Personal preferences.

[Shawn]

The interesting thing about MOTU, it's so full of a variety of characters and settings that there is literally something for everybody. What other line has pretty pink princesses and Frazetta like warriros under the same banner? What other line has skull faces demons and cute cartoon magic aliens? MOTU is exactly that: A UNIVERSE, like DC or Marvel over flowing with character types. What are your personal preferences?


Which years you played with the toys?
What figures do you remember playing most with as a kid?
What is your favorite factions?
What character types speak to you the most?
What type of stories do you enjoy the most?
Any particular favoriet stories?
What formats did you have? (comic, toon, Audio book?)
DO you still go back and enjoy them now as an adult?
What regional variations did you grow up with? (UK comic, German Audio plays, US magazines)
What are things you dislike.
Name one thing you HATE. (would remove if you could from ever being part of franchise)
Add your own question!


Which years you played with the toys?
I was born in 1982. Myr brother had a couple as he was 10 then, I inherited thouse and never really stopped

What figures do you remember playing most with as a kid?
She-Ra, Hordak, Grizzzlor, Modulok, Extendar, Gwildor, Orko, Man-At-Arms, Fisto Sorceress and Starship Eternia.

What is your favorite factions?
Horde (kid)

What character types speak to you the most?
Ancient tehcnologies and magicians

What type of stories do you enjoy the most?
Time travel & ancient Eternia flashbacks. Heavy Lore filled stories,

Any particular favorite stories?
Lifetime Star Marvel comic two part story.
Later 1987 mini comics. (Serch for Keldor, Enter Buzz Saw Hordak, Power of Grayskull and Cosmic Key)
1987 movie

What formts did you have? (comic, toon, Audio book?)
ALL media.

DO you still go back and enjoy them now as an adult?
YES!

What regional variations did you grow up with? (UK comic, German Audio plays, US magazines)
Golden books, Had them read to me everynight. I had remembered EVERY word even before I could read

What are things you dislike.
Non-MOTU things made into MOTU...Cy-Ghop is a micronaut...Stan Lee is not a god, much less "the God"...Any "mary sue" type fan charecter really...

Name one thing you HATE. (would remove if you could from ever being part of franchise)
Loo-Kee. Even disliked him as a small child.

[Guest]

Which years you played with the toys?

1983 to 1987

What figures do you remember playing most with as a kid?

Whiplash, Webstor, Spikor, Buzz-Off, Leech. I had many more, but those seemed to be the most vivid memories.

What is your favorite factions?

Evil Warriors

What character types speak to you the most?

Usually quirky villains.

What type of stories do you enjoy the most?

Most of my exposure was purely to Filmation, but the typical stories revolving around the core villains vs the core heroes were enough.

Any particular favorite stories?

Nothing comes to mind.

What formats did you have? (comic, toon, Audio book?)

Cartoon and a few Little Golden Books

Do you still go back and enjoy them now as an adult?

On occasion.

What regional variations did you grow up with? (UK comic, German Audio plays, US magazines)

None

What are things you dislike.

Virtually every idea Scutt McLamesauce had, and NA He-Man. Some of the toys are awesome and I love them (Optikk, Slush-Head, Skeletor, He-Man) but the cartoon is an unwatchable mess. I can't even suffer through half an episode.

Name one thing you HATE.

See above.

[Battle Ram Man]

Which years you played with the toys?
1982-1986, but most heavily in 82-84



What figures do you remember playing most with as a kid?
He-Man, Skeletor, Leech, Mer-Man, Moss Man/Stinkor



What is your favorite factions?
Evil Warriors


What character types speak to you the most?
The more sword and sorcery ones (ie not figures like Sy-Klone


What type of stories do you enjoy the most?
Really enjoyed some of the battles in Golden Books and mini comics



Any particular favorite stories?
The Trap (golden books) and Battle In the Clouds stand out


What formats did you have? (comic, toon, Audio book?)
Mini comics, toon, golden books, magazine


DO you still go back and enjoy them now as an adult?
Hell yes


What regional variations did you grow up with? (UK comic, German Audio plays, US magazines)
US everything

What are things you dislike.
I didn't like some of the ways they cheaped out when I was a kid (unpainted bracers, no articulation on Battle Cat)


Name one thing you HATE. (would remove if you could from ever being part of franchise)
Always hated She-Ra

[Dark Angel]

Gosh, I don't usually give it this much thought. I just...like what I like, you know? It is almost instinctual. But here goes:

What years you played with the toys?

