A little bit of context
Extreme Dinosaurs: T-Bone the Tyrannosaurus Rex
Remember those radical reptiles from the 90s who were part dinosaur, part superhero? Mattel’s Extreme Dinosaurs toy line and animated series brought prehistoric power to a whole new level. One of the stars of the show was T-Bone, the Tyrannosaurus Rex. Let’s take a deep dive into this awesome action figure and learn everything there is to know about him and the Extreme Dinosaurs franchise.
Extreme Dinosaurs: The Origins
In the mid-1990s, Mattel was looking to replicate the success of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with their own line of action figures. They had already found some success with Street Sharks, a line of human-shark hybrids. To capitalize on the popularity of dinosaurs thanks to Jurassic Park, Mattel decided to create a spin-off of Street Sharks called Extreme Dinosaurs.
The Extreme Dinosaurs first appeared in a few episodes of the Street Sharks animated series as the Dino Vengers. This connection between the two franchises helped establish the Extreme Dinosaurs and introduce them to a wider audience. In their initial appearance, they were aliens from another planet who came to Earth to help the Street Sharks fight Dr. Paradigm. When Mattel decided to create a toy line and animated series based on the Extreme Dinosaurs, they changed the origin story.
In the Extreme Dinosaurs animated series, the dinosaurs were mutated by an interdimensional criminal named Argor Zardok. Argor was a Quadranian, a race of blue-skinned humanoids from another dimension. He was trying to create an army of super-soldiers to take over his home planet. He gave the dinosaurs increased intelligence and anthropomorphic forms. However, the dinosaurs rebelled against him and decided to use their powers for good.
T-Bone: Leader of the Pack
T-Bone is the leader of the Extreme Dinosaurs. He is a Tyrannosaurus Rex with light yellow skin and black boots, wherein one of his claws protrudes through both boots. He wears dark green pants and shoulder pads. T-Bone is a serious and focused leader who is always attentive to the mission at hand. He is also a skilled tracker and the strongest member of the team. His signature move is the “Saurian Stomp”, which shakes the ground and sends his enemies running.
T-Bone’s Friends and Foes
T-Bone is joined by three other Extreme Dinosaurs:
- Spike: A Triceratops who is a martial arts expert and the team’s chef. He is iceberg blue with dark purple under his tail. He wears brown shorts, brown leg bands, and a yellow belt. Spike is always barefoot.
- Stegz: A Stegosaurus who is the team’s technological specialist. He is apple green and wears purple shorts and black boots. Stegz is the most contemplative member of the team.
- Bullzeye: A Pteranodon who is a wise-cracking jokester. He is maroon red and wears yellow pants and black boots, which his claws protrude through. Bullzeye’s chief weapon is a shriek of ear-splitting frequency.
Later in the series, the Extreme Dinosaurs are joined by Hard Rock, an Ankylosaurus from an alternate reality. Hard Rock is a pacifist who prefers to avoid violence whenever possible.
The Extreme Dinosaurs’ main enemies are the Raptors, a group of evil Velociraptors led by Bad Rap. The Raptors want to cause global warming to make the Earth more hospitable for reptiles.
- Bad Rap: The leader of the Raptors. He is orange with a yellow-striped tail and a metal brace-like device attached to his mouth. Bad Rap wears a yellow strap over his torso and waist and black shorts.
- Haxx: A mahogany Raptor with implants on the backs of each wrist that produce green blades. His tail has been replaced with a blade that is capable of spinning like a drill. Haxx is not very intelligent. He wears pink shorts.
- Spittor: The brains of the Raptors. He is mulberry-purple with white on his neck, chest, and feet. Spittor wears no clothing and carries a tank of various liquids that he can release from nozzles on his hands, tail, and mouth. These liquids include freezing and acidic substances, which he uses to incapacitate his enemies.
The Mattel Extreme Dinosaurs Toy Line
Mattel released the first series of Extreme Dinosaurs action figures in 1996. The initial series included T-Bone, Spike, Stegz, Bullzeye, and Evil Haxx. The action figures were designed with exaggerated features, such as large heads and jaws, and small, muscular bodies. Each figure had a unique action feature. One of the unique selling points of this toy line was the way it combined the popularity of dinosaurs with the anthropomorphic animal trend that was prevalent in the 1990s, thanks to franchises like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. This combination of elements helped the Extreme Dinosaurs stand out from other dinosaur toys on the market.
Later series introduced new paint applications and themes, such as the War Paint theme. The Dino Vision subline introduced new accessories to improve the dinosaurs’ battle abilities. This subline also introduced two new characters: Bad Rap and Hard Rock.
It’s worth noting that the Extreme Dinosaurs toy line had a relatively short production run, spanning just a couple of years. This has made the figures quite rare and collectible, especially those that are complete with their original accessories.
