The 1980s Blackstar Toy Line: A Complete Collector’s Guide to a Cult Classic

In the golden age of Saturday morning cartoons and action figure aisles ruled by plastic warriors, Blackstar carved out a small but unforgettable slice of 1980s toy history. Based on Filmation’s 1981 cartoon—which only lasted a mere 13 episodes—Blackstar was a wild mix of sci-fi, sword-and-sorcery, and that very specific flavour of ‘80s adventure that kids couldn’t get enough of.

Even though the show was short-lived, toy company Galoob swooped in around 1983 and created a full line of action figures, vehicles, and even a giant playset. It didn’t last long, but for fans and collectors today, Blackstar remains one of the coolest, weirdest, and most underrated toy lines of the era.

This blog dives deep into the entire Blackstar toy universe—including every figure and vehicle, hard-to-find gems, and even a few mythical prototypes. Whether you’re new to the line or grew up battling Overlord with a glow-in-the-dark sword, this guide is for you.

The Origins of Blackstar

The Blackstar cartoon introduced us to John Blackstar—an astronaut from Earth who gets sucked through a black hole and ends up on the magical planet of Sagar. There, he teams up with the elf-like shape-shifter Klone, the sorceress Mara, and a group of lovable dwarves called Trobbits to battle the evil warlord Overlord. The big hook? Blackstar and Overlord each wield half of a powerful weapon—the PowerStar.

The show only lasted 13 episodes, but it was packed with colourful characters, otherworldly creatures, and over-the-top fantasy fun. When He-Man and the Masters of the Universe exploded in popularity shortly after, Galoob saw an opportunity and brought Blackstar to the toy aisle in 1983.

The Figures: Heroes, Villains, and Beyond

Galoob’s figures were around 5.5 inches tall, muscular, and packed with personality. They were similar in scale to MOTU, with a bit more detail and a slightly less bulky stance. Many came with glow-in-the-dark weapons and tiny companion figures—either a Trobbit (for the heroes) or a demon minion (for the villains). Later waves added a super-cool “Laser Light” spark feature, where striking a flint on the back of the figure would light up a jewel on their chest.

Here’s a look at every figure released:

Heroic Figures

• John Blackstar – The main man himself. Shirtless, tanned, armed with the Star Sword (glow-in-the-dark), and ready to kick evil in the teeth. He’s the most iconic and common figure—but still awesome. Later versions had the chest-sparking “Laser Light” feature.
• Klone – The elf-like shape-shifter with pointy ears and a cool blue/yellow outfit. He came with his beast-form alter ego: a green feline creature known to fans as the Cloud Cat.

• Mara – The only female figure in the line, she was a lavender-skinned sorceress with white hair and a magical aura that clipped to her back. Her staff and aura both glowed in the dark. A beautiful and rare figure—especially with all accessories intact.
• Palace Guard – Technically a villain but sometimes lumped in with the heroes. He looked like a bird-masked soldier with a glow-in-the-dark Ice Blaster. Great troop builder.

Evil Figures

• Overlord – The main baddie. Red skin, black armour, horned helmet, and a glowing Power Sword. He also had the Laser Light feature. A must-have for any collection.
• Vizier – Overlord’s creepy advisor. Green robes, bald head, magic staff. Part of the final wave and pretty hard to find.

• Kadray – An ice-themed villain with gold armour and a glow-in-the-dark trident and shield. He also rode a flying bull called Triton (more on that below).
• Neptul – The undersea warlord. Sea-green skin, fishy armour, and cool glow accessories. One of the more visually striking figures.
• Gargo – A bat-winged gargoyle “Vampire Man.” Came with huge wings and a bat-themed axe. Very fantasy-heavy and a fan favourite.

• Meuton – A bright orange bug-man villain with wasp-like features. Creepy and cool, and only in the later waves.
• Tongo – A leopard-man with clawed hands and spots. No weapon included, but he looked like he walked right out of a jungle battle.
• White Knight – A mysterious armoured figure in white and silver. Not actually a hero—he served Overlord. Rare and only seen in the final wave.

• Lava Loc – A hulking lava monster with magma skin and a giant club. Massive figure with Laser Light chest spark. Another rare gem.

