Nathan's MUSCLE Blog!

2011-04-26T10:23:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Nathan's M.U.S.C.L.E. Blog!

Nathan's M.U.S.C.L.E. Blog is a blog dedicated to the awesome weirdness that is the MUSCLE toyline! This site has been online (previously as Nathan's MUSCLE Page) since April 24, 1998.

What are M.U.S.C.L.E.s?

M.U.S.C.L.E.s, also called MUSCLE men or MUSCLE things, are small PVC figures with an "intergalactic wrestling" theme (M.U.S.C.L.E. is an acronym for Millions of Unusual Small Creatures Lurking Everywhere). Produced by Mattel, MUSCLE toys were available in the mid-80's, from 1985 to 1986.

M.U.S.C.L.E. Figures/Assortments

MUSCLEs were available in the familiar 4-packs, 10-packs and 28-packs, and had a M.U.S.C.L.E. Wrestling Ring accessory, among others. Our MUSCLE toys originate from Japan, where they were based on characters from the cartoon, Kinnikuman.

Where do I go from here to fulfill my M.U.S.C.L.E. obsession?

For more information, check out the MUSCLE Collecting FAQs and the MUSCLE Collecting Page. Also, feel free to browse around the MUSCLE Figure Archive (with handy-dandy navigation to your right).

Fox and Tortle Show, Episode XI

2010-03-22T14:04:00.000-07:00

A Recap

(click on the image to go to that episode)

Fox and Tortle's adventures in the afterlife began with a simple, straight-forward interview with Nathan, the creator of Nathan's MUSCLE Page. Tortle, weary of the interview, blasted Nathan...

...and, with the author of the site cremated, Fox and Tortle ceased to exist as well. Our heroes found themselves in Limbo, reliving past events regarding their father figures that shaped their lives.

After spending some indeterminate time in Limbo, Fox and Tortle discovered what would be their afterlife reward... an eternity in Hell! But, after quickly outsmarting Satan, Fox and Tortle seized control of Hell!

Satan was not to be discouraged, however, and designed a special Hell just for Fox and Tortle... a Hell with clichéd content, cheesy jokes, and horrible web design... the Hell of an "Ate My Balls" page!

Fox and Tortle were so impressed by Satan's creativity that they returned control of Hell over to him. There is only one place left for them to go...

CREDITS
Writer and Digital Artist: Nathan Newell
Fox and the show concept created by Darrin Vindiola
Tortle created by Nathan Newell

Although I took photographs of all the toys and digitally composed each image, I obviously didn't take the beautiful background pictures shown in this episode myself. I used the following images as resources:

"Pearly White Gates":
http://www.unf.edu/classes/freshmancore/coreabroad/pictures/2001Braga/Braga-1-gate-PH2385.JPG
http://www.unf.edu/classes/freshmancore/coreabroad/pictures/2001Braga/Braga-3-ChurchofStJohn-PH2387.JPG

Sky:
http://students.washington.edu/bng10/pics/Others/sky%20-%20sun%20behind%20cloud.jpg
http://thomashawk.com/hello/209/1017/1024/Clouds%20Outside.jpg
http://www.stormeffects.com/images/70200%20MtUnderShlf.jpg
http://www.stormeffects.com/images/70200%20MtBowEcho.jpg
http://www.lakeviewstudios.com/photos/wetlands/large/evening-storm-clouds.jpg
http://australiasevereweather.com/photography/photos/1995/1028mb04.jpg
http://www.math.uiowa.edu/~camillo/PHOTOS_BY_BARBARA,_MOSTLYy/Storm%20over%20a%20barge,%20Bellview,%20Iowa6-12-04.JPG
http://epod.usra.edu/archive/images/earth_storm.jpg
http://v.girardot.free.fr/pics/sunset/20021001_sunset_084.jpg

Explosion:
http://www.freedesktopwallpapers.net/military/nuclear-bomb-explosion.jpg

Fox and Tortle Show, Episode X

2010-03-22T13:05:00.000-07:00

The Fox and Tortle Show Ate My Balls!

Waitaminnit... where are we?
Tortle? TORTLE! Snap out of it, man!

Oohh... what the?!
Where are we?

I'm not exactly sure...

Fox... look at this page! Horrible design... cliched content... stupid and unfunny jokes... we're in an ATE MY BALLS page!!!

NO! That can't be! What are we doing here?!

MOOWAA HA HA HA HAAAA!!!

That laugh... ArForbes? No, it's SATAN!! But I thought...

You thought wrong, fool! I only let you think you were in control of Hell while I meticulously devised your own personal torture! Welcome to an eternity of unoriginal content, atrocious quality control, and inexcusable grammar!

This can't be true! You wait until our webmaster hears of this...

HA HA HA!!! You just don't get it, do you?! Nathan is no longer here... say hello to your new webmaster!
	Hi, guysh! I wrote that Ate My Ballsh page myshelf! It'sh sho funny, ishn't it? Hee hee hee...

OH NO!!! Mekaneck!!!

The dorkiest man in the universe!!!

I have plenty of plansh for you guysh. We'll have sho much fun! In the next epishode, I'm going to do a parody of the Mahir page with you guysh in it! I kissh you! It'll be great!

No, no... a thousand times, NO! This is our fate?! An eternity of cheesy, unfunny, and stale dorkdom?!

That's right, mendicants! What do you have to say about your own Hell?

Well, I just have to say... Wow!
I'm impressed, Satan.

Yeah, this is much better than your last idea of Hell for us. You've really improved! Good job!

Gosh, you really think so?

Yeah! You really pulled out all the stops for this one. I don't think I could have done better myself! You're one sick dude for coming up with all this!

Really? Wow, that means alot coming from you guys! *sniff* Thanks!

No problem, man! You deserve the praise! This is a sick, twisted Hell you designed for us!

Say, I don't mean to be ungrateful, I know you spent alot of time on this... but we don't really have to stay here with this Mekadork, do we?

Of course not, guys! I'm sorry if I freaked you out... I just wanted to prove that I still had it, you know?

We completely understand! See ya later, man!

Aw, man... I thought we would all be friendsh. We can shtill be beshtesht buddiesh, right, Shatan?
I'm SO going to enjoy torturing you...

So where are we going now, Fox?

Well Tortle, we've been to Limbo and Hell... there's only one place left...

Fox and Tortle Show, Episode IX

2010-03-18T11:15:00.000-07:00

When we last left our heroes, they existed simply as disembodied spirits in a toy limbo-like state. Will they end up in an eternal paradise, filled with grapes, halos and virgin nubile women?

Or will they instead go to...

HELL!

Welcome to the Hell Show! Our guests for tonight are too numerous to list. After all, almost everyone goes to Hell! To Hell with it, let's get started! Our first guest is Phil Suckalewski! Bring him out, boys!

Oh my God... where am I?!

Ironic choice of words, Phil! You're in Hell! What did you expect, Disneyland?

Why am I here? WHAT HAVE I DONE TO DESERVE THIS?!

Golly, Phil! I'm surprised you don't know! Let me remind you of a day in your short, pathetic life: One morning, you traveled to the toy stores early so that you could get the brand new, hard-to-find Merman action figure. You found three, but instead of just buying one and leaving the rest for kids or true collectors, you bought all of them so that you could sell the extras on Ebay. Because you created an artificial shortage with your greed, you made a pretty good haul off that, didn't you Phil?

Sweet Jesus... I'm in Hell! It's so hot my skin feels like it's boiling off! OH GOD, PLEASE HELP ME!!!

Okay, stay on track here, Phil. Anyway, that was a typical day for you, wasn't it? Instead of getting a real job and taking responsibility for your life, you decided to live with your parents and scalp toys on Ebay! I just love Ebay, Phil... On Ebay, dirt-star-licking toy dealers such as yourself can uncontrollably scalp toys for obscene prices, raping both collectors and kids alike! Ebay makes it so much easier for me to find slimy pieces of worm-ridden filth like you!

Oh Lord, where am I? AGHH.... my skin! I can't breathe! EEEEYAAA!!!

Phil? You didn't hear a word I said, did you? Pay atten... I say, pay attention, boy! Sigh... He's no use to me in this condition. Take him away, boys.

I really wish that people would listen to my damnations. I work so hard on them...

Anyway, on with the show! Put your hands together for our next guest... Krangala!

KRANGALA!

Welcome to Hell, Krang...

KRANGALA!

Look, don't interrupt me, you little creep. Do you know why you're here, Krang...

KRANGALA!

Do you realize who you are mocking?! I am the Lord of All That is Dark! I am the Almighty Prince of Evi...

