusty''' : A very intelligent mummy, voiced by [[Jeri Craden]]
*'''Creep Frog''': A horrid frog with a mouthful of mini-beasts.
* '''Freakella''' : A [[Bride of Frankenstein]]-esque Madball who hates being called Mophead, voiced by [[Cree Summer]] in the first episode and [[Taborah Johnson]] in the second.
*'''Flea Bag''': A hideous dog/cat hybrid.
* '''Sandy''' : Skip's sister, voiced by [[Alyson Court]]
*'''Spews Ooze''': A psychotic dragon impaled with weapons and armor.
* '''Slobulus''' : A drooling face with one eye hanging from the socket. He is friends with Aargh even though Aargh often abuses Slobulus and the two often argue, especially about who is the Madballs' biggest fan. He was voiced by [[Dan Hennessey]]
*'''Deck Head''': A skater speared with a skateboard.
* '''Bruise Brother''' : Looks like a biker with a German helmet, eye patch and beard, Wolf Breath's right-hand man, voiced by [[Dan Hennessey]]
*'''Eye Sore''': An abomination with mouths for eyes and eyes for a mouth.
* '''Freaky Fallback''' : A purple monster wearing an orange football helmet, voiced by [[Dan Hennessey]]
* '''Occulus Orbus''' : A giant eyeball, voiced by [[Len Carlson]]
*'''Spit Bull''': A branded rabid bull.
*'''Racket Attack''': A mauled tennis player.
* '''Bash Brain''' : A normal face with its scalp ripped off to expose its brain, voiced by [[Len Carlson]]. He made a cameo in Escape from Orb and his first full appearance was in Gross Jokes.
*'''Fang Thang''': A saber-toothed cat eating a caveman.
* '''Lock Lips''': Voiced by [[John Stocker (voice actor)|John Stocker]]
*'''Wolf Breath''' : The leader of the bad guys. He is a werewolf who has a habit of using breath spray frequently. Voiced by [[Don Francks]]
*'''Swine Sucker''': A fat ugly pig, voiced by [[Len Carlson]]
*'''Splitting Headache''': A green face with half the skin peeled off, exposing the skull.
*'''Skip''' : The Madballs' manager on Earth, voiced by [[Christopher Ward]]


===Episodes===
==Video games==
{{unreferenced section|date=June 2018}}
A video game based on the toy franchise, simply titled ''Madballs'', was published in 1988 by [[Ocean Software]] for a variety of then-popular 8-bit home computers. It was a top-down view action game<ref>{{cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/commodore-user-magazine-51/page/n55/mode/1up | title=Commodore User Magazine Issue 51 | date=December 1987 }}</ref> and received poor to average reviews from the gaming media. {{Citation needed|date=August 2018}}


As part of the E3 videogame show, it was announced on May 31, 2009 that Canadian game developer PlayBrains was releasing a video game sequel to ''BaboViolent 2'', including Madballs characters called ''[[Madballs in Babo: Invasion]]''. It was released for Xbox Live Arcade on July 15, 2009. The gameplay involves rolling around expansive terrain maps carrying large weaponry (machine guns, etc.) and causing mass destruction. It also includes four player co-op, team v. team and free-for-all modes over Xbox Live, in addition to a unique multiplayer mode where two teams of players build their side of the map, then attack a base on the other team's side. There is also a multiplayer mode where people can play as the head of their Xbox Live avatars. Of the characters in the game, only two are Madballs: Oculus Orbus and Horn Head. An iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad game based on the Madballs characters titled ''Babo Crash HD'' was also released.
1. Escape from Orb!<br>
2. Gross Jokes<br>
''These were the only two episodes ever made, save for a promo featuring Freakella, Aargh, Horn Head, and Dusty''


==2017 animated shorts==
==Episode 1 - Madballs: Escape from Orb!==
In addition to the new product line, AGE and Just Play joined together with Oddbot Studios to produce new animated Madballs shorts. Released on the Madballs YouTube channel on March 1, 2017,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dhxmedia.com/newsreleases/wildbrain-board-manage-madballs-youtube-channel/#|title=WILDBRAIN ON BOARD TO MANAGE MADBALLS YOUTUBE CHANNEL - DHX Media|work=DHX Media|access-date=August 21, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> the cartoon features the six core characters – Skullface, Horn Head, Screamin' Meemie, Oculus Orbus, Dust Brain and Slobulus.


