He-Man Turns 30

In 2012 that is. He'd get all weepy if I forced his milestone birthday a year early. After all, his best friend is a tweaked out green tiger, he has no ladies in his life and his tan is often uneven. Will he give King Randor grandchildren? Not anyyytime soon, me thinks. He'll just keep lifting weights to push his loneliness deep down inside and pound on Skeletor and his minions for stress relief. It's an empty life really.

So how about that press release about the 30th anniversary of Masters of the Universe, hmmmm?

Mattel, the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture, and marketing of toys and family products, and Classic Media, a global media company with a portfolio of some of the world’s leading family entertainment brands, will celebrate the 30th anniversary of Masters of the Universe with the launch of a consumer products program for the iconic franchise that will include 30th anniversary apparel from Changes, costumes from Disguise, and a special 30th anniversary edition DVD box set from Mill Creek Entertainment. Publishing partners will be announced shortly.

The award-winning Masters of the Universe Classics toy line, featuring updated sculpts of vintage Mattel toys, will also continue throughout 2012 only on Mattycollector.com. The 2012 annual subscription will go on sale the week of San Diego Comic-Con starting July 22. Additionally, the 30th anniversary program will include interaction with the collector community through “FAN-atic” activities at Comic-Con International: San Diego and New York Comic Con.

“Masters of the Universe is an iconic franchise with a legacy that’s deeply rooted in fantastical storytelling which translates naturally to play experiences and products kids of all ages love,” says Michael Riley, VP, Franchise Development, Mattel. “In 2012 the property celebrates its milestone 30th anniversary allowing us to create a robust synergistic program that offers something for all fans.”

Changes will develop T-shirts, sweatshirts, thermals, track jackets, and fashion tops for men, women, and juniors. The company will also launch an accessory line based on the Masters of the Universe brand including wristbands, belts and belt buckles, key chains, and costume jewelry. In addition, Disguise is launching a line of Halloween costumes and accessories, including Skeletor, He-Man, and She-Ra adult costumes that will be available exclusively at Buy Costumes (http://www.buycostumes.com/) for the 2011 Halloween season.

As part of the celebration, Classic Media will introduce a brand-new comprehensive Masters of the Universe style guide featuring retro artwork, all-new modern artist renderings, as well as a special 30th anniversary logo, all of which will be available this summer. Classic Media and Mill Creek Entertainment together will also release the complete series of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe in a special 30th anniversary edition DVD set. The collection will be available in fall 2012 and will include special bonus material along with other memorable content developed especially with collectors in mind.

Since the debut of Mattel’s toy line in 1982, Masters of the Universe has become a hugely successful franchise that continues to have a strong cult following to this day. In 1983, Filmation debuted the original television series, introducing fans nationwide to “By the power of Grayskull…I have the power!,” and in 1987 Warner Bros. released the first film based on the series, Master of the Universe, starring Dolph Lundgren, worldwide. In 1990, animated television series The New Adventures of He-Man launched, and in 2002, Cartoon Network premiered the most recent series, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe.