Action Figure Review: Keldor from Masterverse/ Masters of the Universe: New Eternia by Mattel

 

   Now that I've checked out Despara and Dragstor it's time to look at the third new Masterverse figure for the beginning of 2026: Keldor.  The Masters of the Universe: New Eternia Keldor, to be exact. I'm going to take a guess that I probably own more Skeletor toys and action figures than any other character (probably even more than He-Man, Batgirl, and Batman) and I've largely been passing up many of the newer releases that don't really offer up anything terribly new. This new version of Keldor, though? Well, I'm a sucker for Keldor, especially when he has a burned face. Finally tying Keldor to Skeletor was one of the most significant story additions by the MYP animated series for the 200x era and it's one that has largely been retained (or at least referenced) by every new MOTU project since. This Masterverse figure definitely retains the general look of Keldor (a blue skinned Gar with fabulous hair) but dresses him up in an outfit that's quite different from the traditional Skeletor outfit. He really reminds me of some of the early MOTU concept art sketches for various wizard inspired villains, which is definitely part of the New Eternia/ New Etheria blending of old and new that makes it so appealing. Ready to check out Keldor? Then get your vial of acid ready (or maybe just a big, round shield) and join me after the break...

 

Wrapping Up 2025: Seymour "Sci-Fi" Fine from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

   I only have a few 2025 G.I. Joe: Classified Series releases that I'm still planning to review and there is no way I'm leaving out Sci-Fi. While General Hawk v2 was my first G.I. Joe from the A Real American Hero line, Sci-Fi was my second. I don't think he has too many fans who would count him as their favorite Joe (he's not even on of my favorites) but I'm nostalgic for the guy since he was my second Joe and likely one of my earliest action figures. Sci-Fi was the second laser trooper in the line after Flash (who still isn't in the Classified Series yet, though he's been rumored to come out about every year) but it seems that he was originally intended to be a second version of Flash. There were a few figures in the line that seemed like they could have been designed as updated versions of the Original 13 (Short-Fuze/ Downtown, Grunt/Footloose) but by making most figures new characters in ARAH it seems Hasbro kept the line fresher. Sci-Fi is known for his distinctive bright green jumpsuit which does stand out, something that became important as the line continued on. Back in the 1980s, moms were considered to be the "toy buyers" for their kids and starting to offer more unique looks and visibly different figures was a way to clearly indicate that the kids didn't already have this one. It also does lend to his science fiction aesthetic. While Hasbro has still held fairly close to the vintage design for Sci-Fi in the Classified Series, they've also borrowed liberally from the 30th Anniversary version of the figure who really upgraded the vintage design a good bit and toned down the neon green. Ready to check out Seymour "Sci-Fi" Fine? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Dragstor from Masterverse: Masters of the Universe: New Etheria from Mattel

 

   While I'm still finishing off some 2025 reviews here and there (and I'm getting ready for my annual "Best of" lists for the previous year), it's the beginning of February and I'm ready to check out some new stuff. Sometime in January I made a trip to a collectible shop that I absolutely love, Needless Toys and Collectibles in Lincolnton, NC, and grabbed the three newest Masterverse figures and a handful of older Masterverse figures that I missed in 2025. Despara was one of those three new figures and today I'm looking at another one: Dragstor! I haven't reviewed many Dragstor figures on here, partially because Dragstor isn't all that popular and there haven't been many toys of the character made. I did review the Masters of the Universe Classics Dragstor back when he was released and he was, I believe, the last non-variant character released to complete the vintage MOTU and Princess of Power rosters. This Masterverse Dragstor isn't a significant hallmark in any way though he is a darn cool figure. Probably my favorite of the latest series of releases. Sadly, it sounds like Masterverse is coming to an end by the end of this year as Mattel shifts their focus to Masters of the Universe Chronicles. Will that make the 2026 Masterverse releases more difficult to find? Will there be a Phantom Series/ Wave? Who knows? For now, let's enjoy Dragstor. Ready, set, go...

Wrapping Up 2025: Ralph "Steeler" Pulaski and Short-Fuze from G.I. Joe: Classified Series by Hasbro

 

