Sorry, running a bit behind today…it already looks like the rumors of a better server for Digital River have been greatly exaggerated…anyway, best of luck to all.
Blame for Roboto shoulders? Not the factory.
Or at least, not the factory workers who assembled him.
In what actually isn’t a surprise to me at all, it turns out Roboto was not assembled incorrectly. The blame lies with whoever is responsible for putting the “L” and “R” on the shoulders. The shoulders were incorrectly labeled. (Note: that pic is of a fan-fixed Roboto, so the shoulder is actually on the correct side.)
Thanks to He-Man.org poster Skeletortilla for the news.
Mattel to do Back to the Future toys? (Update: confirmed?)
This is completely a rumor, and as always, consider the source. But Shocker Toys just posted on their Facebook page that Mattel got the rights to Back to the Future.
BTTF Classics? Is it even possible? If they really did get the license, I would expect the same 6″, 12″ and Mego treatment Ghostbusters got.
Anyway, thanks to Novelty of Toy a Day for pointing this out to me.
UPDATE 1: Word from a reliable source is that this came from a Universal Studios press release, and that while it does say Mattel got the toy rights, that doesn’t mean we’re necessarily getting action figures. Trying to find the press release now; if anyone has it and wants to forward it to poe AT poeghostal.com, credited or anonymously, I’d be mighty grateful.
UPDATE 2: More or less confirmed here.
Mattel’s official word on Roboto (plus some MOTUC news)
ToyGuru has posted an update on the Roboto situation. (more…)
Ghostbusters II 4-Pack found at TRU
I came across this 4-pack at the Framingham, MA Toys R Us this afternoon. I considered it, but decided not to get it.
I know the set is based on this scene from the movie, but I think Mattel was a bit too “faithful” here, because there’s basically nothing to appeal to me other than the outfits.
For $60, here are a few things I’d want from this pack:
- Sunglasses on Peter (doesn’t require a new head sculpt–a separate piece, like Egon’s glasses, is fine)
- A jar of slime
- Four–not one, not two, not three, but four proton streams.
I suppose this set is more for fans who haven’t been picking up the online releases and want some “regular” ‘Busters, and therefore the sunglasses on Peter might be unwelcome. But give me a break–this set was tailor-made to include the four proton streams. Imagine how many of these they would have sold if they’d included them? Hell, take out the Slimer and the trap and throw in the proton streams and I’d still have bought it!
But as-is, I just can’t bring myself to drop three Jacksons on this thing. Oh, and the Winston is kind of creepy, because it’s the mustache head sculpt, but the mustache isn’t painted, making it look like he got punched in the mouth and his lips swelled.
Happy(?) Roboto Day!
It’s Roboto Day. In honor, I present you with this massive scan of the incredibly awesome Earl Norem Roboto poster. Click on the poster for the really big version. I spent hours slaving over a hot Photoshop to fix this thing up–it had fold creases crossing both axes and glare from the industrial-sized scanner I used–so you’d better appreciate it.
Will Backwards-Shoulders-Gate affect Roboto’s sales? Will any MOTUC collectors who don’t visit related websites have any idea Roboto’s shoulders are reversed? For the answers to these and other questions, tune in to next week’s exciting episode of Danger Mouse!
TV Series looking for toy collecting addicts
None other than Mumma Ghostal passed along this Craigslist ad. Thought some of you might be interested in giving it a shot.
Can you never get enough of your childhood toys? Do you collect toys, or feel the need to dress up as make-believe characters? Are your friends and family upset over how many, or how much time you spend with your toys?
A major cable network is looking for adults who cannot stop obsessing over toys to appear on a new television series. This documentary program will look into the causes and consequences of your toy “addiction,” and will explore how your obsession with toys affects your day-to-day life. Psychological insights may be provided.
If interested in appearing on this series, send your name, age, location, a current photo, and a brief description of your behavior to casting@20west.tv
If you decide to contact them, keep in mind that it sounds like this is a Hoarders-type show, looking for people whose toy collecting represents a strain on their social lives and mental health. I’m considering emailing them, but the truth is no one cares about my collecting (at least, not that I know of). But maybe I can get a talking-head role or something.
Roboto’s shoulders are on backwards
Mattel QC has done it again.
I’m still trying to decide how much I care about this, but over on He-Man.org fans have discovered that Roboto’s shoulders appear to be backwards, much like the first-release He-Man. It looks like the Horsemen sculpted them to match the vintage figure, and Mattel screwed the pooch on the assembly.
Oddly enough, this was perfectly evident way back in the SDCC pics, but apparently no one caught it.
The shoulders are reversed on the Pixel Dan review as well, so I think we can safely assume every single Roboto will have backwards shoulders. And this time we’re being forced to pay for defective products. At the very least, Mattel should allow fans to opt-out of the sub for this one figure and wait for a reissue.
What do you think? Do you care enough about this to not want the figure until it’s been corrected?
I mean, this is pretty damned bad. Yes, you can say it’s not really that noticeable–and that’s kind of how I feel–but at the same time, remember, you’re paying $30 for this thing.
I don’t want to come off like some hysterical fanboy losing my shit over this, because I’m still not sure it bothers me much (although apparently the reversed shoulders on the He-Man caused them to rub and wear away at some points of contact, and the thought of that happening does bug me a bit). But given the subscription, there’s a principle-of-the-thing aspect to this that’s really bugging me.
UPDATE: I want to point out that it’s entirely possible that the sample Pixel Dan received was an early one and that this was caught and corrected at the factory before general production started. But they said the same thing about the bleed around Orko’s ears, and it wasn’t corrected. So you’ll forgive me if I don’t hold my breath.
Pixel Dan’s Video Review of Roboto
Mattel news dump – Panthor, Gentleman Ghost, Weapons Rack
Mattel has dropped a whole load of previews–well, a few anyway–on us via their News page on Mattycollector.com. Info and links after the jump. (more…)