Mattel released images of Orko’s packaging yesterday, including Orko’s bio.
(Click for larger version)
Orko – Heroic Court Magician
Real Name: Orko
After the rise of the Horde Empire, evil again outweighed the forces of good in the five dimensions. So in every generation, a Cosmic Warrior was recruited by the Overlords of Trolla to fight against evil. Each was given the Sword of He, a weapon infused with the Power of the Universe. They were also assigned a Trollan guide to watch over and advise them in their quests. On the planet of Eternia, after five centuries of being split in two, the Trollan Power Sword was at long last joined and bequeathed to an heir worthy of it’s power – Prince Adam of the royal household. Orko, a member of the Trollan magical elite, was assigned to watch over Adam. Although he was a powerful mage on Trolla, the hidden mystic properties of Eternia turned his magic into little more than entertaining tricks, which he uses to entertain his friends and remain undercover.
So Orko is basically the MOTU equivalent of Nibbler from Futurama. And maybe a little bit Giles from Buffy. (Which, come to think of it, should make Orko Dr. Mrs. Ghostal’s favorite character ever…)
Still, the bio does make Orko somewhat cooler than the bumbling jester of the Filmation series. And the fan in me wonders what a showdown between a fully powered Orko and Skeletor might look like.
One unanswered question, however, is why Orko has to remain “undercover.” Anyway, what do you think of the bio? If you’re not an Orko fan, does this make him work any better for you?
Leonardo T Dragon
I didn't even NOTICE Adam until it was pointed out here. It almost looks like Orko just stabbed him with that scepter in his hand and is now trying to hide the body!
As far as the "remaining undercover" part… maybe Orko is the reason no put together the fact that Adam and He-man are one and the same. Every time someone gets to close to the truth, the scepter comes out and another body is disposed of. After all, they have to feed Battle Cat somehow.
Orko- the Trollan version of "The Cleaner".
PrfktTear
I always liked Orko, especially as a kid. He had the endearing charm of a little child that kids could relate to moreso than say He-Man or Ram-Man.
I don't want to be too nitpicky about the bio, but a couple things make me scratch my head. First off calling them the Overlords of Trolla makes me curious. Usually the term overlord is used to denote someone who has taken power by force. Maybe I'm looking too far into that though and should accept that it just refers to one who has power over others (but again, if these Trollans are good, why do they have power over others?).
Next question… why is it called the Trollan Power Sword? Did they make the Sword of He? And also there are five dimensions so there are 5 cosmic warriors and five swords… so are there other He-Men out there?
Maybe I'm just reading too much into that, it just raises my eyebrow though.
Wes GRogan
It's always been established that Orko was more powerful in Trolla than in Eternia, dating back to the Filmation series itself. Whether it's magic properties or losing his magic wand, it's always been pretty well explained that one thing Orko's had to deal with is being far, far more competent at home than in Eternia. So yeah, I think this is alright, especially if it means that he's not mentally incompetent, which always went against the whole "powerful at home" idea.
Reilly
Something which struck my mind:
Isn't it a strange coincidence that part of the MotUC bios seem to borrow heavily on Green Lantern, which is the very same brand the current MotUC brand manager is working on?
Newton Gimmick
I don't love it. I like the idea of Orko being a badass, but the whole "Eternia's magic properties" bit lost me. I'd rather it be more like, he's just acting dumb as a Clark Kent type thing.
Anyway Orko rules. I need him now.
Andrew
This seems vaguely familiar to me. I thought Orko being from another dimension and on Eternia having his powers be parlor trick was longstanding canon.
Mysterious Stranger
@Poe: D'OH! Totally missed the stand. It kinda blends in with the curves of the inner bubble.
Richard Grayson
@Poe:
I think they meant that his MISSION has to remain secret; they don't say that very clearly. If it was revealed that Orko's true presence on Eternia was to watch and guide the guardian of the Sword of He, then everybody would figure out that Adam is He-Man!
toyman2581
Honestly, I've always loved Orko and this bio just makes him even cooler. I've never understood the hate that this poor little Trollan gets. I don't find him annoying at all. I mean, it's not like he's Snarf. Maybe it's just become "cool" to rag on Orko.
I've always liked his outfit and it's colors. He's a very striking character to look at and I think the Horsemen nailed him. Can't wait to bust him open! Which reminds me…..
@Dead Man Walking: Totally agree bro. Open the figs up and enjoy them bad boys! If I dig the packaging and want to keep a MOC fig on display then I just buy an extra one or two of the main characters.
RageTreb
I think in a fight between Skel and a fully powered Orko, Orko would decimate him. It would be incredibly badass simply because of how unexpected it is. I'm a big Harry Potter fan, and one of the things mentioned in the books is House Elves are insanely more powerful than wizards, despite being enslaved by them. Similar concept here.
Reilly
IMO that bio is catering to fans who can't bear the thought of a comic relief character. But to be frank, out of ten bios I like maybe one, so I'm probably not Mattel's "target audience" here.
Concerning the carded figure, I'm gonna open Orko anyway, so I couldn't care less that Adam is hidden. If I was a MOC collector though, I'd be seriously PO'ed that Mattel wasn't able to truly hide Prince Adam instead of making it seem as if Orko knocked him unconscious.
Dead Man Walking
There are 3 types of collectors who I get a kick out of seeing get bent out of shape, and one of those is hardcore mint on carders. They are the weirdest, most anal bunch. And now they're all up in arms about Adam being hidden, and even complaining about Orko's card being larger than the standard MOTUC blister.
If you want to see Adam, take your figures out of the package.
misterbigbo
I think Adam down there is hilarious. I've heard some MOC folks are upset about that, but as a MOCer myself, I think it's cute.
Poe
@Mysterious Stranger:
Did you click on the packaging photo? It's right there on the left.
What cracks me up is the way Adam is smooshed down out of site in the package.
Motorthing
Not an Orko fan (to put it as mildly as I can) and no, this doesn't in any way move my opinion of that irritating goof into positive territory.
It's one of the few times where even a free Prince Adam can't make me buy the figure.
Just die you floating shirt……DIE!
Ahem.
Mysterious Stranger
I'm only getting Orko because he was in the cartoon. He won't factor into my fledgling MOTUC universe at all.
Sidenote – is he going to come with a flight stand? I don't recall any mention of a stand so he can hover like he always does.