Toy Fair 2013 : A MattyCollector Preview

With some ingenious sleuthing from our friends at collector-actionfigures.com, we get a look at all those awesome plastics awaiting us this Sunday...TODAY! Masters of the Universe, DC Comics, WWE, Batman, The Watchmen, She-Ra all wait for us with new figures to drool over and set aside entire paychecks for. ...And do I need to mention Castle Grayskull??!! Let's take a look at what is sure to be just a sampling of Sunday's event...

For Masters of the Universe/ She-Ra...We've got Batros, Castaspella, Icer, Mantenna, Shakoti, New Adventures He-Man and the massive prototype for Castle Grayskull!

The Peg Report: New Joes, Ben 10, Cheap Iron Men and the Continual Rape of the Crime Syndicate

As the rains finally pull away from my super soggy central New Jersey, it seemed like a good time to hit the stores and see if anything new hit the pegs. Here's the September skinny...





Toys R Us :

• Adventure Time fans will note that the small scale plush, even smaller scale PVC figure 2 packs and the role play Finn sword are now in stock at some locations. Oddly, at a larger TRU, they only had the swords in.
  
  
  
  
• FanBoy and Chum Chum toys have also hit with two to three full rows of action figures based on the TV show. Are people really going that crazy for this one?? I never hear anyone talking about it. I fear these toys may be joining the small display of Hero 108 toys that never move and look oh-so-lonely hanging there. Never heard of Hero 108? Neither did most people. Most notable was a small-ish (3 inches) scaled Manartica figure which is labeled as a Toys R Us exclusive, featuring translucent plastic. Very nice piece of a hysterically inventive cartoon superhero. These were released by Jazwares, who like to keep these things super secret so you don't know you can buy them. Note: Sarcasm.
  
  
• Star Wars figures were on sale for 6 and change, so I scored 3 army builders I either didn't know about or forgot were coming... Death Star Troopers!! I collect Star Wars figures to complete huge battle scenes so massive, they are completely realistic for the size of my apartment. One of these is the Endor Battle, for which I have a couple of chicken walkers (AT-ST for the hardcore), the shield bunker, a small gang of biker scouts, a cadre of rebel troops, an army of Stormtroopers and a horde of Ewoks. What people often forget is the Imperial Officers and those oddly-hatted Death Star Troopers who vacate the bunker when they think they've got the upper hand. Lucas/Hasbro doesn't release those dome headed folks very often, so they tend to be a little pricey more often than not. Imagine my surprise when I was able to walk into a store and buy three for 6 bucks a pop!! My Endor battle scene should be just about done now, barring the release of more Ewoks. You can never have enough furry, human eating teddy bears.
  
  
• Also scored a set of DC Universe Classics Series 17, the goal being to create the Collect and Connect Anti-Monitor, since I Have no desire for figures of heroes in a look they sported for 1 or 2 comics. Sadly, when assembled, this global threat isn't very large. I'm forced to remember the glory days when we assembled a Sentinel large enough to squash a 3 and 3 quarter inch figure under his heel. What happened to that sense of giving more bang for your buck? Did prices rise so steeply or is there just a more rigid bottom line demanded by the executives? Sad, sad times.
  
  
• Browsing the isles I spotted LEGO Mini Figures series 5. Tiny dots in the bottom of the package supposedly reveal who is inside these blind packaged figures available for a steep 4 dollars a pop, but it seemed this batch was already picked over. I'm only after the Dwarf, Gladiator and Lizard Man AKA Godzilla Actor this time around, so I'm not sweating the hunt.
  
  
• Eileen, compelled to find out what all the hubub around HALO Megabloks was all about, talked herself into two sets with a Banshee and some small vehicles. She also bought a single packed figure. She tells me her two Spartans are in a committed relationship and they ride their vehicle together, blasting the enemy. They seem happy.
  
  
• Also saw a fantastic display for DC Comics Imaginext sets with the Batcave, Joker's Lair, Green Lantern's ship, a crazy awesome Penguin vehicle and more. Snapped some pics of pieces I'd never seen before like a Joker and Two Face Van (from that issue when they started rival food truck companies) and a Bi-Plane for The Riddler. Seems fitting.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• I'll make a quick note about a re-mixed case of Marvel Universe that is making the rounds, including a Ms. Marvel retro short haired variant. Hasbro has been mixing variants into the new cases, so be on the lookout.
  
