Third Australian Machine Men Promotional Comic and Catalogue
During the Australian Machine Men run a series of four comics was released via select toy retailers to promote the toy line.
The third issue, 'The Combat' is thought to have been released in time for Christmas 1985 and served as both comic and catalogue with half of the pages dedicated to the current to selection available.
Following the second issue continuity only in the sense that there's a battle in progress, this issue introduces Tux the Winch Helicopter, Winch Truck and the Battle Base; illustrated in Machine Robo release white, yet later released in regionally exclusive black.
Issue 3 sees the first instance where Richard Rea is credited as the artist. It's unknown whether he had involvement with the previous two issues.
The back cover shows competition details where participants had a chance to win one of fifty Machine Men Hanimex cameras. The same cameras were also offered for a breakfast cereal competition with the only variation being background of the top sticker being solid orange vs. the perspective lines pattern seen on the cereal version. The same pattern was present on the front sticker of both versions.
CREDIT: Jordan Morris - huge thanks for providing and confirming background details on these comics.
