MOTU Masterverse New Eternia Man-At-Arms & Trap Jaw

These Masterverse figures arrived from Amazon last December as part of the most recent New Eternia Wave. I had preordered them almost immediately upon solicitation, their classic representations of each character a big draw for me- a kid who witnessed the 1982 debut of Mattel's Masters of the Universe line.

With two separate head sculpts and two unique helmets, this New Eternia Man-At-Arms feels like a deluxe figure- if that's not enough, the extra fists and ball and chain accessory surely put it closer to that classification. Like Ram Man, we got a weapon clip on the figure's armor to stow his mace. The helmets fit snugly onto both heads, too- I can't praise this figure enough for its looks and functionality. 

Masterverse New Eternia Man-At-Arms with my MOTU Origins Man-At-Arms:

Below. Man-At-Arms with some of the other Masterverse Heroic Warriors: 

Man-E-Faces, Roboto, Teela, Prince Adam, Ram Man, and Zodac...

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I didn't have Trap Jaw in 1983 but was still playing with Masters of the Universe and had four figures from that year in my collection. The accessories are always part of the appeal of a character like Trap Jaw- this New Eternia version features a unique jaw-clamp accessory that can be changed out with the figure's standard magenta jaw. Also included is a sword that can be sheathed on the figure's back. Delightful!

Masterverse New Eternia Trap Jaw with my MOTU Origins Trap Jaw:

Masterverse Trap Jaw with Beastman, Mer-Man, and Skeletor...

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MOTU Origins Snake Face, Sssqueeze, Serpent Claw Man-At-Arms

I've had these MOTU Origins Snake Men on ice far too long, my Snake Moutain playset having been in full service now for the last four months! There have been rumors about additional Snake Men figures on the horizon for this line, but if it doesn't happen, I feel these round out my collection well enough.

Deluxe Snake Face

I kept reading rave reviews about this figure enough that I came to appreciate him as a good candidate for my Snake Men lineup over time. I didn't collect Masters of the Universe past '83 or so, so I missed the 1987 release of the original Snake Face. This figure doesn't possess the original action feature, forgoing the lever on back in favor of an additional head sculpt and fold-down serpent panels on the chest. 

Below, Snake Face and King Hiss snake-out in competition for the throne of Snake Mountain!

Snake Face came with the Viper's Vice mini comic. I didn't pick up the other deluxe figure featured in the story, Dragon Blast Skeletor- another figure I didn't have from the original line. Even so, I've collected far beyond what I had as a child in the '80s.

Sssqueeze

I wasn't initially interested in Sssqueeze due to the large display footprint, until I came to my senses and ordered this sample from BBTS last October along with Snake Face. There isn't a hinge at the shoulders, but the bendy arms are really fun, if somewhat unwieldy. The head is unique and the whole thing is kind of ridiculous looking -in a good way. Is it a wrestling outfit?

Below, Sssqueeze with King Hiss down in the pit inside Snake Mountain ...!

My Snake Men collection in and around Snake Mountain: King Hiss, Snake Teela, Tung Lashor, Snake Face, Sssqueeze, Rattlor, and my Masters of the WWE Jake the Snake for good measure! 

Sssqueeze came with the same mini comic as Serpent Claw Man-At-Arms, The Fading Fortress:

Serpent Claw Man-At-Arms

I actually got Serpent Claw Man-At-Arms back in early August, keeping him to show later when I got more Snake Men. I knew I'd want him as soon as they solicited the figure, Man-At-Arms being one of the first Masters of the Universe Figures back in 1982. We go waaaay back!

Below, Serpent Claw Man-At-Arms with my original  MOTU Origins Man-At-Arms- yes, the armor pieces on the left arm of this new variant slide down  :D   Still love them both!

Now my Snake Armor He-Man has a partner to battle the Snake Men ...!

... perhaps they can capture Snake Teela and save her from the terrible curse!

I will definitely take teamwork to take down slithering Sssqueeze ...!

