Masters of the Universe War Whale

The 200X Masters of the Universe toy line had many new vehicles, none of which became iconic within the fandom as the memorable vintage ones such as Attack Track, Battle Ram or Roton but there were still some quite unique and interesting new vehicle designs. The War Whale in particular, being one of the only water based seafaring vehicles in the franchise to get a toy. 

When rolled along the ground the flippers on the side of the vehicle flap up and down, as does the tail while the mouth opens and closes. The vehicle also has an impressive arsenal of weapons with a gun mounted on the handle bars, a missile launcher either side on each fin and another in the mouth. 

Though there were quite a few sea based episodes of the series, only one episode of the cartoon actually featured the War Whale, The Mystery of Anwat Gar. He-man and Man-At-Arms are seen riding one each on their way to the island of Anwat Gar. A rather brief appearance that doesn't get an action scene to show off the multiple missile launchers incorporated into the design. 

The only other appearance the vehicle has made is in the Dark Horse Comics Andra One Shot. Set in continuity with the Revelations/Revolution cartoon, this comic sees Andra travel to Orkas Island where she reunites with her grandfather Dekker to battle Count Marzo. 

Trap Jaw Card Art : Masters of the Universe

 Beautiful card back art from the packaging of Trap Jaw from the vintage Mattel Masters of the Universe line, the recent Origins series and Filmation He-man and the Masters of the Universe by Super7.

The card back art really helped to capture the imaginations of children in the 80s, showing a glimpse of a dark, barbaric world. Not many toy lines, especially today feature such beautiful art work.

Conan The Barbarian Super7

                                                   He-man, Conan and Lion-O.

He-man Masters of the Universe Classics

Zodiac Toy Stores

Zodiac Toy Stores were a chain of toy stores in the UK that were very successful in the 1980s but unfortunately quickly went out of business in 1990. As a child I would be in heaven every weekend when my parents would take me to my local Zodiac, which I only knew as 'the He-Man shop'. 

 The wall of Masters of the Universe toys seemed as if it reached the ceiling as I stood in awe at all the new characters for me to choose from.

 For a more in depth look at Zodiac toy stores and their history go to https://zodiactoys.wordpress.com/

Masters of the Universe Adventure Magazine

                     Masters of the Universe issue 8 from 1988 published by London Editions.

He-man and the Masters of the Universe UK Comics

 

 Published in the UK by London Edition Magazines, the fortnightly comic series lasted for 72 issues with an additional monthly comic (Masters of the Universe Adventure) running for 28 issues and featured The New Adventures of He-Man for the last part of it's run before reprinting classic MOTU strips from the fortnightly comic. The 'Secret Files of Scrollos' strip featured origin stories for many characters including Sy-Klone, Rio Blast and Snout Spout, and the series included the characters Horde Prime and Scrollos. There was also a short-lived She-Ra comic title, that lasted for 14 issues.

In late 2003 to tie in with the then new Master of the Universe cartoon (now known as 200X) a comic was published by Toontastic Publications reprinting the US MVC MOTU comic which lasted 18 issues.

 

Marvel UK also publsihed two Master of the Universe specials for summer 1985 and winter 1988. The first reprinted the US DC mini series. This was a strange occurance as London Editions had the license to publish DC comics in the UK and published the UK original MOTU comic series so it seems odd that Marvel UK would then reprint the DC MOTU series.  The second special published reprinted the Marvel/Star US adaptation of the 1987 Master of the Universe motion picture but using the traditional cartoon designs for the characters rather than the movie outfits. All except Beast Man who for some reason still sported his movie design.

Masters of the Universe 46

Issue 46 of the UK Master of the Universe comic features a He-man, She-ra, Orko, Extendar, Sorceress and Sy-Clone celebrating Christmas with Skeletor and Hordak held captive as a bizarre Christmas present.