Recommended music: Sam & Dave – Hold On I’m Comin’
As far as this #WhateverWednesday post from the archives goes, we’re featuring the final character from the Ghosts ‘n Goblins game and toy line. It’s the Super7 ReAction Ghosts ‘n Goblins Astaroth!
Also known as The Devil, or The Great Satan, depending on which version you’re playing, Astaroth is the final boss in the game. You defeat him, and you free your true love, Princess Prin Prin… Oh, wait, of course it’s not that easy! Once you defeat Astaroth, you start the game over in an even harder fashion and have to play through the entire thing again to reveal the game’s TRUE ending. So yes, by having to beat it all twice, this really, really is one of the hardest games ever!🤪
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!
You guessed it right. This #WhateverWednesday post from the archives, we’ve got another character from Ghosts ‘n Goblins. It’s the Super7 ReAction Ghosts ‘n Goblins Unicorn!
This cyclops is also known as a unicorn demon due to its single horn. His size is formidable, nearly double that of Arthur, and just when you think you’ve seen the last of him after successfully avoiding his jumping from all the way across the screen at the end of level one and hitting him TEN times… He returns at the end of level 2 as a PAIR of Unicorns, jumping and attacking from both sides! (Yes, I could have just gotten one figure, but a second Unicorn was needed for the shelf for just that reason), And YES, this really, really is one of the hardest games ever!🥵
Happy Monday, MOTU fans! I hope your day didn’t involve too much labor. For today’s #MastersMonday post, we’re taking a look at the Mattel Masters of the Universe Masterverse: Revelation Mer-Man 2.0!
In the Netflix Masters of the Universe: Revelation animated series, viewers got a new look at Mer-Man sans armor, which varied from his typical design seen for the past 40 years. Before Skeletor’s disappearance, Mer-Man was the Lord of Destruction’s reluctant ally. He commanded an army of Aquaticans, terrorized the Crystal Sea, and proved to be a valuable resource in the fight against He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. However, Mer-Man’s inability to see eye-to-eye with other Evil Warriors typically led to his downfall.
Though Mattel simply labeled this figure as “Mer-Man,” the unofficial fan name of “Mer-Man 2.0” is very accurate to the flashback scene in Revelation episode three. If you remember, Mattel released a Revelation version of Mer-Man back in Masterverse wave four that was missing his armor and signature “corn cob” sword. While it came with extra hands and weapons, the figure was given a battered and damaged look that really called for an additional upgrade like this one.
This version of Mer-Man has a really sharp paint job and is a great translation of the character from the animated series. In addition to extra hands for either an open web hand, gripping, and fist options, he sports his classic sword. The colors of the weapon, armor, and gloved hands all work well together. The traditional armor even has a transparent jewel added to the front, a feature I don’t think I’ve previously seen on a Mer-Man figure.
This is another character I’m glad Mattel went back to in order to give us a more definitive figure. Now I really wish Mattel made some Aquaticans, so Mer-Man could lead an army of fish people in my display. 😄
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!
Recommended music: Dragonbard – Stage 1 Main Theme (From Ghosts ‘n Goblins)
On this #WhateverWednesday post from the archives, we’ve got something familiar. It’s the Super7 ReAction Ghosts ‘n Goblins Arthur (Armored version)!
This variant of our hero character also comes with a repack of the lance weapon from the game. However, this version of Arthur is still at full strength in his armor. He is careful to avoid zombies and other baddies. Yes, this really (yes, really) is one of the hardest games ever!
So on this #SomethingElseSunday post from the archives, we’ve got something familiar. It’s the Super7 ReAction Ghosts ‘n Goblins Zombie!
This figure is perfect for army building as it is the first enemy you encounter in the game, and there are a lot of them. If you somehow succeed in escaping a couple, you’re met with more in addition to airborne enemies. The zombies have, in fact, taken me out within 10 seconds of the start of the game. Yes, this really is one of the hardest games ever!
Recommended music: Game & Sound Remix – Ghosts ‘n Goblins – Haunted Graveyard (Arthur’s Theme)
On this #WhateverWednesday post from the archives, we’ve got something more familiar. It’s the Super7 ReAction Ghosts ‘n Goblins Arthur (Underwear version)!
