After we posted about the much-discussed rumored line-up for DC Universe Classics wave 18, we received this response from Cliff Francis. While I don’t often agree with his point of view, I do often find myself amused with how he tries gets his point across. On this topic, I think he has some interesting ideas. So, give it a read and see what you think!
You can also find Cliff at Costume Contumely, his blog about “Comic Books, Action Figures, and More.”
No news isn’t always good news. The lack of information regarding Mattel’s upcoming plans for the DC Universe Classics line has led to a lot of anticipation, confusion, and anxiety in the collecting community. Knowing that I have a lot of contacts inside the industry, many collectors have naturally approached me to find out if I know what’s going on. To be clear: I don’t have any inside knowledge about the current state of this line. But that in itself merely adds to the mystery since I’m usually kept pretty well in the loop.
The latest rumor dumped in our laps is yet another possible character assortment for wave 18. Not long ago I gave ActionFigurePics my view on the leaked list for wave 17 and I am happy to oblige once more.
I must preface this by saying that this list HAS NOT BEEN CONFIRMED. However, unlike several other “leaked lists” for wave 18, this one has not been explicity denied by anyone at Mattel or the 4H Studios. Thus, by ommission, we shall operate under the assumption of the list’s veractiy.
So what are we getting?
Oh, how I wish they would die.
This was the worst cartoon in the history of television. Poor quality animation, non-sensical stories, continuity gaffes every other frame… I could go on forever listing reasons why it was a travesty. But probably the single worst thing to come out of the Super Friends cartoon were the “Global Guardians”: Samurai, Black Vulcan, El Dorado, and Apache Chief. Gee, nothing like using racist stereotypes to create diversity and bridge the ethnic divide. Sporting costumes that gratuitously bared most of their skin (so they could be easily identified by their respective skin colors), these four minstrels shuffled around the Hall of Justice muttering ethnic catchphrases (how many unwittingly racist 9 year olds were heard in the schoolyard spouting butchered Japanese? “Casa Nehi, Me Suburu!”) for 3 or 4 seasons until they finally killed off the show due to their stupidity.
But for whatever warped reason, many people (including the Mattel/4H team) harbor a sick, nostalgic fetish for this show and will not let it die. This fan base, with its cancerous reach, has now made a misnomer out of what should be the eponymously named DC Universe Classics. Yes; it appears that these four, with Apache Chief serving as the Collect & Connect figure, will make up the core of wave 18. But make no mistake: The “Super Friends” are neither DC Universe nor Classic.
My antipathy for Super Friends is well known, and I’ve had many arguments about it over the years with people who think they are comic fans. They tell me things like, “Cliff, Super Friends brought an entire generation of new fans to DC Comics, keeping them a growing and relevant publisher into the future.” Baloney. DC Comics had been around for 40 years before Super Friends ever came along. If they needed an influx of new, young fans and readers, they could have attracted them in any number of other ways. There was no need a ubiquitous and lousy televised cartoon to keep DC going, no matter how many millions of kids watched it.
Next, they usually try to play to my sympathy. “That cartoon was one of the most popular iterations of DC characters in their 70 year history. Surely its a corner of the DCU worthy of representation. Heck- I’ve been wanting figures of these characters for over 30 years!” Please. If you had the bad sense as a child to be enrapt by a bunch of poorly drawn Benetton outcasts, that’s not my problem. I shouldn’t have to suffer for it. If you want these action figures, maybe you could get your own toy line. May I suggest “DC Universe Rejects”? But this toy line should be reserved for the characters I was enthralled by as a child.
Each one of these cartoon ciphers takes an assortment slot away from an actual DC character. All of us Real Fans are dying for a classic Black Lightning figure. But instead we’re now stuck with Black Vulcan. How many of us are dreaming of a Silver Age Red Tornado? Those dreams are dashed by the power-imposter Samurai. Heck, I’d even prefer a Vibe figure over El Dorado. And Apache Chief as the Collect & Connect? I guess that means you can continue waiting for an Elasti-Girl.
If you can believe it, I’ve had people tell me that among fans of DC Comics, more people are familiar with Samurai and Apache Chief than with say, Mento or Bulletman. If these characters are more well known and have more fans, the argument goes, why shouldn’t they take a slot from an obscure, comparitvely unknown character? Wrong, wrong, wrong. The Super Friends characters may be more identifiable to people than some comic characters, but not to true comic fans. I mean, if you know Apache Chief but not THE Chief, you are not a fan of DC Comics. And this line has always been (and should always be) a line for FANS. Not just for any random person that wants to buy a toy. If Mattel thinks a Black Vulcan action figure will sell better than a Black Condor, that doesn’t give them the right to make the former over the latter.
