Masters of the Universe Classics

[samueljd]

So what is the exact date on Mer-Man going up?

I'd say on the 15 of April. It's a Wednesday.

 

[Khev]

So what is the exact date on Mer-Man going up?

April 20th.

 

[cr0w]

This image makes me sick.

Say NO to MOC.

People freaking out over how other people choose to spend their money makes me sick.

The figures I really want to keep complete and mint stay on-card. Unless, like Hot Toys or Sideshow stuff, it needs to be taken out and displayed to get the full effect. Too easy to lose the small stuff, and I like the way the cards look.

 

[samueljd]

People freaking out over how other people choose to spend their money makes me sick.

The figures I really want to keep complete and mint stay on-card. Unless, like Hot Toys or Sideshow stuff, it needs to be taken out and displayed to get the full effect. Too easy to lose the small stuff, and I like the way the cards look.

Most of the folks are just joking. Don't take it to seriously, especially when you see what the emoticons are doing.

 

[Michael Crawford]

I have a review up of Faker tonight. Yep, I'm hard on him cuz he's a mighty expensive repaint, but I'm still happy I got him.

https://www.mwctoys.com

Michael
MWC

 

[Deak Starkiller]

Yeah Mike I gotta disagree, he is an excellent figure but I understand why you gave him the score you did. Paying almost $30 is great compared to the schlubs who paid inflated eBay prices so I guess that would factor in on a personal score. To me (I am a MOTU fan) he is everything he was supposed to be and more so I hold him in a higher regard. I wonder how you'll feel when Zodac comes out since he only has one accessory too. But glad to hear a non-fan is enjoying the line, great read as usual MC!

 

[metaphorge]

I was slow on the draw on him and missed Faker (this is the first one I've wanted I missed out on, I'm only being a completist with the bad guys). Don't suppose anyone has an extra?

I'm failry certain that Hordak will be my favorite figure in the line, at least until they make a Modulok, who I hope they do up right even if he ends up being pricier....

 

[Badvermin]

I agree they are overpriced by about $5.

I almost missed out on He-Man and Beastman because I was waiting until Skeletor was out so I could save on shipping. Luckily I had them in my cart after the were "sold out" and was able to still get them.

I'd love to get them all, but that the price point I'm only getting a select few.
That is why I'm not buying Stratos, Faker and Zodac. After Mer-man and Hordak, I might even be done with the line, although Teela might tempt me depending on how the final figure turn out and what her accessories are.

 

[samueljd]

I agree they are overpriced by about $5.

I almost missed out on He-Man and Beastman because I was waiting until Skeletor was out so I could save on shipping. Luckily I had them in my cart after the were "sold out" and was able to still get them.

I'd love to get them all, but that the price point I'm only getting a select few.
That is why I'm not buying Stratos, Faker and Zodac. After Mer-man and Hordak, I might even be done with the line, although Teela might tempt me depending on how the final figure turn out and what her accessories are.

With how much figures and collectibles cost these days, I'd still say these are a bargain. Sure it would be nice to have them cheaper, but the whole collectible market has upped their price points. Look at the prices Sideshow and DC Direct are charging now. Their figures used to sell for around $40-50 a few short years ago and now they sell for around $100 or more.

 

[samueljd]

I have a review up of Faker tonight. Yep, I'm hard on him cuz he's a mighty expensive repaint, but I'm still happy I got him.

https://www.mwctoys.com

Michael
MWC

Well, at least your giving this line a chance Michael. Usually if you don't care for a line you stop after a figure or 2. It looks like you've given the MOTUC line a big thumbs up to me. I'd say this line is one of the best that's been out in a long time and I'm enjoying collecting each and every figure that comes out.

 

[metaphorge]

The Four Horseman, especially Eric Treadaway. I became curious and looked up a list of which of them worked on what figures for McFarlane, NECA and Mattel and it turns out that like about 2/3 of the action figures I really liked during the 90s and early 00s were Treadaway's work (often in collusion with Cornboy).

