Poe’s note: Inspired by this.
Want a clear visor for DCUC Eradicator?
OK, I realize there are going to be a few comments about how you couldn’t even find an Eradicator (thanks again, Walmart). But for those who did, you were probably disappointed he didn’t come with the clear visor that was shown in the prototype photos, and had earlier been included with the DC Direct figure.
While the DCD figure’s visor apparently makes for a perfect swap, the figure isn’t that much cheaper on eBay than the DCUC one. But there may be hope!
An enterprising customizer who calls himself Darkov (HotShot on the Fwoosh), who mostly works on reproduction Transformers parts, has cast the Eradicator visor in clear yellow. You can see the final product in the photo at the top.
His initial run was only 10 visors, which he sold for $5 each shipped. Fortunately, I was able to get in on that first run, but interest was so high he’s going to make more. If you’re interested in getting one, send him an email.
Poe’s Point > Distribution timeline of a typical DCUC wave
Today the online retailer from whom I ordered DCUC Wave 7 informed me the figures had not yet arrived and are still a few weeks away.
According to a post on the Fwoosh, the first official sighting of the Wave 7 figures at retail was on January 31. Here’s a timeline of how recent (non-exclusive) DCUC waves seem to break down, distribution-wise.
- Week 1: Figures are found at a few random Midwestern Walmarts and/or California Targets. Photos posted online within hours. Collectors nationwide, including me, immediately waste a cumulative fortune in gasoline fruitlessly driving around to multiple stores looking for them.
- Week 2: Figures continue to trickle into Midwestern Walmarts and/or California Targets. Collectors continue to waste gas.
- Week 3: Figures begin to pop up on eBay, where they’re sold for a 300% markup. Figures continue to trickle in to Walmarts and Targets. On forums, collectors start to complain they’ll never find the figures.
- Week 4: As collectors began to harass online retailers, Mattel ships some fraction of the cases ordered to online retailers, who then have to wait for the balance of the shipments. Figures have now trickled out a decent number of major retailers (except in Massachusetts, of course). Collectors who have the figures start complaining about quality control; collectors who don’t have them complain about distribution.
- Week 5: Mattel informs online retailers that rest of the shipments are en route. Collectors who have pre-ordered online start buying or trading for the figures anyway.
- Week 6: Finally, online retailers receive the balance of their orders.
- Week 7: Collectors who ordered online receive their orders.
- Week 14: Figures show up at retail in Massachusetts.
- Week 15: Next wave of figures is found at a few random Midwestern Walmarts and/or California Targets.
Mind you, the impatience of collectors (my own included) is as much at fault as the erratic distribution.
Pic of the Day
Cold Talk by Noisydvl5
Mattel Q&A roundup
My own Mattel Q&As will resume with the next round, but here’s a roundup of the Q&As from yesterday. I’ll add any I missed as I come across them.
More DCUC mold re-uses
Noisydvl5 over at the FANtastic Exclusive Fourm [sic] has put up a post asking for possible easy re-uses for existing DCUC molds. The Horsemen posted their support for the thread, so if you’ve got any ideas, go check it out.
I wrote something on this topic last week, but I stuck to the Gentleman Ghost/Joker body for that one. There was another one I had in mind, though, and I used the FE post to mention it: Doctor Destiny. He’s a Justice League villain who looks very similar to a certain Evil Lord of Destruction (although Destiny came first), but he’s probably well known enough to show up in DCUC, particularly since he made an appearance in the recent Justice League animated series. The character himself is cool, but I’ll admit his real appeal to me is his color scheme and similarity to Skeletor.
Here are a couple photos of Doctor Destiny, followed by my Photoshopped version of a potential DCUC version. Mine is mostly a repainted Red Tornado, with the tunic bottom of Darkseid and the head of MOTUC Skeletor.
Toy review roundup (via Fanmode)
Poe Ghostal reviews the Mattel Masters of the Universe Classics Stratos Mattycollector.com exclusive figure. Excerpt: “…. he looks a lot better with the wings in front of his arms.”
Michael Crawford reviews the Mattel Masters of the Universe Classics Stratos Mattycollector.com exclusive figure. Excerpt: “While Stratos might have his own individual problems, I have to say that this line is a tremendously fun series of toys.”
Michael Crawford (part 2) reviews the Sideshow Collectibles Indiana Jones Dr. René Belloq Sideshow exclusive 1/6-scale figure from Raiders of the Lost Ark. Excerpt: “Perhaps more interesting than the figure itself is the Fertility Idol Environment that the exclusive version came with.” (more…)
Review > (Return of) Superman (DC Universe Classics)
After his unfortunate accident, I was forced to replace my red-and-blue Superman figure from DCUC Wave 6. Fortunately, the new one I traded for is in working order. (Thanks to anti-hero from the Fwoosh for the trade.)
A few years ago, in a rare rave review of the DC Super Heroes Superman figure, I wrote: “This is everything an action figure should be, and the Four Horsemen and Mattel should be proud.” I stand by the latter part, but it turns out I was perhaps a bit wrong on the first part. As good as DCSH Superman was, he could be even better. Unfortunately, DCUC hasn’t quite gotten there yet. (more…)
Poe’s Point > Some DCUC Repaint/Retool Possibilities
Apologies for the awkward title, but I couldn’t think of a better way to explain what I mean. Everyone knows that a big part of what allows Mattel to produce such a diverse selection of DC Universe characters in their DCUC line (however difficult said figures may be to find at times) is that most figures re-use molds from previous figures; that is, Batman and Superman have the same basic body structure in their torso, shoulders, and thighs, but Batman has his spiked gauntlets, scalloped cape and capsule belt while Superman has his spare belt, streamlined boots and squared-off cape.
A fun game that’s emerged among DCUC fans is to guess what figures will be made from existing body molds. For instance, just about everyone knew that Gentleman Ghost was based on the same body type as the inevitable Joker figure (in fact, the body mold was created with this in mind). While the line has two or three “skintight spandex superhero” bodies that can be used for any number of heroes and villains, what I’m more interested in is the unique shapes–like that of Gentleman Ghost/Joker. (more…)
Stratos and Adam Strange/Starfire almost sold out
According to Mattel’s Facebook page, Stratos and the Adam Strange/Starfire two-pack are almost sold out, so if you’ve been holding off on ordering, now’s the time.
And now, may I say–Stratos is almost sold out? In four days? Really? Stratos? Wow. I mean, I’m sure he wasn’t produced in the same sort of numbers as Skeletor, but jeez…I guess the ol’ flying monkey man has more fans that any of us realized.
That, or MOTUC is really picking up in popularity, and collectors have learned their lesson about not waiting too long to order.