Thundercats – 1985
The Thundercats line only lasted for three years, but remains one of the most popular toy brands of that era. LJN Toys launched the Thundercats toy line in the Spring of 1985, followed by the animated series in September of that year. Both would go on to become massive hits. The premier wave of the Thundercats consisted of eight new figures, along with three new vehicles, and an evil creature, Astral Moat Monster. LJN also released a Sword of Omens roleplaying weapon.
For more information about LJN’s Thundercats line from 1985, see bottom of the page for a complete summary.
Thundercats – Wave 1 (1985): Basic Figures
The premiere wave for Thundercats contained 8 new figures with 4 good guys and 4 bad guys. These 8 characters would become the core of every Thundercats story told. This very first series of figures are distinguishable by the solid black card backs, instead of the white starburst on future waves. This first wave of figures are very difficult to track down on the secondary market.
Cheetara
Market Value:
Carded $350 – $450
Loose $50 – $75
Cheetara (w/ Wilykit)
Market Value:
Carded $500 – $700
Loose $75 – $100
Cheetara
Accessories: Baton, (Wilykit PVC Figure with 2nd version)
Years Released: Solid Black Backing was only issued in 1985
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Cheetara was one of the original Thundercats team with her specialty weapon of choice being the Baton. She featured a special Battle-Matic Action lever on her back to move her arms. A second version of Cheetara with Wilykit came out later in the year, after the animated series had debuted. This version was nearly identical to the first issue.
Jackalman
Market Value:
Carded $200 – $300
Loose $35 – $60
Jackalman
Accessories: Club, Shoulder Strap
Years Released: Solid Black Backing was only issued in 1985
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Jackalman was another of Mumm-Ra’s henchmen that would wreak havoc on the Thundercats team . Jackalman featured a special Battle-Matic Action lever on the back to move his arms. There were no variations at all to the Jackalman figure during the various waves.
Lion-O
Market Value:
Carded $750 – $900
Loose $75 – $100
Lion-O
Accessories: Sword of Omens, Claw Shield, Power Ring, Battery (1985 Series Only), Snarf PVC Figure (1986 Series Only)
Years Released: Solid Black Backing was only issued in 1985
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Every good story needs a leading hero, which is exactly what Lion-O is to the Thundercats. He is the main focus of the storyline, and many of the plots revolve around him. Lion-O featured a special Battle-Matic Action lever on his back to move his arms, along with a light-up eyes feature, which is what the Power ring and battery was for in Series 1. There are only minor variations to Lion-O’s hair and accessories throughout the different waves.
Monkian
Market Value:
Carded $250 – $350
Loose $35 – $60
Monkian
Accessories: Mace, Helmet
Years Released: Solid Black Backing was only issued in 1985
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Monkian was another of Mumm-Ra’s henchmen that would wreak havoc on the Thundercats team . Monkian featured a special Battle-Matic Action lever on the back to move his arms. Monkian’s mace had two different color variations with one having a red chain and the other being a black chain.
Mumm-Ra
Market Value:
Carded $350 – $450
Loose $50 – $75
Mumm-Ra
Accessories: Sword, Dagger, Headdress, Power Ring, Battery (1985 Series Only), Ravage PVC Figure (1986 Series Only)
Years Released: Solid Black Backing was only issued in 1985
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Every good story needs a main bad guy to be the nemesis to the heroes. Mumm-Ra is exactly that to the Thundercats. Mumm-Ra featured a special Battle-Matic Action lever on the back to move his arms, along with a very cool light-up eyes feature, which is what the Power ring and battery was for in Series 1. There are only minor variations to various parts of Mumm-Ra over the different waves.
Panthro
Market Value:
Carded $350 – $450
Loose $50 – $75
Panthro
Accessories: Nunchuks
Years Released: Solid Black Backing was only issued in 1985
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Panthro was one of the original Thundercats team with his specialty weapon of choice being the Nunchuks. A naturally born warrior, Panthro is considered the muscle of the group. Panthro featured a special Battle-Matic Action lever on the back to move his arms. There are no known variations to Panthro throughout the various waves.
S-S-Slithe
Market Value:
Carded $125 – $200
Loose $35 – $60
S-S-Slithe
Accessories: Battle Axe
Years Released: Solid Black Backing was only issued in 1985
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: S-S-Slithe was another of Mumm-Ra’s henchmen that would wreak havoc on the Thundercats team . S-S-Slithe featured a special Battle-Matic Action lever on the back to move his arms. S-S-Slithe had two different head variations with one being made of a soft plastic with pink eyes and the more common one being a hard plastic material with the regular eyes.
Tygra (Young Version)
Market Value:
Carded $350 – $450
Loose $50 – $75
Tygra (Young Version)
(w/ Wilykat)
Market Value:
Carded $500 – $700
Loose $75 – $100
Tygra
Accessories: Bolo Whip, (Wilykat PVC Figure with 2nd version)
Years Released: Solid Black Backing was only issued in 1985
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: Tygra was one of the original Thundercats team with his specialty weapon of choice being the Bolo Whip. He featured a special Battle-Matic Action lever on his back to move his arms. A second version of Tygra with Wilykat came out later in the year, after the animated series had debuted. This version was nearly identical to the first issue. Tygra is the only Thundercats character to get two completely different molds with the series 1 figure knows as the “Young Version” and the Series 2 and beyond figures known as the “Older Version”.
