They didn't release He-ro or Zodac as a nod to diehard fans as you imply... these are the characters that can re-use existing parts/ molds, making them cheaper to produce.
He-Ro is without a doubt a nod to die-hard fans. He has a new head, new forearms, new lower legs, new feet, new armour, a new 'loincloth' and a new weapon, none of which are explicitly reusable parts.
So did anyone else buy a September-December subscription?