The masterminds at MotucHeads are back with all kinds of cool new stuff and for this round, it is unlike anything we have seen in MOTU Classics yet!
I love getting new 3rd Party MOTU stuff. There is so much talent out there and lots of these guys are bringing new dimensions to Classics that we could never even dream of having without them. Sometimes we get really esoteric characters or variations from MOTU proper, sometimes there are completely original characters from the creators themselves, other times there are characters from properties that fit in really well with Masters, and every once and awhile, we get things that are completely out of left field, but work oh so well in this style.
When the latest box of goodies arrived from MotucHeads, there was a pretty amazing mix of just about everything and the range of emotion took from thinking “that is bad ass” to “that is hilariously awesome.” So, I will have a couple of features to show off some this new work, but I wanted to start with crazy crew of characters that have little in common, save for the fact that they find a way to plug into the MOTUC aesthetic seamlessly.
The great part about that is, you can pretty much find anything within your personal tastes in the MotucHeads pantheon. If you are not into character variants, here is a bad ass Cyclops. Are compatible characters from other properties more your speed? Well, Fuerza T has been at the top of a lot of lists for a long time. Are you more of a character fan, no matter the property? Well, the Grinch and “Nodrog” will bring a flood of nostalgia too you, and right quick. So, let’s take a look at each one of these individually because not only do they deserve their own spotlight, they are all pulling from very different places.
CYCLOPS
I have to admit, from a MOTUC compatibility standpoint, I am starting off with my favorite. While I have always been a fan of the savage and barbaric side of MOTU, I have been living in that space a lot more recently thanks to the release of Oo-Larr from Mattel, and some of the other kits that are running around right now. So, getting something like a Cyclops onto my shelf is a real treat because my savage He-Man is always looking for a new punching bag to go against with bare knuckles.
If you have read some of our previous features on MotucHeads items, or own some yourself, you know that quality of sculpt, paint and production are always of the highest level. There is a ton of detail that runs through these and the immaculate paint work only pushes that further. So, while this Cyclops head is meant to sit on top of an action figure body, it really is a nice work of art. Plus, of all of these, I think that this is the most “plug and play” of all because if you have a Demo-Man sitting around to donate his body, a quick head swap puts a fantastic Cyclops right on your shelf. I am able to do some remedial customizing when I need to, but love it when you get all of the pieces that fit right on to an existing base. It makes it so easy. Plus, his weapon is built right in with the set, you get a really wicked spiked club. I think I need about 3 more of these on their own because so many Classics figures would look great with it.
Let’s face it, this is a fantasy archetype that goes back eons throughout history and this creature lends itself to Masters of the Universe so well, I really cannot believe that we have not ever gotten something official. Yeah, I know that Tri-Klops is build around a similar “gimmick”, but much like Mer-Man, Beastman, and other early entrants into the line, having this as a creature seems almost too perfect. I don’t care if I have to continue to put the group together slowly, I will have an enemy sect for Oo-larr on my shelf one day that will do Alfredo Alcala proud — this Cyclops is a fantastic entrant in that motley crew.
FELINOR
So, are you familiar with the Fuerza T line from South America? No, that’s okay, take a moment to read up on it. I’ll wait. So, this is a bootleg line that is built off of mis-matched vintage MOTU parts in ways that make them pretty awesome. I really cannot think of a more compatible MOTU line, yeah? This is one of those unofficial properties that has a lot of traction with MOTU fans, and I have seen countless customs of many of the characters. For being an unofficial line, it is actually well thought out and the biographical information of each character is pretty well done, and the part combinations are pretty thoughtful.
But, at the end of the day, Felinor is just a burnt red Beastman body with a Mer-Man head and golden Skeletor armor. Not that there is anything wrong with that. However, when you get the Felinor kit (the head), there is more work done to make the character more unique. They used the modern Stinkor head as the influence (instead of the vintage Mer-Man/Stinkor head), but some additional sculpting has been done to add some unique features, like the hair around the mouth. The paint scheme has also been improved and I really dig the work that has been done on the eyes with this guy, since his eyes are a part of his power scheme, they should be a point of focus, and that is just what we got.
