In 2016, Mattel offered Night Stalker in the final year of their Masters of the Universe Classics offering on Mattycollector, and following the closure and cancellation of this line at the time. All plans were on hold until Super7 came through with plans to continue the line on behalf of Mattel. It was feared that originally slated figures such as Stridor would never see the light of day following Mattel’s abrupt cancellation of Mattycollector, and two years later, fans can finally complete the robotic horses. Stridor is not the only figure being resurrected, as Super7 announced that Snake Mountain will see a pre-sale (Kickstarter type launch) at San Diego Comic-Con, and lets not forget that Super7 has already offered several waves of both Classics and Club Grayskull (Filmation inspired figures).
Stridor was originally released by Mattel in 1984 in the original Masters of the Universe toyline, and was a new concept at the time that introduced robotic horses to children. Stridor carries the heroic warrior Fisto, and also made an appearance in the animated series in the episode “Origin of the Sorceress.” At San Diego Comic-Con, Super7 announced that Fisto will be back in the Masters of the Universe Classics line in the Club Grayskull offering, and inspired as he appeared in the Filmation series. The first Fisto figure that Mattel offered was sold in extremely limited stock, and there were even reports that subscribers didn’t get their order fulfilled at the time. While Stridor does not come with Fisto, at least fans looking for him will have a chance to obtain one. Just look at what the vintage toy inspired Fisto is going for on eBay.com these days. It’s mind boggling that Fisto became a rare and sought after figure even right after his release, and Mattel never did go back into production on him as previous reissues underperformed according to the Mattycollector team.
Bio (provided by Scott Neitlich) –
Stridor
Real Name: Equestron Model 4966
Heroic Armored War Horse
A mechanical mare created by Man-At-Arms, Stridor is the favorite mount of his brother Fisto who often rides him into battle. Gaining sentience after being infused with a magical heart, Strider became self aware and abandoned the royal palace to roam free with other wild beasts. Captured by Tri-Klops, he was replicated for Skeletor who demanded an armored steed of his own. Fisto eventually broke Stridor free from Snake Mountain who in gratitude agreed to rejoin the Masters of the Universe serving them by carrying members into battle with his laser turrets blazing!
Availability: August 2018
Stridor is packaged in a window box with the same Castle Grayskull artwork and detail on the packaging that other figures were given in this line. On the back of the packaging, are previously released and upcoming figures by Super7, along with an image of this Stridor figure. What is missing however is the bio on the box, and inside the box itself. The brown mailer box is also the shipping box used, and there is a shipping label on the back of it. Previously, Mattel and Super7 would double box these to ship them out, so it’s really disappointing we think to see this used as the actual shipping box.
Stridor is a repaint of Night Stalker, and features the same articulation and great attention to detail. The figure stands between 10″ to 12″ tall depending on the position of the neck and if the Night Stalker is placed over his head, and up to 16″ long if the neck is leaning forward and the tail and away from the body. Just like Night Stalker, Stridor is loaded with sculpted detail on his body, including the sides, around the legs, and behind the rear blaster. The legs look the part of being robotic, and the overall design looks to be mechanical. The legs have sculpted details and are articulated on the ships, knees and ankles, allowing for multiple points of articulation and some great posing options.
Fisto fits inside nicely, and in front him are the control panels made up using a sticker sheet. Just like Night Stalker, the sticker sheet is used as compared to a sculpted control panel, which would have been preferred as stickers do tend to become damaged overtime. Stridor also includes the front blasters that can swivel up and down, as well as the rear plastic that can rotate. The tail is ball jointed, and extend out or to the sides to your liking.
The neck is also articulated, and the layers can overlap and there is no organized flow to these pieces. The head sculpt has a small helmet on it covering the ears and top of the head, and he has a choice of two helmets to put in – his classic helmet and the alternate Night Stalker helmet.
Overall, Stridor is an excellent figure with great display capabilities. This release is almost two years overdue and its about time he’s made available. Stridor is sculpted and put together very well and Fisto fits inside nicely.
Purchase:
