The "All-Star" denomination for the next 2 yearS (2014 and 2015) is just a "Catchy Marketing Codename" for: We're filling in as many rosters as possible in case the line ends, you can have a reasonable line-up on each faction. It's Not Trully ALL STAR for the vintage purists since Mattel blew their A-Lister vintage in the first two years. Mattel's own Scott Neitlich said that we would see more POP on 2014 AND 2015 in order to have BOTH Vintage MOTU and POP Complete by the end of 2015, of course we would have a sprinkling of Filmation, NA, and 200X... SIX YEARS INTO THE LINE and we still get people bitching and moaning about POP and NA!?
With that said, let's look at 2014:
Jan: Two-Bad
He completes the Core Evil Warriors that had appearances in cartoons. He will NOT have any Day of Sale stock.
February: Glimmer
My Most wanted PoP Character. The TRUE Leader of the Great Rebellion... She's a core Member of Princess of Power... the whole TRUE LEADER of the Great Rebellion and all that.
Q1: Extra Item: Modulok
He completes MOTUV Wave 4 and the CORE CORE CORE Boys Evil Horde. His Horde Status makes him desirable for both MOTUV and POP fans. Surprisingly, his vintage action feature was made possible in Classics.
March: Hydron
He's THE SCUBA GUY from New Adventures, but he is a core character of this era and the Galactic Protectors. It's great that we're getting him.
Subscription Exclusive: The Un-Named One
I cannot say much about this character due to Mattel's Secrecy regarding him. In my not so humble opinion, This COULD be the only dud in the year.
April: Blade
Another Vintage Figure, the first of the "Motion Picture 3". He looks pretty cool now that he looks more like the Movie Version instead of the weird 80s toy... (There is hope for Gwildor)
May: Scorpia
Another Addition to the Filmation PoP Ranks and the Evil Horde. She completes the CORE Evil Horde for PoP fans. (I know Entrapta is MIA, but Scorpia had more appearances in the toon)
Q2 Extra Item: Battle Lion
She-Ra has a Steed, so does He-Man. Skeletor has a steed, so does Beastman. Is it wrong that King Grayskull gets his own steed, whose armor can be worn by Battle Cat to make the 200X Version?
Some people consider this beast to be the dud... but then again, they call Hydron, Glimmer and Scorpia duds too! Would I have chosen another beast? Sure! but more people would have complained about my choice... I'll give you a hint: It starts with Claw and ends with Deen...
BL seems to be the Low new piece character. He's just a new head and new Saddle. With all those figures that have tons of new tooling, it was about time that an easy kitbash would show up.
June: Extendar
Tons of new tooling on this Knight. He's another vintage character so the VPs should shut it for a while... First 6 Months and they have 4 out of 8 items without counting the Unnamed One...
July: Flogg (w/Filmation Power Sword)
Ah, Floggy... The last remaining Leader. He's mostly kitbashed, so he's a surprisingly low new tool figure... yet he looks mostly new. The Horde Trooper Reuse was Genius!!
August: Flutterina
Not who I expected, but she LOOKS like a Fairy, so she has the Fantasy elements to fit in the line's Medieval and barbaric roots. But she's a Princess of Power Character and liking those is bad or something according to the VPs...
Q3: Intergalactic Skeletor (w/Battle Damaged Faker head)
This completes the CORE CORE CORE Mutants of New Adventures. The Faker head is gravy!
So basically we have:
4 Vintage
3 New Adventures
2 POP
1 Filmation
1 200X
It still is leaning more towards Vintage and we still hear Whining... They seem to ignore the often Mentioned Snakeman that will come this year and the second Movie Figure...
While Madame Razz was hinted with Broom, we still do not know when or how is she coming as:
She could be a Monthly Figure, a San Diego Comic Con Exclusive, the Q4 Item, the Holiday Item, an extra Spirit of Hordak type of character, or the headliner for an additional Mini sub...
Personally, I hope she's part of Club Eternia... I don't want to fight the WSOD for her and I don't know if I'll be able to get in with a mini-sub.
So, OK, let's see what we have left:
Sept-Dec + Q4 + Holiday Item + SDCC Exclusive(s)+ any other Surprises they might throw at us.
We know that 1 Movie Figure is coming. I wish it was Gwildor, but my gut tells me it's Saurod.
The Snakeman: Hoping for Tung Lashor (then again, the little new tooling that Tungy needs can make him more likely to happen.)
Q4 Item is a $38 item like Battle Lion. I know people would love to see a Stridor or an Night Stalker, but with all the heavy tooling on many items this year, I wouldn't be surprised if they throw us a curve ball with Clawdeen... Since we have the BL mold, All she'd need is a new saddle. Logistics, tiny tiny tiny line and all that.
Huntara is rumored to come in 2014 or 2015...
