With just moments to spare, the Halloween Countdown fulfills its promise to October Twelelephf. Hi-C spreads rumors about what the "H" stands for with their first and foremost contribution to the season, Frightening Fruit Punch! Give it to trick-or-treaters or horde it for yourself, you bloated greasy bastard. There's no reason to fight. Each "Halloween Treat Pack" contains thirty boxes of Hi-C, and that's at least five more than any one person could drink in a sitting. Read, and drink.
Matt's (me) back in ToyFare for their very special Issue #100 Spectacularrrr, with a two page article detailing the many strange revamps through the decades to the G.I. Joe line. Some Joes came with little jungle knives, others went to the eXtreme.
REPLIES: 59 comments
I can't find all 13 spiders.
Chestnuts roasted by dohopoki @ 10/12/2005 11:12 PM EST
Yeah, they got cheap with the two around Dracula's eyes.
Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 10/12/2005 11:14 PM EST
Yeah, the ones around Dracula's eyes look way more like hugely bloated ticks than spiders.
Chestnuts roasted by Gabbylicious @ 10/12/2005 11:18 PM EST
Sadly no stores around me carry Hi-C. Sometimes I hate living in a hick town.
Chestnuts roasted by Phil @ 10/12/2005 11:22 PM EST
Here's a story for you:
One fall day many, many years ago (I was like 7) I was staying at my friend's house. The area we live in is fairly rural anyway, but he lived out in the WOODS, man. Miles from civilization. But he had a sattelite (one of those 12ft jobs) and damn if that didn't rock. So I was staying with him, and we stayed up late one night going through the woods with a flashlight looking for bobcats and werewolves.
Well, we get back, and we're hungry,so he breaks out this huge stash of chocolate chip cookies and a seemingly unlimited suplly of HI-C. And I ate and dranky more Hi-C and cookies than I ever thought possible. And spent the rest of the night puking my guts up. This was made all the worse when, frightened child that I was, his dad jokingly started scraping on the backdoor with a yard rake, and convinced me that someone was trying to kill us.
So in typical horror movie fashion, I fled the house for the safety (?) of the pitch black, animal infested woods. And I got lost for four hours, puking my guts up the whole time. Then I fell in a stream and caught a cold.
I haven't had Hi-C since that day.
Chestnuts roasted by The Wukong Effect @ 10/12/2005 11:26 PM EST
I haven't had Hi-C since I stopped seeing Ecto Cooler. It was the only flavor I dug, and anyone who says that tangerine is the same flavor is full of malarchy.
Chestnuts roasted by mtrox @ 10/12/2005 11:37 PM EST
Jeez, I need to catch up on reading the countdown big-time. I'm not dead, if anyone was concerned (i.e., probably no one
). I've been applying to grad school. And Thumbsucker finally opened in my fair city. Excellent movie, check it out. I swear to you even if Keanu wasn't in it, it would be fantastic. As it stands, it's my vote for movie of the year...oh damn, Constantine came out this year too. Bugger 
Chestnuts roasted by Knegative @ 10/12/2005 11:40 PM EST
Congrats on more ToyFare goodness! I swear I looked all over for the one with the Reno 911! article but I never found it
I still think they'd make great doorstep treats. I remember always being thirsty as all hell on the candy trek and never thinking to bring water so I would have be psyched to get something like these...the generous giver would have ended up with a yard fulled of crushed juice boxes though.
Chestnuts roasted by squee4242 @ 10/12/2005 11:45 PM EST
I haven't had Hi-C since I stopped seeing Ecto Cooler. It was the only flavor I dug, and anyone who says that tangerine is the same flavor is full of malarchy.
You and me both. I even remember drinking from both versions of the juice box. I've been seeing the new Ween flavor at Target, yet opted for Jones soda. I have yet to see Orange Tangegreen either, nor have I seen Frankenberry...
