Monthly Archives: April 2026

Masters of the Universe Chronicles King Grayskull

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See the video review HERE.

It makes me wonder…

Mostly I haven’t been too pleased with Mattel Creations “Club Grayskull” subscription. It is $10 a year with the promise of exclusive pre-release access of products. But most of this has been Origins figures that pretty much nostalgia fans aren’t that interested in. I mean, Geldor, and He-Ro. And even more obscure that I did get, Sharella. What Masterverse figures did they offer this year? Panthor, Moss Man, and … Dragstor? Well they offered Blade but even I, a club member, missed that one.

So they announced the club at the beginning of April last year, and behold they knew they would get most of their renewals in April this year IF THEY OFFERED SOMETHING GOOD. Well here he is. Masters of the Universe Chronicles King Grayskull.

There has been a few leaked Chronicles Scare Glow figures out there, but King Grayskull is the first official Chronicles release. So all members surely ordered one to you know, have, a Chronicles figure, but also King Grayskull is pretty cool of a character anyway. It is still a mystery if he will make an appearance in the film, but there seems to be a possibility, possibly played by Dolph Lundgren. It seems like an odd choice to undo the race-swap they gave him for the Kevin Smith show. (That was an excellent rendition, and has been my favorite King Grayskull…no I think favorite KING figure. And that is saying something for a guy who has a few figures of kings.)

So how did he turn out?

PACKAGING

This packaging is similar to other offerings from Mattel Creations in that it doesn’t have a blister bubble or window box. it is all artwork, and the figure is tied into the box using paper strings. A great way to give us non-retail figures in appealing packaging that we will want to keep using.

The front features a great illustration showing us the Pharaoh King Hiss, Lady Slither, Sqquueeeze, a REMCO DRAGON (or similar, cool!), the Turbodactyl, Battle Lion, and of course the king himself on top of some skull cave stuff channeling lightning between not only his power sword, but also the battle axe. And that is AWESOME! The Mattel guy at Toy Fair told Pixel Dan that the red Masters logo means movie focus, and the blue logo means cartoon. But this figure wasn’t revealed there, and it is a black Masters logo. Just interesting.

Some of the things I wondered going into this was how much this figure would share with the previous King Grayskull. This package gives is in illustrated form much of the same details. KG has the 200x asterisk symbol on his chest, and also sports a cape with comfy pauldrons. The previous King Grayskull had a problem with those pauldrons being soft goods…

The back shows us some of that photoshop artwork I am not too fond of. We can see King Graskull decked out with the shield in the side window, and in action with the battle axe on the other.

The side has another barbarian illustration. And it invites you to look inside to see any changes to the character.

As you open the box, you can see this same illustration covering the figure. But you now have a logo-free poster if you want. Also notice that you can see King Hiss. Flipping this over lets us have this scene also.

This is the Snake Lair. All of this about the Snake Men kind of burns, because in MASTERVERSE, the only Snake Man we got was Kobra Kahn, and he was a pitiful figure. Maybe this is all a hint that Snake Men will be coming out soon. But we have seen them repeatedly on Masterverse packaging, but have really none to show for it. (See Snout Spout’s packaging, as well as Terror Claws Skeletor)

FIGURE REVIEW

Here he is in the package

Right between Revelation King Grayskull and King Conan. On the YouTube version of this video, I actually play the Palace Theme on this piano, in case you were wondering. I wanted to do something different!

What do you get in the package?

  • Chronicles King Grayskull Figure
  • Power Sword
  • Battle Axe
  • Shield
  • pair of punching fists.
  • You could count the gauntlets on his wrists as well.

I am going to go about this two ways. First I want to know about this new format. How is he different than a Masterverse Figure? And then I want to talk about this specific figure an offer a rating at the end like I do always.