It's been nearly a week since I last reviewed a G.I. Joe: Classified Series figure and today I've got a two for one review for you: Ralph "Steeler" Pulaski and Short-Fuze. When they're doing a two-pack, don't you wish they would have just called Short-Fuze Eric "Short-Fuze" Freistadt instead? I think it would have definitely been nicer. I know why Hasbro has to use the real names on some figures but in a two pack why not just do it for both figures? Of course, I guess you can call them whatever you want when they're out of the package, right?  Steeler and Short-Fuze are two of the Original 13 G.I. Joe team members and just because of that fact alone the have a special place in most fans hearts. Overall, though, they're not the most memorable characters. Short-Fuze was known for being cool and calculating... until he wasn't. Yes, the guy had a bit of a temper. Steeler was a bit reckless, was the driver of the M.O.B.A.T., and did have a few small but important roles in various comics and cartoons over the years. If not for being part of the first series, it's doubtful either would be remembered as fondly. Still, I love the dynamic of the early team with a small, focused group of specialists. Hasbro is slowly completing the Original 13 and all we have left are Zap (coming soon in the Retro Series), Flash, and Grand Slam. Getting two of the original team at once is nice, although initially this set did put me off a bit as both figures felt rather bland unlike some of the other Original 13 members who got something of a nice update. Having them in hand, though, they're better than I originally thought, though not without their shortcomings. The set is a Target exclusive with a limited Hasbro Pulse release, and it's cheaper at Target. Heck, as of  publishing this Target has the set on sale online for $45 dollars, which is a pretty solid buy. Ready to check out Steeler and Short-Fuze? Then join me after the break...

(Note: This set does come with some accessories and effects that aren't clearly distributed to either character.)

Action Figure Review: Despara from Masterverse: Masters of the Universe New Etheria by Mattel

 

   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...

Wrapping Up 2025: OxKrewe Campside Collection from Cosmic Legions by Four Horsemen Studios

 

   While there are plenty of more traditional girls toys and dolls that still have what we'd call accessory packs (Barbie outfits, sets of doll furniture, etc.) on retail shelves, more traditional boys toys and mass market action figures really don't get accessory packs anymore. If it's not an action figure or a vehicle (and usually even a vehicle has to be packaged with an action figure), it's not getting released. The only ones  I can think of seeing at mainstream retail are some of the NECA Universal Monsters accessory sets. When it comes to lines that aren't sold at traditional retail, however, you're likely to see more accessory packs to supplement the line. Four Horsemen Studios has lone done accessory packs for Mythic Legions and Cosmic Legions comprised of additional weapons, hands, armor, wings, spells, and other traditional accessories but this is the first time I can recall them doing an accessory pack that features pieces for making a small diorama. OxKrewe- Book One: Thraxxon is the most recent full series of Cosmic Legions releases and while I only picked up one figure from the set so far (Kurnn Ray), I had to grab this incredibly cool accessory set when I first saw it. The OxKrewe Campside Collection is an accessory set comprised of two crates, a generator, a portable computer, and various cords for connecting them together. Whether or not you collect Cosmic Legions, this might be worth your attention at these accessories could nicely compliment many different 1/12th scale toylines. Ready to check out some really nicely designed and beautifully well worn pieces of sci-fi equipment? Then join me after the break...

Wrapping Up 2025: Catwoman (Batman Returns) from DC Multiverse by McFarlane Toys

 

   Christmas was a month ago but I'm just getting around to checking out a few action figures that I received as presents from my family. I had bad luck finding the Batman Returns action figures from McFarlane Toys but my Mom and Dad didn't! No, indeed. On Christmas evening when we went to my parents house I found three of the four figures I was looking for from McFarlane Batman Returns subset of their DC Multiverse line underneath the tree (still no Penguin Commandos yet). I've talked many times before about Batman Returns and Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman (I think we even did an episode of the Confirmed Epic Podcast about the film) but in a film that is absolutely insane and wonderful, offering an incredibly strange take on Batman and the denizens of Gotham City from Tim Burton at the top of his craft and including a killer circus gang, an army of rocket launching penguins, Danny DeVito as the most terrifying Penguin you could imagine who literally bites a guys nose off, Keaton in his best Batman performance ever using gadgets galore, and Christopher Walken being delightfully evil, Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman is still the high point of this film. As someone who can debate and critique different Batman media interpretations all day, this film is still pretty high on my list even though it's just so strange and unlike the comics. It's just a wild, Elseworlds take on Batman that works oh so well.

   2026 might be the end of McFarlane Toys' time with the main DC license (it seems like they may still be involved, perhaps with the DC Direct license) but they seem to still be intent on putting out a massive amount of product. They've done a pretty solid job with getting out most film versions of Batman and most of the villains from said films but Batman Returns was what I've been really wanting for some time. These have been released with the moniker "Deluxe Theatrical Release," which seems like a marketing blurb, but they were also released for $35 bucks each. Yikes! That's a heck of a jump! McFarlane has done figures at higher price points, sure, but usually they came with some significant extras. That's not the case for these Batman Returns figures, though. Is this to cover licensing fees, tariffs, or because McFarlane may have (incorrectly) expected these to sell fewer figures? Who knows? This Catwoman has a solid likeness and is a long awaited release but do I feel she's worthy of a higher price point? I don't know. What I do know is that I feel so much yummier. Did I try to hard to force that line in? Maybe. Well, let's check out Catwoman after the break....