Metaluna Mutant (Universal Monsters (Super7)) Review

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Metaluna Mutant (Universal Monsters (Super7)) Review

Metaluna Mutant
Universal Monsters (Super7) (Super7)Back in the 20th century, Universal made themselves known for providing the most-recognized versions of classic monsters, such as Frankenstein, the Wolfman, Dracula, the Creature of the Black Lagoon, and more. There are also a couple that aren't as well known nor did they exist before the films, such as the Metaluna Mutant. Appearing near the end of 1955's This Island Earth, the Mutant proved to be the most fondly-remember part of an otherwise uneventful film, and is one of the finest examples of "guy in a rubber suit" in cinema. It's gotten a few figures over the years, the latest being Super7's Ultimate, as the first Universal Monster in the format (NECA beat them to all the popular ones).

The package is modeled after the Mutant's head, with a nice illustration provided by Dane Danner. There's no bio on the back of the box, just that brain texture all around. There are two plastic ties holding in the figure, but both can be cut out with ease. Surprisingly, there's no brown mailer box concealing the main one. Did Super7 finally realize they're pointless?

The Metaluna Mutant was primarily designed by Milicent Patrick, and bears a very funky, unnerving appearance. It has golden yellow eyes, a "mouth" composed of that same color, and most noticeable, a big forehead resembling a brain. Super7 did a great job recreating the suit in a smaller plastic form, keeping all the same details. The paint work pops as well, with light blueish-purple skin, including wash around the brain wrinkles, and a metallic finish for the gold parts. Past mutant figures opted to make the character blue with black eyes, so having film-accurate colors is a big plus.

The Mutant clocks in around 7 3/8", and the tall height is appropriate such the suit was 7' tall. The body has plenty of details, ranging from dark red veins to texturing on the upper body and arms. Compared to the rest of the body, the legs have a simplistic appearance, and it was due to the original suit initially having them match the rest of the body, but the inability to make them look and work properly combined with deadlines resulting in them having to use plain trousers. The legs here lack the wrinkling the suit did, better giving off the impression they're part of the mutant, plus the paint on them matches the rest of the body. The shoulder overlay is soft rubber, keeping it from hindering articulation too much. The paint all over the body makes great use of wash and blending, and is mostly clean.

The usual Ultimates articulation scheme is here, albeit with a few differences. The head is a barbell joint like usual with decent range, but you can prop the head higher up on the joint for better movement. The swivel/hinge shoulders are a bit hindered by the upper body piece, but the elbows and forearms get good range, and the wrists not only swivel, but have hinged claws as well, which is a nice feature. There is a ball-joint for the waist, but it really works more like a swivel, and the sculpt wants to work against it. The legs have great movement with ball-jointed hips with thigh swivels (think NECA), hinged knees, and swivel/hinge ankles with extra swivels at the calves, and everything moves great. It's definitely the kind of figure you'll find yourself going back to frequently to find a new pose.

Ultimates usually have a good amount of accessories, but not this character, which isn't surprising given its short screen time. An alternate head is included and it's mostly the same the regular portrait, but has blood oozing out of a wound in the brain, a nod to when the Mutant is struck by falling debris and soon succumbs to its wounds. There's also a set of closed, non-articulated claws, and both those and the head swap easily. That's all the Mutant gets, and frankly, I would've liked more given the $55 price. The Diamond Select version from years ago came with the Interocitor, something that would've been too big to include with this version. A pack-in of Neutron the cat would've been nice, along with a few other items from the movie.

For a figure by Super7, the Metaluna Mutant is surprisingly impressive. It looks dead-on to the film, and the articulation is very useful. A few more accessories would've helped, but the alternate parts help for plenty of display options. S7 deserves credit for all the love and detail put into this character, and I look forward to getting the glow in the dark version when it comes out next year.

- 9/14/23