KRANGALA, KRANGALA, KRANGALA!

Sigh... Take him away, boys... I guess today's just one of those no-good, very-bad days...

Okay, folks, let's hope our next guests are a bit more interesting. Please welcome the infamous Fox and Tortle!

Holy Hippo Spit, Tortle... We're in Hell! This must be some sort of Bogus Journey!

That's right, fools! Welcome to eternal pain! As a reward for your toy-blasting ways, I'm going to split open your stomach with a rusty sickle, dump out your innards, smear them on my Slip 'N' Slide, and slide down with glee into the splash down mini-pool filled with your brains!

Wait... did you say, "sickle"? Heh, heh...

Ha, ha ha... and "Slip 'N' Slide"? That's rich!

You dare to laugh at my choice of torture..?!

Okay, let me get this straight. You're going to slice us open with a sickle? That's so antiquated.

Yeah, everybody knows that lasers are the wave of the future. And Slip 'N' Slides were popular 20 years ago!

I need no lasers or Slip 'N' Slides to cause you eternal pain, mendicants! I'll put you on the rack of horror and bathe in your screams for mercy!

A RACK?! You have a real, physical rack? Wow! I don't think I've ever seen one of those before... outside of a museum that is.

Yeah, that's older than Hell! Nowadays everything is handled by computers. You've never heard of Windows XP... "Xtreme Pain"? You've got nothing on Bill Gates, wuss.

Computers? Windows? Perhaps I am out of touch with recent tortures. Perhaps I have become just an old fogey...
Is it time for me to step down..?

Aw, don't get down-in-the-dumps, gramps. I'm sure there's something you're still useful for.

Yeah, like cleaning the torture toilets!

HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA...

SOON...

Welcome to the Hell Show! I'm your host, Fox and this is my partner Tortle! So how do you like Hell now that Satan has retired, Tortle?

Well, I never knew there were SO many politicians down here! The place is starting to smell like pond-scum with all these losers hanging around!

Fox and Tortle have conquered Hell! What's next for the duo? Will they ever get their normal show back? Will they ever return to the world of the living? And what has happened to Nathan?!

Fox and Tortle Show, Episode VIII

2010-03-17T13:45:00.000-07:00

Since Tortle's hasty blasting of Nathan in the last episode, Fox and Tortle have been existing in a toy equivalent of death as they relive events from their pasts... events which shaped them into the greatest journalists the toy world has ever seen...

Fox relives scenes from his young puppy-hood...

He remembers his father Jaguar Fett, the most feared journalist in the galaxy. Fox's life was forever changed as a result of a vast, yet tragic, battle... a battle which resulted in the death of his beloved father...

Tortle remembers his past as well... a time when he trained under a widely respected and beloved sensei...

Tortle... You have advanced in my teachings of peace far beyond any other student I have trained. As a result of my many years of instruction, you lead an entirely peaceful existence, never harming even the smallest of creatures.

You are my greatest protege. I forsee you becoming my successor, forever spreading the word of peace and kindness throughout this increasingly violent world. You are... like a son to me. I hope I am like a father to you for... I love you dearly, my son.

Oh dear! I'm terribly sorry about the mess, young lad. It seems I was a tad bit too sloppy in my aiming! Oh well... what is truly important is that I bagged my prey, is it not?

Good day! Chip, chip, cheerio!

Tortle stumbled away in a daze, dumbfounded by the horror of the sudden gory events...

Master... now that he's gone, I realize what I must do...

BLAST AS MUCH STUFF AS I POSSIBLY CAN!!! Man, that was cool! And now that the ol' fuddy-duddy's outta the way, I can have some REAL fun! I'm the king of the world! WAHOO!!!

Thus were the events that shaped the lives of Fox and Tortle...
What is next for the duo? Will they exist forever in this horrible limbo?

Fox and Tortle Show, Episode VII

2010-03-17T13:18:00.000-07:00

Is Nathan truly dead?

Can the Fox and Tortle Show exist without the creator of Nathan's MUSCLE Page?!
Has Nathan completely creeped himself out by depicting his own grisly death
at the hands of his creation, Tortle?

Stay tuned...

Fox and Tortle Show, Episode VI

2010-03-17T12:50:00.000-07:00

The Fox and Tortle Show has been CANCELLED!
Both Fox and Tortle have expressed their interests to pursue different ventures. Please stay tuned for the nightly news...

Welcome to the Channel 3 nightly news! Now, for tonight's top stories...

Microsoft's Bill Gates released the newest version of Windows, amid numerous allegations of monopolistic practices and world domination. Gates, shown here in his usual attire, claims these allegations to be preposterous with the release of the newest version of this software, Windows 2000 GE, the Galactic Empire edition.

Al Gore named his running mate for the 2000 presidential election, Connecticut Senator Joseph Lieberman last week. Lieberman is known for his rebuke of President Clinton during the Monica Lewinski affair. Gore denies that this is just a scheme to appeal to voters who distrust Clinton.

In a related story, Gore was in the running to play Sebastian Caine in the recent theatrical hit, Hollow Man. Producers opted against Gore, claiming he was, quote, "too transparent".

Bob Hope is recovering well from his recent health scare. Hope, shown here, is well renowned for his youthful energy. Hope's doctors say that he is feeling well and has never looked better.

Sir Alec Guiness passed away last week at the age of 86. He is known for his roles in such movies as Great Expectations and Star Wars. Guiness openly resented the Star Wars phenomena and its fans. However, the Star Wars movies are the ones from which he will be best remembered. Poetic justice? Or Guiness' own personal hell? You decide...

Those are tonight's top stories. Please stay tuned for the TortFiles, right after these messages. Good night!

What happens when you put a Queens woman in the same house as a Shogun Warrior? You get outrageous hilarity on...

Watch Gaiking of Queens only on this station!

Welcome to TortFiles! Check this out... this is an extremely dangerous piss viper. You can see the distinct piss-coloring here...

Oh, he's getting grumpy! That's his warning position! He's saying, "Get back, or I'll strike!" You're okay, bloke... These snakes are known for their distinct urine odor...

Look how aggressive he is! Naughtly little snake! No worries, mate.... What a BEAUTIFUL animal! These snakes are vital to the ecosystem. It's important that we preserve them for future gen...

GAA..!

Crikey, it's a good thing I had that thermal detonator! Remember, conservation is the key to the survival of wildlife... conservation of ammo, that is! See you next time!

Fox and Tortle Show, Episode V

2010-03-16T12:47:00.000-07:00

DESTROY! DESTROY!

Nathan’s MUSCLE Page is in shambles! And you know he's gonna blame us for this!

I wish all this never happened...

Wait... that’s it! If we can collect all seven of the Dragonballs, we can call the Eternal Dragon and wish everything back to normal!

That’s a great idea! Let’s go!

Fox and Tortle begin their search for the Dragonballs...

I found one under the couch cushions! A bunch of other worthless stuff too...

Get away from that Dragonball, you BITCH!!!

Hey, have you guys seen a Dragonball around here?
....
Is this a bad time?

SOON...

We collected all the Dragonballs! Now, Eternal Dragon, show yourself!

POOF!

WHAT IS THY BIDDING?

Whoa! Cool!

Okay, Mr. Dragon, we wish that Gaiking was Y2K compatible!

AS YOU WISH...

DESTROY! DESTROY!

PING!

Huh? What happened?

It’s a long story. Right now, we have to get Nathan’s Page back to normal!

I’d like a number 4 combo meal...

WHAT WAS THAT?

Uh, nothing Eternal Dragon! Fox, don’t piss off the Eternal Dragon! He's gonna kick our asses!

Who, me? Anyway, all we have to do is wish Nathan’s Page back! Eternal Dragon, we wish that Nathan’s MUSCLE Page was back the way it was!

AS YOU WISH...

PING!

Dag!

And I’d like fries with that...

EXCUSE ME?

Nothing, Eternal Dragon! Fox, get a grip, dude!

LOOK, DON’T GIVE ME ANY MORE CRAP, YOU LITTLE PRICKS. YOU STILL HAVE ONE WISH LEFT. WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT?

Gee... I don’t know! We could wish for a billion dollars! Or eternal life!

Or... we could wish for a thousand wishes!

Sweet! Okay, Eternal Dragon, we wish for...

A cashew!

YOUR FINAL WISH IS GRANTED!

PING!

Hot damn!

POOF!

Guy!!! What the hell is wrong with you?!

Hey, I’m hungry!

But if you wanted cashews, why didn’t you ask for something like a million cashews?

Don’t be stupid! There’s no way I can eat a million cashews!

