We interrupt our regular programming to head to the aftermath of San Diego Comic Con! Super7 surprised us with a fabulous exclusive, and our good friend Toy Bro, aka Jared Elswick, has his hands on an advanced sample of this unique release.
WWMTC: Hey Jared, what a nice surprise to have another unexpected release join our lineups so quickly. With it being having just been SDCC, the timing couldn’t be more perfect while we’re also talking about Wave 5 from Super7. What was your very first thoughts when you saw that this was going to be the SDCC exclusive for 2022.
TB: I was surprised to say the least. It was not even close to being on my radar. But this has “con exclusive” type toy written all over it. It of course came during my work on Wave 5 so I had to stop and take a look at this guy, which is why he’s being done before we finish out the Wave, trying to be timely here and all.
WWMTC: The reaction was strangely enough in favor of this variant, despite folk wishing for Spirit Jaga, many having been raving about this figure. Is it justified when you think about what the purpose of Super7’s exclusives are?
TB: I think this is the right kind of exclusive. You don’t NEED it. If you buy the line you already have Lion-O and we’ll surely get a new pinless Lion-O at some point too, this is a fun, goofy figure, perfect for a convention.
WWMTC: So we just had Mirror Lion-O released where we had our first pinless “Lion-O”, but yet this is the first actual pinless version of him, albeit blue. Are you happy with how this Lion-O turned out?
TB: I am. I like this new sculpt, I like the pinless aesthetic and I like the gimmick here. It’s a fun figure. I look forward to the inevitable remake of Lion-O using these parts.
WWMTC: The packaging is fantastic. It also has that metallic sheen that the BBTS exclusive had of your aptly coined “Glow-Ra”! This one goes a bit further with the frosted window dressing. What are your thoughts on this?
TB: I like the exclusive boxes quite a bit. The foil treatment makes them seem more “premium” and I like the idea of theming the box even further to make it seem like he’s encased in ice or snow. They’ve set an expectation in some ways with these, I hope it continues.
WWMTC: So he is blue, but he also turns color when exposed to the sun. How do you feel about this gimmick?
TB: I love it. It’s the same thing they did for the Red Rage Toxie. It is, however, still just a gimmick. And really, he’s likely always going to be blue on your shelf, I know my toys don’t sit in the sun all day. But it’s fun to take him out for a few and watch the color change. The gimmick does work.
WWMTC: Tell us about the accessories. Is the ice/snow just painted on or is it textures? And are those swords vac metal or do they just shine brightly?
TB: It’s painted on snow deco, and the swords are the same as Mirror Lion-O, just metallic paint, but it’s pretty shiny.
WWMTC: We have our very first sleeping head for a figure. Now we can put Lion-O to bed properly. He also comes with his regular head. Would you have wanted a growling head?
TB: Yes and no. Yes, just because sure, I like options. But also, it doesn’t really fit this very specific scene, for what they’re trying to emulate I think we get what we need without having a bunch of random heads that happen to be blue.
WWMTC: This figure is from a specific scene in “ThunderCats HO! The Movie”, or episode two of that 5-parter. Everyone is suddenly (once more rather) clamoring for SnowMeow. Are you feeling the same?
TB: I never stopped wanting him!
WWMTC: Of all the different versions of Lion-O, are you surprised that this is the one they chose to release first as a variant?
TB: I’m surprised but also not, at this point I don’t put anything past them when it comes to what weird stuff they choose to release. But again, this was definitely not on my radar.
WWMTC: Would you have expected any others first? Or any other characters perhaps?
TB: I’m not sure I had any real expectations. I was thinking more glow in the dark or translucent stuff, but they went a different direction. A lot of the “variants” I want to see are maybe too “important” for a con exclusive. Things like invisible Tygra or ghost Jaga, stuff like that.
WWMTC: Super7 kindly enough sent this figure over to you to review during the great event that is SDCC. Does it at least feel like you’re not missing out on the fun over there? Were you expecting it so early?
TB: Sort of. The FOMO was more real this year than ever before, but getting him this early, which was indeed surprising, did help take the edge off.
WWMTC: Would you have liked anything else with the figure? Perhaps a fold out diorama of sorts? Or extra accessories?
TB: The only thing I kind of wish they’d have included, but ultimately still isn’t really imporant, is the flask that Snow Man gives him to perk him up.
WWMTC: Now that this Lion-O is done, what are you speculating for next year’s roster?
TB: I’m just eagerly awaiting Lunatak announcements at this point. They have to be right around the corner, don’t they?
WWMTC: They sure do! We’ll catch up again very soon to close off Wave 5…
TB: See ya!
