Toyguru Mattycollector.com MOTUC news thread August 2011

[Crusader]

The bios help erase the divisions between the eras by incorporating them with general MOTU. We are really starting to see this with NA.

One of the reasons I stopped reading the bios. I don't like the great MOTUC melting pot idea.

[synthalus]

It's interesting how Mattel changed their system by fully depending on subscriptions now how their collector lines shape, but I understand from their business standpoint why they made the change because of the guaranteed sales.

While it really sux some awesome future idea's got "temporary" canceled like Castle Grayskull, Vehicles, Weapon Paks, maybe less oversized sku's and maybe less A-list variants because less subs were being sold for 2012, I have to say I am glad Mattel puts the line under a magnifier glass and cut back on things to try to keep the line healthy and are going to try to win the subscriptions back for 2013.

It is clear that the subscription grew out of proportion. I think what played a big part in the lowered subs may have been a $60 sku in January along with the other releases. I'm not bashing the Star Sisters, on the contrary I am embracing them in the MOTUC line and am happy they are finally being made but a $60 sku at the beginning of the year is pretty crazy imo.

The higher subscription price is what made it unaffordable for some people and all the re-releases over saturated the secondary market to the point where resellers lost interest. The secondary market is also a very important part to keep any toyline healthy (with the exception of speculators).

Even I cut back from 2 subs in 2009 and 2010 to only 1 sub in 2011 and 2012 because so much extra's was added. I even considered not getting a sub in 2012 because I still bought an extra figure almost monthly and wanted to avoid extra shipping fees by giving up my sub but I was instantly convinced to get a 2012 sub the moment I saw Shadow Weaver!

Now after all the drama with Mattel selling considerably less subs than the previous years, I think very different about the sub and regard the sub as a vote to continue the line into the future. I wish I could afford more than 1 sub to support the line, but it is what it is, I'm doing all I can do with 1 sub... c'est la vie

What I want to see more than anything is all of the various characters of all era's being fully released all the way up to 2020. I have to say I am very glad the sub still sold well over the minimum for production and Scott mentioned the line is still very healthy! As long as we can cross that minimum sub sale all the way up till 2020, we'll at least get all the figures! Hopefully with additional support here and there the playsets, vehicles and beast will somehow still be added after all along the way. I keep my hope up for sure

[ManKindRam]

Honestly a simple fix for me would be make the beasts an add-in for people who want them and drop the Star Sisters from January.

[bcrduke]

It is clear that the subscription grew out of proportion. I think what played a big part in the lowered subs may have been a $60 sku in January along with the other releases. I'm not bashing the Star Sisters, on the contrary I am embracing them in the MOTUC line and am happy they are finally being made but a $60 sku at the beginning of the year is pretty crazy imo.

The higher subscription price is what made it unaffordable for some people and all the re-releases over saturated the secondary market to the point where resellers lost interest. The secondary market is also a very important part to keep any toyline healthy (with the exception of speculators).

Even I cut back from 2 subs in 2009 and 2010 to only 1 sub in 2011 and 2012 because so much extra's was added. I even considered not getting a sub in 2012 because I still bought an extra figure almost monthly and wanted to avoid extra shipping fees by giving up my sub but I was instantly convinced to get a 2012 sub the moment I saw Shadow Weaver!

Now after all the drama with Mattel selling considerably less subs than the previous years, I think very different about the sub and regard the sub as a vote to continue the line into the future. I wish I could afford more than 1 sub to support the line, but it is what it is, I'm doing all I can do with 1 sub... c'est la vie

I agree that the $60 item should have come later... like in the second quarter.

The first should have been the $40 Horde Trooper 2-pack (I assume that is how they will be introduced into the line).

Clearly Mattel has to cater to the casual collectors and vintage purists a little. The rest of us want everything, so the character selection doesn't really matter to us.

BUT, ALL of us, no matter what our preferences, will look at the first quarter and say, "WHOA"

JANUARY:

Sorceress $20.00
Star Sisters $60.00
Fearless Photog $20.00

FEBRUARY:

Fisto $20.00

MARCH:

Kobra Khan: $20.00
Thunder Punch He-Man: $20.00
Draego-Man: $20.00
Shadow Weaver: $20.00 (if they release her this month... though I guess we've already been charged for her?)

Now multiply that by 2... and add one of the new subscriptions (DCUC, Voltron) or the GB sub.

CRAZY.

[Mr. Shokoti]

I can understand someone not liking the POP toyline or the She-Ra cartoon. What get me is when the same people who like Queen Marlena, Teela, The Sorceress, or Hurricane Hordak don't like POP characters because they are girls or wear gold. That makes no sense to me. It's just being stubborn imo. I strongly dislike the 2002 era, but if something turns out cool(the toys for Chief Carnivus & MOTUC Keldor for instance), I can admit it.

[RockinHard]

I can understnad someone not liking the POP toyline or the She-Ra cartoon. What get me is when the same people who like Queen Marlena, Teela, The Sorceress, or Hurricane Hordak don't like POP characters because they are girls or wear gold. That makes no sense to me. It's just being stubborn imo. I strongly dislike the 2002 era, but if something turns out cool(the toys for Chief Carnivus & MOTUC Keldor for instance), I can admit it.