Trobbits & Demons: The Mini Sidekicks

Each figure originally came with a companion mini-figure. The heroes got Trobbits—colourful little dwarf creatures, and the villains got demon minions—tiny goblin-like monsters in various colours.

Trobbits (Good Guys)

There were six Trobbits made:

• Balkar – The leader, big beard and staff
• Rif – Angry chef with a flaming hat
• Terra – Gardener with a plant
• Poulo – Youngest, silent one
• Gossamear – Big ears, flying type
• Carpo – Happy-go-lucky replacement for the cartoon’s Burble

Some Trobbits were only available with vehicles or as rare individual blister card releases, especially in Canada and France. Burble, a Trobbit from the cartoon, never got a toy—sadly!

Demon Minions (Villains)

These little baddies came in colours like green, yellow, red, orange, pink, and blue. The first sculpt was a standard imp; later waves included three new demon designs. Collectors go crazy trying to get them all!

Vehicles, Beasts & Playsets

No ‘80s toy line is complete without some wicked rides and a killer fortress. Blackstar delivered with flying beasts, chariots, and a massive playset.

Warlock – Blackstar’s trusty green dragon mount. Came in a couple colour variants (green/yellow and solid green). Wings flap, saddle for riding. A fan favourite.

Space Ship – Sleek spacecraft from the first episode. Came in silver or red versions. Fit one figure, had missile launchers, and looked like something like the Gundam Core Fighter from Mobile Suit Gundam (1979). Red version was European release.

Triton the Bull – Kadray’s winged bull beast. Orange wings, green body, and enough weirdness to make it unforgettable.

Trobbit Wind Machine – A hot-air balloon-style vehicle with a yellow inflatable balloon. Came with Rif and Gossamear Trobbits. Incredibly rare today—especially with the balloon still intact!

Battle Wagon – A ground assault vehicle with spiked armour, a cannon, and a giant skull ram. Rugged and very rare.

The Ice Castle – The grand playset. Overlord’s frozen fortress came with glow-in-the-dark demon heads, a firing turret, opening gate, and detailed throne room. It’s big, fragile, and one of the rarest (and most expensive) Blackstar items out there today.

Hard-to-Find Figures & Collector Grails

Looking to start—or finish—your Blackstar collection? These are the rarest and most desirable items on the market today:

• White Knight – Low production, end-of-line figure. Ultra rare.
• Vizier – Same story. Very few made it into collectors’ hands.
• Lava Loc – Big, bulky, and hard to find complete.
• Carded Trobbits – Especially Rif, Terra, and Gossamear in French packaging.
• Wind Machine – A working balloon? That survived 40 years? Good luck.
• Ice Castle – Expensive, fragile, and worth every penny.

Also watch out for figures missing accessories, especially:

• Mara’s aura and staff
• Klone’s Cloud Cat
• Gargo’s wings
• Neptul’s shield
• Demon companions in rare colours

Prototypes & Unreleased Goodies

There’s not a huge vault of unreleased Blackstar toys, but there are a couple fun titbits:

• “Devil Knight” – An early name for what became the White Knight. There may have been plans for a second knight figure, but only one was released.
• Burble the Trobbit – Featured in the show but skipped in the toy line.
• Some minor packaging and accessory colour prototypes exist, but full unreleased characters are few and far between.

The Legacy of Blackstar

Blackstar never got a reboot, reissue, or revival like He-Man or Thundercats—but that’s part of what makes it so special. It remains a cult favourite, beloved by fans who remember the sparking chests, glowing swords, and demon minions fondly.

Collector interest has grown steadily over the years. Complete figures and boxed items command good prices. Fan blogs, forums, and Facebook groups keep the memory alive. And that amazing box art, painted by David Mattingly, still blows minds today.

It’s a line full of creativity, charm, and fantasy weirdness—the kind of toy series that could only exist in the ’80s.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re just discovering Blackstar or hunting for that elusive Mara accessory, this toy line is worth the journey. It’s one of those lines where every piece feels special, every figure has character, and the whole world comes together like a lost fantasy epic from a parallel dimension.

So next time you’re rummaging through a vintage toy bin or scrolling eBay late at night, keep your eyes peeled. You just might spot a spark… a glow… or a tiny Trobbit… and suddenly find yourself transported back to Sagar.

Stay strong, stay glowing, and may the PowerStar be with you!