Roboto (Binary) by Poe Ghostal
Minicomic Roboto
Just for fun, a repaint of Roboto based on his minicomic appearance in “The Battle of Roboto.” It’d make a good DC vs. MOTU 2-pack repaint; any ideas as to who would make a good DC figure? I’m thinking robot Brainiac–he’s got the clear, multicolored head and shoulders to match Roboto’s chest.
The cool thing (suggested by a poster on He-Man.org) is that unlike some of the other repaints, you can imagine that a repainted Roboto is an new character–a different model robot. I’d call him Tobor.
Odds ‘n Ends > October 27, 2010
- Spy Monkey Creations has the following status update on their Facebook page: “Brian-Man has finished the sculpt of our next offering. It is truly of titanic proportions. (wink, nudge) Come see it in person at the Long Beach Comic Con this coming weekend. Fri. Oct. 29-Sun. Oct. 31. Details on the sale date coming soon.” I think there are going to be some happy fans out there.
- Speaking of SMC, work is still progressing on the new PGPoA-exclusive item. We’re just hammering out the last few details regarding colors and plastic.
- Mattel’s replica Ghostbusters PKE Meter will go on sale December 1, at a price of $60. The Diamond Select Star Trek Communicator was about $30; the Tricorder ran about $45. As usual, I think the Mattycollector item is just this side of overpriced. It depends on the quality, though.
- Yet again, I’m considering branching out a bit on the blog with some non-toy stuff. I’ve posted a poll about it to the left, but already it seems you prefer to keep the focus on toys. And I understand that.
- Check out Mezco’s upcoming 6″ comic-based Scott Pilgrim figures. Will this finally break the Mezco curse of their last half-dozen or so licenses? Anyone remember Tikimon? I actually liked those.
- The Four Horsemen donated this DCUC Green Lantern 2-up for a charity auction. The proceeds go to the Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA, and the Horsemen’s reign of awesomeness continues.
Any questions for Mattel?
Questions are due by 11:59pm Thursday, October 28.
Pic of the Day
Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark by Clarkent78
“Homeless Bastards!”
The original home of the Bastards of the Universe, Articulated Discussion, is taking a break for the time being. (Come back soon, TAO!) So, I asked Poe if he would give the Bastards a home, and he charitably (or foolishly, depending on your opinion!) said yes!
A little background: since I’m old, I never had Masters of the Universe toys as a kid, or watched the original cartoon. When the 200X line came out, I was working in a mall, and picked up a few at my job. In particular, I remember getting Stratos, since I saved him from the dumpster while working a store closure.
I have no idea how you guys put up with Mattel to get Masters of the Universe Classics. To me, they seem overpriced; from the reports I read, the quality control seems dicey; and ordering seems to be designed to punish you for wanting them.
But, I remembered back when the first MOTU figures ruled the toy aisle, there were a ton of competing lines trying to help themselves to a piece of the action. Remco’s Warlord line, for one. I loved the comic book, but the figures were straight-up knockoffs: the packaging even proclaimed “Plays with Masters of the Universe.” I had a Warlord figure, and a yard-sale found Battlecat; and they were the start of the Bastards.
Conan is a pretty obvious next choice: regardless of the official story, it’s readily apparent he was a huge influence on He-Man. Toy Story 3‘s Twitch may remind some of lines like Sectaurs, but I see a direct line from Buzz-Off to him. And Beta Ray Bill, from Marvel Legends, was sculpted by the Four Horsemen, before they moved on to MOTUC. So, I had my Bastards, and they began their adventures in the Eternia in my head. (A medieval culture that has ray guns, flying things, and cable; and where it’s not uncommon for your running crew to include a robot or bug guy.)
So, to celebrate moving over to Poe’s, we’ve got a contest! I’ve told you why I picked mine, but who would your Bastards lineup include? Robots? Barbarians? Fish-guys? Pirates? To me, that’s kind of the best thing about Eternia: I appreciate that as a line, Masters of the Universe was able to include guys like Ninjor, Clamp Champ, and Rio Blast.
Leave a comment with your four picks, and if you want, a link to a picture of your Bastards, that might be used in a later strip! One will be picked at random and win a loose Marvel Legends Beta Ray Bill, a carded Toy Story 3 Twitch, a carded Conan the Adventurer, and a loose and saddleless Battlecat! (Warlord fans, sorry, but getting a 1982 Travis or a DC Direct one didn’t cost out!)
International? OK, you gotta spring for postage. Sorry.
Toy Aisle Trolls > Snow Rob
Toy Aisle Trolls is a feature highlighting acts of vandalism to in-store toy items. If you find a ruined package, a stolen figure, a swapped-out figure, or any other such acts, take a photo (cell phone photos are fine if they’re not blurry) and email them to poe AT poeghostal.com. Also, please note: I’m deliberately being over-the-top with my condemnation of these people–I don’t actually wish bodily harm upon them. Just severe mental anguish.
Poester Nik sends in this report from the Westbury, NY Target.
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Wait until you see the white of his eye… by Kwehttamm
Review > Roboto (Masters of the Universe Classics, Mattel)
By my count, Roboto is the 37th toy in the Masters of the Universe Classics toyline (counting Adam and Orko as two separate figures, counting Mo-Larr but not the lost-tooth Skeletor, and not counting the TRU 2-packs as separate figures, since they’re repaints). As a bonafide member of the vintage MOTU line–not POP, not NA, not 200X–Roboto was a guaranteed sellout. Frankly, it’s impressive he took as long as he did to sell out (three hours), though reverse-shoulders error may be partly to blame for that. (more…)
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![Garo Vol 05 - Garo [Berserk]](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4108/5069260972_b427cd09e2.jpg)
Garo Vol 05 – Garo [Berserk] by Ed Speir IV