  

Walmart:

• Shock of all shocks, my tiny little Old Bridge Walmart got a shiny new case of G.I.Joe figures! I snapped up a Hazard-Viper, Cobra Viper and Sgt. Stalker (who just happened to be mis-named. Anyone want to trade?) If you collected Joes as a kid, these new figures will blow your mind. Every figure is packed with detail and so many accessories it appears they may explode out of the package. If Hasbro put this kind of attention into the Marvel Universe line, we'd be flipping out monthly.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• I once briefed you on the heinous act of "Toy Rape", where a wonderful individual buys a toy and replaces it with another they don't want or even a pile of junk resembling a figure before returning it for their money back. I've seen Cobra tank drivers in Wolverine packages, Jedi missing their cloak, arms and head and even a Jawa standing next to a bandoleer, staff and rifle where a droid should be. Recently, my locals have been silently expressing their displeasure with the price of the DC Universe Classics Crime Syndicate of Amerika buy replacing their favorites with random DCUC figures and making the return for full price. It seemed we've only had one set for some time now, so I'd imagine this swapping has happened twice! The first switcheroo dropped an extra Johnny Quick into the tray with a Metal Man replacing Power Ring. The second run swapped the second Johnny Quick for a dressed down Creeper and the Metal Man is now swapped with Jonah Hex. Maybe next week the set will be filled with Hello Kitties, Poly Pockets and a Weeble or two?! Madness.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Those who can't wait for the return of Marvel Legends keep their ear close to the ground for any new 6 inch Marvel figures. When 6 inch Iron Man toys hit the pegs with the painful price tag of $19.99, the collective moan was heard across the nerdy interwebs. If this was the price Marvel legends would be upon their return, most of us wouldn't be returning to collecting. Oddly, the same figures on Hasbrotoyshop.com are going for $10.99. It seems like every store since then has set their own price , but Walmart's new 13 dollar mark is the best we've seen so far.
  
  
• We don't say much about Ben 10 toys on this blog. Honestly, the designs are very kid friendly and so, I rarely have much that excites me in the line. Bandai realizes there are more than a few adult collectors that might want to dip into the Ben 10 world, so their rotocast "Hyperalien" figure line is just for you. What these pieces lack in super posability, they make up for in sculpting detail and paint applications. Check out Ultimate Swampfire, Four Arms V.2 and Ultimate Aggregor!
  
  
  
  

SAVE THE GODDAMN TOYS!!! A Message from Mattel

If you have read more than three articles on this dorky little blog, then you know two things...I hiss at 3 and 3 quarter inch Marvel action figures (and then buy some anyway) and pray before the alter of the 6 inch scaled plastic gods. While the Marvel Legends line proved to be the raper of my money pocket, sucking me in to buy every figure in every wave PLUS variants and boxed sets, the DC Universe Classics line hasn't been as evil a temptress. You have to consider I was practically raised on Marvel Comics, so that would be the strongest drive to collecting, but the amount of articulation, sculpting detail and paints along with accessories at a price that didn't feel like a kick to the groin kept me hooked until the very end. Mattel's DC counterparts didn't have as much articulation..or paints..and often included no accessories..and re-used bodies very often while prices continued to rise at retail. We asked where the extra money was going but didn't get an answer. Still, there were characters here and there I couldn't say no to, so I popped and took them home. Suffice to say, there is a hefty bin filled with these heroes and villains I could not pass up.

As time marched on, those prices kept rising. What was once the main-stream, less expensive alternative to the mighty DC Direct was now the less pretty step sister with an identical price tag. To make matters worse, it now seemed that Mattel and DC Direct were going after the same character selections, a move that confused fans as DC had always focused heavily on very current comic story lines and the characters found within while Mattel said it all in the name "DC Universe CLASSICS". This battle for the geek buck was over before it could really start when DC announced their "restructuring" alongside rumors that their figure line releases would slow to a crawl. Those who attended San Diego Comic Con witnessed this first hand at the re-vamped DC Comics booth, where very few new action figures were on display. So..it would seem this takes us to right now, with Mattel poised to take the reins and crank out dozens of DC Comics action figures in 2012? Maybe yes...maybe no.

