Buck Rogers Hawk Production Sample

[ZICA]

I've listed one of three production samples of the Buck Rogers Hawk action figure on ebay (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5574962988&toolid=10001&campid=5336850443&customid=&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Fws%2FeBayISAPI.dl l%3FViewItem%26item%3D120894058463). I still don't have any idea what DST's plans are for the line but if you want to get a Hawk figure like what my company would have produced here's your chance.

[toys2cool]

bro! that's awesome! :drool:

[Brown Bear]

Just....WOW

[Toy Talk]

Sooooo want the figure, sooooo can't afford it. Damn those monthly bills!!!!

[Mikey]

I could picture Palitoy swooping down on this one --- like a hawk :)

[Gorn Captain]

Wow! Fantastic!

[JediJaida]

OH MY GAWD! That figure is DAMNED gorgeous!

Way too rich for my blood though; I hope that someone gets it before the bidding becomes too dear.

[pmwasson]

Beautiful! Such a shame these aren't going to be produce as-is, but hopefully DST will do the right thing!

[Type Two]

Yeah! I see this as a roll of the dice. You buy the production sample and DST makes one anyway and you feel stupid. However, if DST never makes a Hawk figure, you'll feel like a genius and make the Hawk sample your avatar. 50/50 shot.

[Tothiro]

Yeah! I see this as a roll of the dice. You buy the production sample and DST makes one anyway and you feel stupid. However, if DST never makes a Hawk figure, you'll feel like a genius and make the Hawk sample your avatar. 50/50 shot.

This auction is like a bootlegger dog whistle. :smiley1:

Honestly though, DST bought out the package deal. It could have been A) to get the Buck license for some other purpose, which seems really, really unlikely. B) to utilize the Zica body molds in future projects if it were somehow legally tied to the Buck franchise deal (which makes no sense) the way the original rights were negotiated (a deal could have been negotiated for the body tooling without buying the Buck license under normal conditions. If I recall other properties were being developed for the body in prototyping like the Logan's Run figures, so it doesn't seem like there's any contractual tie-in.) It seems most likely that Zica sold/transferred the proprietary body tooling to DST as part of a package deal expressly because the Buck molds were designed around this body design, and the body inclusion would allow DST to produce them as is. So, C) DST may well be producing them, albeit in new packaging or with less hand choices, etc - but otherwise as prototyped.
It doesn't make much financial sense to pick up a license with complete tooling already paid for and then chuck it all to use something else.

But... you know... I hope the buyer has some silicone experience ;)

[ZICA]

. . .It seems most likely that Zica sold/transferred the proprietary body tooling to DST as part of a package deal expressly because the Buck molds were designed around this body design. . .

This is precisely why they bought the body tooling along with the Buck molds, primarily due to the fit of the body armor for Hawk and the Draconian guard. The thing that concerns me is not being able to determine where making these figures falls on their priority list. The remaining Buck and Tiger Man inventory was part of the buyout deal yet it's still sitting in my warehouse. You would think that if they were ready to get the ball rolling on producing the other three figures they would want to get this remaining inventory and start making plans to repackage it.

[Tothiro]

Very true, and even after a deal is done there are a lot of things that can keep the toys from actually hitting shelves and shopping carts... so it's not 100% sure when, how, or if they'll all release.

I guess from a DST perspective if they are planning a packaging change, that surplus product would pose a small logistical issue. I guess it also depends on how much volume was left as well and how significant that volume is compared to their production plans. There's nothing to say the existing inventory has to be the first out of their gate... But you would think it would be easier and faster to get to market.

It's heartening that the body purchase pertains to two of the three characters not yet produced - at least that shows a level of intent on DST's part.

[Agent4125]

Will the other two figures (Draconian Guard and Kane) also be offered on eBay?

[starsky]

what an awesome figure! i still dont understand why this line wasnt successful! outstanding figures/ product , price, and service- yet it wasnt enough. craig, do keep us posted on other projects. i really like your vision and attention to detail on your products.

[ZICA]

Will the other two figures (Draconian Guard and Kane) also be offered on eBay?

No, I never received production samples of those two figures. I've only got prototypes and I'm keeping them in my collection.

[JediJaida]

I was really disappointed when this,line tanked. It had sooo much potential. Hopefully DST will continue it at some point.

[Teemu]

personally,I just don't see this line getting produced any further...while the figures themselves are the best 8" out there of only 2 figures,it has been nothing but a let down and false hopes...these would of been much nicer than upcoming EMCE Battlestar figures and they already producing 4 figures

DST hasn't announced anything and they will likely use the Rogers license for Minimates or something else

[bmd93@hotmail.com]

I've always wondered why Zica started off the line with those 2 figures. I guess there is some logic in having Buck in the first wave, but Tiger Man was already available in 2 forms already in the clasic line (12" and 3 3/4"). For a line like this, which is aimed at primarily adult collectors, I think offering something new (i.e. Hawk) to get colletors exicited would've been the best thing to do. And why change factories in the middle of the first wave? Under the best of circumstances this would cause problems with delays, etc. Why not wait until the the first wave is out?

