In the last few years, main stream media have embraced “geek culture”. These days, you can watch zombies decimate the human race on TV, gawk at super powered beings doing battle on the big screen and grin from ear to ear as comics regularly invade the prime time news cycle. It would seem the world is an idyllic place for someone who reports on all that could blow a geek’s mind. Sadly, some things never change, and while a great deal of companies express their love of comics, games and toys through their products and enjoy a mutual respect with their fans, there are still executives who see those same fans as nothing more than wallets to be picked clean.With that last statement fresh in your mind, I’m going to tell you a little story about a company named Mattel.
Last year, while heading back to the train from Toy Fair 2011, I was phoned up by Mattel’s legal department. Straight out of the gate, I was accused of “image theft”, which made me laugh as visions of sneaking up behind a Mattel employee and using my ninja-like thieving techniques to procure a flash drive from his back pocket labeled “The Loot!” danced through my head. I explained that I don’t even know how to go about stealing images from Mattel and since I was out on the street (and not in front of a computer), he would have to be specific as to what images he thinks I pillaged. I was told the items in question were found in an article outlining upcoming waves of Batman Legacy action figures and 2 figure packs. He explained I wasn’t supposed to have the images. I told him he shouldn’t have released them, then, as most people know 99.9% of what we post on Idle Hands (and formerly, Action-Figure.com) could be found online..somewhere. Of course, we do not openly reveal that source as we would give the competition a direct route to the goods, but we have no second thoughts about publishing something already public. As expected, his reply was something in the tone of “Oh.” I suggested, in this instance, his real problem should be with sales, as they have a tendency to send out pictures that turn up on foreign retailer websites, where we happily scoop them up. “Oh” again. It always amazes me how someone will initially come at you with righteous indignation in their voice and minutes later, after you’ve proven you are neither afraid nor a child AND are in the right, they are quickly deflated. This was the case and I returned home to a letter from my Mattel Press Rep for some years now stating simply “I don’t know what is going on, but please give legal what ever they need.”
The images in question were primarily custom figures created by some DC super fans, using Mattel figures as a base. Seeing that they were excellent ideas, Mattel (most likely) decided to make them real and used pictures of these toys for reference. Somewhere along the way, someone got a hold of these pictures and thought they were the actual figures being released and sent them out to retailers for pre-orders, where I plucked them and made it news. Having no idea these were actually someone’s (or rather a couple of someones) customs, I was surprised when toy collectors on a well known forum said I manufactured the lineups, swiped the pictures and essentially lied about the whole thing. I did have a couple of people say this is something Mattel has done before, so it is no surprise, but as usual, the voices coming to my defense were not as loud as those calling me any number of lovely names. With the reveal of the actual figures and lineups at Toy Fair, I was vindicated, but had to actually point out the fact on the very same forum myself, as no one else seemed interested in doing so. At the end of it all, Mattel’s legal department asked me to remove the images and every reference to them, which I did as a courtesy. No one from Mattel ever expressed their thanks for doing so and those from the company that post on those forums regularly said nothing in my defense. To anyone that had just read those pages when the ruckus was at its peak, I may as well have been every bit the cretin they made me out to be.
I’d say “flash forward to 2012” at this point, but I’d like to list some events that further soured me on Mattel’s business practices.
- I had two subscriptions with Mattel; one for Masters of the Universe Classics and another for Ghostbusters. We were encouraged to take on these subscriptions as not to be left out when the figures we want quickly sold out on the day of their availability. We learned that “Sold Out” was a term Mattel used very loosely, as these items would resurface some time later, and at half price. What is your reward for pre-paying for your figures and helping to keep these lines alive? Paying full, inflated prices, apparently.
- For a person attempting to cover Mattel’s toys, it has always been difficult, but at this point communication was at an all time low. There seemed to be some secret handshake involved with being a part of Mattel’s Q&A sessions that I had never learned. I certainly don’t begrudge those sites who benefit from their personal relationships with the company, but when I’m at San Diego Comic Con and am told to return to the booth no less than 6 times to get details on their toys (with 6 being the end number as I gave up after that) and I return home to see epic interviews in private rooms with the whole Mattel team…to say the least, I was frustrated.
