Mattel 80th Anniversary Power Punch He-Man & Skeletor (Target, 2025)

 

Originally solicited at a $49.95 retail price, my desire for this retro Power Punch He-Man/Skeletor 2-pk shot up significantly when discovering it on sale for ten bucks less around Thanksgiving, an additional two dollars off at the register for using my Target debit card. If the beautiful collector-friendly packaging, action feature, and retro squishy rubber heads weren't enough, the 28% discount sealed the deal. I've really enjoyed the artwork for the MOTU Origins line, and the art for this release perhaps leans even heavier into the original '80s line. particularly the work of Errol McCarthy.

Included with these figures were really nice reprints of The Vengeance of Skeletor and Battle in the Clouds mini comics from 1982, with genuine linen thread saddle stitching. The artwork by Alfredo Alcala was permanently burned into my mind the Christmas of that year, experiencing the debut of Masters of the Universe for the first time. Realize that this was well before the Filmation animated TV show, when the imagination of children filled in the spots between these mini comics and the toys. Also not to be forgotten was the popular animated fantasy/sci-fi mashup of Thundarr the Barbarian in 1980 that had us primed for something like Masters of the Universe, mixing sword and sorcery fantasy with futuristic science fiction. 

These aren't a 1:1 replica of the original figures, but man are they cool- the capture the spirit of 1982 close enough for this kid. They fit well with my Mattel Origins Castle Grayskull, and mount my Origins Battle Cat and Panthor figures naturally...

I lost track of my 1982 He-Man long ago, but the 80th Anniversary is quite a bit beefier than my 2020 Origins He-Man, the latter first issued with a newer sculpt that rankled fans and prompted Mattel to issue later figures with this more retro styled portrait. While I didn't hate the reimagined portrait, I display my Origins He-Man with this retro head. From memory, the 80th Anniversary has a portrait closer to the 1982 He-Man than the Origins head, but there were subtle changes to the armor and accessories. Hardcore MOTU fans may take issue with certain aspects of this special edition reissue, but I'm pleased with him- it scratches that itch for the original figure. 

Below, this new retro Power-Punch Skeletor haunts Snake Mountain with my Origins Skeletor- a figure that really got me back into MOTU five years ago. I have a different head released with a later Origins Skeletor that was supposed to have more closely resembled the original sculpt, but the closed mouth appears to be the only common trait. I actually prefer the initial release sculpt with the open mouth.

This was a nice set well worth the retail price but getting it on sale really made it a fantastic value. I wouldn't mind seeing a few more sets of these- maybe Stratos and Zodac, Beastman and Mer-Man, Teela and Man-At-Arms? Who would you pick for your favorite two-pack? Be sure to visit the Battle Ram Blog to read their post on this set!

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MOTU Masterverse Vintage Collection Skeletor & Faker

My Vintage Collection Skeletor arrived quite some time ago, but the Faker I'd preordered from Walmart months ago was unceremoniously canceled recently, like they have more than once with their Collector Con presales. It was a Con alright. For that transgression, I decided to cancel the other preorder I'd placed. I've drifted further and further away from Walmart for a variety of reasons, but I'm tired of their preorder cancellations. I also passed the scalpers by on eBay and purchased my Vintage Collection Faker from Tech Inn- the box was beat up from international travel without proper packing, but I was going to open it anyway. Took a little longer and I had to pay a little more for shipping, but denying the scalpers and Walmart was worth my money- kick rocks you losers!

Let's just get this out right now and enjoy some photos of my new Vintage Collection Skeletor with the fantastic New Eternia Panthor we finally got this year ...!

Below, Vintage Skeletor with Revelation, New Eternia, Horde, and Battle Armor Skeletor. I've really enjoyed each of these. The New Eternia easily converts into a more classic Skeletor, but the Vintage Collection Skeletor truly has the vibes of that '80s Mattel figure with his power sword and alien, booted feet.

