Batman, Aquaman, Two-face, Black Manta

[Mikey]

Going back to the whining comment ...

I kind of whine myself sometimes (many times), but it's just a way of saying your piece.

These figures do not use

1. original sculpts
2. original suits
3. original bodies

The only thing that makes them Mego-like is they're 8"

I think they're more related to Flatts than Mego's.
They should be called re-Flatts

I really hope the line does well because I do kind of like them ...

I just don't think they're Mego like in any way.

[Orion]

...ok...from here on out everyone just agree that we love the Removable Cowl Batman factor and let it be made without a hitch. Then after he comes out we can all start hammering Mattel on wanting another...any ol' way you want him!

I'm intrigued to see what the final Removable Cowl Batman will look like and count me in as wanting to grab Wave 2 in its entirety. Given the popularity of Batman, and assuming this line survives, I have to believe this will not be the last Batman figure we will see.

[palitoy]

...ok...from here on out everyone just agree that we love the Removable Cowl Batman factor and let it be made without a hitch. Then after he comes out we can all start hammering Mattel on wanting another...any ol' way you want him!

your name gives an obvious bias Mitch.

[Gorn Captain]

A year ago we had nothing but rumours and hope, now look at the embarrassment of riches this toyfair has brought us, this is an incredible time, I find it hard to pick apart anything.

I've found the last 10 toy fairs boring and disappointing, I can't believe what today has brought.

Amen!
Let's just enjoy the plentiful bounty and pick what we like!!!

I want two Two-Faces! All four of them....

[blastphemey]

these arre lookin good to me.

[Gorn Captain]

This thread is way too long.
Can somebody give me a recap?
Do we like them, or don't we?

[EMCE Hammer]

I've never liked the RC/RM approach. It's damn near impossible to translate it from 2D to 3D and not have it look off. I give them props for trying to pull it off, but that is the nicest thing I can say about that Batman prototype. Aquaman is not a figure that's open to interpretation like Batman. The sculpt on that figure makes or breaks it, assuming that the basic elements of the costume are executed. I think Two-Face and Manta are dead on.

Here's my laundry list of concerns so far, taken from my observations as well as other
posts:

Design/quality of the body
Design/materials used for gloves
Design/materials used for boots
Sculpts for the heroes
Costume material prone to pulls

I honestly think some of the doom and gloom could have been averted if the same amount of effort had gone into the Batman and Aquaman prototypes as did Two-Face and Black Manta. The only debate should be about the sculpts. Read through all the posts, and see what the complaints are about Two-Face and Manta....virtually none. I concur with Anthony that one side of Two-Face's suit should have a little busier fabric, but that's not even a complaint. I don't think it's a coincidence that the two new figures with the best quality work are also the best-received.

[Megosaurus]

Absolutely Right!

Honestly I'll be glad when this line is over. No one can say a d*mn thing about any of these figures without someone's feelings getting hurt or someone crying "melodrama". Complaining about the critiques IS melodrama. If you want this line to succeed then you better listen to some of the things being said here. I showed that Batman prototype to my wife, kids and two of their friends spending the night last night (part of Mattel's market by-the-way) and they all gave Batman a unanimous thumbs down. They all liked Black Manta, big thumbs up on Two-Face, and a 'eh-okay' on Aquaman. It's not rocket science folks. If the Batman prototype was made by a close friend of the forum, hey I'm real sorry the returns aren't coming in favorably. But let's be objective about what is being said. If you knew the prototype would be rough looking then accept the criticism that goes with it...especially from collectors who are asked to pay for that "nostalgic" feeling. I poured out some nice cash to get wave one and there are some problems after my initial buzz wore off. Now I'm keen to the quality, or lack thereof, and justifiably more critical of what they do next. That's the market you guys are playing in. And companies like BBP that are competing for that money toasted this line yesterday. Laid it to waste. This is a business. I'm the customer. I don't need to be grateful about anything. I'm giving Mattel my money and telling those who have a voice (to the manufacturer) that improvements need to be made to get my money again. If that goes ignored or gets criticized, your giving the line a bad fibe from the very people you want to purchase the product. Your choice.

He is so absolutely right!!! Not that I think some poster will get your point. Bottom line:The Aquaman and Batman sculpts need a lot more work. They have poor detail even for generic face sculpt #1. Wave 1 needs to be ultimately revised. No consumer needs a rushed, unrefined product sitting on store shelves. We all could have waited another year....since the product has been already gone from shelves for 30 years or so! I really can't blame people being extremely disappointed that fans are involved with this line and it still has multiple issues that need to be addressed.

