| When a toyline based on a classic series from decades ago and represented in the modern setting with its original concept intact it becomes popular again. But not all can be translated exactly as the way you remember it. For Masters of the Universe Origins it was uncertain that slowly grow to its own because older fans has nostalgia.
Sometimes nostalgia brings not just the best of what made it iconic, but also the campiness why it was memorable just like Prince Adam and the Sky Sled, two things that are both good and fashionably outdated for the modern times. |
The MOTU Origins introduced in 2020 wasn’t like any other 1980s property that immediate caught on to the popularity of nostalgia, and how it was represented for this generation. It was originally made for today’s kids with the retro aspects of that old classic toyline from 1982. With that it includes the best and somewhat questionable standards that will always be part of it.
Is initial wave was immediately sold out, not that there was plentiful it is because the local distributor outside (outside the US) did not gamble, and did not take risk to mass import it. Some of it were sold through their online shop with little or less advertising, because they don’t know the brand and there weren’t enough to go around. Most of were either through there “Pre-Order” scheme and made the toyline premium to those who can immediately afford it.
In short, most of the single carded from the initial wave and follow-up were not really limited because they did not buy in to it because they don’t know their fans, and then you have Prince Adam with Sky Sled, the first vehicle for the Wave 1 released in 2020 that is still currently collecting retail dust that you will find mostly anywhere. It’s because they (local distributor) were too late to realize it was one of Mattel’s iconic brand, and took almost two years to decide to move it as promo clearance, and still holding on if it will move off from local retail.
Retro Modern Vehicle
The Sky Sled is a popular vehicle in the MOTU toyline dating back to the original release, but it is just the front part of a larger vehicle (more of this later). Prince Adam is also well-known as the Prince Eternia and the most visible character in the Filmation cartoon series. Both are packed together in this set, and the very first vehicle that Mattel introduced in the initial wave for the MOTU Origins.
The box art is adored by visuals harkens back to the original MOTU toyline. For this one, it was done by Axel Gimenez and Fetch Francisco who also made the artworks for the individual card backs. There were a lot of Easter eggs which mostly teasers for future releases that would eventually became available down the line.
It is also rare now that window back packaging is a thing as you may know most toy companies are switching to just boxes without windows and plastic trays that hold the products is now replaced due to environmental mandates in the US and other countries that they need to conform. Still, it is a novelty from the original release that is carried over for Origins that has become a tradition.
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Prince Adam
The character did not appear in the mini-comics depicting He-Man as a barbarian with no dual identity until DC Comics published the mini-series streamlining the character’s origins, which also inspired to become part of the Filmation cartoon. There were no Royal House of Randor in the original concepts, but Prince Adam became known as part of He-Man and the MOTU toyline.
This version is based from the classic Filmation series the primary color of pink as such in the years has represented a lot of things in popular culture. In the original vintage release Prince Adam also have a power sword but this version of maroon and his vest is made of cloth/soft goods. The modern version his vest is in darker hue of pink and made of soft plastic material while he comes with a full sword.
There were early release for this two-pack that the power sword comes with a thicker handle that’s difficult for the figure to hold, and then there was a running change when Mattel refined that with the sword that can be held by the figure, and there were small quantities of these that would be considered a rarity.
In comparison to the previous and latest versions of He-Man this Prince Adam doesn’t have lighter or darker skin tone rather have similar tone with the Wave 1 He-Man as the head sculpt is almost the same too. It’s unfortunate that Adam doesn’t a holster to store his pink power sword and his left hand is in a holding position for him to ride and hold to the Sky Sled controls.
Featured Articulation:
- Head at the Ball Joint
- Ball Joint at the Shoulders
- Swivels/Bend at the Elbow
- Hinges at the Wrist
- Turn at the Waist
- Hinge-like Ball Joint at the Thighs
- Swivels/Bend at the Knee
- Boot Cut Swivel
- Ankles Moves Side-to-Side
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| Running Change: Thinner Handle on the LEFT and Thicker Sword Handle on the RIGHT. |
Power Sword | Running Changes
Adam comes with his signature “pink” power sword to become He-Man, and it is not a half sword but a full version. The earlier release have thicker handles and Mattel has a running change of the product during the course of its release. In the Philippines, this was rarely noticeable if you’re not thorough with what you see.
There are a handful of these in the store this was acquired, but majority of this will still have thicker handles that the figure can’t even hold. If you have an eye to see the difference then you’re in luck to finding the ‘running change’ version.
Unfortunately, Prince Adam doesn’t have a place to keep the sword only he can bring it while holding it on his adventures. There’s not even a place in the Sky Sled to store it, which was quite a downer if you were hoping to keep it safe and not lose it.
Sky Sled | Rocket Powered Vehicle
The Sky Sled you see here is not originally just this small aerial one-man vehicle. IT’s actually the front part of a larger vehicle known as The Battle Ram. It’s unexplained why Mattel decided to release this front part of a popular machine. Most of the appearance in the Filmation cartoon is just the Sky Sled, and it is heavily used by the heroic warriors than Skeletor and his Evil Warriors.
This is one of the popular vehicles from the original toyline and had a history as The Battle Ram. For now, the Sky Sled will do and it doesn’t stop there for its modern representation as this vehicle is an entirely new mold a little larger than the original Sky Sled. There’s this part near the exhaust that shows a molded piece that might connect to the future Battle Ram. Though it is unsure, this version is interesting with extra bits that can replace the side panel and the head design on the front for the Evil Warriors to use with a potential as an army building vehicle.
There are no sticker labels for you to apply in the vehicles as most of them are already pre-applied and this also comes with a blaster effect piece. The beauty of it is that there’s a figure stand with sand base that is easily assembled. Underneath the Sky Sled there’s a hole for the stand to peg in, and it’s articulated in any position just like the blaster that goes left to right in front of the vehicle.
There’s so much potential in this vehicle beyond the replaceable panels and head piece IF the back part of the Battle Ram gets release. But for a Sky Sled it is still a vehicle for any heroic or evil warrior. The toy’s being lightweight using different plastic material that feels hollow. There are some features too that is included about the Sky Sled below:
- Well detail controls no longer need to apply stickers
- Includes a “Blaster Effect” to attach at the nozzle
- Interchangeable parts from “Good” to “Evil” vehicle
- Flight Stand with articulated connector port underneath the Sky Sled
Overall Prince Adam is great figure just that this retail version is not a favorite with the Filmation version. It would be great if he was released based on the DC/Mini-Comics similar to the SDCC version as a variant. Majority of the fans don’t like this version of Adam with this version not even having a power sword matching up with his colors that doesn’t even have a holster.
The Sky Sled vehicle had potential with the replaceable panels and head for the Evil Warriors to use, but not having the rest to become the Battle Ram seems like there’s missing that older fans know about. Great for army building, but it’s not enough to move the shelf space seeing this going clearance in the US.
It’s still collecting dust in Philippine retail for the reason it’s not a popular vehicle with Prince Adam, and most of the ones sold on retail has a thicker sword handle for the figure unable hold the power sword. The running change version is harder to find if you know how to look for it. Everything else is just a deluxe set to bolters your heroic heroes and adding Adam as He-Man’s dual identity.
Prince Adam with Sky Sled is part of the Wave 1 for MOTU Origins released for 2020, which is the first deluxe set that includes a vehicle retailed at
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