The Presidential Monsters Are Unleashed!

[MIB41]

I'm sure it has something to do with the fact that these "characters" are costing nothing as far as license fees go

I agree wholeheartedly.

[sprytel]

I think what has really perplexed me today, is what a vast industry we have of untapped television and movie licenses. Yet somewhere along the way somebody decides, through no real research , to make monsters out of celebrities, heroes, and now presidents. It's an odd phenomenon. I don't pretend to understand it. Here's a line that will likely slip quietly away with a small cult following for those who appreciate undead converted celebs. But otherwise a lost opportunity to make something of wider appeal. Oh well...

First of all... you don't have to license the likeness of the president (unlike "untapped television and movie licenses"), so that might be part of the appeal. They are recognizable "brands", without the associated licensing costs.

Secondly... have you ever seen the crap that they sell in the gift shops at national monuments and historical places? I suspect there is a whole niche of people that collect political trinkets who would find this line quite intriguing.

Just because we aren't necessarily the target demographic doesn't mean it is a bad idea, or that it won't sell.

[MIB41]

First of all... you don't have to license the likeness of the president (unlike "untapped television and movie licenses"), so that might be part of the appeal. They are recognizable "brands", without the associated licensing costs.

Secondly... have you ever seen the crap that they sell in the gift shops at national monuments and historical places? I suspect there is a whole niche of people that collect political trinkets who would find this line quite intriguing.

Just because we aren't necessarily the target demographic doesn't mean it is a bad idea, or that it won't sell.

Political paraphernalia does not typical embody 8 inch action figures as monsters. As themselves, sure. Most of us are familiar with the old 'Heroes of the American Revolution' series back in the 70's. And, as I said, I think that version of this line up would be more interesting to see. Now if you can get the vampire Barack on Glenn Beck, then you've might have made a statement about relevance that could stick.

[jasonmego1277]

Like I said on the Phantom Of the White House post................. Sick Twisted and plain awesome. Definitely Like the Idea of the Monster and Regular Versions.

[sprytel]

Political paraphernalia does not typical embody 8 inch action figures as monsters. As themselves, sure. Most of us are familiar with the old 'Heroes of the American Revolution' series back in the 70's. And, as I said, I think that version of this line up would be more interesting to see. Now if you can get the vampire Barack on Glenn Beck, then you've might have made a statement about relevance that could stick.

You may be onto something... a two-pack with a Glenn Beck as Van Helsing would be a monster hit!!! (pun most definitely intended)

[cjefferys]

I think what has really perplexed me today, is what a vast industry we have of untapped television and movie licenses. Yet somewhere along the way somebody decides, through no real research , to make monsters out of celebrities, heroes, and now presidents. It's an odd phenomenon. I don't pretend to understand it. Here's a line that will likely slip quietly away with a small cult following for those who appreciate undead converted celebs. But otherwise a lost opportunity to make something of wider appeal. Oh well...

Yeah, I really don't get the appeal of any of this. Not trying to thread crap, I hope it works out for them, but it's really not my cup of tea.

[MIB41]

You may be onto something... a two-pack with a Glenn Beck as Van Helsing would be a monster hit!!! (pun most definitely intended)

Love it!!!

[Mikey]

Hearing the presidents are going to be made in regular editions is great news.

I know some people who love anything political and they will most likely jump on them... Like modern day Heroes of the Revolution figures.

The monster editions seems like a waste ...

They almost seem like a private injoke most of the world isn't in on.

I still wish them the best

[livnxxxl]

I have been wanting the Obama figure for quite some time now. Just for the suit that is. For customs. Everytime I check back at Big Bad Toy Store it still shows out it as being a preorder.

http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/p...00&mode=retail

[megoscott]

I've been down for the Lincolnstein figure since forever. I actually passed the idea along to Mark when he first announced he was doing Lincoln. Needless to say he's run with it. I never expected to see this many Monster Presidents, and I'm only seeing them for the first time today, the protos just got finished. It may be too many, some may not quite ring the bell as well as others (Kennedy/Phantom)...

I think these could be a surprise success, but they'll need a lot of marketing to get the idea across, I hope Heroes In Action can do that part of the job. I've seen the package artwork he's commisioned and it's super-pro and sells the concept nicely. I'd have them up as t-shirts tomorrow if I were them.

Mash-ups are a big part of the culture right now. Everything's been zombified from Peter Parker to Jane Austen. This isn't such a stretch. There's no question that they border on bad taste, but that's never stopped anyone from selling a lot of toys. Garbage Pail Kids anyone?

You may not get it, but aren't there a ton of things that are insanely popular right now that you don't get?

I wouldn't be surprised if this gets picked up in the news, they send a lot of media to Toy Fair looking for interesting/controversial stories. That could go horribly wrong of course--doing something like this with Reagan or Kennedy will make some people really angry...be interesting to see how that shakes out.

But a year before a Presidential election...it's not such a crazy idea. I certainly think that there will be a ton of political websites and blogs on both sides of the aisle that would be happy to sell these to their readers. These are political cartoons as action figures.

[BlackKnight]

W. Should be a Zombie.

[ctc]

Hmmmm....

Weird idea, but I stick by my earlier statement: you can NEVER have too many monsters. This seems like one of them weird ideas someone metioned in passing that everyone decided (for whatever reason) to run with. I don't get the handwringing going on over 'em, but I've seen folks here get more frazzled over a lot less. Why presidential monsters? 'Cos they're easily recognizable; same reason ANY celeb is put on a product. 'Cept you don't have to pay for these, like a Gene Simmons, or Shaun Cassidy, or Evel Kinevel....

*Snerk* Tor JOHNSOSN! HAW!

Don C.

[Werewolf]

Mash-ups are a big part of the culture right now. Everything's been zombified from Peter Parker to Jane Austen.

Spider-Man and Pride and Prejudice are works of fiction. These are real people. Current and fairly recent former Presidents. That's going to make a difference to some people and I can potentially see these, especially the Kennedy one, rubbing a lot of people the wrong way.

[megoscott]

Well, you know, people's response at the Museum makes sense. As a Mego collector, this is probably the last thing you would have asked for, and right now you have a lot to choose from in Mego styled figures that are a lot closer to your interests--Super Heroes, etc. But you gotta give em points for originality!

To make any kind of a run at this you've got to sell to people who don't care about Megos, and properties like this stand a chance of appealing to different people beyond your usual toy collectors. The political niche is certainly under-served, and as public figures they are recognizable and fair game.

[megoscott]

Spider-Man and Pride and Prejudice are works of fiction. These are real people. Current and fairly recent former Presidents. That's going to make a difference to some people and I can potentially see these, especially the Kennedy one, rubbing a lot of people the wrong way.

I said as much in my post.