[AcroRay]

Well, I'm not a fan of any of the popular DC characters other than Batman (I'm more of a Marvel & indie guy), so I'm really happy to see him in wave 2. He's the one from this line I've been waiting for.

So I'm absolutely in for one Batman.

As for my 2-cents for the Doc's feedback files:

1 - I really like the costume and head/cowel design. Perfect retro-styling with 20-20 hindsight! (I'd love to see a Neal Adams Batman design or one like the current comic design, but I know that's not the style this particular iteration is intended to be. That would be a different product.)

2- I hope he's produced in a significantly larger quantity (like 3-1), because out of the four I expect he'll be the most popular by far due to general appeal.

3- I will probably swap out his body with a Cast-A-Way body, because I'm not preferential to the Mattel Retro-Action body applied to spandex costumed characters. It seems like a really great design, but the tight spandex stuff tends to accentuate some of the less-appealing articulation issues with the design (the thighs, hip articulation, etc). That's a body I'd probably use for characters with a different style of costume.

Otherwise, thanks to Doc and everyone involved. Dreams come true - which is what this Toy Fair is quickly proving to be for many in our generation.

[thunderbolt]

Well said, The Bat is alone in his whining

yeah, and the prison rape analogy is a tad bit much. What a drama queen.

[mitchedwards]

What accessories will the wave 2 figures have? Please please please give Batman is baterange

[timmy]

Aquaman belt

I think the Aquaman would benefit greatly by having a plastic belt with the molded "A" symbol.
It would fit in nicely with The Green Arrow belt with the "G" symbol and the Batman utility belt.
Not a big fan of the vinyl waist band pretending to be a belt.

[trekman101]

As Doc has said already he would rather hear complaints now not later...I have read all the posts on this thread yesterday and this morning...now it's my turn to way in...I think what has been said is constructive but the "IT'S BAD..CAN'T STAND IT..BLA BLA BLA" has to stop...original WGSH Megos were generic versions of the characters...some were bad but a lot were good...why do you think Mattel is going to stray from making generic Mego like versions of these characters...they are not going to make the perfect version of any figure...just a good middle of the road version....there have been great and perfect iconic character figures made in the past by others... so there is going to some disappointment with these new Mattel versions....not every one is going to be happy...collectors don't carry toy lines...the general toy buyer does...Mattel knows this and has to walk a fine line to try to make a toy line popular and profitable....so feel free to criticize...you will be heard...but you have to stop with the bad...it's no good....garbage... bullsh.. the quality issues will be addressed and fixed by Mattel...the timing for these figures is right..so be grateful...and please don't jump on me for stating this stuff
With that said here is my two cents...Mattel will fix the bodies.. be sure of that.. the "prototypes" we have just seen are just that....Mattel wants to do these MOCS before they come up with the final versions...remember they are hand made put together's...the final versions will be more refined...Manta is perfect...Two face just needs less bulky clothes...Aqua man needs a more refined head sculpt, toned down scales and the addition of fins to the costume...Batman needs a more refined head sculpt with a thin vinyl removable cowl and a better designed costume...all the faces are always going to be generic looking...you just have to get used to it...using "super friends" as a model is a good start for a lot of the characters. Mattel also needs to work on all the boots for every figure..the material is perfect(soft and flexible)but the tops need to be thinned down and refined.
The other companies making the new 8 inch lines are making exact replicas of a chosen character....that's why they look really good..keep that in mind when you compare them to Mattel.

[The Toyroom]

For the record, I don't get the Removable Cowl fascination, it's not even my favourite on the original WGSH but I am pretty sure I'm in the minority there.

As a kid I loved the removable cowl....however, today if it can't be done properly I say ditch the whole thing. Unless you plan on making all of the heroes have removable masks (where applicable), then it's only being done for the nostalgia factor.

[Brue]

i didn't get the GA. Are these exactly teh same height as Megos?

If so, I will probably get Sinestro, Luthor, Two Face and Black Manta as well as any others that weren't made in the 70's.

I like them so far - the nit picking is really odd considering what you are getting. Mattel CAN make perfectly accurate replica's of the comic, TV or movie versions. Was that the aim of this line? I belive many people here cite RC Bats as their favorite Mego. Does he really look accurate? I don't remember adam west wearing or neal adams drawing oven mits. An appeal of Megos is the quirkiness. These new figures came from that love. Not the need to replicate comic book or movies in 3D.

In other words - what is wrong with them is what is right with them.