Review: Mattel Masters of the Universe Modulok
Mattel’s Masters of the Universe should never have been as popular as it was in the 80s. A culmination of two years of design and 17 research studies, it nonetheless comes across as a line designed by people who had a very low opinion of kids’ tastes.
Bow-legged, overly muscular, oddly proportioned and modestly articulated, the figures were goofy even by 80s standards. Compared to action figures that preceded them (like the original G.I. Joe) the MOTU figures were a definite step back and compared to other action figure lines available then (like the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero line), MOTU seemed doomed to failure.
Yet, spurred by the Filmation series, the line somehow managed to entrance the younger kids. At its height in 1985, MOTU boasted US$400 million in sales and Mattel noted (with what one supposes is wide-eyed amazement) demand for the figures surpassed that for Barbie. The writing was on the wall, however, as Hasbro’s Transformers had showed up by then.
The cunningly marketed Takara-engineered Transformers figures were far cleverer than most toy lines back then and Hasbro cleaned up as both Mattel and He-Man began losing their power. Hasbro surged past Mattel in 1985 to be the number one toy company and MOTU, despite selling 125 million figures in the three years since its debut, needed new ideas. Mattel’s response was to introduce its own transforming figure for its flagship boys’ line.
Mattel’s designers took a different tack with Modulok resulting in a figure unlike anything else available in stores then. It’s generally assumed Modulok was inspired by the success of Transformers but looking at the figure’s play pattern, it’s possible the designers took specific inspiration from another clever Takara-engineered toy line that debuted a few years earlier.
Micronauts was initially Mego’s repackaging of Takara’s Microman but the American toy company later came up with its own designs including the Aliens in 1980. It’s easy to see the seeds of Modulok’s origins in Micronauts action figures with interchangeable parts like Membros, Antron and Repto.
Packaging
Mattel’s marketing team billed the figure as an “Evil beast of a thousand bodies”, and if that wasn’t sufficient enticement for 80s kids, Modulok was also dubbed in a fit of giddy enthusiasm “The Ultimate Transforming Creature.”
Mattel could scarcely be faulted for not demonstrating all 1,000 different bodies on the box or in the instructions but you could tell the marketing department was struggling to actualise the hype. The back of the package has a mere 21 Modulok modes to demonstrate the interchangeability but even then the differences between them were sometimes granular.
There’s the ever-popular head-on-the-crotch Modulok, the more exotic two-heads-on-the-crotch variant and of course, the head-on-the-crotch (three-legged variant).
Fortunately, a double-sided single sheet included in the package provided more imaginative (and functional) Modulok modes. Split him into two for double trouble, transform him into a savage skyscraper to blast over barricades, two heads are better than one to outwit enemies, etc. Mattel also encouraged kids to get multiple Moduloks to create “a tall tower of terror” or “the super-sinister centipod!”
Comic
Also included was The Treachery of Modulok, a mini-comic depicting Modulok in action. Everybody’s favourite shapeshifter, hoping to curry favour with Hordak, cunningly gets himself into Castle Grayskull and makes away with an evil tool, a device capable wreaking destruction so terrible comic writers are forbidden from explaining what it is.
Modulok is, of course, doomed to failure because no villain can claim victory over a hero with a new toy form, and so Modulok and Hordak are quickly sent packing by Thunder Punch He-Man.
But the ultimate mission had been accomplished: Modulok the toy has been marketed and his possibilities promoted.
Character
Modulok was never fully realised in the cartoon. Budgets were too tight and time too short for Filmation’s animators to maximise the toy’s potential so Modulok was poorly represented. Instead of an astonishing creature capable of reconstituting himself in a myriad ways to confound his opponents, the show had a single dull form, thus denying Modulok any chance of a break-out role.
Modulok the show character was a scientist (naturally of the mad variety) and apparently the only character to be permanently moved from He-Man and the Masters of the Universe to She-Ra: Princess of Power. This did nothing for either show’s popularity and Modulok didn’t fare any better. No one remembers Modulok for his winning personality.
