Action Figure Review: Moss Man from Masters of the Universe Origins: Cartoon Collection (200X)

 

   I haven't picked up many Masters of the Universe Origins figures over the past year or two, but when Mattel puts out a new Moss Man? Well, I just have to jump on that. Moss Man is one of my favorites and the 200x / Mike Young Productions era didn't use him much but, when they did, they really made some great changes. Moss Man felt less like a sasquatch or bigfoot type of creature and more like a nature spirit, kind of like the Green Man. Moss Man didn't get an all new figure in Mattel's original 2002 line; instead, he was an exclusive that was, once again, a repainted Beast Man with green flocking. This guy is the first figure that really tries to capture his unqiue look from the MYP animated series. Moss Man only appeared in three episodes during the show's short run but he made an impression for sure. While the MOTU Origins releases based on the vintage line and other toy related concepts have been exclusive to Mattel Creations for at least the past year or so, the Cartoon Collection figures have been available at most retailers who stock MOTU stuff. I picked mine up at Needless Toys and Collectibles in Lincolnton, NC back in early January but he's available at plenty of other places, too. Ready for another look at the Heroic Spy & Master of Camouflage? Then join me after the break...

The Facts:

Height: 6 1/4ths inches

Articulation: Swivel/ hinge ankles, calve swivels, swivel/hinge knees, balljointed hips, swivel waist, swivel/hinge shoulders, swivel/hinge elbows, swivel/hinge wrists, and a barbell jointed head.

Accessories: Chest piece, loincloth, and club.  

Non-Scalper Price: $20-$22 dollars

Comparison:

* Just for fun, here's a shot of the MOTU Origins: Cartoon Collection Moss Man (left) next to the 200x era mail-away Moss Man (right). While the 2003 figure really wasn't based on the Mike Young Productions animated series at all, the new Cartoon Collection version very much is, just given a build closer to the vintage action figures. 

The Positives:

* Moss Man's color scheme is excellent and with the addition of a (removable) overlay that covers most of his torso, broadening his shoulders and adding some bulk to his chest, he really looks different from your average MOTU Origins figure. Mattel is still using base bodies here (with a new, slimmer build more like the 200x "anime influenced" style rather than the classic bulky vintage figures) but the addition of the torso overlay, the more detailed loincloth (also removable), and the hairy/ mossy calves, forearms, feet, and hands, Moss Man ends up being quite impressed. The colors are simple though most of the paintwork is clean and there are a few shades of green to help Moss Man better blend in with nature. 

* Check out how handsome the 200X version of Moss Man is! This guy isn't only an ancient and powerful Eternian nature deity and a heroic master of camouflage, he's also clearly a chick magnet. It's a pretty good replica of the MYP animated series version of Moss Man and my only complaint is that I wish the colors were a bit darker, but MOTU Origins overall uses rather bright colors, so he fits in with the rest of the line just fine.  

* Here's a look at Moss Man from the back. I love the shaggy fur down his back, some of it even tied up with some vines. He's also wearing vines (or are they growing from him) in his darker, thicker growth. 

* The yellow cuffs and the yellow belt both add a really nice pop of color. The loincloth is shaggier than your average MOTU loincloth and is a separate piece that fits over the standard one. Remember that these figures are built just like the standard Origins figures, so the bodies can separate, allowing you to swap parts. Pop off the torso and the loincloth can lift right off. 

* These leafy shin guards are also just a neat detail. Mix them with Moss Man's mossy feet and you've definitely got someone who looks right at home wandering the forests of Eternia.

* Moss Man's hands are really cool, too. I like the tufts of mossy growth that look like they're sticking out from under the wrist bracers. 

* How the articulation? It's solid. Very solid. If you own any figures from the MOTU Origins, Turtles of Grayskull, or the MOTU/ Thundercats lines, you'll know what to expect: A figure with a similar build to the vintage figure but with a basic level of modern articulation. You're not getting fancy stuff like butterfly joints or mid-torso hinges but you are getting a sturdy, modular figure that's absolutely made for play or to strike a vintage MOTU pose. 

* Moss Man comes with his trusty club. It's green, simple, and looks like it's made of wood. It's not the most exciting accessory but I dig it. 

The Negatives:

* My only real complaint here is that there's a weird splotch of yellow paint on the back of my figure. It's just an errant splash of paint though it doesn't seem to come off easily. Must just be a simple Quality Control error. 

   I'm always down for a new Moss Man figure and I really like this one. While the Masters of the Universe Classics Moss Man had a portrait that paid tribute to this design, we've never had it in plastic before, so that's a cool win for fans of the character and the 200X/ MYP era of MOTU as a whole. There's a lot of unique detail here though I wish we had another accessory or two, or maybe painted vines on the torso. Still? It's a Great and a 1/2 figure. I haven't been that interested in any of the other Cartoon Collection figures lately but Moss Man can blend in with the Ents and all of my other Moss Man figures most definitely. 

   Moss Man (real name Kreann'Ot N'Norosh) is one of my favorites and along with the vintage Moss Man I've also reviewed the 200x Moss Man, the Masterverse Revelation Moss Man and the New Eternia Moss Man, the MOTU Origins Moss Man, the M.U.S.C.L.E. Moss Man, a stick of Eternia Pine Deodorant, the MOTUC Moss Man, the Dorbz Moss Man and Beast Man 2-pack, the POP! Moss Man #568, the POP! + Pez Moss Man dispenser, the Vinyl SODA Moss Man, the Pint Size Heroes Moss Man, the Monogram International Moss Man bag clip, the Masters of the Universe Minis Battle Armor Skeletor and Moss Man 2-pack, and the Mega Construx flocked Moss Man that came with the Battle Bones set and the standard Moss Man.