By Jonathan Alexandratos

I know. While many have been happy with The Loyal Subjects’ effort to revive M.A.S.K., there have also been…some complaints. My Thunderhawk has a perpetually droopy wing, for instance. So when The Loyal Subjects invited me to their party, I wanted to go. I wanted to see where their head was, and what was next for them. I also wanted to see if they were listening. Reader, I was not disappointed.

The Loyal Subjects is a small company. We need small companies. We root for small companies. They took a big swing and found themselves with a tall stack of orders one day, and they knew their company had reached a turning point. Then, they began the process of fulfillment on a new, grander scale.

Are they listening to feedback on how that all went? YES. The best part of their party wasn’t the costumed characters, or the arcade game, or the food. It was talking to John.

John Warden is a passionate, veteran toy designer leading the way on M.A.S.K. Wave 2. His excitement was infectious, his knowledge obviously extensive, and his plans spot-on. Remember my droopy Thunderhawk wing? He fixed that for the SDCC exclusive Thunderhawk coming later this year. John has been on-site with The Loyal Subjects since last year, but now he’s 100% in with the company, bringing his skills to the future of M.A.S.K. It gave me so much hope for the line. I am rooting for John and his devoted work.

But M.A.S.K. isn’t all TLS is. They have Popples and Jem and Rainbow Brite, and they even have a small Toys ‘R’ Us micro-playset in the works, preserving its vintage look.

Add in some other pop culture properties that will bring in a diverse audience, and you might have a winning year for The Loyal Subjects.

This party was hype, but it was also substance. It was catered to fans and press, who they knew had questions. I, for one, was impressed by their answers.