Modulok the toy, on the hand, stood the test of time a little better.
Figure
Modulok comes packed in two plastic bags containing his 22 unassembled parts.
Looks-wise, Modulok is typical 80s action figure fare. Detail and paint applications are minimal. The design is all over the place. There are insect parts, piscine fins, reptilian scales and one head resembles nothing so much as a kiddified Nosferatu. The resulting mishmash makes Modulok creations all the more freakish. But this really isn’t a figure you get for its looks.
The playability of the figure, based on the interchangeability of the 22 parts, is where it really shines. The interchangeability exploits simple but cleverly designed standardised pegs and ports.
The 0.7cm-long pegs’ circular groove allows them to be firmly attached to the ports which have a protrusion in them. Removing parts is by no means difficult but there’s no fear of parts being accidentally detached. A Modulok when put together, stays together.
The MOTU figures were generally around 14cm tall but mighty Modulok sneers at conventions and can be configured to be taller or shorter.
Articulation, too, depends on the configuration. Modulok could have the six points of articulation of a typical MOTU figure or double that amount. Posability will not be great despite the additional points of articulation, however, as the joints are all of the swivel variety and mainly available at neck(s), waist(s), shoulders and hips.
Aside from the body parts, the package includes two weapons. They’re not impressive individually but once combined … it’s still fairly unimpressive. Modulok’s combined blaster might have two barrels pointing at his enemy and one barrel pointing at his own chest. Modulok may be a scientist but clearly, weapons engineering is not his forte. However, Modulok has little need for weaponry when he himself was a living weapon capable of adapting to any battlefield. If the tactical situation called for a tripedal creature with a head on its crotch, you would certainly want Modulok on your side.
Plastic quality is quite good with the toy looking like it might survive a nuclear apocalypse. Toy fans need have little qualm in getting used Moduloks.
Overall
Modulok would have been the World’s Greatest Action Figure to a 7-year-old in the 80s but the figure is very much an acquired taste two decades later. The goofy looks, limited articulation and simple interchangeability options mean it’s unlikely to win over the average toy fan today. The figure does, however, have an endearing goofiness that might appeal to those with quirky tastes. The play pattern certainly holds up well as coming up with one Modulok fanmode after another is a fun way to kill a few minutes.
Still, Modulok is not the most popular of toys these days so even MISB samples shouldn’t set a toy fan back that much. The Modulok reviewed here, minty fresh in a battered box, was procured for USD40 (including shipping) from a Taiwanese seller. The figure is also frequently sold by individual parts which makes it easy to complete Moduloks or power-up complete Moduloks.
A toy update is definitely warranted. Modulok wouldn’t be the safest of choices — as a character, he lacks cachet — and there’s a suspicion most older toy fans wouldn’t be terribly enamoured of the interchangeability play pattern, but it would be interesting to see a modern take on the design. Improved articulation, sharper sculpting and more ambitious interchangeable options could result in a modern toy classic and a worthy successor to an oddly appealing figure from the 80s.
Links
Masters of the Universe overview.
NLogan takes a look at the line and its connections to Big Jim, an older Mattel line.
He-Man origins.
A transcript of a Toyfare interview with Mattel designer Roger Sweet. He-Man.de has a two–part interview with him in PDF format as well.
Modulok commercial.
The toy ad from 1985.
Modulok toy review.
Matt Caracappa has an entertaining look at the figure.
Modulok on TV.
A look at Modulok’s show-biz career.
Modulok in action.
Stop-motion animation by MadsKaizer.
Multi-bot.
Modulok must’ve sold in decent quantities because Mattel saw fit to release another figure with the same play pattern. To encourage kids to get both figures, parts were made interchangeable between them and an illustration of a monstrous amalgamation of both was provided as enticement.
Modulok for the new millennium
Updated designs by Chris Edwards, J-Sun and Andrew Cramer.
Modulok custom figure.
A fantastic custom figure by Gary based on his redesign.