While I still have a few 2025 reviews left for the coming weeks I do want to go ahead and start off some reviews for 2026. Usually January is pretty slow for new action figures but one of my local collectible shops received their stock of the latest Masterverse figures and I had to jump on them. I didn't review a ton of Masterverse figures last year though I did pick some up. I've actually got a few that I still plan to review, though, as I didn't find them until the end of the year, but I'm going to check out the newest series of three releases first: New Etheria and New Eternia versions of Despara, Keldor, and Dragstor. The trailer for the "finally, actually a real thing" Masters of the Universe movie looks pretty impressive and just a day or two ago Mattel showed off the upcoming Masters of the Universe Chronicles figures at the Nuremburg, so there is a lot of excitement around the brand. I was excited to see Despara arrive in Masterverse as I'm a huge She-Ra fan (my kid is named Adora, after all) and Despara was a neat addition to the character's lore when she appeared in the DC MOTU series that was published between 2012 and 2016. She was a great addition to Masters of the Universe Classics, though the figure itself was a bit lacking. How does this one fair? It's definitely an interesting figure with some cool elements but it also it an example of how Mattel really is making the Masterverse figures as toys first and foremost, for both good and bad. Let's check out Despara after the break...
Height: 6 7/8ths inches
Articulation: Swivel/hinge ankles, boot swivels, double hinged knees, thigh swivels, balljointed, dropdown hips, swivel waist, balljointed mid-torso, swivel/hinge shoulders, swivel/hinge elbows, swivel/hinge wrists, and a barbell jointed head.
Accessories: 4 interchangeable hands, 2 interchangeable heads, 2 masks, chest armor, waist armor, and 2 swords.
Non-Scalper Price: $24- $27 dollars
* Here's a shot of the Masterverse: New Etheria Despara (left) next to the Masters of the Universe Classics Despara (right). Overall I still like the aesthetic of the MOTUC figures better, though the Masterverse figures do sometimes have some real improvements and clever designs. Both versions of Despara are a bit flawed in my opinion, though this might be a case where I like the Masterverse version a bit more than the MOTUC version.
The Positives:
* Like many of the Masterverse New Eternia and New Etheria figures, it is possible to get a more vintage look for Adora buy removing or changing up the armor. This one is a bit of a surprise look, though (of course, I spoiled it up above when showing the basic figure), so we'll start with Adora's Despara look. Like many of the New Eternia/ New Etheria looks, this one is a new take. Rather than the black and grey bodysuit with a large red cape that most previous incarnations of Despara have worn, this version is wearing more traditional pieces of armor over her Force Captain outfit (darn, spoiled it again). I like the more prominent red details here along with the dark silver armor as it seems to tie Adora in with Hordak's typical looks, the Horde Troopers, and her Force Captain look. It feels very cohesive with the rest of the Horde with perhaps just the few gold elements hinting at her eventual transformation into She-Ra.
* Like many of the Masterverse New Eternia and New Etheria figures, it is possible to get a more vintage look for Adora buy removing or changing up the armor. This one is a bit of a surprise look, though (of course, I spoiled it up above when showing the basic figure), so we'll start with Adora's Despara look. Like many of the New Eternia/ New Etheria looks, this one is a new take. Rather than the black and grey bodysuit with a large red cape that most previous incarnations of Despara have worn, this version is wearing more traditional pieces of armor over her Force Captain outfit (darn, spoiled it again). I like the more prominent red details here along with the dark silver armor as it seems to tie Adora in with Hordak's typical looks, the Horde Troopers, and her Force Captain look. It feels very cohesive with the rest of the Horde with perhaps just the few gold elements hinting at her eventual transformation into She-Ra.
* Despara's swords are very cool. They're small (so far as MOTU swords go, anyways), slender blades with Horde bats for the crossguards.
* There are slits on the back of the armor for holding both swords, so that's a nice touch. they stay in place quite well.
* As I alluded to earlier (or, really, flat out mentioned), Despara's armor is removable, allowing you to display her in her Force Captain uniform, AKA her standard red and white outfit from the Filmation She-Ra: Princess of Power series. This is a nice looking version of the outfit with the familiar red tunic and white shirt coupled with brown leggings (perhaps an element borrowed from the 2018 She-Ra and the Princesses of Power series. But wait... there's more!
* Last year Mattel released a Masterverse: New Etheria She-Ra figure and this year they've stealth released Princess Adora within the Despara package. Yes, a separate portrait is included for Adora once she's freed herself of Hordak and Shadow Weaver's evil influence. Pull off that Horde armband, swap heads, and you have another member for the Great Rebellion.
* I'm thrilled that an Adora head was included but I'm not wild about it. I'm not completely sure why. Me and my daughter (also Adora) were trying to put a finger on it. I think the hair might be too light and it leaves her looking a bit washed out. Also, the face looks a bit too small with too much forehead exposed. There's just something off about it I'm not loving.
* My biggest complaint with the articulation is with the arms. Most of the figure moves quite well but those swivel/hinge elbows cannot even attain a 90 degree bend. No bicep swivels, either. That's not a good feature for someone wielding swords!
Looking for all of my reviews of She-Ra and Princess of Adora (yes, even in her Despara role)? The check out The Crystal Castle!
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