WGSH Becomes Retro-Action!

[Mikey]

Not counting the controversial artwork, I wish the card was classic Mego WGSH card size rather then Star Trek card size.

[Remco Monster]

Not digging the name change, or generic Green Arrow font, and I do not like the logo or bottom circle on the card. That being said, the card is still better than 90% of the packaging out today, I am really not a fan of modern toy packaging art. I am pretty much planning on opening any I buy anyway.

[vulcan2074]

All I care about is getting New Figures. Give me Give me Give me
Sammy

[Flynne]

I don't mind the packaging either. It's not what I would personally make, but then again I haven't spent a decade of my life and enough money to buy a house into making this line a reality. We just have to keep in perspective that Mattel is making a lot of these choices (price point, where we we can buy them, the card backer, etc.), and we shouldn't lose all of the awesome work done by Paul and EMCE to get these to us.

This is a crowning moment for Paul and EMCE, and I chose to focus on that. I'm taking time off of work to order these on Tuesday. Hopefully, I will be able to get these in time to get them under the tree for a very Mego Christmas.

[Werewolf]

I was talking to somebody in the toy industry about this yesterday, he felt passion turns to hate somehow. It was what he noticed in dealing with the fans of the property he was working with.

I call it the "Grumpy old man syndrome."

Quite a while back I belonged to a monster movie forum and they hated everything. Weren't happy unless they had something to grump about. Complain, complain, complain. All the negativity kind of wears you done afterwhile. I quietly left the forum and never went back.

[Mikey]

I think it's everyones right and obligation as a Mego collector to state their true honest opinion... That's why we're here

Mine is the art makes it look like a dollar store knockoff

[dumbldor]

Well, there is a poster in this thread who never has anything positive to say about anything. I suggest we all just ignore him and enjoy the new figures anyway!

[MIB41]

You know, for years Megoheads asked "Can't someone make new figures?" When the first new Mego type figures made were repros, some Megoheads said "Can't we get new Megos instead of repros?". When CTVT made newly licensed figures, some Megoheads said "Can't we get better licenses for new figures, like Super Heroes from Marvel and DC?" When EMCE made new Trek figures, some Megoheads said "Can't we get new figures without having old ones repro'd too?". Then EMCE makes a line of fully licensed DC Super Heroes without one single reproduction figure, and some Megoheads say "Well I hate the card art. Can't we get better card art?"

For the first time in almost 3 decades, we'll have the ability to buy brand new Super Heroes on the pegs at TRU, all crafted to a "T" by EMCE, yet I see tons of complaints here and in other threads about how the package under the tree is wrapped. There's just no pleasing some Megoheads.

I understand. But you need to realize that WE, the collectors, are the primary demographic being catered to. If we're not in line buying them, the line fails. Parents aren't going to spend $20.00 for their kids to play with ONE little eight inch figure when they can spend less than half that for other figures. Most groups like EMCE have been very faithful to the Mego look including the packaging. Collectors have bought them up and the line has been successful without having to mass market them. The lessons for success are in place. With a bigger company taking on this style of figure (AND mass marketing them), expectations are going to be high to see a figure with the look and packaging style of some 35 years ago. I think the critical observations pointed out are reasonable. This idea that I should be "grateful" because someone is making a figure similar to the authentic ones I already have falls on deaf ears. If I'm going to be asked to pay top dollar for what is NOW a standard eight inch figure (which some three or four companies currently make, with more to come), I want it to be manufactured and packaged accordingly. I'm not going to act like I'm eight years old again and pretend like I don't understand the value of a dollar spent. We have more companies with their hands in the "Mego-like" pot than ever in history. The winners are going to be the ones who offer the best figure for the best value. That's the rules of the marketplace.

[kryptosmaster]

I understand. But you need to realize that WE, the collectors, are the primary demographic being catered to. If we're not in line buying them, the line fails. Parents aren't going to spend $20.00 for their kids to play with ONE little eight inch figure when they can spend less than half that for other figures. Most groups like EMCE have been very faithful to the Mego look including the packaging. Collectors have bought them up and the line has been successful without having to mass market them. The lessons for success are in place. With a bigger company taking on this style of figure (AND mass marketing them), expectations are going to be high to see a figure with the look and packaging style of some 35 years ago. I think the critical observations pointed out are reasonable. This idea that I should be "grateful" because someone is making a figure similar to the authentic ones I already have falls on deaf ears. If I'm going to be asked to pay top dollar for what is NOW a standard eight inch figure (which some three of four companies currently make with more to come), I want it to be manufactured and packaged accordingly. I'm not going to act like I'm eight years old again and pretend like I don't understand the value of a dollar spent.

THANK YOU!
That's my point exactly.
I can't help but think that what we are about to receive isn't even CLOSE to what emce would've put out had they done it solo (without Mattel involvement). Too many corporate hands in the mix. I'm not saying they will be bad, just not what COULD'VE been.

Rich
PS: also I'm sorry but until the name "Mego" is emblazoned on the package they are never going to be REAL Megos. You can click your heels and wish all you want but that doesn't make it true. There is something in a name.

[Flynne]

With regard to opinions - absolutely agreed. I never said no one has the right to their opinion, I simply offer a counter opinion.

Most groups like EMCE have been very faithful to the Mego look including the packaging. Collectors have bought them up and the line has been successful without having to mass market them.

One minor point - the Trek figures were mass marketed, as they were (and possibly still are) available at FAO Schwartz, Blockbuster Video, and online.

