After I received my barbarian builder test shot it only took about 15 minutes of in-hand fiddling before I knew that one wasn’t going to be enough. The remaining test shots were rapidly dwindling, so I had to make a hard choice and make it fast. The field of options were looking slim. I knew for my second figure I wanted someone I hadn’t initially ordered, and I wanted someone who would pair well with whatever variation of barbarian I wanted to build. I landed on Skapular the Cryptbreaker and I don’t regret the decision at all.
When the full-color Mythic Legions start shipping I’ll have a decent supply of generic skeleton soldiers, but I didn’t opt for any of the “named” skeletal warriors. I really like the idea of an all-gray skeleton, though, and it makes even more sense for a skeleton to be all gray than it does a barbarian. This could easily be some slate skeleton statue that comes to life to terrorize the world. Indiana Jones or Conan both could easily slink past this in their travels only to have it come to life and come after them.
Skapular features the same basic articulation scheme as the barbarian, with swivel-hinged elbows and knees, ball-jointed head and torso, ball-jointed ankles, and single-hinged wrists. The thighs lose the upper swivel, but that’s understandable with the slighter bone shape there, and with the swivel hinge knees it still works out okay. I don’t even notice the loss as he can get into any number of poses just as easily.
His long loincloth and armored hips are the same type of extremely flexible plastic used on the barbarian, so there’s absolutely no restrictions in his ability to move. If this type of plastic were to become industry standard for capes, loincloths, and any potentially restrictive elements, it would be the greatest thing ever. As with every Mythic Legion figure, both elements are completely modular with any of the other figures, so if you’d rather he not have the loincloth and have a more armored section, you can go in that direction as well; you’ll just have to borrow it from another figure.
Skapular features removable shoulder pauldrons. Their size makes them look like they’d get in the way of his shoulder motion, but there is enough give so that his arms don’t have to remain strapped to his sides. Any figure wearing this type of pauldron won’t be able to raise their arms above their head, but they will be able to get into plenty of defensive or offensive stances. The pauldrons peg onto the back and will swivel up and down as needed. They’re not as flexible as the other parts, but they’re not completely rigid either. I assume this will carry through with the official releases as well.
Even with the limitations of Skapular’s neckpiece I can still get a decent enough range of motion out of his arms.
His head is obviously my favorite part. The “regal skeleton” vibe they went with for him looks great. It’s a nice, classic skeleton look that’s pretty basic and generic but still looks malevolent.
Skapular comes with a shield, spear, dagger, and a strap that can be added across his torso for a sword or dagger to be held in. the shield features a removable clip that can be positioned any way you want. His hands hold the spear or the dagger firmly. Give him a sword from another figure and he looks twice as badass.
These test shots have been a nice way to get an early look at what we’ll be receiving in 2016. I think if orders open back up at some point, I’ll try to grab a colorized version of Skapular to lead my eventual bone brigade, but even if I don’t, this is a worthy stand-in.
