Poe’s Review > Sir Laser-Lot (Masters of the Universe Classics, Mattel)

August 30, 2012 | Poe

Sir Laser Lot is the latest addition to the Masters of the Universe 30th Anniversary subscription. The character was created and designed by comic book writer Geoff Johns, who successfully revamped DC’s Green Lantern line of comics earlier in the decade and is currently shaping the development of the New 52. I once interviewed Johns for PGPoA, which you can read here. Sir Laser-Lot has also played a role in the new comics produced separately by Mattel (as minicomics packaged with toys) and DC’s MOTU comic.

Like the Mighty Spector, Sir Laser-Lot was controversial when revealed. Why? Let’s find out. (more…)

Poe’s Review > Spikor (Masters of the Universe Classics, Mattel)

August 23, 2012 | Poe

Sega’s first attempt at an “edgier” Sonic

I admit I’ve neglected to write up a post about it, but I did get The Power and the Honor Foundation‘s excellent Volume One: The Art of Masters of the Universe Toy Design. It’s everything the Mattel art book should have been (for the same price). Anyway, the book includes an early concept sketch of Spikor. He’s similar to the final version except the porcupine aspect is played up more – he’s brown and has a more animalistic face. Why Mattel decided to make him purple in the end is beyond me, but I now find it part of what makes the character endearing.

I had the vintage Spikor as a kid. He appealed to me because of his color scheme (I like purple), the fun rubbery spikes, and the odd extendable trident feature. Like Whiplash and Leech, Spikor survived (or post-dated) the day that I gave away many of my He-Man figures to a cousin in Florida. He eventually became a generic monster foe to the likes of the Ninja Turtles. (more…)

Doc Thomas Reviews > Starman (DC Signature Collection, Mattel)

August 21, 2012 | Doc Thomas

This Starman is based on the Kingdom Come version of the character.

I’ve always been a Marvel man. Sure, I’ve been a fan of the Batman since Miller’s seminal graphic novel, and I’m apparently one of the only sane people who loves Superman Returns, but I was always much more fond of the Marvel universe than the DC. This can be in part attributed to Bryan Singer’s excellent X-Men films raising the bar for comic book movies back before the 90’s ended, and then in part due to the phenomenal Marvel Legends action figures that redefined the way we collect today. But that line ended, and although Hasbro took the baton from ToyBiz it hasn’t quite been the same.

When Mattel decided to apply DC characters to that same formula the result was a great series of toys, but one that was incredibly hard to collect in Australia; while Marvel Legends were plentiful in Oz across their early run, the DC Universe Classics were barely available, if at all. Fortunately friend Poe was able to help me acquire basically the entire series, and since then I’ve been reading a lot of the great DC arcs, currently knee-deep in Blackest Night. I’m a convert; for all their mistakes and baffling choices, especially with the sad reboot last year, I’d argue DC can rise to the occasion with stories just as strong as Marvel’s.

I jumped at the chance to subscribe to Club Infinite Earths, to continue collecting characters from the DC universe, and I feel like I’ve been rewarded for it: the DC Signature Collection has offered both entirely new, and fan requested, characters, like John Constantine and Saint Walker, as well as excellent new versions of figures that have previously seen toys, like Atrocitus. Metron was an excellent incentive to subscribe – as was previously reviewed on here, he’s an excellent toy and a great centrepiece for your New Gods display. I’m happy to continue subscribing; even though I’ve fallen off the MOTUC wagon courtesy of the $75+ Fearsome Foe Whatsits, CIE’s figures are all interesting to me, even characters I’ve previously never stumbled across like Starman. (more…)

Minicomic Monday > #1: He-Man and the Power Sword

August 20, 2012 | Poe

Welcome to a new feature here on PGPoA. For the foreseeable future (or until I run out of minicomics), I’ll be reviewing classic Masters of the Universe minicomics from the 1980s and beyond. As fans know, these comics were included with the action figures back in the old days. Some were great, some not-so-great, and some were downright dreadful.

We begin with the very first minicomic, “He-Man and the Power Sword.” (more…)

Want more Major Matt Mason? Mattel wants to know

August 20, 2012 | Poe
MVC-005F

MVC-005F by johnnyapollo, on Flickr

So, I’m way behind on this, but a few weeks back Power Pal Pixel Dan asked me to help promote the fact that Mattel is apparently curious about what kind of interest there is in a Major Matt Mason comeback.

Part of me wonders whether this is partly inspired by the success of Glyos and the Outer Space Men; I suppose it would be way too much to hope Mattel would work with the Four Horsemen and Matt Doughty on creating a new Matt Mason line. (more…)

Sightings > Making the Mosquitor Mask

August 16, 2012 | Poe

As you may recall, Pixel Dan wore an awesome Mosquitor mask for this past San Diego Comic Con. He’s got an interview up on his site with Glen Coleman, the fellow who made it. Mr. Coleman is also working on a pretty badass-looking Skeletor mask.

The interview includes downloadable patterns to create your own Mosquitor mask.

The Power-Con Secret Accessory

August 16, 2012 | Poe

Apparently there’s going to be a secret Mattel-produced MOTUC accessory for the first 1,000 fans who register for Power-Con. No one knows what it is. Odds are it will be a repaint/color variant of an existing accessory, but there’s no guarantee it’s not something new (for example, Spector’s green whip). In any event, Fantastic Plastic Toys is offering the item for $18.50, the cost of a Power-Con ticket and shipping.

It’s worth noting that the text on the Power-Con page says that this accessory will be “first available” at Power-Con, which suggests it will eventually be available through some other means.

Club Eternia 2013 is a go

August 7, 2012 | Poe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wE0WQWI9XQ

135%. Ram Man is saved, and Geldor is the fan’s choice winner, which I’m happy about because I voted for him.

Please begin celebrating/cynical eye-rolling……..nnn-now.