Tag: filmation

Revolution Emperor Hordak

Recommended music: Emperor Penguin – Glamour Hammer

Happy Monday, MOTU fans! For this #MastersMonday, we’re taking another look at the Revolution figures from the Mattel Masters of the Universe Masterverse line. Tonight, let’s check out Emperor Hordak!

Hordak first showed up in the vintage Mattel Masters of the Universe toy line in the summer of 1985, but not in the original Filmation He-Man and the Masters of the Universe cartoon, which had already finished production. Luckily, the leader of the Horde made his animated debut in March 1985 in the He-Man and She-Ra: The Secret of the Sword film.

The film was based on the first five episodes of the She-Ra: Princess of Power animated series, which premiered the following fall. Though He-Man and Skeletor did appear in select episodes, the main antagonist during the 93-episode run of the series was Hordak. The character returned for the 2002 toy line and cartoon, but his story was cut short when the show was cancelled after 39 episodes, just before the Horde storyline could be further fleshed out.

Hordak has also appeared in many storybooks, mini-comics, and recent DC comics as another enemy of He-Man. He came back again in 2018 as the main villain in the She-Ra and the Princesses of Power reboot.

In the closing moments of the Masters of the Universe Revelation animated series, the Horde were teased as being in control of Motherboard while Skeletor was taken over by technology. This storyline continues in Masters of the Universe Revolution, with Keith David joining as the voice of Hordak. The character played into each episode, and his body was still present at the end, so hopefully his story will continue.

Hordak’s design was kept secret until the Masters of the Universe: Revolution series premiered on Netflix in January 2024. About eight weeks later, this Hordak figure was teased, and it was the only Revolution design in Masterverse wave 13. The sculpt and paint match the animated character well, with more silver in the design rather than the usual primarily black armor. He comes with a simple, soft-goods cape, extra fist hands, and an updated version of his classic staff. The figure is advertised as having a “removable head,” but this doesn’t add much since there isn’t an alternate head with a different expression.

Overall, I’m pleased to see this figure included, as Hordak played a significant role in the Revelation series. Still, a few more accessories, such as an arm cannon or an alternate head, would have made a considerable difference.

Masters of the Universe Revelation/Revolution turned four years old this year! I “figure” there’ll be a new figure from this series to share here for the rest of the year!

#ActionFigurePhotography
#MastersOfTheUniverse
#MOTU
#ToyPhotography

Revolution King Keldor

Recommended music: X Ambassadors – The Devil You Know

Happy Monday, MOTU fans! For this #MastersMonday, we’re taking another look at the Revolution figures from the Mattel Masters of the Universe Masterverse line. Tonight, we’ll be checking out King Keldor!

The character of Keldor was not included in the vintage Mattel toy line or in the Filmation He-Man and the Masters of the Universe animated series. This all changed for the 2002 toy line and cartoon, as Keldor was immediately introduced as Skeletor’s former self and the brother of King Randor. Some of this backstory was carried over into future DC comics, but the Masters of the Universe Revolution animated series changed the character once again and cast William Shatner to voice him.

In the third episode of Revolution, ‘More Things in Heaven and on Earth,’ we learn that Keldor is the illegitimate son of King Miro and could be the heir to the throne. It’s also revealed that Skeletor is actually Keldor, but he didn’t know about his heritage. What a twist, right?

King Keldor’s appearance was meant to be more of a secret until the series was ready to air, which is why the figure’s inclusion in Mastervese wave 12 did not occur until after the Masters of the Universe Revolution series aired on Netflix in January 2024.

The sculpt and paint on the figure do a good job of matching the animated character. He comes with extra gripping hands and an alternate head with a crown. I think it would have made more sense to include just one head, a removable crown, and maybe another accessory, since this Masterverse release feels a bit lacking. Still, the soft goods cape and fur collar are a nice touch.

Overall, I’m happy to see this figure added to the line. The character played a big role in the Revelation series, and it’s definitely better than getting another Skeletor repaint.

Masters of the Universe Revelation/Revolution turned four years old this year! I “figure” there’ll be a new figure from this series to share here for the rest of the year!

#ActionFigurePhotography
#MastersOfTheUniverse
#MOTU
#ToyPhotography

Revolution Battle Armor He-Man

Recommended music: Bite The Buffalo – Enemies

Happy Monday, MOTU fans! For this #MastersMonday, we’re taking another look at the Revolution figures in the Mattel Masters of the Universe Masterverse line. Tonight, let’s check out Battle Armor He-Man!

