Fans Rally Support for Masters of the Universe

**Editor's Note**: Before you read the press release below sent out by www.he-man.org, I just wanted to add a few things. First those who say there are not enough collectors out there to impact a line like MOTU are quit simply WRONG. Everyday the market segment for collectors grows in this area as the kid segement gets smaller and smaller. Several factors for this are that there are less kids out there today then during the age of the baby boomers, and the kids that are out there get attracted away from action figures by things like video games and such at a much younger age. Simply put the demographics for the boys action figure market are changing everyday and the toy companies are realizing that the standards they once went by don't quit apply in today's market. Thats not to say kids still don't play a major part in the market, but more and more we see that collectors do to.

With that being said, we feel there is nothing wrong with an online petition to show support for something. Toy companies are not always fully aware of the fast scope of collectors that can support a particular line, so signing something like this certainly can't hurt. HOWEVER we cannot STRESS enough how important it is to make the retailers aware of how many of you are really out there. In the end the retailers are the ones that will determine the future of a line like Master of the Universe by choosing wheather or not to carry it in their stores. So simply put, if the retailers (Wal-Mart, Target, TRU, ect. ect) see the demand from the consumer (YOU), then the retailer will demand the product from the manufacturer (Mattel), who then wouldn't hesitate to continue producing the line.

So after you sign the petition over at he-man.org, the next time you are in your local retailer that you buy toys from, simply stop by and tell the owner or manager of that store, in a polite and courteous manner that you would like to see their store carry this line. If enough of you do this, they will take notice, and if they feel the demand from you the consumer is there then I can almost guarantee there can still be a future for MOTU toys. **End of Editor's note**


Fans from the popular site www.he-man.org are rallying support to save the
Masters of the Universe franchise in the United States.

Relaunched in the summer of 2002, the new toy line has received rave reviews from critics and fans alike. The new cartoon and comic have also received praise as well, and are strong fan favorites. But all of this could change.

Despite a large following with adults and collectors, the new toy and cartoon did not appear to find its intended audience with children. After numerous reports of the toy line being dropped by major retailers, no reports of new figures debuting this spring, and the cartoon airing one day a week in syndication, fans of this brand are joining together in an effort to keep Masters in production for the extensive collector community.

"Masters of the Universe is a brand that has a very large and very passionate following," says Val Staples, writer of the Masters of the Universe comic and administrative contact for He-Man.org. "As a fellow fan, I can say without a doubt that the huge Masters fan base has been dreaming about this kind of relaunch for over a decade."

Mattel has a history of producing toys that are primarily child-oriented. And thankfully this has struck home with international markets, as both children and adults appear to be taking to the relaunch. But Masters in the U.S. has not been as fortunate. And since Mattel does not specialize in collector-oriented toys, fans fear that Masters may be gone for good in the U.S.

"We know this line would have a long and successful life in the U.S. as a collector and fan-oriented brand." added Staples. "The fans won't stop until Mattel realizes this."

He-Man.org has started an online petition as one way of sending Mattel their message. The petition is just one of a few measures they have planned to let Mattel know about their love for this property.

"We take this very seriously. Masters is our passion. It's just as important to us as the hobbies and collections embraced by millions of others," says Staples. "We set out to create a petition that proudly displays the names and comments of every unique Masters fan and their love for this property. We hope our efforts might ensure that fans across the globe will look forward to not only new toys, but new cartoon episodes or specials, comics, and more."

The fans of He-Man.org hope that other fans who enjoy Masters of the Universe will add their names to the petition, and join them in the other events to raise Mattel's awareness.

You can sign the petition at: https://www.he-man.org/petition/

and you can track regular updates about the Masters of the Universe brand and the efforts of its fans at www.he-man.org.