Last chance to enter the “Make Your MasterPOEce” Contest!

September 28, 2009 | Poe

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There are just two more days left on the Make Your MasterPOEce Contest! The image above is a taste of what we’ve received so far, to get your imagination firing. We’ve only got a few entries so far, so get your submission in now! The contest ends this Wednesday at 12 noon U.S. Eastern time.

Again, your entry doesn’t have to be a drawing–it can be a computer-generated 3D model, a painting, a Photoshopped image of an existing MOTUC figure-any format is acceptable, so long as it’s an original piece and in the spirit of the Masters of the Universe Classics style.

Odds ‘n Ends

September 24, 2009 | Poe

Odds N Ends

Not a whole lot of toy-related news out there, so it’s Odds ‘n Ends for y’all.

  • Anyone (besides Paul, obviously) pick up Halo: ODST? I’m burned out on first-person shooters so I don’t plan to, but feel free to discuss the game below. How does it compare to the other three? Rate them in order of best to worst, please, and why.
  • Don’t forget about the Make Your MasterPOEce contest. We have so few entries right now, you’ve got a decent chance of winning just by submitting!
  • In case you missed it, Entertainment Earth now has the Bioshock Big Daddy for preorder. It’s $20, which will probably translate to $25 or more at specialty shops.
  • I’ve been meaning to mention, if you ever want to submit news or ideas for post topics, feel free to email them to me at poe AT poeghostal.com.
  • I know some people aren’t feeling it, but I find myself rather excited by the prospect of getting Zodak. Maybe it’s just the idea of getting a non-vintage character, or maybe it’s that he has a more cosmic, sf-inspired style than we’ve seen so far.
  • Speaking of MOTUC, PixelDan has a good early video review of Teela. Observations: She’s tall. Looks great though, like all tall women (hi honey!).

Review > Webstor (Masters of the Universe Classics)

September 22, 2009 | Poe

webstor_80sSome people in Eternia don’t seem to trust their own abilities. Stratos has wings, but wears a jetpack anyway. Webstor, ostensibly a spider-man, carries a grappling hook, a backpack pulley system and fifteen feet of uncoiled rope.

As I’ve said elsewhere, I never owned Webstor as a kid– in fact, I don’t think I even knew anyone who did. So it’s fair to say I don’t really have any attachment to the character, which also means this is one of the first MOTUC figures I’m not reviewing through the rose-colored glasses of nostalgia. (more…)

King Randor Carded

September 21, 2009 | Poe

Everyone’s favorite (burger) king is revealed in all his glorious packaging glory on Mattel’s Facebook page.

The bio reads:

Real Name: Randor of the house of Miro

King Miro’s second born son, Randor came of age during the Great Unrest, a time when conflict returned to Eternia following the Count Marzo Uprisings and the subsequent betrayal by his half brother Keldor. After the disappearance of his father, Randor was appointed captain of the guard and lead Miro’s troops in battle against Keldor’s growing rebellion. Randor eventually ended the battles by fatally wounding Keldor and locking his evil warriors behind the mystic wall. For this act he was appointed King by the Council of Elders. King Randor raises his staff exulting his rule over Eternia!

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On a side note, I’m calling it: MOTUC Count Marzo in 2010.

The Great MOTUC Debate, Revisited

September 16, 2009 | Poe

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You’ll recall back in December of last year, I posted a series of articles with quotes from various high-profile collectors regarding their thoughts on Masters of the Universe Classics. (You can read them here and here.)

Well, it’s been nine months, and at this point it’s safe to say that MOTUC has been a success. However, a financial success does not always equal an artistic success (see Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen), so I thought I’d contact some of the contributors from last time and see whether their thoughts on MOTUC have changed since the line debuted.

There are a couple more contributors I was waiting on–I’ll add their comments if/when i receive them. (more…)

Ask Mattel for September 15

September 15, 2009 | Poe

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1.) Does MOTUC Trap-Jaw’s robotic arm have a hinge joint at the elbow and a ball joint at the shoulder?

Yes. Trap Jaw’s robotic arm has the same articulation points as a regular He-Man arm. However, some of the characteristic sculpt details on Trap Jaw’s robotic arm limit some of the range of motion on his shoulder. We felt that it was important to keep those details, despite having the effect of limiting the range of motion.

2.) Finkrod asks: Does Mattel plan on doing re-issues of all previously released MOTUC figures?

That’s to be determined.

3.) Dayraven asks: Will the re-release King Grayskull get some re-engineering (like closed shoulder socket gaps or a removable harness/cape)?

That’s still to be determined as well.

4.) Fallen Eldor asks: How Many Bonus figures (not including deluxe offerings like Battlecat) do you have in mind for 2010?

It all depends on fan demand.  We’ll see!

5.) Captainzero asks: What’s the status of the DCUC Golden Age Hawkman/Hawkgirl 2-pack and the DCUC Lex Luthor/Supergirl 2-pack?

The Hawk pack is still in development. The Lex Luthor/Supergirl pack will hopefully be out in early 2010.

6.) George asks: The Walmart 5-pack was suppose to be out during Christmas, then I saw it at Walmart a couple of weeks after SDCC. Now it seems like they pulled it off the shelves. What’s the deal? Will there be more in Christmas?

This 5 pack will continue to ship through the holidays.  Shelf dates are a retailer decision.

7.) Mario asks: Now that DC has re-acquired the Archie Super Heroes (The Shield, The Fox, The Sting, etc…), is there any chance we’ll get them in DCUC form? How about the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents?

While DC has acquired these characters, they are not part of our agreement with DC.

8.) Joel asks: Will there be a civilian DCUC character released in 2010?

Possibly. We know there is demand for characters like Gordon, Lois and Alfred and others.

Happy Webstor Day!

September 15, 2009 | Poe

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Apologies for the late Webstor Day reminder–now that we’re on subscription, I’m less attentive to when the figures go on sale. Well, this month anyway. Next month I have Zodak and Ray to worry about. Anyway, if you’re not on subscription, you can order your Webstor at 12noon Eastern time right here. (more…)

Reminder: MOTUC Poe Art Contest

September 15, 2009 | Poe

Don’t forget about the “Make A MasterPOEce” contest, which ends on September 30. I swear to you this isn’t just an egotistical indulgence* (it wasn’t even my idea…), but it’s more an excuse to give away free toys, including a custom of your own design, a 2002 He-Man (on card) signed by the Four Horsemen, and a MOTUC Mer-Man to the first runner-up.

Remember, your submission doesn’t have to be perfect. A quick sketch or a Photoshop job on an existing MOTUC figure are as valid as an oil painting.

*I mean, yes, it’s partially an egotistical indulgence, but you still get prizes.

New He-Man movie even less likely than before

September 11, 2009 | Poe

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Variety reports that Mattel and Warner Brothers won’t be working together to bring the Most Powerful Man in the Universe to the silver screen again.

This is after they’d already thrown out the potentially film-able script by Justin Marks, who’s at least partially responsible for Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li.

I’ve had my doubts about this project all along, and I still doubt a new He-Man movie will ever see the light of day. While it certainly has a devoted coterie of fans, Masters of the Universe has never had a cult following on the scale of Transformers or G.I. Joe, and more to the point, its concepts are even goofier. Optimus Prime and Duke are relatively cool names; He-Man is not.

That said, stranger things have definitely happened before (like hugely successful films based on amusement park rides), and I can imagine a world where a He-Man movie does well.