Action Figure Review: Orko from Masters of the Universe by Mondo

 

Today's a pretty big review of a smaller character: It's Orko! This version of Orko is a 1/6th scale figure from Mondo's Masters of the Universe toyline and he was available as a timed exclusive back at the beginning of the year. Interestingly, he was a timed exclusive, so as many people as wanted him could buy him from Mondo's website between January 23rd and January 30th, and yet he's already shipped! He surely wasn't made to order, then, was he? Usually open, timed exclusives like this have a longer waiting period as the company uses the timed window to plan the size of their run. Orko shipped right on time, though, and I've had him for a week or so at this point. I really like Mondo's 1/6th scale MOTU figures but the prices have really gotten pretty high on these guys. He-Man and Skeletor were $160 when they first came out in 2019 and now the recent Teela figure, who didn't come with any little companion figures, was $250. Yikes! I've been pretty selective with my purchases over the past few years and the last one I picked up was She-Ra. I kind of regret skipping Teela, but I just couldn't get myself to pull the trigger at the time. Orko was an instant buy, though. I love the guy and I love how many little unique smaller figures you get with him. Besides Orko you also get a smaller "animated" Orko, Dree Elle, and Daimar the Demon. Interestingly, the three smaller figures feel like they could integrate into a Masters of the Universe Classics collection, so that's part of what sold me on Orko. Let's take a look at most everyone's favorite Trollan (I know Uncle Montork has some fans) after the break...

Action Figure Review: Scarlett (Retro) from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

   So far, four of the five series one G.I. Joe: Classified Series figures have received updates in the retro carded subset (Duke, Scarlett, Snake Eyes, and Destro) while Roadblock got a mostly retro update with the Heavy Artillery Roadblock figure. I looked at retro Duke earlier this month and today I'm checking out Scarlett. I really like the original Scarlett figure and her "field" variant but there's obviously a large contingent of collectors who want figures that are as close to the original vintage toys as possible, which isn't a bad thing. Scarlett had a unique look that was more superhero or superspy than straight up soldier, so I'm not sure there's anything about her that looks really outdated. This is a completely unique figure from the first release and she's loaded with accessories. Let's check out Scarlett after the break...

Action Figure Review: Sla'ker from Turtles of Grayskull by Mattel

 

   

   I'm actually following up the recent review of the Turtles of Grayskull Krang with another Turtles of Grayskull review: Sla'ker! Sla'ker is an experiment of Krang, combining the evil mutant turtle, Slash, with the He-Man replica robot, Faker. So, my question is how would you pronounce this guy's name? Slay-ker, using the long "A" in Faker, or Slack-er, using the pronunciation you'd get from saying Slash? I've been saying Slay-ker for a bit, but the more I think about it, the more I think Slack-er might be right. It's also kind of funny. Who would have ever thought we'd need a cross between Faker and Slash? I had both of those figures as a kid and I'm probably more thrilled now with them as a comb than I would have been back then. Let's check out Sla'ker after the break...

Action Figure Review: Krang from Turtle of Grayskull by Mattel

 

   If someone had told you a few years ago that Mattel would be releasing a Masters of the Universe and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles mashup toyline at mass retail, would you have believed them? I mean, this line's starting to get pretty deep! Today I'm checking out the deluxe Krang figure which is actually Krang in an android body modeled after Megator, one of the rarest MOTU toys of them all! I remember getting the vintage Krang figure as a kid and then wondering why he didn't have the cool android body like he had in the cartoon and video games. I remember finally getting that figure when they made it and loving it! I had the full sized one, though Playmates did eventually release an android body for Krang that was scaled like a regular TMNT figure. This one combines the android with the giant Megator, or a "Megator android body" as the back of the package calls it. ready to check out the brains of the Foot Clan and his mega sized robotic ride? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Ka-Zar from Marvel Legends Series by Hasbro

 

   It's about time Hasbro updates Ka-Zar and Zabu, right? A Savage Land three pack with Ka-Zar, Shanna the She-Devil, and Zabu was an SDCC exclusive 3-pack way back in 2007, pretty much right around the time when Hasbro took over the Marvel Legends license. I remember the set so well because I actually bought a Zabu from someone because he used a mold from the G.I. Joe: Sigma 6 Adventure Team sets that didn't end up getting released. I've been wanting the trio in the modern Marvel Legends line and last year at some point I sold off my 2008 Zabu as I had a feeling this one was coming. It worked! I will say that I'm a bit disappointed with this series as it has three X-Men related characters and an X-Men related build-a-figure with four non X-Men characters. Usually the X-Men BAF series have tended to be all X-Men or mutant related, so I'm not sure what happened here. Why couldn't Shanna the She-Devil have been part of this set? This one is a bit of a wildcard. I ended up buying all of the BAF figures and selling off who I didn't want (Ikaris, Red Widow, and Black Winter), and it actually worked out pretty well. Let's pounce into action and check out Ka-Zar of the Savage Land after the break...

Action Figure Review: Sy-Klone from Masters of the Universe Origins by Mattel

 

   2024 might be the craziest year yet for Masters of the Universe Origins (wasn't the line supposed to end a year or two ago? 😅). Besides having Mattel Creations exclusives pretty frequently that are getting us towards completing the vintage lineup we've also got the Turtles of Grayskull subset and the Filmation series subset. Eternia shipped, vehicles are still coming out, and we're supposed to get a playset for the Snake men faction. This line is like a quiet juggernaut, continuing to march towards toy domination. Today I'm checking out Sy-Klone, the Heroic Fist- Flinging Tornado and defender of Anwat-Gar. Sy-Klone has an interesting role in my childhood Masters of the Universe collection as he's one of the only figures I can think of from my childhood that I had two of. I seem to recall finding him abandoned at a park somewhere or one of my cousins giving him to me. Maybe I received him as a gift from an aunt or uncle and then found a loose one abandoned? I was pretty young when MOTU was still coming out, so some of my memories are a bit hazy. Sy-Klone is a deluxe figure and Mattel really made him worth the deluxe price tag here. Not only does he come with some cool new extras but he also is fully functional. Yes, he rotates incredibly well! Let's check out Sy-Klone after the break...

Action Figure Review: Toxie from Toxic Crusaders by Trick or Treat Studios

 

   I somehow missed that Trick or Treat Studios is releasing updated action figures from the vintage Playmates Toxic Crusaders toyline but I discovered them in store at an FYE while on a business trip last month. Of course, FYE's prices are ridiculous, so I simply ordered it from another online retailer for the regular retail price. I loved this line as a kid and it's one I forever regret selling off at some point(I still have a couple of them). Who knows how deep this line will go, but so far Trick or Treat Studios has released Toxie and has Dr. Killemoff on the way. While these really resemble the vintage Playmates figures, there are some differences here. The line is a collaboration between Trick or Treat Studios and Varner Studios (who designed the original line), so you're getting some real talent here. Ready to check out Toxie? Then join me after the break...