MEGO vs MATTEL

[trekman101]

There has been a lot of ill will towards the new Mattel line and I think it is really not fair....I know the Mattel bodies need improvement but all the 8 inch bodies being made today by other companies have some issues as well...minor as they may be.....they are all very similar in design....Mattel choose to be different ...good or bad as it might be...so there are going to be problems.With over 20 years of mego customizing they have been brought to the point of godhood....when I was a kid I wasn't thrilled with a lot of things about megos .... I new my GiJoe's were made better but I still wanted them ...still loved them...still played them to death....and when I got older and made the decision to get rid of them but not my Joe's I later realized I made a mistake....If we went back in time and replaced mego's with the new mattel's...mego's would be the new bad company and mattel's would be the gods....put it in perspective...original mego's were inexpensive....not made perfectly toys of their time(I know the mattel line isn't inexpensive...a sign of the times)but they were the first...so give Mattel a little slack.....make them make a better toy by our support...not our *****ing...with our help these will be our kids "Mego's"......what do you guys say?

[Orion]

Good post. I support the Mattel line and like what I have seen so far.

That being said, I think comparing the Mattels to the Megos is going to be an ongoing topic for a while to come. We all have a lot of ideas on what we want these figures to be. Constructive criticism is fine - can we fix the bodies, are there fixes that can be made to the legs, etc. And I think a lot of posts have been in this tenor. As consumers of the product they are trying to sell, I would think that Mattel would expect these types of comments. On the other hand, bashing them just because they aren't the same as Megos is a little tougher to take. Yes, I love Megos. We all do or we wouldn't be on this board. Are the Mattels the same as our Megos? No. And in reality I guess we were never going to be able to go home again, once a company the size of Mattel stepped in on this project. I assume we needed a giant to get the licensing end squared up with D.C. In the perfect world Doc and EMCE would have been able to run with this project solo - and stayed truer to the original Mego spirit. But that isn't the case.

Can we make suggestions that Mattel might listen to to get closer to the Mego spirit? I think that is fair. Hopefully these will be the go-to B-day presents for the kids in my extended family for years to come!

[bizzaro megomauler]

I choose not to complain, once I buy them, they are MINE, and on Mego bodies they will go. I am just thankful they exist at all. Doc has been working on this project much much longer than many of us have known. I could see complaining if they were out of scale, etc, but they are better than Famous covers and their brethren that have been offered the past 10 years.

[Mikey]

With all the negativity we've been hearing about Mattels bodies it's a tough call on how to proceed from here.

Do we buy them now regardless of what we're hearing about the bodies to support the line ? ... or wait until (or if) things improve ?

Many of us don't have the money to buy them now and again later.

But if we wait, there might not be a tomorrow because of lack of interest in the line ....

So what to do ?

[megocrazy]

I think the biggest issue is we've seen other companies attempt the "rebirth of Mego's" and have issues. EMCE aside because with Doc at the helm those particular figures we know will be the closest to an original Mego figure. CTVT was the closest in actual appearance but the plastic quality and overall lack of design input pretty much made it a failure once the hype wore off.

Famous Covers were probably the best overall body in quality that I've seen thusfar but the head and body size was so out of proportion they looked utterly ridiculous.

Hasbro tried to pick up on the line with their limited offering but other than the Martian Manhunter who wanted Superman Blue? Why do the first offering of a Mego-style GL and Flash in 12 inch size? The Aquaman with the hook hand was a cool looking piece but again 12 inches? The three other GL, GA, and Aquaman were nicely done though they were 9 inches.

Now Mattel enters the fray. Finally with some reference from a person that actually knows the Mego line inside and out. But we all sit back and wonder why the Big Jimmish looking body? It is obviously something Mattel was familiar with from the past but hardly as popular as the Mego line is today with vintage toy collectors. They obviously aren't going to reproduce the Mego body. That's understood. As a major company it's just not what you do. But being Mattel they are capable of releasing a much better product than the one they did.

Will I buy them all? Of course I will. Because I want them and either way it's characters I want to see done in the scale. Am I a little saddened that I can get a far superior product from smaller companies with no where near the toy producing clout that Mattel has? Yep I am. Hopefully they look at what is said not as Mego collectors but toy collectors in general and say "we've produced quality stuff in the past so why do our hero's look like they need to take a dump? Why do they not stand well? Either way my Hal Jordan GL looks very nice. Even though it's now got an EMCE body under it.

