Toyguru Mattycollector.com MOTUC News Thread May 2012

[Slave2Evil_Lyn]

I don't know how to really approach this question and I always wanted to ask but I didn't want it to end up in the Tar Swamp but the discussion in this thread has me asking it again.

Before I ask it I promise I am not trying to offend anyone so please don't take it that way.

I noticed there are quite a few males who are saying they are big PoP fans and some posters even equated this line to a "boy's club". My question is, how many of the male PoP fans are gay? I don't want to stereotype anyone but it is something I have always wanted to ask. Are straight males hardcore PoP fans?

Again, I am not trying to cause any problems I am just curious is all

No problem asking, if done with respect.

I can only speak for myself, so to answer your question yes I am gay. Gay but still male.

[Darkspecter]

I don't know how to really approach this question and I always wanted to ask but I didn't want it to end up in the Tar Swamp but the discussion in this thread has me asking it again.

Before I ask it I promise I am not trying to offend anyone so please don't take it that way.

I noticed there are quite a few males who are saying they are big PoP fans and some posters even equated this line to a "boy's club". My question is, how many of the male PoP fans are gay? I don't want to stereotype anyone but it is something I have always wanted to ask. Are straight males hardcore PoP fans?

Again, I am not trying to cause any problems I am just curious is all

There's a thread about this in the PoP forums from a few years back, actually. It...got semi-out of control. Long story short, there are quite a few straight, male PoP fans. It didn't get out of control BECAUSE of the question, it got out of control because the stance of the thread was that all guys who like PoP are gay (in a negative way...like "sissy" if you will, not in a factual way like...Americans like apple pie. @ my example). I know you're not trying to go there or anything.

EDIT: I was going to PM you the link...but it's been deleted. It was still around earlier this year...

[TheFallen]

Thanks for your replies so far guys.

By no means was I posing the question as PoP fans are sissies as you understood because you were not implying that. I am just honestly curious at the ratio, if you will, of gay male hardcore PoP fans.

[Darkspecter]

Thanks for your replies so far guys.

By no means was I posing the question as PoP fans are sissies as you understood because you were not implying that. I am just honestly curious at the ratio, if you will, of gay male hardcore PoP fans.

Oh, I know you aren't trying to go anywhere negative.

As far as the ratio...I'm not sure what that would be. I know there are a LOT of gay guys that are fans of PoP though. I think it's because She-Ra is a strong, female role model who fights oppression, the cartoon shows women and men as equals (whereas women were usually oppressed). I mean, I think gay kids related to that, because they were outcasts and felt very alone and treated as "lesser than" (which is why they might also relate to something like X-Men). Gay children and men seem to relate to strong, empowered women a lot: Wonder Woman, Joan Crawford, Cher, Madonna, Lady Gaga, etc.

There's also the very gripping story which most people love. She-Ra's general plot/story line in the Filmation cartoon is EPIC! During the PoP wars on the earlier years of the .org, I always thought the "Vintage Purists" hated on PoP because they were jealous She-Ra had a better story line than He-Man in the cartoon!

EDIT: I love ALL eras of MOTU, so please don't attack me for my last sentence.

[Staff Of Ka]

Ive never said its all a boys club......I just said there IS a boys club!

as for me-

MOTU Fan -Yes
POP Fan -Yes
NA Fan - Yes
Filmation fan - never
Gay Fan - Yes

[EtherianChronicles]

Thanks for your replies so far guys.

By no means was I posing the question as PoP fans are sissies as you understood because you were not implying that. I am just honestly curious at the ratio, if you will, of gay male hardcore PoP fans.

Me too - checking in as gay PoP fan.

On a related note, I always find the "straight males" who object to female action figures to be peculiar, as I do those who refuse to play female avatars in video games (i.e. won't play Tomb Raider because they don't want to play Lara Croft). I mean, don't straight guys like looking at sexy ladies? LOL. Especially in a video game - if you have to stare at the backside of your character for endless hours playing, I know I'd rather look at a studly male than a girl, and I'd assume they'd rather look at a shapely woman's behind - yet they do not always feel that way, LOL.

