It’s Roboto Day. In honor, I present you with this massive scan of the incredibly awesome Earl Norem Roboto poster. Click on the poster for the really big version. I spent hours slaving over a hot Photoshop to fix this thing up–it had fold creases crossing both axes and glare from the industrial-sized scanner I used–so you’d better appreciate it.
Will Backwards-Shoulders-Gate affect Roboto’s sales? Will any MOTUC collectors who don’t visit related websites have any idea Roboto’s shoulders are reversed? For the answers to these and other questions, tune in to next week’s exciting episode of Danger Mouse!
Awsome Roboto poster – thank you Mr Poe-Shizzle
I love you Mr. Ghostal.
=)
I'm getting Roboto in the sub, but I'm staying up late to attempt to get the Zodac that I missed out on the first time…
That is a really awesome picture. I love the head on that Roboto. The red jaw piece looks really good.
Holding out for a corrected re-release. Guess I got the month off!
My order went through smoothly.
@Too-Man-E-Faces: Me too!
That was borderline effortless!
Kudos to Mattel and Digital River for the improved ordering experience this month!
I just had a look at the poster and I have to say that the artwork is great, especially as regards Roboto's head. If the actual figure was skulped like that, even I could tell his eyes and mouth apart.
Yup, went down smooth, as the beer commercials say (even though I don't drink). If Matty and DR truly did fix things, props to them.
Great poster!!!
I got the tracking number for my sub, so he's on the way, reversed shoulders and all. At first I wasn't too bothered by it, but looking at the big picture, its just another screw up in a line of screw ups, but you can only overlook it for so long.
A friend put it best, there's only so many free passes before you're the toy collecting equivalent of the batterd girlfriend who keeps making up excuses and saying that he will change.
I don't think anyone did any improvements… I think most people aren't bothering. I just ordered roboto, but frankly, I'm mad at myself for it. I just love the character, and I really don't know if they will do a rerelease, since I doubt he's going to sell out fast, thanks, in no small part, to their initial mistake, which I am annoyed over, as minor as it may be.
naturally, I don't think mattel will learn anything from this, either
however, I am happy I didn't have to stress over this.. I bought him a few minutes ago, using my phone.. so that was kinda cool… no stress at all.. (again, since I think many people aren't bothering)
For the record, I was willing to overlook the.reversed circuitry pattern, but once someone pointed out the gap in the biceps I opted out.
So, if we got WSOD today with only two figures available (one of them being Zodac so really only 1.25 figures), how in the name of HADES is Digital River going to handle Matty's big "Cyber Monday" <del>extravaganza</del> debacle?!
zodac gone????? i got my roboto(s) though and had no idea about the reversed shoulders!!!!
thanks for the post poe and keep up the good work!
@JediCreeper: i agree, i think a portion of the buying public opted out, DR didn't do anything different.
and i also agree that i'm kicking myself… i officially can no longer complain about those who buy crappy toys knowing ahead of time about the crap nature of said item. i am part of the problem… how did i let this happen? :p
and lastly, i agree that mattel won't learn anything, because many of us still bought the damned thing knowing it's jank.
the question now is, do i make up for my weakness in buying, by complaining about the reversed shoulders and demanding my money back or a fixed figure? i think so, it's the only way i can stay on Team Solution.
@americanhyena:
Gap in the biceps? Thats the first I've heard of this…
i just looked at pixel dans video review of roboto…. its really hard to tell for me at least… nevertheless still a nice looking figure! although production issues should be handled alot carefully the next time. especially since we have to wait a whole month for a new figure to be released!
Wow, 1 hour in and Roboto is still there and Zodac is gone! Actually Julius Marx over at actionfigureinsider.com mentioned that this Zodac release might just be leftover stock so that might account for his quick sell out.
I had Roboto in the sub so I logged on at 12:07 waited about 2 min on WSOD an ordered Zodac
I went ahead and ordered Roboto. My thoughts on this:
If folks didn't order Roboto and he hung around/didn't sell out, then Mattel could easily interpret it in whatever way they wanted: Action features not popular/ robots not popular/ etc.
If folks buy Robotos and then demand replacements due to defective product, there is no way the data can be misconstrued- there are QC issues. Enough QC issues and someone higher up is going to notice and make some adjustments.
@PrfktTear
I think it was back in Poes first article on the subject. The back of the shoulder peg is shallower I guess (to accommodate what should have been the higher tricep)
@Barbecue17: that's an idea.. maybe if they do reissue him, those that bought the first can demand a free replacement… I know I wasn't going to open him right away…
also, matty already mentioned that the zodacs were "left over customer service" pieces.. so no "the original" on the card.. it is the first release.. that's why he sold out.. I'm happy to have him and Zodak as well, they look awesome together
Just ordered mine. Don't care about the shoulders (never really noticed on the first release He-man either).
@americanhyena: That is exactly the issue, and I thought it looked quite bad on my 1st edition He-Man.
Here's my question…given the poor QC, how many Robotos have "accidentally" correct shoulders out there?