There’s no way you can eat a SINGLE cashew! You’re a robot! You can’t eat anything at all!

Damn...

Oh, well... at least everything’s back to normal. And I guess it’s time to sign off! So long, gang!

The Fox and Tortle Show
Episodes 4 and 5
Written by Nathan Newell
Graphics by Nathan Newell
Starring

Fox - Himself
Tortle - Himself
Gaiking - Himself
Eternal Dragon - M.U.S.C.L.E. #177
Gaiking's Target Practice - Vegeta

and Darth Vader as Simba's Dad

Super-Rare M.U.S.C.L.E.s

2010-03-12T08:15:00.000-08:00

A few figures have stirred up some controversy amongst MUSCLEheads. These figures are not shown on the poster nor on any other official MUSCLE item, yet they have the same MUSCLE-like plastic and feature the Y/S*N*T trademark. They are periodically found in MUSCLE lots from both the US and Japan. Are they truly MUSCLEs?

Super-Rares

Super-Duper-Rares

Info

These strangely uncommon MUSCLEs are grouped into two categories: Super-Rare (in which more than a few of the figures are known to exist) and Super-Duper-Rare (in which only one or two are known to exist).

Black Hole Sunshine (Super-Rare)

(From the collection of Arforbes)

One Mystery MUSCLE is a version of Sunshine, deemed "Black Hole Sunshine", which has a hole in its chest where the sun symbol is located. The peg attached to the figure is designed to be taken off and inserted into the hole so that kids can have another MUSCLE "punch out" his chest.

Black Hole Sunshine is the next most common of the Super-Rares. Thanks to Arforbes for his pictures and testimony and to Msugarman for his account of his Super-Rare! You can see the Kinkeshi version of this figure here courtesy of Naochin's Kinkeshi Archives. See below for more pics courtesy of Msugarman!

Testimonies:

Arforbes: As soon as I saw it through the plastic of the bubble wrap, I knew it was a legit MUSCLE figure. Upon opening it, I noticed the tell tale Y/S.N.T American MUSCLE figure markings on its back. The plastic is 100% completely authentic MUSCLE plastic. The color of the figure is the exact flesh color that the original MUSCLE figures are. The thing that convinced me the most was the following fact. The MUSCLE smell is still intact on this figure. It smells exactly like a MUSCLE making it unmistakably real. I am convinced completely of its authenticity. You do not get closer to MUSCLE than this! (The fact that the figure smells like a MUSCLE is significant. Kinkeshi have somewhat of a "fishy" smell that is difficult to eradicate, so this MUSCLE smell indicates that this BH Sunshine is probably not a Kinkeshi. You can see here that the back of the figure clearly displays the Y/S*N*T trademark. -N)
Msugarman: I have one from when i was a kid. I remember ripping the hole off the side... now, my son found the hole in my box of muscles.
Robert: I had one of these black hole sunshines as a kid too. I lived in Fremont, CA at the time.

The above pictures, some of which are just wrong on so many levels, are courtesy of Msugarpants.

^ Back to top

Dr. Bonbe (Super-Rare)

Yet another Super-Rare in the collection of Arforbes! The tale of this Super-Rare can be found at this thread at the Little Rubber Guys Forums.

^ Back to top

Spinning Head Ashura Man (Super-Rare)

Courtesy of from Dave, a.k.a. jax0n.

A few people have come across this strange Ashura Man figure, and it's difficult to determine its origin. It looks pretty similar to most Kinnikuman/MUSCLE figures of the character. However, it has a feature that is different from all the Ashura Man figures in the American line!

Courtesy of EBednarik

As you can see, this Ashura Man has a rotatable and removable head! You can pop off his head, and rotate it to display the different faces! I always wanted to be able to turn Ashura Man's head so that his different personalities can shine through, and that's finally possible with this figure!

The figure has the usual "Y/S*N*T" (EBednarik) that all Kinnikuman/MUSCLE toys have. The seller of this figure says he bought it in American MUSCLE packaging, and the winner of another SHA from eBay, DomaJedah, assures that the figure is very MUSCLE-like in plastic and color.

Courtesy of jax0n and Justin.

Spinning Head Ashuraman is the most common of the Super-Rares. You can see more pics of SHA in Arforbes' Collection. Thanks to EBednarik and jax0n for the pics of Ashura Man, and to Jay and DomaJedah for their Ashura Man testimonies! You can see the Kinkeshi version of this figure here courtesy of Naochin's Kinkeshi Archives.

Testimonies:

Jay (JShurt): He is made with the same plastic as the U.S. muscles, not the softer 'eraser-like' plastic/rubber of the Japanese Kinnikumans. This reinforces the seller's memories of getting this figure in a domestic package of MUSCLEs. I have seen photos of [Kinnikuman] Ashura man figures that had the head attached to the body by a spur. This would allow the manufacturer to mold the figure as one piece then the purchaser could break the head free of the spur much like a piece from a model kit. I don't know if all Ashura man figures were distributed like this. I was curious if this was how the figure I got was distributed when new. So I asked the seller what he could remember about when he bought it. To the best he could remember the head was in place, in the hole on its shoulders and not connected by a spur.
Justin: I originally bought the figure in a 4-pack (as a kid). I’m pretty sure I got it at a Boston Store in Milwaukee.
Seller of the eBay auction for which DomaJedah was winner: Please understand that [the owner] considered these Muscle guys a toy for his son that were purchased over ten years ago. His son had them in a bag in his room for years and probably hasn't touched them in quite some time. They basically have been just sitting there. He had absolutely no idea that they would sell for more than a few dollars. To be truthful, he is somewhat skeptical that he will be paid for them!

Both he and his wife agree that they were purchased in the Western New York area (near Buffalo) for his son along with a "million" other little action figures for his son -- MUSCLES, Monsters in my Pocket, etc. They bought most of these figures in Toys R Us, Child World (out of business for several years), or Hills Dept Store (also out of business). He has absolutely no idea which store he bought these in nor does he know how they were packaged. All the knows is that he was fortunate enough to give them to me to sell and he is happy that they got the response they did. I am sorry I am not able to give you more specific information about these figures.

^ Back to top

Chain Man (Super-Duper-Rare)

This curious little dude (in the middle of the back row above) was discovered on eBay by l.designs. It appears to be a legitimate Super-Rare.

^ Back to top

Colored Super-Rares (Super-Duper-Rare)

Courtesy of Arforbes.

This is yet another Super-Rare discovery by Arforbes, this time of the first known instances of colored Super-Rares: Red Geronimo, Blue Robinmask, Blue Missileman, and Blue Woolman! The Red Geronimo was discovered in an American eBay auction, from a seller in Rochester, New York (the auction pic is shown below). The blues were discovered on Yahoo Japan (Alex explains his discovery on the Little Rubber Guys Forums).

Interestingly enough, the Blue Robinmask is the same sculpt as the pink Magnificent Eleven Robinmask, both of which were from Japan. Check out the pics below, from the Collection of Arforbes. Only one of each of these Super-Rares is known to exist.

Courtesy of Arforbes.

Testimony:

Arforbes: These came to me as a shocker. I bid on them on Yahoo Japan because they had a glossy look to them and I thought by slim chance they may be M.U.S.C.L.E. Super Rares. When I won them I was exited to receive them because of the picture the seller added to the auction. They turned out to actually be Super Rares which was amazing!

^ Back to top

Dark Emperor (Super-Duper-Rare)

This discovery comes from Arforbes, who noticed an oddly-shaped MUSCLE in the auction pic below. Only one Dark Emperor Super-Rare is known to exist. You can see the Kinkeshi version of this figure here courtesy of Naochin's Kinkeshi Archives.

Testimony:

Arforbes: Well, the Super Rare arrived today and it is 100% M.U.S.C.L.E.!!! It has the Y/S.N.T on the back, the same M.U.S.C.L.E. feel and texture and color, and the smell is intact!!! Another interesting thing I noticed is that it had what appeared to me to be a tiny blue speck on the back of the left blade of his head. As soon as I saw this I thought "4-Pack remnants!!!" The blue spec is common among figures that have rested on the cardboard backs of the 4-Packs for extended amounts of time. The tiny speck flaked off while I was cleaning the figure, but it looked just like a 4-Pack spec, which may be significant! (Like BHS below, the MUSCLE smell is significant in that Kinkeshi have a distinctly different odor. Also, the "blue speck" is likely a significant clue as to its possible 4-pack origins. -N)

^ Back to top

Drunken Master (Super-Duper-Rare)

This curious little guy was purchased by Philly Madison in a MUSCLE lot on eBay. Shown below is the auction pic (with the Drunken Master indicated with an arrow). The sculpt of this figure does, in fact, come from the Kinnikuman line, so it is a legitimate Toei/Yudetamago mold. The character's name is Horumon Yahki... click here to see the kinkeshi version of the figure (courtesy of Naochin's Kinkeshi Archives). Thanks to Philly Madison for the pics and the testimony! If you have any questions, you can contact him at phillymadison@yahoo.com.

