I know we should be basking in the post-convention glory of some pretty impressive reveals, but lest we forget–it is also “sub-sellin'” season. For the first time ever, Masters of the Universe is facing the potential scary reality that the 2013 subscription might not move forward. Never have we been faced with this problem as MOTU fans (as a DC fan, I know the anxiety well) and Toy Guru has even posted a video on YouTube to discuss the figural and financial realities of it all. I know that we came out in serious support of the DCIE last year, and while I still strongly support the MOTU, DC, and new Watchmen subscriptions, I know the situation is not for everyone. I buy subscriptions because I am all in on all accounts with these lines. I love the figures and the characters so much, and MOTU and DC are the only figure lines with which I have ever been a 100% completist. But that is not for everyone, and I realize that. The cost and character selection do not meet everyone’s financial situations or figure tastes, and I completely understand that.
I hope that everything can move forward and that I can remain a happy collector for all of these lines. I hope that some creative ways to help the subs get over the proverbial “goal lines” can come forward. If we do get to continue on with 2013, I think the current realities dictate that some thought to different (or more) strategies are probably going to be in order. Mattel needs to be able to make the money on these products in order to make them worth the executions. We as collectors need our favorite figures. The methods need to satisfy both of these things, so I pray that perfect marketing storm can be found. If you are a completist and you have the means, I say that you should subscribe, it makes it very easy to collect. If you are not, I completely understand that too, and I hope that your needs can be addressed as well. We have right at about two weeks to find out our figures’ fates (for some reason 8/6/12 is a hard deadline and the window will not be extended), but in the meantime, I would like the focus on the great MOTU reveals themselves. What did I like best? Was there a lemon for a reveal? Come check out my personal list if you have some time to kill, and sound off in the comments to let me know your thoughts.
Let’s not waste any time and we can start from the bottom and make our way to my personal favorite. Remember: these are all a matter of personal OPINION. I pray no one’s list is exactly like mine, that would be boring. I hope I also have a few overall comments as well as some thoughts on what wasn’t shown too.
#16: KING HE-MAN
You know, I don’t think there was a “weak” overall reveal at the entire show, but some of them just did not excite me as much as some of the others. Case in-point is King He-Man. Classics has been all about fleshing out the current timeline as well as the past, and now the future. We don’t know a lot about what the future holds for Eternia, but it looks like Adam has embraced his He-Man alter ego as he ascends to the throne. I actually like the story line, but the design of the look for the future King does not really grab me. I think part of that is his costume attempts to grab every aspect of Eternian history and put is all in one outfit. The colors meld together well, but the blues and golds are not really representative of what He-Man has always been. I AM interested in seeing his story and the figure does get me to actually like the idea of the electronic “ironing board” Power Sword, something I have never ever been a fan of. He is a pretty good choice for a sub-incentive figure, too. He is not a bad figure, quite the contrary, just not my personal favorite.
#15: CY-CHOP
Terry Higuchi’s 30th Anniversary contribution is a MOTU mishmash at its best, while still paying homage to the Microman property. I know a lot of people are split on this figure, but I love everything about him, save for the the actual chopper blades. The head is a lot fun–I like being able to see this guy’s guts inside of the Roboto chest, and the furry arms work well for me too. Plus, I dig that he is an old associate of Kronis and a current Hordesman. The one personal design quibble I have is that his chopper hands are huge and a little too “200x” for me. If they would have been half the size, I would be golden with this guy, but I am wondering instead if I might employ the Horde Prime hands instead for him. Again, a cool design with just one thing that doesn’t gel with me. This is a tough field.
#14: ETERNOS PALACE KING RANDOR
Man, this figure is a long time coming, right? About 30 years by my count. I completely understand, and I’m very happy for those people that are finally getting “their” Randor. The execution on this figure is about as spot-on as you could want for this version of the King, and I love that they included his wine chalice too. They even got his little kingly booties! I know I might be in the minority, but I have always loved the vintage interpretation of King Randor, like the one we got in Classics all the way back in 2009. He kept all of the color cues from him FILMation look, but put him in armor so he was ready for battle. I like the idea of Randor “leading from the front.” I AM a very big fan of FILMation, though, and I want lots and lots of characters from that show. I just need my Randor to be battle ready. This figure is a perfect interpretation of Randor in the palace and he will go great on my variant shelf with Adora and Adam. This is just not my default version of the King.