At the Mattel/DC panel at SDCC, we got a look at DC Universe Classics wave 20 with Green Arrow, Red Arrow, Reverse Flash, White Lantern Flash, Hawk, Dove and Sinestro (in his Sinestro Corps uniform..finally) with a Collect and Connect Nekron..and then the bomb was dropped. Wave 20 will be the final wave of DCUC at retail. Prepare for the coming of Club Infinite Earths. Beginning in April (through December), this subscription service would include 9 6 inch monthly figures, 3 quarterly over-sized figures and 1 club only over-sized figure. The series kicks off with Atrocitus, The Flash (Jay Garrick), Poison Ivy and Starman alongside the club exclusive over-sized figure which will be chosen by YOU, the rabid DChead. Will it be Shaggy Man, Rocket Red, Black Lantern Swamp Thing or Metron in his Mobius Chair? Voting takes place HERE, so head over now and be counted. Subscription sales were set to end on August 5th, but the turn out was dismal, so Matty extended the run up to August 22nd. We are now 5 days away from the cut off date and the dreaded thermometer of DC doom sits at around 55%. Mattel says the deal is bust if this meter doesn't reach 100%, casting us into eternal darkness or at least the fanboy/girl equivalent....endless pegs of kid friendly Batman and Superman figures!!! THE HORROR. THAT is the real threat. Mattel stated there will still be product available in retail stores, but the "fan demanded" stuff will only surface in the club. The mind conjures images of The Joker and his amazing technicolor, dayglow jackets in all the hues of the Skittles rainbow. It could happen. IT WILL HAPPEN.


What we know about this "mainstream" line so far...

1. The line will still be sculpted by the 4 Horsemen, in scale with DCUC.
2. No more Collect and Connect build a figures.
3. Character selection will be based on characters the public at large (ie; your mom) knows already and ones the WB would like your mom to know. Safe bets are Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Joker, Catwoman, Bane, Two Face, Lex Luthor, The Flash, Robin and mayyyybe Green Arrow and Aquaman. You are also sure to see the NEW DC Comics' lineups at retail, as WB is hot for everyone to love them, so I'd expect the Justice League in their zazzy new outfits with limited bad guys to pummel and very few ladies, since women don't buy comics (yes, I am being sarcastic) and boys don't play with girl toys. Also no aliens because kids hate them. HATE.

To avoid this terror packed future more frightening than the Terminator, Robocop and Showgirls futures COMBINED, a merry band of plastic enthusiasts have joined forces to SAVE DCUC!!! Within are links to impassioned pleas to jump on board the subscription train ranging from the quite logical to ..well..what amounts to someone screaming STOP BEING FUCKING GEEKS!! Here were some of the best reasons I found...

A. This is the only way to complete the DC Comics teams you've already started as well as getting the ladies, monsters and aliens WB doesn't think kids are into.
B. Collector interaction will play a big part in character selection (since WE are footing the bill.)
C. With retailers off the table as far as deciding who goes into these lines, the sky is the limit.
D. With no packaging and price restrictions, scale limitations are also out the window. Your days of whinging for a Juggernaut sized Doomsday are numbered.

And the most important reason to join up today...

THIS IS IT. If you love the DC Universe Classics line, this is it. If you want a shot at buying the obscure, female, classic suited, alien, monster and long dead characters that still haven't seen a release in any format....THIS IS IT. It's not a shakedown or a long con...it's a fact of life. WB wants their agenda front and center on the pegs of Walmart and Toys R Us...so for you, the die hard DC fan and lover of super powered plastic armies...THIS IS IT.

Now, with the hard truth out of the way, this is what Mattel is promising...

- The total commitment for 2012 will be $255, plus applicable fees/taxes and shipping. You will be shipped 9 Club Figures (9 @ $15 = $135), 3 "over-sized" figures (3 @ $30 = $90) and the Club-exclusive figure (included in $30 sign-up fee = $30) for a total of $255 plus shipping/taxes/fees. No surprises.

