Back card : Criminals trying to make a fast getaway are in for an unpleasant surprise thanks to the quick-load and release grapple hook extension on Daredevil’s multi-purpose billyclub! Working the extension is a snap. Just push the grapple hook into the hollow billyclub until it locks into position. Then place the billyclub into Daredevil’s hand, aim it at your target, press the lever on the side of the billyclub… and fire! With the grapple hook Daredevil can climb walls, swing from trees or lamp posts, and snare criminals just when they think they’ve escaped.
Archives
Captain America (Shield Launcher)
Back card : Captain America is the ultimate super soldier of justice. And with his awesome star-studded shield, he proves it. To prepare Cap’s shield for crime-fighting action, gently push the extension of his shield along the top of the shield-launcher until it locks into position. Then snap the launcher onto Captain America’s wrist, aim it at your target, press the release button on the side of the shield-launcher and watch how quickly Cap’s fast-flying shield knocks criminals off their feet! Not only that, but Cap’s wrist launcher and shield can both be attached separately to his wrist, thus making him ready for any – and every – attack!
Megatron (Action Master) with Neutro-Fusion Tank
Megatron returned as an Action Master in 1990, and as with most Action Master figures, he could not transform. His sculpt was based heavily upon the character’s animation model design. Megatron is compatible with all other Action Master accessories and vehicles.
He came packaged with the Neutro-Fusion Tank, a large tank vehicle whose hull could transform into a base/gun emplacement, with the turret forming a flight pod. Four “corrosive smoke shell” accessories mounted on both sides of the tank. There are seats for two Action Master figures on the front on either side of the barrel, another seat inside the turret, and four pegs on the back of the tank for standing additional Action Master figures.
The tank’s turret can detach and become a “jet throne,” which features flip-out wings, and the body of the tank transforms into a missile-launcher battle station. The battle station has two seats on either side behind the missile launchers (non-firing) and a stowing bay in the center for an additional figure.
In a fairly notable omission, Action Master Megatron did not come with the character’s iconic fusion cannon accessory. In 1992, however, a Japanese fan sculpted his own cannon accessory, which could plug into the figure’s arm using the shoulder screw-hole (seen in the image at right). In a surprising move, Takara gave this cannon their approval and allowed it to be officially sold with their copyright stamp at a Japanese convention for only one day, at the price of 2000 yen.
Gutcruncher (Action Master) with Stratotronic Jet
As an Action Master, Gutcruncher is a non-transforming action figure, though his design shows vehicle mode parts: what he turned into is not exactly clear, but it’s certainly some kind of tank. He is compatible with any Action Master weapon or vehicle, and was available only with the large Stratotronic Jet vehicle.
Wheeljack (Action Master) with Turbo Racer
Action Master Wheeljack is a non-transforming action figure sculpted based upon his cartoon appearances. He comes with the Turbo Racer, a large red sports car based upon the Ferrari Testarossa that can seat two Action Master figures. The Turbo Racer has an “attack mode” where it transforms into something vaguely resembling an aircraft made from car parts.
The Wheeljack figure was later redecoed to make Slicer.
Sprocket (Action Master) with Attack Cruiser
As an Action Master, Sprocket himself does not transform, though his body shows hints of a Cybertronic aircraft. However, his two-seat Attack Cruiser jeep can transform into a helicopter with a very small rotor and tail. The missiles on the vehicle can be held backwards as very long rifles, though it’s quite possible he flies backwards every time he fires them.
This mold was also used to make fellow Action Master Rumbler.
Starscream (Action Master)
Action Master Starscream is a non-transforming action figure based loosely on his cartoon character model, but using a color scheme derived from the Pretender toy. His main accessory is the Turbo Jet, a small personal attack craft that Starscream can set astride like a motorcycle. The Turbo Jet rolls on three small wheels, and can transform into a gun emplacement.
This mold was redecoed as Action Master Thundercracker.
Prowl (Action Master) with Turbo Cycle
Action Master Prowl is a non-transforming action figure whose appearance is styled after his cartoon model, with a few toy-based liberties taken. Like all Action Masters, he can interact with all the line’s vehicles and weapons; as part of the “Action Blasters Vehicles” assortment, Prowl came packaged with the Turbo Cycle, which transforms from motorcycle to a gun emplacement. An undocumented feature of the Turbo Cycle is that the lower front cowling assembly can be pegged into the screw hole on Prowl’s back, allowing him to somewhat mimic the original Prowl figure’s door-wing appearance.