I'd love to see what these guys could come up with a Hot Toys figure's price point.

 

[Bonehead15]

I have a review up of Faker tonight. Yep, I'm hard on him cuz he's a mighty expensive repaint, but I'm still happy I got him.

https://www.mwctoys.com

Michael
MWC

About 90% of all the original MOTU figures were repaint/rehash from other figures. That's just how the original line was in the 80's so it makes sense that the Classics line is also. The whole appeal of this line is how similar the Classics line is to the original line. If you want "new" figures instead of repaints then buy the 2003 line and not the Classics line.

Faker may be a repaint of He-Man but Stratos is technicly a repaint of Beastman, and Mer-Man and Zodak repaints of Skeletor....

 

[Michael Crawford]

I'm assuming you didn't read the review, since I pointed out that this repaint philosophy was the point BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN HE'S WORTH $20. I'm not complaining because he's a repaint. But if you're going to charge that kind of green for a repaint, you better cough up with something more. How's about sticking this guy in a two pack with another figure (like a re-issue of He-man) for $25 or $30? How about more accessories, even more re-used accessories, like a second He-man repainted armor to swap him into? No, instead they charged full price for a very basic repaint with less accessories than the figure it was taken from, and that's not going to get good marks from me.

 

[samueljd]

I'm assuming you didn't read the review, since I pointed out that this repaint philosophy was the point BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN HE'S WORTH $20. I'm not complaining because he's a repaint. But if you're going to charge that kind of green for a repaint, you better cough up with something more. How's about sticking this guy in a two pack with another figure (like a re-issue of He-man) for $25 or $30? How about more accessories, even more re-used accessories, like a second He-man repainted armor to swap him into? No, instead they charged full price for a very basic repaint with less accessories than the figure it was taken from, and that's not going to get good marks from me.

Your just so strict Michael. I guess you've got to be to be as the toy reviewer to the collectors.

 

[Bonehead15]

I'm assuming you didn't read the review, since I pointed out that this repaint philosophy was the point BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN HE'S WORTH $20. I'm not complaining because he's a repaint. But if you're going to charge that kind of green for a repaint, you better cough up with something more. How's about sticking this guy in a two pack with another figure (like a re-issue of He-man) for $25 or $30? How about more accessories, even more re-used accessories, like a second He-man repainted armor to swap him into? No, instead they charged full price for a very basic repaint with less accessories than the figure it was taken from, and that's not going to get good marks from me.

For the record, I did read the review.


If you feel that Skeletor, He-Man, or any of the other figures are worth $20; then yes HE'S WORTH $20 too.

The original figure was the same way with the same retools so that justifies it. As long as it's the same as the original figure it's justified. If the original Faker came with an Axe, for example, and the Classics figure didn't; then you'd have a reason to complain. The original figure only came with 1 sword and the Classics figure comes with 2 so actually you got an extra sword if you're keeping tabs.


Complaing about Faker's price is like complaining cause Stratos has got "smooth" feet even though the original figure had the same kind of feet.

Oh wait. You did do complain about that.

 

[samueljd]

The original figure was the same way with the same retools so that justifies it. As long as it's the same as the original figure it's justified. If the original Faker came with an Axe, for example, and the Classics figure didn't; then you'd have a reason to complain. The original figure only came with 1 sword and the Classics figure comes with 2 so actually you got an extra sword if you're keeping tabs.

Complaing about Faker's price is like complaining cause Stratos has got "smooth" feet even though the original figure had the same kind of feet.

Oh wait. You did do complain about that.

Sorry Michael, that's some funny stuff.

 

[metaphorge]

About 90% of all the original MOTU figures were repaint/rehash from other figures. That's just how the original line was in the 80's so it makes sense that the Classics line is also. The whole appeal of this line is how similar the Classics line is to the original line. If you want "new" figures instead of repaints then buy the 2003 line and not the Classics line

That may be the whole appeal of the line to you, but that doesn't mean that is the whole appeal of the line to everyone who likes it.