Testimony:

Philly: ...I received the MUSCLEs and when I was going through them, I found a MUSCLE that I never seen before and it is not on the poster. I searched a few other sites to see if anyone has any history on him and I found nothing.

I dont think he is a bootleg because he has the Y/S*N*T mark on his back (little hard to see in the pic but in person its really clear). He is made out of the same plastic and everything like all the other MUSCLES. Same color, too.

The guy I bought them off from lives in Boston. All the other MUSCLES that were in the auction were plain MUSCLEs I've seen already, nothing special. When I saw this guy I thought it was a fake but then I checked his back and the Y/S N T mark was there. Plus he was the same plastic as the other MUSCLES (not the soft plastic like some of the fakes). To me he looks like a Japanese "Drunken Master". He can also stand on his head perfectly. I learned this because I wasn't paying attention when I was puting him down and I rested him upside down. This is just adding to my "Druken Master" aspect of him.

^ Back to top

The Magnificent Eleven (Super-Duper-Rare)

This incredible find comes from Johnny Karis, of Kinnikuman.com fame! Johnny found an auction on Yahoo! Japan for a MUSCLE 28-pack. The pack was the #2 Cosmic Crunchers set. After asking the seller for more detailed pictures, he received pictures showing 17 normal MUSCLEs along with eleven that were clearly not normal! After Johnny bought out the auction and received the figures, he realized that they were, in fact, the same feeling plastic as MUSCLEs... thus bringing the total number of Super-Rares to 15! Only one of each of these Super-Rares is known to exist. If you'd like to discuss this find, be sure to check out this thread at Little Rubber Guys.

Here are more detailed pictures of the Magnificent Eleven. Snow is great for MUSCLE photography!

Thanks to Johnny for the show pics above. Individual shots of Camo Buffaloman, Mysterious Partner, Satan Cross back half, Terry Man, and Wars Man courtesy of Arforbes.

^ Back to top

King Robin Mask (UNCONFIRMED)

Bellatrix101 found a Craig's List auction with a figure of Robin Mask's dad (from Kinnikuman Part 21) cast in suspiciously MUSCLE-like plastic. The winner of this auction was never found, so this figure can't be 100% confirmed to be a Super-Rare and the real story behind it continues to be a mystery. Check out the discussion over at LittleRubberGuys.com!

^ Back to top

Are they truly MUSCLEs?

So are these figures really MUSCLEs? It seems very likely, but why are there are SO few of them around? Many thousands of MUSCLEs exist in the online collecting community, and only one or two of each of these guys has shown up. Why would Mattel make them in such extremely limited quantities?

Many theories have surfaced from plenty of different "conspiracy theorists" to explain the rarity of these figures (assuming they're true MUSCLEs), including:

The MUSCLE line may have included many more figures in the beginning and the super-rares may have been cancelled early on.
The figures may have been part of a second wave of MUSCLEs that was cancelled early in favor of the multiple colors.
The super-rares may have been available only in different countries (similar to POTF85 Yakface).
They might be prototypes or salesmen samples that somehow made it on the production line.
They may have been the result of some sort of miscommunication between Japanese Bandai and American Mattel.
The figures may have been part of a product recall.

All the above theories are based on very little evidence that is entirely circumstantial, and frankly, we all lack any sort of working knowledge of the toy industry and how toy lines are produced. In truth, we really don't know the real story behind these guys and we may never know. We won't even know for sure if these guys are true MUSCLEs until they show up in American MUSCLE packaging! Whether or not these figures truly are MUSCLEs, or whether or not you need them for a complete MUSCLE collection, is entirely up to you.

^ Back to top

Super-Rare Links

Super-Rare FAQs at the Little Rubber Guys Forums
Super-Rare Official Discussion Thread at the Little Rubber Guys Forums
BHS Sells for $900 at the MPS
What is a Super-Rare? at Rare MUSCLE Stuff
Super-Rare Theories at Rare MUSCLE Stuff
BHS at Kinniku-MUSCLE Wrestling

^ Back to top

Exogini

2010-03-11T09:08:00.000-08:00

M.U.S.C.L.E.s conquer Europe! Exoginis are the Italian version of American MUSCLEs. They seemed to have been released at about the same time as MUSCLEs and Kinnikumans. Only 40 individual figures were available, a huge difference from the 236 MUSCLEs available in the US. However, a definite improvement of Exoginis over the American and Japanese lines was the introduction of six new innovative colors, shown above: Ivory, Black, Metallic Silver, Metallic Blue, Transparent Green, and Transparent Pink! Our American colors barely compare to the clear plastic Exoginis! Below are direct scans of 16 Exoginis...

There was also a second series of Exogini! This interesting fellow below-left is from that series, but is different from the figures in the first series in that he doesn't have a MUSCLE/Kinnikuman mold. He looks like some kind of a samurai or a ninja. To the right is a scan of more second series figures. The yellow guy is actually from Monster In My Pocket... he just managed to sneak into the scan.

If they are not Kinnikuman molds, where did the second series Exoginis come from? Scott Franckowiak sent in some information on the subject:

This figure was released in the U.S. as a part of the creatively titled M.U.S.C.L.E.-like figure set known (if I recall correctly) as N.I.N.J.A.S. They are roughly the same size as their flesh-colored cousins but they come in black, red and yellow and have the added feature of at least one item on each of the figures that glows in the dark (usually a weapon). Most of them are ninja and samurai types, although a handful are clearly robotic and at least one is an animal/human hybrid. Another interesting feature is that several of them are actually pairs of mini-ninjas combined together as a single figurine (such as a pair that holds either end of a gigantic nunchaku). They were available in Target/K-mart type stores in my home town of Milwaukee but I don't recall in what quantities they were sold. I vaguely recall four-packs and some type of larger quantity with the exact contents obscured in some way, but I have no original packaging to back this up.

Exoginis are made of a plastic that is similar to MUSCLEs. But besides the colors, a few drastic differences between Exoginis and MUSCLEs/Kinnikumans exist. Click on the pic below for a larger and more detailed scan.

As you can see, Exoginis are slightly smaller than American MUSCLEs or Kinnikumans and their sculpts are of a noticably poorer quality. In this example, the Exogini's frill is less defined and its details are a little fuzzy, both of which are indicators that Exoginis were molded from production MUSCLEs, not the original Kinnikuman molds. Additionally, the familiar "Y/S*N*T" trademark is missing from the Exoginis, which is noticable in this comparison scan of their backs.

Given these differences it's my theory that Exoginis are not officially licensed Kinnikuman toys! European toy companies have been known to rip off other toy manufacturers in other lines such as Star Wars. A common practice of bootleggers is to use production toys to cast molds, which leads to a degradation in detail of the bootleg and a slight decrease in its size... both of which are prevalent in Exoginis. Also, Exoginis don't have the Kinnikuman trademark, just like most other bootlegs.

But just because Exoginis may be bootlegs doesn't mean that they're not awesome! They're actually very good quality figures for bootlegs, and alot of the colors are much cooler than MUSCLE colors! I'm a huge fan of the clear Exoginis! I think that Exoginis definitely spice up a MUSCLE collection!

For more information about Exogini, including scans of the packaging artwork and each Exogini's name, check out Albertinoz's Exogini page. Thanks to HawkHead for the scan of the second series pink ninja!

Factory Errors

2010-03-11T08:54:00.000-08:00

No action figure production process is perfect, and MUSCLE is no exception. They're rare, but every once in a while a MUSCLE figure that has some sort of production error pops up. More common are mold distortions where figures are bent out of shape, but here we explore the more rare variety of MUSCLE birth defects.

Green "Hulk" #63

TheGodBeast over at the Little Rubber Guys forums found this guy, a green two-toned Goriki (#63). This MUSCLE doesn't appear to be the product of a color fade, nor does it appear to be the result of some sort of dyeing process. It's probably a factory error caused by different shades of pellets, or residue from one color pellet mixing with the normal color pellet.

Handless #081

Here's another weirdo... an Amoiman (#81) with malformed hands. This was probably caused by the plastic injection process cutting off before it completely filled-out the mold. Thanks to Justin (Bellatrix101) who posted a link to the auction featuring this figure on the Little Rubber Guys forums. I'm not sure who was the author of the pic though, so please let me know if you posted that auction.

