The Evil Horde didn’t appear until 1984 but was integrated into the existing storyline. While the She-Ra cartoon featured Hordak and his underlings as the antagonists, Mattel released the figures under the MOTU banner.

Making the figures part of the existing Masters of the Universe line was a wise move, particularly as Hordak was presented as the former mentor of Skeletor. It was a further change to the mythology but it worked quite well.

Hordak’s presence ensured the conflict was no longer a battle between the Heroic Warriors led by He-Man and the Evil Warriors under Skeletor’s command. The Horde figures retained the quirkiness of the earlier toys.

HORDAK

RUTHLESS LEADER OF THE EVIL HORDE

Cross-sell-art from packaging.

Hordak is one of the best characters in the line.

Crossbow accessory.

Shield accessory.

The standard Malaysia version has a red Horde logo on the chestplate.

The rear plate has a bat shape but is uncoloured.

The ribbed parts of the armour are unpainted on the standard version.

The rarer Malaysia version has additional paint decoration on the armour.

The bat shape on the back of the armour is painted red.

The ribs of the armour are painted. The figure is sometimes known as ‘red-ribs’ Hordak for this reason.

Red ribs version.

The Mexico edition features a paler head than the Malaysia versions.

The Horde logo on the Mexico version uses a slightly duller red paint than the Malaysia version.

Crossbow accessory.

Shield accessory.

The strap on the shield is notoriously prone to breakage due to its poor design (all versions).

The Mexico version features a softer head which is easier to turn side to side.

Hordak is a superb character with an action figure to match. The figure introduced the crossbow accessory which was included with several Evil Horde figures. He also has a shield in the shape of a bat creature.

Hordak was described as Skeletor’s former mentor. He suffered the indignity of banishment from Eternia when Skeletor rose in power. This added a vengeance theme to the Masters of the Universe canon.

Collector’s hints: The strap on the shield was badly designed and often broke off. Avoid figures where it is missing. Damaged or marked heads are difficult to clean adequately because the skull was painted.

GRIZZLOR

HAIRY HENCHMAN OF THE EVIL HORDE

Cross-sell-art from packaging.

Grizzlor is one of the original Horde characters.

Rear view.

Crossbow accessory.

The dark version of Grizzlor is much rarer and sought after by collectors.

Dark Grizzlor; rear view.

Dark Grizzlor; crossbow accessory.

Grizzlor was Hordak’s equivalent of Beast Man. The figure was released with two colour schemes. The darker one is far rarer and is seldom seen. Gentle washing and blow-drying will keep the fur in good shape.

LEECH

EVIL MASTER OF POWER SUCTION

Cross-sell-art from packaging.

Leech is the Evil Horde’s swamp creature.

The head has a suction feature which can attach to smooth surfaces.

Air is expelled by pressing the button on the figure’s back.

Crossbow accessory.

The power-suction action feature, which attaches Leech’s mouth to smooth surfaces, works quite well. The crossbow clips quite awkwardly onto his arm. The large feet can overlap slightly, hindering how he stands up.

MANTENNA

EVIL SPY WITH THE POP-OUT EYES

Cross-sell-art from packaging.

Mantenna is notable for his extending-eyes action feature and the fused-legs design.

The eyes extend by moving a lever in Mantenna’s back.

The standard version has a red lever.

Crossbow accessory.

The Mexico version appears to have slightly sharper sculpting on the front of the figure.

Mexico version; eyes extended.

The Mexico version has a black lever.

Mexico version; crossbow accessory.

Mantenna was imagined as a four-legged creature but, for simplicity of construction, the legs were moulded to create a pair of double legs rather than four separate ones. The lever on the back makes the eyes pop out.

MODULOK

EVIL BEAST OF A THOUSAND BODIES

Cross-sell-art from packaging.

Modulok is the second two-headed creature in the line (after Two Bad).

Modulok has a number of detachable body parts which can be arranged in various configurations.

The blaster accessory comprises two parts.

