Good summation, this is basically the same conclusion I came to after watching the different shows you listed. It's a shame that all parties involved can't come together and recognize that as a team they created something special.

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks. I basically wanted put it all together since a lot of folks seem to be dancing around the issues. Someone had to weave it all together! Glad you enjoyed.

@twystedhumour

2 жыл бұрын

it's why creations are coined "intellectual property," with emphasis on "property;" people can't let go of what they think is "theirs." and i can't really blame them.

@josteinhenrique2779

2 жыл бұрын

I think that lack of recognition of themselves as a team was what ruined the MOTU brand. When She-ra was created, there was a grudge inside the Mattel members because He-man managed to outsell Barbie. Because of this, they made She-ra as a separated toy line, instead of making her part of MOTU. Lately, they would cancel He-man's cartoon and go only with She-ra.

Ah I see a Frazetta painting there! Frank Frazetta really gave him gave him the look. The Iron Cross on Conan's steed, the skull castle, She-Ra clones and Skeletor . Take a look at the painting Green Death 1968 16x20 oil on board. One can see a Blonde man slaying a "serpos" with skeleton like being in a fortress like edifice. If you look at The painting against the gods, we see He-man like figure holding aloft a sword with lighting and lots more influence such as the Filmation Eterna backdrops.

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

Wow. Yup that is a clear influence too

From 1984 thru 88 I was heavy into MOTU. My 4th grade teacher in 84 asked us what we wanted for Christmas, I listed I was a MOTU fan and my teacher later gave me what I now know was a Frank Frazetta poster, I thought nothing of it at the time, saw a few similarities, and back then we really knew nothing about the origins of the franchise. I was 9 years old and knew little. I wish I had kept that poster. MY teacher's heart was in the right place even if she didn't know for sure if it inspired MOTU and neither did I.

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

That is an awesome story

The green goddess created He-man 😀💪🏻

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

Oh snap

@lastraven8575

3 жыл бұрын

Which version 😂

King Randor and Queen Marlena created He-Man, I'm not really sure why you think its a toy company ;) lol

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

Ah! touche!

@AustynSN

3 жыл бұрын

Wrong, Sorceress created He-Man based upon the "spoiled prince" prototype character created by Randor and Marlena.

As a Kirby fan, it's really great too see that he ended up leaking into MOTU. Not something I was ever aware of.

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

Have you seen this one: kzread.info/dash/bejne/mYaJpbCdk6bTldY.html

I absolutely love your channel. Thank you so much for your hard work, for being responsible of giving us classics and for sharing all this info with us.

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

So glad. Welcome to the channel and be sure to repost videos to your friends!

Roger Sweet said and was confirmed by Mark Taylor, that he approached Taylor and asked him to create a drawing based on Roger's rough He-Man model. Taylor agreed. From that, Sweet added the final details to the model, basing the new details on the drawing. I don't think Taylor would've done that so freely for Sweet if Sweet had actually stolen his work. I just don't think it's that impossible for Sweet to have Barbarians in his mind considering Mattel was literally working on Conan immediately before he started to work on his pitch. Occam's Razor and all that. Like you said "work for one line basically gets reused, things that they saw, things that they were working on and didn't make it to market". I think that's basically how Roger got the idea to put the barbarian theme as an option. Roger Sweet deciding to throw in 'BARBARIAN THEME' into the list of possibilities for a boy's toys line, that to me is the Big Bang moment of He-Man and Masters of the Universe.

I think the ball mostly like with Sweet. His figure had the muscles, the fur loincloth and the harness and a name. Taylor and Kirby are influences and no media is created in a vacuum. The other piece is the concept of who He-Man is. Taylor’s art after the meeting and Don Glute’s writing create He-Man. Also Filmation came up with concepts that are very important to the character. Characters can have multiple creators but most of the credit goes to the creative lead. In this case it’s Sweet. You don’t need to give credit to Kirby or any art because they acted as influences. It’s all part of the Zeitgeist at that time. Conan the Barbarian came out around the same time. It was definitely something going around the culture at the time and Mattel tapped into it.

@spectorcreative1872

2 жыл бұрын

Its complicated for sure

it’s incredible the way mark just pulled such unique and beautiful designs out of his mind

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

Truly a gifted deisgner

The MOTU episode is my favorite so far from The Toys That Made Us: BONG!!!!

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

BONG!!! indeed.

Some great info! I’m still viewing and compiling the various newer “history” videos/tv shows in my head!

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

I"m working on getting the videos reorganized into a better set of play lists as well to help

Thank you Scott. Fantastic summation of the of all the moving parts. Great video!

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I thought it was good to put it all in one place. Glad you enjoyed

I definitely remember the Tarzan toys being released after the Big Jim ones. I saw a set once and was shocked to see the Jim body being used.

Scott. people like or dislike . i think as follows : MY Masters of the Universe story is for ME. I'm born in 1974. I was there ,back in time . I THANK you , to keep the Classics alige flr so many years. I'm not into your story and how you wrote the bios , BUT. Classics is ALL my old heroes in a better figure. (Exept the Meteorbs). love history so im into this channel!

@spectorcreative1872

2 жыл бұрын

Well thanks for the kind words! Topic suggestions are always welcome!!

Always like your videos very informative what goes on behind the scenes at Toy companies is fascinating 👍

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

It is a wacky wonderful world

The cat mewing throughout cracks me up

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

Special effects from Kiki

Scott, great vid. Has anyone ever posted pictures of the 4th world toy drawings etc. I always hear 4th world and how much work had been done on that when motu comes up but have never seen any of those pics or anything. If there is maybe do a video on that. Thanks

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

I don't think it has been posted. I kinda wish I took pictures of it myself when I found it.

I really love your insights and I've only recently discovered your channel and I've been binge watching it.

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

Well welcome to the channel! Idea for topics always welcome and sharing these videos on social media helps the channel a ton.

Great videos!! A really interesting insight into the toy industry. Thank you!

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

You are most welcome. Tell your friends

I`m a great fan and collector of Masters of the Universe and I`m very thankful for all the information in this video. Thank you very much!

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

You are most welcome. Tell your friends!

Cool video. Good explanation of the events.

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, glad you liked it

The amusement park story that Mark Taylor told of the skeletal remains parallels the discovery of the mummified remains that were with an amusement park ride scene during the filming of a "Six Million Dollar Man" episode. I'm sure it was the same remains.

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

That could be!

Gluton was the man...thank you for enlightening me once again...

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

I am glad you enjoyed. I am a fan of Don's no matter what

I love this...I love Mattel...I love everyone who contributed..from sweet, taylor, obrero, alcala, scheimer, etc etc...

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

They are all my heroes!

The name Action Man was conceived over a pint of beer in and English pub in 1965 - Harry Trowell (then Palitoy sales manager) was having lunchtime drink with his CEO when he came up with name!

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

And now my friend who runs Valaverse owns it!

@GarysActionManChannel1970

3 жыл бұрын

@@spectorcreative1872 Thought Art + Science owned the rights?

Hi Scott. @8:40, I hope you got your LOTR sword back. I had ex-roommates 15 years ago that took my things without asking. I wasn't happy. I can imagine how you felt.

Very interesting theories. I find this video very fun and entertaining.

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

Well awesome! Thanks for all your comments.

I feel like it was probably me. I was really, really young at the time, but it seems like the type of thing I would have done and then forgotten about. Let's just say it was me, and put the whole issue to bed.

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

Done

Good job always enjoy your videos

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much. Glad you enjoy. Tell your friends!

The Frazetta painting of the barbarian with the axe and grabbing the guy by his necklace is actually from '86 (for a beer ad). So its post-Motu fyi. I get the point you were making anyway, I'm just a big Frazetta fan so wanted to mention that.

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

Oh that is great info to know. I'll admit I didn't look at the dates the paintings were made. Thank you so much for pointing that out!!!

@hulksmash8159

3 жыл бұрын

More like he did the painting way before that and the beer company licensed it.

@hulksmash8159

3 жыл бұрын

@@spectorcreative1872 It's misinfo, that painting was before MOTU.

@dannycruz5446

3 жыл бұрын

@@hulksmash8159 In this case, no. It was commissioned by Carlsberg beer for a 1986 advertising campaign.

@dannycruz5446

3 жыл бұрын

@@hulksmash8159 nope, it's not. Just google 'carlsberg beer frazetta' and see for yourself

Did DC's Doctor Destiny also help influence Skeletor?

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

Wouldn't put it past him. But then again, the Grim Reaper would also be an influence and his design goes back to the 1400's

Cool video but is that a cat meowing in the background?

@Thunderwing88

3 жыл бұрын

Kiki.

