Wave 3 200x MOTU Origins Cartoon Collection Card Art Teases

There is just something about the 200x MOTU Origins Cartoon Collection that continues to hit all the right notes for me, and with the Wave 3 preorder officially live, the excitement around this line feels like it just kicked into another gear because Big Bad Toy Store has not only listed the figures for preorder, but also quietly dropped rear-view images of the packaging for Skeletor, Prince Adam, and Zodak, which is the kind of detail collectors obsess over and for good reason, since those card backs often tell a much bigger story than what is front and center; seeing the backs of these cards gives us our clearest look yet at how Mattel is positioning this line long-term. Wave 3 itself feels like a confident step forward with a mix of core characters, but it is the promise of what could be next that really has me fired up, since rear-card teases have historically been where the most interesting long-term plans first surface, and here they suggest a roadmap that could easily stretch well beyond what many of us initially expected, making it clear that the 200x MOTU Origins Cartoon Collection is shaping up to be a very deep subline and something that could grow into a truly expansive corner of the Origins universe if these early hints actually come to fruition. We already know that Trap Jaw is coming but the other teases on these cards would be a welcome addition to the ever growing line.

Prince Adam Card Art

This is the card back from the Prince Adam 200x MOTU Origins Cartoon Collection, with artwork inspired by the 2002 episode “The Courage of Adam,” a key story that puts the spotlight on Adam stepping up without becoming He Man. Next to the cross sell, he is shown holding his scepter in hand, which ties directly into that episode and reinforces the idea of Adam relying on his own resolve rather than transformation, and I really like seeing that specific story moment reflected here.

Prince Adam is caught mid stride as he drives forward with his sword arm raised, his vest flaring open and boots kicking up debris as he moves through the scene. Behind him, Whiplash bursts out of the shadows with his jaws open wide and arms outstretched, while tri-Klops steps in from the side firing a bright green energy blast from his eye as Trap Jaw lurks in the background. I love how the action feels stacked here, with Adam pushing ahead while the Evil Warriors close in at the same time, giving a clear tease that things are about to get very messy.

200x Trap Jaw

Trap Jaw’s appearance in the MYP animated is much more intimidating and menacing. Keeping in line with his character portrayal from the 1980’s Filmation cartoon, he is still portrayed as another of Skeletor’s bumbling henchman. The MYP series did a great job of harkening back to the Filmation cartoon as one episode featured Trap Jaw trying to obtain the mineral Eternium. We finally get the back stroy on Trap Jaw from the minicomic which shows him to have once been a blue-skinned criminal named Kronis. Challening Skeletor’s right to command, Kronis built up an army and tried to overthrow Skeletor, but, in the battle, Kronis was badly injured. Seeing that Kronis could still be of use, Skeletor ordered Tri-Klops to repair him, turning him into the Trap Jaw we know today.

The 200x version of Trap Jaw is one of the more outstanding figures from the line! Covered with scars and stitches, this figure does a great job at showing his backstory as the damage he suffered undergoing repairs from Tri-Klops is shown all over his body. Appearing more robot than and less like an organic being, Trap Jaw’s left hand and the tops of his thighs appear to be mechanical and his shoulder armor takes on a more studded, battle damaged look. The vintage figure, however, has a very simple robotic arm and his updated arm is oversized and huge, covered with wires, armor plating, and all sorts of technical goodies. The headsculpt is frightening as it looks like it was actually lopped off in battle. His skin has a more zombie, post apocalyptic texture to it with a shade of deep lime green to complete the look. We could really see Mattel making this version of Trap Jaw fantastic in an Origins sculpt given the highly detailed and oversized robotic arm, which would set him apart from the original Origins figure.

200x Whiplash

Whiplash was featured in the MYP animated series as we get a glimpse into this background. Unlike the 80’s Filmation cartoon where he played a more significant role, Whiplash relegated mostly to background appearances that had little dialogue, no personality, and they really leaned on giving him a more thug like role. With respect to his backstory:

“we see that he is from a race of underground-dwelling reptile creatures called the Caligars, who inhabit Subternia and are caught in permanent dispute with their Subternian neighbours, the bat-like Speleans. The Caligars are shown to be a generally peaceful race, who regard Whiplash as a traitor since he joined Skeletor’s forces.”

Whiplash Wiki Grayskull

Whiplash’s 200x figure appearance is much more wider and more substantial than his previous 80’s incarnation. He features oversized muscles muscular and studded loin armor, which goes along with the overall look of the line. His design really plays into the Caligars look and the inspiration seems to come from crocodiles and alligators as his scales and crackled skin appear all over his body. It also looks like he is clad in reptilian chest and shoulder armor. Whiplash’s head sculpt has a much more sinister and intense appearance and they got rid of that goofy looking tooth in the middle of his mouth that plagued the vintage figure.

Zodak Card Art

This is the card back from the Zodak 200x MOTU Origins Cartoon Collection, with the artwork called out as being inspired by the episode “Snake Pit,” which fits perfectly with Zodak being positioned as a cosmic enforcer caught in the middle of Eternia’s chaos. Next to the cross sell, he is shown holding his signature staff accessory, and I really like how that callout reinforces his role as a watcher and warrior rather than just another background character in the lineup.

Zodak is planted in the foreground gripping his staff with both hands, his body turned as if he is reacting to the chaos unfolding behind him. In the background, two Snake Men have their claws locked onto He Man and are actively dragging him away, his arms pulled back as he struggles against them. Up in the upper right, King Hiss appears only as a looming silhouette emerging through the smoke and rock formations, and I really like how that shadowy tease makes it clear something much bigger is about to enter the fight.

