31 Days of Toy Terror Takes the Universe: The Metaluna Mutant from Universal Monsters ReAction by Super7

 

   

   I love the Universal Monsters but they're not a particularly colorful bunch. I mean, the movies themselves are black and white, but even when depicted in color they're mostly a pretty muted looking bunch. Thankfully, the Metaluna Mutant adds some bright, bold Techniclor to our Universal Monsters marathon that is this year's installment of 31 Days of Toy Terror! This is the Super7 Universal Monsters ReAction figure which imagines the creature in a Kenner inspired retro action figure style. 

   So... we must ask the question...is the Metaluna Monster considered a Universal Monster and is This Island Earth part of the classic Universal Horror collection? That's an issue of debate. It's a sci-fi film with a vastly different feel from the classic Universal horror pictures released prior to 1961 (The Leech Woman from 1960 is usually considered the last classic Universal horror film) and it wasn't included in the early 1990s Universal Classic Collection home video releases, so a lot of folks say no. 
  

   On the other hand, the film was intended to be scary, or at least thrilling (other films from the classic era clearly were more sci-fi than horror), it was released in 1955 by Universal Studios (the era of the Universal classic horror films), and it's been licensed to appear in multiple Universal Monsters toylines since at least 1994 when Raphael was blended with the Metaluna Mutant for second series of Playmates' Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/ Universal Studios Monsters crossover line. The era and the licensing usage for at least three decades now definitely says to me that Universal Studios considers the Metaluna a Universal Monster (maybe B or C tier), so that convinces me to include him here. Ready to check out the crazy mutant best known for his appearance in Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie? Then grab your interocitor and join me after the break...

The Facts:

Height: 3 3/4ths inches

Articulation: Swivel hips, swivel shoulders, and a swivel head.

Accessories: None

Year of Release: 2018

Original Retail Price: $18 dollars

The Positives:

* The Metaluna Monster looks great. then again, I've never met a Luna I didn't like. As someone who owns quite a few of these ReAction styled figures from Super7, this one just jumps out at me due to the bright colors and the excellent sculpting. The sculpt combines the movie costume and character design, which was pretty good and influential, with the fact that this is someone in a costume, hence the baggy pants.

* That headsculpt is great! Yes, it's simplified to fit the vintage Kenner style, but not in a bad way. It's still quite creepy with a big bulbous brain, haunting eyes, and a weird mouth. The paintwork is super neat and clean which is so important to really give these simpler figures a very authentic feel. 

* The Mutant's arms and claws are delightfully wild. I love the retro sci-fi aesthetic that just shines from this guy! The red veins, electric blue skin, and yellow claws hit just right. 

* The Metaluna Mutant also has some funky claws and veins on his feet. Oh, and he's wearing what look like blue jogging pants as well.

* Articulation wise you probably know what to expect with these fellows: The classic five points of articulation. That's what the Metaluna Mutant has, though his head is a bit restricted. Not too badly, but he can't look all the way to his left or right due to his elongated chin and his prominent shoulders. The plastic quality is good on these figures. Honestly, when it comes to the retro styled figures like this, I think Super7 has the best merging of a true retro look, a solid aesthetic, and good plastic quality.

   

   Not everyone likes these vintage inspired figures but when they're done right and the property is a good fit for the medium, they're pretty special. I think Super7's Metaluna Mutant really delivers. Yeah, he was still overpriced, but he's one of the best ReAction styled figures I've seen released. The sculpt and colors are just perfection. He's a Great figure and really makes a nice companion to the classic Universal Monsters crew. I love when we start getting the deeper cuts among this group!

This is the first toy of the Metaluna Mutant I've reviewed. For more Universal Monsters ReAction figures from Super7 check out the following:
Bela Legosi as Ygor 
Lon Chaney as the Hunchback of Notre Dame
The Phantom of the Opera as the Masque of the Red Death
Werewolf of London