Mattel gives us one last fakey list

July 22, 2011 | Poe

Just for laughs/to rub salt in the wound, depending on your perspective:

  • Purchase a membership to Club Eternia for $20 and you’re guaranteed to receive all of the monthly Masters of the Universe Classics figures released during the year. You’ll also receive club-exclusive Fan Choice Create a Character – 100% sculpt (update based on SDCC panel vote: Sorceress, Ram Man, Rokkon) and an all-new bonus map poster of Future Eternia Under the Reign of King He-Man!
  • Starting January 2012, you are automatically shipped the Club Eternia Monthly Figure every month for a total of twelve months (January through December). For 2012, you will also be shipped four beast figures or multi-packs and four character variant figures at various intervals throughout the year. You are billed as figures ship. Figures revealed to date are Eldor(January), Sweet Bee (February) and Stinkor (March). Also in March is the beast/multipack – Classic Movie 3-Pack featuring Julie, Kevin and Det. Lubic ($60.00).

I don’t even understand the joke about the fan create-a-character–wasn’t the original 1980s create-a-character contest all about creating new characters like Fearless Photog? Why the list of established characters? Even their jokes are confusing.

At least we can rest assured there will definitely be no Classic Movie 3-pack. They (almost certainly) don’t have the rights, and that would be the most boring set ever. No one, not a living soul, needs a Kevin figure.

Anyway, again, this mess will all be over by 3pm PT, when the Mattypalooza panel should be over (it starts at 2).

Odds ‘n Ends > SDCC Day 1: Super-deformed MOTU, 6″ Star Wars(!?)

July 21, 2011 | Poe

  • Not quite as much awesome toy stuff revealed today–preview night is always the big one, aside from panels–but apparently Mattel did put the above figs in their display case today. They appear to be super-deformed MOTU toys in the style of the DC Action League (or Galactic Heroes or Superhero Squad or whatever line you prefer). Mattel certainly seems interested in trying some new styles with MOTU–and that can only be a good thing. Anyway, I’m definitely in for these. The above pic was taken by Pixel Dan, who’s covering SDCC for PopCultureNetwork; check out this link for a larger pic of the minifigures.
  • DC Direct had their panel today. I was primarily interested in their Arkham City figures, but they still haven’t revealed anything beyond Harley. I’m speculating this is because the other figures are of characters who haven’t been revealed yet, i.e., Nightwing. They’re also making figures based on the JLA in their Brand New DC looks. I have to say the figures look rather uninspired, and what’s more, you won’t be able to buy the first one for another thirteen months.
  • In Poe-Could-Go-Bankrupt news, ThreeA toys had some 6″ Star Wars prototypes that they’re evidently trying to pitch to Takara. Why Takara? I don’t know. I only know I don’t want these to be made because I want to have a house and kids and so forth someday, and I won’t be able to afford it if I’m buying these. Head over to ActionFigurePics for more info and photos. Poester and Star Wars pedant misterbigbo informs us that apparently the Stormtrooper head sculpt is based on the F/X 501st helmet and is not screen-accurate; I’ll take his word for it.
  • Marvel Legends are back! And…could it be true? Am I finally getting the 6″ Constrictor I’ve wanted since I read a backup story about him in Marvel Comics Presents #74? I find it a bit amusing they’ve got Steve Rogers there in his “Super Soldier” costume–has Marvel really not got him back into the red, white and blue for the movie release? Good for them for sticking with story over marketing, I guess. Anyway, check out ActionFigurePics for pics and info on the ML relaunch.
  • Evidently Mattel’s WWE line is becoming a Mattycollector exclusive for 2012. That’s–kind of weird, right? WWE figures seem to have been perennial sellers for the last decade. Is this a.) due to waning popularity of the WWE and wrestling in general; b.) due to the waning popularity and market oversaturation of wrestling figures in general and the WWE in particular; c.) due to the waning popularity of action figures in general among youngsters, the WWE’s main demographic; or d.) Mattel actually managed to bungle a surefire seller like WWE? Anyway, the good(?) news for wrestling fans is that they get to vote on five of the figures to be released in 2012. UPDATE: Commenters correctly pointed out to me below that it’s only the Legends sub-line that’s going Mattycollector-only. The regular line still sells well.
  • Should I be covering Voltron? Do people care? I never watched the show, and the only toys I had were the old diecast 6″ figure and, believe it or not, the vehicle Voltron.
  • The Mattypalooza panel happens at 2pm PT (5pm ET) Friday, thus bringing this farce to a close (I hope). The DC panel is two hours later–here’s hoping for some more Batman Legacy awesomeness. Apparently Matty himself might stop by! To quote Hudson, “He’s coming in. I feel safer already.”

MOTUC Sub List #4 (+ complete list of figs so far)

July 21, 2011 | Poe

I said I wouldn’t post about this bullcrap anymore, but whatever, right?

