Icarius Daring Space Ace, Galactic Protectors Masters of the Universe Classics Action Figure Item No.: No. T5801 Manufacturer: Mattel Includes: 2 rockets, swappable heads, articulated visor, wrist weapon with rockets Action Feature: n/a Retail: $20.00 Availability: October 2011 Other: Flipshot in the old days, Icarius in Europe
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In the line from 1990, Icarius was actually named "Flipshot" and he looked a lot like this. The Four Horsemen and Mattel teamed up to update this figure, which seemed surprising at first. Once you compare the old one to the new one, if you can shed your nostalgia, the difference is staggering. The quality of the sculpt on modern Icarius is amazing, thanks in part to the stupendous paint job on the figure's face, a place where I cannot emphasize enough just how important paint may be-- just look at it! There's a ton of defining color on his cheeks, and it makes a huge difference. The guy looks more like Val Kilmer than the original head, which is an improvement. The original dude was lacking in defining features, such as a neck. For those who adore the original the more defined hair, added color to his outfit, and other updates may be b.shtmlhemous.

The look of this figure is just incredible. I have little attachment to the "New Adventures of He-Man" series from which he came, so to me it's basically a new character. Sure, the original figure was nice, but this one is beautiful. Building up on his jetpack, the figure can take flight and kind of, sort of includes launching rockets. They fit into his wings, but lack any springs to set them off and put your eyes out. I consider this a plus, given how many Star Wars rockets just launch by themselves or won't lock in at all. I guess if you flick them hard enough, they'll shoot.

You'll recognize many parts from other figures, but his wrist rockets are new. The rockets are a single plastic piece, which plugs into a wrist shield. They don't launch (or come off particularly easily), but do look cool. One foible-- and it may be user error-- is they don't stay on his wrist particularly well. Nothing's perfect, of course, but it would be nice if it didn't fall off during the shoot if I nudged it funny. It's a nice accessory but it's the rocket pack with its articulated wings which will knock your socks off.

The figure has the same basic buck as the others, with some new (or repainted so I don't recognize it) elements. Articulation is par for the course, and since I wrote this within minutes of getting him in the mail I can't yet tell you just how gravity affects him just yet. I'm going to assume he stands basically just fine, but I did immediately find myself wishing I had some sort of stand to make it look like he was flying. I really like this one a lot, and I should note that his packaging's "Galactic Protectors" logo i modeled after the 1990 "New Adventures of He-Man" design. As of yet, he's the only Galactic Protectors figure and along with Optikk, the second refugee from that series to make a home in MOTUC.

I like it, but I like He-Man having new (to me) friends. A guy with a jetpack is a fun addition to the line, and his red visor plus baby blue armor reeks of 1990. Unsurprisingly, he sold out quickly, and if you can believe Mattel he will not be reissued. I don't know if it's so cool you should pay through the nose on eBay, but that giant jetpack makes you feel like you get more bang for your buck. If you like what you see in the photos, get it and you won't be sorry.

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