Clamp Champ
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Clamp Champ is a fictional character from the popular toy line Masters of the Universe. A member of the Heroic Warriors, he is a warrior who wields a powerful clamp weapon, which can firmly hold any opponent. As the master of capture, he possesses tremendous physical strength necessary for operating the clamp, and is also a master of stealth with super-senses of hearing and sight. A guardsman at the Royal Palace of Eternia, he acts as bodyguard to King Randor and Queen Marlena. Clamp Champ is notable as being the only black character in Mattel's original Masters of the Universe Toyline.
[edit] Character history
Clamp Champ was introduced into the Masters of the Universe toy line in 1986, one of the final figures to be released. Notable for being the only black figure in the line, he made his first appearance in any medium in the Mattel mini-comic "The Search for Keldor" which showcased his battle skills and fearless nature.
In the US comics produced by Marvel Clamp Champ made a few appearances of which perhaps his most notable was the final two-part storyline Lifetime in which He-Man's Sword of Power was lost in time and Prince Adam travelled into the future to recover it. An aged Clamp Champ was one of a handful of rebels who still sided with Adam's future self. When the young Adam arrived the rebels agreed to attack "Castle Skeletor" (Castle Grayskull). In the process Clamp Champ suffered a heart attack to retrieve the Sword of Power.
The UK comic series by London Editions also featured him briefly, as a warrior who gained acceptance into the Royal services after coming first in all the Eternian games. His recruitment as bodyguard for King Randor allowed Randor to give his captain of the guard, Teela, a promotion into higher ranks.
As the accompanying cartoon by Filmation had been cancelled by the point of Clamp Champ's introduction, he never made any animated appearances. Given his late introduction into the toy line, Clamp Champ's appearances throughout all mediums have been minimal, but he is generally regarded by fans as one of the strongest members of his ranks after He-Man.
Clamp Champ was going to be featured in the 2002 relaunch of the MOTU franchise, but the toy line and cartoon were discontinued before he could be introduced. His figure for the relaunch was released by NECA in their continuation of the toyline under the Masters of the Univer statue line. Which have been nicknamed "staction figures" by the fans due to the fact they are just like the figures that were being released by Mattel but without movable limbs & joints.
