We take a brief break from Bat-Week for some Mattel answers.
1.) Many fans still love the original Batman sculpt the Four Horsemen did for the 2003 Batman line (i.e., “Zipline” Batman). The Four Horsemen still have their prototype, which shows the intended high level of articulation. Is there any chance of getting that figure with retooled, DCUC-level articulation (including double-elbows and double-knees)?
Always possible. Nothing is planned at this time but with a new Batman film on the horizon we will clearly be looking at ways to get out more collector Batman figs and this would be a cool figure to explore.
2.) misterbigbo asks: Have you considered producing the FHM’s mini-masters and distributing them as blind-box items? They could be sold on Mattycollector individually or by the case, or to comic/specialty shops. Lego’s recent success with minifigs is interesting, but the price point is key.
We are still reviewing possible execution for the Mini Masters. We know fans like em! To manage expectations, do not expect them any earlier then 2013.
3.) Shawn asks: Why were the All-Star Sale items marked as “Sold Out” on August 1st, the day of the post-SDCC Sale, then put back up for sale the day after? People who wanted to buy All-Star Sale items and SDCC items together to save on shipping costs were unable to, and were forced to pay extra shipping costs if they placed an order on August 1st or the SDCC items, and then another order on a following day for the All-Star items they originally wanted together.
It was an error, which is why they were quickly put back on sale.
4.) APJ asks: DCUC wave 9 Green Arrow and MOTUC Bow both were plagued by having long bows with arrows that were molded or sculpted way too short to be posed being pulled back on a bowstring. Was this fixed for DCUC wave 20 Red Arrow and Green Arrow by finally giving them long arrows? It’s hard to tell by the photography given, and I would hate to see the same mistake not fixed on now four consecutive archer figures.
The arrows on these figures are accurate to the size/scale of the quiver that the character wears in the comics.
5.) Heli asks: You recently made a post to provide some additional information regarding Club Infinite Earths, wherein you noted that the online club would be the source for females. Based on, admittedly, anecdotal evidence, it seems that the notion that females don’t sell in a boys action figure line is an outdated one. With the exception of Yarna in the Star Wars line (who was extremely obscure and not action-oriented), no female figure ever seems to linger on the pegs. Is there actual evidence that females sell poorly, or just 40-year-old “well, everybody KNOWS it’s true” kind of data?
Our goal is to create figures that will appeal to our consumers. In 2012 the product at retail and in Club Infinite Earths will be characters that we feel will work best in each of those channels…male, female, or other!
BubbaShelby
Just for fun, I ran the answers through Babelfish – strangely enough they do have a 'Matty to English' option!
Always possible. Nothing is planned at this time but with a new Batman film on the horizon we will clearly be looking at ways to get out more collector Batman figs and this would be a cool figure to explore.
Translation: Wait, what? They already tooled that, and we didn't release it? Do you know how much we can save (and profit) by releasing it with TDKR branding! Imma gonna go run and tell my boss right now!
We are still reviewing possible execution for the Mini Masters. We know fans like em! To manage expectations, do not expect them any earlier then 2013.
Translation: Wait, did you say 'price point is key'? So does that mean you WON'T pay thirty six dollars (plus shipping) each? How much are those Lego figures anyways? Less than four bucks?!?! We haven't sold a product for less than four bucks since 1968 (not counting Hotwheels of course.) Forget about it, kid.
It was an error, which is why they were quickly put back on sale.
Translation: You aanswered your own question when you said 'People who wanted to buy All-Star Sale items and SDCC items together…were forced to pay extra shipping costs…' That's just how we roll.
The arrows on these figures are accurate to the size/scale of the quiver that the character wears in the comics.
Translation: It isn't the size of the arrow, it's how you shoot it. At least, that's what Mrs. Matty keeps telling me.
Our goal is to create figures that will appeal to our consumers. In 2012 the product at retail and in Club Infinite Earths will be characters that we feel will work best in each of those channels…male, female, or other!
Translation: Girls do not respect Matty (see 'small arrow' response above for reason why,) therefore Matty does not respect girls. You want a girl toy, check our fine line of Barbie products next time you shop at your favorite retailer.
Monkey boy
That line about the all star sales…that’s a huge mistake if that’s the case, one that I hope someone got fired over as it seems it would cost Mattel sales. However, mattys ass backwards logic probably thinks its fans are loyal enough to place two separate orders. And sadly maybe they’re right.
Heli
Hey! My question got asked. And… uh, kinda answered, I guess.
They seem to be saying that female doesn't necessarily equal "online only," but I'm not quite sure.
Of course, there's still been no announcement, to my knowledge, about whether CIE is even going to happen, so maybe they're just trying to keep their options open.
misterbigbo
Thanks for asking my question, Poe, and thanks for managing my expectations Mattel.
It makes me think of the kid working at the sub shop I went to for lunch yesterday. He was alone, and I remember how tough that could be, but he also worked on one order at a time. As a result, it took almost 45mins for my buddies and I to get lunch, when the kid could have had a few orders running simultaneously. It’s nice that Mattel is all but confirming these little guys will be made, but the inability to multitask may put the Mini Masters frying pan in the fire long after it’s gone cold.
fengschwing
Note to self: Next time ask Mattel for approx size of character quivers, then get calculator and slide rule out…
I think Clark has accurately answered that question for us.
clark
So, a more straight-forward answer to APJ "No, the arrows are still going to be too short to pose with the bow."
And what's that about the all star figures going off sale by accident? Don't tell me that Digital River has problems with that website. I'm shocked…
Great question to start this set off. I would love to see that older Batman sculpt re-released with better articulation. He is downright the best looking batman sculpt there has been so far.
Off topic but, Poe, if you did not see "The Inside Story: Jaws" on the biography channel then you need to set your DVR. If jaws is your favorite movie then you'd love this two hour making of documentary.
Poe Ghostal
I'll be sure to check it out. I'm still waiting for "The Shark is Still Working" to come out on DVD…
Dead Man Walking
Power Girl lingered a ton (DCUC), but I do agree that the idea that female figures don't see is ridiculous. Female figures are often the hardest to find in a wave. I know part of this is because they are often short-packed, but the ridiculous prices they sell for on ebay show that demand is greater than the toy companies think.
Dead Man Walking
* don't sell
wait, how the hell do we edit these or use rich text?
Newton Gimmick
Wonder Woman was a pretty slow seller as well… But not as bad as Cyborg!
I'm most amazed at the answer for All-Star sale. Was that really a mistake? It's hard to believe, but it's certainly possible. However that would go down as one of the biggest blunders of all time on MattyCollector if it truly was a mistake.
Heli
After Captain Cold, I'm sure they realize that the REAL slow sellers are arctic-themed figures. You have only to look as far as Arctic Destro Headquarters, aka the GI Joe pegs.