Here’s the latest MOTUC sub list:

  • Purchase a membership to Club Eternia for $20 and you’re guaranteed to receive all of the monthly Masters of the Universe Classics figures released during the year. You’ll also receive club-exclusive Fearless Photog and an all-new bonus map poster of The Tri-Solar System!
  • Starting January 2012, you are automatically shipped the Club Eternia Monthly Figure every month for a total of twelve months (January through December). For 2012, you will also be shipped four beast figures or multi-packs and four character variant figures at various intervals throughout the year. You are billed as figures ship. Figures revealed to date are Snake Face (January), Slush Head (February) and Mosquitor(March). Also in March is the largest Beast/Multipack item for the year – the Jaw Bridge of Castle Grayskull! First in an annual series to build-up pieces to the mighty fortress of mystery and power!

(more…)

SDCC Preview Night Pics

July 20, 2011 | Poe

Here are a few pics from SDCC, courtesy of Rustin Parr. Not as nice as you’ll find on other sites of course, but something to talk about.

First up, it appears Mattel is indeed expanding its Arkham City figures–here’s the Joker and Harley:

I can confirm that Harley, at least, was sculpted by the Four Horsemen. The Joker looks a little off, though–the head looks too small, and the hair looks too short. (more…)

Odds ‘n Ends > July 19, 2011

July 19, 2011 | Poe

  • Mattel announced its 2012 subscriptions: Club Eternia, Club Ecto-1, and the new Club Lion Force. (Is anyone else kind of amazed that Club Ecto-1 is still going?) Anyway, the Club Eternia sub includes a $60 item, and there’s a lot of speculation as to what that is. Many are suggesting Granamyr, though personally I’m hoping for Tyrantisaurus Rex. (Remember, vehicles–such as the Battle Ram–won’t be included in the subscription.) A three-figure army builder pack, or some sort of multi-part figure like Modulok, is also possible.
  • Mattel allegedly has five big MOTU-related announcements at SDCC…at least I think it’s five, I’ve lost track. Many people are assuming Mattel will announce the Filmation rights, though Toyguru has tried to tamp those rumors down. While Filmation rights would definitely be the shot in the arm this line needs, I can’t say I’m that certain we’ll see them. It also leaves four other announcements.
  • I’m trying to decide how to cover SDCC this year. What would you guys like? Up-to-the-second links to other people’s coverage and pics (since I’m not there), reflective posts on reveals, or both?
  • Don’t forget, you’ll be able to order all the TRU exclusives, including the Faker/Bizarro pack, on TRU’s website. It’s not clear when exactly items will become available, aside from “when the show starts,” so I’d recommend checking that page frequently.
  • So what are you most excited about at this year’s SDCC? It can be toy-related or otherwise. Personally I’m curious what new reveals we’ll get regarding Batman Arkham City, if any–perhaps a new character? I’m hoping for Nightwing in the challenge modes, at least.

Ask Mattel > Answers for July 15

July 15, 2011 | Poe


1.) Mario asks: In regards to the Voltron subscription, will the frequency of figures released be closer to MOTUC or Ghostbusters, & what will the price point be?

You will just need to wait for SDCC to find out all the details.

2.) Snarf! Snarf! asks: Regarding the “little guys” in MOTUC… Figures that would be smaller than a regular figure but larger than a “Pack-in” character” (Guys like Gwildor or Rotar and Twistoid) if/when they’re available, will they come single carded (with plenty of accessories to compensate for the smaller size) or will they come in Multi-fig packs like the GL 3 pack of “little guys”? (more…)

Happy Clawful Day!

July 15, 2011 | Poe

OK, the phrase “happy Clawful day” sounds kind of funny–like “have a happy awful day!” Heheheh…sigh. Some days you’re just not on.

Anyway, today is the day you can get your own Animal Clawful action figure. Also on sale:

  • Buzz-Off
  • JLU Stripe
  • DCUC Super Powers Stands

And don’t forget the massive All-Star sale! (more…)

Odds ‘n Ends > July 8, 2011

July 8, 2011 | Poe

  • As you may have noticed, I’ve reinstated the Poester Gallery forum. It’s less comprehensive than the old one, based on the fact that most of you seem to prefer doing your discussion here on the blog, but I wanted to give you all somewhere to discuss topics I’m not covering. You do need to register to use it–however, you may already have registered for the site via the forum format I used two forums ago, so you may just need to get a password reminder. If that makes any sense.
  • I’m going to give you to the end of the weekend to enter the contest for the three-of-a-kind Poehammer. The contest ends at 11:59pm ET this Sunday.
  • Nomad of the Idle Hands blog has a fantastic, comprehensive list of SDCC 2011 exclusives. Which do you think is the best? While it’s not the one I’m most excited for personally, I think the Starscream Skystriker takes the cake. It’s the perfect exclusive–an awesome repaint that isn’t necessarily a must-have item for your collection (i.e., a unique character, a la Queen Marlena).
  • There seem to be a ton of toy-related online video shows and podcasts these days. I have to admit I am just not that into them–I prefer reading. I can read faster than a person can talk, and I have complete control over how fast and how thoroughly I read an article or review. But I’m curious–do people watch a lot of videos and/or listen to a lot of podcasts? Is this something I should be getting more into?