Over the years I’ve been collecting Mighty Max, I’ve come to the conclusion that the Max figures themselves were randomly distributed with each set: statistically you could get multiple copies of the same set and end up with a different Max each time.
So if you’re selling on ebay, and you’re not sure which Max goes with which series, use this article as a springboard for research. I link to the articles for Series 1-3 below.
Series 1 Max is an adorable cherub with eight different cap colors. I only have one of #4, #6, #7, and #8. Another recent ebay purchase gave me a second #1, which I don’t much care for due to the awkward pose. These figures were also included with every Mighty Max wristwatch except for the Geela Guts one.
Series 2 and Series 3 depicted Max as a teenager, also with eight variations, all with red caps. The Geela Guts wristwatch included one of these figures, as did each Dread Head.
The photos above are of the normal figures that came with Doom Zones, Horror Heads, and Super Doom Zones. Below are the “specialty” Max figures.
Each Max figure from the Shrunken Heads series is totally unique to its set. These figures came with Shrunken Heads Series 1; Series 2’s figures were based on the cartoon and very badly produced. I don’t have Series 2 because it’s as hard to come by as it is expensive, and I don’t care to shell out for garbage. However, it is plainly obvious that the Series 1 Shrunken Maxes are awesome.
The Monster Heads series, which was a joke, came with these ugly things. All of the poses are awkward and none of them stand up very well. I’m missing the slingshot-wielding Max for some reason — never did find out whatever became of him. As far as I’m aware, there are only six possible Maxes in the Monster Heads series.
The Heroes & Villains figures are the ugliest of all. Here we see Max spraying for ants, playing with a licorice-flavored sperm, and making off with a colossal piece of Wheat Chex
Mike's Toybox 
Were the series 2/3 figures the ones that came with the Battle Warriors?
Yeah, red-hat teenage max. The battle warriors were released post-Magus, and they were only using the teen max figures at that point.
Hi, I’ve acquired a series 2/3 Max figure with a distinctly yellow T shirt and yellow shoes in the same pose as the 3rd Max from the left in the series 2/3 photos above (ie 2 raised fists) – does he belong to a specific set, do you know?
Color variants of series 2/3 Max are most likely from the Heroes and Villains figure sets. I believe one of them had a yellow Max.
I’ve gotten a sealed Doom Zone Series 1 set that came with a Series 2/3 Mighty Max figure. So, I’m guessing the Series 2/3 Mighty Max figures must have come out at the end of the Series 1 Doom Zone run?
I didn’t see you mention this, so I’m guess this is something rare? Or did they maybe release some Doom Zone Series 1 sets along with the Series 2 sets?
I’m not sure I’ve ever seen that before. Do you have photos? I think they did re-release some Series 1 sets with Virgil included as well, so they might have done what you described.
I don’t have a pic as I had already opened it up. There was no “Virgil” included. I’ve never seen a “Virgil” included in a Doom Zone set. Only seen him in the large playsets and the figure packs.
I’ve seen other sealed Doom Zone Series 1 sets with the Mighty Max 2/3 figures in them. So I’m guessing the Mighty Max 2/3 figures were released towards the end of the Series 1 print run.
It would be interesting to hear from an employee on when this change occurred. And it would be interesting to get info on why they changed the figure for so early on. Must of been because of the cartoon.
I’m going to guess they originally had the multi colored hat “child” figures at the start. And then when developing the cartoon, they decided to make Mighty Max look older like a “teen” and give him only a red hat like in the cartoon. This must have happened during the Series 1 print run. So, technically the “teen” Mighty Max figures are for all 3 Series. I’ve not seen the “child” version of Mighty Max in Series 2 or 3. So I’d guess the “child” version was only in the early run of Series 1.
Someone on facebook corroborated this, so I’m sticking with my theory that they re-released some Series 1 Doom Zones with the newer figure.
Holy crap, thanks for this, I was going nuts.
i’m surprised how many people find these archives useful. Guess I’m glad I wrote them. Glad to help!
happy to help!
I’ve noticed a few series 2/3 Max figures with a yellow hat. Always assumed someone had “painted over” the traditional red paint but since obtaining one with a “Terror Talons” set it looks legit. Do you have any information on this color variation?
Yellow Hat Max came with the Heroes and Villains sets.