Over-Run (Action Master)
Over-Run is unusual for an Action Master due to his rather monochromatic color scheme, as he is made primarily out of a single shade of red plastic. All of his other colors are paint applications. Over-Run’s sculpt suggests that before becoming an Action Master, he once transformed into a Cybertronic helicopter, due to the canopy and rotor shaft details on his torso. Appropriately, his Action Master vehicle is a small attack helicopter, and when not using the helicopter as his ride, Over-Run wields the vehicle’s rotary photon pulse laser cannon (a retool of one of Generation 1 Vortex’s side-mounted cannons) and engine cover as weapon and shield, respectively.
Over-Run can ride inside the cockpit of the attack helicopter, which can also transform into a small cannon emplacement/base, with the rotors being stored underneath and extra armor flipping forward from the rear fuselage.
Axer (Action Master) with Off-Road Cycle
A non-transforming robot action figure, Axer does have hints of an alternate mode to his design, possibly some form of off-road car. He came with the Off-Road Cycle, an off-road motorbike with sidecar that can transform into a gun emplacement. The sidecar has a flip-down panel so another Action Master figure can stand on it.
Axer’s figure mold was used to make Circuit.
Micromaster Tanker Truck (combiner transport – Pipeline & Gusher)
Micromaster Missile Launcher (combiner transport – Retro & Surge)
Micromaster Cannon Transport (combiner transport – Cement-Head & Terror-Tread)
Micromaster Combiner Metro Squad (Power Run & Strikedown, Oiler & Slide, Roadburner & Wheel Blaze)
Micromaster Combiner Constructor Squad (Stonecruncher & Excavator, Grit & Knockout, Sledge & Hammer)
Micromaster Combiner Battle Squad (Direct-Hit & Power Punch, Meltdown & Half-Track, Fireshot & Vanquish)
Micromaster Combiner Astro Squad (Barrage & Heave, Phaser & Blast Master, Moonrock & Missile Master)
Snarl (Action Master) with Tyrannitron
Action Master Snarl is a non-transforming action figure that combines the animation model with toy-details and a few other new flourishes. Part of the third assortment of basic carded Action Masters, he came with his transforming partner Tyrannitron. He is compatible with any other Action Master weapon or vehicle.
Skyfall (Action Master) with Top-Heavy
Skyfall is an Action Master, and as such does not transform (which, given what it says in his toy bio, is more than a little ironic), though his design shows hints of a vehicle mode, likely a Cybertronic jet fighter similar in style to early Pretender robots such as Cloudburst, given the cockpit and vehicle details on his back. He is compatible with any Action Master weapon or vehicle. He came with his rhino-partner Top-Heavy.
Shockwave (Action Master) with Fistfight
As an Action Master, Shockwave is a non-transforming action figure who combines elements of his cartoon model and original toy, with a few more details. He is compatible with any other Action Master weapon or vehicle. Part of the third wave of individually-carded Action Master figures, He came with his small robot partner Fistfight, who combines with Shockwave’s handgun to form a “Lightning Gun” cannon.
Reportedly, early “test market” releases came with a rubber hose that connects from his gun-arm to his back, like the original toy. There are holes in the toy’s gun-arm and backpack; the black hoses found in many old G.I. Joe toys can fit in the holes.
Kick-Off (Action Master) with Turbo-Pack
As an Action Master, Kick-Off is a non-transforming action figure, though his design shows evidence of a vehicle mode, possibly an off-road vehicle. He came with the Turbo-Pack accessory, which attaches to his back and features a spring-loaded, over-shoulder (non-firing) cannon. His “Sonic Blaster” rifle can be held by any Action Master, or attached to any Action Master partner/accessory.
Inferno (Action Master) with Hydro-Pack
Part of the third assortment of “basic” carded Action Masters, Inferno is a non-transforming action figure with a simplified design, based loosely on his cartoon animation model. Inferno came with a Hydro-Pack that could be attached to his back (with a “hose” that flipped over his shoulder to attach to his handgun, a feature unique among Action Master “partner” accessories), or transformed via spring-loaded mechanism into a large cannon, with a barrel that could be further extended by attaching his handgun to the very end of it. He is compatible with all other Action Master weapons and vehicles.