Plastic Injection Error Niku #60

This figure is from the collection of Arforbes.

MUSCLE Factory Error Links

TheGodBeast discovers the Green Hulk factory error.

Fox and Tortle Show, Episode IV

2010-03-10T11:35:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Fox and Tortle Show! Well gang, the New Year has passed with no mass computer failure and no nuclear armageddon. It seems like all that preparation and worrying was for naught.

Yeah, kind of disappointing. I wanted to see at least a little bit of carnage, dammit!

Anyway, we have a great New Year's show for you! Please welcome our guest for tonight, Vegeta from Dragonball Z!

Greetings!

Wow, I can't believe you're on the show, Vegeta! I'm a big fan! I love it when you blast those weird green guys on the show!

Thank you, Tortle! I appreciate your cruelty on this show as well!

Well, Vegeta, I must admit that although I've seen the show, I really don't care for it. I mean, half of the show just is two fighters talking trash to each other or them grunting while they're charging up!

I'll answer that, then I will kill you both for such disrespect!

You only have two points of articulation that are actually useful! What are you going to do, hop us to death?

Hey, go easy on him, will ya Fox? He blows stuff up on his show! He's pretty cool!

Sorry Tortle, but I just can't compromise my integrity as a journalist...

KABOOM!!!

My God! What happened to Vegeta?!

DESTROY! DESTROY!

Gaiking! What the hell are you doing?!

MUST DESTROY THE SHOW!

Of course! Gaiking was made in the '70's! He's not Y2K compatible!

But why does a change in the date make you want to destroy the show, Gaiking?

IT IS NOW 1900. THE INTERNET WILL NOT BE INVENTED FOR MANY DECADES. THE VERY EXISTENCE OF THIS SHOW IS IMPOSSSIBLE AND WILL CAUSE A TEMPORAL PARADOX. THEREFORE, THE SHOW MUST BE DESTROYED!

You know, that kinda makes sense, in a Star Trek way...

ZAP!!!

LOOK OUT!!

Where's he going?

Holy hippo spit! He's going to Nathan's M.U.S.C.L.E. Page!

DESTROY! DESTROY!

RRRRIPP!

He's tearing the page apart! We've got to stop him! But how? His armor's too strong for our blasters!

I don't know, Tortle. I just don't know...

TO BE CONTINUED...

Fox and Tortle Show, Episode III

2010-03-08T14:30:00.000-08:00

PROLOGUE

Okay, you know what to do.

Yes. The payment had better be in my bank account by morning.

Of course. But Fox and Tortle are the ones who will really pay!! BWA, HA HA HA!!!

Welcome to the Fox and Tortle Show! Our guest tonight is one of the big screen’s hottest stars, Brad Pitt! He’s here to promote his new movie, ‘Fight Club’! Stay tuned for this exclusive interview! Now, on with the show!

And now, ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the ever amazing and handsome Brad Pitt!

Hello!

Umm... I always thought that you were less of a fat ass, Brad.

Tortle, please! How about a little curtesy for our guest?

Now, Mr. Pitt, you’re one of today’s hottest movie stars, even though your fame rides primarily on your appearance and not your pathetic acting ability. Your new movie, ‘Fight Club’, is playing everywhere as we speak. Could you tell us a little more about it?

The first rule of Fight Club is, you do not talk about Fight Club.

Okay...

Did kids ever make fun of your name when you were growing up, Arm Pitt?

Tortle, please control yourself! Have a little respect for this incredibly famous actor! Anyway, Mr. Pitt, in your new movie, you play somebody who gets into alot of fights, even though everyone can tell from your wussy pretty-boy appearance that you haven’t gotten into a fight a day in your life. Did you have to do any special training for the movie?

The second rule of Fight Club is, you do not talk about Fight Club!

That’s it, SAY YER PRAYERS, VARMINT!

BUDDA, BUDDA, BUDDA!

KABOOM!!!

Greetings, fools!

Wigglytuff!!! What have you done with Brad Pitt?!

You pathetic simpletons! Brad Pitt was never scheduled for this show! I arranged the whole thing!

But why?

Because my mission is to ruin your show! And I think I’ve done a splendid job at that!

We’ll see about that...

As you can see from your previous attempt, your weak weaponry may have burnt off my mask, but it has no effect on me! I will remain here and create further destruction until your show is in rubble! You cannot stop me!

He’s right, Tortle, our blasters have no effect! We’ll have to get the bouncer! Hey, Guy! We have a job for you!

What the...

ZAP!!!

SIZZLE...

Thanks, Gaiking! Man, I wonder who hired Wigglytuff to ruin our show?

I don’t know, but who wants some roast Wiggly?

None for me, thanks! Roast Pokemon always gives me gas! Well, I guess that’s all for this show, gang! Thanks for tuning in!

The Fox and Tortle Show
Episode 3
Written by Nathan Newell
Graphics by Nathan Newell
And thanks to Jordan Hartnett for his suggestions!
Starring

Fox - Himself
Tortle - Himself
Brad Pitt - Wigglytuff

and William Shatner as the crazy guy in the plane

Fox and Tortle Show, Episode II

2010-03-08T07:34:00.000-08:00

Welcome to another episode of the Fox and Tortle Show! I’m your host Fox and this is my partner Tortle! In our ongoing coverage of the Star Wars prequel, we have an exclusive interview with the ever-popular FX-7! He promises some never before revealed details of Episode 1! Stay tuned for the scoop!

We’re back! And now, folks, please welcome your favorite droid and mine, FX-7!

Beep!

Hey, FX... what happened to your arm?

Bleep, blop, geep... blarp!

Amazing! I didn’t know you were in World War II!

Blaap, beep!

No, I didn’t see you in Saving Private Ryan! Or do you mean "Saving Ryan's Privates"?

HA HA HA HA HA!!!

Okay gang, enough hijinks! FX, I hear you’ve come with news about Episode 1!

Yeah, let’s hear it!

Bleep, gorp geep blap! Beep boop baap! Beep!

Incredible! Well, folks, you heard it here first!

Beep beep, gorp!

What the hell did you just say?!

Beep..?

NOBODY SAYS THAT ‘BOUT MY MOM!!!

WOOP! WOOP! WOOP!

BUDDA! BUDDA! BUDDA!

KABOOM!!!

Tortle!!! He said "I’m sorry I had a glitch!"

Oops... I thought he said "Your sorry mom’s a bitch!"

Oh, well... anybody could make that mistake, I guess! He's kind of a cheesy droid anyway! Well, I guess that wraps up our interview with FX-7!

Fox, before we go, I want to address a very important and serious subject to the kids in the audience tonight.

I’d just like to tell them that, although our guests usually die in a fiery blast of hell from my blaster, we here at the Fox and Tortle Show in no way advocate violence. Take Squirtle here, for example. Come on out, Squirtle!

You guys aren’t going to blast me, are you?

Of course not! Come on, we won’t hurt you!

Well... okay...

See kids, even though Pokemons are MUSCLE wanna-be’s, and Squirtle is just a pathetic knockoff of me, we won’t blast him. Why? Because we want to show that we're above such senseless acts of violence.

Really? That's great, guys..!

Speak for yourself, Tortle!

FWOOSHH!!!

HA! Man, I can't believe he fell for it!

Yeah, you’d think he’d learn from all those other times we blasted him! Well, that’s all for this show! Thanks for tuning in!

I'll get you guys... just you wait and see...

The Fox and Tortle Show
Episode 2
Written by Darrin Vindiola and Nathan Newell
Graphics by Nathan Newell
Commercial by Jason Radniecki
And thanks to Jay for his suggestions!
Starring

Fox - Himself
Tortle - Himself
FX-7 - Himself
Wussy - Squirtle

and Dolph Lundgren as He-Man

Ultimate Muscle FoxBox Preview

2010-03-08T07:04:00.000-08:00

The FoxBox Preview is the first official American Ultimate Muscle collectible! This was a freebie given away at Toys R Us stores to promote the Fox Saturday morning line-up, called "FoxBox".

The FoxBox preview package came with a VHS tape, a CD-ROM, a sticker sheet, a Mega-Blocks catalogue, and a cool TMNT comic (which was surprisingly close to the original comic... but, let's concentrate on Ultimate Muscle). Inside the box are printed more details and art regarding the shows.

The VHS tape shows the beginning title sequence of the show, as well as an all-too-brief preview of the action! The sticker sheet shows Kid Muscle himself (I included the Ninja Turtle too, just because he's cool).

