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This is a
comprehensive timeline encompassing the last decade of our hobby.
This timeline lists events, discoveries, developments, and turning
points regarding the online collecting community of M.U.S.C.L.E.
enthusiasts. |
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Fall 1996
Darrin Vindiola's first Homepage is built featuring pictures
of M.U.S.C.L.E.'s, trade/want lists, and memories about the 1980's
toyline.
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Spring 1997
Within the span of a few months Darrin's M.U.S.C.L.E. page
evolves into The
M.U.S.C.L.E. Preservation Society. |
July 1997
M.P.S. Members
Patrick Gresham and
Tim Drage launch their
respective M.U.S.C.L.E. Sites |
October 1997
Jason Radniecki launches
M.U.S.C.L.E. Championship Wrestling |
Late 1997
Satan Cross is discovered, but is referred to by collectors
as either The 4 armed M.U.S.C.L.E., The Gladiator, and The Erols
M.U.S.C.L.E. |
April 1998
Nathan's M.U.S.C.L.E. Page goes live. |
Spring 1999
The first of many letters to Mattel is sent petitioning them to
re-release M.U.S.C.L.E. |
September 1999
Mattel and Bandai announced an exclusive agreement to market
each
others toys in Japan and the U.S. This was a tip off that we could
possibly be seeing something coming from the Kinnikuman franchise. Less than
two years later, it was announced that Ultimate M.U.S.C.L.E. was coming
to the U.S.!
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March 2000
Petition response from MATTEL. The M.P.S. was contacted by
MATTEL, but were told there were no plans to re-release
M.U.S.C.L.E.
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January 2001
4kids entertainment announces Ultimate muscle will soon be
coming to The U.S.!
Press Release: LAS VEGAS
(Jan. 17, 2001) -- 4Kids Entertainment Inc., a leading global
marketer of children's entertainment content, will be unveiling
its 2001-02 line-up at NATPE, the National Association of
Program Executives (Booth #2422). This year's line-up includes
the worldwide phenomenon Pokémon, as well as the original CGI
series, Cubix-Robots for Everyone!; the zany adventures of Tama
and Friends; and the superheroes Ultraman Tiga and Kinnikuman:
"The Ultimate Muscle".
"4Kids provides children's entertainment
choices for every age group," states Al Kahn, chairman and CEO
of 4Kids Entertainment. "We are very excited about Cubix-Robots
for Everyone, which we are co-producing with CINIPIX and Daiwan.
We are also excited about the acquisition of rights to three
Japanese series. We believe the popularity and success of
overseas programming is an indicator of the success that can be
achieved in the United States. Kids are kids everywhere!"
KINNIKUMAN: THE ULTIMATE MUSCLE!!!
What happens when you take one of
Japan's most successful superheroes, a healthy dose of
wrestling, some clever storylines, death-defying action and
adventure, and over-the top heroes and villains? You get
Kinnikuman: The Ultimate Muscle - the new face of
action/adventure cartoons. This animated series is produced by
Toei Animation Company Ltd., Japan's largest animation studio,
which has turned out hits such as Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball Z.
December 2001
MPS web-site reviewed in Entertainment Weekly, generating more interest in the hobby.
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March 2002
Johhny Karis takes over AKIA (Kinnikuman.com) from John Morey |
September 2002
Ultimate muscle comes to U.S. Television. The English
dubbed series airs on Fox Kids, but is not renewed for a second
season. |
2002
Ultimate MUSCLE toys hit shelves ushering in a whole new
generation of Kinnikuman fans, as well as stirring up new
interest in M.U.S.C.L.E. collecting
Early 2005
The decision is made to shut down the M.P.S. The site
is handed over to another collector with the express agreement to
redesign it, and keep it running. |
February 2005
Black hole sunshine M.U.S.C.L.E. sells for a jaw dropping $900.00 on e-bay |
June 2005
Darrin's MUSCLE Dojo is launched. The site resembled
the old M.P.S. and focuses on other other toy lines in addition
to M.U.S.C.L.E. |
Dec 2006
The M.U.S.C.L.E. Guild is launched. Taking a cue from
The M.U.S.C.L.E. Dojo, this new site focused on M.U.S.C.L.E.,
various toy lines of all kinds, video games, and a few other non
toy related venues. |
February 2007
The AKIA message boards evolve into "LittleRubberGuys.com" |
October 2007
The M.U.S.C.L.E. Championship Wrestling web-site comes live
after an eight year hiatus! |
NOVEMBER 2007
The M.U.S.C.L.E. Preservation Society is reborn. After
two unfocused attempts to bring excitement back to The
M.U.S.C.L.E. hobby, Darrin Vindiola decides to bring back The
M.P.S. The new site is rebuilt from scratch with a heavy
focus on the history of the hobby.
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