MOTU - Classics!

[JSayonara]

http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/07/30/live-action-masters-of-the-universe-movie-going-ahead-jon-m-chu-in-talks/

[Hater]

There is an inherent problem in calling your barbarian leader "He-Man" in that it's at best, ridiculous, and at worst, retarded.  It is one of the worst hero names EVER in a sword and sorcery mythology. 

Every time I hear that name with any amount of seriousness I think of the " He-man, woman haters club."

[Year6Robin]

Yeah... HE-MAN is a tough one.  It's sword and sorcery lite, no matter what anybody thinks.  Sure, the early mini comics and the '83 DC mini were a bit heavier in tone, but still....it's hard to take the whole thing seriously, no matter how badass TRAP JAW, BEAST MAN, and SKELETOR look.  And if you make it too serious, it's no longer HE-MAN.

My personal opinion is that it should be done similar in style to THE PRINCESS BRIDE.  Tons of action and adventure, yet with dry humor and a certain degree of lightness mixed in.  But again, that's just me.

[John Moores]

There is an inherent problem in calling your barbarian leader "He-Man" in that it's at best, ridiculous, and at worst, retarded.  It is one of the worst hero names EVER in a sword and sorcery mythology. 

Every time I hear that name with any amount of seriousness I think of the " He-man, woman haters club."

Absolutely. Stupid fucking name.

[JQ]

I'm really surprised that the MOTUC sub didn't immediately hit the goal, and when I see the reasons why people aren't subscribing -- they hate Digital River, the price went up, too many fringe characters ...

I've had my problems with Digital River. Even 10 years ago I couldn't believe how incompetent they were when they kept billing me for software I wasn't even getting through them anymore and they've been screwing up a return for a month now. There really isn't another option though. I like the product, I have to go through them and deal with it.

The price: $25 (plus shipping) for a big, great looking figures with lots of accessories from a line that would not survive at retail? It was a bargain before and still seems like a good deal.
 
The character selection complaints really surprise me. So many corners of MOTU being represented and people just want the main characters plus their own personal favorite. Maybe it's because I'm not a dedicated fan but when I see some of the stuff they announce I go nuts for it! The "Fighting Foe Men"? I remember seeing them on the model kit packaging wondering what the deal was with using fake MOTU characters ... now they're making them into figures! I think that's awesome! I can't wait to get them!

MOTU fans are getting a lot of great stuff, despite the problems that come up ... and those problems usually get worked out. I wish DC fans had it so good.

[Year6Robin]

MOTU fans are getting a lot of great stuff, despite the problems that come up ... and those problems usually get worked out. I wish DC fans had it so good.

Could not possibly agree more.

On another note, a lot of the overseas fans are fed up.  A guy over there explained it to me like this:

A big part of the problem is that international buyers have two choices: $15 shipping with no tracking and no replacements if lost, or $40 shipping. Plus a $20 customs charge per item because of the new $25 price.  

$25 figure plus $60 is pretty fucking insane.  That's $85 for a single 6" plastic action figure.

But yeah, it's been one helluva line.  If I had money to piss away, I would buy a lot more than what I have.  I'd go ahead and get a Sub, and you guys would have first dibs on anything I didn't want.

[kolobosrexx]

...Boy Wonder gets a point for that BRILLIANT avatar!!  The sub is currently hovering around 70%, with 5 days to go... I imagine they will surely get closer, but while I love the line, I don't see it hit that 100% they supposedly HAVE TO HAVE.  That said, I can't really get behind the logic of OFFERING to make the MOTUC, DCIE, and Watchmen subs, and then just NOT MAKE THEM because they couldn't hit a 100% sub--sale.  I totally understand that costs have gone up, and that it helps for a small-market line to be able to have a "stable" gauge of how much of a certain product to make... But it's asking an awful lot of folks in this economy to commit to something without a clearer idea of what they are getting at least!  For me personally, it's cool, just because I LOVE MOTU, and I'm essentially a completist in regard to characters, like I have tried to be with Marvel Legands & DCUC!  I could take or leave the She-Ra/POP characters, but I get them just to have sex-slaves/punching-bags for the Horde...     Kidding, LOL!  NA characters have potential in regard to how the Horsemen interpret them & how they get fitted into the line, but if they want more folks into them, they might creep a few more out a year!   Filmation only appealed to me as an 8-year old, but Fang-Man shows that the combination of reused parts, new accessories, and 4H coolness can make many Filmation concepts pretty cool!  I do want to see the unique Filmation baddies like Icer, Strong-Arm, Batros, Lord Masque, Shakoati, ect.  But dangit, I still want 200X guys like Phrauvus, that version of Evilseed, ect...

[Daniel Lynch]

Every time I hear that name with any amount of seriousness I think of the " He-man, woman haters club."

Careful. You're showing your age by automatically going to those 1930s references.  

[JerseyManiac!]

I'm gonna call him Spanky from now on.  Or Stymie!  Stymieade!

[ThrillHo]

Could not possibly agree more.

On another note, a lot of the overseas fans are fed up.  A guy over there explained it to me like this:

A big part of the problem is that international buyers have two choices: $15 shipping with no tracking and no replacements if lost, or $40 shipping. Plus a $20 customs charge per item because of the new $25 price.  

$25 figure plus $60 is pretty fucking insane.  That's $85 for a single 6" plastic action figure.

But yeah, it's been one helluva line.  If I had money to piss away, I would buy a lot more than what I have.  I'd go ahead and get a Sub, and you guys would have first dibs on anything I didn't want.

Ouch.  At that point I'd want them to ship it loose but bagged and use a priority small box for the tracking and save $26ish off shipping. 
 

[JQ]

You're buying a foreign product. Extra costs are a given. The "find a friend" thing? Great advice. I ship product to a friend in the UK unpackaged, in bulk, all the time to save on shipping and import fees, or better yet just keep them here till he visits.

Very bad business practice on Mattel's part, deserving of complaints, especially added to the fact that we know their retail distribution in the UK has sucked for years ... but why not find solutions and be able to keep enjoying your hobby while they work things out? It seems they're looking into a European distribution center which should be great news, but how far are they going to go with that if their customers are dropping off?

[JSayonara]

And again total bullshit from Mattel JQ.

I've bought shitloads of stuff from various companies in the U.S over the years as well as small businesses..no problem at all.

Mattel would be better off using the regular post office than the joke that is Digital River.

I have no sympathy for a multinational company that can't even figure out how to effectively ship stuff abroad.

Let's just be honest here.
Digital River is a joke of a company, who Mattel will not drop however they fuck up, for reasons unknown to us, but probably due to saving money and/or nepotism.

[JQ]

Maybe, but at some point you just have to say "whatever" and work things out on your own.

[JSayonara]

And that right there is why the sub is failing.

"Whatever and work it out on my own?"
Sorry I can't live in the U.S like all the other good boys and girls.

I'll take my money elsewhere then, to a business that can sell me stuff in the lil ol' U.K.

Fuck Mattel, they deserve to fail.

[Year6Robin]

It does seem like MATTEL should find some kind of overseas distributor.  Hell...they have/had a huge following in Germany.  That's why back in the 80s, they released various characters ( like TYTUS ), mini comics, and vehicles over there that never came out over here.

True, a lot of the people on the ORG are flat out dicks, but I feel bad for any legitimate fan overseas who can't afford to buy this line.  JQ's suggestion of helping somebody out is a brilliant idea.  I wish there was more of that.

The whole thing with MATTEL and DIGITAL RIVER is just weird.  DR must have a blackmail photo of MATTY jerking off to '2 Girls, 1 Cup'.

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