New MOTU animated series by Kevin Smith

[enyawd72]

One big advantage MOTU has over other properties, like GI JOE or M.A.S.K., is it exists in its own time and reality. So MOTU doesn't have to adapt to changes in technology or fashion. It doesn't really get out of date.

I couldn't agree more...it's perfect as-is.

[Werewolf]

Why does MOTU need to change at all?

One big advantage MOTU has over other properties, like GI JOE or M.A.S.K., is it exists in its own time and reality. So MOTU doesn't have to adapt to changes in technology or fashion. It doesn't really get out of date.

[enyawd72]

A couple more examples.

The Jem and the Hologram movie had nothing to do with the source material other than the names of the characters. Kids still hated it and so did fans of the property. The Jem reboot tanked so hard it killed the property.

Gi Joe movies were terrible and killed GI JOE at retail. The brand still hasn't recovered.

Appealing to new fans and being respectful to the source material doesn't have to be mutually exclusive.

BINGO!! We have a winner!!

Why does MOTU need to change at all? Is anyone going to tell me a colorful fantasy series with sorcery, technology, monsters, robots, epic heroes and villains wouldn't appeal to kids today just as it did in 1981? Cause if so I'm not buying it.

They could re-run the old Filmation series as if it were brand new on Disney XD and it would be as big today as it was back then. I guarantee it. I gave my boss' grandson my He-Man 10 best episodes DVD a few years back and he DEVOURED it. The boy became obsessed with He-Man after just a couple episodes.

[ODBJBG]

I was not referring to the names, which didn't bother me. Merely the sequence of events and character relationships.

My favorite part was when the brand manager ham fisted himself into the storyline and made his character bridge the gap between a variety of different core parts of the mythos.

Honestly, I found almost all of the MOTUC "storytelling" downright dreadful. Not that 200X did anyone any favors either. Things like Keldor really sucked (even if it was hinted at in the mini comics, it didn't need to be done the way it was) and let's be honest Filmation wasn't very good either, lol.

[Earth 2 Chris]

I watched the Pixel Dan interview last night. Smith certainly seems sincere. I will keep a small glimmer of hope that he is.

Chris

[B-Lister]

The repaints were crap, but I remember when they launched the line, there was an entire aisle full of it, and it got absolutely picked over twice. So while later waves might have been handled poorly, that launch was phenomenal. So, we can pretend it was a failure, but I know what I saw, and I know what I know.

[PNGwynne]

Lol I have that Skeletor, too. I was like, "Ooh, chrome! Collectible!!" And now I think, "How dumb, what was I thinking? " But I was desperate for some MOTU.

[Werewolf]

Those variants were exhausting and frequently stupid. Particularly in relation to con exclusives like Keldor, Faker, and Moss Man that could have given the retail line some collector longevity at retail.

Hah, yeah, I have to admit I picked up all the exclusives and so help me I even bought the infamous "Disco Skeletor" repaint. The slew of hideous repaints and chase figures did that line no favors.

[PNGwynne]

Those variants were exhausting and frequently stupid. Particularly in relation to con exclusives like Keldor, Faker, and Moss Man that could have given the retail line some collector longevity at retail.

And I resented them even more when I saw the staction releases.

[Werewolf]

I heavily collected the 2002 line. But it did not sell well. Smash Blade He-Man and Spin Blade Skeletor collected dust on the pegs for ages. The last assortment with Snake Armor He-Man got liquidated at the Aldi grocery chain because no one else would touch it. It killed MOTU at retail. It was the least successful MOTU line of all time. New Adventures sold better. I'm not knocking the 2002 line, again I heavily collected it, but I have to be honest and realistic about it's performance at retail.

[B-Lister]

That was due to Mattel putting no faith behind it. I assure you, in sheer numbers, 2002 moved more units. It was a retail line.

[Werewolf]

The nostalgia driven MOTUC line was enormous success. It lasted from 2008 to 2019. The 2002 reboot lasted 2 years. To put it in perspective that's a year less than the New Adventures line.

[B-Lister]

There's a fine line between being respectful to the original, and being shackled by it. I usually prefer an homage up to the point where fans demand it change to adhere to their nostalgia. It's what ruined DC Comics in the early 2000s. And ruined the MOTU property for me entirely. Don't get me started on Star Wars.

[Werewolf]

A couple more examples.

The Jem and the Hologram movie had nothing to do with the source material other than the names of the characters. Kids still hated it and so did fans of the property. The Jem reboot tanked so hard it killed the property.

Gi Joe movies were terrible and killed GI JOE at retail. The brand still hasn't recovered.

Appealing to new fans and being respectful to the source material doesn't have to be mutually exclusive.

[PNGwynne]

I think it's all in how it's handled. I don't rule anything out, I appreciate both traditional roots and clever (but considerate) innovation. I've found things to admire and enjoy in gold, silver, bronze, and modern comics. I'm a little more wary (and weary) of superhero films.

I was an older collector of vintage MOTU (jr. high & high school.) I consider my self a big fan. But I liked the mini-comics and did not follow the Filmation series. I don't much care for it now except the voice work.

I really enjoyed the MY series--its toy line (which I aggressively collected), not so much. That line was a placeholder for me; Origins will be the real deal.