- No repaints or rehashes. Does this mean we will get all new bodies for every figure? Doubtful, as two of the 4 new figures look like they're sporting that same old body used on a legion of super heroes before them. I believe what they mean to say is if you join the club, they aren't going to sell you a brown Batman, Mullet headed battle Superman or translucent speed force Flash...though....damn...that Flash sounds sweet. And a mullet Superman all beat up.....aw man...

- All characters will be the "Ultimate" version of that figure, including all parts and accessories you'd need to make that happen.

So...it's Do or Die time. No amount of crying over what could have been later will bring you back to this point in time. Also, no amount of petition signatures will convince Mattel to give this a shot, again, next year. If you are anything like me, you've been cherry picking off the pegs, unhappy with those wild fluctuations in price and endless re-use of the same boring bodies with minimal paint slapped on. This subscription can change all that. We've got a locked in price, no scale restrictions and a hit squad of DC fanboys at the controls of this potential dream machine. I know you may not know all the DC characters by name, but consider this....you can either have something...or nothing. It's a tough call. For my part, if Mattel can make me one very important promise, then they've got my money...


..and P.S...I want a fucking Gleek. Thanks!

CLICK HERE to jump on the Mattel DC love train (or put simpler, where to subscribe!)

CLICK HERE for images of all Mattel's newest DC Universe Classics

SDCC: Mezco's Green Lantern Mez-Itz 2 Pack

Following up outlook at the hard to resist Lion-O rotocast figure is a new comic based Green Lantern 2 pack of Mez-Itz, Mezco's fat little vinyl figure line, now being painted up in the most awesome of DC Universe colors.







Mez-Itz, 6" rotocast vinyl collectibles that are cool by design. Both GREEN LANTERN and SINESTRO feature five points of articulation with 1000 points of fun, and are packaged in sturdy, collector friendly box!

In a universe as vast as it is mysterious, a small but powerful force has existed for centuries. Protectors of peace and justice, they are called the Green Lantern Corps. But when a new enemy threatens to destroy the balance of power in the Universe, their fate and the fate of Earth lie in the hands of their newest recruit, the first human ever selected: Hal Jordan.

Hal is a gifted and cocky test pilot, but the Green Lanterns have little respect for humans. But Hal has one thing no member of the Corps has ever had: humanity. With the encouragement of fellow pilot and childhood sweetheart Carol Ferris, if Hal can quickly master his new powers and find the courage to overcome his fears, he may become the greatest GREEN LANTERN of all.

This is a non-numbered limited edition item. Edition size TBD. $40

This item will premiere at the 2011 San Diego Comic Con, but is also available online at: Http://www.mezcotoyz.com

MORE pics can be ogled at by CLICKING HERE!!

DC Comics to Relaunch ENTIRE UNIVERSE

Wow. Get your pitchforks and torches, ladies and gents. DC Comics is about to rock your comic loving world..and you're probably going to get a little angry about it. I've got no words..only speculation that grounding the DCU in a more "realistic" universe, in the minds of the execs, makes that universe as marketable as..say..the Marvel Universe? I expect Metropolis and Gotham City to be no more, if they are indeed to make their new world more "accessible" to new readers who would have trouble finding such places on a map. Let's hear it straight from the mouths of the DC overlords...

"In the time I've worked at DC Comics, I've witnessed any number of industry defining moments. But today, I bring you what is perhaps the biggest news to date.

Many of you have heard rumors that DC Comics has been working on a big publishing initiative for later this year. This is indeed an historic time for us as, come this September, we are relaunching the entire DC Universe line of comic books with all new first issues. 52 of them to be exact.

In addition, the new #1s will introduce readers to a more modern, diverse DC Universe, with some character variations in appearance, origin and age. All stories will be grounded in each character's legend - but will relate to real world situations, interactions, tragedy and triumph.

This epic event will kick off on Wednesday, August 31st with the debut of a brand new JUSTICE LEAGUE #1, which pairs Geoff Johns and Jim Lee, together for the first time. (Yes, this is the same week as FLASHPOINT #5.)