In the third episode of Masters of the Universe Revolution, ‘More Things in Heaven and on Earth,’ He-Man’s Power Sword is on the fritz, so Andra provides the most powerful man in the universe with a small chest plate attachment featuring the letter ‘H.’ A few minutes later, as He-Man goes into battle, he presses on the H, and it transforms into a new, more complete chest armor – minus sleeves, of course, and we get our first animated look at Battle Armor He-Man.

Battle Armor He-Man has appeared in every Masters of the Universe toyline for the past 40 years, but Mattel didn’t show this new version at San Diego Comic-Con 2023 with the other Masterverse wave 11 figures. Instead, they kept it under wraps, along with the other wave 12 figures, until just a few months before Masters of the Universe Revolution came out on Netflix in January 2024.

The figure’s bulkier build and paint job look a lot like the cartoon version, and it’s a big step up from the Revelation He-Man in the first wave. Even though the chin is long, the head sculpt is much better than before. The figure is very poseable, with 30 points of articulation, like many other Masterverse figures. He comes with a nicely painted battle axe, extra hands, a swappable “damaged” chest plate, and removable armor. The Classics line also had swappable chest plates instead of the old action feature, but this is the first Battle Armor He-Man I remember that also includes the classic chest harness.

Overall, I’m happy to see my favorite version of He-Man in the new animated series, and I think Mattel did a great job with this figure for the Masterverse price.

Masters of the Universe Revelation/Revolution turned four years old this year! I “figure” there’ll be a new figure from this series to share here for the rest of the year!

#ActionFigurePhotography
#MastersOfTheUniverse
#MOTU
#ToyPhotography

Revolution Sorceress Teela

Recommended music: Air Supply – The One That You Love

Happy Monday, MOTU fans! With this #MastersMonday post, we’re starting to look at Revolution figures in the Mattel Masters of the Universe Masterverse line. First up: Sorceress Teela!

In the first episode of the Netflix Masters of the Universe: Revolution animated series, “Even for Kings,” Teela has a different appearance than in the previous Revelation series. Not only is she now voiced by Melissa Benoist instead of Sarah Michelle Gellar, but she has fully embraced her heritage as the new sorceress of Castle Grayskull. When Scare Glow refuses to relinquish his hold on Fisto and Clamp Champ’s souls, Teela, other Heroic Warriors, and Royal Guard storm into Subternia.

Mattel revealed this Teela and the rest of Masterverse wave 11 at San Diego Comic-Con 2023, a full five months before the January 2024 debut of the Masters of the Universe Revolution series on Netflix. The wave of figures eventually hit store shelves later that spring.

The sculpt and paint on the figure are pretty accurate to the cartoon, and Teela comes with 30 points of articulation, the traditional sorceress staff, an extra set of open hands, and a soft goods cloak that is an improvement from the Sorceress cape earlier in the line, as it no longer needs to attach to the arms. Overall, it’s a good figure and a great way to kick off characters from the new show.

Masters of the Universe Revelation/Revolution turned four years old this year! I “figure” there’ll be a new figure from this series to share here for the rest of the year!

#ActionFigurePhotography
#MastersOfTheUniverse
#MOTU
#ToyPhotography

Revelation Horde Skeletor

Recommended music: Savatage – Gutter Ballet

Howdy MOTU fans! This #MastersMonday post, we’re taking a look at the Mattel Masters of the Universe Masterverse: Horde Skeletor!

During the eighth episode of the Netflix Masters of the Universe: Revelation animated series, “The Gutter Rat,” Skeletor has a slightly different look. This look is quite distinct from what was seen in animation for the previous 40 years. In a flashback scene, Evil-Lyn (the gutter rat) reminisces on a very different backstory. In Revelation canon, Evil-Lyn runs away from her starving parents as they are going to eat her and finds herself in a life of crime and magic on the streets. When her back is against the wall against a couple of tough characters, Skeletor saves the day by showing up via a magic portal and steering Evil-Lyn’s life down a very different path.

Fortunately, the Skeletor design seen in this scene was captured in this Masterverse figure. Mattel labeled this figure simply as ‘Skeletor,’ but the ‘Horde Skeletor’ nickname has stuck due to the Horde bat emblem on Skeletor’s belt. The expanded backstory of The Evil Horde was eventually revealed during the Masters of the Universe Revolution follow-up series on Netflix.

The fun thing about this design is that once you’ve removed the soft goods cape, it’s easy to see the black and red outfit is basically an update of the ‘200X’ Spin Blade Skeletor figure. Only this time, instead of a silly accessory on a repaint that practically spelled the end of the 2002 toyline, this figure includes a havoc staff with a semi-transparent ram head.

