We’re back with our favorite reviewer in the ThunderVerse, and this time we’re heading to another part of the galaxy with ToyBro to discuss the highly anticipated arrival of the SilverHawks. While we’re starting with Wave 2 (for those who do not know yet, Wave 1 is just a few weeks behind it so hang tight a bit more!), it is still an exciting chapter to be able to explore ThunderForce, and here we finally have the second cartoon that forms part of this trio of stories. If you don’t know who the third family member is, best ask Auntie Google!
WWMTC: We’ve been teasing the arrival of Mon*Star for quite a while now and he is finally in your hands. Is this the Mon*Star you have always wanted?
TB: Mostly, yeah. I think they did a pretty solid job here. There’s some questionable articulation hang ups but overall this is a pretty satisfying release.
WWMTC: Wave 2 obviously jumped ahead of Wave 1, and since Mon*Star’s transformed version is in Wave 1, are you happy that you got this one first? He seems to be a preference design wise to many, myself included.
TB: I don’t know that I really cared which came out first but I do tend to prefer this look over the huge suit of armor, so I’m not complaining. I thought it was weird that the transformed version was going to come out first anyway.
WWMTC: In comparison to the other figures in this wave, he has very limited accessories. He does however have a plethora of hand choices, three heads to choose from and two Skyshadow figures. Does it bother you?
TB: It doesn’t exactly bother me, but it is kind of odd by comparison. He has a lot of “stuff” but it’s not nearly as diverse as the other figures. I suppose some of that makes sense but it’s definitely a big difference between these figures that Mon*Star has a lot more “standard” accessories than some of the weird stuff the others include.
WWMTC: Of course we’ll see a different version of Skyshadow with the transformed Mon*Star, but again Super7 has really got a knack for giving the little guys their time to shine. This is the toy debut of Skyshadow in his animal form. Which one of the two included here is your favorite and why?
TB: I prefer the little “space dragon” version. It seems a little more lively compared to the perched robo-version. Plus it has moving wings, which was a nice little surprise.
WWMTC: Can the armored Skyshadow sit on Mon*Star’s arm?
TB: Not really, at least not so far for me anyway. He’s got a very square footing versus an actual clutching type of foot position. So with some balance, sure, but it doesn’t seem all that easy.
WWMTC: In comparison to the other figures in this wave, he has very limited accessories. He does however have a plethora of hand choices, three heads to choose from and two Skyshadow figures. Does it bother you?
TB: It doesn’t exactly bother me, but it is kind of odd by comparison. He has a lot of “stuff” but it’s not nearly as diverse as the other figures. I suppose some of that makes sense but it’s definitely a big difference between these figures that Mon*Star has a lot more “standard” accessories than some of the weird stuff the others include.
WWMTC: Of course we’ll see a different version of Skyshadow with the transformed Mon*Star, but again Super7 has really got a knack for giving the little guys their time to shine. This is the toy debut of Skyshadow in his animal form. Which one of the two included here is your favorite and why?
TB: I prefer the little “space dragon” version. It seems a little more lively compared to the perched robo-version. Plus it has moving wings, which was a nice little surprise.
WWMTC: Can the armored Skyshadow sit on Mon*Star’s arm?
TB: Not really, at least not so far for me anyway. He’s got a very square footing versus an actual clutching type of foot position. So with some balance, sure, but it doesn’t seem all that easy.
WWMTC: Let’s talk hands. Since Mon*Star doesn’t have any weapons here, he does have so many hand options. Which ones will you use to display your figure with?
TB: Since I’m going to use him with the throne, at least for the time being, I’m going with the open hands so he can have his arms resting on the throne more easily. A number of the other hands, quite honestly, I don’t even know what they’re for. He has 3 gripping hands but nothing to hold.
WWMTC: Head talk! Does he really need three heads? All three of them are fantastic, so it’s a simple yes from me. But which one to use to display him with, that’s the real question?
TB: I won’t say no to extra heads, I’d probably have been fine with just 2, the closed mouth and screaming. The slightly open mouth head is just kind of odd, I don’t see myself ever using it.
WWMTC: While the Hawks are all shiny, the villains are more dull in comparison. In the toon his striking appearance may have come across as mostly red and black, but Super7 likes to spice things up with the way they use shading. Describe his paint work.
TB: That’s a tough question, ha. There is definitely SOMETHING over top of this figure that gives it a slight sheen, but it’s hard to really describe it. What he does have, though, is a TON of paint. A lot of shading all over the body both front and back and a fully painted head and face. What we’re getting here is what I’ve wanted in other lines for a long time.
WWMTC: Super7 offered us a throne to go with your Mon*Star. This is a fantastic piece of plastic. What do you think of it?
TB: I think it’s great. I know some folks don’t like the price, but it’s huge and heavy, so I don’t think it’s too bad. Mon*Star fits in it pretty well, it’s not perfect though. Getting figures to sit, especially ones with loincloth pieces, is always a challenge, I’m hopeful the transformed version works better especially since he should fill it out a bit more.
WWMTC: We know that Mon*Star showed up in the 2011 ThunderCats cartoon, and there is also references to the prisons which Mandora was associated with in the original toon, which is focused on more in the SilverHawks toon. What does that connection mean to you personally when it comes to this extended family of ThunderCats?
TB: Honestly that stuff doesn’t mean all that much to me. As far as I’m concerned Hawks and Cats can go together just fine without any actual connection, it doesn’t matter to me. They’re as interwined as can be without necessarily being in the same universe.
WWMTC: Bottomline – is Mon*Star everything you expected?
TB: He’s pretty close, yeah. My only real hang ups are some of the odd articulation issues. He very much looks the part, and that was my main interest / concern.
WWMTC: Who’s up next?
TB: Either Bluegrass or Steelwill, I’m not sure yet, but I’m leaning Bluegrass.
