He-Man (Original Action Figure - 1982)

He-Man, the most powerful man in the universe

Is the legendary hero of Eternia and the protector of Castle Grayskull. With his incredible strength, unwavering courage, and the magic of his Power Sword, 

He-Man defends the forces of good against the evil sorcery of Skeletor. When Prince Adam of Eternia raises his sword and declares, "By the power of Grayskull... I have the power!", he transforms into the mighty warrior He-Man, ready to battle for justice.

Figure Information

• Toyline: Masters of the Universe

• Wave: Wave 1 (Original 8-back figures)

• Year Released: 1982

• Manufacturer: Mattel

• Country of Production: USA, Mexico, France, Spain, Argentina, Venezuela, Brazil, Italy, India, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia.

Figure Design & Features

• Sculpt & Build:
  He-Man features a muscular physique, exaggerated to emphasize his superhuman strength. The figure was sculpted by Tony Guerrero and shares its body mold with several other figures in the line, a common cost-saving technique used by Mattel.

• Action Feature:
  He-Man came with the iconic Power Punch action—by twisting his waist, the figure would spring back with a punching motion, a feature powered by an internal rubber band.

• Accessories Included:

  • Power Sword (half version that could connect with Skeletor’s to form a full sword)

  • Battle Axe

  • Shield

  • Removable chest armor (gray with red cross emblem)

Packaging Variants & International Releases

• USA: Released in standard blister card packaging with Alcala-style artwork (named after artist Alfredo Alcala, who illustrated early MOTU comics).

• Mexico (Aurimat & Rotoplast): Produced with slight variations in paint and materials.

• France & Spain (Mark & Congost): Featured different plastics and paint applications; some had softer rubber heads.

• Brazil (Estrela): Unique color differences; some figures had darker skin tones.

• Argentina (Top Toys): Used cheaper plastic, resulting in figures with unique head sculpts.

• Venezuela (Rotoplast): Often featured different shades in armor and weapons.

• India (Leo Toys): Slightly different plastic, with minor sculpting variations and unique packaging.

• Taiwan & Hong Kong: These versions were among the most commonly distributed worldwide.

Notable Variants

• Half-Boot He-Man: Early Taiwan versions had black-painted toes.

• Red Dot He-Man: Some versions had a red dot inside the belt’s cross.

• Battle Armor He-Man (1984): A later release featuring a rotating chest plate that simulated battle damage.

• Wonder Bread He-Man: A rare mail-away version with brown hair and black boots, often debated among collectors.

Legacy & Impact

He-Man is one of the most iconic action figures of the 1980s, sparking a multimedia franchise that included comics, an animated TV series, and a vast array of toys. The original 1982 He-Man figure remains one of the most sought-after collectibles, with sealed versions commanding high prices on the vintage toy market.

This figure marked the beginning of the Masters of the Universe phenomenon, securing He-Man’s place as one of the greatest action figures ever made.

Check the video (Subtitles coming soon)

I remember the first time I saw a He-Man action figure—it was a friend who brought Cobra Khan to my house, and it was amazing how he could spit water. Over time, I discovered the cartoons and started saving my allowance until I finally had enough money to buy my first action figure. I went to a market that was seven blocks from my house, and there were so many characters to choose from. Then I saw He-Man and said, "This is the one I want!" I bought that figure, and I still have it to this day.