King Hiss

King Hiss is shown in his armored human form with a green bodysuit, bronze helmet, chest armor marked with the snake emblem, layered brown skirt armor, green hands and feet, and the deep red staff gripped at his side, and I love how the colors break up the sculpt as he looks ready to strike. With the torso lifted, the figure converts into the Snake Men reveal where the chest opens and a large snake body rises out, complete with multiple sculpted snake heads, open mouths, and painted fangs as they coil forward in one aggressive motion. The transformation hinges are built into the upper torso, letting the snake form extend upward while the lower body, belt, and skirt armor stay locked in place.

Skeletor Card Art

This is the card back from the Skeletor 200x MOTU Origins Cartoon Collection, with the artwork noted as being inspired by the episode “The Beginning,” which makes sense since that episode establishes his origins and sets the tone for the entire series. Next to the cross sell, he is shown holding the two halves of the Power Sword united, and I like how that simple callout ties him directly to his early portrayal as a calculating threat right from the start.

Skeletor is front and center driving his staff forward as Havoc energy pours out, his stance wide and aggressive as the magic surges around him. Off to the side, King Randor appears restrained and helpless, clearly captured in the middle of the chaos while the spell is being unleashed. He Man closes in from behind Skeletor with his sword ready, and I love how the action keeps stacking as Battle Cat and Panthor clash on the cliff above, giving the whole scene a feeling that everything is breaking loose at once.

King Randor 200x

Here is the animated version of King Randor as he appeared in the original MOTU 200x animated series.

King Randor’s story was explored in the MOTU 200x cartoon in 2002, where:

In the 2002 Mike Young Productions remake, it is made apparent that in his youth, Randor was known as Captain Randor, a brave and steadfast warrior before being crowned King of Eternia by the Elders, although in the 1983 series, he is portrayed as having taken over the throne after his father, King Miro, disappeared. He even aids the Masters in a couple of episodes in their battles against Skeletor and his Evil Warriors and even the Snake Men. Apparently, after King Grayskull’s death, the Council of Elders was formed to rule Eternia. But after Keldor’s transformation into Skeletor they made Randor king as they became one with Castle Grayskull.

He is also tied more closely to the origin of Skeletor, having battled Skeletor when he was still Keldor during a war the Eternians call The Great Unrest. That war ended when Keldor and his forces attacked the Hall of Wisdom, home of the Elders, and Keldor and Randor engaged in a deadly duel that ended with Keldor hurling acid at Randor, only to have Randor deflect the acid with his shield, splashing the acid back at Keldor and burning his face, which led to his transformation into Skeletor. It is revealed by a writer that in this continuity Keldor and Randor are half-brothers, but it is never revealed if either knew that.

Prior to Captain Randor’s fight with Keldor, he was told by the Council of Elders they wish to make him King to succeed them as ruler of Eternia. Randor protests, saying he is a soldier, not a politician, but then turns his attention to the forthcoming fight. After beating back Keldor and his underlings, Randor calls for the Council, but is told by the Sorceress they are gone and have left him the means to create a powerful hero. Randor is unsure of this, likely thinking he will be responsible for training a great soldier, and is left asking “How will I know this hero?”

Many years after the fight with Keldor, Eternia has enjoyed many years of peace and prosperity, and Randor has taken up the mantle of King, now married to a woman named Marlena and fathered a son named Adam, the foretold hero Randor was responsible for. Although Randor is not aware his son is He-Man, it is likely explained that the inward courage, fortitude and bravery of Captain Randor passed to his son in latent ways, thus enabling Adam to have the means to become He-Man.

After the Council of Evil incident, King Randor established an Eternian Council consisting of himself; Chief Carnivus of the Qadians; Lord Dactys of the Speleans; the King Chooblah of the Kulataks; Queen Andreeno of the Andreenids; King Taurius of the Mintaurans; Hawke, representing the Avions, and some other unnamed council members.

https://he-man.fandom.com/wiki/King_Randor

In the NECA mini stature, King Randor is portrayed as a younger, more vibrant warrior and it would be amazing to see an armor design like the versions in the NECA statues. I doubt we would see a soft goods cape but if they are making more of a fury cape design, like we saw in the King Grayskull figure that in the Eternia Playset display at SDCC 2022, that is definitely doable!

We already had a figure for him produced back in 2023. This youthful, battle-ready version of King Randor looks fantastic in hand, capturing his fierce appearance from the Masters of the Universe MYP animated series. Set against the Rise of the Snake Men card back, Randor sports his striking gold and red armor, and a mechanical right leg. We expect the sculpt to be a slimmer build that follows the 200x Cartoon Collection aesthetic.

Battle Cat

For the 2002 Masters of the Universe relaunch, Battle Cat was redesigned with heavier shoulders and sabre-like fangs to better separate him visually from Cringer. Cringer remains Adam’s timid companion who understands speech but communicates like a normal house cat, while transforming into Battle Cat brings out a more feral presence with big cat vocalizations and a more confident role, primarily carrying He-Man into action and unleashing powerful roars, with occasional moments of bravery still shining through.

Panthor

Panthor was a fierce purple panther kept by Skeletor, most often stationed at the base of his throne in Snake Mountain. He would snarl at nearby Evil Warriors who bothered him and occasionally lash out at an approaching Doomseeker that wandered too close, appearing in just 17 episodes overall.

Where to Buy