==References==
[[Image:Madballs Escape from Orb.jpg|right|thumb|Madballs: Escape from Orb! VHS Cover]]
In 1986 the first episode of the Madballs TV show, Madballs: Escape from Orb! was released by Nelvana. The episode was later released in VHS but has not been made available on DVD yet. As Nelvana does not have a mention of Madballs on their website, copies of this episode can only be found by used video resellers and auction sites.

Amazon sums up the episode as "The Madballs are a zany animated rock band who rock and roll their way across the galaxy. Music is illegal on their home planet so they make a break for it on Earth." The episode was directed by Laura Shepherd, and written by Heather MacGillvray and John de Klein.

The special begins with the Madballs being sentenced to hard labour on their home planet, Orb, by its dictator, the evil Commander Wolfbreath. Orb is a planet inhabited entirely by balls, where music and the bouncing & landing of balls are banned. Wolfbreath and his goons, the Badballs, have taken over the planet and sentence the Madballs to make a bust of himself. The Madballs are the only surviving [[rock and roll]] band on Orb, as all the other bands have been destroyed by the Badballs. The Badballs seek to destroy the Madballs in the hopes of ridding Orb of all music forever. At the same time, the Madballs have been working on a spaceship in the hopes of leaving from Orb.

On Orb, the Madballs escape to perform a secret rock concert, but Commander Wolfbreath and the Badballs notice the sound of the rock music and place the Madballs under arrest. They manage to defeat Wolfbreath and his goons. A disgraced Commander Wolfbreath orders the other Badballs to go after the Madballs, which have escaped through a sewer. Almost cornered, the Madballs are saved from the sewer by the pair of Aargh and Slobulus. Aargh and Slobulus, despite arguing over who they believe to be the Madballs' biggest fan, offer to help the Madballs escape in their spaceship. Although Freakella is reluctant at first to escape (she says she wants to keep her feet on the ground) with the Madballs, Aargh, and Slobulus, she joins the Madballs anyway. When the escape happens, Wolfbreath vows his revenge on the Madballs "if it's the last thing I do".

The Madballs are on a bumpy ride on their ship through space. On the on-board television, the Madballs are delighted by what they see to be rock and roll music on Earth, with a band called The Cartoons about to perform, being introduced by their manager, Skip. The Madballs then decide to go on to Earth. Meanwhile, on Earth, Skip is desperate because the Cartoons have not yet been able to make it to their concert. His sister, Sandy, receives a phone call in which she is informed that the Cartoons are in [[Alaska]] and are not returning. Back in space, the Madballs are looking forward to heading to Earth, until they realize that Wolfbreath and the Badballs have left in a spaceship of their own and are going after the Madballs, and he threatens the Madballs with a broadcasted warning. Wolfbreath orders the firing of lasers to go after the Madballs' comparatively rickety spaceship as they go through an [[asteroid belt]]. The Madballs survive the belt and eventually land on Earth at the site of the concert. They sing a cover of "[[Great Balls of Fire]]" by [[Jerry Lee Lewis]] to an enthusiastic crowd. However, Wolfbreath's spaceship lands on Earth, and after the Madballs give their performance, he and his Badballs order the Madballs to return to Orb. An angry Freakella, offended by being called "Mophead", leads an attack on the Badballs, forcing them back into their spaceship and sending them back to Orb. The crowd cheers yet again. The special ends with Skip agreeing to be the Madballs' manager.

==Episode 2 - Madballs: Gross Jokes==

Madballs: Gross Jokes was an episode where the Madballs told disgusting jokes and performed sickening skits. Like the first episode, this episode was released on video and has yet to be released on DVD.

