ToyGuru posted a very big update over on He-Man.org–so huge it merited a rare weekend update here at PGPoA. I recommend you read the whole thing over there, but here are some highlights.

First off, obviously MOTUC is doing very well and this has rung all the way up to the top brass. We couldn’t be happier with where the line is and have some amazing plans to expand it beyond single figures per month in 2010. In fact, in all likelihood, almost each month next year will have at least two MOTU items for sale. More details will follow at our SDCC fan panel on Friday at 1:00 in room 2.

And yes, we are looking into other projects and lines to do with the brand, but nothing to announce quite yet.

In the things we can announce category, we’ve been doing some major research into the brand going deep into the Mattel archives. In this process we’ve uncovered quite a lot of goodies such as the original story concept for MOTU (pre mini comics!) and some concept art never before shown to the public (did you know Skeletor was called “Demo-Man”, Trap Jaw was originally called “X-Man”, Evil Lynn was “Sultress” and Zoar was called “He-Bird”!) Lots of cool stuff and we are working on finding ways to publish some of these finds for the fans. We even found the original painting from the Eternia Playset. So good stuff is brewing as we continue to research the line and make MOTUC the best it can be.

As for why his name is “Ro” and not “Gray”, well simple. In the original story line “Powers of Grayskull” He-Man travels back in time to meet his ancestor who turns out to be He-Ro. Because the 2002 MYP series firmly established King Grayskull as Adam’s ancestor, He-Ro was reinvisioned slightly to make him a contemporary of Grayskull, but not the same character. It really wouldn’t make sense to have a character called “Gray” and “Grayskull”. Since he carries the sword of He, it made sense Ro would adapt this weapon as part of his new name to call out his powers. (much as He-Man is a “man who carries the sword of “He” – get it? ). How the Sword of He relates to the Power of Grayskull has yet to be revealed…

Oh, speaking of which, the 2010 subscription should be available to pre order starting at SDCC (in fact you can do so right at our booth!) We have a few surprises in store that are special for the subscription this time, and subscribers for 2010 will get more then just the 12 monthly figures, we’ve got some cool surprises in store! (and there may be a small sign up fee to compensate for this, but it will be well worth it we promise!). Full details will be announced before sign up start.

My thoughts: It’s good to hear the “top brass” has noticed MOTUC’s success. That probably ensures a decent life cycle for the line, assuming they don’t screw it up by, say, trying to mass-market it (a specialty store/comic shop plan, run in addition to but not as a replacement for the online Mattycollector.com sales, might work).

I like the sound of the subscription bonus(es) for 2010–as long as those who pre-order subs at SDCC don’t get something the rest of us who have to order online don’t.

Anyway, Monday is Hordak Day. I recommend you be at your computer and refreshing by 11:55pm EDT.

As for the “other projects and lines” mention, I’m still hoping for a collected trade paperback of all the original mini-comics…