{"id":19288,"date":"2012-06-27T03:09:17","date_gmt":"2012-06-27T08:09:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/?p=19288"},"modified":"2012-06-27T04:23:24","modified_gmt":"2012-06-27T09:23:24","slug":"motu-classics-com-the-mighty-spector-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/?p=19288","title":{"rendered":"MOTU Classics.Com:
The Mighty Spector Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/a>This has been a difficult Masters of the Universe Classics review for me, as the differences of opinion on Spector have been difficult to navigate. I enjoy the figure and I’m going to say so, but I\u2019d also like the figure to be better and I’m going to say that too.<\/p>\n

The problem in that scenario is there doesn’t seem to be a lot of good discussion when it comes to Mighty Spector. The divisions in the MOTU fanbase, in geekdom in general, often branch into hyperbole with each chasm seemingly larger than the last. Spector appears to have created a pretty big one and quickly at that. I haven’t participated in a lot of the Spector discussion because the general trend has to been to dismiss, which isn’t really my thing. <\/p>\n

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So let\u2019s get this out of the way right in the front. Spector, as a character and as a figure, gets a lot more derision than he really deserves. For example, just the other today, I was interested in fan reaction to Sir Laser-Lot digital mini-comic. I read positives, I read negatives, stuff I agreed with, stuff I didn\u2019t, but one thing that made me shake my head was the complaints about Spector in regards to this particular mini-comic. See, Spector\u2019s not even in the mini-comic. His name was mentioned.<\/em> That\u2019s it. Whatever you may feel in regards to Scott Neitlich or Spector, it feels like we need to take a step back when the mere mention of his name is giving us pause. <\/p>\n

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My enjoyment of the figure withstanding, this isn’t going to be one long proselytizing article singing the praises of the Mighty Spector. Either you like him or you don\u2019t. I’m not out to change that, but I do think we should be examining Spector as a figure and as he progresses as a character rather than give into dismissing him based on the inside knowledge of his creation. I love Scareglow even if he comes from a \u201csilly filler\u201d wave. If someone comes along and discovers that Snout Spout only ended up in the line because his creator had a hard-on fetish for elephants, we\u2019ll… I\u2019ll still love ol\u2019 Hose Nose all the same. <\/p>\n

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What I\u2019m saying is that the “why” of Spector was created doesn\u2019t really matter. The fact that I\u2019m okay with it or that any of you aren\u2019t is going to get lost to the sands of time. Future generations, new MOTU fans, aren\u2019t going to care. It will be the look of the character, his portrayal in any media that he\u2019s fortunate enough to find himself in, that\u2019s going to determine his value to the franchise. And, as such, his origin as Scott\u2019s childhood CAC entry is just a footnote on what will or will not be a long history as a MOTU character. I don\u2019t know how Extendar ended up the vintage line. I don\u2019t care. I\u2019m just ready for his Classics figure. I extend that same courtesy to Spector. If you can\u2019t, I understand, but I would still encourage you to try. <\/p>\n

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Before I jump into Spector as a figure, I\u2019ll be the first to admit that I\u2019m not sure how I feel about Spector, the character. Does he feel like a Mary Sue? Yes, but he hasn\u2019t had the opportunity to show that he\u2019s not. He\u2019s got his own bio and a couple mentions in the other bios and the mini-comics. I see a lot of potential with him, but as a time traveler \u2013 he\u2019s got a lot of potential for trouble too. It\u2019ll be interesting to see what the folks at Mattel do with him and to see if the folks at Mattel remember he\u2019s part of a large ensemble. While I lightly mocked it above, I do understand that the concerns over Spector getting a mention in that Laser-Lot digital comic. It’s mostly based on a fear that the powers that be won\u2019t remember that Spector is but a small part of a larger mythos. Heck, we were reading a Sir Laser-Lot spotlight comic after all. I don’t know about you, but he’s pretty low on my list of characters I would want to read a comic about. Let alone be the character to kick things off. <\/p>\n

