Mattel’s 200X Masters of the Universe relaunch wasn’t as successful as they had hoped for. Between distribution issues with the toys and sporadic scheduling for the cartoon, the plug was pulled before any attempts at recalibrating the approach were considered. In hindsight, it’s a shame.
The original ’80s cartoon and mini comics left a lot to be desired in terms of world building. The 200X Eternia had a rich mythos and serial storytelling. Even the PSA “Until next time…” segments at the end of the show were quality life lessons. If Cartoon Network had let more people see the series, maybe our society wouldn’t be as messed up as it is today. Ok, that might be a reach, but seriously! Go back and watch those segments. Admitting when you’re wrong. Forgiveness. Learning from your mistakes. Not letting your pride get in the way of asking for help. It’s good shit, and it’s sincere! It’s not cheesy or tongue-in-cheek.
Season 2 brought in more Snake Men and returned King Hiss to Eternia. A storyline that dragged on a bit too long for my taste. The ratings seemed to support that as well, ending the 200X experiment. Two seasons for a total of 39 episodes. Had the series been allowed to continue we would have seen the return of Hordak and the Horde Invasion. I’ve always thought that if they would have brought in The Horde before the Snake Men, it might have kept more interest in the show, but we’ll never know.
The character designs were a collaboration between Mattel and (Figure Friday favourite) Four Horsemen Studios. Many of the design edits that Mattel made to the Horsemen’s work were intended to keep toys on retail shelves in 2003. Sharp points were removed. Electronic functionality needed to be factored into the sculpt, sometimes limiting articulation.
Once Mattel cancelled the toys, the Horsemen and NECA released a line of statue/action figures, lovingly referred to as “stactions”. The stactions were much more adult collector focused, so the pointy edges and appendages were able to addadult-collector-focused, so the pointy edges and appendages added drama and scale to the sculpt. The stactions represented what The Horsemen had planned if Mattel hadn’t cancelled the line. If they were articulated, they’d have been near perfect representations of those characters.
Now over 20 years later, Mondo is attempting to fulfill the promise of the best line of Masters of the Universe figures ever created. Emiliano Santalucia, the artist from the original 200X comic from Image has returned to lead the concept design for Mondo. Emiliano has a close relationship with the Horsemen and has leaned heavily into their original character designs for Mondo’s 1/12 scale line. The result is a love letter to both 200X and 80s MOTU fans alike.
I’ve had He-Man and Skeletor for a couple of weeks now, and I can easily say they’re some of the best figures I own. My one complaint is a lack of boot cut on both figures. Outside of that, they’re the perfect depictions of each of these characters in figure form.
I picked up the standard release of both figures. Each comes with two head portraits and 3 sets of hands. Skeletor has a beautiful soft goods wired cape that borders on overkill, but it’s nice to have the option should the situation call for it. He-Man has furry undies as well as some fur-trimmed boots. Each figure also comes with their respective weapons. Havoc Staff and Power Sword for Skeletor, and Techno Sword, Battle Axe and shield for Me-Man. The weapons are detailed beautifully including some pristine paint work.
For my money, the paint is what elevates these figures to the next level. The subtle tones and shading used to highlight He-Man’s face and muscles. The multiple gradients of blond in his hair. The weathering on his boots. Every inch of Skeletor’s armor. It’s all done extremely well.
The swords are both beautiful in their own way. He-Man’s Techno Sword is the only real giveaway that this is a 200X figure, and for me, I always loved the design of this sword compared to the original 80s Power Sword. The blue highlights on the hilt sparkle giving it an ethereal look.
Skeletor had possession of the Power Sword in the 200X mythos. Mondo’s Power Sword can be split in two to allow Skeletor a dual-wielding option. Each half is uniquely sculpted and painted, works of art unto themselves. While my taste skews to putting The Havoc Staff in Skeletor’s hands first and foremost, the dual wielding sword option makes him look like a bad ass.
These figures photograph really well. They look like they’ve been pulled right off the comic page or TV screen, but it might be more accurate to say they look the way you remember the characters looking in your mind. I grew up imagining these characters as larger than life heroes and villains that happened to live in my toybox. When I close my eyes today and think of He-Man and Skeletor, I don’t envision the original Mattel toys. The image that first pops into my mind most closely resembles what Mondo has been able to achieve. A little 200X, a little Earl Norem and a lot of faithful fan service. For my money, these are the best MOTU figures you can buy for the money.