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

Likely. She gets around.

Hmm figures of the early concept MOTU characters would be very cool to display

@happiaxxident

3 жыл бұрын

and the lords of power incarnations are power-con exclusives this year!

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

We did do a lot of them in Classics like Vikor, Vykron and Demo Man

@citizenkill7435

3 жыл бұрын

@@spectorcreative1872 is there anyway you can send me some figures to review and collect. I grew up a huge motu fan but due to financial and health issues over the years and lack of knowledge on where to obtain any figures im asking for help and just want to have some motu in my collection someday. Due to the pandemic and i cant drive because of autism makes it hard to get around to places and im paranoid of buying online unless from Amazon im reaching out to you and others if possible. I'd really appreciate if you could help me out with some motu stuff. Thankyou and be well. Ill definitely subscribe and will keep watching

This should be interesting because of all the information that has been reported over the years. After watching The Toys That Made Us & Power of Grayskull I figured that the question was answered.

@oshontheexperience6440

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video Scott. It sounds like it was a collaborative effort with the main contributions being made by Roger Sweet & Mark Taylor. It doesn't sound like one person can claim credit.

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

It takes a village

Mattel got lucky that we were the kids growing up in the 80s, Masters Of The Universe for ever!

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

We all did!

Serious question. I didn't know about the failing New Gods line. All I have engrained in my head is that Mattel passed up on Star Wars and had to come up with something after seeing the line succeed. So what happened? What's the timeline here? Pass on Star Wars. See it succeed. Try to do something with DC's New Gods.

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

Check out this video: kzread.info/dash/bejne/mYaJpbCdk6bTldY.html

You're awesome bro as far as I'm concerned you figured out the mystery of wonder bread heman

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

I wasn't expecting to, but the evidence is there!

In an over simplified way: what percentage does each buck of a male body represent? Example: when creating a new character, if you can reuse everything waist down (albeit different colors) does that then say save you 50% of the cost? Ie. Leg 20% x2 + belt/loin cloth section 10% = 50%. The original figures ha7 basic parts I believe: head, 2 arms, torso, loincloth, and 2 legs. Curious how much they saved by reusing a buck part.

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

You pretty much hit it.

Thanks for this; your channel is absolutely excellent.

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

Well thanks so much! Tell your friends. It helps. ;-)

The cat sounds are great!

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

She gets around

Wow this was highly informative..

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

So glad! Tell your friends on social media and share away. It helps the channel a ton

Scott, can you do a video about how MOTU CLASSICS came to be? There are a few people out there that kind of gives you crap about some decisions from Motu and the bios and etc. I even may not agree with some of the decisions made, but that being said, I think we owe Classics to you. If you didn't push for classics the way you did, there just wouldn't been any classics out all, simple as that. Not trying to kiss butt, but facts are facts. Can you do a video about it?

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

See the King Grayskull video. If more is needed leave a comment there!

@omisokaomisokas5095

3 жыл бұрын

@@spectorcreative1872 WIll do, thanks. I'm catching up with all the videos.

Can you do a video explaining how toys are painted

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

Sure. But it is pretty simple. It is done by hand.

I just found a vintage Castle Grayskull full of He-man action figures...are they worth anything?

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

Check ebay!

@exoticcarfactsofficialchan7050

3 жыл бұрын

@Pop-Actor never hurts to know what the current market value is ...btw, I'm not selling them 😉👍

@exoticcarfactsofficialchan7050

3 жыл бұрын

@Pop-Actor definitely 👍 I feel you. Same thing happened to a bunch of my old comic books when I went away to college. Gone but not forgotten

Seeing the Tarzan black panther now makes me want a jet black cat, with a bone white saddle and skull like helmet for Hordak to use as a mount.

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

Make it happen! a little paint...

@tonyjackson4078

3 жыл бұрын

@@spectorcreative1872 I'd need a name...Fearlyne?

