The Facts:
Dimensions: 5 1/4 inches tall, 13 inches long
Articulation: Swivel/hinge feet (x4), swivel/hinge rear lower leg (x2), swivel/hinge knees (x4), balljointed hips (x4), swivel/hinge tail, balljointed lower torso, balljointed midtorso, hinged neck, balljointed head, and hinged jaw.
Accessories: Saddle, helmet, 2 bracers, spear, and backdrop.
Non-Scalper Price: $40 dollars
The Packaging:
* The Masterverse figures have come with some really nice boxes that look beautiful on display and which are super easy to open. I don't mind plastic free packaging when it comes directly from the manufacturer like this and when it looks this good. Besides an awesome image of Panthor on the front, there's a great picture of Skeletor siccing Panthor on Mekaneck on the back .
The Positives:
* Panthor is quite large, especially compared to the Masterverse figures. He seems much larger in scale than the MOTUC cats were to the Classics figures. He's a big cat, so you're definitely not getting shorted in the plastic department.
* The body sculpt is the same as Battle Cat, which is pretty good, but the real highlight here is the metallic purple fur and the black splotches. It's a cool look for Panthor that absolutely makes this fellow stand out from previous versions. The New Eternia figures generally try to mix the classic look with both some "prototype" details and some new elements, so we really get a take on Panthor that's both familiar and also fresh and exciting. Can you imagine if Panthor looked something like this in the upcoming film? I know. I'm as shocked as you are that it's actually happening.
* Panthor gets his own unique portrait and, wow, it's good. He looks really mean. Like, you do not want to mess with this cat. He looks like the legendary Danny Trejo if Danny Trejo were a giant purple cat. I know Danny Trejo voiced Ram Man in Masters of the Universe Revelation, but can you imagine if Panthor now talked and it was Danny Trejo? The yellow eyes look like the glass eyes you see in taxidermized animals. It's eerily realistic!
* Panthor is also sporting some armored guards on his front legs. These are very similar to what the Mondo 1/6th scale Panthor came with, so I assume that was a source of inspiration. They are removable (it took me a bit to realize that), so if you don't want Panthor to have these on you don't have to. I like them quite a bit as it further differentiates him from Battle Cat.
* There are also some straps on the sides that are meant to help store the included spear and the Havoc Staff. On each side there is a loop at the front and a ring at the back. Not every Havoc Staff will fit in these but the spear fits for sure, allowing Panthor to tote Skeletor's weaponry into battle.
* While Panthor does have some new parts, the body is mostly the same as Battle Cat from 2021. That's not terrible, as it's still a pretty sturdy and decent toy with some places having fairly good movement.
The Negatives:
* The hips, however, are both restrictive in sideways movement (it's tough to get good pouncing poses) and they're loose. It would have been nice for Mattel to have redone the cat body, though I doubt it'll see that much reuse. Surprisingly, the Masterverse Battle Cat seemed to really warm shelves back in 2021 and 2022, probably due to overordering, I guess. I think you can still find him at most Ollie's stores. That's probably why Mattel made this one direct to
I do wish Panthor's articulation was a bit improved from Battle Cat but this figure definitely isn't just a repaint of the previous figure. An excellent new headsculpt, new armor, a new helmet, and a spear accessory go a long way towards making thus guy feel like you're definitely getting your money's worth. That cool metallic paintjob with black splotches might not be flocking, but it's still pretty cool and gives Panthor a lot of street cred. He's a Great and a 1/2 figure and an excellent take on Skeletor's sinister steed.
If you're a Panthor fan I've also checked out Masters of the Universe Origins Panthor, the M.U.S.C.L.E. version of Panthor, the ReAction Skeletor and Panthor, the Mega Construx Panthor at Point Dread set and Skeletor & Panthor pack, the Dorbz Ridez Skeletor with Panthor, the POP! Rides Skeleton on Panthor #98 (flocked) and plain Skeletor on Panthor #98, the Pint Size Heroes Panthor, and Panthor and Panthor (flocked) from MOTU Action Vinyls.
For more Masterverse reviews check out the following:
For more Masterverse reviews check out the following:
Masterverse by Mattel (2021)
He-Man
He-Man
Jitsu
Man-E-Faces
Mekaneck
Ram Man
Skeletor
Snout Spout
Stratos
Tri-Klops
Two Bad
Vykron
Whiplash
Zodac
Masters of the Universe: Revelations
Skelegod Man-E-Faces
Mekaneck
Ram Man
Skeletor
Snout Spout
Stratos
Tri-Klops
Two Bad
Vykron
Whiplash
Zodac
Masters of the Universe: Revelations
Tri-Klops
Masters of the Universe: Revolution
Masters of the Universe: Revolution
Yeah, I wasn't originally that excited about it when shown at SDCC last July and as you say there are many Battle Cats in clearance, that's cheaper to just buy one and repaint but there's enough new here I love. My only issue with articulation is I wish the neck moved more to the side, so we could have the cats placed sideways on the shelf but still able to look to the front somewhat.
ReplyDeleteAlso the upper teeth scared me a bit when I opened his mouth and they 'fell'. I thought something had broken but it's just a neat way of making him look more vicious. :O
by the way he also looks amazing with Battle Armor Skeletor or prowling around the Throne. :)
Side to side movement would be really nice to have. You're right, it would help for shelf display.
DeleteI don't actually have Battle Armor Skeletor or the Throne. I have so many Skeletors I sometimes pass on him and He-Man, now.
aw but Battle Armor Skeletor is absolutely top-tier. My fave Skelly. :D
DeleteBut yeah there are too many of He-Man and Skeletor...
I'm going to have to keep an eye out for him but I looked at prices on him now and, wow, that's insane! He has really skyrocketed.
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