1986 1987 Steel Monsters Comic Book

Just what sort of fire power would you need to protect the few resources that are left in a post apocalyptic world? Tonka took a shot (no pun intended) at designing what they believed transportation and fire power would look like in 1986 with the introduction of the Steel Monsters series. Design characteristics appear to be inspired by the Mad Max movies popular in the late 1970's and mid 1980's.

Four of the more popular vehicles were adapted from Regular series trucks. "Destroyer" was a half track styled dump truck, "Enforcer" was a go anywhere, off road, monster Jeep, "Blaster" was a monster truck with an attitude and "Masher" was a road grader on steroids. There are other vehicles but these four are featured in the comic book.

The comic book story line is your basic good (tan painted vehicles) verses evil (black painted vehicles). Each truck came with a 3 3/4" figure. The figure was unique to the vehicle. "Talon" was included with Blaster, "Half Trak" with Destroyer, "Metal Face" with Masher and "Wheel Boss" with Enforcer. NOTE: If you have a 1986 Tonka dealer catalog, you will not see Enforcer. You will see "Assassin". Tonka felt that Assassin was a little to graphic and before production started, changed the name to Enforcer. Assassin was only available for the photo shoot for the catalog.

The storyline of the 1986 comic left the door open for a 1987 comic. As of 6-14-2016, a 1987 issue has not been found.