Big Jim Action Figures Identification Tool with Pictures

The creation of the Big Jim toy line

The main draw of this new toy line was the action features and ability to change out the outfits of the figures. Big Jim featured two different actions. First, he could chop his arm with the press of a button on his back. This chopping action was modified for other figures to let them swing axes and other tools. Then, he had rubber arms with a unique feature: the ability to flex his muscles. The toys had a muscle band that would snap open when the muscles bulged to emphasize this feature.

Mattel launches the Big Jim action figures in 1972

Big Jim launched as the All-Star Series in 1972 and lasted until 1975. This series focused on adventure and exploration, like the Adventure Team that inspired Mattel. This theme was present in all aspects of the line, including the outfit accessories and vehicles.

While Big Jim was the titular character, he was accompanied by multiple friends and even received an enemy. Big Josh shared the same mold as Big Jim and basically had a beard to separate the two. Then there was Big Jack, an African American character with a unique head sculpt. Big Jeff, the Australian of the group, also had a unique head sculpt and blonde hair. Introduced after the others, Chief Tankua was a Native American who befriended Jim, and Dr. Steel was released as the main villain for the series.

These toys had many variants, including a Gold Medal Boxer, a Kung-Fu Gear-wearing figure, a U.S. Olympic Boxing Match figure, and a hiker with a talking backpack. The All-Star Series vehicles include the Baja Beast, Cycle Set, Dune Devil, Jungle Truck, Motorcross Honda, Sports Camper, and many more.

The Big Jim Wolf P.A.C.K. toy line

As children began to fall in love with heroes like the Six-Million Dollar Man, Mattel shifted gears and launched Big Jim’s Wolf P.A.C.K. (Professional Agent Crime Killers) in 1975. This brand-new series focused on action and the battle against evil. Big Jim’s prior villain, Dr. Steel, turned a new leaf and became one of his allies. There was also a brand new box art style with illustrations from Jack Kirby, who was well known for creating Darkseid and other great comic characters. This new series lasted until 1976 when Big Jim vanished from U.S. toy shelves.

The P.A.C.K. members

Big Jim was reimagined as the leader of the P.A.C.K. This series featured two types of toys: the standard leader-themed one and the Double Trouble toys, which featured a brand new action gimmick: his face changed from normal to angry when his right arm was twisted.

Then there was Whip, whose box art showed him using his signature weapon, a bullwhip. This toy also came with boomerangs and bolos. Otherwise, he was notable for wearing all-black clothing.

The next member of the P.A.C.K. was Warpath, who used a bow in his box art. He was the Native American member of the team and used a long bow. His other accessories included two arrows and a quiver.

Dr. Steel now stood at Big Jim’s side in this new series. He featured a chopping action, which his box art illustrated with him chopping a brick or a metal pipe with his steel right hand.

Released later in the series, there was Torpedo Fist. As his name suggested, this character had a metal right arm that fired his steel hand like a torpedo. As with most other action gimmicks in the series, this ability was activated through a button on his back.

The evil Zorak

Finally, the group faced off against the evil Zorak. While he may appear to be a normal human at times, the Double Trouble action showed his true face, a mutant green monster. To activate the face swap, the user twisted his right arm.

This toy line featured multiple clothing packs, a carrying case, and a range of vehicles. One of the vehicles, the Blitz-Rig, was exclusively sold at Sears. Other vehicles included The Beast, the Dune Buggy, the Howler Bike, the LazerVette, the Off-Road Patrol, and the Swamp Patrol.

Big Jim in international markets

Even though Big Jim was discontinued in America at the end of the P.A.C.K. series, the line continued until 1985 in international markets. Europe and other overseas markets had been pivotal markets for Big Jim even before the line was properly launched. In 1971, Mattel tested its concepts with the Mark Strong toy line. This line was officially discontinued in 1972 when Mattel could use the name Big Jim in Europe and fully launched the line.

In Mexico, the Kid Acereo toy line, created by CIPSA, created unique characters for that area. Other exclusive characters included the Invisible Man and Grafio. Then, there were vehicles like the Dragomovil and Lobohowl. The Kid Acereo toy line ended in 1978.

From 1978 to 1979, many European markets bought the Big Jim Pirate Series. These toys were produced by companies like Congost and Mattel’s European branch. This line featured characters like Captain Drake, Captain Flint, and Captain Hook. There was even a Big Jim Pirate Boat.

European exclusives

Europe also received the exclusive Big Jim Space Series from 1978 to 1979. This line featured characters like Space Leader, Laser Gunner, Thunder Blue, and Dr. Bushido. There was also a repackaged Matt Mason figure, Captain Lazer. Mattel’s European branch created these toys.

From 1980 to 1982, Europeans could buy toys from the Big Jim Spy Series from Mattel’s European branch. This series included characters like Big Jim 004, the Secret Agent version, the Parlante Talking version, and an Alpinist Joe. There were also new characters like Boris, Commando Jeff, Iron Jaw, and Professor Obb. Then, there were vehicles like the Control Corvette, Motorized LazerVette, Counterspy Detection Van, and Command Cycle. Since this line proved popular, Mattel transitioned the line into an official James Bond series.

The final line that Europe received in 1985 was the Global Command series, which Mattel’s European branch also produced. Unlike other parts of the toy line, two forces battled it out. Big Jim Commander, Astros, Colonel Kirk, and Dr. Alec formed the Global Command. They faced the Condor Force, composed of Baron Fangg, Kobra, Professor Obb, and Vektor. This line’s vehicles were the Command Vehicle, Laser Raider, Attack Vehicle, and All-Terrain Vehicle.

The lasting impact of the Big Jim toy line

Even though Big Jim was the third-highest-selling action figure toy line of the 1970s, it had remained dormant since its discontinuation. However, fans received a small treat when Mattel released the Back in Action Set for the San Diego Comic-Con in 2022. This set included three characters: Matt Mason, Pular, and Big Jim in his Wolf P.A.C.K. form. Unfortunately, they were scaled down and used the basic body molds that Mattel had created for Marvel’s Secret Wars line.