Updated: Limited Edition MOTU ART BOOK at SDCC - Official Discussion

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Originally Posted by Long Live He-Man

No one asked that question.

The only complaints brought up in the forum were about the time spent waiting in line, but the members of the panel really didn't have anything to do with that.

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I brought up the ridiculousness of the lines because I didn't want them to get defensive. It was not my only criticism, I also voiced frustration with the bonuses now undoing what the subscription was supposed to solve. I didn't go after the reseller because I'd already been told about tricks people were using to get past the limit (eg wearing multiple badges, having a large group join him right at the end of the line to buy stuff), and that from people working the booth so I knew they were aware of that.

I don't see how the members of the panel had more to do with controlling the limit sold to resellers than controlling the line though. It's all happening on the floor, and I'm sorry but the line was far more obviously something that could and should be fixed than the limit which I heard them enforcing when I got up close to the register. I was disappointed the room wasn't as vocal about agreeing with these problems as they had been about the figures being announced. I felt like I was farting in church.

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Originally Posted by gbagok

I brought up the ridiculousness of the lines because I didn't want them to get defensive.

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Why not? Don't you think Mattel should be on the defensive? They should answer for their obvious lack of respect toward fans, the hand that feeds them.
They are not Untouchable.

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Originally Posted by gbagok

I was disappointed the room wasn't as vocal about agreeing with these problems as they had been about the figures being announced. I felt like I was farting in church.

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And that's why Mattel continues to mess with us. No one holds them accountable. We just take what they give us.
It's almost like "Please sir, may I have some more?"
I guess we all like abuse.

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Originally Posted by coolhandmelo

Why not? Don't you think Mattel should be on the defensive? They should answer for their obvious lack of respect toward fans, the hand that feeds them.
They are not Untouchable.

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Because I don't think they'd have listened to me if they were defensive. They'd just see another malcontent to dismiss as a minority (and the silence more ore less would have backed that up). I wanted to stay as reasonable as I could be, and fixing the lines was a very reasonable thing to bring up, as was the sub/bonus thing. Shylock didn't get his pound of flesh either and lost everything trying to get it.

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Originally Posted by gbagok

Because I don't think they'd have listened to me if they were defensive. They'd just see another malcontent to dismiss as a minority (and the silence more ore less would have backed that up).

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You made an excellent point. Silence. That is what comes from fans when the time is right for action. Why does everyone act like if they express their dissatisfaction, then Mattel will pull the plug on MOTUC and life will be over.
Serious, it won't. Might be somewhat of a good thing cause then we'd be saving money. We all got by "OK" before the 200X line came out right? . Look, Mattel sees what types of money is going to be coming in so it really wouldn't matter if fans expressed their frustrations because bottom line this line is a sure thing.
For people who think that by voicing their frustrations it won't solve anything, well sitting in silence is the same thing. If we don't speak up and call Mattel on their screw ups, it will happen again and again and again....
Sad to see no one stepped up.

Oh, and the point about being the "malcontent to dismiss as a minority" don't ever think that!
We are what keeps Mattel going(well, not just MOTU)but the consumer. We are the majority and we do have a say if Mattel is getting paid or not. If they just dismiss our comments and our criticisms, then they don't deserve our money.

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Originally Posted by carlo

This is seriously Mattel at its WORST! HORRIBLE! TERRIBLE!

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Carlo, I feel you.

I know this is a really long post, but I thought I would share- and I'll try and be as constructive with my criticism as I can, even though Mattel made it really hard to do so this time:

I'm glad that someone brought the experience up at the panel, but I still don't think that Mattel truly knows how bad it was. And I realize that this was San Diego International Comic Con, and that things generally are hectic, nothing is guaranteed, and that to an extent, certain things are out of Mattel's control. In my opinion however, Mattel gets a zero this time around. What a bad experience.

I was unable to get a 4 day preview pass this year, so I was stuck in a similar situation as a few of the other members here. I got to the convention as early as possible on Thursday, waited in the 2 hour long line which wrapped around the convention center twice (the line went all the way down to the harbor). As soon as attendees were allowed in, I went straight to the Mattel booth. When I got there, the line was already capped off.

It seemed like there was no plan of action on Mattel's part in regard to how to handle the line from the very beginning. The line wasn't even that long when it was capped...???