...um. 83-87? -ish?

What figures do you remember playing most with as a kid?

Teela, Man-At-Arms, Roboto, Stridor, Man-E-Faces, Hordak, and Grizzlor.

What is your favorite faction?

The Evil Horde

What character types speak to you the most?

The redeemed (She-Ra) or the character on the redemption quest. Close second is the chaotic evildoer, which MOTU doesn't really have - most of their evildoers will eventually at least back off to save their own skin if nothing else. MYP Evil Seed and Count Marzo are close, though.

What type of stories do you enjoy the most?

Origin stories - where did all these freaks come from/come to be?

Any particular favorite stories?

The mini-comic version of Man-E-Faces origin.

What formats did you have? (comic, toon, Audio book?)

As a kid, mostly just the mini comics, Golden Books and the US magazine.
Primarily influenced by what is called series 2 of the minis - those introducing Trap Jaw, Point Dread, Man-E-Faces, etc. Loved the stories and art, although I reject the Teela being a magical clone thing.
I caught a few episodes of the cartoon and it was fun, but didn't have a lot of influence on me. My mom, as I recall, just loved Orko to death and got me the figure, which I basically only played with for her sake, so she influenced both my childhood personal canon and my current personal canon - He only exists in either thanks to her.

Do you still go back and enjoy them now as an adult?

Rarely. The mini comics are fun, but I can hardly watch the old He-Man cartoon - its generally a bit silly. I can throw on the She-Ra series because it is at least somewhat more intelligent.

What regional variations did you grow up with? (UK comic, German Audio plays, US magazines)

As mentioned above, the US magazine. Did not realize that was a regional thing until this moment.

What are things you dislike.

This modern fixation on Man-At-Arms and The Sorceress dying. I think MYP actually started it, which is unfortunate as I otherwise really liked their take. In any event, though, I just don't accept their deaths. Or MAA being turned into a snakeman.

Name one thing you HATE. (would remove if you could from ever being part of franchise)

Every single thing Nietlich ever created. He and his influence are a cancer on the brand.

***Who was your absolute favorite character as a kid, and who is your absolute favorite as an adult?

As a kid, the mini comic version of the Sorceress with the snake armor. She was so much more proactive than most magical females at that time, and certainly moreso that the "I can't leave the castle" Filmation Sorceress. As an adult, the MYP version of Count Marzo. Because he is a long-haired, black metal barbarian badass. Like me.

[Matthew L. Martin]

Which years you played with the toys?

Late 1983 to 1989 or 1990. I think we put them in storage shortly after the New Adventures launch.

What figures do you remember playing most with as a kid?

Man-at-Arms, Skeletor, Castle Grayskull, He-Man, Ram-Man, Fisto, Kobra Khan, Beast Man, Whiplash, Faker, Battle Armor He-Man and Skeletor, Roboto, Mantenna, Leech, Modulok, Dragon Blaster Skeletor, Thunder Punch He-Man, Slime Pit, Rio Blast, Rattlor, Eternia, Scare Glow, Ninjor

What is your favorite factions?

Heroic Warriors, Evil Warriors, Snake Men, Horde, in approximate order. The Horde and Snake Men sometimes flip position, though.

What character types speak to you the most?

The core leadership and the more intelligent ones, along with those with some connection to Eternia's past or to other characters.

What type of stories do you enjoy the most?

I'm a sucker for the epics--deep history, high stakes, lots of characters.

Any particular favoriet stories?

The old "Masters of the Universe" record, "The Search", "The Dragon's Gift", "The Problem with Power", "Wizard of Stone Mountain" from Filmation, the slowly building arc of the mini-comics from "King of the Snake Men" onward, "Lifetime" from Star Comics, most of the 200X cartoon.

What formats did you have? (comic, toon, Audio book?)

Audiobook/records, comics, cartoon, storybooks, mini-comics, magazines

DO you still go back and enjoy them now as an adult?