I know Mattel has often stated that DCUC is meant to cover every nook and cranny of the DC Universe. All the different iterations, eras, and genres. And it is. But Super Friends simply does not count as ‘DC’. Even though it was a show produced in concert with Warner Bros./DC Comics based around DC characters, trademarks, stories, and intellectual property, the minute DC developed new, non-comic characters to use in the program it ceased to be DC.
But what’s done is done. We can complain all we like (and we should, and we will) but it looks like Mattel is going to shove these down our throats. To them I say: you may force me to buy them, but I will refuse to display them. They will live, forever unopened, in the back of my closet. May the roaches eat them before I ever dig them out again.
There are three other figures that round out this assortment. The first two are Metallo and Manhunter.
I wouldn’t have a problem with the selection of these two, if it had been on their merits as 3rd and 4th tier universe building comic book characters. But they are obviously selected for their being a part of the “lost” 4th wave of the old Super Powers figure line. And guess who else was in that line? That’s right- a lot of made up heroes including our pals the ethnic Super Friends. Metallo and Manhunter’s selection display Mattel’s clear intent to wade into those waters and that’s enough for me to think they shouldn’t be part of this toy line, whether they’re comic canon characters or not. I’m even beginning to question the validity of our wave 5 Metallo C&C because of his tangential taint by Super Powers and by extension, Super Friends.
The final figure is supposedly a Superman/Bizarro with swappable head and hands. I don’t know what to make of this. Is this Mattel’s way of sneaking in a Super Friends styled Bizarro? If so, what a travesty. When we have yet to receive a proper Bizarro in this line, it’s insulting to be slapped with a Hannah Barabara styled piece of garbage ‘Bizarro’. And how will Matty handle the problem of the reversed S shield symbol? Magnets? What a disaster.
It is interesting to note that some time ago there was a rumor floating around about a 5 figure box set themed around the Legion of Doom. It was meant to include Lex Luthor in bronze age uniform, a height corrected Sinestro, a SF-styled Bizarro that used the Superman buck, and SF repaints of Black Manta and Captain Cold. As it turns out we have indeed gotten all of those figures in other SKUs, with the exception of Cold and Bizarro. So news of this Bizarro is believable if saddening.
What’s the upside?
We should see an official announcement regarding wave 17 soon. Probably in the next issue of Toy Fare Magazine. If it is indeed confirmed to be the Rainbow Brite Lantern wave, then I’m not convinced this line will survive long enough for wave 18 to make it into production. That would be a blessing. At least the line would have ended without the disfiguring inclusion of non-DC characters that would otherwise mar its memory for all time.
You may think I’m being nihilistic but honestly, what’s the alternative if the line continues? Answer: Wave 19: Captain Cold (SF repaint), Rima, Howitzer, Shockwave, Wendy Harris, Marvin White, with a C&C Giant Squid.
Cliff
(Inyuk chuck! Enough junk!)
What, no Wonder Dog?
Hah, I think I’ve seen this guy in forums before, BigDog or something like that. Honestly, the only characters on that list I’m interested in are a classic human-sized Metallo, which I’ve been wanting for a long time, and Manhunter(the golden age version, the one shown here, or a Kate Spencer would all be welcome). I hate the Superfriends and I’m happy with the Bizarro and Supermen Mattel already made, so really the only good thing about their inclusion is the fanboy rage and hyperbole that it inspires. It’s especially entertaining when the guy admits he’s going to buy the figures anyways, even though he hates the collect and connect figure too.
Plenty of characters in this line(the Marvels, Question, Plastic Man) weren’t really DC characters at all, just characters from other companies that DC bought and shoved into their multiverse. We’ve already gotten the Wonder Twins. We’ve also gotten Harley Quinn and Batman Beyond, who started out in cartoons that made up new characters. So the line has already been tainted according to his fanboy standards.
And really, if Mattel is going to make the Superfriends characters, putting them all together in one wave with a Superfriends Collect and Connect figure is a great way of doing it, rather than splitting them up into multiple waves so we’d have to buy each one to complete various comic-based BAFs.