I have a question, it's a bit long and I apologize: I hate assuming people don't know things, it's presumptous and a bit twatty but as it's not in the video: the Big Jim spy and pirates (and future) series were only released in Europe (as far as I know) and (again as far as I know) were developed for the European market (where Big Jim was much bigger), in fact Captain Drake is mostly made from re-used parts (mostly from Zorak), would this affect the chances of people (either Mark Taylor for Skeletor or Roger Sweet for Trap Jaw) in America seeing these and thus being inspired by/thieving from them? I.e. could they have been made in a Mattel place in Europe (I know they had a factory etc in Britian)? I'm not saying you're wrong - in fact I think you're ultimatley right that the likes of Iron Jaw, Captain Drake and Vektor DID inspire/were worked into MOTU (though not necessarily by Taylor, as his 'D-Man' doesn't really have a skull face, but more of a zombie face) along with things like the unfinished New Gods line, Mark Taylor's pitch for a Conan line and Gre-Gory - it's an honest question, promise. Also: the New Gods of Apokolips ride giant dogs, dude, c'mon, you know this ;).

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

Well yes, of course Iknow on Apokolips those are giant dogs. What I am saying is that the idea of a human riding on a big animal was a concept that leaked into designers mind's from all the time they spent on the 4th world line. And I know that designers hate seeing work go to waste and will always recycle concepts in next year's toy line if last year's does not get picked up!

@dwitefry4157

3 жыл бұрын

@@spectorcreative1872 ah sorry man, I meant that New Gods thing as a joke (there was a winky face)

I always pictured MOTU in Frazzetta style in my minds eye. Even as a kid. Never really cared for the TV show. Comics and box art....thats what sold me and IGNITIED my imagination with MOTU.

Has no one else noticed the similiarity between Torak and Turok? I can't believe I'm the only one to see it

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

The eye see what it wants!

What were some of the other name for He-Man on that brainstorm paper? I've always thought, even as a kid, that "He-Man" was a bit on the nose.

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

You know I don't have it in front of me, but I'll see if I can do a video on this soon!

@3dpprofessor

3 жыл бұрын

@@spectorcreative1872 I kinda hope it reads like the complication videos of MST3K's names for David Ryder. Slab Bulkhead. Fridge Largemeat. Splint Chesthair. Bulk Vanderhuge. Blast Hardcheese. Fist Rockbone. Punch Rockgroin. Dirk Hardpeck. Crud Bonemeal. Gristle Mc Hardbody. Bob Johnson... oh wait.

11:43 "Mark Sweet."

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

Well I am prone to mistakes. From time..to time

I thought maybe a little cred should be given to Conan, right? Had they not been working on the Conan movie they probably wouldn't have those prototypes or concepts at the ready to use for Heman because as you stated the concepts hated to be wasted.

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

Actually... while Mattel was reviewing Conan movie, it was a different group and had no influence on the creators outside of the way the Frank painting influenced it. A common misconception about the origin of the line.

Your cat makes an uncredited cameo at 17:45

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah, she does that! ;-P

3:43 Bong

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

Apparently this will haunt Sweet forever.

I love frazetta.

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

Dont' we all!

I was never into MOTU, so I didn't experience any of the timeline. SO the toy came first then the comic and then the animated tv series? I never realised this, I just assumed that like say Superman the comic came first then the animated series and then the toy.

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

But it makes one heck of a tale!

I thought some ideas came from the creation of big jim

I did notice that they gave super7 credit for the Classics line. Bummer

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah. Why?

@domls1317

3 жыл бұрын

@@spectorcreative1872 I dont know. Poor research

Learning about the cutthroat nature about businesses of all sorts... especially the showbiz industry... which I would say the Toy Industry falls under. I've realized that many of the stories they've created.... mirror their career lives. Mark Taylor called it, "it's a pecker contest!" 🤣 Just like He-Man vs Skeletor.

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

Oh the politics in toys are insane!

Masters of the Universe Meets the Mythic Legions: kzread.info/dash/bejne/l6mF0K97qs_MZLA.html

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

Very nice!

What happened to the first three prototypes? They are toy history.

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

The He-Man Trio? Roger Sweet might know. But they are not in the Mattel archive.

@leadingauctions8440

3 жыл бұрын

@@spectorcreative1872 That is sad. There is a toy history museum they would look great in!

Are you still in the toy industry?

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

Yes. I run Spector Creative which helps toy companies make better toys by looking at the emotional connection first. See more spectorcreative.com

10:16 Carl Icahn, the guy who nearly killed Marvel...

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

Everyone has something

Just now seeing. So what you're saying is Big Jim, Jack Kirby & Frazetta created MOTU and everyone else is trying to take credit? But seriously....I always cringe when one person tries to take credit for big toy franchise like Masters. When it's that big it takes more than one person. And to set out to prove one person, or for that one person to make such claim, DID create such a line only does more harm than good. Yes. Credit needs to be given but let's not get big heads here. However, it is always interesting to see how it came about.

