YEAR IN REVIEW: Ranking our Top-10 Masterverse figures of 2022

This past year was an exciting time for Masterverse fans. What was first launched as a 7 inch collector action figure line dedicated to the awesome 2021 Netflix Series “Masters of the Universe: Revelation” had dramatically evolved in 2022, into a vast representation and exploration into all aspects of the Masters of the Universe world, old and new.

(Rather not read? A video of this Top-10 article can be found on our YouTube Channel @ForEterniaOfficial by CLICKING HERE.)

There were so many exciting Masterverse sublines that debuted in 2022, with more on the way. We were introduced to the “New Eternia” subset which presented new interpretations of classic Motu characters inspired by original concept art. The planet of Etheria thrillingly entered the fold under She-Ra’s exciting “Princess of Power” subline! Fans were elated to see Sun-Man and the “Rulers of the Sun” brand officially linked to the Motu universe. Masterverse celebrated He-Man’s 40th Birthday with a 40th Anniversary He-Man and Skeletor set as well as a standalone He-Man. Fans also received animated interpretations of He-Man and Skeletor from the young children’s Netflix CG show “He-Man and the Masters of the Universe”. And in the last week of the year, fans began to receive Masterverse He-Man and Skeletor versions of the classic 1987 live-action film starring Dolph Lundgren and Frank Langella.

All in all, Mattel shipped 27 Masterverse figures this year. So as we welcome in the New Year and look forward to another thrilling twelve months of Masterverse releases, we would like to take a look back at the year that was… and rank the Top 10 Masterverse figures of 2022.

Now a couple things before we start!

Out of the 27 Masterverse collectible action figures that shipped this year, I honestly do not believe a single figure released in 2022 was a bad figure, not a one, which truly made compiling this Top 10 list extremely difficult. So if your favorite figure didn’t make our list, it doesn’t mean it’s thought to be bad. On the contrary, there’s just too many great Masterverse figures to pick from in 2022. And opinions will differ as always, but that’s okay!

Also, please note that the 1987 live action film inspired He-Man and Skeletor figures that fans started receiving after Christmas has not yet arrived in my possession in time for this video. But even though they are not in-hand and even though I am a huge fan of the film, I’ve seen enough pictures and unboxings to confidently say they would not break into this Top-10 list.

So here we go! Counting down…

#10. Stratos (New Eternia)

While I personally have always been fond of the leader of the Bird People, at the same time I always felt he was missing something. Perhaps it’s my personal issue with never being a big fan of mustache-less beards (my apologies to Abraham Lincoln), but whatever it was, the Stratos design always felt incomplete to me… until now. Because with the new comic inspired breather mask that comes included with the Masterverse New Eternia Stratos that gives him a wild bird beak like appearance, this Stratos looks epic and is now an absolute favorite of my Masterverse collection.

But breather or not, this leader of Avion might be the best Stratos figure yet. From its fabulous sculpted feathers, to its classic red wings and Emerald Avion staff, this is a Stratos that soars to new heights.

#9. – Catra (Princess of Power)

Catra from the Princess of Power subline in her ferocious feline Filmation inspired outfit looks absolutely purr-fect here. With two sets of black clawed hands, she’s ready to pounce on any prey that enters her territory. Donning Horde symbols on her chest as well as her belt, the Force Captain of evil has a purple soft goods cape, a green jeweled scepter and cat faced shield that completes her look.

I really think Catra’s head sculpt is outstanding here, with realistically sculpted hair and this terrific feline arch to her eyes. While I like it much better than the Classics version, there is a negative here if anyone hoped to display her without her Magicat mask (a mask that allows her to transform into a powerful purple panther.) If you remove Catra’s mask, it exposes slits in both sides of her head that are no exaggeration, large eyesores.) But if your plan was always to display her wearing her mask, then this Masterverse action figure may well be the best Catra figure ever released.

#8. Mer-Man (Revelation)

Dare I call him Savage Merman? This one might be the most controversial of the entire list, but this new post-apocalyptic rendition of our favorite fish-face from “Masters of the Universe: Revelation” is just aces in my book. This variety of the Ocean Warlord is not the classic version fans are used to and has no armor to speak of. But when it comes to what was depicted in the animated series, if you are a fan of that look, you will absolutely be swimming in joy with this masterfully executed figure.

Beyond the ferocious battle scars, and missing right eye, this Mer-Man comes with a brand new molded chest and back that feature gills sculpted into the both sides. Mer-Man also has a pair of hands that are webbed and look just absolutely brilliant. Add in the traitorous trout’s terrific tattered loin cloth and sculpted yellow boots and this is one aquatic figure I am just thrilled to have.

#7. Evil-Lyn 2.0 (Revelation)

When the SkeleSorceress aka Sorceress Lyn was announced at the 2022 San Diego Comic-Con this past summer, this version 2 of Evil-Lyn instantly became my most highly anticipated Masterverse figure of the year. While it perhaps needed not just a soft goods cape with elastic straps but a deluxe blue soft goods fur collar (versus plastic) to reach higher on this list, this wonderful manifestation of Skeletor’s twisted dark desires is still wonderfully executed.

Lyn’s bat-motiff skin-tight Sorceress outfit appeared almost like bodypaint on-screen in “Masters of the Universe: Revelation”, a look that doubtfully could be successfully accomplished with sculpting. What was needed was a figure paint application that seemed to be almost an impossible goal, but was surprisingly masterfully rendered with spectacular results (and the best paint application we’ve seen on a Masterverse figure yet.)