Mattel’s smug faced mascot would come to be a focal point for the collective anger of customers being jerked around by Digital River, Mattel’s distribution company for all Mattycollector items. I personally only had one issue with them abruptly canceling my subscription, but it was quickly rectified. Other people’s issues didn’t seem to be cleared up as quickly and some still continue today. One look at the Mattycollector facebook page will tell that story.
NOW we can jump to Toy Fair 2012. I was told when the collector event would be and RSVP’d for myself and Heather Buckley. I made sure to express an interest in covering “Girl Toys” as well and since we had no problems doing so in previous years, we didn’t think twice about it. We hit the event, pushed through the throng of “geek reporters” using their iPhones as a camera to shoot the collector friendly figures and then made a B line for the room containing Barbie, Monster High and the like. Fellow writer/ photographer from Cool Toy Review, Dave Myatt, followed me in. We got a demo of Mattel’s newest kid-friendly electronic buddy and as I turned to shoot what was next, I had to grin as I faced a whole wall of new Monster High product. This is a line I was asked specifically by fans to shoot well and in great detail, and I was prepared to do just that. Little did I know, at that same moment further into the room, Dave was being taken by the arm like some child that mistakenly wandered into the back area of a magic show and was told to leave. I, on the other hand, must have been camouflaged within the group of women who were getting a presentation of the newest Monster High products and was allowed to take a handful of pictures as I talked to two nearby press reps who remembered me from some other event. Moments later, I was approached by Rachel Cooper, Manager of Public Relations, who put out her hand in a “Stop” motion as if I’d done something wrong and told me I did not belong there. I said clearly I did belong there, as her press reps know who I am! I wasn’t a stranger or a Sunday afternoon blogger who woke up one day, decided to cover the show and immediately thought I was entitled to the run of the place. I have been covering Toy Fair for over 10 years. I made an appointment and we were there…in the middle of it! She explained my place was back with the “collector press” in the other room. I explained I’d rather not be lumped with them, first off, as I cover far more than “boy’s toys”, and was asked specifically to cover this room and since we’d done so every year previous, I wasn’t sure what the problem was. At this point, two more PR reps joined the conversation, explaining that some reporter years back had ruined it for everyone when they went into a secret room and shot things they shouldn’t have. I laughed and insisted, again, that we shot EVERYTHING last year and no one had said BOO to us. In fact, it was that Barbie coverage that caused those fans to insist we shoot a ton of pictures this year. I was told I had to leave and make a NEW appointment just for that room. I laughed again and said if I leave, I will not get an appointment. Rachel assured me that if I knew my schedule at that moment, she would make a new appointment with me right then and there. We settled on 1pm on the last day of the show, and being the uber-Italian that I am, I made her shake on it.
Now it is the last day of the show. I’m having a conversation with a friend from MTV Geek who tells me they had someone cover Monster High already, but he’d love a crack at them himself to assure MTV has the best coverage possible of this insanely popular line. In my mind, there was no way Mattel was going to deny MTV access along with me, who had a legit appointment, so off we went. Mind you, I had received an email from Rachel Cooper a day or so previous, stating my appointment was now 3pm. No apology for shifting the time and the inconveniences is causes in the middle of my very packed schedule, but it was important to me, so I made adjustments…again. All day I felt odd about it. My mind told me to show up at 1 just to make sure there would be no shenanigans. I calmed myself, stressing I had far more to cover beyond Mattel and stuck to my schedule. I did show up at Mattel with my MTV friend in tow, a half hour early, just to play it safe. The woman at the desk looked disappointed for me. “Oh Paul…your appointment was at 1! I’m afraid you missed it!” I insisted it was moved to 3 and repeatedly assured her I could pull it up on my phone to prove it. After all, we live in the future. I was told it was switched back and she showed me several arrows on the page proving the jerk around. I asked if they were in the habit of changing people’s appointments without telling them and she explained I was, indeed, informed. I laughed. This was not the case. I asked her to please go back and find me Rachel Cooper, with whom I made an appointment for this time. She returned minutes later looking very unhappy. “I’m very sorry. They say your appointment was at 1 and they are now packing everything up, so there is no way you could possibly shoot anything. I’m…very sorry.” My poor receptionist looked down sheepishly, expecting to be yelled at. I told her I don’t hold her responsible for this extremely unprofessional behavior, but I wanted to confirm she was indeed told to turn away someone with a legitimate appointment, accompanied by a reporter from MTV? She said yes. She was clearly not happy about it. I told her I was sorry she had to be the one on the receiving end of this, as Rachel could not be bothered to come out and tell me herself, but treating anyone like this was beyond unprofessional. I was shocked and angered beyond further words, but what can you do? I’m not the type of person who shoots the messenger just because they are there. Instead, this is my recourse.
