Ask Mattel > Mid-August Edition

August 17, 2009 | Poe

ask_mattel

Before we begin the Tri-Klops Day festivities, here’s my mid-August bout–er, round of Q&As with Mattel. –PG

DC Universe

1.) Emerald asks: Can we now be assured that the remaining Matty JLU 4-packs (Shazam, Doom Patrol, and Justice Guild) will in fact be released, and if so, what are the approximate release dates?

Yes, both Doom Patrol and Justice Guild will be coming out, but we do not have release dates yet. The future of the JLU line on MattyCollector.com will depend on sales of these remaining packs. (more…)

Sooooo…any questions for the next Mattel Q&A?

July 27, 2009 | Poe

matty

The next round of Ask Mattel is due in a few days. SDCC is over, tons of info has been revealed, and my friend who attended all five days of SDCC wasn’t able to get me a He-Ro before he sold out.

This time around, I don’t feel like making my usual caveat about polite questions. Ask whatever you want, I’ll edit it in post before I submit it. (Just try to limit the swearing, or at least use some asterisks–not for Mattel’s sake, but because I try to keep this a PG-13 site.)

Ask Mattel > July 1 Edition

July 1, 2009 | Poe

mattel logo

1.) Valo487 asks: The Legion of Doom has been fairly well represented in both JLU and DCUC with a few left to finish the team in both lines, however Toyman is currently missing from both. Is he in the works for either line? Also, any chance for a non-armored Lex Luthor?

Both are a possibility, but nothing to announce quite yet.

2.) He-Dan asks: Given the recent announcement in Toyfare that key figures (like Joker and Power Girl) will be part of the Wal-Mart exclusive line, what assurances can Mattel offer that the line will be available more widely and in greater quantities at Walmarts than Wave 5?

It is up to Wal-Mart (and any other retailer) to decide which toy lines to carry, not Mattel. If you are not seeing your favorite DC or other Mattel line at your local retailer, ask for it by name!

3.) Ed asks: Some collectors have reported their DCUC figures (wave 3 specifically) developing a strange coating of white film that doesn’t seem like normal dust. I myself have seen it on my DCUC figures and even some of my old Batman figures from the original Horsemen line. A collector on Fwoosh had speculated that it’s probably just mold release working itself out of the plastic. I was wondering if Mattel had a take on this to help clarify the mystery?

An interesting question. If you have photos of this to post we’d be happy to review with our safety department and get a more complete answer. At this time we are unaware of this particular issue.

4.) How much of the Question figure, revealed recently in ToyFare, is new sculpting/tooling?

The Question is based on the DC Superheroes suit body used for Clark Kent, The Riddler and Two Face with a new head, coat and arms.

5.) Given the success of the Movie Masters Batpod, is there any possibility of similar smaller-size vehicles (such as a Batcycle) for DCUC, perhaps as a Mattycollector exclusive or a Collect-and-Connect?

Nothing is planned at this time, but if there is enough fan interest it is something we can get to in time!

Ask Mattel > June 15 Edition

June 15, 2009 | Poe

ask_mattel

1.) Kevin asks: The 2008 DCUC Wal-Mart wave had no variants. Will there be any variants in this year’s Wal-Mart wave?

No, the Wal-Mart Wave will not have variants.

2.) Frogster asks: Given the popularity of MOTUC, is there any chance of a promotion for the fans (preferably available on Mattycollector.com, not just at conventions) such as posters or mini-comics?

This is something we are looking into and will have more to announce at SDCC.

3.) Reverend Ender asks: Will DCUC see any new Male body types, or will the same standard “thick” and “slender” types (Superman and Nightwing) continue to dominate the line?

Yes, we are working on a few other standard “buck” bodies for the DCUC males, such as a super skinny body and others.

4.) How will DCUC Green Arrow’s bow & arrows work on the production figure? Will one arrow be attached to the bow, and can the arrow be knocked? Will there be separate arrows?

For safety reasons one arrow will be permanently attached to the bow (like with Artemis) with other arrows included as well. This was a legal requirement, not an artistic choice

5.) When DCUC figures are packaged with their weapons in their hands, it often causes the figure’s grip to be too loose, so the figure to be unable to hold the weapon securely once out of the package. Could Mattel please look into this issue?

Yes, this is something we are looking into.

Mattel Q&A roundup for June 1

June 2, 2009 | Poe

Interesting tidbits:

  • Webstor’s backpack is removable, and it will have the same “climbing” action feature as the 1980s figure.
  • There will be a running change to make the Hector Hall Fate’s gloves and boots gold (thereby making him a must-buy for me).
  • October and December’s MOTUC figures will be good, November’s will be evil (my guesses: Teela, Mekaneck, and Scare-Glow).
  • The exclusive Walmart wave will not contain any All-Star figures.

Ask Mattel > June 1 Edition

June 1, 2009 | Poe

mattel logo

Thanks to all the excellent questions I got from you guys, this round is double the usual size. I’d like to thank Toy Guru for taking the time and effort to answer these!

1.) Can you confirm whether DCUC Wave 10 or Wave 11 is the Walmart exclusive wave?

That will be announced in an upcoming issue of Toy Fare magazine.

2.) Are the spider legs shown in the ToyFare photos of Webstor removable, and how articulated are they?

Webstor’s legs are attached to his backpack. The backpack is removable and with it come the legs. They are also on ball joints and can tuck down pretty discreetly behind his back. That is what you are seeing in the photo.

3.) Newton Gimmick asks: Mattel often suggests that collectors “contact their local toy aisle manager and ask for JLU/DCUC/etc. by name.” Target, Toys R Us and Wal*Mart don’t appear to have toy aisle managers. In some cases like Target, the managers at the stores have little if no control what is shipped to them. So what exactly is Mattel instructing us to do requesting us to do? Can you offer some alternatives to getting our voice heard?

Contacting retailers directly is the best way for fans to have their voices heard. (more…)

Any questions for Mattel? (6/1/09)

May 26, 2009 | Poe

matty

The next round of Ask Mattel is due soon, and I’m happy to take a few of your questions to submit.

As always, I’m more likely to choose politely-expressed questions that haven’t been asked a thousand times before.