This guy is an idiot. Why even post his rantings?
If you dont like something dont buy it. Moron.
“To them I say: you may force me to buy them, but I will refuse to display them.”
If you don’t want the C&C, then why would you be ‘forced to buy them?’ Buy Metallo and Manhunter and let the rest sit on pegs. That’s what I’ll be doing.
It’s really sad that this guy takes time to post a thoughtful, entertaining, and humorous rant, only to be called an idiot and a moron by threatened basement dwellers.
This was the funniest article I’ve read in awhile and it is exactly right.
I’m never quite sure whether I’m supposed to be taking these posts seriously or not…
This dude is way over the top with his dislike for this wave. The problem is that he is taking a 21st century view of the the characters. Those of us who were young back then when they first aired certainly view it differently.
We did not see anything racist in them or behind them they were simply new heroes. We really didn’t mind.
It’s not fair to pint out that the animation was bad or that the story-telling was of equally bad quality. Honestly it was pretty much on par with what was being produced at that time.
This was a time before Manga. This was a time before every comic book character had a figure. Very few outside the core heroes were made into plastic.
Bizzaro is not the biggest travesty here my friend, Distribution is the biggest problem to plague the series. So many of can’t even find them shelves.
I do hope most collectors share your hate for this wave. Maybe at last I’ll be able to walk into a store and purchase the set.
It’s really sad that this guy takes time to post a one sided , self indulgent, waste of time rant only to have it posted like its some kind of valid news.
Wow…so, the gist of the post that I’m getting is “they should only make the toys that I want.” Gotcha. Hell, that’s not even the gist, you plain out say that…
Here’s the thing…you’re not the only one buying these things. Heck, even some of the ones that you posted as ones that a TRUE DC fan would want, I don’t want, and I bleed DC. The Chief…I hate the Doom Patrol. Not characters I love at all, don’t really care to have them. Black Lightning…don’t want him…in any iteration, current or classic. Don’t care about him as a character. Elasti-Girl…see The Chief…
Thing is, I hope they announce those figures, because it grows the line, and honestly, because I know people out there want them. The more they make stuff people want, the more figures they make down the line, which is better for all of us. I’ll gladly buy the Rainbow wave, I’ll gladly buy wave 18, and I’ll gladly buy waves 19, 20, and on. The idea that wave 17 is going to kill the line is preposterous, plain and simple.
They’re toys…and that’s all they’re ever going to be. Like what you like, hate what you hate, but please don’t come out and call people wanting things that you don’t like idiots or ridicule them for choosing something that you personally don’t. Also, they’re not “cramming them down your throat.” They’re releasing them into the market, and you get to choose whether they come home with you or not. Hate them so much? Don’t buy them. Move on, wait for Wave 19.
But I thought wave 17 was supposed to be the complete and utter destruction of the line?
Wow, I don’t think you should encourage this idiot by posting his ravings. I was insulted multiple times while reading this. I really wish I could put this in more of an objective way, but this guy is an idiot, pure and simple. He contradicts himself constantly throughout his rant, and he has no right to judge who “real” comic book fans are. Shanedalton’s reply is on the money. I won’t go on forever, but reading this made me want to punch this dude in the face. And I like to think that I am better than that.
Well, I completely DISAGREE. I look forward to wave 18. You are just a crusty, old crank-pot. Bring on more Super Powers! (along with some of the Super Friends).
OOOH! GIANT SQUID CnC!!!
seriously, dude. chill.
this list was originally posted on RTM as a **JOKE**.
unclench.
He’s not an idiot. Well written, and enjoyable read. So some of these guys don’t agree with your article.
Nice writing… while honing your chops.
If it’s true… I would get Metallo and …would want the Golden Age Manhunter and this Simonson Manhunter in a 50/50 split. The other Super Friends would get a pass.
If Mattel wants me to buy only three of their figures from this line, ….OK!! I’m in for three.!!
I admire your style. Name calling is a pretty weak response to the ideas.