==Comic Books==

[[Marvel Comics]], under their subsidiary children's comics division, [[Star Comics]], created a comic book series based on the Madballs property. It began as a 3 issue mini-series in 1986<ref>http://www.comics.org/series/3193/covers/</ref> and continued at issue #4 as a bi-monthly comic book in 1987. The book was canceled at issue #10<ref>http://www.comics.org/series/13571/covers/</ref>. A Madballs Annual comic book was also produced in the UK, under Marvel Comics UK. The main villains of the comic were Dr. Frankenbeans, who was in many ways similar to [[Victor Frankenstein]], and his bumbling assistant Schnivelitch, who was similar to [[Igor (fictional character)|Igor]].

==Modern Revival==

In early 2006, toy company Art Asylum announced that it had partnered with original rights holder American Greetings to revive the Madballs toys, with both classic characters and new designs. Toy company Basic Fun Inc. has taken up the task of producing/selling the Art Asylum re-designed Madballs since then. As of November 2007, the toys have finally begun appearing in toy stores in the US. 'Madballs Classic Series 1' consists of five re-designed Madballs characters from the original Series 1 (Screamin' Meemie, Skull Face, Bash Brain, Slobulus and Horn Head) and also the first new Madballs character since the toyline's demise in the mid/late 1980s, Repvile. Newly designed sculpts for two other Madballs, Dust Brain and Freaky Fullback, as well as Super Madball Touchdown Terror, were also shown at Toy Fair and Comic-Con 2006, but the latter has yet to appear in stores. American Greetings has also hinted at the creation of a "Goalrilla" Super Madball which would mimic the design of a soccer ball (possibly a redesign of the original "Goal Eater" Madball). Aargh from the original Series 1 is the only standard size toy that is not currently mooted for redesign.

Six more Madballs forming Classic Series 2 were released in the US in 2008 (Freaky Fullback, Wolf Breath and Swine Sucker from the original Series 2, plus Dust Brain and Oculus Orbus from original Series 1, and another new Madball named Blech Beard). In addition to the standard Classic Series Madballs there is an entirely new Madballs variation in stores: 'Madballs Sick Series'. Each of the (so far released) two series features three re-designed Madballs characters from the Classic lines (Bash Brain, Slobulus & Skull Face compose Series 1, Freaky Fullback, Dust Brain and Blech Beard Series 2) which can be squeezed to reveal their innards. For example, Bash Brain has brains that bubble, Slobulus contains eyeballs that pop out, and Skull Face conceals spiders that squirm forth.

In Fall 2009 there are plans to release a third series of both Classic and Sick Series Madballs, with a fourth to follow. On December 3, 2008 Madballs Central posted details of Classic Series 3: 'The characters are as follows: SNAKE BAIT (based on a 1990s, series 2 Madball), FIST FACE (based on another 1990s, series 2 Madball), LOCK LIPS(based on yet another 1990s, series 2 Madball), PUCK TEETH (an all-new design!), NAIL BITER (also a new design) and MOSH PITTS (an all new character as well)'.

On website Toyark.com there exist details of which Madballs will comprise Series 4, plus choices for the Series 3 and 4 Sick Series'. Classic Series 4 is rumoured to include the final two original Series 2 toys (Bruise Brother and Splitting Headache) plus four new imaginings (Bottom Feeder, Eye-Sore, Klang Fang and Shrunk Punk). Sick Series variants will be Fist Face, Mosh Pitts and Lock Lips for Series 3, followed by Bottom Feeder, Splitting Headache and Klang Fang for Series 4. As of yet there are no details on a release window for Series 4, nor how creatively the Sick Series variants will distend.

===Video game===

A videogame based on the toy franchise, simply called ''Madballs'', was published in 1988 by [[Ocean Software]] for a variety of then-popular 8-bit home computers. It was a top-down view action game and received poor to average reviews from the gaming media.