So the convention staff took over. Those of us who couldn't get into the line tried to form a "waiting line" for the actual line itself along a nearby wall. Of course, our makeshift line quickly grew, and grew, and grew... The con staff then came over and said, "The line has been capped off. There is no other line, and you can't stand around. You have to keep moving. You can't block the walkway. Move. Keep walking." So people would be dispersed, and then another line would start forming, only for the con staff to come over and break it up again, and so on, etc... Each time the staff was getting more and more unfriendly and the people trying to get into the Mattel line were getting upset. During this confusion, I had my camera stolen (it had to have been someone within my immediate vicinity... but that is another story).

Finally, the staff apparently talked with Mattel and then came back to those of us who had been trying to get into line and said, "The line is capped. There will be no one else allowed in the line until 12:30. Come back at 12:30."

So, we dispersed....

Around 11:00, I was just curious- and I thought, "You know, I bet that they are letting people in line right now anyway." So, I went back to the Mattel booth at 11:00, and sure enough, Mattel had started letting people back into line. A few of the other people that had been told to come back at 12:30 were ******... One guy asked the Convention Staff, "What happened to 12:30?" To which there was no reply given. People started getting more upset... arguing over what was the actual line, what wasn't... elbowing each other, breaking in front of people, etc... Toyguru went up into the cubicle above the Mattel booth and didn't come out, lol.

From what I could tell, the Mattel employees seemed to be disregarding the limits on the art book and figures in general. Individuals were walking away with boxes and boxes of MOTU items. One guy was so bold as to open up his recently purchased boxes of He-Man figs right there next to the Mattel booth, and was reselling them for double the price... While this was going on, the art book allotment for that day sold out I believe... so Mattel started handing out fast pass tickets. I lucked out and got a fast pass for later that day at 6:00 PM... I thought, well, this is fine... it sucked that I didn't get the book, but maybe I can at least come back and try and get a He-Man and Beast Man for my bud who couldn't make it to the con...

*ughhh* So, later on in the day I came back to the Mattel booth. It's about 10 minutes before 6:00 (the time that was given on my fast pass). I was expecting there to be a line, so I wanted to show up a few minutes early. As I came up to Mattel's booth, I was surprised- there were only a few people in line! My hopes were soon muddled however... I showed the pass to the convention staff member that was manning the fast pass line, and he said, "This says 6:00. It's not 6. You still have 9 minutes." At first I thought he was joking, but apparently he wasn't. So, he wouldn't let me in with the fast pass, but what stunk was: he then proceeded to let people in line who were walking up randomly, who didn't have passes/ and hadn't waited at all that morning. So, the fast pass was absolutely useless. The guy finally let me in after I gave him the Evil-Lyn gaze of death, but as I was waiting in line, the people whom he had let in line ahead of me bought up the last of the MOTU items.

I continued to wait in line anyway... because I wanted to know what was up with the art book and if and when anything else was going to be available for Friday. I said that I had waited all day, had tried to get into line, couldn't, etc... I was told that my fast pass wasn't any good anymore (I would have to wait in line again tomorrow and get another fast pass... and basically do the same thing over again).

Afterward, I talked to several different Mattel employees just to double check the information. No one seemed to know what was up. One Mattel rep told me that ALL the art books were gone (as in all 1000 of them), while another would tell me there were plenty left. One Mattel guy said, "What art book? You'll have to ask somebody else because I don't know" And, he was serious... they just had no clue.

So, I came back the next day and went through a similar experience... I never could get another fast pass (which didn't really matter I suppose, because they were useless as far as I was concerned). Friday evening I finally just had to plead with the guy who was running the Mattel lines to let me in so I could buy something... and I managed to actually purchase a Beast Man and He-Ro right before they sold out for that day.

And to cut an already long story short... on Saturday evening I was walking to the convention center and passed by a guy who had just purchased an art book from the Mattel booth (odd, seeing as how Mattel had claimed to be sold out). So, I went in, bound and determined to get an art book, some way, some how... Of course Mattel had none... so I went around to some of the other exhibitors that were in the dark, shady corners of the convention- and at last I found a guy who had one copy available for $120.

