So I was up all night worrying I wasn’t keeping you all up-to-date on Mattel’s plans for MOTU’s 30th Anniversary…no, that’s a heathen lie. I didn’t even know about this until I saw it on ToyNewsI five minutes ago, which really proves how much better other sources are at this than me.
But anyway, here’s the latest, via Mattel’s Facebook page:
Hey everyone.
The 30th anniversary year starts in less then 30 days and we are just on the edge of our seat. There is so much great MOTU goodness coming next year above and beyond the Classsics toy line in what will surely be a year long celebration.
We’ll be kicking things off in December with a sneak peek at the new licensing art created in the Classics style. You’ll hopefully see a lot of this art on tons of products next year from T-shirts to DVD releases and everything in between.
There are a few projects that have not fully come together, but once all the loose ends are tied, we’ll have some big announcements for fans of MOTU of all ages. Stay tuned.
In terms of the MOTUC toy line, do look for some changes in 2012. For starters, day of prices for basic figures will go up to $22.00. Subscribers will still get there figures for the 2008 price of $20.00. Larger items like beasts and multipacks will also go up in similar increments ($33.00 vs. $30.00 etc…). We are still waiting to confirm implementing a system for subscribers to also purchase day-of or non sub product and save on shipping by combing with their sub items. Please stand by on this.
Also, as previously announced, we are reducing production quota a bit in 2012 to be closer to the sub number. There will be some day-of product, but some figures may not be as plentiful as they were in years past. (which also means you likely won’t see sales like we just had on Black Friday/Cyber Monday again. Sure there may be a sale here and there, but it won’t likely be as extensive or as discounted as we just had). Going forward, as we start planning 2013, the line will start to favor the subscription model just a bit more. After a few years at this, we’ve found that is the safest bet to keep the line going long term. (there will still be day-of, it just means the sub is a bit more important as the lifeblood and growth indicator of the line, if that helps).
Finally, we have had a few schedule slips in 2012 already. There will 100% be a monthy figure, but some of the quarterly or 30th figures may slip a month or two. All will ship in 2012, they just may not be on the orignal month announced at SDCC etc. I know already we moved the Star Sisters to Feb and Thunder Punch He-Man has slipped out to April (from March). He will still have the first mini comic. We will update you as we move forward on any other changes to releases.
It truly looks to be an amazing year to be a MOTU fan in 2012. The mini comics are coming along fantastic. We are likley to reveal the covers of issues 2 and 3 at NYTF at our collector event (along with hopefully the next batch of figures and the updated Snake-Man-At-Arms with Roboto and TrapJaw parts). NYTF Collector night will be out next big reveal for all collector brands.
And the best part; 2012 is just the begining. Great things are in store for MOTU. The next few years are truly going to be a good journey.
Scott
On another note, AFI recently posted pics of the production Dem0-Man. The plastic/paints are…not good.
Finally, here are the new carded pics/bios:
dean
I know I’m in the minority, but I hate, HATE, the flat, armor abs that Fisto has. Wish they had never created that piece. It will take me two figures to make Fisto the way I want him, so I probably won’t buy him. Cannot stand Hordak because of it. I really could have used those gray abs.
It makes me cry when it comes to Clamp Champ. There was an excellent opportunity for an awesome dark-skinned body to make customs with (Machiste anyone?). Opportunity wasted.
Chris Lawrence
what about clamp champ makes you cry?
i'm not a fan of the flat ab piece either, but i guess it was the best solution in a list of bad ones.
dean
That he will have the flat armor abs instead of dark flesh abs. I would love a darker toned MOTUC body for customs.
John Harmon
I don't understand what the problem is. It allows the figure more articulation, while retaining the armored look.
dean
I personally want removable armor with flesh underneath, just like when I was a child. It provides me more play, display, and custom value. Besides one cannot move that well in armor anyway. It is purely my opinion, but it bothers me enough that I may not pick Fisto up. It is like they had a chance to make an ultimate toy and just missed the mark. To me one of the greatest failures of any toy company is just missing the mark. May be why I buy as many imports as I do.
Magneto76
I'm eagerly awaiting Shadow Weaver to join my band of ragtag evil doers. She looks awesome and I love that we're getting a "floating" stand for her.
I thought I saw that the Sorceress was going to come with a second head to display her as the original Guardian of GS. I see Zoar jammed up in there but no hint of another noggin. Anybody know if we're getting screwed out of a second head?
Fisto looks great, I never had the original so I look forward to adding him to the group.
Dark Angel
I follow MOTUC news pretty closely and never heard anything about a second head for the Sorceress. You might be thinking of the "Temple of Darkness" variant, which Mattel will be selling at various 'cons throughout the year.. .http://www.thefwoosh.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=131&t=71715
Ridureyu
I… oddly… like the neon green.
Doctor Mako
Did anyone else notice that he said they're updating Snake Man-At-Arms? I hadn't heard that before.
misterbigbo
I haven’t said anything negative about MOTUC in a good long while, but these updates recently just irk me. I don’t have the ability to see beyond:
1. Demo-Man looks terrible; very disappointing paint apps and plastic choice
2. Prices going up IN SPITE of increased licensing and profit potential
3. Figures are getting harder to procure
So I’m looking forward to these “big announcements for fans of MOTU of all ages” with a powerful sigh loaded and eyes prepared to roll…
Philip Reed
See, I'm loving Demo-Man. That green is awesome!
Thrawn
Shadow Weaver looks much better with the "Orko Red" color. The Sorceress looks beautiful carded. Fisto looks good.
The price hike seems reasonable to me, I was expecting it to be higher than that.
Dark Angel
Aw, poor Demo-Man. Thrilled to see Fisto with apparently all his accesories intact (or, at least, the BFS and Millenium head, can't see the belt peeking out). Was concerned that those would get yanked like the Grizzlor faceplate…
Jim Boothe
Is it too much to hope that Mattel corrects the grammatical error in Fearless Photog's backstory? Yes? Okay, just checking.
George Cordova
Lol; Why does Photog have a "illegal aliens crossing" sign?
John Harmon
He doesn't. That would be a sequence of film frames on his chest, showing a person running…
George Cordova
It was a joke, for a cartoon writer/drawer orwhatever you are, your lack of a funny-bone is somewhat weird.
Monte
As someone who loathes Mattel and remains inordinately proud of the limited extent to which he has ever supported the company by buying its goods and who is always eager for any excuse to criticize Mattel and mock its consumers, I gotta say… that non-sub price hike is pretty reasonable, actually.
Monkey boy
I would agree if the figures weren’t already overpriced. $20 for a figure with minimal paint apps and heavy re use is still way more than acceptable.
Monte
That's true.
Newton Gimmick
I haven't been following Demo-Man super close. What's wrong with him in the AFI pics? Other than being glowing neon green?
Poe Ghostal
It's the comparison with the proto. He looks maybe a bit better in the Fwoosh review.
I'm actually still liking the figure–as a monster toy. But he looks even more toy-ish than usual for MOTUC, thanks to the neon semi-translucent plastic.
Newton Gimmick
Ah, okay I see it more now. The comparison makes it look pretty weak. I still think he looks neat, but definitely more like a toy.
Chris Lawrence
It looks like something you'd get at a dollar store rather than an MOTUC figure sculpted by the 4H.