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

Two weeks ago I asked, “What M.U.S.C.L.E.-related thing would you guys like to see more of in the Epilogue?”

My expectations of minimal responses and utter indifference were met – and that’s not a bad thing. I figure most readers are comfortable in their UofM routine; whether that’s reading everything everyday or rarely checking – only when they need a question answered. But I wanted to respond to the guys that took the time to post.

Bad Luck :

So, just my two cents, but the Epilogue thing has become kind of repetitive and solely focused on auctions, with the lion’s share of the attention going to name somebody an “asshole”. I care way more about your opinions about what made MUSCLE cool, and what current/burgeoning/rumored toy lines would be good spiritual successors. Give us something to move forward on, because treading water on useless ebay sellers is not exactly good energy.

I 100% agree with the first sentence, that’s why I asked for input. I don’t know how I could say more about what made M.U.S.C.L.E. cool. I think I’ve spent almost 10 years trying to do that. But I like the idea about “what current/burgeoning/rumored toy lines would be good spiritual successors.” It is what I tried to do with Art 300. Maybe I’m not doing it well enough?

The fact is I don’t care about most minifigure lines. When they don’t scratch that M.U.S.C.L.E.-itch I just scroll past. This website is a passion project. I am passionate about M.U.S.C.L.E. figures. I couldn’t pretend and I certainly don’t want to bad-mouth minifigures because they don’t meet my mental, undefined, ideas about M.U.S.C.L.E.-ness. I would do more Anthropology 400 posts, but Bandai isn’t making figures fast enough.

Are there any toy lines I’m flat-out missing?

Walker26 :

I don’t know how much more new material can be generated with M.U.S.C.L.E. Does anyone do custom painted figures or canvas art? Auction Watch solely focused on Japan auctions. Ever thought about branching out to other toy lines from your childhood or your kids’ favorite toys? What small toy lines doesn’t LRG talk about (Army Ants, GUTS, Madballs)? Toys in Kickstarter campaigns. Just thought maybe what is going to be said about M.U.S.C.L.E. has been said, so a new toy focus might help.

I believe there will always be something new. Last week it was stickers. Two years ago it was The Body Building. That stuff won’t show up daily or weekly, but I want to be the M.U.S.C.L.E. lighthouse keeping the light on.

I think the last piece of art that was featured came from Danny Cruz about a year ago. And there was the Bill McConkey print in March. There just isn’t that much art produced. I wish there was more.

Custom painted figures often suck. I feel like most of them use a house painting brush and/or paint it like the Kinnikuman cartoon. Off the top of my head, Joe Whiteford had the last cool painted figures. Naked Nasty Lester (#76) finally looked cool.

The only other childhood toyline I care about is Star Wars; nobody needs that.

But I really like the Japanese auctions and Kickstarter ideas. But I have to admit something, I don’t know where to start with Japanese auctions. I don’t know the sites or how to actually buy. Do you still have to use a proxy?

And does anyone have advice for searching Kickstarter. I feel like I’m either using the wrong words or doing something wrong. Even worse, maybe there isn’t that much non-Lego minifigure related stuff.

As much as I do want to change, there are still some things that I want to stay the same. And one of those things is the AOTW tournaments. We have three AOTW Battle of the Champions Fatal-Four Way Winners. They are waiting for their challenger.

That challenger might be one of the three winners below.

Or it could be the winner from this week’s match-up. The first competitor, AOTW #1, is looking to score $8.98 per figure for their underwhelming two figure lot. What would make 2009 M.U.S.C.L.E. collectors laugh harder? The $17.95 BIN or someone trying to sell a two figure lot.

The AOTW #2 is a throw-back classic. The seller has a $149.99 BIN for a Satan Cross. Collectors can argue about SC’s price, but not a single M.U.S.C.L.E. collector would argue in favor of a $150 BIN.

I had to double check that the AOTW #3 hadn’t previously competed. I couldn’t find any evidence, so they are in this week. They earned their entry with a $350 BIN for “190+ Figures.” They couldn’t take the time to count them?!?! Let’s say 195 figure, which means they want $1.79 per figure. Not great.

Finally, we have the AOTW #4. I actually like this counterfeit figure (I’m 89% sure it’s not an official release). It has that certain, hard to define, charm that emanates from many counterfeit figures. But all the charm in the world does not equal a $119 BIN for counterfeit figure.

Cast your vote and crown this week’s AOTW Fatal-Four Way winner. Here are the four combatants:

AOTW #1 – $17.95 BIN for Two Figures

AOTW #2 – $150 BIN for SC

vs.

AOTW #3 – $350 for ‘190+ Figures’

AOTW #4 – Counterfeit Figure with $119 BIN

Remember to cast your vote and crown this week’s AOTW Fatal-Four Way winner:

[poll id=”79″]

Since discovering that our ULTIMATE AOTW Battle of the Champions Fatal-Four Way Winner #1 is still trying to sell her empty box, I like to check in each week.

Seventeen weeks ago it had dropped down to $160. Sixteen weeks ago the price was $149. She sat firm for a period at $145. Eleven weeks ago it dropped to $139 and soon after it dropped to $135. Four weeks ago it hit the new low of $125. Two weeks ago it dropped a whopping five dollars to $120…for a beat-up, empty box.

This is the level-of-asshole it takes to be an ULTIMATE champion.

Amazing. She’s one of the greats.

One final note. I have a story that needs to come to an end. I am dying to share it.