#13: NETOSSA
You know, I am a HUGE (and ardent) supporter of Princess of Power. I love so many of the characters (especially Frosta, Mermista, and General Sunder) and I want them all in Classics. Netossa has been one that I have been looking forward to for a very long time. Thus, I am thrilled to finally get her and everything that is there with the figure is pitch perfect for me. I want the FILMation looks with toy details for the looks for PoP, so Classics is hitting it just right for me. However, my nitpick comes from the fact that she just feels like she is missing a couple of things in terms of accessories. She comes with a repaint of the She-Ra shield and Mattel is calling her net cape her second accessory, but I am not really down with that. A cape, even if it is functional, has never been called an accessory in the line before. She is so close to being perfect, but she really, REALLY needs her clip-on toy mask and perhaps a repainted Bubble Power She-Ra sword. Of all of the figures, she feels like the least “plussed-up” and she is one that could really benefit from some extra love. I loves me my PoP characters, I just want her to have a little more.
#12: DEKKER
We are now in the zone of there nothing being short or “wrong” with these figures, it is just that the competition is so stiff for the top spots now. I don’t make a secret of it: I am NOT a fan of the 200x aesthetic. I never have been. At the same time, though, I am 100% supportive of bringing new characters from the MYP show into Classics. I really dig the Chief Carnivus and the Faceless One (NOT Count Marzo, though) figures, and Dekker is probably tied for my most-wanted MYP figures along with Callix. I think this figure is great and I love the tunic and the fact that he comes with his alternate young head. We need our King Miro now more than ever! I cannot really think of anything to nitpick with this figure and I cannot wait to get him.
#11: MOSQUITOR
I have talked in the past about how I love the Horde and that it represents utter oppression and despair in the MOTU world. I think the characters have amazing designs (even Dragstor!) and the Four Horsemen brought Mosquitor’s look into Classics in a fantastic way. I think I could personally live without the little legs on his back, but the “blood” in the chest is very, very well done. Like I said, there is nothing wrong with this figure, he just did not grab me as much as some of the characters ahead of him. As it stands though, I cannot wait to add him to the Fright Zone display come December.
#10: STROBO
Yes! Can you believe we are getting Strobo in MOTUC? That alone is awesome in itself. We have not seen the bio for him yet, but I am most likely going to be adding him to my Enforcer display. This 2013 traveling convention figure is proof of where this line can go if we continue to support it. We were told that he will get a reflective sticker for his mirror chest and I am not sure what the green asteroid thing in the stand (help me out) is, but it looks great. Plus, we get the alternate, un-helmeted head for Zodak–something fans have been demanding for a very long time. I am not sure which of the conventions I am going to make it to so I can pick him up, but I need this guy in my display for sure.
#9: THE GREAT UNREST WEAPONS PAK
This set is a revelation. THIS is how weapons packs need to be done in this line. Just starting with the repaints, we are finally getting the vintage version of Teela’s snake armor in red and the shield in blue for Evil-Lyn. However, the really exciting parts is that we are getting the cut staff from Horde Prime; the shield, whip, and sword for Draego-Man; we get the dual blade Keldor swords; a falcon to go with our up-coming Temple of Darkness Sorceress; and the Man-at-Arms cannon. To me, this set is worth every penny and if they continue on being this great (the next one can certainly include Netossa’s mask), I will pick up each and every one of them. I never would have thought I would be this excited about an accessory pack, but they knocked this one out of the park.
#8: PROCRUSTUS
It took three releases to happen, but we have gotten our MOTUC giant right. Procrustus has my heart with every aspect. He has four arms, all of which have biceps swivels, and his color scheme is great. He comes with the Starseed and he is one of those characters that, like Strobo, shows that character potential of this line. He is going to be at the center of the Subternia map that comes with King He-Man in 2013, but he will help hold my MOTU display together from here on out. The rock texture, people! The texture!
#7: RATTLOR
Okay, so Rattlor might have the most striking paint applications in the line yet, and that is saying something in a world of Technicolor freaks. This figure is gorgeous and he caught everyone’s eye that looked at him in the case. Plus, he has everything you need for your Classics Rattlor: a neck extension to replicate his vintage action feature, gorgeous paints, his staff, his tail freakin’ rattles(!), and he even got a FILMation nod in his bio. That is some very cool stuff for this loyal Snakeman (he would never defect in my canon) and had we just not gotten the Snakemen two-pack, he would have probably ranked higher for me. I know, that is silly, but since he is using that new snake body right away, it kind of took the edge off. That is a good nit to be able to pick, though.