I have not had time to gather the parts to make this head into a full custom, but I think I am just a Stratos base away since I have some spare Skeletor armor already. Some nifty paint and I will be all set. Really though, if you wanted to just be able to use this kit right away, it goes pretty well on the Chief Carnivus base and they have matched the colors pretty well. Felinor is actually the second kit they have done for Fuerza T as Platino is also available, so I am really hoping they are able to round out the full set.
THE GRINCH
Okay, so now for something COMPLETELY different! Now, I remember seeing this piece on Facebook quite awhile ago, but they brought him back just in time for the holidays this past year. I have to say that bringing the Grinch into the MOTUC world is something I would have NEVER thought of doing, but that is why these super creative guys have all the fun. Sure, it does not seem like a very logical leap, but when it all comes together, it is pretty amazing how well it works.
So this kit contains a head of the Grinch in a style that you have never seen before and let me tell you, had his heart not gotten three times bigger, he would have old Whoville look like the St. Valentine’s Day massacre, not to mix my holiday metaphors. It be because he could if he wanted to because this Grinch is serious business. The thing is though, he is unmistakably the Grinch and his look from the very distinct Suess style has been brought into the Classics Aesthetic perfectly, and with a tremendous amount of detail to boot.
I really love all of the detail in the green hair/fur and the face is so expressive, too. The skin color matches up with the color of the Classics Mossman figure pretty perfectly so this is another one of those instances where, if you want, a quick head swap will have this piece shelf-ready right away. Now, I am not sure if this is something that is going to be for everyone in terms of daily display, but you better believe I am going to have this guy out every year with the rest of the holiday decorations because I adore this so much. I have an extra Santa Claus hat from the old Mattel Ghostbusters II back that suits him just fine for when he is in a good mood. Now I just need one of the cats turned into a Classicized version of his dog and the sleigh will be slaying straight away!
Nodrog Yaw’Mush
Ha! I kill me! It is a good thing that I don’t own any cats because they would all be fearing for their nine lives right about now. Are you kidding me? Are you KIDDING ME? The most famous of all Alien Life Forms is not compatible with Classics? What a fascinating modern world we live in. Okay, okay, if you thought the Grinch was crazy, this will put you right over the edge of the geek plane. I mean I have a bad ass ALF to kick around Eternia now? You better believe it. If you grew up as fan of MOTU then the time line for old Gordon Shumway (see what they did there?) is right in your wheel house. Now my wife is a very patient person with this whole geek/action figure collecting thing, but when she saw that this was going to be a part of our permanent collection, she flipped out and then had to go watch the into the old show on YouTube.
But Willie! You know the most hilarious part of this kit? Without doing an alteration, the Chief Carnivus body is probably the best fit, so you will need to sacrifice a cat so that Nodrog can live. That is just too hilariously on the nose. This kit includes the custom head, collar piece. hand with cigar and individual cigar. So you are getting quite a lot here and the hand swap is very simple with just some heating up of any MOTUC arm, it snaps right into place. I am trying to think what I want my final display piece to be overall in terms of part use, but as it stands, old Carnivus makes a pretty base.
Like the Grinch, this a pretty serious take on Gordon and I have to say, Battle Cat and Panthor need to be scared because while the cats on Eternia are bigger, this ALF is built to take them on. He has the big snout, pointed ears and hair flip he is known for, but his expression is downright menacing. He has a great glare on his face and his exposed choppers are something that the Tanner family would never had imagined. That Mrs. Ochmonek though, she was certainly on to something.
I admire the creativity in all of these and the craftsman ship is what you have come to expect from MotCHeads, and it is second to none. There really is something for everyone here, and all of these, from the Cyplops to the Grinch offers a chance to continue on with all kinds of future possibilities. Now, these are only a handful of what they have to offer over at the MotucHeads Facebook page because they have a TON of things to choose from, and all of them great. Now, stay tuned, we will have another feature next week with a set that will take savage to the next level!
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