Voltron = Latest 80s Property To Get Mattel Toys...And A Cartoon.

[MOTU_Maniac]

Can't wait for Yellow Lion and Hunk in April!!

[markatisu]

WEP announced their 2nd exclusive item for C2E2, the Voltron Hockey jersey

I might have to get this

[Dynamo of Eternia]

I'm not even a sports fan, and I want that jersey! Too bad I'm not going to the con. Hopefully I can manage to get one without too much of a mark-up.

Any word on how much they will cost?

[Jekyll]

No advance review of the Yellow Lion and Hunk yet? Kinda figured we'd have seen something by now since the sale is only a few days away.

[markatisu]

I'm not even a sports fan, and I want that jersey! Too bad I'm not going to the con. Hopefully I can manage to get one without too much of a mark-up.

Any word on how much they will cost?

WEP said at the Con they will be $130, Rinkgear made them and from what I read I think they will be available online afterwards and throughout the rest of the year

[Pixel Dan]

No advance review of the Yellow Lion and Hunk yet? Kinda figured we'd have seen something by now since the sale is only a few days away.

I haven't received anything yet. Though, there is a chance it'll be in with the MOTUC stuff I should be getting any day now. I'll keep you guys posted, but with how late Mattel is with samples this month it doesn't look like I'd have the review done before sale day on Friday.

[JonWes]

TheFwoosh have their Yellow Lion and Hunk review up. I can't believe how huge the lion is. Black Lion is just going to be massive! I kind of like having to wait to make Voltron. You can enjoy the individual lions more.

http://thefwoosh.com/2012/04/first-l...-lion-and-hunk

[markatisu]

Got to play with Black Lion today, took a pic I will post later to show the sheer size

Matty Voltron is massive!!

Also asked WEP about S2 and they said they are working on it but they have to wait till the toyline is debuted for Voltron Force, the producer said everything they are doing with the cadets will make sense after the season finale and the original team will be the focus

[MOTU_Maniac]

TheFwoosh have their Yellow Lion and Hunk review up. I can't believe how huge the lion is. Black Lion is just going to be massive! I kind of like having to wait to make Voltron. You can enjoy the individual lions more.

http://thefwoosh.com/2012/04/first-l...-lion-and-hunk

Great review by TheFwoosh! Can't wait!!

Got to play with Black Lion today, took a pic I will post later to show the sheer size

Matty Voltron is massive!!

Can't wait to see it!

[markatisu]

OK so I spent some time with WEP this morning, talked with the Producers and writers of the show.

As I posted earlier, I specifically asked them about the 2nd season since we did not get an announcement and they said they are working on production of it. They said it will tie into the toyline that IS coming but they will leave that up to the toy company to reveal (there should be no guesswork he meant Mattel)

They said they just cut the season finale and debuted the trailer for IGN this morning, they will be screening the newest episode for all attendees on Sunday.

WEP was promoting Voltron Force in full force, they had a case of the Red and Yellow Lions to give away over the weekend as well as some Matty subs. They had lots of Voltron Force merchandise as well as the had the writers of the new comic there. I got to play with Voltron and let me tell you the pics and videos do not do it justice, its awesome to look it and HUGE

I took some pics, its hard to get scale but you can see based on the WEP Rep who was standing next to it, she was about 5' 4" and it went from her waist to her neck







The sword all put together


This is some of the neat stuff they had

C2E2 Swag


"And I'll form the head" Hat


Here was part of their booth, the guy standing up is @Voltron on Twitter in case any of you have talked to him

[Mr. Shokoti]

Sweet! I know it "proves" I have bad taste, but I'm still enjoying Voltron Force a lot(although I still need to watch the last 2 episodes). Even though the show is part sequel/part reboot, I'd love to know if we'll ever see Zarkon, Haggar, or the other 2 Voltrons. I do hope Mattel puts a little more effort into the toys than they have with the recent DC lines(although I don't think Young Justice is as bad as some do).

Mark, is that Voltron Force comic the same one that was released at comic stores a couple weeks ago?

[markatisu]

Mark, is that Voltron Force comic the same one that was released at comic stores a couple weeks ago?

Yes, they had the crew responsible for the writing and the art there yesterday to sign the books and talk with fans.

