MOTU Ladies of the Masterverse

 

Doing a little catch-up on some of the MOTU Masterverse figures I've collected in the last year, I decided to dedicate this post to the Ladies. I already had the second Masterverse Teela that more closely evoked the character's original design, but I saw some positive reviews on the first Revelation Teela, and I got her at half price. I love the leathery texture on her boots and her punky haircut. A lot of fans wanted the traditional Teela and rejected her, but this first version has its own vibe. 

Below, Teela battles Mer-Man- another second version of a character 

that appealed more to longtime MOTU fans...

I was really more interested in Andra, but thought Teela would pair well with her- they look like modern Star Wars characters, which works fine, Masters of the Universe originally designed as a cross between sci-fi and fantasy/swords and sorcery. Andra definitely has a Boba Fett vibe, even a weapon gauntlet and green helmet. I love the human head a lot as well.

Below, Teela and Andra with Battle Cat and Prince Adam...!

I can't explain what drove me to buy both these Evil-Lyn figures- the second version has a weird paint deco, but I liked the bat cowl and cape. the first version is more like the original character design in this rare instance, and she included an alternative long-haired head.

Below, the second Masterverse Evil-Lyn with the first Masterverse Skeletor...

I should probably buy Frost to go with this Catra figure. Now I wasn't a Princess of Power fan in the '80s, but it's MOTU-adjacent, so I mix a few in my collection occasionally. I liked Catra's sassy red outfit and sculpt on her bodice- Kind of a Scarlet Witch vibe...

Catra also has Magneto's coloring ...

I'm not sure the consensus was positive regarding Sorceress' cape, and while it substantially compromises articulation, as does the rubber skirt, but there's enough for me to work with. I like her overall presentation, which stays true to her design as a core character of Masters of the Universe.

Below, Masterverse Sorceress with my MOTU Origins Sorceress and Zoar ...!

Again, unfamiliar with the Princess of Power lore, I picked up Shadow Weaver for five bucks at Five Below, so there was little to lose. Regardless, I really like the look of this character, which could fit in with other figure lines, like Dungeons and Dragons.

Below, Catra and Shadow Weaver with my other 

Masterverse Princess of Power figures, She-Ra and Hordak... 

As of today, you can still get most all these figures at a deep discount, which I'd probably recommend- your mileage may vary. I was late to the initial Masterverse launch, but I've found most of what I was interested in. I think the extended availability and deep discounts are mostly due to the oversaturated franchise with two animated shows and action figure lines, coupled with a crowded action figure market in general. You can still get in on collecting Masterverse, and I likely haven't bought my last. 

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MOTU Origins Faker & Evil-Lyn

The MOTU Origins continues here on the Super-DuperToyBox with Faker and Evil-Lyn, from the fifth wave of this series. I actually found this second color variant of Evil-Lyn in the wild, but somewhat regrettably resorted to the secondary market for Faker, a figure I loved as a child. I've yet to see Fisto on the pegs, who is the star of the included mini comic, Sucker Punch.

Naturally, I'd been shooting a  lot of my MOTU Origins around the new Castle Grayskull, but decided to pull the Funko Primal Age Batcave back out to feature Faker and Evil-Lyn. While the nature of this character was somehow lost on me in 1983, I loved the color scheme of this figure and still do. Faker comes with a full power sword as opposed to the original half sword, the handle for this accessory updated for a better grip.

Below, He-Man and Orko capture Faker with the Wind Raider Assault Lander ...!

Ironically, some collectors have bemoaned Faker not including the updated He-Man head sculpt, but instead their preferred original portrait! Ironic considering Mattel did include the original head sculpt with the Battle Armor He-Man, and a refresh of stock on the single carded He-Man purportedly also includes this.

While I already had the first Origins Evil-Lyn, and kinda liked her acidic colors, the new colorway on this updated figure is quite striking. Noted by it's secondary branding near the bottom of the package, this figure's repainted colorway is inspired by the 2002-2004 animated series.

Featured on this updated Evil-Lyn are the resculpted knees, a huge aesthetic improvement over the series' first female knees. I didn't have an Evil-Lyn back in the '80s, so I've now nostalgia for either colorway, but I do prefer this latest version.

Faker and Evil-Lyn are two key henchmen of Skeletor that I'm glad to have in this second MOTU collection of my life- I'm really enjoying this line. Having had some of the first MOTU toys back in 1982, the nostalgia that MOTU Origins evokes is spot on, better I dare say.

While the distribution woes of this line continue to frustrate collectors, their embrace of the MOTU Origins seems dedicated. Mattel has successfully recaptured the magic of the original. Recommended! And finally, Skeletor sends Faker, atop his savage cat Panthor, to destroy He-Man so he can be Master of the Universe!

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MOTU Origins Teela & Evil-Lyn

 I actually passed on Teela and Evil-Lyn on more than just a couple occasions, as I didn't want to end up buying every one of the new Masters of the Universe Origins figures, but my nostalgia reached a fever pitch when the new Origins Castle Grayskull went up for preorder recently. I never had an Evil-Lyn back in the '80s, but I did have Teela. True to form, they both possess the same buck and sculpted details, but the facial portraits are unique and quite fantastic.

Like the Teela I had in my youth, Origins Teela has her cobra staff, head dress, and shield. While dimple in paint deco, I like the added color on her bootstraps, and her facial portrait is softly beautiful. While the added articulation on these figures makes for better posing, the females have a somewhat jarring edge at the knees. Still, Mattel didn't stray far from Teela's '82 release, the Origins Teela is very similar!

Above, Teela takes the saddle atop Battle Cat, He-Man alongside, 

and below, Teela with her adoptive father Duncan, Man-At-Arms...

I didn't have Evil-Lyn in my childhood, but felt obligated to pick up the Origins version to complement Teela, and of course, my new Origins Skeletor. I do love her coloring, and as with Teela, this Origins reissue is very true to the '83 Evil-Lyn.

Above, Evil-Lyn summons my Mattel Clash of the Titans Kraken, 

and below with MOTU Origins partner, Skeletor...

While my interest in Evil-Lyn was a little less than Teela. I'm glad I picked up both, completing my collection of the first wave of the Origins line. I look forward to adding more from future waves, and posing them in the new Origins Castle Grayskull this spring! Read more about the original Masters of the Universe line at the Battle Ram Blog!

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