Masters of the Universe Classics Update- Post SDCC 2013
If you're going to subscribe for Club Eternia 2014, now is the time to do it, as the subscription window ends August 19th, 2013. As of this writing, we're up to 48%, which is pretty much where we were this time last year. If you haven't already subscribed, you can head over here and do so. Now that that's out of the way, ready to take a look at and read some thoughts on the new Masters of the Universe figures revealed at SDCC 2013? For a little background, check out this article where I discuss the creation of my "Top 25 Masters of the Universe Classics" list prior to New York Toy Fair in 2012. First, here are the new figures revealed that have been on my top 25 list since February of 2005:
Hydron
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Image from Mattycollector.com |
More after the break...
Kowl
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Image from Mattycollector.com |
Glimmer
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Image from Mattycollector.com |
Two-Bad
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Image from Mattycollector.com |
These guys turned out great. After Clawful, I was a bit nervous as to how Two-Bad would turn out, but the 4 Horsemen did a smashing job on this guy. While I'm anxiously awaiting Ninjor, Blade, and Saurod, this guy definitely feels like he completes Skeletor's main crew. He's part of the 2014 Club Eternia sub and probably the strongest selling point of it for many people. I love that Mattel gave him both his vintage shield and his 200x weapon, plus the way they nailed the differing textures of his (their?) torso is fantastic.
Blades' Sword?
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Image from The Fwoosh |
While we haven't seen the figure yet, the presence of Blade's sword and some comments made on the Roast Gooble Dinner podcast by brand manager Scott "Toyguru" Neitlich pretty much confirm that Blade, one of Skeletor's mercenaries from the 1987 movie, will be part of the 2014 sub. I actually love the movie and have been anxiously awaiting for Blade, Saurod, and Gwildor. Definitely one of my most anticipated figures for next year. Let's hope he comes with a whip!
Modulok
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Image from Mattycollector.com |
One of the quarterly sub figures for Club Eternia 2014, Modulok looks to be quite impressive. My guess is that he's the second biggest draw for next year's sub thus far. I'm not really a huge Modulok fan (I don't dislike him or anything) but I certainly am looking forward to this guy as he looks almost perfect (although the neck looks kind of weird to me in some of the pictures). Still, the above shots show some of his different body configurations, all of which look pretty cool.
Horde Troopers
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Image from Mattycollector.com |
Finally! This line really needed some more evil army builders, and who are more popular than the Horde Troopers? They look quite nice (all unique tooling), feature plenty of cool weapons, and come as a two-pack. They're part of the 2013 sub, but Mattel would be stupid to not have plenty of these guys available for day of sale. The heads are a little odd though, aren't they? They definitely don't match the look of the Horde Troopers on the Filmation cartoon. Interesting choice.
Now here are some figures shown at SDCC 2013 who weren't on my top 25 list:
Geldor
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Image from Mattycollector.com |
Sky Sled w/ Sky High
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Image from Mattycollector.com |
Sea Hawk
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Image from He-Man.org |
The swashbuckling rogue Sea Hawk finally makes his appearance in the Club Filmation subscription in November. He looks pretty spot on, although his extra layers of clothing do make him look a little bulkier than expected for a slimmer character like Sea Hawk. I like his accessories, though, and he seems like the kind of figure that most fans (even those wacky PoP haters) could fit into their collections. He's essentially the "rogue" archetype for this fantasy toyline.
Strong-Or/Strongarm
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Image from He-Man.org |
The figure's called Strong-Or, but he's based off of Strongarm from the Filmation cartoon series. Mattel must have lost the rights at some point. You would think they definitely would have had a trademark on the whole strongarm thing, wouldn't you? They basically use it all the time to sell subs. Hey-Ho!! Anyways, looks decent and seems to strike a good balance between the Filmation cartoon and the Classics aesthetic. He's the Club Filmation figure for December 2013.
Nephthu
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Image from He-Man.org |
I have no hatred for the character (Temple of the Sun is a pretty good episode), but Nepthu is just a really boring figure. His head sculpt doesn't even look appropriately evil, which is even more bothersome. The bird and the ankh are cool, but I have a feeling this guy will be the red-headed stepchild of October 2013.
Lord Dactys
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Image from He-Man.org |
Well, how about moving on to a figure that just looks fantastic? A pretty minor character in the MYP cartoon, but one that had a definite visual appeal, Lord Dactus looks to be an impressive addition to the line. Can you call him too 200x-ish? Well, we've never seen him any other way, so I'm just assuming this is how he looks. He was a nice surprise, and definitely a highlight for the second half of 2013.
