'BraveStarr' was an American cartoon and toyline created in 1986 and first aired in 1987. The cartoon was produced by Filmation and the toy rights were licensed to Mattel. It was a wild west adventure in space and featured the main character BraveStarr against his nemesis Tex Hex. It only lasted one season. Many people put the blame of the cartoon's short run on Mattel as they hurried to release the figures for the Christmas season of 1986 before anyone had even heard of 'BraveStarr'. The action figure line's poor selling made 'BraveStarr' seem like a flop before it even aired. According to fans, however, 'BraveStarr' was one of the most creative and original cartoons to air on Saturday mornings.

This toy comes from a group of 3000 toys that was auctioned on 8 and 9 September 2002 by Goodman's at Double Bay. The toys, nearly all officially licensed merchandise from television productions, films and comic books, were accumulated in Australia by Barry Woodley since his youth. Most have their original packaging and have never been opened.

This toy is suitable for inclusion in the proposed exhibition about television in Australians' lives. In this context it can be used to illustrate themes relating to 'Children, television and the family' and merchandising.

The Skull Walker was made by Mattel in China in 1986.

The Skull Walker was part of a collection of over 3000 toys accumulated by Barry Woodley between 1980 and 2002. Woodley began collecting seriously at the age of 17. He was consistent in his approach, collecting only toy vehicles and robots licensed from television, film and other media such as comic books, that were in mint condition and in their original packaging. Woodley collected for his own pleasure and did not open the toys or play with them. The Skull Walker was sold with the rest of the Woodley collection by Goodman's auctioneers in 2002.

Toy, Skull Walker vehicle with packaging, licensed from the television show 'BraveStarr', plastic / card / paper, made in China for Mattel, 1986

The Skullwalker vehicle is made of plastic and can transform from a land stalker (walking figure) to a flying machine. The vehicle is manufactured in the shape of a robotic bull with a white skeletal head. The packaging also contains a removeable saddle and a kerium nugget. It is contained within a cardboard box with colour illustrations of the skullwalker vehicle being ridden by a ghostly skeleton figure. The text 'BraveStarr Wild West Adventure in Space' is printed on the front of the packaging.

Made: Mattel Pty Ltd; China; 1986


Owned: Barry Woodley; ; 1980 - 2002

'It Walks! / MATTEL / 1807 / Wild West Adventure in Space / Figure not included' is printed on the front of the packaging.
'MATTEL / 1807 / Wild West Adventure in Space / SKULL WALKER / Villainous robotic vehicle
Manufacture details, copyright information and instructions can be found on the sides, back and bottom of the packaging.

2003/111/8

1986

335 mm

128 mm

122 mm