As a bonus here's a Checklist of the 3 main branches with normal figures. (Vehicles, Steeds, Giants and playsets are not on the list)
MOTU Wave 1:
-He-Man Classicized in 2008
-Skeletor Classicized in 2009
-Beastman Classicized in 2008
-Man-at-Arms Classicized in 2009
-Zodac Classicized in 2009
-Stratos Classicized in 2009
-Merman Classicized in 2009
-Teela Classicized in 2009
MOTU Wave 2:
-Evil Lyn Classicized in 2010
-Faker Classicized in 2009
-Man-e-Faces Classicized in 2011
-Trap Jaw Classicized in 2010
-Ram Man Classicized in 2013
-Tri-Klops Classicized in 2009
-Evil Lyn Classicized in 2010
-Faker Classicized in 2009
-Man-e-Faces Classicized in 2011
-Trap Jaw Classicized in 2010
-Ram Man Classicized in 2013
-Tri-Klops Classicized in 2009
MOTU Wave 3:
-Battle Armor He-Man Classicized in 2010
-Battle Armor Skeletor Classicized in 2011
-Buzz-Off Classicized in 2010
-Clawful Classicized in 2011
-Fisto Classicized in 2012
-Jitsu Classicized in 2013
-Kobra Khan Classicized in 2012
-Mekaneck Classicized in 2012
-Orko Classicized in 2010
-Prince Adam Classicized in 2010
-Webstor classicized in 2009
-Whiplash Classicized in 2010
MOTU Wave 4:
-Dragon Blaster Skeletor Classicized in 2012
-Grizzlor Classicized in 2010
-Hordak Classicized in 2009
-Leech Classicized in 2011
-Mantenna Classicized in 2013
-Modulok Coming in 2014
-Mossman classicized in 2010
-Roboto Classicized in 2010
-Spikor Classicized in 2012
-Stinkor Classicized in 2012
-Sy-Klone Classicized in 2011
-Thunderpunch He-Man Classicized in 2012
-Two Bad Coming in 2014
MOTU Wave 5:
-Dragstor
-Extendar Coming in 2014
-Flying Fists He-Man
-Horde Trooper Classicized in 2013
-Hurricane Hordak Classicized in 2011
-King Hssss Classicized in 2011
-Multibot
-Rattlor Classicized in 2012
-Rio Blast
-Rokkon classicized in 2013
-Snout Spout Classicized in 2011
-Stonedar Classicized in 2013
-Terror Claws Skeletor
-TungLashor
MOTU Wave 6:
-Blade Coming in 2014
-Blast Attack
-Buzz Saw Hordak
-Clamp Champ Classicized in 2013
-Gwildor
-Mosquitor Classicized in 2012
-Rotar
-Saurod
-Scareglow Classicized in 2009
-Snakeface Classicized in 2013
-Sorceress Classicized in 2012
-Sssqueeezeee
-Twistoid
MOTU wave 7:
-Laser Power He-Man
-Laser Light Skeletor
-She-Ra Classicized in 2010
-Catra Classicized in 2011
-Angella
-Bow Classicized in 2010
-Castaspella Classicized in 2013
-Glimmer Coming in 2014
-Double Trouble
-Frosta Classicized in 2012
-Kowl Classicized in 2013
-Entrapta
-Flutterina Coming in 2014
-Mermista
-Peekablue
-Perfuma
-Scratching Sound Catra
-Starburst She-Ra
-Sweet Bee
POP Wave 3:
-Bubble Power She-Ra Classicized in 2011
-Loo-Kee Coming in 2014
-Nettossa Classicized in 2013
-Shower Power Catra
-Spinnerella
22 Figures in total. 18 without variants and we are missing 11 WITH Variants and 8 without variants. We'll have about 11 PoP Figures that had toys in the 80s by August 2014. Compare that to the 53 Vintage MOTU Figures we'll have by July 2014.
New Adventures has it worse... I'm excluding Sagitar (who we need) from the list due to his Beast Status in the vintage (NA) line.
-He-Man Classicized in 2013
-Skeletor Coming in 2014
-Flogg Coming in 2014
-Slushhead Classicized in 2012
-Hydron coming in 2014
-Flipshot Classicized in 2011
-Battle Punch He-Man
-Discs of Doom Skeletor
-Hoove
-Karatti Classicized in 2013
-Kayo
-Lizzorr
-Nocturna
-Optikk Classicized in 2010
-Vizar
New Adventures of He-Man Wave 3:
-Artilla
-Butthead
-Quakke
-Spinwit
-Staghorn
-Tuskador
New Adventures of He-Man Wave 4: (Variant Wave)
-Battle Blade Skeletor
-Hook 'em Flogg
-Missile Armor Flipshot
-Spin Fist Hydron
-Spin Fist Hydron
-Thunderpunch He-Man
-Too Tall Hoove
Wave 4 will never happen. Just mentioning it because it existed. Mattel mentioned something about not doing NA Variants aside basic NA He-Man and NA Skeletor. We'll have 8 New Adventures figures out of 19 in August 2014... Remind me again how 8 or 11 Figures compared to 53 is too much.
OK so taking out the variants from POP and New Adventures, the combined pool of Missing figures in MOTUC is: 34. Which brings us to 17 Figures per year...Add the fact that NOT ALL New Adventures characters will be made by the end of 2015, which frees up some slots.
