The Heroic Warrior action figures included some intriguing characters. He-Man was presented as a noble fighter rather than a leader. He was supported by allies with various skills in his battle against Skeletor.

The range expanded alongside an evolving storyline which presented the world of Eternia as a rustic kingdom. It wasn’t until the end of the line, however, when the King Randor character was added in toy form.

The toy designs were simple but quite robust (as long as the rubber leg connectors were not stretched). Various factories were used, resulting in design disparities. Some variants are shown in the galleries on this page.

HE-MAN

THE MOST POWERFUL MAN IN THE UNIVERSE

Cross-sell art from packaging.

Cross-sell art from Series One minicomics.

Standard Taiwan version.

Male half of the power sword.

Standard versions of axe and shield.

Rear view showing typical harness fittings.

Standard Taiwan version; typical harness discoloration.

Standard Taiwan version.

Hard-head Malaysia version with typical dark impurities in the plastic.

Malaysia version with hand guard on axe shaft.

Notable impurities causing dark spots and stripes in the plastic.

Malaysia version.

Further example of hand guard on axe shaft.

Malaysia version with less visible pale impurities in the plastic.

Malaysia He-Man weapons were made with a stiffer plastic.

Mexico version with non-matching head colour and red boots.

Mexico version.

He-Man is the original hero character in the Masters of the Universe line. The word ‘he-man’ means a strongly built muscular man, so it was a clever move to adopt it for the toy.

He-Man came with a sword, shield and axe. The design of the weapons did vary slightly between factories. He-Man, like many of the toys in the line, included a sprung waist (known as the ‘power punch’ feature).

The most familiar version of He-Man was manufactured in Taiwan. He had a very detailed head sculpt which remains one of the best interpretations of this character. Malaysia and Mexico examples are also shown.

MAN-AT-ARMS

HEROIC MASTER OF WEAPONS

Cross-sell-art from packaging.

Alternative cross-sell art from Series One minicomics.

Early Taiwan version with red dots on helmet and light brown boots.

Later Taiwan version without red dots on helmet but retaining light brown boots.

Standard Taiwan version with dark brown boots.

Light green French version with extended cuff on arm guard (based on prototype design).

French version with larger and softer light brown boots. Cuff extension retained.

Man-At-Arms was released in the original wave with He-Man. The distinctive armour is instantly recognisable. Some of the factory variants have interesting characteristics. Those from France are of particular note.

TEELA

HEROIC WARRIOR GODDESS

Cross-sell art from packaging.

Standard version with snake armour (goddess character).

Standard version without armour (daughter character).

Standard version with staff and shield.

Hong Kong version with red-brown hair and boots.

The Hong Kong shield has a thicker rim than the standard version.

Teela was the first female figure in the line. She is actually two characters in one: the goddess version wears the snake armour; her daughter does not. Both are called Teela. Their story was explained in The Tale of Teela!

Collector’s hint: A rubber leg connector for female figures is available which is shorter than the male version. The originals tended to stretch or perish over time. Even when fixed, the female figures don’t stand up very well.

STRATOS

HEROIC WINGED WARRIOR

Cross-sell-art from packaging.

Taiwan version with blue wings and red jet pack.

Taiwan version with red wings and blue jet pack.

Malaysia version with bright wings and bright red jet pack.

The two main versions of Stratos are defined by the colours of the wings and jetpack. Both colour schemes were produced in Taiwan. Figures made elsewhere had brighter or slightly more translucent accessories.

MAN-E-FACES

HEROIC HUMAN… ROBOT… MONSTER

Cross-sell-art from packaging.

Standard version; human form.

Standard version; robot form.

Standard version; monster form.

Standard version with orange blaster.

‘Man-E-Weapons’ version which included five additional weapons.

Version with pink pipes on chest armour and light purple colour accents.

Man-E-Faces was an actor who was compelled to drink a magic potion by Skeletor. This resulted in a transformation into a monster when Skeletor activated the magic. The Ordeal of Man-E-Faces! tells the tale.

One version of the figure was packaged with extra weapons. The figure itself is no different but has become known as Man-E-Weapons in the Masters of the Universe fandom. The figure is top heavy and difficult to pose.

