Toy Collector: Juan Luis Salido Bruque

Interview with Toy Collector: Juan Luis Salido Bruque!

Welcome to my Third interview segment, where a collector answers 13 short questions. The same questions will be given to every collector appearing in this segment.

I’m really excited to welcome Spanish Masters of the Universe Collector, Juan Luis Salido Bruque onto the blog.

MOTU!: Before we start with the magic 13 questions, can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Juan: Hello friends. I’m a die hard MOTUC collector from Spain. I also customize them and I have time to produce the MOTU Spanish podcast La Cueva del Terror (a.k.a. The Fright Zone) with other Spanish MOTU collectors. (La Cueva del Terror - Facebook)

MOTU!: 1. What inspired you to collect?

Juan: I’m a monster lover. When I was a child, my mother rent me a lot of horror movies despite the age ranking. This carelessness build the geek that I’m now.

MOTU!: 2. How long have you been collecting?

Juan: I have been collecting since I was a child. In fact, I have a few figures from the eighties that I preserve.

MOTU!: 3. What do you collect?

Juan: Actually I collect MOTUC, Thundercats Classics, S. H. Figuarts Kinnikuman and cherry pick Marvel Legends.

MOTU!: 4. What’s your grail and favourite piece in your collection?

Juan: I think that my favourite piece is a Bravestarr MOTUC custom I made myself last summer.

MOTU!: 5. What collectors inspire you?

Juan: All MOTUC collectors inspire me. I’m very proud to see that we are a very important crowd. We only need to help each other.

MOTU!: 6. What is your most embarrassing moment as a collector?

Juan: I have a lot of them. But I remember typical problems when you discover broken pieces in MOC figures or cockeyed characters. I hate cockeyed figures. What kind of quality control have the companies??

MOTU!: 7. What is your favourite MOTU Filmation or 200x Series Episode or MOTU Mini Comic and why?

Juan: It’s easy. The Last Stand. The King Grayskull episode. It was great to see the beginning of all the MOTU history. The Battle Lion, Hordak in action. The seconds of life of Calix, like Saurod in the MOTU Cannon film.

MOTU!: 8. What would you change about the collecting community?

Juan: Scalpers. They are a cancer. You have to know that international customers have to pay high shipment costs and taxes. One Mattycollector figure shipped to Spain, for example Clawful was $40 and if we include another figure, I have import risk and need to pay one figure more for taxes. If scalpers devastate the sale day, we have to pay more.

I think that all collectors need to help us. This is what we are doing with La Cueva del Terror movement. Keep MOTU alive, help all honest collectors and alert scalpers.

MOTU!: 9. Forums or Facebook groups?

Juan: La Cueva del Terror Podcast and Customotucs Kemao. But I also like any MOTU forum or page that contribute to keep He-man alive.

MOTU!: 10. What MOTU character do you most resemble?

Juan: I think Man-E-Faces. I need to change my personality with my friends, family or work. It was my first MOTU figure. I love it.

MOTU!: 11. Is there one thing that collectors may not know about you?

Juan: I’m very transparent about my personality with collectors. I usually talk about my experiences with collecting and try to help them. We have very long social gatherings about it, in our podcast. In Spanish unfortunately.

MOTU!: 12. I notice that a lot of collectors also collect comics (myself included). What do you think is the common factor that draws some people to both of these hobbies?

Juan: Comics come to life our favourite characters. I think is necessary to create a history of them. It creates a kind of soul around the character and it’s very important. And I have to say that both hobbies have a common factor, the nostalgia.

MOTU!: 13. And finally, what is it about the hobby that has kept you collecting for all of these years?

Juan: I will continue to collect until Super 7 in this case, leave us abandoned. At that point, I will simply continue to create my own characters.

MOTU!: Well thank you so much for joining me today Juan. It has been an immense pleasure and I’m sure my readers will enjoy reading your answers as much as I have!

Juan: Thank you so much for the interview. I hope everything is good for us this year and that we help each other to increase our collections, without treading on each other. Regards!!!

Check out more YouTube Video Clips from the awesome MOTU Collection of Juan Luis Salido Bruque!!

Toy Collector: Marc Welgemoed

Interview with Toy Collector: Marc Welgemoed!

Welcome to my Second interview segment, where a collector answers 13 short questions. The same questions will be given to every collector appearing in this segment.

