A.T.O.M. (Alpha Teens On Machines) was a French animated television series that ran for two seasons between 2005 and 2007. It was branded under the banner of Hasbro's former 12" Action Man toyline, but the connection was loose. In fact, it had many more similarities to M.A.S.K. (which Hasbro also owns). The series features five teenagers gifted with prototype weapons and transforming vehicles. The animation style has a unique lineweight where the characters look like they're heavily outlined in black. It's an interesting choice and I kind of like it. The show aired on Toon Disney in the US, but was never as popular here as it was in Europe. I'm fairly certain these toys were only released in the European market, but that is difficult to prove outright. Catalina Leone aka Lioness is the token female of the Alpha Teens, and predictably, her action figure is notoriously the hardest to find of the dozens of toys released. It took me years to get her. Let's check out Lioness below!
These figures have unique proportions, with enlarged hands and feet and expressive faces. The plastic is bright and durable. They remind me of the G.I.Joe Sigma Six figures (also being produced by Hasbro at this same time) but these A.T.O.M. figures are 5" while Sigma Six are 8".
Lioness comes with a large shoulder cannon (designed like a lion - complete with fangs) and a spinning blue projectile that fits in the top and spins as it releases with a sort-of-inverse-ripcord contraption.
Time for some Group and Comparison Pics!
It should be noted that these figures have almost identical construction with the major exception of their hips. Lioness has full hinge-and-swivel hips (so can do a split), while Firekat only has simple swivel hips (so can only do running/marching poses).
Cheers!
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