Mattel SDCC exclusive He-man & Prince Adam 5.5 inch

[Croc-O-Bite!]

Mattel is back with vintage inspired 5.5 inch figures with added articulation. I’m loving the fact it’s a mini comic Prince Adam and even He-man has some mini-comic influences with the knife that fits in the side of the boot!

I hope this won’t be too hard for a Canadian like me to obtain.

https://nerdist.com/article/sneak-a-peek-at-mattels-he-man-and-masters-of-the-universe-comic-con-exclusive/

[Mechanizor]

I really like the look of this... I wonder if this exclusive is the initiation of a new MOTU toy line based on the 80’s 5.5” vintage style figures?

[Mechanizor]

Here's Pixel Dan's video on this subject:

[Mechanizor]

I saw this post from the Org's Tallstar:

A couple things I've seen on social media:

• Brandon was the original creative force behind this.

• Eric: "I'm not happy with the elbows or the hips on the production versions, but the rest of it looks pretty good. The prototypes for the upcoming ones we're doing and that we're more involved with now are resolving those issues though."

• Mattel: "This is a first look at the new Masters of the Universe "Origins" line."

So, it seems like it is a new MOTU line from Mattel called "Origins" with the partnership of the 4HM.

[Croc-O-Bite!]

I hope it’s a brick and mortar retail line. Mattel is absolutely the worst company ever at getting their product to specialty stores or selling on their own.

[Mechanizor]

But also, Mattel has had the most and most of usual distribution system when it comes to retail. I hope it has changed by now!
I remember hunting for those 200X figures and vehicles was a nightmare back in the day!

[Mechanizor]

Another interesting post from AdultCollector:

Four Horsemen Studios is working on this line. Eric "Cornboy" Mayse shared this with me today: "We didn’t do the He-Man & Adam figures but we’re doing almost all of the rest of them, and we’ve set up some of the articulation on our prototypes a little differently than those first two figures. We’re hoping they keep things the way we’ve designed them. We’ll see."

So I wonder if this new line would encompass all what the vintage line had back in the 80's and more, like playlets, vehicles, beasts and accessories since it's main audience is kids and not just adult collectors!

[Y2Greg]

No interest in this.

[Weissy]

Oh man, I cannot wait to get these. I'm already fantasizing about all the figures I would love to see in this style. Roboto, Moss Man, Man-E-Faces ... I just wonder if they will keep some of the action features for characters like that.

[Mechanizor]

Oh man, I cannot wait to get these. I'm already fantasizing about all the figures I would love to see in this style. Roboto, Moss Man, Man-E-Faces ... I just wonder if they will keep some of the action features for characters like that.

Probably they might keep some of the classic action features as long as they don't hinder the necessary articulations they're shooting for. For example, articulated legs and torso for Ram-Man would very likely replace his old spring loaded leg mechanism.

Welcome to the forum.

[Mechanizor]

A comparison pic of He-Man, vintage vs Origins SDCC 2019 exclusive vs MOTUC vs Filmation:



More pics from someone who has the exclusive set already:

[Mechanizor]

Something about the old 5.5" funky proportions that makes them look great, timeless and unique!

[Mechanizor]

The box art provided by Toyjesus:

[Mechanizor]

Why this has to be the SDCC exclusive, tell me whyyyyyyyy?!????

[Croc-O-Bite!]

At least we know He-man will reappear at retail (although knowing my luck it will be without that Alcala shield and the retail version will get the vintage toy shield), but I’m worried about missing out on a mini-comic Prince Adam (after all we had to wait until last year via a Power-Con exclusive to finally get him in Classics).

But really, Mattel’s distribution has been so utterly pathetic recently, even for their own sub-par standards, that this could all be a moot point anyways.
Just look at the past year and a half of DC Multiverse.... Places like BBTS and EE only getting partial orders from Mattel and waiting six months or more for the rest of their orders to still go unfulfilled.
I swear, it’s as if 99% of Mattel’s cutbacks took place in their distribution section.
If Mattel keeps up this level of ineptitude with delivering action figure product that isn’t WWE, then it’s going to feel like every Origins figure is an exclusive.

[Mechanizor]

At least we know He-man will reappear at retail (although knowing my luck it will be without that Alcala shield and the retail version will get the vintage toy shield), but I’m worried about missing out on a mini-comic Prince Adam (after all we had to wait until last year via a Power-Con exclusive to finally get him in Classics).

But really, Mattel’s distribution has been so utterly pathetic recently, even for their own sub-par standards, that this could all be a moot point anyways.
Just look at the past year and a half of DC Multiverse.... Places like BBTS and EE only getting partial orders from Mattel and waiting six months or more for the rest of their orders to still go unfulfilled.
I swear, it’s as if 99% of Mattel’s cutbacks took place in their distribution section.
If Mattel keeps up this level of ineptitude with delivering action figure product that isn’t WWE, then it’s going to feel like every Origins figure is an exclusive.

I'm genuinely worried if this new line is gonna be a scalpers wet dream if Mattel doesn't fix its issues by the time it gets released...