This post person has a tendency to say things like (and I paraphrase) “they should only produce the characters *I* want to see!”, and admits this with gusto and fervency. Thankfully the lineup for any given Wave isn’t a single collectors decision, otherwise we’d probably be lambasted by nothing but Golden Age JSA iterations ad infinitum. To this guy I say, although I empathize with your rant, I don’t support your methods. Let’s not throw the poor toddler out with his bath water, after all.
all i can say is this guy definately needs out of the basement a little more often.to go after people and say they aren’t true dc fans because they may have liked and known apache chief[and btw i also know who the chief is from the doom patrol].what is this”my fandom of dc comics can beat up your fandom of dc comics.”? i’ve never heard such outrageous nonsense!this is beyond just giving an opinion it’s downright silly to be so riled up over toys we have not seen yet[but that’s the charm of the internet i guess,giving a voice to those who never had a voice before.that’s not always a good thing!].the dc line i am sure will continue as it has regardless if we get samurai and the other cartoon inspired guys or not[the giant apache chief cnc does sound pretty cool to me!]hell,star wars survived after jar jar binks and he-man survived after orko so i’m not too worried .i myself would like a rima figure in the line and i’m sure elasti girl will show up sometime .give the rants a rest,cliff and try to remember why you loved these characters of dc[without the cartoon created guys]in the first place.you’ll feel much better.
Well I grew up Reading Comics and watching superfriends amongst other cartoons…So whats the big Deal..I have been buying the Dc universe line to relive some of my childhood..If you dont like dont buy..And whats the Big Deal how the line ends? Let it End…Does it really have to go out with a Bang? And Does it matter???? So the ultimate Comic hardcore collectors Get so Upset when a figure is wasted because its Golden Pharoah..which looks really cool by the way..and thats just my choice..But in all respect..Mattel is giving everyone a taste..the cartoon people who grew up watching Justice League and Superfriends, and Galatic Guardians…and the comic book folk who have every figure in existence displayed proudly in their 40 year old virgin apartment..Its goes both ways..so just enjoy what you can…
“If Mattel thinks a Black Vulcan action figure will sell better than a Black Condor, that doesn’t give them the right to make the former over the latter.”
it gives them all the right idiot!
OK! That’s just your opinion (and the opinion of hundreds of people)…and we must respect (not necessarily agree)…
I started collecting DCUC with The Wonder Twins and I still think they are one of my favorites figures in the line.
Like other people I grew up watching Super Friends and I loved my Super Powers action figures. And that’s not because of this I’m not a real DC Universe fan. Take a look at Golden Pharaoh, for example: even not being a comic character, people can’t deny he is a great looking figure.
What I just don’t agree with this toy line, is releasing several times the same figure like Superman, Batman and Green Lantern. Don’t get me wrong, I love them, but I believe Mattel should take this money and release new charaters and try to please more tastes.
There are lots of figures I don’t like or know, but to me that’s the beauty of this line: the “Diversity”.
And “come on!” if you don’t like, don’t buy. Let them to people who really want and enjoy!!!
If those rumours are really true, I’ll be so happy getting Black Vulcan, Samurai, Apache Chief and El Dorado.
I think name calling is unacceptable. I would have guessed that that’s against the rules here.
Anyway…
That said, I echo many of the sentiments here: growing up with Super Friends, not quite realizing at the time that the ethnic characters were stereotypes, agreeing that DCUC Golden Pharoah is an AWESOME looking figure, and considering myself a true DC fan despite tuning in to Super Friends (and the often non-canonical 1960s Batman TV series for that matter) religiously, and not caring too much for the Doom Patrol, the Metal Men, the JSA or the LSH.
But I’m a completist.
I grew up on Megos…re-creating TV scenes from Super Friends and Batman, and somehow getting the superheroes to the Planet of the Apes (to be stripped and tortured like Charlton Heston) and aboard the Starship Enterprise (to do I don’t know what because I wasn’t old enough or educated enough to really follow and understand the plotlines of Star Trek, but I had the figures, and loved them).
Super Powers came out when I was in High School, but that didn’t stop me from collecting them all…which was highly unusual and uncool at the time, and raised more than one guy’s eyebrows when I had them on display in my dorm room…at the Seminary. I was in college by the time I got my hands on Cyborg…which I had to order from the 1986 Sears Wishbook because I couldn’t find him anywhere…even at Heroes World (in Long Island where I grew up) which eventually became Amok Time Toys.
I think that despite the distribution problems that still plague the line (leading me to believe that it would have been cancelled many times over again by now), DCUC is the BEST THING TO EVER HAPPEN TO US. And if it ever winds down, I hope that Mattel will prolong the agony at least for as long as they have been willing to keep JLU alive. I mean, I expect to see internet exclusives long after DCUC has bit the dust…and that better be way in the future…giving Mattel and Digital River enough time to figure out how to properly execute an e-commerce website.