As part of the E3 videogame show, it was announced on May 31, 2009 that Canadian game developer [[PlayBrains]] was releasing a video game sequel to ''[[BaboViolent 2]]'', including Madballs characters called ''[[Madballs in ... Babo: Invasion]]''. It was released for Xbox Live Arcade on July 15, 2009. The gameplay involves rolling around expansive terrain maps carrying large weaponry (machine guns, etc.) and causing mass destruction. It also includes 4 player co-op, team v. team and free-for-all modes over Xbox Live, in addition to a unique multiplayer mode where two teams of players build their side of the map, then attack a base on the other team's side. There is also a multiplayer mode where people can play as the head of their Xbox Live avatars. Of the characters in the game, only two are Madballs: Oculus Orbus and Horn Head. An iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad game based on the Madballs characters titled Babo Crash HD was also released.

== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://madballs.com/ The Official Website for MADBALLS.]
* [http://madballs.com/ Official website]
* [http://www.i-mockery.com/minimocks/madballs-revival Madballs Revival Article @ I-Mockery]
* [http://www.mobygames.com/game/madballs Madballs @ MobyGames]
* [http://www.x-entertainment.com/articles/0678/ Madballs Article @ X-Entertainment]
* [https://archive.today/20130118080558/http://www.bcdb.com/cartoon/62328-Madballs_%2528Series%2529.html Madballs @ Big Cartoon Database]
* [http://www.x-entertainment.com/newxe/madballs.html Madballs Episode @ X-Entertainment]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20091027123241/http://www.geocities.com/bazsdaddy/Madballs.html Madballs Toy & Toon Archive!]
*{{IMDb title|0374014|Madballs: Escape from Orb!}}
* [http://www.bcdb.com/cartoon/62328-Madballs_%2528Series%2529.html Madballs @ Big Cartoon Database]
*{{IMDb title|1332680| Madballs: Gross Jokes}}
* [http://www.nuttynuts.net/shop/listmadballs.html A Listing of Madballs Toys]
* [http://www.playbrains.com/babo/index.php Official site for the Madballs video game]
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20091027123241/http://www.geocities.com/bazsdaddy/Madballs.html Madballs Toy & Toon Archive!]
* [http://imdb.com/title/tt0374014/ IMDb listing of Madballs: Escape from Orb!]
* [http://www.playbrains.com/babo/index.php Official site for Madballs video game.]

{{Animated series based on toys}}


[[Category:1980s toys]]
[[Category:1980s toys]]
Line 171: Line 165:
[[Category:ZX Spectrum games]]
[[Category:ZX Spectrum games]]
[[Category:Star Comics titles]]
[[Category:Star Comics titles]]
[[Category:1980s American animated television series]]
[[Category:1987 American television series debuts]]
[[Category:1987 American television series debuts]]
[[Category:1987 American television series endings]]
[[Category:1987 American television series endings]]
[[Category:American children's animated horror television series]]
[[Category:1980s American horror comedy television series]]
[[Category:Animated musical groups]]
[[Category:Fiction about monsters]]
[[Category:Rubber toys]]
[[Category:Rubber toys]]
[[Category:Television series by Nelvana]]
[[Category:American English-language television shows]]

Revision as of 21:36, 14 May 2024

Not to be confused with Madball, an American hardcore band.

Madballs
1985 TV commercial title card for Madballs
TypeBouncy balls
Inventor(s)AmToy
CompanyCloudco Entertainment
CountryUnited States
Availability1985–present
MaterialsRubber, foam
Slogan"Freaky fun for everyone!"
Official website

Madballs is a series of toy foam balls originally created by AmToy, a subsidiary company of American Greetings (now Cloudco Entertainment) in the mid-1980s, later being revived by Art Asylum (2007–2008) and Just Play, Inc. (2017–2019). The balls incorporated gross-out humor and each was given a character synopsis and an odd name. The toyline expanded into a franchise with comic books, direct-to-video cartoons, and a video game for the ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, and Commodore 64.[1][2][3]

