Mattel and the Future of He-Man
According to a press release on Toy News International, Mattel is starting to get serious about bringing back He-Man by partnering with a marketing agency. TNI highlights in the press release that several brands that will have “entertainment based marketing programs” build around them that includes Masters of the Universe. Sadly, it also includes Max Steel in the line up. Ugh.
Further down in the press release, it states that Mattel has teamed up with Warner Brothers to produce a live action He-Man film. While that’s not news, if there was any question of future He-Man toys it should be dispelled by now. My point in bringing this up is I’ve got a couple of ideas to help Mattel out when they do bring back He-Man. I’m hoping that if one person can make a difference, I’m that one person.
Things Mattel Should Consider when bringing back He-Man.
By Paul R. The guy that writes on that toy blog.
1. Put figures in store with decent case counts. Please, we don’t need 10 He-Mans for every figure that we want. The He-Man line is all about a wide variety of characters, not just He-Man and Skeletor.
2. Bring back the 2002 version of the cartoon that Shawn loves. I never watched it, but every time it’s brought up I have to hear how awesome it was. If it was really that awesome, it needs to be back on TV.
3. Make some hot chick figures and plenty of them. Nerds love hot chicks. Perhaps emulate Hasbro’s comic packs, except put two female figures together with a pornographic magazine.
4. He-Man doesn’t have to have so many muscles he can’t move, but he also has to be pretty damn big. No skinny He-Man for me, thanks. That doesn’t make me gay does it?
5. The figures in the Masters of the Universe line should have some decent articulation. These days people like to pose their figures with more than just an arms up or down or head looking left or right. I know, it’s crazy!
6. By god, if you don’t bring back Rio Blast I won’t have a reason to live.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:22 am
What 2002 version of the cartoon? Was it like that crap CGI cartoon of the Transformers that came out on CN a few years ago? Either way, I’m sure it’s deficient. The original is always the best.
P.S. Hooray for hot chick figures. How about all the hooplah when the last Mary Jane Watson bust (ahem) came out?
February 15th, 2008 at 3:16 am
yeah, no. The 2002 cartoon (being, you know THE ONE THAT CAME OUT WITH THE TOYS) was a huge step up from the original. And that’s why it’s coming on on DVD in April.
A “crap, CGI Transformers?” I didn’t know Cartoon Network had started showing Beast Wars. OOoh, burn…
February 15th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
I think that for whatever GWS lacks in He-Man and Transformers knowledge, he wins for not knowing it in the first place.
February 15th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
pah! Such a lax attitude to his own nerdery!
February 15th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
I’m all about the Old School He-man Cartoon or better yet the Dolph Lundgren live action version. Which was waaaay better than the Dolph Lundgren Punisher. Actually, now that I think about, who knew Dolph mangled so many childhood memories…
They need to bring back Blackstar and the Star Sword. That would rock. Maybe a little Thundar the Barbarian action as well.
February 15th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Wise words from a wise man, Keith.