MOTU Battle Ram (1982)

I'd looked for a clean 1982 Battle Ram with all its missiles for some time now, never fully committing to purchase until quite recently, picking this super-clean sample for thirty bucks shipped. An excellent value I hadn't quite come close to until now. It came with all three missiles, which fire with great velocity from the launcher, as though it came out of the box yesterday. Sure, there aren't any stickers, but that doesn't bother me personally- you can find reproduction sheets on eBay, but I think I'll leave this one be.

The MOTU Origins Sky Sled is a little beefier than the one that pegs into the vintage Battle Ram. I loved the updated version but realized we probably would not get the back end with the rocket launcher when Mattel released it on a flight stand. Since then, I'd casually looked for a vintage Battle Ram.

Circle back and see my post on the Mattel 80th Anniversary Power Punch He-Man and Skeletor 2pk! It was great timing picking up this vintage Battle Ram just a month after finding this vintage figure set on sale at Target! So much fun!

Of course, this 1982 Battle Ram fits right in with newer MOTU Origins vehicles, like the Wind Raider! Below, Man-At-Arms, Roboto, and Stratos work in the garage while He-Man and King Randor look on...

I'm happy to have one of my favorite childhood action figure vehicles again, especially such a clean sample, but if Mattel wants to release a new Battle Ram in the Origins line, I'm into it. My advice would be to not stray far from the original design- it's perfect! Read more about the Battle Ram at the Battle Ram Blog online- a favorite resource of mine!

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Mattel 80th Anniversary Power Punch He-Man & Skeletor (Target, 2025)

 

Originally solicited at a $49.95 retail price, my desire for this retro Power Punch He-Man/Skeletor 2-pk shot up significantly when discovering it on sale for ten bucks less around Thanksgiving, an additional two dollars off at the register for using my Target debit card. If the beautiful collector-friendly packaging, action feature, and retro squishy rubber heads weren't enough, the 28% discount sealed the deal. I've really enjoyed the artwork for the MOTU Origins line, and the art for this release perhaps leans even heavier into the original '80s line. particularly the work of Errol McCarthy.

Included with these figures were really nice reprints of The Vengeance of Skeletor and Battle in the Clouds mini comics from 1982, with genuine linen thread saddle stitching. The artwork by Alfredo Alcala was permanently burned into my mind the Christmas of that year, experiencing the debut of Masters of the Universe for the first time. Realize that this was well before the Filmation animated TV show, when the imagination of children filled in the spots between these mini comics and the toys. Also not to be forgotten was the popular animated fantasy/sci-fi mashup of Thundarr the Barbarian in 1980 that had us primed for something like Masters of the Universe, mixing sword and sorcery fantasy with futuristic science fiction. 

These aren't a 1:1 replica of the original figures, but man are they cool- the capture the spirit of 1982 close enough for this kid. They fit well with my Mattel Origins Castle Grayskull, and mount my Origins Battle Cat and Panthor figures naturally...

I lost track of my 1982 He-Man long ago, but the 80th Anniversary is quite a bit beefier than my 2020 Origins He-Man, the latter first issued with a newer sculpt that rankled fans and prompted Mattel to issue later figures with this more retro styled portrait. While I didn't hate the reimagined portrait, I display my Origins He-Man with this retro head. From memory, the 80th Anniversary has a portrait closer to the 1982 He-Man than the Origins head, but there were subtle changes to the armor and accessories. Hardcore MOTU fans may take issue with certain aspects of this special edition reissue, but I'm pleased with him- it scratches that itch for the original figure. 

Below, this new retro Power-Punch Skeletor haunts Snake Mountain with my Origins Skeletor- a figure that really got me back into MOTU five years ago. I have a different head released with a later Origins Skeletor that was supposed to have more closely resembled the original sculpt, but the closed mouth appears to be the only common trait. I actually prefer the initial release sculpt with the open mouth.

This was a nice set well worth the retail price but getting it on sale really made it a fantastic value. I wouldn't mind seeing a few more sets of these- maybe Stratos and Zodac, Beastman and Mer-Man, Teela and Man-At-Arms? Who would you pick for your favorite two-pack? Be sure to visit the Battle Ram Blog to read their post on this set!

