UofMUSCLE.com – M.U.S.C.L.E. Figures from Mattel

Website Review #15 is less of a review and more of a coming out party and celebration.

Since nearly the beginning of UofM Soupie’s Color Image Archive, http://soupie.littlerubberguys.com/mcia/MUSCLECIA.html, has been one of the UofM Recommended Links. Most M.U.S.C.L.E. collectors were already very familiar with the site, so a simple paragraph served as an introduction to new collectors that may have been unfamiliar with it:

This website was the first to document every color M.U.S.C.L.E. figure, and serves as a tremendous reference site. It also breaks the figures down into their original Kinnikuman Parts and hypothesized molding trees.

While simple, that paragraph does not properly bestow the appropriate amount of respect that Soupie’s CIA deserves – and that the very private “Soupie” deserves. He has made a tremendous impact on M.U.S.C.L.E. collecting. Contributions that were hugely significant but today are taken for granted – contributions such as the M.U.S.C.L.E. Color Code, or the origin of the 10-Pack, and the influence on the UofM Figure Guide.

And frankly, those examples only begin scratch the surface. Soupie has continued to be a positive force not only in the M.U.S.C.L.E. community, but also in the broader mini-figure community with sites like MinifiguresXD (MXD).

The Strengths

#1 – This Is Mecca
If a M.U.S.C.L.E. collector has a question about a color M.U.S.C.L.E. figure, then this is the place to go. There simply isn’t a more usable, well-designed resource around – and a better version cannot be created.

This layout allows users to see each color M.U.S.C.L.E. figure created, what Kinnikuman Part the figure comes from, and the hypothesized Trees of each Part. Soupie has also highlighted the Non-Poster figures from each part.

#2 – Too Much To Praise
For understanding the intricacies of color M.U.S.C.L.E. figures there simply isn’t a better site – which means there’s just too much to praise. It has a clean design, simple interface, wonderful information, easy navigation, and just about anything you could want from a website.

Potential Areas of Improvement

#1 – None
There’s a reason Soupie’s CIA hasn’t needed even minor changes – it is exactly what it needs to be. The only potential area of improvement would be larger pictures of each of the color figures.

But that need served as part of the inspiration for the UofM Online M.U.S.C.L.E. Figure Guide. One of the goals of that guide was to provide a comprehensive visual archive of each manufactured M.U.S.C.L.E. figure in each color and provide large images of each individual figure (e.g., M.U.S.C.L.E. Figure #232).

Now that Soupie’s CIA has changed its host and found a new home as part of LittleRubberGuys.com collectors can rested assured that the web address will not be changing anytime soon.

However, when a change like that takes place there may be a few technical glitches. Soupie has asked for M.U.S.C.L.E. collector to check for any errors, missing figures, or ay other problems. If any are discovered, then they can be pointed out in the Comments section below or email to UofMUSCLE@gmail.com.

Soupie would also be quick to point out that much of his Color Code success is shared with Mr. Smith. It was truly those two individuals who are responsible for the M.U.S.C.L.E. Color Code. A breakthrough that all M.U.S.C.L.E. collectors will be eternally grateful for.

Soupie’s CIA is a masterpiece and one of the most important M.U.S.C.L.E. collecting resources. Given it’s relatively unchanging nature collectors should also check out Soupie’s more regularly updated platforms:

– MinifiguresXD on Twitter
– MinifiguresXD Blog