I’m really excited to welcome South African Masters of the Universe Collector, Marc Welgemoed onto the blog.

MOTU!: Before we start with the magic 13 questions, can you tell us a bid about yourself?

Marc: I am 42 years of age and live in Despatch, close to Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. I am a law lecturer and also run a recording studio part-time. I love the 80s and everything it brought to the table, hence my love for MOTU.

MOTU!: 1. What inspired you to collect?

Marc: I always had a love for MOTU, since I got my first figure, He-Man, way back in 1983. The overall look and amazing quality of the figure, as well as the included mini-comics and card artwork, inspired me to collect more and more of these toys. When I went to high school, at the beginning of 1988, I stopped collecting, due to my interest in music escalating, and also because of the discontinuation of the original MOTU-toy line. I have, however, never forgotten my MOTU and never got rid of my action figures and playsets. During 2012, I made some inquiry about the availability of MOTU and found out about the Classics series and…well, now I have a substantial Classics-collection! I also augmented my vintage collection since 2012. My inspiration has therefore had to be my love for the toy line and the unforgettable childhood memories it brings along.

MOTU!: 2. How long have you been collecting?

Marc: From 1983…(can you believe!)

MOTU!: 3. What do you collect?

Marc: I only collect MOTU, but limit myself to the vintage- and Classics line. I have 2 200x-figures in my collection, but that line, as well as the New Adventures-line, had never been my focus. Apart from the action figures and playsets, I also have a collection of DVDs, mini-comics, Golden Books, as well as quite a number of Classics- and vintage figures and playsets mint on card.

MOTU!: 4. What’s your grail and favourite piece in your collection?

Marc: My grail…the Holy Grail of Motu, namely Eternia! And Cobus, I think I can share my gratitude towards you with all the readers – thank you once again for informing me about this awesome playset and assisting me to obtain it! I will never forget it and am very thankful towards you.

MOTU!: 5. What collectors inspire you?

Marc: Well, apart from you, there are quite a few who are inspiring, like Dewald De Lange, Dewald van Tonder, Jaun Vermaak, Jacques Bindeman, as well as overseas collectors like Joe Amato, James Michael Barksdale, Tom Ace, and many many more (sorry if I am leaving out names – it is not intentional, as I salute all collectors out there!). I just wish that I can meet some of these collectors in real life, because they are such great people.

MOTU!: 6. What is your most embarrassing moment as a collector?

Marc: Hahaha, well Cobus, you know this one, but let me share it with all the readers…I bought the vintage “Cliff Climber” and “Tower Tools” on Ebay for an excellent price. I was so excited about these accessories, but only when it arrived, I realized that, what I have bought, are ONLY the boxes, with nothing in it! I immediately checked the Ebay-advertisement again and saw that I made a mistake…but to this day, it is hilarious and I will never forget it!

MOTU!: 7. What is your favourite MOTU Filmation or 200x Series Episode or MOTU Mini Comic and why?

Marc: My favourite Filmation episode must be “The Witch and the Warrior”, in which an unusual partnership is formed between Teela and Evil-Lyn. With regards to 200X, the opening episode was quite good, where we learned more about Keldor. My favourite mini-comic is undoubtedly “The Search for Keldor”, because it features amazing characters like Clamp Champ, King Randor, Scare Glow, Ninjor and of course, the Sorceress. And, of course, the Eternia Towers also feature therein…

MOTU!: 8. What would you change about the collecting community?

Marc: I must be honest: I do not visit collector community-sites very often. However, having said that, the times when I have visited sites like He-Man.org, as well as your own page, MOTU Universe, made me realize how serious collectors are about quality and their love for MOTU. I therefore wish to say “Keep up the good work” and continue to inspire collectors, and especially new collectors, to nurture their love for MOTU. There is a lot of new collectors who require assistance in knowing where to get figures and playsets. Community sites can therefore attempt to assist them by providing information of this nature.

MOTU!: 9. Forums or Facebook groups?

Marc: I would prefer Facebook-groups, as I do not visit forums very often.

MOTU!: 10. What MOTU character do you most resemble?


Marc: Haha, this is a difficult one…maybe Sy-Klone. I am always in a whirlwind, busy with something! Somedays, I wish I have his speed and agility to get everything in a day done.

