Super7 Masters of the Universe M.U.S.C.L.E. Series 2 Set C Super7, 2016
Day #1,628: January 30, 2017
Set C Flesh Stinkor, Skeletor, Sorceress
Masters of the Universe M.U.S.C.L.E. Series 2 Flesh 3-Pack
Item No.: No. 56424 Manufacturer:Super7 Includes:n/a Action Feature:n/a Retail:$6.00 Availability: September 2016 Other: 24 molds so far
I really dug the Masters of the Universe M.U.S.C.L.E. figures, and the line got a slight rename and a new sculptor for series 2, Set C. Despite being remarkably simple, cheap figures it seems that capturing that vintage Japanese sculpt aesthetic is as difficult as perfectly matching that weird shade of fleshy pink Mattel cranked out in the 1980s. I don't think anyone is ever going to get it perfect - but I can say it's a big improvement over the first series. The second wave of figures are much stiffer than the first, and also much stiffer than the original 1980s wrestlers. They're less pink than the first series, but not quite as dark as the vintage figures. The hands are bigger... but not as big as the originals. The poses are better, the proportions are better, and they're more satisfying overall. It just shows that with figures like this, and ReAction, that there are numerous challenges to getting that perfect look and feel. But it's close enough that I'm happy.
First up is Stinkor. If there's a character that the company doing the tie-in cartoon thought was too stupid to include, you know it has to be good - and the skunk man does not disappoint. His hands are smaller than some of his peers, but not as small as series 1 Mer-Man. Sculpted detail on his armor looks closer to what you might expect from the 1980s, and the armor is appropriately bulky. Hands are posed down and open, similar to many of the older wrestler figures. The feet are on the smaller side, but he has no problems standing. I doubt this figure is going to be seen as perfect - etched lines stand in for the black and white skunk stripes - but fans of He-Man will see this figure and understand who it is. Others will be confused.
The second sculpt for Skeletor is a decent improvement. This time around he's holding his staff over his head, and he's a little bit shorter. He's got a bigger head, bigger feet, and chunkier proportions overall. The previous version was good - but this one feels a little more muscular, which is what you want. NuSkeletor's hands are closer in size to original M.U.S.C.L.E. figures, although his feet are still somewhat small.
The first Skeletor figure looks like a great mini-figure translation of the original toy's finer details, while the second one seems like an appropriately M.U.S.C.L.E.y take on the character's various designs. Certain ornamentation on his crotch tassles are missing, but you get a nicely exaggerated skull, a smoother crossbones on the chest, and understated shoulder armor. The more I look at this, the goofy smooth finish and chubby limbs grow on me like nobody's business. This figure alone was worth the six bucks. I need to buy some more to give away to friends now. Just buy the set.
Bringing up the back of the set is the Sorceress. Since there aren't (or I can't name) any vintage-era ladies in the line, I have to assume Teela and the Sorceress are good. Teela's skinny and a great mini-figure, but the Sorceress tries to ape the look and feel of this old toy line. The face sculpt is appropriately cartoony, complete with lots of sculpted feathers and minimal deail on her person. She's a little short, but with her arms out she looks pretty impressive. Her arms could use some bulk - her legs look about right - and I wouldn't mind it were she a hair taller. Still, she's neat. I like it. I'm glad it exists.
As with many retro-themed revivals, my business is almost a given. Six bucks for three figures is right in my happy spot, and the designs are improving - plus the license library is expanding to include more things that I want to buy. I like the improvements overall - the design direction is better, the color is better, the plastic is stiffer, and they seem to stand up more easily to boot. I can't imagine why you wouldn't want to buy these goofy figures, so get 'em if you see 'em.
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