I had to laugh though, in talking with the people at WEP they are fully informed of how much older fans hate the cadets

I also was looking at some of their stuff and never noticed the copyrights say Voltron is owned by WEP and currently licensed out to Classic Media. That probably plays a role in the Voltron stuff as Mattel has to appease 2 parties instead of 1 that they normally do (DC, Ghostbusters, Filmation)

And lots of people kept asking about the toys, I hope that if we don't get a retail line they think about taking it online since the VF Force version is a different design as are the pilots outfits (they could still do 2 heads and give them their special weapons in clear plastic colors)

[MOTU_Maniac]

GREAT pics Mark! Thanks for taking those and sharing them with us. Voltron is going to be HUGE!!

[Mr. Shokoti]

I had to laugh though, in talking with the people at WEP they are fully informed of how much older fans hate the cadets

I'm definitely not a fan of the typical kids in TV shows or movies(either the sarcastic brats or the "cute" ones), but I like the cadets. Sure, I'd like to see some episodes focusing only on the original crew(or the original crew after Sven), but I think the cadets add to the show,

[JonWes]

Cool pics Mark! That Voltron is just so amazing. Seeing the Red Lion, I think I finally got an idea of how huge he is... and then I see Yellow Lion and realize I still can't comprehend it.

Caught up on the last two episodes.

 

I loved Allura giving up her pilot's seat. That was great and appropriate.

Then Pidge giving up his seat was ham fisted at best. The reasoning was next to non-existant, and happening RIGHT AFTER Allura gave it up made the last episode less special. The ending was even more ridiculous with Hunk, Lance and Keith wondering who would give up their seat next.

Why is that a concern all of a sudden? WHY does anyone have to give up their seat?

Ugh.

Don't get me wrong, I still think the show is great and I don't mind some of the pilots transitioning. But this was done so poorly. If Allura had given up her seat mid-season and then this happened after a bit more build up I could see it, but I just think it all feels very artificial and forced.

I look forward to seeing what happens in the finale, I just am a bit sad after a great first season this element feels pretty bungled.

[Firefly]

markatisu, so do you think season 2 is close to a guarantee or do you think they were just being optimistic and giving company talk?

I'm not a fan of another pilot stepping aside. Allura giving hers up made sense. It will be even more lame if another pilot gives up their seat in the next episode. It doesn't help that I'm not a big fan of the cadets or their superpowers.

[markatisu]

markatisu, so do you think season 2 is close to a guarantee or do you think they were just being optimistic and giving company talk?

I'm not a fan of another pilot stepping aside. Allura giving hers up made sense. It will be even more lame if another pilot gives up their seat in the next episode. It doesn't help that I'm not a big fan of the cadets or their superpowers.

I think it all depends on Nicktoons and if Mattel can get a toyline launched

The producers and writers were very enthusiastic, much more then just having to deliver a company line. The main producer was ecstatic about the season finale and reiterated to me several times it was a season not series finale

In all honesty I think it lies with Mattel, several questions I and other fans asked were answered with an implication the the entire future if the show has to wait to coincide with the toy line from them

[Mr. Shokoti]

Does anyone really think a retail toyline will be a success whether it's from Mattel or someone else? Most toylines at retail these days that see any success either have an adult fanbase that rivals the kids(DCUC, WWE, Marvel Universe, Transformers,Star Wars) or is based on a collectible card game. I'd love to see a Voltron Force line, but I'll be shocked if it is anymore successful than MOTU 2002, Thundercats, Secret Saturdays, etc.

[markatisu]

Does anyone really think a retail toyline will be a success whether it's from Mattel or someone else? Most toylines at retail these days that see any success either have an adult fanbase that rivals the kids(DCUC, WWE, Marvel Universe, Transformers,Star Wars) or is based on a collectible card game. I'd love to see a Voltron Force line, but I'll be shocked if it is anymore successful than MOTU 2002, Thundercats, Secret Saturdays, etc.

I don't think it's a matter of it being successful, it's a required step and would most likely fail. But it funds the continuation of a show. It's just how it's done

It's kinda like the Castle G in a movie year thing for MOTUC. whether it sells does not matter, the movie is what gets it made.