This variant of our hero character not only comes with a lance accessory (the starter weapon in the game), but Arthur also comes decked out in heart-covered boxer shorts, as if he has just taken a single bit of damage, and must now have a perfect run to avoid certain death due to mere contact with any enemy character. Yes, this is one of the hardest games ever!
Recommended music: The OneUps – Ghouls ‘n Ghosts ‘n Goblins ‘n Gypsies
So on this #WhateverWednesday post from the archives, we’ve got something completely different. It’s the Super7 ReAction Ghosts ‘n Goblins Skeleton!
The ReAction line is perfect for these low-resolution video game sprite-based characters. I was glad to find these on store shelves in a 3-pack with our hero, Arthur, and a pair of enemies from the game.
Originally released to arcades in 1985 before being ported to many different home consoles and getting sequels, the game featured skeletons as a common enemy. While they start as a simple skull on the ground, when Arthur approaches, they leap out and jump impressively high, one of the countless ways to die in one of the hardest games ever.
Happy #WhateverWednesday, He-Fans and She-Ravers! Here’s one bit of Princess of Power from the archives. Today, we’re talking about Arrow!
This is a custom Arrow, the steed of Bow, based on his appearance from the Filmation She-Ra: Princess of Power animated series.
For the vintage POP toyline, Mattel turned Arrow from a normal horse into a transparent blue Pegasus for some reason. I wanted something to match up with how the character looked in the cartoon. This would go with my Masters of the Universe Classics Bow (which looks a bit cartoony).
After an official Arrow was made for that line, this custom (made from a Lord of the Rings Brego with a broken hoof) was paired up with this vintage Bow figure instead (I think it still works).
Once again, if you’ve made it this far, I’ve included one last (not so) hidden Loo-Kee in today’s picture.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Recommended music: Earth, Wind & Fire – Shining Star
Happy #MastersMonday, He-Fans and She-Ravers! Let’s continue discussing the vintage Mattel Princess of Power toyline. Today, we’re talking about Glimmer!
“The guide who lights the way” was a Great Rebellion figure included in the first wave of nine figures for the Princess of Power toy line. The daughter of Angella and princess of Bright Moon, Glimmer had a pretty big role in the Filmation She-Ra: Princess of Power animated series. She was the original leader of the Great Rebellion until Adora came on board and appeared in 45 of the series’ 93 episodes, as well as the Christmas Special.
The vintage figure came with a collar, crown, comb, skirt, staff, and either the “Disappearing Treasures” or “Journey to Mizar” mini-comic. The figure features some shiny prismatic accessories, some glow-in-the-dark accessories, and a pink and silver color scheme. My loose Glimmer figure is missing most of that, as I intentionally changed her from the toy and storybook deco to match up with her appearance in the Filmation animated series. I wanted a Glimmer who looked more like the cartoon character I knew. So she gained a permanent crown, lost most of the figure’s curls from her long hair, and gained some jewels and other decor changes to set her apart from the original figure.
Thankfully, as an adult collector, the Masters of the Universe Classics version of the character looks straight out of the Filmation animated series and is a much more refined version than my custom Glimmer. Also, if you’ve made it this far, I’ve included another (not so) hidden Loo-Kee in today’s picture.
Recommended music: Bob Dylan with Johnny Cash – Girl from the North Country
Happy #MastersMonday, He-Fans and She-Ravers! Let’s continue talking about the vintage Mattel Princess of Power toyline. Today, we’re talking about Frosta!
Frosta was included in the first wave of nine figures for the Princess of Power toy line. However, she was not included in the crossover animated film The Secret of the Sword, which was later split into the first five She-Ra: Princess of Power episodes. She did, however, appear immediately after in the series’ sixth episode, “Duel at Devlan.” She returned for another seven episodes throughout the series and had a bigger role in the He-Man and She-Ra: A Christmas Special.
The vintage figure came with a cape, comb, skirt, staff, and the “The Hidden Symbols Mystery” mini-comic. While my loose figure is missing all of that, she still looks “cool,” even with her hair and paint needing some work.
Thankfully, as an adult collector, the Masters of the Universe Classics version of the character looks straight out of the Filmation animated series, and Mattel has already included Frosta in their new Cartoon Collection of 5.5″ figures. Also, if you’ve made it this far, I’ve included a (not so) hidden Loo-Kee in today’s picture, so that was fun.
Dale's Toys 