Is MATTEL watching the LINE? (Has it become too violent/too many deaths)

[Snake Hunter]

MOTU has been always child-oriented even in the 200X series. I wonder if Mattel is aware about the drastic turn MOTU is taking:

- Deaths of main characters (Man-at-Arm, Sorceress)
- Explicit violence (ripping off Eternian Champions)

In Marvel and other major franchises not every writer can do whaetever he wants...

Is Mattel aware of this?

[NorthCoast]

It's just some words on a cardboard back of an adult action-figure. I don't think it's worth freaking out about.

[EldestSon]

it's an adult colletors line.

[Grimbot]

ToyGuru's working for Mattel, so, yes. Yes, they are.
Better question would be: Do they care?

Besides, it's not the first time graphic violence popped up in MOTU. Just take a look at 200x Icons of evil comics - Trap Jaw issue.
Which, of course, doesn't mean that MOTU should be turned into a gore-fest.

[JonWes]

King Hsss ate several characters in 200X, including Zodak's brother. That was more "on-screen" then what we've seen here. Also, death doesn't equal non-family friendly. See Bambi, Lion King... actually, a large portion of Disney animated movies or children entertainment in general.

[musclor]

Not to mention that motu was a much darker, more violent story before filmation came along...

[Donimo]

Also, the Sorceress and Man-at-Arms storylines came from 200X. I'm happy that they are taking a more adult approach with MOTUC.

[csc0709]

The title of the thread is very misleading. Could a moderator please change it to something more appropriate? Thanks!

[EldestSon]

The title of the thread is very misleading. Could a moderator please change it to something more appropriate? Thanks!

mattel is killing the line?

[scott metzger]

mattel is killing the line?

No, but thank you for spelling it correctly. The way that phrase is usually written drives an English tutor crazy...

[Barbecue17]

The title of the thread is very misleading. Could a moderator please change it to something more appropriate? Thanks!

How about: Mattel is watching the line from behind some bushes, following it until it is alone only so that it might jump out and KILL TEH LIHN!!

Or it could be called "Concerns about the level of violence in MOTUC"

[jhoward]

MOTU has been always child-oriented even in the 200X series.

Well, we saw Keldor get his face burned off for one. Although not shown on screen, Kronis lost a limb and his jaw before becoming Trap Jaw. Zodak's brother was eaten by King Hiss. Those are just a few examples. The violence happening in the bios isn't unprecedented. It's just new.

I wonder if Mattel is aware about the drastic turn MOTU is taking:

- Deaths of main characters (Man-at-Arm, Sorceress)
- Explicit violence (ripping off Eternian Champions)

In a savage world filled with ax-wielding barbarians, skull-faced wizards, dragons, giant apes, and snake men, I don't understand why this is controversial.

Sure, I understand the objections in the context of Filmation, but that was a show of its time aimed at children. It wasn't allowed to do those things. The way I've always looked at it is that was the "storybook" version of what really happened. But now the storytelling doesn't have those restrictions. I don't think there's anything wrong with that. And as much as some don't care for the bios, just be grateful MOTU hasn't been given the same treatment as Transformers (yet). At least Orko hasn't ****** on anyone.

In Marvel and other major franchises not every writer can do whaetever he wants...

You can if you're the one in charge.

[enoch]

MOTU has been always child-oriented even in the 200X series. I wonder if Mattel is aware about the drastic turn MOTU is taking:

- Deaths of main characters (Man-at-Arm, Sorceress) Oooo
- Explicit violence (ripping off Eternian Champions)

In Marvel and other major franchises not every writer can do whaetever he wants...

Is Mattel aware of this?

Why do you think everybody is carring swords and guns?

[H.A.L.9000]

i like the direction.. im all for "adult violence" in the bios......

[Jinxieman]

MOTU has been always child-oriented even in the 200X series. I wonder if Mattel is aware about the drastic turn MOTU is taking:

- Deaths of main characters (Man-at-Arm, Sorceress)
- Explicit violence (ripping off Eternian Champions)

In Marvel and other major franchises not every writer can do whaetever he wants...

Is Mattel aware of this?

You should call Scott's boss and tell on him!

[Uncle Jake]

With the way people have been freaking out about character deaths in a fictional bio, I shudder to think how these same people react when actual, living people die.

[guy-dude]

With the way people have been freaking out about character deaths in a fictional bio, I shudder to think how these same people react when actual, living people die.

Not in MY canon!

[Count Marzo]

[Eternian Poet]

Too violent!

Snake-Man-At-Arms should have been thrown into a muddy pool!

Vykron should have been tossed to the top of a tree, to dangle, kick & pout!

The horror! The horror!

[Benedict Judas Hel]

It's okay. I'll start worrying when the kids start re-enacting these scenes in caves...

[krosfyah]

I hate major character deaths written in bios. For those who say it makes the story more mature, it adds stakes etc, it DOESN'T. the bios aren't a strong format to tell a story, maybe it introduces the idea of higher stakes and maturity, but the bios are constricted so much due to release schedules and space that the big story advancements end up being "huh?" moments.

it's truly a terrible way to try to tell a real story.

[Eternian Poet]

I hate major character deaths written in bios. For those who say it makes the story more mature, it adds stakes etc, it DOESN'T. the bios aren't a strong format to tell a story, maybe it introduces the idea of higher stakes and maturity, but the bios are constricted so much due to release schedules and space that the big story advancements end up being "huh?" moments.

it's truly a terrible way to try to tell a real story.

Agreed.
Indeed, they shouldn't even be called "bios" because they aren't always really biographical shorts about the character at all.

[RockinHard]

MOTUC has become regular torture porn. I can't bear to watch. Too violent. I will not allow my little girl (if I had one) to witness a side-note of the Sorceress' death. Damn you, Mattel!

[Madison Carter]

In Marvel and other major franchises not every writer can do whaetever he wants...

Is Mattel aware of this?

I write for Marvel. I'm sure many posters here read Marvel. I think trying to bring their name up arguing that writers don't kill off characters is something most of us are going to shake our heads at, especially in this day and age where most books are killing off characters to drive sales up. Thor's died two or three times in the last half-decade alone.

Speaking of Marvel, I'm curious how many posters who are up in arms about the turns in this storyline were just as furious back in the 80s when Marvel's G.I.Joe comic was killing off characters left and right. Or Optimus (and numerous other characters) biting it in the animated Transformers movie.

Here's the thing about death in fiction: It's *supposed* to evoke strong negative reactions. If you don't get upset or sad that a character dies (at least a "good" character, not evil), then the creators failed in making that character strong enough to play their role. How many people read Lord of the Rings, got to the part where Boromir dies, threw the book down and yelled "Not in my canon!!!"?

Part of the problem with dealing with this in the MOTU world is that unlike Transformers or GI Joe or even Thundercats, MOTU has never - ever - before had the opportunity to have a fully-realized, ongoing storyline. From the mini-comics to Filmation to the original toy one-sentence bios, there has never been a greater all-encompasing timeline and sense of a continuously ongoing story to it. You could practically take the entire Filmation run, watch it backwards and it doesn't really change anything. Everything was one-and-done; there were rarely any consequences or overlapping plotlines. Nothing progressed. It was fun, but it was static. It was great...when I was 10 and didn't really grasp the concept of death, especially in a story that dealt with war, fighting and armies.

I should note that I'm not particularly a fan of how MAA goes out; I don't want this to sound like blind defense for Mattel. It could have been handled better if they wanted to go that route. But it's done, and I can't lose sleep over it.

[Eternian Poet]

I write for Marvel.

Murderer!!!