Overview

The toys were rubber or foam collectible bouncing balls with grotesque faces and designs. The toys sold well as a passing fad. There were two series of the original Madballs collectible toys. Each series consisted of eight balls, as well as a collection of Super Madballs, a larger version of the original Madballs shaped like other sports balls, such as the American football-shaped "Touchdown Terror," the soccer ball-shaped "Goal Eater," and the basketball-shaped "Foul Shot."[4]

Toys

Original series Madballs

  • Screamin' Meemie: A screaming baseball with a large tongue.[5]
  • Slobulus: A drooling green creature with one eye hanging out of its socket.[6]
  • Aargh: A one-eyed blue-skinned Frankenstein monster-esque creature with stitching all over its face.[7]
  • Horn Head: A horned cyclops with a nose ring (which is chained to its ear in the Art Asylum era).[8]
  • Dust Brain: A mummy with rotting teeth and wrinkly teal skin.
  • Oculus Orbus: A bloodshot eyeball (later sporting a mouth in the Just Play era).[9]
  • Skull Face: A skull with large eye sockets sporting tiny red eyes, a big set of teeth, and a partially exposed brain (which is depicted as a sentient being named Lobe in the Just Play era).[10]
  • Bash Brain: A gory zombie head with a partially exposed brain. This Madball was originally named "Crack Head," but was later renamed "Bash Brain," due to the unpleasant connotations of crackhead as a slang term for a crack cocaine addict.

All Madballs toys were conceived in the early 1980s by the creative team at American Greetings Properties, which was formally named Those Characters From Cleveland, or TCFC for short: Ralph Shafer, George Chanter, Mark Spangler, Jim Elliott, Kim Hammeren, and Vint Gonser. Editorial by Clark Wiley and Tom Jacobs.[11]

Second series Madballs

  • Snake Bait: A forked tongue-sporting gorgon (later depicted in the Just Play era as a monster being devoured by a snake).
  • Freaky Fullback: A mutant football player.
  • Splitting Headache: A monster with the skin on half of its face peeled off.
  • Bruise Brother: An ugly biker with a battered blue helmet.
  • Wolf Breath: A werewolf with large, rotten fangs dripping with blood (drool in the Art Asylum era).
  • Fist Face: A severed hand clutching an eyeball (later depicted as a severed hand with an eyeball emerging from the wrist in the Just Play era).
  • Swine Sucker: An ugly, drooling wild boar.
  • Lock Lips: A creature with its jaw locked shut and one eye covered by a riveted plate.

Super Madballs

  • Touchdown Terror: An American football with a manic grin and missile-like fins and tip.
  • Goal Eater: A soccer ball with very large pointed teeth.
  • Foul Shot: A basketball bursting open to reveal a face with worms crawling out of one eye socket.

Head-Popping Madballs

These were posable figures with an ejectable/swappable head:

  • Dust Brain, Skull Face, Screamin' Meemie, Oculus Orbus, Horn Head, and Slobulus from Series 1.
  • Bruise Brother, Wolf Breath, and Lock Lips from Series 2.

Similar imitation toys

Due to the popularity of the Madballs, there were many similar imitation toys, such as:

  • "Blurp Balls" by ERTL:[12] Boney Tossteeth, T-Retch, Count Heave-A-Heart, Spittooey Sooey, Biff Barfball, Sharkey Skullsquert, Retch-A-Rat Tomcat, and Croakey Bugchuck. These toys were designed by artist James Groman, with character names and editorial by Rick Reising.
  • "Weird Balls" by The Mel Appel Company:[13] Sewer Face, Brain Ball, Wart Hog, Spit Ball, Shrink Head, and Rock Slime.
  • "Spit Balls" by Lanard Toys: Sharky, 20/20, Ba-Boom, and Crybaby.