PICTURED: MASTERVERSE Revelation King Grayskull and Masters of the Universe Chronicles King Grayskull. I am showing them in the same basic pose. Notice the 200x sword I have is from the 200x Castle Grayskull set that belonged to my brother. (I never owned this myself, but only wound up with pieces of it somehow. I am not a fan of the design.)

When you compare the Revelation KG to the new Chronicles KG, the scale is very slightly smaller. Where the size difference makes its appearance is in the knees and elbows. It is like there might be a slight “shave” off all around the figure for this new scale. It is something you notice if you look for it, but you probably wouldn’t at a glance. But it is enough to make black King Grayskull feel just a little bit more beefy and muscular than caucasian King Grayskull. (Just so you know, I believe the OG Masters of the Universe Classics figure would be shorter but still appear more muscular than either of them. I don’t have that figure, so…)

PICTURED: MASTERVERSE New Eternia Fisto riding Mythic Legions Boreus, and Masters of the Universe Chronicles King Grayskull riding Masters of the Universe Classics Battle Cat. I title this one “Sunday Ride.” You can see a good size difference in these two, even though it isn’t as drastic when comparing to Revelation King Grayskull.

Revelation King Grayskull had stunted articulation at the knees, but the new knees on the Chronicles King Grayskull are perfect to hinge all the way back to where he can kick himself in the butt. The forearms on the new figure are also new and skinnier, and no longer is there a hole at the end for a fist to peg in…now the fore-arm is a peg, and the hand is a double-jointed wrist. Nice improvements! As a consequence, the new hands are even smaller than before and could get lost easier. (But I haven’t lost these…yet). So what I am saying, you kind of feel the difference in scale around the wrists, knees, and feet most of all.

The only soft goods on the new figure is the cape. The pauldrons are thankfully sculpted in plastic. And I thought this power harness might be 1-to-1 the same, but it is a new sculpt.

So what about this figure specifically. I like the new thing they are doing with his hair. The 200x version had these long viking ponytails coming down, like a barbarian Wendy’s mascot. The Revelations version had Native American-type of braids. This figure has a sloppy top-knot with long locks, and so it is different. The face sculpt is passable for He-Man, but obviously a different character. Dare I say more “American” looking (as opposed to European). I mean, I am trying to see Nick Galitzine here, but he doesn’t look like him. He also doesn’t look like Dolph Lundgren. I think he kind of resembles Vanilla Ice.

PICTURED: “Mammals vs. Reptiles.” MASTERVERSE Revelation Sorceress Teela, Mythic Legions Ninian Infantry X2, Figura Obscura Monkey King, MASTERVERSE New Eternia Whiplash, Masters of the Universe Origins Sharella, and Masters of the Universe Chronicles King Grayskull.

His muscles are chiseled very nicely why the same ab-crunch that most MASTERVERSE figures have. He wears a girdle over his furry shorts making a more royal look. This new figure doesn’t have a thigh-cut, something I don’t think we will miss. I already mentioned the knees, but the elbows are also double-jointed. He has the furry boots you expect, with a leather strap look to them. The power harness has a ring on the back that allows the sword to be displayed outside of the cape. This cape is not removable without removing the harness as far as I can tell. (I haven’t done this). It does appear that the pauldrons have pegs that might make them swappable in the future. He doesn’t have trouble with articulation…he stands very well, but his lower legs…like at the boot cut is slightly loose, he can go pigeon toed pretty easily. Still I am giving him the full point for articulation. No real problems! He even has decent head articulation considering the sculpted hair that he has. And Mattel made a lot of that this figure can grab the sword while it is in the holster on his back…that no other figure could do that. But I think 1987 Movie He-Man might have something to say about that.

PICTURED: Masters of the Universe Chronicles King Grayskull and MASTERVERSE 1987 Movie He-Man. Contrary to what Mattel asserted at Toy Fair, King Grayskull is not the first figure that can grab the sword on his back.