MEKANECK

HEROIC HUMAN PERISCOPE

Cross-sell-art from packaging.

Standard version.

The neck extends when the waist is turned.

The neck extension replaces the power-punch feature.

Large club accessory.

The figure was made in several factories but with no obvious differences.

Mekaneck’s head extends on a mechanical neck when his waist is turned. The figure’s look was largely consistent across different factories.

RAM-MAN

HEROIC HUMAN BATTERING RAM

Cross-sell-art from packaging.

The toy’s colour scheme is notably different from the cross-sell art.

The figure figure lacks detailed sculpting but has a distinctive spring mechanism.

The legs slot into the torso section.

The lever on the right boot releases the catch and makes Ram-Man spring up.

The axe fits into a hole in Ram-Man’s right hand.

He-Man Meets Ram-Man! was the minicomic which introduced Ram-Man. It presented him as a strong and slow-witted character who was deceived by Skeletor and used in an attempt to break into Castle Grayskull.

The toy was created in different colours from the cross-sell art and minicomic illustrations. The toy had a unique action feature but used a rather uninspired sculpt.

BATTLE ARMOR HE-MAN

THE MOST POWERFUL MAN IN THE UNIVERSE

Cross-sell-art from packaging.

Standard version; undamaged armour.

The chest section rotates and locks in place to show battle damage.

The mechanism releases when pressed inward.

Sword accessory.

Axe accessory.

This version of He-Man did not include a shield.

French version; notably different colour scheme.

The damaged sections are painted.

Second damaged section with distinctive colouring.

Sword accessory.

Axe accessory.

The second version of He-Man was very nicely designed and featured a rotating chest section which showed different levels of damage. The French variant is particularly interesting.

BUZZ-OFF

HEROIC SPY IN THE SKY

Cross-sell-art from packaging.

Standard version.

The wings can be positioned to indicate flight or rest.

The wings are attached to the same point on the back of the figure.

The helmet accessory sits only on the top of the head and tends to come loose.

Axe accessory designed with loop to fit onto claw hand.

Buzz-Off was one of the first figures to use newly designed demon legs and feet. These go some way to lessen the instability problems which affected several figures in the line. He is one of the best characters.

FISTO

HEROIC HAND-TO-HAND FIGHTER

Cross-sell-art from packaging.

Fisto has a spring mechanism in his right shoulder as well as the power-punch feature.

The gauntlet smashes downwards after the hand is lifted up and released.

Sword accessory.

The sword uses the Tri-Klops design.

The gauntlet has simple rivet decorations.

Fisto’s right arm has a spring mechanism which works similarly to the power-punch feature. He became a very popular Masters of the Universe character.

ORKO

HEROIC COURT MAGICIAN

Cross-sell-art from packaging.

Orko can be made to spin on flat surfaces.

The mechanism is activated by slotting the ripcord through his body and tugging it away.

Figure displayed on a custom stand with ripcord in place.

Orko was added to the line after his appearance in the He-Man and the Masters of the Universe cartoon. An early version of the character named Gorpo was also included in the first UK Masters of the Universe annual.

The toy is quite large compared to the illustrated versions. This is to make room for the ripcord feature which allows the figure to spin around and glide over a smooth surface. A magic trick was included with the toy.

PRINCE ADAM

HEROIC SECRET IDENTITY OF HE-MAN

Cross-sell-art from packaging.

The figure is a He-Man repaint with a cloth tunic and elastic belt.

The elastic invariably needs to be replaced to restore the original look.

Use 6mm-wide black elastic and reattach the button using gold or yellow thread.

The sword is a purple version of He-Man’s (male half of the power sword).

Prince Adam represents the change of direction in the storyline from the barbarian origins of He-Man to the secret-identity concept. The action figure is a repaint of the He-Man figure.

Collector’s hints: Always look for a figure which still has the button on the belt. Stretched belts can be replaced with 6mm black elastic. Examine photos to make sure the tunic does not have a cut down the back.

THUNDER PUNCH HE-MAN

HEROIC LEADER WITH A LOUD POWER PUNCH

Cross-sell-art from packaging.