The Unnamed One
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Image from Toyark.com |
Standor
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Image from www.he-man.org |
Goat-Man
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Image from TheFwoosh |
This guy is just wicked looking. He's a traveling convention exclusive for 2014 based on a character from the Golden Books and he looks like he will integrate perfectly into the original group of Skeletor's Evil Warriors. Can't you just see this guy as a vintage figure?
Scorpia's Tail
Another tease so brief that no one even seems to have a picture of it. It's been strongly insinuated that Scorpia will be a monthly figure in the 2014 sub, so that's another never-before-produced character from the Filmation series, Princess of Power, and the Horde being made. Sounds like a winner all around! Just add your own Chain Smoking New Yorker voice.
Plundor
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Image from He-Man.org |
I kind of like old Plundor. Lots of people don't. Anyways, he is not part of the 2014 subscription so don't let him put you off. I have no idea why they chose to put him in the Club Eternia subscription as opposed to the Club Filmation subscription, but they did. He comes with Skeletor's axe from the Filmation cartoon, which is super neat though.
Castle Grayskull
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Image from Mattycollector.com |
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Image from Mattycollector.com |
Not part of the sub and slated to release in November, Castle Grayskull actually looks a lot better than the last time we saw it. The jaw bridge has been lowered so figures can actually stand on it without having to duck entering the castle, the Castle Grayskull robot has been more fully developed, and the throne has been designed to allow the Sorceress to sit down (although her wings still do flail out). I'm liking it, but it seems many folks are canceling their preorders. Just so you know, guys, every Grayskull preorder you cancel makes that pretty girl above cry. Hope you feel good about yourself, tough guy! Ladies, every pre-order of Grayskull cancelled makes Toyguru cry. Do you really want that on your conscience?
Loo-Kee?
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Image from Mattycollector.com |
Anyways, that's everyone and everything new announced for the rest of 2013 and 2014. Remember, it isn't too late to order your 2014 subscription for Club Eternia. Head on over here and get one while you still can. Next year is really looking pretty good with Modulok, Glimmer, Hydron, Two-Bad, rumors of Blade and Scorpia, and the traveling exclusive Goat Man. If the sub doesn't go through, I'll probably do something irrational like start collecting those new Duck Dynasty action figures. Do you really want to drive me to doing that? (**Editor's note: Please don't. I really don't want Duck Dynasty figures displayed randomly throughout the house.**)
So, who's left from my top 25 that we didn't see at SDCC? I'm glad you asked!
First, there's Illumina--a character who has soared to popularity amongst some fans based on her very cool appearance and mysterious nature alone. While she came in 2nd place last year during the fan favorite poll, I just don't feel like Mattel really has any intention of ever making her due to the fact that, while they own the character, they didn't create her themselves.
It was great to see Hydron, so I hope within the next year that we also see either New Adventures Skeletor or Flogg, the last two New Adventures characters needed to complete the minimum core roster. I personally think the New Adventures have been some of the strongest figures released in the line, but some fans seem intent on hating everything about that faction simply because they didn't grow up with it. if we get one more variant in this line, I would bet it'll be NA Skeletor or a blend of him and Laser Light Skeletor.
I personally think not showing Rio Blast at SDCC was a huge mistake. Maybe Matty wants to keep him back for 2015, but that seems like a gamble. He's easily the most requested Heroic Warrior at this point and would have hopefully sealed the deal for many vintage only subscribers who feel that there aren't enough figures left for them in the line to bother subscribing next year. Everyone likes Rio Blast--even Mer-man thinks he's a righteous dude!
While Blade's sword was teased, we still haven't heard from Gwildor or Saurod yet. My guess is that Matty is waiting to reveal Blade at Power Con because most likely actor Anthony DeLongis will be there, which would make for a cool reveal. Still, I think one movie figure truly revealed before the sub-window closes might have been smart because it appeals to both the vintage line fans and the small but die-hard crowd of fans who love the movie and the more obscure figures in the line.
We saw Kowl, Loo-Kee was teased (but then denied), yet we still have see no sign of Imp. With Mattel seemingly so intent on finishing the Horde, surely Imp will pop up sometime. I love the evil little guy and he's definitely one of my most wanted figures.
If Mattel wanted a good subscription figure for 2014, they should have looked no further than Eldor. He fits in to the popular Powers of Grayskull era, has quite a following, and nicely fills the archetype of the wise old wizard. This guy should have been the 2014 exclusive, no doubts about it.
We've got Glimmer on the way in 2014, so let's hope we get Queen Angella, Glimmer's mom, before long. She's a pretty major part of the show and is actually one of the coolest POP females that we haven't gotten yet.
What do you think about Mattel's lineup for the rest of 2013 and for 2014? Are you subbing up again? Not subbing? Preodering random figures through Big Bad Toy Store? Tell us about it in the comments!
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