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One of today's most popular figures from the entire series of "Masters of the Universe®" action figures
was released throughout Europe on (at least)* three different backing card types.
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Every single figure from the first wave of MOTU figures (except for Teela™) was released in France
on a double logo French 8-back card. These particular cards were slightly different from the regular
European and/or French cards. The name of the character was printed on a red background.
Collectors often refer to these cards as: "French red label 8-back cards". Some of these toys are quite
common (Le Monstre™/ Beast Man™, Océanor™/ Mer-Man™ and Zodac™). Most of them, however, are extremely hard to find today. Two different versions of the French 8-back Fakor™ (which was produced in 1982) are known today:
| This particular figure can be distinguished from other Faker™ figures by its slightly different colours. A different kind of dark red paint was used to dye the figure’s hair. A dark orange-coloured plastic was used to create the accessories (armour + sword). |
| Fakor™ (original/ standard colour scheme). |
Only four or five carded Fakor™ figures are known to exist worldwide. Since I started collecting
European MOTU items back in 2000, I have been fortunate enough to come across three carded specimens of this (in)famous figure.
FRENCH 8-BACK FAKOR™: FRONT |
FRENCH 8-BACK FAKOR™: BACK |
FRENCH FAKOR™ LOOSE: FRONT |
FRENCH FAKOR™ LOOSE: BACK |
FRENCH FAKOR™: SWORD |
FRENCH FAKOR™: ARMOUR |
NOTE: Every single loose French Fakor™ figure that I’ve seen over the years (except for one which head was marked: “France”) had the following markings on it:
| © Mattel.Inc 1981 Made in France |
| Mattel.Inc 1981 Taiwan |
| 2259 5040 France |
| 5042 2269 France |
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In 1983, Mattel® France produced another run of Fakor™ figures. This particular version was destined to be sold in toy stores throughout Western Europe (as opposed to its French 8-back predecessor which
was mainly sold in France and Belgium). The European Faker™ was released on an Euro double logo
card.
Several "European MOTU" collectors would sell their first-born child** to get their hands on a carded specimen. Only three MOC figures are known to exist worldwide. Its rarity is legendary.
EURO FAKER™: FRONT |
EURO FAKER™: BACK |
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By the end of 1984 one of the French Factories owned by Mattel® produced several MOTU figures that were released on a type of card that had a small yellow border printed on it. Apparently this technique
was used to simplify the printing process.
Every self-respecting "European MOTU" collector considers this particular version of Faker™ as the holy grail of MOTU collecting. More info regarding this item will appear on this website as soon as I can prove that the figure was actually produced. A carded specimen was sold in a toy store in Belgium back in 1998 for 200 BEF (approx. 5 EURO).
* It is rumoured that Faker™ was also released on a Spanish and maybe even on a European single logo card. Unfortunately nobody
seems to be able to confirm that these figures were actually produced.
** Expression.
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In 1985 Mattel® Germany introduced an entirely new concept to the MOTU loving community which allowed the children to become “Eternian warriors” themselves. Three previously released figures were wrapped in a cardboard sleeve. Each package contained a double-sided cardboard mask that pictured the face of one of the original “Masters of the Universe™” characters. The masks were folded in half. This enabled them to fit inside the cardboard sleeve.
The following figures were re-released for this promotional offer:
Skeletor®(hard rubber head/Hong Kong version)
Mask Side A: Skeletor®
Side B: He-Man®
Stonedar™
Mask Side A: Stonedar™
Side B: Hordak™
King Hiss™
Mask Side A: King Hiss™ (human mode)
Side B: King Hiss™ (snake mode)
Carded figures + mask (BACK)
Most of the figures that were available with these masks were released on Euro double logo cards. However, the backing cards of these promotional items pictured several figures that were attached to a US unilogo card. Mattel® probably preferred the look of the US cards during the pre-production of these wonderful items.
NOTE: the German comic magazine (EHAPA) released several issues of their “Masters of the Universe®” comic back in the eighties. One of these issues included the exact same mask that was released with the Stonedar™ figure (Hordak™/Stonedar™ mask)* .
| Apparently this particular comic was also released with a Hordak™ mask (single-sided print). Several other masks were produced for the German/ Austrian market, however, most of these masks featured only one character (single-sided print) instead of two. These items were NOT folded in half (as opposed to the masks that came with the figures). These particular masks were handed out to toy store customers when they purchased a “Masters of the Universe®” product. The following masks were available: Evil-lyn™, Mantenna™, Moss Man™, Grizzlor™, King Hiss™ (double-sided print),… The back of these sets also featured a picture of the legendary zauberrüstung He-Man® set (version 2). This particular edition contained a double-sided mask instead of a poster (version 1 was released with a poster)*. The cardboard wrapping was released without the “wheel” (as opposed to the first version of the zauberrüstung He-Man®). |
| Zauberrüstung He-Man® (version 2)
The set with the mask is even more rare (and therefore more valuable). Only one specimen is known to exist today.
I would like to thank M. for allowing me to use his image of this peculiar item. More info regarding version 1 of the zauberrüstung He-Man® set can be found in the rare figures (part 1) section. |
