I need a HER-O! I can’t get that song out of my head after watching the trailer for Netflix’s Masters of the Universe Revelation series about 20 times. Fitting because yesterday Mattel landed a box of goodies here with all of the Wave 1 Masterverse figures! This is Mattel’s new collector line for He-Man, an all encompassing line of 7 inch figures at retail stores which will eventually touch multiple different eras of the MOTU lore. It is starting out with figures for Revelation since the series is about to drop.  Included in wave 1 is He-Man, Battle Cat, Skeletor, Evil-Lyn, Moss Man, and the new Skelegod – a powered up version of Skeletor.
We’ve run a set of basic+ shots for everyone here, so read on to check out what these guys can do along with some additional thoughts on the line overall!
Overall Thoughts:
OK, lots of stuff going on here. First, new line from Mattel, replacing the fan favorite Classics that ran for so long and so many fans invested long term in. That’s a hard thing to do. Without going specific to any particular figure, style, look – the basics for the line are there and well done. Articulation is ON POINT. Double jointed knees / elbows. Pinless at that. Torso cut on a ball joint, flush. Upper thigh cuts. Boot cuts. Pegged hands with swing joints. Rocker ankles. Heads on ball joints. Upper bicep cut. The only potential articulation missing that some modern figs use – butterfly shoulders. However, that’s not a ding, because those are not pretty most times. I think for MOTU which have a focus on muscular builds, having a clean shoulder is important.  Even Battle Cat has articulation out the wazoo, just check those pics. On top of all this, they are using that good WWE style plastic which gives a silky skin tone in most cases, and digital print tech on the faces, keeping those details sharp. Bottom line, the DNA for a really well done line of figures is here.
Now, we move on to these particular figures. These are based on the new cartoon, so they are not 100% trying to match Classics or Vintage (toon or toys). The design choice was to go with more of a thin build. I dunno if that’s the intent for Masterverse overall, or just the ones for the show. That being said, it’s not my favorite. I prefer my MOTU guys to be abnormally buff. Every dude is a Schwarzenegger in his prime on Eternia. Not here tho. On top being a little less buff, the lines of the core body is kinda straight, no v shape from hips to shoulders. That lankyness is a bit off putting for MOTU figures especially. Another line wide issue so far – heads seem to be a bit undersized on the guys. Evil-Lyn seems right tho. After this, it gets into specifics for each character, I’ll do that below.
He-Man – Not bad. Execution wise, it’s fantastic – engineering, paint, articulation, sculpt. The design choice mentioned above is where the issues are for me. Aside from that, I think the face is a bit weird. It’s very soft, and he’s very happy. Doesn’t quite match what’s going on in the trailer so far, and I thought that’s what these figures were about, matching the show.  That being said, you toss a new head on there closer to the show and I’d be happy with this as a representation of the new era. Would it be my favorite look for He-Man, no, but a worthy rep of the era.
Skeletor – Same deal as He-Man. For whatever reason, that plank torso stands out more here even tho it’s essentially the same mold.  Face is a tad weird here also, show seems to be more classic yellow and clean lines. So again, toss a new head on here and I’ll gladly take it as a rep for the era.
Evil-Lyn – I have no bad things to say here. Sharp figure, clean look, good classic notes without replicating things. Both heads are sharp. They sit a *little too low on the peg, but nothing deal breaking. The articulation is there even in the thinner build, no cutting corners on the ladies so far. Also holds it’s stance in dynamic poses with the smaller feet.
Moss Man – No Flock, come on! Just kidding. Lots of unique sculpt going on here, great variation in paint to mix it up. Only negative here is the undersized head IMO. Design style – that’s personal taste for sure, I personally am ok with this.
Battle Cat – Really impressed with this guy! He’s big, right out of the gate. Feline articulation in the legs, along with an outward movement if desired at the shoulders. Slight rockers on the feet. 3 parts – front, torso, back, with dual ball joints on each end of the torso. Tail has full range too at the connection point. Mouth opens showing some grrr teeth, but it still feels a bit Cringer when he does that. The saddle and helmet are removable. I think overall he works better as Cringer. The helmet is a bit stylized for my tastes. A new set of gear on this mold would make a great classic Battle Cat down the road. But bottom line, this is a great piece and shows they are serious about the line.
Skelegod – All new here, so no complaints about not being classic enough. I dig it, kinda has an Ever Living Mumm Ra vibe going on. The black armor is very soft, it bends at will when you move him around.  Head again seems a bit small. Sculpt is awesome tho, crazy skull like things on the armor with green eyes matching his neck. Cape is soft goods, and has some plastic bits built in the bottom to keep it weighted down, a nice touch. Ankles were a bit weak, so he lost his dynamic poses a couple times. Be careful on a tightly packed shelf.  I dig the figure and the concept so hopefully he kicks ass in the show.
Overall I am really impressed with the line so far from a technical stand point. This look, based on the show, not my favorite. Which is weird, because the show itself looks great on all fronts. I’m ok with this existing, things can’t always stay stuck in the past. I just hope when they branch out away from Revelation that the figures get a frame and stance that is more in line with classic, stupid buff style bodies. And up those head sizes a bit. I’m sure someone could argue that the bodies are more realistic and the heads are within specs but, don’t care – on first, second, third, right-now glances – those things stick out to me.  So for now, I say pick these up to check them out, support the line, and then let Mattel know your feedback, hopefully they can work it into future releases. Or, if you don’t think the things I’m yapping about are that serious – definitely pick them up. They are fun figs to play around with and pose out.