Chestnuts roasted by Invader Norbert @ 10/13/2005 12:03 AM EST
I saw this flavor in the seasonal eisle of the (larger) grocery store where I now work, and I knew from that very moment it would somehow turn up on the Countdown. Matt wouldn't pass up 30 juice boxes with pumpkins on them, and I was right. Unfortunatly, that's about the only good thing in the Halloween section other than some really nifty skeletons dressed as brides and grooms that move. Everything else is make-up, candy, or paper garlands and napkins and stuff you could pick up for far cheaper at a dollar store. The Halloween baking section is of interest to me (I may even try that Trick or Treat Duncan Hines cake mix), but probably not that memorable.
Chestnuts roasted by starwenn @ 10/13/2005 12:11 AM EST
I had some green Hi-C last week that sort of tasted like Ecto Cooler, but was named something else. It came in a gallon jug and I think was called something like "Berry Green Blast". It was good.
I found plenty of Frankenberry and Booberry at Wal-Mart.
I will NEVER outgrow somethings. I would never give up my sugary cereals or my comic books. I'll probably join the 40 Year Old Virgin Club because of it, but then again Steve Carrell got the babe in the end.
Chestnuts roasted by JLAJRC @ 10/13/2005 12:15 AM EST
How many spiders can I count? Um, I can count pretty high. At least to 514. Anyway, where are Goofus and Gallant when you need them?
Chestnuts roasted by Gozer @ 10/13/2005 12:44 AM EST
What a weird coincidence--I was just in the process of drinking Hi-C as I read this article. Specifically a Hi-C "Blast" of the "Orange Supernova" variety. My stomach should explode any second now, or I'll be darn disappointed.
Chestnuts roasted by Frostor @ 10/13/2005 12:44 AM EST
It's a little off topic but knowing X-E's love(?) of Corey Haim, I just thought I'd pop on here real quick to give the heads up that his E! True Hollywood Story is on right now.
Sorry for interrupting..
Chestnuts roasted by WonKa @ 10/13/2005 01:08 AM EST
A little Frightening Fruit Punch story for you guys. A couple weeks ago I was at Target looking for halloween crap to waste money on when I saw the festive Hi-C. I thought that the four or five bucks was for a package of ten, and the cardboard was a display box of some sort. So I pulled out one of the shrink-wrapped packs of ten and made my way to the register with my Hi-C, sticky rubber rats, and coffins filled with the thickest toy slime ever.
No UPC on the Frightening Fruit Punch. Cashier lady called in a price check. An employee guy came around, and revealed that the barcode is on the cardbard that I mistook for the display box.
Long story short, I ended up getting thirty for the price I was completely prepared to pay for ten. Needless to say, I left target a happy customer.
Chestnuts roasted by Jeff @ 10/13/2005 01:47 AM EST
I share your pain, K! Grad school applications have lots of little bits, at least I've got my reference letters sorted out, but writing my letters of intent is going to be a bit of an exercise in fiction...
Chestnuts roasted by Gabbylicious @ 10/13/2005 02:42 AM EST
"I am a bounty hunter." --the Domino banner ad
Yes, we all figured that out by now. Could they please make some intelligible advertising so we can know something ELSE about this movie?
It'll flop at this rate. I still haven't seen Curse of the Were-Rabbit so I believe I'll be going to that instead soon.
Chestnuts roasted by Mars @ 10/13/2005 04:09 AM EST
I haven't had a Hi-C since grade school. I'd like to say that I'd moved on to a higher grade of health-destroying sugar water, but in reality? It's Dr. Thunder.
Also, I believe that the Domino previews do an excellent job of covering all the relevant information. They show Keira Knightly being all hot and badass, and they suggest in so uncertain terms that there will be lots of guns and explosives. At this point, 100% of target audience = SOLD.
Note that I do not imagine for a minute that the movie itself is a worthwhile pursuit. I'm just sayin' that if there's a fault here, it's not with the preview.
Chestnuts roasted by Jedoc @ 10/13/2005 07:17 AM EST
One is supposed to be surprised at the revelation of a supermodel being a bounty hunter. Evidently both the filmmakers and marketing team have forgotten that female bounty hunters/cops/scientists/soldiers/pilots/astronauts/ in Hollywood movies are always played by supermodels anyway, so it loses a bit of the intended intrigue.
