DE 
EN 
Series: Ramen Toys
Year: 2024
Prelude: Then one day a lawman appeared. With powers of hawk, wolf, puma, and bear. Protector of peace, mystic man from affair. Champion of Justice, Marshall Bravest…. eh, just Marshall! THE Marshall, to be precise. Nothing to do with an old 80s space western cartoon that RamenToys may not have the rights to. Today we are looking at The Marshall, so ready your eyes of the hawk, listen like a wolf, bear it like a … eh, bear, and prepare to speed read like a puma! Let’s say go!
Figure: Okay, first thing first. This is, of course, a new version of the original Bravestarr toy from Mattel, even though RamenToys does not have the rights to use the name. And the first major difference between the old toy and the new is the size. The original Bravestarr figures were among the biggest action figures ever, standing a whoopin’ 8 inches tall. This new one here, however, is of compatible size with the current Marvel Legends and other 6 inch figures. If nothing else, that allows for a lot of crossover potential (see pictures 23 through 37 in my gallery).
Second major difference: Bravestarr as seen in the cartoon was clearly of Native American descent, but the original action figure was… let’s say… safely ethnic. Black haired, but very light-skinned. The Marshall, however, is true to his cartoon look, including the ponytail that the original figure did not have. Nicely done. The Marshall comes with two different heads, one sporting a rather stern expression, the other looking faintly amused.
Differences aside, this is clearly Bravestarr here, a very detailed and nicely sculpted figure representing the old cartoon character. Articulation is quite good, only slightly limited in the legs because of his kneepads. From twisting wrists to bending toes, he can move pretty freely otherwise, even (almost) pulling off the sitting with crossed legs pose he always did with Shaman by the fire. Very nice. The Marshall has several different exchangeable hands, including closed fists, open hands, gun shooting hands, and Tomahawk-holding hands.
Which brings us to the tons of accessories the figure comes with. Starting on top, the Marshall comes with two hats, one his normal one and one with the visor and communicator he often used in the cartoon. Both hats are liable to fall off the head at the slightest touch, sadly, but if you just have him stand there, they look pretty nice. Moving down, the Marshall has two different breast harnesses, one in blue (the original toy) and one in white (for his Academy day flashbacks). Remove both of them, and you have the semi-breastplate he sported in the cartoon sculpted into his chest.
Further down the Marshall wears a belt that is upside down straight out of the package. You can either unplug the figure’s upper torso (simply pull him apart) to turn it around or open up the belt in the back, though getting it closed again is a bit of a hassle. On his thighs the Marshall has holsters for his two weapons, his H-shaped laser gun and the Tomahawk, both of which he used in the cartoon as well. Finally he also has a star-shaped transparent shield he can attach to his left forearm. This, too, is from the cartoon.
Also, the Marshall can use the large rifle of the original Bravestarr figure without any problems (see 22nd image) and doesn’t look out of scale sitting on the original Thirty-Thirty toy, either. Okay, his feet can’t quite reach the stirrups, but it still looks good until RamenToys comes around with their own Thirty-Thirty toy (already in the works, but only in humanoid mode).
So bottom line for this figure: brilliant, I love this guy. The hat could sit a bit tighter, but otherwise I have no complaints.
Remarks: Bravestarr was the final cartoon series produced by Filmation before they went belly-up, giving us a Western set in space. Bravestarr, wielding Native American themed magical powers, defended New Texas from the evil minions of Stampede, led by Tex-Hex. Of course the toyline came out a full year before the cartoon premiered, which might not have been the smartest move, and we never got a second wave of toys because of Filmation’s fall, sadly.
Fun side note: the English intro to the Marshall Bravestarr TV series makes it clear that everyone goes to New Texas because of the precious Kherium ore. In the German dub, however, the intro is changed, calling New Texas a “Dream of Freedom” and a “Land of Free People”, making you believe that everyone just went there to start a new life of freedom and joy. Funny how these things change from country to country sometimes.
Final word on this figure: if you are or ever were a fan of Bravestarr, you should really think about getting the Marshall. And as mentioned above, RamenToys is already working on a Thirty-Thirty (in humanoid mode) to keep him company, too.
Rating: A-
Picture Gallery:
