June 13, 2022 – Funko Buys Mondo. One of the most well known pop culture lifestyle brands, Funko, announced today that it has acquired the...
June 13, 2022 – Funko Buys Mondo. One of the most well known pop culture lifestyle brands, Funko, announced today that it has acquired the high-end pop culture company that creates vinyl records, posters, soundtracks, toys, apparel, books, board games and other collectibles.
This is a big step in synergy and relevance for the company. Funko touts that its goal is to continue to invest in its strategic growth initiatives of maximizing the core business, diversifying the revenue base, growing its Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) channel, and extending its reach into international markets. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, and the Company does not expect the acquisition to have a material impact on its financial performance in 2022.
Mondo is the publisher of, among many other things, the unmatched fighting system. This board game staple that was originally released in 2019 has released versions: Battle of Legends, Volume One (2019), Robin Hood vs. Bigfoot (2019), Bruce Lee (2019), Cobble & Fog (2020), Jurassic Park – InGen vs Raptors (2020), Buffy the Vampire Slayer (2020), Little Red Riding Hood vs. Beowulf (2020), Deadpool (2021), Battle of Legends, Volume Two (2022), Jurassic Park – Dr. Sattler vs. T. Rex, Redemption Row (2022), Hell’s Kitchen (2022) and a few more rumored editions to come soon.
Unmatched is a highly asymmetrical miniature fighting game for two or four players. Each hero is represented by a unique deck designed to evoke their style and legend. Tactical movement and no-luck combat resolution create a unique play experience that rewards expertise, but just when you’ve mastered one set, new heroes arrive to provide all new match-ups.
Combat is resolved quickly by comparing attack and defense cards. However, each card’s unique effects and a simple but deep timing system lead to interesting decisions each time. The game also features an updated version of the line-of-sight system from Tannhäuser for ranged attacks and area effects.
Mondo was founded in 2001 by Rob Jones and Tim League and was a subsidiary of Alamo Drafthouse Cinema prior to the acquisition by Funko.
“Mondo’s devoted fan base and high-end pop culture collectibles make it the perfect complement to Funko’s current portfolio of brands. By leveraging our international distribution and licensing network, we feel well-positioned to expedite the growth of the Mondo brand,” said Chief Executive Officer Andrew Perlmutter. “It’s an exciting opportunity to couple Mondo’s already stellar product assortment and aesthetic with Funko’s massive property library.”
Based in Austin, Texas, Mondo is best known for its limited-edition vinyl records and screen-printed posters, which focus on bringing art back to music and cinema through collaborations with acclaimed artists.
As for the board game business, this does mean a wider distribution network to some beloved titles so it looks like that is a good thing for consumers. Time will tell.
What do your think of the news that Funko buys Mondo, creator of The Unmatched Series? Let us know in the comments below!