Occasionally.

What regional variations did you grow up with? (UK comic, German Audio plays, US magazines)

Most of the stuff published in the US was on my radar--I missed out on a handful of the storybooks, the first four minis, and the DC comics the first time around, but I think that was about it. I followed the magazine and the Star comic to the very end.

What are things you dislike.

This one's going to get me into trouble ... I've never been that fond of She-Ra, if only because I felt no one quite knew what to do with her or the Evil Horde. The Horde of the toy continuity is just so dramatically different from the cartoon, and the stakes on Etheria just don't feel as compelling as those on Eternia.

I could also happily live without Orko or Trolla (especially the Neitlich revisions), can take or leave the New Adventures cartoon, and have mixed feelings about both the Crazily Convoluted Classics Continuity and the DC relaunch.

And for my money, "Quest for He-Man" is one of the most overrated episodes of the series.

Name one thing you HATE. (would remove if you could from ever being part of franchise)

Ooh....since this questionnaire appears to be focused on vintage, I'm going to ignore the bad stuff from C4 and instead go with ... Imp. He just diminishes Hordak too much, IMO.

[Crespo]

Which years you played with the toys?
Born in 82 so 85-89. (Original MOTU Stragglers were around until 92) Then in 02-03 I did the 200X "not playing just posing them in cool poses while doing voices and following some sort of storyline" from 09-present I do the same with MOTUC.(though mostly for pseudo funny pics)
What figures do you remember playing most with as a kid?
MAA, Beastman, Hordak, Grizzlor (had to go through a couple of them thanks to the slimepit and not following instructions) Kobra Khan, TP He-Man, the Battle Armors,DBSkeletor, Tunglashor, MEF, Whiplash (I chewed his tail) Roboto, Modulok, Orko and Adam. Then my cousin's PoP figures She-Ra, Catra, Bow, Glimmer, Frosta, Castaspella and Entrapta.
What is your favorite factions?
Horde (as a child).The Great Rebellion (as an adult)
What character types speak to you the most?
Characters with some empathetic elements in their story. Like say, She-Ra, Man-e-Faces and Snout Spout (This last one I love to poke fun at, but the idea that he was turned into a disfigured weapon by the Horde makes me feel sorry for the guy and cheer whenever he triumphs over evil.)
What type of stories do you enjoy the most?
Some origin stories, some quest stories. It mostly depends if they're well written. Time travel stories when well written are great! Sadly that only happens once in a blue moon.
Any particular favorite stories?
The Caverns of Fear from the Golden Books, The Problem with Power from Filmation
What formats did you have? (comic, toon, Audio book?)
Mostly cartoons, some Golden Books, the Point Dread Audio Book and any mini comic that survived my cousin.
DO you still go back and enjoy them now as an adult?
Sadly, I lost most of my vintage other media.(My cousin loved to ruin my stuff for collages) I do check it out online every now and then.
What regional variations did you grow up with? (UK comic, German Audio plays, US magazines)
Sadly, none.
What are things you dislike.
A LOT of the "repeating themes" on the MOTUC Canon. Evil Lyn Releasing everything, daddy issues, second born son, King Hiss ate my brother, sending Children to the future. Unnecessary killing of certain characters. Spector's Key player role.
Name one thing you HATE. (would remove if you could from ever being part of franchise)
Standor being THE God.

[Barbecue17]

