About This Figure
Super7's Wave 13 Ultimates release brings the regal King Lion-O to the line for the first time. The older, battle-worn version of Lion-O seen in the later episodes of the 1985 series, when the ThunderCats have established themselves as the true protectors of Third Earth. This isn't the wide-eyed young lord still growing into his role; this is Lion-O having grown into it.
The sculpt captures the more angular, authoritative look of the character in his prime. Broader build, more deliberate stance, a confidence in the proportions that the Wave 1 version doesn't quite have. The paintwork is meticulous, particularly the fur details and the Eye of Thundera on the Sword of Omens, which is rendered at a level of detail that makes this figure stand out even among Super7's generally strong output.
Collector Notes
King Lion-O is the kind of figure that demonstrates exactly why the Super7 Ultimates line exists. The articulation, 23+ points including butterfly shoulders, deep elbow bend, and double-knee, means you can actually put him in the dynamic poses the character pulls off in the show. The alt roaring head in particular is fantastic, capturing the exact expression from the Sword of Omens activation sequence that every fan of the show has burned into their memory.
A few things worth knowing before you buy: the left ankle on Wave 13 production samples runs a little stiff, work it gently before posing if yours arrives that way. The compact sword fits snugly in the claw shield but the peg is on the tight side; don't force it. The display base is more solid than earlier waves, which is a welcome improvement.
At $55 MSRP this is competitive pricing for the feature count, though secondary market prices have been volatile since the wave sold through at Entertainment Earth. If you're seeing it at $80+ on eBay, that's on the high end. Worth waiting for a retailer restock or hunting conventions.