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

I am not saying they created it, just that they were a HUGE influence on it visually.

King kull turzun Thune there's you're skelator and he man .Arnold Schwarzenegger from Roger sweet fantasy paintings Boris Vallejo and like you said .basically took a village

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

100%. A full village.

Wasn't me. I was 1 years old.

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

I wasn't blaming you!

Wow!! Never seen that big jim skeletor. It was definitely copied.

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

Once you see it you can't unsee it!

Trick question. Toy Guru created he man!

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

Winner!

@Bt3615

3 жыл бұрын

No...he is He-Man! Look at the comparison between him and the cobbled together initial prototype!

Frazerra

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

Got it!

it's Frank Frazetta. not frank frasera or whatever you're trying to say. i just had to correct that, it hurt my soul hearing it.

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

My ability to speak is greatly hampered by my mouth.

@bobxbaker

3 жыл бұрын

@@spectorcreative1872 yeah but you did say it twice which made me think it wasn't a mispronunciation, and people wondering what the artists real name was needed to be clarified since he's had such an impact on art especially at that time. how would you feel if i called michelangelo "mikolanjell" not once but twice and not reference them again? didn't mean to be a stickler about it, but people deserve to know who wants to know.

So the answer is... Jack Kirby! lol... he created EVERYTHING!!!

@spectorcreative1872

2 жыл бұрын

Obviously Kirby

Roger Sweet has denied using Mark Taylor’s Torak painting as inspiration. Either you think he’s lying or forgetful.

@manjiimortal

3 жыл бұрын

I think what Scott is saying here is that while Sweet might not have been specifically thinking about the Torak drawing when he created the trio, he had certainly seen the painting, several times most likely, and his brain unconsciously drew from the imagery of the drawing.

@MatticusPrime1

3 жыл бұрын

manjiimortal I agree unconscious influence could be a factor. It’s impossible to say how much, especially since Frank Frazetta was such a powerful influence at that time.

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, this is highly likely.

One thing though you're not pronouncing Frank frezettas name I on the other hand probably misspelled it

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

I am terrible with my English

@votedworstchannelonyoutube1537

3 жыл бұрын

Just giving you a hard time lol I said concerned and not convinced in the last message so were even lol keep up the great work bro!

are you the one who came up and green light the Masters of the Universe origins?..If so then thank you

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

I had nothing to do with Origins. I left Mattel in 2014

@johnkirk2863

3 жыл бұрын

@@spectorcreative1872 Oh..well I hope you are as excited as I am about the new line

FrazeTTa not Frezerra

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

Correct. Thanks

So two things. 1) why didn’t “The toys that made us” give you the credit you deserve? And 2) interesting how in TTTMU the story of how they made Battle Cat is completely made up LOL

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

I ask that all the time! That documentary gave ten years of my life to Super 7!

@normanbeaulieu4204

3 жыл бұрын

@@spectorcreative1872 did they even try and ask you about being involved

Frazetta, not Frazerra.

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

Noted! Thank you for the correction

Frazetta not Frazera

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

Noted. I can't speak English as well as I used to

Interesting in how every time you refer to him by his last name, you say Frazetta, but every time you use his first name, you call him Frank Frazarra. Also, you keep calling Mark Taylor's Turok drawing a painting. A pen and ink drawing isn't made with paint. And then what about the sword that was taken from your office, that disappeared from your cubicle? Was it an office or a cubicle? Ah, forget it.

@stevebragg4256

3 жыл бұрын

Some people have a cubicle in an office, I have seen it firsthand where I work.

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

I take full responsibility or my lack of a dictionary.

Conan created Heman

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

He also invented the radio and electric toothbrush.

""New gods" line? That doesn't sound religious at all... Give it a go... That lords of power though... It needs to change.". What was going through the execs minds? Btw when I think of lords I think about some British old farts smoking pipe in checkered trousers on a rocking chair in an old crumbling manor on the English country side.

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

That is too funny. I don't think New Gods was passed for that reason, they could have called it "4th world". I think it was more about creating boys IP Mattel could own.

Ah Scotty, still throwing others under the bus for your own gain. How little changes.

@spectorcreative1872

3 жыл бұрын

Looks like I'm going to need a bigger bus.

@BARBELLSTOBUDDHAS

3 жыл бұрын

This is interesting. Can we get a video on it?