Two-Bad Double-Headed Evil Strategist! He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Cartoon Collection Basic Figure Item No.: Asst. HYD16 No. JBM84 Manufacturer: Mattel Includes: Mirror of Avathar, Two-Bad's combination torso, Tuvar, Baddrah, "Hostile Convergence" mini-comic Action Feature: Removable heads, limbs, and legs can build one or two complete figures Retail: $50.00 Availability: July 2024 Other: As Seen On "The Ancient Mirror of Avathar"
PREVIOUS	RSS	NEXT

I opened He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Cartoon Collection Two-Bad in 2024, almost immediately, but didn't write it up. I suppose I assumed I'd have comments to make about an Origins toy version, or a single-carded double-headed figure in the main line, and none of those things have yet come to pass. This, unsurprisingly, means the set is expensive today.

$50 was kind of a high price for this set, which had a fair amount going for it. You got two full figures, a special torso to combine them, and a lenticular sticker on an accessory. Most carded figures had things like a bonus head or extra accessory, but in this case you were paying for ultra-premium packaging plus the combination gimmick.. I assume. I like this set a lot, and it was one of the reasons I redid my MOTU display to focus primarily on the cartoon stuff - it was a much more focused and colorful collection. (I'm sad it's seemingly over and we never got The Sorceress.)

Click here to check availability at eBay.

The item ships in a box, which is in a slipcase, which is in another box. When you take off the case, you can see both figures packaged separately. They each have their own bios, and everything is in English - unusual for most modern toys. The interior has some fantastic inserts, featuring Skeletor blasting them with his Havoc Staff - no doubt recalling the origin of the two-headed monster from the 2002-era cartoon. Back in the 1980s, they were always presented as a merged entity. Each figure is mostly molded in color, so the blue parts are blue plastic and hte purple parts are purple plastic. The faces are all nicely decorated, with the eyes, fangs, and eyebrows popping nicely. Each has their own orange armor, plus the duo-torso has its own armor. Articulation is on par with the line, but I think the knees look a little more chopped up than most other figures. I love the colors and the sculpting is excellent. I wish they gave him his shield or other accessories, but such is life - you just have to steal some of the bonus weapons from other figures. Perhaps there will be a "toy version" some day from whom you can steal, too, but I'm not holding my breath lately.

Each figure can sit and stand, and it's worth noting they never appeared like this on the original cartoon. To make Two-Bad, Mattel makes you open the packaging and physically tear them apart to give the bonus torso everything to make this guy exist. It's a build-a-figure in a box.

I found it easy to dismember the merciless mercenary and reckless raider figures, and the resulting appearance is pretty much how I remember the TV show. Each brawny warrior is brightly colored with pointy ears and crests that seem like they're out of mid-century popular cutlure. The torso is molded in blue and painted purple, with a match that's so perfect I have no reason to complain. He stands and sits as well as the rest of the line, and I've mostly had him standing around my Snake Mountain playset.

The Avatar "mirror" looks fine. It matches the cartoon fairly well, and it's from the episode that had the great gag of putting Trap Jaw in the world's worst sailor disguise. It's gold, the motion is fine, but I would rather have had handheld accessories.

From where I sit this is an essential figure in the cartoon collection... but it probably wouldn't be something I'd miss had I not got it. I love the colors, I love the faces, and it looks spectacular on a shelf with the other cartoon guys. That whole set is just amazing, and I wish it was a hair bigger - which I guess it could be, if I separated these guys. I love the combined form, and you should pick it up when the chance presents itself. I assume the "toy" version is still on the way, but I've found myself perfectly happy with this one. Maybe they'll prove me wrong, but I might not need to upgrade - this one looks great and I love the "split" feature. Mattel did a great job here.

Additional Images

Click here to see more Mattel figures in Figure of the Day.

Click here to see more Masters of the Universe figures in Figure of the Day.