I say bring on Super Powers Wave 4 and beyond. We’ve seen Kenner’s plans for Titans Tower, OA, Lois Lane, Supergirl, Batsignal, Telephone Booth. Do it all!
Bring on King Tut, Bookworm, Black Widow, Egg Head, Olga, Louie the Lilac and a 50/50 Liberace good-twin/bad-twin variation. I don’t care. I will gladly continue to buy at least two of every single DCUC figure that Mattel has to offer. It’s not for me to say which characters they make…just KEEP MAKING THEM.
And I understand that re-issues are necessary to keep the line alive. Whatever it takes. Go for it!
The only thing better than DCUC as it is now would be to introduce DCUC VEHICLES and PLAYSETS somehow…either as part of the DCUC line or through Hot Wheels. It can be done. It must be done. If they make vehicles for Barbie and Brats, they can make 6-inch scale vehicles for the WORLD’S GREATEST SUPERHEROES! If they’re afraid they won’t sell enough of them, pack in an exclusive figure to operate the vehicle. They will FLY OFF THE SHELVES (if Mattel could get them to the shelves, that is).
Hey either buy them or dont.
In the immortal words of Sergeant Hulka. Lighten up, Francis.
” shouldn’t have to suffer for it. If you want these action figures, maybe you could get your own toy line.” “But this toy line should be reserved for the characters I was enthralled by as a child.”
Well, it’s obvious you hold most of the stock from Time Warner and Mattel. You are the owner of both companies, the Don, Il Cappo, I get it.
I’m sorry to say this, but any concern you may have about YOUR private personal toy line should be expressed in the Directive Board, Sir.
I might totally disagree with the guy, but I’m not too interested in the Super Friends wave either. Black Vulcan is cool though, I’d get him
The “rainbow wave” is different, as Atom and BL Hal appeal to me, if only due to cool and original costumes, even if temporary.
Finally, why would he even think they’d make the other reject SP figures or even produce a SF Captain Cold? SF CC by himself is a massive screw-up in character and appearence. No worry on him man!
I absolutely agree that the Super Friends was a banal and boring depiction of DC’s greatest stars. I personally hate the notion that some people think SF preceeded Justice League. However why did the producers feel the need to inject these non-white characters into the show? Because DC, with its THOUSANDS of characters and (at that time) 40-50 year publication history, had created so very few (and none for the JLA). Even the producers knew that kids of all races read and love comic books. How can it be that DC can have white aliens, robot people, green people, red people, blue people, but no black or brown people?? So they opened the possibilty up. So what?
And why all the ranting about it anyway? Where was all this fury when Mattel put out Cyclotron (a ROBOT whose disguise is a white male) and Golden Pharaoh (a British Egyptologist)?? Made specifically for the Super Heroes line, NEITHER were part of the DC Universe. Let’s be real here about this hypocrisy. This opinion says more about the writer’s real agenda than anything else.
Bottom line is anytime anyone suggests a new character that happens to be non-white, there’s always that group that sneers and carries on about “political correctness”. I think with at least clearly the majority of the DC Universe being white, a few blacks/asians/hispanics/Native people shouldnt bother anyone so much. There’s no proof at this time that these are the 18th wave anyway. If they are DONT BUY THEM then. I’m not buying 17’s GL rainbow lantern line, and that’s cool. Better line-ups are on the way.
Serenity now.
I’m 45, so i grew up watching this cartoon and I too was pissed that Black Vulcan and Samurai replaced Black Lightning nad Red Tornado. Cliff has a funny point about the stereo types and revealing Village People costumes, but I will buy it to support older characters to be made! LOL!
Great article.
Hahahaha, what a moron. If you don’t like it, don’t buy it. But people who REALLY wants this wave needs respect from you. Maybe you never watched The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians, that was the best of all SF seasons.
You can say whatever you want, but SF is part of nostalgia from most people, even if plots were stupid or not. You’re just a jerk.
But I know the most faithful adaptation is Justice League Unlimited, that I love. But this SF hate is irrational. Get a life.
I love reading super opinionated articles. Mostly because I get a great laugh out of the furor and anger that the writer expresses about the subject, and usually does so at the risk of insulting and alienating those who may have agreed with his perspective. That being said, was Superfriends a poorly done show? By today’s animation standards, yes. Was it full of racial stereotypes? Yes, but so were the comics back then as were so many other avenues of media. Was it still fun to watch the cartoon growing up? Hell yeah, I mean we were able to see most of our favorite superheroes doing their thing on the small screen. I think it’s cool that this might be the next wave of figures, but that is just my opinion. I don’t know that I will be buying them all, but I like that they may be available.