Example configuration.

One part of the blaster accessory.

Example configuration.

Most of the configurations are rather chaotic.

Modulok’s parts can be assembled in many different ways, but the practical options are actually quite limited. He is best left as he appears in his cross-sell art, although adding the pieces to attach the extra arms works quite well.

DRAGSTOR

TRANSFORMING EVIL WARRIOR VEHICLE

Cross-sell-art from packaging.

Dragstor features a wheel in his torso for propulsion.

Crossbow accessory.

Rear view showing engine backpack and ripcord slot.

The action feature uses a ripcord to spin the wheel in the abdomen.

Ripcord and crossbow accessories.

Dragstor has a wheel in his abdomen which can be spun using the ripcord. The sculpt features various engine-related pipes and components. He also has a grey crossbow.

HORDE TROOPER

EVIL COLLAPSING ROBOT

Cross-sell-art from packaging.

The Horde Trooper was intended to be an army-builder figure for Hordak.

Rear view.

Staff accessory.

The figure’s chest breaks open when struck.

Internal parts exposed.

The robot figure was an army-builder for Hordak. It is meant to split apart when the red button on the chest was struck. Unfortunately the construction is poor and the figure is likely to collapse of its own accord.

HURRICANE HORDAK

RUTHLESS LEADER WITH THE WICKED WHIRLING WEAPONS

Cross-sell-art from packaging.

Hurricane Hordak is the first Hordak variant.

Double-bladed accessory.

Triple-headed club accessory.

Four-bladed accessory.

Thumbing the wheel in Hurricane Hordak’s back makes the selected weapon spin.

Hurricane Hordak is an impressive figure with shiny metallic armour and three weapons that slot into the right arm. The accessories are known as the thunderball mace, the pronged battle shield and the bat-wing propeller.

A wheel built into the figure’s back causes the weapons to spin when thumbed. The sleeve on the right arm can also double up as a cannon weapon when the accessories are removed.

MULTI-BOT

EVIL ROBOT OF A THOUSAND BODIES

Cross-sell-art from packaging.

Multi-Bot reuses the Modulok reconfigurable parts concept.

Standard configuration.

The weapon comprises two parts.

Weapon in two parts.

Example configuration.

Multi-Bot reuses the Modulok assembly concept but has a second torso piece which makes it easier to create two figures. That said, the components are simpler in design and far less interesting.

BUZZ-SAW HORDAK

RUTHLESS LEADER WITH MOW-DOWN CHEST WEAPON

Cross-sell-art from packaging.

Alternative cross-sell art (Spanish catalogue).

Buzz-Saw Hordak is the final Hordak variant in the original line.

The weapon clicks in place inside the chest cavity.

The weapon launches from the chest when a lever is pressed down on Hordak’s back.

The lever also has slots for the cape.

Crossbow accessory.

At first glance Buzz-Saw Hordak looks a lot like the original Hordak. However, the body is broader (to make room for the action feature) and the trunks (which are moulded as part of the torso) have a unique diamond pattern.

The accessory clips into the chest cavity and is fired out when the lever on the figure’s back is pressed down. The lever has mounting holes for the red cloak. The action feature works surprisingly well.

MOSQUITOR

EVIL ENERGY-DRAINING INSECTOID

Cross-sell-art from packaging.

Mosquitor is a very popular character due to his special action feature.

The red liquid ‘blood’ can be pumped around the chest. It then drains slowly downwards.

The liquid is pumped using the button on Mosquitor’s back.

The liquid bubbles and circulates inside Mosquitor’s chest.

Stinging rifle accessory.

Mosquitor is a popular Masters of the Universe action figure. The red liquid swirls around his chest cavity when the button on his back is pressed. The feature represents the character’s ability to drain his foes’ energy.

Mosquitor’s weapon is called a roto-laser blaster. Its barbed design mimics an insect’s stinger. The design of this figure is so good that the blood-pumping action feature still works properly many years after production.