In retrospect, Mattel... as Carlo mentioned, Hasbro seemed to have their stuff together. The Last Gasp booth lines also went smooth as silk. There was a limited edition "Process Recess 3" book by James Jean, and every one wanted that thing- but the Last Gasp people handled the line great. The employees knew what was up, we were told no conflicting information, the people were friendly, and there was a well thought out plan in regard to how the wait line would be handled, and the numbered passes that were each given for the book were actually USEFUL and obtained EASILY. I waited in line two hours to get that book, but it was smooth sailing. I love ya Mattel, but definitely hang around Last Gasp and Hasbro and take up some pointers!

Reading that makes me hate Mattel so much more and their terrible customer relations. I'm so sick of the excuses they give. The oh, "that's another department", or "oh look faker matty is messing things up again". The people in charge need to grow up and take accountability for their actions. It's just plain sad at this point.

I highly doubt we ever get an actual explanation from anyone over the way the books were handled, or a sorry that they didn't at least try to get some books to the real fans here. The sheer amount on ebay just shows that Mattel just doesn't get it, nor care.

After reading Carlo and River's and many other's who had bad SDCC Matty experiences. I love how some over at Matty's Facebook saying it wasn't as bad as other claim. Saying how they have no trouble getting the Art book and the Exclusives. Not to mention that they were not selling to... Resellers. From what I read in other forums. Other sellers had their minor problems, but they all say that Matty was the worst! Congratulations to Matty! Worst At Show! But was still thrilled about what was shown for MOTUC.

With the economy being what it is (a big crisis) and with huge companies going down (General Motors etc.), I would be VERY CAREFUL if I were Mattel !:hmshift: It is a very bad period to show disrecpect to consumers, except if you want your company to disappear !

Plus, the difference that was highlighted by our fellow member River between how Mattel and Hasbro handled their lines and the Con brings me to this conclusion : Hasbro acted like a PROFESSIONAL company that has a long experience of that kind of event, while Mattel acted like a total BEGINNER with no experience whatsoever !:hmmad:

Not to mention the lack of respect towards the fans/collectors/consumers, which was mentioned many times.:hmroll:

My feeling of the moment is that Mattel is a company that is currently totally UNABLE to mass produce awesome toys, to sell them normally to retailers (let alone selling them properly abroad - here in Europe, it's getting harder and harder to get Mattel's latest products !), to satisfy the kids' public AND EVEN the adult collectors' public. Hell, they're even unable to handle a toy con properly ! In other words, Mattel is only the shadow of what it used to be... This my feeling, but I think it's pretty close to the cold and hard truth !

Wow... I really feel for you guys... And to be honest, horror stories like those just affirms my decision not to go to SDCC this year, as your stories simply remind me of last year when my only reason for going was for King Grayskull, but by the time I made it to the Mattel booth, he had completely sold out for that day, the ONE and ONLY day I had admission...

This really does SUCK that Mattel seems to have allowed such disrespect towards FANS to occur, especially when SDCC is really their ONE CHANCE A YEAR to meet with fans, one-on-one, and show them how much they appreciate their BUSINESS by providing those LOYAL FANS/CUSTOMERS (some of whom pay a hefty price tag for admission to SDCC with the sole objective to visit their booth, and to purchase their products,) and leave them with a lasting GOOD impression, and not the time to sour their opinions of their company by leaving them with a lasting BAD impression and BAD shopping, con-going experience. :(


Oh and btw, my friend who did go to the con this year, also was unable to purchase me a book... Not that I really expected him to be able to, but he did get an "A" for effort, Mattel on the other hand....

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Originally Posted by Marvelous0ne

After reading Carlo and River's and many other's who had bad SDCC Matty experiences. I love how some over at Matty's Facebook saying it wasn't as bad as other claim. Saying how they have no trouble getting the Art book and the Exclusives. Not to mention that they were not selling to... Resellers. From what I read in other forums. Other sellers had their minor problems, but they all say that Matty was the worst! Congratulations to Matty! Worst At Show! But was still thrilled about what was shown for MOTUC.

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We have to remember as well that those who had unfortunate experiences are going to be more vocal and vent out their frustrations. For people that had no problems with Matty aren't going to be as vocal with shooting out praise. That is just how most people operate.