Which years you played with the toys?: I was born in 1983, but I distinctly remember having certain figures purchased for me at stores, yard sales, and received for Christmas gifts. I'm going to guess I probably started getting figures in 1986 and definitely remember buying the movie figures and such. I even had quite a few NA toys and mixed them freely with my older MOTU stuff. I recognized that they were different, but at that age I didn''t care as much. The 200x figures hit when I was in high school and college, but I only ever had He-Man and Skeletor. They were too hard to find back them for someone with limited travel resources and cash.
What figures do you remember playing most with as a kid?: Honestly, about everyone I owned. I played with my MOTU figures a lot. My Snake Mountain and Castle Grayskull were second hand from a yard sale, but I used them for everything. Slime Pit and Fright Zone were Christmas gifts so that was exciting. I was always quite partial to Grizzlor, Stinkor, and later heroes like Rio Blast and Clamp Champ. I had the basic He-Man and Skeletor but spent more time with the Battle Armor variants.
What is your favorite factions?: Back as a child it would have been the Evil Horde. Now it's probably the Powers of Grayskull characters or the Heroic Warriors.
What character types speak to you the most?: I tend to like the very primitive, barbarianesque characters the pest. I'm a D&D player so anyone who feels like they'd be right at home in that game (Vikor, Ram-Man, King Grayskull, and Eldor) always get major props from me.
What type of stories do you enjoy the most? I tend to like epic stories with strong ties to the past. While I totally see the problems with the MOTUC bios (some really ill conceived ideas, bad editing, etc.) I do love the span of the story. I love stories where the characters can grow, change, and even die, giving way to new generations.
Any particular favorite stories?- I'm really partial to the old golden books with the awesome Earl Norem covers.
What formats did you have? (comic, toon, Audio book?): I had the minicomics and the Golden Books. I vaguely remember watching either cartoon so most of my media for MOTU as a kid was print based.
DO you still go back and enjoy them now as an adult?: Absolutely! I've had a few of mine (or replacements I purchased) autographed by Earl Norem and I've been buying quite a few of the various storybooks to read with my now 14month old daughter, Adora.
What regional variations did you grow up with? (UK comic, German Audio plays, US magazines): I don't remember any specific regional variants that I had.
What are things you dislike?: I can't think of much. I'm pretty happy with MOTU overall. I do have certain story elements that I'm not fond of, but those are often more the circumstances of bad execution. I don't typically like time travel stories in properties that aren't based on time travel (Doctor Who is based around time travel- with MOTU it is an extra tacked on).
Name one thing you HATE. (would remove if you could from ever being part of franchise)? I don't know of one thing I hate so badly that I would deny it to other fans who might like it? I guess I hate that there really isn't yet (in my mind) one good explicit point of entry into the MOTU mythology yet. With Star Wars you can show someone the films, with G.I. Joe there is the Larry Hama comic series hardbacks reprinted by IDW, with Doctor Who you can show someone various episodes (1st Hartnell, 1st Eccleston, or 1st Smith), for Batman you can give someone multiple options, but I've never decided there is one good MOTU piece of media that serves as the perfect entry point into the mythology.

[Robarr The Morbid]

Which years you played with the toys?
1982 - 1986. I started getting them when I was about 11. In my teens I developed a strong interest in music, so toys took a back seat. In a moment of what I thought was advancing towards adulthood and maturity, I bundled them all up in a garbage bag and threw them away, not knowing any kids to pass them on to. I regretted that for many, many years.

What figures do you remember playing most with as a kid?
I loved the bad guys best. My favorites were Webstor, Whiplash, Jitsu and Clawful. Mekaneck and Fisto were amongst my favorite heroes.

What is your favorite factions?
Probably Skeletor and his minions.

What character types speak to you the most?
The really gnarly, unusual looking bad guys and barbaric heroes. The weirder, the better..

What type of stories do you enjoy the most?
I think I enjoyed the old mini-comic stuff, the early stuff when He-man was a primitive barbarian and not some poncy prince.

Any particular favorite stories?
Probably He-Man's origin story.

What formats did you have? (comic, toon, Audio book?)
I have a number of comics, mini-comics and at least two audio story books my little sister found for me.

DO you still go back and enjoy them now as an adult?
Of COURSE! HAHAA!!

What regional variations did you grow up with? (UK comic, German Audio plays, US magazines)
Probably the US Magazines.

What are things you dislike.
All the "re-imaginings" and updates of classic characters. I really hated a lot of the 200X stuff because it looked so Manga, which I'm not at all a fan of.

Name one thing you HATE. (would remove if you could from ever being part of franchise.
GWILDOR!! Hate-Hate-HATE that character!!

[_RZ_]

Which years you played with the toys?

1982-1985? By the time GIJOE and The Horde came around my kid self had mostly moved on.


What figures do you remember playing most with as a kid?

He-Man, Skeletor, Moss Man, Man-E-Faces

What is your favorite faction?

Evil Warriors

What character types speak to you the most?

Barbarians and any classic fantasy-influenced figures, as well as any strange beasties.