My respect for CLiff has drooped 10 folds after reading this garbage. The Superfriends was a big part of what got kids in the 70’s and early 80’s into DC Comics in the first place. Cliff sounds like of those people who don’t get it and never will. Sorry Cliff but you fail.
Who cares about classic Black Lightning? Go buy the one from DC Direct, they already made one, and we have 2 Black Lightning figures already in the line. Silver Age Red Tornado?! Yeah, making a bunch of repaints would be much better than making new characters that people actually want. They great thing about this line is that no one makes you buy anything in it! Don’t like a figure? Don’t buy it! Don’t like a wave? Don’t buy it! This article reads like it was written by some guy who thinks Superman isn’t cool cause he doesn’t use a gun. Its pretty obvious that you don’t get what the Four Horsemen are doing with this line, so maybe you should take some time out to educate yourself before open your mouth and let idiocy fall out of your head and onto this page.
Well I grew up in the 80’s, Watching Superfriends,Super Powers Team, Galatic Guardians. Of course Transformers, He-Man, ThunderCats,Voltron,MASK, where also my favorites, But I mean I was 8 in 1984 and When they Super Powers Line hit, It was awesome to have Figures that where like the cartoons, I was Watching..I mean DC Comics had been doing super heroes for over 30 years by the time the 80’s cartoons hit..There were only Super Hero Cartoons that had a comic Background. No other..The Rest of the major Cartoons has just gotten started in the Comic Realm. So Transformers, Thundercats so on all sold Figures that were in the cartoons, and thats what kenner started to do with the Super Powers line. Darkseid came along in the cartoons along with the Figures..and so on..So now looking back at the cartoons, yes Superfriends was alot different to say thundercats and transformers and he-man, but I never cared, It was fun to watch..I was a kid,,I never looked at Race and if apache chief had his own comic..They were fun to watch as a kid..looking back as an adult..they really had not much going on..They had boring powers and where not like Firestorm and Cyborg..I am talking about Vulcan, Samauri and Chief, and El dorado..They had no starpower, but as a kid you watched them and you became Fond of seeing them every week on the show..I did prefer flash, Hawkman and Green lantern but I didnt mind Vulcan, Samauri and Chief, and El dorado. But its Fun to see them get made into figures..its more of a childhood thing for some collectors..So just lay off…Everyone always has to be so Hardcore about what is released..The Best is they probably have the figures like the wonder twins and are to much of a fairy to admit it to the comic world..Please you take it that seriously? I think its cool that they are making a wave for the superfriends Fans alot of kids grew up in the 80’s watching the show and it also lead alot of kids to go out and buy comics and become hardcore Comic fans..I am not saying all…but I am sure some..But the 80’s all we had was superfriends and when Kenner hit with the Super Powers line we as kid Finally had a cool action figure to re-anact or favorite cartoon..So lay off one wave is not going to kill the Line..Besides I think the ones bashing the Superfriends are either to old or too young to have experienced it you had to be in an age range of 5 -10 in 1984 to really learn how to grasp what hit you as a kid when all this went down..Your first Obsession! Your first desire to get to Toys R us..and leave with your parent pulling you out by your hair! But of course A Auper Power Figure was in Tow..lol
HA ha ha, So I read the “editorial” that Cliff Francis wrote again. As well as some of the comments both berating him, and supporting his opinion. First off, he is an idiot, I say this, because he readily insults anyone who enjoyed the superfriends as a child. It was a children’s cartoon, aimed at what??? Children! d’oh, Second, the current toy-line that we all enjoy is targeted at collectors as well as children! How do I know this, where do you find these toys? In the toy aisle at major department stores. So as collectible as the toys, they are still toys made for kids(of all ages) to play with or display, and hopefully nothing bad. So I understand that name-calling is not the best retort, but when it is suited, then let it be so. And lastly, he rants and raves about a speculation. I doubt an entire wave would be dedicated to the superfriends, seeing as how it would only b relevant to older collectors, it may include a few of them, but there will likely be some newer characters in the wave so that it will pull some more of the younger fanbase in. But this itself is speculation, so we shall see. For my two cents, I want to see Captain Carrot and the Justa Lotta Animals!