On the other hand, it would figure if this were the one time they got 100% of the shoulders exactly the same.
Roboto = Sold Out
Can't believe Zodac sold-out! Did I go to sleep and wake up in crazy town?!? I figured I'd just check in around 11 and pick him up, easy breezy. Zoinks!
So at least he sold out fast enough to warrant that re-issue.
I broke down and bought Roboto even with the switched shoulders. I feel a tad dirty and ashamed.
Funny, this will probably be the first and only time that I can order something off that site with any quickness…actually that's a lot less funny than just sad.
I somehow got lucky because my subscription charge didn't go through this month–the first time that's happened. I don't know what the issue is, because I'm not near the CC limit or anything, but it's a blessing in disguise.
Hello, Mr. Roboto-reissue!
I can't wait until the marketing text on Mattycollector.com for the Roboto reissue includes the phrase, "With corrected shoulders!"
If Mattel were at all classy, they'd at least offer subscribers a coupon for the Roboto issue. I think I'm going to start holding my breath right now. Someone call an ambulance.
Zodac sold out since he was very limited leftover stock from his first run.
What's notable about that is if Roboto gets a reissue, guess what we'll see? Same one as today. Maybe. Probably wouldn't be until a 3rd issue that a change would be made, or the 2nd run could include customer service holds from this run, resulting in a good chance of a misassembled version. I went ahead and ordered today since I didn't want to get pissed in 6 months or have to wait 2 years.
I apologize for pointing out the bicep, if anyone heard it from me and their enjoyment is affected. Someone mentioned the shoulder/torso met in an odd way, but the empty space where a tricep should be stuck out to me. I'll live with it. Or destroy the thing trying to fix it.
I ordered today at 12:15 outside of a library that was closed for some reason. With a weak signal, my order was done 2 minutes later with no WSOD. Not only was it the first time I didn't become enraged while ordering, it was the easiest, quickest order I've ever done of anything. Explaining pizza toppings over the phone is a Herculean challenge by comparison. I don't know if I should thank the site improvements or the figure error. It was awesome but unsettling, like being stressed and amped up for a fight that never happens.
I appreciate the work done on that awesome poster! Kinda wish the 4H had that as reference. They did a great job recreating the vintage head, which has always seemed a bit abstract to me, but their creative tweaks are always cool as well.
Does anyone else get a strong Star Wars vibe from that poster? I wonder if that's what Norem was going for…
@Poe
That's actually brilliant. Alot of the demands for Roboto reparations are ridiculous, but a coupon specifically for those ordering one today to be used specifically for later when these customers order the same product is so sensible that my brain hurts.
I may just try to fix mine since at this point I'll be staring at what should be a minor problem. I'll post something if I find a simple way or a farewell not if the process leaves me bleeding out through the fingers.
@FakeEyes22: The problem is that fixing him will require the dreaded cracking of the torso. It just can't be done without hurting the figure in some way.
Man, this place used to be cool, but it's sad to see it's devolved into the same tired matty-bashing you get everywhere else.
@Poe
Yup, especially with a clear torso showcasing every scratch. Imagine cracking it open, gluing it together and realizing you "pulled a Matty" and put the gears in wrong! It truly is the worst possible figure for an already impossible fix.
You can cut the inner post at one side along the inner washer, pop off the arms, and swap the shoulders. It's worked out well for customs from other lines, without glue sometimes. As a collector trained to want stuff that's both pristine and correct, that's a tough fork in the road when it comes to cutting the damn thing to fix it.
I'll see how I feel when I look at it and hope that next time they have the courtesy to reverse ANY other body part rather than the most difficult one.
@Andrew: that's what toy geeks talk about on mattycollector day… perhaps you should just avoid the intertubes on those days, you'll be happier for it, I think
@FakeEyes22: Yeah, rather than cracking the torso, I'd cut the shoulder post as you described — probably from the front, since that will become the back and that way any nicks/stretching tears in the top of the shoulder will be hidden from the front (if not hidden altogether when you glue the piece back together). I'm no master customizer and I've had success with that on DCSH customs, so it's definitely doable.
Thanks for the cleaned up poster, it looks great! I never realized what a terrible shot Roboto was… Man-At-Arms needs to work on his targeting system!
@Andrew: I can appreciate your fatigue with Matty-bashing. I've felt it often enough myself over the years, esp. in regard to MOTUC.
But Mattel just billed tens of thousands of people $30 apiece for a product with a defect that has actually occurred to this product before. They offered those subscribers no other option, no recompense, and so far, no apology. If this had happened to, say, a vacuum cleaner or child car seat, you would not be seeing this sort of response from the manufacturer.
If you really can't understand why people would be bothered by this, then you're correct, PGPoA may not the place for you. I recommend you seek out a group of extremely casual toy fans. Chances are they won't be congregating online anywhere, though, so I suggest your local comic store or Hot Topic.
I'm not trying to be mean here, but Roboto is one case where I think the complaints are perfectly justified, and I think your comment is unfair.
@Poe: YOU GO GIRLFRIEND! I mean "Poe." You hit the nail on the head: manufacturer error repeat = complaint worthy issue.