Original Madballs re-release

In 2016, the vinyl figure company Kidrobot released nine of the original Madballs in their original foam style, slightly modified.[14] They also released keychains and vinyl figure blind boxes. These are the Madballs that were released:

  • Screamin' Meemie
  • Oculus Orbus
  • Slobulus
  • Skull Face
  • Horn Head
  • Dust Brain
  • Freaky Fullback
  • Swine Sucker
  • Lock Lips

Home video

Madballs: Escape from Orb VHS front cover

Unlike many high-profile toylines at the time, the Madballs did not have an accompanying television series. They did, however, have two direct-to-home video cartoons released by Nelvana.[15]

The first one, released in 1986, was a 22-minute episode called Madballs: Escape from Orb in which the titular characters are a rock and roll band who performs across the galaxy but heads for Earth as music is illegal on their home planet, Orb.[16] The video also featured a female, cartoon-exclusive Madball named Freakella, modeled after the Bride of Frankenstein. It was directed by Laura Shepherd and written by Heather MacGillvray and John de Klein.

The second one, released in 1987, was another 22-minute episode called Madballs: Gross Jokes that was a series of jokes and skits performed by the Madballs.[17] Both of these releases are only available on VHS and are not yet available on either DVD or Blu-ray.

Cast

  • Screamin' Meemie: A baseball with an eerie grin. He is apparently the Madballs's leader, as he often refers to his friends as the "gang." He also seems to be a friend of Freakella, because they are seen together near the end of the introduction and he is often seen speaking with her. He was voiced by Geoffrey Bowes.
  • Horn Head: A cyclops face with a horn. He is the strongest member of the group. He was voiced by Keith Hampshire.
  • Aargh: A blue-skinned Frankenstein monster-esque Madball with one eye completely open and the other one completely shut. He is friends with Slobulus, even though he often abuses him and the two of them argue a lot, especially over which one of them is the Madballs's biggest fan. He was voiced by John Stocker.
  • Skull Face: A skull with a smile who is best friends with Horn Head and Dusty Dustbrain. He speaks with a slight stutter. He was also voiced by John Stocker.
  • Dusty Dustbrain: A very intelligent mummy. He was voiced by Jeri Craden.
  • Freakella: A Bride of Frankenstein-esque Madball who hates being called "Mophead." She was voiced by Cree Summer in the first video and Taborah Johnson in the second video.
  • Slobulus: A drooling face with one eye hanging from the socket. He is friends with Aargh, even though Aargh often abuses him and the two of them often argue a lot, especially over which one of them is the Madballs's biggest fan. He was voiced by Dan Hennessey.
  • Bruise Brother: One of the evil Badballs who looks like a biker with a German helmet, eye patch and beard. He is Wolf Breath's right-hand man, also voiced by Dan Hennessey.
  • Freaky Fullback: A purple monster wearing an orange football helmet, also voiced by Dan Hennessey.
  • Oculus Orbus: A giant eyeball, voiced by Len Carlson.
  • Bash Brain: A normal face with its scalp ripped off to expose its brain, also voiced by Len Carlson. He made a cameo in Madballs: Escape from Orb and his first full appearance was in Madballs: Gross Jokes.
  • Wolf Breath: The leader of the evil Badballs. He is a werewolf who has a habit of using breath spray frequently, voiced by Don Francks.
  • Skip: The Madballs's manager on Earth, voiced by Christopher Ward.
  • Sandy: Skip's sister, voiced by Alyson Court.

Comic books

Marvel Comics's former children's comics imprint Star Comics released a three-issue miniseries (September–November 1986),[18] which continued with issue #4 (June 1987) as a bi-monthly comic book. The series was cancelled with issue #10 (June 1988).[19] The main villains of the comic book were Dr. Frankenbeans, who was in many ways similar to Victor Frankenstein, and his bumbling assistant Schnivelitch, who resembled Igor.[20]

Marvel UK released a one-shot issue called Madballs Annual (1988). Produced by Marvel UK in hardcover format, it reprints the comic book story of the creation of the Madballs by Dr. Frankenbeans and also features games and activities.

Madballs re-releases

In early 2006, toy company Art Asylum announced that it had partnered with original rights holder American Greetings to revive the Madballs toys, with both classic characters and new designs.[21] Toy company Basic Fun Inc. took up the task of producing/selling the new Madballs[22] designed by artist James Groman, who worked on the original line. As of November 2007, the toys began appearing in toy stores in the U.S.