MOTU!: 11. Is there one thing that collectors may not know about you?

Marc: Well, back in 2012, I said to myself, “You are only going to buy the ‘boss’-figures in the Classics-line, namely He-Man, She-Ra, Skeletor, Hordak and King Hiss.” Yeah, right! Before I even received them, I bought another bunch of figures, because, if it is MOTU, I find it hard to resist! Due to running out of space (and also because collecting is expensive!), I now stopped collecting for a while…only to have bought some of the Super 7 MOTU Ultimate figures last weekend! It seems I am addicted to MOTU!

MOTU!: 12. I notice that a lot of SW collectors also collect comics (myself included). What do you think is the common factor that draws some people to both of these hobbies?

Marc: In my opinion, comics complement the toys. For me, there is (and has always been) something nostalgic in holding the actual toy in your hand, while reading the comic and see that particular character in a storyline. I therefore think that the two go hand in hand. The comics can also direct you interest in particular directions you will have never imagined. An example from my own experience, is my interest in the Powers of Grayskull-line, which, sadly, never got off the ground in 1987. I have read the MOTU Classics-mini-comics that came with Dragon-Blaster Skeletor, Thunder Punch He-Man and Snake Man-At-Arms, and that spawned my love for the POG-line. I immediately hunted figures like Preternia Disguise He-Man, He-Ro, King Grayskull, as well as Tytus and Megator. Later on, I was also fortunate enough to get the 3 dinosaurs, namely Tyrantisaurus Rex, Turbodactyl and Bionotops. My greatest find, also having a foundation in Preternia, was however the Eternia-playset. Therefore, never underestimate the power of a comic! Look what it brought to my collection!

MOTU!: 13. And finally, what is it about the hobby that has kept you collecting for all of these years?

Marc: I can undoubtedly say, and have said it before, the absolutely great memories from my childhood. The 80s where the best years of my life, and He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, contributed probably more than half thereto. To this day, when I look at my collection, I am taken back to my childhood and the furious battles between He-Man and Skeletor. I will never never ever forget it!

MOTU!: Well thank you so much for joining me today Marc. It has been an immense pleasure and I’m sure my readers will enjoy reading your answers as much as I have!

Marc!: Thanks so much for granting me the opportunity to talk about my collection, Cobus! I really do appreciate it. Thank you for being such a good friend and all the best with your blog. And to all the readers out there: enjoy your MOTU and I really hope to meet you someday!

Toy Collector: Dewald van Tonder

Interview with Toy Collector: Dewald van Tonder!

Welcome all to my latest interview segment, where a collector answers 13 short questions. The same questions will be given to every collector appearing in this segment.

I’m really excited to welcome South African Masters of the Universe Collector, Dewald van Tonder onto the blog.

MOTU!: Before we start with the magic 13 questions, can you tell us a bid about yourself?

Dewald: Hi Cobus, Thank you for the opportunity to chat to you. I must congratulate you on your blog. It is quite fun and informative. I am 37 years old, live in Pretoria and love my dogs and have quite an extensive collection of succulents too. I normally go overboard when I collect.

MOTU!: 1. What inspired you to collect?

Dewald: I guess I never really moved passed the love for action figures and filmation. You just tell yourself that you are too old for that so you move on. Until I discovered e Bay and saw all the MOTU stuff listed and realized that there is an entire community out there that collects. So, I immediately jumped in.

MOTU!: 2. How long have you been collecting?

Dewald: I started collecting around June 2009.

MOTU!: 3. What do you collect?

Dewald: I mainly focus on 80’s lines. I also have some movie themes and then your normal DC and Marvel figures. My main collection is MOTU. I have almost all the vintage figures, vehicles and castles, 200X, Commemoratives and Classics. Anything MOTU is awesome. I also collect Thundercats, Turtles, but the vintage and classic stuff, A Team, Bionic Six, Filmation Ghostbusters, Gremlins, Matrix, Lord of the Rings and recently I succumbed to STAR WARS too. I have DC and Marvel figures as well and a small collection of Batmobiles and the Ecto 1 from Ghostbusters. Basically anything that I find cool and awesome I’ll look into. I’ve also recently started moving more towards statues which are in a class of their own and have a few novelty items too.




