Its been a while…
I am very disappointed.
I really don’t get this mentality of “being grateful” to Mattel. Why exactly should be grateful to a company that made the decision to make TC toys in order to make a profit? They didn’t do it for the fans, they did it to make money, period!
You think they just jumped into making TC toys? No! They did a lot of research and when they found that there was a market for them, then they started, but treading VERY carefully, to ensure that they don’t incur loss of even a dime. And the moment they felt like it, they bailed ship.
Firstly, their subscription method ensures that they are completely covered. They only make as much toys as are ordered. Maybe a few more, but they don’t have a whole warehouse of unsold toys.
Secondly, they post pictures of their prototypes/planned toys on social media. So people are bound to comment and nit-pick. They have every right to do so. That doesn’t mean that Mattel are bound to address every criticism. In fact, it was people’s comments that improved the look of the Lion-O figure to begin with.
You are blaming people as if Mattel just said, “Oh my God! One guy on Facebook didn’t like Lion-O’s claw shield. That’s it! We are cancelling the line!” Even the folks who pointed out the problems with the Thunder twins (Kat’s sleeve etc), STILL bought the figures. No one said that they weren’t buying the figures because they weren’t 100% accurate.
Despite the horrible subscription method, which many abhor, people still subscribed. Some even bought multiple subs. The ThunderKittens got sold out in a matter of minutes on mattycollector. Mattel got their money, so why are you blaming the people?
Mattel sell stuff. People buy it if they want, and not if they don’t. It’s not like Mattel are selling one of a kind life saving drugs that people should be eternally grateful to them. When you go to buy eggs, do you kiss the feet of the grocer and tell him/her how “grateful” you are? And will you remain quiet even if some of the eggs turn out to be rotten?
Mattel made the TC toys because they thought it was in their best interest (not the fans’). Then when they felt it wasn’t the case, they abandoned it. Simple. It wasn’t because people didn’t build a Mattel statue or write a 100 word tribute speech to show Mattel how grateful they were.
Exactly.
It’s fanboys just buying for the sake of supporting lines that kept MOTUC going as long as it did.
Mattel did this to line their own pockets, not for the love of fans.
If Mattel had really wanted the Thundercats licence they would have got it at the time in 2010, not now when the interest in MOTUC has finished.

Oh I’m aware ive lurked the he-man.org boards for years and years.
After the bandai/reboot i didn’t think i could happen again…but it just did…i think i give up on hoping for a full 6 inch articulated line…im not really interested in statues or large scale figures
I recall how…passionate…you were about supporting the Mattel line.
It’s like the whole TC community is in uproar. Despite this really sad news (and I was one always hoping and trying to stay positive) I’m still happy that we’re getting the figures that’s coming. I do hope that Mattel (oh who am I fooling) or even Mezco hears our cries and that somebody at least continues with the final figures of the line. Mattel should really take this opportunity (while they still have the license) and make use of the upcoming comic to release TC exclusives (in a 2-pack with Filmation MOTUC if they wish). They could give us Cheetara and Tygra, Bengali and Lynx-O, Slithe & Monkian, Mumm-Ra and Vultureman, with Snarf, Ma-mutt, Jaga and Grune to complete the line. That’s all we want. Just 12 figures. Then we’ll shut up.
10 really. Snarf and Ma-Mutt would probably count more as an accessory. It’s a nice thought but I doubt they will do it. Their awful Ghostbuster line did a lot better than Thundercats and they never released the final figure/s for it. Jeanine and being generous Gozer.
Such a shame! I would even settle for just the cats and Mumm-Ra. I would even forget about Mumm-Ra if the Bandai 6" Mumm-Ra fits in with the gang. Does anybody have him and a MOTUC figure to compare sizes? Not sure if he’d look too skinny in comparison. The 6" Lion-O looks like he would be smaller than the one Mattel is bringing out.
Definitely a bummer for sure but I’m still happy to get my subs and the Thunderkittens. I will continue to hold out hope that the 4H and some other entity will complete the remaining 6 core figures to at least complete that line up. Even though TC was in limbo for so long Club Third Earth did help to energize the line and bring in more fans. Shit, third party toy producers have been infringing on trademarks for years now. Just call them Lightning-meows and release them as third party figures with altered name!
I’ve seen pics of Lion-O beside the standard MOTUC figure and he is smaller.
LOL. :roflmao
I even thought we should ask 4H to finish the line and then get a manufacturer to produce them. But I like your Lightning-meows idea!! Give me a SheToRa and a Tigger-O in a 2pack with a Meower, Benny-G, Linxi and Snarfette… Jaggered would also be welcome in both blue and normal versions. Let’s not forget Mumsie…
For the next company that makes Thundercats figures I hope they learn from Bandai and Mattel’s mistakes.
Release a good selection figures in the first series with 6-8 characters.
Have them available at retail or at least comic shops.
Invest in the line and have them look completely cartoon accurate with 100% unique sculpts.
Then if it does well do a second series.
Don’t con people with subscription methods and false promises.
I really see this as an opportunity for somebody else to make money. If they step in now and release the rest of the figures we want, they will sell like hot cakes!
Well the two biggest problems are Mattel owning the buck and WB owning the Thundercats licence.
If another company does step in they will have to start all over again with a new buck for their figures…which in my opinion would not be a bad thing.
I believe DC Collectibles, Diamond Select, NECA, Hasbro could do a good job with them. Not sure about Playmates, as much as I love them they never released Shredder and Krang (Yet!
) ad I doubt Bandai would try again. I know Bandai Japan could make amazing figures but I don’t think Thundercats was very popular in Japan.
I don’t see Hasbro doing Cats justice. Mezco, maybe but I’m hesitant to think the Cats would fit in their One:12 line, which is already too expensive to attract lots of buyers. NECA, maybe. DC collectibles is an interesting option though. DC is owned by Warner, as is Cats, so that could possibly be an easier way to get figures out than avoid the licensing nightmare that apparently exists for other companies.
Yes and with DC currently doing a Thundercats/He-man comic it could work. I am really impressed with DC Collectibles figures.
I understand your point! I’m just trying to say with this property we as fans should show a little more positive support, the Bandai line was my main point of discussion followed by Mattel (to a certain level) because the line just started.
Also overall between Ghostbusters, Voltron and other lines, could you imagine how much people probably complained based off the reviews of collectors via YouTube?
Let me just say this, if fans would have supported the ThunderCats toy line more in a positive way we would possibly still have a Bandai’s Collectors line! (Yes I do agree that most figures needed to be done better but the line was getting better).
Now we have other toy company are hesitant to acquire the license because of the cost and the unknown retail response it has with customers based off Bandai’s line.
:panthro
LOL!! Nice one, Sebastiaan! :roflmao :thumbsup