Banzai-Tron (Action Master) with Razor-Sharp
Part of the third assortment of “basic” carded Action Masters, Banzai-Tron is a non-transforming action figure. Unlike the other Action Masters, he does not have any particular signs of an alternate mode, being largely a robotic samurai. He was sold on an individual card with his transforming partner Razor-Sharp. He is compatible with any other Action Master weapon or vehicle. Thanks to the peg on the tip of his rifle, he is able to hold his bayoneted gun as a sword.
Mainframe (Action Master) with Push-Button
As an Action Master, Mainframe is a non-transforming action figure of a robot with an indeterminate alternate mode, but chances are he turns into one of those huge computers you see in those movies from the 70s and 80s, you know, the ones the size of refrigerators with the reel-to-reel magnetic tape. He is compatible with any Action Master vehicle or weapon. He was part of the second assortment of basic carded figures, and came with his partner-robot Push-Button.
Note that his weapon bears a strong resemblance to the machine guns from the G. I. Joe Arctic Blast vehicle.
Krok (Action Master) with Gatoraider
Part of the second series of individually-carded Action Masters, Krok is a non-transforming G.I. Joe-scale action figure. His chest design hints that he was once some kind of flying craft thanks to something that looks like a cockpit, though this is the only pseudo-reliable clue we get as to what his former vehicle mode might be. As with all Action Masters, he had a good range of articulation, though he has trouble holding his partner’s weapon mode and keeping balance. He comes with his alligator partner, Gatoraider, who transforms into a giant cannon Krok can hold.
Jackpot (Action Master – with Sights)
As an Action Master, Jackpot is a non-transforming action figure, though his design shows parts of a sports-car alternate mode, likely a Ferrari Testarossa. He was sold on an individual card with his partner Sights, who can transform into a (very) large rifle. He is compatible with any other Action Master weapon or vehicle.
Devastator (Action Master) with Scorpulator
A non-transforming action figure compatible with any other Action Master vehicle or accessory, Devastator’s sculpt is based largely on his original animation model, but with a great many toy-based elements added for extra detail. Most notably, his head is based on the toy instead of the very different animation model. Released in the second wave of carded Action Master figures, Devastator came with his small animal partner, Scorpulator, who transformed into an acid spray gun that Devastator could wield and a “Gripper Backpack” that plugged into Devastator’s back.
As an Action Master, Devastator received a set of Power Plans, viewable here. Not surprisingly, none of his listed parts line up with those found in the STARS manual (see notes). Additionally, the Devastator in the Power Plans is missassembled: Mixmaster and Scrapper are on the wrong legs. A prototype of Action Master Devastator features a different head coloration.1990protoactionmasters.jpg
Bumblebee (Action Master) with Heli-Pack
Part of the second wave of single-carded Action Master figures, Bumblebee is a non-transforming action figure that mixed cartoon model with toy-detail. He comes with his Heli-pack that transforms into a large “high-powered air rifle” with spring-loaded deploying barrel. Bumblebee and his Heli-pack are cross-compatible with any other Action Master figure, vehicle or accessory; plus the hole in his back is compatible with 5mm posts.
This release makes Bumblebee the only character to have a toy of some kind available during the entire original Transformers production run (from 1984-1990).
Blaster (Action Master) with Flight Pack
A non-transforming action figure, Action Master Blaster (not to be confused with the “Action Master Blasters” price-point) is compatible with any other Action Master vehicle or accessory. His design is based largely on his cartoon model, with elements from the toy added (like his visor). He came with the “Flight Pack” accessory, which converts from a winged jetpack to a massive “electro-scrambler” cannon.
Treadshot (Action Master) with Catgut
Part of the first assortment of individually-carded “basic” Action Master figures, Treadshot is a non-transforming action figure, though his design shows that his former alternate mode is a Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum pistol. He is compatible with any other Action Master partner, weapon or vehicle. He came packaged with his partner Catgut.
Treadshot’s instructions depict a different weapon than the one the toy actually comes with—specifically, a weapon that wasn’t available with any Action Master. The weapon that was available with Treadshot, meanwhile, is depicted in Soundwave’s instructions, which resulted in quite a few mix-ups on toy information websites and in identification guides (including Generations and, uh, the photo to the right).