ACCESSORIES

PICTURED: Masters of the Universe Origins Cartoon Collection Faker and Masters of the Universe Chronicles King Grayskull. Seriously, Faker’s sword is slightly bigger than King Grayskull’s, and this is wrong. KG’s sword does feel like it has more finesse somehow, though. Here is also a chance for you to compare an Origins figure to the new Chronicles figure.

We have the three main accessories that every He-Man needs. I even think they should include them with all the variants, but they don’t unless your company name is MONDO. I wondered if at least the shield would be the same as Revelation King Grayskull, but no it is a different sculpt. Larger and less cartoony, with gold highlights and fancy, barbaric texture.

The battle axe is pretty nice, with some color on its inner texture and the cap (don’t know what it is actually called) a circle with the 200x asterisk symbol.

But here is the big problem…maybe I should say small problem…This Power Sword is shorter than all of The Masterverse swords. It is a step backwards. Honestly, it almost feels like an Origins Power Sword as far as its size. Why did they do this to the most iconic weapon outside of a lightsaber?

For what it’s worth, I also think it is a missed opportunity to give us a new version of the 200x Power Sword.

SPARTANNERD RATING OF MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE CHRONICLES KING GRAYSKULL

PICTURED: MASTERVERSE New Eternia Battle Armor Skeletor vs. Masters of the Universe Chronicles King Grayskull. They are battling in Skeletor’s throne room (Also a New Eternia piece)

If I separate my feelings about differences in this and MASTERVERSE figures, it is a solid 5/5. He checks every box I ask for. Sculpt looks good, and paint also, if it isn’t conservative. He is better articulated than the MASTERVERSE KG. His accessories are what you expect, but the sword is too small. But he gets the Feels Point also…mostly because I generally like the character and also am excited to be one of the early reviewers.

PICTURED: Cosmic Legions Anthophilees (Buzz-Off KO), Mythic Legions Ne’Ve’ (Review coming soon), MASTERVERSE New Eternia Panthor, and Masters of the Universe Chronicles King Grayskull. Also notice there are sculls scattered around, these are from the Mythic Legions skull head pack.

So I award this figure a solid 5/5. Do you agree or disagree, Hub City Geeks? Let me know in the comments!

PICTURED: “Eternia Throne Room”. Mythic Legions Ne’ve’, Mythic Legions Kitbash “Gamecocks Knights” X2, Masters of the Universe Classics Sir Lazer Lot, MASTERVERSE New Eternia Ram Man, Masters of the Universe Classics Kitbash Battlefield Teela, and Masters of the Universe Chronicles King Grayskull. The throne is the Throne of Atlantis that goes with Super7 Ultimates! King Conan.

Cosmic Legions Anthophilees

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Remember Spring Break? (It was last week)

And so I posted a rash of review videos. Anthophilees. Ne’ve’. Oh…and a little guy called MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE CHRONICLES KING GRAYSKULL! Each of them with the promise of a written blog review. So here’s Cosmic Legions Anthophilees. (I keep getting sidetracked by real life, and also Crimson Desert.)

PICTURED: Masters of the Universe Chronicles King Grayksull, Mythic legions Ne’ve’, and this review…Cosmic Legions Anthophilees, who is a Buzz-Off KO. Also pictured are skulls from the recent Mythic Legions skull head pack, and Masterverse New Eternia Panthor.

I ordered him in June or July of 2024. That’s a long time ago, Hub City Geeks. I am trying not to order things I won’t see for like a year-and-a-half in the future. I did this before with some Conan the Barbarian stuff…and did I really learn my lesson? Well no, I just ordered the Optimus Prime/Jetfire combination from Hasbro Pulse. BUT, that is supposed to come in September/October or something. I also ordered that witch lady from Critical Roll (I know nothing about this). But she is supposed to come in the Summer…we’ll see I guess.

So was Cosmic Legions Anthophilees worth the wait?

