MATTEL - MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE
The year of 2002 was a benchmark year for Mattel. It featured the reintroduction of the Masters of the Universe toy line, with figures, a new, high quality show, and a comic.
For 2003, Mattel is doing some tweaking to the line. The biggest change, is that now the figures will no longer include sound chips in them. Because of this, Mattel is also rereleasing a new Castle Grayskull with sounds that can apply to multiple figures built in. The reason for this change is for a more freeform interactivity. Apparently kids did not not like the fact that only Skeletor could activate the trapdoor noises. On the downside to this, with the push for Castle Grayskull, Snake Mountain has ben put on hold.
The Figures
Martial Arts He-Man
This figure has had a color change from the one first seen in the
promotional photos. Originally he had orange armor. For the final
release, his armor is a metallic blue.
Evil-Lyn
Evil-Lyn was still in the painted test shot stage, but what was shown
looked great. The figure perfectly captures Evil-Lyn's look from the
current show, down to the bone detailing on her outfit. The figure is
a Teela remold, but an extremely extensive one. There is so much
remolding occurring with this figure that the only parts I recognized
from the original Teela were the large boot and the figure's stance.
Evil-Lyn's figure still did not have a gimmick implemented in her, but
the final will include one.
Sy-Klone
Sy-Klone was completely finished as of Toy Fair. He looked very nice,
leagues ahead of the old figure. His gimmick works via a disk in his
waist: turn the disk, and he spins.
Whiplash
Whiplash looked like he was completed as well. The figure looks great,
with nice paint and molding detail, right down to a brutish grin on his
face. His gimmick is activated by pressing a button on his leg. When
pressed, Whiplash's waist and tail whip in a sideways motion.
Prince Adam
Another figure who looked ready to ship, Prince Adam gets an
entirely new mold instead of being a He-Man re-color. As befitting the
character, the figure looks slightly weak compared to the other figures
in the line. Adam's face even has a more youthful look to it compared
to the face of He-Man.
Two-Bad
Two-Bad, like Evil-Lyn, was still in the painted test shot stage.
But even in a non-complete state, the figure promises to look great when
finished. Both of the heads each display a different personality
extremely well.
Roboto
Roboto was another figure in the early phases of development, though
unlike the others, his gimmick did work. Like the old figure, he has
working gears visible within a transparent chest. However, on the new
figure, the chest can be covered with a opaque chest plate. Roboto also
appears to have a working missile on his back.
Man-E-Faces
The greatest Eternian actor is back again in a figure very similar
to the original, but made with modern sensibilities. His face switching
gimmick was working, and fortunately we were able to take photos of each
face. Man-E-Faces also comes packaged with a gun that is similar in
shape to the weapon of the original figure. One difference that this
new weapon has is the ability to fire a missile.
Buzz-Off
Compared to other Masters of the Universe characters, Buzz-Off has
had a bit more redesign work performed on him. After looking at the
new incarnation, one can tell that the time invested into the redesing
was time well spent. Buzz-Off looks very insectile, yet he still manages
to appear humanoid. By looking at the figure, one can easily see that the
sound chips are not included, as evidenced by his tiny feet. Like the
original figure, Buzz-Off can also remove his bee styled helmet.
Unfortunately, the figure on display at Toy Fair had the helmet glued onto
the figure.
"Unnamed" He-Man
I was unable to get the name of this He-Man. He has a very tech-anime
theme to his armor and accessories. His sword looks almost shark-like
with its streamlined finned appearance. One really odd feature of the
figure on display was that it has a blue leg, though this may change
with the final.
Stealth Armor Stratos
Not just a repaint, this Stratos has reworked shoulders with universal
joints.
Fists of Fury He-Man
This new He-Man figure will feature a boxing gimmick, and both of his
gauntlets are removable. Also included with the toy will be a
katana-styled sword. He also features a new head mold.
Inferno Skeletor
This figure, an entirely new mold, looked fantastic. Skeletor is
covered with flame detailing to his new armor; the two flame blades
on his back are removable and can be used as weapons. Since this is
Skeletor, he also comes with his Havoc Staff, which has been upgraded
as well. Instead of a normal human skull, the new staff now sports
a ram's skull made of flames.
"Arctic" He-Man
This He-Man was not named, but he defiantly has an arctic theme,
probably to as a counterpoint Inferno Skeletor. Like Inferno
Skeletor, this figure is also a completely new mold, and it really
shows. The new He-Man is larger than the old, and he looks so tough
now that the previous mold looks downright scrawny in comparison.
The new mold features polar theme accessories and armor, including
large furry boots, a fur pelt on his back as a cape, and a piece of
shoulder armor with an ice crystal on it. Lastly, this figure has some
really nice detailing; he even has some white spots in his hair that
represent bits of snow.
Zodac
Zodac is back, and has finally been unmasked! Underneath his removable
helmet, Zodac is a stern looking man, which is fitting for a Cosmic
Enforcer. The figure now has extra warpaint-like blue markings on him.
Also, it appears that his can attach to his skirt armor via a tube of
some sort. Zodac also has a giant baton accessory.
Exo-Armor He-Man and Exo-Armor Skeletor
These two figures will be sold as deluxes. Both feature removable
power armor attachments. Skeletor's Armor appears to have been inspired
by the old Terror Claws Skeletor figure from the original toy line.
Vehicles and Playsets
Mutant Slime Pit
Skeletor now has a slime pit of his very own. Unlike the original
playset, it is now actually a pit. Also, instead of being a torture
device, this pit can be used to summon hideous Slime Mutants to do
Skeletor's bidding. The Slime Mutant, included with the set, is a new
figure that looks like the unenhanced version of Skeletor's bone servant
from "The Courage of Adam," To enhance the figure, the Mutant gets a
special slime coating. The Slime Pit contains a higher level on which
Skeletor can be catapulted.
In addition to the Slime Mutant, the set will include a He-Man figure as well. Mattel would like for the He-Man pack-in to not just be a repainted figure, but they still have not decided on what exactly it will be.
Dragon Walker
This new Dragon Walker is the first motorized vehicle for the new
Master's of the Universe toy line. This new Dragon Walker
shares its name with the old toy, but nothing else; the new toy is
completely different from the old. The new Dragon Walker looks like a
bipedal dragon made of steel. It will also have a pack-in He-Man figure,
though like the Smile Pit, Mattel is not sure if this will be a repaint or
new figure.
This is only a sampling of the products set to be released this year. Not on display were Power Gauntlet Man-At-Arms and the upcoming Battle Station Playset. What was shown looked great, so it should be a very fun year for Masters of the Universe fans.