Mattel Voltron Classics Red Lion & Lance Follow Up

Pixel Dan is back with a follow up to his review of Mattel's Voltron Classics Red Lion and Lance set. Dan answers some questions about the Red Lion's articulation and size, and addresses white dots on the the Lance figure's shoulder armor, which has become a topic of controversy.

Review: Voltron Classics Red Lion & Lance

Mattel's Voltron Classics line is ready for go and Pixel Dan takes an in-depth look at its inaugural release, the Red Lion and Lance set, available February 15 on Matty Collector. Leaving no feature unturned, Dan highlights the articulation points on the new Lance figure, tours the engineering feats behind the Red Lion, and even gives the Lion a Robeast-style shake to test its design function.

Spotlight: Voltron Papercraft Challenge

If you're like us, building a Lego Voltron may not be in your artistic "sweet spot." To curb your creative appetite, we've found another outlet to challenge your inner-Michelangelo; papercraft. The art of papercraft involves cutting, folding and taping a printed illustration into...a work of art. Illustrator Martin Gee, has created the art to get you started, so all you need to do is follow his simple instructions to construct your own papercraft Voltron. If you're up for a challenge, we suggest trying deviant artist Randy Padama's papercraft Voltron, which is a little more complex. Pick your flavor--easy or hard--use the buttons below to download the instructions and art you'll need to get started, print the files, and get papercrafting. When you're done, send us a photo of your papercraft Voltron (along with your name) and we'll share it in a gallery for everyone to see!

   

Archive: Prince Lotor - Commands the Zarkon Zapper

Prince Lotor was released in 1984 as part of the first series of figures in Panosh Place's Voltron: Defender of the Univse collection. Panosh Place - a small toy company based in Cherry Hill, New Jersey - was awarded the license to manufacture a line of Voltron toys for the popular animated series and released a single wave of 12 figures, several vehicles and a Castle of Lions playset. Although a second wave of items was planned and shown in a 1986 Panosh Place catalog, it was canceled prior to production, as Voltron's popularity waned.

Prince Lotor is King Zarkon's son. Although he shares in his father's ambition to destroy Voltron, Lotor's motives differ. He is driven by an infatuation with Princess Allura and dreams of taking over his father's throne with Allura, as his bride, by his side. Prince Lotor did not include any weapons, but is frequently seen wearing a battle helmet an weilding a sword in the Voltron: Defender of the Universe animated series.

Spotlight: Lego Voltron by Mark Sandlin

What do you get when you spend 71 hours over 3 months with some Legos and Voltron on your mind? A masterpiece! Brickmaster Mark Sandlin built a fully transforming Lego Lion Force Voltron, brick-by-brick, resulting in an amazing feat of ingenuity and engineering. Each Lion has a working cockpit, a number of knobs and gears that allow for a full range of articulation, as well as its respective minifigure pilot decked out in their appropriate gear--sorry Allura, it's boys only. The Lions dwarf the minifigures and that's before they combine to form a nearly 3-foot tall Voltron that includes--you guessed it--a Lego Blazing Sword! You can see more of Sandllin's Lego Voltron, as well as work-in-progress build photos on his Flickr stream.

More Positive Reviews for Mattel's Voltron Classics Line

Action figure mega-site The Fwoosh gives us a first look at Mattel's Voltron Classics Red Lion with Lance figure, and it's packed with a highly-detailed photo gallery and review by Nic Wood (VeeBee).  Wood's overall opinion on the Red Lion and Lance is positive and he even notes his fondness for the Red Lion writing, "I must admit that I have not been able to put the Red Lion down since I opened him, he fun to transform, even without his cohorts." You can read his full review at The Fwoosh.

Archive: Haggar the Witch - Master of Planet Doom's Secret Laboratories

Haggar the Witch was released in 1984 as part of the first series of figures in Panosh Place's Voltron: Defender of the Univse collection. Panosh Place - a small toy company based in Cherry Hill, New Jersey - was awarded the license to manufacture a line of Voltron toys for the popular animated series and released a single wave of 12 figures, several vehicles and a Castle of Lions playset. Although a second wave of items was planned and shown in a 1986 Panosh Place catalog, it was canceled prior to production, as Voltron's popularity waned.

Haggar the Witch serves King Zarkon. She uses dark magic to conjure up the spells responsible for the Robeasts that Voltron must fight. Deploying her Robeasts to Arus by space coffins, Haggar hopes to deliver the critical blow that will destroy Voltron, once and for all. Haggar includes a staff accessory that resembles the gold staff held by King Zarkon, in episodes of the Voltron: Defender of the Univese animated series, more closely than the plain wooden staff she frequently uses.

Dynamite Entertainment Announces Voltron: Year One

The origins of the Voltron Force will be detailed this April, when Dynamite Entertainment expands its Voltron comic offering with Voltron: Year One. Writer Brandon Thomas--who also pens Dynamite's Voltron comic series--teams up with artist Craig Cermak to chronicle the events of Space Explorer Squadron #686, before it became the Voltron Force. Dynamite's Voltron prequel will explain team dynamics, reveal member rivalries and log the events leading up to the fateful mission that resulted in the rediscovery of Voltron.

Archive: King Zarkon - King of Plant Doom

King Zarkon was released in 1984 as part of the first series of figures in Panosh Place's Voltron: Defender of the Univse collection. Panosh Place - a small toy company based in Cherry Hill, New Jersey - was awarded the license to manufacture a line of Voltron toys for the popular animated series and released a single wave of 12 figures, several vehicles and a Castle of Lions playset. Although a second wave of items was planned and shown in a 1986 Panosh Place catalog, it was canceled prior to production, as Voltron's popularity waned.

King Zarkon commands his army of minions from high atop a throne in his castle on Planet Doom. With the help of the evil witch Haggar's dark magic, Zarkon is obsessed with destroying Voltron, the one thing standing between him and absolute power in the universe. It's not uncommon to find a number of packaging variations for King Zarkon. While international variants typically included unique distributor branding or language differences, the most common U.S. packaging variation was the inclusion of the "Free Clip-On Badge" artwork that highlights the figure's coffin-shaped, identification badge accessory

Voltron #2 by Dynamite Entertainment on Stands Today

With his sights set on conquering Earth, King Zarkon will stop at nothing to ensure victory. Mindful of Zarkon's capacity for destruction, Keith and the Voltron Force devise a plan to thwart the evil Drule king's attack. Writer Brandon Thomas and artist Ariel Padilla team up for the second issue in Dynamite Entertainment's re-imagined Voltron series. Voltron #2 includes two cover variants, including another amazing piece by Alex Ross. Look for Voltron #2 on stands today.

First Impressions of Voltron Classics Red Lion & Lance

Action Figure Insider received andvance samples of Mattel's Voltron Classics Red Lion with Lance figure and their first impression is positive. Reviewer Captain Collector gives both the Red Lion and Lance figure high marks for accuracy and aesthetic, but notes the missing number two between the Lion's shoulder blades. You can read his full review at Action Figure Insider. Both the Red Lion and Lance go on sale, as a set, on February 15 at MattyCollector.com.

Mattel Announces Voltron Classics Release Schedule

You'll finally be able to form Voltron this October! According to a tweet by Mattel, the Voltron Classics / Club Lion Force subscription lineup will follow a bimonthly release schedule, starting in February. The Red Lion and Lance will kick things off, on February 13, with subsequent releases (in April, June, August, October) to include a Lion with its pilot--though details on which pair will be released at what time isn't clear. When formed, Voltron stands in at 23 inches! For subscribers to Club Lion Force, you can expect your exclusive Lance figure to ship in August.