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MOTU Origins Eternian Palace Guard

I haven't posted on anything MOTU this year but have been sitting on some figures and vehicles awhile, including these really fun Eternian Palace Guards. Mattel released a 2-pk of these in 2011 as part of their Masters of the Universe Classics line, so it was a welcome addition to the MOTU Origins line. This figure can be converted to a clean-shaven Man-At-Arms, sans mustache like the '80s figure, or simply serve as a variant among your army of these. I'll likely keep my two displayed masked with all their gear on, however. This deluxe figure has a lot going for it, the cons being the splayed left hand not gripping the shield securely, and some annoying armor migration on the figure's shoulder and forearm while posing. They do hold their pole axe accessory however, and I like the metallic plastic the accessories are molded in.

Below, my MOTU Origins Man-At-Arms guards the jawbridge of my MOTU Origins Castle Grayskull, flanked by the Eternian Guards. 2020 through 2021 was exciting times for this fantastic line and continues to be through this year. Word through the community is that 2023 has solid plans in the works, and past that who knows? 

Below, Man-At Arms and daughter Teela meet Prince Adam and the Sorceress at Castle Grayskull, guarded by the mysterious Ancient Cosmic Armor from the Power-Con Exclusive MOTU Origins Castle Grayskull accessories pack...

Man-At-Arms and the Eternian Guards give Mer-Man and Beast Man  the royal treatment...

And finally, the Eternian Guards on my MOTU Origins Sky Sleds- this vehicle was introduced into the line early on, and I was later able to get a second on sale. I have loved how Mattel has given flight stands to these updated vehicles, and the Eternian Guards look fantastic on them. Again, the MOTU Origins line has been my absolute favorite since they dropped in 2020- pretty much the only good thing about that year. Recommended! 

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MOTU Origins Beastman & Man-At-Arms

 I finally ran into more Mattel MOTU Origins at Walmart recently! If you are having a hard time finding these, fear not: according to the talking heads, Mattel will dump these into the rest of retail in 2021. There is a local Walmart tucked in a small neighborhood nearby that seems to get more of these than the other six or seven throughout the county, so I've taken to stopping in once in awhile to see what's new. Beastman and Man-At-Arms were two figures I had back in the early '80s, so I had to pick them up.

Mattel hasn't strayed far from the source material on these revitalized MOTU Origins- this newer Beastman has clenched teeth as opposed to his original open mouthed roar, but the rest is so close to the original in both sculpt detail and paint apps that it's identical at first glance. He even has the whip with it's oversized handle, a repurposed accessory from the 12" Jungle Jim figure line Mattel included with the first '82 Beastman. 

I absolutely love that Mattel had the foresight to make all the MOTU Origins modular, allowing one to swap the interchangeable parts across the line AND the Masters of the WWE figures! Below, Beastman wears the gauntlet and bottom half of my Masters of the WWE Roman Reigns...

Like Beastman, very little changed on the Origins Man-At-Arms Origins figure. Due to his newly articulated arms, the lower part of his armor on the left arm is now a separate piece, and cued by the famous Filmation animated show, Duncan now sports a mustache. Man-At-Arms was a childhood favorite, and holding him in my hands again is a nostalgia trip. 

The added hinged articulation on these figures are a welcome addition, notably the rocker joint ankles that plant the feet flat on the ground. Hinged wrists and swivels at the boot tops also make these so much more fun.

Below, Man-At-Arms and Beastman join Skeletor, He-Man, and Battle Cat in my fledgling MOTU Origins collection. There's a lot more to come from Mattel in the MOTU Origins, including a Castle Grayskull reissue I've heard! I may be able to squeeze that onto a shelf! I have so far loved this MOTU Origins line even more than I thought I would, and can't wait to see a few more. Recommended! Visit the Battle Ram Blog for a more in depth look at the vintage 1982-1988 Mattel  Masters of the Universe line. Great memories!

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