Thundercats – Wave 1 (1985): Exclusive Figures
There were no exclusive figures released for the 1st wave in 1985.
Thundercats – Wave 1 (1985): Accessories
No action figure accessories were released for Wave 1 by LJN in 1985, but we did get a roleplay Sword of Omens and that is most definitely worth listing here.
Sword of Omens
Market Value:
Boxed $600 – $800
Loose $125 – $175
Sword of Omens
Accessories: None
Years Released: 1985, 1986
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: The Sword of Omens is the weapon used by Lion-O in the Thundercats storyline. It’s an ancient sword that has been passed down through generations to the most worthy leader of the Thundercats team. The sword has a light-up Eye of Thundera feature that is run by one “AA” battery.
Thundercats – Wave 1 (1985): Creatures
LJN Toys released the Astral Moat Monster as the lone creature figure in the premiere wave of Thundercats. The Moat Monster can be very challenging to find on the secondary market.
Astral Moat Monster
Market Value:
Boxed $850 – $1,000
Loose $250 – $350
Astral Moat Monster
Accessories: Detachable Red Wings x 2
Years Released: 1985
Scarcity Factor: This item is rare and will cost you
Notes: The Astral Moat Monster was a large scale evil creature that fought against the Thundercats. It came with poseable arms and legs. There are no known variations to the Astral Moat Monster throughout the various waves.
Thundercats – Wave 1 (1985): Playsets
No large scale playsets were released by LJN for the first wave of action figures in 1985.
Thundercats – Wave 1 (1985): Vehicles
We got three brand new Thundercats vehicles for our action figures in the first Wave in 1985.
Mutant Nose Diver
Market Value:
Boxed $300 – $400
Loose $60 – $90
Mutant Nose Diver
Accessories: Sticker, Instructions
Years Released: 1985
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: The Nose Diver featured an action feature with a spinning nose cone that has a rock crushing motion. The rock crushing action would activate when you pushed the vehicle. There are no known variations of the Mutant Nose Diver.
Mutant Skycutter
Market Value:
Boxed $300 – $400
Loose $55 – $80
Mutant Skycutter
Accessories: Wings x 2, Stickers, Instructions
Years Released: 1985
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: The Skycutter featured an action feature with flapping wings that were activated by a trigger on the back of the vehicle. It could also transform to a ground vehicle. There are no known variations of the Mutant Skycutter.
Thundertank
Market Value:
Boxed $450 – $600
Loose $120 – $190
Thundertank
Accessories: Treads, Guns, Cannon, Instructions
Years Released: 1985
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: The Thundertank featured an action feature that would allow it to switch to “Attack Mode” at the push of a button. In attack mode, the hidden guns and cannon pop out and the vehicle’s jaws open. There are no known variations of the Thundertank.
Even though the Thundercats toy line lasted for only three years, they can comfortably sit right along side Star Wars, GI Joe, Transformers and Masters of the Universe as one of the most popular toy lines of that era, but the journey to get there went through a few trials before finally becoming the toy line we all know and love. By 1983, GI Joe, Masters of the Universe and Star Wars were all well established toy lines, but a little company called LJN Toys had a big idea to be a part of that success. The idea was pitched for a new cartoon series that centered around humanoid cats battling animal like creatures on a world called Third Earth. The execs loved it and Work immediately began on the Thundercats animated series, which would support the toy line, but due to legal issues, the series wasn’t able to be released until September of 1985. The actual toy line was released in the spring of 1985, so the toys definitely came first. The Thundercats line settled on a 7″ inch tall figure, which was not typical at that time, especially since Star Wars had made the 3.75 inch design the new norm. Each figure would also include a unique “Battle-Matic” action feature to add some playability. This was a fantastic way to personalize each character and give them something to hook their audience. We also got a Marvel Comics series of the Thundercats in 1985, through their Star Comics brand. With a top rated animated show and major published comic book, the groundwork had been laid for the Thundercats to become a massive hit.
The premier wave of the Thundercats line, gave us 8 brand new figures in 1985, which featured 4 good guys and 4 bad guys. The Heroic Thundercats got all the main hero characters of Cheetara, Panthro, Tygra and of course, the man himself, Lion-O. For the the Evil bad guys, we got Jackalman, Monkian, S-S-Slithe, and the master of mayhem, Mumm-Ra the ever living. These new figures would build the foundation of the Thundercats world for all future storylines and adventures. In addition to some great new figures, we got 3 new vehicles, with the Mutant Skycutter, Mutant Nose Diver and the Thundertank, to go along with a new evil creature, Astral Moat Monster. LJN also released a Sword of Omens roleplaying weapon for kids to pretend to be one of the mighty Thundercats.
The packaging for the Thundercats line was fairly simple in design but effective. The Thundercats logo sat at the very top of the card, just above the figure bubble, which was slightly to the left of the card. On the right side of the card, there was a small diagram or photo with the special action feature that particular figure had. Finally, the actual name of the character was on the very bottom of the figure bubble. Overall, the Thundercats packaging was simple but attractive, which was helped by the iconic and flashy Thundercats logo.
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