Chestnuts roasted by Monte @ 10/13/2005 08:29 AM EST
Is 13 really the most unholy number? I thought that was 666....
Chestnuts roasted by Cameron T. @ 10/13/2005 09:49 AM EST
That is one damned creepy Dracula picture! The spiders in his teeth and his face shadow !
Though, I'd agree with calling it 11 spiders and 2 oversized ticks. Or you could think of it as 2 tiny spiders hiding underneath the shadow, which I chose to!
Chestnuts roasted by Aristobulus @ 10/13/2005 09:55 AM EST
Speaking of Corey Haim, Has anyone ever told you MATT that you resemble him. 
Man I love HI-C, It's made with real fruit juice, and is far more tastier than Sunny Delight.
Hey! what's up with the count's fangs. He has none! Dracula is not Dracula without his fangs,Shame on you HI-C.
Chestnuts roasted by Texican @ 10/13/2005 10:09 AM EST
Ecto Cooler was so awesome that it makes me contemplate re-living a full day of childhood humiliation just to have another box.
Chestnuts roasted by Jeff Mack @ 10/13/2005 10:22 AM EST
Now you too can be The Burger King for Halloween!
http://www.bkmasks.com/
Chestnuts roasted by The Wukong Effect @ 10/13/2005 11:34 AM EST
I think they should bring back ABC's Afterschool Specials just so they could make one based on Wukong's story. Complete with the puking. But, it probably be ruined by the addition of some heavy-handed lesson about being an alcoholic clown who's afraid to ride horses because he was bullied as a teen or something.
Chestnuts roasted by kingklash @ 10/13/2005 11:38 AM EST
Yay! Hi-C!
Completely unrelated comment:
Does anyone... by any chance... have an mp3 recording of the Fruity Pebbles Christmas commercial?? Season's Greeting's in our sooouls...
Chestnuts roasted by Sara Jane @ 10/13/2005 11:51 AM EST
MP3, no. Video download is on the site.
Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 10/13/2005 11:53 AM EST
continuing adventures in Chicago!! Hit up AS&S yesterday, going to a great place called "Uncle Fun's" today!! note to self: do NOT spend all the money in the walllet!! Must save some for KMFDM!!
saw a baaad Lifetime movie w/ Kelly Kapowski yesterday. It was terrible!!
Chestnuts roasted by kidneyboy @ 10/13/2005 12:08 PM EST
The only thing Domino has going for it is that it's based on a true story of a real supermodel who turned into a bounty hunter.
Also, Mickey Rourke.
Chestnuts roasted by AJ @ 10/13/2005 12:44 PM EST
Ever since they got rid of Hi-C Ecto Cooler Ive moved on to bigger better things, that being Hawaiian Punch.
Chestnuts roasted by Kevin @ 10/13/2005 01:01 PM EST
Hawaiian Punch brings it! Especially the candies which I just ate an entire fucking bag of.
Chestnuts roasted by Funky Boo Berry @ 10/13/2005 01:25 PM EST
Great stuff, Matt. Has anyone noticed some of the more odd advertisements now on this site?
There's a banner ad at the top for some limousine service in San Francisco. I dunno, seems like an odd place to advertise your limo company.
Chestnuts roasted by Pedro @ 10/13/2005 01:41 PM EST
Sara Jane, I just ripped the audio from the video here on X-E. You should now be able to find a shiny new MP3 file here. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go replace every song on my room mate's iPod shuffle.
Chestnuts roasted by Jeff @ 10/13/2005 01:43 PM EST
Damn having shit to do in real life.
I just read the articles from the past few days, starting with the Toys R Us one. Hell, I still go in there. It saddens me that it's nothing like it was when I was a kid. I still go in looking for the same things however (TF's and video games). Anyone remember when all the VG's were kept behind those glass door cases or in the room/counter at the exit of the store? God I remember an whole isle devoted to GI Joes or Transformers with them piled all the way up to the ceiling.
Boglins, my little brother love those things.