Classic Series 1

Madballs Classic Series 1 consists of five re-designed Madballs characters from the original Series 1 (Screamin' Meemie, Skull Face, Bash Brain, Slobulus and Horn Head) and also the first new Madballs character since the toy line's original demise in the mid- to late 1980s: Repvile, an angry, blue, scabrous reptilian. Newly designed sculpts for two other Madballs, Dust Brain and Freaky Fullback, as well as Super Madball Touchdown Terror, were also shown at Toy Fair and Comic-Con 2006, but the former two would be held off until Classic Series 2, and the latter was never released. American Greetings also hinted at the creation of a Super Madball named Goalrilla which would mimic the design of a soccer ball (this was possibly a redesign of the original Goal Eater Super Madball). Aargh from the original Series 1 is the only standard-sized character that was not redesigned or mooted for redesign, although Repvile seems to be a homage to the original Aargh Madball.

Classic Series 2

Six more Madballs forming Classic Series 2 were released in the U.S. in 2008 (Freaky Fullback, Wolf Breath and Swine Sucker from the original Series 2, plus Dust Brain and Oculus Orbus from the original Series 1 and new Madball Blech Beard, a puntastically named ghastly pirate). The rebooted Madballs line was noted for its vastly more detailed sculpts;[citation needed] this was especially noticeable in the redesigned original characters.

Sick Series 1 and Sick Series 2

In addition to the standard Madballs Classic Series, there was an entirely new Madballs variant in stores called Madballs Sick Series. Each of the (so far released) two series in this line featured three re-designed Madballs characters from the Classic Series (Bash Brain, Slobulus and Skull Face composed Sick Series 1 and Freaky Fullback, Dust Brain and Blech Beard composed Sick Series 2) which could be squeezed to reveal their insides (for example, Bash Brain had brains that bubbled, Slobulus contained eyeballs that popped out and Skull Face concealed spiders that squirmed out).

Classic Series 3 and Classic Series 4

Two more Madballs series, Classic Series 3 and Classic Series 4, were planned but never made (however, see International modern revival below).

Madballs by Premium DNA Toys

Premium DNA Toys have produced Madballs 6″ Scale Action Figures. The figures were announced in June 2020. These 6″ scale figure will feature weapons and "MADular" interchangeable parts. They are modeled after the classic "Head Popping" Madballs figures from the late 1980s; however, these do not feature the head popping gimmick, opting for articulation and a more "action figure"-like approach.

Wave 1 of the Premium DNA toy line includes Hornhead, Splitting Headache, Bruise Brother and Oculus Orbus. Wave 2 will feature Slobulus, Swine Sucker, WolfBreath and Clang Fang[23]

International modern revival

In 2009 European territories, including Italy and the U.K., began receiving a series of 10 officially licensed miniature water-squirting Giraprendi Madballs. The Italian Madballs are slightly larger (golf ball-sized) and more rubbery than their U.K. counterparts. In the U.K., they are dispensed sealed in small semi-transparent plastic spheres from vending machines which also distributed Nintendo- and Disney-branded toys. Some of the toys are based on the planned (but never made) Classic Series 3 and Classic Series 4 Madballs, some simply with name changes; others are entirely new creations. They are as follows:

  • Scum Chum: A mutant anglerfish.
  • Brain Rot: A zombie scientist.
  • Creep Frog: A horrid frog with a mouthful of mini-beasts.
  • Flea Bag: A hideous dog/cat hybrid.
  • Spews Ooze: A psychotic dragon impaled with weapons and armor.
  • Deck Head: A skater speared with a skateboard.
  • Eye Sore: An abomination with mouths for eyes and eyes for a mouth.
  • Spit Bull: A branded rabid bull.
  • Racket Attack: A mauled tennis player.
  • Fang Thang: A saber-toothed cat eating a caveman.

