Toy Review: Masters of the Universe Masterverse Andra and Stinkor

NOTE: This Andra and Stinkor review is sponsored by Entertainment Earth, which provided the review samples. Superhero Hype is part of Entertainment Earth’s affiliate network, and may earn fees based on purchases made through site links. However, Entertainment Earth had no editorial input on the content of the review.

The third wave of Masters of the Universe Masterverse figures, finally showing up in stock at online retailers after spotty in-store distribution, includes the first character unique to this line in Andra. (She’s very loosely based on a character that first appeared in newspaper strips.) Teela’s best friend in the post-time jump Eternia from Revelation, Andra rises to the role of new Man-at-Arms by the show’s end. But here, paired in the wave with Stinkor, she’s equipped specifically to fight the pungent foe. The gas mask and cloak costume didn’t last too long in the show, but it adds value to the figure.

Unfortunately, the gasmask helmet comes as a swappable head rather than a helmet. Ever since the Classics line, Masters of the Universe has preferred alt-heads to removable helmets. However, if Andra were a vintage figure, one imagines her gimmick would either be a removable mask and cloak, or a sculpted plastic hood with a Man-E-Faces style rotating portrait.

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The cloak’s not just a basic hooded robe. It comes with two cross straps, one with a velcro fastener. These can wrap around her either inside or outside the main cloak. And while she has a high up-do on her hair, the hood can still cover it in a manner that works.

Andra includes alternate weapon holding hands, but no extra weapons. (Give her one of Teela’s extras). Her primary weapon is a sculpted-on wrist blaster which features a removable blast effect. Considering Man-at-Arms had these in the Filmation cartoon, it’s a wonder no toy version of him has done likewise. She’s mostly an all-new sculpt, which is surprising given that her gear looks similar to Teela’s and Mattel could have cheaped out. But they did not. Facially she still has that animated style, but her purple eyes feature some nice detail.

Teela can, however, use the helmeted alt-head and wear the cloak. In case anyone wants to recreate the scene where they both take on Stinkor.

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But speaking of the evil master of odors…where’s his smell? That patchouli fragrance, integral to several previous incarnations, no longer seems essential to Mattel. Maybe the process got expensive. But whatever the case, he’s now only a “stinker” personality-wise. More significantly in the change department, though: Stinkor’s design usually simply kitbashes other figures, primarily Mer-Man. This one, arriving first, does not. And because Beast Man in this line came uniquely hunched with larger forearms, Stinkor even needs new furry body pieces. No doubt Stratos can reuse them someday. Note that this also emphasizes how Beast Man remains too damn small. He’s supposed to be larger than the rest, not smaller.

Given that Stinkor’s two alternate heads are both sculpted with fur, it’s surprising how much he still specifically resembles Mer-Man. His ears have the shape of fish fins, and his mouth totally looks like a fish rather than a mammal. Choose between eyes wide open and mouth mostly closed, or eyes narrowed and mouth fully open. The fully open mouth can hold his removable breathing mask, and make it look like he’s getting high on his own supply. The gas tanks in his backpack do not seem to be removable.

Stinkor features alternate hands, including an open palm that’s the only one to fit his shield on with any kind of ease. It will slide on that hand, but for it to stay on, it’s better to pop off the hand and slide the shield onto his forearm first. Might have been easier to just give the shield a peg handle, but hey, Hasbro does this with their Captain America figures too. So toy companies have made their choice.

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Stinkor can also hold other weapons, but doesn’t come with any. Some sort of hand control that appears to trigger the gas might be fun, but not here. Anyway, the vintage version never used one. The figure’s only weakness, at least on this sample, is slightly loose ratcheting ankles. He may not stand up for more than an afternoon. And finding his sweet spot may seem trickier than it looks — to center his gravity, he really needs to hunch forward a bit.

Entertainment Earth now stocks both figures for $23.99 each. If you were lucky enough to find them at Walmart before the price raise, great…but this seems like the new norm. Andra may feel like the more must-have, with all her extras and the fact that she’s an actual new character, a rarity in MOTU lines. But Stinkor acquits himself well, even if, having lost his distinctive smell, he’s a bad guy with an identity crisis now.

Check out the full image gallery below. Then tell us what you think in comments.

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