Not only does the weapon get an upgrade from the wave one Skeletor, but the paint applications on the face are also a big improvement. The figure comes with 30 points of articulation, an extra set of hands, and a much better soft goods cloak than what was included with the first release. The biggest downside to this figure is that the skin tone is slightly too purple compared with the traditional blue-skinned skeleton.

Thankfully, Mattel included this one last Revelation figure in Masterverse Wave 10 before moving on to Revolution and ‘New Eternia’ designs.

Masters of the Universe Revelation/Revolution turned four years old this year! I “figure” there’ll be a new figure from this series to share here for the rest of the year!

#ActionFigurePhotography
#MastersOfTheUniverse
#MOTU
#ToyPhotography

Revelation Clamp Champ

Recommended music: O Fresh – The Champ is Here (Remix)

Happy Monday, MOTU fans! This #MastersMonday post, we’re taking a look at the Mattel Masters of the Universe Masterverse: Clamp Champ!

Clamp Champ, also known as Raenius per his Masters of the Universe Classics bio, appeared in the very first episode of the Netflix Masters of the Universe: Revelation animated series. The character’s design is a very familiar look that we’ve seen since 1986, and it was great to finally see him in animated form.

Unfortunately, his vintage action figure came out a year after the Filmation He-Man animated series ended, so he was limited to comics and newspaper strips in the 1980s. According to the producer of the 2002 Mike Young Productions Masters of the Universe cartoon, he was the next vintage character planned to appear in that series before it was canceled. The character also did not make it into the accompanying ‘200X’ Mattel toy line but did get made in the NECA Toys “staction” line shortly afterward.

Mattel not only nailed the look of the Clamp Champ from the Netflix series for this figure but also provided a modern rendition of the character for fans who missed out on the MOTUC version. The well-painted sculpt contains 31 points of articulation, and Champ comes with an extra set of hands, as well as a redesigned spring-loaded techno clamp. This weapon gets a big upgrade and actually fits all around his hand.

Unfortunately for the character, after protecting the royal family a couple of times, he was basically killed off mid-way through Revelation, as his character became a skeletized minion along with Fisto. There was a chance the characters would have their souls reborn later in the season, but it didn’t happen. Thankfully, Mattel included the figure in Masterverse Wave 10 before moving on to Revolution designs, but I guess I’ll need a second one to make a custom of the skeletized minion. 😜

Masters of the Universe Revelation/Revolution turned four years old this year! I “figure” there’ll be a new figure from this series to share here for the rest of the year!

#ActionFigurePhotography
#MastersOfTheUniverse
#MOTU
#ToyPhotography

Revelation Prince Adam

Recommended music: Electric Light Orchestra – Livin’ Thing

Happy Monday, MOTU fans! For today’s #MastersMonday post, we’re taking a look at the Mattel Masters of the Universe Masterverse: Prince Adam!

In the Netflix Masters of the Universe: Revelation animated series, the character design for Prince Adam was a very recognizable and classic look for Adam. Unlike the Filmation He-Man animated series, which used the same character model for Adam and He-Man, and simply replaced hair and skin-tones post heroic transformation, this Adam is noticeably smaller. Also, his hair curls in more like a mop top than the flowing look used for the Revelation He-Man.

This was a very smart move for the show creators as Prince Adam can’t rely on glasses like Clark Kent hiding he’s Superman. While we don’t know how often Prince Adam had to run off screen to become He-Man prior to the first episode, it seems like the secret identity was only figured out by Queen Marlena in this canon.

Mattel really nailed the look of the Prince Adam figure for the Masterverse line. Not only does he have an accurate paint job and sculpt with over 30 points of articulation, but Adam also comes with a set of fist hands, an alternate smiling head, and two versions of the Power Sword. One sword is painted with an accurate metallic look, but we also get this speckled semi-transparent “powering up” version as well.

The biggest downside to this figure is his availability. Despite being a main character in the series, Adam was saved until the last wave of Revelation characters in the Masterverse line. It appears this wave was short-packed as the packaging quickly changed over for wave 11 and the debut of Masters of the Universe: Revolution figures. Unfortunately, I had to spend quite a bit over retail to pick him up, but I’m so glad to have this version of Adam of the House of Randor in the collection.

Masters of the Universe Revelation/Revolution turned four years old this year! I “figure” there’ll be a new figure from this series to share here for the rest of the year!