While talking with some fans that went to SDCC, some did have problems with line capping, etc. but others were able to smoothly obtain the art book and/or a He-Ro.

Now this should put things in a certain light for you guys:

http://www.he-man.org/forums/boards/....php?p=2161787

Ok, someone in that thread stated that the reseller with the huge stack of MOTU Art Books was working for Toy Rocket. Does anyone know if that is true?

I preordered a book from him on eBay for $60. He sold 20 of them at that price, so I'm curious to see if he comes through or if he got greedy and sold them for much more already. Did anyone else preorder from him on eBay?

are they still a "pre-order" ? since the con is over (not sure about this though)

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Originally Posted by demiscy

are they still a "pre-order" ? since the con is over (not sure about this though)

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Have you been hibernating? :hmgrin:

I bought if from Toy Rocket before the convention started. He sold 20 of them on eBay as presales. It's only 2 days since SDCC, but I'm hoping to hear something from him soon. If not, I will getting a 110% refund according to his policy. We'll see what happens.

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Originally Posted by Zodach

Ok, someone in that thread stated that the reseller with the huge stack of MOTU Art Books was working for Toy Rocket. Does anyone know if that is true?

I preordered a book from him on eBay for $60. He sold 20 of them at that price, so I'm curious to see if he comes through or if he got greedy and sold them for much more already. Did anyone else preorder from him on eBay?

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Yes, he works for Toy Rocket and he also has a booth at Frank & Son's collectibles show here in the L.A. area.

Selling for $60 is great! A $10 mark up I would not even consider a reseller. Hopefully he kept his word to the pre-orders.

Nobody should be complaining on a $10 markup. $10 is well worth avoiding the hassle of comic con.

I'm sorry, but these last remarks about the $10 markups are ridiculous. The reseller literally bought the books out from under the people behind him in line. There were He-fans who flew in from other countries to go to SDCC but couldn't get the book because of pigs like this guy. I felt that fans who attended SDCC should have all gotten one book. (I didn't go, btw)

There is simply NO EXCUSE for allowing anyone to pillage a stack of highly sought after but under-produced books.

The SDCC exclusives should be only 1 per person, period. In that best case scenario, only 1000 people would have gotten one. The books were too scarce to allow something like that.

Unless I'm at a convention or it's sold exclusively to fans of the org, I will NEVER buy an art book. Screw those damn ebay sellers....:hmmad::elmad::tjmad::ormad::tbmad:

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Originally Posted by PrinceAdam101

I'm sorry, but these last remarks about the $10 markups are ridiculous. The reseller literally bought the books out from under the people behind him in line. There were He-fans who flew in from other countries to go to SDCC but couldn't get the book because of pigs like this guy. I felt that fans who attended SDCC should have all gotten one book. (I didn't go, btw)

There is simply NO EXCUSE for allowing anyone to pillage a stack of highly sought after but under-produced books.

The SDCC exclusives should be only 1 per person, period. In that best case scenario, only 1000 people would have gotten one. The books were too scarce to allow something like that.

Unless I'm at a convention or it's sold exclusively to fans of the org, I will NEVER buy an art book. Screw those damn ebay sellers....:hmmad::elmad::tjmad::ormad::tbmad:

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I was not condoning that re-seller, believe me! I was at the con and was not able to get an art book or a He-ro for that matter so you can believe I was/am ticked off. Expecially when I saw two people with my own eyes with stacks of em roaming the convention floor.

I was merely saying a $10 mark up for people not able to go to convention is nothing for pain and mental anguish saved.

Mattel should be held accountable and be made to enforce their own set limits.

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Originally Posted by PrinceAdam101

I'm sorry, but these last remarks about the $10 markups are ridiculous. The reseller literally bought the books out from under the people behind him in line. There were He-fans who flew in from other countries to go to SDCC but couldn't get the book because of pigs like this guy. I felt that fans who attended SDCC should have all gotten one book. (I didn't go, btw)

There is simply NO EXCUSE for allowing anyone to pillage a stack of highly sought after but under-produced books.

The SDCC exclusives should be only 1 per person, period. In that best case scenario, only 1000 people would have gotten one. The books were too scarce to allow something like that.

