New Eternia Man-At-Arms Masterverse Review + MOTU Classics and Revelation Comparison

Check out our in depth New Eternia Man-At-Arms review complete with MOTU Classics and Revelation Comparisons

The latest wave of Masterverse Wave 11 figures are knocking it out of the park and this Masterverse New Eternia Man-At-Arms is no exception! The other New Eternia figure in this wave is Trap Jaw and Mattel is firing on all cylinders! This New Eternia Man-At-Arms is arguable one of the best versions, next to the MOTU Classics version of course! There are so many ways to display this figure with the extra head sculpts, helmets, and weapons and accessories that you might need to buy two of these figures! The New Eternia versions of the Masterverse figures are the best in the line and this version of Man-At-Arms hits all of the high points!

Since we’ve had a Revelation version of Man-At-Arms and the MOTU Classics version, the New Eternia Man-At-Arms lends itself very well to comparisons! You can view the evolution of these figures and see how they’ve changed over the years.

Box Art

The new packaging for the Masterverse figures, revealed at SDCC 2023, is a major upgrade to the overall aesthetic of the box design. It’s great that we get to see a small view via the clear plastic window and this design change lets us see the more of the glorious box art! With the new packaging, we can still see the figure in the small plastic window and the Man-At-Arms figure is also pictured on the back of the box with a very cool scene as he looks on with determination. Since we can’t see the accessories, they have become part of the box art on the back in a 3 panel layout.

The new box design lets the amazing illustrations wrap beautifully around the box! Speaking of which, the right side panel is a feast for the eyes as we see a Wind Raider flying above and a Battle Ram firing the opening salvo in battle! The left panel has a gorgeous illustration with the mustache’less MAA with his New Eternia concept in the background.

New Eternia Concept History

The role of a Man-at-Arms in the government of Eternia was to advise the ruling planetary monarch and the Royal Guard on military and police affairs. Another figure that was delayed and produced in the MOTU Origins Power Con 2020 exclusive Lords of Power set. As seen in Mark Talor’s B-Sheet design, the name for the figure was dubbed “Arms Man.” The concept for his armor added an element of fur or bristles and had hoses and wires coming from it. Interestingly, like Skeletor’s original concept for his Havoc Staff, his mace weapon was originally supposed to function as a ball and chain, detaching from the handle to be swung about on a string. In the Mondo Sixth scale version of Man-At-Arms, they paid homage to this concept (among others)!

According to the Battle Ram Blog, “Mark has reveled an early version of the character in his “Sketches 1” set of prints that he made available at Power-Con 2018. This character, called Paladin, has the familiar green and orange color scheme, and familiar helmet and face armor (albeit much more concealing in this version). His costume is much more primitive-looking than the more familiar Man-At-Arms design. The ventilator that was later moved to his chest area is up near his face here. He has a spiked orange mace at his side, but also carries a futuristic rifle. According to Dušan M, this was apparently the design used in the aforementioned Rob-N toyline, although it originally had a different color scheme.”

Figure Details

The overall figure sculpt is one of the best Man-At-Arms designs we’ve seen since the MOTU Classics era! The overall look of the Masterverse figures are more streamlined and Mattel keeps outdoing themselves with each release!

Man-At-Arm’s armor is so vibrant and it’s the perfect shade of orange that compliments his green suit (if that really is a body suit)! The new loin cloth is a great addition to the figure as it separates this figure from the rest.

The face sculpt on the figure is outstanding! The high cheek bones, the thick, burly mustache, and the eyebrows are very well done and bring the figure to life. On this version of MAA’s helmet, you can see red and green circuity details against the baby blue helmet.

This version of Man-At-Arms is so versatile and you can change up the look with a switch of the helmet or, if you choose, have no helmet at all. It’s cool to see MAA’s face without his helmet and the green balaclava is very detailed and even has space for his ears and, by the looks of it. it appears to be mechanically enhanced!

The furry detail around the shoulders and the gold accents on the armor as this is a very classic design. The back of the armor is just as detailed with an eagle symbol and a spot to hold MAA’s mace!

The part on his back armor that holds his mace is removeable, but you are left with large holes in the back of the armor so best to leave it on!

In the classic MAA design, he typically has his right arm exposed and a set of full armor on his left arm. Speaking of which, there is an amazing sculpt of two swords crossing adorning his left piece of shoulder armor! In a design upgrade, the left piece of arm armor is actually two pieces that connects to form a one piece so you don’t have the issue of the armor pieces sliding down or coming off.

In an interesting design choice, MAA’s left piece of leg armor is sculpted on so you can’t take it off. He is also sporing a new boot design, which is great but I feel like the design needed a splash of color to give it more dimension.

Accessories

Man-At-Arms comes with an extra set of fisted hands, a mace, a ball and chain mace attachment, and an extra head sculpt sans mustache, and a classic style helmet.

The mace has a lighter orange, almost metallic tinge to it while the ball is a nice orange that closely matches MAA’s armor. The ball and chain attachment can fit on to the end of the handle by popping off the solid ball at the top of the mace. I am not too fond of the execution of the ball and chain accessory as it looks odd if it’s not in the down position.

The alternate head sculpt and helmet bring back the classics feels and the helmet fist his head so nice and snug!

The alternate head sculpt, with the helmet off, gives the figure a totally different look!

Since his helmet does come off, you have different options with respect to how you might display him!

MOTU Classics and Revelation Comparisons

It’s a Man-At-Arms comparison party with the MOTU Revelation first release and the MOTU Classics figure from yesteryear.

Revelation Comparison

The biggest differences in the figures come from the fact that the Revelation version is cartoon accurate but it’s fun to see the figures next to each other. The body armor shades of orange are different and the Revelation version has a slightly larger, oversized mace.

MOTU Classics Comparison

The MOTU Classics version is a great figure to stand side by side with the New Eternia version. The armor with the gold touches on the armor in New Eternia version add that extra special detail that makes the figure premium! The figures have a similar level of sculpt on the armor but the MOTU Classics version is way more detailed as those figures, at the time, were the premium figures that set the standards for future figures to come.