I sent an email to Rachel Cooper expressing my extreme disappointment with the way she handled me, making false promises to shoo me out of her show room and asked for some explanation as to why I had to be treated in that way. After a week with no reply, I sit here writing this. I’m not writing purely from a point of anger, though I’m still burned by the event. More than anything, it saddens me that things like this kill my love of collecting toys. Why am I meant to feel like I am doing something wrong when I give free publicity to a company? More often then not, we even go so far as to buy the toys we’d like to cover, as it is quicker than trying to squeeze a free sample out of a multi million dollar outfit. Shouldn’t they be very happy we are so enthusiastic about their products? If they are forced by their bosses to squeeze 100 of us into a room all at once to shoot their toys, shouldn’t they be doing their best to assure that THAT experience is as comfortable, polite and smooth as it possibly can be? Hearing a fellow writer was actually handled when he was simply taking a picture of a Barbie doll is insane. Being lied to just to be rid of me when my intent is only to give further attention to dolls they are trying to sell is complete lunacy. Beyond that, it is entirely unprofessional. Why is it ok to treat me like this? Because I am with the “collector press” or the “nerd herd” as I’ve heard reps call us. I’m a geek, and my love of what they produce only makes me fodder for ridicule in their minds. Does it matter that I began the week interviewing the cast and crew of the movie Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance? Not a bit. A Mommy Blogger gets more respect. I’ll never be able to put logic to it, or see the situation through their eyes. All I can do is wait until these short sighted individuals are replaced with people like me…the geeks…who are very good at treating fellow fans with respect, listen to what they truly want to buy…and at the end of the day, make their bosses a ton of money.
I am an old school Marvel Zombie, but lately, the gimmicks designed to draw me in have done nothing but chase me away. Vampire Mutants? Baa. The X-Men turning in on themselves? What else is new? The return of Phoenix??!! This one made me want to punch my computer in the face. Now...finally... Skottie Young gives us a reason to be excited about Avengers Vs X-Men. It may have absolutely nothing to do with anything that actually happens in the books, but it does remind me of how much fun I used to have reading Marvel Comics and maybe, one day, someone will slide something towards me other than Deadpool and convince me THIS is where the fun has been hiding. Until that day, I will plan to buy this Midtown Comics Avengers Vs X-Men variant and pretend it's what happens inside.Follow Skottie Young at @skottieyoung on twitter!The biggest comic book event in history begins in Avengers VS X-Men #1, hitting comic shops & the Marvel Comics app April, 2012! The top creators in comics—Brian Bendis, Jason Aaron, Jonathan Hickman, Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction, John Romita Jr, Olivier Coipel & Adam Kubert—join forces for a landmark twelve-issue story sending The Avengers and the X-Men—the two most popular franchises in comics history—to war with each other!
The world’s greatest super heroes—Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Cyclops, Storm, Magneto and more—enter an unforgettable battle…and only one side can emerge victorious!
Yes, we are aware #1 of this comic is all that has come out so far, but did you know HOW MANY different #1's are out there at the moment??!! I...did not. I was even at San Diego Comic Con and didn't snatch up the very first one. Bummer. Boom Studios sends over this handy dandy visual check list so you can hunt down these covers and have the most mathmatical Adventure Time comic book collection EVARRRRRRRRRRRR.
