Odds ‘n Ends > Toy Fair 2008 Edition

Man, where to start? Lots of interesting news coming out of Toy Fair this year.

ODD: In addition to test shots of waves two and three, Mattel showed off two figures from the fourth wave of DC Universe Classics: Wonder Woman (as expected) and Cyborg. It’s interesting to note that both designs are more “classic” than “modern,” particularly Cyborg’s. I imagine the reason for the focus on more classic designs is that Mattel considers DCUC a collector-oriented line, so there’s not the same need to push up-to-the-minute new looks as it is with kids’ lines (since you don’t want the kid to look at the figure and say, “that’s not Cyborg!”). Since you’re cashing in on collector nostalgia, the classic look makes sense. That said, I think both figures look beautiful, and I’m very happy they’ve sculpted a new “buck” (generic body type) for Wonder Woman and future superheroines. (Hey, who had his thumb on Sinestro’s groin?)

END: For several reasons (particularly the rise of petroleum prices and, hence, the cost of plastic), small figure lines are in vogue, and Mattel isn’t going to be left behind. They offered a peek at their Infinite Heroes DC line. With figures like Commissioner Gordon and Gotham City cops right off the bat, it looks like this line will be going deep into the DC Universe. Fans initially thought they were looking at protos for DCUC and went nuts–until the wet-blanket types reminded them Mattel had said they wouldn’t be showing anything from DCUC beyond the “major character” (Wonder Woman) from wave four.

ODD: To wrap up the Mattel discussion, it appears that the four figures in 6″ Dark Knight “Hyper Assortment” will be Batman, the Joker, a Gotham City thug, and a figure of Batman as he appeared in the Scarecrow’s hallucination in Batman Begins. I prefer the BB outfit to the new one, so I may just swap the heads once I get the figures.

END: While the comic-based line may be on indefinite hiatus, Mezco is going all-out for their Hellboy 2: The Golden Army. They’ve got 7″ figures and even a 4″ line. Of course, their headliner this year is Heroes.

ODD: NECA continues to score just about any movie or videogame license they can get their hands on. They showed off the first figure in their Conan the Barbarian line (love the cannibal stew parts on the base!); the Dread Pirate Roberts from The Princess Bride; test shots of their upcoming Mirage-based TMNT line; Gears of War; and new Cult Classics figures from The Exorcist, Beetlejuice(!) and Grindhouse. (Do you realize it’s been twenty years since Beetlejuice came out? Man, I feel old.)

END: If the line can survive, it looks like Toynami has some great plans for Futurama, including Santa Claus and the New Justice Team. Love the interchangeable eyes on Bender.

ODD: While American Gladiators’s Titan showed up at the Hasbro booth to promote a new NERF gun, there was no sign of anyone having gotten the license for AG action figures. Well, fingers crossed.

END: And the award for Most Gruesome Figure goes to NECA’s Gears of War Locust, who comes with an alternate “sniper headshot splatter” head. Jesus.