Barnyard Commandos Animal Action Figures (1989)
The original Barnyard Commandos collectible animal toys were created by James Groman for American Greetings Corporation, and later produced by Playmates. It is based on the concept of anthropomorphic farm animals who mutated from exposure to radioactive materials left over from military experimentation.
The animals form two rival factions – the R.A.M.S. (Rebel Army of Military Sheep) and the P.O.R.K.S. (Platoon of Rebel Killer Swine), which spawned numerous waves of memorable action figures, as well as accompanying vehicles–armed to the gills with hilarious weaponry.
Barnyard Commandos 1990 TV Series
“The series is based around the concept of farm animals who consumed radioactive materials, left over from an abandoned military experiment, mutating them into hyper-intelligent, anthropomorphic paramilitary troops. This consists of two “hilariously harmless” opposing factions: the R.A.M.S. (Rebel Army of Military Sheep) and the P.O.R.K.S. (Platoon of Rebel Killer Swine).”
Brainchild of James Groman
Barnyard Commandos was one of James Groman’s first toy concepts after graduating from the Art Institute of Cleveland in 1986! He originally created the concept for American Greetings (along with Madballs), but Playmates picked it up 1989 and made the classic line of Barnyard Commandos animal collectibles and toys we remember so fondly today. He is currently providing art direction on Megalopolis: Premium DNA Madballs and Barnyard Commandos!