Someone call Andrew an Amber Lance!
@Andrew: I don't see any bashing going on here. I see an intelligent conversation about a defective product which Mattel knowingly released.
My initial reaction was that I didn’t really care, but Mattel’s lack of any sort of response is even more disturbing, and that is what I take issue with. You can only overlook these issues for so long. People are plopping down hard earned cash to support these lines and it seems like they’re awful cavalier about it.
If you think this is bashing, obviously you haven’t been on Matty’s Facebook page or read any of those “Make Teela’s Ass Bigger” threads.
@Poe
Yeah, I think most people agree that it's the principle of the thing. When something is made such a pain in the ass to get and is priced as an elite luxury, it is reasonable to feel insulted regardless of a problem's severity, right? It's a feeling of insult and irritation that to me seems far less severe than the rage over Panthor's head sculpt, for example.
Hell, I don't keep anything in the package, but at $20 a pop it'd be pretty crummy if the packages arrived dented.
@Andrew
At a pricey restaraunt that was tough to get into, I'd deal with it if the waiter was crap and I'd still tip. I'd be mildy irritated if my steak was slighlty undercooked. I'd eat it anyway, it would be delicious, just like I ordered and will enjoy Roboto. I still think it's reasonable to be irritated though. The steak is decent, even though I ordered one cooked thouroughly, but if this happened a few times and I asked if they'd cook it longer, I'd be bugged if the waiter shrugged and said the food was edible and the place charged me full price and told me they'd cook it entirely next time I ordered exactly the same meal. All of the other items I haven't had yet, so who knows what I'll get.
Horrible rambling metaphors aside, I will defend Poe, his commentors, and forum members as among the most reasonable and intelligent in any site that I've visited. The internet is all constant bitching I thought. I find that the complaints that arise here tend to be rational and valid.
Also… "used to be cool?" Really?
Do we still say that? Did this place used to review sportscars, hookers, and cocaine or has it always been about toy plastic dudes?
This place has never been "cool." But it is and has been excellent and fun.
Using the restaurant analogy, I agree. If there's a trendy new hotspot that everyone who is anyone is going to, sure you know you're going to have to wait. I know some people who consider it a badge of honor of sorts "oh, we waited an HOUR to get into that place, totally worth it." You're annoyed, but you do what you gotta do.
So your server is a little pissy, you had the luck of the draw and you picked the short end of the stick. Not too much you can do, just kill 'em with kindness. Still, you're out to have a good time so you don't let it bother you.
I'm not usually too picky about my food, I don't like to be a pain in the ass, and I don't like to send food back which will surely go to waste. That said, if I'm spending $30 on a steak, which I ordered medium-rare and it comes out well done, I will ever so politely send it back.
The thing with most restaurants is that people usually have high expectations when they go out to eat, and if they have one bad experience someplace, they may well never return again. Yet with Matty it’s like going back to the same restaurant, not getting quite what you ordered, and going back again and again.
@PrktTear
Thank you for translating that from whatever clumsy language I was spitting out and improving it with your clever additions.
To further it- Often times, the kitchen runs out of all ingredients, and you find this out after you've been seated. This is frustrating since every time you thought you were done waiting in line beforehand, the waiter kicks you out of your and tosses you in a new line! Today was awesome because there was no line at all and the waiter was swift, I admit. The undercooked steak brings a perfect experience down a notch, but I'm happy. Just bugged that I've been coming here so long and they still don't seem to care how I like my steak.
I suppose I could bring the establishment's clientelle into the equation, but they are generally great relatable people and get riled up only because the food is good. Some perhaps get upset that the same items aren't on the menu as the places that got knocked down years before they built this place I guess, but this hot spot is thriving on the history of this area, so I can understand.
And…Battle Cat is the men's room attendant?(alright, I'm done)
@Poe: Couldn't have said it better myself.
On a side note, I was able to order what I wanted in less than a minute without the WSOD, finishing at 12:02pm.
I took this month off, first figure I haven't tried to pick up since the beginning. Just have no interest in Roboto.
And I love how someone actually complained that subscribers/fans are voicing their irritation that Mattel has released a defective product and has made little to no effort to acknowledge or atone for this. It's one thing if you get one figure out of ten thousand that's defective. It's a little different when the entire 10,000 are all assembled incorrectly.
Holy crap guys, it seems like the Robotos arriving are pretty crummy. Some reports of sloppt paint, which is odd considering how little paint there is. So far out of the few arrivals there have been all reversed shoulders except one…which has 2 left shoulders. And the correct one doesn't even seem to fit well.
Perhaps related, several reports all over about the K-Mart Validus wave of DCUC having various problems. Chips, missing accessories, fused joints, slop. I wonder if the same factory did these around the same time. Hopefully these are isolated cases.
So how'd it go guys? This was the first month all year I didn't have to go onto Mattycollector. Man, what a feeling of euphoria that was.
In Anrews defence LOL saying 'cool' is a lot better than the constant over use of 'awesome'.