Here is the latest set of questions and answers from Mattel. Thanks to Mattel and Toy Guru!
DC Universe Classics
1. Now that you have a paint mask set up for the Romat Ru, what are the chances for a larger Sinestro? Any chance that Sinestro could be redone using the slim buck you created for Deadman?
We are looking at ways of re-doing Sinestro in the future.
2. You’ve described in the past how the team makes character pics for DC Universe Classics waves. How is the process different for retailer exclusive waves? How are the buyers from the retailers involved for those?
The process is the same for all waves: we discuss all waves or box sets with our retail partners, and we work with Mattel design and marketing, as well as our license partners, to choose the figures.
Tri-Klops may be the big item for me, but there’s a whole mess of stuff going up tomorrow, so be ready for some red screens of death.
Tri-Klops® Action Figure
Infinite Heroes Crisis 4-Pack
JLU Shazam! Family 4-Pack
Batman vs. Gorilla Grodd
Transforming Batmobile
Batman New Batsuit Figure
Batman The Joker Figure
Stealth Signal Batman Figure
Die-Cast Lightning McQueen
Big sale on Monday! MOTUC Tri-Klops, Infinite Heroes Crisis 4 pack, JLU Shazam pack, plus a few retail Batman Brave and the Bold and Dark Knight items! Check out MattyCollector.com at 12 noon eastern Aug 17th!
I’m not exactly sure which Brave and the Bold and Dark Knight products are going up tomorrow, but posted pics of all that’s currently up there. Matty will also have a 1:24 die cast Lightning McQueen, so it could get a little crazy, with both action figure and Hot Wheels collectors converging on the site.
Mattel also posted a round-up of sorts of the latest Ask Matty sessions (AFP’s latest Ask Matty Round-Up was posted yesterday). They touch on a lot of sore spots, for example, $20 Dark Knight Movie Masters, bonus figures not in Club Eternia, and Gleek. Not sure if the explanations will soothe the folks who are raging over them, but at least Mattel understands that some people are upset. And a new hurt for folks on the east coast – Mattel won’t be at New York Comic-Con next year. That’s not surprising, since it’s in October, during the prime selling season for big box retailers.
Now that the whirlwind of San Diego Comic-Con is behind us, Mattel is back at the never-ending task of answering our fan questions. If you’ve got something you’d like to ask Matty in a future installment, leave us a comment and we’ll try to incorporate it an upcoming batch.
Here’s the latest set of Q&A. Thanks to Mattel and Toy Guru!
1. Great showing at SDCC! Of the various new announcements that Mattel made at SDCC (or shortly thereafter), which one are you most excited about and why?
World’s Greatest Super Heroes overview
WGSH Green Arrow
WGSH Wave 1 – Superman, Lex Luthor, Green Lantern, and Sinestro
12-inch Movie Masters overview
Movie Masters General Zod
Movie Masters Superman
The World’s Greatest Superheroes and 12” Movie Masters of Superman and Zod are personal favorites. The first World’s Greatest figure, Green Arrow, will be on MattyCollector on 12/15/09 followed by a retail wave in late Spring 2010. These will be incredible!
This will be the last Ask Matty before San Diego Comic-Con, and it’s a double-sized edition. Mattel will resume taking our questions in August. Now, buckle up and have fun!
1. What are the DC comics that you’re reading? How do they influence what you want to see in the various DC toy lines?
From Toy Guru:
Pretty much everything DC puts out these days is required reading! On a personal note, I really enjoy the current Green Lantern and Flash Rebirth storylines. Booster Gold, Legion of Superheroes, Batman, the War that Time Forgot and Action Comics are also favorites.
The current DC Archives collection hardbacks have been a fantastic way to re-read some classic stories like the Batman Annuals and the Roots of Swamp Thing. Highly recommended! Kamandi and anything by Jack Kirby is also a favorite of mine.
Favorite characters definitely have a way of influencing both Mattel, DC Comics, Warner Brothers and the Four Horsemen as we decide each year who makes the cut in each line!
UPDATE: Before we get to the Q&A, Toy Guru just posted a Facebook update on MOTU Classics Hordak and DCUC Luthor and Ultraman – both products sold out within two hours this morning. DC fans – more of that two-pack is on the way, but Hordak fans will need to wait for a reissue. Here’s the full text:
Update on Hordak and Alex Luthor/Ultraman sale
Today at 4:43pm
Hey toy fans,
Just to give everyone the latest info from today’s sale of MOTUC Hordak and DCUC Alex Luthor and Ultraman two pack!
1: Ultraman and Luthor (much like Mer-Man) came over on two different shipments. We sold through our first shipment pretty quick, but never fear DC fans, more are on the way – most lilkely by the end of next week. We’ll keep you updated as we confirm an on sale date for this second batch.
2: As for Hordak, well he has been our most successful figure yet. We produced as many Hordak’s as we did Zodac and Mer-Man, but he also sold out faster than any other figure! Just goes to show the power of the Horde lives!
We will continue to increase numbers and adjust as needed on a figure by figure basis. We are well aware of which figure are more popular (i.e. Zodac vs. Hordak) and will continue to do our best to adjust production without the dreaded line-killing over-production option. And yes, in time Hordak will be back for a second run much like we are doing with He-Man and Skeletor in the fall.
And keep in mind that the full 12 figure MOTUC subscription for 2010 will be available in July starting at SDCC (you can even sign up right in our booth if you are at the show!). This is the best method to guarantee you get every figure. And as a bonus, the 2010 subscription will include extra items only available to subscribers (and there will be a nominal fee to cover this). more details will be revealed in San Diego.
Next up is Man-At-Arms on July 15. After that, see you in San Diego!
Now, here’s the latest round of Q&A with Mattel. Thanks again to Toy Guru!
We know SDCC is almost upon us and you’ll be saving up reveals for the show, so we’ll keep our questions light for this session. We’ll start with a couple of questions about the DC properties.
1. Of the figures that have made it or will make it to the shelves, which ones are your favorites and why? (If your favorite is in production but hasn’t been announced yet, feel free to give us a hint.)
DCUC Green Arrow
DCIH Anti-Monitor with giant SDCC Anti-Monitor Giveaway
JLU Blackhawk (credit: ActionFigureInsider.com)
JLU Amanda Waller
DCUC: Green Arrow tends to be a favorite around here. The new hand articulation really works for Ollie!
DCIH: The SDCC 3 ¾” Anti Monitor is way cool. And you can get one free with 50 AntiMonitor points at the show.
JLU: Blackhawk and Amanda Waller are both personal favorites. To get them both in JLU style is just a thrill.