- - - Updated - - -

Gay children and men seem to relate to strong, empowered women a lot: Wonder Woman, Joan Crawford, Cher, Madonna, Lady Gaga, etc.

Have you been peering in my living room???!!!

LOL.

I have several WW figures and books on display, a framed Crawford autograph (and a shelf of books and old print ads), both Cher and Madonna framed tour merch, though I've yet to go Ga Ga over Ga Ga (that said, I do think she is immensely talented).

Wow, I am so gay...

[Tallstar]

Tallstar: removable pants, waist extension piece (she usually grows at the waist, when she grows...and she doesn't have that option!)
Starla: star explosion backpack (her entire gimmick...it would be like releasing Fisto without his fist)
Jewelstar: ability to fold or a big, jeweled rock to represent that. Whenever they get to Rockon, Stonedar and Granita we'll have to see what they do. Jewelstar was to be the exact same as the Rock People...but a jewel.

This. Additionally, I always considered Jewelstar's all-translucent body and the crystal "shards" on it to be part of her gimmick as well. Even though only the hip crystals are present on the prototype in the American catalog, I expected the 4H to combine the best aspects of both prototypes and pretty much do a 100% tool, as Tallstar and Jewelstar are the only "Ram-Mans" of the vintage POP line. That's what we were led to believe was gonna happen. Instead we got a girl in opaque jewel superhero costume that has only a bit more articulation than a McDonalds Happy Meal toy.

I don't know how to really approach this question and I always wanted to ask but I didn't want it to end up in the Tar Swamp but the discussion in this thread has me asking it again.

Before I ask it I promise I am not trying to offend anyone so please don't take it that way.

I noticed there are quite a few males who are saying they are big PoP fans and some posters even equated this line to a "boy's club". My question is, how many of the male PoP fans are gay? I don't want to stereotype anyone but it is something I have always wanted to ask. Are straight males hardcore PoP fans?

Again, I am not trying to cause any problems I am just curious is all

I am.

[mykan]

To label MOTUC as a "boys club" denotes myopic, archaic thinking. Though MOTUC is based on lines that were running in the 80s, it is not any of those lines. It is OK for fans to interpret MOTUC how they see fit, but to impose that perception on others is a mistake. If you don't like Great Rebellion females crowding your MOTUC toy line, that's your business. If you don't want any of that "NA crap", or "concept stuff", that's how YOU feel. But there are plenty more fans and collectors - straight, gay, male, female, young, old - that LOVE it. MOTUC has evolved beyond the constraints of the original MOTU line - it has to if it wants staying power. If MOTUC simply focused on the vintage MOTU line, it would be old news by now - all or most of the figures would have been released, and there would really be no point in continuing on.

Including things like Filmation and concept characters injects new blood into this brand - they're making characters into figures that NEVER had figures before! I find this to be exciting. They're incorporating spin-off brands into one brand - this is smart business. Imagine if Mermista or Flogg were released in the original MOTU line - they'd be received quite differently nowadays methinks.

[LostIt2Bostik]

It's time the Great Rebellion partycrashed this boy's club sausage fest!!! Bring on the POP women!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Slave2Evil_Lyn]

Me too - checking in as gay PoP fan.

On a related note, I always find the "straight males" who object to female action figures to be peculiar, as I do those who refuse to play female avatars in video games (i.e. won't play Tomb Raider because they don't want to play Lara Croft). I mean, don't straight guys like looking at sexy ladies? LOL. Especially in a video game - if you have to stare at the backside of your character for endless hours playing, I know I'd rather look at a studly male than a girl, and I'd assume they'd rather look at a shapely woman's behind - yet they do not always feel that way, LOL.

I often wondered the same thing. My straight best friend says that it's because they imagine themselves as the hero and they can't do that if it's a female. Maybe its a gift that comes along with the gay gene that I can see myself emulating the action of a male or female in movie or video game.

On a side note, with the exception of Legends of Zelda and Mario I really only like playing video games in which I can play as a female.

[Balthus Dire]

Huge POP fan here. Not gay.

[Zodach]

On a related note, I always find the "straight males" who object to female action figures to be peculiar

I don't think anyone is objecting to female action figures in general. I love Sorceress, Teela, and Evil-Lyn because they were in the vintage line that I remember so fondly. I love the Green Goddess because the mini comics were my first media exposure to MOTU and the story line and direction that I preferred over Filmation even as a kid. I even love She-ra because she was such a dominate character in the 80's.

These are all characters that I have nostalgia for, but I don't have that same attachment to anything else POP. It was clearly targeted at females in the 80's so you won't see nearly as many males today who have fond memories or associate with POP like they did MOTU. This is a broad generalization and won't be true in all cases but I think it's a more common description of MOTUC fans today. It's why the vintage MOTU figures are more popular.

It is OK for fans to interpret MOTUC how they see fit, but to impose that perception on others is a mistake.

This is true for fans of all eras of MOTU, POP included. Obviously there are a number of POP fans who think the line is imbalanced as far as representation is concerned, but I would disagree. We already know of 5 POP figures in 2012 (Star Sisters, Shadow Weaver, Frosta) which is more than any other segment outside of vintage MOTU. Some fans don't think that's good enough, some fans are ok with that, and some fans think that's too many. We can debate this all day long, but in the end Mattel has said they have an evenly distributed lineup to keep the line going for some time. I believe they will please most of us in the long run and there will be good representation from all areas of MOTU.

Including things like Filmation and concept characters injects new blood into this brand - they're making characters into figures that NEVER had figures before! I find this to be exciting.

I do to

[melmoth666]

Checking in as a straight, male, POP fan.

I think by the time Filmation got to POP the stories were better, the characters more three-dimensional, and the overall continuity of the "universe" was more consistent.

In my opinion, POP really is a quality property and I would like to see more of the rebellion--the chacters we care about the most.

[RockinHard]

I don't think anyone is objecting to female action figures in general. I love Sorceress, Teela, and Evil-Lyn because they were in the vintage line that I remember so fondly. I love the Green Goddess because the mini comics were my first media exposure to MOTU and the story line and direction that I preferred over Filmation even as a kid. I even love She-ra because she was such a dominate character in the 80's.

Hopefully your point won't be ignored, but I'm sure it will. I agree with you.

[Shadow-Ra]

Hopefully your point won't be ignored, but I'm sure it will. I agree with you.

That's quite hilarious.

[RockinHard]

That's quite hilarious.

It is. Especially since everyone hates female action figures.

Justin Bieber in a tutu is pretty hilarious, too.

[Shadow-Ra]

It is. Especially since everyone hates female action figures.

Justin Bieber in a tutu is pretty hilarious, too.

Well at least you're out of the mentality that they're dolls. Well done Poppet.

[RockinHard]

Well at least you're out of the mentality that they're dolls. Well done Poppet.

You're calling me "a small child" or "puppet"--the definition of Poppet? How mature of you!

My point is that some on here are obviously going to ignore Zodach's point of stating that because we like that there are more male figures like when we were kids doesn't mean we dislike female action figures. I like them, particularly the vintage and FILMATION ones. But it does appear that despite him or me saying that, we're just automatically against female figures. It's quite ridiculous.

[Shadow-Ra]

That's not the definition of it, not where I come from ;-)

[Angel-T]

It is. Especially since everyone hates female action figures.

Justin Bieber in a tutu is pretty hilarious, too.

Hate seems to be the one thing threads like this are never lacking! Plenty of things make the POP fans laugh RH....Beiber in tutu would defo make the list!

Oh and Poppet is an English tearm of affection like honey.....Shadow-Ra was being nice to you!

[Squishy Duck Man]

Me too - checking in as gay PoP fan.

