 Hordak & Grizzlor
Ruthless Leader of the Evil Horde | Hairy Henchman of the Evil Horde!
Masters of the Universe Sketch Book Series Target Exclusive Two-Pack
Item No.: No. JDW90
Manufacturer: Mattel
Includes: Terror claws
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $29.99
Availability: January 2025
Other: Started Sketch Book Series, propensity to go on clearance
|
| PREVIOUS |
 RSS |
NEXT |
I got the Masters of the Universe Sketch Book Series Hordak & Grizzlor shortly after launch, mostly because it didn't seem necessary to wait for a sale - two dudes for $30 seems like a reasonable deal. Subsequent figures Sy-Klone and Spikor were singles, but so far all of them have gone on to clearance. We'll see how Mark Taylor He-Man fares, I assume he'll do better.
These figures pre-imagine Hordak as a viking helmeted, yellow-skinned ogre of sorts while Grizzlor is a tusked, mammoth-themed figure with giant claws. Both seemed different enough to work as all-new characters, so I had an easy time picking this set up. Secondary market prices are still cheap, so should you get it? Well, I would.
Click here to check availability at Amazon.
Click here to check availability at eBay.
Standing at about 5 1/2-inches tall, Hordak hints at the character's eventual skull-faced cyborg self. He has the red bat symbol and various black and red Horde trappings, but the yellow skin and boots are something new. His right arm is indeed a cybernetic implant of some sort, but it doesn't transform or do anything particularly interesting. It just looks neat.
The figure adds bootie covers over the boots, and spikes up the belt over his furry shorts. The armor is pointy and distinctive, with a unique face whose color does wonders to disguise any imperfections in the face. Up close, it looks pretty good and a fair bit like the Mini-Comics version of Trap Jaw. Mattel could have said this was an ancestor or descendant of Hordak, some future or past leader of the Horde, and I don't think anybody would argue. It has the trappings of numerous concept figures, and pretty much anything you build on a basic buck fits in with the line.
What would make it better? A handheld accessory. I assume that none were included so the set could get out at $30. Most single figures are $20, so without a mini-comic there are few corners to cut. I also assume we got these guys first because 2025 was the 40th anniversary of She-Ra, and nobody felt like doing a concept She-Ra.
Grizzlor does a good job making the sketch design without using too many new parts. Most of what you see on the figure matches the concept art, and it captures the spirit nicely. You get tusks, big ears, a short trunk, and hints of some cybernetic implants. The shin armor and legs are a good fit, but the silver Terror Claws take the place of actual long claws on the hands. Mattel still has painted fingernails, which actually get the job done quite nicely.
There are no shortage of hairy bodies to use, so new shoes, a new head, and new armor can do a lot to bring this guy to life. As he reminds me of a mix of a mammoth and the weird flute kit from The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, the purchase of this set was done mostly just to get this great weird figure. I'm not going on about it at length mostly because the picture says it all. I wanted a new freaky mammoth bad guy, and they made it - it doesn't do much other than look cool. I'll probably have him hang out in the Slime Pit or Fright Zone.
For those unfamiliar with the character, the cartoon version [FOTD #2,126] was all plastic, but other versions frequently have actual hair. I prefer plastic.
I totally forgot to write this set up despite having taken pictures of it a year ago, so here it is! I don't really regret paying full price for it, but I think we're at a point now where we can see most store exclusives are either super rare, or clearanced, without much room in between. As such, I hope you enjoy this one and don't miss it - new Horde guys are rarely added to the line. Sure, it's technically another Hordak and another Grizzlor, but they look so different that I don't mind. Hopefully Wrap Trap makes it out in this scale.
--Adam Pawlus
Additional Images
Click here to see more Mattel figures in Figure of the Day.
Click here to see more Masters of the Universe figures in Figure of the Day.
