M.U.S.C.L.E. #236: Satan Cross
MUSCLE #236 was not on the poster. Click through for more details.
The Story Behind Satan Cross
Satan Cross is one of the few figures in the M.U.S.C.L.E. line not on the poster and 100% confirmed to be a mass-produced M.U.S.C.L.E. (the only other ones are the Wrestling Ring figures). In the Japanese Kinnikuman series, Satan Cross could merge with another fella, with the other guy merging into Satan Cross' back head-first. That gave him four arms, another face in his stomach, and an extra torso coming out his back. For the Japanese figure, the extra torso and legs could be removed, leaving a hole in his back. However, it's unconfirmed whether or not this extra torso was released over here, and its existence is rather unlikely.Although he's not on the MUSCLE poster, his real "rarity" is much debated. Some say he's rare, while others claim he's no harder to find than some poster figures. Regardless, he's relatively common (at least, compared to the Super-Rares), and you can probably find one relatively easily. But his perceived rarity makes him rather expensive, and he usually runs about $20-$40.
So why's isn't he on the poster? No one really knows. It may be speculated that, since this figure has a hole in his back, Mattel thought that it would cause confusion among kids and parents, and discontinued the figure early in the M.U.S.C.L.E. line. Another possibility is that Satan Cross, along with the Super-rares, was going to be part of a second wave of M.U.S.C.L.E.s that was cancelled in favor of the multi-colored figures.
Satan Cross Links
- The American Kinnikuman Information Archive: Basic information regarding Satan Cross in the Kinnikuman storyline. Just click Info > G1 Bios.
- Doc Moore J's Satan Cross Profile: Great scans of Satan Cross in the Kinnikuman manga!
- Satan Cross' Value at Rare MUSCLE Stuff: Veers has compiled some pretty detailed calculations regarding Satan Cross and its value.