Sadly, most of these products were never delivered, or came many, many weeks later, but the ads themselves were a source of endless entertainment. They were often filled with outrageous claims and promises, and they always made us laugh.

Looking back, I can’t help but smile at the innocence of those days. We were so gullible and hopeful, believing that anything was possible. And even though we forgot about most of the products we ordered by the time they were delivered, the experience of dreaming about them was still a lot of fun.

When you’re feeling nostalgic for the good old days, just revisit the weird world of comic book back pages.

Here are a few of the most popular items that were advertised in comic books back in the day:

• X-Ray Specs: See through walls? Sure, with these cardboard and cellophane contraptions fueled by imagination (and not science). Bonus points if you added “secret decoder rings” for enhanced “vision.”
• Sea-Monkeys: Tiny shrimp disguised as “instant life” in a packet, promising an underwater metropolis in your bowl. Reality? Brine shrimp with a lifespan measured in days.
• The U-Control Ghost: This “spirit” on a string (operated by you, the puppeteer) promised ghostly pranks and haunted house chills. More likely to elicit confused stares than screams.
• The Sneaky Snake: Spring-loaded metal “serpent” that launched from a fake cigarette pack, perfect for (questionably safe) pranks. Adults likely saw through the “illusion” faster than their kids.
• The Pharoah’s Curse: Dig up a miniature mummy and unleash ancient Egyptian horrors? Turns out, the “curse” was usually just a disappointing plastic scarab beetle.
• The Instant Muscle Builder: Pump up your pecs in seconds with this inflatable device… that mostly inflated your ego (and maybe deflated your wallet).
• The Money Multiplier: Fold, tear, and magically multiply your bills! Spoiler alert: this “magic” involved clever folds and sleight of hand, not actual financial sorcery.
• The Hypnotic Spiral: Stare into the swirling vortex and unlock hidden powers… or just get a headache. The jury’s still out on the “hypnotic” effects.
• The Invisible Dog Leash: Walk your invisible pet with this “revolutionary” leash. Perfect for imaginary walks, less effective for actual dog ownership.
• The Glow-in-the-Dark Stickers: Adorned with everything from skulls to superheroes, these stickers offered a touch of creepy-cool fun (and probably glowed longer than the “instant muscle builder”).

These are just a few of the many bizarre and often ineffective items that tempted comic book readers with promises of adventure, mischief, and (sometimes) superpowers. While the actual results rarely lived up to the hype, they definitely added a unique flavor to the comic book experience of yesteryear.

Jack

Bicycle cards in my spokes, flimsy ramps, gravel under my skin, Star Wars, Atari, and chucks. We had it all. Claim to fame: Neighborhood’s largest snow tunnel network built during the blizzard of ’77.

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The post 10 Weirdest Toys Sold on the Back Pages of Comic Books (70s-80s-90s) appeared first on Generation X News GenX Flow.

If you’re here to find out the span of years that Generation X was born, some say the GenX years were between 1965-1980. This is the most widely accepted range for Gen X, encompassing those born after the Baby Boomers and before the Millennials. Sources like Pew Research Center, Investopedia, and Wikipedia all support this range.

Variations:

• Early 1960s to Early 1980s: Some sources extend the GenX years slightly further back, starting in the early 1960s. This can be due to factors like shared childhood experiences or cultural influences.
• Mid 1960s to Late 1970s: Others narrow the range, focusing on the mid-1960s to late 1970s as the core GenX years. This might emphasize the distinct experiences of those who grew up during specific historical events or economic trends.

Additional Considerations:

• Regional Differences: Birth year ranges for generations can vary slightly depending on the region or country. For example, some European sources might define Gen X as starting a bit later than in the US.
• Cultural Markers: Ultimately, defining a generation is more than just pinpointing birth years. Shared cultural experiences, historical events, and societal shifts also play a role.

Now, if you’re asking when were the peak GenX years?

Well, if you’re talking the most important stuff, besides inventing the internet, the peak years of GenX music are widely agreed to be between 1988-1994. This was the time that the baby boomers’ music influence turned over to GenX, and before the millennials could get their mitts on pop music.

But you could be talking about the GenX tech boom years?