Unless I'm at a convention or it's sold exclusively to fans of the org, I will NEVER buy an art book. Screw those damn ebay sellers....:hmmad::elmad::tjmad::ormad::tbmad:

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Claps long and loud!!

***Please no discussion of art book scans. Thank you.***

I had to give in and get a sealed one of ebay but i think i will open it when it arrives unlike my action figures that i can view in the box as otherwise a waste of money and i m looking fiorward to seeing the old art backers in it

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Originally Posted by lee gray

I had to give in and get a sealed one of ebay but i think i will open it when it arrives unlike my action figures that i can view in the box as otherwise a waste of money and i m looking fiorward to seeing the old art backers in it

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Not to worry. The "seal" slips right off so you can check out the book, and put the wrapper back on with no harm done.

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Originally Posted by lee gray

I had to give in and get a sealed one of ebay but i think i will open it when it arrives unlike my action figures that i can view in the box as otherwise a waste of money and i m looking fiorward to seeing the old art backers in it

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I gave in as well. Considering I paid a little over twice the already outrageous $50.00 asking price, it definitely wasn't worth it. Although, you know what? I'm still happy I got it. MOTUC is the only toy line I'm collecting and the only thing I've gone completist with(I didn't do that with the 2002 line). If we have similar problems with the availability of He-Man con exclusives next year, I might have to reconsider my desire for getting all things MOTU related.

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Originally Posted by Zodach

I bought if from Toy Rocket before the convention started. He sold 20 of them on eBay as presales. It's only 2 days since SDCC, but I'm hoping to hear something from him soon. If not, I will getting a 110% refund according to his policy. We'll see what happens.

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I bought a SDCC He-ro from toy rocket and I still don't have it. They filed for chapter 11. Good luck getting anything from them!

I filed a Paypal claim a couple of weeks ago and I already got my money back from Toy Rocket. I don't know if they mailed out any of those $60 MOTU Art Book preorders.

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Originally Posted by Jawbridge

Not to worry. The "seal" slips right off so you can check out the book, and put the wrapper back on with no harm done.

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cheers thx for letting me know

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Originally Posted by Mr. Shokoti

I gave in as well. Considering I paid a little over twice the already outrageous $50.00 asking price, it definitely wasn't worth it. Although, you know what? I'm still happy I got it. MOTUC is the only toy line I'm collecting and the only thing I've gone completist with(I didn't do that with the 2002 line). If we have similar problems with the availability of He-Man con exclusives next year, I might have to reconsider my desire for getting all things MOTU related.

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I must agree even though I doubt its worth the price I paid for it of ebay its something that im happy to be getting

Has anyone who bought the He-man art book from Comic Con found a cool display case or something to protect it and show it off? any pics would help..

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Originally Posted by Rdominiack

Has anyone who bought the He-man art book from Comic Con found a cool display case or something to protect it and show it off? any pics would help..

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I've been trying to think of ways to display mine also. Any tips would be appreciated. Been thinking of a clear acrylic slipcase of some sort maybe...?

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Originally Posted by Rdominiack

Has anyone who bought the He-man art book from Comic Con found a cool display case or something to protect it and show it off? any pics would help..

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On an impulse, I bought a MOTU art book so I echo the above question. Has anyone got a cool, protected way to display it?

Can any org member that was able to pick up this book let me know how many pages it has?

Also I would love to hear what you think of the book if you own it. Is it something you actually enjoy having. Did you look at it once and then never crack the spine again?

Thanks!

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Originally Posted by Midwinter

Can any org member that was able to pick up this book let me know how many pages it has?

Also I would love to hear what you think of the book if you own it. Is it something you actually enjoy having. Did you look at it once and then never crack the spine again?

Thanks!

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It has 53 pages.
It's a nice softcover-book to own. Some new images never-before-seen, mostly boxart and images you can find online (for years). Not really worth the US$50 it was sold at SDCC.

But very happy to own one. Love owning art-books about my favourite topics.

I too love it. I actually got the very last one at Preview Night; it was pretty roughed up along the spine. Still, I got the Horsemen to sign it on the cover and slipcase, and one of the designers signed the inside and did a doodle of Trap Jaw. (I forget who it was at the moment, but he was quite ticked that I asked him to draw something and a few fans behind me in line got him to do so as well.)