Clawful Masters of the Universe Origins Figure Review

Check out this Clawful MOTU Origins review plus a vintage figure comparison as a bonus and Buzz Off also makes a cameo!

Summary

Fresh out of the depths of sea comes Clawful in our latest MOTU Origins figure review. Clawful is the latest Evil Warrior to join the ranks of Skeletor’s henchmen in the Masters of the Universe Origins line and it’a about time. He was was one of my favirote figures I had a kid and it’s great to see him in the line. Complete with an oversized lobster claw, Clawful is sunburnt baked, updated version of his vintage predecessor who is half man and half lobster. This is the first single carded figured we’ve reviewed from Wave 8 but also check out our Deluxe Terror Claws Skeletor and Flying Fists He-Man reviews.

Card Back Art

Harkening back to the 80’s version of the card back art, the Masters of the Universe Origins version has a similar feel showcasing Teela and Clawful in a watery duel! The visual portrayal of action in this card art so well done where you can see Clawful’s swinging motion against Teela’s shield.

The one bonus for the MOTU Origins card art is always the easter eggs and there are two to feast your eyes on. First, there is Teela’s mini comic version on the defense while Whiplash waits in the background. While most of these teases actually make it into figures, it’s exciting to see that they have already revealed Mini Comic Teela packed with Zoar, which was revealed during Mattel’s five day Origins and Masterverse unveilings the week of March 14, 2022.

Head Sculpt

Clawful’s head sculpt features a crustaceous, bumpy texture with the most ridiculous looking thick, bushy eyebrows. I mean, who would of thought of putting Eugene Levy style eyebrows with black eyeliner is beyond me but it totally works! He also has a nostril’less nose and a big’ole mouthful of teeth. The shape of the head is curved like a lobster tail with several crests running down the top of the head all the way to the base of his skull.

Chest and Back

The front of the armor resembles a similar design to a lobster tail, with black chevron designs and texture. It’s a very simple design but it goes along with the overall look. The armor is also textured with more subdued chevrons that are red, giving it some depth and dimension.

Arms / Waist / Legs

Having an oversized lobster claw has its advantages and Clawful lives up to his name as he features a ginormouse claw on his right arm. Clawful’s arm sculpt is fascinating because it’s not tapered and it looks like his skin is is squeezed into the claw versus being more tapered on the arm. The left arm and legs are shared with Buzz off, which gives him a pieced together look of a man who is in the stages of transformation.

Weapons and Mini Comic

In the package, Clawful comes with a Mini Comic entitled Sun Man Rises and a green mace.

Mace

Clawful’s mace is an avocado green clubbing weapon and it always puzzled me my they fave a dude with claw a weapon he has to grasp is over my pay grade but here we are. He can hold it in either hand and you can just wedge the handle of the mace into his claw and it fits great!

Vintage Clawful Comparison

When comparing the new MOTU Origins Clawful with the vintage figure, the first difference that stands out is the head sculpt! Jam packed full of teeth with a wide open mouth, The new Origins head sculpt design looks more comical than serious! The armor is more subdued and I love how they are making the armor latch only at the bottom as there is no need for 4 points of contact like in the vintage figure with the squishy plastic they are using for the Origins armor. The maces are different sizes as the Origins version is smaller and more compact.

Buzz Off Shared Parts Comparison

As you can see, Clawful share some parts with Buzz like the vintage figures! Mattel was, and still is, big on part reuse and this figure is no exception! The skin tones are slightly different and it’s cool to see how Mattel can create new figures with all of the shared parts from other figures.

Ratings

Michael: Overall, Clawful is a great throwback with an updated head sculpt that’s a fantastic remake of the vintage figure and the extra teeth and open mouth look great. The skin tone is a little sunburnt for my tastes but that does not detract from the figure. The paint app on the armor is much less subdued than on the vintage figure but it actually makes the focus of the figure on the head sculpt so I am cool with that.