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McFarlaneToys/DC Direct Batman the Animated Lightning Strike Batman

I struggle classifying this as a DC Direct figure AND a McFarlane Toys figure, as I'm a big fan of the old DC Direct figures before McFarlane Toys took over in 2021. Regardless, I couldn't resist purchasing this Lightning Strike Batman loose on eBay after finding the 4.75" Kenner version from 1993. I am thrilled with the art on the collector card and intend to find a small frame for it. Variant Batman figures are my jam and this one really does it for me. The clunky grapple launcher isn't easily held and weird extra pair of hands (?) don't interest me, and I may have skipped the cel shading, but I'm otherwise quite fond of this Batman figure.

Below, 6.25" McFarlane Lighting Strike Batman with my 

4.75" Kenner Lighting Strike Batman from '93. So great...

And finally, Lightning Strike Batman with my McFarlane Platinum Edition New Adventures Batman, another Batman variant I love. I'm happy with these animated Batman figures by McFarlane and could see myself picking another up if the right one comes along.

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Batman The Animated/New Adventures Figure Dump

The catalyst for the whole thing I can't recall, but I started buying loose Batman The Animated/New Adventures figures. Kenner produced a lot of these figures in the '90s, and I had a lot of fun buying up the numerous variants of our favorite Caped Crusader. Most of them don't have their accessories. I never had any of these during childhood, moving into adulthood and college during that era, but I did buy a lot of variant Batman figures from the Batman the Brave and the Bold line produced by Mattel years later. Here's a few too many photos I took of them in the last month or so...

1998 Kenner Batman, Dark Gray and Blue with Yellow Bat Insignia:

Kenner 1998 is stamped on the back of the legs, but I think this was released by Hasbro in 2002, included in in a 2pk with Harley Quinn ("Only in Jest"). Another more standard deco of this buck with the swoosh cape was released with a Robin figure in '98. There's also a purple/black "Gotham Crusader" version of this buck Hasbro released in 2000.

1993 Kenner Lighting Strike Batman:

Possibly my favorite of all these- the fold-out cape/glider is fantastic!

Lighting Strike Batman with Sea Claw and Land Strike Batman:

Crime Squad Sea Claw and Land Strike Batman:

Kenner 1993 Purple Batman: 

I couldn't pin down the name this figure goes by or if he was included in a vehicle/playset that year, but he a lot like the red Infrared Batman. This standard buck was used for many figures and I like it.

1994 Kenner Radar Scope Batman:

I think this is the Radar Scope Batman with someone else's cape- this buck was used again in '96 for the Vector Wing Batman, and possibly others I haven't identified.

Hasbro 2000 Mission Masters Inferno Extinction and 1999 Mission Masters Speedboat Batman:

Turbo Surge Batman and Air Strike Robin:

Is it just me, or do these two look like they are suiting up for a trip to Mars ...?

Below my 1992 Series 1 Turbo Glider Robin with Air Strike Robin...

Crime Squad Series Disaster Control Batman:

Crime Squad Series Disaster Control Batman with Mission Masters Inferno Extinction:

I love the thicker buck on these zany Batman figures ...

Hasbro 2001 Mission Masters Lunar Attack Batman:

1998 Kenner Batman New Adventures Knight Glider:

Kenner New Adventures Batman  Figures:

I'm pretty sure these are Kenner New Adventure Batmen- the lighter grey has discoloration and particularly rubbery legs. Neither of them stand well, due mostly to the heavy plastic cape. These are probably from around 1998.

Kenner Batman with my McFarlane Toys New Adventures Batman:

Hasbro 1998 Mission Masters Team Batcycle Batman and Nightwing:

These came with a bike originally, and there's a red version of this duo I'd like to have as well.

Mattel 2002 Tech Suit Batman

There was also an orange/silver/black version of this. The cape fold at the shoulders is a little bulky, but this is a cool Batman with Thomas Wayne/Flashpoint vibes in black/gray/red...

1995 Kenner Sea Claw Batman:

Yes, another Sea Claw Batman. I really like the all-black with metallic teal deco...

And finally, my Hasbro 2000 Mission Masters Mountain Pursuit Batman with my standard issue, 1998 Batman, released in the 2000 Mission Masters Series by Hasbro with a glider as the Knight Assault Batman, identified by the gold utility belt and cloth cape. He looks great, but the small feet on this buck make standing him a challenge.

Be sure to visit the online Batman The Animated Figure Checklist 

and Figure Realm's Batman Universe!

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