The time has arrived again – the best Masters of the Universe character is getting a figure in a new action figure line. Mer-Man has come to the 200X Cartoon Collection, and you better believe I am hyped.
I have said it before: a good MOTU line is judged on the merits of its Mer-Man figure, and once again, this 200X line is looking good. He joins Orko and Teela in this new assortment, and while they should be widely available soon, I just could not wait for my boy. Mer-Man has had a really great run of new figures over the past couple of years, so I am happy this one keeps that going.
Like the other figures in this line, Mer-Man does a great job of capturing a look that we have never gotten in plastic form before – his 200X CARTOON likeness. Yes, the original 200X line was the influence for the cartoon, but the show itself took on a bit of its own style and coupled with the Origins base, it makes for a great aesthetic. If you are experienced with Origins, the build and articulation should feel familiar, so while this figure is wholly Mer-Man, it also fits into the mold of the overall line.
The color scheme is what I suspect initially drew me Mer-Man when I was a very young lad, and things are kept iconic here. I am particularly fond of the portrait and armor on this figure and both continue to offer different interpretations of what makes Mer-Man on my shelf. The eyes are particularly nice and have a great gradient in the irises. I will say the more humanoid feet are kind of throwing me here. They match Skeletor, but Mer-Man has always had more creature-like feet to match his overall design, so these seem a little strange to my eye.
Overall, though – this is a great figure, and now that it is in the books, the rest of this line can be icing for me. I am looking forward to guys like Webstor and Whiplash especially, but I would REALLY love it if they delve into designing characters in this style who never had a chance to shine. I am thinking Spikor specifically. That would rule. Anyway, be on the lookout for Mer-Man hitting widely soon.
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