DC Retro Action = Big Jim

[levyguy]

Actually, I bet ya Mattel has Matt Mason tooling somewhere, they are great recyclers but based on what I've seen, they've created a new item.

I wish they'd bring back Major Matt Mason. Why don't they?

[megomonkey]

It's a bummer to see a single complaint. I have literally waited for this consumer moment since 1975. A Sinestro? In Mego scale? Sold. Done. Shut up. Thanks Doc, and thanks Mattel.

[BlackKnight]

And if Matty has a problem with customizing, ...

Where you read that at ?

[Troy]

As long as the new figures look good next to the old figures and have some continuity, I'm cool.

[palitoy]

When Paul showed me the WGSH for the first time, he could not hide his excitement about this, I was seated right next to the guy. It's a gross misrepresentation to say he's unsatisfied.

[hedrap]

Let's call it what this is then, a patent issue. Matty couldn't follow the Mego design because they have no claim over it. They do on Big Jim.

I'm glad things have panned out for DM, seriously. But I'm also glad they didn't go for the Mego-WGSH name because it would have been a con.

At this point, if DM's accessories on the Retro Action are removable, then I'm looking at $18 in parts, which is about the same it would cost on the market.

And if Matty has a problem with customizing, then they should have thought twice about attempting this. The brand/hobby is only alive because Flatt showed what could be done.

[LonnieFisher]

Maybe they will release an eight inch Big Jim line. Kind of like the eight inch Captain Action that Cast-A-Way has going. I wouldn't really be into it, but a lot of people probably would.
I'd like to get these figures, but I would rather see Marvel make some. Eight inch Spidey bad guys! That would be awesome...

[drmego]

Underneath it all - you don't know anything!

I am VERY satisfied with the end results - thank you very much!
The figures look great - and the body is excellent. The people
at Mattel have been very sensitive to "getting right" with MEGO,
while at the same time, staying true to their own company's
style and rules. They are not interested in making copies of
vintage MEGO. Like all creative people, they wanted to take
a cue from the past and make it something new.

Working with partners means that you don't always get your
way. If it's was really important, I let my voiced my view loudly.
I think the final product is AWESOME - even better than Sulu
and Chekov!

I cannot believe how great Mattel is to work with - the guys I am
dealing with are every inch the MEGO fans as we are. They know
all about Flattworld, type 1 and type 2, Famous Covers, and the
Museum.

I appreciate honest opinions - it would be weird if everyone just
gushed about them - but show some respect for the people at
Mattel who care a lot about the views expressed here.

By the way, these are NOT just for the collector market - they
will be in Toys R Us. Even if they weren't, Mattel would still
follow the safety regs.

:
Since he is involved I know he can't and won't say anything negative about these but I'll bet underneath it all Paul Clarke is not very satisfied with the end result either. How can you be if they are nothing like what you would've done if you were able to obtain the license?Rich

[kryptosmaster]

the neck piece is dumbell shape , with rounded tea cup plate disk shape which allows movement ,mounted of a short stem, between, its break on the jointing stem and the disks being stuck in the neck and the head , to repair the mount you retrive the 2 disks and drill holes n the center and run a SMALL bolt and nuts in its place, to is to keep the disk seprated the proper distance and carfully work the one disk of the dumbbell in to the neck. to mount the head you place the neck in boiling water until is soften and pop it on quickey on the dumbell disk 2.
The Big Jim head are made of Very stiff vinyl and boiling water is the only way to soften them for removel.

That would make an interesting repair tutorial with photos.
Some pretty ingenious repairs have been invented by collectors.
Rich

[AAAAA]

I've never collected Big Jim. Can anyone elaborate on how the Big Jim head attaches to the body? Any pictures? Thanks!

the neck piece is dumbell shape , with rounded tea cup plate disk shape which allows movement ,mounted of a short stem, between, its break on the jointing stem and the disks being stuck in the neck and the head , to repair the mount you retrive the 2 disks and drill holes n the center and run a SMALL bolt and nuts in its place, to is to keep the disk seprated the proper distance and carfully work the one disk of the dumbbell in to the neck. to mount the head you place the neck in boiling water until is soften and pop it on quickey on the dumbell disk 2.
The Big Jim head are made of Very stiff vinyl and boiling water is the only way to soften them for removel.

[PNGwynne]

I'm sure, with all the ingenuity here at the forums, that some enterprising soul will create a resin "neck-plug adapter" to pop these new Mattel heads onto vintage and DM bodies...

[pmwasson]

I think these new MEGOS are fantastically awesome!

No one has to buy em if ya don't like em.
You could always stay home and look at your originals.

AW YEAH DECEMBER 23RD!!!!!

I totally agree with you. I'm going to buy a bunch.

- Paul

[kryptosmaster]

Yeah let me make it clear, I wasn't saying they were actually using old Big Jim parts as in the same molds, but retools of the same stuff. Hasbro for example has retooled GI Joe vehicles from 20 years ago in their new Joe line. Mattel appears to have done the same thing.

It's based off those Big Jim designs, but isn't like leftover parts or anything.

I don't think anyone thought you meant that Mattel unearthed a dusty warehouse full of vintage Big Jim parts and started buiding these with them.

Personally this thread's revelations have just about sealed the deal for me AGAINST buying these. After viewing that link that werewolf provided I am even less enthusiastic. I may end up getting a couple if they still look cool AND I can get them for a reasonable price but they will NEVER be anywhere near on an equal footing with Megos in my book. They belong in the back section of the museum with the ctvt and other Mego-like figures. To me they are nothing more than the latest version of Famous Covers or those Hasbro 9" ones. Close but no cigar.
Emce is the only one who is doing it right (who thought I'd be out here praising emce? lol). Since he is involved I know he can't and won't say anything negative about these but I'll bet underneath it all Paul Clarke is not very satisfied with the end result either. How can you be if they are nothing like what you would've done if you were able to obtain the license?
Sorry, I guess I should stop ranting but this just fires me up and not because I'm angry but because I'm so disappointed.
Rich

[ODBJBG]

Yeah let me make it clear, I wasn't saying they were actually using old Big Jim parts as in the same molds, but retools of the same stuff. Hasbro for example has retooled GI Joe vehicles from 20 years ago in their new Joe line. Mattel appears to have done the same thing.

It's based off those Big Jim designs, but isn't like leftover parts or anything.

[toystalker]

i think these new mego's are not mego never have been never will be

cant use the wgsh name, heads dont come off, packaging is all wrong, figure has issues and will more than likely be changed

heads dont come off probably due to health and safety yet the arms and legs do
theres millions of toys on sale with far worse health and saftey issues

on mattycollector you have to be over 18 to purchase one yet they make a bow that is hideous again due to choking hazzard... web exclusives aimed at the collector market and have to be over 18 to purchase, i dont know of many adults that would choke on a plastic bow

these just aint mego are they... former mego designers and assemblers must be spitting out there eggnog

there are a million and 1 other green arrows on sale, go buy 1

anyways each to there own, if you like it enjoy, but this is a mego museum a place to love discuss and enjoy all things mego, and occasionly discuss "other" toy lines

just think... when someone has one of these for sale in the marketplace it will have a little icon to let you know what type of sale it is...

it will say non mego