- The Entertainment Earth/TRU exclusives are now on sale on the TRU website–here’s the link. HOWEVER: Rodimus is already sold out, and the Bizarro vs. Faker pack isn’t listed, apparently because it “missed the boat.” That’s what my pal at SDCC was told by the booth operators. Whether that means it will show up later in the ‘con, or not for another three to five weeks, is not something I know.
- Mattel posted another MOTUC list. This one seems pretty obviously fake–Zombie Randor? Gwildor? Lodar? And Slime Pit He-Man as the exclusive, when we’ve been told the sub exclusive isn’t a He-Man variant?–but the odd thing is that one redacted bit after Sweetbee. Who redacts a fake list? Anyway, I have some limited knowledge of what may or may not be coming down the pike for the rest of 2011, and this doesn’t square with that at all, so I’m calling this fake.
- There’s a “Project Photog” sticker next to Captain Glenn in the Mattel display case, including the names of the astronauts on the flight. The two that stick out to me are Mason–obviously a reference to Major Matt Mason, who, btw, would be an awesome MOTUC figure–and Bitner, a reference to Nathan Bitner, creator of Fearless Photog (who, until the lists popped up recently, was the frontrunning rumor for the 2012 sub exclusive).
- NECA had most of its Evil Dead II line on display. There are three Ashes: a one-armed version, a torn-shirt version with a chainsaw, and Deadite Ash, whom I’ve wanted a figure of forever–plus Henrietta. Sixteen-year-old Poe would have LOST. HIS. S*** over this line. I’m a bit removed from that now–and bummed by the lack of leg articulation–but I’ll be buying every single Evil Dead II figure NECA makes.
- You can also see the NECA Robocop behind that Henrietta–he looks pretty good.
- I have to wonder, is it awkward shilling products for a failed blockbuster like Green Lantern at SDCC after the movie has come out? Still, Parallax looks awesome.
- One of the bizarre things I’ve seen was the 1970s’-colors Arkham City Batman. It’s a TRU exclusive you get when you buy the game there, so I assume it’s going to be a skin in the game, too. Is it me, or is that head placed much better on the body than the regular version?
- Possibly the best thing I’ve seen out of the show so far is the evidence that there will indeed be more Futurama figures. Lrrr! Morbo! Clamps! Joey Mousepad! The Donbot! And yet…NO HEDONISM-BOT. It’s a crime we’re getting the Destructor, whom I barely remember, before Hedonism-Bot. This line cannot end without that figure.
- He is Vigo! The scourge of Carpathia!
- Hot Toys is making a 1/6th Jack Nicholson Joker and a 1/6th Burton Batmobile; I can only assume a Keaton Batman is coming. I mention this solely because it irks me we still don’t have some Movie Masters of these in 6″ scale.
- Speaking of Movie Masters, we’re also getting a figure of the Joker as he looked in the two-second scene in The Dark Knight where he dressed as a cop and shot at the mayor. Yay?
- Mezco’s making a new Earthworm Jim figure. Weird, but cool. Oh, and it looks like there’s an Uncharted 3 Drake figure next to him. Square Enix is making a figure of Drake, too. Not sure I need one of those, but unless the Mezco one has articulated legs, of the two I’ll take Square’s.
- Any photos that weren’t links to other sites were taken by Rustin Parr. Thanks Rustin!
Odds ‘n Ends > July 19, 2011
- Mattel announced its 2012 subscriptions: Club Eternia, Club Ecto-1, and the new Club Lion Force. (Is anyone else kind of amazed that Club Ecto-1 is still going?) Anyway, the Club Eternia sub includes a $60 item, and there’s a lot of speculation as to what that is. Many are suggesting Granamyr, though personally I’m hoping for Tyrantisaurus Rex. (Remember, vehicles–such as the Battle Ram–won’t be included in the subscription.) A three-figure army builder pack, or some sort of multi-part figure like Modulok, is also possible.
- Mattel allegedly has five big MOTU-related announcements at SDCC…at least I think it’s five, I’ve lost track. Many people are assuming Mattel will announce the Filmation rights, though Toyguru has tried to tamp those rumors down. While Filmation rights would definitely be the shot in the arm this line needs, I can’t say I’m that certain we’ll see them. It also leaves four other announcements.
- I’m trying to decide how to cover SDCC this year. What would you guys like? Up-to-the-second links to other people’s coverage and pics (since I’m not there), reflective posts on reveals, or both?
- Don’t forget, you’ll be able to order all the TRU exclusives, including the Faker/Bizarro pack, on TRU’s website. It’s not clear when exactly items will become available, aside from “when the show starts,” so I’d recommend checking that page frequently.
- So what are you most excited about at this year’s SDCC? It can be toy-related or otherwise. Personally I’m curious what new reveals we’ll get regarding Batman Arkham City, if any–perhaps a new character? I’m hoping for Nightwing in the challenge modes, at least.
Ask Mattel > Answers for July 15
1.) Mario asks: In regards to the Voltron subscription, will the frequency of figures released be closer to MOTUC or Ghostbusters, & what will the price point be?
You will just need to wait for SDCC to find out all the details.
2.) Snarf! Snarf! asks: Regarding the “little guys” in MOTUC… Figures that would be smaller than a regular figure but larger than a “Pack-in” character” (Guys like Gwildor or Rotar and Twistoid) if/when they’re available, will they come single carded (with plenty of accessories to compensate for the smaller size) or will they come in Multi-fig packs like the GL 3 pack of “little guys”? (more…)
Happy Clawful Day!
