We are BACK! And just in time to get you a gaggle (that’s right, a gaggle) of First Looks just before that special time of the month rolls around. Of course by that, I mean Matty Day on November 15th. After a year and half (can you believe it?) of solidarity, Hordak is finally starting to build his army. What better way to get it kick-started than to roll out his most ferocious hench-beast – GRIZZLOR!?! He is, after all, the Ferocious Figure with fur! We have lots and lots of pictures of the Griz’ and even a few words so read on for all of the fuzzy, Horde-tastic goodness. I mean, badness. Right.
I know I have droned on about this in the past, but for over 25 years, The Horde has meant serious business to me. Not the margin or futures trading type of serious business, the kick every single burly, loin-clothed man and woman in the universe kind of business. Everyone fears the Evil Horde, and with good cause, and while Hordak alone could probably level two planets at once, it is really nice to finally have some back up for him in the Classics line.
Grizzlor was always one of those figures in the MOTU line that inspired a lot of make believe and imagine in me, and that is saying a lot in a property that has always done that for me on a very regular basis. Let’s face it, he is a big, burly, furry ball of meanness that probably scared more than a few kids back in the day. Opening up this figure, I really got to thinking, while I have always loved Filmation, the mini-comics and even some 200x and new biography stuff, Masters has always been about to the TOYS to me first and foremost. Now, I mean the vintage line, PoP and NA look to be going in the that direction in a big way too with their new figures.
Case in point is this little furball. The interpretation of Grizzlor’s character and place amongst the Horde has always been more interesting to me than any other media. It came first and continues to this day. Like I said, having REALLY gotten into the PoP cartoon as an adult (I would really try to catch episodes when I was a lad to see the Horde on screen, but it was not with any real regularity) I have had this characterization of Grizzlor as a ferocious tank fighter that could take on ANYONE in the universe and battle to the bitter end if need be. I have never seen him as a bumbling fool or a mindless thug (though I do like the prison keeper of Beast Island theme), but more like the bare-knuckle fighter of the Horde. Which is cool, Hordak was the ultimate badass, Mantenna was the spy and long range guy and Leech was guy that would creep up quietly and take you out. That is part of the well-rounded nature of the original Horde figures, and I still remember the day my mum ordered them out of the Sears’ Holiday book. Good times.
And those times continue. I think I, like a lot of the MOTUC faithful were a bit worried about how the final Gizzlor fur would turn out since there are so many variables that come with it, but I am very pleased with how it came out. First, it is DEFINITELY not removable, it is glued on there nice and tight. So, if you were thinking of skinning your figure, it is going to take some effort.
Second, he is going to come out of the package with a bit of bead head. Now, I know that he is supposed to look all mangy and wild, but it will take a little styling to get him just so as you would expect. Don’t worry, this will give you the chance to play Horde Hairshop, just like you always wanted to. And you thought that She-Ra axe-comb was not applicable in the real world. Towards that end, I think the length of the actual fur is just about perfect so you can get creative if you want to.
That brings up the fact that the new Grizzlor, unlike the vintage, has an actual head (removable after all). So, with the old figure, you could make him look like one big hairy blob. That can still be done here, but you will have to channel your inner stylist to get him there. FUN!
He also comes packed with a TON of weapons and accessories, which for me, is very welcome. His Horde armor is, of course removable, as is his arm badge and he comes with a very true recreation of his vintage crossbow (different, of course, from Hordak). When I was a kid, Grzzlor never needed a weapon, but I am very glad to have this new bow and I think I will be displaying him thusly.
Now, when it comes to the characters that had figures in the vintage line, I am VERY classic/old school in my preferences (just as I am an ardent style guide supporter of PoP). So, I am very happy that he has the old, ugly mug I have always known. However, even though I am not a big fan of the 200x aesthetic, I am pleased as punch that those who are will get a real chance to make Grizzlor their own.
For that, he comes with THREE additional weapons – a sword, an axe and a machete – armed to the teeth. The great thing is that his little backpack holder can hold ALL of his weapons, and at the same time. Those wily Horsemen, they are always looking out for us. He also has his loincloth that came into fashion in 200x. Personally, I don’t need one for my Grizzlor, but it does break up the giant glob of fur so I think lots of people will like it.
He is also made up mostly of the Beastman body (from what I can tell with all of that fur) but he also has new boots and hands. The boots are very vintage, but I am pretty sure that is how they appeared in the 200x version too so we are all covered there. His hands are sculpted so he can hold his weapons tightly, and it is interesting to not that he has painted and sculpted “pads” on the palms of his hands. Think Battle Cat’s feet. Neat! I think it is also important to note that he is made of a very sturdy plastic and his joints are nice and tight. No floppy, and no bendy! Yay!
Grizzlor here is my favorite MOTUC figure since Whiplash (I know it has not been that long) and I am very pleased with how he turned out. The figure is very solid and I happy to get another Hordesman and Etheria dweller. We need lots more of those. Start with CATRA. Grizzlor needs a bossy Force Captain and we need more ladies!
*Thanks for reading and thanks tons to Toy Guru and crew for making this possible. Stay tuned, we will have more MOTUC, DC and Ghostbusters action coming at ya soon!
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