This version of He-Man has a redesigned torso to accommodate the action feature and a hard head.

The right arm features a closed fist which cannot hold a weapon.

The back section opens to hold explosive caps which pop when the waist is turned.

A cap ring can be fitted into the shield for storage and decoration.

The shield has a slot for the sword because there is no other way for He-Man to hold them both.

Sword accessory.

This version of He-Man was redesigned in order to accommodate the cap-popping action feature. The sculpt was poor and the figure is not very good at standing well or holding the accessories.

MOSS MAN

HEROIC MASTER OF CAMOUFLAGE

Cross-sell-art from packaging.

Moss Man is a repainted and flocked version of Beast Man.

Mace accessory.

Moss Man is a flocked and recoloured version of Beast Man. The introduction of this figure added a Green Man character to the Masters of the Universe mythology.

ROBOTO

HEROIC MECHANICAL WARRIOR

Cross-sell-art from packaging.

The torso reveals working cogs.

The visor moves when the waist is turned.

Rear view reveals additional parts of the mechanism.

Three arm attachments (blaster, axe and clamp) can be mounted on the right arm.

The transparent torso holds cogs which are connected to Roboto’s waist and head. The visor moves up and down when the waist is turned.

ROKKON

YOUNG HEROIC COMET WARRIOR

Cross-sell-art from packaging.

The figure uses a unique sculpt.

The weapon can be held in the figure’s right hand.

The weapon can also be mounted in a chest slot.

The figure can fold into a boulder shape.

Rokkon folds into a rock for protection and concealment. The sculpt is rather poor and the rock shells are not removable. The gun can be attached to the hole in the chest or held (awkwardly) in the right hand.

STONEDAR

HEROIC ROCK PEOPLE LEADER

Cross-sell-art from packaging.

The figure uses a unique sculpt.

The weapon can be held in the figure’s right hand.

The weapon can also be mounted in a chest slot.

The figure can fold into a boulder shape.

Stonedar follows the same concept as Rokkon and can fold down from the standing position into a rock. Stonedar has a better sculpt and colour scheme than his companion. He is the leader of the Rock People.

SY-KLONE

HEROIC FIST-FLINGING TORNADO

Cross-sell-art from packaging.

The figure uses unique parts including a radar illustration on his chest.

The torso can be made to whirl around with the thumb wheel mounted in the waistband.

Shield accessory.

Sy-Klone has a distinctive lenticular-lens radar plate in his chest. His top half spins around when the wheel built into his waist is turned. Sy-Klone is an interesting and nicely designed action figure.

EXTENDAR

HEROIC MASTER OF EXTENSION

Cross-sell-art from packaging.

The figure is larger than most in order to accommodate the action feature.

Extension pieces are included in the neck, arms and legs.

The shield clips over the wrist.

Panels on the shield fold out to increase its size.

Extendar is bigger than most of the Masters of the Universe figures and has a unique sculpt. The extending parts are slightly awkward to move but the figure can stand in both closed and extended configurations.

Collector’s hints: When replacing the leg connector for Extendar, use one of the shorter, female bands rather than a regular male one. The fit is tighter. Avoid figures where the gold paint has tarnished.

FLYING FISTS HE-MAN

HEROIC LEADER WITH ARM-SWING ACTION

Cross-sell-art from packaging.

This version of He-Man features redesigned parts and a new action feature.

The arms swing in opposition as the waist turns.

The feature means the figure usually appears to be turned to one side.

Larger boots are used in an attempt to assist with balance.

A storage clip locks into the back.

Side view showing thumb wheel to make the torso turn back and forth.

The blades on the shield spin.

The weapon fits on the right hand.

The clip on the back of the figure can hold the weapon when it is not in use.

Flying Fists He-Man was another incarnation of the protagonist. The arms swing when the waist is turned. The sculpt lacks the style of the original.

GWILDOR

HEROIC CREATOR OF THE COSMIC KEY

Cross-sell-art from packaging.

The toy has a unique design and is notably different from all other figures in the line.

The sculpt has a reasonable level of detail.

Cosmic Key accessory.

