We are in unprecedented times for Masters of the Universe. There are so many new action figure lines starting (and continuing), and a movie is due out in June. MOTU has been a part of my life for my entire life, and I have never seen anything like this. It’s crazy and awesome, and if this new Chronicles Scare Glow figure is an indication of what is to come, buckle up. This is gonna be an awesome ride.
I will admit it – when Mattel announced Masterverse was taking a “pause” or even discontinuing all together, I was really bummed. I still have some mixed emotions about it, honestly. However, when this figure was quietly announced, my interest was obviously piqued. At first glance, I thought this was just an unreleased New Eternia Scare Glow rebranded as Chronicles. While that could still be possibly true from a character design standpoint, the build and construction are absolutely new.
And woo boy, MOTU has never been anything like this. Seriously. I am generally a purist when it comes to MOTU character designs. I prefer when the classic form is preserved while updating the details, but I still like to have history and some simplicity when that happens. The Mattel MOTU team has done a really good job with this in the Origins, New Eternia, and Vintage Collection lines, and that modern push with respect to the history is already apparent here, too.
Even with new embellishments in the armor, weapon, and other spots, this figure is 100% Scare Glow, and a very logical and cool further genesis of the character. His classic design and scant backstory have made him a fan-favorite for decades, and all of that is just pushed forward here, while remaining instantly recognizable and true to his history. This is Scare Glow, but he has NEVER been like this, and that is a good thing – for many reasons.
Starting with the character design, there are a ton of new things here, but it is all very “Scare Glow” in thought and application. The chains fit the “evil ghost” description, and the cape is embellished with more of the skull motif. The removable green flames around the collar are just really cool and fit with what Scare Glow is, and the enhanced details on scythe bring that into the more detailed approach of the figure. Yes, the scary skull and skeleton on a muscle body are still at the forefront of the effect because there is no messing with a strong design, and I love that Mattel has respected that.
If this is indicative of the design approach for the Chronicles line, we are in for some great stuff, I believe. This line continues on the good work done in New Eternia more closely than the more derivative stuff from 200X (that is a BIG positive for me), so I am already excited to see more characters. I will point out my biggest nitpick of the figure here, and that is GLOW of Scare GLOW, or lack thereof. Only the skull glows on this figure, not the skeleton, which is kinda really disappointing. I already have plans to use a GitD marker on the bones to see how it looks, but I REALLY wish Mattel would have done that.
Now, the construction and articulation is where this figure REALLY goes into new territory for MOTU, and I, for one, am really thrilled. While Masterverse did a pretty good job with adding points, MOTU has never really made functional articulation with a lot of points a top priority. Origins has a good system for the style, but when it comes to useful and expressive posing, the toy aspect has always superseded the capability. Not here. In fact, they may have stuck the perfect balance with just a few required tweaks.
The joint design and engineering of them finally supports a “super articulation” count, and for the most part, it is very successful. The ankles and wrists are functioning ball joints, and the double elbows and knees are strong but smooth. All of these points resemble import figure designs (like MAFEX) than anything MOTU has ever done, it is successful. There are torso and waist ball joints that add great range, but they could be refined just a bit to make it even better. It’s the same for the neck – it is good, and flames obviously limit it a bit, but again, can be even better as line goes on. Heck, there are even DROP DOWN HIPS(!!!) here, so MOTU hasn’t even sniffed that.
The lack of thigh swivels is a pretty glaring and strange oversight here, so that point needs to get into the scheme ASAP. That said, a MOTU figure has never moved like this, and it is not even close. The is Scare Glow can pose in MEANINGFUL ways like never before, and goodness, with some adjustments, future figures in this line are gonna ROCK. That said, the aesthetics, scheme, and scale make this figure compatible with Masterverse, so that is definitely another plus.
I love this figure. It is not perfect, but the vision is there, and as the “inaugural” Chronicles figure, it sets a great foundation to build on for the future. The design, the scale, and especially: the ARTICULATION, are all a great direction, and makes me very excited. This is a thrilling time to be an MOTU fan, so let’s take it as far as possible. This figure is exclusive to Walmart (BOO!!!), so be checking there, and let’s hope the future figures will not be confined to one retailer, this line is gonna be just too good to be limited in any capacity.
Seriously though, bravo, Mattel.
About the Author