What type of stories do you enjoy the most?

I really enjoyed any stories that expanded upon the Eternian world.

Any particular favorite stories?

Two of my favorites would have to be "King of Castle Grayskull" and "The Power of Point Dread"

What formats did you have? (comic, toon, Audio book?)

Mini-comics... Book and Record sets for LIFE.

DO you still go back and enjoy them now as an adult?

Sometimes... I sold my collection of minicomics long ago. I still have the picture disc vinyl and my book and record set though

What regional variations did you grow up with? (UK comic, German Audio plays, US magazines)

I grew up in the US but my parents were early adopters of MOTU, they got He-Man and Skeletor for me within a few months of their release on the East Coast, and I got Grayskull and the rest of the line that Christmas. So it's all minicomics, Power Records, and DC Comics for me (still I loved the cartoon when it came out).

What are things you dislike.

I dislike it when MOTU stories or characters swipe from other properties (MOTUC bios for example)- MOTU is a land of free, unbridled imagination, limitless freedom to explore, and He-Man is written exactly like 1960's era Superman? MOTUC bios steals liberally from 1990's DC and Marvel comics? bah.

Name one thing you HATE. (would remove if you could from ever being part of franchise)

I can't think of anything I really "hate" in MOTU... especially enough to be removed.

Maybe the idea of "canon" in MOTU? I hate "canon" and that intense focus some fans have on having a "canon" to begin with. I feel it removes the creativity in some artists and writers working on it and maybe we would better off if we all just had our own personal view of how it works and that was that. To me He-Man can be the strongest of his tribe, the prince of Enternia, Superman with furry shorts, AND a comsic sci-fi hero all at the same time and the contradictions don't bother me in the slightest.

I think the only thing I would want to "remove" maybe is the focus on the 200x-era expansion of back histories created for some of the characters in the future. And since it didn't happen yet, we can't remove it I don't need to know Grizzlor's entire college dating history, or what Beast Man had for dinner twenty years prior. Spikor doesn't need a real name, and you can enjoy the character without a tacked-on backstory. I enjoyed the 200x show and comics but I was a little taken aback about how focused many of the stories were on the backgrounds and history of the characters. I like it when these characters have some mystery left to them. My feelings about this is probably a 2/10 if we want to scale my level of "hate"- While I don't like those things that much, others love it and I would hate to take it away from them.

[Mechanizor]

Which years you played with the toys?
82-86

What figures do you remember playing most with as a kid?
The basic Heroic and Evil figures. Me and my brother, had no Snake-Men or Horde figures or any of the C listed figures.

What is your favorite factions?
I enjoyed both the Heroic and the Evil warriors when I was young, however these days I'm more into Skeletor's Evil Warriors/Minions. I love their designs and their characters.

What character types speak to you the most?
Cyborgs, warriors, creatures and warlocks.

What type of stories do you enjoy the most?
Anything that includes epic battles and uses creatures and vehicles.

Any particular favorite stories?
The vintage mini-comics in general, especially the Alcala related.

What formts did you have? (comic, toon, Audio book?)
Only the comics that came with toys back in the day.

Do you still go back and enjoy them now as an adult?
Sometimes I re-read the vintage comics online, and watch the old cartoons, although I prefer the MYP era.

What regional variations did you grow up with? (UK comic, German Audio plays, US magazines)
None, we were on the move because of my parents' work contracts.

What are things you dislike.
POP in general, the stupid Filmation depiction of the characters, and most of the things that manifested itself out of Neitlich's head!

Name one thing you HATE. (would remove if you could from ever being part of franchise)
Silly crap like Orko, Loo Kee, Kowl, Madam Raz, Plundor and of course The Mighty Spector.

[MegaGearMax]

Which years you played with the toys?
1982 to 1988. Then I moved onto New Adventures when no more Vintage MOTU was coming out.

What figures do you remember playing most with as a kid?
He-Man, Skeletor, Mer-Man, Beast Man, Man-At-Arms, Teela, Stratos. Those were the ones I had to replace alot.

What is your favorite factions?
Pretty much all of the Vintage MOTU factions -- Masters, Evil Warriors, Evil Horde and the Snake Men.