It's not that they are girls, but there is a big difference between Teela, Evil-Lyn, Marlena, and The Star Sisters. Big difference. Not to mention that they have those "girl toyline" roots and stigma. I say this as someone who owns them all. But I know where they are coming from.

[MegaGearMax]

I can understnad someone not liking the POP toyline or the She-Ra cartoon. What get me is when the same people who like Queen Marlena, Teela, The Sorceress, or Hurricane Hordak don't like POP characters because they are girls or wear gold. That makes no sense to me. It's just being stubborn imo. I strongly dislike the 2002 era, but if something turns out cool(the toys for Chief Carnivus & MOTUC Keldor for instance), I can admit it.

It's not that they are girls, but there is a big difference between Teela, Evil-Lyn, Marlena, and The Star Sisters. Big difference. Not to mention that they have those "girl toyline" roots and stigma. I say this as someone who owns them all. But I know where they are coming from.

Barbarian based women vs fairy tale based women.

Sometimes I wonder what would have happened in 200X had revamped POP characters like they did with the MOTU characters. Would they have been male-oriented, more warrior-like?

[bcrduke]

I can understnad someone not liking the POP toyline or the She-Ra cartoon. What get me is when the same people who like Queen Marlena, Teela, The Sorceress, or Hurricane Hordak don't like POP characters because they are girls or wear gold. That makes no sense to me. It's just being stubborn imo. I strongly dislike the 2002 era, but if something turns out cool(the toys for Chief Carnivus & MOTUC Keldor for instance), I can admit it.

This. (though I like 200X)

It's not that they are girls, but there is a big difference between Teela, Evil-Lyn, Marlena, and The Star Sisters. Big difference. Not to mention that they have those "girl toyline" roots and stigma. I say this as someone who owns them all. But I know where they are coming from.

You have come to appreciate the characters though, in this new line. THAT is a wonderful thing. There are some collectors who just can't I wish they could. I feel like they lose out a little No one expects anyone to want to sit around and brush Frosta's hair. I want a Frosta with the originally intended, but removeable, crystalline ice-arm. UPDATE!!

Barbarian based women vs fairy tale based women.

Sometimes I wonder what would have happened in 200X had revamped POP characters like they did with the MOTU characters. Would they have been male-oriented, more warrior-like?

I think Circe is a good reference point. In the episode where Evil-Lyn turns into Circe to hypnotize Ram Man. I think she's more along the lines of how POP characters would have been flavored.

It's unfortunate that 200X didn't include them... they would have been amazing.

[Mr. Shokoti]

Barbarian based women vs fairy tale based women.

Queen Marlena is wearing a dress for God's sake. Also, if Bow was a member of the vintage MOTU toyline, I can't see anyone complaining about him. His MOTUC toy doesn't stand out at all if there wasn't the bias. Speaking of bias...

Sometimes I wonder what would have happened in 200X had revamped POP characters like they did with the MOTU characters. Would they have been male-oriented, more warrior-like?

I get that you love the 2002 era(my Mom gets it and she doesn't visit here nor do I talk to her about MOTU), but how is the 2002 era more "warrior-like" than the vintage line? They have different designs, but you act like the vintage line was full of flowers & pink ascots.

[MegaGearMax]

Queen Marlena is wearing a dress for God's sake. Also, if Bow was a member of the vintage MOTU toyline, I can't see anyone complaining about him. His MOTUC toy doesn't stand out at all if there wasn't the bias. Speaking of bias...

Fans grew up with Queen Marlena alongside Teela, Evil-Lyn and Sorceress, so she is excused from that "girl toyline" bias.

I get that you love the 2002 era(my Mom gets it and she doesn't visit here nor do I talk to her about MOTU), but how is the 2002 era more "warrior-like" than the vintage line? They have different designs, but you act like the vintage line was full of flowers & pink ascots.

200X "fixed design problems" that the original figures were perceived to have had. Knowing that some fans thought POP was too girly might have made the 4H try to improve their concepts like they did with Prince Adam, Snout Spout, Mantenna and Clawful.

[Mr. Shokoti]

Fans grew up with Queen Marlena alongside Teela, Evil-Lyn and Sorceress, so she is excused from that "girl toyline" bias.

That was sort of my point.

200X "fixed design problems" that the original figures were perceived to have had. Knowing that some fans thought POP was too girly might have made the 4H try to improve their concepts like they did with Prince Adam, Snout Spout, Mantenna and Clawful.

2002 was about Mattel trying to get Dragonball Z loving kids into MOTU. I'd say MOTUC is more about the 4H fixing what they want to see fixed(hence the extra legs on some characters, the cardback designs on others, and MOTUC Bow). While the quality of their job is debatable, I think we can both agree that we don't like all of their "fixes".

[Kevenn]

We all have nieces and daughters. If you don't wanna give them an expensive set then open it up and give it to 3 different girls! Stuff it in christmas stockings or give it to the same girl over the next 3 years on her birthday...I could go on and on on how one can make a young girl happy and just give for the sake of giving; who knows, you might even create a fan and generate enough sales to get your castle!

