Call for other weird promotional toys

June 12, 2008 | Poe

My article on the Heinz Burger Blaster has sparked a desire to find more weird promotional toys.

So, I’m sending out a call for help–if you can know of any weird promotional toys, preferably related to something that isn’t usually associated with toys (like the Burger Blaster or those Nike shoe Transformers), please let me know about it, either in a comment below or by email at poe@poeghostal.com.

(Note: I don’t mean stuff like toys that came in cereal boxes or Happy Meal toys. I’m talking about random promotional gimmicks, usually one-shot deals.)

Thanks!

On the Menu > 339/1

June 12, 2008 | Poe

Way back in late 1997, a new magazine caught the interest of then-teenage Poe, who was in his first few months of college. Called ToyFare and produced by the folks behind Wizard magazine, it was the first periodical I’d come across that was devoted solely to action figures. Having just come off a years-long obsession with Magic: the Gathering, I found my interest in toys was once again waxing, so ToyFare‘s appearance was fortuitous.

Now, get me talking about the early days of ToyFare and I will always mourn the death of a feature called “Castaway from the Island of Misfit Toys.” Slipped in at the end of the monthly Top 10 Hottest Action Figures countdown, the sidebar always made fun of some lame figure. It was always funny, full of sarcasm and wit, but the one in issue #5 was some sort of bizarre masterpiece.

The figure?

339/1. (more…)

DCUC wave 2 availability

June 11, 2008 | Poe

Regarding my comment yesterday that DCUC collectors are “in the dead period between waves two and three” yo go re of OAFE writes in:

remember, for most people, this is still the dead period before DC Universe 2 and 3, not between. And the semi-recall isn’t helping that situation any…

If collectors haven’t found DCUC wave 2 in a store by now, they may never. I think it’s possible wave 2 had its production run cut a bit short in order for Mattel to ramp up production on wave 3 and the Wal-Mart wave. However, word from CornerStoreComics is that Mattel is still planning at least one more shipment of wave 2, this time with the Jason Rusch Firestorm. Whether this shipment will hit brick-and-mortar retailers as well as CSC and its brethren remains to be seen.

DCUC2 may end up being a relatively scarce wave. We’ll see–I’ve got a question in to Mattel about it.

However, as I’ve said before, I don’t think action figure collectors can rely on retail distribution for action figures anymore–particularly lower-production, collector-oriented lines like DCUC. Mattel has taken the step of offering six-figure cases to online retailers. When you factor in $4 gas prices for driving around to department stores on a regular basis looking for figures, ordering a case online is probably at least a wash in terms of expense, and you’re guaranteed a full set (though not all the variants). (more…)

Odds ‘n Ends > Acula Edition

June 10, 2008 | Poe

(For the record, sometimes I just choose random words for the “edition.”)

ODD: Looks like people really dig the Heinz Burger Blaster. Who knew? I’ve got to dig up some other random old toys like that. Can’t think of any off the top of my head right now, though.

END: Had the day off yesterday. I had lots of big plans, but ended up mostly just playing the new Incredible Hulk game for the 360. I just read IGN gave it a rating of 6/10, which I’d say is a bit on the low side for how much fun I’m having playing it, but it’s true it isn’t as fun as Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction from a few years back (despite cribbing from that game). I suspect the new Hulk also suffers from comparisons to the free-roaming city of GTA IV. Anyway, I’m enjoying it. I also got the Simpsons game from my cousin Ed  (a.k.a. Mistah Plow), so I’ll have that when I get sick of Hulk. Speaking of new fan-favorite Mistah Plow (judging from my readers’ comments), check out his review of Mario Kart Wii. (more…)

Statement from Mattel on the withdrawal

June 10, 2008 | Poe

MEDIA STATEMENT
MATTEL
June 5, 2008

Mattel is withdrawing certain limited products from retailer shelves worldwide. While these products meet with applicable local standards, the products do not meet Mattel internal specifications. Because these toys are safe, it is not necessary for us to “recall” them from the market. To confirm, no U.S. standards have been violated and no recall under federal law is warranted.

So there you go. I’d like to think the collector chatter about this will die down now, but we’re in the dead period between DCUC waves two and three and there’s nothing else to talk about, it seems. Hurry up, wave 3!

Speaking of wave 3, here are some carded pics in case you haven’t seen them. Love that Deathstroke.

The Heinz Ketchup H-57 Burger Blaster

June 8, 2008 | Poe

Sometime in 1986–possibly while watching a syndicated episode of the original Transformers–a young Poe saw a commercial for a magical item. It was a Heinz Ketchup bottle that could transform into an X-Wing-like starfighter. Of course I wanted it–I wanted everything. But this was one of those odd promotions, requiring some sort of coupon from a newspaper and a check (that magical, adults-only form of currency), and between the Transformers and a resurgent interest in Star Wars, I neglected to follow up on this (i.e., beg my parents for it). (more…)

The Caine Scrutiny

June 6, 2008 | Poe

Sunglasses of Justice

One of my worst-kept secrets (in that I talk about it without even being asked) is my love for CSI: Miami. And since I must have everything I love turned into little movable plastic idols of some sort, I recently commissioned a Horatio Caine custom action figure. The customizer is one Matt Hancock, and let me tell you, he did some excellent work. (more…)

Toys ‘R Us pulling Mattel products (including DCUC)?

June 5, 2008 | Poe

It’s being reported on several message boards that Toys R’ Us stores around the country have pulled Mattel toys off the shelves, including The Dark Knight, Kung-Fu Panda, Speed Racer and even DCUC.

I contacted my sources at Mattel to find out if this was an official recall on their end, and this was their response:

There is no recall on any of these products. Individual retailers are free to decide what product is on their shelf and how much space it gets, but there is no recall.

TRU employees on the message boards have agreed that this appears to be an internal recall, but that hasn’t been officially confirmed. According to these employees, the toys are “under investigation,” but not definitely recalled for safety reasons.

So what’s going on? I suspect it has something to do with TRU’s stringent new safety rules, which went into effect March 1. There may have been some sort of procedural issue, i.e., Mattel didn’t test their products enough times for TRU’s new standards, or didn’t date-code their items properly.

It’s quite possible all the product will be back on shelves within the week…or Mattel could announce a recall later today. I’ll update this post with any new information I receive.

UPDATE: Over at the Fwoosh, user Big_Ricks_Customs went the extra mile and got in touch with Toys R’ Us’s corporate office:

Anyway I called the corporate office and they gave me the exact same speech the manager at the store gave me. “Those figures are under investigation right now by TRU. TRU always tries to present the public with the highest quality product as possible. Until this investigation is done these figures won’t be available at TRU or TRU.com.” When asked if this was a Mattel recall he said “no”. I asked him if this was a lead issue like last year and he said “no”. He said if I feel uncertain to just return my kids toys and they will give a full refund (didn’t say they were mine Laughing ). I asked if all the DK stuff is involved and he said that they are pulling all product till this investigation is complete.

Well there it is as shady as he was he did give some answers at least. I don’t think they wanted news to get out so quickly as I caught him by surprise. Oh well hopefully when this is done they will have plenty of DCUC and MM to put out.

Odds ‘n Ends > Krull Edition

June 3, 2008 | Poe

ODD: I saw Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull over the weekend. I’m trying to decide whether a longer review is something that fits in the scope of this blog, but the short version is, I had a great time. I enjoyed it much like I did Die Hard 4–it was like hanging out with some old friends (and featured some completely over-the-top stunts). Because Spielberg directed it instead of Lucas, it wasn’t a disappointing train wreck like the prequels, but rather a simple, fun adventure. I feel comfortable rating it above Temple of Doom but below Crusade (my favorite) and Raiders. For another perspective, check out this piece by my cousin Ed; he was quite troubled by Old Indy. Personally, I found it rather heartening; just because you’ve hit retirement age doesn’t mean life is over and you can’t bust a few more bad-guy chops. And while Ford has been showing his age in his more recent movies, he comes alive in Crystal Skull in a way he hasn’t since, well, Last Crusade. (more…)