Spectrum Games

[Jandar]

Hello guys,

This here just in from the Guardians of Grayskull mailing list...

It has come as a big surprise to me tonight, since I haven't been to the He-Man.org website lately, and I cannot travel to the American comic cons (*sobs*). Anyhow, here is the news:


April 19

*UPDATED!*

The Mattel panel was held today at NYCC, from 2pm to 3pm EST.
A Q&A with fans was held, which we'll have the result for later this weekend.
But in the mean time, say hello to the major announcement!

At long last, the original most powerful man in the universe is coming to toy shelves as a 2008 San Diego Comic Con <http://www.comic-con.org/cci/> exclusive! *
King Grayskull* is the inaugural MOTU figure to feature super articulation and classic detail sculpting by the Four Horsemen.
Grayskull comes in a brand new package featuring lights and sounds which transforms into a mini Castle Grayskull playset.
A variant chase version shows Grayskull as a "statue" as Prince Adam first encountered him.
Also includes three accessories.
A must have for any complete MOTU action figure collection.


Looks like NYCC is a great start to more news that will follow at SDCC 2008 this July!

See what other fans have to say! <http://www.he-man.org/forums/boards/showthread.php?t=159255>

*Greg (Sword-of-Grayskull)* has been at the NYCC taking notes for all of us who can't be there.
Here's a quick recap of the details revealed during a slideshow at the panel:

* The line will be a 6" Masters of the Universe collector's line
* The line will be super-poseable, using high-end articulation
* It will be comparable to the DC Universe line that is currently
being produced by Mattel and sculpted by the 4H
* Mattel stated this line is definitely going to be for the
collectors, and not for children
* They will be shipped in even case ratios. Mattel said "You are not
going to see six Skeletors and one Beastman" (!)
* The first figure in the line will be King Grayskull, who will be a
SDCC Exclusive.
* King Grayskull will have a chase variant that is colored to look
like the statue of King Grayskull seen by Adam from the MYP Power
of Grayskull episode
* This collector's line will contain "the entire pantheon of MOTU
characters", which will include characters from the classic MOTU
toy line, the New Adventures of He-Man, MYP cartoon characters,
characters from the mini-comics (a photo of the Green Goddess was
flashed), characters from the unproduced Powers of Grayskull line
(a photo of He-Ro was flashed), and POP characters (a screengrab
of Force Captain Adora from SOTS was flashed)

Next the fan Q&A began.

1. Mattel was asked about their plans for retail distribution.
They said they were not ready to reveal that yet, but it will be
revealed at SDCC, and "it will have better distribution than any
Mattel toy line before."

2. They were asked about the asterisk symbol on King Grayskull; if a
cross variation would be produced.
Cornboy said "You'll just have to wait and see" and Scott Neitlich
from Mattel added "The whole idea is to make you guys happy. This is
for the fans."

3. They were asked about the possibility of a Titus or Megator giant
figure.
Scott said "It's definitely being though about. It depends on the
success of the first two waves."

4. They were then asked if there might be a Queen Marlena.
Scott replied stating that since she appeared in a mini-comic
before she appeared in Filmation, that they have the rights to
produce her.

5. They were asked about playsets, vehicles and creatures.
Scott remarked, much like with Titus and Megator that "It depends
on the success of the first two waves."

6. Mattel was asked about the status of a movie line of toys.
They said they are not ready to comment on that yet, but that "this
line will be separate from the movie."

7. A fan asked about a Keldor figure.
Mattel said that it was definitely a possibility.

8. They were asked if these collector figures would have
action-features.
Scott said "There will be not action-features, but there may be
snap-on parts to indicate the original action features."
He then used Mekaneck as an example, talking about having a
replacement head with a long extended neck.
Eric Treadaway then said they wanted to get the feel of having a big
action-figure in your hands. Specifically, "The chunky feel of the
old toy line."

9. The dastardly Unemployed Skeletor asked if he would once again
have a job.
Scott said that "Yes, you will have a job again."
10. Unemployed Skeletor then asked if he would be in the first wave
of figures.
Scott replied that he would be in the first couple of waves.

11. The last question was if Mattel could collect the original
mini-comics as a trade paperback.
Mattel said it was something they just talked about, and something
they would like to do, but have no plans for at this time.

At 4:30pm, Greg had a private Q&A with Scott Neitlich, asking a number of questions from fans here at He-Man.org.

12. Greg asked about the comparison to the DC Universe line, and if
we might count on a Collect'N'Connect approach (build a figure).
Scott said it's "definitely an option" and that it depends on the
success of the first few waves.
Scott went on to say that "If you support it, the sky's the limit."

13. Greg asked for verification on She-Ra, as that came as a surprise.
Scott said the line will definitely have POP characters.
We're unsure at this time if Mattel meant they will just be based on
POP toys, or include Filmation characters. We'll clarify at a later
date.

14. Greg then asked if the color schemes for the toys would be based
on the classic toys, or versions that appeared in the mini-comics.
Scott said that "different color schemes can be variants or chase
variants."

15. Greg asked about distribution outside of the USA.
Scott said that he couldn't comment until SDCC.

16. Greg also asked if Teela would come with her snake armor like
the toy.
Scott replied saying "She will definitely come with the classic
snake armor, and it will be removable."

17. Greg inquired about plans for the MOTU Collector's Club.
Scott said it's "definitely on the table" and that it was
"something that will be talked about at SDCC."

18. Greg wanted to know if the line would be sold at Mattel outlet
stores.
Scott noted that he couldn't comment on any distribution until
SDCC.

19. Greg asked for clarification on classic characters; could they
also do classic Filmaton characters such as Lizard Man?
Scott said they could not do Lizard Man. Mattel does not have the
rights to do any Filmation characters that were not classic toys as
well, unless they appeared in the mini-comics before the
Filmation cartoon series.

20. Greg then asked about a video game tie-in.
Scott said it was something Mattel was interested in.

21. Greg was curious if Emiliano Santalucia or Val Staples would be
used as consultants.
Scott replied that "While Val and Emiliano aren't involved in an
official capacity, we are getting a lot of fan input and we are
reading the message boards."

22. Greg then wanted to know why Savage He-Man was on display. Did
they have any answers on the mystery of this figure?
Scott said that the figure was a potential for a deco variant later
on in the line.
How Savage He-Man's was originally offered still remains a mystery.

23. Greg closed things up by asking about the status of the
mini-statue line.
Scott replied that it would be phased out and replaced by the MOTU
Collector's line.

Greg went by the booth and made some visual observations of the King Grayskull figure and its packaging:

* His shield snaps on, and has two sets of prongs to clip to the
forearm.
* It comes with a classic style axe and powersword.
* The case is made of plastic. When assembled it forms Castle
Grayskull, that comes with a lowering jawbridge with an interior
space to place the figure. [/img]
_________________
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the man with the gold rules. (Mr. T, 1984)