You guys are on your own. I’m all out of clever this morning.
(Images via Toyhelper/eBay)
Archive for the 'Masters of the Universe' Category
HG Toys: Masters of the Universe Inflatable Wind Raider (1985)
Published April 29, 2014 HG Toys , Masters of the Universe 2 CommentsMasters of the Universe Rub n’ Play Transfer Set (Colorforms, 1983)
Published February 26, 2014 Colorforms , Masters of the Universe , Presto Magix/Dry Transfers , Rub n' Play 3 Comments
MOTU not homoerotic enough for you, kids? Well, now you can create your own bare-skinned He-Man action with lots of rubbing and playing, provided you own a “rubbing tool” and are at least four years old! Warning: rubbing action that lasts longer than two hours may cause chafing, cramping, blurred vision and other harmful side effects.
Rub n’ Play was Colorforms’ answer to Presto Magix (though the idea of adhesive figures arranged on a backdrop was developed by Colorforms in 1951). My favorite Presto Magix knock-off is Imperial’s Rub-A-Doos.
(Images via eBay/DIG Auctions)
1984 HG Toys Catalog: Masters of the Universe, Blue Thunder, Eagle Force, and The Last Starfighter
Published February 26, 2014 '80s Movies/TV , Catalogs , Eagle Force , HG Toys , Last Starfighter, The , Masters of the Universe , Toy Guns/Weapons 10 Comments
I think the Masters of the Universe franchise stinks. To me, it’s just a dumbed down mash-up of D&D and Star Wars. Still, there’s no denying its overwhelming impact on the kid world at the time. Do I happen to have an awesome photo of a youngster holding the sword and shield (and wearing the belt) from one of these HG sets? I do.
There was a Blue Thunder toy line produced by Multi-Toys, for some reason, but I believe only the helicopter made it to the shelves. Leave it to HG to jump on the scraps: Blue Thunder Dress Up Helmet Set?
Eagle Force was an action figure line released by Mego in 1982, the same year G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero premiered. (I’ll delve into the two lines at some point, because it’s clear that Hasbro ripped off some of Mego’s designs). Mego shut down operations in 1982, and Eagle Force was done, so it’s curious to see the name still being used in ’84.
The Last Starfighter Target Set is so incompetent that I sort of adore it. Is that supposed to be Grig on the right? Mercy.
(Images via Parry Game Preserve)
PayLess Christmas Coloring Book (1984)
Published December 4, 2013 Christmas , Coloring/Activity Books , G.I. Joe , Masters of the Universe , Robots , Star Wars (Original Trilogy) 3 Comments
From good citizen-geek Captain Slinky, who has the whole book on display here. We know what he wanted most based on what’s colored. No love for G.I. Joe!
The book is described as “a new concept in Christmas gift buying. A coloring book that provides a chance for your son or daughter to spend hours of fun coloring their favorite toys, and a chance for the parent to get a ‘sneak preview’ of their child’s Christmas Gift Wish List…”
As if we were shy about letting the parental units know what we wanted. Still, the coloring book wish list—tripling as a coupon book—is pretty damn smart. Everybody wins.
Halloween, 1983: He-Man
Published October 14, 2013 Halloween , Halloween Costumes , Masters of the Universe 4 Comments
It’s hard to look tough in long johns and a purple tunic-skirt, but the kid kind of pulls it off. Speaking of classic MOTU, have you seen this guy?
(Photo via the he-man.org message boards)
Toys in the Wild: Masters of the Universe (1984 – 1985)
Published May 30, 2013 '70s Decor/Design/Fashion , '80s Decor/Design/Fashion , Masters of the Universe , Toys in the Wild , What Our Rooms Looked Like 3 Comments
Hey, Michael Hyland, the Eastern seaboard called: they’re running out of MOTU.
Actually, let’s make a deal. You keep the toys and your studly A-Team pajamas. I’ll take that righteous carpet, the matching tablecloth, and the boss wood paneling.
You’ll see Stinkor in the last photo (top left), and that red spider thing is—yet another winner from Mattel’s Clever Name Department—Spydor.
Sparkle Toy: Defenders of the Planets (1985)
Published May 20, 2013 Knockoff Toys , Masters of the Universe Leave a Comment
They’re not Masters of the Universe. They’re not Warriors of the Galaxy. They’re not Super Team of the Universe. They’re Defenders of the Planets!
He-Man vs. The Stench of Evil!
Published May 20, 2013 Masters of the Universe , UnderScoopFire! Leave a Comment
I wrote a piece for UnderScoopFire! that’s running today. It must be smelled to be believed.
Toy Aisle Zen (1984): Krull, Masters of the Universe, Star Wars, Stompers
Published April 19, 2013 '80s Movies/TV , Board Games/Tabletop Games , Masters of the Universe , Star Wars (Original Trilogy) , Toy Stores/Toy Aisles/Toy Departments 7 Comments
Some of you will remember a controversial film from 1984 called Silent Night, Deadly Night (the working title was “Slayride”), in which a traumatized teenager goes nuts, puts on a Santa suit, and starts killing folks. Well, right before he loses it, Billy (that’s his name) works at Ira’s Toys, and that’s what you see here.
Toys of note include Jabba the Hut and Luke Skywalker, Hot Wheels Wipe-Out, Stomper: Badlands Trail, Matchbox Super Garage, Castle Grayskull, and, best of all, the psychedelic Krull board game. Get in my closet! Also, in the very last shot, you can see a massive, nondescript AT-AT box behind Grayskull.
Thanks goes to Geektarded for spying the goodness and grabbing the screenshots. Special thanks to Transformer World 2005 for the heads up (and the mention).
Super Team of the Universe (I’m Not Joking) and Marty Toy
Published January 16, 2013 Knockoff Toys , Marty Toy , Masters of the Universe , Space Toys/Playsets 1 Comment
They’re not Masters of the Universe. They’re Super Team of the Universe. There’s a big difference. I don’t see a Marty Toy label, but the figures, weapons, logo, and bullet-pointed printing match the Warriors of the Galaxy set.
It seems Marty Toy made a living, though probably not a very good one, sucking after the popular toys of the day. Bend-A-Bots, anyone?
Dude’s name is BONGG, with two G’s. I do enjoy the cloud of fire in the background, and what looks to be splashing lava, and the encroaching (but not the least bit menacing) UFOs. This is the toy equivalent of a B movie, and B movies are one of my special obsessions.
Oh, and allow me to introduce my good friend, Mr. H2O.
He’s got “pump action hand shooting moveable arms,” and his “turnable” head shoots water “to the left, right and straight forward.” I simply can’t abide robots who shoot water only to the left, or only to the right, or only straight forward. Any water-shooting robot worth his H2O is able to fire in all three directions.
Marty Toy, now that I’ve found you, I’m never going to let you go.
(Images via Action Figure Archive and Toy Nerds)
2 Warps to Neptune 