Review > Dragon Blaster Skeletor (Masters of the Universe Classics, Mattel)

October 31, 2012 | Poe

The photos for this review were taken by toy photographer extraordinaire Ed Speir IV. You can see more pics of many different toy lines at his Flickr page.

I’m sure I’ve mentioned before that I didn’t actually own all that many vintage MOTU figures when I was a kid. In fact, off the top of my head, I believe they were limited to He-Man, Skeletor, Mer-Man, Teela, Ram Man, Trap Jaw, Tri-Klops, Buzz Off, Man-At-Arms, Man-E-Faces, King Hiss, Mekaneck, Hordak, and Leech. Long after I’d lost interest in MOTU, I did somehow end up with a Sorceress, Rio Blast, and Optikk. So at this point in MOTU Classics, we’ve gotten deep into the characters I never owned and perhaps never even saw.

Dragon Blaster Skeletor can definitely be counted among those figures I don’t remember. I did pick one up about ten years ago during the Millennium era when I decided to try and put together a vintage collection (which I eventually abandoned because the rubber bands holding most figures’ legs together were too weak, and they would never stand). So DB Skeletor is one of those figures that has to appeal to me in despite my lack of nostalgia. I realize I often am biased in this regard, so I’m going to try to evaluate him fairly as a MOTUC figure without that nostalgic connection. (more…)

Odds ‘n Ends n’ Weekend Discussion Thread

October 27, 2012 | Poe

That’s right – Odds ‘n Ends is back! I’ve just got too much stuff to write about and don’t want to spam your RSS reader with a slew of Sightings posts, so instead I present the return of O&E.

Also, because I eliminated the discussion board, I thought I’d try creating a “weekend discussion thread” and see if it appealed to anyone. So feel free to post about any (toy-related) topic you want in the comments below.

Anyway, on the odds and ends.

Castle Grayskull Update

October 24, 2012 | Poe

So here’s how it stands right now – the pre-orders for Castle Grayskull [pre-order here] are a bit under halfway there. Personally, I’m not going to panic, or even worry, until we’re into November, because I think a lot of people get paid at the end of the month. Let’s see where the meter is around the first week of November. If it’s still under, then you have my permission to panic.

For the record, I put in my pre-order days ago. No tormented back-and-forth on this one (even Dr. Mrs. Ghostal, by far the more financially responsible member of our duo, told me to just go for it – possibly because she didn’t want me freaking out and spending a small fortune on one at a bankruptcy-baiting mark-up on eBay). So I’ve done my part.

In Grayskull-related news, the irrepressible NoisyDvL5 of ItsAllTrue has created yet another new site, this one tracking all news and info about the Classics Grayskull, at CastleGrayskull.info. I can only sit and admire his energy for this sort of thing.

Also, as they did with the 2013 subscription, the Four Horsemen have issued a personal appeal to fans to pre-order Grayskull:

One of the main things we’ve dreamed of doing since we very first pitched the idea o Masters of the Universe Classics to Mattel is to get the chance to re-create one of the most iconic playsets of all time, CASTLE GRAYSKULL! Well, the time has come, and we’ve got the chance to not only re-create Castle Grayskull so that it fits in with the level of detail and styling of Masters of the Universe Classics, but this thing’s gonna be HUUUUGE! Plus, we’re going to include all of the features and fun details of the original, and try squeeze in as much cool new stuff as we possibly can as well.

Here’s where you all come in. Unfortunately, this incredible playset isn’t going to be cheap to purchase and we understand that. But the price Mattel’s going to be selling it for is the only way we’re going to be able to make it and get it into the hands of Masters of the Universe fans. Mattel has to have a certain amount of pre-orders before they can even have us start building the thing. If they don’t meet the minimum number of pre-orders required to set this process in motion by the deadline, then Castle Grayskull for the MotU Classics line will never happen. It’s as simple as that.

And for those who missed it, here’s Scott Neitlich’s video showing the foam mock-up of the playset:

Castle Grayskull Goes Up for Pre-Order Tomorrow

October 15, 2012 | Poe

It goes up at 12pm ET tomorrow. Details after the jump; pre-order link here.

Yes, it’s expensive. Yes, it’s ordering something from Mattycollector completely blind as to the final product. But…it’s Castle Grayskull. I don’t see how I have a choice. And I’ve got a year to save up for it. Then it’s just a matter of finding room for the thing. Y’know, I really don’t know about this. It’s so expensive (probably at least $300 after shipping) and seems so decadent…and space really is an issue. It took me weeks to decide to subscribe to the 2014 sub, and this costs nearly half that.

Well, I’ve got until January 3 November 10 to decide.

Here are some hi-res pics of the plans (which Mattel for some reason hasn’t bothered to release), courtesy Preternia.com:

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Trailer for He-Man iOS Game

October 15, 2012 | Poe

The tongue-in-cheek intro reminds me of the New World trailer for Godzilla 1985, but maybe that’s just me being a ridiculously sensitive fanboy.

Anyway, the game looks fun, and as long as it doesn’t try to goad me into spending real money on upgrades and so forth (I’m looking at you, Jaws Revenge), I suspect it will be a fun time.

He-Man’s back in a new iOS videogame

October 9, 2012 | Poe

MOTU fans with an iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch will soon be able to play the first Masters of the Universe videogame since 2005’s He-Man: Defender of Grayskull. It’s apparently a brawler. Here’s some info from IGN:

The game takes place across seven regions of Eternia, offering up 27 total levels of action. Gamers will do battle with He-Man arch-nemesis Skeletor, as well was Beast Man and presumably the rest of Skeletor’s lieutenants. Players will be able to level-up He-Man unlocking new powers and abilities as the quest progresses.

Given how cheap iOS games are, I can definitively say I will be getting this.

 

POP (and MOTU) Goes the Funko

October 3, 2012 | Poe

It’s been an open secret for some time, but Funko, makers of fine pop culture merchandise, have the Masters of the Universe license. They’ve already revealed some Wacky Wobblers, which look cool but I didn’t cover because I hate bobbleheads. No offense to Funko, I just think of bobbleheads as broken toys.

But now, finally, we get our first look at the POP-style MOTU figures. He-Man, She-Ra, Skeletor, Hordak and…Spikor? Works for me! I love Spikor. I will own them all.

The pic comes from the Dallas Toy Show and was taken by a friend of Power Pal Joe Amaro, whose incredibly awesome Manta Raider goes on sale October 17.

MOTUC Bio Discussion > Snake Men

October 2, 2012 | Poe

A reader recently told me he really enjoyed the MOTUC bio discussions, and I realized I hadn’t done one in ages. And so…here you go, Poester! (more…)

Happy Mekaneck Day!

September 17, 2012 | Poe

It’s been a long time since I’ve had to go through the painful experience of ordering via Mattycollector, so much so that I totally forgot to do a “Happy Whoever Day!” post.

I will say I’m excited about Mekaneck. He’s the one He-Man figure I distinctly remember opening as a kid, and I’ve always been fond of his design. It looks like they’ve done a good job on his Classics figure.

Today also marks the releases of the Snake Men 2-Pack, Dragon Blaster Skeletor, and from Club Infinite Earths, Black Mask – the first CIE figure I’ll actually keep (and yes, review). There’s also some JLU and WWE stuff I’m not interested in, but if you are you can check out the all-in-one page. No one’s sold out yet!