With Spector’s background being something that ought to be set aside and his media presence still being minimal; we\u2019re really just left with the figure itself. I like a lot of it. I dismiss the notion that it \u201cdoesn\u2019t fit in\u201d. Sallah over at MOTUCFigures<\/a> did a great job of showcasing that the basic elements of the Spector design are complaint with 80s MOTU. Just as I dismissed the notion that Count Marzo didn’t fit in a couple years ago, I feel the same way now. The shared parts, the 4H sculpt, and the wide array of characters that MOTU has included over the years, gives Spector a MOTUC feel. Continue to Page 2<\/a><\/p>\n

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Like most of the figures, Spector is built using the basic buck and a few parts borrowed from Trap Jaw. It works, but I do lament that we still don\u2019t have a proper buck without nipples for clothed figures. I guess it\u2019s just one really tight time travel suit or maybe Toy Guru’s been drawing him with nipples for years. I can’t be sure.<\/p>\n

The new left forearm makes for the coolest piece \u2013 and I love the detachable cosmic key as an accessory. On the one hand, it\u2019s just cool to be able to swap it out with the \u201cblade\u201d (and I\u2019m disappointed we couldn\u2019t get the whip accessory). But the real fun is the play value it could\u2019ve provided me as a kid. Since it comes off of his arm, this cosmic key could be stolen and spawn an afternoon adventure where Spector has to retrieve it from the evil clutches of Skeletor or Darkseid. I would\u2019ve loved an \u201caction feature\u201d like that as a kid and I have to appreciate it today, even if it\u2019s technically just a side effect of part swapping. <\/p>\n

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The new noggin is also a highlight for Spector. You can see the stern expression in the face despite the lack of visible facial features. A+ work from the 4H. Also, the solid purple and red \u201ceyes\u201d create an interesting effect for me that I can\u2019t quite describe. This isn\u2019t the first time that we\u2019re seeing this type of design on a mask, but either the colors or the subtle 4H sculpting messes with my head. You know where his eyes are supposed to be, but they\u2019re not quite there. I can\u2019t quite explain it, but it\u2019s a cool effect for a time traveling character. <\/p>\n

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The newly sculpted harness is the one area I\u2019m not too thrilled about. I like the basic design of it and I love the leg-strap and holster, but there\u2019s just something I\u2019d like to change about it. I’m not sure if it’s the design or the color. The mix of silver\/gold metallics and bright yellow is always an odd pairing. Or maybe if there was just some more yellow on the figure itself, that would tie the figure together. And the spade… I know that Toy Guru explains the spade away by saying that known symbols have different meanings on Eternia, citing He-Man\u2019s iron cross, but it\u2019s just not working with the spade. Y\u2019know the old saying, \u201ccall a spade a spade\u201d? Well, that\u2019s got double meaning here. Admittedly, the playing card shtick works for Bow, but I think I\u2019d like this figure better without it. <\/p>\n

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In terms of execution, Spector is one of the most spot-on figures this year. The slightly pearlized plastic is sharp and the paint apps that are here are great (though the harness could’ve used a little more). The articulation has no design elements blocking the range. There are some good accessories, including the pistol that I’d neglected to mention above, and some fun little tidbits like the removable cosmic key and the green “ammunition” on his leg strap that powers the key, the blade, or the pistol and helps the figure to tell a story. He can be a fun figure if you want him to be. <\/p>\n

I think Toy Guru got a lot of this figure right (as he should, I suppose), but I still think the figure needed a little more. I’m willing to just chalk it up to the fact that Toy Guru and I have wildly different favorite colors, but I’m left wondering if Spector could’ve used a little more of an abstract touch. <\/p>\n

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As Sallah said in his great piece about Spector<\/a>, Toy Guru had the opportunity to insert his own childhood into the line and he unashamedly took it. I have no problem with that beyond professional jealousy. But in a follow-up interview with Toy Guru<\/a>, it was also pointed out that very little changed from conception to execution. I won’t begrudge Toy Guru having the figure he wanted, especially in his pocket at NYTF (which was totally awesome<\/em>), but I can’t help but wonder if that “something more” might’ve been found had Spector been given a once over in the planning stages. Would he have gotten a better figure or at least a less divisive one? Would Spector’s future in MOTU be just a little brighter? <\/p>\n

We’ll never know, but I still think we got a fun figure out of the process… even if purple isn’t all that high on my favorite colors list. <\/p>\n

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For more MOTU reviews, check out our
MOTU Classics Collector’s Guide<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/center><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This has been a difficult Masters of the Universe Classics review for me, as the differences of opinion on Spector have been difficult to navigate. I enjoy the figure and I’m going to say so, but I\u2019d also like the figure to be better and I’m going to say that too.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_options":[]},"categories":[7,34,10],"tags":[1289,78,20,1449,16,1571,2558],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pObc6-516","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":17708,"url":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/?p=17708","url_meta":{"origin":19288,"position":0},"title":"First Look at Slush Head& Mighty Spector in Package","date":"March 27, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Mattel gave us another double dose of Masters of the Universe Classics Bio goodness today with packaging reveals for the Mighty Spector and the scaly NA goon Slush Head. Both biographies are a decent read with Spector\u2019s giving tidbits about MOTU in a future time. Images & Bios after the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "MOTUClassics"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":19069,"url":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/?p=19069","url_meta":{"origin":19288,"position":1},"title":"First Look at Spikor& Sir Laser-Lot in Package","date":"June 12, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Mattel revealed two more MOTU Classics Bios yesterday with packaging reveals for July\u2019s Spikor and August\u2019s Sir Laser-Lot. Spikor gave Mattel an interesting opportunity to provide back story to a relatively clean-slate vintage character, but it was Sir Laser-Lot\u2019s bio that snagged the fan\u2019s attention. Spikor is currently scheduled for\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "MOTUClassics"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":19180,"url":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/?p=19180","url_meta":{"origin":19288,"position":2},"title":"Ask Mattel June 15th Link Roundup","date":"June 15, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Ask Matty - June 15th Edition DCClassics.Com Asks: We\u2019ve recently learned that TRU will have an exclusive Dark Knight Rises Movie Masters Bane vs. Batman 2pk and now that Wal-Mart will have an exclusive Jim Gordon. Are these the only two store exclusives or can we expect more in our\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ask Matty"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":11224,"url":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/?p=11224","url_meta":{"origin":19288,"position":3},"title":"May MattyCollector: Stinkor, Slush Head, Spector, Stands, & Flash!","date":"May 15, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"It\u2019s Matty Day! It\u2019s a big day for Club Infinite Earths as things finally kick off with Golden Age Flash being offered today (think he\u2019ll sell fast?). For MOTUC, we\u2019ve got Stinkor, Slush Head, Mighty Spector, & Snake Mountain Stands! Come discuss it all on the IAT Forum while you\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Forums"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":21950,"url":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/?p=21950","url_meta":{"origin":19288,"position":4},"title":"MOTUClassics.Com: Sir Laser Lot Review","date":"November 26, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"I want to review Castle Grayskull Man, but there\u2019s another MOTUC review I\u2019ve been putting off that I should probably do first. Regular readers may have noticed that I skipped a figure these past few months. It wasn\u2019t really on purpose. I just kept finding things I\u2019d rather spend time\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "MOTUClassics"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":11428,"url":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/?p=11428","url_meta":{"origin":19288,"position":5},"title":"MOTUClassics.Com: Eternian Palace Guards Review","date":"January 31, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Armybuilders are a funny thing. We're so willing to buy multiples of nameless guys despite wanting only one of our favorite characters. And it certainly baffles toy companies, doesn't it? Mattel recently took a chance on armybuilding with their Eternian Palace Guards 2pk. Of course, I just had to buy\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "MOTUClassics"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19288"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=19288"}],"version-history":[{"count":26,"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19288\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19323,"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19288\/revisions\/19323"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=19288"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=19288"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=19288"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}