#6. Skeletor (New Eternia)

The evil Lord of Destruction has made this list and no, it’s not donning a die-cast metal power sword and articulated jaw. What beat the San Diego Comic-Con 40th Anniversary Exclusive Skeletor is its New Eternia counterpart, and what a glorious figure this is, especially for what you get for the price! If you told me this basic wave figure that comes with another pair of hands, a Havoc Staff, a sword, a soft-goods cloth cape attached to a plastic armor harness and breastplate and an alternate head was actually a deluxe figure, I wouldn’t bat an eye.

And what an amazing alternate head it is! While the barbarian midevil bearded Skeletor is very cool in it’s own right, the brilliant secondary more classic looking Skeletor head steals the show with a creepy sinister look that feels like it jumped right out of the mini-comics and on to your shelf! Bravo!

#5. He-Man (40th Anniversary – Standard)

The paint application on this 40th Anniversary Masterverse He-Man figure is reportedly hit or miss, but if you have gotten your hands on a good one, then chances are you’ll find that this He-Man is an wonderful addition to your Masterverse shelf (as well as your general action figure collection.) Featuring an almost primitive head sculpt with a bowl-like haircut capturing a barbarian look reminiscent with the earliest incarnation of He-Man in 1982, this figure successfully merges 40 year old nostalgia with today’s state-of-the-art figure-making.

Now while the die-cast metal weapons and flocked loincloth and boots that come with the 40th Anniversary He-Man 2022 San Diego Comic-Con version have definitely a slick novelty factor, they just don’t add much in substance when it comes to display purposes, and that’s why the less expensive basic version is the version that made this list.

#4. She-Ra (Princess of Power Deluxe)

Interestingly not the first Princess of Power figure to debut in Masterverse plastic (that honor was bestowed to Catra), but this Deluxe She-Ra figure with her alternate head with cool tiara mask definitely has all the honor of Grayskull. With a look inspired by her classic Filmation 1985 animated series, She-Ra’s sculpt and paint application (when on point) resulted in a spectacular She-Ra and the best Adora sold on the 7-inch or smaller scale market, ever!

In regards to accessories, both She-Ra’s sword and shield feature translucent brilliant “gems” and her soft goods red cape she wears is equally vivid. Also included with this deluxe figure is a second longer cape with golden shoulder armor that allows fans to better capture her look seen in the Netflix 2018 show “She-Ra and the Princesses of Power” if they so choose.

#3 Two Bad (New Eternia Deluxe)

Two Bad? You mean just Too Good! The Masterverse New Eternia Two Bad is such an outstanding figure and was a coin toss away from being #1 on my list. Honestly, between the top three figures, I really had trouble deciding who should be crowned number one. From this figure’s wonderfully unique head sculpts of Tuvar and Baddrah including Tuvar’s original concept art pirate inspired earring, to the amazing layered skin that suggests a painful Frankenstein like splice that the Horde treasure’s curse must have inflicted upon the two commanders, this entirely new sculpt is simply glorious!

And gigantic too, as Two Bad even rivals the size of the New Eternia Beast Man as the biggest figure in the Masterverse line (humanoid figure that is, Battle Cat not withstanding.) With great accessories like the two concept-art inspired maces and battle-axe, without a doubt Masterverse has made the best Two Bad ever created in Eternian plastic since the vintage figure debuted way back in 1985!

#2. Beast Man (New Eternia Deluxe)

Inspired heavily by Mark Taylor’s original Beast Man conceptual art named “Ursis Prime”, with New Eternia Beast Man’s red colored bear head-like headdress, and armor with gigantic spikes, and a skull in the center of his massive chest, this Beast-Man is literally a BEAST! It’s a gigantic savage figure, extenuated only by its even more savage spiked club! Or perhaps it is spiked baseball bat, which is one heck of a brutal way to play baseball!

Drool at those sharp, pointy fangs exposed from his open, roaring mouth. Stare at the lush red fur soft-goods from Beast Man’s New Eternia armor, a definite eye-catcher! This deluxe figure is even equipped with an alternate traditional set of armor if you prefer a more classic Beast-Man look. And New Eternia Beast-Man also comes with his iconic whip which is not a re-use of last year’s Revelation release, but an entirely new sculpt. Mattel really pulled put all the stops with this figure and it shows.

#1. King Grayskull (Revelation Deluxe)

Whoever controls the king, controls the kingdom! This King Grayskull figure as seen in the Netflix series “Masters of the Universe: Revelation” is truly deserving of the brand name “Masterverse” and I’d say the best King Grayskull ever realized in action figure plastic. With its two terrific individual sculpted heads (pick your look, regal, or fierce) with amazingly detailed braids (two large braids in the front and many clipped and tied off in the back) straight down to the armor and loincloth, this is an excellent figure and the two halves of the power sword he comes with are gorgeously sculpted, and spectacularly painted!

And what about that tattered cape and collar? With it’s thick fabric, posable bendy wire frame, velcro attachments and a thick and furry collar so thick and so furry it would make a Persian Cat jealous, and wow, it’s quite possibly the best soft good piece Mattel has ever created and truly a cartoon character that has come to life from the heavens of Preternia and onto my toy shelf! All Hail the King!

So that’s it! What is your Top-10 list of Masterverse figures for 2022? Let us know in the comments below. And stick around all year long as we see what kind of figures the new year will bring. Yep, we can’t wait to see what Mattel has in store for Masterverse fans in 2023.

We’ll see you next time!

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