[ZICA]

I've always wondered why Zica started off the line with those 2 figures. I guess there is some logic in having Buck in the first wave, but Tiger Man was already available in 2 forms already in the clasic line (12" and 3 3/4"). For a line like this, which is aimed at primarily adult collectors, I think offering something new (i.e. Hawk) to get colletors exicited would've been the best thing to do. And why change factories in the middle of the first wave? Under the best of circumstances this would cause problems with delays, etc. Why not wait until the the first wave is out?

Being as Buck was the main character in the show he had to be in the first wave. Tiger Man was picked for a few reasons. One, because I thought it would be best to include a villain with the first set. Two, Tiger Man was the second figure to be ready by the factory and I wanted to get these to market ASAP. And three, I wanted people to see the amount of detail that I was able to put into these figures and thought that Tiger Man was a perfect example.

I changed factories because the one I was using increased the MOQ on me by 1000 each when I was considering making the remaining three figures. This coupled with the fact I wasn't happy with them over some other issues made me decide to switch factories.

[Mikey]

It's easy to Monday morning quarterback on these but I have to agree I would have released Hawk in the first wave.

Buck and Hawk is like Kirk and Spock ....

Trek companies never release bad guys until Kirk and Spock is out there first.

[Teemu]

Why not of just produced all 5 at once? they all were technically wave 1...

then,released them as a whole wave of 5....

DST are never going to produce or finish this line

[ZICA]

Why not of just produced all 5 at once? they all were technically wave 1...

then,released them as a whole wave of 5....

DST are never going to produce or finish this line

I couldn't afford to produce all 5 at once, simple as that.

[Type Two]

It's easy to Monday morning quarterback on these but I have to agree I would have released Hawk in the first wave.


I'm just glad we got the two figures, period. I would have loved a Hawk, too, but what is done is done.

Most important to me, though, was the production of the amazing ZICA body. A game changer, a new standard, whatever you want to call it.

[MEMEGO]

Mattel could not do it, EMCE could not do it, Zica did, they got out a Mego like product with no defects or problems (far as I know) Zica produced a Hot Toys Quality item at a resonale price. I wish we could have gotten more figures, but Iguess it is not to be. Thank you for 2 super wonderful figures Zica.

[bmd93@hotmail.com]

Hey Zica, thanks for answering my questions. I had no idea about the MOQ issue. And I thought that might be your explanation for Tiger Man, it is a great figure, but Hawk would've been nice. I noticed Hawk went unbidded on, will he be offered again?

[Gorn Captain]

As a fan from the very first episode, I thought Tigerman was a logical choice. He featured in the first story, he was a bad guy (to square off against Buck), and the figure nicely showcased all the details of costume, sculpt and paints.

[ZICA]

Mattel could not do it, EMCE could not do it, Zica did, they got out a Mego like product with no defects or problems (far as I know) Zica produced a Hot Toys Quality item at a resonale price. I wish we could have gotten more figures, but Iguess it is not to be. Thank you for 2 super wonderful figures Zica.

Thanks for the compliments, I really appreciate it. :smile:


Hey Zica, thanks for answering my questions. I had no idea about the MOQ issue. And I thought that might be your explanation for Tiger Man, it is a great figure, but Hawk would've been nice. I noticed Hawk went unbidded on, will he be offered again?

I'm waiting to see what DST plans to do with the line before I attempt to list the Hawk figure again.

[MIB41]

Yeah, I have to say Buck and Tigerman were easily the most popular and logical choices for this license. And from an esthetic perspective, Tigerman was especially a grand slam. Easily one of the most detailed and well designed figures ever made in the eight inch scale. It's hard to argue against the craftsmanship and care that went into making both these figures. This board was ablaze with excitement as we waited for these figures to go into production, so I never got a sense that character selection factored into the results. Unfortunately these lines have to find a life outside the Mego forum. And I imagine it's hard to gauge who will actually buy these lines and who just offers an opinion and moves on. When these lines perish, I don't think the reasons are always as concrete as we would like to think. It's truly a roll of the dice. It always seems to be about timing your product against the mood of the buyer. So hard to do. But from my perspective, this line gave us everything we could have asked. The quality was top notch and I'm glad to have what we got. :yes:

[starsky]

this line and zica should have succeeded! i still dont get it. :enraged: