The time of the Berserkers has come, and what a better way to celebrate this new faction in the ThunderCats ULTIMATES! line with our good friend ToyBro, aka Jared Elswick. While some of us aren’t able to attend the presently celebrated SDCC, we can still discuss our love for ThunderCats and these great new figures from Super7.
WWMTC: Aaah, the dear old Captain has joined our ranks, kickstarting the next band of misfits to collect. What was your first thoughts when you saw Hammerhand as part of this wave?
TB: Excitement. I always like Hammerhand and he was the only Berserker I had as a kid, so getting an updated figure was high on my list.
WWMTC: There are of course two versions of Hammerhand (apart from the Spitting Image cloned Panthro, naturally). Which version do you prefer? This season 2 appearance (and also LJN toy version) or the season 1 appearance?
TB: I prefer the toy/S2 look just because it’s so much crazier than his original appearance.
WWMTC: Are you pleased that they went with this version first? And would you like to see the other version in the future?
TB: Absolutely, but I definitely want to see both versions when there’s a good opportunity to go back to him.
WWMTC: There was an image shared by Nate Baertsch of an alternate design for Hammerhand, which was interchangeable between both the seasons’ appearances. While it looked very eye catching, it wasn’t really cartoon accurate. Do you think that would’ve worked?
TB: It might have “worked” but it would have also drawn the instant ire of fans. I’d rather we stay within the confines of his 2 distinct looks. If we end up with both versions at some point, great, but mashing them together isn’t exactly what people are asking for.
WWMTC: Point well made! Now, tell us, which is your favorite Berserker and who do you want to see next in this grouping?
TB: Cruncher, easily. I’m curious how big he could end up being in Ultimates form, he’s generally pretty big in comparison to the others.
WWMTC: The big difference between the toys and the show is that these characters are VERY bulky in their toyform, but actually quite frail or much thinner in the cartoon. Do you perceive this to be a problem for collectors who are expecting the LJN versions but forgetting that their cartoon looks are different?
TB: I doubt it. Their toys were decidedly “big” compared to the rest of the line, but it’s a more toon oriented line so we’re getting what we should be getting here. Hammerhand is not huge in the show and his toy reflects that, he’s certainly not small, he’s just sort of a regular sized figure.
WWMTC: Let’s talk accessories. Gold is ultimately associated with the Berserkers, and hopefully they all come with a bag or two. Is there anything you appreciate in this assortment, and would you liked to have seen anything else?
TB: Honestly his accessories were something I wasn’t even concerned about with him. It’s all about the hand for me and the inclusion of a hand with articulated fingers and a hand with a closed fist was exactly what I needed. I seriously doubt I’ll ever display him holding anything else he comes with.
WWMTC: Head wise, which is your preferred one?
TB: The standard head, I think. Both are incredibly similar, the only real difference is the mouth so it’ll come down to what I’m using him for. On the shelf it’ll most likely be the standard one and use the alt head for pics when needed.
WWMTC: His robotic arm does look front heavy. Does it make the figure stand with difficulty or is it cleverly engineered to not have the troubles the vintage toy used to have?
TB: No problems, it’s not as heavy as it appears to be and I’ve had no issues posing him all over the place with it.
WWMTC: Time to test your ThunderCat knowledge again. We now boast two captains in our collections. There is a third one still absent which will look great on the shelf. Can you guess who he is?
TB: I assume you mean Captain Shiner but I’m not ruling out the possibility of a Captain Bragg one day either!
WWMTC: Ahaa! You caught me out there. 10 points to Gryffindor!!! Oh wait, different story… whatever! Next up, we’ll chat about the love-or-hate Mirror Lion-O. See you tomorrow!
TB: Wouldn’t miss it.