Mattel also released two vehicles for the Extreme Dinosaurs: the Bite Fighter Dino Jet and the Dino Chopper Battle Cycle. These vehicles allowed children to recreate the action of the animated series and engage in imaginative play.
Mattel Extreme Dinosaurs T-Bone Action Figure
The Mattel Extreme Dinosaurs T-Bone action figure was one of the most popular figures in the line. It came with triple-plated body armor, a pivoting power tail, and a dual-firing taser cannon. The figure also included accessories like metal chains and shoulder pads, which could be attached to enhance his appearance and playability. One particularly interesting accessory was the Triceratops Crown piece, which could be placed on T-Bone’s head to give him a more menacing look.
There were several variations of the T-Bone action figure, including:
- Series 1: The original T-Bone figure.
- War Paint: T-Bone with a new paint job.
- Dino Vision: T-Bone with a Dino Vision accessory and a Primal Bazooka.
- Dino Chopper: T-Bone with a Dino Chopper Battle Cycle.
- Dino-Damage arm: While this variation pertains to the Skinner figure, it exemplifies the kind of detailed variations that were common in the toy line, potentially including T-Bone. This variation featured a removable arm patch covering claw marks on the arm.
The T-Bone action figure was highly articulated, allowing for a wide range of poses. The jaw could open and close, the head could move side to side and up and down, and the limbs had a good range of motion. This articulation made the figure fun to play with and allowed children to recreate their favorite scenes from the animated series.
The Extreme Dinosaurs Animated Series
The Extreme Dinosaurs animated series premiered in September 1997. It aired in syndication as part of Bohbot Entertainment’s Bohbot Kids Network block. The show ran for one season and consisted of 52 episodes. The animated series followed the adventures of the Extreme Dinosaurs as they fought to protect the Earth from the Raptors. The show featured a variety of environmental themes, such as global warming and pollution. These themes were relevant to the time and continue to be important today, making the show surprisingly forward-thinking.
Where to Buy T-Bone and Other Extreme Dinosaurs Toys
The Extreme Dinosaurs toy line was discontinued in the late 1990s. However, the action figures and vehicles are still available on the secondary market. Some places where you can buy T-Bone and other Extreme Dinosaurs toys include:
- eBay: eBay is a great place to find vintage toys, including Extreme Dinosaurs action figures. You can often find complete figures with their original accessories. Auctioned, mint condition Extreme Dinosaurs figures typically sell for around $15.
- ToySack: ToySack is an online retailer that specializes in vintage toys. They have a good selection of Extreme Dinosaurs figures, including T-Bone.
- Mr. Joe’s Really Big Toys & Collectibles: Mr. Joe’s is another online retailer that sells vintage toys. They have a limited selection of Extreme Dinosaurs figures, but they do have T-Bone.
- Toys on the Square: Toys on the Square is a brick-and-mortar store that sells vintage toys. They have a limited selection of Extreme Dinosaurs figures, but they do have T-Bone.
- Etsy: Etsy is an online marketplace where you can find handmade and vintage items, including Extreme Dinosaurs toys.
The Future of T-Bone and Mattel
There are no current plans for a revival of the Extreme Dinosaurs franchise. However, there is always a possibility that Mattel could bring back the characters in the future. The recent release of the complete Extreme Dinosaurs animated series on Blu-ray could generate renewed interest in the franchise and potentially lead to new toys or even a reboot of the animated series.
In the meantime, Mattel is focusing on its other brands, such as Barbie, Hot Wheels, and Masters of the Universe. The company is also exploring new ways to use technology, such as artificial intelligence, to improve its products and operations. Mattel is committed to sustainability and has set goals to use recycled, recyclable, or bio-based plastic materials in its products and packaging by 2030. The company also has a toy takeback program called Mattel Playback, which allows consumers to return their old toys to be recycled and reused.
While the Extreme Dinosaurs may not be on Mattel’s immediate agenda, the company has a history of creating unique and imaginative dinosaur-themed toys. For example, the Bone Age toy line from the late 1980s featured dinosaur skeletons that could be taken apart and reassembled into different forms, including weapons, vehicles, and fortresses. This line was divided into three clans: the Stone Clan, the Ice Clan, and the Lava Clan, each with its own unique dinosaurs and cavemen. This demonstrates Mattel’s ability to innovate within the dinosaur toy space and suggests that they could potentially revisit the Extreme Dinosaurs with a fresh perspective in the future.
Conclusion
T-Bone and the Extreme Dinosaurs were a product of their time, capturing the imaginations of children in the 1990s with their unique blend of dinosaur action and superhero adventure. The toy line offered a variety of figures with cool action features and accessories, while the animated series entertained with its over-the-top characters and environmental themes. Although the franchise may not be as well-known as some of Mattel’s other properties, it still holds a special place in the hearts of many fans. With the complete animated series now available on Blu-ray and Mattel’s continued focus on innovation and sustainability, there’s always a chance that T-Bone and the Extreme Dinosaurs could make a comeback in the future.
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