Our time on Third Earth has been painfully too short, but, with the release of Panthro, at least we are going out on a high note.
I know I have said this before, but like MOTU, I am more a bad guy backer for ThunderCats, but I make no bones about Panthro being my favorite hero, and one my favorite TCats characters overall. I love his design, his characterization, and the fact that he drove the Thunder Tank in the show and in my action figure adventures made him the tops for me. So, while I am so sad the ThunderCats Classic line is ending even before it really got started, I am thrilled and relieved that at least Panthro has made it to my shelf.
Even though he is my favorite ThunderCat, I am going to be a bit unfair to Panthro here. Not in what I have to say about this figure because, frankly, the figure is great, I am just going to be making the review portion of this feature pretty quick. With the possible exception of Pumyra’s height issue, I think the TCats Classics line has been dynamite all the way around. Panthro finishes the subscription in fine fashion, and really, this figure offers me everything I have ever really wanted in the Panthro figure. As I said, I love his design and the Four Horsemen have pulled it over into plastic perfectly, and all without him having to be stuck with permanently bent knees!
Panthro’s eyes, ears, and spiky armor have always been the most iconic parts of his design for me, and I love that they have all been rendered faithfully here. The Rankin/Bass partnership with a Japanese animation house made for a very unique look for the Cats, especially their eyes, and that is style that has been adapted here. There are certainly notes from the vintage LJN action figures in this line, but by and large, the cartoon influences shine through. The scale, as well as the aesthetics, has been taken form the cartoon as well, and that is very apparent in Panthro’s height, especially in relation to Lion-O. Now, Lion-O is still taller than Panthro, but not in the extreme way of the old toys. I like this choice as it keeps the overall scale more pleasing to me, but since he is slightly shorter than the King of the ThunderCats, that means he can fit into the vintage Thunder Tank perfectly, and that pleases me immensely.
Panthro, like the rest of the figures in the line, comes with a swappable hand, but aside from that, I think he got the best accessories of the lot. This really comes through with the interpretation of his nunchucks, and you not only get a very nice “standard” set with a real chain, but also an alternate pair set in an action “spin.” Essentially the red side is the handle, and the design foregoes the chain for a static circle piece that repeats the blue blue side with a spinning effect in between. That makes for a very, very cool action effect, and it runs away as the best overall accessory of the line. I really love this, and if Panthro was not going into the vintage Thunder Tank in my display, he would definitely be wielding these action nunchucks.
I have no quality or production issues with this figure either, so all of his joints are tight, the plastic is strong, and the paint is clean. Mumm-Ra is definitely the “Cadillac” of the Classics line, but find Panthro to be my favorite overall figure. Sure, he is also my favorite character that actually made it into this line (poor, poor, Ssslythe), but he is fun toy that is built well, with lots of articulation, and had a good look. Those qualities are pretty much what I look for in an action figure.
Now, you did not think I was not going to cry a little bit about this line, did you? Sure, I am relieved as anyone to not have to deal with Matty Collector anymore, but damn it, I would continue to do so for years if it meant we would get more ThunderCats toys. The mere seven figures we got are so good, and I love this line, but damn if it doesn’t feel like it is a bit cursed with all of these false starts. When things were getting started, I said that I would need Lion-O, Panthro, Mumm-Ra, Jackalman, Wilykat, Wilykit as requirements, but also Tygra, Cheetara, Snarf, Ever Living Mumm-Ra, Monkian, Vultureman, and especially Ssslythe. Damn I am sad that last group at the very least did not make it out, so my collection will never feel anywhere close to complete because of that.
However, there is still hope. Super7 has taken over the MOTU portion of the Matty lines and are currently getting that revved up. They have said they are VERY interested in securing the ThunderCats as well, but it is more complicate since Warner Brothers is the licensor, not Mattel. I am hoping beyond hope that they can get the deal done, because we need the Four Horsemen to have the chance to give us an extensive and satisfying line. I know it will be tough to coordinate, but I am keeping the faith. Frankly, I have a VERY satisfying MOTU collection at this point, so anything else is pure gravy, but ThunderCats, there is still a LOT of work to do.
I REALLY don’t want this to be my final ThunderCats Classic review. It would make me so sad if that were the case. Help us, Super7, you’re our only hope!