#ActionFigurePhotography
#MastersOfTheUniverse
#MOTU
#ToyPhotography

UNO Fandom She-Ra: Princess of Power Deck

Recommended music: Shuki Levy and Haim Saban – She-Ra: Princess of Power Opening Theme

Happy Monday, He-Fans and She-Ravers! I hope your weekend was as fun as mine was on the West Coast. On this #MastersMonday, we’re taking a look at the Mattel Creations UNO Fandom She-Ra: Princess of Power Deck!

You may be wondering why we’re taking a break from talking about Masters of the Universe Revelation this week. Well, tomorrow marks the 40th anniversary of the Filmation She-Ra: Princess of Power animated series. That’s right, on Monday, September 9th, 1985, the first of 93 She-Ra episodes aired in first-run syndication across the United States.

To celebrate 40 years of He-Man’s long-lost twin sister, Mattel has released a few exclusives, including this UNO deck. Now, I do already own a couple of versions of Masters of the Universe UNO, but this one is pretty unique. While Mattel states that this entire UNO deck is dedicated to the original animated series, that is not entirely accurate. The deck actually features artwork from the first minicomic, The Story of She-Ra. It also includes other mini-comic art from the Princess of Power action figure line.

In addition to the cool art throwback, the deck features an exclusive “Unite Etheria” card, which adds a special rule to the game. Additionally, the set includes a foil version of that card, which may remind you of Bubble Power She-Ra’s crown and other reflective surfaces from the original toy line.

Once again, if you’ve made it this far, I’ve included one last (not so) hidden Loo-Kee in today’s picture. Happy birthday, She-Ra!

#ActionFigurePhotography
#MastersOfTheUniverse
#PrincessOfPower
#SheRa40
#ToyPhotography

Crystal Castle

Recommended music: Fridrik Karlsson – Crystal Healing

Happy Monday, He-Fans and She-Ravers! I hope your week is starting off light as this #MastersMonday, we’re still talking about the vintage Mattel Princess of Power toyline. Tonight, we’re taking a look at the Crystal Castle!

Similar to how Castle Grayskull was the only playset available for the first year of the vintage Masters of the Universe toy line, the “Shimmering Castle of Fantasy and Fun doe She-Ra and Her Friends” was the big playset for the Princess of Power line, and the only backdrop for your POP figures until the much smaller Crystal Falls playset was released with wave two in 1986.

The Crystal Castle was featured in books, comics, German audio plays, magazines, minicomics, and 10 episodes of the Filmation She-Ra: Princess of Power animated series. Although Castle Bright Moon was featured in more episodes, including the 1985 feature film He-Man and She-Ra: The Secret of the Sword, which launched the series, the Crystal Castle was also an important location for She-Ra. It served as a refuge for She-Ra and the home base for the character Light Hope, who was basically the POP version of the Sorceress from MOTU. Though the character was never completely defined until he received an action figure in the Masters of the Universe Classics line, he served as a source of wisdom to She-Ra while being represented by bright, talking colors on the screen.

The castle was loaded with unique accessories, most of which I have been able to accumulate over the years, including: a bedspread, a canopy bed, a clothes stand, a fireplace, a flag, a pillow, a plush rug, a table and two chairs, a treasure chest and jewels, and a vanity mirror. While the playset serves as much more of a doll house than Castle Grayskull, and looks nothing like the Crystal Castle in the Filmation animated series, it was an entertaining and important part of the toy line.

I think that’s enough She-Ra talk for now. I’ll have some more next month for the 40th anniversary of the series, but otherwise, I will be covering a very different line from the franchise starting next Monday.

Once again, if you’ve made it this far, I’ve included one last (not so) hidden Loo-Kee in today’s picture.

#ActionFigurePhotography
#MastersOfTheUniverse
#PrincessOfPower
#SheRa40
#ToyPhotography

Clawdeen

Recommended music: Gary Numan – She’s Got Claws

Happy Monday, He-Fans and She-Ravers! Clearly, on this #MastersMonday, we should keep talking about the vintage Mattel Princess of Power toyline. Today, we’re taking a look at the “Glamorous Cat Carries Catra to Adventure,” it’s Clawdeen!

Just like how the majority of figures in the vintage POP line are members of the Great Rebellion, the creatures in the line overwhelmingly align with the good guys, too. Catra’s horse, Storm, was the only Evil Horde creature included in the first year of the line. Wave two brought just one Evil Horde creature with Catra’s lion, Clawdeen.