Also you never know until you try, Voltron as a toy would be similar to Power Rangers and that sells good enough. Kids like robots, it's worth more of a shot then swords and sorcery toys imho

I think the problem for Voltron is that in retailers eyes its too much like Power Rangers so they won't stock it. I really think the MattyCollector Voltron was designed for retail (the "action" feature is a dead giveaway) and they passed so Mattel moved it online. That would also explain why the long delay where the entire 1st season has aired with no toys, they can't get retail to take the chance.

After Thundercats and Young Justice though I guess I can't blame retail for being cautious

On another note, I finally got caught up and I really don't have a problem with what Pidge did. All season he has been spending more and more time in the control room running the defense system and trying to figure out how to maximize defenses.

I would have rather had him "share" the seat with Vince but I don't take issue with him stepping down to be Central Command with Coran

What made me do a stinkface was Keith saying who is next at the end, the only cadet left has been infected with hagarium and has emotion management issues. I don't see why he has to get a seat even though I can imagine it will be Keith's as Keith becomes the bodyguard to Allura

That would move Lance in charge which is what he has wanted from the beginning and goes back to an episode earlier this season where he basically makes the case he should be in charge after Keith was gone

[JonWes]

Also, Voltron Force was (haven't seen ratings for a while) really popular with kids. I think kids 5-8 were it's biggest audience. So toys could do well.

As for what Pidge did. I didn't mind it happening. I just minded it happening right after the last episode. As I said, it just made the last episode feel less special. I wish they'd have paced it out more. It just seemed there's been a big rush at the end of the season to change it up rather than it feeling more organic.

[markatisu]

Also, Voltron Force was (haven't seen ratings for a while) really popular with kids. I think kids 5-8 were it's biggest audience. So toys could do well.

It is Nicktoons highest rated show, of course that is not saying a whole lot since there is nothing else on Nicktoons Then of course you have the issue Nick in general has with Nielson (that I mentioned earlier in the thread) and even if we got numbers does that matter to Nick.

We do not have access to iTunes sales, that would be the 1st indicator of its strength with fans since if nobody liked the show nobody would buy the eps or season pass for it.

I am more in the camp of Mattel/WEP/Classic Media cannot find a retail home for the line at the moment and so that is why we have not seen toys. I would not be surprised at all if they did VF but it was a MattyCollector only line, they already promote the heck out of Matty in their DVD's and on Twitter and FB.

It will be interesting to see how fast Yellow Lion sells, if it sells out then Voltron could be similar to MOTUC where they nailed the production # and with cutting out retail its at the point of just making profit. SDCC will be a big indication, not sure if there will be another Voltron sub.

As for what Pidge did. I didn't mind it happening. I just minded it happening right after the last episode. As I said, it just made the last episode feel less special. I wish they'd have paced it out more. It just seemed there's been a big rush at the end of the season to change it up rather than it feeling more organic.

Yeah I agree, the way in which it went down seemed kinda silly since it appeared like Pidge did it just so that Allura would not be upset they made the big ceremony. Then you add what Keith said and its like they were rushing to just dump the seats off.

EDIT: C2E2 Updates from the panels

DVD releases for VF will probably come as part of an action-figure/DVD/season-2-premiere promotional blitz

Voltron Force is Nicktoons highest rated show, moving to Wednesdays increased ratings

The Producer for Voltron Force posted this after C2E2

Indeed as mentioned at the panel the network is very pleased with the performance of the show (#1 on the Network and higher than Iron Man in ratings) and as seen at C2E2 many kids young and older are getting into it!

We are still working away and it's coming down to coordinating with our partners from production to broadcast to retail. You know suit and tie stuff! As always you will be the first to know just keep the energy up and enjoy the Season Finale episodes!

[Firefly]

I hope they release a full season set on DVD or Blu-Ray, but I get the feeling it will probably be 1 or 2 disc volumes.

[markatisu]

I hope they release a full season set on DVD or Blu-Ray, but I get the feeling it will probably be 1 or 2 disc volumes.

It will probably be like the iTunes pass which is 2 volumes of 13 eps each

[ETERNIA FOREVER]

Hey Has any non club members yellow lion ship yet ... ???

[soundwavempl]

Hey Has any non club members yellow lion ship yet ... ???

I have a subscription and I just got the shipping notice for my Yellow lion today. So if subscribers are just getting theirs shipped out, it might be a couple more days for non-subscribers to get theirs shipped.