Recommended music: Power Glove – Playback
Hey MOTU fans! I hope you had a great weekend and got a chance to see Masters of the Universe at your local theater. The movie is still a lot of fun, but it’s playing on fewer screens now since Toy Story 5 and Supergirl have arrived. For this #MastersMonday, let’s take a look at another figure from The Loyal Subjects: Battle Cat!
In March 1986, London Editions Magazines released the first issue of the Masters of the Universe UK comic. The bi-weekly comic ran for an impressive 72 issues over the next few years and was MOTU cover-to-cover. In addition to three 5-6 page stories, the first issue had ads for Ladybird MOTU books on audio cassette, stamp collecting, a contest to win a BMX Battle Bike, a preview of the next issue, and several ads for the UK MOTU fan club. These are sure to entice young readers to ask their parents for the next issue during their next visit to the newsstand.
The cover shown here was first meant for issue #2, but the covers were switched just three days before printing. The editor explained that the first issue needed a cover that would grab people’s attention, not just art directly tied to one of the stories inside. The cover art was pieced together using Mattel Style Guide material, and even though the snakes don’t quite fit with He-Man and Battle Cat as originally intended, it looks cool. It’s only fitting that I would swap out the Battle Cat artwork for the vinyl toy four decades later. 😄
The Loyal Subjects released Battle Cat as part of the second wave of their Masters of the Universe Action Vinyls in 2019. The figure stands 2.5 inches tall, measures about 4.5 inches long, and has six points of articulation, including a ball-jointed tail.
Unlike the larger versions of this character, this figure’s helmet does not come off, so the only accessory is the removable saddle. It was nice that the figure wasn’t sold in a blind box, so you could see the detailed paintwork before buying the $15 mini-figure. There was also a Hot Topic-exclusive version with a flocked finish, like Panthor. I haven’t picked up that variant yet, but it’s a unique option not seen in any full-size Mattel release. Overall, this figure is a fun addition to the collection and doesn’t take up much shelf space.
I wish I could say I’ll keep sharing more of Action Vinyls on upcoming Mondays, but that plan is on hold for the moment… You’ll see next week. 😉
Good journey!
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