Clawdeen was featured in books, comics, minicomics, and magazines. She was even in the German Audio Plays. However, she actually had a very minor role in the Filmation She-Ra: Princess of Power animated series. That’s right, Clawdeen appeared just once, in episode 66, ‘One to Count On’, which kicked off the second season. In addition to the Clawdeen cameo, the episode is also the first appearance of Entrapta. It’s a pretty great story where the Great Rebellion has to learn to make responsible decisions in their fight against the Evil Horde without relying on She-Ra to bail them out all the time. If you haven’t seen it in a while, it’s a good episode. Though both the script and model sheets for the episode show Catra riding Clawdeen, this idea never made it into the finished episode.

The creature included familiar accessories with the standard brush and a comb, but also a harness, hair ribbons, and a saddle. I seem to have misplaced everything but the saddle, but neither Catra nor Clawdeen seems to mind.

Once again, if you’ve made it this far, I’ve included another (not so) hidden Loo-Kee in today’s picture.

#ActionFigurePhotography
#MastersOfTheUniverse
#PrincessOfPower
#SheRa40
#ToyPhotography

POP Scratchin’ Sound Catra

Recommended music: Ted Nugent – Cat Scratch Fever

Happy Monday, He-Fans and She-Ravers! On this #MastersMonday, let’s keep talking about the vintage Mattel Princess of Power toyline. Today, we’re taking a look at Scratchin’ Sound Catra!

The vintage POP line was filled with characters from the Great Rebellion. Catra and her horse, Storm, were the only members of the Evil Horde included in the first year of the line. I guess many Horde characters had already debuted in the concurrent Masters of the Universe line, and POP just needed to add in the missing female characters.

Besides Clawdeen and Entrapta being made into Evil Horde action figures in 1986, Mattel also made an updated version of the “Jealous Beauty” seen here. This new version of Catra not only features a new head, but she also has an action lever on her back that moves her arm and produces a “scratching” sound.

Catra had a pretty big role with the Evil Horde. The minion of Hordak appeared in 36 of the 93 episodes of the Filmation She-Ra: Princess of Power animated series. In the cartoon, Catra magically transforms into her cat form. I’m not really sure how that makes sense with this figure’s design. Releasing a new version of her each year was a great way for new viewers to jump into the line. Mattel did the same with a new version of Hordak in the MOTU toy line. This ensured there was always a main antagonist to She-Ra on the pegs at retail.

The figure included a new mini-comic, A Born Champion, that featured her and other wave two characters. For accessories, she also came with a repack of her wave one shield and a comb, now painted silver, which I seem to have misplaced. Fortunately, I do still have the new soft goods, including a fabric mask, skirt, and tail, which really help her stand out from the first release.

Once again, if you’ve made it this far, I’ve included another (not so) hidden Loo-Kee in today’s picture.

#ActionFigurePhotography
#MastersOfTheUniverse
#PrincessOfPower
#SheRa40
#ToyPhotography

POP Enchanta

Recommended music: Martin Denny – The Enchanted Sea

Happy #MastersMonday, He-Fans and She-Ravers! Let’s keep talking about the vintage Mattel Princess of Power toyline. Tonight, we’re taking a look at Enchanta.

The “Beautiful Swan [Who] Flies She-Ra and Her Friends on Amazing Adventures” was a steed for the Great Rebellion figure. I’ve seen Enchanta listed as both a wave one and a wave two vehicle for the Princess of Power toy line, so I’m still not 100% sure she was a 1985 release or not. Unlike the horses in the first wave that carry a single figure, and not quite as crazy as the Butterflyer, which holds eight figures, Enchanta can easily hold 2-3 figures on the silver cushioned saddle.

Enchanta had just one appearance in the Filmation She-Ra: Princess of Power animated series. During the second season episode “Sweet Bee’s Home,” not only does Sweet Bee make her debut, but Enchanta aids the Rebellion by hauling Mermista (who appears to be Enchanta’s neighbor or something), She-Ra, He-Man, and Frosta until a Horde freeze-ray slowly knocks her out of the sky. It’s a hilarious episode with Frosta swooning over He-Man while the most powerful man in the universe appears to be smitten with Sweet Bee. Check it out!

Besides the saddle, the giant talking swan comes with a bridle with reins, a prism skirt, and a removable tail and wings. She also came with a brush and comb to groom her stylish pink mane, but I seem to have misplaced those accessories. 😛

Once again, if you’ve made it this far, I’ve included another (not so) hidden Loo-Kee in today’s picture.

#ActionFigurePhotography
#MastersOfTheUniverse
#PrincessOfPower
#SheRa40
#ToyPhotography