8" revival...Has it hit a wall yet?

[Captain]

I'm wondering if you folks think the 8" revival has seen its day yet or not? Theres a lot of it out there right now, and I'm sure theres a steady market for more amongst us here, but what about the general public?

Personally, I hope the EMCE/BBP/Spectre lines (and Castaway and Mattel) will create demand for bigger and better. What we really need though is something big to break through and get the 8" toy into the minds of kids (and the buyers for the mass retailers). The DC line could do that, but the collector focused prices arent helping it make its case in that regard. Of course, if Hasbro jumps into the market with 8" "retro style" figures of Marvel and Star Wars (and ..what the heck...GI JOE!), things could go really nuts. As it stands though, I fear we are at the apex of the revival already?

[ODBJBG]

If a Mego style Star Wars hits, it'll be a big hit. Star Wars fans would eat it up and it would boost the entire realm of 8 inch stuff. Especially if it was true to form, but updated and sensible.

If Hasbro produced it, the price would probably be cheap too. Which would greatly help the market and make things competitive.

[samurainoir]

I don't think it has just yet and the best is yet to come.

I've been thinking a great deal lately about demographics and popular culture in terms of the concepts of "Boom, Bust, and Echo".

The biggest co-relation with action figure formats is Oil prices and it's impact on the cost of plastics, but in the broadest terms, here is how it breaks down by generation (in regards to predominantly male)...

Boomers (born 1946-1966) = 12" (GI Joe)
Busters/Gen X = MEGO!
Echo Boomers (born 1976-1996) = 3 3/4" (Star Wars, GI Joe RAH)

Here is a chart.


That big dip in the middle is the amount of population available who theoretically would be the most nostalgically invested in the 8" format.

The big gigantic blue bump represents in broad terms, the 12" generation. It's not just Boomers buying them these days, but it's their influence and affluence that is still felt with how the 1/6th scale figure has evolved into a high end/high dollor format. This scale returned to the toy shelves in the nineties to coincide with their nostalgia cycle. It no longer takes up much shelf space at the local toy store, however it's evolved into an adult hobby that demands high quality figures at a higher price point as evidenced by the DC Direct 1/6th figures and the Hot Toys/Medicom/Sideshow style figures that are so popular now.

On the other end, Echo is hitting their thirties and they have a bit of disposable cash to spend, as well as the fact that they are starting to have kids of their own. You buy what is familiar to you. It is no coincidence that 3 3/4" GI Joes and Star Wars figures rule the roost again as it did in the 80's (in the same way that there was "brand" recognition when boomer parents started buying their kids the smaller RAH Joes).

I really feel that for the future of our hobby, we need to look to the "Hot Toys" model as the next step and we can't be as ambitious to think that they can once more fill an aisle at Toys R Us. The rising production costs prohibit this, which is why 3 3/4" currently rule. On the other hand, I also think they need to expand the "Retro" label and Nostalgia brands and get the licenses that can attract kids, otherwise it continues to be a format for a small aging generation.

[ctc]

Hmmmm....

I think they're still esoteric, and as such haven't maxed out just yet. Most of what's being made is for a smaller collectors market; and the Retro Heroes haven't been gelled in the mind of the public as a separate format yet. I think they're still seen as "another Batman."

Don C.

[Random Axe]

The biggest issue so far is distribution. There is not a line of figs available at mass market, meaning Target, Wal Mart, Meijer and other large retailers. If one of these companies commits to getting our scale into a large volume of retailers, then all bets are off.

I like the idea of Star Wars in 1/9 scale. Hasbro has done every other line to death and created others that simply do not sell. And, TRU carries a bunch of peg and shelf warmers. Quarter scale Hoth Han SOlo at TRU for 80 dollars? Seriously? That's not ever gonna fly. Unleashed statues? Greedo bobbleheads? Mighty Muggs? WHy not open up this scale and see what happens? Plus if Hasbro is successful, it absolutely will filter over to the Marvel lisence.

We are simply waiting for the ONE line that will carry this format for the next couple of years. Otherwise, this will be a niche for us only.

Scott

[tllgn]

amen,brother.