The success of the Peacemaker TV show did yield some positive results for me in the toy department. I'm not a big collector of dolls, but I never thought I'd see an action figure for Peacemaker.
The Peacemaker figure came as part of trio which also featured the purely DC hero Vigilante and the Charlton version of Judomaster.
The Charlton Comics "Action Heroes" were purchased by DC as a present of sorts for then editor Dick Giordano who had overseen their creation (for the most part) while at Charlton.
(Note that neither Nightshade nor Judomaster are mentioned by name on this poster.)
DC was in the midst of the infamous "Crisis on Infinite Earths" and while dusting and ordering the DCU, they decided to add in Captain Atom, Blue Beetle, Nightshade, Peacemaker, Thunderbolt (for a time until they realized Pete Morisi actually owned the rights), and Judomaster. Well, Judomaster was the hardest to fit since his adventures had taken place in WWII alongside his partner Tiger. Possibly it's the costume, which is the Japanese Rising Sun, but for whatever reason Rip Jagger didn't get much play.
(Nhut Le as Judomaster)
Then Peacemaker got a TV show and who should show up but Judomaster. He is named Rip Jagger but is not as far as I know a WWII veteran and that makes sense since the Peacemaker is a far cry from Pat Boyette's original as well. The "Judomaster" in the TV show was small in stature and wore green. Curious character and interesting enough save for the tag.
This is the classic Judomaster as McLaughlin envisioned him. I'm not aware that this likeness has been done as a toy before. I had to snap the trio up and they rest now on my wall safely ensconced in their original packaging. (Of course.) Why they made this change (likely lack of communication) but the Dojo approves. Though the irony that it happens in a line dubbed "Super Powers" since the classic Judomaster famously has none. More on Judomaster next month.
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