From the Archives: Man-E-Faces

Recommended music: Lady Gaga – Poker Face

For the foremost #MastersMonday post, I had to go with this vintage Masters of the Universe Man-E-Faces.

Debuting with the second wave of MOTU figures in 1983 and having a unique face-changing action feature led to him being a favorite of mine as a kid. After shortsightedness caused me to sell off my childhood figure, this was the very first figure I re-acquired after discovering eBay in the late 90s.
😬🤖👽

#MastersOfTheUniverse

Battle Armor Skeletor

Recommended music: Jordin Sparks – Battlefield (You know, because of the battle and the armor)😄

Happy Monday! We’re back this #MastersMonday with another blast from the past. From the vintage Mattel Masters of the Universe toy line, it’s Battle Armor Skeletor!

This was also one of the first figures in my childhood MOTU collection. (Possibly even THE first). I received this one for my 3rd birthday, as seen in the photo below.

Despite this design for Skeletor not used in the Filmation animated series or in the mini-comics included with figures, the Battle Armor was seen in a handful of books and packaging art for about a dozen different vehicles and 2-packs with the figure. The cardback art above was done by Errol McCarthy.

Like Battle Armor He-Man, the chest features the same “damaged” design until you roll it back to “repair” it. I think it still looks excellent for the character all these years later.

#MastersOfTheUniverse

Battle Armor He-Man

Recommended music: The Filthy Souls – Immortal Hero

Happy Monday! This #MastersMonday, we’re moving on from 1983 and looking at 1984 releases from the vintage Masters of the Universe toy line, starting with Battle Armor He-Man!

This was one of the first figures in my childhood MOTU collection. It could have even been THE first. I received one for my birthday at the ripe old age of three. 😄 (The photo exists somewhere.) Even though this armor breastplate look for He-Man was not used in any mini-comics or the Filmation animated series, it was used in enough books and packaging art to become my preferred look for He-Man.

The action feature in the chest is a three-sided drum that rolls to reveal more damage until you roll it back to “repair” He-Man to full strength. This feature was only reused once for Battle Armor Skeletor, but it remains a fun and unique aesthetic forty-one years after its US release date.

#MastersOfTheUniverse

From the Archives: Man-at-Arms 2.0

At #8 on my 2023 top action figure list was the Masters Of The Universe Masterverse Man-at-Arms 2.0 Duncan (Revelation) figure from Mattel.

I think this was the most decked-out Man-At-Arms figure ever at the time of release, with two completely different looks.

As soon as I saw this banished Duncan in the MOTU Revelation series, I knew I wanted it in plastic form.👍