The figures for 2010 included some superb versions of favourite characters but also a number of weaker examples which drew from the spin-off Masters of the Universe lines and concepts. A subscription model was introduced.
ADORA
LEADER IN THE GREAT REBELLION
Surprisingly, Adora was never released as a toy in the Princess of Power line. The plainer sword featured in the photographs was included with the figure; the one with the lighter blade is from the Great Wars Weapons Pak.
BATTLE ARMOR HE-MAN
THE MOST POWERFUL MAN IN THE UNIVERSE
The rotating chest section of the Vintage toy was not recreated for the Classics version. The effect is achieved by swapping chest plates instead. This is a very good interpretation of the character.
TRAP JAW
EVIL AND ARMED FOR COMBAT
The definitive version of Trap Jaw. This is one of the finest figures in the Classics line. A pre-cyborg version of the character called Kronis is represented by the second head.
BATTLE CAT
FIGHTING TIGER
There is a lot of fine sculpting on Battle Cat. The design isn’t perfect though. The neck articulation is rubbish – he can’t lift his head at all. There’s also a large exposed area on the neck between the armour pieces.
MOSS MAN
HEROIC SPY AND MASTER OF CAMOUFLAGE
EVIL-LYN
EVIL WARRIOR GODDESS
A good version of Evil-Lyn although the misshapen torso is obvious as she wears no armour. The wand was supplied with long and short handles. Screeech (with armour and stand) was also included.
WUN-DAR
THE SAVAGE HE-MAN
Wun-Dar was the first subscription-exclusive Classics figure. His name is derived from an unevidenced rumour about a rare dark-haired Vintage He-Man toy which was purportedly a Wonder Bread brand giveaway.
OPTIKK
SPACE MUTANT SPY FOR SKELETOR
The first Classics figure to be drawn from the He-Man (New Adventures) spin-off line, Optikk is a strange character. A second eye / head was included. The black blaster and shield come from the Great Wars Weapons Pak.
TYTUS
HEROIC GIANT WARLORD
Tytus was originally one of the Vintage giants of the Europe-only Powers of Grayskull line. Apart from the head, the sculpt is poor. The way the boots have been designed bizarrely gives him curved shins.
SHE-RA
MOST POWERFUL WOMAN IN THE UNIVERSE
Two heads were included with She-Ra. The head which supports the mask has an unsightly slot in the forehead, although this is, of course, unseen when the figure is fully assembled.
KELDOR
APPRENTICE OF HORDAK
Keldor was only a name in a minicomic in the Vintage line. He was created as a limited-edition figure for the 200X line. The Classics version replicates that earlier design but with a strangely bright colour scheme.
COUNT MARZO
EVIL MASTER OF MAGIC
Count Marzo is a character with cartoon origins. His Classics version is based on media from the 200X era. The design met with some criticism because it was thought to be too embellished with manga-style elements.
ORKO
HEROIC COURT MAGICIAN
Classics Orko is probably the best version of the character in toy form. The stand is a bit too small to be reliably stable. In a novel but rather weird packaging choice, Orko was given Prince Adam as an accessory.
PRINCE ADAM
HEROIC DEFENDER OF THE SECRETS OF CASTLE GRAYSKULL
Prince Adam was tucked into the bottom of Orko’s box as an accessory. Muting the colours was a sensible choice and makes the character more interesting. A closed-mouth head was included with the figure.
WHIPLASH
EVIL TAIL-THRASHING WARRIOR
Another great Classics figure, Whiplash was sculpted brilliantly and included a second head and weapon to replicate his substantially different 200X-era look. The gold weapon is from the Great Wars Weapons Pak.
CHIEF CARNIVUS
HEROIC FELINE WARRIOR
Another character with 200X media origins, Chief Carnivus does have a cartoon appearance which doesn’t really fit in with the Classics style. The turquoise sword and shield come from the Great Unrest Weapons Pak.
GYGOR
EVIL FIGHTING GORILLA
The design of Gygor is based on a Vintage-line concept which intended to reuse an existing Mattel toy. He would have been a steed for He-Man if released. Classics redefined him as evil and an opponent of Vykron.
ROBOTO
HEROIC MECHANICAL WARRIOR
Roboto was designed well to include cogs and a heart inside the transparent chest. The second head came with the Heads of Eternia subscription-only pack in 2015. But the neck risks cracking if the heads are swapped.
GRIZZLOR
THE FEROCIOUS FIGURE WITH FUR
The figure is a fairly close replica of the Vintage toy but also had extra weapons and a loincloth from the 200X era. The second head shown here was included in the Heads of Eternia subscription-only accessory pack.
KING GRAYSKULL
HEROIC ANCESTOR OF HE-MAN
The first King Grayskull was a limited-edition release; this version was made available to collectors later on. The main difference is the colour of the cloak. The orb accessory can be placed on a stand inside Castle Grayskull.
BUZZ-OFF
HEROIC SPY IN THE SKY
Buzz-Off is one of the best Classics figures. The second head shown here was not packed with the figure but included in the Heads of Eternia subscription-only accessory set. It replicates the character’s 200X look.