PACKAGING

Anthophilees came in the kind of packaging that other Cosmic Legions figures I have were packed. More of a window box…less like a blister card. In that box you can see the figure and some of what you get. You can also see his alternate head (let’s be real…this is the main head!). But what isn’t clear is whether or not that is an alternate head or a helmet. Because you see, Anthophilees is not a regular Cosmic Legions, but is instead a Masters of the Universe KO figure of Buzz Off. And this is why I wanted this figure so bad. At the time I was collecting up all the MASTERVERSE figures I could, trying to get one of each of my childhood figures, just in updated form. And they made a Buzz-Off, but I have never seen it in person. But when I saw this Four Horsemen Studios version, I knew I would rather have it instead.

Anyway, the box is largely orange with green highlights. You can see if you look closely he as more hands and some other pieces that I will get to later. And he has a huge halberd axe!

On the back you can see the bevy of Cosmic Legions offerings…this is a growing line. I have some of these figures, but not even close to all of them. Notable, there is a guy with some of the same parts as Buzz-Off. (Anthophilees). It is that large white and pink bug guy…He actually has wings that they aren’t picturing. The two side panels have unreadable font on them, but you can see what it says about him on the FH website. Basically in this story Anthophilees is a hardened warrior. (The Four Horsemen say that the MOTU homage figures don’t carry any significant bearing on the actual story…Uh…what story?)

But the real extra gem of the packaging is the insert, which you can’t really see from the window so well. It is of some kind of Cosmic Legions vehicle! It would be cool (and probably expensive) if we ever actually got this vehicle!

FIGURE REVIEW

First of all, what is in the package:

  • Anthophilees figure
  • Alternate head (He comes with the yellow head default)
  • Pauldrons
  • Halberd
  • Traditional-style Buzz-Off axe
  • Pair of Wings (with a backpack attachment)
  • Two sets of alternate hands which have varying grip.
  • Antennae
  • Mouth Parts

Most of the time I get a shot of this right out of the package…vanilla. I even usually see if they can stand right out of the package, like that matters. But this time, I knew I had to mess with it in the same way I have been having to mess with Transformers for awhile before I drop the official SpartanNerd Review. There is so much set up really involved, and I want to know how well it all works up front so I can be as clear as possible for readers to expect based on my experience.

So I assembled the wings first. (Duh!). This involves plugging the adapter backpack into the slot found on the back of most Mythic Legions figures. Thankfully this backpack is painted in the same brown color as the brown that appears on the figure. The wings have tiny little pegs that go into the sockets on the backpack, and here is the beginning of complaining time. These wings look really nice. BUT, they are two wings attached together on a joint. In other words, they are not separately articulated, and that is kind of a bummer. But the complaint is how loosely, especially my left wing goes into the socket. It is basically hard to get in and easy to fall out as you pose the action figure. I mean…every time I do ANYTHING with this figure, that back wing comes out.

So let’s forget about those for a second, and admire what we have that is great. This is OBVIOUSLY 200x Buzz-Off, adapted into Cosmic Legions. It is said that a fan designed this, but let’s be real. The FH studios designed all of the toys for the 200x line, including Buzz-Off, and it seems that this design is AT LEAST an homage to their previous work.

PICTURED: Cosmic Legions Anthophilees (Buzz-Off KO) along with the Cosmic Legions flight stand. The flight stand is one of the worst Four Horsemen things I have, by the way. I thought it would be funny to photograph him with this cereal! Post Honey Bunches of Oats and General Mills Honey Nut Cheerios.

The colors are spot-on for Buzz-Off even going back to the vintage line, and as usual there is no slop at all.Every rivet on the armor, every stripe, every detail on his girdle. The bracers, the boots, the headsculpts…wow! This is the best sculpt and paint anywhere, especially at the price point. (By pre-ordering this, I locked in a 35-ish dollar price rather than the more typical upper 40s). His arms end in these claws that are perfectly insect like, a big improvement on the vintage design that was crab claws.