Gwildor was added to the line after appearing in the Masters of the Universe movie. The dwarf-like character is completely unlike any other figure. The sculpt is quite well done but the figure is a poor fit for the line.

RIO BLAST

HEROIC TRANSFORMING GUN-SLINGER

Cross-sell-art from packaging.

Rio Blast’s action feature is a number of guns in and on his body.

Chest and leg panels open to reveal guns of unimaginative design.

Additional weapons spin out from his wrists. The main accessory slots into the figure’s back.

The back-mounted guns have a sighting visor which slots over the figure’s face.

Side view of the back-mounted blasters in place.

Rio Blast is a cyborg gunslinger who has a collection of guns incorporated into his body. Perhaps the 1973 film Westworld provided some of the inspiration for this character.

SNOUT SPOUT

HEROIC WATER-BLASTING FIREFIGHTER

Cross-sell-art from packaging.

Snout Spout can squirt water through his trunk.

The action feature does not prevent the head being turned side to side.

The backpack incorporates the water tank and the firing button.

Axe accessory.

The axe can support the trunk when turned upside down.

Snout Spout can fire a blast of water through his trunk when the button on his backpack is pressed. He’s a quirky creature who has become a surprisingly popular Masters of the Universe character.

CLAMP CHAMP

HEROIC MASTER OF CAPTURE

Cross-sell-art from packaging.

Alternative cross-sell art (Spanish catalogue).

The figure was one of the later releases but reused parts from the start of the line.

The head sculpt has a good amount of detail compared to some other figures.

Pressing the button on the top of the weapon extends pincers to capture foes.

The pincers retract when the button is released.

Clamp Champ has a good face sculpt and reuses the standard He-Man body. The figure’s action feature is the clamp device. Media credited Clamp Champ with lightning-fast reactions and extraordinarily sharp hearing.

KING RANDOR

HEROIC RULER OF ETERNIA

Cross-sell-art from packaging.

King Randor was a late addition to the line despite featuring in MOTU media for several years.

The crown fits into a sculpted slot around King Randor’s head.

The gold spear is the same design that was included with Whiplash.

King Randor and Scare Glow are the only figures in the line to feature cloth capes.

King Randor had been established for some time in various media before his toy was released towards the end of the line. The cloak adds aesthetic value to the figure. The paint on the bracers tends to tarnish.

ROTAR

HEROIC MASTER OF HYPER-SPIN

Cross-sell-art from packaging.

Rotar is based on the spinning-top concept.

The back view of the figure is similar to the front, presumably to assist with balance.

The cogged weapon theoretically acted as a base for the figure, but they were not designed to fit together.

A stand is also included. It is there to facilitate the spinning mechanism and does not work purely for display purposes.

Axe accessory.

Rotar was based on the spinning-top concept. The weapon with the three cogs was called a roto-pod in the instruction booklet. Getting the figure to spin on the weapon or pedestal is not easy.

SORCERESS

HEROIC GUARDIAN OF CASTLE GRAYSKULL

Cross-sell-art from packaging.

The figure was based on the cartoon character but appeared late in the line.

The arms move up and down to match the spread of the wings. The wings can lock in both open and closed positions.

Staff accessory.

Another character who had been established early on (thanks to the cartoon), the Sorceress did not get an action figure until the end of the line. The wings lock into place with a click mechanism.

Collector’s hint: The leg band can be replaced but great care is needed because the gap inside the torso piece is considerably narrower than in the regular figures. Gentle coaxing with medical pliers works best.

LASER POWER HE-MAN

HEROIC MASTER OF LIGHT ENERGY

Cross-sell-art from packaging.

Alternative cross-sell art (Spanish catalogue).

Spanish version. Image credit: The Toys of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe.

Italian version. Image credit: The Toys of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe.

This figure was not released outside Europe. It included a battery pack which powered a light-emitting diode in the sword. Due to its limited release, Laser Power He-Man is one of the scarcest figures.

TYTUS

HEROIC GIANT WARLORD

Box art.

Image credit: The Toys of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe.

This giant figure was released in Europe under the Masters of the Universe logo but was meant to be a link to the ill-fated Powers of Grayskull spin-off (the planned replacement line). Tytus is approximately fifteen inches tall.