Walmart on DCUC10

October 26, 2009 | Poe

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Pendragon’s Post got in touch with Melissa O’Brien, the Senior Manager PR & Brand Reputation for Walmart, and got the inside scoop on DCUC10 from Walmart’s perspective. It’s a great scoop and a fascinating read, and comes complete with a list of Walmarts nationwide that are supposed to be carrying DCUC10 (whether they actually have them in stock at the moment is another story entirely). Some of the more salient points from the piece include:

  • DC Universe is hard to keep in stock because it does sell out quickly. They do realize this is a popular item and it why they increased the order from 1,800 stores to 3,000 store.
  • They are considered a collectible and not a standard toy like GI Joe or Transfromers, and that makes for smaller purchasing amounts for DCUC.
  • They determine with stores get Wave 10, by the total number of sales in each store. The higher the overall action figures sales are, the greater the chance that store will get DCUC.

Ask Mattel Answers for October 15

October 15, 2009 | Poe

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1.) Bambam asks: In DCUC wave 9, the blue Wildcat version was suppose to be the chase variant. Is this still true, or is the Wildcat ratio now 50/50? Are the Mantis figures 50/50, too?

Blue Wildcat is the chase figure. He is not 50/50.

2.) Baena asks: Is there any interest at Mattel or among the Horsemen for a “concept He-Man” in MOTUC? It could be as simple as a standard He-Man, but with a Viking helmet head?

Well we did include Demo-Man (prototype Skeletor as shown in the MOTU art book) in the bios, so it is possible that we may have plans for Vikor as well…

3.) Dayraven asks: Does Mattel have any say/input when it comes to the grade of plastic gets used? For example, the MOTUC Webstor had very different types of plastic for the hooks on his grappling hook vs the shaft of the same hook. Was the decision to use two different plastics for that in Mattel’s hands or the factory’s?

Mattel makes these choices.

4.) Barbecue17 asks: With the price increase taking effect with wave 11, many casual buyers and perhaps even collectors may be tempted to switch to lines which are less expensive and easier to find. What is Mattel planning on doing to add to the perceived value of these figures?

We have a great new theme for 2010. Wait and see!

5.) Dyl asks: Does Mattel have any interest in producing a line of figures based on the designs of the Batman: Arkham Asylum game? The designs are subtly different than the mainstream, and would be a nice alternative.

This is possible, but nothing is locked in right now.

Review > Batman (6″ Superman Batman: Public Enemies)

October 14, 2009 | Poe

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A lot of collectors–including me–were taken by surprise by the announcement of a Mattel 6″ line based on the new Superman/Batman: Public Enemies animated film (in turn based upon the popular Jeph Loeb/Ed McGuinness comic). It wasn’t clear how much the line would be compatible with DC Universe Classics, although it looked as though the figures reused many parts from that line. What got me, though, was that the line was finally offering me the black-and-gray, black-bat-symbol, pouch-belt Batman I’d wanted for so long.

Now the line is hitting Targets, their exclusive home. If you haven’t heard, it’s coming in two waves–the first has the regular Superman and Batman, along with Icicle and Banshee. The second wave will have Black Lightning, Major Force, and the Batman and Superman variants (a shiny blue Superman and a blue-and-gray Batman). Unfortunately, you won’t be able to put together the Brimstone BAF until the second wave comes out. (more…)

Review > Joker (DC Universe Classics)

October 7, 2009 | Poe

infantino_jokerMattel’s first Joker figure was way back in 2003 as part of their first comic-based Batman line. He was a rare non-Batman variation, which made him popular with collectors. But he also suffered from a common issue with Mattel lines of the time–scale. He was supposed to be a wee bit taller than Batman, but instead, he was too short and small (c.f. MOTU 200X Trap Jaw, who should have been larger).

Finally–after the Joker’s infamous depiction in The Dark Knight, his memorable, twisted turn in Grant Morrison’s “Batman R.I.P.” storyline and his recent bravura performance in the videogame Batman: Arkham Asylum, Mattel has seen fit to allow the Four Horsemen to resculpt everyone’s favorite clown-based psychopath. (more…)

Any questions for Mattel?

September 28, 2009 | Poe

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It’s time to prepare for another round of Ask Mattel. Post them below and I’ll choose a few to submit to Mattel.

These questions will be submitted on October 1 and will be answered on October 15.

Odds ‘n Ends > Armed and Fabulous

September 28, 2009 | Poe

Odds N Ends

  • The Fwoosh has a first look at the DCUC Karu Sil/Romat Ru two-pack. That “dog” thing is awesome, and even better, it can serve double-duty as a bad guy for your Ghostbusters figures.
  • DST’s latest Q&A is up, this time focusing on Minimates. Our own Rustin Parr has a question in there, sacrificing his dignity to beg for a Minimate Delorean.
  • If you miss the toy review roundups I used to post here (via Fanmode), The Articulated One has picked up the slack over at Articulated Discussion. You can check out the latest roundup here. They’re pretty damned thorough.
  • Reading the first book of Glen Cook’s Black Company series right now. Has anyone else read these? Does anyone else actually read anything longer than a hundred and forty characters anymore?
  • Grades for the shows I watched last week: [How I Met Your Mother: B] [Big Bang Theory: B+] [NCIS: B+] [NCIS Los Angeles: B] [Warehouse 13: A-] [Psych: A] [Simpsons: B-] [Cleveland Show: C] [Family Guy: A-] (Haven’t watched Dollhouse yet)
  • Seriously, last night’s Family Guy was great. The Disney sequence was amazing (and no doubt incredibly expensive). The Stewie/Brian episodes are almost always gold.

The DCUC9 fiasco is making everyone a little crazy

September 22, 2009 | Poe

CornerStoreComics (who have had plenty of their own issues recently) posted this odd little piece about the DCUC9 disaster. It’s unclear to me if this “insider” is actually an insider (and if so, inside where? Mattel? CSC?) or just CSC goofing around (since the “insider” is apparently the Guardian). If it’s the latter, then the “disclaimer” is pretty disingenuous.

Text of the CSC piece after the jump.

(more…)

DCUC10 hits retail

September 21, 2009 | Poe

Abandon hope, all ye who collect DCUC!

DCUC Wave 10 has been found, and the hunt is officially on. Will DCUC10 be as woefully scarce as DCUC5? Despite all the gloom and doom among collectors out there, I think not. But we shall see.

Good hunting!