But the real treat in this packet is the CD-ROM! Check out the cool cover, as well as the nifty decal on the CD! The FoxBox program on the CD features plenty of cool Kinnikuman related stuff: the title sequence and the theme music of the show, bios and a general story arc (very similar to the online content), wallpaper, screensavers, and coloring pictures. The user interface is very cool!

Although I might be making too big a deal of this with all this coverage, I feel like it's justified since this is the first American MUSCLE-related collectible in 17 years. What a great introduction to the series!

Kinnikuman Comichara Set

2010-03-08T06:59:00.000-08:00

This action figure and vehicle set was constructed to look like the Kinnikuman manga books. When you open it up, there are some "comic" pages with directions for the car, instructions for games, and information about the characters. Also, there's a compartment with the figures and vehicle. Shown above is a scan of the front of the package, and below the back.

The set includes nine Kinnikuman figures, a car, and a launcher. Click here for a scan of the figures. The car and launcher in the package was actually slightly different from the one shown on the back of the package. The "comic" section has directions for playing with the car. As far as I know, this is the only vehicle made for either the Kinnikuman or the M.U.S.C.L.E. line.

When you open the cover, there are a few pages of cool illustrations of the characters included in the set! The first page (after the title page) shows Ramen Man, Sunshine, Kinnikuman, and Kanderaman (Lod IX). The next page has illustrations of Anmonaitosu, Sunigator Shotai (the Hand), Shyaneruman (Cowboy Muscleman), Personalman, and Screw Kid.

A few games are also explained in the "comic" section. The cup game seems pretty simple. You put two Kinnikumans in a cup, shake them around, and toss them down. Their positions determine how many points you get. There is also a board game.

Ian Cranston chimes in on the rules of the games:

FYI, the top game shown is a traditional "sumo" game--normally, Japanese kids cut out paper "sumo" and then put them on a square cardboard box. They then tap the edge in an attempt to get their sumo to move forward. First one to fall loses. However, this version seems to be played with the game box and the figures...interesting. If you'd like to see a game of sumo played out on film, rent Beat Takeshi's "Sonatine." The other game seems to be chess from the name, but I can't make out the rules off the top of my head.

There was only one version of the Comichara set to my knowledge, and the figures were the same for each set. Although the car doesn't really go well with the Kinnikuman concept, the packaging unifies the comic and figure line, and it's alot of fun!

Misc. M.U.S.C.L.E.-related Illustrations

2010-03-08T06:41:00.000-08:00

The M.U.S.C.L.E. Epic Battle Carrying Case

I always wanted a decent official M.U.S.C.L.E. carrying case but since that was never made, I decided to design my own! I designed this "Epic Battle Carrying Case" in the late 90's. The carrying case itself was a Hot Wheels or Matchbox car case made of clear plastic (found at Wal-marts and other retailers for about five bucks). It held alot of M.U.S.C.L.E.s, about 150 or so. As for the decal, I first sketched a battle between Muscle Man and Terri-Bull. (91K) Then I scanned that sketch in the computer and added color and logos.

M.U.S.C.L.E. Planets

In the late 90's, I experimented with the idea that the different colored M.U.S.C.L.E.s came from different planets in a M.U.S.C.L.E. solar system. The idea was a fun way to practice creating planets in Photoshop. Below are the pink and green M.U.S.C.L.E. planets.

The Massive Mayhem Wrestling Ring

This custom ring was a WWE 6" scale wrestling ring with some MUSCLE-oriented decals of my own design. The sides have decals displaying the logo (shown at top), along with illustrations from the Kinnikuman Comichara Set (two of which are shown here). The ring mat features a large graphic of a MUSCLE Planet (which was created my playing around with a real-life image of Mars).

Fox and Tortle Show, Episode I

2010-03-06T05:38:00.001-08:00

Hi, gang! Welcome to the first episode of the Fox and Tortle Show! I’m your host, Fox, and this is my partner, Tortle! Our guest for tonight is the most notorious bounty hunter in the galaxy, Boba Fett! Now, on with the show!

We’re back! And now, our guest for tonight is known throughout the galaxy for his cunning bounty hunter skills and putting the moves on Jabba’s dancers! Let me introduce the only man who made the Sarlacc burp... Boba Fett!

Hi!

What the {CENSORED}?!

Is there a problem?

Not at all... it’s just that you seem a little more... well... color coordinated in the movies.

What do you mean?

Well.... It's just..... Wow!....You sure look alot taller in person! And aren’t those weapons a little... how do I say this... out of proportion? Your gun is so huge you can barely carry it and your backpack is way too small! That’s not even a rocket-firing backpack, is it?

Hey, if you’re having trouble getting your rocket to fire, why don’t you try some viagra?

My rocket fires just fine! And as for my appearance, hey, you know what they say... The camera adds 2 feet to your height and several inches to your err.....weapons and stuff, heh heh!

But I've SEEN YOU on camera before, you just don't look the same.

Look, are we going to talk about my role in Star Wars: Episode 1 or not?!

That’s funny... I thought you weren’t even going to be in the next Star Wars movie.

Oh, that’s just what the producer is telling everybody so that it will be a surprise. The truth is... are you guys ready for this? I will in fact be in the next movie, piloting the one and only Millennium Falcon!

BWA, HA, HA, HA, HA!!!

It’s true! I read all about it over the Internet! Hey, what the...

Beat it, you oversized freak! I am the true Boba Fett!

Boys, boys... now don't start fighting! Surely you know that I am the real Boba Fett!

After all, 'Boba' is a girl's name!

KABOOM!!!

Sorry, Fox, but that was getting a little too weird for me.

No problem... I was reaching for my blaster, too!

Well, I guess we're plumb out of show thanks to Tortle! And I DO mean THANKS Tortle!! I'd go ahead and do my final thought segment, but I'm mentally drained now! So I guess that’s all for tonight, gang! Good night!

The Fox and Tortle Show
Episode 1
Written by Darrin Vindiola and Nathan Newell
Graphics by Nathan Newell
Commercial for the MCW by Jason Radniecki
Starring

Fox - Himself
Tortle - Himself
Fake Boba Fett - Galaxy Cops Boba Fett
Real Boba Fett - POTF2 Boba Fett
Boba Babe - Vintage Boba Fett

and Jerry Mathers as the Beaver

M.U.S.C.L.E. #001: Kinnikuman (D)

2010-03-05T14:57:00.001-08:00

MUSCLE #1 was named on the MUSCLE Poster as 'MUSCLEMAN'. This figure was available in Grape color in the Mega Match Board Game, and commonly came in the 4-pack and 10-pack assortments.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #002: Buffaloman (B)

2010-03-05T14:56:00.001-08:00

MUSCLE #2 was named on the MUSCLE Poster as 'TERRI-BULL'. This figure was available in the 4-pack and 10-pack assortments.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #003: Sunshine (C)

2010-03-05T14:55:00.001-08:00

This figure was available in the 4-pack and 10-pack assortments.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #004: Kani Besu

2010-03-05T14:54:00.001-08:00

This figure was available in the Cosmic Showdown 28-pack.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #005: Planet Man

2010-03-05T14:53:00.001-08:00

This figure was available in the Mighty Maulers 28-pack.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #006: Erimaki Tokage

2010-03-05T14:52:00.001-08:00

(Collared Lizard - Sunigator) This figure was available in the Mighty Maulers 28-pack.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #007: Puyo Puyo

2010-03-05T14:51:00.001-08:00

(This is a saying in Japanese that describes something that is jiggly, like jello.) This figure was available in the Cosmic Showdown 28-pack.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #008: Shishikababu

2010-03-05T14:50:00.001-08:00

(Shishkabob) This figure was available in the Cosmic Showdown 28-pack.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #009: Wakusei Barukan

2010-03-05T14:48:00.001-08:00

(Wakusei means Planet, and Barukan is the planets name.) This figure was available in the Cosmic Showdown 28-pack.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #010: Jessie Maybia

2010-03-05T14:47:00.001-08:00

This figure was available in the Thug Busters 28-pack.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #011: Hidora King

2010-03-05T14:46:00.001-08:00

This figure was available in the 4-pack and 10-pack assortments.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #012: Oil Man

2010-03-05T14:45:00.001-08:00

This figure was available in the Mighty Maulers 28-pack.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #013: King Cobra

2010-03-05T14:44:00.001-08:00

This figure was available in the Thug Busters 28-pack.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #014: Robin Mask (C)

2010-03-05T14:43:00.001-08:00

This figure was available in the 4-pack and 10-pack assortments.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #015: Sunshine (D)

