Kenner Action Figures

The Kenner Action Figures were series of action figures based on Gargoyles released by Kenner in 1995 before being discontinued in 1997.

In 1993, Kenner met with Greg Weisman and pointed out their main concerns for the toy line included (among others) that there was a lack of significant vehicles for both the protagonists and antagonists, that the Trio and Bronx didn't look heroic (i.e. aggressive) enough, and that the key human ally (Elisa) and key evil gargoyle (Demona) were, in fact, both female. [1]

Characters from the Avalon World Tour weren't given figures as Kenner preferred to focus on characters appearing in a larger percentage of the series. [2] Goliath's Eye of Odin induced form from "Eye of the Storm" was implemented to provide them with another toy, but Kenner didn't use the concept. [3]

Greg Weisman has personally wished that Kenner had also made an Angela figure. [4]

All four commercials can be found here.

Series One

Battle Goliath

Kenner Battle Goliath action figure... as seen on Robot Chicken.

Broadway

Kenner Broadway action figure.

Bronx

Kenner Bronx action figure.

Brooklyn

Kenner No Neck Brooklyn action figure.

According to Greg Weisman, Brooklyn was supposed to have a special feature inside his jaw, which distorted his head and neck. Ultimately, the special feature was considered too expensive, but the figure's head and neck remained off-model. [5]

Claw Climber Goliath

Kenner Claw Climber Goliath action figure.

Demona

Kenner Demona action figure... out to slay those she loved but did betray! That commercial jingle, by the way... was written by Dan Slott

The Demona figure featured flapping wings if you squeezed her legs together, as well as a large gun with a spring-loaded missile. Many fans noticed the off-model shoulder pads. The figure was short-packed when it was released due to the belief among toy companies that action figures of female characters didn't sell.

Hudson

Rob Schneider is... A HUDSON ACTION FIGURE! AND HE'S ABOUT TO LEARN THAT BEING A HUDSON ACTION FIGURE IS HARDER THAN IT LOOKS!

Kenner Hudson action figure... lets his big sword fly!

Kenner's Hudson action figure is widely regarded as one of Kenner's better efforts. The figure is mostly on-model and is packed with a large sword. If you squeeze the figure's legs together, his torso swings to the right, as if the figure is swinging his sword at an enemy.

This was one of several pieces of Gargoyles merchandise to be featured as set dressing on the short-lived NBC sitcom, Men Behaving Badly.

Lexington

Kenner Lexington action figure... with crossbow and incapable of gliding

Strike Hammer Macbeth

Kenner Strike Hammer Macbeth action figure... with stooping so low to attack them while they sleep action!

Mighty Roar Goliath

Thailog would have been... the one who knocks.

Kenner Mighty Roar Goliath action figure... he's screaming because he knows, paint his hair white and you get a passable Thailog.

Mighty Roar Goliath was a deluxe-priced figure with a sound chip and lightbulb inside. If you pressed the button on its back, the figure's eyes and mouth would illuminate while it "screamed". Many fans have noticed the similarities in the figure's armor and the darker skin tone and felt that had its hair been white, it would have made a great Thailog. Greg Weisman felt similarly as he applied liquid paper to its hair and customized it into Thailog.

This was one of several pieces of Gargoyles merchandise to be featured as set dressing on the short-lived NBC sitcom, Men Behaving Badly.

Night Striker (vehicle)

Kenner Night Striker vehicle... making a subplot in "Her Brother's Keeper" an embarassing waste of time.

Power Wing Goliath

Kenner Power Wing Goliath... impressive wingspan? Twenty-six years later, NECA would say "hold my beer!"

Quick Strike Goliath

Kenner Quick Strike Goliath action figure.

Rippin' Rider Cycle (Vehicle)

Kenner Rippin' Rider Cycle... blown up before the first commercial break.

Steel Clan Robot

Kenner Steel Clan Robot... does what Steel Clan robots do best.

Stone Armor Goliath

Kenner Stone Armor Goliath action figure... probably the only Kenner Goliath really worth buying

This Goliath figure featured removable pieces of "stone skin" and, if you squeezed his legs, his wings would flap. Despite the gold armband, many fans consider this Goliath to be the most accurate to the animation model.

Xanatos

Unused model sheet

Kenner Xanatos action figure... ADIOS, XANATOS!!!

Kenner's Xanatos figure featured clip on armor over a black body suit. A chest plate with a flip-down mask, gauntlets, boots, and a winged jetpack. Many fans noticed it was the wrong color scheme and so did Kenner as it would be repainted the following year.

The figure was likely based on an unfinalized model sheet.

Series Two

Castle Playset (Playset)

Kenner Castle Playset... By the power of Grayskull!

Elisa Maza

Kenner Elisa Maza action figure... also pulling double duty for the Judge Dredd line.

The Elisa Maza figure was an example of a character model being altered for a "more exciting" action figure as she was outfitted in a science fiction-esque outfit, featured two guns, and a jetpack with a giant missile launcher. The figure was short-packed when it was released due to the belief among toy companies that action figures of female characters didn't sell... the result was Kenner later on refusing to produce an action figure of Angela.