What character types speak to you the most?
Barbarian-like warriors or wizards. Mainly fantasy archtypes.

What type of stories do you enjoy the most?
I prefer MOTU with lots of continuity, a mostly serious tone and great action. I really enjoyed the MYP origins, as I felt that Filmation focused way too much on Adam, Teela, Duncan and Orko. MYP spent time establishing the secondary characters.

Any particular favorite stories?
All of the Alcala Mini-Comics
All of the Texiera Mini-Comics
The DC 3 part mini-series
The Beginning
The Mystery of Anwat Gar
The Council of Evil
The Last Stand
Rise of the Snake Men
Danger at Castle Grayskull

What formats did you have? (comic, toon, Audio book?)
Cartoons, mini-comics, Kid's Play Records, Sticker Fun books, Coloring books, Golden Books, MOTU Magazine and DC and STAR comics.

DO you still go back and enjoy them now as an adult?
Definitely!

What regional variations did you grow up with? (UK comic, German Audio plays, US magazines)
US media.

What are things you dislike.
I wish POP characters were more "barbaric" and "warrior-like".
Unnamed One
Cy-Chop
Mighty Spector
Horde Prime

Name one thing you HATE. (would remove if you could from ever being part of franchise)
Filmation influence. I hate that He-Man has a secret identity (althought I liked MYP making Adam look different from He-Man), taught morals and the goofy saturday morning characters, when I preferred the barbaric warrior from the mini-comics. Mighty Spector was bad, but when people think of MOTU, they think of Filmation--goofiness and all. It's like how Adam West's Batman basically WAS Batman for a time.

[Eterni-or]

Which years you played with the toys?
From the beginning to the mid 80s. Maybe 85? I was then off into Transformers a lot more. And MASK after that.

What figures do you remember playing most with as a kid?
He-Man, Skeletor, Teela, Roboto, Mek and Ram Man.

What is your favorite factions?
The Evil Horde (The first wave - didn't even know about any past Mosquitor). Least fave is Snake Men.

What character types speak to you the most?
Warriors and monsters

What type of stories do you enjoy the most?
The early mini comics ones. With their post apocalyptic/tech has been lost but some survives fantasy world

Any particular favorite stories?
The original numbered mini comics (The Point Dread, Tale of Teela and Magic Stealer ones).
The DC 3 part mini-series (and the DCCP intro)

What formats did you have? (comic, toon, Audio book?)
Cartoon, Mini Comics.

DO you still go back and enjoy them now as an adult?
Some (not the cartoons though)

What regional variations did you grow up with? (UK comic, German Audio plays, US magazines)
Just US stuff.

What are things you dislike.
PoP for the vast majority (it just doesn't belong)
Mighty Spector
Unnamed One (well the origin and the physical appearance. Concept 30 years was fine)
Cy-Chop
Mighty Spector
Horde Prime
Mighty Spector

Name one thing you HATE. (would remove if you could from ever being part of franchise)
FilMATION (why do people write it like that - or however they do - anyway? I blame it for every hokey, lame, embarrassing element of the franchise - and fan base.

[Captain Atkin]

Which years you played with the toys?
1983 to 1989.

What figures do you remember playing most with as a kid?
He-Man, Skeletor, Hordak, Tri-Klops, Trap Jaw, Modulok, Beast Man, Man-At-Arms, Roboto, Kobra Khan.

What is your favorite factions?
The Evil Horde.

What character types speak to you the most?
Warriors, monsters, cyborgs.

What type of stories do you enjoy the most?
I really likes the old mini-comics. Eternia as a war-ravaged world coming back to life, that is full of wonders and mysteries.

Any particular favorite stories?
Alcala Mini-Comics
Texiera Mini-Comics
The Search for Keldor
MOTU movie (1987)

What formats did you have? (comic, toon, Audio book?)
Cartoons, mini-comics, MOTU Magazine and STAR comics.

Do you still go back and enjoy them now as an adult?
Yes.

What regional variations did you grow up with? (UK comic, German Audio plays, US magazines)
US media.

What are things you dislike.
The Unnamed One
Mighty Spector

Name one thing you HATE. (would remove if you could from ever being part of franchise)
The MOTUC bios.