Thunder Punch He-Man vintage figure review

[Spacedust]

Didn't get around to starting a thread last week, but back into action as we look at another He-Man variant - THUNDER PUNCH HE-MAN.

The feature of this He-Man version was that a ring of caps could be inserted into his back. Then, when twisted at the waist, he would swing back, giving off a 'powerful punch' as one of the caps was set off.
The feature is fun to play with, making you feel that you have really pounded the heck out of the unfortunate opponent that you're playing the figure against.

The figures tended to lean to one side with their spring features. It had new arm molds and chest armor, as well as a hard head.
It is unique in that the Power Sword comes in a mustard yellow (I have seen dye variants ranging from yellow to almost gold).
And the shield also made a nice housing for the spare ring of caps.

Thunder Punch He-Mans are a so-so find on the second hand market. The back compartments sometimes need cleaning up a little bit from where the caps have been set off and left residue.

Of course, as with the other vintage variants, there was never any sign of this He-Man version in the Filmation cartoon series.

And - as yet - no sign of a 200x revamp version. But bearing in mind 200x 'Battle Armor He-Man', such a return of the Thunder Punch might be in name only.

All-in-all, a fair variation, although not my favourite. I'll give it a reasonable lower end 8 out of 10.

So there is my Thunder Punching review. Now I'd like to hear your own thoughts, memories, etc. (And hey, let's get these threads buzzing like they used to be, I miss reading other member's thoughts on the figures).
And don't forget to rate the figure in the poll!

[motu77]

He's a 6 for me.
This was never one of my favorites figures and I could never get the caps to work. I also hated that this figure could nver hold both sword and shield at the same time. I did like the armor and gold sword though.

[Spacedust]

He's a 6 for me.
This was never one of my favorites figures and I could never get the caps to work. I also hated that this figure could nver hold both sword and shield at the same time. I did like the armor and gold sword though.

He was always what I considered a 'gimmick' figure. His cap-punch-thing was impressive (when it worked), but mine always leaned to one side and wasn't that good in general play.

[JonnyTyler]

I gave Thunder Punch He Man a 10!! I remember when he came out, I saw the commercial and I told my mom that day I wanted him more than anything else that year for my birthday. Im not sure why, but he seemed really cool to me. And sure enough, a few weeks later, I unwraped him for my birthday. Shamefull as it may be, I loved him so much, that for a long time, Thunderpunch He Man replaced my original He Man in play for many months.

I loved the caps, and the pops they made, and I really loved that his right hand was actually a closed fist. Finally He Man could properly punch someone. Plus, I think hes the only He Man variation thats worth a damn. Honestly. I never really cared for Battle Amror, and I thought that Flying Fists was pretty lame myself. But there was something special about TP He Man. I also loved that he had a gold sword. It seemed really regal and elegant to me. I still have my figure from when I was a kid, and he truelly holds a special place in my heart, and my childhood.

Great figure this week Spacedust. Keep it up buddy!!! I look forward to these polls every week. Theyre great!!! And I think these threads and polls really invoke alot of great forgotten memories. So I really hope you continue them.

[theplant]

9 points from me.

he's a bit heavy and does not always stand right. i love the golden sword and the armor. best variant except flying fists he-man because auf the shiny breast

[Flint]

I gave this figure a ten because of the memory he brings back for me. I remembered seeing the commercials for Thunderpunch He-Man and I knew I had to have him. I mean a He-Man that punched and made noise while doing so? What was there not to like.

So we went to the store and as usual it was a plethora of MOTU, but there he was alongside his counter part Dragon Blaster Skeletor. Sure shooting water was cool, but The caps won out that day.

I liked the armors design and I really dug the interesting sheild and gold sword. Sure he couldn't hold a sword and shield at the same time, but who cared? He had the THUNDER PUNCH!!!!

When the Movie Opened, Thunderpunch He-man came along for the ride. I really have to get one for my collection again...

[Spacedust]

Plus, I think hes the only He Man variation thats worth a damn. Honestly. I never really cared for Battle Amror, and I thought that Flying Fists was pretty lame myself. But there was something special about TP He Man.

Personally I'm of the oposite opinion - I might rank Thunder Punch as one of the lesser variants. I love Battle Armor He-Man - I think his armor looks really cool and he has a fun feature; I'd probably rank him as the best variant (other than maybe Laser Power He-Man, one of the few vintage figures that I don't have).
I thought Flying Fists was quite good too - a simple but good feature, and I loved his chrome armor.

Although he's good in his own right, I think that Thunder Punch is in some ways my least favourite variant. Although the fact that I never had one as a kid might affect that slightly.

[TriKlops1971]

I gave it a seven. The golden sword was really cool, but by the time TP He-Man was released, it seemed like Mattel was gimmicking everything to death. The figure had a nice look, but it leaned too much. And it was hard to use the figure with some of the vehicles. Not a bad figure overall, but nothing sensational imho.

[Drunken Fist]

I loved this one when I was a kid! He replaced the original He-Man for a time, and was still used frequently thereafter. Often, as in the minicomic(which just built up the Thunder Punch power to high heaven), He-Man would be in a tight spot. I had made up a phrase he had to say to summon the power of the Thunder Punch-- I don't remember it,unfortunately; I'm sure it was a doozy!-- and BAM! He'd transform(i.e; I'd switch the figures), and take care of business!

That said, I gave the figure a 9, after careful consideration. If I'm being completely objective, I just can't give him a perfect score because of the way his gimmick limits his poseability. It used to irritate me sometimes when I was a kid that I couldn't pose him in a straight standing pose becasue of the way his waist was always turned.

[Jawbridge]

I recently found some 8-shot ring caps in the store, picked up a few packs hopping they would fit, and finally found them again. Boom, these things are awesome. It's been a long time sense I've smelt the powder and played w/ Thunder Punch the way he was meant to be played with. He would have gotten a rank of 5-6 maybe before, but now, he easily gets a 8 or 9.

That was a real blast, lemme know if you can't find caps, I'll send you a few!

"Thunder Punch He-Man throws a punch through the air. You hear it here (beat break)... but you feel it there!"

hahaha, here it is again for those of you interested!

[Spikewolfe]

I'd give him an 8. I liked the shield, the gold sword, and the action feature, but I wasn't a big fan of how the figure stood, or how the chrome armor wore off so easily. Flying Fists is my least favorite variant.

[Evil_Horde]

Voted 10!! I love the design and the colour of armour and the mechanism of punch is genial!

[PaoloKr]

No one of my fav He-Man variant.
6

[Lich Leech]

Probably the best fun factor of any of the He-Man variants. The arm sculpts are terrible though - very amateur looking compared to the original.

[Collec-Tor]

I gave him a five- though I'd cheerfully grade the Classics version a ten!

[MOLKROM]

10 points . Best Heman second only to the original .

This Thunder Punch Heman gives you the biggest bang for your buck .

The figure itself is huge , literally makes you feel that Heman has been given extra power . The bright red armour and backpack really makes him stand out . Why his boots had grey trimmings i cannot guess .

The yellow power sword is rather pointless in my opinion . I understand why his one hand is a fist but it would have been fun to see Heman have a sword in one hand and shield in the other . The shield is quite unique and alien shaped , designed to hold either sword or one of those blasting caps . It really adds sparkle to TP HeMan .