Now, on to the pics! Check out over 125 shots of the first 5 below, key shots first. Thanks again to Mattel for sending them through to check out!
z Masterverse Hero Shots Quick 01
Masterverse He Man 05
Masterverse He Man 16
Masterverse He Man 21
Masterverse Skeletor 06
Masterverse Skeletor 16
Masterverse Battle Cat 01
Masterverse Battle Cat 10
Masterverse Battle Cat 17
Masterverse Battle Cat 19
Masterverse Battle Cat 18
Masterverse Evil Lyn 05
Masterverse Evil Lyn 08
Masterverse Evil Lyn 17
Masterverse Moss Man 05
Masterverse Moss Man 12
Masterverse Skelegod 05
Masterverse Skelegod 18
Masterverse Skelegod 19
Masterverse Skelegod 20
z Masterverse Hero Shots Quick 02
Wave 1 In Hand and up!
Masters of the Universe Masterverse Wave 1 – Revelations – In Hand Gallery!
How much are these?
Hmm. The heads issue hasn't completely avoided Evil-Lyn. Is it just me or does she have no neck?
These might be technically wonderful figures but there is just something off. Skeletor doesn't look much like the trailer in the face (his hood is too small and his smile just bizarre). And the heads of He-Man and Skeletor are very small on the bodies.
I might pass on all of these. I thought I would get Evil-Lyn, but that no-neck issue really stands out.
These might be technically wonderful figures but there is just something off. Skeletor doesn't look much like the trailer in the face (his hood is too small and his smile just bizarre). And the heads of He-Man and Skeletor are very small on the bodies.
I might pass on all of these. I thought I would get Evil-Lyn, but that no-neck issue really stands out.
Some blue poster tack can help with raising heads, but you give up any kind of natural articulation.
With all the work that went into this line, I'm surprised they made some strange choices like this. Just raise the head a bit on Evil-Lyn. Or make He-Man and Skeletor's heads a bit bigger.
Seems weird to put out a new line that immediately invites some fixable criticisms.
On a review, it looks like classics heads and even Origins heads fit on them, this the case?
Battle Cat is 40 at Target
The regular 7 inch figs are 20-25 online at larger retailers.
Smaller retailers have each at higher prices tho.
No official word from Mattel on that yet. I'll send an email and see what they say tho.
Battle Cat is 40 at Target
The regular 7 inch figs are 20-25 online at larger retailers.
Smaller retailers have each at higher prices tho.
No official word from Mattel on that yet. I'll send an email and see what they say tho.
I Have hoped He-Ro would be in the first wave. Hmmm? May be wave 2?
Has there been any word on if Teela will be in the line? Digging her design in the trailer.
Agreed on the lack of neck on Lynn.
And that He-Man actually looks pretty damn good until you place him directly next to the Filmation He-Man. The glossy skin and comparatively odd proportions are just a bit off.
Still a great figure though and at that pricepoint, hard not to pick up.
Mattel is close to having a winning formula and the articulation seems functional. Maybe as they improve this license (artistic concept and sharper sculpts) they can approach DC again down the road for a DCUC/Multiverse revisit.
I hope we see wun-dar and Vykor…..two of my fave classics figs.
I have no issue with these. These look fantastic. They modernize the 80’s characters without going too “comic booky” like the 200x line did. Can’t wait to see more. The Battlecat is near flawless.
Well done, Mattel!
I want to clarify - I did nitpick because I do actually dig them, and am impressed with the jump to modern tech they achieved. They feel good in hand. I am excited for the potential here and hope that future waves address the kinks.
Overall I would suggest picking 1 or 2 up if you are on the fence to give em a test run. They are fun figs to play around with. Just need some fine tuning IMO.
I’m glad these are so ugly and badly proportioned with such stupid faces. Saves me money. If they were awesome I’d feel compelled to buy them. They don’t even look like the source material. The only decent figure of the bunch is Evil-lyn, and I’m not biting just for her.
Did the Classics head swap with what was handy. Filmation He Man and Skeletor.
Skeletor I think looks great. He-Man, not so much.
Both are a tad too big. But closer than what came with figs.
Great gallery. Thanks, Tony. Now that said, they are overall ok figures. I would not buy them, but they are ok. Lyn with almost no neck, design choice for Lyn with her pants, happy face with He-Man, ugly-ass face with Skeletor, would be my major gripes. Moss Man, oddly enough, seems like the most solid figure here.
I bought skelegod and planned on battle cat. I was on the fence with the 4 basic figures, but again your photos sell the toys. I’d tell mattel, “your welcome”. Why they don’t release pics like these is beyond me, but fine because the toy sites do awesome.
The headswap pictures show how small the Skeletor and He-Man heads are.
I might wait to see if they do the classic-inspired Evil-Lyn in the trailers rather than the revisionist one. I was going to get her, but the no-neck is a big deal.
Keep reading: Toyark's Masterverse Galleries - Page 2
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