[BlackKnight]

I can't "collect them All" ..., Nore Do I really want to ..
But I would like to see them Last On Shelves,.. and enter the Relm of 30+ figures , and get to some of the More So Obscure character's that were Introduced in the Mid 80's ,.. that I really enjoy reading. Some of the Issue's that are Obviously broughten up need to be corrected A.S.A.P. ..., for the Longevity of the line to continue imo.

If I actually ever Do see a Green Lantern on the Shelf..., I would buy another 1.

[LonnieFisher]

I think the biggest issue is we've seen other companies attempt the "rebirth of Mego's" and have issues. EMCE aside because with Doc at the helm those particular figures we know will be the closest to an original Mego figure. CTVT was the closest in actual appearance but the plastic quality and overall lack of design input pretty much made it a failure once the hype wore off.

Famous Covers were probably the best overall body in quality that I've seen thusfar but the head and body size was so out of proportion they looked utterly ridiculous.

Hasbro tried to pick up on the line with their limited offering but other than the Martian Manhunter who wanted Superman Blue? Why do the first offering of a Mego-style GL and Flash in 12 inch size? The Aquaman with the hook hand was a cool looking piece but again 12 inches? The three other GL, GA, and Aquaman were nicely done though they were 9 inches.

Now Mattel enters the fray. Finally with some reference from a person that actually knows the Mego line inside and out. But we all sit back and wonder why the Big Jimmish looking body? It is obviously something Mattel was familiar with from the past but hardly as popular as the Mego line is today with vintage toy collectors. They obviously aren't going to reproduce the Mego body. That's understood. As a major company it's just not what you do. But being Mattel they are capable of releasing a much better product than the one they did.

Will I buy them all? Of course I will. Because I want them and either way it's characters I want to see done in the scale. Am I a little saddened that I can get a far superior product from smaller companies with no where near the toy producing clout that Mattel has? Yep I am. Hopefully they look at what is said not as Mego collectors but toy collectors in general and say "we've produced quality stuff in the past so why do our hero's look like they need to take a dump? Why do they not stand well? Either way my Hal Jordan GL looks very nice. Even though it's now got an EMCE body under it.

Well said! I agree totally. Mattel is trying to be Mego-like by using elastic in the body. Why? To be like Mego. It's the whole problem with the bodies in my opinion. Using elastic is the Megoness of the figures and the problem. They should have made the legs and pelvis attach like the arms. More like the Famous Covers body would work.

[Surfsup]

I think the people behind the project should be applauded for getting them out full stop. It must have been difficult to get the powers that be interested in a retro toy line, that doesn't really fit in with the majority of what kids want these days. Personally, I think it's nice to see the spirit of yesterday creeping back into the toy shops again. I know there are complaints about the legs but compared to a lot of other current figures (like Marvel Famous Covers for one), they look amazing. We should also stop looking at them like they are the second coming of Mego figures, because they're not. They are called Retro Heroes for a reason.

Maybe Mattel will look at these niggles and do something about it, maybe they won't. You just can't please everyone all the time. Lines like these need a lot of support otherwise they will disappear overnight, which would be a great shame since a lot of work has been put into them to put a smile on older collectors faces.

[Sandman9580]

Agreed!

EMCE and Mattel are what got me interested in Megos again. I came to these boards to share my enthusiasm, and from being here it's been dampened a bit. That's not necessarily a bad thing, because I see them (the Mattels) for what they are now, and I agree with the requested improvements. (And Mego or no Mego, you need quality control.)

But before Famous Covers kinda sorta tried to recapture the charm, there was no major toy company doing anything worthwhile in the 8" field. And in the awkward fits and starts that followed, the situation didn't improve much. Now we have Mattel, EMCE, BBP, CTVT, Castaway, Zica... not to mention the huge customizing opportunities they afford. Beyond Mego, there's GI Joe, DCU Classics, MOTU Classics, NECA, Sideshow, Hot Toys, and enough Hasbro Star Wars to cover half of Rhode Island. It's never been a better time to be a toy collector. And it's not going to last, because nothing ever does.

I would say cut Mattel some slack on the boards, yes, and don't be afraid to politely take the issue to them. Support the line. If they don't sell, they'll cancel it, and we'll have nothing. And if that happens I guarantee you no other big company (*cough*Hasbro*) will step up and say, hey, we wanna lose money too. So buy 'em, modify 'em, and most of all, give 'em to your kids and watch them gleefully not care about 90% of what we complain about.