So let's see:
2014
4 Monthly figures left
$38 Q4 Item
$35 Holiday Item
SDCC Exclusive
2015
12 Monthly figures
4 Extra Slots (variants, beasts, Multi packs)
1Sub Exclusive
1 SDCC Item (1 Figure or a Multi-Pack)
1 Holiday Item (1 figure or a Large Scale Item)
How can we fit those "Missing 34" there? Well, Reality is that it's less than 34. I'd say that We're one Sagitar from completing What Mattel could call Core NA from the toys (The other core characters are Mara and Crita from the toon... I'd add Sebrian, but he's not as toyetic as the others.) So, Mara may be the only NA character for 2015. The Energy Zoids, If I was a gambling Man, I'd say they're a Two-Pack... Perhaps the $35 item is them, seeing as they are basically half-a-buck and their one use bodies and armor would bump up the price, like we saw with the comet warriors. That eliminates 2 characters. Who knows if by 2015 the "Variant slot" is a 2 pack of a He-Man vs Skeletor variant. which kills two characters with the same slot.
I hope we can reach the goal WITHOUT relying on mini-subs...
No Matter how many times Scott "Toyguru" Neitlich says that 2014 and 2015 was to complete MOUT, POP and Key NA Characters, some people still insist that he said only Vintage MOTU...
Nothing against preferring the original MOTU over the other branches, but dammit! Since 2008 we've been told that ALL BRANCHES OF MOTU would be in MOTUC... Your vintage characters ARE COMING in 14 and 15... You already got a buttload of characters.
Let the POP and NA Fans get at least their MAIN Characters!
This "surge of NA and POP" would not have happened if you had not whined about POP and NA getting 1 additional slot per year.
So let's see:
2014
4 Monthly figures left
$38 Q4 Item
$35 Holiday Item
SDCC Exclusive
2015
12 Monthly figures
4 Extra Slots (variants, beasts, Multi packs)
1Sub Exclusive
1 SDCC Item (1 Figure or a Multi-Pack)
1 Holiday Item (1 figure or a Large Scale Item)
How can we fit those "Missing 34" there? Well, Reality is that it's less than 34. I'd say that We're one Sagitar from completing What Mattel could call Core NA from the toys (The other core characters are Mara and Crita from the toon... I'd add Sebrian, but he's not as toyetic as the others.) So, Mara may be the only NA character for 2015. The Energy Zoids, If I was a gambling Man, I'd say they're a Two-Pack... Perhaps the $35 item is them, seeing as they are basically half-a-buck and their one use bodies and armor would bump up the price, like we saw with the comet warriors. That eliminates 2 characters. Who knows if by 2015 the "Variant slot" is a 2 pack of a He-Man vs Skeletor variant. which kills two characters with the same slot.
I hope we can reach the goal WITHOUT relying on mini-subs...
Nothing against preferring the original MOTU over the other branches, but dammit! Since 2008 we've been told that ALL BRANCHES OF MOTU would be in MOTUC... Your vintage characters ARE COMING in 14 and 15... You already got a buttload of characters.
Let the POP and NA Fans get at least their MAIN Characters!
This "surge of NA and POP" would not have happened if you had not whined about POP and NA getting 1 additional slot per year.
I totally agree, many "purist" MOTU fans seem to be complaining about the POP and NA characters. Frankly the only reason i became truly interested in this line (and subbing for 2014) is because of POP. Sure i love MOTU and am loving the characters, but that wouldn't have been a reason to sub for me.
ReplyDeleteI only had a few POP characters when i was little and wasn't allowed anymore because my parents didn't think a little boy should be playing with dolls with angel wings and flying unicorns. All i saw was cool She-Ra characters that could fight against my evil horde figures.
This line is meant to be for everyone. I even began to gain an interest in NA and have been watching the show on youtube, it's pretty damn fun and am loving the look of Hydron, Flogg, and NA Skeletor (looks sick!).
Of coarse i want my favourite characters to be included but i am not going to begrudge others theirs. I finally feel that POP (and now NA) is getting a fairer share of slots and it makes me really happy. Thats all i need.
So lets not get greedy folks....after all we ALL made 2014 happen.
I'd understand their complaining if:
ReplyDelete-The line was beginning
-The line had never released characters from other eras like 200X in the first year.
but we're what? 5-6 years into the line? We've gotten POP and NA figures already. Besides, one quick look at what's left shows WHY we're getting more POP and NA now.
In all fairness, I'm being greedy because I want MOTU, POP, NA, 200X and Filmation (even if I don't buy ALL the items from those eras) but to say I only want THIS (in this case Vintage), but not THAT (everything else) is the wrong kind of Greedy... Sure, some would say that my Nepthu-hate campaign says I'm a hypocrite. And they'd be partially correct. Yes, I think Nepthu is a wasted slot, but it's mostly due to the whole "limited time window" that Mattel referenced with the Filmation rights and that there were far more important characters to be on the line than him. It baffles me that Nepthu NEEDED a slot, but Masque needed a poll.