Power-Con 2016: Event Coverage
In addition to the previous image galleries from Mattel, Four Horsemen Studios and Super7, we also have a write-up of the event which you can read below.
Power-Con:
Power-Con 2016 was held in Torrance, CA. on the weekend of June 4-5, and played host to the largest fan turnout yet for this celebration of all things Masters of the Universe (MOTU) & Princess of Power (PoP). After a 2.5 year hiatus, this fan-created / fan-operated show returned to Southern California with plenty of vendors, artists, professional cosplayers, autograph opportunities, panel discussions...and exclusive items available only at Power-Con!
While there was plenty of vintage, modern era, and custom hand-crafted merchandise being offered on the show floor, the most notable items were the various exclusive items being offered by Mattel, Super7, and Four Horsemen Studios. Mattel created three (3) exclusives for the show, which included repainted vintage mini-comic appearance versions of long sold-out Masters of the Universe Classics figures: an all-red Beast Man - $50, Camo Khan - $50, and an all-green version of Granamyr - $110. Super7 offered a Gargamel 4" green prototype Japanese vinyl figure of Beast Man ($65) to compliment the green prototype Skeletor they offered at San Diego Comic Con (SDCC) last year, as well as a Power-Con exclusive red plastic mini-trash can filled with one complete set of all 12 M.O.T.U.S.C.L.E. 1.5" PVC mini-figures, cast in translucent green plastic to mimic a vintage MOTU slime aesthetic - $25. Four Horsemen Studios showcased their Mythic Legions action figure creations with paint samples of new figures including the recently offered wave 1.5, and also had available for sale the carded Unkann figure ($32), which is an homage to the MOTU Man-At-Arms action figure. Artist Nate Baertsch was also on-hand and seated at the Four Horsemen booth, signing prints and packaging which he helped create for multiple MOTU & PoP licensees.
In a departure from previous Power-Con appearances, Mattel did not have their usual showcase of upcoming MOTU & PoP product. However, while not the same towering booth they once had at the show, Mattel did not fail to impress as they had original one-of-a-kind 30 year old prototypes of the Princess of Power Star Sisters from their archives: Jewelstar, Starla, Tallstar, and Glory Bird. However, the prototypes were not the main feature of the Mattel display, rather it was our first hands-on look at the 2016 SDCC exclusive 12" She-Ra doll, with deluxe gate-fold packaging and an impressive amount of articulation---she surpassed this author's expectations and laid to rest any preconceived notions one might have about this being a glorified Barbie doll. Multiple outfits and accessories offer endless opportunities for a customized display, and standing at almost 2' x 2' when boxed, this She-Ra exclusive is destined to be the centerpiece of any PoP collection.
In closing, Power-Con is one of the more personal, intimate pop-culture conventions to experience, and if you are a MOTU or PoP fan, it just does not get any better than this---the way this is organized, from pre-registration to panel schedules and venue accessibility---is hard to beat at any show. In an era of mega-cons and celebrations, it is nice to return to smaller, focused conventions like Power-Con. It provides a great value with reasonable admission, is family-friendly, and the patience exhibited by vendors and attendees alike is not to be taken for granted. Looking forward to hearing details regarding Power-Con 2017, as the power and honor of Grayskull will most definitely continue to be with this great fan-fueled event for years to come...
Words by Vince Zannelli and pictures by Suzan Lund.
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