Well, I don’t know anything about Mattel having the “right” to make certain figures over others certain “fans” want (if you want to have a say got to work for Mattel. no need to get so indignant and petulant), but yes, I would rather see the main super-teams finished before the scrape the barrel with 30 year old cartoon filler.
Since I was young I enjoyed ONLY the “Challenge of the Superfriends” first season with the full team and Legion of Doom. They were a LOT of fun and I still watch them on dvd – great music and hokey but fun stories – better by far than anyhting Bruce Timm has offered. That said, I have not nor I intend to purchase any of the filler characters from the Super Powers line nor did I buy the Wonder Twins two pack. They sucked then and they sucked now. In fact, ANY character that steals the thunder from the JLA sucks.
Some of the teams could be finished so easily: a Chief Caulder/Dr.Magnus two pack using the Clark Kent bodies for instance. Where are the last three Metal Men? And Rita? Why weren’t some of the larger characters (Mongul, Giganta, Rita, Chemo) sold as seperate twelve inch figures like the utterly useless 12″ SDCC Flash?
Instead of DC Universe “Classics”, we are now getting full waves of DC Universe “Flavor of the Week” like wave 17. I, for one, will not be purchasing any of them. I will not buy toys that are going to sit in a closet – I’m an ENTHUSIAST, not a COLLECTOR. That is $97.00 less to my local toy retailer (when I can find them) because Mattel chose to market an entire wave to a VERY narrow section of the fan community.
THAT is the kind of decision making which is going to kill this line prematurely and there’s no reason for it. And there’s still some good stuff left – sure the JLA and Titans are all but completed, but what about the last several JSA team and villains? And Golden Age versions of the big three: Wonder Woman, Supes and Batman? An appropriate height Kid Flash, Aqualad and Speedy plus Titans villains? Swamp Thing and C&C Arcane? Mon-El and Time Trapper?
All “Classics” right? Where are they while we wait through wave 17 and 18? I’m stashing my cash for now, Mattel.
See you when…
Did he actually say “…that doesn’t give them the right to make the former over the latter”???
I’m sorry, but these are the rantings of an overgrown child. “The right”???? WTH is he talking about???
Is MATTEL supposed to check with “Cliff” before green-lighting a project?
Are they supposed to stop production because “Cliff” says he won’t buy this wave??
Seriously, “Cliff”…grow up.
Ya’ just gotta’ love it when self-important fan-boys get on their soap-box and make fools of themselves.
Hey! AFP.com! I’ve got opinions, too! Will you post MY letter???
Totally agree. The “Super Friends” show was utter garbage. I’m stunned that this ridiculous cartoon excuse for the JLA (as well as the idiocy of the “Blackest Night” story line) was rewarded with posable statue renditions of these insipid superfluous characters. What’s next? 60’s Batman versions of Chief O’Hara, Chickadee, Egghead and Olga? I haven’t seen such a waste of plastic since Toy Biz released a Forearm figure back in the 90’s. We COULD devote these resources to characters like Huntress, Elongated Man, a decent Scarecrow, a re-release of Sinestro Corps Sinestro, Reverse Flash, Vixen, Fire & Ice, a DC Universe Classics version of Batman Begins/Dark Knight Batman and Batman Returns Catwoman, human sized Giganta, Flash of Earth 2, etc. But no. No. We “need” The Wonder Twits, Black Vulcan and a pointless blue Flash figure. “Awesome”.
PS – When EVERYONE in the DC Universe has a friggin’ power ring how, exactly, is someone like Hal Jordan in any way special or interesting? It’s the norm now. Let’s just throw a power ring to Alfred, while we’re at it. Smashing!
Agree with Cliff 100%.
To the rest of you, I tuned you out the second you used the word “dude”.
Metallo? Yawn.
Manhunter. Who? This guy looks like he just stepped out of an interstellar disco. I have no desire to own an Abba figure. Thanks for playing.
Bizarro. Don’t we already have one of these?
Black Vulcan? We already have 2 Black Lightnings (Public Enemies & DCUC).
Samurai? Red Tornado.
El Dorado? What does this guy do again? Just stand there being Mexican? If that were a super power Carlos Mencia could write an original joke and George Lopez would be funny. At least Melina can do the splits. And I already have one of her figures.
And Apache Chief? Does he come with a cup of coffee and a Harvey Birdman pack in? If not forget it.