What ever happened to the artistry of making a movie poster? A celebration of a coming film with a hand painted Drew Struzan masterpiece...and cryptic teaser full of shadows and points of light for an upcoming creeper...even the old standby of an open doorway begging the question...what lurks inside? These days, as Hollywood looks to the bottom line, much of that celebration is trampled underfoot by hordes of executives screaming for the next 50 clips to be released with 3 versions of the "final" trailer and plans for a flash mob in times square. It is in that trampling that we get this...the sorriest of Avengers movie posters...not capturing any of the awesome we look forward to but rather a celebration of Photoshop and the ineptitude of the individual commissioned to create this piece. Marvel at the odd character placement! Gaze in awe at the odd proportions. In short, scratch your head over all the crap going on in this thing. This is where I start to beg...
The artist who breathed new life into Tank Girl (aka my very favorite female super punk of all time) is back with a project of his own design. Rufus Dayglo posted this today...
Rufus gives a little insight into the project..
June 26th is still miles away, but video game developer Beenox obviously want to get in on the post Toy Fair buzz, so they've slid one of their biggest baddies front and center. Get ready for RHINO!!
From pioneering the independent rap hustle to starting his own festival, Cali emcee Murs has always been a trailblazer. To that end, he proudly presents Yumiko: Curse Of The Merch Girl, a brand new album and graphic novel available exclusively through Kickstarter. The album and novel unite to tell the story of Yumiko “Yumi” Morales; a lost soul working as a merch girl for her boyfriend's touring hip-hop-funkadelic-party band "Murder Acts", but ends up caught in a supernatural thrill ride when she's left alone in a small strange town. It seems that only a bizarre opening act comprised of uncanny, mysterious figures have a clue to what is happening to her, and what she must do to stop it.
Our favorite sons & daughters of liberty are on the 
march again and headed straight for movie theaters! Hasbro celebrates this second outing (which we sure as hell hope is better than the first attempt) with a giant sized line of action figures, vehicles, role play and gear to get you screaming YO JOE! randomly on the street, thus eliminating any chance for a mate in the near future, lest they be yelling YO JOE as well. It could happen! Girls like GIJoe too. For those of us at the Idle Hands offices, this new film also celebrates the release of Bruce Willis and RZA action figures!!! Does Cobra stand a chance? Come on now. John McClane and WUTANG ain't nuthin ta fuck wit. I'll admit the White House does look pretty damn awesome with COBRA flags draped down the front. Let's get down to the merch, which is set to hit stores May 30th...
G.I. JOE SNAKE EYES NINJA GEAR : (Approximate retail price: $24.99; Ages: 5 & up; Available: Summer 2012) - Gear up and get ready to take on the role of iconic Ninja-Commando SNAKE EYES from the G.I. JOE team. With the G.I. JOE SNAKE EYES NINJA GEAR set, kids can wield an electronic sword with authentic ARASHIKAGE design, which features special lights and ninja battle sounds, a SNAKE EYES role-play mask, and two NINJA THROWING STARS allowing them to play the part of their favorite Ninja hero.
G.I. JOE BATTLE-KATA BLASTER : (Approximate retail price: $14.99; Ages: 6 & up; Available: Summer 2012) - Kids will love to role-play the ROADBLOCK character’s unique fighting style with the G.I. JOE BATTLE-KATA BLASTER toy. Featuring a 2-in-1 battle combo with interchangeable BATTLE-KATA blaster and ‘blade’ modes—kids can defend their heroic team against the vile enemy insurgents of COBRA. Includes three dart projectiles.
G.I. JOE MOVIE NINJA COMMANDOS : (Approximate retail price: $19.99; Ages: 5 & up; Available: Summer 2012) - Get ready for the next phase in G.I. JOE action figure evolution with the G.I. JOE NINJA COMMANDO figures! The NINJA COMMANDO figures are 10-inch large-scale figures that feature quick-draw BATTLE-KATA and Ninja action. With the press of a button, figures magically “grab” weapons to arm themselves for battle. (This description does the feature no justice. Snake Eyes reached over his shoulders and BAM, two swords loaded into his hands and he is ready for battle. Such a fluid action, it is actually shocking they got a toy to do that.) Figures also feature electronic sound effects and phrases available for in pack “Try Me.” Choose from the iconic Ninja SNAKE EYES and BATTLE-KATA skilled ROADBLOCK. (Figures sold separately.)
