Odds ‘n Ends

November 4, 2009 | Poe

Odds N Ends

  • I recently got a new job. It’s a step up in a lot of ways, but starting next week, I’m going to be a hell of a lot busier. That means there are going to be some changes at PGPoA. Mostly, it means there will be a lot less news, since I won’t have the ability to respond as quickly as I have been over the last few years. Unless something is newsworthy enough to deserve its own post, I will be posting most of the news I come across in my Twitter feed, so you might want to consider bookmarking it. I hope to balance the lack of news with more features such as reviews, interviews, Show & Tell (about which I’m hoping to have something to announce soon), vintage line retrospectives and so forth.
  • Fwoosh contributor Ibentmyman-thing (which is no doubt his pen name when he writes for the New York Times Book Review as well) has an editorial titled “The Appeal of Masters of the Universe.”
  • This is only tangentially toy-related, inasmuch as videogames are toys, but I recently completed Assassin’s Creed (which, for all its flaws, I did like a lot) and am hoping for good reviews for the sequel, due out this month. But what really impressed me was this live-action short film based on the new game, the first of three. It’s being made using the same green screen/CGI technique used for 300, and yet I already like this 14-minute film more (which is to say at all).
  • My review of the 6″ Ray Stantz will be up later this week, but in the meantime you can check out Michael Crawford’s review. Michael makes a great point in his review: Mattel should have put Peter Venkman much earlier in the line. Too many fans are holding off waiting for him. I think MC is right: if Mattel had released Peter first (or at least early on), they would have hooked more casual fans who might then decide to pick up the rest of the Ghostbusters. I think there will be fewer diehard fans who pick up the rest of the Ghostbusters while waiting for Peter.

5 Questions With > Spy Monkey Creations

November 3, 2009 | Poe

Sm-face-bug-ver-02Code name: SpyMagician
Real Name: Jeremy Sung
Specialty: Plasticsmith
Base of Operations: Los Angeles, CA
History: Once merely a humble toy customizer, Jeremy Sung has since made the leap into the small business world as President of Spy Monkey Creations Inc. The Goal: to create quality hand made original accessories for various collectible action figure lines!

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Ask Mattel Answers for November 1

November 2, 2009 | Poe

matty

1.) Hayestronaut asks: With the news of a potential Major Matt Mason film and the development of vintage collector-style lines such as DC’s World’s Greatest Super Heroes, is there any chance of seeing a new Matt Mason collector line?

This is something we are reviewing. Only time will tell!

2.) Tom-Tom asks: Regarding DCUC 10: Mattel has said that Wal-Mart ordered more figures than in wave 5. However, many collectors are still having troubles, claiming it to be worse than wave 5. What is Mattel’s view of the situation?

Sorry, I cannot discuss particulars on retail distribution! That is up to each retailer not Mattel.

3.) PrfktTear asks: How long will Wave 10 be shipping to Wal-Mart?

Until the entire order is shipped.

4.) Dayraven asks: Why are some DCUC figures and accessories made of nice sturdy hard plastic, while others seem to be made of a much softer plastic grade?

Some figures have softer areas to accommodate increased articulation or stylized capes or tunics which need softer plastic.

5.) Barbecue17 asks: You have a policy of not discussing unannounced product, but you also have mentioned that once a figure has been announced there is little to no time for fan input. Is there any point in the life of a figure that fans have the ability to influence some aspect of a figure?

We listen very carefully to fan suggestions when reviewing new candidates for toy lines. If there is a figure you really want, post about it online or talk to us at conventions. Many times the figures with more online chatter wind up being produced sooner in the line.

Ask Mattel Roundup:

Joes For Tots ’09: The Contest That Helps Kids!

November 2, 2009 | Paul

JoesforTots2009b

Joes for Tots is back! It’s the yearly contest that helps kids out by encouraging donations to Toys for Tots. This year we have an even better selection of prizes. Why start so early? Well, we want to remind you as soon as possible that when you see a drop box this year, you might want to think about helping out some young ones.

Let’s not draw this out though, let’s see what you can win (not all items shown in picture).

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