Oh, Mattel, you almost had me.
I innocently scrolled up Twitter to see what was shaking. Following a few links, I discovered what appears to be Mattel-made action figures of Keaton Batman. Having completely forgotten I had already heard about this, for a moment I thought I was looking at a 6″ Movie Masters Keaton Batman.
But no, it was just the previously-announced 4″ figures. Still, kind of exciting, I guess.
Click the photo or this link to see photos of the other figures, including General Zod and Superman from Superman II, the Penguin and Catwoman from Batman Returns. The sculpts look great, it’s just…so small.
Mattel also revealed some new Masters of the Universe items, including MOTUC Extendar:
Pretty neat. Mattycollector will also be offering more MOTUC Minis, including Battle Armor He-Man and Skeletor, Moss Man, Mer-Man and a build-a-mini-Castle-Grayskull. It looks like these figures are a bit smaller than the SDCC versions, however, which seems odd.
Kenneth
I actually don't mind the scale, since I collect 3.5 / 4 inch figures too. If these were cool, I'd be all over 'em.
But I'm pretty sure articulation on these is still gonna be pretty weak. They look like they've got less than the 6' DCUC figures.
And, for the record, Hasbro's GI Joe and MU figures have been largely ahead of the DCUC figures in terms of articulation and sculpting, for the longest time.
Ah, Mattel. The only steps you ever take are steps back.
Zach
It's gotta be a Matty cash grab: release the figures fans have been clamoring for so long in a smaller, cheaper scale, we'll obviously pay whatever obscene accessory-less price they wind up charging for these, then we'll get the 4HM sculpted movie master versions we wanted in the first place and end up buying these things twice.
It's too bad Hasbro isn't releasing these. Mattel has no business making figures in this scale.
BStu78
Man, those 4" figures are so infuriating. I have been collecting 6" movie superheroes dating back to Spider-Man 1 and I have no interest in a new scale. The sculpt work looks fantastic, but what I've loved about my collection is being able to mostly pose them all together, from ToyBiz, Hasbro, and Mattel. It's so frustrating to see them tackle the movies from my childhood but be so collector unfriendly with it. This scale has always seen really trashy, subpar figures right through Man of Steel. Why reverse course and focus on it for something that will mostly appeal to collectors, not the kids at Target. There is a place for both, but this is mixing messages in the worst way.
ridureyu
Well, if they're done well (they won't be), they will match up with Marvel's 4" offerings…
Zach
They won't be. Why is there relief on Reeves' 'S'? They clearly still have no idea what they are doing.
Enigma_2099
and probably cost just as much. Which is part of the problem.
Ridureyu
They can't be as bad as those Injustice figures.
http://nerditis.com/2013/08/30/life-in-plastic-to…
Mark
Extendar…….well played Mattel.
Enigma_2099
To be fair, these look a LOT better than the first batch of 4 inchers we were marketed when the downsizing thing started….
… I just don't want 'em.
Kevin
Oh man, did they mess up Julie Newmar?
Dead Man Walking
You're really missing out by not collecting 4", Poe. I mean first, Hasbro has absolutely knocked it out of the park with sculpting. Not EVERY figure, but, I mean, look at this Hulk: http://thefwoosh.com/2013/09/hasbro-marvel-univer…. Or look at this Joe: http://thefwoosh.com/2013/10/hasbro-g-i-joe-retal…
Second, the articulation is often on par with, and sometimes better than 6". You can't tell in this picture, but I own this same Storm Shadow, and even in that deep of a pose, he can keep both feet FLAT on the ground: https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/…
Third, they take up less space.
Fourth, it looks way more epic when you pair them with really large figures: http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2780/4085494759_223…
compared to: http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j140/EViLDeCePT…
Fourth, more vehicles and playsets.
I am a devoted 6" collector, but in no way am I like an X-Box/PS3 fanboy who thinks there is only room for one or the other.
Monte
I agree with everything you just said. I especially love pairing them with large monster toys and such. So much photo potential.
Also: Holy crap I'm gonna get a Joe-scale Michael Keaton Batman figure!!!!
00rz00
Very true DMW- I really enjoy collecting all scales, but my first love (and sad obsession) is the 3 3/4 stuff. I really like having a bit of everything.
Click on my name and keep an eye out for my blog, which will focus mostly on 3 3/4 inch figures when it launches in a few weeks.
Poe Ghostal
Since getting interested in Star Wars Black, I've been looking at a few of the 3.75" SW toys. Every so often I pick up the "best" versions of my favorite characters. So far the only thing I've bought is the 2004 Original Trilogy vintage-style Han Solo, but I'm planning to nab the Chewbacca and the Boba Fett from that wave as well.
After seeing the new Power Lords figures in person, there's a good chance I'll be collecting all of those as well…
That said, my heart still and, I think, will always belong to 6".
00rz00
I am loving the 4" DC movie guys (of course 😉 ) – but it is very strange that they're not doing them in 6-inch at this time. Maybe it has to do with the licences to Hot Toys or Sideshow. Or maybe the greed has caught up and they realize they can use 50% less resources and charge roughly the same price for a much less expensive product to produce…
Whatever the reason, it's confusing to customers. You have a 6" West Batman and a 4" Keaton Batman, arguably two of the more popular versions of Batman that millions of customers know and want, that kind of can't be used together. Why not make comics 4" and movies 6"? Mattel could have gotten fans in on a double dip of sorts in 2013 (finishing out the 6-inch line, and getting many to start collecting the 4 inch line) but, like Star Wars Black, it's too damn confusing. A 6" Keaton/Nicholson set and a 6" Ward/West set would be great Essentials for matty.com over the holidays.
I collect most 3.75" so these little guys are right up my alley, and I'll probably be completist with them like I was Infinite Heroes for a while. But I feel for the DCUC collectors, it's a little ridiculous to snub the fans when they've been asking for these since the DCUC line started!