In that case, you’re looking solidly at the 1990s. 90s tech was the predecessor to today’s internet. Social media, cyber security, e-commerce, and much more got their start in the 90s with Gen Xers at the keyboards doing the dirty work.

Or were you maybe talking about the peak years for 80s and 90s fashion?

There were two or three distinct periods in the mid-80s through the mid 90s that saw some pretty great (flannel) and pretty bad (neon EVERYTHING) fashion trends. Check out everything there is to know about 80s GenX fashion, and maybe get a clue  from the Clueless 90s GenX fashion page.

So now you know the most agreed upon period for GenX years. Here is a look at some of the peak periods within and after the GenX years:

Childhood/Coming of Age (Late 1970s – Early 1990s):

Jack

Bicycle cards in my spokes, flimsy ramps, gravel under my skin, Star Wars, Atari, and chucks. We had it all. Claim to fame: Neighborhood’s largest snow tunnel network built during the blizzard of ’77.

genxflow.com

The post GenX Years appeared first on Generation X News GenX Flow.

It was a time when Hulkamania reached its peak, when wrestling captured the imagination of millions, and when the foundation for future wrestling eras was laid. Remember, brother, all the world needs is one Hulkster!

On this date in 1987, Hulk Hogan made a Memorial Day weekend appearance on SuperStars when he took on Cowboy Bob Orton

I say it every year, but I love the instrumental version of Real American in this videohttps://t.co/d3ITJthtn5 pic.twitter.com/NiwJ9utQQI

— Monsoon Classic (@MonsoonClassic) May 23, 2023

Quick Facts:

Dominating Champion: 1987 began with Hogan still reigning as the WWF World Heavyweight Champion, a title he’d held for three consecutive years. He was the ultimate babyface, the embodiment of American ideals and righteous justice. Imagine red, yellow, and blue fireworks everywhere!

WrestleMania III: The granddaddy of them all, WrestleMania III, took place in March 1987. This event cemented Hogan’s legend with his iconic match against André the Giant. The build-up was immense: an undefeated André threatening to end Hogan’s reign. The match itself was electrifying, packed with drama, and ultimately saw Hogan bodyslamming the 7-foot giant and retaining the title. This moment became wrestling folklore, with Hogan’s victory cry, “Brother!” echoing through the ages.

Heel Turn and The Mega Powers: Later in 1987, Hogan shocked the world with a heel turn, joining forces with Andre the Giant and “Macho Man” Randy Savage to form The Mega Powers. This betrayal was so epic, it sent fans into a frenzy! He traded his yellow boots for black, and the world wasn’t sure what to make of the “Dark Hogan.” This period saw intense rivalries with The Iron Sheik and Jake “The Snake” Roberts, with memorable cage matches and chair-throwing action.

Hulkamania Beyond the Ring: Hogan’s influence wasn’t limited to the ring. He was a pop culture icon, appearing in movies like “No Holds Barred” and starring in the animated series “Hulk Hogan’s Rock ‘n’ Wrestling.” His bandana, red and yellow face paint, and signature leg drop were ubiquitous, inspiring legions of kids to say their prayers and take their vitamins.

Beyond Hogan: While Hulk Hogan dominated, 1987 also saw other rising stars like the Ultimate Warrior, Bret “The Hitman” Hart, and The British Bulldogs contributing to a vibrant wrestling scene. It was a time of colorful characters, over-the-top storylines, and unforgettable moments that continue to resonate with fans today.

Some Catch Phrases That Are Tattooed On Our Brains:

Hulk Hogan:

• “Brother!” – Of course, Hogan’s iconic signature, used with dramatic emphasis after bodyslamming giants or delivering leg drops.
• “Whattamaniac!” – Hogan’s playful description of Hulkamania in action, usually punctuated by a flex and a grin.
• “Train runs on schedule, brother!” – A cryptic threat to opponents, implying their inevitable defeat by the unstoppable Hulkster.

The Macho Man Randy Savage:

• “Oh yeah!” – His trademark war cry, delivered with an ear-splitting scream and often followed by a flamboyant finger point.
• “Snap into a Slim Jim!” – This catchphrase for Slim Jim snacks became a pop culture phenomenon thanks to Savage’s energetic endorsement.
• “Elizabeth is the cream of the crop!” – His endearing, if slightly possessive, way of referring to his real-life wife and manager, Miss Elizabeth.

