M.U.S.C.L.E.! I don't understand how or why the stars aligned for Mattel to license this branding to Super 7. Life shouldn't be this exciting - the smaller, pinker figures of the 1980s were a brief flash in an incredible decade for toys. Other miniature figures would come before and after the Kinnikuman wrestler toys, but none seemed to have the same impact.
So far this year we've seen Alien and Masters of the Universe, but these brands are going to see expansions. MOTU adds Battle Armor He-Man and Skeletor with the Wind Raider, Panthor, Two-Bad, Faker, Zodac, Mechaneck, Snake Mountain, Clawful, Moss Man, Roboto, and more. The plan is to keep it going - making an affordable way to complete the vintage line if interest holds.
Aliens are also on the way with a Ripley/Newt, Bishop, Alien Queen, Power Loader, Vasquez, Hicks, Hudson, and more. It's impressive - and RoboTech will join them. Which, to be honest, is arguably the most impressive feat - convincing someone to license that is a challenge!
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Super 7's own IP The Worst is on deck as well, as is Mattel's Shogun Warriors. Old gamers will be delighted to see Mega Man, with the first series focusing on the first NES game's robot masters, hero, and baddies. I asked about future series and was told the second game will see production, but so will the entire franchise - but they're planning on not necessarily doing them all in order. We might see them skip around.
A lot more than wasn't shown is on the way, and the format will get a boost in a big way with a few other big-ticket licenses which were whispered and some other ones which weren't. All I can say is that if you are even the slightest bit interested in this format, you owe it to yourself to start coming up with display cases for hundreds of figures in the near future.
--Adam Pawlus
