[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMm8bxvpoT8&feature=youtu.be&h=375&w=500]
…and they’re totally right.
Just thought it’d be nice to take a break from Subpocalypse for a moment.
Club Eternia 2013, Cont’d
Scott Neitlich posted the following on the Mattycollector forums last night in response to a question as to where the MOTUC subs stand right now:
We have over 50% to go. We are at 46% of the min orders we need as of right now.
If we don’t hit 100% of the min it means fewer figs at higher prices (i.e. 30-35.00 per figure and likely only 4-6 figs for the whole year)
Forty-six percent of the required minimum tells me that all the discussion of the Star Sisters, QC, and CS issues is fairly inconsequential. The QC and CS issues have been around for almost the entire life of the line, yet they easily hit the required number last year. I have a difficult time believing that Star Sisters are holding anyone back, because the truth is, they were part of last year’s sub, not this year’s – if they were going to hold anyone off subbing, it would have been last year. (It could be argued the incentive figure, King He-Man, is no Shadow Weaver, but I think Ram Man makes up that difference.)
The SS/QC/CS stuff may have eaten away at the margins, but I think the main reason for the lower sub numbers was the price and international shipping increases, plain and simple. If it had been just the price increase of just the shipping increase, the damage might have been more mitigated. But with both hitting at once, MOTUC may have been dealt a mortal blow.
There’s not going to be another rush of subscribers – those happen in the first few days. I don’t like being a downer, but I just don’t see how they double the sub numbers by August 6 – unless there are some e-tailers who hop on board and save the line.
There’s been some talk that many people have been holding off to get paid at the end of this month or the first of August. I’m skeptical that 50% of the needed subscribers are in that boat, but I guess we’ll see.
UPDATE: On second thought, the total cost of the 2013 sub (before shipping) is $505, while the total cost of the 2012 sub was $510. It’s pretty much identical to last year, it’s just more per figure. So now I’m not sure how much the price increase figures into it, although I’m sure there’s a certain psychological resistance to paying an extra $5 per figure that factors in to collectors’ thinking (including mine, but I went ahead anyway).
Pic of the Day > Ultraman Woo Kaiju figure 2002 by splittyhead
Odds ‘n Ends > Poe Subscribes & Why, Digital River Mini-Rant, & More
Megacon 2012 by ArmoredFoe, on Flickr
- I finally subscribed to 2013 Club Eternia, for two primary reasons. The first is I found out that those vehicle-themed chestplates on the Fighting Foe Men can be removed – I wasn’t aware of this fact, and I really disliked those. I just thought they were too cheesy. Without them, the figures look much better. The second reason is that I’ve found my MOTUC reviews are one of the main sources of traffic I get here on PGPoA; and especially since so many of you may not be subscribing this year, I’ll be providing more of an actual service by reviewing them so you can decide whether they’re worth tracking down on the secondary market.
- Speaking of Club Eternia, NoisyDvL5 over at IAT has written an editorial on the topic. It’s the kind of editorial I might have written four years ago before I got so old and jaded and lazy.
- Speaking of lazy, it never even occurred to me to get an interview with the creator of Castle Grayskullman like Pixel Dan did. I do have some other interviews coming, though.
- I’ve been wondering whether S.H.MonsterArts would continue past King Ghidorah. The answer appears to be yes; Godzilla Jr. and Burning Godzilla (both from Godzilla vs. Destroyah) are coming. The Burning Godzilla appears to be a new mold, or at least have some newly-molded parts.
- I will be reviewing The Dark Knight Rises eventually. Hopefully this week, if I can carve out the time.
- Because I forgot to change my address on my specific Club Infinite Earths order that I made last year, my CIE order for this month was sent back undelivered. This despite the fact that I did change my address on the main Mattycollector site – which, as we all know, does not change your address for existing orders, only future orders. To change the address for existing orders, a feature found on almost every modern retail website, is apparently far beyond the capabilities of Digital River. How I loathe that company. Why, why would you go with a company best known for delivering digital product fulfillment rather than physical? I’m guessing the answer is contained in two words: lowest bidder. You get what you pay for. Anyway, theoretically I’ll be refunded for my two CIE items and I don’t plan on fighting to get them back. I’d rather have the money.
- Notable reviews: Fox Sports Baseball Robot (Dayraven), Spikor (Michael Crawford), 3.75″ Brock Samson (Michael Crawford), Funko Exclusive Batman Vinyl Invader (Battlegrip), Fall of Cybertron Jazz (OAFE)
Pic of the Day > The Idol by ridureyu
Decapitated Stratos Sold Separately
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTWsmdSAzjs&h=298&w=530]
The fellow who created Castle Grayskullman created this vintage ad for the figure as well. Just a heads-up, it’s more of a parody ad than an actual attempt to mimic the vintage ads.
I’m almost ashamed to admit I had to hear about this from Topless Robot.
Poe’s Review > Snake Man-At-Arms (Masters of the Universe Classics, Mattel)
Do you remember when Snake Man-At-Arms was first revealed at NYCC last year? He looked like this:
Pic of the Day > Laser Beasts: #97 Sea Panic by chogokinjawa
MOTUC 2013 Sub in Jeopardy?
Following up from the earlier post, there are two notable posts over on the Mattycollector forums.
Subject: MOTUC on the chopping block?
Q: With all due respect Toyguru, how could MOTUC possibly be on the chopping block when it’s the highest selling line on Mattycollector.com? Is this an edict handed down by corporate or is this a brand decision from yourself? Do you feel Mattycollector could even exist without MOTUC?
A: In 2012 it was/is one of the hottest. But the 2013 sub has not sold the min yet. Until it does, it is on the block. We need sub support to continue it.
And:
Subject: Can you do a sub meter for MOTUC?
Q: Like the one you have on DCUC? Clearly, we need it.
A: We’ll look into it. At this point we may need one. We were not expecting to which is why one was not prepped.
MOTUC Bio Discussion > Dekker
Dekker
Heroic Trainer-Of-Arms
Real Name: DekkerOriginally a mercenary from the Dunes of Doom, Dekker switched sides during one of the early battles of the Great Unrest and fought with King Miro against Marzo’s tyranny. His wisdom and courage quickly lead to his appointment as Miro’s Man-At-Arms, leading and training the royal soldiers. Throughout these battles Dekker took a young prodigy named Duncan under his wing, traveling through Eternia, fighting evil together. In time, Dekker retired to Orkus Island, passing his title and duties to his former apprentice and sidekick. Although he now enjoys the simple life of a fisherman, the ever-present forces of evil occasionally call him back to fight for justice alongside the heroic Masters of the Universe.
Before we go further, let me take this opportunity to remind everyone once again that I absolutely hate the use of the term “Masters of the Universe” to describe the good guys. Why can’t they just be the Heroic Warriors? Can’t be trademarked, I suppose.
Moving on, Dekker appeared in the episode “The Island” of the Millennium He-Man and the Masters of the Universe cartoon. Nothing in this bio contradicts what was depicted in the episode, though I believe it adds the bit about Marzo and the Great Unrest (at least in terms of Dekker’s involvement).
Honestly, I don’t think there’s a lot to comment on here. Thoughts?