[LonnieFisher]

Agreed!

EMCE and Mattel are what got me interested in Megos again. I came to these boards to share my enthusiasm, and from being here it's been dampened a bit. That's not necessarily a bad thing, because I see them (the Mattels) for what they are now, and I agree with the requested improvements. (And Mego or no Mego, you need quality control.)

But before Famous Covers kinda sorta tried to recapture the charm, there was no major toy company doing anything worthwhile in the 8" field. And in the awkward fits and starts that followed, the situation didn't improve much. Now we have Mattel, EMCE, BBP, CTVT, Castaway, Zica... not to mention the huge customizing opportunities they afford. Beyond Mego, there's GI Joe, DCU Classics, MOTU Classics, NECA, Sideshow, Hot Toys, and enough Hasbro Star Wars to cover half of Rhode Island. It's never been a better time to be a toy collector. And it's not going to last, because nothing ever does.

I would say cut Mattel some slack on the boards, yes, and don't be afraid to politely take the issue to them. Support the line. If they don't sell, they'll cancel it, and we'll have nothing. And if that happens I guarantee you no other big company (*cough*Hasbro*) will step up and say, hey, we wanna lose money too. So buy 'em, modify 'em, and most of all, give 'em to your kids and watch them gleefully not care about 90% of what we complain about.

I can't afford to spend hundreds of dollars to support a line of figures that suck so I can spend more to make them not suck. Mattel should have made the body better before shipping them out. I want to know what they were thinking when they said "Okay" to the defective body. Also the boots are to long to fit properly in the blister. That should have been addressed before they were packaged. They will all look funny in the package because of the boots.

[boynightwing]

So buy 'em, modify 'em, and most of all, give 'em to your kids and watch them gleefully not care about 90% of what we complain about.

I think that is the best thing I've read all day. Very well put.

[Meule]

I can't afford to spend hundreds of dollars to support a line of figures that suck so I can spend more to make them not suck. Mattel should have made the body better before shipping them out. I want to know what they were thinking when they said "Okay" to the defective body. Also the boots are to long to fit properly in the blister. That should have been addressed before they were packaged. They will all look funny in the package because of the boots.

There's no point in going on about this. They released the figures with bad bodies, nothing can be done about that now, so there's no use in crying about it now.
Besides, they've already said they would alter the bodies, so let's see what wave 2 looks like.
If they still suck then I'll stand right next to you *****ing about it.
But for now I choose to sit back and wait. This is a completely new line for Mattel, they've never done anything like this in this scale. Everything was new to them, there's bound to be some problems in the beginning. That happens with just about every new product being released, and not just in the toy industry. It's inevitable.
Do we have to like that? Hell no. Just like you I expect better bodies from Mattel from now on. But what's done is done, no use crying over spilt milk

[bizzaro megomauler]

There's no point in going on about this. They released the figures with bad bodies, nothing can be done about that now, so there's no use in crying about it now.
Besides, they've already said they would alter the bodies, so let's see what wave 2 looks like.
If they still suck then I'll stand right next to you *****ing about it.
But for now I choose to sit back and wait. This is a completely new line for Mattel, they've never done anything like this in this scale. Everything was new to them, there's bound to be some problems in the beginning. That happens with just about every new product being released, and not just in the toy industry. It's inevitable.
Do we have to like that? Hell no. Just like you I expect better bodies from Mattel from now on. But what's done is done, no use crying over spilt milk

You are not *****ing because Batman has not been released yet...LOL
And I whole heartedlly agree let the kids have at them!

[Meule]

You are not *****ing because Batman has not been released yet...LOL
And I whole heartedlly agree let the kids have at them!

I doubt I'll be *****ing about Batman, I actually like the prototype, even with a molded cowl, so any Batman will be good for me, as long as the body doesn't break inside the bubble of course.

[Orlock]

So buy 'em, modify 'em, and most of all, give 'em to your kids and watch them gleefully not care about 90% of what we complain about.

This^.

THAT is going to be the life of this line. Not only the collectors, but the kids that look at these for the first time, just like we did back in the 70's and go, "WOW! I could do so much with that! CAN I HAVE IT!?" Swapping costumes and making them do funky dances while fighting evil! Having them take baths with you and building a tower out of blocks to have Superman go barreling through headfirst at kid-sized mach eleventeen!

I think the single-mindedness of a community based upon the idea of collecting sometimes has a habit of losing sight of what originally brought us to the dance to begin with: playtime.