G.I. JOE MOVIE 3.75-INCH ACTION FIGURES Assortment : (Approximate retail price: $7.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available: Summer 2012) - The live-action G.I. JOE movie, G.I. JOE: Retaliation, won’t hit theaters until June 2012, but you don’t need to wait to see the stars from the movie cast as G.I. JOE characters. The G.I. JOE brand invented the action figure category more than 45 years ago, and the G.I. JOE MOVIE 3.75-INCH action figures continue this great legacy. Figures are sculpted to match their on-screen counterparts, including Dwayne Johnson as ROADBLOCK, Channing Tatum as DUKE, and Bruce Willis as Joe Colton. Each figure comes with off-the-floor play such as ninja zip lines and projectile launchers. Multiple waves are set to be released throughout the summer and fall 2012. (Figures each sold separately.) Over 50 figures are set to be released, including basic figures and multi packs. Characters for Wave 1 include Road Block, Snake Eyes with high wire accessory for "side of a mountain ninja butt kicking action", a new version of Cobra Commander, Duke, Storm Shadow with high wire accessory, Zartan with multiple masks and a light-pipe feature to make his eyes glow, G.I. Joe Trooper army builder with multiple accessories like helmets and an armor shielding that resembles a cape to make your batch look as distinctive as possible, Cobra Trooper army builder with a fabric parachute and a Red Ninja. Wave two (July) includes Battle Kata Road Block, Firefly (Ray Stevenson) with a weaponized sled and translucent hands that light up when attached to the sled like he is powering up (?!), Flint with a zip line accessory, Ninja Duel Snake Eyes and Camo Storm Shadow with a zip line accessory. In August, we get Joe Colton (Bruce Willis), Lady Jaye (Adrianne Palicki), Alley Viper, Cyber Ninja, Dragon Ninja, Kim Arashikage (Hasbro can not use the name Jinx on the figure, but she is called that in the movie), Blind Master (RZA) with a 9 rings Dynasty Sword, the big gold hat with blades that swing out and more classic Kung Fu weaponry you'll spot, a Crimson Guard with a label sheet allowing you to customize his insignias for faction/ rank identification and such and a Night Viper.
G.I. JOE BRAVO VEHICLES Assortment : (Approximate retail price: $14.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available: Summer 2012) - The G.I. JOE MOVIE BRAVO VEHICLES collection are mid-size vehicles inspired by the upcoming live-action G.I. JOE movie, G.I. JOE: Retaliation. Each represents the most technologically advanced vehicles in the G.I. JOE vs. COBRA arsenal, including the NINJA COMMANDO 4X4 WITH SNAKE EYES and COBRA FANG BOAT WITH SWAMP VIPER and the Tread Ripper with Clutch. Each vehicle comes with an action figure to help steer your squadron to victory. (Vehicles each sold separately.)
G.I. JOE MOVIE DELTA VEHICLES Assortment : (Approximate retail price: $19.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available: Summer 2012) - The G.I. JOE MOVIE DELTA VEHICLES collection includes the largest hero and villain vehicles inspired by the live-action G.I. JOE movie, G. I. JOE: Retaliation. Each represents the most technologically advanced vehicles in the G.I. JOE vs. COBRA arsenal, including the G.I. JOE GHOST HAWK II, COBRA H.I.S.S. TANK and a Ninja Combat Cruiser. Each vehicle comes with an action figure to help steer your squadron to victory. (Vehicles each sold separately.)
gear and in white and unmasked with the likeness of the actress (Elodie Yung) in the new film. THEN...get ready for mind explodey. We will be getting a G.I. Joe/ Transformers Shockwave HISS Tank!! It seems Destro and Shockwave have struck a deal exchanging cash for energon cubes. We get a special Destro figure in a purple Decepticon inspired outfit, a cart with energon cubes, a suitcase full of cash with a Decepticon logo on the side, a HISS Tank/ Shockwave fusion vehicle (!!) annnnd a B.A.T. (Battle Android Trooper) to do all the heavy lifting, deco'd to look like a constructicon! We also shot pics of a tiny little Soundwave boom box with tapes, but they didn't mention it at the presentation.