If I'm going to be asked to pay top dollar for what is NOW a standard eight inch figure, I want it to be manufactured and packaged accordingly. I'm not going to act like I'm eight years old again and pretend like I don't understand the value of a dollar spent.

With regard to the price point - to my knowledge, Mattel has only announced the price point on the Green Arrow figure on the collector's exclusive MattyCollector site, which always runs figures 25-50% higher than the mass market price point. I'll wait to pass any judgement on price points until I know for certain what they are.

With regard to top dollar payment - We can want all we want. Unless you are putting up the money to get it made, you have to understand the value of that want versus the value of the dollar to get it produced and mass marketed. You must also entertain the idea that your opinion may not fall in the majority, and despite what you think the line will be a success. Other people may not care so much about the price point or the card layout, and may actually purchase these for their children, nieces, and nephews to play with. Of course, I could be wrong as well.

This idea that I should be "grateful" because someone is making a figure similar to the authentic ones I already have falls on deaf ears.

Yeah I see that. Perhaps you could spend a decade of your life, a second mortgage on your house, and work a second job so we can tell you what we don't like about your product? EMCE and its founder are doing their utmost to give you what you want, and listening to every single complaint about it for about a decade now. A little gratitude is in no way unreasonable or unwarranted, and does not preclude you from disliking things about it. It's simply common courtesy.

[Meule]

I understand. But you need to realize that WE, the collectors, are the primary demographic being catered to. If we're not in line buying them, the line fails. Parents aren't going to spend $20.00 for their kids to play with ONE little eight inch figure when they can spend less than half that for other figures. Most groups like EMCE have been very faithful to the Mego look including the packaging. Collectors have bought them up and the line has been successful without having to mass market them. The lessons for success are in place. With a bigger company taking on this style of figure (AND mass marketing them), expectations are going to be high to see a figure with the look and packaging style of some 35 years ago. I think the critical observations pointed out are reasonable. This idea that I should be "grateful" because someone is making a figure similar to the authentic ones I already have falls on deaf ears. If I'm going to be asked to pay top dollar for what is NOW a standard eight inch figure (which some three or four companies currently make, with more to come), I want it to be manufactured and packaged accordingly. I'm not going to act like I'm eight years old again and pretend like I don't understand the value of a dollar spent. We have more companies with their hands in the "Mego-like" pot than ever in history. The winners are going to be the ones who offer the best figure for the best value. That's the rules of the marketplace.

Gotta agree with this.
I like the prototypes of the figures, I'm excited about those and even more that Batman will (most likely) be in the next line. But Mattel has had plenty of time to think about this and design a card and this is the best they could come up with? Both Anthony and Mike could whip something better up in 5 minutes.
Half the folks here love the card (or don't care), the other half hates it. With all this bad feedback and the fact that the next figures won't be released till spring I hope Mattel takes notes and improves the card.

[Meule]

Yeah I see that. Perhaps you could spend a decade of your life, a second mortgage on your house, and work a second job so we can tell you what we don't like about your product? EMCE and its founder are doing their utmost to give you what you want, and listening to every single complaint about it for about a decade now. A little gratitude is in no way unreasonable or unwarranted, and does not preclude you from disliking things about it. It's simply common courtesy.

I applaude Paul for what he's done, is doing and will do in the future, but that doesn't automatically mean I have to like the card. Paul probably wasn't in on the design of the card. Hell, for all we know he doesn't like it either.
I AM grateful for the revival of Mego. But I also still have the right to complain, that has nothing to do with common courtesy. I like the prototypes of the figures, I like the fact that the oven mitts are gone, but I still hate the card.

[Captain]

I have to say I like the card. Look at an original Mego card...same simple art styles, and the back was just as "plain". Lets face it, if they had gone with an all new card design layout, nobody would like that because it didnt look Mego enough.
WGSH..Retro Heroes....Well, it would have been nice to see WGSH back on the card, but the Retro Heroes name is ok, and falls into the Infinite Heroes, and Ultimate Heroes thing Matty has going on.

[ScottA]

Not happy about the name change but we'll see what happens.

[Flynne]

Half the folks here love the card (or don't care), the other half hates it. With all this bad feedback and the fact that the next figures won't be released till spring I hope Mattel takes notes and improves the card.

I don't agree. Reviewing this thread alone, to date the yeas (or don't cares) outweigh the nays 3 or 4 to 1, and that is among the most rabid of Mego collectors here on the Museum. I do agree though that collector feedback is always a good thing for a company to get. Hopefully they are reading all of this and acting (or not acting) accordingly.

I applaude Paul for what he's done, is doing and will do in the future, but that doesn't automatically mean I have to like the card. Paul probably wasn't in on the design of the card. Hell, for all we know he doesn't like it either. I am grateful for the revival of Mego. But I also still have the right to complain, that has nothing to do with common courtesy. I like the prototypes of the figures, I like the fact that the oven mitts are gone, but I still hate the card.

Again, I never said "You have no right to your opinion or to complain". In fact I started my post that you reference by saying the exact opposite of that. I was pointing specifically what MIB41 said about not needing to feel grateful. You have stated here that you are, so clearly this is not meant for you.

Hate the card all you want. All I ask is this - ask yourself what you would feel if you spent a significant portion of your life and fortune to make this dream a reality and then you read some of the comments in the first two pages of this thread and in other threads in the EMCE forum. Is the card really so terrible that it outweighs all else done and sacrificed in this endeavor? Is the card going to keep you from purchasing one or more of these? Really? It really does have something to do with common courtesy - we should have the common courtesy to keep this entire enterprise in perspective.