Temple of Darkness | Sorceress

Masters of the Universe is one of the popular 1980s franchise is currently is at its peak of its revival due to being represented in their current retro play featuring their MOTU Origins toyline that takes inspiration from the vintage 5.5 vintage action figures. Despite the mix reaction to the Netflix animation series, Masters of the Universe: Revelation the popularity of the toyline continue to entice old and new collectors to the local mass market toy isle. Recently, I acquired a major playset in Castle Grayskull from the Origins toyline that plays an important role to MOTU mythology, which also includes an exclusive action figure that is the “Temple of Darkness” Sorceress.

The “Temple of Darkness” Sorceress is based on the minicomic that was packed in with the original action figures produced by Mattel. This version of the Sorceress only appeared in this publication not sold separately. It’s a unique colour for a character widely known to be the guardian of Castle Grayskull from Filmation cartoon of the 1980s.

Like most of the Origins figures they’re newly sculpted and brand new figures mimicking the aesthetics and design of their vintage counterparts that they added articulation, which shouts the blurb “Modern Action Figure with Retro Play.” Specifically the Origins toylines was targeted to kids, but instead longtime toy collectors and those who grew up with the original toys particularly adult collectors have warmed up to the nostalgia that made this a popular toyline that has beem quite challenging to find in local retail outside the US market.

Grayskull Controversy

With the Castle Grayskull playset, it was only available to limited quantities in the Philippines being sold through an immediate advance pre-order system without any proper marketing or payment options to give time for those who can’t fork up a large sum to make their payments through the local distributor of Mattel in this country.

Thus, making an artificial demand for the playset, which for those who have bought two or more playsets has already making a lot of money in the secondary markets with an outrageous price tag. While it was intended and readily available elsewhere on retail outside in the Philippines and making this a premium item only those who can only afford the set has driven its artificial high priced value into the stratosphere.

An Immaculate Angel

Castle Grayskull won’t be that appealing if not for the packed in action figure featuring an all-white dressed up Sorceress instead of the familiar blue, white, and orange colours based from the classic Filmation cartoon. But instead, she appears based on the “Temple of Darkness” minicomic that more like she’s ready to strut around as a Victoria Secret image model than a guardian of a castle that Skeletor wanted for his power.

The figure is based on the female body construction that produced Teela, Evil-Lyn, and She-Ra to the Origins toyline. The Sorceress features her signature wings that’s translucent and made of hard rubbery material, while her tail or lower feathers is also translucent with a softer pliable material.

The photo shoot alone in a white background with minimal lighting makes her appear like a Victoria Secret Model that’s quite immaculate in detail. She comes with her signature staff also in white and there’s no issue on the paint on her face. Mattel makes sure to keep in tradition that there’s a Barbie-like look on all the female characters in this toyline dating back to the original MOTU release.

Featured Articulation:

• Head at the Ball Joint (limited movement)
• Ball Joint at the Shoulders
• Swivels/Bend at the Elbow
• Hinges at the Wrist
• Turn at the Waist
• Hinge-like Ball Joint at the Thighs
• Swivels/Bend at the Knee
• Boot Cut Swivel
• Ankles Moves Side-to-Side
• Translucent Wings can Spread Out

Guardian of the Castle

Despite being packed in with Castle Grayskull, the figure have minor issues concerning her inability to really sit down the throne due to her wings when folded or even spread out as she remains to appear ‘floating’ than relaxing on that magnificent chair that has appeared in the artwork from Zodak’s card back as his ‘travel chair-iot.’

But you can’t ignore that this figure is quite stunning in looks and appearance when you capture that image of an angel-like Sorceress in immaculate white than her traditional appearance in the old school cartoon. Plus, she can kick some serious Skeletor ass if you know how to make action poses the way this figure is marketed.

Overall fun photography on this beauty certainly brings quite a charm that you’ll never find elsewhere unless you got yourself a Castle Grayskull playset. It is quite difficult to get a hand on one right now within the Philippines, but if you do you may end up pulling a lot of cash for something that was originally intended to be produced for the mass market and not artificially sold only for those who had the money for it.

‘Temple of Darkness’ Sorceress is an exclusive figure packed in with Castle Grayskull by Mattel and distributed in the Philippines by Richprime Global Inc., and for more about the company like and follow them on their social via Facebook and Instagram as Richwell Club.