The Herculoids Action Figures Identification Tool with Pictures

Unlike the standard action-packed cartoon series, The Herculoids did not focus on modern human heroes. This team lived in a primordial world filled with cavemen and monsters. The Herculoids had three English-speaking human characters that audiences could relate to. These characters were Zandor, Tara, and Domo. Helping them fight off the dangers of the world were five monsters: Zok, Igoo, Tundro, Gloop, and Gleep.

Each of these monsters had a unique look and brought their own dynamic to the team. For instance, the dragon-like Zok could neutralize energy attacks with the “nega-beams” from his eyes. Meanwhile, the ape-like Igoo was the tank of the group, his rock-like hide protecting him from nearly all damage. The ten-legged Tundro resembled a prehistoric rhinoceros. He was capable of shooting energy from his horn. The last two, Gloop and Gleep, were the only two that resembled each other. Both of these creatures were protoplasmic creatures that could absorb and deflect energy attacks. Their amorphous bodies allowed them to shapeshift into whatever form the team required.

Made appearances in many of Hanna-Barbera’s anthology series. Programming like Hana-Barbera’s World of Super Adventure, which ran from 1978 until 1984, helped keep the Herculoids relevant to future generations. Meanwhile, 1981’s Space Stars produced 11 new adventures featuring the Herculoids. The cartoon series continued to pop up as reruns on Cartoon Network up until 2003.

Even though the Herculoids often appeared on television, they rarely appeared in any other medium. Still, they made brief appearances in a few comic book series. One of their earliest comic book appearances were in a few issues of Gold Key Comic’s Hanna-Barbera Super TV Heroes which ran from 1968 until 1969. They also appeared in books created by DC, the Cartoon Network Presents series that ran from 1997 until 1999. They later returned in 2016’s Future Quest from DC.

Despite the prominent position that Hanna-Barbera held in the 1960s, the medium did not translate into cartoons during that era. Instead, toys shelves were filled with licensed toys from live-action television series and movies. Still, there was one toy that featured one of the fan-favorite characters from the Herculoids.

Kenner released a modeling compound named Gloppy in 1967. While this toy was not specifically created for the Herculoids, it had molds that allowed children to create toys of their favorite Hanna-Barbera characters and more. Amongst the characters featured were Gloop from the Herculoids, Fred Flintstone, and Huckleberry Hound.

By the time the market was ready to regularly tie cartoons with toys in the 1980s, the Herculoids were no longer a headlining cartoon series from Hanna-Barbera. As such, fans had to wait decades for the chance to see their favorite characters in action-figure form. That day finally appeared in 2003.

After years of reruns, Toynami decided to create The Herculoids toy line in 2003. Keeping collectors in mind, Toynami created gift sets that functioned as complete dioramas. Each of these sets contained at least a duo of characters with one being one of the monsters and another being a human.  For instance, Zok & Zandor were released in one set while Tara, Gloop, and Igoo were all included in another. There was also a set of Dorno, Gleep, and Tundro. All three dioramas connected to spell out “Herculoids” in the background.

Even though there are action figures that were released after the Toynami toy line, this remains the only line that made the entire cast available. Beyond creating a display-worthy diorama, each of the monsters had action features. For instance, Zok had a light-up feature while Tundro could roll thanks to the wheels on his feet.

In 2013, the Herculoids returned to toy shelves as part of X-Plus’s Hanna-Barbera collection. Unlike the prior selection of toys, the monster figures and humans were sold separately. There was a massive action figure of Tundro. X-Plus also produced a 3 ¾” scale action figure of Zandor. Unlike most modern action figures designed for adult collectors, these toys had limited articulation. However, they closely resembled the characters from the original cartoon series.

Some of the rarest Herculoids collectibles were only available in the Japanese market. Asunaro released a Herculoids figurine featuring Zandor and Domo within their Hana-Barbera Figure Collection No. 1. They also released a figurine of Tara with multiple creatures like Gleep and Gloop as the set’s secret figure.