The Iron Sheik:

• “To be the man, you have to beat the man!” – His self-proclaimed mantra, delivered in his thick Iranian accent and often followed by a camel clutch on his unfortunate opponent.
• “Jabroni!” – His insult of choice, a nonsensical term that somehow perfectly conveyed his disdain for weaker competitors.
• “Hulk Hogan afraid of Iron Sheik’s camel clutch!” – An outlandish boast he repeated endlessly, despite Hogan proving the opposite at WrestleMania III.

Other gems:

• “Don’t ask me nothin’, just gimme a match!” – Rowdy Roddy Piper’s gruff refusal to engage in pre-match chatter, preferring to let his fists do the talking.
• “Who are you?” – Koko B. Ware’s trademark question upon entering the ring, followed by his dancing parrot Frankie to further confuse his opponents.
• “It’s gonna be a massacre!” – The Ultimate Warrior’s pre-match declaration, delivered with an insane grin and a shake of his multicolored tassels.

Jack

Bicycle cards in my spokes, flimsy ramps, gravel under my skin, Star Wars, Atari, and chucks. We had it all. Claim to fame: Neighborhood’s largest snow tunnel network built during the blizzard of ’77.

genxflow.com

The post Hulk Hogan And The Superstars of Wrestling 1987 appeared first on Generation X News GenX Flow.

Jack

Bicycle cards in my spokes, flimsy ramps, gravel under my skin, Star Wars, Atari, and chucks. We had it all. Claim to fame: Neighborhood’s largest snow tunnel network built during the blizzard of ’77.

genxflow.com

The post Sights and Sounds of Shopping at Target in the 80s appeared first on Generation X News GenX Flow.

Kids these days, bundled up in their fancy North Faces, scoffing at a dusting of snow. They haven’t seen anything like the winters we had back in the day, especially not the one that painted 1977 white with a fury. That, my friends, was the Blizzard of ’77, a storm so epic it still sends chills down my spine after all these years.

Remember that feeling when the first snowflakes started falling, not as fluffy clumps but as sideways needles driven by a wind that howled like a banshee? The air turned instantly arctic, teeth chattering, breath forming frosty plumes. That was just the beginning.

By dusk, the world had vanished

Houses became white mounds, cars disappeared under drifts taller than me, and the streetlights turned into fuzzy orange ghosts in the swirling snow. Visibility dropped to zero, every step a leap into the unknown.

Our little Midwestern town became a frozen island

Schools shut down, power lines snapped like twigs, and the only sound was the wind’s mournful song. We huddled by kerosene lamps, playing Monopoly under blankets, stories of buried cars and lost dogs adding a thrilling edge to the isolation.

Dad would shovel a tunnel to the mailbox, emerging like a yeti, news of the outside world a frosty whisper. Mom baked bread in the wood stove, the yeasty aroma a comforting defiance against the storm’s fury. We built snow forts that dwarfed our houses, snowball battles turning into epic sieges against the relentless wind.

It wasn’t just about the snow, though. It was the community, the shared struggle against the elements that brought us closer.

Neighbors dug each other out, shared scarce supplies, and checked on the elderly, their kindness a beacon in the whiteout.

The blizzard eventually blew itself out, leaving behind a world reborn in sparkling white. Roads were eventually cleared, power restored, and life resumed, albeit with a changed rhythm. We’d learned a thing or two about resilience, resourcefulness, and the warmth of human connection in the face of nature’s fury.

So, the next time you see a light snowfall and hear the kids complain, remind them about the Blizzard of ’77!

Tell them about a time when winter wasn’t just a weather report, but a story etched in snowdrifts and frozen memories. Tell them about the time when whiteouts were white outs, and the heart of our community burned bright even in the coldest night.

Because that’s the kind of winter we used to have, and it’s a story worth remembering, even if the snow doesn’t fall quite the same way anymore.

—

What do YOU remember about the Blizzard of 1977? Share your memories below in comments!

Jack

Bicycle cards in my spokes, flimsy ramps, gravel under my skin, Star Wars, Atari, and chucks. We had it all. Claim to fame: Neighborhood’s largest snow tunnel network built during the blizzard of ’77.

genxflow.com

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