WGSH Becomes Retro-Action!

[hedrap]

I was wondering if there was a copyright issue on the name? I just watched the new Fantastic Four cartoon and the title is "Fantastic Four: The World's Greatest Heroes"

Stan Weston, who created the WGSH name, had the Marvel license first and was their rep. He then grabbed the DC rights from their licensing arm, NPP. So while DC flooded the line early in figures thanks to the Super-Friends, Marvel actually owned the WGSH Trademark from '72-'77. Marvel bought the "Super-Heroes" TM in '75 and had co-ownership with DC for a number of years. DC dropped "Super-Heroes" as a TM in '05.

Abrams now owns "Mego-WGSH" as a TM. Retro-Action is all Mattel. Either Matty didn't want to pay Abrams, has other plans for the Retro brand, or needed Marvel and/or Weston's involvement.

[warlock664]

WGSH

I don't know if this has been mentioned, but Mattel already uses the phrase "World's Greatest Superheroes" in their DC Universe Classics line; it is used for re-releases of popular characters, such as Firestorm, Batman, Shazam, etc. As long as they (Mattel) didn't also use the term "Mego", why couldn't they have used "World's Greatest Super-Heroes" generically as they do in their DCUC line? Or maybe they didn't want to create confusion with that existing line and instead chose to go with "Retro-Action" ?

Stan Weston, who created the WGSH name, had the Marvel license first and was their rep. He then grabbed the DC rights from their licensing arm, NPP. So while DC flooded the line early in figures thanks to the Super-Friends, Marvel actually owned the WGSH Trademark from '72-'77. Marvel bought the "Super-Heroes" TM in '75 and had co-ownership with DC for a number of years. DC dropped "Super-Heroes" as a TM in '05.

Abrams now owns "Mego-WGSH" as a TM. Retro-Action is all Mattel. Either Matty didn't want to pay Abrams, has other plans for the Retro brand, or needed Marvel and/or Weston's involvement.

[Orion]

Interesting point. I had forgotten that they were using that on the re-release of certain DCUC figures.

[saildog]

We're still gettin' new Megos, right? Then I'm happy

Yep, and that includes figures that Mego never made (which makes up the majority of the first wave...they aren't making us wait) and the better this line sells, the more of those "holes-in-the line" will get made.

[Random Axe]

Ya know, I've given this some thought. I really don't care one way or another about the name of the line or really even the packaging. THey could just have called it 8-inch Super Dolls for Action Figure Geeks and I'll still buy them. GA is immediately coming out of the package, so it's the figure that counts for me. I'll reserve any judgement till it's in my hands.

Let's just sit back and bask in the glory of this even happening. Mego-like superheroes has always been a pipe dream for us till now. THe fact they are doing DC is a plus for me, but I'd be all over a Marvel line too.

This is a momentous occasion nobody ever thought would happen. No, it doesn't say WGSH and it doesn't say Mego. It is, however, a figure line I never thought I'd live to see. I couldn't be more excited at the possibilites.

Scott

[Remco Monster]

I like the figure a lot more than I dislike the figure, so I think that is the most important thing. I can't flippin' wait to get him in my hands.

[boynightwing]

I think they're awesome and everything we were looking for and asking for since I first joined this site. Even if its not exactly how we pictured it.

Anyway, I'll wait till I hold one in my hand before I cry doom and gloom.

I'm very thankful to see these toys made.

[hedrap]

I don't know if this has been mentioned, but Mattel already uses the phrase "World's Greatest Superheroes" in their DC Universe Classics line; it is used for re-releases of popular characters, such as Firestorm, Batman, Shazam, etc. As long as they (Mattel) didn't also use the term "Mego", why couldn't they have used "World's Greatest Super-Heroes" generically as they do in their DCUC line? Or maybe they didn't want to create confusion with that existing line and instead chose to go with "Retro-Action" ?

http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/n...-6565393dt.jpg

From Wikipedia...

The seventh wave also saw the first release of World's Greatest Super Heroes (WGSH) figures - re-releases of earlier figures with a DC Universe stand. Figures released in this wave included Batman, Captain Marvel, Firestorm (Ronnie Raymond), Green Lantern, Robin, and Wonder Woman. The seventh wave was shipped in two assortments - each containing a mix of WGSH figures along with the regular figures in the wave.

And these were released in Feb. '09. Taking another look, there's no record of Mattel ever filing a WGSH to register. Abrams' is it and it looks like he cleared the last hurdle - when you publish to see if anyone opposes your usage. So unless Marvel/Disney stepped in in the last 90 days, this was an issue between Abrams and Mattel. If I had to guess, Mattel probably didn't want to pay for usage. Either way, Abrams done nothing wrong but try and reclaim the brand. I guess we'll see come February.

[DocDrako]

As long as the figures are designed well and have great playability, I will be happy. I'm not just buying them for myself, I'm buying them for my son and I to play with. The packaging will be going into the trash at my house anyways. Not that I won't appreciate the artwork for a few minutes before I tear them open.

[Mego Milk]

MAN!

2 more days!

good work Doc!

[Flynne]

Less than 24 hours now

[warlock664]

And these were released in Feb. '09. Taking another look, there's no record of Mattel ever filing a WGSH to register. Abrams' is it and it looks like he cleared the last hurdle - when you publish to see if anyone opposes your usage. So unless Marvel/Disney stepped in in the last 90 days, this was an issue between Abrams and Mattel. If I had to guess, Mattel probably didn't want to pay for usage. Either way, Abrams done nothing wrong but try and reclaim the brand. I guess we'll see come February.

I don't know what you mean by "these were released in Feb '09"; Mattel is currently re-releasing characters in every wave under the "World's Greatest Super Heroes" tagline, the latest being Superman and Batman in Wave 11, just now beginning to ship. I guess I'm having a difficult time understanding what good "the brand" will do Abrams if he doesn't actually have the "World's Greatest Super-Heroes" (read: Marvel and DC heroes) to sell under that banner?

[MightyMegs]

I've looked through all the threads, and can't find the price that Green Arrows going to be. Does anyone know what the retail on these bad boys is going to be?

[The Toyroom]

^ $20 plus shipping.....

[hedrap]

I don't know what you mean by "these were released in Feb '09"; Mattel is currently re-releasing characters in every wave under the "World's Greatest Super Heroes" tagline, the latest being Superman and Batman in Wave 11, just now beginning to ship. I guess I'm having a difficult time understanding what good "the brand" will do Abrams if he doesn't actually have the "World's Greatest Super-Heroes" (read: Marvel and DC heroes) to sell under that banner?

The first time WGSH was used for the DCU figures was Feb '09. If it's ongoing, that's news to me as I'm going by what I can find info-wise online.

Abrams does have it, but the full TM is "Mego - WGSH". He has to have some plans to use it or he can't hold the TM.

Mattel's continued use of WGSH does make me wonder *** is up.