Friday, January 19, 2024

Wrapping Up 2023: Clamp Champ from Masterverse/ Masters of the Universe: Revelation by Mattel

 


   2023 was another really good year for Mattel's Masterverse line with a wide assortment of characters from multiple different incarnations of Masters of the Universe. While Masters of the Universe: Revolution premiers on Netflix this coming week, Mattel has still been releasing figures from Revelation, which is pretty impressive. Today I'm checking out Clamp Champ from Masters of the Universe: Revelation. Clamp Champ has the potential to be an excellent character but the Netflix show did him and Fisto dirty. I liked Revelation overall, but I think killing off Clamp Champ and Fisto felt pretty pointless. He's not dead in my Masterverse, though, and he's still doing the hero think and championing clamping. He clamps like a champ! Let's check out Raenius, better known as Clamp Champ, after the break...






The Facts:

Height: 7 inches

Articulation: Swivel/hinge ankles, boot swivels, double hinged knees, thigh swivels, balljointed hips, swivel waist, balljointed mid-torso, swivel/hinge shoulders, bicep swivels, double hinged elbows, swivel/hinge wrists, and a barbell jointed head.

Accessories: 4 interchangeable hands, chest armor, and 2 piece power clamp.

Non-Scalper Price: $22 dollars







The Positives:


* While he appeared later in the vintage MOTU line, Clamp Champ has always had a pretty basic look that was very reminiscent of the early figures. He's largely a pretty basic guy but he does have unique armor that sets him apart from Fisto by looking a but more futuristic. It's still made of metal and has a barbarian sure, sure, but the geometry of the lighter blue metallic bars running across the ribs just look a bit more high tech. The red, blue, and silver color scheme looks excellent, but when do red, blue, and silver ever look back together?


* This is a good, solid Clamp Champ head. I like his short hair and his very determined expression. He looks like he just witnessed one of Skeletor's minions do something that's pissed him pretty badly and he's getting ready to clamp them somewhere they do not want to be clamped. The sculpting on his eyes and brow is excellent with a lot of character. 





* Clamp Champ's furry trunks and the fur collars of his boots not only stand out because of that bright red fur but they also have a bit of a wash to give them some additional texture. 




* There are two pairs of hands included: One for holding the power clamp and the other for good old fashion fisticuffs. 




* The power clamp looks pretty nice. It's a large piece of equipment, but there's also something sleek about it, too. 




* Rather than hold this one with an exterior handle, Clamp Champ's arm fits inside. You just remove the top and have him grip the internal handle. Then place the top back on and it also secures it at this forearm. 

* Does Clamp Champ's clamp clamp like a champ? Well it certainly doesn't clamp like a chump. Here's a shot of Clamp Champ's clamp clamping a clump of flaming crap that some chump left at the door of Castle Grayskull. When Clamp Champ finds that chump (you know it was Beast Man), he'll clamp that chump with his clamp. Like a champ. 

And the red clamps do have a spring hinge feature. Spread them apart and they spring back together, ready to clamp. 




   Clamp Champ isn't the most exciting Masterverse figure this year, but there's nothing wrong with him. This is a perfectly adequate version of Clamp Champ for those wanting to build the vintage line-up in the Masterverse style. I do wish that he had been a New Eternia version, though, as some cool alternate pieces and weapons really would have made this guy even better. Still, he's a fun figure and someone we haven't seen in Masterverse yet. I've got one or two more Masterverse reviews planned before the end of January, so stay tuned. 




 If you're a fan of Clamp Champ you'll also want to check out my reviews of the Masters of the Universe Classics Clamp Champ, the Masters of the Universe Origins Clamp Champ, the Funko POP! Clamp Champ #84, and NECA's Clamp Champ staction.



5 comments:

  1. He's cool. Yeah, had mine a while (I think since August). And while I've generally found him a boring character, the figure has a nice bit of shine to it and the colours look more striking here than on previous figures he's had. And I really like that Revelation redesigned his clamp weapon to fit around his hand. It looks more balanced than the lil handle he held it from before. Plus it sorta looks like a replacement for his hand, the same way Fisto's steel fist does. :)

    Also... Hm. I don't wanna say stuff. Give it a couple weeks. :)

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    Replies
    1. We have watched the first two episodes so far. I'm really enjoying it and I'm hopeful that we'll see or here from Fisto and Clamp Champ in some way....

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    2. Yeah, it's superb. Also lots of new toy potential. :P

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    3. Just finished it last night and, yes, it was incredible. I'm still just thrilled about how much I loved it. And yes, there is so much toy potential. My top wants (Spoilers here, maybe!) are:
      1. Ka Sorceress Teela
      2. Havok Sorceress Teela
      3. PowerCouple He-Man and Teela
      4. Hordak
      5. Rio Blast
      6. Randor and Marlena
      7. Man-at-War
      8. Good-Lyn
      9. Despara
      10. Ram-Man

      I'm sure there are plenty more, but that'll do for a start.

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    4. heh, the top 3 are all Teela (and a bit of He-Man). I'd like all those. And I would quite like a Granamyr but I think he'd be far too large even for Mattel Creations.

      And yeah, you saw Fisto and Clamp Champ get to ascend to Preternia. Notice Roboto did too. His dying words in Revelation alluded to him being more than a machine so I guess he had earned his 'great reward' too and given some kinda soul to get there. :)

      Also still waiting for a Man-At-Arms Andra after 2 years. If they were waiting to make her come with her big battle suit then ok let's have that too. :P

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