I know, I’m talking MOTU Classics again, but it’s just where my attentiong goes. I’ll work on DC next, I promise. Regular readers might recall that I kept my MOTU enthusiasm tamped down when I put together my “Wishlist” article before SDCC started. MOTUC & I aren’t just as into each other as we once where, but, to my surprise, Mattel made a pretty good showing with this year’s reveals.

Before I did into specifics, let me point out that are MOTU Classics Checklist has been updated with images and info for all the latest reveals (except for a pic of Strong-or, no one has sent me a good one of him yet).

I still think Preview Night stole the show thanks largely to the non-subscription reveals (Sky High w/ the Jet Sled (September) and the End or Wars Weapons Pak (October)), but the rest of the 2013 subscription looks to still be a good mix. I love that we’re finally getting Dactys (October w/ Mantenna). I’m liking Geldor (November) far more than I thought I would (I think it’s the red armor, I kept picturing him with purple armor before?). The Horde Troopers will be fun as long as I can pop a He-Man head on them. Then there’s Plundor. I’m not a fan of the big bunny really, but it’s amazing that he wasn’t the oddity of the panel (hold that thought, we’ll get there). In all, 2013 got a decent closeout – though October is going to be a very expensive month for MOTU.

While Plundor strangely occupies a Club Eternia slot, Club Filmation will also be chugging along until the end of the year. Honestly, I was a bit surprised that there wasn’t a 2014 Club Filmation offering (surely there are some “important” Filmation characters out there), but this will wrap up with two I thought were actually needed, Sea Hawk (November) & Strongarm, now renamed Strong-Or (December). The only head scratcher is still Nepthu for me. He’s mostly insteresting for the diamond Zoar and I think I may have to take a Sharpie to him for some more cartoon-accurate eyebrows (or full-on guyliner).

It was 2014 that really shined for me. I was a little shocked that we didn’t see either of the big two heroic masters, Rio Blast & Extendar, but such a stink was raised about Two-Bad last year that it was little surprise he was the big reveal right out of the gate (January). I kinda wish Mattel had gone a little oversized on him, similar to Ram Man, but they did fit everything on him and it’s a sharp-looking figure so far. He’s followed up by Glimmer (February) and Hydron in March. I’m super-excited about Hydron! I know it’s silly, but those NA designs have really won me over in Classics. Hopefully, more of those guys will round out the 2014-2015 line-ups, including Darius. Also in March is the first $40 quarterly item, Modulok! If the figure comes out cool as promised, that should make for a fun review early next year.

Lastly, Scorpia was teased, but I haven’t seen the pic yet.

The last sub reveal was more of a non-reveal really, the Unnamed One. This unseen villain oversaw King Hssss in the old mini-comics. We have no idea what he might look like and Mattel has capitalized on that by making him the Subscription Exclusive and not letting us see him. I don’t know if it will push sub sales, but I love the idea. The figure could be a let down, sure, but I signed up for the Joe sub largely because the 13th figure was a mystery and I like the idea here. Fingers crossed.

On the right is the aforementioned Sea Hawk and on the left is… Stan Lee? Or Standor, to be more accurate. I have no idea what this figure’s about and Mattel isn’t telling, but it’s goofy enough that I’ll snap it up later this year. The figure marks the teaming up of Mattel & Stan Lee’s POW Entertainment for something. The figure will be available at November’s Comikazi Expo and then on Mattycollector. If nothing else, just think of it as a way to get some cool shades for your other MOTU figures?

That only leaves Goatman. He’ll be the traveling convention figure for next year. I didn’t see which Cons he’ll be released at just yet, but I also had to hunker down and work on the MOTU Checklist as soon I got in.

Finally, the Castle is still looking sharp. I know there’s plenty of derision for the project, but I can’t look at it and not get excited about owning it later this year. Mattel says that it’s set for a November release, but this mock-up at SDCC isn’t even made out of plastic so who’s taking bets that this thing will slide on the schedule until the week before Christmas? Sorry, Timmy, I couldn’t afford any presents this year…

As I mentioned the Upcoming Releases page is updated on the MOTU Classics Checklist, but here are some galleries for more pics from the Panel & the Booth afterwards from around the net.

Available Galleries:

ToyArk (Booth)
ToyArk (Panel)
AFI (Panel)
TNI (Booth)
TNI (Panel)
AFP (Booth)
CTR (Thursday)

For more pics and the most current news, check out our Event Coverage Forum