I’m working on a week’s worth of what I’m going to call “intereviews” (clever, no?) of DCUC Wave Four, so instead I’ll just point you to a few things I found interesting over the last few days.
–Playmates announced their plans for the new Star Trek and Terminator movies. Playmates has never, to my recollection, produced a particularly realistic-looking toy line–even their Trek figures looked very toy-like, particularly in their molding and paint applications. However, it seems Playmates is aware of this concern. Emphases are mine:
In anticipation of Paramount Pictures’ upcoming feature film, the J.J. Abrams-directed Star Trek debuting May 8, 2009, Playmates Toys beams up a collectible line-up of all new Star Trek toys. Capturing the cutting-edge look and feel of the new adventure, the company has designed life-like articulated figures, iconic vehicles, intricately detailed playsets and exciting role-play toys to extend the movie’s magic beyond the silver screen. Kids will boldly go where no one has gone before, re-creating their very own Enterprise Transporter Room and Bridge playsets, featuring real working parts and accessories packed out with figures that allow them to create brand new Star Trek adventures.
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Heralding the fourth installment in the iconic, billion-dollar Terminator franchise, The Halcyon Company’s production of Terminator Salvation – debuting May 22, 2009, from Warner Bros. Pictures and Sony Pictures – Playmates Toys will launch an edgy line of collectible action toys targeting kids and collectors. With a strategic vision for establishing a solid action toy segment for the next several years, the initial film window launch will include a full assortment of fully-articulated action figures (multiple scales) featuring new, never-seen-before Terminators; battle-ready replica vehicles; and signature role play items: the Terminator T-600 Voice n’ Vision Skull with authentic red light-up eyes, voice changer/sound effects and the Terminator Deluxe T-600 Fist that vibrates, fires and emits sounds. In the Fall, kids and collectors can build their world and collections out with the Skynet playset: assortments of six new figures in basic (3¾”) and deluxe scales (6″); several new signature vehicles including remote control and skin peeling Terminators in super size (10″); and much more.
After years of cartoon-based figures such as Ninja Turtles and Simpsons, Playmates may be trying to give Mattel and Hasbro a run for their money in the movie-based action figure arena. But let’s see the prototypes first.
On a side note: Does anyone remember Playmates’ Dick Tracy line, based on the movie? It was done in the big, cartoony TMNT style, which I think was a mistake. That said, I have fond memories of the yellow pleather coat my mother made for my Dick Tracy figure–yes, the Dick Tracy figure didn’t come with a trenchcoat. WTF?
“Take that Pruneface! Now I’m Pruneface! Take that Dick Tracy! Now I’m Prune Tracy! Take that D–“
–Young Ned Flanders, The Simpsons
–I spent a day this week in a brief delirium in which I really, really wanted the DC Direct 13″ Batman. Fortunately, I recovered and remembered if I start collecting sixth-scale toys, my journey to the dark side of bankruptcy will be complete. Dr. Mrs. Ghostal, if you’re reading, don’t let me buy this.
–After the most recent round of Mattel Q&As, a few DCUC fans seem to think Mattel has undergone a sea change in their approach to the line and may now consider children the target demographic, instead of collectors. I don’t see that–at all–and I say so in a few posts in the discussion thread, but I’ll let you decide for yourself. The worrying seems a bit chicken-little to me, considering we’re getting Big Barda, Atom Smasher and Killer Moth(!) in waves 6 & 7.