I detested the original line because I did not like the extremely unrealistic sculpts (I was picky about that even when I was 8), but I love these because of the highly detailed and beautiful sculpts by the 4 Horseman and the cleverly-designed articulation. I really don't care that much if it's slavishly accurate to the orignal toy (not even to the extent I care about original-toy-accuracy for TransFormers Classics/Henkei or GI Joe ARAH 25th Ani figures which are also currently out).

The parts reuse doesn't bug me as much it does Michael, but it's certainly within his rights to feel it detracts from the aesthetics and/or value of the toy. Reviews are supposed to be expressions of subjective opinion, and features you view as strengths of the line are going to be perceived as drawbacks or neutrally by others.

 

[samueljd]

The parts reuse doesn't bug me as much it does Michael, but it's certainly within his rights to feel it detracts from the aesthetics and/or value of the toy. Reviews are supposed to be expressions of subjective opinion, and features you view as strengths of the line are going to be perceived as drawbacks or neutrally by others.

True, but also parts reuse is just a part of mass production. Even the high end companies like Hot Toys, Enterbay, and Sideshow are using the same body for relatively all characters. The only variation is usually the head sculpt and clothing. I must say though, I enjoy collecting this line and enjoying receiving each figure every month. IMHO this line is quite affordable in comparison to other collectibles out there. The cost is equivalent to a few trips to Starbucks or McDonalds.

 

[metaphorge]

True, but also parts reuse is just a part of mass production. Even the high end companies like Hot Toys, Enterbay, and Sideshow are using the same body for relatively all characters. The only variation is usually the head sculpt and clothing. I must say though, I enjoy collecting this line and enjoying receiving each figure every month. IMHO this line is quite affordable in comparison to other collectibles out there. The cost is equivalent to a few trips to Starbucks or McDonalds.

The price point doesn't bother me that much, but these are quite a bit more expensive than similar product (DC Universe Classics) produced by the same company (Mattel) by the same sculptors (the 4 Horsemen) in the same scale (1:12) using similar methodologies and without having to pay a chunk in licensing fees to anyone since MOTU is Mattel's owned IP.

A big hit is the shipping charge. As things currently stand, there's not much way to save on shipping by combining more than one figure as Mattel releases one figure at a time and they have to be ordered quickly or else they'll sell out. The "get every figure shipped at once" option that supposedly will be available in the future might help, but then you both have to wait several months to get your toys and you have to get everything whether you want it or not (I'm only collecting the villains and a hero here and there).

In short, these are a kind of bad deal compared to other action figures that are very similar.

I've obviously decided that all of this is not so objectionable that I refuse to buy these, but there's a part of me wondering if we really want to tell big toy companies that we're willing to pay three times as much for a quality action figure as we would currently pay for the same thing at a store.

I have a sneaking suspicion that Hasbro's forthcoming "big Marvel Legends" announcement is that they will be making it an internet exclusive line a la MOTU Classics, and that's just going to be all sorts of nasty to collectors wallets. There's a lot of changes going on in toys, especially mass-market toys, these days. A few years ago the 1:6 action figure virtually deserted big-box store shelves (how many of these do you see now?), and it seems like the same thing is underway with 1:12/6" or 7" scale stuff. WalMart increasingly wants to cram more product into a smaller space, and they call the shots when it comes to what gets made for the mass market. The revolution in quality mass-market action figures that McFarlane (and, largely, the 4 Horsemen) started back in the mid-90's appears to be winding down.

We've digressed a bit from the original point, so let's bring things back: one reason I like Michael's reviews so much is that they are very "big picture", relating each toy to what is available across the toy industry. He collects and reviews a little bit of almost EVERYTHING. I think that's the prism through which he looks at collectibles, so his criticisms are dead on in that light.

 

[teemu]

the Motu Classics line seems to be hotter than the toybiz Marvel Legends line was! I remember collectors going nuts over that line....seems nobody cares about it anymore