On a related note, I always find the "straight males" who object to female action figures to be peculiar, as I do those who refuse to play female avatars in video games (i.e. won't play Tomb Raider because they don't want to play Lara Croft). I mean, don't straight guys like looking at sexy ladies? LOL. Especially in a video game - if you have to stare at the backside of your character for endless hours playing, I know I'd rather look at a studly male than a girl, and I'd assume they'd rather look at a shapely woman's behind - yet they do not always feel that way, LOL.

Yes, as a straight guy I'll tell you I like looking at sexy ladies. My PS3 background is Jade from the most recent Mortal Kombat game because that's my favorite game franchise and I can just stare at her for hours.... Until my wife smacks me upside the head because I'm staring at Jade again. Also - in agreement we need some of the Great Rebellion's female leads.

[Whiplash7]

Well... EVERY character has their fans.

But since you mentioned them, Star Sisters and BG Lynn didn't have that many people happy when they showed up....

BG teela? Had a loud number of supporters... but most people who got her don't recognize her as Teela... more 'random barbarian woman... in hot bikini' Which even as a guy I find a bit exploitative.

I honestly think Bubble power She-ra was a lame cop-out. I had zero interest in that varient, and the fact i STILL had to buy the crummy v1.0 of She-ra for the filmation head ticked me off. Acknowledging the legs suck on v1 and then making a v2... only to keep selling v1... Ought to be a crime.

Marlena? Is a an utter mystery as to why anyone would care for her...

BG Evil-Lyn was very well liked, only a handful of people posted their hate for her over and over.
BG Teela was disliked by the filmation hate-squad who want to exclude all other motu canons. If they don't recognize her as Teela, it's their own fault. There was a thread about the character on the forums for two years before she was released, for those unfamiliar with her. Furthermore, it's not exploitation. She's wearing an outfit from a children's comic from 1982. It's not a dental floss bikini - she's dressed exactly like the men. Furry shorts, belt and bracers, and a large metal bikini where a male would wear some skimpy armor (ie: He-Man).
As for Marlena, she's awesome. That's why people like her. She's a 2-in-1 figure, a cool astronaut and a queen figure that completes the royal family. One of the best figures of 2011. Like, top 3. Why anyone would want a Randor without a Marlena is bizarre.

[MegaGearMax]

Well... EVERY character has their fans.

But since you mentioned them, Star Sisters and BG Lynn didn't have that many people happy when they showed up....

People didn't want to pay $60 for the Star Sisters. If they were an SDCC exclusive, they probably would have gone over much better.

While there are fans who are upset that BGEL came with a Teela dress (defeating the purpose of asking for a 200X Lyn in the first place), everyone else was thrilled about BGEL and liked her as a repaint. At least she went over better with the fans than Snake Man-At-Arms.

BG teela? Had a loud number of supporters... but most people who got her don't recognize her as Teela... more 'random barbarian woman... in hot bikini' Which even as a guy I find a bit exploitative.

Only a few people have called Blonde Bikini Teela exploitative, but as Whiplash said, she's not wearing a dental floss string bikini, you know. She's wearing the same clothes as He-Man does. As for recognizing her as Teela, most people here grew up with Teela being a redhead. They greatly outnumber the fans who were there when she started out as a blonde. Hell, some of those redheaded Teela fans weren't even born during Teela's blonde Pre-Filmation period!

I honestly think Bubble power She-ra was a lame cop-out. I had zero interest in that varient, and the fact i STILL had to buy the crummy v1.0 of She-ra for the filmation head ticked me off. Acknowledging the legs suck on v1 and then making a v2... only to keep selling v1... Ought to be a crime.

Bubble Power She-Ra was executed so nicely! She gave fans so many display options that it wasn't even funny. The figure also solved the issues of the hole in the head, sitting on Swiftwind and having more detail.

Marlena? Is a an utter mystery as to why anyone would care for her...

It's an utter mystery why you wouldn't want a Queen for your King Randor.

[Balthus Dire]

People didn't want to pay $60 for the Star Sisters. If they were an SDCC exclusive, they probably would have gone over much better.

You mean like Vykron?

[MegaGearMax]

You mean like Vykron?

At least you have a choice with Vykron! Rage over the Star Sisters lasted quite awhile.