We need a proper disclosure from Mattel about this line and how it's going to be produced and distributed, and if possible for how long? After all, most of us fans wish the best for this brand to flourish and survive.

[Croc-O-Bite!]

I may come off as cynical but I do want the brand to flourish, it’s just so god damned frustrating watching Mattel shoot them selves in the foot time and time again with some self inflicted problem after another.

-Shitty distribution that is constantly months behind the competition, or non-existent distribution.
-Unbelievably stupid case pack-outs.
-Sending the wrong product out, like that time Mattel convinced Walmart to give the 200X line one more chance only to send the new Snakemen & Zodak waves that were supposed to go to Walmart to Aldis discount grocers instead, and cases full of Smash Blades and Spin Blades that were supposed to be discounted at Aldis to Walmart instead.
-Giving the keys to the MOTU mythos to some shameless self promoting thief who claimed to be a writer because he wrote a sentence on the back of a Hot Wheels card.
-Digital River

Can you blame me for wondering “how are they going to **** things up this time”? lol

[Mechanizor]

I may come off as cynical but I do want the brand to flourish, it’s just so god damned frustrating watching Mattel shoot them selves in the foot time and time again with some self inflicted problem after another.

-Shitty distribution that is constantly months behind the competition, or non-existent distribution.
-Unbelievably stupid case pack-outs.
-Sending the wrong product out, like that time Mattel convinced Walmart to give the 200X line one more chance only to send the new Snakemen & Zodak waves that were supposed to go to Walmart to Aldis discount grocers instead, and cases full of Smash Blades and Spin Blades that were supposed to be discounted at Aldis to Walmart instead.
-Giving the keys to the MOTU mythos to some shameless self promoting thief who claimed to be a writer because he wrote a sentence on the back of a Hot Wheels card.
-Digital River

Can you blame me for wondering “how are they going to **** things up this time”? lol

Blame you? On the contrary, I'm with you on all the points you've shared, and the new Mattel staff needs to pay a lot of attention to those concerns.

Sadly a bunch of "the elitists" of this community and their blind followers keep whitewashing those problems to this in order to get recognition and all type of perks in return!

[Mechanizor]

Toyark has a little review/article about the SDCC exclusive with tons of beautiful pictures:

https://news.toyark.com/2019/07/13/sdcc-motu-origins-he-man-and-prince-adam-2-pack-in-hand-gallery-351870

[Mechanizor]

Almost an official announcement of the new line:
https://io9.gizmodo.com/mattel-is-bringing-back-the-original-vintage-he-man-fig-1836426928

[Croc-O-Bite!]

Skeletor looks really good to me. Any chance that’s a hinged jaw? Regardless, looks like I’m going to be starting a new MOTU collection. I’m going to need a second office to display all my figures though....

[Mechanizor]

I’m with you Croc, this new Origin’s line idea has rekindled my faith in the brand a little more. I hope there is still some blood left in the Classics line, but honestly I’m now more excited with this new line especially if it captures the whole original toy line’s essence, and not just focusing on the figures alone.

[Croc-O-Bite!]

For sure. I’m really liking the initial photos from The Power and the Honour Foundations Facebook page, showing Mattel seemingly embracing MOTU’s mini-comics roots. I’m hoping that’s not just for the exclusive 2 pack, but for this Origins line.
Especially that giant backdrop of the mini-comic cover (drawing a blank on the title of that particular one ATM) really has me jazzed :fakerrocks:

[Mechanizor]

Yep, the Alcala mini-comics were behind the real reason why I fell in love with MOTU as a fantasy theme, and if this new line captures that unique magic I had when I was kid, I’ll be in Eternia’s heaven...

[Croc-O-Bite!]

We are definitely on the same wavelength!

[Mechanizor]

[Croc-O-Bite!]

Thanks for the new pics. Definitely not a hinged jaw on Skeletor (not that I care actually, just thought it might be a possibility after a quick first glance at the initial pic).

I’m hoping that’s a paint error on a prototype, because Skeletor’s shins above the boots aren’t blue flesh tone, but are purple just like the boots instead.
Not a deal breaker as it’s an easy paint job to fix, but I’d rather not have to fix it myself if that’s what the final product will look like.

[Mechanizor]

Thanks for the new pics. Definitely not a hinged jaw on Skeletor (not that I care actually, just thought it might be a possibility after a quick first glance at the initial pic).

I’m hoping that’s a paint error on a prototype, because Skeletor’s shins above the boots aren’t blue flesh tone, but are purple just like the boots instead.
Not a deal breaker as it’s an easy paint job to fix, but I’d rather not have to fix it myself if that’s what the final product will look like.

I was posting while I was at work, and I just saw the details of these pics a moment ago!... Interesting that they've managed to miss the paint apps on Skeletor! I hope it wasn't deliberate or being cheap and it will be fixed before these toys hit the market!

Also when it comes to making vehicles and playsets, I hope they don't go with cheap stickers either, charge a little extra and get the details sculpted and painted, or at least printed directly on the plastic!

[Mechanizor]

[Mechanizor]

Man-At-Arms, Beastman and Teela are also joining the Origins party? We'll find out soon: