We continue our look at the fantastic custom pieces by Jim Pansen Creations with alternate head sculpts for Clamp Champ and He-Man!
The Masters of the Universe characters have had a lot of widely differing interpretations over the years, from the toys themselves to media, like the mini-comics included with the figures, television series, the film, and comics. For the most part, MOTUC has eschewed artist-specific sculpts from the different media tie-ins, and the style seems to me to be a blend of a lot of different influences with the original vintage toys being the main influence.
Except when it isn’t. Some of the unique Filmation characters look like they have sprung directly from a cell of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe or She-Ra (Madame Razz, Loo-Kee, and Kowl come to mind), and the Horsemen have done a few artist-specific sculpts that have paid homage to the first mini-comics artist, Alfredo Alcala (Skeletor’s alternated head and the upcoming Oo-lar).
Jim Pansen Creations continues that artist-specific interpretation with a couple of Bruce Timm-inspired alternate head sculpts for Clamp Champ and He-Man.
I loved the Masters of the Universe mini-comics as a child, and as an adult fan they do constitute some of my favorite ancillary material about the franchise, so I really like to see mini-comics-related material released in action figure form.
As far as He-Man mini-comic artists go, my favorites are Alfredo Alcala, Mark Texeira, and Bruce Timm. Yes, that Bruce Timm, from the Batman the Animated Series fame.
His comics are some of the most enjoyable to me because they have a good sense of energy and action to them (not to mention a fair amount of Jack Kirby influence).
One of his best mini-comics, in my opinion, is “The Search for Keldor,” which featured later-released figures like Clamp Champ, King Randor, The Sorceress, Scareglow, and Ninjor.
I like it so much, I was inspired to do homage to the book with this review.
The Clamp Champ sculpt has the squinty eyes and fuller hairdo from the “The Search for Keldor? mini-comic.
I also like how he seems a little younger and maybe a little cocky in this sculpt than the official Mattel sculpt.
He-Man has a nice, classically handsome face, and even though he has a classic He-Man hairdo, it somehow looks less like Prince Valiant than some other interpretations I’ve seen.
I also love that he has this slight smile on his face. To me it works well as both Adam and He-Man.
In some of the comics and the Filmation show, He-Man enjoyed his work and was often smiling as he pounded the crap out of Skeletor’s flunkies.
Both heads pop onto their base bodies quite easily and seem solid. The paint work is really nice with some subtle shading and sharp lines and they match the intended bodies really well.
Hit up Jim Pansen Creations on Facebook for ordering information!
Please bear in mind that Jim is just one guy, and these are all hand cast and painted, so the availability is limited.
Thanks to Jim Pansen Creations and Bruce Timm for the inspiration!
Now THATS the Clamp Champ I dig!
Jim has some great customs! I agree that the Clamp Champ head is awesome. I would like to see a He-man head that’s more aggressive looking….Speaking of customizers, does anyone know what is going on with Alvis Underground? I have been waiting almost 2 years for my pieces and there’s not been much info as to whats happening. His facebook hasn’t been update with much. Hope all is well with him.
LOVE the Bruce Timm designs, but I’d KILL (Metaphorically speaking) for a Texeira He-Man head from the He-Man meets Ram Man mini.
Gotta agree with you guys here, especially about the super senses. It’s weird, but I like my Clamp Champ more clamp-less.
Clamp Champ is dead on. He-man’s great too, but Clamp really sticks out. I liked the depiction of Clamp Champ in that comic with the speed and Super-senses. I never had him as a kid so this is an iconic look for him to me. Love the pictures.
Man, that CC is a spitting image of the mini comic version. I really dig these and as long as he is on a Timm tear, I would love to see Hssss as well. Another great pic set, Matt.