Purple Gang Gang has unveiled a video featuring Jeremy Girard, Director of Sales and Marketing for Four Horsemen Studios, leading the first-ever official studio tour. Conducted as part of the studio’s highly exclusive “Intern for a Day” event, the tour offers an unprecedented look into the decades-long history of the company, revealing priceless prototypes and the origin story of the wildly popular Mythic Legions line.
A Walk Through History: The Vestibule of Legends
The tour begins in the studio’s vestibule, which Girard describes as a “history lesson on Four Horsemen Studios.” Longtime fans will recognize relics from lines that predate Mythic Legions, including Seventh Kingdom, Gothropolis, and Magma Core.
The Mystery of the Two-Ups
A major highlight is the collection of “two-ups”, original, twice-the-size sculpts created by hand before the age of digital design.
- Minotaurs from Seventh Kingdom: Massive, 20-year-old prototypes that were shrunk down after being scanned in China for final production.
- Unreleased Gothropolis Figures: A top row of two-ups reveals figures that never saw release, including a planned “Vampire Queen” and follow-up female figures for the Queen’s Council set. This wave was shelved when the Gothropolis line’s popularity waned and production costs rose, a pre-Kickstarter era challenge.
From Birds to Big Bird: The Gothropolis Legacy
The display cases house a vibrant collection of prototypes, notably the Gothropolis Raven figures. One figure, in particular, elicits a laugh: a custom Big Bird figure created by studio founder Chris.
“That is a custom figure that is painted by the factory. He literally pulled some strings. He had them take that head and he had them paint it using all of the factory paints. So, it’s basically as close to a production figure as you’re going to get…” – Jeremy Girard
The Birth of Mythic Legions
The tour offers a direct view of the Four Horsemen Studios Tour‘s most treasured artifacts: the original Mythic Legions two-ups.
Contrary to what many fans believe, Mythic Legions was originally designed to be a smaller, 4-inch Glyos-compatible line. The resulting two-ups, displayed in the case (including the famous purple knight and large dwarf), were around 8 inches tall.
The legendary story, as told by Girard:
- When the two-ups were displayed at Toy Tokyo, fan reaction to the larger size was overwhelmingly positive.
- The decision was made to upscale the line to the modern 7-inch scale and fully flesh out the lore, leading to the Mythic Legions universe we know today, propelled by the introduction of Kickstarter.
A Glimpse at “What Could Have Been”
A separate case showcases lines that never materialized, offering a fascinating “what-if” for collectors:
- Symbiotech: A line featuring smaller driver figures in larger mech suits or creatures.
- Magma Core: Though Commander Argus was released, an entire planned wave of “gloopy dudes” and other figures remains unreleased.
Work Beyond Mythic Legions: Masters and the Smithsonian
The studio’s broader creative output is highlighted, confirming their work for other companies:
- Masters of the Universe 200X: Several two-up “maquettes” (prototypes) are shown, demonstrating Eric Treadway’s role in the popular resurgence of the 200X style.
- A Piece of History: Girard proudly mentions a custom-crafted piano prop, created upstairs for the Broadway production of The Piano Lesson by Bill Mancuso, which is now housed in the Smithsonian Museum.
The Prototype Process: From Fine Cut to Final Sample
Girard pulls back the curtain on the manufacturing timeline, explaining why figures take so long to deliver:
- Fine Cuts (Resin/Peach Color): These fragile prototypes are made from cheaper silicone molds before expensive steel molds are cut. They are used to dial in details and fixes.
- Factory Samples / Pre-Production Samples: These are samples sent for final approval, often identifiable by mismatched colored plastic discs, the plastic material used doesn’t hold paint well, so the factory focuses on correct paint applications first.
The tour concludes in front of the massive, yet already “incomplete,” Wall of Legions and the imposing, full-size Bayathair figure, proving that even a world-renowned studio is always looking forward to the next wave.
Get Your Chance!
This video serves as a reminder of the Four Horsemen Studios legacy and the complex, dedicated process of creating collectible action figures. Be sure to follow Four Horsemen Studios on social media for a chance to enter the lottery for the 2026 Intern for a Day event.
