UofMUSCLE.com – M.U.S.C.L.E. Figures from Mattel

The goal of the University of M.U.S.C.L.E. was to dive into and document the minutia of M.U.S.C.L.E. collecting. However, there still seem to be a number of questions that frequently arise on topics that many seasoned collectors consider basic.

To help all collectors achieve a more equal understanding of M.U.S.C.L.E. figures the University of M.U.S.C.L.E. will introduce – Elementary M.U.S.C.L.E. Education.

The first topic, “How many figures are in a M.U.S.C.L.E. set?”

There are three distinct types of sets of M.U.S.C.L.E. figures:

1. Poster Set (Flesh Set/Basic Set)

– 236 Figures (246 Figures, if the 10 figures from the M.U.S.C.L.E. Mega-Match Game are added)

The two names Poster Set and Flesh Set are frequently used interchangeably by collectors. Regardless of the title the set refers to a set of Flesh figures from the poster (figures #1 – #233), plus the Hard Knockin’ Rockin’ Ring Wrestling Arena figures (#234 and #235), and the Satan Cross figure (#236).

Some collectors also consider the 10 figures from the M.U.S.C.L.E. Mega-Match Game to be part of the Poster/Flesh set. This is often because the 236 other figures, plus these 10 figures are thought to be the core figures that would have been readily available to kids.

2. Color Set

– 233 Figures

The Color Set refers only to the poster figures (#1 – #233). Neither the Hard Knockin’ Rockin’ Ring Wrestling Muscleman figure nor Satan Cross were made in colors. The Terri-Bull figure from the ring was cast in Green for the Board Game, but this figure isn’t considered to be part of a Color Set. The Green Terri-Bull figure is often considered a part of the Basic Set described above.

Because none of the figures were made in every color it is impossible to construct a set in only one color (i.e., Red, Dark Blue, Green, etc.). The only criterion for this set is to have figures #1 – #233 in a color other than the original Flesh color.

3. Master Set

– 1,528 Figures

This set refers to poster figures #1 – #233 in every manufactured color, plus the Hard Knockin’ Rockin’ Ring Wrestling Arena figures (#234 and #235), the Satan Cross figure (#236), and the 10 figures from the M.U.S.C.L.E. Mega-Match Game.

This is the most difficult set to complete and very, very few collectors ever complete this task.

Novice M.U.S.C.L.E. collectors often ask about the Alpha and Beta Non-Poster figures, “Where do these figures fit in?”

They don’t. These figures’ infrequent appearances, and in some cases singular appearances, mean that they are likely never going to be a part of a M.U.S.C.L.E. collector’s collection. So the figures are wonderful, and desirable, but not considered to be a part of any M.U.S.C.L.E. set.