2010-03-05T14:42:00.001-08:00

This figure was available in the 4-pack and 10-pack assortments.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #016: Neptuneman (B)

2010-03-05T14:41:00.001-08:00

This figure was available in the 4-pack and 10-pack assortments.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #017: Kinnikuman (B)

2010-03-05T14:40:00.003-08:00

This figure was available in the Thug Busters 28-pack.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #018: Daiyaman

2010-03-05T14:40:00.001-08:00

(Short for Diamond... DIAMAN in English.) This figure was available in the Cosmic Crunchers 28-pack.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #019: Black Killer

2010-03-05T14:38:00.001-08:00

This figure was available in the 4-pack and 10-pack assortments.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #020: Kinniku Daiou

2010-03-05T14:37:00.001-08:00

This figure was available in the 4-pack and 10-pack assortments.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #021: Akuma Shogun (A)

2010-03-05T14:36:00.001-08:00

This figure was available in the Thug Busters 28-pack.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #022: The Manriki

2010-03-05T14:35:00.001-08:00

(Vice) This figure was available in the 4-pack and 10-pack assortments.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #023: Iwao

2010-03-05T14:34:00.001-08:00

(Rock) This figure was available in the 4-pack and 10-pack assortments.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #024: Cubeman

2010-03-05T14:33:00.001-08:00

This figure was available in the Thug Busters 28-pack.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #025: Prince Kamehame

2010-03-05T14:32:00.001-08:00

(He's 70 years old... amazing, isn't it?) This figure was available in the Thug Busters 28-pack.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #026: The Ninja (A)

2010-03-05T14:31:00.001-08:00

This figure was available in the Thug Busters 28-pack.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #027: Ashuraman (A)

2010-03-05T14:30:00.001-08:00

This figure was available in the 4-pack and 10-pack assortments.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #028: John Stimboard

2010-03-05T14:29:00.001-08:00

This figure was available in the 4-pack and 10-pack assortments.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #029: Terryman (C)

2010-03-05T14:27:00.001-08:00

This figure was available in the 4-pack and 10-pack assortments.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #030: Keyman

2010-03-05T14:25:00.002-08:00

This figure was available in the 4-pack and 10-pack assortments.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #031: Terryman (A)

2010-03-05T14:25:00.000-08:00

This figure was available in the 4-pack and 10-pack assortments.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #032: Kington

2010-03-05T14:24:00.000-08:00

MUSCLE #32 has a sculpt variation. One variant has six 'warts' on its back (all in the same place: three on the head, two on the back, and one on the butt) and the other has none. See above for the wart variant. This figure was available in the Cosmic Showdown 28-pack.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #033: Skull Bozu

2010-03-05T14:22:00.001-08:00

(Bozu means someone that is bald.) This figure was available in the 4-pack and 10-pack assortments.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #034: Nokogira Man

2010-03-05T14:21:00.001-08:00

(Saw Man) This figure was available in the 4-pack and 10-pack assortments.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #035: Wars Man (A)

2010-03-05T14:20:00.001-08:00

This figure was available in the 4-pack and 10-pack assortments.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #036: Kinkotsuman

2010-03-05T14:19:00.000-08:00

(Bones and Tendons Man) This figure was available in the 4-pack and 10-pack assortments.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #037: Dynamite Piper

2010-03-05T14:18:00.000-08:00

This figure was available in the Cosmic Showdown 28-pack.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #038: Tileman

2010-03-05T14:17:00.000-08:00

This figure was available in the Thug Busters 28-pack.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #039: Sunshine (A)

2010-03-05T14:16:00.000-08:00

This figure was available in the 4-pack and 10-pack assortments.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #040: Kendaman (B)

2010-03-05T13:05:00.000-08:00

(Kendaman is a take off of Kendama which is an old Japanese toy that some would know it as Cup and Ball.) This figure was available in the 4-pack and 10-pack assortments.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #041: Beauty Rhodes

2010-03-05T13:04:00.000-08:00

This figure was available in the 4-pack and 10-pack assortments.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #042: Goremuman

2010-03-05T13:03:00.000-08:00

This figure was available in the 4-pack and 10-pack assortments.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #043: Curry Cook

2010-03-05T13:02:00.000-08:00

This figure was available in the Thug Busters 28-pack.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #044: Benkiman (A)

2010-03-05T13:01:00.000-08:00

(From the Manga... Benki is a Japanese style toilet.) This figure was available in the Thug Busters 28-pack.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #045: Springman

2010-03-05T12:59:00.000-08:00

This figure was available in the Cosmic Crunchers 28-pack.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #046: Robin Mask (A)

2010-03-05T12:58:00.000-08:00

This figure was available in the 4-pack and 10-pack assortments.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #047: Iinchou

2010-03-05T12:55:00.000-08:00

(President and/or Chair person, so in the manga/anime, he's like the matchmaker/promoter.) This figure was available in the Cosmic Crunchers 28-pack.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #048: Teapack Man

2010-03-05T12:54:00.000-08:00

This figure was available in the Thug Busters 28-pack.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #049: Black Shadow

2010-03-05T12:50:00.000-08:00

This figure was available in the Thug Busters 28-pack.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #050: The Hawkman (A)

2010-03-05T12:49:00.001-08:00

This figure was available in the 4-pack and 10-pack assortments.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #051: Canadianman

2010-03-05T12:47:00.001-08:00

This figure was available in the Thug Busters 28-pack.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #052: Jawsman

2010-03-05T12:46:00.001-08:00

This figure was available in the Mighty Maulers 28-pack.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #053: Junkman (A)

2010-03-05T12:45:00.002-08:00

This figure was available in the Thug Busters 28-pack.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #054: The Mountain

2010-03-05T12:45:00.000-08:00

This figure was available in the Thug Busters 28-pack.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #055: Skyman

2010-03-05T12:43:00.001-08:00

This figure was available in the 4-pack and 10-pack assortments.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #056: Neptune King

2010-03-05T12:42:00.001-08:00

This figure was available in the 4-pack and 10-pack assortments.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #057: Kinnikuman Great

2010-03-05T12:41:00.000-08:00

This figure was available in the Mighty Maulers 28-pack.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #058: Buffaloman (C)

2010-03-05T12:40:00.001-08:00

This figure was available in the 4-pack and 10-pack assortments.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #059: Wars Man (B)

2010-03-05T12:38:00.000-08:00

This figure was available in the Mighty Maulers 28-pack.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #060: Mito (A)

2010-03-05T12:37:00.000-08:00

This figure was available in the 4-pack and 10-pack assortments.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #061: Kinnikuman (A)

2010-03-05T12:36:00.000-08:00

This figure was available in the 4-pack and 10-pack assortments.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #062: The Sheik

2010-03-05T12:35:00.000-08:00

This figure was available in the Cosmic Showdown 28-pack.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #063: Goriki

2010-03-05T12:34:00.000-08:00

(Someone with awesome physical strength.) This figure was available in the Mighty Maulers 28-pack.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #064: Sunshine (B)

2010-03-05T12:32:00.000-08:00

This figure was available in the Thug Busters 28-pack.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #065: Crystalman

2010-03-05T12:30:00.001-08:00

This figure was available in the Cosmic Showdown 28-pack.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #066: Mr. Barracuda (A)

2010-03-05T12:29:00.001-08:00

This figure was available in the Cosmic Showdown 28-pack.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #067: Pentagon

2010-03-05T12:28:00.000-08:00

This figure was available in the Thug Busters 28-pack.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #068: Okutopasu Dragon

2010-03-05T12:27:00.000-08:00

This figure was available in the 4-pack and 10-pack assortments.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #069: Specialman

2010-03-05T12:25:00.001-08:00

This figure was available in the Cosmic Showdown 28-pack.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #070: Ashuraman (B)

2010-03-05T12:23:00.000-08:00

This figure was available in the Thug Busters 28-pack.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #071: Neptune Man (A)

2010-03-05T12:22:00.000-08:00

This figure was available in the 4-pack and 10-pack assortments.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #072: Sunigator (A)

2010-03-05T12:20:00.000-08:00

This figure was available in the Thug Busters 28-pack.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #073: Mairudoman

2010-03-05T12:19:00.000-08:00

(In the manga & anime, he was known as Big the Budo) This figure was available in the 4-pack and 10-pack assortments.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #074: Spray Majin

2010-03-05T12:18:00.000-08:00

(Spray Devil) This figure was available in the Mighty Maulers 28-pack.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #075: Abdullah

2010-03-05T12:16:00.001-08:00

This figure was available in the 4-pack and 10-pack assortments.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #076: Eraginesu

2010-03-05T12:15:00.000-08:00

This figure was available in the Thug Busters 28-pack.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #077: Ashuraman no Sensei

2010-03-05T12:14:00.000-08:00

(Ashuraman's Teacher. AKA- Samson) This figure was available in the 4-pack and 10-pack assortments.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #078: Vikingman

2010-03-05T12:13:00.000-08:00

This figure was available in the Thug Busters 28-pack.

M.U.S.C.L.E. #079: Hammerhead

2010-03-05T12:11:00.000-08:00

This figure was available in the Cosmic Crunchers 28-pack.

Past Nathan's MUSCLE Page/Blog Designs

2010-03-03T20:37:00.000-08:00

Here are some of my MUSCLE designs that have survived the years! Relive Nathan's MUSCLE Page of yesterday!

October 1999

The initial design concept of the site was that the index page was to mimic the appearance of a MUSCLE 4-pack. I deviated from the concept slightly with the "MUSCLE" logo, which was a direct scan of a bunch of building blocks (nifty idea, but I realize now it didn't go well with the initial design concept). You'll notice the Halloween greeting at the top-left, and the "Grand Reopening" logo at the right. I had neglected the site for about a half a year at this time, and had just started to get back into it.

June 2000

The only aspects that still exist from this time period is the background (which remained the same from the previous design), and the logo graphic. You'll notice that I added one more MUSCLE to the 4-pack (therefore making it accurate), and really accentuated the 4-pack idea with a more defined card. The card design is my own, of course... :)

2002 - February 2003

With this design, I had decided to branch further away from the "card" concept. I drew the Tortle sketch myself and scanned it in. The backgrounds appear "ripped", as if the Tortle sketch was freeing itself from the paper. This is probably one of my favorite designs... although it completely goes against my initial concept.

Other miscellaneous graphics from this time period:

A banner I used for my AKIA signature

A logo I used when I moved the page from Xoom to Newellsystems.com

February 2003 - March 2005

I decided to return to the four-pack card concept with this design. The card image was based on a scan of a four-pack, but the card was essentially completely redrawn in Photoshop to make it cleaner and more interesting with the inclusion of Kinnikuman and Meat (taken from the cover of the Comichara Kinnikuman set). The four figures represent the varied aspects of MUSCLE collecting: Tortle and the Hand are, of course, MUSCLEs; Curry Cook is an Ultimate Muscle; and the Light Bulb Guy is a Kinnikuman bootleg. The secondary pages, like Fun Crap, were also redesigned to resemble the back of the card, which was my initial idea for these pages that was never really implemented well until this design.

April 2005

Secondary Page Screenshot - Collecting: Here we see a shot of a secondary page (specifically, the Collecting page) during this time period. It was my first foray into the "clean" design approach, and I wanted to add interest to the page with a Collecting-specific logo.

Main Page Logo: I always liked this logo, but the image size was just too large. At 100K just for the logo, it was a bit too unreasonable, especially for an image on the main page.

August 2005 - September 2006

I removed myself from the card concept (as it had gotten a bit cliched) with this design. My concentration on both the main page and the secondary pages is for cleanness and clarity through a simple design. Also, I wanted to make a bolder statement with the logo, while incorporating the variety of the site. I decided upon a basic, overlapping logo with various tiles to the right (randomly generated based on an ASP ad rotator).

A logo used when I moved the page from Newellsystems.com to Nathansmusclepage.com

September 2006 - July 2008

I continue my exploration into minimalism with this design. But I had many other issues I wanted to address:

1) I wanted to try replacing table structure with CSS DIV technology.
2) I've always liked the idea of having a navigation path, so I added that functionality to the site.
3) The content area needed to be expanded for current screen resolutions.
4) I was sick of being limited by the page's dark blue background just because I had a bunch of images that used that color as their backgrounds. I wanted to brighten the page up with a new background color, as well as add some new colors to play with.

Main Page (March 2007, left): At this time, I was manually updating the news by using templates, which was cumbersome to say the least. Also, you can see that the color palate included more pink (which I eventually determined to be too distracting), and the page lacked a "bottom" grounding it.

Main Page (July 2008, right): I implemented Blogger as my content management tool for news and updates, calmed down the color scheme, and gave the page a grounding bottom.

July 2008 - March 2010

With this redesign, I decided to play up the reflective, shiny trend that seemed to permeate web design at the time, presumably driven by iPods and iPhones. I also started to like the reduced lines indicative of blogs, so I worked to get rid of any distracting lines or grooves. While Blogger was my content management tool for news and updates, I was still hand-coding the content via HTML, which was a big pain.

March 2010 - The Future!

This was less of a redesign and more of a migration into a new content management tool, namely the Blogger blog format. Turning Nathan's MUSCLE Page into Nathan's MUSCLE Blog was an idea that had been percolating in my mind for quite a while. I've always thought that sites like Toypedia and University of MUSCLE worked really well with the blog format (which is why my other site, The Dork Dimension, is a blog). Administering a blog is easy and unlike the nathansmusclepage.com hosting plan, totally free. Admittedly, I was disappointed that some of my custom-coding would be lost, like the MUSCLE Archive Search. But the functionality of the blog was close enough for those custom-coded portions to be functional. I kept the 2008 design because it was still pretty relevant.

Above is a logo I used to redirect users from nathansmusclepage.com to the new blog.

Misc. Graphics

2001(?) Logo: This logo marks my first departure from the basic card design. The Tortle picture actually came from the Kinnikuman manga.

MPS Logo 1 (2001): I made this logo for Darrin's MUSCLE Preservation Society web site.

MPS Logo 2 (2002): This MPS logo was for a logo contest Darrin was running at the time. I wanted to go for a religious MUSCLE experience, and to imply with the logo that Darrin's site was the "genesis" of MUSCLE sites.

AKIA Banner Logo: I created this logo for a skin that I developed for AKIA (which is now LittleRubberGuys.com).

Fruit Pie Signature: This image was used as my signature at LittleRubberGuys.com.

Little Rubber Guys Logo (Dec 07): Johnny of Kinnikuman.com fame commissioned me to do a LRG logo, and this is the result. I wanted to make a representation of toys interacting with a LRG logo, so I wanted the figures to seem as much like toys as possible. I intentionally didn't go crazy with textures to give them a plasticy look, and kept their proportions close to those of the toys.

Photoshopped M.U.S.C.L.E.s Page I

2010-03-03T19:56:00.000-08:00

It looks like Tortle wants to meet you! Waitaminnit... Tortle, what did I tell you about ripping through my C-10 cards?!

Say hello to H.A.N.D. (Hellion Assisting in Needless Destruction). He's a nasty little grump. All the other M.U.S.C.L.E.s and I know to steer clear of him when he has a hangnail!

This young fella's name is Baby Muscle! His high-pitched scream has the power to force opponents into submission, as well as force me into buying him toys whenever we go into a toy store.

This is Drazil, evil arch nemesis of Tortle. I've asked him why he hates Tortle so much, but he won't give me a straight answer (I think he's jealous because C.U.T.I.E.s constantly swoon over Tortle).

Maho-Tsukai is the resident M.U.S.C.L.E. Magician, and he puts on a show for me and the other M.U.S.C.L.E.s frequently. One of his favorite tricks is to dissolve into thin air (shown here). I caught him with a bunch of mirrors before a show once, but he said that they were for "fixing his hair." Yeah, right.

Decap had a really bad temper. I told him that if he wasn't careful, one day he would get so mad that his head would just explode! Well, I guess he didn't listen...

Photoshopped M.U.S.C.L.E.s Page II

2010-03-03T18:31:00.000-08:00

Tortle!!! You know better than to eat the card!

This is Mammy. His eyes have the power to freeze a sheet of ice over his victims. But sometimes he gets a little out of control and freezes things he doesn't intend to. Once, he accidentally froze his pants when he had to go to the bathroom. It was quite a mess when we finally thawed him out...

Rock-olate has the interesting (and somewhat useless) power to transform his body into chocolate. Children's birthday parties become life and death situations for him as he must avoid the hungry maws of the unrelenting kids.

This evil little guy, called The Urn, keeps the ashes of dead cremated M.U.S.C.L.E. champions in his bowl. He uses the ashes to fuel his own vile powers. He's kind of a downer at parties because he always complains about the tortured souls of the dead M.U.S.C.L.E.s tormenting him. And the little punk won't let us use his urn as a punch bowl.

This is TeePee. With his squeezable softness and fresh scent, he's just an overall pleasant guy to have around! Hey... did you fall in the toilet again? I told you to be more careful when you're taking a drink!