Red Shadows

"An Evil genius threatens the world. His name is Baron Ironblood and his twisted criminal brain dreams of only one thing.......world domination. Using powerful and sophisticated weaponry, Ironblood's ruthless followers would gladly die for their master. Baron Ironblood has vowed to destroy Action Force"

Red Shadows were the enemy created to face the new Action Force of Release 2. The first wave included four carded figures, Baron Ironblood the leader of the Red Shadows, and his deputy the Black Major. The other two carded figures were the Red Shadow and Muton.

The first release included two vehicles, both of which came with exclusive figures, the Shadowtrak with Red Vulture, and the Laser Exterminator with Red Laser.

The second release added two more figures, the Kraken as a carded figure, and the Skeletron as the final mail in offer of the release. The Kraken itself was initially available as a mail order offer, although this was distinct from the medal collecting offers that initially included the Commander figures then the Skeletron.

As well as a Battle Gear pack, the second release added three more vehicles, all of which came with Pilots. The first two were repaints of GI Joe vehicles, the Hyena which came with Red Jackal, and the Escape Armour which came with a standard Red Shadow. The final, and now most sought after, Red Shadow vehicle was the Roboskull, a European exclusive which came with the Red Wolf figure.

In the comics

Action Force - The Original Mini-series in Battle Comic, introducing the Forces and Ironblood
Mini Comics -  The Shadows try to wipe out Action Force
Operation Bloodhound - SAS Force on the trail of the Baron in South America
Attack - The Baron Strikes Back
Operation Bloodhound - Part 2 -SAS Force back on the trail of the Baron in South America
Sea Fury - A new mission for Q Force - The mystery of the Vanished Warships
Operation Bloodhound - Part 3 -SAS Force on the trail of the Baron in Galapagos Islands
Tank Hunt - Shadows ambush a training exercise
The Black Major - Background story for John Shepherd, the Black Major
Operation Spearhead - A holiday special all team crossover story, Ironblood invades Tawaichu
Death Castle - Z Force back up SAS Force against Ironblood
Codename Tracker - Tracker alone in the jungle against a Sniper
Operation Sealion - Ironblood tries to destroy the Sealion
Codename Beaver - The Background Story of Beaver
Red Jackal - The background story of this former Z Force member
Operation Ironblood - Z  Force and SAS Force in action in Africa
Ambush! - A standalone Red Shadow Story
Crossfire! - Q Force struggle to rescue a downed Cosmic Cruiser
Operation Claymore - Only SAS Force stand in the way of the Shadows invading Scotland,
Codename Kraken - The horrifying origins of the Kraken
Menace of the Baron - Z  Force and SAS Force in action in the Far East
Assault on Atoll Z - Z Force defend a South pacific island against the Red Shadows
Codename Moondancer - Red Wolf strikes against his sworn enemy
Hawk's Challenge - Blades alone against the Shadows in Australia
World Enemy Number 1 - The End of Ironblood????
Revenge of the Red Shadows - The Black Major strikes back against Cobra and AF
Death in South America - SAS Force must confront Red Shadows, Cobra and Nazis
Showdown for the Shadows - The Black Major takes on AF
School for Snakes - The Black Major strikes to destroy Cobra's future
Storm Shadow - The Black Major is stalked by Storm Shadow