While Star Wars, G.I. Joe, He-Man, and Transformers dominated the toy shelves of toy stores in the 1980s, dozens of others tried — and failed — to replicate the success of those iconic toylines.
In our ongoing series, Forgotten Toylines of the 1980s, we’ll feature toylines you may have forgotten about if you grew up during this pivotal decade of toys. You can use this series as a historical guide for potential toy collecting if you’re looking for more obscure pieces for your collection.
With all that said, let’s dive into the fantastical world of Crystar!
The Saga of Crystar
Despite its creative concept and well-crafted figures, the Crystar toyline had a relatively short lifespan. The line was both released and discontinued in 1982, making it a brief but memorable part of the 1980s toy landscape.
The rapid turnover of toylines during the 1980s meant that many great (and horrible) concepts were forgotten in the mix. However, Crystar left an indelible mark on those who remember these unique figures.
The Marvel-ous Story of Crystar
Many iconic toylines like G.I. Joe and Transformers had tie-in comics to expand their concept and characters, introducing new characters, vehicles, and sets that would eventually become additional toys.
G.I. Joe and Transformers toy lines were licensed to become Marvel comic lines (and animated TV shows). However, Crystar actually started as a Marvel comic first (albeit with the intent of creating an accompanying toyline).
The story was fairly intricate.
Years ago, the Demon Lord unleashed his demon armies upon the world of Crystalium, seeking to conquer it. The King of Crystalium valiantly led the defense against the Demon Lord during the Chaos War but tragically lost his life in the process. In response, the forces of Order dispatched the wizard Ogeode and the powerful Prisma-Crystal to repel the Demon Lord's minions and the forces of Chaos. In his defeat, the Demon Lord proclaimed the "Prophecy of Chaos," foretelling that one day he would send another servant to sow division and ruin upon the planet.
After the Chaos War, wizards Ogeode and Zardeth visited two royal brothers, Crystar and Moltar, who faced the crucial decision of aligning their people with either Chaos or Order. Crystar chose Order and aligned with its champion, Ogeode. Meanwhile, as Moltar pondered Chaos, their uncle Feldspar tried to persuade him of Chaos’s inherent evil. Believing Feldspar favored Crystar, Moltar became enraged, clashing with Crystar and injuring Feldspar in the process. Abandoning them, Moltar led his followers to the Fountain of Fire to seek out the wizard Zardeth and join forces with Chaos.
Ogeode saved Crystar’s life by merging him with the great Prisma-Crystal, transforming the prince’s body into a crystalline form. At the Fountain of Fire, Zardeth used his magic to transform Moltar and his followers into beings of lava. With his newly empowered Magma Men, Moltar set out to conquer the city of Galax. Realizing that their flesh and blood would be no match for Moltar’s transformed army, Crystar and his warriors decided to form an elite group. Koth, Stalax, and Kalibar were chosen to be transformed into crystal forms like Crystar, preparing them to face the threat posed by Moltar and his forces.
The credits within the first issue of the comic include:
Concept Creators – Ralph Macchio (not that Ralph Macchio), Mark Gruenwald, Jim Shooter
Plotter and scripter – Mary Jo Duffy
Penciler – Bret Blevins
Inker – Vinnie Colletta
Letterer – Jim Novak
Colorist – Andy Yanchus
Editor – Ralph Macchio
Editor in chief – Jim Shooter
Concept Creators – Ralph Macchio, Mark Gruenwald, Jim ShooterGraphic designer – John Romita Jr
It’s also interesting to note that the comic line, consisting of just eleven issues, was written in 1982 before the Crystar toys came out. However, the release of the comics was delayed until 1983. The eleven issues ran from that year until 1985.
Despite the Crystar comic’s obscurity, the title character had a profile featured in the Marvel Comics 1980s Handbook and the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z hardcover series. The character also appeared in Marvel Zombies and 2015’s Secret Wars.
Wouldn’t it be amazing to see a Crystar cameo in the MCU one of these days?
Anyway, let’s talk about the toyline.
The Crystar Toyline
I remember seeing the signature figure of Crystar on the peg of a toy store shelf when I was young. I didn’t know the toyline. I didn’t know who this character was. I was a die-hard Star Wars and G.I. Joe kid myself. However, Crystar stood out, so I pulled him off of that peg, along with his nemesis Moltar, when I was a kid. Chances are the characters were priced on an extremely discounted rate as well, so that likely made it easier to grab.
The toys themselves were made by Remco, a company that had been in disarray (and bankruptcy) in the 1970s leading up to the 1980s.
The action figures in this line were meticulously crafted, each character representing the vivid imagery of their comic book counterparts. Along with their weapons, they each came with a crystal prism that you could look through to create a kaleidoscope image.
Crystar
The Crystar figure stood out with his translucent blue body, capturing the essence of his crystalline form, and his face, also translucent, featured a determined expression. He came equipped with a removable helmet, crystal sword, and crystal shield. Crystar was also notably taller than the other figures in the line (besides Moltar). While the other secondary figures were G.I. Joe-sized (3.75 inches), Crystar and his brother/nemesis Moltar were four inches tall.
Moltar
Moltar’s figure was designed with a molten lava appearance, featuring a red body with magma-like armor. As mentioned above, he was taller than secondary characters.
Ogeode
The Ogeode figure had a tall, slender body, dressed in flowing robes. The index fingers of the figure were slightly longer than the other fingers and were bendable.
Zardeth
Zardeth’s figure exuded darkness and malevolence, with a dark cloak and hood that shrouded half of his face in black. He also had slightly longer and bendable index fingers.
Warbow
Warbow’s figure was translucent, like Crystar, but with a green hue. His primary feature was his bow and quiver of arrows.
Koth
Koth figures were translucent like Crystar and Warbrow but also had a green hue like the latter.
Magma Men
Magma Men were designed similarly to Moltar but with smoother edges.
Feldspar
The Feldspar figure was half crystal (torso) and half lava (waste and below).
The line also came with the following “vehicles” and playsets:
Crystal Warrior Battle Set
Crystal Warrior Catapult Set
The Magic of Crystal
Spell of the Evil Wizard
Crystal Shatterpult
Lava Shatterpult
Crystal Dragon
Lava Dragon
Crystal Castle
Note: Thanks to Action Figure Archive for the screen grabs.
Overall, the only thing I really remember about this line is Crystar himself — and Moltar — which is why I’m guessing that I picked up these two characters on their last leg in the priced-to-go section.
Researching this forgotten toyline makes me want to seek out more pieces to collect.
Interestingly enough, a new Marvel Legends Crystar figure was recently released!