I was actually really happy with my New Eternia Faker but was just as excited to get the latest Vintage Collection Faker. The New Eternia version was also difficult to acquire, and cost me north of forty bucks on Amazon- ridiculous, but I wanted one. Vintage Faker has the same armor as Vintage Skeletor, but the larger chest made it difficult to buckle in back- I had to heat mine with a hair dryer and stretch it out with pliers to close the gap. New Eternia Faker has the same armor as the New Eternia Skeletor.

I want to say my Vintage Collection Faker is just a quarter inch taller the my Vintage He-Man, and I think it has to do with the new torso because the rest of the body appears to be reuse. I see where they were going with the copper accessories, but I wished Mattel just made them orange like our '80s Faker.

Vintage Collection Faker with my New Eternia Faker and MOTU Origins Faker...

Check out my 2011 post featuring Faker and a few other of my original '80s figures!

I'm really happy with these figures- as much as I tried to stay away from the Masterverse line and focus on Origins, I caved in sometime in 2023 and started buying some. I've had a few on ice for awhile in fact, so I'm sure you'll see another post soon enough. Recommended!

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Turtles of Grayskull Skele-Shredder

 I just bought this Turtles of Grayskull Skele-Shredder of Mattel Creations and felt like $45.00 was a little steep initially, but what a package! While the box is made of cardboard, it's plenty sturdy enough to display confidently in your collection, and it looks fantastic!

The top lifts to expose Skele-Shredder, but I was able to unhook the tabs inside to completely remove it for better lighting inside. It's elaborately illustrated inside and out! The throne has foot pegs to hold your figure in place, and pegs to stow the extra heads that come with the figure...

Like the Masters of the Universe Origins, Turtles of Grayskull has its own line of mini comics:

This deluxe figure comes with four different heads- to my surprise the gold helmeted head on the throne also fits the figure. I have yet to open any of my mainline Turtles of Grayskull figures, so I don't know if the gold head or any of the others have been used.

The far-out Skeletor head included inspired me to take advantage of the Origins interchangeable parts feature and make my own, alternative version of the Evil Lord of Destruction ...!

Below, Skele-Shredder with my Skel-Knight, 

possibly my favorite from the Battle for Eternia set...

Below, Skele-Shredder with some of my other Turtles of Grayskull: Splinter-Skull, 2-Bopsteady, Mouse-Jaw, Sla'ker and Krang! He makes a great addition to my collection and is a fun figure on his own. You'll see more Turtles of Grayskull here at the Super-DuperToyBox in future posts!

And finally, Skele-Shredder atop my flocked Panthor with some favorite Skeletors of mine:

Screeech 2-pk Skeletor, Skel-Knight, and the MOTU x Stranger Things Skeletor.

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Funko POP Terror Claws Skeletor

It's unlike me to pick up as many Funko POPs as I have in the last week, but I've lucked upon a few good values that align with recent character interests of mine, so here we are with this metallic Target Exclusive Terror Claws Skeletor. I'm particularly fond of how his tiny hands can be seen under his terror claws, just like my MOTO Origins figure. I didn't have the Terror Claws Skeletor figure Mattel produced back in the '80s, but I'm into him as an adult! What a baddie! 

Check out the video:

 

Terror Claws Skeletor fits in well with the Turtles of Grayskull Shredder and Skeletor I picked up on clearance last week, with all their metallic bits and red eyes!

And finally, Mattel Origins Terror Claws Skeletor with Funko POP Terror Claws Skeletor...

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Funko POP Turtles of Grayskull Skeletor & Shredder

 I rarely buy a Funko POP vinyl and had eyed Skeletor and Shredder before, but when I saw them on sale for $4.64 each, I had to scoop them up. I have most of the first three waves or so of the Mattel Turtles of Grayskull figures boxed up in storage, including these versions of Skeletor and Shredder. I need to bust them out at some point. I was glad these POPS were straight-up vinyl as opposed to bobble heads- their extraordinary helmets and metallic silver parts make them quite the pair!

Check out the video:

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