And Ecto Cooler, how I miss thee. I clicked on the link to the old Ecto Cooler article, watched the commercial and noticed it cut off the beginning of the Real Ghostbusters cartoon. You know, the one with ghost walking on the sidwalk, and he skirts the garbage can, does a little shimmy, jumps towards the screen and then "morphs" into that iconic NO GHOSTS sign we all know and love.
Holy shit, thank God for TBS showing it again on Monday.
Oh and Gozer, I always hoped Goofus would have buried his knee into Gallants crotch just being such a high and mighty prick.
Fun With a Purpose my Energon filled ass....
P.S. Sorry I'm late on half this stuff...
Chestnuts roasted by Galvatron @ 10/13/2005 01:54 PM EST
Kidney, I'm pretty sure I watched that movie when it originally aired on network...was there fire involved?
Hit Target yesterday to pick up the season two DVD of Arrested D. but didn't see any cool That's Grosses except the cutie little octi and his mouse friend. The Star Wars Mpire figures I saw were sorely tempting but they were sold out of the Yellow/Vader Orange/Clonetrooper combo so willpower won out.
Chestnuts roasted by squee4242 @ 10/13/2005 02:23 PM EST
Where is the stuff?
precious days are passing
j/k keep up the good work
Chestnuts roasted by Thejyav @ 10/13/2005 03:48 PM EST
I want Ecto-Cooler!!!! My college has the Fruit Punch (not the Halloween themed one) in the self-serve soda machines in the cafeteria. I'm avoiding sugary drinks like the plague though.
My parents and I were watching the "100 Greatest Kid Stars" on VH1 the other night, and when they showed Corey Haim, my mom said "I can't believe that's him! He used to be SO CUTE!" Whoah, mom, since when did you watch his movies????
I, for one, thought he was cute, but I like the wise-ass attitude that Corey Feldman made an art form. I've seen alot of his '80s movies. I won't touch that 1990s direct-to-video crap he's made. Yikes. But, yes, I remember him in "Bordello of Blood." He died in that, you know. I think Dennis Miller did too. I'm getting lambasted (at least, I was) on Dennis Miller's IMDb board over his politics. I love arguing!!!!!!
Chestnuts roasted by Allison @ 10/13/2005 03:53 PM EST
The two green things around his eyes are spiders? Could have fooled me.
Chestnuts roasted by Ryan @ 10/13/2005 05:28 PM EST
Hey, Drac, you got a little.... yeah, right there around your eyes.... no.... a bit higher, right there! You might want to see your dermatologist about that spider problem.
Chestnuts roasted by kingklash @ 10/13/2005 05:31 PM EST
I need to see the X-Men profile on the back of that box of Ecto Cooler. Real bad.
Chestnuts roasted by JOss @ 10/13/2005 05:59 PM EST
"Ho, ho, ho I'm hu, hu, hungry...Bawwwwney!! MY PEBBLES!!!!!! Tis the season to be sharing Fred." I always wanted to see Fred clean Santa's clock for saying that. I mean Barney posed as Santa to rob Fred of HIS fucking pebbles!! I figured Santa would have called the cops or something or even Fred for that matter. I mean his supposed best friend constantly STEALS his cereal. Maybe Fred is just a big sucker or perhaps he is tapping Betty secretly behind Barney's back so he doesn't care. I guess we'll never know
Chestnuts roasted by phunqsauce @ 10/13/2005 07:13 PM EST
I think it's Barney is actually the victim there. Fred gets Barney hooked on the stuff by "letting" him have some and Barney gets so badly addicted that he needs to steal from his supplier, Fred. See fruity pebbles is Bedrock slang for crack. That's what I always assumed anyhow.
Chestnuts roasted by dohopoki @ 10/13/2005 07:29 PM EST
Anyone remember the Revco Mini-Monster playset? It was a fold out haunted house with dracula, frankenstein, the wolfman, the creature from the black lagoon, mummy and phantom of the opera, all star wars figure sized. And it had a cardboard mummy tomb, and frankenstein table and wolfman cage. That toy brought hours of fun, I wish I still had it I'd play with that shit now.