We think our current fans will be excited by this evolution, and that it will make jumping into the story extremely accessible to first-time readers - giving them a chance to discover DC's characters and stories.

We are positioning ourselves to tell the most innovative stories with our characters to allow fans to see them from a new angle. We have taken great care in maintaining continuity where most important, but fans will see a new approach to our storytelling.
Some of the characters will have new origins, while others will undergo minor changes. Our characters are always being updated; however, this is the first time all of our characters will be presented in a new way all at once.

Dan DiDio, Bob Harras and Eddie Berganza have been working diligently to pull together some of the best creative teams in the industry. Over 50 new costumes will debut in September, many updated and designed by artist Jim Lee, ensuring that the updated images appeal to the current generation of readers.

The publication of JUSTICE LEAGUE #1 will also launch digital day-and-date for all ongoing superhero comic book titles - an industry first.

On Wednesday, June 1st, this initiative is expected to be announced in a nationwide feature article, and we're hopeful the news will be picked up by media outlets around the world. Throughout the month we'll reveal more details of our plans with articles in both the mainstream and comics press and on June 13th the Diamond catalog solicitations for all of the September titles will be released, followed by the June 29th street date of the print version of Previews.

DC Comics will support this initiative with an innovative mix of publicity, promotional efforts and retailer incentives designed to maximize your opportunity to increase your DC sales. We will discuss additional details of these incentives when we get closer to solicitation later in June.

We'll be updating you more through email as September nears. But today, I hope your share our enthusiasm for this historic news!

Sincerely,

Bob Wayne
SVP, Sales
DC Entertainment

Sooooo...can you say Heroes Reborn? We remember how well that one went. I'm actually baffled over this one. Granted I read no DC titles anymore beyond American Vampire, so perhaps the things that drove me away became apparent to those creating the comics? Will the constant cycle of super events finally come to an end? After a bomb drop like this, what happens next is anyone's guess.

Mattel: Ask Matty Answers for January

Note on how we cherry picked all these news bits:: We realize most of our readers are not HARDCORE, so we've omitted any bits that go into detail about accessories, paint, and anything else that is super specific. We've also omitted the inevitable non-answers. If you'd like to read the whole 5 point Q&A on any site, just click on their name and jump right in.

Action Figure Insider : Young Justice characters are not off limits to the Justice league unlimited line, even though the new figures are in scale with JLU (they just aren’t the same style.)

Mattel wants to focus on finishing off all the on-screen members of the team first before they move into the rest of the DC Universe. Getting nitpicky, Matty also mentions the blades on Azriel in DCUC wave 16 are not removable but do rotate and are correct on the final figure.

New DCUC 2 packs will be coming to Toys R Us in late 2011. One will include a Black Tuxedo Joker figure packed with a Harley Quinn re-release, now with a whiter face. Why it was blue to begin with, I’ll never even begin to fathom.

PoeGhostal.com: Dodging the questions about articulation and accessories, we’ll get right to the meat! Mattel says they’ve got big plans for more Dark Knight collector figures, alluding to the corresponding Green Lantern Classics line being released to run off the momentum from the upcoming film. Generally I’d be all for this, but anyone already collecting DC Universe Classic will tell you there are already a ton of Bat heroes and villains in the ranks. An entire line for the Bat is very unnecessary. What is more likely is that we’ll get more Movie Masterpiece type figures.

Pendragon’s Post : We’ve got hardcore answers to hardcore questions on this site, so we’ll jump to the couple of little news bits. The first being that the 200X look from the 4Horsemen we loved so much will not resurface in the collector club line…ever ever. The second bit involves the question of all these new school DCU characters in a line called DCU CLASSICS. Matty pretty much answers that the world is at their fingertips and they’d always intended to mix the new in with the old. Speaking of old, they say there will be "at least" two Golden Age characters in Wave 19!