These legs might be used on another Cosmic Legions figure…I don’t know. But these are reverse-knees, with big two-toed feet reminiscent of Ninja Turtles. These big feet hold up the figure rather well, considering the forces of balance that come in because of the wings. And I know I complained about the wings, but they LOOK incredibly creepy! Perfectly detailed!

The yellow head is creeptastic, with the six-eyed design we are seeing in a good bit of Cosmic Legions. These rows of eyes were also a component of the 200x designs, though if you can think back. Think the Griffin, and Webstor. But the other head…that one looks like Buzz-Off! It has a pair of antennae to install. And while these are identical, the recesses where you seat them are not symmetrical, adding some motion to what could be a much more boring design. And you can slot in mouth parts on the cheeks or leave them off…however you want to see this KO Buzz-Off. There are two options. One with a single blade for each mandible, and the other with a double blade.

(I prefer the Buzz-Off head with the antennae and the double-bladed mandibles)

ACCESSORIES

So if you don’t count the wings, the claws, the antennae, or the mouth parts (perfectly fine not to count these because of the nature of the figure) then you still have to consider the pauldrons and the two weapons

The pauldrons are of the same type that the Four Horsemen have been using since I began collecting this line at least. There are little pegs on the underside of the armor that you line up and insert in to the holes on the back of the figure. And it is pretty hard to get those pegs into the holes. I had to break out the hairdryer, of course. But they look great! At the same time, they create some competition with what is going on with the backpack and the wings. Things are kind of crowded back there.

The halberd…this is a weapon that we had before, but not with these colors. In fact, I am looking at the gold knight guarding the change cup right now…he is holding this. But Anthophilees’ halberd came painted very nicely. And the other axe is very well done also..I don’t have another axe like this with the tapering handle, spiked top, and severely swooped blade. There are also paint hits on the rivets here as well!

PICTURED: Bug Battle. Masterverse New Eternia Mosquitor vs. Cosmic Legions Anthophilees. Notice the antennae and the mandibles. Also, on Mosquitor’s red spikes and eyeball, you can see paint slop. This doesn’t happen on the Four Horsemen Studios stuff.

SPARTANNERD RATING OF COSMIC LEGIONS ANTHOPHILEES

I don’t say it about male figures too often. But he’s pretty cute! Look at him in the flowers! Wait…is the antenna missing?

It just so happens that the SpartanNerd has a little bit of history dismantling bugs, but I didn’t mean for the antenna to fall off. You know why it fell off? because I kept having to re-attach the wings.

PICTURED: Mascara verse (OOPS!) I mean MASTERVERSE Thunder Punch He-Man and Cosmic Legions Anthophilees. Both have a “Backpack Backpack”. (I’m joking because that He-Man looks like he is wearing makeup.)

The wings are such a sticking point on this otherwise excellent figure. And this is why I have to take a point off. It is what the SpartanNerd calls “a stupid problem.” Maybe everyone’s isn’t like this. But mine is the one that is important. My other complaint about the wings…they should be individually articulated. The little hinge is good when the peg stays in, but it is kind of bad that you have to move the wings in sections because they just aren’t designed to be apart. And for me, the SpartanNerd…kind of an adult…ahem…this is OK. But some kid could try and force them to separate, and break them.

BUT…for what it’s worth, with that complaint…the vintage Buzz-Off’s wings worked like that. (I still have mine from childhood!)

PICTURED: Cosmic Legions Anthophilees, who is a Masters of the Universe Knock-Off of Buzz-Off. He is standing next to the SpartanNerd’s original Buzz-off from the 1980s…He has stood the test of time but I don’t have his helmet or weapon anymore. Also pictured is the MEGA Buzz-Off from the Eternia Tower set.

His sculpt, articulation, and accessories are all good. He gets “the feels” point because…”Buzz-Off…” I mean, he was absolutely WORTH that long wait. But the stupid problem with the wings means he is taking a hit on articulation. So the SpartanNerd rates Cosmic Legions Anthophilees a 4/5. Do you agree or disagree? Let me know in the comments!