Should there be a Masters of the Universe vs Jack Kirby's Fourth World Toyline?
introduction
This article will examine some reasons why there should be a Masters of the Universe vs jack Kirby's fourth world toyline .A 'mash-up' if that is what you want to call it.And offer a possible solution to fans of both series who want to collect these toys.
masters of the universe background
This a brief and non definitive account about the Masters of the universe toyline. This toyline started in the early 1980s around about the same time as Conan the barbarian.But whereas Conan the barbarian 'just' took a historical approach to its fantasy subject matter,Masters of the Universe combined this with science fiction.
Masters of the universe was accompanied by a syndicated cartoon series .Both the series and toylines popularity peaked just before the release of a live action film by Cannon films in 1986/7.
There were two attempts to revive the toyline. the first try was in the early 1990s and the second in the early 2000s. Both attempts had accompanyng cartoon series.The first was called 'the new adventures of He Man .While the second was called just Masters of the Universe.
There were two attempts to revive the toyline. the first try was in the early 1990s and the second in the early 2000s. Both attempts had accompanyng cartoon series.The first was called 'the new adventures of He Man .While the second was called just Masters of the Universe.
When both these lines ended, Mattel decided to revive the line as a niche toyline that can be brought directly from Mattel at mattycollector.com
featuring sculpting by the four Horsemen.These figures have more points of articulation than the previous action figures and are are highly sought after by fans.
The protagonist of this series is prince Adam/He-man and his arch emeny is skeltetor.They inhabit the planet Eternia .In the original comic book and film Eternia is in another dimension.He-man has already interacted with Superman .Superman is published by DC Comics who also publish stories based on Jack Kirbys fourth World characters.
featuring sculpting by the four Horsemen.These figures have more points of articulation than the previous action figures and are are highly sought after by fans.
The protagonist of this series is prince Adam/He-man and his arch emeny is skeltetor.They inhabit the planet Eternia .In the original comic book and film Eternia is in another dimension.He-man has already interacted with Superman .Superman is published by DC Comics who also publish stories based on Jack Kirbys fourth World characters.
Background to jack kirbys fourth World
it has been said that the 1986/7 film of masters of the universe was in part a homage to the 'fourth world' creations of writer/artist Jack kirby.Jack Kirby was one of the most famous storytellers of the comic book medium.Mr Kirby's co-creations included the incredible hulk,the fantastic four and the X-Ment
Mr Kirby created the fourth world concept for DC comics after he briefly left Marvel comics in the early 1970s .Basically the Fourth World stories are about conflict between superbeings who reside in another universe/dimension that sometimes spills across in other dimensions.The heroes live on the planet 'new genesis' and embody the forces of good. They are lead by a being named 'Highfather'.Whereas the antagonists live on the planet of 'apokolips'. and are lead by an entity called Darkseid.
In addition to having superpowers,the technology of these beings is highly advanced and they can traverse between the dimensions by opening wormholes known as boom tubes. These are opened through'living' computers.These machines are called mother boxes for the heroes. Whereas the villains 'machines' are called 'father boxes'.
Using these devices the fourth world characters have interacted with other characters in the dc universe such as Superman and Batman.The character licences for producing these toys are held, in part, by Mattel .Mattel also makes masters of the universe.
Why would masters of the universe Vs Jack Kirby's fourth world been a good blend for a product line?
This would have been an interesting idea because they both share similar motifs. and as they each in habit separate universes the eventual meeting of the characters would have usually in these scenarios produced conflict which would have made for interesting toys.For example He-man vs Darkseid,Orion vs man-at-arms,and zodac vs metron.
But has not this already been done as DC Universe vs Masters of the Universe?
While that is one way of looking at the matter, it could also be suggested that there was no cohesive reason for the dc universe to battle the masters of the universe.where as the parallels between the fourth world and masters of the universe gives a theme for the toys.For example concepts such as the source wall ,and Darkseids quest for the anti life equation could give a reasons for conflict with He-man and the forces of castle grayskull .
is not this just wishful thinking ?
That is correct .But a Masters of the universe vs Jack Kirby's Fourth World would have provided a chance for new sculpts and packaging of the toys for action figure fans who also like the Fourth World Stories.For example some people did not like the headsculpt styling of the 200x He-man. Where as others liked both headsculpt and buck for 200x Man-at-arms and thought that this was a vast improvement over the original series figure.
For what reasons might such a masters of the universe vs Jack Kirbys fourth world toyline not succeed?
When it was suggested that action figure fans like different headsculpts and bucks then the choice of right combination of head sculpt and body play a large part in determining the success or failure of such a line. Outsourcing of production to low cost high volume manufacturing areas cannot be combined with favourable exchange rate to offset a poor production choice.For example Dc comics decision to re imagine the design of Darkseid as part of its new 52 comics line relaunch has divided comics fans. Some prefer the original Kirby design, whereas others prefer the latter by famous comic artist/writer Jim Lee.This would not be a problem,however, because both Lee and Kirby designs could be offered as variants.
It could be suggested that the retailing of a 'masters of the universe vs Jack Kirby's fourth world' would likely to fail were such a line to be aimed at shops like toys r us and Walmart. Such a toyline would more likely to succeed were Mattel to treat them like existing specialized toylines and sell them directly at mattycollector.com.
It could be suggested that the retailing of a 'masters of the universe vs Jack Kirby's fourth world' would likely to fail were such a line to be aimed at shops like toys r us and Walmart. Such a toyline would more likely to succeed were Mattel to treat them like existing specialized toylines and sell them directly at mattycollector.com.
Conclusion
Since it is unlikely that there will ever be a masters of the universe vs Jack Kirby's Fourth world toyline,what are the options for fans of both series?
The obvious and only solution would seem to be that the afficionado of both series purchase the action figures that they like from the masters of the universe and DC Universe classics toylines and then combine them in a set up of their choice.
It is curious though, that of all the main characters out of Jack kirbys Fourth World the only one that has not been released is Highfather. Perhaps someday this figure will be released by Mattel in either DC Universe Classics or DC Universe Classics signature collection, so that fans can complete their collections .
The obvious and only solution would seem to be that the afficionado of both series purchase the action figures that they like from the masters of the universe and DC Universe classics toylines and then combine them in a set up of their choice.
It is curious though, that of all the main characters out of Jack kirbys Fourth World the only one that has not been released is Highfather. Perhaps someday this figure will be released by Mattel in either DC Universe Classics or DC Universe Classics signature collection, so that fans can complete their collections .