Big Jim Foreign Releases

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The Big Jim toy line had always been a huge hit in the United States, but it was even bigger on the international market. Big Jim actually began in foreign markets, with the Mark Strong series. The Latin American line was called Kid Acero, which were mostly re-brands of existing Big Jim toys. Mattel launched several other original lines overseas, that never saw the inside of American retail stores. These included the Big Jim American West Series, Big Jim Space Series, a Pirates themed series and the Big Jim Spy Series. The final Big Jim line was the Global Command series, which came to an end in 1988.

For more information about Mattel’s Big Jim Foreign Releases, see bottom of the page for a complete summary.

Big Jim – Mark Strong (1972): Basic Figures and Accessories

In 1972, Mattel rolled out the Big Jim All-Star line in the North American market, but that was not the first Big Jim product to be released to the public. That honor went to “Mark Strong”, who was released to the European markets during the Christmas season of 1971 and continued until the end of 1972. Mark Strong was sort of a test subject for Mattel to see if their new Big Jim concept was a winner, and it most definitely was. Since Mark Strong was virtually identical to Big Jim, there was no real reason to have both lines exist, so the Mark Strong line was ultimately ended in early 1972.

Mark Strong figures and accessories do not come up on the U.S secondary market very often, and can be challenging to track down for collectors of foreign market lines.

Big Jim – Kid Acero (1973-1978): Basic Figures and Accessories

Big Jim toys in Latin American countries during the 1970s were named “Kid Acero”, which literally translates into Kid Steel. Most of the Kid Acero toys are identical to the American versions, but were produced by a foreign Mattel subsidiary. Only the name was changed. There were some original characters created for the Kid Acero toy line in the Mexican market, such as the Invisible Man and Garfio, along with retooled versions of several Big Jim toys not available in the United States or Europe. The Kid Acero line went through many different changes during its run, which mainly mirrored what the US figures were doing at the time. The Kid Acero line eventually came to an end in 1978.

Kid Acero figures and accessories do not come up on the U.S secondary market very often, and can be a challenge to track down for collectors of foreign market lines.

Due to the massive amount of Kid Acero figures and accessories that Mattel produced and the many different variations produced, placing a value on these items can be tough. Because they are from the 70’s era and not easy to find, their market value usually climbs pretty high.

Big Jim American West (1976-1977): Basic Figures and Accessories

There were several original concept Big Jim lines released outside the United States and the American West Series was one of them. Released in 1976, the American West Series featured several characters, based on the American Wes with some being historical and some fictional. There was also a Frontier Wagon, a couple of horses and a few different clothing outfits. The figures in this series were nicely done and it’s a shame this line never made it to the North American market.

Prices for boxed American West figures in this series can range from $175 to $350, depending on condition. The Frontier Wagon usually sells for around $300 – $350.

Big Jim American West figures and accessories do not come up on the U.S secondary market very often, and the accessories can be challenging to track down for collectors of foreign market lines.

Big Jim Pirate Series (1978-1979): Basic Figures and Accessories

Many original concept Big Jim lines were released outside the United States that were exclusive overseas and the Pirate Series was one of them. Released in 1978, the Pirate Series featured three main characters, based on legendary Pirate characters, along with a Pirate Boat and a few different clothing outfits. The figures in this series were actually quite well done and it’s a shame this line never saw the light of day in the North American market. The Pirate Series was released exclusively in Europe.

Prices for boxed Pirate figures in this series can range from $250 to $400, depending on condition. The Pirate Boat usually sells for around $300 – $350.

Big Jim Pirate figures and accessories do not come up on the U.S secondary market very often, and can be challenging to track down for collectors of foreign market lines.

Big Jim Space Series (1978-1979): Basic Figures and Accessories

The Space Series was another original concept line released exclusively overseas. Released in 1978, the Space Series featured five main figures, with three of them belonging to Big Jim (Space Leader, Laser Gunner and Thunder Blue) and another, Captain Laser, was a re-branded Captain Lazer from the Matt Mason series of the 1960’s. Mattel also released a few accessories for this line as well, such as the Space Spy Vehicle and a few different clothing outfits. Like most overseas Big Jim lines, the figures and accessories in this series were very well done and remain incredibly popular to this day.

Big Jim Space figures and accessories do not come up on the U.S secondary market very often, and can be challenging to track down for collectors of foreign market lines.

Prices for boxed Space figures in this series can range from $200 to $400, depending on condition. Carded outfits usually sell for around $40 – $60 each.

Big Jim Spy Series (1980-1982): Basic Figures and Accessories

The Big Jim Spy Series was released by Mattel in 1980 as a brand new original concept line distributed overseas. The Spy Series saw several new figures and a whole bunch of fun accessories and vehicles. The figures in this series were actually quite well done and it’s a shame this line never made it to the North American market. The Spy Series continued until 1982, and was then changed to the James Bond series, which made complete sense for the line’s spy theme.

Prices for boxed Spy figures in this series can range from $200 to $400, depending on the character/condition.

Big Jim Spy figures and accessories do come up up on the U.S secondary market, but not in great numbers. They can be challenging to track down for collectors of foreign market lines.

Carded outfits usually sell for around $40 – $60 each.
Vehicles range from $150 – $450, depending on which one it is.

Big Jim Global Command (1986-1988): Basic Figures and Accessories

The Big Jim Global Command Series was yet another original concept line that was only distributed overseas. Released in 1986, the Global Command Series saw a bunch of new figures, and lots of fun accessories and vehicles. The Global Command Series continued until 1988, when it finally came to a close. This line sold very well overseas, but eventually just couldn’t compete in a very crowded toy market. This marked the end of the Big Jim action figure era, and has not been dusted off since.

Global Command

Prices for boxed Global Command figures can range from $150 to $400, depending on the character/condition.

Condor Force

Big Jim Global Command figures and accessories do pop up on the U.S secondary market more frequently than other foreign lines, but not in great numbers. Certain items can still be challenging to track down for collectors of foreign market lines.

Carded outfits usually sell for around $30 – $50 each.
Vehicles range from $150 – $400, depending on which one it is, and condition.
The Global Command Center typically sells between $200 – $300 in package.