Mattel Debuts Minimalistic Action Figures Designed By Late Virgil Abloh

The late Virgil Abloh gave a bare-bones spin on the concept of action figures to depict Mattel’s Masters of the Universe (MOTU).

The Masters of the Universe c/o Virgil Abloh series, created under the Mattel Creations line, comprises four figurines in the likenesses of He-Man, Skeletor, Battle Cat, and Skele-god. The characters have been stripped of their colorful form factors and turned into pseudo-art pieces in monochromatic nude shades.

The figures have interchangeable hands and a variety of weaponry, such as swords and shields. Each one stands seven inches tall and comes in a clear plastic box.

Instead of the typical comic book fanfare typically expected of action figures, the boxes bear the names of Mattel Creations and the former Off-White founder and Louis Vuitton menswear artistic director on the top corner in Abloh’s Helvetica-forward typography.

Abloh was given access to MOTU’s entire world, allowing him to dive into the backstory and the design of the characters to construct them. However, his work was eventually completed by his creative agency, Alaska Alaska, after his passing.
 
According to Hypebeast, Alaska Alaska looked to preserve the image of the MOTU characters while using color theory as a “point of entry” into the novel world of collectors and figures. The range also aims to unite those who acquire art and those who procure comics.

Mattel Creations is slated to debut Masters of the Universe c/o Virgil Abloh online on October 21. 

 
 
[via Hypebeast and Okayplayer, images via Mattel Creations]