Power ringed figures? I have Hal Jordan and Thaal Sinestro. The end! I don’t even want Kyle or Guy or John or Alan. Thanks anyway.
You’re right, Cliff. These lines blow. Don’t listen to these “duders”.
ML not MU, and Helena, good for you. You both have shared your opinions and here’s mine, don’t like it don’t buy it, and in case you have forgotten Superfriends was a cartoon made for children, during a time where story-line’s and making sense weren’t the biggest concern. MLnotMu I also get the distinct impression you don’t like Mexican’s, WHAT IN THE BLUE HELL DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH THE TOYS?!!?? Get a grip “dude” and if you want to collect figures just don’t buy the ones you don’t want, but don’t use them as an argument for a racist slant to support someone’s article based solely on what they desire from a toy company. I was originally amused by the article and everyone’s else opinion’s about it, but your comment was simply idiotic. And if you are trying to be a comedian, don’t quit your day job.
How in the Hell did you get that they didn’t like Mexicans? Maybe you just take someone mentioning a race as that person not liking said race? In which case, YOU need to grow the f*** up. And your half-wit opinion has WHAT to do with toys? “El Dorado? What does this guy do again? Just stand there being Mexican?” Really, what DOES he do, other than that? It’s a pathetic attempt to appeal to everyone who is saying “why is the entire JLA white?”. They throw any old “hero” in there and say “there, that’ll shut ’em up!”. Much like Luke Cage, black Nick Fury, black Green Lantern and gay Northstar. Put no imagination or creativity into a character and the simple fact that they’re (insert non-white ethnicity or non-heterosexual orientation here) will make them popular. And when someone points that out you have some knee-jerk mealy mouthed objection? Who in the Hell asked you “Brian”? If a company you are supporting with your obsessive over spending on their product is doing something you don’t like you have every right to complain about that. On a toy forum, on a street corner or right in a bewildered stranger’s face. Deal with it, prick. If you don’t like it? Don’t read it.
Wow, sounds like you are on the rag. Ha ha, relax buddy, it’s is just an opinion just like there’s, but read the comments he makes about other Mexican’s. He singles out them out pretty damn hard, and my point being what does that have to do with toy collecting? So keep ranting without comprehending what is being said. And hey like I said before, if he was just trying to be funny, I thought it was a failed attempt. And to quote you sparky, ” If you don’t like it? Don’t read it.” , but maybe you will get a figure made as the Troll Defender!! ha ha
Sounds like you need to look up the definition of the word “troll”, because that pretty much sums you up “Brian S”. You’re the one that’s harping on Mexicans, not anybody else. I kinda doubt that someone who hated Mexicans would own a Melina Perez figure. Personally, I thought that post was funny so, no, it isnt a failed attempt. Perhaps you just have too many chromosomes. And the word is “theirs” not “there’s”. You’re spending way too much time attacking people for complaining about stupid choices for future DCUC lines. It would figure that someone of your intelligence would buy and/or defend an El Dorado figure. Could you possibly be a sadder human being?
How ’bout my creating a handsome black cowboy adult action figure modlled after…
YOURS TRULY!!!He’d be bald,sort of short,but VERY muscular,and though pushing 60,boyishly
good-looking.(All those descrptions fit me to a “T,”as I’m a bald,muscular-5’8”,212 lb.,
171/4” biceps-57-year-old black Canadian lad regarded boyishly handsome by a lot of the local-Windsor,Ont.,Can. ladies,who ALSO say I look good in Western duds.What do you lads and ladies (ESPECIALLY THE LADIES!!!) say?
Again, rags, you have a skewed interpretation of what it is I have written and that’s fine. You read my post about MLnotMU and decided to attack me personally, bully for you. And now you are making statements about me that are not true. My original point being this a forum about action figures, not about making examples of two Mexican comedians, who by the way last I checked, are not action figures. That to me is very strong indicator that he does not like Mexicans. So maybe you have trouble with comprehension, I don’t know. Oh, but you did catch my typo, so again, bully for you. And maybe you start thinking before you write your responses, because again, you do exactly the same thing you accuse me of. But you know what, I can live with that and your opinion as well others, because that is how society is. I do believe it is better to air your opinion in appropriate forums however. Anyways that being said, I bid you good day.
Keep feeding “B.S.” will just keep replying. As amusing as George Lopez. Best to ignore.