Some of the None MOTU Items Dewald Collects

PCS Sorceress Statue

PCS Skeletor Statue

Neca Trap Jaw Statue

PCS Teela Statue

MOTU!: 4. What’s your grail and favourite piece in your collection?

Dewald: I have a few items that I really, really love but my boxed King Grayskull (Normal and Bronze versions) is my grail I would say.

MOTU!: 5. What collectors inspire you?

Dewald: To be honest my biggest inspiration is the fellow SA collectors like you, Gerrit van der Merwe, Jaun Vermaak, Frikkie Stroebel, Daniel Dixon, Johan Cloete, Marc Welgemoed, Jacques Bindeman and Dewald de Lange. Each collector has a different approach to collecting and their own unique focus and excitement. I’ve learnt a lot from all of them and the community part of it all, where everyone tries to help each other, is really a great part of being a collector. I also have a friend in the US, Jason Swart, who has thought me a lot and always help to get items that I struggle to get. We actually became friends through E Bay, when I bought one of my early figures from him. Frikkie with his customization also takes this to a whole new level. I love his work. Very inspirational.

MOTU!: 6. What is your most embarrassing moment as a collector?

Dewald: My most embarrassing moment was not knowing who Han Solo was while engaging with a huge STAR WARS fan. I’m yet to live that one down.

MOTU!: 7. What is your favourite MOTU Filmation or 200x Series Episode or MOTU Mini Comic and why?

Dewald: The Dragon's Gift is a great episode where MAA is turned into crystal and He-man and Teela meets up with Granamyr to save him. I guess it is just a feel good story and I must say, Granamyr is just awesome. There are many of the mini comics that are very cool. Funny enough the cover of ‘Dragon’s Gift’ is one of the most memorable. The 200x cartoons are just awesome. They give all the back stories of the characters so I’ll have to say I love the whole lot. Just sad that the last episode was not made as an episode but remained in comic form.

MOTU!: 8. What would you change about the collecting community?

Dewald: Sites like He-man.org are such a huge positive for the community. I’ve relied on them for so much information and opportunities to have discussions and get views from international guys. But the collectors (not everyone) love to complain and act out. That would be one thing I would have wanted to change if I could. We all have our complaints but there is much to enjoy and so many positives and excitement in collecting.

MOTU!: 9. Forums or Facebook groups?

Dewald: Forums work better for me. I don’t know why but I just find them easier to interact with. Again, He-man.org has been one of the site forums I used to check out daily.

MOTU!: 10. What MOTU character do you most resemble?

Dewald: I love Orko. He always tries his best and wants to keep people happy. He makes a mess of things but still I can’t imagine MOTU without him. But, who I resemble, mmmm, it is a tricky question. I would have to go with Moss Man. He is seldom in the forefront but does good and plays his part. Kind of a behind the scenes kind of guy.

MOTU!: 11. Is there one thing that collectors may not know about you?

Dewald: Well, I’ve said it before, when I collect I tend to go big. I’m a completest and find it VERY hard to leave anything out.

MOTU!: 12. I notice that a lot of SW collectors also collect comics (myself included). What do you think is the common factor that draws some people to both of these hobbies?

Dewald: I don’t think you can see these ‘streams’ as separate. The cartoons, the movies, the figures and the comics. They all belong to the same universe. You might not collect everything but your heroes move between all of these. I love MOTU. So I collect MOTU comics as well. Not that I don’t like other comics but I don’t read the rest that much so I stick to MOTU. So, it is all part of the same cookie. Some just like the filling more than the biscuit. LOL!

MOTU!: 13. And finally, what is it about the hobby that has kept you collecting for all of these years?

Dewald: To me, it is the escape. Collecting is my escape world. The back stories, the process of getting your display done, the fascination of just looking at all of them in silence appreciating the art and the creativity, what they meant to you as a child and what their stories are to you now as an adult collector. Even remembering the issues, we had to go through to get some of these. The friends I’ve made is equally as awesome. People that understand where you come from and the appreciation of it all. Plus, I just love figures!!! I love it!!!

MOTU!: Well thank you so much for joining me today Dewald. It has been an immense pleasure and I’m sure my readers will enjoy reading your answers as much as I have!

Dewald!: Thanks Cobus! This was fun! It gave me a chance to just think about collecting and why I still enjoy it so much. All the best and may your blog go viral!!