OK, the phrase “happy Clawful day” sounds kind of funny–like “have a happy awful day!” Heheheh…sigh. Some days you’re just not on.
Anyway, today is the day you can get your own Animal Clawful action figure. Also on sale:
- Buzz-Off
- JLU Stripe
- DCUC Super Powers Stands
And don’t forget the massive All-Star sale! (more…)
Ask Mattel > Answers for July 1, 2011
1.) Zach asks: Many fans, myself included, purchased all four of the Ghostbusters (including slimed Peter) when they were first released. None of these Ghostbusters came with a proton stream accessory. When will fans be able to purchase a set of 4 proton streams to go with our Ghostbusters figures?
No, there are no plans to offer the Proton Streams right now outside of that Peter figure. For the Ghostbusters line the accessories are often a selling point for the figures so we will not offering them in another format at this time.
2.) wilyjeff asks: Hasbro has clearly found a winning method of producing 3.75″ figures that are fun, detailed, highly articulated, loaded with accessories, and affordable, across both their own properties (G.I. Joe) and licensed ones (Marvel), that appeal to kids and collectors alike. Does Mattel pay attention to the production and/or marketing strategies of its competition in the boy’s action figure aisle? (more…)
Odds ‘n Ends > June 20, 2011
- Mattycollector is having a “Mad Matty Monday” next week on the 27th. The idea is for $40, you get three items that exceed the $40 value. There’s a DC set, a MOTU set, and a Ghostbusters set. One thing to keep in mind is that the third item in the MOTU set could be display stands, and the DC set could contain JLU items as well as DCUC items. I’ll be curious to see how these do. I suspect the MOTU sets will sell out fairly quickly.
- Figure previews around the Web: Pixel Dan reviews Clawful, Megator and Young Justice Robin; Fwoosh has SDCC Movie Masters Kilowog and DCUC Series 17.
- Saw X-Men: First Class this weekend, and quite enjoyed it. I think Marvel and its licensors may have made a mistake by not giving more credit to this flick, though admittedly there aren’t many toy-friendly designs in it–maybe diamond Emma Frost, Mystique, and Beast. Much has been made of January Jones’ mediocre acting, and here’s my contribution: she reminded me of Gwyneth Paltrow’s role in the fake Austin Powers movie (as “Dixie Normous”) in Goldmember.
- The site redesign proceeds apace. We’re getting closer to the big relaunch, but we’re not quite there yet. It’s looking good, though.
Happy Faceless One Day!
On a scale of 1 to 10, how excited are you for the Faceless One? For Battleground Teela? I’m a 4 on FO, 9 on BG Teela. That said, my excitement for BG Teela is less about the figure itself and more about the fact that she’s a figure from the 3-issue DC miniseries, my favorite piece of MOTU fiction.
Faceless One, though…for some reason I just can’t excited about him. Maybe that’ll change when I have him in hand.
This month we’ve also got:
- Slime Blower Winston – pretty tempted by this, actually, but it’ll be a last-minute decision.
- Retro Action John Stewart – afro included!
- Reissues of Grizzlor and Whiplash
On another note, let me tell you yet another Tale of Mattycollector Woeâ„¢. The credit card I’ve used for the site for years was about to expire, so when I got the new one I logged on to the Mattycollector website and carefully updated my payment information. That’s all–no change to my shipping or billing address, not even a new card number. Just a change of expiration date.
So then I get my renewal email…which referred to me by my mother’s name, and told me it was using my parents’ house as my billing address. (more…)
Ask Mattel > May 1 Edition
Damn, I love that art.
Anyway, it’s time for another round of Ask Mattel. (I refuse to acknowledge a corporate mascot by name, nor pretend he actually exists.) My thoughts are in the blue boxes/captions. –PG
1.) Poe asks: Are there any plans to do more Arkham City figures beyond Batman and Two-Face in the Batman: Legacy line?
Yes. We’ll have the next wave at SDCC to show off.
Awesome.
2.) Toyman2581 asks: What is up with those strange yellow lanterns that come with all the Sinestro Corps figures in DCUC and DC Retro action? In the comics, all the yellow lanterns look just like the green ones. (more…)
King Hssss Day
It’s King Hssss Day! If you’re still undecided about whether to order him, why not read my review?
Also on sale today:
- Battle Armor Skeletor
- Vinz Clortho
- Princess Adora (reissue)
- Count Marzo (reissue)
- Evil-lyn (reissue)
- Grayskull stands
And here’s the link to the all-in-one page.
Some collectors have been saying three reissues in one month is too much–mostly because it’s a financial burden. I see their point. But, does Mattel have an obligation to space out the reissues to help collectors manage their money better? I would think that as long as the reissues all sold, it’s a moot point; but perhaps multiple reissues favors the wealthier collectors?
Review > Winston Zeddemore (Retro Action Real Ghostbusters, Mattel)
We’re having an unofficial Review Week here at PGPoA (I don’t know why it has to be unofficial since it’s my own website…look, never mind), so let’s move on to the next one: Retro Action Real Ghostbusters (RARG) Winston Zeddemore!
I’m not going to go into my spiel about my general feelings on Mego-style figures–you can read that in my Flash/Captain Cold review from yesterday.
Instead, let’s talk about Mattel’s handling of the Ghostbusters line. Mattel recently stated they would not be making any 6″ Real Ghostbusters figures in their Ghostbusters Classics line, so for RGB fans, the Retro Action line is the only game in town (well, not really). (more…)