Video games

A video game based on the toy franchise, simply titled Madballs, was published in 1988 by Ocean Software for a variety of then-popular 8-bit home computers. It was a top-down view action game[24] and received poor to average reviews from the gaming media. [citation needed]

As part of the E3 videogame show, it was announced on May 31, 2009 that Canadian game developer PlayBrains was releasing a video game sequel to BaboViolent 2, including Madballs characters called Madballs in Babo: Invasion. It was released for Xbox Live Arcade on July 15, 2009. The gameplay involves rolling around expansive terrain maps carrying large weaponry (machine guns, etc.) and causing mass destruction. It also includes four player co-op, team v. team and free-for-all modes over Xbox Live, in addition to a unique multiplayer mode where two teams of players build their side of the map, then attack a base on the other team's side. There is also a multiplayer mode where people can play as the head of their Xbox Live avatars. Of the characters in the game, only two are Madballs: Oculus Orbus and Horn Head. An iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad game based on the Madballs characters titled Babo Crash HD was also released.

2017 animated shorts

In addition to the new product line, AGE and Just Play joined together with Oddbot Studios to produce new animated Madballs shorts. Released on the Madballs YouTube channel on March 1, 2017,[25] the cartoon features the six core characters – Skullface, Horn Head, Screamin' Meemie, Oculus Orbus, Dust Brain and Slobulus.

References

  1. ^ "Sinclair Infoseek − Madballs". World of Spectrum. Retrieved September 10, 2007.
  2. ^ "Madballs by Ocean Software". Cpczone. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved September 10, 2007.
  3. ^ "Madballs". Lemon Retro Store. Retrieved September 10, 2007.
  4. ^ Whitall, Susan (March 8, 1986). "The ugliest toys ever—Madballs!". Newsday. The Detroit News. p. 2 (Part II). Retrieved August 21, 2010.
  5. ^ "Madballs.com - Screamin' Meemie". www.madballs.com. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  6. ^ "Madballs.com - Slobulus". www.madballs.com. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  7. ^ "Madballs.com - Single Character Page". www.madballs.com. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  8. ^ "Madballs.com - Hornhead". www.madballs.com. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  9. ^ "Madballs.com - Oculus". www.madballs.com. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  10. ^ "Madballs.com - Skullface". www.madballs.com. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  11. ^ "To Have and to Have Snot: A History of Madballs". September 14, 2017. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  12. ^ "Blurp Balls (ERTL) Action Figure Checklist". www.figurerealm.com. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  13. ^ "Weird Ball Flyweight Wrestlers (revisited)". Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  14. ^ "Just Play's New Madballs Revealed". The Toyark - News. June 21, 2016. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  15. ^ "Madballs: Loved By Kids, Hated By Parents -". January 18, 2019. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  16. ^ Shepherd, Laura, Madballs: Escape from Orb! (Animation, Short, Adventure), Nelvana, Global, Téléfilm Canada, retrieved February 8, 2023
  17. ^ Shepherd, Laura (April 27, 1987), Madballs: Gross Jokes (Animation, Short, Comedy), Nelvana, Hi-Tops Video, retrieved February 8, 2023
  18. ^ "Covers :: Madballs [1986 series]". Grand Comics Database. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  19. ^ "Covers :: Madballs [1987 series]". Grand Comics Database. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  20. ^ Rovin, Jeff (1987). The Encyclopedia of Supervillains. New York: Facts on File. p. 92. ISBN 0-8160-1356-X.
  21. ^ "Action Figure Insider- Toy Fair 2006!". www.actionfigureinsider.com. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  22. ^ "OAFE - Madballs: Wolf Breath review". www.oafe.net. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  23. ^ "Preview of Two Upcoming Madballs Action Figures from Megalopolis". July 24, 2020.
  24. ^ "Commodore User Magazine Issue 51". December 1987.
  25. ^ "WILDBRAIN ON BOARD TO MANAGE MADBALLS YOUTUBE CHANNEL - DHX Media". DHX Media. Retrieved August 21, 2018.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Madballs&oldid=1223871174"