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Write a Review link for that item. Mighty Max (Blue Bird)For most kids back in the day; Mighty Max Trapped In Skull Mountain was the crown jewel of the collection; and I was no exception. Though I owned other large playsets then and now, such as Dragon Island and Terror Talons; Skull Mountain was always the cream of the crop for me; and it still is. Very appropriately named; Skull Mountain dwarfed all other Mighty Max playsets during its time; dwarfing the Doom Zones and making the Horror Heads seem minuscule. Truly untouchable for a while as its size comparable companions such as Dragon Island hadn't been released yet; Skull Mountain was, pardon the expression, King of the Mountain. It offers so many levels of playability; with little areas, platforms and so on pretty much everywhere. With balconies, a small island, a ribcage-themed elevator (called the Skelevator, no less), catapult and even an executioner's block of sorts with a swinging axe; Skull Mountain was and still is truly a playset that inspires imagination. With its smoky red and black rocky exterior, yellow orb "eyes" (one of which is a fireball which can be launched from the catapult) and its extending purple and yellow "jawbridge" (to borrow a term from Masters of the Universe' own Castle Grayskull); Skull Mountain is nearly as impressive and formidable closed up as it is opened wide on display; truly giving the impression of a rocky stone mountain hollowed out into a castle/fortress. It features an impressive array of mini-figures and accessories; ranging from Mighty Max himself to Skull Master to a robotic hammerhead shark. All in all there are a total of nine figures and accessories including Mighty Max, Skull Master, Warmonger, Rock Monster, Double-Headed Dragon, Skeleturtle, Giant Crab, V.T.O. Hover Pod and the Hammerhead Shark Sub. I'll discuss each of the figurines and accessories in turn. Firstly, the Mighty One himself. I won't say too much about Max himself as is regular with my reviews; as the one thing EVERY MM toy had in common was the expected Mighty Max figure. As for Skull Master himself; this version is pretty unique. He was the first Skull Master figurine to be released in the Mighty Max series; and seems to be based on an entirely different concept. Whereas all subsequent Skull Master figurines were based on or at least inspired by his larger, bulkier, sword-weilding cartoon appearance; this particular Skull Master, with his elegant robes and staff; seems more like a sorcerer rather than the battle-thirtsy warrior the cartoon and subsequent toys gave us. And this figurine features a gimmick as his body can be turned to reveal two different faces; one looking like a ghoulish human and the other the true rictus-grin of the skull-faced Skull Master. Next up is Skull Master's right hand man Warmonger. Just like Skull Master; Warmonger seems to be based on an entirely different concept that existed before the cartoon; again being far less bulky than his on-screen counterpart, and having an entirely different face; looking almost like some infernal, demonic Darth Vader in a sense. A Warmonger figurine would be released three times over the course of the toy series; though this one is the only one to actually come in a playset. This same figurine was released later on in one of the Heroes & Villains multi packs; but so was another Warmonger figurine based on the cartoon appearance. Next we have the Rock Monster, sculpted with a stony appearance like, well, a rock monster. Rock Monsters were Skull Master's foot soldiers in the cartoon, if I recall correctly; though since I didn't really watch the cartoon as a youngster; I always used the Rock Monster as some wild, savage thing hiding amongst the rocky crags of Skull Mountain; waiting to ambush and rampage on the Mighty One. What with Dragon Island, Double Demon/Hydra etc., Skull Master certainly loves his Dragons so of course he has one lurking around Skull Mountain. The Double-Headed Dragon is one of the best pieces in Skull Mountain and features some articulation in that both of its necks can be turned. It even has it's own little lair/perch and when positioned properly its two heads can be seen from the back side of the exterior; looking through two holes. The only thing that kind of disappoints with the Double-Headed Dragon is its pose/posture as it seems to be resting/lounging. I would have preferred this beast to be standing up and thus make a more formidable opponent for Max; but I digress. Next is the Skeleturtle; which always makes me think of the Dry Bones skeleton Koopa from Nintendo's Super Mario franchise. It too has its own little area of intended display inside Skull Mountain; flanking one side of the tongue-like drawbridge on the bottom level. A larger, more cartoon-accurate Skeleturtle was later released in the Terror Talons playset; but it was instead called something else (I honestly want to say it was called Skeletor; but I'll have to double-check the instructions sheet to be sure). The Giant Crab is indeed a mean-looking crab with its orange claws and eyes; and it has one of the best lairs and features in Skull Mountain. The Giant Crab's underside features a hole which can be placed on a moving rock with a peg. Using a wheel on Skull Mountain's exterior; you can move the crab in and out of its cave to assault Max on the other side of the toothy drawbridge. Next we have the V.T.O. Hover Pod; which is basically not only a vehicle but a "get out of jail free card"; it being the only means of escape from Skull Mountain. The Hover Pod has a peg which is clearly designed to fit Skull Master; implying he should escape the Mighty One's justice; but I guess Mighty Max can also use it to escape Skull Mountain's inevitable destruction and/or explosion at the conclusion of your adventure. Coolest thing about the Hover Pod is, in my opinion; is that it can be positioned in two different intended locations; one being the central island (which connects to Skull Mountain via two bridges) or far higher up in the interior in another spot reachable only by the Skelevator. Next we have the Hammerhead Shark Sub. It's simply a mechanical-looking hammerhead shark; and it has a spring-loaded head which can be lunged forward or pulled back and locked into position via maneuvering the dorsal fin. There's also a spot on the backside for Mighty Max to stand in. Now, in the cartoon, Skull Mountain is Skull Master's lair in a subterranean hell of lava and stone; but what with the Giant Crab and the Hammerhead Shark Sub; one gets the impression that the toy version of Skull Mountain is supposed to be surrounded by water instead of molten lava. Whatever best suits your imagination, I guess. Skull Mountain is such a pleasure both inside and out; with so many moving parts, gimmicks and surprises; multiple faces and tongues; truly a horrific-looking set in all the right ways! All in all, Skull Mountain is a FANTASTIC playset and I have so much nostalgia for it. I remember getting this for Christmas from my grandparents the year it came out; and it's the ONLY gift I still remember clearly from that year.  by Greedo1138 |
| Sub-Commander T'Pol |  | Submission Order |  | Trick 'r Treat Sam |
| Slays the Doom Dragon | | Mighty Max Series | | None |
| Sub-Commander T'Pol | | Written by Greedo1138 | | Trick 'r Treat Sam |
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