Chestnuts roasted by Funky Boo Berry the 70's Ghost @ 10/13/2005 07:45 PM EST
revco made toys???? I thought they were just a drug store (they were absorbed by CVS).
Chestnuts roasted by phunqsauce @ 10/13/2005 08:06 PM EST
He meant Remco.
Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 10/13/2005 08:08 PM EST
Gabby, just tell 'em both your parents suffer from mental illness and you've had to overcome so much.
It worked for Justin Cobb
And is it just me, or doesn't smoking in a dentist office make you afraid something is gonna blow up? I mean I love it just because for the end of the movie he's Constantine all over again, at least in his habits 
Chestnuts roasted by Knegative @ 10/13/2005 08:36 PM EST
Oh ok, thanks for clarification. Next thing I know Rite Aid is going to release it own video game console...hehehe.
Chestnuts roasted by phunqsauce @ 10/13/2005 08:40 PM EST
I did in fact mean Remco, when I typed that I thought hmmmm, Revco just like the drugstore. They'll sell Tylenol Blood Thinner for Vampire Seniors.
Chestnuts roasted by Funky Boo @ 10/13/2005 09:41 PM EST
Galvatron is completely right, Toys R Us died the moment it got rid of the endless action figure aisles, each stocked to the heavens with GI Joe/He-man goodness. I still vividly rememeber the display for the MOTU Eternia playset the hung over the entrance to He-man/GI Joe aisle.....cost quite a bit for the time (much, much more now on Ebay), but the sheer size was something incredible to me and my friends.....someday I hope to own that monster, just to appease my inner child.
Chestnuts roasted by Loneman1 @ 10/13/2005 11:09 PM EST
I think it was Matt that mentioned they changed their layout, which now doesn't seem as impressive. Or mayby being 6' just makes things seem smaller, I don't know. What i do know is when your 8, 9, 10, the aisles seem a hell of a lot longer and the ceilings alot higher. When you walked down one packed to the brim with Transformers, Gi Joes, He-Man, Legos, or Go Bots, it's just....humbling....
Chestnuts roasted by Galvatron @ 10/14/2005 01:23 AM EST
Congrats on another Toy Fare article Matt BTW!
Chestnuts roasted by Galvatron @ 10/14/2005 01:24 AM EST
I love this Hi-C just because it exists.
How'd the orange and black straws escape the article. I didn't even seem them pictured. I thought they were extra special. Hi-C could've slapped regular straws on and no one would care but they even went the extra Halloween mile there too.
Chestnuts roasted by Carri @ 10/14/2005 11:10 AM EST
Gabby, tell them the story of Nathan Bitner, and explain that he is your brother/cousin/male relative. They'll HAVE to feel bad for ya...
Chestnuts roasted by Allison @ 10/14/2005 02:27 PM EST
i used to get Hawaiian Punch from the same neighbor every year, and it never exploded on me.
meep.
Chestnuts roasted by Kristin @ 10/14/2005 10:56 PM EST
Thanks so much, everyone. I had the video from this site, but I don't have a fancy schmancy ripper. Anyway, thanks-- you made my day! Crazy Christmas during Halloween! Rejoice!
Chestnuts roasted by Sara Jane @ 10/14/2005 11:39 PM EST
How much Hi-C paying you Matt? You claim the boxes are the same size but differing quantities can be seen in pictures in the article in question! How many more people have to die? When will it end? When will we get all the Hi-C that's coming to us? Tomorrow? Sometime after that? You people make me sick. No...wait, that's the Hi-C. Carry on.
Chestnuts roasted by Funk Doctor @ 10/17/2005 06:22 AM EST
These juice boxes, with strong colors and drawings of monsters, make me think if the liquid inside is radiactive or not.....
Chestnuts roasted by yelinna @ 10/17/2005 03:34 PM EST
to:Sara Jane
where to video?
Chestnuts roasted by Asa @ 10/28/2005 11:08 PM EST
I enjoyed the video from here. Thanks for making my day. I really liked it.
Chestnuts roasted by Leslie @ 10/29/2005 08:39 AM EST