Kastor’s Korner : NOW we get some juicy info..or at least confirmation of no info coming. Matty states that it is way too early for us to see anything from their Voltron and Back to the Future lines at Toy Fair this February, so cross those properties on your watch list for now.
Pop Culture Network

This bit is pretty specific to Masters of the Universe collectors, but I thought you might find it interesting none the less. Apparently there was a new system employed to combine the two halves of the Power Sword included in the re-issue King Grayskull. Mattel is open to the possibility of including the improved swords in a future weapons pack or figure variant. They also mention that while the character Mosquitor may be a possibility in the MOTUC line, they won’t be employing the “pump his blood” feature.

Figures.com : Mattel is looking into ways to improve the articulation in their Masters of the Universe Classics line, as evidenced in the new Victor figure (coming in this week!) On the topic of more giants, like the ones in Buzz-Off’s pride, they say it’s a possibility. They also mention that the character Jitsu is still a ways off.

In Ghostbusters news, Mattel mentions that poor sales on the Ghostbusters 6 inch line would prevent them from delving into an animated style as well. They site tooling and development as the major expense to such characters. Does that mean my new subscription to their Ghostbusters figure club will be filled with reused bodies and heads? I certainly hope not!

SuperHeroTimes.com : Mattel kicks things off answering to another comment calling for MORE Batman. (the mind boggles.) Mattel states the obvious..that Batman is their best selling character and he will see an update in the future. They also answer the call for a long awaited Doomsday collect and connect figure and while they agree it is about time, there are no plans currently. That doesn’t mean they may not announce something at Toy Fair. They also gave some info on the upcoming Green Lantern movie lines, saying the 6 inch line will be in the Movie Masters vein while the figures for the kiddies will be 3 and ¾ scale.

Funko Unleashes DC Comics Pop Heroes

It seems I'm not the only one who went crazy for Funko's super cute plush doll stylings! It appears the little vacant eyes and almost "chibi" anime-ish body of the DC Plushies line was so popular, it warranted a whole new line of 3 and 3 quarter inch vinyl figures. Get ready to gush with gleeee!

The Pop! Heroes line drops this September with a lineup including The Riddler, Batman, Batgirl, Robin, The Penguin and The Joker. Each only wields one point of articulation in the neck for head turning kung fu stare downs. Each little guy will set you back 7.99, which is in line with other figures at a similar height, but being a vinyl piece, you'd expect to pay a bit less. I'd love to see this line continue but I'm not sure who is going to bite at that price.

DC Universe Classics Wave 14 Carded

DC Universe Classics...the last blast of 6 inch scaled, fairly well posable comic related action figures along side Shocker Toys Indie Spotlight. So so sad. WHYYYY MARVEL LEGENDS??!! WHYYYYY. ~dries tears~ Mattel gives us the old tease upside the head with new images of DCUC wave 14 all wrapped up in their pretty packages and ready for you to drool upon. Since this is a Walmart exclusive wave, expect the usual shenanigans, scalper hording and annoyances that will surely cause you to dent your cranium on a hard surface. If the situation improves this time around, I'll be the first person to say so. Wave 14 includes...

Classic Green Lantern (Alan Scott)
Zatanna
Gold (Metal Men)
Tyr
Kamandi
Classic Hour Man
and Todd Rice, the most powerful name in the DC Universe. (I kid..its silly)
Parts included with each figure make Ultra Humanite

Mattel Reveals DC Universe Classics Series 15

After a morning of being shut out by the Mattycollector store for new Masters of the Universe Classics (which I'm officially giving up on), I was happy to see a new lineup of DC Universe Classics announced. This will be released to K Mart stores first, starting in late August, early September. God help em, they are going to need all the promotion they can get with a lineup like this...

Martian Manhunter (with a Martian head variant)
Jemm of Saturn
Golden Pharaoh
Starman
Vintage Starman
OMAC
Raven
Sinestro Corps Batman
... and the bonus Collect and Connect Validus!



Casual fans of DC comics (like me who actually read quite a few DC comics) are now going..HUH? This is a line for die hard DC Comics fans, so lets hope they buy the figures up to ensure the next series of figures! Also, last time I snatched a DCUC figure from K Mart, they were 12 to 13 a piece versus the 15 to 16 they are charging at Walmart, so this may be a nice break for toy collectors who want in.