I have come to dread the months that Sandman doesn’t pick up the Masters of the Universe Classics figure(s), because it comes to me take the pictures for AFP. And honestly, with MatthewK producing awesome shots each month, including yet another new custom diorama for Chief Carnivus, I’m at quite a loss for what to do that he hasn’t covered. But I’ll give it a shot.
When Chief Carnivus was announced at Wizard World Philly, I didn’t know much about the character. My He-Man show was back in the 80s, and Carnivus was part of the show that supported the 200X relaunch of MOTU. It’s not that I look down upon the newer cartoon – it’s just that I didn’t have a lot of opportunities to watch it. After reading up on him, it struck me that Mattel is willing to go pretty deep in the Masters lore for character selection – Chief Carnivus was a relatively minor character on the show as a background member of King Randors Eternian Council.
Even though I have little emotional connection to the character, he still is a striking figure. I was surprised to see that he reuses most of Beastman. His waist, hands, and lower legs are different, and it’s the lower legs that gives Carnivus the height that Beastman is lacking. And I really like his accessories – he comes with a sword, shield, and removable cape and breast plate. Because he has such a wonderful sculpt, Carnivus works with all sorts of combinations – completely armor-free, cape only, breast plate only – it all works and looks great.
A lot of comparisons have been made between the sword that Carnivus wields and Thundercats Lion-O’s Sword of Omens. I think the hilt takes some inspiration there, but unfortunately the figure can’t quite replicate the iconic pose.
All in all, I think Carnivus is another hit for the Masters of the Universe Classics line. Some people were speculating that because of his limited air time on the show, he might be one of the less popular figures in the line. And while it didn’t take 10 minutes, Carnivus did sell out, just like every other Masters of the Universe Classics figure before him. I’ll have no problem placing him near King Randor on my shelf, and will probably pose him from time to time with my 7th Kingdom figures from the Four Horsemen.
I think he definitely looks good with Randor and also with the 7th K figures. The tiger ladies look a little small with him, though. Almost like he has a guard made up of his teenage daughters like Mr. Han from Enter the Dragon.
He’d look grrrreat (sorry) standing next to Kamandi.
My only question is, why is he hanging out with the Burger King?
And Matthew K, nice Mr. Han reference. ETD is one of my favorite movies evvaa! Best quotes… “If you look at the finger, you’ll miss all that heavenly glory.”, “Man, you come right out of comic book.”, “It’s like fighting, wit-out fighting?”, “Mr. Han, suddenly I’d like to leave your island.”, “Where you go?” – “Out in the moonlight baby.”
Man, I’ve got to watch that again soon.
My favorite is, “BuuullSHIT, Mr. Han-Man!”.