OR - the Star Sisters set can be donated un-opened to a Toys For Tots at Christmas time - keep your reciepts from Matty Collector and your reciept from Toys For Tots, and you get a $60 tax write-off!

[Reboot]

200X "fixed design problems" that the original figures were perceived to have had. Knowing that some fans thought POP was too girly might have made the 4H try to improve their concepts like they did with... Mantenna

Mantenna was just an overrendered Filmation Mantenna. Better than the old-toy Bloated Manny Redbreast, true, but still proof that exaggerating every detail doesn't necessarily make something better.

[Balthus Dire]

I'm stoked for the Star Sisters, but someone else mentioned it might've been a better idea to make them a SDCC exclusive for 2012, and I just might agree. I don't think they're nearly as damaging to the line as others, but they seem to fit the SDCC slot perfectly.

[markatisu]

OR - the Star Sisters set can be donated un-opened to a Toys For Tots at Christmas time - keep your reciepts from Matty Collector and your reciept from Toys For Tots, and you get a $60 tax write-off!

Exactly, people complaining they have no use for the Star Sisters has no idea how to best utilize them. I have been donating to Toys for Tots and writing it off my taxes for years. It helps kids and basically gets me my money back for doing it

[Roboto X78]

I do not like simple figure repaints in FILMATION colours. If I could choose I would back off the variant figures anyway. FILMATION variants should only be published if they looked overall significantly differnt from the toy figure. But there are lots of other better new characters from the cartoon to produce: Strong Arm, Lizard Man, Sea Hawk, Granita, Scorpia, Madame Razz & Broom, Hunga, Shokoti, Lord Mask, Fang Man, Celine, Dragoon and some other. I definitely prefer new figures than variant figures.

[Tallstar]

Hoping the Star Sisters can vanquish the negativity come January.

[Darkspecter]

Hoping the Star Sisters can vanquish the negativity come January.

Uh-oh...they killed 2/3 of the Star Misters!

TG answered a new question. Sounds like they're thinking of possibly cutting down on the oversized/beast figures for 2013.

[FAKER II]

I'm sad to hear that they're cutting back. But I am one of those who felt that the sub was getting a bit too expensive. It's a shame we can't at least get some non-sub straight up repaints/kitbashes. Figures like Leo Faker, Leo Kobra Khan, Filmaton color Hordak, or a classic toy version of Mer-Man (could be marketed as one of Mer-Man's minions) wouldn't cost Mattel anything in new tooling.

So here would be my ideal 2013 set up:

Sub:
- 12 monthly figures
- 2 A-list variants
- 1 beast
- 1 vehicle
- 1 incentive figure

non-sub
- SDCC exclusive
- 2-3 repaints/kitbashes with no new tooling.

[Tallstar]

Uh-oh...they killed 2/3 of the Star Misters!

TG answered a new question. Sounds like they're thinking of possibly cutting down on the oversized/beast figures for 2013.

Hopefully they tell us what these unannounced 2012 items are at some point. Doesn't sound like something they would incorporate into the 2013 subscription.

[bigsexy_j]

So apparently an idea for the castle was coming in 2012 but because we didn't order as many subs they nixed it.

[RockinHard]

So apparently an idea for the castle was coming in 2012 but because we didn't order as many subs they nixed it.

"Mom, can I have a dog for Christmas?"
"We're looking into it, darling. Just a lot of responsibility."

Two weeks later . . .

"Sorry, honey, Mommy didn't make three extra dollars this week. I know I didn't tell you that before, but I just wanted to run your face into the ground. Bahahahahahaha!"

[Mr_Yuck]

So apparently an idea for the castle was coming in 2012 but because we didn't order as many subs they nixed it.

Yeah, apparently they had an idea for a "pre-order" for Castle Grayskull, but the idea was nixed due to the sub not selling as well as projected.

Honestly, that really doesn't make a lot of sense to me. If it was a presale, why does the sub sales factor in? It's getting to the point now where there doesn't seem to be anything Scott can say that's going to be good news regarding it, so maybe he needs to stay away from that topic and give the standard "nothing planned now".

[RockinHard]

Yeah, apparently they had an idea for a "pre-order" for Castle Grayskull, but the idea was nixed due to the sub not selling as well as projected.

Honestly, that really doesn't make a lot of sense to me. If it was a presale, why does the sub sales factor in? It's getting to the point now where there doesn't seem to be anything Scott can say that's going to be good news regarding it, so maybe he needs to stay away from that topic and give the standard "nothing planned now".

Yes, what difference does it make if it's a presale and they use the thermometer or whatever.

I understand the point that it makes sense not to make it if the sub states that less are subscribing, but if something big is going to sell, it's CG - just like vintage sells more than obscure, NA, etc..

For God's sake, try it out!

[Mr_Yuck]

Yes, what difference does it make if it's a presale and they use the thermometer or whatever.

That's another thing too. Why on earth would they use that damn thermometer thing again? Seriously, haven't they ticked off enough of their customers with that thing? I sure as heck don't want to have to wait and watch to see IF Castle Grayskull would get made. That's as bad as what's going on right now with DCUC.