Action Masters

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Action Masters are a sub-line of the Transformers toy franchise, first released in 1990, with a wave of new releases released in Europe in 1991. [1] It featured Transformers action figures who were unable to transform, but came with transforming partners, weapons or exo-suits. [2] Some of the larger sets came with transforming vehicles or bases. [2] This was the last sub-line release as part of the original Transformers toyline before the launch of Generation 2. [3]

<i>Transformers: Generation 2</i> US television program

The Transformers: Generation 2 was a Transformers toy line which ran from 1992–1995, in conjunction with a corresponding comic book series and edited reruns of the G1 cartoon beginning in 1993. The prior Transformer television series, comic books and toys became known as 'Generation 1' or G1 retroactively, and are now officially referred to as such by toymaker Hasbro, even though the term was never used during the days of G1. Generation 2 was discontinued as the first Beast Wars: Transformers toys began hitting the shelves.

Contents

Toy design

Action Masters were non-transformable 3​3⁄4 inch action figures designed to represent classic and new Transformers characters. [3] Those based on existing characters were designed to best match their appearance in the popular cartoon series, with the newer characters following the same basis design. [3] Despite the lack of an ability to transform, they had more articulation than many of the Transformers toylines that preceded it, with moveable heads, arms, knees and legs. [3] To complement the figures, each came with a transformable weapon, or in the case of the larger sets, a transformable vehicle. [3]

The packaging for the carded Action Masters figures departed from the standard style, with the figure placed near the top of the card, rather than the bottom. The rear of the packaging didn't outline what other figures where available in the toyline. [3] The back of the packaging featured a fight scene, along with the figures technical-specification (tech-specs) and a "Power Plan", pointing out special fictional abilities or features in the figure.

European exclusives

After the initial run of Action Masters, the line ended in the US, however continued for another year in the European market. [3] Six new individual figures were released, each with the figure located on the bottom of the packaging card unlike the previous run. [3] Along with this, the run included recolours of some of the existing Actions Masters vehicle sets with new names to represent other characters. [3] Unlike the US run of Action Masters, some of these figures came with transformable exo-suits or motorised vehicles. [3] [4]

The most distinctive difference between the US and European Action Masters line was the release of a special assortment of four Action Masters that could actually transform. These were called "Action Masters Elites". [3]

Fiction

The background fiction for the toys as to why they became Action Masters stated that in an attempt to replace their dwindling supply of energon, Optimus Prime had come across a super energy known as Nucleon. It had the unseen side-effect of causing any Transformer who took it to lose their ability to transform. Megatron also found out about the Nucleon and stole some for his side. To compensate, both the Autobots and Decepticons developed weapons and vehicles that were able to transform. [5]

In the original Transformers Marvel comic, the Autobots had come across Nucleon on an alien world. Due to the unpredictable side-effects of Nucleon, Optimus Prime prohibited the use of it. Grimlock later flouted this ban by testing it on himself and using it to revive his comrades. While it had the desired effect and made them more powerful, it caused them to lose their ability to transform. In the Generation 2 Transformers comic, those Autobots who had taken Nucleon could once again transform. This contradiction was explained in the 1991 Transformers annual text story "Another Time and Place", which concluded with the discovery of a new batch of Nucleon which restored the transforming ability of those who took it.

List of toys

Autobots

Action Masters Jazz and Optimus Prime meet the Hot Rod Patrol Hotrodpatrol.jpg
Action Masters Jazz and Optimus Prime meet the Hot Rod Patrol

Action Masters (1990)

European exclusive Action Masters (1991)

European exclusive Action Masters Elites (1991)

Decepticons

Action Masters (1990)

European exclusive Action Masters (1991)

European exclusive Action Masters Elites (1991)

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References

  1. ↑ Bellemo, Mark (2007). Transformers: Identification and Price Guide. Krause Publications. p. 244. ISBN   0-89689-445-2.
  2. 1 2 Transformer Action Figure.net Archived January 7, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Master Collector Archived September 27, 2011, at the Wayback Machine - Action Masters
  4. ↑
    • Furman, Simon (2004). Transformers: The Ultimate Guide. DK Publishing Inc. p. 60. ISBN   1-4053-0461-8.
  5. ↑ Schroeder's Collectible Toys: Antique to Modern Guide by Sharon Huxford & Bob Huxford
  6. ↑ TFU - Blaster
  7. ↑ TFU Archived June 28, 2011, at the Wayback Machine - Bumblebee
  8. ↑ TFU Archived June 28, 2011, at the Wayback Machine - Grimlock
  9. ↑ TFU - Inferno
  10. ↑ TFU - Jackpot
  11. ↑ TFU - Jazz
  12. ↑ TFU - Kick-Off
  13. ↑ TFU - Mainframe
  14. ↑ TFU- Optimus Prime
  15. ↑ TFU- Overrun
  16. ↑ TFU- Wheeljack
  17. ↑ TFU - Circuit
  18. ↑ TFU - Power Flash
  19. ↑ TFU - Rumbler
  20. ↑ TFU - Sideswipe
  21. ↑ TFU - Tracks
  22. ↑ TFU - Omega Spreem
  23. ↑ TFU - Windmill
  24. ↑ TFU - Axer
  25. ↑ TFU - Banzai-Tron
  26. ↑ TFU - Devastator
  27. ↑ TFU - Gutcruncher
  28. ↑ TFU - Krok
  29. ↑ TFU - Megatron
  30. ↑ TFU - Shockwave
  31. ↑ TFU - Soundwave
  32. ↑ TFU - Starscream
  33. ↑ TFU - Treadshot
  34. ↑ TFU - Bombshell
  35. ↑ TFU - Charger
  36. ↑ TFU - Slicer
  37. ↑ TFU - Take-Off
  38. ↑ TFU - Thundercracker
  39. ↑ TFU Archived April 27, 2011, at the Wayback Machine - Double-Punch
  40. ↑ TFU [ permanent dead link ] - Turbo Master
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