Super7 vintage Filmation Mer-Man review

Poor Skeletor, if his life wasn't bad enough having a skull for a head and being exiled to a snake-shaped mountain, he has the worst human resources department ever. Where is he getting these guys from, an agency? Monsters who have been forced into the job or else they lose their benefit? Are they working in exchange for their lodgings? Either way, I don't think the He-Man and the Masters of The Universe cartoon would be anywhere near as entertaining if Skeletor didn't have his band of incompetent goons to virtually hand victory to He-Man every week. And now I've finally got one of those henchmen to review. The gurgling goof himself, Mer-Man. Who has been given a figure as part of Super 7's tribute to Filmation's animated show show. Plus, I had to get Mer-Man. His face is one of the baddie faces superimposed onto castle Grayskull in the intro. What choice did I have?

"I once caught a human THIS BIG!"

Mer-Man, always looking like he just stepped on a upturned plug

If you've read any of my previous Masters Of The Universe (MOTU) vintage style Filmation reviews, you'll know these toys are remakes of the original MOTU action figures but made to resemble the design used in the cartoon series. The differences can sometimes be quite drastic, as is the case with Mer-Man. The original toy had a face that looked like an angry cat painted green. But here you get the evil sea monkey design from the cartoon, which Super 7 have nailed  wonderfully.  The bulging eyes, the boomerang mouth with barracuda-like teeth (which are also well painted) and the fins worked into the face make this an A-1 head sculpt. Up there with the also excellent Man-At-Arms. I can easily imagine Alan Oppenheimer's gurgly voice just from looking at it. The open maw and wide eyes give Mer-Man a brilliantly gormless expression that just seems right for a Skeletor henchman; scary yet stupid. Also, something I noticed is this Mer-Man, unlike most Mer-man figures, doesn't have the weird, built up neck, so the head doesn't turn weird.
Now, I know there is a little contention about Mer-Man's skin tone- due to an error in the animation process, he was recoloured blue when he originally was supposed to be green. But as far as I'm concerned, he was blue in the original broadcast of the cartoon, so the figure should be blue. The gloves, boots, belt and armour come in a flat, pale yellow- which is or isn't 100% accurate depending on whether you last saw He-Man on youtube or on DVD. But as far as I'm concerned it's close enough to the google imaging searching I do for reference.  On the subject of the gloves, there are somewhat different from the usual MOTU hands. The fingers are thicker than on the standard MOTU hands (you know, right gripping, left open) , making it look like Mer-man is wearing those thick, rubber gloves for handling radioactive material. But while the hands look look dumpy, there is an added bonus  that it makes the gripping hand have a nice, snug grip on the weapons. The feet are a bit less to write home about. They're the right shape, and the three-toed monster feet give a touch more stability than regular MOTU feet, but the sculpt is rather soft looking. Almost like his feet have been stuffed into boots that are far too small.  The armour is notable in that it fastens at the back like the vintage armour would, but the plastic is much thinner and hugs the torso, making this Mer-Man less bulky than the original. However, although I've yet to experience or read about Super7's armour breaking, the plastic used is a lot stiffer than the vintage, so beware repeated uncoupling. Also, an issue I had with the Filmation Skeletor, is I'm not wild about how the epaulettes (sort of) are positioned too forward. Not as bad as on Skeletor's armour but visually off putting nonetheless.

It just doesn't look right sloping forward, does it?

 

The foot of Mer-Man or a malformed duck? You decide.

Articulation replicates the original MOTU more or less: fine by 80s standards but quite limited compared to what you get today. The head rotates completely at the neck. Both arms rotate completely at the shoulder thanks to a bit of flexibility in the fishy epaulettes. The waist turns as part of the trademark "power punch" action feature, snapping back when you turn the torso either left or right. The punch action isn't as violent as on previous figures, so there's no worrying about him slinging a weapon into the front parlour. Both legs rotate and pivot at the hip instead of the old rubber band system. They're inserted straight into the hip joint and pivot out sideways with no bother at all, although the left leg is a little loose, and the figure never wants to stand with both feet down. It doesn't affect the figure standing too badly- it does stand- but maybe get some of those 3D printed MOTU stands you see on ebay or from Retro Toy Review

Next to Super7 Filmation Skeletor

Next to Super7 Filmation Teela

Next to Funko Pop Mer-Man

Next to Matty Collector MOTU Mini Mer-Man

"What do you mean you filled my Sky+ with shark documentaries?!"

Fair play to Super7, even though I would of been happy with one weapon, they include two. Firstly you get the choral sword that has come with every Mer-Man figure, molded in the same pale yellow plastic as the armour and has the irregular shape that makes it look like something organic but watch your fingers because the edge and point of the sword is quite sharp. That 14+ age rating isn't messing around, you really don't want a young child acting the giddy goat with it. I wasn't paying attention, one time, and jabbed myself in the thumb with the pointy end and  ended up shouting the kind of language you only hear in prison. And just because some super pedantic fan will point out Mer-Man never had the sword in the cartoon show.

"I've got your continuity right here!"

The second weapon is the crimson pearl spear from the episode "Teela's Quest" which, thankfully, isn't made from a bendy, gummy plastic. Of course the downside of a rigid weapon is the risk of snapping the thing if you don't take care because, oh yes, this also has a pointy tip so safety first, eh? It's only silver with gloss red for the pearl, but it's always nice to see a weapon painted silver instead of being molded in gray plastic. There is a speck of red on the shaft, but noting a lick of paint wont fix. Whichever weapon you display him with he looks great, so top marks on the accessories there.

I mean, it's this pose or it looks like he's carrying plumbing equipment

"Don't run! I just want to clear your drains out."

Last but not least is the always excellent collector card, depicting Mer-Man, spear aloft,  down in the depths of Snake Mountain, with the skin in the green as originally intended by the Filmation artists, and the usual truncated history of Mer-Man's design on the reverse of the card. Not essential but I'm glad it's included nonetheless.

Mattel never mentioned Snake Mountain had a hot tub

"Let's have a swo9rd fight. Just for the hallibut"

"I don't care if you found a cousin last time. Get down that chip shop!"

Anything can happen in the next half hour

Lumpy feet and hands aside,this is one of the must-have figures in the Filmation line.  It looks great, stands ok (by MOTU standards) and  has really good accessories.  After reviewing a few of these, I've sussed out that all the love goes into the head sculpt with the rest of the figure keeping more in line with the vintage toy, vintage flaws included. Like what Mattel would've made if the cartoon design was the be-all and end-all. If the skin colour is an issue then I'm afraid you'll have to like it or lump it as, at the time of writing, Super7 just announced they no longer have the MOTU licence, so it's this or nothing.  So while I'm not mad about the idea of encouraging people to snap up a toy as fast as possible, and I never advise people to buy for speculation, but if you have been buying the Filmation line or are thinking about buying one then get this Mer-Man bought. When he's gone, he's gone. He's easily one of the best in the line.


Company: Super 7
Price paid: £19.97
Bought from:  Kapow Toys
Age: 14+