You know, for having a release pattern that started off with only offering one new action figure a month, the Masters of the Universe Classics line has gotten pretty in-depth by this point. I have to admit that when the line was initially announced I was a little disheartened about how long it would take to build up our Eternian and Etherian forces. Well, less than two and half years in and we are moving along at an almost feverish clip and the shelves are filling up fast. The figures themselves are not the only stars of the line though, we have also gotten so many accessories – at least one with every figure (except for the infamous Statos) and we have had two Weapons Paks as well. While the obvious choice is to display most of your figures with at least some of their included weapons and implements, there are still those that have found that the end of their long journey from design to manufacturing to shipping culminates in permanent residence in the “accessory bin”. Well, Matty has taken a sympathetic eye to those accessories and he has now given us a way to let those red-headed accessories shine – on the April-shipping Weapons Rack! Yep, our very first display diorama has got form and function in droves.
When the Weapons Rack was announced at SDCC 2010, I must admit that it took me a bit off guard. Not that it is something that it completely out of left field (we will get to that in a minute) for the line, but just like the over-sized beasts, army builders and vehicles, this first “diorama” is an execution that helps illustrate just how successful this line has been thus far how serious the powers that be are about making this the most expansive and satisfying Masters of the Universe collection yet. If you think about it, when we are only a couple of years into a line that started off as a meager three two-packs and done original plan, we are really moving. Since this is the first “diorama” Mattel is testing the waters in terms of interest (see: sales) so when this becomes available on April 15th it will NOT be part of the Club Eternia subscription (so you will have to log into Matty Collector to order yours).
So, does this weapons rack look familiar to you? It should, this is a Classics Four Horsemen-ized version of the weapons rack that was included with the vintage Castle Grayskull play set. While it still leaves everyone still clamoring for the Castle itself (I truly believe that we will get one eventually) this is a pretty fun start. Mattel has called this a “diorama” which I suppose it can be if you use it in the middle of a display of some sort, but to me it is really a giant accessory for all of your accessories. Really, that is what it should be. Now, maybe they are using the diorama handle as a generic name for an execution slot in the future (probably depending on the success of this one). Let’s face it, just in the Castle Grayskull category alone there are still several chances for further offerings: the trap door chair, the elevator, the battle trainer or the best option, the turret laser, are just a few possibilities. Look at it this way: we might get Castle Grayskull in its entirety a piece at a time. Hey, whatever works – I want that castle!
The rack itself is actually a very nice piece for being well, a place to store weapons. Like all things in the MOTUC line, it is a vintage piece that has been put through that magical Four Horsemen make-everything-better-and-cooler machine (i.e. their amazing sculpting and fabrication talents). Sculpt and paint detail aside (those are givens) there are also other aspects of this rack that makes it a huge improvement over the 1980s incarnation. First, it has two sides, both of which are fully functional for display and weapons storage. It is almost endearing to look back on the original with its one sidedness and monochromatic cast plastic color scheme at this point; but then you realize just how futile making these kinds of comparisons can be, but I am still constantly wowed by our four Jersey Boys.
I know I said the sculpt and paint details in this line are givens but what has been brought out in this piece is really nice. The “wood” portions really do look like wood and I am fan of the metal “feet” too. There are also two round beams added to either side so shields can be clipped on and store appropriately. Speaking of which, I know I am not alone in saying that one of the most frustrating things in the world for me as a kid was to try to get those blasted weapons to actually stay on the vintage rack. If you even looked at them funny they would topple to the ground; indeed, in the old days the rack was really more of a centerpiece for your weapons to be strewn about on the floor below. I am happy to say that this area was not overlooked when it comes to being improved upon. All of the little pegs are positioned so that the included (as well as other) weapons snap in snuggly and in place. In fact, you can turn the rack on its side and [most] everything stays put.
A weapons rack is little more than an Eternian conversation piece without having weapons to be racked upon it and with this set, we are covered. For an inventory, we get a mix of expected pieces as well as a few that are native to the MOTUC line, though ALL of them are pre-existing and only the paint scheme is new. Included in silver are: the Scareglow Scythe, Whiplash spear, Palace Guard axe and Man-At-Arms pistol. The Man-E-Weapons include: Palace Guard mace and shield, Buzz-Off axe, Man-At-Arms sword and Webstor rifle.
The Man-E-Weapns are a thoughtful inclusion since there would not have been a way to cost them out to be included with the August Man-E-Faces figure, but at the same time, it is almost like trying to make this rack all things to all people. That is commendable and I cannot think of another way to get those red weapons out that makes sense (save for another weapons pak) but, well, they just don’t display that well to me on the rack itself. That is fine, I am going to use this rack as the primary cache for my leftover Palace Guards weapons, but that is the beauty of this rack, it can be very different things to very different people.
The included silver weapons fare better for me, the paint scheme is more natural and the deco makes more sense for this particular item. If this rack is really located in the basement of Castle Grayskull, chances are that any weapon that is stored within hasn’t been touched in centuries. So, the subtle paint detailing brings out that old and rusty look which is appropriate. Plus, the silvers are, for the most part, the direct updates of most of the weapons that came with the vintage rack (though some of them found their way into the red group) so the purists can have their weapons and display them too. You never know when you are going to need an extra spear or blaster, so keep them well.
March and April are pretty busy months in the MOTUC world. There are four vintage line faces that have been at the top of want lists since the start of the line to get, but you might take a second look at this Weapons Rack too. By its nature it is probably not the most exciting piece the line has offered so far, but it is very solid and looks great. Plus, it represents yet another avenue for new Masters pieces in this line, could we get EVERYTHING from the vintage line eventually in Classics? Probably not, but I am at the point where I will take just about anything I can get. So, you will probably want this or it will be an easy pass, that is fine since no one is locked into getting it via the sub, but as you can hopefully see in the pictures, it can look very nice and is certainly functional in getting some of those extra weapons out of the bin and back onto the shelf.
*Thanks to the Mattel Master of Weapons, Toy Guru for sending this sample along for a Look, we really appreciate it!
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