Odds ‘n Ends > The Return of Jafar

September 16, 2008 | Poe

ODD: DCUC Series 4 has been found at both Meijers and Wal-Mart…but hasn’t hit CornerStoreComics yet. Still, it’s looking good for those of you who picked earlier rather than later dates in the pool. Unfortunately, it looks like Series 6 will be the last one I can do the contest with (Series 5 is the Wal-Mart exclusive one), given the crazy case packs for Series 7 on.

END: I went off a bit on OAFE’s message boards over yo go re‘s comments on the MOTUC line. I’m planning to write a more comprehensive Poe’s Point on the line at some point. I’m curious to know what others think.

ODD: I’ve got a backlog of posts I want to write, but I’ve been busy at home and, y’know, my real job lately. I’ll try to get back into the swing of things this week.

END: Topless Robot pointed out some cool zombie toys done in the style of the old M.U.S.C.L.E. figures from the ’80s. Check ’em out. (October Toys? Sounds like my kind of company.) But where are the pink ones?

Ask Mattel > September 15 Edition

September 15, 2008 | Poe

Poe Ghostal: Are earlier versions of characters, such as a Dick Grayson Robin, a possibility for inclusion in DCUC?

Mattel’s Scott Neitlich, a.k.a. “ToyGuru”: Yes.

Does Mattel still plan to get DCUC waves 4-6 out by Christmas? (more…)

And the good news keeps coming (MOTUC)

September 12, 2008 | Poe

Via He-Man.org:

Dear MOTU Collectors,

I’m writing to let you know that I’ve just made my first really tough decision as Master Toy Collector of Mattel. In a nutshell, we have been forced to make a trade-off between shipping according to our announced schedule and getting our figures exactly right, and I’ve decided to go with quality over speed.

The issue is removable armor for the Masters of the Universe Classics line. As you know, these figures are meant to bring the classic 1980s MOTU toy line aesthetic into the modern era. But the technical challenge of having removable armor that still holds in place with the level of quality we expect from a collector line has proved very difficult. In order to stay on schedule, we briefly considered compromising by gluing the armor for He-Man and Beast Man in place. But I realize that you, the true MOTU collectors, would much rather have the figures done right than get them a few weeks earlier. Our engineers are now re-configuring the sculpts so that the armor attaches to each figure in a uniform plug on his back, so that the armor for almost every figure will be both removable and interchangeable.

So the bad news is both He-Man and Beast Man will now be available for purchase in December. The good news is not only will their armor be awesome, but we will release them on the same day, meaning you can save on shipping by buying both figures together.

I’m bummed we’ve had this delay, but I’m glad it’s given us a chance to show you where our priorities are.

Good Journey,
Matty

Woof! Rough day for Mattel…but again, all the honesty is appreciated.

Mattel explains case packs for DCUC7 onward

September 12, 2008 | Poe

A few days ago, some online retailers listed the following case packs for DCUC Series 7:

Case 1:
1x Batman
1x Green Lantern
2x Flash
2x Captain Cold
2x Kid Flash
2x Big Barda

Case 2:
1x Wonder Woman
1x Firestorm
1x Flash
1x Captain Cold
2x Blue Beetle
2x Booster Gold
2x Aquaman Blue

If you order the first case, you don’t get Booster Gold or Blue Beetle; if you order the second case, you don’t get Big Barda or Kid Flash. What’s more, you don’t get all the parts you need to create the Build-A-Figure.

This understandably created quite a stir on the various toy forums, prompting Mattel’s Scott Neitlich to post on the topic. (more…)

ToyFare #135, Blackstar, and the Alien Demon

September 10, 2008 | Poe

A few of you have remarked on the little pale green goblin who appeared on the menu a few weeks ago. Yes, he’s from the old Blackstar line, and yes, there’s a reason he’s there.

In this month’s ToyFare #135, which hits newsstands today, there’s an article by yours truly about the Blackstar toy line. I decided to make sure I had a Blackstar character on the menu to commemorate the occasion.

For those who aren’t familiar with Blackstar, it was a cartoon show that predated Masters of the Universe by a year or two and was produced by the same company, Filmation. The two shows have a lot of similarities: both feature a barbaric hero in a land of science and sorcery who battles a demonic overlord.

Blackstar carried the Starsword, which was one half of the “Powerstar”; the other half, the Powersword, was controlled by his foe, the Overlord. This is similar to what the early MOTU media (comics and storybooks) depicted, as He-Man and Skeletor both had half of the Power Sword–which is why the original figures came with those two half-swords that could be put together.

I don’t remember ever watching Blackstar as a kid. I don’t think many kids did–it lasted only one season, and the toys came out years after the show was cancelled, as Galoob tried to capitalize on the success of MOTU. (more…)

Mattel opens up

September 9, 2008 | Poe

Mattel’s Scott Neitlich, a.k.a. ToyGuru, has a very candid post over on ActionFigureInsider that answers a few of the more controversial questions that have been swirling around as of late.

First off, he says that DCUC Series 4 will hit stores “in about a month and a half or so.” That’s longer than CornerStoreComics’ most recent estimate. Based on past experience, I’m going to guess we’ll see these in the second week of October, about a month from now. (more…)

DCUC Series 4 packaged pics

September 8, 2008 | Poe

Mattel sends along these photos of DCUC Series 4 in package (not pictured: the regular Batman Beyond). According to Mattel, Captain Atom Gold and Silver will be at a 50/50 ratio and Artemis will be a chase version of Wonder Woman (about the same as maskless Deathstroke). The Cyborg with Sonic Arm and maskless Batman Beyond are KB Toys exclusives.

Deathstroke

September 5, 2008 | Poe

Deathstroke in Repose

Can you tell I love this figure?