[Tarquinius]

As some of you know I've been a rabid MU collector (infact it's the first line I started to collect and the only one which I complete) and have been an active member on this forum for a few years.

Much like many of you, I was just as taken back about the rebranding of the MU line.In order, I felt angry then confused then concerned... that my favorite line would never be the same.

However, after some thinking I'm actually really glad they are making this change. I wanted to share the reasons why I think this rebranding will work out in our benefit.

1). MU has been on the decline for the last year or so.

Take this for what you will; distribution problems, character selection etc etc, but I choose to focus on two specific areas: number of waves per year and gimmicks within.

When the line first started we had the Fury Files gimmick along with different groupings (Shield, Hammer etc). We also were getting on average 7 waves a year with about 6 figures per wave. This year we will see about 4-5 waves this year with 4 or 5 figures a wave. This is not counting repeats (Rhino, Captain, Iron Man etc). We were also all angry that the Fury Files switched, when we gained and lost character stands.

Rebranding might usher in a new era of toy goodness where the newness of the line causes Hasbro to go "all in" and retailers being more open to it. Also, the newness of the line may allow for Hasbro to retry different gimmicks or ideas. Either way the rebranding throws out all the old rules and we have a clean slate in front of us.

2). Big toys....

Okay I will admit this next idea is a bit far fetch'd and skeptical but there may be something to it.

Going off my idea in the previous point, MU's decline has slowed down the special side of the line- Gigantic Battles, oversized figures and vehicles (or lack there of). Moreover Comic Packs are clearancing and 3 packs are ending. There are a lot of reasons that this could be but if I had to point to the main reason: MU's slowing momentum is making it harder to push bigger items (as most end up shelf warming and clearancing). This may be why Fing Fang Foom was cancelled (along with the ultimate rebranding).

With the new momentum that will come with this rebranding, it may allow for Hasbro to force some cooler toys, sets or vehicles on the market as well. The power behind a brand/name is powerful.

3).The great big unknown and I'm thankful for it, until 2020.

The general theme that I'm running with is that rebranding will breath life into MU. As like many of you, I love this line and I'd be devastated if it ended. So in some ways I'm happy that Hasbro is taking proactive steps to revitalize the line before it became beyond saving. This is even more important considering that Hasbro/Disney just got a continuance to do Marvel toys for another 6 years. As it stands MU has been around since 2006, so looking back on those 7 years, lets reflect on all the cool things we got out of this line. Imagine what another 6 more years could bring. Then think, what would it take to sustain such a major franchise?

Ultimately, this rebranding, along with the recent agreement with Disney, makes me hopeful that these next 6 years will bring about surprises which I can't imagine right now. I know we all like to pick on Hasbro, but they've pulled out some cool things these past 7 years (Deadpool Corps with floaties...come on thats something we would put on our dreamlists in the forum).

These are just my general thoughts. But I'd like to also hear other people's points of view.