#6: THE FIGHTING FOE MEN
How do I love these figures? Let me count the ways! Okay, I will spare you a list within a list, but man, do I support this pack with every fiber of my being. Again, getting the Monogram model vehicle drivers incorporated into the Classics line is just so cool. Plus, they have given homage to the Four Horsemen’s support crew in their naming. I wish I could pick which one I like the most, but I just can’t, I love them all. Plus, you can make them loyal to any faction you want with their interchangeable Horde symbols. Oh, and I love that they made one of them a female. I think mine will actually fight for good, but there is a lot of time between now and April for me to work that all out in my head. Let it be known now: we NEED the Wind Raider Pilot from the old Grayskull poster to go with this crew. I cannot wait for them.
#5: CASTLE GRAYSKULLMAN
Funny name, serious Masters figure. Well, the Mattel team sure knows how to end the 30th Anniversary line with a bang. I know that most people are very torn on the figures released thus far (save for the near-unanimous support for Draego-Man), but I think this figure is a heck of a contest winner. Of course, it is cool to get a fan character in the line, but when it looks this cool, that is such a bonus. I am very happy for the winner, but I think we all win because this is a great addition to our shelves. He is so Metal. He needs to hang out with Iron Maiden’s Eddie and be on every Metal album cover ever. Maybe even the Sword. I think I will just call mine “Grayskull Man” and I might need two.
#4: RAM MAN
How the heck can the man, the legend, Ram Man be number four on this list? The amazing competition. This figure is such a long time coming and the fact that they made him a $30.00 item so that he can be done correctly is just awesome. He is a behemoth and just as tall as he is wide, but only as tall as a standard MOTUC figure, just as he should be. His fist is as big as He-Man’s head and his face has a ton of personality to it. I know that has been a division point amongst fans, but he has a Chester Gould, Dick-Tracy-Rogue quality and I really like it. They did not leave out any articulation as he has an abdominal crunch and knees along with his requisite axe. I am not sure I need the alternate head to go with him, and while it is nice, I can’t help but wish that budget item would have gone to Netossa. Rammy is really the last of a lot of people’s essential Heroic Warriors (I NEED my Clamp Champ and Rio Blast for sure still) and I think he will be universally welcomed come January.
#3: GRANAMYR
Holy CRAP did this figure come through. I know there was concern right from the start as to what we would actually get for an $80.00 figure, but I think the Horsemen knocked him out of the park. He is the “Big Red” FILMation version, but he has a ton of detail to make him Classic. As far as I am concerned, he has all the articulation I could have wanted and even though he can sit and brood, even his body was designed so that it could be reused for another dragon figure in the line. Granamyr is a fantastic figure to help celebrate the 30th anniversary of MOTU and I am just sad I have to now wait until December to get him. At least we will get another kick-ass box with art by Rudy Obrero!
#2: JITSU
Okay, as far as I am concerned, there is a straight-up tie for my first and second picks for this list. However, since I know Jitsu is Samuron’s top pick, I will give another character a chance to shine. Simply put, Jitsu is the perfect counterpart to his arch-rival, and Eternian badass, Fisto. Have you looked at that head sculpt? It is amazing and has a ton of personality. His golden pimp hand is perfectly sized and I like the little green jewels that were brought over from the Staction. Of course, he needs his vintage sword, but the two little kami don’t really do anything for me. Again, I wish this budget would have gone to Netossa. Jitsu only needs his chopper and his sword. I cannot believe it has taken so long to get him in the line, but it is well worth the wait and if I were you, I would expect a lot celebrating across the Fwoosh Network in February.
#1: FANG MAN
A bit of surprise for you? Maybe so, but even though he is not one of my most-wanted FILMation characters, I think they nailed every aspect of him. We have been waiting for a Fang Man figure for 30 years and now that we are getting one, I could not be happier. PoP and FILMation are my most-wanted corners of MOTU now, so I hope he is just the tip of a beautiful iceberg. His colors pop in the midst of a colorful collection and I LOVE that he comes with the Sword of the Ancients and the Time Wheel. Fang Man has been stuck in the past for a long time and now that he is being brought to our shelves, the anticipation is killing me already. He has an articulated jaw! I need the MOTUC line to last for years to come so I can get all of my FILMation characters, and if they are all as good as Fang Man, we are in for a treat.
So, that is my list–what you do think? Agree? Disagree? Sound off! I also want to say that I love the final (or near final) versions of my beloved Frosta, as well as Mekaneck, and the Snakemen. I want every MOTU character ever in this line, so I hope that we can get the 2013 sub done in strong fashion and shake the doom and gloom that is overshadowing these fantastic reveals. Thanks for reading!
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