For long I have wished to get a Ki-WunTM prototype, much before getting Dinophys. But finding one of the coolest variants of Masq-Lor packaged with his steed really went beyond my expectations. Now, I know that the original Masq-Lor's release should be the standard, but once I had opened this multi-pack (the fifth I've received from PoliganToys) and got to do some play-testing, I was sold. Combat Masq-LorTM is much, much cooler!
Combat Masq-Lor
Details
Name: Combat Masq-Lor
Real name: Desion
Subtitle: armoured sabre-toothed warrior
Classification: human-primivod hybrid (but he looks completely human)
Sex: male
Home: Tahron
Affiliation: Theriom
Rank: leading warrior.
Background
Masq-Lor's first appearance in his combat reinforced armour takes place in the second KR comic issue Hunt for the energy stone, where his mastery in tapping further into the power that his helmet unlocks is revealed. Masq-Lor can use such abilities to create new forms of armour and weapons for confronting his enemies. This combat armour was created to protect himself during his fight with Deptilion inside the cave in the Bay of Sortok.
Articulation
Description
Head: at a first glance CM's head might look identical to the helmeted head included in Masq-Lor's regular release, characterised by the sabre-toothed visor activated, metal cat ears, fierce feline eyes and light brown skin around the mouth. However, at a closer look the helmet actually bears a few scratches that make it look a bit worn and somehow more realistic
Body: the left arm and the right leg are exposed and show the light brown skin with black-tawny ocelot stripes (there is no colour change in this variant); the right arm and the left leg are protected by a shoulder/biceps armour and a thigh/knee armour respectively, both golden with black details
Wearables: a golden armour with black details, two golden bracelets, two golden boots, a golden belt and a Roman-style black leather loincloth decorated with gold studs. The golden components of the armour are the only vac-metal coated parts. The bracelets, the boots and the belt are great updates of the clip-on elements seen in Masq-Lor's regular release.
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| Combat Masq-Lor's stylised armour; the oval at the centre of the breastplate represents the Theriom symbol. |
Action feature
The front armour is actually a shell that can accommodate two interchangeable breastplates, one undamaged with the Theriom symbol (i.e., a seven-pointed golden star with the two side points elongated) at its centre and one with a significant battle damage, like a big scratch. The plates snap in tightly from the inside of the armour, which must be removed in order to change them. In a similar way, the undamaged shoulder and thigh pads can be removed and replaced with their respective damaged counterparts.
Additionally, similarly to Masq-Lor's regular release, a pair of brownish claw can be attached to each bracelet, to simulate the retractile claws seen in the comics. The only difference is that in this case the claws are more similar to blades, have silver elements and, when flicked, spin perpendicularly to CM's arms.
Weapons and accessories
Apart from the already mentioned spinning claws and interchangeable armour pieces, CM comes with two accessories that are nice upgrades of his original weapons. The first accessory is his enhanced sword with a black hilt and a golden blade placed between the two halves of a silver blade. The idea that during Masq-Lor's transformation the normal sword blade splits into two parts, to make room for a larger blade, was also suggested in the original weapon, but here everything looks much more detailed. Furthermore, since turning seems to be the main theme in this version of Masq-Lor, the blade of this sword can rotate 90° around a longitudinal axis. Not indispensable, but still a nice touch.
The second accessory is an oval black shield decorated with a big golden Theriom symbol and two silver axe blades emerging from the sides.
Furthermore, either weapon can clip onto a red holder, which can be attached to the back of the armour.
Additionally, the figure includes a stand, which is fully sculpted and painted in beautiful detail; the stone and seaweed look perfectly matches the design of the labyrinth-cave seen in the comics. It also includes a small removable wall of stones that easily attaches anywhere on the base and allows us to build our display in countless ways.
Details
Name: Ki-Wun
Subtitle: fighting catlike steed
Classification: ormurid* mammal
Sex: male
Home: Tahron
Affiliation: Theriom
Rank: steed.
*OrmuridsTM are fictional carnivorans.
Background
Ki-Wun's appearances go back to the very first KR comic issue The hidden halberd, where he is presented as a member of Masq-Lor's forest tribe. Ki-Wun has been Masq-Lor's devoted companion since they were both very young and assisted the hero during his quest to join the war against the evil reptilian forces. Afterwards, he was enhanced by the helmet power to fight alongside the Therioms, carrying his master into battle.
Articulation
The articulation is impressive! The ball joints for Ki-Wun's head and abdomen allow for great movement. He can look up and to the sides thanks to the ball jointed upper neck, and can also look down thanks to the hinged lower neck. Shoulders, hips, elbows, paws and tail are all swivel-hinged, while knees and hocks are simply hinged. Last but not least, the lower jaw is hinged, so Ki-Wun can have his mouth either closed or open, which looks good both ways. All these articulation points really give the figure lots of expressiveness and cat flexibility.
Description
Ki-Wun is, of course, an all-new sculpt and, I have to say, the guys at PoliganToys have done an exemplary work here. He resembles a large cougar and has a detailed tawny fur from head to toe. The head sculpt is extremely good, with a round shape, erect ears, yellow eyes and (believe it or not) whiskers. The oddest detail is a large, pointed, spiralling dark-brown horn projecting from his forehead, which definitively makes him different from any real life big cat. The claws are not visible, so they are probably retracted.
Action feature
In the comics Ki-Wun is often shown to stand on his hind legs, in order to fight with his front claws. The nice and tight articulation allows for displaying the figure in such a pose with no problem, but the overall look is negatively affected by the retracted claws.
Occasionally, Ki-Wun can absorb part of the power of Masq-Lor's helmet via a sort of sabre-toothed cat spirit, acquiring a stable quadrupedal posture and various features that are included with the figure as add-ons:
- A golden chanfron with brown details, which extends from the ears to the muzzle (but has a hole for the horn) and includes two silver protections for the eyes; this face mask is connected to a flaming lion mane and the whole thing is held on snugly
- A flaming tuft, which easily fits over the tail end
- An armoured saddle characterised by a brown leather texture and equipped with various golden bolts and spikes, a pair of badass stirrups and a technological handlebar
- A clip-on brown protector with silver claws/blades for each paw
... everything is amazingly well executed!
Weapons and accessories
Ki-Wun's armour has three sockets towards the front (two over the shoulders and one over the lower neck) and one at the rear, which allow to display the figure with different looks thanks to seven plug-in pieces. Four of these have studs and spikes that make them look like they’re extensions of the saddle (the front left and right ones even have clips to store Masq-Lor's weapons and are definitely my favourite). The other three pieces are firearms, namely two side guns (with spring-loaded missiles) and one central gun; the latter can be plugged into either the front or the back of the armour and displayed with a multiple blasting effect (without the effect it looks more like a head/tail-light).
In addition, we get the small translucent yellow sabre-toothed cat spirit that allows Ki-Wun's enhancement.
In addition, we get the small translucent yellow sabre-toothed cat spirit that allows Ki-Wun's enhancement.
Overall, this is a great 2-pack. I don’t know how it couldn't be loved. I’m excited to finally have this version of Masq-Lor, with a stunning piece of armour and awesome accessories. Ki-Wun is a pretty cool figure, even with the retracted claws. His head is a great representation of the comics, plus it gives him lots of personality. To be totally honest, I’d be interested in a "real fur" (flocked) form, but this one is good enough. It doesn't make much sense to pick a "best of" for the year in February, but if any other prototypes this year out-impress this multi-pack, then we’re in for an amazing year!
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