He-Man and many of Eternia’s finest have appeared in a couple sets of trading cards. Although not as famous as the Topps set based on the show’s cartoon, 1986 Wonder Bread Masters of the Universe trading cards present more of a challenge.
The set has just 15 cards, which isn’t much. However, they were originally distributed as part of a Wonder Bread promotion with one card included in each specially marked loaf of bread.
Cards have an illustration on the front, labelled only by a name. Instead of the animated show, illustrations are more in line with the toys and the comics that were packaged inside. It’s definitely a different look to Filmation’s animated style. Although not overly complicated, many are quite dramatic.
The cards also focus on later characters that were introduced as Masters of the Universe’s popularity was starting to slow. He-Man and Skeletor are on the checklist but so are some other lesser-known names like Rio Blast and Stonedar. A couple of vehicles and playsets in the set as well including the Slime Pit and the Eternia Playset, one of the most coveted toys from the line today.
Backs have a bio write-up as well as other info like powers and group affiliations. Cards are not numbered.
1986 Wonder Bread Masters of the Universe trading cards are rare today, particularly if you’re looking for top-condition copies. That’s due to the nature of the promotion. Cards that sat alongside bread would naturally soak up some of the ingredients. This leads to discoloring with parts of the white cards turning yellow. Bending is also common, although this might not be a major issue as long as there aren’t any creases.
Between the rarity and condition issues, these cards are quite valuable today, especially copies in top condition.
1986 Wonder Bread Masters of the Universe Checklist
15 cards.
Castle Grayskull
Dragstor
Eternia Playset
Evil-Lyn
Extendar
He-Man
Hordak
Laser Bolt with He Man
Orko
Rio Blast
Skeletor
Slime Pit
Snout Spout
Stonedar
The Evil Horde
